Angelique by Carl Leckey Page A

it on, you understand.” I disclose something to her from my childhood. “You’re not that fond of teachers then Hilda. You must have been a bit like me. Teachers and me didn’t get on.” Hilda objected to my opinion about her. “No you got it wrong there. I kinda liked school. Yes I liked the learnin part of schoolin, I wasn’t fond of the bloomin punishin they dealt out. You could say I was just revenging every poor kid the teachers whacked eh? I reckon some of them so called teachers would have done better in my game instead of punishin poor bloomin kids.” Hilda laughs and discloses. “My pal Judy nick named me the Avenging Angel when I told her what I does to my regular er clients, the other girls have picked it up now.” “Does that annoy you Hilda?” I enquire.
    “No! Not really. I kinda like it to be honest it makes me sound Saintly like, don’t you think? Anyway I calls Judy Burps because of what she does for her Holier than thou client. Most of the girls have nick names anyway. Now Wendy, another of my pals she is called.
    The Grand National Winner.”
    “Why is she called that I enquire.” She replies. “Cos she does more jumps than any of us.”
    She begins to giggle. I find myself giggling with her. The client leaves by the far door he entered earlier after a quick glance in Hilda’s direction. Hilda prepares to follow him, I stand up with her. “Thanks for your company Hilda it’s been most er most educational. Give him a few extra whacks for me will you? Take care of yourself and I hope you get back into acting some time. Here’s a few bob to cover your time.” I slip her a ten bob note. She smiles kisses me on the cheek and whispers in my ear. “Don’t you worry about Hilda, Adam? I know how to look after meself. Maybe when the kids are older and get jobs I’ll go back to the acting game and you might see me on the Argyle again.” She follows her client prepared for a jolly spanking time. There she goes another casualty of the damned war and the flu epidemic; it goes on and on and on. Despite the life the war and flu have driven her into she still retains her sense of humour.
    Still laughing to myself about Hilda’s revelations about her clients and co workers I leave the pub. It’s funny that her nick name is the Avenging Angel considering my past experiences with Angels. As I walk to the hotel I realise how much I have missed these Merseysiders and their quirky sense of humour. On arrival at the hotel I read the papers in the lounge then up to my room. I am in bed about ten o’clock.
    After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast Norman arrives right on time in his taxi.

C HAPTER FOUR
Meeting my Mother
    The first stop in my search for my Mother is the detective agency. The office of the agency is discretely tucked away up a side street with very little indication of its purpose. A highly polished brass plate at the head of four sandstone steps announces Pinketon’s International Detective agency. The name makes me smile, someone has visions of grandeur. The chosen name implies they are a branch of the famous American Pinkerton’s agency I have read about. Not a bad move. At the reception desk I am informed by a frosty faced woman when I give her my details. “We do not disclose information about our clients.”
    I patiently explain. “My Mother employed this agency to locate me. I am here, where is my Mother?” She replies as if talking to a stupid child. “I am sorry sir if you find the Lady in question and I am not implying she did hire us. If she gives her permission we would then consider giving you the information you request.” I glare at her and reply. “Are you mad? If I find my Mother why would? Oh! Never mind.”
    I am about to leave when a door leading to another room opens. A middle aged man emerges and gestures with a crooked finger. “Please come into my office young man.” When I follow him into the room he directs me to a chair. He takes up a