London Harmony: Flotilla (2 page)

Prepare myself for what? I blinked as I heard excited squeals coming from inside and the door swung open. Two little kids, possibly four or five squeaked out, “Paya!” They dove on the woman who was giggling at them, she bent and hugged them both and stood with a new addition on her hip. A little tawny-haired girl with big green eyes and a dimpled smile.

Paya said, “Hiya rugrats. Getting into mischief?”

The little boy, who looked maybe a year, or maybe two, younger than the girl nodded as the girl said cutely, “Yes ma'am.”

Paya said, “That's great.” She just beamed at them as the little girl started playing with the ring I had just noticed on the woman's finger. I smiled at that, she was engaged, good, I liked the woman despite myself and was happy that she had someone.

A woman stepped up to the door, wiping her hands on a dishrag, smiling hugely. I just stared dumbly at her. She had that same tawny colored hair as the girl, it was thick and curly and just pooled up on her shoulders before cascading down her back.

Her eyes were that same emerald green as the girl's as well, but they had a depth to them that told me her life's story at a glance. This woman was a fighter. Life had been harsh, but she could still smile with a single dimple on her left cheek that made her smile delightfully lopsided.

She was maybe an inch or two taller than me and had a slight frame with curves in all the right places. She may not have been gorgeous in the traditional sense, but she was cute and had the air of everyone's little sister, but the combination of things just hit every single one of my buttons.

She had a facial tick as she spoke, like she was winking when she started each sentence and the left side of her mouth quirked up in time with the tick. Her left hand tightened spontaneously on the dish rag at the same time. “Hello, Paya. I just packed away the last of the dishes, you have impeccable timing.”

She was looking at me as she was speaking to her, curiosity painting her face as she added, “Who's your friend?”

I realized I had been staring at her, taking in everything about her. I snapped my mouth closed. Bloody hell, I must have been creeping her out. My eyes rested on a wedding band on her hand, and I felt oddly deflated. What did I expect? All the good ones are always taken. Not that she'd give a destitute street vagrant the time of day.

I looked away and brushed my tangled hair out of my face as Paya spoke, “This is my handy dandy helper, Angie. Angie, this is Steph and her little mini-me munchkins, Wil, and Natalie.” Then she added, “She's the muscle to help the move.”

The woman smiled at me and offered her hand. I looked at mine and absently wiped it on the side of my jumper before shaking, trying not to make eye contact. “Pleased to meet you.”

She said without her smile wavering, her facial muscles ticking, “Likewise.” Then she narrowed her eyes at Paya and said to me, “She has her smug look on. She thinks this is going to get her out of physical labor.”

This caused the overly-amused Indian-Brit to chuckle and say, “Smug like a fox.”

Steph chuckled and looked over at her. “That'd be crazy like a fox, you silly bird.”

Paya set the little girl down as she shrugged. “Crazy, smug? It's all just semantics.”

I felt like a ping pong ball, watching the two volley back and forth without missing a beat. I just stood there fidgeting. Paya pushed past the woman in good humor, I finally looked away from Stephanie as Paya's hand snaked out around her and snagged my hand to pulled me through the door. I shot an apologetic look at the woman as I passed by.

I had to blink at the interior of the cabin. It looked like an upscale flat, clean and simplistic, very well maintained. There were two big windows looking out over the river with a great view of the city skyline. There was a closed door and a second open door that looked like a loo. Assuming the other one was a bedroom, then there couldn't have been more than just the three flats on the first level on the large boat. So each barge housed perhaps six flats like this one.

There were a bunch of boxes packed and stacked off to the side in the common room by the little kitchenette. I looked at the couch and other furniture, then looked at our party. None of us were big women, and I wondered if we'd be able to move the bigger stuff.

The kids were running all around us, chasing each other. Natalie stopped in front of me and looked up with a beaming smile. “Wil an' me get our own room!” Then she was zooming off to continue the merry chase.

I grinned at the two, they seemed so happy. It must be nice to be a child and not know about the harsh realities of life. Childhood is such a magical time.

I glanced at the two women and rubbed my hands together and said, “Right then. Let's be about it shall we?”

I stepped to the couch and leaned down to grasp the lower edge as I asked, “I didn't notice, was there a moving van or lorry in the car park.”

The two just watched me. Stephanie looked to be about to say something, but Paya held up her hand to stop her, looking thoroughly amused. I made a gasping, glurking sound as I raised one end of the monster, it had one of those fold-away beds in it and was gut busting heavy.

Steph slapped the back of Paya's head and said in exasperation, “You are a positively wicked woman, you bint.”

Paya just giggled to me as she rubbed the back of her head in a dramatic manner, “Sorry Ange, I was just curious if you'd even get the thing off the ground. All the furniture stays, it is part of the rooms here. Just the boxes and suitcases go with us in my beast.”

I looked at her in shock as I dropped the couch with a thud and turned to flop into it. “Bloody hell! She's right! You're just a manky bint. You could have said something before I burst something.”

The kids piled on me, and I was immediately aware of how dirty I was. Little Wil asked, “What's a bint mum?”

We all just stared, I wasn't used to curbing my tongue around little ones.

Stephanie had a similar look on her face, being caught out like that. She cringed apologetically at the children and explained, “It is a bad word us adults use from time to time. You mustn't repeat it.”

I was fascinated by her facial tick as her hand clenched, it gave her such character.

Natalie looked at her mother and asked with genuine curiosity, “Like tosser and wanker?”

We all tried to keep a straight face, but hearing a little one saying that so innocently caused us to burst out laughing. I covered my mouth and calmed down as Steph got herself under control, shooting daggers at us other adults and said, “Precisely.” Then her eyes narrowed. “Where did you hear wanker anyway?”

She tilted her head at her mum as she played with the zipper on my jacket. “Molly at school says her daddy uses it all the time. He says that it pays the proper 'spect to other 'dults.”

She sighed and looked down at her hands, shaking her head in resignation. Then she looked up at me and just grinned. I had to grin back. Children will be children, I knew quite a few choice words at that age myself.

Then she chuckled and looked to the boxes in resignation, asking, “Shall we? I'm getting almost as excited about our new flat as the children.” She sobered and looked at Paya and shook her head slowly as she said, “I still can't thank you enough, this means the world to us. The Flotilla Project is a godsend.”

Paya looked to be on top of the world as she placed a hand on Stephanie's shoulder and said with complete sincerity, “The pleasure is all mine. That's what we do here. Now come on, let's get hauling, or muscles here is going to show us all up.” She nudged her chin toward me indicating who this 'muscles' was.

I shook my head as I stepped past the two, dragging one leg behind as Natalie rode on my foot. I said in jest, “I don't know why I agreed to this. I get enough abuse on the streets.”

I hid my grin as Paya laughed. She was one of those genuinely happy people, it was evident even with my short exposure to her. And she was sneakily manipulative too. I grabbed a box and the attachment to my foot rolled off to grab another box that had a label, “Stuffed Animals” on it. I nodded in approval, the little one had priorities.

We had the back of the vehicle packed in short order. For how large it was, it would still take us at least one more load to get it all moved.

I noted Stephanie seemed to move stiffly as she carried boxes, her left leg didn't seem to move quite right. I was wondering why, but you don't just come out and ask something like that.

I was a little infatuated with the woman, she was funny and full of snark, and seemed to have a good handle on Paya and her shenanigans. Trust me to be crushing on some man's wife. Speaking of. I asked as we all piled into the vehicle and fastened our seat belts, “Where is your husband?

The two loquacious women were suddenly silent as Steph checked her daughter's belt and Wil's booster seat. Oh, bad topic then. I said quietly, feeling like a heel, “Sorry, I just noticed the ring.”

She looked at her hand before slipping into the back seat with her children. She pulled the ring off and pocketed it as she said, her eye and cheek twitching more violently, “I forgot I even had this on. The wanker isn't in the picture. Doing porridge up at London Correctional. The divorce will be finalized just this week.”

I shut my big mouth. He was in prison and sounded like it was some sort of poisonous relationship.

Wil, oblivious to the sudden tension in the air, said in a voice full of humor, “Mummy said a bad word.”

This got us all to chuckle, the stigma of the moment shattered. Steph said in a wavering voice as she tussled his hair, “Yes. Yes, I did.”

Paya changed the topic of conversation by saying, “I'm glad we located a good fit for you at the Tennison. They had an unexpected vacation of a two-room flat and I know how you wanted to stay near Central London so that Natalie didn't have to switch schools.”

Stephanie replied as she absently pulled her children apart while they pushed each other in their seats, “I was chuffed when you told us yesterday, we've been packing ever since.”

Paya squinted an eye and said without apology in her tone, “Yeaaaah, sorry about the short notice, but two-room flats for let are rare at the Tennison, or just about any of the close by properties that contract with our Slingshot Program. I was about to give up on anything in the core for you when Mrs. Smythe called me. I snatched up the room for you, but she could only hold it for twenty-four hours.”

She smirked a little at the road as she confided, “The woman may act all cold and proper all the time, but I think she really has a soft spot for the people who come from the Flotilla Project. I think I actually caught her smiling once. Or maybe it was just gas.”

Steph reached forward and pushed Paya's shoulder. “You are so bad sometimes. She's a hard job, and it would break most.” She smiled at me before sitting back in her seat to stop another shoving match her children had gotten themselves into.

Paya agreed with a nod and played it off. “I tease but she and the properties she is the superintendent of, have been a godsend to us.”

I was starting to feel like a third wheel as the women were speaking. I started to fidget, but Paya must have noticed because she started explaining things to me. I didn't know why, I'd never see her or the quirkily cute Steph after today. I'd just fade back into the street and become background noise again for everyone with a job and a home to ignore.

We turned onto Portchester as she said, “There are various apartment blocks and even some multi-dwelling homes all around London, which contract with us. They supply flats at a fixed, discounted rate which includes utilities. Then the resident pays a flat two fifty pounds, and the Slingshot Program covers the rest. The rate is locked in as long as the resident lives there. It helps the properties fill their rooms, and it helps get our people back on their feet without it being a financial burden.”

Paya went on as I felt my seat being bumped from behind. I had to grin at how much energy the little ones had as Natalie kicked my seat. “Usually, they are just studio apartments, but there are a few multi-room flats that come up from time to time for families like Steph's here.”

She glanced back in the rearview mirror. “You're sure you're ok going into this sight unseen?”

Stephanie just said offhandedly, “As you said, to get a multi-room flat in the core is rare for the program. I'd be daft not to strike while the iron is hot.”

Paya nodded to herself and sighed as Stephanie slapped at her daughter's foot which was thumping my seat. I couldn't stop grinning.

Then Paya turned her head toward me a little, keeping her eyes on the road. “The one thing our contracts stipulate is that all flats must have their own loo, not a communal one as most of the older buildings have. Could you imagine getting ready for the day sharing one loo with five or ten other residents?”

I shrugged, it couldn't beat being chased out of fast food restaurants for using their facilities without buying anything. I paused and again glanced over at the woman, it still felt like she was baiting me, though she never came out and said it. I think she knew I'd get upset if she did, even if it were irrational for me to do so.

Before anyone could say anything else, we pulled up in front of an old apartment block. I studied it through the window for a moment. It was an older structure that had some of the brown and tan bricks of the building replaced with lighter colored masonry. It was a common sight in London to see buildings which had been repaired after the end of the Blitz of the second world war. Some repairs were flawless, while others like this were repaired with whatever materials were readily available at the time.

The kids were excited as Paya got out saying, “Next stop, home.”

I had to chuckle at Steph as she corralled the little ones, stopping Natalie from just popping out of the vehicle. I offered as I got out, “Here, let me help with the roos.”

I slipped out and opened the rear passenger door and snagged Natalie and propped her on my hip. She giggled as I hoisted her. Had I ever been so full of energy? I must have, all children seem to have their throttles stuck on full.

The girl bounced and said, “Look, mum, I'm a kangaroo!”

Stephanie smiled at her daughter and turned her eyes up to me as she got the straps unbuckled from her son's seat, “Roos? That's an odd term.” Her eye twitched as her cheek spasmed when she tilted her head in question.

I blushed a little and rolled my eyes skyward and explained, “Was just something my mum used to say. Gramps was Aussie.”

She nodded as she pulled Wil free and we all walked to the back of the vehicle. I swung Natalie up and then set her on the ground as I pulled out her box of stuffed treasures and asked, “Can you handle this one?”

She nodded enthusiastically.

I grabbed a box, and Steph shrugged a carry bag over her shoulder, still holding Wil. Then we looked at Paya, who had the little smirk on her face I was coming to associate with the playful woman. She rolled her eyes and grabbed a box. Lifting her chin into the air and stepping past us before we could comment.

Steph just crinkled her nose at me, and we shared an amused look over Paya's antics. Then we found ourselves in hot pursuit of her when we realized she wasn't slowing nor waiting for us.

We reached the main doors, and I noted they were security doors, but Paya just swung her hip toward the security plate. Her professional satchel hanging from her shoulder swung near it, and we were buzzed in. She must have had one of those RF keys for the place.

Stephanie asked me as we walked up two flights of stairs to the third floor, seeming genuinely curious, “So how long have you worked for the brat here?”

I looked down at my feet for some reason then back at her as I admitted, “We've only just met. She promised to pay and feed me if I helped her move someone.”

She tilted her head and paused when we saw a middle-aged woman waiting on the third floor in a pressed business suit. She looked down at her watch and nodded in approval at our Indian-Brit guide, “Miss Doshi, punctual as always. You could set a clock by you.”

I watched Paya transform in front of us. One moment she was the playful and snarky imp, the next a no-nonsense business woman as she turned to us and said, “Stephanie Draper, Angie Wells, this is Mrs. Smythe, she is the superintendent here at the Tennison as well as numerous other buildings which are contracted with Slingshot.”

We nodded exchanged greetings without shaking hands as our hands were full. She stepped to the second door on the right and unlocked it and stood aside for us all to enter.

It was a small, furnished flat, not much bigger than the one on the barge. The main room also had a kitchenette in one corner with a little kitchen table, which reminded me of the boat. The only difference was that there were two bedrooms, one on either side of a little loo.

The super motioned to a closed door beside the loo and said, “That one is a walk in closet with a fair amount of room for storage. There aren't closets in the bedrooms, just a bureau, and armoire in each.”

She continued in her sharp tones as she nodded toward the loo. “As per the requirements of the Slingshot Program, a private bath. It is small, but you would still have the use of the shared facilities on each floor as well.”

There was a window in the main room that looked out onto the street below and the buildings across the lane, not much of a view but the Drapers looked excited. I guess I would have been too if I were to get a place to call my own again. I smiled at her. I was genuinely happy for her little family.

Mrs. Smythe looked at the children who looked beyond excited, and I saw a tiny smile threaten the corners of her mouth, then she turned her attention back to Paya. “I was going to ask if this was acceptable, but seeing as how you seem to be moving things in already, I take it as an affirmative?”

Paya put her box down on the little coffee table in front of the couch and nodded, “Quite.” She pulled her satchel off her shoulder and deftly opened it, pulling out a sheaf of papers as she said, looking at the women. “Standard Slingshot lease agreement.” She held out a pen to Stephanie as she pointed at the bottom lines, “Sign here.”

She complied, and Paya pointed, “Initial here, and date it.” She did then she retrieved the pen from her and handed it to Mrs. Smythe who signed. Paya signed the papers then took the two bottom copies and handed one to each woman.

The super handed Steph some papers as she set little Wil down. “The rules for residents.” Then handed her two card keys. “This will get you into the building and your apartment.” She paused, looking at the children. “If you need more, they can be made up for five pounds each.”

She held out her hand, and Steph shook it as the woman said, “Congratulations on your new flat.”

Stephanie shoved her curly hair back out of her face as she beamed at the woman. “Thank you so much. This means the world to us.”

Mrs. Smythe straightened up and said, “Right then, I have other matters to attend to. I leave you to your move.” She paused and looked at the children and asked Natalie in a serious tone, “And which room is yours?”

The kids looked at each other, us, then they took off squealing toward the left bedroom. Wil in hot pursuit of his sister, who was clearly the ringleader of the terrible twosome. I caught the warm smile on the superintendent's face, which returned to her stony emotionless professionalism when she noted I was watching.

She looked almost smug in some way as she turned efficiently on a heel and marched out of the place, leaving the three of us standing there, Paya and I grinning at the smile and look of wonder on Steph's face. She looked away from the flat and to Paya and pulled her into a hug, whispering, “You and Tabby are a godsend lady. Thank you.”

This got the caramel skinned woman to swallow and straighten as she fought off the emotion of the moment as she looked over to me while straightening the hem of her shirt. “Right then, shall we get the rest of the boxes from the boot, muscles?”

Hmm, I noted I was feeling a little emotional over the scene too for some unfathomable reason. I tried to hide a smile at the realization that Paya was a softie.

I saluted and started for the door. Paya said to Stephanie, who was heading into the bedroom to collect her tiny minions, “You three just hang out here and start unpacking these. We got the rest. It would be almost impossible wrangling the mischief makers while your hands are full.”

This got an exasperated sigh from the tawny haired woman until the children squealed. She blew an errant curl from in front of her face and grinned as she turned to find out what trouble the kids had found. I watched her walk off then turned to follow my defacto boss for the day.

By the fourth trip up the stairs, we finally had the boot emptied, and I was feeling the burn of the exertion on the flights in my legs, and my arms felt like jello. And there was still one or two trips left to the barges to do. I was oddly content that I was earning the pay, and didn't feel I was taking charity. It was a satisfying feeling of self-worth I hadn't felt in so very long.

I placed the last box marked 'kitchen' beside the kitchenette and then walked past the couch as I let out a heavy satisfied sigh. “That's the last of this load.”

I looked at the comfortable looking lounger beside the couch and flopped into it. No sooner had I sunk into it than I was assaulted by two giggling masses as they piled onto my lap. Natalie sat up on her legs and started studying me. She blurted, “Your hair is messy. I'll get the brush.”