BREAK ME FREE (4 page)

The air was cold and bit into serge’s cheeks as he smiled towards Tanya. “Welcome to Edinburgh.”

Tanya took his hand as she stepped out from the carriage. “Thank you Mr
. Guzun.” She gazed around the Victorian station. Its forecourt was packed with early morning commuters. “Can’t wait to explore.”

* * * *

Under a grey sky, the pair walked through the historic shopping district of Princes Street. Tanya’s eyes flitted from one ornate building to another. “I think I’ll like it here. Don’t even think the weather would bother me.”

“Don’t get too settled, we’ll have to move on in a day or two.”

“What’s the plan then?”

Serge’s eyes searched the street for suspicious faces rather than famous sights. “We have to disappear.”

“Other than disappearing, what’s the plan for tonight?”

“Find somewhere to stay.”

Tanya stared at a huge gothic hotel. A doorman dressed in fine top hat and tails awaited his guests. “That looks nice.”

“I had somewhere a bit cheaper than that in mind.”

“Oh, right.”

Serge put a hand on her back. “Hey,
it doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy ourselves. How about I treat you like a lady tonight? Nothing funny, I just want to treat you the way Vlad should have.”

Tanya smiled as her hand brushed against his. “That sounds good
.”

“Right, let’s take you shopping, then.”

“There’s no need. I understand if we have to save.”

“Don’t be silly. Every girl needs at least one nice outfit right?”

“That’s nice of you, but shouldn’t we be looking after our money?”

“I insist.”

* * * *

The hours passed slowly for Serge who walked into yet another shop. Still empty
-handed, Tanya slid dress after dress across the rail. Finally she picked up a small black number. “Do you think this is OK?”

“I said yes the last time we came in here.”

Tanya glanced at the dress. “I know, but I don’t always look good in black. I’m not quite as skinny as I used to be.”

Serge tutted as he folded his arms. “Tanya, come on, you have the body of a teenage school girl.”

Tanya picked the dress off the rail. “Promise to tell me what you really think?”

“Of course.”

Serge skipped through the pages of a fashion magazine as he sat on a fabric armchair. He glanced at his watch, as he wondered what could possibly take so long. Suddenly the curtain was moved to one side and out stepped Tanya. The strapless black dress clung tightly to her slim figure. It had a plunging neckline that complimented her ample cleavage. She turned to show the open back of the dress, but Serge eyes fell straight to her pert bottom.

“So?”

“I… Really love it.”

Tanya stared at her reflection in the mirror. “Me too.”

“Thank fuck for that.”

“Hey.” Tanya glanced down at her feet. “Does a girl get to buy new shoes to go with her new dress?”

“Does a guy get thank you for being so patient?”

“Sorry.”

“Nah, go on. This magazine was quite interesting.”

Tanya’s face opened up with an excited smile before hurrying over and planting a kiss on Serge’s cheek. “I’ll be really quick.”

He smiled and flicked through his magazine. “Take your time.” He found a page that finally caught his interest. He took out his phone and punched in a number. Listing to the dial tones, he watched as Tanya became fixated on an aisle of shoes.

* * * *

The late autumn sun had slid under the horizon. A mild frost sparkled on the tarmac as the taxi pulled outside a small hotel that sat snugly in a leafy suburb. Serge glanced at Tanya as he handed the driver a rolled up bank note.”I found this place in that magazine in the shop. It had some good reviews. Apparently it’s known for its quaint and charming rooms . Best of all it supposed to serve amazing food.”

“Great. I’m so hungry I’d even entertain a Pot Noodle right now.”

The walls were warped by time and bulged with age. Serge pushed the heavy door which moaned in protest. “This place is older than my grandma.”

Tanya couldn’t hide her smile. She placed her hand in Serge’s. “I love it.”

Inside the lobby they were greeted by an old woman. “I’m Peggy. How can I help you?”

“Ser
…” Serge almost forgot he had given a fake name. “Steven Patrick. I booked on the phone earlier.”

“Do I detect a slight accent?”

“I’m from … Poland.”

“Ah, Polish. An unusual Polish surname, Patrick?”

Serge thought on his feet. “Yes, my father changed it during the war when he lived in England. Didn’t want to be confused as German.”

“So two single rooms, I believe?” Tanya felt a little shocked, and smiled at Serge.

He nodded at old woman. “Yes, that’s right. She is a colleague. Tracy.”

“Ah, you’ll have to sign the book here then Tracy.” Peggy smiled as she pushed her glasses up her bony nose. She glanced at the book and turned it around to face Tanya.
“They still produce true gentleman in Poland, I see.”

“
He’s a gentleman most of the time.”

Serge and Tanya followed the shuffling Peggy
led them up a narrow creaking stair case into small crooked corridor. Peggy turned to face her two clients. “Here are your two rooms, opposite each other. I’m downstairs the whole night if you need me.”

“Thanks Peggy.”

“Good night and God bless.”

Tanya smiled and waved at Peggy turned and walked back to the stairs. “Night
.”

Serge put his hand on the doorknob, He turned to face Tanya. “I’ll knock for you at eight for dinner, is it okay?”

“Sure. I look forward to it.”

* * * *

Serge shaved in the mirror. He ran the blade over his dark stubble, before rinsing it under the warm water. His eyes offered kindness yet had witnessed much hardship. The scars on his chest reminded him of bad memories and a troubled past.

Opening his large luggage case, he took out Vladimir’s sack of money. “Fifteen years of hell, just for this.” Tossing the heavy sack onto the bed he pulled out a covered suit. “Been a while since I used it for pleasure rather than work.” He dressed in front of the full length mirror. As the excitement grew he sang old pop songs from his youth. A smile broke across face as he suddenly realised he hadn’t sung aloud for years.

Suited up, he stared into the mirror and fixed his tie. “Looking pretty smart, if I do say so myself.” He noticed a single rose in a vase on the window ledge. “Might come in handy.” Taking it out of the water, he placed it between his teeth but on seeing himself in the mirror, he spat it out into his hands. “Look like a bloody dog with a chew.” He took out his velvet handkerchief from his breast pocket and wrapped it around the stem of the rose. “Right, ready to go.”

The walk to her door was little more than a few steps, but it seemed the longest walk of his life.
Standing at the door he sweated under the pressure. He smelt his breath in his hand and then knocked on her door. The sound of footsteps caused a drop of sweat to trickle the length of his forehead. His hand reached for the breast pocket, but he realised he had used the handkerchief to wrap the rose. As she unlocked the door, she may as well have been unlocking his heart.

“Hello
, Serge. You’re looking rather handsome tonight.”

“You look beautiful.” Serge handed her the rose. “I brought you a small gift.”

“Ah, you have one on your window, too?”

“Y
… yes …. But I suffer with hay fever.”

“Well, I better accept your gift, then.” Tanya stepped up on her toes and planted a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you.”

“You’re very welcome.” Serge watched as Tanya walked into her room to place the rose next to hers. He wanted his handkerchief back, but felt touched when she folded it and placed it in her purse.

Tanya switched off her bedroom light and closed the door behind her. “You Ok, Serge?”

“Very.” He raised his arm and allowed her to wrap her arm around his. “Please allow me to escort you to dinner.”

Serge gazed at her beauty from across the table. Being with her made him feel young, and his problems seemed far, far away.
His eyes glanced at the menu in his hands. “So, what do you fancy?”

“I’ve never heard of half the things on here. I guess I’ll just have the steak
…. At least I’ve had that before.”

After ordering his food, Serge decided to find out a little more about his date. “So, tell me a little about yourself?”

“There’s not much to tell. I’m pretty boring. All I have to tell you is what happened to me since I met Vlad, and you know all that anyway.”

“I want to know the real Tanya. The girl who created the woman that sits in front of me”

Tanya sniggered. “You mean my mum?”

“No, I mean you, before I ever set eyes on you.”

“I grew up in Reading. Never knew my dad, well, until he tracked me down a couple of years ago. I didn’t meet him though. What’s the point? The bastard wasn’t there when mum died and I was put in a foster home.”

“I thought you didn’t have a story to tell? That’s tragic.”

“No point going over old ground is there? You’ve had it hard, I had it tough. Whole world is full of sob stories. Who’d be interested in hearing mine?”

“Me.”

“Not tonight Serge, I want to enjoy myself.”

Serge, held his hands up. “Sorry, you’re right. I forget myself sometimes. Living in a world of sadness makes one see nothing but darkness sometimes.”

“Hey, Serge, it’s not like we won’t have time in future to dwell on the past.”

“You’re right there, Tanya.” He rose his glass of wine in the air.”To better times.”

“Here, here.” Tanya laughed and met his glass with hers.

* * * *

Their stomachs filled with good food, they walked across the street in to the small pub that was crammed with locals. Despite the cold weather, the low ceiling and coal fire created a humid atmosphere. A highland band played in the corner and generated a rowdy mood. A pint of brown ale in hand, Serge glanced about the packed room. “There are no chairs, Tanya.”

“Sit on the stool there.”

“What about you?”

“I can sit on you
.”

“Oh, Ok.” Serge lightly held her as Tanya sat on his knee and crossed her legs, her short black dress rode up her shapely thigh.

”So, a handsome man like you. You must have had more than your fair share of girlfriends over the years.”

“Not as many as I would have liked.”

“I think every man feels that way.”

“Most my girls have been short term
…. But I was married a long time ago.”

“I didn’t know.”

Serge’s voice was layered with regret. “Yeah, but she wanted what I couldn’t give her.”

“Kids.”

“Yeah.”

“Because of your line of work, though, right?”

“Yeah.” Serge took a drink from his pint glass. “Of course.”

“Farming is more of a family thing.”

Serge grinned. “Yes, I would think so.”

Tanya laughed and sipped her vodka. “You’ll be looking for a wife then?”

“I don’t see any reason why I wouldn’t.”

* * * *

The highland band had finished and the juke box played soft rock ballads. Tanya stood and took serge’s hand. “Would you dance with me?”

“Tanya, I can’t dance.” Serge’s face was a picture of fear. “Really, I can’t
.”

“Prove to me that you can’t.”Tanya strutted towards the dance. She glanced over her shoulder. “This girl doesn’t take no for an answer.”

Serge loosened his tie and unbuttoned the top of his shirt. “Here goes.”

Tanya wore a sultry smile as Serge approached. She placed her arms around his broad shoulders. “I’m glad you came for me.” She felt his strong arms tie around her waist as his breath brushed her cheek. “Dance with me.”
Dropping her hands to his waist she could feel him swaying to the rhythm, but his feet lagged behind. Wearing a smile she met his eyes. “Loosen up, Serge.”

“I’ve never been a dancer.”

“Rubbish, everyone can dance a little.”

“I don’t want to look foolish.”

”Who cares what you look like.” Tanya smiled. “You should only worry about me, as I only thinking of you.”

Serge closed in until their noses touched. “I
….”

Tanya winced as he stood on her toe. Stepping back she bumped into a man carrying two pints of ale, sending the glasses smashing to the floor.
She turned around with ale trickling down her arms. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to….”