London Harmony: Water Gypsy Read Online Free Page A

stopped. I sighed. I really couldn't wait until I had the lolly to get a proper flat. I lit a kerosene lamp and went back to my music. I stopped to practice using my upper diaphragm like the mystery woman had suggested in the exercise and found that after a few attempts, it did help and gave me even more control. I smiled happily to myself.
    Before long I was pulling some decent clubbing gear out of my suitcases to get dressed. I did most of my change under my quilt to fend off the chill air. I went with black jeans, black boots, and a black jumper topped with a sea-foam green blouse that Paya just adores on me. My mobile rang as I was touching up my heavy eye makeup I liked to wear when I sang.
    I grinned at the screen then answered. “Hiya Paya.” I heard her groan at my familiar rhyming greeting, which only made me smile bigger.
    She said, “So I'm standing here on the Thames, wondering just how you managed to engage a bloody cloaking device on a group of barges. Harry and I are here, you, not so much.”
    I giggled at my longtime friend. I've known her since primary school. She even offered me a place to stay with her and her three roommates in a tiny little flat. I wasn't going to take advantage of our friendship and sponge like a freeloader. Besides, four women in a small flat was crowded enough.
    I said, “Just down the way a bit, behind a little stand of trees.”
    She comically said, “Roger that Tabs, on or way.” I smiled as I rang off, grabbed my bag, and put my mobile and tablet in it and zipped it up, threw my coat on and once again stepped out onto the main deck. I chuckled to myself and said under my breath as the cooling air bit at my nose, “Once more unto the breach.”
    I made my way to the road as Harry's new silver pickup truck came trundling down the way. Paya smiled as she scooted over beside him to give me room to slide in on the bench seat in the cab. I just grinned and bumped shoulders playfully with her in greeting then almost dove on the heater outlet. The warm air a caress on my face and hands. They chuckled.
    Then I turned to look at the couple. “Hi!”
    Harry shook his head as he drove. “Honestly Tabs, I don't know why you insist on living on that bloody floating deathtrap when Paya has offered to...” He trailed off at the chastising look and cocked eyebrow on Paya's face. He turned his full attention back to the road. “Fine, staying out of it.”
    Paya patted his shoulder. “There's a good boy.” Then gave pity to the man and kissed his cheek.
    I offered, “Thanks for your concern Harry, but honestly, it's just a temporary situation. I'll have enough lolly saved soon to let a flat.”
    Paya sat up straight. “Oh, that reminds me.” She dug into her purse and pulled out some envelopes, one with an official crest on it. She said, “Some post arrived for you.” She tapped the top one excitedly. I grinned, it was my Dole notification. This would be the last payment for a while since I was temping now. They would have deposited it into my account today. I'd be able to keep most of this one. That will push me to five hundred and fifty, putting me over the quarter way there mark.
    I looked at the other envelopes. Bill, bill, something from mum! I grinned at it then stuffed them all into my bag to look over later. Paya lets me use her address as my mailing address since I don't really have an address anymore, and everyone requires one, from the government programs to potential employers, and, of course, the bill collectors.
    She looked at me then locked eyes with me. She looked determined. Oh shite, here it comes. “What did you have for supper?”
    I shrugged. “I ate, woman. Jesus, you're worse than my mum.”
    She still glared at me expectantly. I sighed. “A peanut butter and apple sandwich and some water.”
    She turned to Harry. “The golden arches please.” She refused to look at me as she looked out to the road while she chastised, “You need to eat better than that