Babel Novel
Chapter 61
Chapter 61
As the chopper rises, swings and turns away, heading for the City, I remember something. “Damn!”
Elizabeth slips her hand into mine. “What is it?”
“I just realised. Michael has the car keys. We’re stranded.”
“We’ll get you back home in one of our cars sir,” says a police officer. “Can you give a statement first. It
will save us from having to disturb you while you’re dealing with your friend there.” He waves vaguely
up into the air after the ambulance.
*****
Later, after both Elizabeth and I give statements, we are offered a ride home in the back of a police car,
“Where to Mr Haswell?” asks the officer driving.
“City Central Hospital.”
*****
Five Years Ago - Jenny
A lone figure steps from a bus.
Simply dressed in jeans and a tee-shirt, long red hair tied back in a pony-tail, the figure drops a
rucksack at her feet, looks right, then left, then all around.
She doesn’t look lost, more…. assessing….
Remembering perhaps….
Then, with a sigh, she swings the rucksack over her shoulder and steps out.
*****
The work isn’t great, and neither is the pay, although there is a little extra for working the midnight shift.
She cleans tables, clears dishes, serves cheap meals and hot drinks to late-night customers. And she
is still working when the early shift-workers amble into the road, clearing garbage and rattling bins.
*****
Working behind the cafe bar, making up sandwiches and snacks, at first Jenny doesn't notice.
The large screen over-looking the bar runs daytime TV, blarting out game results and gossip news,
soaps and reality shows. Just now it is giving out some actual news, but she’s really not listening. TV
holds very little interest for her.
A word penetrates. Blessingmoors….
…. And she jolts upright, dropping the glass she was holding, then swears softly to herself as she cuts
herself on the broken glass.
“You okay, Jenny?” calls Buddy from the bar.
“Um, yes.” Her voice is uncertain as she looks up at the screen, sucking her finger. “Just broke a glass. Nôvel(D)rama.Org's content.
That’s all.”
“I’ll dock that from your wages.” But he smiles to show he’s joking, then tosses her a packet of blue
sticky-plasters.
But she’s not paying attention. Instead, transfixed, she stares up at the screen where a newsreader
and the ticker-tape headlines below her announce arrests, scandals and missing persons whom ‘the
police would like to interview in connection with the case.”
*****
On the newsagent's billboard, it is headline news. A face stares out at her; a face she recognizes. A
face that sends a chill skipping up her spine.
Police seeking Lawrence Klempner in connection with the investigation. Police appeal for witnesses.
Anyone who knows this man, please contact….
Jenny pulls her coat tightly around herself and, head bowed, walks off into the crowd.
*****
Dear Mr Kalkowski,
I hope you are well and that you are resting properly as the doctor told you to.
I just thought I would write to let you know that I have arrived in the City and am very well.
Thank you so much for lending me the money. I know you wanted to give it to me, but I wouldn’t have
felt right accepting it. As it is, using it, I have been able to find a place to live, and I have a job now, so I
will repay you as soon as I can.
I don’t expect to be at this address for very long. When I arrived, I needed somewhere to stay quickly,
so I took the first place I could find and it’s quite expensive. I am looking for something cheaper so that
I can save up properly for my university fund.
When I started looking into it properly, I found out very quickly that I will need to be ‘computer literate’ to
study physics at university. So, in my spare time now, I am taking computer lessons. You can use
internet cafes here, but then you have to pay every time, so I have bought myself a second-hand
computer. It’s quite old, but it’s good enough for me to learn with.
There are quite a few free wi-fi spots here when you know where to look, so I can use the internet for
free., but it does feel very strange using a keyboard instead of a pen and paper.
I will try to visit you when I can, but you understand that I am working quite long hours now and the
fares are expensive too. So mostly, I will have to write to you instead.
Look after yourself and thank you for everything.
Love,
Jenny xxx
*****
Wanted: Roommate to share rent and bills. Must be clean and tidy. Female. N/S. No pets.
*****