The Little Black Book

Chapter 2:

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Page 8

Mango sorbet, green iced tea and some flowers too. I got a nice Ginseng tree for my neighbour. I guess she could sit around and watch it grow instead of her grandchildren. Ha ha – that’s a bit cheeky right! She loves it though. I think she was just happy to have someone to talk to. I was too I guess; well, honestly, I prefer to observe.

You know if you observe someone you can learn a lot more about them than actually speaking to them. People don’t usually say what they truly mean, but their facial expressions and body language do it for them. I see people in colours; and I don’t mean race. It’s like a sixth sense or something or maybe it’s God’s compensation for taking away my hearing; I see things spiritually. And I’m definitely not a witch or into any of that occult stuff. AliceWorldWonder15 is definitely into witchcraft. She has a large painting on her wall of the Green Lady; to me she looks pretty evil. I know they associate her with money and mother nature, but I see her as something completely different.

When I look closely at the picture, I see spiders crawling in her hair; with webs that look like grey hairs but are definitely not. Spiders are pretty symbolic, especially with webs. They are usually unbothered, they spin their intricate webs, then take a seat on their favourite strand of woven weaponry with a warm cup of peppermint and patience. Then BAM dinner has served itself. No cutlery, no worries – it will serve itself. Belly full? Great I’ll wrap the rest in silk for us later.

The idea of nature being a mother; with a kind nature that provides for everyone and everything is a lie from the pit of hell. Mothers are kind, patient and forgiving; but nature on the other hand will eat you alive if you are not able to adapt. It will freeze you right there on the spot if you don’t know how to keep yourself warm; or do the complete opposite and dry your eyes so much so they can no longer form tears.

That’s why I win, I won and will win again! I adapt like a snake shedding its old skin; wrapping itself around its prey and gently squeezing until a hug turns into a gripping hold that dims the light of your aura. I still love everyone though – what an oxymoron. I guess that is me. I can’t hear but can hear the lies that lie within your soul.

Hello AliceWorldWonder15, how are you today?

“Hello guys, how are you all? I’m feeling so tired today I just don’t know why... I had so much sleep yesterday too!”

I know why you are tired; yes, you slept but you tossed and turned all night, dreaming of the hidden figure that lurks in your mind, predetermining your every move. I see you Alice; but can you see me? I see your fears and your flaws; the insecurities behind your side smile.

“So today, I was thinking to do things differently. What do you want me to do? I want you all your send in your suggestions – I’m totally off today.”

Yes, you are Alice because I am on page 8 just like you. And I’m ahead of the class because I have already written down the riddle.

“Did you like the last one or did it make you cry?

Well, this one I know won’t let your well run dry.

No need for blues, just catch the rhythm

You won’t miss the water if you look inside

The outer case covering what shines

Circular spinning round and round

Don’t get dizzy or it won’t be found.

No later than 5pm and 3rd from the back

Is the one you will want amongst the stack

Not Hennes & Mauritz you need to add a V

Quite simple this one or still can’t you see?

Notes are for cashiers; whatever you do, do it quickly!

Pause AliceWorldWonder15 – You know for me it’s really not about the money. Honestly, I mean it! I am alive aren’t I. I have food in my cupboards, Mango sorbet in the freezer and I even bought myself some flowers with the ones I got for the lady next door.

I was really busy last night after I did my shopping. I bought envelopes. Well, I realise that I live in quite a poor area. You know how I can tell? The floors. Lots of litter, pretty much everywhere. But when I go to Central London, I see clean streets and tall buildings. The only tall buildings in South are high rise blocks with lifts that smell like wee. The saddest part is, it is usually the people who don’t live there that treat the place like a rubbish dump.

I remember as a child I lived on the 20th floor of a 24-storey building. These young guys pretty much lived in the lifts, selling mixtapes and smoking blunts while riding the lift like the detonator. Tell me you have been to Thorpe Park? It was so annoying because they did not live in the block. I knew everyone who lived there including those who lived on the floors above me. I pay attention to details or have you not noticed?

The lady who swore she owned the 3rd floor was always blasting music. So loud that my hearing aids would vibrate to the beat as we went down the lift. “Everyone falls in love sometimes” my mum mouthed. She liked the song; I just wanted to breath air that didn’t include human wee. I don’t know if it’s just me, but I noticed men’s wee smells absolutely terrible, so poignant! It reminded me of the corner behind Lewisham Library that belonged to wee wars and the man who always asked for “20p for a cup of tea”. 20p will barely get you a tea bag and a lick of milk these days.

So, I’ve been on my Robin Hood ish. I counted £19,506.93p left. Ok so I did buy some Desert Trek Clarks, a Dictaphone (I’ve always wanted to know what my voice sounds like, can you believe I’ve never heard it?) and some new books for myself. Well, they aren’t new actually, they are old. I’ve read them already in an E-book version, but the physical paperback is special to me. Like a collector’s item. I’ll save them for my children to read and appreciate one day. Well, that is if I have children one day; if I find a husband handsome enough to deserve such a beauty like me. I’m different! Pretty and special; I need a man who suits me you know – that’s hard to find. Focus Nancy! Ok – so I got 18 envelopes and saved one to post to myself. I deserve gifts too after all of my hard work.

I put £1000 in 16 envelopes and posted them through the letter boxes of my old high-rise building. The access codes are still the same. That should be a good indication of how much care and attention is given to high rise buildings; oh yea and the lift still smelt like pee.

£1000 for the lady for making my mum sing on our way to school. She always smiled. But she smiled more when she sang as if she had memories of the songs that transported her to a place that no longer was the dingy men’s toilets, we call a lift.

£1000 each for the 15 families living on the floors above the 20th, slipped into their letter boxes. I always felt bad for them because they had to suffocate for the longer than I and to each day. And the stairs – so steep and on the outside of the high rise which looked like what I could only describe as the detonators fire exit.

I remembered Sam at my local café shop. He doesn’t look like a Sam but I’d rather call him that than boss man. Zombies in masks took over his shop recently. They shut him down and put him into quarantine. Men in white suits turned up; they fined him £3000 – more than he could afford I’m sure. So here I am, levelling the score and fighting back for the little guy, little Sam the man with a smile who does my eggs exactly how I like them.

£506.93p remaining for me; I put in an envelope and sent it on the longest possible delivery home; a surprise for myself that won’t surprise me at all.

So now I’m back – I don’t feel like listening to AliceWorldWonder15 today. To be honest she makes me pretty disappointed. She would have been a lot more interesting if she used the money for good and took us along on the journey with her. Instead, she chose to be conceited and pretty dull. Not even a lilac but now a pale pink. And not the type you see on flowers; but what you see on the brow of a sick child burning up from a fever. Sweating and gasping for breath. No spirit just flesh, dying for attention to cool it down.

Uber as usual booked and AliceWorldWonder15 still on pause. I’ve decided to stake out the place because I know where to go. Pretty easy to be honest I got this one so quick. To the CD shop HMV, Bromley; Yes, driver Nancy - I am she. 4pm on the clock; I am kind of early. I want to see who leaves the package – the same man again? Maybe he is watching me?

I know what I’ll do; thanks driver 4:18pm on the clock. Greggs is a shout, perfect disguise and quick stop. I’ll take a sausage roll actually make it two, and a Sparkling Raspberry Lemonade on this fine day. A newspaper and bucket hat are my favourite addition to my desired look; so no one will know that I’m a crook. Not here to do shopping or for a chit-chat; but to steal from the rich so I can give it all back.

Where did the money come from? The question that has been plaguing my mind – a robbery? Inheritance? A money heist? Who has enough to just give away £20,000 to a spoilt socialite? Especially in this specific time; where zombies are roaming the streets freely, yet dead on the inside. Stripped from their humanity and chastened like a muzzled dog; I’m trying really hard to see through the fog. Reading between the lines; while trying to be on time. What manner of a woman is she; AliceWorldWonder15?

All black and base-ball cap great disguise indeed: sticks out like a saw thumb for an investigator like me. He has a brown face and lots of gold. I see as he sucks his teeth looking real mean, pulling down the front of his cap trying to not be seen. 4:31pm on the clock and he’s left HMV; slipped down a side road I have to go see. Black BMW parked on yellow lines again, I can’t see the rest but a personalised plate ending in 10.

Quickly to HMV to collect the bounty. Your well won’t run dry by Peter Tosh, searched it in the Uber, I’m thorough of course. Not quite rhythm and/or blues, not necessarily new. There, hiding in the reggae section; yes, I found you. 3rd from the back open the case there’s a receipt. No words just numbers; “Hi there this is for me.” A look in the eyes and a simple unemotional smile; brown envelope handed to me. Page 8 printed on the front.

4:48pm on my phone Uber 5 mins away; AliceWorldWonder15 still nowhere to be seen. I step out the shop and she walks straight into me – totally invisible to a socialite I see. Not even a thank-you for holding the door; Sparkling Raspberry Lemonade up my nose and on the floor. Huff – I’m not sad. NancyNotSoAverage22 wins again and solves the clues, even if this mean world will never give me my fair dues.