She walked off to the bathroom. Moments later the toilet flushed and she emerged, making straight for her coat and bag.
‘Could I pay you for some more of your time?’
She paused.
‘You want me to do it again?’
‘No, no, I just want to talk. I… I’m alone in the city. I won’t see my family until the weekend and I… well, I just like to talk.’
‘Ok,’ she replied, sitting down on the bed.
Tony fished another £50 from his wallet and handed it over.
‘So where are you from?’
‘Lots of places. But I was born in Manchester if that’s what you mean.’
‘Still got family there?’
‘None that are worth bothering with.’
‘Right.’
‘How about you, Paul? You from round here?’
‘Born and bred.’
‘That’s nice. Good to have a home.’
‘You live near here?’
‘Just stopping with a friend. As long as I’m getting work, I’ll stay put.’
‘Are you making decent money?’
‘Pretty good. I’m more open-minded than some.’
‘Do you ever work with other girls?’
‘Sometimes.’
‘Do you do threesomes?’
‘Sure.’
‘There’s a girl I’m interested in hooking up with. Angel. Perhaps you know her?’
Melissa paused, then looked up.
‘I’m not sure you want to get to know her, honey.’
‘Why not?’
‘Just trust me, you don’t. Besides, there’s nothing she can do for you that I can’t.’
‘But if I wanted a threeso-’
‘I can find you another girl.’
‘But I want Angel.’
Another long pause.
‘Why?’
‘Because I’ve heard good things about her.’
‘Who from?’
‘Other guys.’
‘Like hell you have.’
‘Sorry?’
‘This is your first time, isn’t it? You’re as green as they come.’
‘So?’
‘You don’t look the type to be jawing with other fellas about what toms like me get up to.’
Tony was surprised to feel affronted, but gathered himself.
‘Ok, maybe I am new, but I know what I want. I’m happy to give you cash if you can set it up.’
‘What have you heard about her, then?’
‘Just that she likes to be hit, denigra-… abused, you know. She’ll let you do things that other girls don’t.’
‘And who’s told you about her?’
‘Guys.’
‘Guys?’
‘You know, other g-’
‘Who?’
‘People I’ve chatted to -’
‘Give me their names.’
‘I don’t really -’
‘Give me their names.’
‘Er… I think one was called Jeremy. And -’
‘Where did you meet them?’
‘Online.’
‘How?’
‘On a forum.’
‘What was the name of the forum?’
‘I can’t remember the name -’
‘And you want to meet Angel?’
‘Yes!’
‘Because you want to question her? Like you’re questioning me?’
‘No, no,’ Tony replied, but he had hesitated a nanosecond too long and he knew it.
Melissa was already on her feet.
‘A bloody cop. I knew it.’
