Barging In Read Online Free Page B

appliances.” Mel gave a mischievous smile. “You’ve gone soft.”
    “I bloody well haven’t! I cover cycling holidays all the time. They’re tough work, especially when you have to camp as well.” Dan had once been sent on a gay cycling holiday which was great fun, despite having to get his sore arse back on the saddle each day. He smiled to himself. “That’s just once in a while, though, I suppose. What made you choose to live this way?”
    “I’m not sure. The way I grew up, I suppose. Mum met my dad while travelling in Gujarat, and I spent my childhood all over the world. Never really learnt how to settle down in one place, but then again, I reckon some people are just like that. You know, they have the wanderlust.”
    Dan nodded. “Yeah, I spent all my childhood in one house in a South London estate, but I’ve never been able to settle, either.”
    “I’m not surprised if you grew up somewhere like that. Rough, was it?”
    Dan grimaced. “Could be at times. But like Mum always says, what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger.” And in his case, made him want to spend his whole life on the run so he didn’t get stuck somewhere like that ever again.
    Mel’s head snapped up as if she’d had a brainwave. “I’ll tell you what angle would work better. You know the main thing that pisses us off? Bloody BW and their poisonous little rules.”
    “BW?”
    “British Waterways. We pay their wages with our licence fees, but they still hassle us to move on every two weeks. One day over and they threaten to take you to court. I knew one poor woman went into labour and had to stay in hospital for a couple of weeks; she got back with her newborn to find her boat covered in court orders. She didn’t half kick up a stink.”
    It sounded unlikely, but then what did he really know about this strange, close-knit community?
    “So, can’t you just move half a mile or so and moor up again?”
    “I wish. Doesn’t work like that, sweetie. You have to move to a new neighbourhood, although they can be pretty vague about what that actually means. They’re really strict about it around here, though. It’s a popular spot with the tourists, and they want to keep the canal clear for them.” The way she pronounced “tourists”—just like Robin had—left him in no doubt that there was animosity between them and the boaters. Did that mean the others would be suspicious of him? He wasn’t really a proper tourist, but maybe he represented all tourists with his travel writing. The thought wasn’t exactly encouraging. He’d have to turn on his high-voltage charm with these people. Should work. They were only used to 12V battery power after all—he’d dazzle them.
    “What about marinas? I’ve seen a few of them on the journey down.”
    Mel looked at him like he’d said something beneath contempt. “Have you seen how much those places cost? Most of us don’t have much. If you wanted to stay in one of those places, you’d have to get regular work, and then you may as well just move back onto dry land. What’s the point in having a boat if you don’t move around?”
    “Right. So it is poverty at the root of it.”
    She frowned. “Okay, maybe it is, but I still wouldn’t put it like that if you’re talking to anyone else.”
    “Point taken. How about if I say that I’m writing a piece about the boaters fighting to maintain their traditional way of life?”
    Mel nodded. “Could work. You’d need to get to know them, though. They don’t take kindly to outsiders poking their noses in. You saw what Robin was like.”
    “I don’t know about that. You’ve only just met me, and I’m in your boat already.”
    Mel gave a throaty laugh. “I’m not a typical boater, darling. I’m a lot friendlier than your average Marge. ‘Gits and Marges, on the barges,’” she recited in response to Dan’s quizzical look. “Tell you what, though, I could help you out if you want. Could be fun.”
    Dan grinned. “I