The traffic light seemed to be stuck on red for what felt like an eternity. The car ride back into the city was quiet and unlike the last quiet moments Jack had, this felt awkward. Mr Skate was unsure what to say to the young man, who was currently preoccupied scratching the chin of Nisha. They had somehow squeezed her into the footwell of the car while still giving Jack enough leg room to stretch. For a dog who had only been in a car a couple of times she was certainly calm. The older man watched the traffic lights, his shoulders tense from stress from work and spending about five nights on the couch. His wife did not appreciate the deal he had made with the young man and even though he could claim back the expenses through work there was still a ten working day wait; if they did it on time.
Still, Mr Skate did feel good about helping the young man, who now had to start rebuilding his life with nothing more than his dog and whatever was in his pockets and on his back to his name. The lights turned green and Mr Skate started the car once more.
"Is just outside Primark good for you?" Mr Skate asked, his eyes remaining on the road. Jack perked his head up and nodded.
"That's just fine, thank you." The reply was too happy for Mr Skate's taste, at least for the current situation.
Easing the car into a slow speed and turning on the indicator, the man pulled into the bus stop and turned on his hazard lights to let Jack and Nisha out. Jack checked the side mirror of the car and quickly got out with Nisha in tow once he knew they weren't going to get run over. Jack grabbed the lead that Tracy's kennel had let him have and quickly made his way over to the drivers side of the car. Mr Skate rolled down the window, keeping a close eye at the newly freed man.
"I just wanted to thank you again, you've helped me a lot." Jack said to him sincerely, Nisha wagging her tail excitedly next to her master. Mr Skate waved off the thanks, he didn't need it nor did he want it. He thought to himself briefly and let out a drawn sigh.
"Listen, Jack. There's a lady that may let you stay the night. She's called Roxanne. She runs a hostel, it's about a fifteen minute walk from here down this road; she loves dogs. Just say Antonius sent you and she'll surely make space." Mr Skate told Jack. Jacks' face lit up in an instant, making Mr Skate give him a short but stern look to stop him from thanking him once more. The man looked into his rear view mirror, spotting a community officer making his way up the road. He turned his attention back to Jack once more, who held a smile on his face; he talked to Nisha as if she could understand every word his said.
"I'm going to head off, you look after yourself Jack; you've had bad luck so let's hope things will look up to you. Adio." And with that, Jack moved backwards letting the man turn off his hazard lights, check the side mirrors and pull into the road once more. Jack watched the car drive and took a left until it was out of sight.
A sigh escaped the red heads lips as he closed his eyes to take in the moment. Opening them he turned his attention to Nisha, a smile widely plastered on his face.
"Are you hungry? We could get some food?" He suggested to the Collie, who wagged her tail and gave two barks in response. Jack nodded his head, a small "okay" escaping his lips. He thought briefly to himself, a small "oh" escaping his lips. Kneeling down he took off the collar and lead from Nisha's neck.
"You've never needed these, it must have felt awkward having them on. Just stay close, okay?" He told the dog as he walked to the bin next to the bus seats and promptly dropped them in there. The kennel won't miss them, they had plenty after all. They must have had hundred upon thousands of dogs being bought in without their own collar or lead; it would have been stupid not to keep a stock.
"It's against the law for your dog not to have a collar and to be off the lead in a public setting, sir." The community officer said to him, having just watched Jack promptly take the items off and trash them. Jack muttered a "right" to himself and peered into the bin. He furrowed his brows, it seemed the bin was empty which meant the lead and collar was right at the bottom making it almost impossible to obtain his items again from the closed top bin. He furrowed his brows as the community officer towered over him, only making Jack more anxious than he already was. Jack tried to grab the item, he shoved his arm into the bin, the top touching shoulder as he tried to retrieve the collar and lead.
"I'll give you a warning for now; next time it'll be a fine; do I make myself clear?" The community officer told Jack, who was in the midst of pulling his arm out from the bin. He pulled a face, it had caught the sides and now had a brown smear on the sleeve of god knows what; he didn't want to find out. But he nodded his head regardless, grateful that the only thing he was getting was a warning. He was sure his fifthteen pounds in cash wasn't going to cover it somehow. The officer turned on his heel and left once Jack gave a response, and Jack quickly took off his long grey cardigan. He pulled his brows together, the once clean fabric now had this massive brown smear that he wasn't too sure how he was going to get out.
Jack felt his stomach rumble, pulling a face. He turned his attention back to Nisha, giving her an apologetic smile.
"I'm sorry; come on we'll go to McDonalds or something. You'll need to sit outside though okay?" He told the hound who just tilted her head in response. Just as Jack acknowledged the response, the skies opened up and pelted him with rain; his spine sending a sudden and harsh shiver up the spinal cord at the cold water hitting him from what seemed like nowhere.
"Oh come on!" He yelled, throwing his cardigan to the ground in anger. It had been a long day, one that he wanted over sooner rather than later. Nisha whimpered at her master as he flexed and clenched his hands. Taking a deep breath, he slowly breathed out and picked up the now damp and dirty cardigan.
"You're right, being angry won't help. We'll try and find the hostile; maybe we'll have more luck there." He muttered, rather that was to the dog or himself; anybody that was listening really. And so he began moving from the spot he was dropped off at that now seemed so long ago. His shoulders' heavy from busy and emotional day; a day that started off so good.
Jack walked past many people in silence, his cardigan tucked under his arm with his hands shoved into his pockets, Nisha by his heel walking as closely as she could without tripping him up. Everyone he walked past never gave him a second glance; they were all too busy trying to keep themselves dry. They ranged from children in school uniforms to people in suits. He didn't know the time right now, but he did know it was a Friday so everybody was either out with friends for an entertaining night, or a drink regardless if they were age appropriate or not. The red head took in all the visual features he could spot, some had umbrella's, some used their bags or briefcases as an umbrella. Some were like him and had nothing, those people sprinted for cover; but not Jack.
Time seemed to stay still as he wandered up the street, following the direction that Mr Skate told him to go. The only hint it was still moving was that everyone around him was moving too; they were so animated without a care in the world. It formed a lump in his throat. In a way he was happy for them and in another it just reminded him of his current situation. Self pity wouldn't help him; not right now.
He reached his destination; he only knew he did as there was a flat board sign on the building with only the words "Hostel" written on them. Nothing about capacity or who owned it, Jack could only assume this was the place. He was hesitant to go in, would it really be bad to sleep in the streets tonight? It was just raining after all it'd be like camping! Just with less shelter...and a bit smellier. He tried to swallow the lump that had formed in his throat and only felt what could be described as razor blades. He was dehydrated.
Removing a hand from his jean pockets he laid it on the door, only for it to immediately open up with a swing. The suddenness made him stumble forward, he had to catch the door frame with his free hand in order not to fall on top of the person who opened the door.
"Oh no! It's raining!" The voice said, sounding more concerned that she would possibly get wet rather than the fact that she almost made the young man in front of her nearly topple onto her. Jack took a quick look at the owner of the voice. Long black hair, lightly tanned skin and brown eyes. A yellow top that fell off the right shoulder and looked much too short having ended a good few inches above her belly button and jean shorts. She looked like she was ready to hit a beach rather than go anywhere sensible. Jack couldn't speak, he didn't know what to say to the woman who looked so preoccupied with the rain. That was until she noticed him instead.
"Oh! You have really pretty green eyes! Are you here for a place to stay?" Concern. Genuine concern. Jack hadn't heard it for a long time and all he could do was nod his head unable to find the words to speak, pulling himself up to stand properly instead of dangle from the door frame. And she smiled in return.
"Let me just get Roxanne for you she owns this place you see." She said to him quickly and turned on her heel yelling loudly "ROXANNE!~ SOMEONE NEEDS A BED! AND A SHOWER MAYBE! MAYBE SOME FOOD? DEFINITELY A HAIRCUT!" As loudly as this woman yelled, another yell came back in full force.
"OKAY YOU DON'T NEED TO SHOUT MAXINE. GET AWAY FROM THE DOOR YOU CRETIN!" Maxine huffed, stamping her foot on the ground in anger or frustration, Jack couldn't tell which.
"I am NOT a dwarfed and deformed idiot!" And with that, Maxine had left, making it known she was annoyed by stomping her feet on the ground as she left Jack in the rain. Jack didn't know whether to be scarred or amused. The exchange was not something he was expecting. He briefly looked at Nisha, who had taken up residence behind him, staying out of the way. That was maybe for the best.
Soon a woman rounded the corner and stood in front of a soaked Jack. She was elderly, her greyed hair was in a tight bun; a mauve dress with mauve buttons reaching all the way to the bottom. Bright yellow slippers covered her feet.
"Please come in, come in; you'll catch your death out there." She ushered in, standing aside and allowing Jack to finally step in from the rain. Nisha followed closely behind, her tail between her legs and ears low as she took in her new surroundings. The woman, who Jack could only assume was called Roxanne gasped and carefully knelt down to the dog's height. She held out a wrinkled hand, fingers outstretched and palm straight. Nisha sniffed her a couple of times, perking up her ears once she caught her scent.
"Goodness me what a beautiful dog. Tell me; what brings you here." She commented and asked, her attention back on Jack once she patted the dogs head, earning a tail wag. Jack hesitated; should he tell her? Mr Skate said to just mention him and he should be fine. He tried to swallow again but only choked. She gave him a smile, one that showed he didn't need to rush. Jack slammed his chest a couple of times with his fist, making whatever had choked him go back down into his stomach.
"Mr Skate, Antonius, said you could help me. I just need a place to stay for the night, that's all." Jack explained. Roxanne's eyes widened at the sound of Mr Skate's name.
"Not many people know that name; I haven't heard it for years... how do you know such a name?" Her voice was now cautious, as if he had just hit a sore spot.
"He helped me out, I was in prison until today. He helped get Nisha out of the kennel because he made a bet with me." Jack explained to her, hoping his story would run by her and check out. Roxanne hummed in response, and stood up. She patted down her dress.
"I'll have to talk to him; that silly old friend of mine. Please make yourself at home. Let me handle everything from now on, and please; do not mention Antonius Skate to anyone else." She cautioned Jack, her old eyes turning serious for a split second. Jack felt cold all of a sudden, as if something had just died there. The hair on his arms stood on end and Nisha pressed herself against his leg.
He didn't want to mention it to her in fear that she'll panic or maybe he'd suddenly lose a place to sleep; not ideal now that the rain got heavier and the thunder came rolling in. He could tell something was wrong; he just didn't know how.