106 :: The argument
Mariam and Naomi sat in the car. Mariam opened her Skrolll. She sheared for Hank. He was in the pub. Moving. He came out with a woman. His wife. They were arguing. Mariam and Naomi could see they were arguing. They could not hear what they were saying.
If they had tracked back they would have heard Hank telling Rita his plan. Hank and Rita seated near the window. One beer. One gin. Hank kept looking at the door. Reta asked what was up. Hank told Rita about Naomi. An au pair. Not even in the country any time at all. He had signed her in at the airport. Two weeks. Three maybe. They were sending her home. He offered help. She was so sad. So desperate to stay. He said he would help. He would see what he could do. He would try. He felt responsible. He said. He had signed her in. Not even two weeks ago. He offered her help. If she could get out. She probably would get out. If she wanted to. It was so easy to get out of Tinsley House. He was just wondering if she was coming to the Greyhound.
Rita was angry. Immediately furious. He would lose his job. They were fucked now. She did not earn enough.
Hank told her not to worry. Nothing could come back to him. He knew when to talk. Not even that bitch Mariam had heard him. He would show her the manager’s job should have been his. He would sow that bitch Mariam. He had whispered to Naomi. Told her how to get out.
Rita retorted. Not to fuck with Mariam. Mariam was a clever cunt. Mariam would get him. His was a good jobs. Jobs are more difficult to get now.
Hank was not listening. He was sure Naomi would come to the pub. Maybe in an hour. He was going to wait.
Rita told Hank he was stupid. It was a fantasy. Never going to happen. If it did happen he would not want it. Nothing about it was good. He was a good man. Au pairs were wrong. It was wrong to own a fucking girl.
Hank pleaded with her. He wanted her to understand. He was helping Naomi. It was what Naomi wanted. She had come to London for this. He was being kind.
Rita stood up. Come home now. Her voice was half way between commanding and begging. If the girl gets out let her be. Let her find her own way.
Hank followed her to the door. He wanted Rita to understand. He was committed now. He had given his word. The least he could do was employ Naomi. Au pairs did not cost much. Just food. A bed. They had a spare. Naomi would cook and clean. He might have been wrong to offer but he had. Now he was committed.
Mariam did not track back. She and Naomi watched Hank and Rita argue. Rita was rigid. The venom in her words clear from her stance. A tirade. And Hank was angry too. A red faced reply. Rita half turned. Turned back. Spoke again. Hank slapped her.
Rita walked away. Got into a car. Drove off. Hank watched her go. He went back into the pub.
It will be a long drive. (Mariam)
107 :: Driving on small roads
The Au Pair