Isobel

Isobel Pt.9

Brendan and Raymond stand in the hallway of the police station, waiting to be seen.
Brendan goes over to the reception booth. "Eh, excuse me. We're looking for a girl who was brought in here tonight. She has red hair," he said.
"Ah yes, that girl, she's a tough little bird all right. I never knew such a sweet looking girl like her could curse even worse than a lorry driver," the policeman said. He gets up and walks over towards the door with them. "Are you two friends of hers?"
They both nod their heads.
"She's down in that cell there," he said. "She was all crazy, shouting and stuff, then she calmed down and started to cry. I kind of felt sorry for her. Anyhow what made her so mad, didn't you compliment her on her shoes or remark about her hair or something? Anyway, she's not going anywhere unless the bail is paid."
"How much?" Brendan said.
"Fifty pounds."
"Wow! Just for that."
"She's a handful; I would just as soon set her free but the laws the law."
"Okay, thank you. We've just got to think this over," Brendan said.
"She'll be set free in the morning, but we got to keep her here overnight, until she sobers up," the policeman said.
"Thank you," Brendan said.

Both Brendan and Raymond go outside.
"I think we should go home," Brendan said. "There's nothing we can do, anyway you heard the man. She'll be free in the morning. It'll just be a waste of money. Besides, it will teach her a lesson, I don't think she'll do that kind of thing again in a hurry."
"I don't know if she'll be alright, waking up in a police cell, it's frightening enough just visiting."
"Tell you what, you go home and get some sleep, it'll do us both good and in the morning we'll come and collect her, okay."
"Okay."
They both walk off, each going in separate directions.

Raymond comes into the house quietly so as to not wake his father. He tip-toes through the house making his way to the fireplace, lifting a lid on an ornament, revealing a few notes of money. He quietly counts it to himself, putting it in his jacket. He then retraces his steps, leaving the house as he came in, without a sound.

Raymond taps on the window of the reception booth. The policeman is almost nodding off while doing his crossword puzzle. Raymond clears his throat.
The policeman looks up at him. "Ah, young fella. What is it you want?"
Raymond puts the money down on the counter without saying a word.
The policeman stares at the money.
"You come to pay the bail? It looks like you've been saving up for a an occasion just like this." The policeman untangles the notes as he gets up and walks down the corridor, stopping at a cell, turning the key he unlocks the door and stands back as if he were expecting something to happen. "You're free to go now, miss," he said.
There is a brief moment, before Isobel comes out of the cell. Both the policeman and Raymond don't know what way she's going to react.
She eventually makes her way from the cell, looking a mess with her eye make-up all smeared. When she sees Raymond, she smiles, as they walk from the police station together.

Standing outside in the cold, she starts shaking as he takes off his coat and puts it on her. She smiles at him as they walk on down the steps.

He helps her into her flat, as he switches on the lamp; she lies down on the sofa.
He is feeling kind of nervous as if he shouldn't be here. He gets up to go. She puts a hand on his arm. He looks at her.
"Please stay," she said.
He nods without saying a word.

Out in the street it is quiet. There isn't a soul about. A figure of a man can be seen in the shadows, he steps into the streetlight, and it's Brendan. He gazes up at the window as the light goes out. The hurt of betrayal is etched on his face. He walks away with his head down.