Part of the reason for sure, but as she considered his answer, it dawned upon her. She’d had some thousands of men fuck or have sex with her, and she with them, but no one had ever actually made love to her. Nor had she made love to any man.
She saw his point clearly, and the way he’d announced his answer made it plain that it was a truth he’d learned by experience, rather than knowledge he’d gained by ear. A point that she’d felt she’d already known, but one whose significance was not obvious until explained. Maybe it was a point that one did not consider until they reached a stage in life to which such a point was applicable to them.
Either way, Mika had taken the simple wisdom on board, and with it the understanding that her life was overdue for change. She could not perceive her eventual destination, but she had a clear view of the necessary direction. It was nearly time for another executive decision, and even though her life now with Lee was comfortable, like favoured old shoes. It was unfortunate in a way that he was not expected by her, to be at her new direction’s ultimate destination.
Mika was consuming the last of her sandwich when she noticed Larry push open the front doors of the bar to make his usual low key entrance. She had made a life of watching people’s faces, and had learnt through necessity the need to read expressions.
An art form that had kept her safe more than once in her stranger strewn past. Strain clearly showed on Larry’s face, but her study of his features became interrupted when a short sharp shriek of a siren suddenly stabbed at her ears.
Mika caught the startled look which cloaked Larry’s face as he turned his head forward from where it had spun to allow him to see over his shoulder.
His expression had changed little from that which had preceded it. Now it was touched by fear. His initial expression, which now filtered through her mind’s eye, had been shaded with a tinge of nervousness.
She wondered why Larry might be nervous.
He had little to fear in being an associate of Lee’s. He was only the accountant, who like Mika herself could take all care and no responsibility. Regardless of how many policemen knocked on the door, because after all, they were both only Lee’s whores. Her wrist watch reminded her that her twenty minutes for lunch was up, and it was time to get moving. She lifted her glass from the table and delivered it to Bo at the bar. He greeted her with his usual smile.
Mika liked old Bo. He was the quiet type of barmen who spoke only when he was spoken to, and then listened intently. His working life was nearing its end, but she knew he would have to persevere until he was due his old age pension, in order to support his wife who was wracked with M.S.
“How’s Kate, Bo?”
“Going downhill slowly Mika, but she’s still as cheeky as ever,” He grinned.
Mika undid her wrist watch and handed it out to him.
“This was two and a half grand a month ago. You should easily pick up one, one and a half for it if she needs anything, or if you like, she might like it as a pressie. You don’t have to tell her whose arm it came off.”
He looked at the finely worked piece in his hand.
“You’re sure?”
“Yes,” she said as she patted the brown paper bag, “I’m going to buy a new one this afternoon to celebrate change.”
“Change?” he enquired.
“Long story Bo.”
She turned away from the bar, and then turned again as he said.
“Mika, I’m sure that if she knew you as I do, I wouldn’t have to fib.”
She noted the apologetic look in his eyes before she smiled.
“I understand, Bo. Thank you for the compliment.”
The trip away with Lee for the next two weeks would be like a last waltz. A brief holiday before she set out on a voyage of self-discovery. Find a man to love and become a legitimate clean living woman. She was still young and she had money. Now, after all the hard years the world was her oyster.
A laugh that was free and unbidden escaped her as she went out into the street to find a taxi.
“Time for some serious shopping,” she told herself, as she walked light footedly along the less than crowded footpath.
CHAPTER 21