Girl on the Platform Read Online Free PDF Page B

here again!’ Grabbing Pete and Mark by the scruff of the neck, the bloke sent them crashing down the stairs. They landed in a heap at the bottom, and the bloke called a warning. ‘If I do see you again, we’ll lock you both inside and let Maggie loose on you.’
    As the pair fled down the street, with Pete tripping and falling as he tried to pull up his trousers, the sound of hearty laughter echoed after them.
    ‘Taxi!’ The B&B was close enough to walk to, but they needed a quick getaway. By the time Mark hailed a taxi, Pete had managed to pull up his trousers. ‘Leila’s guest house, and hurry please.’ Mark dragged Pete into the taxi. ‘My mate here is feeling a little worse for wear.’ He laughed out loud.
    The driver grinned to himself. He recognised the signs—hair standing on end; the bewildered look and the trousers at half-mast.He glanced at Pete through his driving mirror. ‘Looks to me like you’ve had a tussle with our Maggie.’
    ‘You could say that,’ Pete zipped up his trousers, ‘how did you guess?’
    ‘Let’s just say, we’ve all been there.’
    Frantically running his hands through his hair, Pete played it cool. ‘I don’t want to talk about it,’ he said. ‘Just get me away from here.’
    ‘That’s enough!’ While Mark fell about laughing, Pete was not amused. ‘Just shut it! Get me back to the B&B.’
    The landlady was waiting at the door. ‘You look like you had a good night!’ she taunted as Pete hobbled in. ‘Ooh! You didn’t meet Mad Maggie by any chance, did you?’
    When Mark slyly nodded, she gave Pete a wicked smile. ‘Oh, dear! I could have warned you about her. That one has a bad reputation, for bringing the men down to size…so to speak.’
    ‘I’ve no idea what you’re talking about.’ Pete gave her a shrivelling glance as he headed for the stairs. ‘I know nothing about any Mad Maggie!’
    ‘Goodnight,’ she said cheerily, ‘sleep well.’
    Mark hung about, looking at her with sheep’seyes, wanting to say something, but lacking the courage.
    After locking the door behind them, she gave Mark a little wink and was quickly gone.
    ‘Did you see that?’ Mark said, catching Pete up on the stairs.
    ‘See what ?’ Pete was in no mood for conversation.
    ‘She winked at me!’
    ‘Don’t be daft!’ Pete tripped up the step. ‘She probably had a speck of dirt in her eye.’
    ‘No! You’re wrong. She really fancies me.’
    Pete continued to crawl up the stairs. ‘Rather you than me! I’m finished with women from now on.’
    ‘What about that girl on the platform then?’
    Pete shrugged. In fact, thinking about the girl on the platform was the only way he had kept sane while Maggie was taking him apart.
    ‘Will you be all right?’ Mark wondered, as he escorted Pete to his room. ‘Do you need me to stay in with you tonight?’
    Pete leapt to his feet. ‘Do I hell! The last thing I need is to wake up with a bloke!’
    ‘Don’t you start!’ Mark’s feelings were hurt. ‘You ungrateful sod! I’m only looking out for you.’
    ‘Sorry. I really am grateful, but I’m okay. Once I’m in that bed, I’ll be out like a light.’
    ‘Right, well, if you feel ill in the night, come and get me.’
    ‘There’ll be no need for that.’ Wincing, Pete gingerly touched his ribcage. ‘Though to tell you the truth, I reckon she might have broken a few bones.’
    ‘Shouldn’t we go to hospital…get you checked out?’
    ‘What, and have them question me? I don’t think so!’
    ‘Goodnight then…or should I say Good morning.’ He glanced at his watch. ‘ It’s half past midnight. ’
    ‘This business about Mad Maggie, and all that…’
    Mark grinned. ‘What about it?’
    ‘I want you to promise that you’ll never talk about it to anyone back home.’
    ‘If that’s what you want.’ Mark chuckled.
    ‘I want you to promise!’
    ‘I’ve already said, haven’t I?’
    ‘Not properly. I want you to promise!’
    Mark groaned. ‘Give it a