Cold as Ice (Willis/Carter #2)(73)

‘Yes.’

‘Can I ask why?’

‘Just had some personal issues. I wanted to make a new start.’

He nodded, barely interested. He just needed an answer that corresponded to a question on his form and a box that needed ticking.

‘Any preference where you’d like to live?’

‘My college is in Holloway, so I don’t mind as long as I can reach it by bus. Somewhere where there’s a park would be good.’

‘Where are you staying now?’

‘We’re sleeping on a friend’s floor.’

Ebony knew what the file said. Robbo had shown her and it was faultless. It said she was to be given priority. The lad shrugged, looked resigned. It was no skin off his nose if she queue-jumped. Someone somehow thought she deserved it.

He picked up a sheet of available flats.

‘I have something I can offer you by Beacon Park in Hackney Wick. It’s a two-bedroomed apartment on the sixth floor.’ He looked at Ebony’s expression. She was mulling it over, thinking about the location. ‘There’s a lift,’ he added. ‘Can’t guarantee it works but flats are few and far between – I’d take it if I were you. It’s on a bus route to Holloway. It’s near Victoria Park – kiddies’ playground.’ She nodded.

‘Thanks.’

‘Do you want to take a look?’

She shook her head. ‘No need. I’ll take it. Thanks.’

‘Okay.’ He left his desk and returned with an envelope. ‘Here are the keys. Here’s the address. The housing officer will be in to make sure it’s all working for you.’

‘Thanks.’

Ebony negotiated the heavy exit door with Archie’s buggy and stopped outside. She took out her phone as she pushed the buggy one-handed and rang Carter.

‘Have just secured a flat.’

‘Did you enrol in the classes?’

‘I’m on my way there now. You sure Cabrina doesn’t mind about borrowing Archie?’

‘Nah . . . Free childcare. Plus, it’s an outing.’

Now Ebony knew he hadn’t asked Cabrina. ‘Not exactly an ideal activity recommended for a nine-month-old.’

‘He’ll love it. Buy him a Big Mac.’

Ebony shook her head, couldn’t help a smile; she knew Carter was joking. She knew he loved Archie to bits but she also knew Carter had some growing up to do. Still, it left her feeling hungry; she was now obsessing about a Maccy D’s. As she hung up the phone and peered around the front of the buggy. Archie’s bright brown eyes looked back at her. Ebony was beginning to think Archie was the perfect child for her. He observed the world and occasionally demanded some attention but it was never for anything unnecessary or frivolous; he never grizzled; he never asked for something he didn’t really need. Archie smiled at Ebony.

‘Fancy a McFlurry?’ She shook her head; better not.

She steered Archie’s buggy awkwardly through the revolving college doors. There was a rather tacky Christmas tree with flashing lights just inside the reception area and hanging swathes of tinsel looping down from the light fittings. She walked up to the reception desk.

‘I would like to talk to someone about enrolling on a teaching course please.’

‘Have you got an appointment?’ Ebony shook her head. ‘Okay.’ The receptionist smiled. ‘Let me see if someone’s free from student advisory to talk to you.’ She winked at the other receptionist as she pressed the extensions number on her switchboard. ‘Let’s see who we can drag out of the Christmas party.’ She smiled mischievously at Ebony as she covered the phone with one hand whilst she talked to Ebony in a stage whisper. ‘The college will be closing for Christmas in a week. We’ve all had our parties today.’ She waited for a response from Ebony but got none so she screwed up her face irritably and swivelled her chair round to the desk adjacent, with her back to Ebony as she waited for someone to answer the phone and then gave up.

‘First door on your left, corridor straight ahead, down there . . .’ She turned back round and waved her hand in the direction of a corridor leading off from the reception area. ‘They’re not expecting you but they’re all free.’ She smiled coldly. Ebony didn’t register it. She was too busy thinking about her cover story and about whether Archie might choose now to get restless. Plus Ebony was used to people mistaking her lack of response as rude when really it was just what it said on the tin.

Ebony tried to redeem herself with the receptionist by overdoing the thanks and then pushed Archie past the Christmas tree and down the corridor. She followed the noise coming from a busy office on her left.

Inside, there was excitement and the smell of mulled wine hung in the air. A young woman honed in on Archie. She knelt by the buggy and breathed mulled wine and turkey dinner into his face.

‘You look just like your mummy,’ she cooed. Ebony smiled at the thought of what Carter would say to that.

‘Yan, there’s a client here.’ The young woman giggled, stood and called across the office. She winked at her colleague – ‘No peace for the wicked.’ A geeky-looking lad with glasses and what looked like a leftover attempt to grow a moustache for November smiled at her. He had a ‘just got out of bed’ look going on with his hair.