Chapter 35
Arriving back at the office Bailey smiled upon seeing the queue formed in his absence.
"Step back, he yelled, using his shoulders to push through, "come on out the way.
A couple of soiled booted Polish looking men he didn't recognise went to follow him in,
"Wait, give me five minutes, he held his hand up to emphasise the five minutes.
They grunted in understanding.
A couple of minutes later he opened the hatch that separated him from his tenants.
"Come on then.
Immediately the door opened and the Polish men appeared.
"We need somewhere to live, one asked in halted English, the other stood next to him nodding.
Bailey raised a hand.
"Anyone out there paying?
Most of those assembled came forward, jostling to push ahead, returning his attention to the Polish men he instructed,
"You wait yes.
They nodded standing aside.
Bailey stood behind the counter for the next fifteen minutes taking cash and signing rent books, thinking about where he could house the Polish men. There was the place down on Churchill Street, the other immigrants there could probably get them some work if they didn't have any.
Looking up he saw everyone who'd come to pay cash had gone, in front of him stood a pudgey, bespectacled, middle aged man. His thinning greasy hair was pushed across in an attempt to disguise his growing baldness.
"What?
The man looked at the floor,
"My sink's blocked.
Tutting the landlord looked skyward,
"Address?
Picking up a pen he jotted down the details,
"Someone'll be round in a couple of hours okay.
The man nodded, backing out.
"But if it's your fault you pay the plumber fees.
Next in line was a young boy.
"Yes?
"I'm wondering if you've got any rooms to let?
"How old are you?
"Sixteen.
"You working?
"No, not at the moment.
Whistling through his teeth Bailey winced,
"I dunno, there's trouble with your age and problems, you know, getting rent and all that.
"No that's alright, it's been explained to me, I'm leaving care, the council will sort it out.
Bailey smiled,
"Okay, wait a little while, let me deal with these. Returning his attention to his other prospective tenants he smiled asking,
"So what are you after, a room to share?
The one who'd spoken earlier shook his head,
"No, no, we need a flat, gesturing at his companion he continued, "my brother's girlfriend she will live with us also, he paused making sure he was being understood, when Bailey gave a curt nod he finished, "they need own room.
Grimacing Bailey gave a weak smile,
"I may be able to do you two rooms, he raised two fingers to emphasise, "two rooms, but flats, they expensive, cost money, you understand, deposit.
The two raised fingers rubbed together.
Nodding the man produced a wallet and opening it pulled out a wedge of twenty-pound notes,
"I understand, look.
"You have work? Bailey asked quickly working out there was at least a couple of months rent there.
The man nodded his head,
"Pretty much, his girl¦ she just arrive from Slovakia, but you know, he shrugged, "the girls get the work even easier.
After a moments thought Bailey nodded,
"I may have somewhere, wait one minute.
"But it can't be here, the man circled his finger, "how you say, not in this area.
Bailey nodded.
Walking back to the desk he picked up the phone,
"Yeah Harri, if you could pop in, I've got someone you can show around a flat for me, I'll give you a drink yeah.
"Nice one see you in a minute.
Replacing the receiver he looked at the men on the other side of the screen,
"Someone'll take you to see a place.
"A flat?
"Yes a flat, two hundred and ten pounds a week yes.
The man looked at his companion and said something in their own language, after a brief exchange he looked at Bailey and nodded his head.
Picking up the kettle and heading for the sink Bailey shouted,
"Four weeks rent deposit, plus four weeks in advance, he looked to emphasise "One thousand, six hundred and eighty pounds up front.
The man nodded,
"We will look.
While the kettle boiled Bailey wondered how long they'd been around,
"What trade you in?
The man shrugged,
"We can do anything, but I am mostly plumber and plaster, he waved his arm as if rendering, Bailey nodded showing he understood, "and my brother, he electrician and carpenter.
"Carpenter, really, I might have a little job for you in the morning, how long have you been over here? The men looked nonplussed, "you know, how long you been in England.
"Oh, the semi English speaking one nodded his head in understanding, "me about three months, him two and his girl, she just join us.
"I, Bailey pointed at his chest for emphasis, "might have small job for you in the morning.
"For me, work?
"Yes, just small job.
The man nodded his head understanding.
At that moment the door opened and a small Indian appeared.
"Harri, come here, what car you in?
"I'm in a van Bill, white one with blue writing down the side.
Bailey pointed towards the door,
"Go and wait outside,
"Outside, one parroted.
"Yes wait by the white van.
As soon as they left Bailey dropped his voice.
"Listen Harri, I want you to show them round the top floor flat at 62 Palmerstone Street, but take a long route there yeah, they don't want to live round here, that's close enough to the edge, take a few side roads as if you're out the area, you know what to do.
Taking the keys the Indian nodded his head,
"Okay Bill.
"I'll sort you when you get back okay.
Returning his attention to the young boy sat in the reception he smiled,
"Sorry to keep you waiting son, I've been thinking and I've got an ideal place down on Jackson Street. Studio flat, you know, got your own bathroom.
The boy smiled, nodding his head.
"Come on, I'll take you there meself.
