‘Okay, busted. I honestly thought there was a possibility that I would see chips and curry sauce for the second time in less than an hour.’
‘Ew! Too much information.’
* * *
The short walk into the town of Glensheil was busy and they had to weave their way through pedestrians as they headed towards the high street. Bea checked Google Maps and pointed straight in front of them. ‘This way.’
The side streets were full of fancy bistros and cocktail bars and the shops were still open, which Bea assumed was because it was a tourist town and they opened all hours. The tree-lined pavements looked picturesque in the evening sunshine and the hanging baskets burst with colour where they swayed from the lampposts in the light breeze.
‘We’re looking for Clyde Square, which, according to this…’ Bea looked up at the street sign then back towards her phone ‘... is past Claret Row, which is this way.’
They navigated the streets and turned down an alley, stepping over beer cans and crumpled litter strewn all over the ground. They walked past graffitied brick walls, grimy barred windows and doorways, and heard the clink of bottles slamming in bins. Bea was very grateful Nolan was by her side.
‘This doesn’t have a good vibe to me.’ As she looked at the windows above, she realised they were being watched. ‘I feel like I’m trespassing.’
‘I have to say, I quite agree.’ Nolan’s voice was low and they stopped walking as a voice shouted down to them.
‘Oi, you two. Want do you want?’ The voice was far from friendly.
Bea could feel herself slightly trembling and was relieved when Nolan slipped his hand into hers.
‘We’re looking for Clyde Square.’ Thankfully, Nolan’s voice was steady.
‘Next street along,’ the voice shouted back.
‘Thank you,’ replied Nolan, taking the lead and guiding Bea through the alley, keeping her closely by his side.
They could feel eyes watching them everywhere. Curtains twitched and people began to open their doors and stand on their steps with their arms crossed. Bea felt like she was in the middle of a scary movie.
‘This doesn’t look as bad,’ reassured Nolan as they turned the next corner, but Bea continued to grip his hand tightly. ‘What number are we looking for?’
‘Flat 4A,’ replied Bea, double-checking the crumpled bit of paper. ‘It must be that one up there. What’s the plan? Are we going to knock? I’m not sure it’s the right thing to do. I kind of get the feeling the only people who knock on these doors are bailiffs.’
‘I think that may be a little overdramatic.’ He gave her a comforting smile but they both jerked when they heard a dog thud against an iron gate and burst into aggressive barks.
‘I’m really not liking this.’
The wooden screech of an old window being forced open above made them both look upwards. An old woman leaned out of the window and flicked ash from her cigarette.
‘Are you lost? Not seen you around these parts before.’
Feeling brave, Bea shouted up, ‘We’re looking for flat 4A.’
‘Wait there.’
They heard the sound of a heavy metal lock being unbolted and then the door opened and the old woman was standing in front of them.
‘What do you want? Are you police? Because if you are—’
‘No, we aren’t police or anyone bad.’ Bea noticed the woman was gaunt, with a few teeth missing, and those that weren’t were rotten.
She dragged on her fag. ‘Then what do you want?’ She narrowed her eyes, watching them closely.
‘It’s a long shot but we’re looking for a woman who lived in flat 4A over sixty years ago, Patsy G?’
‘Never heard of her. And you expected her to be here after all this time? It’s bad enough living here for six months, never mind sixty years.’ The woman cackled. ‘Whoever Patsy G is, she had a lucky escape … unless she was pimped out or possibly shot. And now I suggest you with your posh class get out of here as soon as possible.’
Bea didn’t need to be told twice. She tugged at Nolan’s hand. ‘Thank you for your time,’ she said walking away as fast as she could.
