Free The Death of the Elver Man by Jennie Finch

anyway?’ Sue asked. Alex joined her at the window.
    ‘It was going to be a vehicle maintenance project before the government decided our emphasis should be on “control” rather than “rehabilitation”,’ she said. ‘We lost the funding for our instructor and no-one here wants to take it up. We’re all too busy writing reports.’
    Sue wrinkled her nose and stared at the building.
    ‘Well, maybe we can do something about that. They’re planning a day centre, aren’t they? So there’s one activity straight away. Anyway, I’m really pleased to meet you. I do hope we can be friends – I don’t really know anyone here so maybe you could show me what you do in the evenings round here’.
    Before Alex could reply, the phone rang in Sue’s office and she headed out of the door, waving goodbye and leaving her sandals by Alex’s window. Just as well really, Alex thought. She struggled to remember a decent night out sinceher arrival. The social life of the town revolved around the Carnival, the Carnival concerts and fundraising for the clubs and gangs. The area was awash with pubs, each the home for one group or club and each wary of strangers and less than welcoming to women. In London the most common offence committed by Alex’s charges had been ‘Touching the Dog’s Arse’ – car theft or ‘taking and driving away’ in official language . Here it was ABH, actual bodily harm, which made the area sound rather more dangerous than the capital. Examining the figures showed a slightly different picture, however – lots of men went out at night, got drunk and hit each other. There was a tap on the door and Sue reappeared.
    ‘Sorry, forgot my shoes. I’m always doing that.’ She retrieved her sandals and stopped at the door, looking back at Alex.
    ‘I’m staying with Margaret at the moment and to be honest it’s driving me a bit crazy. Do you know anywhere decent going? Going cheap if possible.’
    Alex waved her towards the chair again. ‘Sit down if you’ve got a moment. What sort of place do you want?’
    Sue shrugged. ‘Oh, maybe a little country cottage, a few roses, not far from work but quiet …’ She grinned at Alex’s expression of disbelief. ‘Only kidding. Anywhere off a main road but not way out in the wilds. And not too cold either. I hate the cold.’
    Alex sympathized, her experiences in the forge still clear in her mind.
    ‘You don’t really want to settle on anywhere until around September or October,’ she advised. ‘That way you can feel how draughty a place is. The ropiest old shack looks nice in the summer. There’s a lot more around to choose from in the winter too. All the summer labourers leave, all the people who come down here for the weather and stuff. They rush back to cities and you can get a much better price in the winter.’
    Sue nodded. ‘Thanks. I’ll take your advice, though I’m not sure I can stand a whole summer at Margaret’s place. Here,’she twisted round and much to Alex’s alarm began to unbutton her dress, ‘what do you think these are?’ She pulled the whole front down and displayed a series of red dots running across her chest and over one shoulder. ‘I’ve got some on my bum too …’
    ‘That’s okay, I can see fine,’ said Alex raising her hands to ward off any further disrobing. Unconcerned, Sue pulled her dress back up and flopped into Alex’s easy chair.
    ‘I thought they might be fleas but they fade away every day. They seem to come out at night. Maybe I’m allergic to the factory fumes …’
    ‘If you were anywhere else I’m probably say they were bed-bugs ,’ said Alex.
    Sue pulled a face and rubbed her back against the chair. ‘Surely not. I mean, Margaret’s posh .’
    Alex nodded in agreement. ‘Still, you did think they might be fleas. So she can’t be that posh,’ she said.
    Sue sighed and gestured vaguely in the direction of Margaret’s office down the hall. ‘Yes but she has cats. Note, cats plural and the