Joe Walker Journey to Walmington

Part 5 Getting Started

After a quick freshen up in the cafe Joe popped on his glasses to read a newspaper left on another table. He knew he should be looking for somewhere to live but he had his priorities.  He wanted a shed or something to trade out of then he could be a bit more secure. There on page ten he saw what he was looking for. At a place called Slope Alley, a lock up for sale.  He checked his cash, under the table of course in case anyone was looking. Then he reminded himself this wasn't London he would give the locals the benefit of the doubt. Looking at his watch, well one of his watches, one on his wrist, the others in his case, he decided to head straight there. Despite no sleep he urged himself up. Being well brought up he cleared his plates and took them to the counter. Ere you go Mary luv he said and leant over the counter kissing her cheek . See you around he shouted back as he reached the door.
Arriving at the alley he found a night watchman getting ready to leave. Giving him some small change he managed to gain access and he found the little storage room would do him just fine. After getting the owners address he realised it was a mile the other side of town. Well, in for a penny in for a pound as the saying goes. He could rest later. Walking down the High Street he saw army recruitment posters and rightly guessed he may not be called up if he became a reserved occupation. 
Finding the man he was looking for, everything went well and he got a recommendation for where to look for a room. Always one to only trust his own instinct he had a good wander round first. What he found was an actual flat, not just a room, now that he had a bit of money. He must get to that bank he saw. His idea for the rest of the afternoon was to sleep. He put his case down, took off his coat and looked in the mirror. Taking off his glasses, rolling up his shirt sleeves and splashed his face. He looked terrible he thought. He rummaged around in his case for a bandage. This he tied around his upper right arm for support as he'd pulled a muscle. He soaked a towel with cold water to put against his sore ribs. He lay down on the bed kicking off his shoes and sighed. He was almost too over exhausted to actually sleep. Sleep he did though and in his head he pictured the pretty girl he'd met at the railway cafe .