Free Night Watcher by Chris Longmuir Page B

how bad the weather. This alley was his, although he never argued and never objected when the security guard came out and hustled him on his way. He simply moved on, although they all knew he would be back once the store closed down.
    The tramp, in his cocoon of blanket, paper and cardboard, was motionless as Julie walked round him, and for a moment she wondered if he was still living.
    An unwanted memory of Dave flickered and returned to haunt her. It seemed that one day he had been a living, breathing man and then, in the blink of an eye, he had been gone.
    The bundle heaved slightly and she knew her fears were groundless, although it reminded her of the level of her obsession with death. An obsession she knew would consume her until she laid Dave’s memory finally to rest. And that would never happen until she had dealt with Nicole.
    A bell was cemented into the stone of the door surround, a large grey button attached to a heavy electric cable that reached upwards and vanished into the building somewhere above her head. She pressed it and, although she could not hear anything, imagined the sound wriggling its way up the cable and into the building.
    ‘Morning, Julie. All ready for a new day then?’ The security guard who opened the door smiled at her. She smiled back. She liked Harry, he was quiet and gentle, although perhaps a bit too sensitive for the job.
    ‘He still there then?’ Harry nodded at the tramp. ‘Poor bugger, I’ll have to move him on soon. Still, it’ll be a good hour before Madam puts in an appearance so I’ll let him sit for a while.’
    ‘Better not let her hear you call her Madam,’ Julie grinned up at Harry, ‘or she’ll have your guts for garters.’
    ‘I think she has them already.’ A tired look flitted over Harry’s pleasant features. ‘I’m getting too old for her shenanigans and that’s the truth, Julie. If it wasn’t that I needed this job I’d walk out, but if I did where would I get another one.’ He shrugged his shoulders and closed the door. ‘If it weren’t for my wee Rosie . . . ’
    Julie put her hand on his arm, ‘I know, Harry. But her bark’s worse than her bite you know.’ Julie did not really believe this, she had seen the way Nicole treated Harry. She tightened her grip in what she hoped was a comforting squeeze. ‘Maybe if you told her about Rosie, maybe she’d be more understanding.’ Even as she said it, Julie knew it would not make any difference to Nicole it would only make her treat Harry worse than she did already because she would know his weakness.
    Harry shook his head, ‘I don’t think that’s a good idea, she’d only use it against me. Anyway, I don’t particularly want to let her know about Rosie and listen to her nasty comments.’
    Julie let go of his arm. ‘I suppose you’re right.’ She sighed. Depression flooded through her in a wave of sadness that left her with a hollow sensation in the pit of her stomach. At least Harry had his Rosie. She had nothing, only a memory. She would have given anything to have had a child to care for, even one like Rosie. Suddenly she was in desperate need of her usual fix of coffee. ‘I’ll see you later, Harry.’
    ‘You won’t tell her, will you?’ Harry muttered behind her.
    Julie turned her head, ‘No, I won’t tell her, Harry. Your secret’s safe with me.’
    ‘You be careful, Julie. You may think she’s your friend, but if she gets anything on you, she’ll use it. Don’t you be telling her any of your secrets.’
    ‘I’ll remember that,’ Julie said. She had no intention of allowing Nicole to know any of her secrets, but she could not tell Harry that.
    The heels of Julie’s shoes clattered with a comforting noise as she walked along the flagstones of the empty corridor. A sudden creak startled her and she glanced over her shoulder expecting to see Harry, but no one was there. She shrugged and hurried on, although she could not help wondering what mysteries the other doors in