Maybe One Day by Debbie Johnson

Author:Debbie Johnson [Johnson, Debbie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Orion
Published: 2020-04-01T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

‘Well,’ says Michael, as we return to the city centre. ‘That was unpleasant. I feel like I need a long soak in a bath of hot mojitos.’

Belinda is uncharacteristically silent. I can feel her staring at the back of my head, and finally give in.

‘Out with it, then,’ I say, turning to look at her. I am prepared for a tirade, but all I get is a sad smile.

‘That was good,’ she says eventually, ‘what you did for Mona. Not telling her about the Crazy Bunch and what really happened to Joe while she was dope-fiending it back here. I wanted to tell her … I felt so angry. But I’m glad you stopped me. It’s what Joe would have wanted. Somehow, despite what he came from, he managed to be a much better person than me.’

‘Yeah,’ adds Michael from the driver’s seat. ‘How is that? Everything I hear about this man suggests he’s perfect. Everything about his childhood suggests he should be a monster.’

‘He wasn’t perfect,’ I reply, smiling. ‘He just … I don’t know, seemed to have his own moral compass? I know they tried to mould him into another one of them, the Crazy Bunch, but he wasn’t having any of it. Too much … compassion, I think.’

‘They did,’ says Belinda, her voice sad. ‘When we were kids, they sent him shoplifting. First few times, he did it – but then gave all the stuff away, he felt so bad. Did a bit of a Robin Hood. After that he refused, and he paid the price for it.’

I’d seen the marks on his body, and know exactly what she is talking about. I feel angry again, until Belinda bursts the small bubble of rage.

‘Anyway. I’m glad you didn’t tell Mona the truth. You’re a good person too, Jess – just like him.’

I am moved by this, and don’t really know what to say. I blow her a kiss, and Michael laughs out loud.

‘What a touching moment,’ he says, as he drives. ‘I feel like I’ve just witnessed a small miracle. Now, who wants to come up with a list of fancy hotels? Though I have the suspicion that Mona’s concept of “fancy” might include the YMCA …’

Belinda and I start to sift through booking.com looking for ideas, and then checking if they were also open in 2004. By the time we get back to town we have decided on an initial list of three, with a back-up of a few more if we come up with nothing at those. I suggest we take one each, as I am secretly yearning for half an hour alone.

We leave the Fiat at our own less-than-fancy hotel, and go our separate ways. I completely strike out at the Shelbourne, but do enjoy the marble columns and impressive chandeliers in the lobby. The staff are polite and helpful, but nobody there can remember that far back.

I bump into Belinda on her way from a similar fail at another grand lodging nearby.

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