Sting in the Tail

“The curfew tolls the knell of parting day,

The lowing herd wind slowly o’er the lea,

The plowman homeward plods his weary way,

And leaves the world to darkness and to me.” Jenny turned a startled look on her face to find herself gazing into the smiling grey eyes of the speaker. “Sorry?! Jenny said. “I beg your pardon but I couldn’t help noticing that you where reading the newly revised Penguin Anthology of English Verse. I’ve been meaning to buy it but haven’t got round to it yet. I’m sure that they must have included Grey’s Elegy in a Country Churchyard, it’s one of the greatest poems in the English language”. Jenny smiled, “Yes it’s here” she replied opening the book at Grey’s Elegy, “and, by the way it’s correct title is Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard”. “I stand corrected” the man said smiling broadly, “Mind if I join you?” “Sure I’ve only popped in for a quick drink after work, I’ll be leaving soon” Jenny responded. “Pitty as it isn’t often that I get the chance to discuss poetry with an attractive girl” the man said taking a seat opposite to Jenny. “Well your chat up line certainly makes a refreshing change to “how’d you like to come back to mine for a shag” Jenny said her eyes sparkling with mirth. “I’ll take that as a compliment and, by the way my names Richard” he said extending his hand. “Jenny, nice to meet you Richard. So what brings a poetry reciting gentleman into a mediocre boozer like this?” “The same as you, I fancied a drink after a hard days work” Richard replied. “So what do you do other than quote poetry to random women?” Jenny asked her eyes gazing into Richard’s. I’ve got her the man thought feeling that familiar warm glow flow through his body, “Sometimes I quote Dickens” he said. Jenny threw back her head and laughed, “Well Richard you certainly have a way with words and with the ladies”. “You are making me blush, can I get you another drink?” Richard asked. “Why not I’ll have a vodka and coke please” Jenny replied. “I’ll be right back” the man said heading in the direction of the bar.

The evening passed in an alcoholic haze although casting her mind back afterwards Jenny recollected that Richard had interspersed his alcohol intake with glasses of coke while she, on the other hand had consumed vodka and cokes all evening. At some point during the evening Richard had suggested a nightcap in his hotel room. He was, he explained visiting Leeds on business. “OK” Jenny said and getting unsteadily to her feet followed Richard out into the street. Luck was with them and Richard soon secured a black cab which conveyed the couple to his hotel.

 

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Jenny awoke to the summer sun streaming in through the hotel room’s windows. Her head felt as though someone was performing an Irish jig inside it. “God I want to die. Please someone put me out of my misery” Jenny moaned. “Oh no I’m going to be sick” Jenny thought lurching out of bed and heading for the bathroom. She reached it just in time to empty the contents of her stomach into the toilet bowl. Jenny felt faint. She sat on the toilet seat for what seemed like ages but was, in reality no more than 5 minutes. “Shower will help” she thought holding onto the towel rail for support as she rose from the toilet seat. Sure enough the hotel’s shower did leave Jenny feeling less like something which the cat had dragged in and rather more like a human being. Wrapping the towel around her waist she returned to the bedroom. “Wheres my handbag?” Jenny said out loud the fact that her bag was missing suddenly hitting her. Jenny searched frantically in every conceivable place. She even removed all the spare bedding from the top of the wardrobe but the bag still eluded her. “Richard have you seen my bag?” Jenny said turning to face the bed. It was empty. In her hurry to reach the bathroom Jenny had failed to notice Richard’s absence. Suddenly everything clicked into place, the bastard had gone and stolen her handbag credit cards and all. Jenny collapsed on the bed burying her head in the pillow, tears ran down her face soaking the pillow case.

 

—

 

Matthew Parker (the man Jenny knew as Richard) sat at a corner table in the hotel bar. Another town, another hotel he thought. Yesterday Leeds, today Manchester, tomorrow who knows. Matthew was what used to be known as the black sheep of the family. Despite his expensive education at Eton and his studies at Oxford Matthew had opted for a life of crime rather than taking up a position in his father’s stockbroking business in the city. Crime was more fun. He loved the thrill of the chase, of getting a pretty girl into bed and then robbing her blind. Matthew had few scruples although he did pride himself on the fact that he had never hit a lady and he always ensured that the girls consented to sex. Matthew was no woman beater or rapist. He was, however wanted by police forces up and down the land for theft and obtaining money by deception.

Matthew scanned the hotel bar. Although it was a Friday night the bar was fairly empty due to the local pubs being rather cheaper than the hotel to drink in. Matthew’s eyes halted on a lady with a golden retriever lying at her feet. “I didn’t know that they allowed dogs into hotels” Matthew thought. Looking closer Matthew saw that the dog was wearing the distinctive white harness which indicated that it was a working guide dog. Matthew strolled over and touching the girl lightly on the arm said “excuse me may I buy you a drink?” “That would be lovely, thanks I’ll have a glass of red whine please” the girl replied. Matthew ordered the wine for the girl and half a pint of bitter for himself. “My name’s James” he said holding out his hand for the girl to shake. With a start he recollected that the girl was blind. For the first time in many years Matthew felt a twinge of conscience. It was one thing to defraud someone who was abled bodied but quite another to steal from someone who was disabled. Still the girl was remarkably pretty with her long brown hair and hazel eyes. She had breasts to die for as well, he could at least spend the night with her and for once leave his companion’s belongings untouched! “Sorry I forgot for a moment that you can’t see. I was holding out my hand for you to shake” Matthew said taking the girl’s hand in his. “Lovely to meet you James, I’m Laura and this is Lucy” Laura said stroking Lucy’s head. “Do you like dogs James?” Laura asked. “Yes we always had dogs when I was growing up” Matthew replied. It was true he did like dogs, I must be careful not to reveal anything further about myself Matthew thought with a start. “So what do you do Laura?” Matthew asked. “Oh this and that” Laura said squeezing Matthew’s hand. “If I didn’t know better I’d think that you are flirting with me Laura” Matthew said smiling broadly. “Me, no how could you think such a thing!” Laura said pushing her pert little breasts against Matthew’s chest. “I’m tired, like to keep me company” Laura said. “Christ you don’t beat about the bush do you?!” “I’m a girl who knows what she wants and I go and get it” Laura said picking up the handle of Lucy’s harness. “We’ll go to my room, find the way Lucy”. Matthew followed Laura up two flights of stairs to her room, “Like a drink Matt?” “Thanks, do you need any help?” “No I can manage thanks” Laura replied turning her back on Matthew. “Red wine OK?” she asked. “Fine” he replied. “How do you manage to move about independently” Matthew asked. “Oh I always get the hotel staff to familiarise me with the hotel and especially the room in which I’ll be staying” Laura said slowly making her way towards Matthew’s voice glasses in hand. “The full one is for you, I’m just having half a glass as I’ve drunk enough already” Laura said giggling. Matthew took the full glass from Laura’s hand and after taking a gulp set it down on the bedside table. “It amazes me how you cope. I really admire you” Matthew said. “Oh I’m just an ordinary girl trying to make a living in this world” Laura said. Matthew tried to think of an answer. Suddenly he felt very tired, “I’m sorry Laura I’m going to have to lie down” he said flopping down on the bed. After a minute Laura said “Matthew?” there was no response. “Matthew can you hear me?” she asked again. Gentle snoring was the only response. Laura reached into her pocket and taking out her mobile dialled. “Mark he’s out for the count”. A few moments later the door opened and Laura was joined by a tall man with blue eyes and dark hair going grey at the temples. “Well done sweetheart” he said kissing the girl full on the mouth. “there will be time enough for love making later. Just go through the bloke’s pockets and lets get out of here the girl said. In a matter of minutes Matthew was relieved of his belongings and the girl, Bill (not forgetting Lucy) exited the chamber leaving Matthew to his slumbers.

 

The end