Well I tried and failed today – but surprisingly I’m not down-hearted, I haven’t given up. I know where she works and I’m on the right track, I just need to be patient now. That’s been a problem for a large part of my life, I’m just too impatient. I don’t see things through properly. I’ll keep going now though.
The Icarus Gym is tucked away in a stately street, just off Piccadilly (very Bertie Wooster territory). I’d printed out the address, but even then I had to take a moment outside to convince myself I had the right place. This is such an exclusive gym that it doesn’t need to advertise itself to the world (thinking about it, I’m amazed they have any kind website). The marble facade and simple plaque on the door are discretion itself, it could be any high-scale private client law-firm, or upmarket doctor.
Nervously I climbed the steps and had my one moment of luck. The door opened and an overweight gentleman in a really good suit came out (he had a goatee and a fixed stare, so I put him down as some kind of wannnabe obligach). Rather than stand on the street, pressing the intercom, trying to explain to some disembodied voice what I wanted, I was able to just catch the door and go in.
The receptionist stared up at me a little nonplussed – people don’t just walk in there from the street – but she managed a smile.
“Can I help you?” she asked.
“Yes, I’m here to see Katie Price.”
Her eyebrow raised. “And do you have an appointment?”
“Not as such,” I started to say.
She cut me off, her tone suddenly like ice.
“Are you a member, sir?” she demanded.
“Well the thing is...”
She repeated her question, harder and colder than before.
“No, not as such.” I was forced to concede.
Her face had changed so much that it looked inconceivable she could even wear a smile.
“I’m afraid this gym is only for members, sir, so I will have to ask you to leave. I can explain the membership requirements to you if you like, but I can only do it over the phone.”
“Look I only need to see her for five minutes.”
“No, sir. This gym is only for members.”
There was no point continuing the debate. Her entire demeanour was such that to prolong it for even a matter of seconds would clearly see a man with more muscles than I could possibly imagine come out and escort me from the premises.
My tail tucked away between my legs, I went.
I must admit that there was a brief moment of depression when I re-emerged onto the street, but it passed. Before yesterday I had nothing, but now I had the full name and work address of one of Alison’s friends. What did it matter if I couldn’t see her actually within the gym? She’d have to come out some time.
Except she didn’t. I stood hidden away at a corner – stamping my feet to keep warm this cold January day – but she never appeared. Somehow I missed her, I don’t understand how that happened.
I’ll be back tomorrow though.
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