Unlikely Places (5 page)

“Well it was nice meeting you, Alex...have you got a lot of
hours to pay back?” She smiled.

“Yes....quite a lot”. I said quietly.

“Good“. She smiled. “Ooh you must have been really bad”. Her
laugh it was infectious.

“Umm...a bit bad”. I giggled in reply.

She moved to open the door moving to one side for me to go
first. “I’ll get you to spill soon”. She said as I walked by, I turned to wait
for her to lead the way back up to the common room.

I knocked on Mike’s office, hearing a murmured ‘come in’ as
I entered I noticed the clock on the wall 8:10, the four hours seemed to have
passed so quickly. “So you survived the first day then...good good...tour
completed?”

“Yep top to bottom”. To quote Sam.

“Right then...that’s it for today.....so you’re next in
on...?”He checked his paperwork. “Thursday?”

“Yeah.....no problem...what time?.....Same as today?”

“Umm Yeah...if that’s okay?...I’ll fill in your time sheet
for today.....we’ll probably do a bit more interaction with some of the
residents next time, a lot of them don’t want a lot of contact at first but
some of the residents that are a bit further along are looking for some advice
or support as to where they can go next job wise or housing...so I’ll pair you
up with someone to spend a few hours doing some 1-1’s.....Okay?”

“Right okay”. I was a bit daunted how much advice could I
really give someone?

“So we’ll see you on Thursday”. He stood as I got up to
leave the room.

“See you later”. I shut the door behind me, turning round I
see a small group of residents huddled around a well-worn leather sofa in the
large common room area. I noticed Sam was in the group, catching her eye as I
made my way to the main door, she winked at me making the butterflies do
summersaults in my stomach. What was that all about I barely knew her, but the
thought had crossed my mind that I might like to know her much better.

On my drive home I mulled over my time spent at the YMCA, it
was actually quite enjoyable or was it just the company? Although after being on
the tour, I did feel guilty at my own comfort and space compared to the
environment that many of the residents were living in. It was still a great
deal better than clearing waste land or scrubbing off graffiti in the freezing
cold. After taking the hottest, longest shower I could manage I drank several
glasses of wine before retiring to my bed to fall asleep to an episode of ‘The
Wire’. 

Wednesday

I watched my phone vibrate across my desk while surfing the
internet as it came towards me I could see it was Nat checking up on me I
expect.

“Hello”.

“Hey Al so how’s the community service going...have you been
to that hostel yet?”

“Yeah it’s not too bad it’s a massive place they’ve got
about eighty people living there”.

“Really are they all nutters?”

“Not all of them....I think most of them just seem a
bit....unlucky I guess”.

“You will be careful there won’t you?”

“Of course I will”.

“It’s just....I know you’re not used mixing with anyone let
alone homeless people”.

“It’s fine really”. I said trying to convince myself as much
as Nat.

“I guess you could change it again if you wanted to....you
could talk to your...um...what’s it officer”.

“Nat its fine honestly don’t worry.....I think it’ll be
better than what I was doing”. I said sounding a little frustrated now.

“Okay okay just promise me you’ll be safe?”

I took a deep breath. “I promise okay....so how are the
midgets?”

“They’re fine Poppy has almost finished teething thank
god....Lucy wears those ear muffs most of the day...Rich is worried she’ll
forget how to speak soon...I have to peel them off her head when she’s asleep”.

I smiled realising how much I had missed spending time with
Lucy. “What’s her social calendar like this weekend...wing walking...shark
training...with a bit of chainsaw carving?”

“Um what the hell’s wing walking? I think she could find a
window for you on Sunday...Why?”

“Strapping yourself to the wings of aeroplanes...I thought
we could go to the park do a bit of cycling maybe go to the adventure
playground?” 

“I’m sure she’d be up for that...pick her up after
breakfast...you know you’ll have to start taking Poppy soon on these outings?”

“I will when she’s quieter and a bit more mobile”.

“Okay see you later”.

Returning to my surfing I hoped I actually believed what I
had just told Nat about the hostel.

Thursday

As I parked behind the YMCA I was still uneasy about trying
to help and council people, I couldn’t even sort my own life out how could I
help anyone else, I don’t even like people what had I got myself into.

Mike was at the counter talking to Jill as I arrived. He
greeted me warmly asking if I had met Jill already.

“Yes I think we met briefly on Tuesday”. I said meeting her
gaze.

“Ok good.....Jill will be doing some catch up interviews
with some of the residents tonight, so you can shadow her get to know the ropes
and meet a few of the residents”.

Over the next three hours we chatted to eleven residents
some of which are struggling with numerous issues, many of their stories sad
and depressing. Some were angry at their situation others more resigned to
their reduced expectations of life. Jill was well practiced in her questions
demonstrating real empathy and understanding with the essential ‘I hear what
you’re saying’ reply letting them know she actually wanted to help them if she
could.

I had not talked to so many people in one day for years it
was a real eye opener to the problems many of the residents face before and
during and after their stay here, I was feeling overwhelmed and starting to
close off. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Sam enter the room she smiled as
our eyes met her hair was wet and tied up exposing her long slender neck. She
seemed genuinely happy to see me but I still wanted to apologise in case I had
offended her on my last visit. Taking advantage of Jill socialising with
another volunteer I made my way over in Sam’s direction as she crossed the room
to the pool table. “Hi, how are you?”

She smiled warmly. “Good....just been in the gym for work
out session”.

“Oh...look I’m sorry if I offended you the other night....I
don’t think before I speak sometimes”.

“You didn’t......I..I just remember what it was like to be
someone in that room”.

I didn’t really know what to say to that, I tried to be
encouraging. “I see....but you’ve moved on now though that’s a positive thing”.

“I know”. She smiled. “But I feel a bit frustrated I can’t
move on more....get my life back”. 

I frowned slightly. “What do you mean?”

“I think I’m ready to go back to college I want to finish
the course I started before I.....” She waved her finger around the room, I
guessed she meant ended up here, which was still an unanswered question for me.

“Have you spoke to Mike about it?”

“Yeah....he’s not sure I’m ready”.

“Which University were you were at?”

“City”

“You said it was law....what was the course called?”

“It was a legal practice course...I completed the first half
but left after starting the second part”.

“Legal practice?....What does that train you for?” I
enquired, genuinely interested.

“Trainee solicitor”.

“Really?......I have a friend that works at the City
University in the admin department I could ask him if he can find out if you
can return to complete if you like?”

Sam’s eyes visibly brightened at my suggestion. “You’d do
that?........That would be great, thank you I really appreciate it”.

“No problem....at least you’ll know then”. I had a sinking
feeling I shouldn’t have offered without consulting with Mike or Jill first, it
couldn’t hurt to find out right.

I looked at the empty pool table behind Sam. “So....you play
pool?”

Sam spun round to see the pool table was free for the first
time this evening. “A little.....you?”

I couldn’t read her expression. “Not for a long time”.

“I know I know...you’re a hermit, you wanna a thrashing I
mean game?” She quipped.

I really wanted to say yes but I could see Jill looking over
at us. “Maybe another time I’m meant to be shadowing Jill doing some catch up
stuff....I’ll have beat you another time”. I said with a wide smile before
turning to leave.

“Sounds like a challenge....you know where to find me”. I
just caught her wink as I walked away.

Walking over to Jill I tried to cover my blush. “So who’s
next on the list?”

“Umm....let’s have a look Josh Roberts....he’s over there
next to the pool table, this will be a quick and easy one he’s been here about
six months after being made homeless when he lost his job, he was sleeping on
friends floors or on the streets for about four months. He’s really sorted
himself out now he lives in one of the apartments on the top floor, works in a
shop in town, has a girlfriend too now I hear”.

I followed Jill over to the pool table where he is racking
up, preparing to play Sam. I couldn’t help but smile at her as she chalked her
cue on the other side of the table. After asking Josh for a few minutes of his
time, we all settled on a nearby table. As Jill introduced me I offered my hand
to greet him, he politely held my hand for a second in his freezing cold grip
making me jump a little.

“Hi....nice to meet you Josh”. I said taking in his kind
face.

He is tall and slim with a warm stubbly face in contrast to
his icy hands, his long dreadlocks are tied back with what looks like a pair of
tights. He briefs Jill on his progress at work in the Health Food Shop, his
interest in developing new lines within the shop and how well he gets on with
the manager. He’s hopeful he can save sufficiently to be able to afford a flat
soon, Jill enquires about the news of a girlfriend, and although embarrassed he
smiles he has been seeing Jo another resident for about three weeks. As Jill
makes her notes I look past Josh to see Sam playing pool by herself while
waiting for Josh I presume. I catch her eye as she feigns exasperation with one
hand on her hip with the other pointing to Josh with the cue, making me smile
she responds with a toothy grin.

Before leaving for the night I decide to knock on Mike’s
door, finding him sat at his desk still doing his endless paperwork - does he
ever go home. Looking around his office I see a folding bed behind his desk, no
I guess not.

“Any problems tonight?” He asks without looking up.

“No......I was wondering if I could use the treadmill in the
gym after I finish here sometimes”.

He looked up smiling. “Sure no problem any time”.

“Thanks”. Turning to leave I changed my mind as I got to the
door, turning back to Mike. ” I was speaking to a Sam Johnson tonight”. Trying
to sound indifferent to the name. “She said she wants to return to college to
complete her course”.

“Umm yes she spoke to me yesterday about it”. He frowned at
the paperwork on his desk.

“I have a friend that works at the Uni, I could ask them to
find out if she can return or if she needs to repeat the whole course and any
fees or whatever so she knows her options?”

He looked up at me. “Thank you it was on my to-do list....to
be honest I’m not sure she’s ready has she told you why she dropped out?”

“No I didn’t ask...I didn’t think I should”. Although I
really wanted to know how and why she had ended up here, my mind was working
overtime with all different scenarios. I suspected it had to be something big
as she seemed quite level headed and normal in many ways compared to some of
the residents I had met tonight. Saying our good byes I said I would let him
know what I found out.

Friday

Nick Richards had worked at the University for several years
after unsuccessfully trying to make it as a photographer, he’d had a number of
exhibitions and joint shows but it gradually stated to fizzle out leaving him
with a need for a proper job at least in his father’s eyes. I often thought of
those years we spent at University full of hope for our futures as great
photographers not even considering we wouldn’t make it, and more importantly no
way of dealing with the disappointment. I dialled Nicks work number hoping to
catch him at his desk, he answered after only two rings.

“Admin Nick Richards”.

“Hi Nick its Alex Philips”. Just in case it had been too
long.

“Hey Philpot how’s it going?”

A nick name I had yet to outlive. “Good thanks....you?”

“Same old....I heard about your spot of bother are you
okay?”

“Yeah fine...it’s sort of why I’m calling”. Nat must have
seen him recently I made a mental note to give her a Chinese burn next time I
saw her.

“Oh yeah....what can I do for you?”

“I’m doing some volunteering at the YMCA in town...one of
the residents dropped out of their course last year...but they want to return
to complete their course”.

“Right okay....do you know how long the course was and what
course it was?”

“It was a yearlong.....legal practice course, she was meant
to finish in August last year I think?”

“She....I see...have you got her full name?”

“It’s not like that.....I’m just trying to help her
out...her name is Samantha Johnson”.

“Okay let’s take a look at Miss Johnson....umm very
nice...will you get a reward for this information ...okay it says here she was
withdrawn in May last year...it doesn’t say why...do you want me to find out?”

He sounded far too excited. “No”.

“You don’t want to know?”

“I don’t know?....She wants to know if she can return and
complete...will you find out about fees if she needs to pay again?”

“Okay I’ll do some digging and get back to you on
that.....anyway volunteering does that translate as community
service?”    

“Yeah.....it’s not too bad....are you still snapping?”

“Not much...you?”

“No....I just don’t feel inspired at the moment”. Or for a
long time I thought. 

“Okay buddy I’d better go....I call you when I’ve got
something, catch you later”.

I felt apprehensive setting Nick to work on this, worrying
what he would find out about Sam’s demise and how it would change my perception
and feelings for her. What was I talking about I had only met her a couple of
times how could I have feelings for her already. Yet she was one of the few
people I actually enjoyed the company of. The other downside was what would she
do if she couldn’t return to University, what if it sent her on a downward
spiral I didn’t want that responsibility, I didn’t want any responsibility.

Sunday

After a light breakfast I dressed in running gear and headed
over to Nat’s to pick up Lucy, as I pulled into the drive I could see my sister
bringing Lucy’s bike round to the front of the house.

“Hey”. I said getting out of the car taking the bike from
her I loaded it in the back of the range rover.

“Is it another ‘Rocky’ moment for you two?” She said looking
at my attire.

“More like porridge for us two....where is she?”

“Putting her trainers on she’s taking it very seriously leg
warmers and all sorts today”.

I smile stifling a giggle. “Really?.....It’s only because I
beat her last time”.

The incredulous look on her face just made me laugh more.
“What....you beat her why?”

“I couldn’t help it...she got held up by a giant horse of a
dog....I had to carry her on the monkey bars twice to make up for it and get
her an ice-cream”.

“Serves you right”.

I saw Lucy heading our way, she had certainly made an effort
Pink fluffy jumper, blue leggings
with red leg
warmers topped off with yellow trainers, charming, just like a rainbow.

“I like your outfit very bright is it to scare off the big
dogs?”

“Yep...I want them to see me coming this time”.

“Good idea....are you ready?”

“We’re having lunch at one if you want to join us?” Nat said
with a hopeful edge in her voice.

“Maybe....I’ve got some work I need to catch up on so I’m
not sure I’ll be able to”. I said as I strapped Lucy in the back seat. The
thought of spending time with Rich listening to him gloat over my community
payback issues did not fill me with joy.

Arriving at the park it looked pretty busy no doubt due to
the first day of sunshine this week, unloading the bike we discussed our route
around the park avoiding the main dog areas terminating at the adventure
playground.

After almost thirty minutes of jogging and cycling avoiding
all dogs we came to a stop outside the adventure playground. I smiled as Lucy
quickly ditched her bike running to the first available thing to climb on, I
picked up her bike and headed in her direction as she scrambled up the rope netting.

As I walked between the timber frames linked with wooden
stepping stone stumps I spied a round red weepy face poking out of a small
window, as I got closer I saw a pleading father at the bottom of the wooden
structure.

“Come on son you got up there you can make it down
again.....I’m right here nothings gonna happen I promise”.

Lucy seemed oblivious as she did several circuits of the
playground, she seemed so fearless pushing herself to the highest furthest
point every time. I followed her round keeping a flinching eye on her as she
kept a steady pace.

Checking the time it was almost twelve, I called to Lucy
herding her towards the entrance carrying her bike in one hand she took hold of
my other hand as I led the way back to the range rover. Just before we rounded
the corner I took a crafty look back to see if the bawler was still wedged
tight, he was, and the father had resorted to climbing up after him.