Chapter 20

The train pulled into the station at last. I boarded the nearest steps pushing my way through the carriages until I found a spare seat. I put my stuff on the overhead shelf and sat down, still nervous. I looked around and out of the window, checking to be sure there was no one I knew from the children’s home. There were some girls in the seats immediately in front of me, all giggly, apparently out on a hen night. They were all dressed new wave, Gary Numan or Ultravox style. To my left was an elderly gentleman with a young girl who looked like his daughter and in front of him were two lads. They appeared to be army boys as they had no hair, just short back and side haircuts, a total giveaway really. They made eye contact and then turned to each other whispering. They started giggling acting like kids. I must have been in a great mood, so excited about meeting Dave. Any other time I would’ve given them a mouthful just for looking at me. I had beaten up girls for less, and they wouldn’t be the first guys I had smacked down a peg or two.

The motion of the train sent me off into another daydream. I stared out of the window, now at the night sky, looking at lights in the distance, house lights and street lights all being left behind. Feeling the motion of the train, the budum budum budum on the tracks was enough to send anyone to sleep. I pictured Dave being at the station waiting for me and taking me round to his friend’s house. We had planned to be staying there for a few days until we got a place sorted.

It felt like an eternity on the train, although it probably was just about two hours in reality. I had to change trains in London and was then on a further train for another two hours. My hands felt all clammy as the train approached the station in Leicester. I checked that I had my purse and all my belongings and then made my way to the partition section by the door. I was so excited, I wanted to be the first off of the train. I needed to see my Dave.

I walked through the station, following the crowd of people towards the exit just like a sheep. The station was massive. I began to worry I would never find him there. I took some solace though from knowing that no one from the home would find me. I made my way to the station entrance, the collection and drop off point. He was more likely to be there than anywhere I figured. I looked around but Dave was nowhere to be seen. I paced up and down staring at stranger’s faces. Do I know any of them? Had he sent a friend to collect me? I watched people greet loved ones and get into taxi’s and cars, one after another pulling up to where I stood. The station was a beehive of activity. As time went on the station got quieter and quieter and still no Dave. I wonder what happened? He better have a bloody good excuse.

I searched through my bags to find his friend’s telephone number. I had kept it from ages ago. Dave used to stay there and I had rung him from the children’s home telephone on several occasions. I walked over to the red pillar box telephone and dialled the number. It rang and rang forever before I hung up, and then I started to worry. Maybe he’s on his way? Maybe he got stuck in traffic? Who knows? I had all sorts of reasons running through my tiny mind. I stayed at the station for two more hours before I gave up and started making my way into the town centre. I remembered Dave saying his mate lived in the town centre in an apartment over some shops, so hopefully, I would find them.

The walk took me about 45 minutes and my feet were killing me. I had blisters on my heels and my toes felt like they were in a vice. Winkle picker shoes were not the best or most comfortable for hiking, but then again, I didn’t plan to do all this walking, did I?

I found the town centre and wandered up and down the high street. The night clubs had kicked out. It was about 2:30am and I was freezing cold and hungry. I had all of £1.80 in my pocket, just enough to buy a one-way ticket so I couldn’t even get back on the train. The security was tight on the way up, no way I would get away with hiding on the train. I attempted to ring the friend’s flat about 20 times more, every time I passed a telephone box I rang and there was still no answer. I looked around for somewhere warmer, apart from shop doorways there was nothing. So I gave the phone number one last try before going out of town to find somewhere to sleep. At last! I can’t believe it. Someone picked up.

It sounded like Andy, “Hello?”

“Where the fuck have you been?” I bellowed down the phone.

“Out at a gig,” he replied. “Abbie is that you?” in a guilty tone.

“Where’s Dave?” I enquired with warning in my voice. I sensed something wrong, the pause was far too long before I got a reply. He was about to say something when I heard giggling in the background.

“Abbie? Abbie is that you?”

“I’m in Leicester Andy! For fuck sake where the hell is Dave?” I was frustrated. The giggling became louder but the beeps went off and I was forced to put more money in. I was rapidly running out of change.

“Where is he?” I shouted. I knew in my heart of hearts where he was. The girls in the background were not alone. I thought I had heard Dave’s voice amongst the giggling.

“Tell him I am here will you?” I pleaded. I was deflated and scared. Why is he doing this to me? We spoke just the other day, and he knew I was coming to Leicester.

“Tell him I will wait in the town centre, Andy.”

“Okay.” He hung up.

It was clear he was uncomfortable, but his saying, “okay,” confirmed that Dave WAS at Andy’s flat. Not only that, he had to know I was on the phone. Andy had said my name several times, so what was he playing at? I couldn’t do anything now, I was stuck. I couldn’t go anywhere just in case he came to look for me. I had told Andy where in the town I was going to wait. So I found a seat and parked myself there and waited, and waited and waited, fumes coming off my head.

Time ticked on. It was 4:30 in the morning and still no sign of Dave. I had not slept and was wondering how long it would be before the birds began singing again? I lay down on the seat and huddled up into a ball. My coat was useless and wasn’t keeping me warm at all. I lay there shivering at times, wishing the morning would come so I could go and find Dave. I had no idea what he was doing, but I had to find out why he hadn’t met me at the station. What happened to our plans? What was I going to do now? I heard footsteps and bolted upright relieved. I turned around with a smile expecting to see Dave. Two police officers stood there staring at me.

“Shit! Shit!” I said under my breath. Now what? If I run for it they’ll give chase. I don’t stand a chance. They’d catch me for sure running in these bloody shoes.

One of them said, “Hello little lady what are you doing out here?”

I explained, “I was supposed to meet a friend but he didn’t arrive at the train station. I telephoned him and he should be here soon. I must stay here or he won’t find me.”

“Sorry, we can’t do that. If we leave you here anything could happen.”

I spent the next half an hour trying to persuade them in a nice way and then in not so nice a way to “leave me alone and go and arrest some real criminals.”

They wouldn’t have any of it though and said I didn’t look old enough to be out at night on my own.

“Unless you tell us who you are and where you live, we will have to take you to the Police station for your own safety.”

I knew at that point I had lost. I broke down then, hung my head and sighed.

Just once, I thought, whimpering to myself. Just once in my life, I’d like something to go right. Maybe I can find Dave tomorrow.