Blue Angel

By J Winton

Donna is a vulnerable young woman with lots of problems - drink, drugs and a pimp who likes to terrorise her just for kicks.  So when a mysterious stranger arrives in her life she begins to believe that he is her guardian angel.  Pete is always there when she needs him, whenever she calls for help. 

But is there a more sinister reason why Pete always knows when Donna is in trouble?  What does he really want?

• Language: English
• Publisher: J Winton
• Release date: May 14, 2014
• ISBN: 9780957261952

Book preview

Chapter One

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Donna was a drug addict.  She was also an alcoholic, petty crook and part-time prostitute.  The latter only when she was in the pub and needed another glass of wine or beer, or a cigarette.  She had been banned from every pub within a two-mile radius of her home in Brixton, south London, except for one, The Nutcracker, which was a pub so seedy that even she was seen as an asset.  This was because she spent most of her benefit money on drink and kept the punters happy, especially at the weekly karaoke night, when Donna was quite entertaining.  On a good night, when short of cigarettes and before her words began to slur, she had a voice that sounded positively angelic.  If all else failed to raise a response she would get her tits out.

Donna had started life in the sprawling slums of Dublin before the Peace Agreement had helped regenerate the area.  Her single mother had been a drunk and had often left her alone in a squalid one bedroom flat.  Donna was rescued by an Aunt in Yorkshire who had offered to look after her, but in reality had sent her to a strict Catholic boarding school in the countryside.  Donna had tried her best to start with but in her teens began to rebel against the harsh rules.  Being caught by a Sister one too many times smoking in the games room she had been expelled as a bad influence, eventually running away to London aged just fifteen.  Very skinny and with big blue eyes and long dark hair, Donna survived on the streets in the only way she could.  Now she was nearly thirty, but still shivered when she remembered life at the Sacred Heart School for Girls.  Being arrested on the streets was just par for the course, but an angry nun, now that was scary.

But things of late had taken a turn for the better, Donna thought to herself as she lay hung over one morning.  Ever since Pete had mysteriously turned up out of the blue he had been a real godsend.  She thought back to the first time she had seen him.  Still drunk from the previous evening she had been nursing a sore head in The Arches café when he had walked through the door.  Standing tall, prematurely white-haired and built like a bodybuilder, he had dwarfed the doorway of the small café.  Through blurred vision, the sunlight shining through his hair, she could have sworn he was wearing a halo.

One white, one black coffee, he had ordered from Joe, the tattooed owner of the café.  Then, Mind if I join you? as he had made his way deliberately to Donna's table.

Fuck off! were her first words to him.  Donna felt bad about that now.  Luckily, this had not put him off.

That's a nice way to talk to Ed's friend, he had replied, placing the black coffee in front of her.

Ed was one of Donna's favourites.

Oh yeah?  How do you know me, then?

Hi, I'm Pete and I'm working in Ed's Electricals for a while.

Oh.  Well, he should have told me.  I'm always in there.

I know, that's why he sent me in here to get to know you.

Oh, really?  You know who I am, then?

Donna, isn't it?

Yeah.  I suppose you've met my friend Sue as well?

Sue was Ed's girlfriend on the side.

Yes, she's a bit more friendly than you are.

Donna laughed.  Sue's always friendly to the men.  I'm only nice when I want something.

Pete laughed back. 

That's honest.

I know.  So what are you doing in Ed's?

I'm an electrician and he wants me to help check out all the second-hand stuff he sells.

Well, you'll have a great time in there.

Good.  What else is there to do round here, apart from work?

Depends what you want.  There's loads of pubs of course.  I'm going to The Nutcracker later on, you know, the pub on the corner?

Oh yeah.  Looks a bit of a dive?

Donna laughed.  Oh, it's all right.  It's karaoke tonight, that's always good for a laugh.

I might give it a try then.  I do a fantastic Elvis.

That I'd like to see.  Sue and Ed should be there as well.

Okay, great.  I'll be down there about eight o'clock.

I'll most probably be pissed by then, she confessed.  Just tell me if I'm too embarrassing.

Oh, I'm sure you won't be the only person making a fool of themselves if it's a karaoke.

Donna chuckled.

I always have a good time but I can't always remember why.

Pete laughed. 

Well I'll just have to remind you. He drained his mug of coffee.  I suppose I'd better get to work on my first day.  Nice talking to you, Donna, see you later tonight.

Okay, catch you later, she replied.

Later that evening Pete ventured into The Nutcracker to find a crowded, noisy bar which had not been touched since well before 1945, he thought to himself.  That, however, did give the place a certain atmosphere.  Although cigarette smoking was now banned there was no mistaking the aroma of marijuana from every corner.  The customers were a varied mix; some City yuppie incomers, some old men who looked like they could remember before the second world war and now had a stool named in their honour, the ubiquitous Rasta and rough looking sorts.  Donna fitted seamlessly into this eclectic mix, Pete noted.  Although there was no sign of his boss Ed or Sue, Donna was happily chatting away to complete strangers at the bar, as was her norm.  A horrible racket was coming from the karaoke area; someone singing Delilah tunelessly at full volume, and the more duff notes the bigger the cheers from the crowd.

Hello, do you remember me? he joked as he queued at the bar.

Oh, Pratt, isn't it?  I mean Pete, she said loudly.

Oy, that's not very nice.

How was your first day at Eddie's?

Not too bad.  I was expecting to see him and Sue in here with you.

Oh they were, earlier, they've gone back to Sue's place, nod nod, wink wink.

What, already?

Donna laughed.

Sue's a sex-aholic.  I'm only an alkiholick, I mean alcoholical – oh, I can't say it, told you I'd be pissed.

Pete laughed.  Have you had your turn at singing yet?

Oh yeah, I've been up there twice already.  Why, do you want to see me sing?

Go on then, you can't be any worse than that.

I know you won't believe me but I've got a good voice.

Have you?  Go on then, surprise me.

Ten minutes later Donna was singing her heart out to 'Hey Big Spender', and got a huge round of applause after she'd finished, with cries of More!  More! from around the room.

Wow!  I'm impressed! Pete exclaimed.  You're definitely wasted here.

I'm always wasted here, Donna joked.  Here, I thought you were going to do Elvis?

I tell you what, I'll buy you a drink instead, quipped Pete.

Deal!  Mine's a gin and tonic, Donna replied, quick as a flash.

Several gin and tonics later it became obvious that Donna was not going to make it to the end of the evening.

Sorry, Donna, I didn't mean to get you drunk.

No worries, I was already pished, Donna slurred.

You can't walk home on your own like that, look at you!

Who do you think you are, my mother?

No, but you're a friend of a friend so I can't leave you like this.

Well, I've managed to get meself home most other times.  Not always to my own home though, she laughed.

That's what I'm worried about.  Look, if you like I can walk you home, or I can get you a taxi.

All right, all right.  I'll just finish this drink.

I think you'll find you've finished your drink.

Donna picked up Pete's drink and swigged it down.

Well, you can't go wasting drink like that, it's too esspenshive.  Okay, let's go. 

With that Donna lurched forward and Pete caught her elbow to steady her.

Whoa, what the fuck was in your drink?

Come on, lady, time you weren't here.

Pete held on to Donna as they staggered up the road together, Donna belting out some karaoke songs which were not as appreciated on the streets outside.  Eventually they found her small block of flats, where she had a one-bedroom apartment on the top third floor.

Are there any lifts? asked Pete.

You must be joking, Donna replied.

Right then, there's only one thing for it. 

With the ease of a fireman he hoisted Donna over his shoulder and walked steadily up to the third floor.  At first Donna protested but then she saw the funny side of it.  She wasn't even capable of opening her front door with the key. 

You can come in if you want, Donna suggested, after Pete let her in.

Well, I don't know.  Do you think you'll be all right on your own?

I feel a bit sick, she confessed, before racing to her toilet.

Pete did the decent thing and stayed with her.  After that Donna sobered up a bit.  He made sure she drank plenty of water, then checked out her fridge for any food.

Good grief, all you've got in here is half a loaf of bread.

I'm getting some food tomorrow.

Shall I make you some toast or something?

The toaster's not working.

Oh.  Well, Donna, I'm an electrician, I'll take it with me and fix it for you.

Thanks, great.  Oh, do you think you could fix my hairdryer as well?

Pete gave a mock sigh.  Come on then, give it to me, anything else while you are at it?

A nice cup of coffee would be good.  Thanks, Pete.

At least Donna had some coffee in the cupboard, although no milk, so Pete made them both a strong cup with lots of sugar.

Then Donna really started to talk, and Pete was a good listener.  For the next few hours she told him all about her mother, her aunt, the school, the nuns, running away to London, a couple of abortions, her boyfriend running off with her neighbour, her drink and her drugs.  Eventually she paused and yawned widely.

I think I'm going to have to go to bed now.

I'll be on my way then.

You don't have to, Pete.  Thanks for bringing me home.

I've got work in the morning, love, how would I get up early after listening to your snoring all night?

Oy, cheeky, I don't snore! laughed Donna.

Goodnight, Donna, said Pete as he quietly let himself out of her flat.

As Donna lay in bed she was completely drained after baring her soul to Pete, but she also felt something else she hadn't felt in years; clean.

Chapter Two

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Donna woke with a clear head the next morning, but after a while she felt a familiar craving.

I need some more crack, she thought to herself, as her skin started to itch.

At lunchtime there was a familiar rap on the door.

Oh, hi Anson, Donna faked a smile, letting him in.

Hello me darling, 'ow are you? he leered at her.  You got me any shekels this time?

Anson was short and skinny, and hailed from the streets of Kingston, Jamaica.  He always smelled of marijuana and had green teeth, so his smile was very unpleasant.

Yeah, well I've got fifty quid, Donna offered.

What, you want some drugs for that as well?  Are you kidding me?

Please, Anson, I'm getting desperate.

Me tell you what me do, you be nice to me and you can have a few rocks free.  One rock for a look, three for a jook.

Donna knew that was coming.  But for some reason she couldn’t stomach the thought of sex with him this time.

No, not today, Anson.

What?  Do you have a boyfriend now?

She decided to pretend that Pete was her new man friend.

Yeah, I am seeing somebody

Does he want anything from me?

No, he's not a druggie.  In fact, she lied, he's coming round here in a minute.

Anson looked angry, and snatched the money off her.

Well me gone, yeah, me no give you nuttin'.

Donna was getting ready to beg, when suddenly there was a loud knock at the door.  Both Donna and Anson jumped.

Wait! Anson hissed.  He carefully deposited the drugs inside his socks.

Donna? She heard Ed's voice.  I know you're in there, are you okay?

Anson kissed his teeth.  Cha!

Yes, I'm just coming, Donna replied, rushing to open the door.

Ed stood in the doorway, blocking Anson's exit.  Who are you? he asked, threateningly.

Me just leaving man, me cool, Anson said, squeezing past Ed's bulky frame.  Ed stood and watched as Anson, trying to look hard, slowly sauntered away.

Donna laughed to herself.

Ed! she said after she heard Anson going down the stairs, I didn't know you were coming round, shouldn’t you be at work?

It’s lunchtime, he replied smoothly, don’t you remember, last night you said you were going to cook dinner for me as a thank you for fixing your things.

Did I?

Donna looked shocked.  She hadn't cooked for anybody for years.

Oh, well, sorry Ed, I must have forgot.

I can tell that, I can't smell anything cooking, Ed replied.  Anyway, what are you doing with that lowlife?

Oh, him – he's my dealer.

Ed looked upset.

Well, I'm starving hungry now so why don't I take you for dinner instead?

Donna was now completely fazed.

Well – um, I'm not sure.

Ed looked crestfallen.

Come on Donna, I know you haven't got any money and it doesn't look like there's any food in the house.  Let me treat you to lunch.

Oh, okay then. Donna brightened.  Seeing as you got rid of trouble for me.  What a nice man you are.  Hold on a minute, then.

She went into her bedroom and swallowed a couple of tablets.

Okay, let’s go.

Over lunch in the café Pete asked Donna about Anson.

So that scumbag in your flat, can't you tell him to get lost?

Well not really, seeing as I owe him a thousand quid.

Oh, Donna, that's terrible.  I wish I had a thousand pounds, I'd give it to you.

You would? Donna seemed genuinely touched.

So how are you getting on in the shop? she asked, changing the subject.

It’s been really busy this morning.  Sue was in earlier, talking to Ed.

Donna lowered her voice.

Do you know she’s got another boyfriend?

Oh, Ed's told me about José.  Some sort of Portuguese villain?

Yeah, that's right.  I don't know what Sue sees in him.  He's hit her a few times, you know.

Oh, you’ve put me right off him now, I’ve never hit a woman.

Donna lowered her voice, You know Anson works for him, the man you saw earlier?

Pete chewed a piece of bacon thoughtfully.

So is that where Anson gets his drugs from, José?

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