Naked in Knightsbridge Read Online Free Page A

there.
    ‘ You’re welcome.’ He was surprisingly well spoken. Posh, even. And those eyes! Plus, up close, he looked cleaner than from afar. The hobo outfit was definitely third or fourth-hand, but the skin underneath seemed relatively clean. His cuticles seemed well cared for too, though the hands were grubby. Interesting, thought Jools, a hobo with good personal hygiene. She couldn’t wait to tell Mel. Surely hygiene in a hobo was a major plus point? And he didn’t appear pissed or stoned either. The plus points were stacking up!
    The plate was raised again. ‘Another?’
    Jools shook her head. It wasn’t good to come across as greedy. As a distraction from the lure of the doughnuts, she jerked her head towards the canteen: ‘I don’t suppose they have a computer in there they aren’t using?’
    Wide-eyes stared back, unblinking.
    Shit. He thinks I want him to steal one. ‘No, I don’t mean nicking one,’ Jools spluttered. ‘It’s just, I need a computer to make money and if I could just pop in and use one… ’
    Hunk of No Fixed Abode didn’t reply, just smiled and passed her the plate once more. ‘Have another.’
    I’ll take that as a no. Unable to resist, she grabbed another high-in-every-kind-of-fat no-no and sank back onto her dirty little sofa to enjoy it – and to contemplate the hobo’s bum as he wandered back towards the canteen.
    How did he manage to make those manky old combats look so bloody sexy?

 
     
    Chapter 4
     
     
    Dear Mr Fortescue,
     
    I’m sure an intelligent man such as yourself appreciates that in order to make money, one must spend money. Therefore, I can assure you that should you allow the cheques I have written to a number of establishments during the last week to be added to my overdraft, you can expect a speedy and swift payment in the very near future.
     
    Fondest regards,
     
    Julia M. Grand
     
     
    TWO DAYS LATER, as Jools was preparing a delicious supper of instant noodles and white chocolate mousse (virtually free from Handimart since they were well past their sell-by dates), she heard a soft thump outside, right by the front door.
    Fearing Rocco, she held her breath and hid in the shower until receding footsteps could be heard, then opened the squeaky laminate door to investigate.
    There, sitting neatly on the step, was a dirty old laptop with a power cord taped to the base. A scrappy note attached to the screen said:
     
    fond in scip, al yours. Bus intnet works.
     
    Hunk of No Fixed Abode had come through for her. Jools’ heart skipped a beat. He went skip hunting just for her. For her! There must be some feelings there.
    Then reality set in. Feelings or not, any laptop found in the rubbish by a hobo ran the very real risk of not working. There was a reason such things were in skips in the first place. Jools grabbed the cord, plugged it in and turned it on. There was a whirring and a dainty ‘ping’ and the familiar PC logo sprang to life. Yes! It actually worked. Hunk of No Fixed Abode deserved a medal. Well, he probably deserved a good meal and a decent roof over his head but Jools was in no position to offer that, was she?
    More miraculous still, upon clicking the Internet icon, the connection launched immediately. The bus garage must have unsecured access – not extremely wise. (Someone who lived within spitting distance of Mrs Pho’s had downloaded the entire Beatles back catalogue, courtesy of Julia Grand Cleaning, and BT had hit Jools with a huge bill which, as she recalled, she had yet to pay.)
    Quickly putting aside thoughts of her ever-mounting debts, Jools thought about the hot hobo and wondered how to thank him. Maybe make him a meal? But what did she have to offer but close-to-the-sell-by-date beans? Still, he was a hobo, so maybe he wouldn’t mind risking salmonella for the chance to eat? Yes, when she saw him again she would ask him over for a spicy date of beans and cider. At least she didn’t have to be embarrassed about her paltry