Gangsters Wives Read Online Free PDF Page A

first?’
    â€˜I thought you people didn’t drink.’
    â€˜Us people, as you so kindly call us, are a mixed and interesting race. I’m not a Muslim. I’m a copper, and I drink.’
    â€˜Good. A drink it is then.’
    They followed the signs to the cocktail bar, which was dimly lit and almost empty. Kate sat at a table and Ali said, ‘What do you fancy?’
    You, thought Kate, but said, ‘gin and tonic, large one. Ice and a slice.’
    He went to the bar and ordered the drinks, and Kate watched his firm, muscular arse. Better and better, she thought.
    When he returned with two glasses beaded with moisture, Kate took out her cigarettes. ‘Do you mind?’ she asked.
    â€˜Not only don’t I mind, I’ll ponce one of yours,’ he replied.
    â€˜All the vices, I see,’ she said.
    He smiled, a dangerous, reckless, smile. ‘You’d better believe it.’
    â€˜This is dangerous,’ said Kate when they were both smoking. ‘If Robbo knew…’ She didn’t finish the sentence.
    â€˜Are you going to tell him?’
    â€˜Christ no.’
    â€˜That’s all right then.’
    â€˜I really shouldn’t be here.’
    â€˜What, and miss lunch?’
    â€˜Even that.’
    â€˜I believe it’s shepherd’s pie and cabbage at the station Thursdays.’ Ali said, arching an eyebrow.
    â€˜Is that a threat?’ she asked.
    â€˜As if I would.’
    â€˜I believe you might.’
    â€˜Come on Kate, enjoy your drink. They’ll bring us a menu in a minute. No shepherds pie and cabbage here.’
    Indeed there wasn’t. The restaurant was as good as Ali had promised. Recently taken over by a famous TV chef, the menu was something called modern British, which seemed to mean old-fashioned food at inflated prices. They chose a mixed array of dishes from the huge menu brought by a young woman in a white blouse and black skirt, and at one precisely were led to a table in a secluded corner.
    An hour and a half passed quickly. Kate found Ali easy to talk to in a way that Robbo had never been, and the more she drank, the more she found herself wondering what he would look like naked. As they were served coffee and liqueurs, Ali asked, ‘Having a good time?’
    Kate smiled. ‘Yes.’
    â€˜What now?’
    â€˜What do you have in mind?’
    â€˜Well, you could go home, forget all about me, and breathe a sigh of relief that you aren’t up for a criminal record. How have you managed to avoid that by the way?’
    â€˜Blind luck?’
    â€˜I don’t believe it. You’re too smart.’
    â€˜If you say so.’
    â€˜I do.’
    â€˜Or?’ she asked.
    â€˜Or what?’
    â€˜What if I don’t want to go home?’
    â€˜Well. I enquired about rooms. There’s a nice double up for grabs.’
    â€˜Confident, aren’t you?’ she said, mock-glaring at him, but smiling.
    â€˜It’s in my nature.’
    â€˜And in the room?’
    â€˜Well I imagine there’s a bed, and a minibar, and…’
    â€˜And?’
    â€˜And we could get to know each other better,’ he said.
    â€˜You’re propositioning me.’
    â€˜I thought that was obvious.’
    â€˜Do I look that easy?’
    â€˜Not at all. If you did I wouldn’t bother.’
    â€˜Is that a compliment?’
    â€˜If you like.’
    â€˜I like. Book the room.’
    So he did.

8

    The room was on the fourth floor overlooking the street. Ali drew the curtains back and looked down at the traffic, running silent because of the triple glazing. Kate stood at the door, suddenly shy and unsure why she was there. Too much booze with lunch, she thought, and almost ran out again.
    â€˜Nervous?’ asked Ali as he turned to face her across the huge bed that dominated the room.
    She nodded.
    â€˜Don’t be. No pressure. You can go if you want.’
    â€˜And stiff you for