Bad For Me (10 page)

Chapter 19

“You’ll be okay.” JJ said. “I'm right behind you.”

I'd initially resisted his offer to help search for Billy, but at that moment, I was glad to have him with me. Some of the people who were hanging around outside the entrance to the shelter were a little scary, and a couple of them were staggering around.

Once inside St Bart’s Shelter, I called at the office marked ‘Reception’.

“Can I help?” A man with long, unkempt, curly hair, and a goatee beard was behind the desk.

“I’m looking for my brother.”

“What makes you think he's here?”

“I don’t know where he is. I’m trying all of the shelters.”

“Name?”

“Megan.”

“His name.”

“Sorry.” I was so nervous that my mind was jelly. “Billy Taylor.”

The man tapped the name into his computer.

“How old is he?”

“Twenty-two.”

“The only Billy Taylor I have on file is forty-six years old. He stayed here three years ago.”

“Could he have used a false name?” JJ asked.

“I suppose so,” I said. “This is him.” I held up a photo of Billy, which had been taken on Christmas day three years before. “His hair is longer now.”

The man shook his head.

“Are you sure?”

“I can’t be one hundred per cent certain—we get so many people through here, but I’m fairly sure he hasn’t been here in the last month or I’d remember.”

“Okay thanks. How many more shelters are there?”

The man passed me a sheet of paper which listed all of the shelters in the city.

“Ten?”

“There’s actually more than that. There are a few unofficial ones which aren’t on that list.”

“What happens to the people who can’t get into a shelter?” I asked.

“They sleep rough.”

“Where?”

“Anywhere they can. Doorways, park benches, deserted warehouses. How did he end up on the streets?”

“Drink.”

The man nodded.

“If he shows up here, will you give us a call?” JJ gave the man his business card and a twenty pound note.

“Sure.” The man pocketed the cash.

By the time we had checked another two shelters, it was almost five o' clock. No one remembered seeing Billy.

“It’s hopeless,” I said as we walked back to the BMW.

“We’ll find him. I promise. We’ll keep looking until we do.”

“Thanks for helping.”

On the drive back to the flat, I found myself scouring the streets for anyone who looked homeless. I saw several, but not Billy.

“Julie’s gone to Kathy’s,” I said. “You can come in if you like. I’ll knock us up something to eat. Don’t expect anything special though.”

“Sorry, Megan. I can’t. There’s somewhere I have to be. Another time maybe?”

“Right. Yeah—sure.”

I waved to JJ as the BMW pulled away. He'd been pursuing me for months, and the first time I'd invited him in, he'd turned me down flat. I was so confused.

********************

“Julie.”

Yeah?” Julie said without looking up from her magazine.

“Is JJ seeing anyone?”

“Why?”

Now, I had her attention.

“I just wondered.”

Julie jumped out of the chair, and plonked herself next to me on the sofa.

“He's done it hasn't he?”

“What?”

“Got under your skin.” She grinned.

“No.”

“You're an even worse liar than me. I thought you hated JJ.”

“I did—at first.”

“And now?”

“And now, I don’t know how I feel. Half the time, he drives me crazy, but the other half... ”

“Yes?”

“He’s funny.”

“That’s it? Funny?”

“I enjoy his company.”

“But do you fancy him?”

I hesitated. I’m not sure why, because the answer was yes—a million times yes.

“Come on, admit it. You've got the hots for my darling brother. “

“No.”

“You're blushing.” Julie laughed.

I hated my body sometimes.

“You said he’d had lots of girlfriends.”

“He’s changed. He hasn't mentioned anyone for ages—except you of course.”

“What has he said about me?”

“He's always saying he fancies you. Come on—don't act like you don't know. I've seen the way he comes on to you.”

“That's just flirting.”

“So, are you interested?”

“No. I don't know. No.”

“You'd better make your mind up.”

“No. It's a stupid idea. It's just that we spent so much time together. Forget I mentioned it. Don't say anything to him, will you?”

Julie smirked.

“I mean it. Don't say anything or I'll be forced to kill you—slowly and painfully. Let’s change the subject.”

“You’re no fun. How’s the search for Billy going?”

“It's like looking for a needle in a haystack. I'd have probably given up if it wasn't for JJ.”

Chapter 20

“Any joy finding your brother?” Caroline asked. We were working through the month-end sales figures. I was no accountant, but even I could see that sales had rocketed recently.

“Nothing. We've been to most of the shelters, but no one remembers him.”

“What happens next?”

“I don't know. We're going to try all the places where the homeless hang out, but he could be anywhere. He might have left the area altogether.”

“Is JJ still helping you?”

“Yeah—he's been great. Where is he by the way? I didn't see his car this morning. He's usually here before me.”

“It's all very hush-hush. All I know is that he's going to be away for two days. No one knows where or why. I think he's going to sell up. Has he said anything to you?”

“To me? No. Why would he say anything to me?”

“No reason.” Caroline smiled. “I just wondered.”

I wished I knew where I stood with JJ. When I first met him, he was always flirting. The more hostile I was towards him, the more he'd come on to me. Since we’d started to spend more time together searching for Billy, he hadn't tried to flirt with me once. When I’d asked him up to the flat, on the day Julie was out, he turned me down. I was seriously confused. Had he ever been attracted to me, or had it all been some kind of game for him? Had he only been interested when I had played hard to get?

I was on the bus—on my way home from work. Julie had arranged to go out, so I was looking forward to a quiet night in by myself. My phone was set to silent—I'd forgotten to change it after I left the office. When it vibrated in my pocket I almost jumped out of my seat. The woman sitting next to me gave me a strange look.

“Sorry,” I mouthed the word to her as I took the call. “JJ?”

“Where are you?” he asked. He was using hands free, so I could barely hear him.

“On the bus—on my way home.”

“I've had a call about Billy.”

“Who from?”

“The guy with the goatee at St Bart’s shelter.”

“Is Billy there?”

“Yes. At least he thinks it's him.”

“I'll get over there.”

“No. Wait for me to get back.”

“Caroline said you'd gone away for a couple of days.”

“I can come back early.”

“It's okay. I'll... ”

“I don't want you going over there by yourself Megan. You've seen some of the characters who hang out there. Go to the flat, and I'll pick you up in an hour.”

“What if Billy leaves before then?”

“He won't. Wait for me at the flat.”

“Okay.”

Billy was capable of anything. I couldn't take the risk that he might leave before JJ arrived. I tapped out a text, sent it, and then switched my phone off. I knew JJ would try to talk me out of it.

The shelter was quieter than on our last visit.

“Hi, you called about my brother. Billy.”

“He’s gone,” goatee said.

“Where?”

“I don’t know. He got into an argument with one of the old timers. He left not long after I called your friend.”

“Do you know where he went?”

“Sorry.”

“Did he look okay?”

Goatee shrugged.

“Was he sober?”

“He wasn’t falling over, but who knows.”

“Thanks. Can I give you my number in case he comes back?”

“Sure, write it on the back of your friend’s card.”

I was disappointed, but at least I knew Billy was alive and still in the area. That was something at least.  I was glad to get out of the shelter—one of the men sitting outside reception had been staring at me—he had crazy eyes. I thought I'd better let JJ know he needn’t bother coming. I switched on my phone, and immediately saw that I had several missed calls and one text message. I assumed the calls would be from JJ telling me not to go the shelter alone, but they were all from Julie. The text message was from her too.

‘JJ in hospital—call me’

“What’s happened?”

“Megs.” Julie was crying. “He was in a car crash. The police called me.”

“Is he okay?”

“I don’t know. They’ve taken him to St James’s. I’m on my way over there now.”

“I’ll see you there.”

I couldn't believe this was happening. I said a silent prayer—he had to be okay. I couldn't bear it if he was badly hurt, or worse. I hadn't even had the chance to tell him how I felt. He had to be okay.

I flagged down the first taxi I spotted, and headed for the hospital. As soon as I walked into A&E, I had flashbacks to the night Mum had been brought in. If anything, the place was even busier.

“I'm looking for James Jones. He's been involved in a car crash.”

“Your name?” the receptionist asked.

“Megan Taylor.”

“Are you a relative?”

“No.” I hesitated. “I'm his girlfriend.” I almost said 'friend', but didn't want to run the risk that they might refuse to tell me anything.

“Just a moment.” She picked up the phone. My heart was racing. I had to lean on the counter because I was afraid I might fall.

“Someone will be with you in a few moments.”

“Can't you tell me...?”

“Please take a seat over there. Someone will be with you shortly.”

I couldn't bring myself to sit down. Instead, I paced the floor for what felt like an eternity. I prayed again that he would be okay.

“Megan Taylor?” A young nurse shouted.

“That's me.”

“Please follow me.”

I followed her along a corridor which had a number of cubicles with blue curtains drawn across the front. Half way down, on the left hand side, the nurse stopped, and pulled open the curtain.

“James. Your girlfriend is here.” 

JJ was sitting up on a trolley. He had a small gash on his forehead, but otherwise looked okay.

“Thank you, nurse. Hello girlfriend.” His grin told me all I needed to know about his condition. The nurse closed the curtain as she left the cubicle.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah—I'm fine. But more importantly—why didn't you tell me you had changed your mind about us? Girlfriend?”

“There is no us. I just said that so... ”

“No need to explain. I know how you feel about me.”

I wanted to hug him; I was so relieved he was okay.

“Did you find Billy?” he asked.

“He'd gone by the time I got there.”

“Where?”

“They didn’t know.”

“You shouldn’t have gone there by yourself. Why the hell did you switch your phone off?”

“It was fine. I was fine.”

“It was stupid.”

“What happened to you?” I changed the subject.

“The guy in the other car shot out from a side street. I didn’t stand a chance. He’s got a broken leg according to the police.”

“What did the doctor say?”

“They're going to do an X-ray.”

Just then, the curtain opened, and Julie appeared.

“JJ.” She flung her arms around her brother. “I thought you were dead.”

“I'm okay.” He wiped a tear from Julie's eye.

“I’ll go and fetch us all a coffee,” I said.

I was still trembling as I walked to the vending machine. I'd feared the worst. On my way to hospital, I'd even made a bargain with God that if JJ was okay, I would be honest about my feelings for him. I took my time getting the drinks. By the time I returned to the cubicle, I'd composed myself.

“Their machine had run out if coffee, so I got tea.”

“Thanks, Megs.” Julie took a cup from me. I put the other on the table next to JJ.

“Thank you, girlfriend.”

“Am I missing something?” Julie looked at JJ, and then at me.

“Take no notice of him. He's being a prat as per usual.”

“Megan told the nurse she was my girlfriend.”

“I only said that so they would let me see you.”

“Hmmm.” JJ grinned. “Of course you did.”

It was two hours later when JJ was discharged. His X-ray was clear. As he hadn’t suffered concussion, there wasn't any reason to keep him in overnight. The police had come to the cubicle to take a statement, and had said they had witnesses who had confirmed JJ’s version of events. JJ wasn’t happy that they'd breathalysed him, but they'd insisted it was standard procedure. The test had been negative.

“You’re coming back with us,” Julie said.

“I’ll be okay,” JJ insisted.

“Tell him, Megs. He might listen to his girlfriend.”

“Julie’s right. You should stay with us tonight.” I pretended I hadn't heard Julie's 'girlfriend' reference.

“Do I get to share your bed, Megan?”

Cue death stare.

The three of us took a taxi back to the flat.

“Right. Follow me.” I led JJ into my bedroom.

“I knew you would see sense,” he said.

“You're sleeping in here. I'm going to share with Julie.”

“I don’t see why you can’t share with me.”

“Get into bed and go to sleep, JJ.”

“Don’t I get a mug of hot milk?”

“Hot milk? How old are you? Six? You can have tea or coffee.”

“I’m going to turn in.” Julie shouted from the lounge.

“Night, Julie. I won't be long.”

“Night, sis. So, now I have you all alone in the bedroom at last.” JJ grinned.

“Forget it. You need to rest that head.”

“It’s only my head that's grazed. The rest of me is in full working order.”

“I’ll have to take your word for that.”

“Wouldn’t you like to put it to the test?”