Ingrid finds the crowds of people overwhelming the West End of London is
busier than she thought it would be theyve just got off the bus at
Trafalgar Square quite near from here the National Portrait Gallery he
says as they walks through Trafalgar Square past by Nelsons Column its a
170 feet high he says looking up Ingrid looks up too I bet he can see
for miles up there she says its been there since 1843 he says walking on
howd you know? she asks Mr Finn told us in history the other month
Benny says I never heard him say that Ingrid says following behind Benny
you were probably asleep Benny says smiling no I wasnt she replies just
dont like history I find it bores me they climb the steps into the
National Portrait Gallery and spend an hour or so looking around at the
various portraits afterwards they come out and Benny says what about a
glass of milk and cake in Leicester Square? is it far? she asks no just
around the corner he says so they walk around and into Leicester Square
my old man brings me here sometimes Benny says usually Sundays and we
have a look around then we have a drink some place and have a go on the
machines in the pinball alleys my dad doesnt take me anywhere Ingrid
says taking in the bright neon lights and the crowds of people passing
them by I came with Mum once when she did evening cleaning at one of the
offices up here Ingrid says remembering my mum works up here too
cleaning some evenings Benny says they go into a milk bar and sit down
at a table a waitress comes over to them and asks them what they wanted
to drink or eat Benny tells her and she walks away he looks at Ingrid
sitting in the chair he noticed she winced when she sat down whats up?
your old man been hitting you again? he asks her why how did you know?
she says looking at him blushing slightly saw how you sat and winced he
replies he was in a bad mood and said I was too noisy and now that my
brother and sister have left home he finds it easier to pick on me and
Mum too Ingrid says you should tell someone Benny says Ingrid shakes her
head Mum says Ill be taken away and wont see her anymore and I dont
want to go in a home away from her so I say nothing and you mustnt
either she says eyeing Benny anxiously whod believe me he says looking
at her wishing he could save her from the beatings she gets but he knows
no one would believe him the waitress beings their milks and two
biscuits and goes off after putting them on the table I saw your mum had
a back eye the other week and my mum said she told her she walked into a
door some bloody door that must be Benny says she must walk into that
door on a regular basis Ingrid begins to sip the milk through a straw
the waitress had provided she says nothing but looks at the glass and
the sound of other people talking and laughing Benny sips his milk also
thinking of the last time hed seen Ingrids old man passed him on the
stairs and her old man eyed him coldly but said nothing after he had
gone downstairs Benny gave him the middle finger gesture Ingrid is glad
to be out of the flat and the Square but shes anxious about his return
that night after work and what he will ask her and she finds it hard to
lie to him and if she says shes been to art gallery and the West End
hell whack her for going and for going with Benny and Mumll say nothing
then hell thump her for letting me go off and Ill feel guilty for
getting Mum into trouble you let a nine year old girl out into the West
End with that Benny kid? thump thump Ingrid can see it all now as she
sips her milk Benny sips his milk eyeing Ingrid opposite looking anxious
her mind on something else her eyes through her glasses enlarged what
are you thinking about? he asks she looks at him nothing she replies its
impossible for the human brain not to think about something unless its
died of course and I assume your brain hasnt died he says smiling Daddy
says Im brain-dead sometimes she says but I wasnt thinking of anything
in particular she lies looking at Bennys hair and the quiff and his
hazel eyes and that way he has of studying her you dont lie too good he
says lying about what? she says trying not to look too guilty Im not
lying what were you really thinking about then? he asks she looks away
from him and sips more of the milk I bet youre worrying about your old
man finding out about us going up West and you know you cant lie to save
your life Benny says I wish I could lie but I just blush or my eyes
give me away Daddy always looks at my eyes he says they give me away
before my mouth does then Im for it and he knows it and Mum gets it also
then whether she knows about me or not its a matter of creative truth
telling Benny says she looks at him and she frowns whats that? she says
well keep in mind something who have said or done and put it in place of
something you have done or said which you know you shouldnt have done
he says but we have been here she says how can I put anything in its
place? we will Benny says where? she asks well go to the church on the
way home and you can go in there on your own and pray or something look
at the coloured glass windows and flowers and then tell your old man
that if he asks where youve been and done they finish their drinks and
biscuits and go back to Trafalgar Square and get a bus back to the
Elephant and Castle and Benny and Ingrid go to the church at the top of
Meadow Row right now you go in on your own and sit and pray and have
good look at the things inside like the coloured glass windows and the
altar and then if your old man asks you can tell him the truth Benny
says Ingrid goes in the church and Benny waits outside and as he does so
he spots Ingrids old man go by on the other side of Meadow Row but he
doesnt see Benny he just walks down the Row his features grim and Benny
thinks of tiny demons following him.