by Diane Ezzard
Her eyes widened as she took out the stunning diamond ring and gasped. It made me grin. That was the response I hoped for. She slowly placed it on the third finger of her left hand.
“Oh Randy, it’s perfect.” She held her arm out, tilting her hand, then she cocked her head as she viewed the diamonds from every angle.
“This must have cost you a pretty penny.” She looked up at me. I winked at her.
“You’re worth it.” That was an understatement. She could run my business blindfold. She took no nonsense from anyone and she was my best friend.
“So is this what I think it is?” she asked
“You’ve been going on about it for long enough.”
“Get down on one knee then.”
“Are you joking?”
“No, get over here and on your knees.” I smiled. She took hold of my left hand and swung me around the side of the desk. I got down on my knee and put my free hand up her skirt. She clipped my ear.
“Randy, you dirty sod. Say it.”
“Say what?” I laughed raucously.
“You know, say it.”
“Georgia, will you be my missus?” She put her hands on her hips and gave me one of her looks.
“That’s not very romantic but if it’s the best you can do, then I accept but there are conditions.”
“Oh?” Nothing surprised me with Georgia.
“One, stop taking your pick of the other girls.”
“Sure, I can do that.” I’d have to be more careful in future on that score.
“Two, let me stop seeing clients and just oversee the girls.” I nodded.
“I’ll agree to that. Is there anything else?”
“One more thing, make me a 50/50 partner in the business.”
I blew out. I knew she’d drive a hard bargain.
“70/’30 and that’s my final offer.” She did a good job for me and she was worth it but I could tell from the look on her face she wasn’t giving up.
“60/40. You're not getting away that lightly.” I put my hands up in the air and looked up at the ceiling. There were still pockets of money here and there that Georgia didn’t know about. I knew I would be able to keep them from her.
“I accept, boss.” She held out a hand to shake mine. I reciprocated, shaking my head.
“Now get out of here and get some work done.” I smacked her backside as she got up. It made a change for one of my members of staff to be happy. I upset most of them. The phone rang, and I waved her out the room.
“Hello,” I answered. It was Mikey, the manager from the scrap yard I owned.
“Yo, how you doing, bruv?”
“What can I do for you, Mikey?”
“It’s one of the security cameras, boss. It’s been smashed. We think we know who it was, but we wondered what you wanted us to do about it.”
“WTF,” I smashed my hand down on the table. Some of my staff had the brains of imbeciles.
“Are you stupid or what,” I continued.
“What do you mean?” Mikey’s tone sounded like he was taken aback by my outburst.
“Surely I don’t have to nursemaid you. Get it sorted,” I shouted.
“So, shall we get a new camera?”
“Yes.” I threw the account book across the room. “You don’t need me to tell you what to do.”
“What if it wasn’t who we think it was?”
“Rough ‘em up a bit, anyway. It won’t do ‘em any harm. They’ll know they can’t mess with Randy’s crew.”
“Okay, thanks, Randy.” He put the phone down in haste. Another call came in straight after.
“What do you want, Woz?”
“Just wanted to let you know you won’t be getting any hassle from the Peking Duck anymore.”
“At last, that’s good to hear. He’s finally come to his senses as he, old Chin Lee.”
“Yeah, he’s not looking so pretty at the moment.” We both laughed.
“That’s good news. Catch you later, Woz.”
“Bye boss.” I ended the call and sighed. It wasn’t always easy running the many strands of my business. There was always small stuff to sweat over. I decided I’d have an early night after sorting out the takings. I sent Georgia a text asking her to do the same.
We deserve a treat tonite G. I’ll put a bottle of Moet on ice and I’ll be waiting. Don’t be late. U can knock off early on the boss’s say so x
My phone pipped straightaway.
Nice one R xx
I smiled to myself. I was in for a good night tonight.
The following morning I woke with a banging head. It was almost eleven but then Georgia and I hadn’t gone to bed until the early hours and when we did go, she was insatiable. She wore me out. I didn’t think she’d have had any energy left, but that girl has a lot of stamina. She was already up and out spending my hard earned money on retail therapy. I had a lazy morning. I put on my monogrammed dressing gown and made a move.
Pattering across the wooden floor of the bedroom, I made my way into the kitchen and turned on the coffee machine. I picked up the mail then took my drink out on to the balcony. I had a great view of the whole of Manchester from my penthouse apartment. On a good day, I could see right over the Pennines but not today. It was dry but dull, just warm enough to sit outside.
I took a swig of my drink and opened the first envelope. The colour drained from my face as I read. I slowly placed my mug down.
“No, no, no!” I cried. “What have I done?” I grabbed hold of my hair and wanted to pull it out. I sat there in a daze for some time. Banging my fist on the table, I cried, “Shit, shit, shit.” I closed my eyes and prayed. I never pray. I never felt any guilt for the harm I caused to others. Most of them deserved what was coming to them but I had done something so bad, it was unforgivable, even in my thinking. I got out the whisky bottle and fixed myself a drink. Not being able to take my liquor, I was half cut by the time Georgia came back. I was still sat outside when I heard her calling from the hall.
“Hello, are you still here?” she shouted. I didn’t answer. She tottered in.
“What’s the matter?” she asked with a look of shock on her face at my appearance. She put her shopping down and walked up and put her hand on my arm.
“Randy, what’s got into you?” I brushed her off me, abruptly.
“Leave me alone.”
“Randy? What is it?” Her eyes opened wide, staring at me.
“Nothing.” I shook my head.
“Randy, don’t take whatever it is out on me.” Georgia put her hands on her hips. I frowned and gave her a look of disdain. She changed her tactics and her tone softened. She came and sat beside me.
“You always said a problem shared is a problem halved,” she said in a gentle voice.
“No, you won’t forgive me for this. Even I can’t forgive me for this.” A worried expression shot across her face.
“What, what is it, Randy?”
“No, I’m not telling you.”
“But you can’t leave it like this. You’ve got to tell me now.” Her voice and pitch both rose as she spoke.
“Just leave me alone, Georgia. I don’t want to discuss it.”
She picked the envelope up off the table.
“Leave that,” I shouted.
It was too late. She had already scanned the contents.
“OMG, what’s this?” Her mouth was wide open. There was no way I could wriggle out of what she had read.
“Did you know before?” she asked. I was annoyed with her interference.
“Do you really think I’d have… oh, it doesn’t matter.”
“Think you’d have what?” she wouldn’t let it go.
“It’s none of your business, woman. Now leave me alone.” I got up from the chair and moved to go to the bedroom. She got hold of my shoulder and tried to pull me back. I shoved her off, and she fell to the ground. I was in no mood for her at the moment. She deserved to hurt herself. She shouted, but I wasn’t listening.
> She got up and came at me again.
“I’m warning you, Georgia. Stay out of this. I won’t tell you again.” I gave her a look, and she knew I meant business and she backed towards the door.
“You’re too much Randy Sharples.” She stormed out of the room. I was just glad to see the back of her. I didn’t like my mind at the moment. I wasn’t sure what I was capable of doing in this state. I didn’t want to do anything else I might regret. It was okay to sort people out who deserved it but I would never live this down when it got out. I wanted out. This world was a sick place and the Big Man upstairs was playing a nasty cruel joke on me. The world was out to get me that was for sure and the way I felt right now, I thought it was going to win. I wasn’t sure how much more I could take. Everything seemed so pointless.
I swigged down my drink and poured some more whisky. Necking the full glass down in one, I shuddered and poured myself another.
Chapter 24
GEORGIA
Randy’s behaviour had gone downhill since that letter and but sadly the same happened with our relationship. If only he’d explained, I might have been able to talk to him about it but he kept everything to himself. He’d become more moody than usual. If I tried to broach the subject with him, he just bit my head off which was rich considering he was the one in the wrong. Randy went into a deep decline. He had always been moody in the past. I thought I coped with his mood swings well but this dark period was affecting me as well.
His businesses suffered because of his low mood. He seemed to lose interest in everything overnight. It wasn’t like him. Normally, he wanted to know the takings for all his businesses as soon as they were in but since he received that letter, he stopped caring. His “hands-on” approach had disappeared. I had to go out and keep an eye on everything, every night. Some of the guys were talking. They were getting suspicious, wondering where he was. I couldn’t tell them he was at home feeling sorry for himself, scoring, or whatever else he got up to.
I tried to keep up a front. As Randy’s fiancée, he gave me more responsibility. I managed the businesses, okay, but I didn’t like it. Without Randy there, I worried about the other gangs getting wind of it and taking over. We always ran a tight ship and Randy knew everything that was going down. He had his contacts who warned him of any problems. I doubted they’d be quite as keen to tell me.
If something didn’t change soon, we’d be in trouble. I had to cheer him up and get him back to work. Before I went to the club, I called in Ann Summers on Market Street and treated myself to some lingerie. Maybe this would help. I made my way to the till with a bright red and black body and suspenders. If this didn’t do the trick, then I didn’t know what would.
I walked through Manchester to the club and spent the evening there. We weren’t busy. I had a couple of drinks with Woz.
“How’s Randy, only he’s not returning my calls?” The sides of my mouth drooped, and I had to think for a few seconds. I didn’t want anyone thinking Randy had lost control. I tried to smile. I thought I would make a good actress.
“He’s gone down with flu or something. He’s got a bad chest infection. You know how much he smokes and he won’t go to the doctors, so it serves him right if he’s stuck in bed feeling sorry for himself. I’m sure he’ll be out and about soon.” I didn’t know if Woz believed me. It wasn’t a good enough excuse for Randy not to speak to Woz but it was the best I could come up with on the spot. I made a mental note to tell Randy to play up his coughing when he spoke to the lads.
I had messages from two of the girls concerning one of the punters they were worried about. Apparently, the guy’s behaviour was becoming more and more aggressive. Both girls mentioned he almost strangled them whilst having sex. This was not on. I tapped my foot as I considered what to do about it. I’d had words with the guy in the past, but he wasn’t cooling his behaviour.
I had to look after my girls. They took enough knocks as it was. Only last week, Kasia had been badly beaten and left for dead. She wouldn’t now be able to work for some time. Randy had to take back control and come down heavy on these guys. I’d tell him later when I got home. Maybe having something to do might bring him to his senses.
I arrived back at the apartment in the early hours. I pressed a single switch and all the lamps came on simultaneously. I turned the dimmer switch to subdue the lighting. Picking up the remote control for the sound system, I pressed play and was immediately comforted by the sounds of Mary J Blige. I fixed myself a gin and tonic and, kicking my shoes off, put my feet up on the sofa. The soles of my feet throbbed, and I rubbed them.
I sat there thinking for some time listening to the words of “I’m going down”. How poignant they were at the moment. The sound of the rain against the window was driving me insane. I felt alone. My man may not have deserted me in a physical sense, but emotionally he was not there for me at the moment. Finishing my drink, I made my way into our shared bedroom where Randy lay sleeping.
The lingerie would have to wait for another time. I took my black dress out of the wardrobe and hung it over the door frame. I brushed it down then, pushed the sliding door shut. A creature of habit, I always got my outfit out the night before, something I had done ever since my school days. Even when I wagged it, which was most of my school life, I still put up the pretence and wore my school uniform, all crisp and neat.
It was the funeral of Mia and Alfie the following day. Randy said he wouldn’t be attending, but he might live to regret it if he didn’t go. I lay awake worrying about him. Something had to change soon. I’d known him a long time, and I’d never seen him like this. I turned over and watched him as he lay sleeping. I wished I could get through to him.
I overslept the following day. I had taken a sleeping pill the night before because I was fed up with the restless nights. Big mistake. I only had time for a quick shower before I left. I swigged half a cup of coffee and threw on my jacket. A quick smidgen of lippy and I was out of the door.
I hadn’t been able to persuade Randy to come, so I travelled with a couple of the girls to Agecroft Cemetery. I never enjoyed going to funerals. I liked Mia before I found out about her sleeping with Randy. I knew in my game, I had to harden myself to the fact it was just sex. I was the one he came home to every night but it still hurt.
Most of the time I was a tough nut but knowing Alfie was Randy’s son, that he would never now meet him, never play football with him, never get to see him grow up. It set off a pang of pain inside my heart. If I felt like this, then goodness only knew what Randy was going through, especially if he had been involved in Alfie’s death. It was particularly bad seeing Alfie’s small coffin. It hit home, his young tender age. I didn’t want to pry too much into the accident plus the coroner recorded it as misadventure so maybe it was best to keep quiet.
I stood talking to the girls after the service ended, leaning against a tree. I got a sense of déjà vu when I spotted Sophie, the woman who had been asking questions about Randy. She smiled and waved over at me. I nodded and turned away. I hoped she wouldn’t come over. I didn’t think it would be good for her to ask too many questions at the moment. One of the girls nudged me and I swivelled round to see Sophie walking towards me. Just my luck. I decided to make a move myself in the hope of warding her off. I beckoned the girls that it was time we went. They followed me but Sophie ran up behind me.
“Georgia, can I have a quick word?”
“Not now, I’ve got to dash.” I ran out to the car. I turned to look back at her and she was stood there with her hands on her hips. The guy she was with, I felt sure I had seen him somewhere before.
Chapter 25
SOPHIE
I’d dropped Laura off at her parents after the attack. I didn’t think she would press charges against Charlie. The whole experience left me feeling fragile. We had both been taken in by him. However, something or someone had been watching over me and kept me safe from his clutches. I could so easily have got involved with him myself. I was glad now I li
stened to both Joyce and my own instincts. He may have got off with the murder but he was still a violent man who could not be trusted.
I phoned Joyce to tell her the news. I wanted to let Jack know, but I thought he would be with his girlfriend. I was seeing him the following day, anyway. We’d arranged to go to Mia’s funeral together.
I told him what happened on the way to the service.
“You should have phoned me,” he said. His expression looked pinched.
“I didn’t want to disturb you.” Jack shook his head.
“That’s what friends are for,” he exclaimed raising his arms in the air. I saw him grimace and I looked at his shoulder. He nodded.
“Yes, I suppose.” My heart fluttered as I thought about our relationship. I wanted more from him but I knew he wasn’t available I wasn’t going to make the mistake of taking someone else’s man again. I did that with Simon, my ex and it ended in disaster and got me in a lot of trouble.
The church organ was already playing as we took our places in the small chapel. The funeral was even sadder than Cassie’s had been, probably because there was a child involved. I was glad Jack had been able to accompany me to the service. I didn’t want to deal with grief on my own. Whilst I didn’t know Mia as well as Cassie, it was still very tragic.
We weren’t going on to the reception. I got a lump in my throat as I thought how Mia’s mum described her, a bubbly, fun-loving wild child. Alfie, she said had been doing well at nursery and was liked by everyone. There were many people from the meetings who had come to pay their respects to Mia and Alfie. We were continually nodding and saying hello to people we knew.
After the service, we circulated. Jack was outside in conversation with Joyce. I walked up to them and let them finish what they were saying. I smiled at Jack raising my eyebrows and tilting my head. He got the message and made his excuses to Joyce. We said our goodbyes then left, walking down the path together towards my car.
