Chapter Forty-One: Alex

Chapter Forty-One

Alex

20th November

Turns out it’s not that easy finding a place in London. We’ve been trying for the last month but every time we think we’ve found somewhere that’s the right price (cheap) and the right size (basically not a postage stamp) someone’s got in before us with references and deposit. It’s a full-time job trying to find somewhere, and we’re all trying to juggle college work, agency shifts, and being in the same place at the same time. But I think at last we’ve done it.

The flat in Stockwell seems tiny compared to Albany Road. We take a final look at it as the letting agency guy stands in the hallway. The whole flat is approximately the size of the kitchen and dining room at Albany Road. The windows look out over a landscape that’s grey and depressing. I give myself a shake, reminding myself that it’s pissing down with rain on a gloomy November afternoon, and anywhere would look miserable under those circumstances.

‘Everyone happy?’ The estate agent does a sort of shuffling motion, bobbing his head. He’s wearing a shiny grey suit and smells of Lynx Africa. It reminds me of school changing rooms.

‘Yep.’ I look at the boys and we all nod.

‘Excellent.’ He puts out a hand. ‘Let’s shake. I like to shake on a deal.’

We all go through the motions. I suppress a yawn, because I’m exhausted after working a night shift.

‘Assuming your references work out okay, you three can be in just before Christmas.’

We’re going to be working shifts, so the fact that the sitting room is the size of a cupboard is a minor detail. It’s pretty unlikely we’ll ever be in the room at the same time.

We all stand and watch as the letting agency guy – who’s probably only twenty-one, at most – wanders back to his little car, branded with the name of the agency. He’s already on the phone, organising his next deal. He gets in and drives off, giving us a wave as he passes.