She saw him come each night and take a different girl up the stairs. He never asked for her. For some reason this both irritated and pleased her. Meggy wasn't sure why she had mixed feelings about it but when Adelaide came down after being with him, she wanted to explode.

"Oh, me God! He is so... oh so... fit." Adelaide giggled. "And... well built." She fanned herself with her hand, flung her head back and smiled. "I don't know if I'll be able to work for the rest of the week." She giggled again and looked at Meggy. "He mustn't like blondes. He's had us all except you."

Sue Lin joined in with Adelaide's taunting. "Yes, we all dark hair."

"Yeah..." Beatrice nodded a form of agreement and had a puzzled look on her face. "I wonder why that is?" She pinned Meggy with her gaze.

"Him might know Meg don't kiss. Him berry kissy man." Kim Lee laughed.

"I would nae want him anyway after he's been with you lot," Meggy scowled. "Never know what I might catch." She stormed off and went into the back room wondering why she felt so angry.

Beatrice touched her shoulder and spun Meg around. "Who is he, Meggy? You know him, don't you? That's why you didn't want him that first night and why he doesn't come anywhere near you."

Chewing on her finger nail, Meggy burst into tears. "He... he's someone I knew for a time in Scotland, the first man who treated me like a person. He's the reason I immigrated." She wiped her face and took a large breath of air. "He's the reason why I wanted to change me life. I met him twice and only bedded him once but he told me nice things... things that made me think about what I really wanted so I tried tae find a new life." She gulped back tears. "I didn't know he was here. I didn't know that he came to Australia."

Beatrice put her arms around Meggy and cradled her.

Sobbing into Beatrice's shoulder, Meggy continued, "He came tae see me a few days ago at Missus Gray's. He said he'd take me to Irvinebank. That he'd help me get a new life. That I'd find a man who'd have me." Meggy raised her head to see Beatrice smiling.

"Well, what are you crying for? Any woman would have him, Meggy. Go with him."

"He has a fiancé."

"Oh..." Beatrice frowned. "So, he doesn't want you. Just wants to take ya with him?"

"Yeah." Meg nodded and folded her arms. "He says I can cook and clean. He has two lads and when I get on my feet, like meet someone, I can go. He'll probably be married before then. I don't know what ta do."

"Go, Meggy." Beatrice smiled warmly and touched her cheek. "What harm could it do? If it doesn't work out you can always come back. You might meet someone nice. It's the chance you've wanted." She sighed, tilted Meggy's chin upwards and focused on her eyes. "Meggy, you haven't been bringing in much money anyway. Bill was wantin' me to have a word with you. Since that sailor. Well... I can't blame you but Johnny Hanrahan once a week and a couple of others ain't really covering Bill's costs to keep you."

Meggy fiddled with her fingers and gulped a breath of air. "So ya think I should go?"

"Yes, I do."

*

When they returned to the bar Lucan was laughing and playing Fan Tan. Meggy decided not to tell him of her decision, in case things didn't turn out.

Johnny was there and waved at her from across the room. Meggy thought about what Bee said. It was true. The beating from the sailor had made it difficult for her to approach strangers and for some reason having Lucan here every night made her uncomfortable so she hadn't made an effort. She went over to say hello to Johnny. He was close to being her best friend. When she was with him it wasn't always sex. Sometimes he just wanted to talk and because of this he knew more about her than anyone else. He deserved to know she was going to leave.

Johnny kissed her cheek and ran his hand down her back. "How are ya, honey?"

Smiling, Meggy put her arms around his neck. "You want to spend some time with me tonight, Johnny?"

He laughed, wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her feet off the floor. "Course I do, Meggy. Stay with me a bit. I want a game of cards. You can be my good luck charm."

"I'm nae sure I'm a good luck charm, Johnny." Meggy giggled.

"Get us another drink would ya, Meg?" He held his glass out to her and winked.

Lucan watched their exchange. He had come every night but this was the first time he had seen her be touched or touch a man. His head pounded with the idea that he didn't like it. He took a deep breath and told himself how stupid that sounded. This was Meggy's life. He'd used her in the same way as most of the men in this bar had. She meant nothing more to him than someone who had been kind to him and once that night was over, he hadn't thought of her again. He shifted uncomfortably on his chair. Now, it seemed, she was all he thought of.

"You in, Mister?" the Tan Kun asked.

Lucan looked from Meggy and at the man. He shook his head and got up to let another play. He leaned up against the wall and watched as Meggy sat on this man's lap. A tight feeling gripped the pit of his stomach. He moved his weight from one foot to the other and ran his hand through his hair. Every time he looked away the feeling of anxiety drove his eyes back in her direction. Lucan had thought of paying for her like he had the rest but she had refused the first day he approached her. He didn't think it would be right in case she chose to come with him to Irvinebank.

*

Johnny won. He kissed Meggy on the neck. "Come on, Meg. It's you and me," he said, and then led her up the stairs.

It was hard, knowing Lucan was watching her. Meggy pushed her hair behind her ear and diverted her eyes. He made her feel ashamed of what she was about to do. She didn't understand why she felt like that, after all, he knew what she was.

Tension had Lucan clenching his fists as he watched her being led up the stairs. Every step she took was in slow motion, her ankles showing as each foot rose to the next tread. She leaned against the man's arm and lifted her hand to push her hair behind her ear. He wanted to grab hold of her, tell her he didn't want her to do this, tell her how angry he felt. Lucan stepped towards them.

Kim Lee slipped in front of him. "You want woman? You have me two night ago. You want me gain?"

Looking down at her, Lucan remember two nights ago thinking she looked interesting and found her desirable but now... what... nothing came to mind and if anything, she repulsed him. He looked toward the stairs and saw the hem of Meggy's skirt dance, and then it disappear out of sight.

"What you say, Mista?"

All Lucan could think was, she wasn't Meggy. That Meggy was going up the stairs with another man. Meggy's hips swaggering, her hair bouncing on her shoulders, her amber eyes and delicate hands. Hands that would touch another. Lucan felt suddenly sick, he shook his head at Kim Lee, pushed past her, rushed outside and vomited in the street.

"Fuck, Mista you need to learn to handle your drink."

Lucan ignored the passer-by's comment. He sat in the gutter with his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands as he sucked in deep breaths. What the fuck was going on with him? This was how she lived. He must be mad. He hadn't thought of this woman since he'd used her and now that he'd seen her again, spoken to her twice, he was consumed by her. Why...? He screamed silently, and then laughed at himself. At least his worry about Lillian had left him and for the first time in days he thought about her again. If this woman Meggy could consume his thoughts and body so quickly he had to end it with Lillian.

Lucan got up and made his way to The Railway Hotel. He lay on his bed and thought of Meggy with another. Anger stirred in him again. Lucan knew he had to take her away from this life and wondered what he would do if she didn't come to the train. One thing he knew for certain, he wouldn't go back to The Crown because he couldn't bear to see her go with other men.

*

"Meggy you're me good luck charm," Johnny said as he undid her skirt an let it drop to the floor.

She pulled her blouse over her head, lay naked on the bed and waited for Johnny to undress. He kissed her neck, breasts and face. Meggy stroked his cheek, and then kissed him on the lips.

Johnny pulled back and stared at her. "Meg?"

"I want to kiss you tonight," she whispered.

"Why?"

"Johnny, I'm leaving." Meggy touched him tenderly. "This will be our last time together. I want it to be special." She felt a warm tear run down her face.

He sat upright. "No... Meg, you can't."

"Johnny you're my best friend." She bit on her lip and pulled him back down on the bed. "You know how I hate this life. I have a chance of a better life so I'm going tae take it. It might not work but I have to try." Tears rolled down her cheeks. "A man I knew has come ta town. I'm going with him to look after his bairns. He's going to get married but he says I might meet someone nice."

"What man?"

"Someone I knew in Scotland. I didn't know he came to Australia."

"Where are you going?"

"I'll nae tell you, Johnny." Meggy sighed. "I want to start a fresh. Please understand."

He nodded and lay down on his back with his hand across his forehead. "What'll I do without ya, Meg?"

She caressed his chest. "You'll be all right, Johnny and you'll have more money in ya pocket."

He laughed, rolled over completely and kissed her fully on the lips.

Who thinks the love bug might have bitten Lucan? ♥

Please forgive Lucan for his infidelity.  It's been a long time between drinks. 😉

I'm so glad Meggy has decided to go with him and get out of this hell hole.

Photo - gibson-girl by Charles Dana Gibson - Darvills Rare Prints