In The Frame Page 5

  I made it to the bar. There was no sign of Danny. Why would there be? I was just in time to order a drink, so I made it a triple. And then I sat at the bar, with my head in my hands, the tail end of the disco pounding through my brain, wondering really what was the point of anything any more. A girl next to me was smoking so I asked if I could buy a cigarette. The alcohol on a largely empty stomach was making me terribly light-headed. The nicotine made it worse. But hey, bollocks to everything. Nothing really mattered any more. And then I felt somebody’s hand on my shoulder.

  “I didn’t know you smoked,” said Danny.

  I looked at him, then at the cigarette burning between my fingers. I tried to hide it behind my back.

  “I don’t,” I said, each syllable accompanied by a grey wisp of smoke from my mouth. The irony wasn’t lost. “What are you still doing here? God, I am so sorry.”

  “Come on,” he said. “Let’s go somewhere quiet.”

  He offered me his hand. I looked at the cigarette again, then poked it into an overflowing ashtray on the bar, and reached out towards him. His skin was warm, his grip reassuring. My own hand felt tiny.

  Danny led me back upstairs, and outside into the cold night air. The sound of the music was reduced to a low bass thump.

  “I’m so pleased to see you,” I said. Instinctively I gave him a hug. It felt awkward at first but he didn’t seem to mind.

  “What happened?” he asked when I finally released him.

  “Oh, God. It was the police. More questions. The bastards made me wait for ages. I don’t think they like students at the best of times.”

  “It’s not surprising at the moment.”

  “How come you’re still here? I thought you’d be gone hours ago.”

  He grinned.

  “I knew you’d turn up eventually. And anyway I wanted to see you.”

  There was something in his voice that seemed to hide a subtext.

  “Is Shelley okay with you hanging around bars waiting for other women?”

  He laughed.

  “I’ll tell you what, I’ll make you a promise.”

  “Go on.”

  “If I ever overstep the boundary, I’ll let you slap me.”

  Despite everything, the world already seemed slightly less foreboding with Danny around.

  “Luckily for you I’m not the violent type,” I said.

  We set off, walking back in the direction of my hall of residence. I wanted to link arms but I had to be respectful. I felt safe with him beside me, but I didn’t want to embarrass either of us.

  I told Danny all about my police interview. He filled me in on the full details of his conversation at the hall.

  “So, pretty much they’re sure you did it,” he said when he’d finished.

  “And yet you still believe me?”

  He nodded.

  “But why? Even I’m beginning to think I must have done it. Maybe I had a drink spiked with something that made me lose all recollection. I don’t think I did, but I just don’t know what else explains it.”

  “What was the name of the security man you spoke to?”

  “Where? When I picked the books up?”

  Danny nodded.

  “That was Sam. That’s not his real name. It’s Sanjit or something. He’s Indian, but he tells everyone to call him Sam.”

  “And he wouldn’t vouch for you?”

  “That’s half the problem. He would for when I was chatting to him, but then he let me go off on my own. If only I’d made him come with me.”

  “But you didn’t know you needed to do that.”

  “I know, but the place was giving me the creeps.”

  “And you definitely didn’t see anyone else?”

  “No. But I didn’t go anywhere near the storeroom.”

  We turned off Marylebone High Street. My tower block came into view.

  “Sara said it looked like you were sweating when you came out.”

  “What? It was freezing.” That stopped me. Then I had a realisation. “Jesus. I splashed my face with water in the toilets. I was trying to sober up.”

  “There you go then. See? Rational explanation. There’ll be one somewhere.”

  I wished I could share Danny’s confidence.

  “Would you like to come in for a cup of tea?” I asked as we approached the stairs to my building.

  “It’s probably best not to,” he said.

  “Why? In case I try to molest you?”

  “Ha ha, no. Because I’d probably meet your housemates, which would kind of blow my cover.”

  “Oh yeah. Sorry about that.”

  “That’s okay.” He put his arm round me and gave me a squeeze. “Tell you what, should we do a deal?”

  “Go on.”

  “Just so we know where we stand, and so it doesn’t get in the way, should we just agree to be friends over this? Special friends. If you say something to me that’s vaguely salacious, I’m not going to assume you’re trying anything on, and likewise backwards.”

  “If you like.”

  “Don’t get me wrong, I’ve worshipped you from afar for ages and it’s a privilege to speak to you, but we’ve got to trust each other without worrying that either of us is, I don’t know, developing an agenda.”

  “So I can give you a hug because I like giving hugs, and you’re not going to automatically think I’m trying to compete with Shelley?”

  “Something like that.”

  I thought for a moment.

  “Sounds like a plan,” I said at last. “Anyway, as we’ve clearly seen, I’m shit at relationships.”

  “You can’t say that just because Todd’s been a twat.”

  “Oh, Danny. I’ve had three proper boyfriends since I moved to London, if you don’t count the ones that lasted twenty-four hours. Or actually less than that in most cases. And you know what? They all ended up turning into colossal knobs.”

  “And you don’t like colossal knobs?”

  “Danny!” I blushed for him. He started to laugh.

  I offered him my hand. He took it and we shook.

  “It will be an honour to be your friend,” I said.

  “And likewise.”

  It was the moment that sealed a special relationship. We were nearly at reception.

  “I’ll walk you to the lift then leave you there,” he said. “As long you’re sure you’re going to be all right?”

  “I’m pretty sure nothing else can go wrong. Are you going to be all right getting home? I don’t even know where you live.”

  “Kentish Town. But, yeah, I’ll get the tube, or a night bus.”

  “I’m sorry it’s so late.”

  “Don’t worry. Should we meet in the morning for coffee?”

  “I’d prefer tea, but do you not have lectures?”

  “Nothing I can’t miss. There’s hardly anyone in at the moment, with everything going on.” He suggested 10am at another cafe that wasn’t too far away. I agreed, then pressed the button for the lift.

  “Come here,” I said while we waited for it to arrive. I gave him a big hug. He stroked my hair, which I’d normally find annoying, but I really didn’t mind. It was a shame about the deal, and a shame about Shelley, but I’d try to respect both of them. He was probably right. It’d simplify things. The lift arrived and we said our farewells with a peck. The last thing I saw before the doors closed was Danny smiling at me, looking brave and strong and just so reassuring. My life was falling apart but part of me felt like the luckiest girl in the world.

  * * *

  Danny nodded to the houseman on his way out of the building, then headed across the courtyard in the direction of the Baker Street Underground station. He didn’t see the blow coming, but he felt it hard, as it connected with immense force to the back of his legs. He fell to the pavement, stunned, feeling agonising pain shooting up his body, his mind blank in shock. The bat connected a second time, narrowly missing his knees, but instead smashing into his shins, causing a new wave of white
-hot pain.

  He looked up, hands raised to try to protect his face. A figure was towering over him, identity concealed behind a black balaclava. A steel toecap connected with his ribs, again and again, the pressure and ferocity increasing. Danny fought for breath, then felt a fist ram hard into his stomach. As he lowered his arms, another fist punched him hard across the cheek.

  The figure leaned over him.

  “That’s your final warning,” he said. “Next time it’ll be serious. Leave the bitch alone.”

  11

  Thursday, November 23rd, 1989

  I TURNED up to the cafe early, but as I opened the door, I saw Danny had beaten me to it. He was on his own at a corner table, head half hidden behind a newspaper.

  “Morning,” I said as I approached, weaving my way through the other customers, and trying to sound more cheerful than I felt. He dropped the newspaper and I got the first sight of the state of him. The feigned joviality vanished. “Jesus, Danny, what happened to your face?”

  He winced.

  “The face got off lightly. You should see the rest of me.”

  “Fuck. Are you okay? Did somebody jump you?”

  He nodded, eyes tensing with the effort of the movement.

  “I’d give you a hug, but it’s a bit painful actually standing up,” he said.

  “But... Jesus. When was this?”

  “Last night, just after I left you.”

  He gave me a summary of the assault and then the warning not to have any more to do with me. At least I assumed it was me.

  “And he actually called me a bitch?”

  “Yup.”

  “Bastard. The rest I can take, but that’s going too far.”

  Danny smiled then gasped in pain.

  “Please, don’t make me laugh. It really does hurt.”

  “Seriously, though, have you spoken to the police?”

  “Not yet, but what can they do? There’s no witness. It could have been anyone. They’ll say it was just a standard mugging but that could happen to anybody.”

  “Did he take your wallet?”

  “No.”

  “And he specifically warned you against speaking to me?”

  He nodded again.

  “I’m not a detective but that’s not a standard mugging. Listen, Danny, let’s stop this, here and now. I can’t have this. You can’t have anything to do with me. We’ll stay friends if you’ll have me, but for heaven’s sake, I never intended this, I am so sorry.”

  “Grab a chair,” he said. I did as instructed, then he reached across to cup my hands in his. “This doesn’t change anything. If anything it makes me more determined. It may not be connected but it may mean we’re getting close.”

  “But seriously, Danny...”

  “Seriously yourself. I’m not quitting now.”

  “But look at yourself! I’m not taking that risk, even if you are.”

  “Shhh.”

  He put a finger to my lips. I seriously thought about kissing it, but wasn’t sure if that would be in breach of our pact. I took a deep breath.

  “But what do we actually know?” I asked at last.

  The waitress arrived. I wasn’t sure the cafe was the most hygienic, so I limited my risk to a pot of tea and two slices of toast. Danny already had tea but ordered another anyway.

  “Are we any further forward?” I persevered, when we were back on our own.

  “I don’t know. I didn’t think so, but someone’s been rattled.”

  “Did you get a look at him?”

  “Not really, his face was covered, but he was a big bloke. Six foot plus. He had a kind of Scouse accent, though.”

  “Oh my God.” I ran my hand through my hair.

  “What’s up?”

  “I don’t want to think what I’m thinking.”

  “What are you thinking?”

  “I’m thinking I know someone from Liverpool who’s six foot two and pissed off with me. It can’t be, though, surely. There must be thousands of people from Liverpool in London.”

  Danny looked straight at me with his crystal clear blue eyes.

  “Todd?”

  I nodded.

  “You didn’t see anything else?” I asked. “Like what he was wearing?”

  “I didn’t see much. It was so dark. He was wearing black and a balaclava. Actually I did notice something. He had a big ring on.”

  “Which finger?”

  “Must have been right hand. Middle.”

  “God, Danny.”

  “Let me guess. Todd’s got a ring?”

  I nodded again.

  “Right hand. A black onyx gothy biker thing.”

  “That sounds like it.”

  “Fuck.” I needed a moment to let all this sink in. Seeing Danny in such obvious pain just made things worse. This hadn’t been the work of a random mugger; it was entirely down to his association with me, for whatever reason. Maybe they should just lock me up and throw away the key. Much better for everyone. I was fighting back my emotions.

  “Danny, I am so sorry.” I didn’t know what else to say.

  “It’s not your fault.”

  “But it is. Of course it is.”

  “It really isn’t. You’re not responsible for other people.”

  “I know, but...”

  “Look, it may not have been him,” he said. “If it was, so what? It doesn’t necessarily mean he’s got anything to do with the cameras.”

  “He was there, though. That would make sense. I don’t know how he got in my room without a key, or what on earth he’s playing at, but he must have done it when he was dropping Sophie off.”

  “No.”

  “What now?” I looked at Danny, full of expectation, hoping we were on the verge of a breakthrough, even if there was so much that didn’t make sense.

  “There’s one problem with that,” he said.

  “Is there?”

  “Quite a big one.”

  “God. What?”

  “Even if he somehow managed to get into your room, he didn’t have the stuff. That didn’t get stolen till later.”

  “Ah.” That stopped me. I leaned back in my chair, and looked up to the ceiling, then returned my elbows to the table, my head in my hands. “God, my brain hurts. Back to square one?”

  “Not exactly. We should go to see him.”

  “What?”

  “Both of us.”

  “Are you mad? I’ll go, but you can’t. Didn’t he just beat you up and say to have no more to do with me?”

  “If it was him, yes.”

  “And which part of that is turning up with me?”

  “The part that wants to know if it was him. That part that says we’re not going to be intimidated. The part that says we can look him in the eye and he can get the message that we’re not going to give up. And hopefully the part that helps us work out whether he’s acting out of jealousy because he’s seen me with you, or if he’s up to something else that we haven’t worked out yet.”

  “Are you sure you really want to do this?”

  “Never more so.”

  I finished my cup of tea and poured a second, offering Danny a refill, but he declined. I moved the newspaper out of the way, then reached for his hand and gave it a squeeze.

  “Are you up to going anywhere? How are you feeling? Really?”

  “A bit tender, but I’m okay.”

  “I don’t know what to say, really, except thank you.”

  He smiled.

  “It’s a pleasure, honestly. I’m just happy to help. This is what I want to do. Make a difference. Talking of which...” He turned the newspaper to face me.

  I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to be looking at. It was a copy of this morning’s Daily Echo. I’d seen it on a newsstand outside as well. The front page lead was about a pharmaceutical company using cancer research donations to pay for lavish holidays for high-ranking executives. It was a scandal, clearly, but I wasn’t sure whether I was supposed to have an opinion, aside
from the obvious sense of outrage.

  Danny indicated the byline and then I understood.

  “Wow, so that’s your girlfriend,” I said. “Or at least one of them. What does the lovely Shelley make of you stalking a lady journalist?”

  “You’re funny.”

  “I try.”

  “And I’m not stalking her.”

  “No, clearly not.”

  Danny laughed, which made him wince again, and I felt more guilty than ever.

  “She’s obviously good, then,” I said. “I’ll have to keep a lookout for her.”

  “She is. I told you.”

  “That’ll be you one day.”

  “Maybe. First, though, we’ve got to get you sorted. Will Todd be home now?”

  I looked at my watch.

  “What day is it? Thursday. I’m losing track. No, he should be in lectures I think. We could catch him tonight, before he goes to work.”

  “Okay. That works. And in the meantime we can go to the Polytechnic.”

  “The Polytechnic?”

  “Yeah, your bit. Where the storeroom is.”

  “Now I know you’ve gone mad.”

  “We’ve got to. Find out what happened there, and we sort out everything.”

  “But they’re never going to let me in.”

  “We’ll worry about that when we get there.”

  I had significant doubts, but Danny seemed to know what he was up to. We split the bill and headed out into the cold.

  12

  WITH BBC Broadcasting House just round the corner from the Polytechnic, you can often spot celebrities and pop stars, or the occasional Radio 1 DJ walking through the car park. I was slightly starstruck in my first year, but soon realised it wasn’t the done thing to show excitement. That said, I was rather hoping we’d bump into someone famous just so Danny could see how cool and connected I was. I was out of luck. Danny was limping quite badly and in obvious discomfort, but to his credit, he didn’t complain.

  We entered the building and walked up to reception, where a familiar uniformed security man was reading a newspaper. There were lots of students milling around, and I could sense them giving me funny looks, nudging each other, and whispering my name. I took a deep breath.