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During WW2 my ship was in Bombay "Mumbia" India.

 

Referring to my article "A Loner" I kept strictly to the rule and if ever I got into trouble it was usually due to my own misjudgement or naivete of the situation.

 

A fellow shipmate approached me. "Have you been to Bombay before Will?"  "No" "I have, I can show you around." I hesitated not wanting to break my "Loner" rule. He was a Liverpudlian, in other words someone born and raised in Liverpool UK. A very happy person easy to get on with. My strict rule was never to go out with gangs, but in this case being only one person I accepted.

 

He took me on a tour, and we had lunch, and then carried on into a very poor area except for one grand looking building which resembled a church with several spires." perhaps an art gallery I thought or government building." but he was well ahead of me obviously eager to get inside.

 

The main entrance was immense with a large sweeping staircase leading to the first floor. By this time, he was half way up the stairs calling me to follow him. Obviously has something special to show me I thought.

 

He opened one of the doors and literally ran inside. By the time I walked into the room he was sitting on a young girl's lap amongst others lounging in easy chairs or on sofas.

 

Yes, it was a brothel.

 

Before I had time to react the door closed behind me with a bang, and there were 2 heavy looking gentlemen, obviously there to take the cash. Before I had time to react, another loud noise of running feet coming up the stairs.

 

The two heavies ran out leaving the door open. I followed. It was the Military Police raiding the place. I passed them on the stairs as fast as my legs would carry me.

 

The Liverpudlian eventually arrived back on board. He had a sheepish look on his face.

" What the hell did you do that for I asked?"

 

His only remark "I thought you would like it"

 

Needless to say, it was rigidly back to my "Loner" persona