Girl on the Platform by Josephine Cox

Author:Josephine Cox
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Action & Adventure, Fiction
ISBN: 9780007270088
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Limited
Published: 2008-03-02T10:00:00+00:00

The landlady was waiting at the door. ‘You look like you had a good night!’ she taunted as Pete hobbled in. ‘Ooh! You didn’t meet Mad Maggie by any chance, did you?’

When Mark slyly nodded, she gave Pete a wicked smile. ‘Oh, dear! I could have warned you about her. That one has a bad reputation, for bringing the men down to size…so to speak.’

‘I’ve no idea what you’re talking about.’ Pete gave her a shrivelling glance as he headed for the stairs. ‘I know nothing about any Mad Maggie!’

‘Goodnight,’ she said cheerily, ‘sleep well.’

Mark hung about, looking at her with sheep’s eyes, wanting to say something, but lacking the courage.

After locking the door behind them, she gave Mark a little wink and was quickly gone.

‘Did you see that?’ Mark said, catching Pete up on the stairs.

‘See what?’ Pete was in no mood for conversation.

‘She winked at me!’

‘Don’t be daft!’ Pete tripped up the step. ‘She probably had a speck of dirt in her eye.’

‘No! You’re wrong. She really fancies me.’

Pete continued to crawl up the stairs. ‘Rather you than me! I’m finished with women from now on.’

‘What about that girl on the platform then?’

Pete shrugged. In fact, thinking about the girl on the platform was the only way he had kept sane while Maggie was taking him apart.

‘Will you be all right?’ Mark wondered, as he escorted Pete to his room. ‘Do you need me to stay in with you tonight?’

Pete leapt to his feet. ‘Do I hell! The last thing I need is to wake up with a bloke!’

‘Don’t you start!’ Mark’s feelings were hurt. ‘You ungrateful sod! I’m only looking out for you.’

‘Sorry. I really am grateful, but I’m okay. Once I’m in that bed, I’ll be out like a light.’

‘Right, well, if you feel ill in the night, come and get me.’

‘There’ll be no need for that.’ Wincing, Pete gingerly touched his ribcage. ‘Though to tell you the truth, I reckon she might have broken a few bones.’

‘Shouldn’t we go to hospital…get you checked out?’

‘What, and have them question me? I don’t think so!’

‘Goodnight then…or should I say Good morning.’ He glanced at his watch. ‘It’s half past midnight.’

‘This business about Mad Maggie, and all that…’

Mark grinned. ‘What about it?’

‘I want you to promise that you’ll never talk about it to anyone back home.’

‘If that’s what you want.’ Mark chuckled.

‘I want you to promise!’

‘I’ve already said, haven’t I?’

‘Not properly. I want you to promise!’

Mark groaned. ‘Give it a rest!’

Terrified, Pete grabbed him by the lapels. ‘You’re not to say anything. Promise me, dammit!’

‘Okay, okay! If that’s what you want.’

‘It is.’

‘Then I promise.’ Mark shook himself free and started chuckling again. ‘It was funny though. You should have seen your face—handcuffed to the bed like that…’ When he saw the menacing look on Pete’s face he stood back. ‘All right, all right! I won’t tell a soul!’

Pete nodded. ‘Thanks, mate.’

‘What for?’

‘For getting me back, and giving me your word, and all that.’

Mark strolled away. ‘See you in the morning then?’

Pete grinned.

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