London Harmony: Roctoberfest (6 page)

Caroline just hugged my arm and laid her head on my shoulder as she sang, “Kacy and Mei, sitting in a tree...”  I elbowed her in the gut, which just set the two women off in a fit of laughter.  I hate myself for smiling at their antics.

I got my gear stowed in my storage unit and said good-night to the ladies and then as I walked up the gangplank to the Dragon Lady, my mobile started chirping away.  I looked down to see Mei  Hammond on the screen.  I clamped my mouth to stop an excited squeal and scampered into my cabin as I answered, “Hello?”

She said in an offhanded tone, “Bored.  Say words to me.”

I snickered. “Yes ma'am.”  Then kicked back on my little bed and put my feet up on the shelf that went around the room.  We talked for hours.  I got up and made a snack at one point then laid back down.  I had to plug my mobile into the charger as I spoke as the battery was ready to give up the ghost.

We talked about everything and nothing and I wound up dozing off around two in the morning.  I shook myself to keep my eyes open then grinned like a loon when I heard gentle snoring on her end.  I just sat and listened to her sleep until her battery died.

The next morning I was in a bloody good mood.  Even though we were most likely out of the competition, I couldn't help smiling at my conversations with Mei.  I took a quick shower and stared at myself in the mirror.

For the most part, I don't think about my looks.  But I just stared, looking side to side, seeing every single imperfection in my face, wondering if I were pretty.  I'd never be classically pretty like Caroline, or have the hard beauty of Mick, and especially not the delicate beauty of Mei, but I thought maybe I could be passable if I tried.

I held my straight honey streaked hair up in a bun and looked side to side.  I made a face at myself then stuck out my tongue and let my hair drop.  I sort of liked my brown eyes.  They were slightly large for my face and I felt they gave me a slight doe-eyed look.  My nose was too pointed for my taste and I always wished I had a more button shaped nose like Caroline, or maybe a graceful one like Paya Doshi's.

I smiled at myself.  Okay, my smile was cute.  I can work with cute.  I made a silly face at myself and mussed up my hair.  I grinned. 
That was stupid, Kacy.
  I went about brushing my hair again.  I took the time to actually put it in a braid.

It had been a long time since I did that, or even could do it.  My hair was finally long enough to hang just past my shoulders and braid again after my ill-advised attempt to look cool with a buzz cut. 
Note to all, I don't look good without hair.
  The only plus was that Carol and Mick always ran their fingers through my stubble up until I had enough hair for a pageboy cut.  Which made me look like a thirteen-year-old boy with breasts.

I checked my mobile as I took it off the charger.  I had two text messages.  One from Paya saying she'd be by in a few minutes to take me out to look at a couple flats.  And...Oooo a text from Mei.  “Thx for the talk last night.  Was fun.”  With a smiley.

I shot back an “I had fun too.  See you tonight at O' Riley's?  Got to scope out flats today.” With a  smiley of my own, naturally.

She shot back. “Sooo bloody bored.  Take me with?”

Faster than I thought my fingers could move I responded, “Okay.”

Then she responded, “Brill.  I'll be there in ten.  You said the Flotilla right?”

I nodded. 
She can't see you nod Kace.
  I typed, “Yes, on the Dragon Lady.”

Then I panicked.  Oh lord... cute, I needed to look cute!  I rummaged through my clothes and went with a pair of tight capris and a nice white blouse I tied at the waist.  I slid on my converse and looked in the mirror again. Shite.  Umm... makeup.

I applied light makeup and lip gloss then actually put in some small hoop earrings.  I rarely wore earrings, except studs every once in a while to keep the piercings open.  I looked at my shoulder bag and then my mobile was chirping away.

I answered, trying not to pant through my panic. “Hello?”

She said, “Hey.  I'm here but like, which cabin are you in.  There isn't a directory or anything I can see.” I popped my head out the door five feet from her and gave her a cheesy grin as I rang off.  She paused and smiled.  “Wow, you look great.”  I blushed and looked at her as she walked up and I held the door open for her.

Of course, she looked cute and stylish with her torn jeans and faded Amber LaLanie tour shirt that had the empty sleeve pinned to her side.  She surprised me with a quick peck on the lips as she passed by.  My blush doubled.  Come on Kace, don't be lame, say something.  “Thanks.  You look fantastic too.”

She looked around the cabin and smiled.  “I've read about the project, but I've never been in one of the barges.  I expected, I don't know, something like the slums described in that unauthorized biography of Tabitha Romanov.  But this is bloody brill.  It's like living on a cruise ship.”

I grinned and nodded.  I didn't know someone did a biography on Tabby Cat, I'd have to check it out.  I looked around.  “I agree, I was surprised when I moved in.  This is nicer than my bandmates flats.  I'm sad it is just temporary.”

She stepped up to me and looked up into my eyes, I was lost in her pools of chocolate.  I felt her warm breath on my face she was that close.  It was driving me crazy.  Then she took my hand and I reached out with my other hand and snagged her belt loop.  She swung us gently side to side as she seemed to examine me, especially my eyes.

The silence was deafening and I could hear my pulse hammering in my ears when she crinkled her nose cutely and started leaning up for a kiss.  Then eeped and we jumped apart at the knocking at my door.  We looked at each other, cracked up, and I opened the door.  Paya Doshi was there with her eyes on her pad.

She glanced up and did a double take.  Then she gave a sly grin, “Am I interrupting?”

I said, “No,” at the same time Mei said, “Yes.”  Then we glanced at each other and I blurted, “Yes,” as Mei said, “No.”  Paya looked about to laugh and I gave her a shrug. “Maybe?”

She giggled like a damn chipmunk at us then said, “You ready?  We got a plus one?”

I looked between the two exotic women. 
Bloody hell, I'm only human, why am I being punished like this?
  To stop myself from drooling like a tosser, I said quickly, “Yes.  Paya Doshi, this is Mei Hammond.  My umm...”

Paya cocked a sculpted brow and prompted with humor in her voice, “Friend?  Girlfriend?  Butter for your bread?”

Mei snorted and said, “Yes, that last one.”  They were two evil teasing bints.

Paya held out her hand and paused looking at Mei's empty sleeve.  Then before Mei could get her left hand awkwardly into her hand, Paya grabbed the end of the empty sleeve and shook it, to my horror. “Pleased to meet you, Mei.”

To my surprise, a small smile started to grow on Mei's lips and she inclined her head at Paya.  “A pleasure to meet you as well.”  Then added, “You're an odd duck aren't you?”

Paya made cute duck lips then said, “Quack quack, now let's get a move on ladies.  Kacy's new flat awaits somewhere in the city.”

I snagged my bag and we headed out and I locked the door behind us.  Mei cutely thrust her right hip out to me and I snagged her belt loop.  We all grinned and made our way down to Paya's black SUV with tinted windows.  It looked to be something government agents or the Men in Black would drive.  But it still seemed to fit the little woman to a T.

We slid into the back seat and Paya didn't say a word though she had an evil, wicked gleam in her eyes.  She looked at her pad then said, “The two studio apartments are in Paddington since you said you wanted to stay near Central London.  The first one is on Portchester, the second on Queensway.”

Then we were off.  Paya made pleasant conversation as I tugged playfully on Mei's belt loop.  Our legs were touching since she chose to sit in the middle seat instead of on the other side from me.  Then we pulled up in front of an old apartment block.  You could see some of the brown and tan bricks of the building had been replaced in years gone past after damage from the Blitz in the great war.  I mentally gave Hitler my middle finger.  There were so many buildings just like this throughout the heart of London.  Some repairs were seamless, some they just repaired with whatever materials were readily available.

She spoke as we walked up two flights of stairs to the third floor.  I swallowed at that, thinking about my drum kit.  A woman was waiting on the third floor in a smart business suit.  She glanced at her watch and smiled at our Indian Brit guide, “Miss Doshi, punctual as always.”

Paya transformed into a no-nonsense business woman before my very eyes as the women spoke abut the studio with each other while the woman unlocked a door.  Paya turned to us.  “Kacy Green, Mei Hammond.  This is Mrs. Smythe, she is the superintendent here at the Tennison as well as various other buildings contracted with Slingshot.”  We exchanged greetings and she showed us around the little, furnished, single room studio.

Then she motioned to the two doors on the side.  “The right one is a walk in closet with a decent amount of room for storage.”  Then she motioned toward the other door. “As per the requirements of the Slingshot Program of the Flotilla Project, a private bath.  It is small, but you would still have the use of the shared facilities on each floor as well.”

I pulled Mei over to the window.  I sort of didn't want to let go of her belt loop, it was starting to feel natural to me.  The flat had a view of... the backside of another apartment block.  Oh well.  I asked the dreaded question.  “Is there a storage room for tenants on the ground floor?”  The woman shook her head.  We took another look around the small space, which was about the same size as my cabin.  Though it did have a little more counter space in the kitchenette.

We shook Mrs. Smythe's hand and Paya informed her we would let her know by the end of the day.  Then we were trudging back down the stairs.  Then Paya, happy mode version one, was back as she said, “I hadn't thought about lugging your equipment up two flights of stairs.  Perhaps the next one will be better, they have a freight elevator for tenant use.”  I guess it was obvious why I asked about storage.

The next studio was on the fourth floor of a rustic apartment block, was a little smaller with only a small closet but did have a private loo.  But for how tiny the space was, I was in love with the view.  It had a single window you could step out of and onto a tiny little patio, with a cute wrought iron railing.  There was just enough space for a small chair or two.

Mei stood beside me with her mouth open in surprise and wonder just like mine was.  The view of Hyde Park was spectacular.  There wasn't room on the patio for Paya and the super, Mr. Vinter to stand out on it with us.  We stepped back across the window sill and I looked around the space again.  If I stacked the drums in one corner by the tiny standing kitchenette and mini fridge, I'd have room for a futon or hide a bed couch and a coffee table.

I asked, “Are there storage units available?”

The Dane nodded. “Each tenant has a four square meter cage in the basement for storage.  Larger spaces are available for an additional fee and there is a waiting list.”

Then Mei asked, “Are all the rooms in the building this small?”

She shook his head. “No, just on the top floor here, where the dormers limit space.  But the trade-off is that they are the only rooms with a patio.”

One of my legs was nervously bouncing up and down, thumping out a bass beat, as I looked around.  It could be my flat, I could see it in my head.  I glanced out the window at the park.  I didn't need a lot of space.

Paya just looked at me expectantly and I bit my lower lip and grinned and nodded.  I didn't trust my voice not to crack.  The woman turned to Mr. Vinter and smiled. “She'll take it.”  Then she was producing some paperwork from the stylish leather bag she had over her shoulder.

She was in business mode as she explained the standard forms and contracts to the Super.  How his agency would receive the subsidy cheque monthly from Slingshot and the Flotilla Project for half the rent, along with me paying a flat fee of two hundred and fifty quid a month, which included utilities.  There was no way I'd ever be able to afford anything in this area without the help of Slingshot.  Again I felt that this housing program that Tabitha Romanov had created was a godsend to people like me.

He signed everything and then she had me sign.  Then he produced a lease agreement.  She looked it over to verify the changes were made to accommodate the requirements of Slingshot.  They both signed it then handed it to me to sign.  I stared at it.  I'd have my own flat if I signed.  As long as I lived here, they couldn't adjust the rent nor change the terms of the lease upon future renewals.

I smiled at Mei who seemed to be enjoying my anticipation.  I licked my lips and signed.  Mr. Vinter smiled and took his copies and Paya took the ones for Slingshot.  The man shook my hand and gave me a set of keys.  “Welcome to the building Miss Green.  The rules of the building are on the back of the lease agreement.  Your storage cage is 4B just like your room number, you supply your own lock.  Coin-op laundry is in the basement by the cages.”

I was nodding like a fool as he shook Paya's hand and left the room.  I could do this, I could finally be an adult.  I had my own place now.  At twenty-five.  Pathetic I know, but I was excited.  Paya's eyes twinkled like she was going to cry and she gave me a hug.  “Congrats Kacy, you have a home.”  She really loved this part of her job, I could tell.

She released me then I impulsively hugged Mei, who stiffened then seemed to melt into the hug.  I felt her body against me like a raging fire.  I whispered, “I have my own flat.”

We broke apart and she was grinning like a ninny.  “Yes, you do.”

I looked at the barren room.  “Help a girl move tomorrow?  I have all of four boxes.”  I looked around. “I'll need furniture.”  Then I grinned. “An adventure then?”

She sighed. “I hate being out in public but since you asked so cutely, I'd love to.”

Paya tilted her head toward the hall.  “Come on, I'll give you a ride back to the Dragon Lady.”  I nodded and took the offered belt loop from Mei and she dragged me off behind the other exotic woman after I locked the door to 'my' flat.

On the way back to the Flotilla, I looked over at Mei with a silly grin.  She crinkled her nose. “What up buttercup?”

I snorted and said, “Nothing.  I'm just really happy.  Even if my band is eliminated tomorrow, I think I'll still be smiling.  I have a flat of my own and a new... friend.”  She was grinning now too.