Page 29 of Ticket Out

“I doubt it if you’re a good tenant. But I recommend finding a bedsit, like me. There’s more independence.” Gabriella had never regretted taking the tiny bedsit in Notting Hill.

“A few of the other pupils working in Chambers were talking about a flat share,” Ben said. “There’s a few I think I’d get along with, so maybe I’ll go in with them.”

The noise in the pub began to get to rowdy levels, making it impossible to have a decent conversation, and they eventually gave up, collected their things, and stepped out into the balmy summer air.

It was a relief.

“The smell of spilt beer and sweat mingled together is god-awful,” Dominique said, wrinkling her nose as they moved to the other side of the road.

The pub was on the Thames, and by unspoken agreement they all leaned against the wall to look down at it, breathing in the briny scent of the water.

The lights of the pubs and the street lights reflected in the flowing river, and in combination with the warmth of the evening air, made Gabriella feel very fond of her newly adopted home.

“It’s quiet now,” Ben said. “Tell us what’s wrong, Gabs. Is it your dad? You’ve found out what happened to him?”

Gabriella thought he’d have forgotten about her promise to explain, but she should have realized he wouldn’t. He wasn’t the forgetful type.

She hesitated again, but Ben gave her a look that said he wasn’t going to drop it. She sighed.

“It’s nothing to do with my search. I found a dead body on my rounds last week, and then another one today.”

Dominique audibly drew in a breath, and Trev and Ben’s faces registered shock.

“Are you alright, love?” Dominique put an arm around her and drew her close.

Gabriella wound her own arm around Dominique’s waist and gave her a squeeze to thank her for the sympathy. “I’m doing okay.”

“The police are on it?” Ben asked.

She gave a nod. “Look, I’d rather not talk about it.”

“You sure?” Dominique studied her face carefully.

“It was grim, and I’d prefer not to think about it more than necessary.” She hugged herself, turning away from the river, and saw a green jaguar pulling away from the curb.

She frowned after it, relieved to see she didn’t recognize the registration number, but as it disappeared into the traffic she thought she glimpsed a dent on the rear left bumper. Just where Mr. Jaguar had hit the bollard the day he’d roared off.

“What is it?” Trevor put a hand on her arm. “You look spooked.”

She shook her head. “All good. Just time to call it a night.”

“You let us know if we can help you,” Trevor said, and Ben murmured an agreement.

They broke up—Ben and Trevor heading toward Embankment together, although Trev lived south of the river, and she and Dominique were both headed west.

They sat on the bus, talking quietly, and when Dominique got off at Earl’s Court, Gabriella decided to get off with her. She had to get off soon anyway and walk to the main road to catch the bus to Notting Hill, and she would rather spend more time with Dominique.

When they reached the door up to the flat over a newsagents where Dominique was sharing with a friend of her sister’s, Dominique grabbed both of Gabriella’s hands. “Let’s meet up Saturday afternoon. Do some shopping.”

“All right.” She didn’t have money for shopping, but she would happily tag along with Dominique.

They hugged goodbye, and as Gabriella made her way up to the main road, she realized Earl’s Court was still buzzing, even though it was a Monday night.

She enjoyed the festive atmosphere, although she wondered if the noise would get old after a while if it was like this every night, and you were trying to sleep.

Notting Hill settled down after eleven.

“Want some company?” A burly man with blond-streaked hair to his shoulders flicked away his cigarette and straightened up from the wall outside a club with neon signage. She hadn’t seen him lurking in the shadows and she felt her heart jump in her chest at being taken by surprise.

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