The Girl by the Thames (6 page)

Tanya’s long lean legs catapaulted her out of the store and into the street. She made a hard right turn and ran for it. The carrier bag crashed against her shins as her arms pumped up and down and her feet stabbed at the pavement. For someone who hated sports, she was built for sprinting, the only thing stopping her from achieving light speed was last night’s bingeing.

“Hey, stop!”

She recognised the voice behind her and was impressed. The fat boy was quicker off the mark than she thought. No bother, she could easily out run him. He didn’t look like the type to chase shoplifters. People stared at her as she ran past but no-one tried to stop her. A few seconds later he had closed the gap. His heavy breaths were getting closer and closer. They sounded like bombs going off. Tanya kicked down hard to shake him. He kept pace. Damn this guy wouldn’t quit.  

All this running was doing her head in. Pools of sweat gathered in her armpits. It was only a matter of time before she started smelling like the guy chasing her. Maybe that was the reason for his BO: chasing shoplifters all day.

Now she was getting fed up, or was it tiredness? Time to end this. Tanya locked on to a group of blokes heading out for the night. She zeroed in on their position. They were all dressed the same – short sleeved shirts, jeans and smart shoes – their pulling gear, no doubt. They were ready for a big boozing session, and then either a fuck or a fight. So predictable. Tanya ran at them, eyes wide in terror.

“Help, help, that guy’s after me,” Tanya screamed.

Their jovial mood and friendly boyish piss-taking suddenly stopped. They all switched into protective-man mode. Faces harsh, knuckles clenched, shoulders high. Adrenalin did the rest. Not that it really needed to, there were five of them and only one of poor Waterstones boy.

“Don’t worry, love, you’re safe now,” one of them growled. “Get behind us, he won’t touch you.”

Tanya ignored him and just kept on running. A second later they had him. She didn’t look back but she could hear his rapid, breathless explanations. They weren’t listening. A fight was what they wanted and good fortune had given them one that was easy to win. Thump after thump followed. The low thick sound of flesh being pummelled by bare knuckles.

Tanya slowed her running to a jog when she knew she was clear of the brawl she had created. A bit of guilt rose up like bile in her throat. She quickly swallowed it back. Bad stuff always happened to her so why not somebody else. It was like reverse karma.

She zig-zagged her way through the streets, just in case he’d managed to survive the beating and was still after her. It was highly unlikely, but you never knew.

Tanya found herself back at the river. The crowd had shrunk but it was still impossible to get even the tiniest glimpse of the whale. The police made sure of that. Did they really need all those coppers just to protect one lost whale? Thinking about all the nutcases in London, they probably did.

Tanya gave up, but only for now. She would figure out a way of getting to see the whale, that was for sure. No. seeing it wasn’t good enough. She wanted to be near it and stand beside it. To touch its skin and hear its heart beat, if it were possible. The whale had come to her first, she had a claim to it, she had a right to be with it; not all these complete strangers. They were nobodies.

Tanya clenched her teeth so the muscles in her jaw stood out. She would find a way through that crowd and past those dumb coppers. It would take a little time, but she would find a way. For now she would have to make do with her book. Well, technically it still belonged to Waterstones. No matter, her need was greater than theirs.

Tanya pointed herself in the direction of home and let devious thoughts flood her brain. Hopefully her dad would let her back into the flat, it was crucial for what she was about to do.

Chapter 7

Lena found the tower block without too much problem. It was a place most people avoided, unless you had to live there. It was deserted outside, apart from the skeleton of a car that was up on bricks and had been picked clean of anything that could be sold or smashed. Lena thought she was from a tough estate, but this was in the Premier league. A little shiver crossed her shoulder blades but she shrugged it off.

As she approached the base of the tower, she could make out several figures leaning against the walls inside the lobby. Dressed in black hoodies they looked like phantoms. After dark, this tower belonged to them, they were the gatekeepers and no-one came in or out without paying for it.

Lena pushed open the lobby doors, which hung on tortured hinges. Inside it reeked of piss and violence. Seb and Mack stood like sentries guarding the entrance. They nodded to Lena with blank expressions, keeping their communications to a minimum to preserve their hard exterior.

“All right?” said Lena. Her voice sounded small.

“Hey, it’s our favourite wannabe,” said Vicks.

“Nah, she’s a soon-to-be, this one,” said Duff, “I gotta good feeling about you.”

The whole gang was crammed into the lobby and stood around her. Lena felt defensive, Vicks immediately read her expression.

“Don’t look worried, Lena. We’re all cool here.”

“I ain’t worried,” Lena said. “So what’s happening?”

“You’re what’s happening,” said Duff. “Tonight is your initiation.”

Everyone howled spontaneously. Gem started punching the walls a little too enthusiastically.

“We lurve initiations,” said Vicks.

Lena looked around at all the demented faces. She still didn’t know who to trust, or if she could trust any of them. She wished Tanya was by her side.

“You ready, girl?” said Duff.

“Okay,” Lena said, forcing a smile.

“Let’s do it then.”

The gang tumbled out of the lobby and into the cool night air. Duff and Vicks led the way. They were laughing and making in-jokes that Lena didn’t understand. The only ones who didn’t join in were Seb and Mack; they were busy scanning the area, looking for any signs of trouble.

Lena was glad to be out of the lobby, she had felt trapped and vulnerable. It was better to be on the move, although a small knot of fear twisted around deep in her gut.

They walked on and on through the streets. Lena knew them well but tonight they seemed different – with the gang surrounding her it was as if she owned them. Wandering the streets usually meant having your eyes everywhere. Trouble was always lurking somewhere. The danger hadn’t disappeared but now she had back-up. Her very own security force, watching her back. It was a powerful feeling and she could see why gang life was so addictive. It wasn’t a gang it was more like being in a tribe. Her confidence grew and if it wasn’t for the looming initiation, she would have put more swagger in her step.

Every so often they would stop and let Gem scrawl a Niners’ tag on a lamppost with a permanent marker, like a dog marking its territory. Lena watched his hand move like a machine, duplicating the same distinctive motif.

Nin
9
rs

Lena realised everyone had roles to play in this gang. She wondered what hers would be if she passed the initiation.

“Where are we going?” said Lena.

“To a little shop,” said Vicks.

“What are we buying?” asked Lena. The whole gang laughed at once, even Seb and Mack managed a smile.

“We ain’t buying, we’re taking,” said Duff. “Well, you are.”

“What am I taking?” asked Lena.

“We’re doing a bit of work for charity.”

Everyone smiled. Lena still didn’t get it. She pictured the gang washing cars like boy scouts to raise money for the RSPCA. Maybe gang life wasn’t all fighting and drinking. Perhaps they were trying to change their image, be a bit more neighbourly. Lena wasn’t sure she wanted to do anything for charity; giving money away to someone else was crazy.

“Are you serious?” said Lena. “I don’t really do work for no charities.”

“Lena, do you really think we’d waste our time doing that,” said Vicks.

“No, not really.”

“This charity is going to give to us,” said Duff. “See that store across the street on the corner?”

Lena saw the unmistakable London corner shop with a flat above it and a metal grill over the window and door.

“There’s a charity collection box on the counter.”

“What charity is it?” asked Lena. More laughter came from everyone.

“Don’t worry about that,” said Duff. “This is dead simple. You go in first, have a browse, pick up some spaghetti or something, as if you’re gonna buy it. Got it?”

“Got it.”

“Now, Mack’s going to come in, when he does, move to the till, you’ll see the collection box on the counter. But don’t take it yet, keep browsing. A second later, Seb’s going to come in and start a fight with Mack. When it kicks off the store keeper’s gonna break it up, he’ll be distracted. That’s when you go for the box and get out quick.

“What about Mack and Seb?” asked Lena.

“Don’t worry about us,” said Mack. It was the first time she’d heard him speak, his voice sounded soft and didn’t go with his tough exterior.

“We can take care of ourselves,” Seb added, “just make sure you get out of there.” His voice was also quiet but confident.

“You ready?” asked Duff.

“Yep,” said Lena.

“I’d get your race face on if I was you,” said Vicks. Lena didn’t understand what that meant. She didn’t say anything because she didn’t want to look stupid.

“Okay, go to it, then.”

Lena hesitated, as the information filtered through her mind. She wasn’t frightened and had nicked things from shops plenty of times before. But it had been when an opportunity had presented itself, a spur of the moment thing. This was different. She had to follow a plan. She had just heard the instructions but her mind couldn’t keep hold of them. Maybe she should go back and get Duff to repeat them. No, that would make her look even more stupid.

Lena strode as confidently as she could towards the door. She was aware of her hands swinging too much, like a cartoon character so she anchored them in her pockets.

Inside, the store had rows of high dusty shelves with a long counter near the door. Two heavy men sat behind it talking in a foreign language that was probably Polish. They both ignored her, which pleased Lena.  She glanced over at the counter but couldn’t see the charity box. There was too much stuff piled by the till. All she could see were racks of chewing gum and scratch card dispensers. Confusion nailed Lena to the spot. Should she keep moving or stay there looking awkward, until she’d spotted the box?

Lena edged a little closer to the counter. She got near enough to tell that neither of the men behind the till was wearing any deodorant. A horrible whiff of sweat found its way up both nostrils. It threw her for a second. All she could think of was Seb and Duff in a struggle with these two men, and the pong they’d have to put up with. Why the hell was she thinking about this? She needed to focus. Fast.

The men stopped talking and looked at her. One of them raised his eyebrows as if to ask what she wanted. Lena looked back at them as her brain struggled to get into first gear. They eyed her as if she had special needs.

“Er, have you got a …” Lena was about to say charity box when her wits caught up with her, “… er, spaghetti.”

One of the men, who had several day’s growth of thick bristles around his chin, nodded to towards an aisle. Lena couldn’t tell which aisle he’d aimed his nod at, so she just picked one at random and headed towards it.

There was a sharp whistle from behind her. Lena turned and looked back.

“No, next one,” he said in a heavy accented voice.

Lena gave him a thumbs up and smiled crookedly. So much for being inconspicuous. As she walked to the aisle she heard the door open, then clatter as it closed. Lena couldn’t help herself and turned to see if it was Mack. She caught his eye. In return, he gave her a furious look and carried on towards the back of the shop. She probably wasn’t supposed to make eye contact, judging by his nasty look. The mistakes kept piling up in Lena’s brain as she realised she was heading in the wrong direction. Lena was supposed to be going towards the till, not away from it. There was no option but to keep moving, she’d look even more suspicious if she suddenly doubled back now.

Lena pretended to look for pasta, scanning up and down the shelves. She felt like the world’s worst actor. Every move she made seemed so obvious and deliberate. The storekeepers must know she was up to something. Curiosity made her steal a glance at them. They were both locked in an important discussion.

Then she saw it.

The collection box.

It was tucked well behind the till, no wonder she couldn’t see it when she came in. But from a side angle it was in plain sight.

There was a huge bang from the front of the store. It sounded like the door had been opened by a stampeding elephant.

“Hey,” said the guy with bristles, “Not so hard or you pay for it.”

Lena couldn’t see what was happening, she didn’t need to. A second later, she heard a noise she knew well – the scrapes and scuffles of a fight kicking off.

Lena knew she should stay put, but fights had a gravitational effect on her. Adrenalin squirted into her veins and she found herself standing around the corner, transfixed by the sight of Seb with Mack in a headlock. Mack’s face was going as red as sunburn, but then he pushed Duff back into a shelf of cereal. Boxes tumbled all over them as they kept on fighting. Lena couldn’t believe how real they were making this look. The two shopkeepers pushed past her, leaving a stinky wake behind them, which worked like smelling salts on Lena. She wasn’t supposed to be spectating, she was here to rob.

The two men tried to prise Mack and Seb apart. Their feet skidded on the floor and their hands grappled with the two boys, as the four of them careered all over the shop, slamming into things. Lena backed away, keeping hers eyes fixed on the scuffle. When she was out of view, she ran behind the till, grabbed the collection box and ran for the door. She had only taken a step when she was violently yanked back. Lena thought someone had grabbed her. She spun round ready to throw fists. There was nobody there. The collection box had halted her escape. A thick metal chain was attached to its base, the other end was padlocked to a bracket on the counter. Lena pulled and pulled but the box was definitely staying where it was.

She went behind the counter to see if there was anything to prise it off with. The only thing she could find was pair of scissors. She dug them into the counter to try and lever off the bracket, but it was bolted on too tightly. The struggle was still going on behind the aisles, getting louder all the time, but it wouldn’t be long before the shopkeepers got the better of Mack and Duff, and threw them out or called the police.

In desperation, Lena yanked and yanked at the chain, but it stayed put. She pulled it so hard that it lifted the whole counter, making everything on it jump up for a split second, including the till. In that instant, something caught her eye that shouldn’t have been there. A bright shiny access key poked out of the cash register. Shop keepers usually took this with them to stop people opening the till when they weren’t behind the counter. But in all the confusion these two had left it behind.

This new information sped through Lena’s brain. She dropped the collection box on the counter, this didn’t matter now. The buttons on the cash till stared back at her. Lena couldn’t figure out which one to press so she started hitting all of them randomly with her fists. Nothing happened apart from ridiculously large numbers appearing on the display. Lena banged her fists harder and quicker until there was a pleasing ‘ping’ sound. The cash tray obediently slid out nudging Lena in the stomach. It was more money than she had ever seen. The little compartments were stuffed with cash and the sight of it hypnotised her temporarily. Lena raked her hands over the till tray, grabbing as many notes as she could and stuffed them into her pockets. When they were gone she went for the coins as well. The money was pushed into every pocket she had.

A few coins fell on the floor. She thought the shop keepers would hear it and return, but the sound of the two boys fighting masked any noise she was making.

When no-one came, Lena gained confidence. A stealing frenzy gripped her like a fever and she desperately looked around for anything else she could take. Behind her were shelves of spirits. They’d need something to celebrate with when she rejoined the gang. Scanning quickly along the rows she found the most expensive one. It was a bottle of Scotch with an unpronounceable name. She put her fists around the neck and pulled it off the shelf, holding it tight to her chest. Then she walked quickly out of the shop with her head down, resisting the urge to look at the scrap going on down the aisle.

When she was clear of the shop, Lena sprinted as hard as she could, putting as much pavement between her and the corner shop. The street was fairly empty, but just in case she darted down several side streets until her lungs wouldn’t let her run anymore.

Lena lent against a wall, panting hard while she took out her phone. She had a text message from Duff: