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Sarah’s thoughts jumbled together like water flowing into rapids, and the thudding of her heart was starting to drown out his voice. He was saying something about replaying it again and again and her school uniform was sweet; they were a nice-looking family.
She thought about her father’s drunken tirades and the neighbor’s sideways glances. His funeral was filled with mates from the pub, and very few others. They said the same thing. Such a nice-looking family.
If only you knew.
Alex was speaking to Mick but she couldn’t hear what he was saying. He seemed annoyed. Mick spread his hands and responded. Now he pushed two glasses towards them both then downed the third one himself. Alex declined with a wave of his hand.
Vodka! That must be what was in the bottle. Maybe Mick was Russian?
She pictured her mother on the television, wringing her hands. Would she really believe Sarah was dead? Surely a mother could sense if her child was still alive. She grabbed the glass and threw the liquid down, burning her throat and doing nothing to steady her nerves. It did seem to turn the volume of her heartbeat down, although the hammering continued in her chest.
‘I need air.’
Her declaration brought the conversation between the two men to a halt as they both turned to look at her.
‘Please?’ It came out as a whisper this time.
‘Of course,’ Mick was on his feet. ‘Let me show you out.’
Alex jumped up. ‘I’ll go with you.’
‘That is not necessary.’ Mick was helping Sarah from her chair. She was grateful, her legs had turned to jelly. ‘You are both perfectly safe here. No one knows about my various dealings unless I want them to know. Let us conduct our business while the lady catches her breath.’
Alex seemed unsure but slowly lowered himself back onto the chair.
‘Don’t go too far, Sarah. We’re nearly done here.’
She nodded weakly as Mick led her back though the cupboard into the stock room. There was too much to process. She needed to understand what Mick had said about her family.
‘There is a cafe across the road. Get yourself a coffee.’ He gave an authoritative nod. ‘Alex will be along soon.’
Sarah putone foot in front of the other until she was back on the street, her mind whirling. The cafe was across the road. Abruptly, she turned on her heel and strode down the street - as much an act of defiance as a need to clear her head.
Oblivious to her surroundings, Sarah wondered exactly what the news reports were saying? Had her mother and brother come to London to find her? How was it possible, they wouldn’t have had time to catch a flight from their small country town, to Sydney and then to London. She couldn’t imagine her brother talking to the media.
She needed to see what Mick was talking about. She stood in the street, scanning her surroundings, looking for an internet cafe. Book store, sporting goods, clothes. No cafes. Then she remembered the cafe Mick had directed her to go to. She decided it was worth a shot.
Retracing her steps, she crossed the road as the cafe came into sight. Silently she begged for something to go her way, for a computer or laptop or something she could access. Inside, she surveyed the room, her heart sinking. Tables, chairs and the usual trappings of your everyday cafe. The framed posters of comic book heroes adorning the walls suggested a vested interest from Mick.
Disappointed, Sarah made her way to the counter and took a stool. A chirpy waitress asked for her order as Sarah remembered she had no money. She’d left the money Alex had given her in London in the safe at the hotel, at his request. Even if she wanted to order something, she couldn’t. There wasn’t much you could get for free these days.
‘Just a glass of water please.’ At least the waitress spoke English.
A thought occurred to her. Libraries were free. And usually catered for the digital world.
‘Excuse me, could you tell me where the library is?’
‘Library? Oh no, the library is on the other side of the city. But there is a bookstore on the next block.’
‘That’s okay.’ Sarah smiled weakly. ‘I just wanted to check something on the internet.’
‘We have free Wi-Fi here,’ the waitress suggested.
‘Oh, I lost my phone. Thanks anyway.’ Sarah hung her head. She was out of options. It seemed no matter what she did, she was not capable of helping herself in any way. She couldn’t even find a way to watch a stupid press conference. About her!
Sarah became aware of the waitress standing before her again. She lifted her head, expecting to be asked to order or move on. Instead, the waitress handed her a steaming cup of coffee.
‘On the house.’ The waitress spoke before Sarah could decline.
