Getting a Life (New City Series Book 1)

by Simpson, Stefanie

  “Come home and look after mum for me. She needs the help, and I would be easier knowing that there was someone who really cared about her looking out for her. As long as she’s happy, I don’t care. I’ll pay you a wage. Please, for mum.”

  “I don’t like being manipulated.”

  “I’m not, come with me, you’ll see her, I’m not lying. We still have all your things.”

  “Okay, but I need to finish my shift and give notice.” She didn’t trust how kind he was being, she would never trust him again, but for Alice, she would go.

  “Rebecca, you can go sweetie, I understand.” Mandy smiled her big red-lipped smile, and patted Rebecca’s arm.

  “Thanks Mandy, I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done for me.”

  “You’re welcome, we all need help now and then.”

  Rebecca didn’t speak when they got in the car. He hadn’t realised she had fallen asleep as they drove to Little Lane.

  “Rebecca.”

  She sat forward and rubbed her face.

  “Ready to get your stuff?”

  “I need to give the landlord notice.”

  “Don’t worry about that. Come on.”

  “No. I can manage.”

  “I’m going to help you.” She blushed, knowing what he’d see. The hallway inside stank of piss and they walked up the three flights of stairs to her bedsit.

  A single mother, Kate came out when she heard Rebecca. Together they commiserated over their lot in life, Kate was sweet, and they both supported each other in avoiding the landlord.

  “Everything okay?” Kate eyed the man with her as she bounced a baby on her hip.

  “It’s fine, this is Mr Hulston.”

  “Is it?” she looked at him like he was shit.

  “It’s okay, I’m going back.”

  “You’re leaving?”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “No, one of us should get out of here.” Rebecca held the baby one last time. Arthur watched her coo over the little boy as he grabbed her hair. He smiled, a knot in his chest.

  She left Kate and showed Arthur in. He looked about in horror.

  Music pulsed through the floor. She packed in record time.

  “This isn’t legal.”

  “No one cares, they can do what they like because it’s only the poor that are affected. It’s what rich people do, make more money and make others suffer.”

  “Is that what you think of me?”

  “No, your reputation is excellent.” He looked around, half annoyed. He couldn’t really blame her.

  “Would you mind if I give these things to my friend, she has less than I do, and she has a kid.”

  “Sure.” They took over the linens, duvet, and kitchen supplies, what was left of her cereal and milk, her teabags, all the things she had spent all her time being able to afford to buy.

  She took the vacuum over last.

  “Are you sure?” Kate eyed it, hers barely worked.

  “Absolutely, you have my number.”

  The timing of Mike, the landlord, was perfect.

  “Ms Silverton, see you’ve got a gentleman friend there,” he looked Arthur up and down. “You know I can’t support any funny business going on here.”

  Mike’s eyes said otherwise. Every time she came home, he slunk out of his flat and office on the ground floor, and came up to see if they ‘needed a hand’. He was a revolting greasy creature.

  “Your insinuation and public accusation of my being a prostitute is offensive, but seeing as there are so many of them in your flats, it must be difficult for you to remember who’s who, when you visit them. Unannounced.” Kate had vanished.

  The two men looked at each other. Mike calculating the wealthy man, and Arthur calculating the pervert.

  “I’m ready Mr Hulston.”

  “Hulston?” avarice lit Mike up. “And where are you going?”

  “Leaving this shithole.” Rebecca stomped off, and Arthur picked up the rest of her things.

  “You can’t leave, you’ll not get your deposit back, you need to give notice.”

  “You’re a slum landlord.” Arthur owned the whole landing, his body language, tone, and presence just filled it up. Rebecca turned on the stairs and looked at him. “Your flats violate about fifty laws. If you have any notion of what’s good for you, you’ll stop harassing your female tenants, or you might find the police taking a rather keen interest in you and your business affairs.”

  Arthur picked up the case and holdall, and Rebecca threw her key on the ground.

  Her anger and courage was spent by the time they reached the car. She’d half expected it to be stolen, there were a few kids on bikes taking a keen interest in it, but they were harmless.

  She sat on the leather seat and relaxed. Quiet again, hands on lap.

  Arthur wasted no time and did a one eighty and left.

  “Are you okay, did he hassle you?”

  “Me and anything with…”

  “What?”

  “Never mind.”

  “What were you going to say?”

  She huffed. “Tits.”

  He smiled, but it fell quickly. “I’m sorry. I thought you had some money.”

  “I did. When I had a decent job, I invested it, nearly all of it. I can’t touch it for five years. I thought that was wise. They had talked about giving me a permanent position. In five years, I might be settled enough to buy another house. Or at least have enough for when…”

  “When what?”

  “One of the men will get out soon, but the really dangerous one in three maybe.”

  “Will you tell me what happened?”

  “No.”

  “Well, what happened to the guy from February?”

  “He was out on licence, he’s in prison again.”

  “Are you…are you okay?”

  “I try not to think about it. I mean it could have been worse. I was lucky that the security guard the size of a bulldozer was there. To be honest, I haven’t had time to think about it, too busy staying afloat.”

  He pulled into his mother’s drive and paused before getting out.

  “I always thought of myself as a good man, like my father. But it seems like I’m not who I thought. You are vulnerable, and you don’t have many people and I let you down. I did. You’re very sweet, noble, and brave. Mum loves you.”

  She cleared her throat trying to relax it.

  “Mr Hulston, thank you for bringing me back, but I don’t want your pity, I’m not a charity project. I don’t want anything from you really. I’d rather not. I’m shit. I know it, it’s what I’ve been all my life, and nearly everyone lets me know about it. I’ve fooled some people into thinking I’m better, but you and I both know. You saw it from the off. Being around someone like you only serves to make me feel worse. I’m not normally this able to be open, but I’m so tired and hungry that I just don’t care anymore. I’ll be there for your mum, I’ll take the wage, because what else am I going to do? But I am your employee and no more.”

  She got out and he followed suit. He took her bags and she followed him in.

  He didn’t speak, but he looked upset.

  “Mum, I have a surprise for you.”

  Rebecca cautiously followed him in. Alice was in her spot, feet up. She looked frail and smaller.

  “What is it…” She saw Rebecca, and gave a little cry. “You found her.”

  Rebecca grinned and embraced Alice.

  “Oh my girl.” Alice cried.

  “It’s okay, I’m okay. I promise, it’s okay. I’m home.”

  “Rebecca’s going to stay and help you. No one better, right?”

  Arthur took the cases up.

  “You left your necklace.” He was holding it when she joined him.

  “Yeah, I didn’t think I should take it.”

  “Why do you do that? Why do you feel the need to close off and refuse anything from anyone?”

  “In my life no one gives you something without
wanting in return. I don’t generally trust people.”

  He held it out to her, and she reluctantly took it.

  “Tell you what, I’ll order a big fat take away…”

  “I don’t have any money.”

  “Just let me buy it for you, I’ll prove I want nothing in return. I’m sorry for letting you down in the past. I won’t again.”

  “You don’t owe me anything.”

  He stepped a little closer and looked down into her eyes. “I do.” He smiled sadly at her and left. She had forgotten how good he smelled, how handsome he was.

  She took a shower and changed.

  She only ordered one thing, cheapest she could, but he ordered loads, and kept offering her spring rolls and more noodles.

  She took it, she was so hungry she quashed her pride and scoffed. She didn’t care that he was laughing at her.

  Rebecca could see the change in Alice, she struggled more, in everything. Not that she was ill, but it was age and worry catching up, worry she had caused.

  She went to bed, making sure Alice was all right, seeing for herself how she struggled. Rebecca helped her get changed, and she brushed out her hair and re-plaited it.

  “I’m so glad Arthur found you.” Alice looked up through the mirror to Rebecca, brush in hand.

  “Me too. I was miserable, and I missed you.”

  “I was so angry with him.”

  “He was very kind.”

  “He feels terrible you know.”

  “I know. I shouldn’t have left like that. I’m so sorry.” Rebecca paused.

  “You can tell me.”

  “It’s just that sometimes he makes me uncomfortable. I know what I am, and he’s this stalwart pillar of the community, he makes me feel less than I already do, and he doesn’t mean to, he just does.”

  “He is an impressive man. So like his father. Artie was a stoic silent man. He loved Arthur and me but he didn’t really say it, or most people wouldn’t see how he showed it, once you knew him though, you’d know it by a look, or he’d do something sweet. Impossibly romantic. He died when Arthur was seventeen. He’s been distant ever since. Until you came to me. Arthur came to see you as much he did me you know.”

  “No he didn’t.”

  “I know my son, he did. I’m closer to him now than I have been for years. Thank you.” She reached back with her frail hand and squeezed it. Rebecca blinked back her tears.

  She had a long hot bath, the nice white bathroom was luxury, and she relaxed into the bubbles. She thought about her day and couldn’t believe it. She’d have to ring the office and tell them she wasn’t going back.

  She thought over everything that Arthur had said to her. She didn’t want to like him, she wanted to be angry and resentful, but he had given her a second chance, and she would hold onto it. It was too late to be guarded around him, she already had feelings for him, even if she was nothing to him, she’d just have to get over it.

  The following week, when Arthur came with the shopping, and to stay for dinner, he was alone. Alice shelled peas in the kitchen while Rebecca flitted about. A tray of muffins sat cooling on the side. It was a warm day with a light breeze, and with the window open, the smell of cooking and cakes wafted through the house.

  Rebecca whispered. “Where’s Victoria?”

  Alice gave her a pointed look. “Not been here in weeks.” She shrugged.

  Arthur stood in the doorway after fetching all the shopping in.

  The site of Rebecca in the kitchen with his mother on a warm May day made him feel that warm tightness in his chest again. He made to take a muffin as he set a bag on the side and she told him off.

  “Don’t you dare!”

  He gave her a mournful expression that made her blush and she sighed. “Fine.”

  He picked it back up, leant in, took a huge bite, and moaned. He winked at his mum and she laughed.

  Rebecca started to put the groceries away.

  “Right peas are done, what else.”

  “Um…sit there and look gorgeous, oh, you’re already doing that.” Alice shook her head at Rebecca. Arthur watched them feeling relaxed for the first time in months. His mother was happy again, and Rebecca was safe.

  Not knowing had weighed in on them both. It felt right her being there, and cold without her. He needed to take care around her, she was fragile, but still he was drawn to her, and with her being back, all he wanted was to pull her close to him.

  Rebecca moved to go upstairs when she dished up.

  “Stay, please.” She looked disconcerted at the request, but with them both looking at her she sat with them.

  “I wanted to talk to you about something. I kept thinking about where you were living, and your friend, Kate. I went back, and spoke with her. Apparently, the landlord has been making things difficult for her. So, I spoke with the housing officer, and the police, and an investigation has begun into him. I’ve found Kate another flat, somewhere nearby, it’s safe, clean, pervert free. She can still afford to live there.

  “She told me she wants to do health and social care. I got her a place on a course at the adult education centre. She’s going to be okay.”

  Rebecca could have cried. He was a good man really. She wasn’t special to him, she was charity, just like Kate.

  “That’s really kind, thank you. I’ve been worried about her.” She didn’t know what else to say.

  They sat in the living room after dinner, Alice took up her knitting again, though she was slower.

  “Won’t you read?”

  “Oh, no, Arthur doesn’t want to hear me reading.”

  “Depends what it is.” He sat relaxed, a glass of wine in hand.

  “Well, we started Pride and Prejudice, but we only got half way through.”

  He smiled. “Carry on.” He put his feet up.

  Rebecca was far too self-conscious, but she read. She felt Arthur watching her the whole time. Forever after that, in her mind, she pictured Arthur as Mr Darcy. It was oddly fitting, tall and dark, a formidable man. It was Arthur down to a tee.

  Arthur watched as every few pages Rebecca stopped reading and they discussed a scene, or a conversation. No wonder they hadn’t finished it.

  He looked at his watch. It was late.

  “I should get going. Goodnight mother.” He kissed her papery cheek, and as he stood, he smiled at Rebecca. She didn’t respond other than a quiet murmur.

  She helped Alice upstairs after he was gone.

  “He likes you.”

  “Alice, don’t. He doesn’t, he just feels bad.”

  “You like him too.”

  “No.”

  “Liar.”

  She pursed her lips and said nothing.

  Arthur had an employment contract drawn up, with the salary and conditions. Personal Assistant. She gasped at the salary.

  “This is too much, it’s more than my administrative job.”

  “You’re worth it, mum’s worth it.”

  “I can’t…”

  “Look, I want to do this properly, for your sake. You’ll be one of my employees, and I’m good to my workforce. You have the same rights and protections as they do, which you should have. That’s what I pay my assistant. It’s a standard contract. You get annual leave, the whole shebang.”

  “I’m happy to have the contract, but the salary is ridiculous. I know you feel responsible for me…”

  “I am. Just take it.”

  “Fine, minus the rent then.”

  “You’re not paying rent.” He was starting to lose his temper, and she was starting to find hers. She was far too stubborn for her own good. He took a breath. “Please. For mum.”

  “You can’t keep guilting me into things by bringing her into it.”

  “Does it work?” he smiled and she shook her head.

  “Fine.”

  “Good.” She signed and he put it in his satchel.

  The few warm weeks of May turned into a little heatwave in June. Everyone complained and knew it
wouldn’t last.

  It was too hot for Alice. It was too hot for Rebecca too, but they both wanted to make the most of it. Alice joked she wished she could go to the seaside, she had loved to go when Arthur was little. She told her all about his little bucket and spade, and his determination to build a little city of castles.

  Her face wrinkled in joy and pride. It gave her an idea.

  Rebecca went out early, and bought a few supplies. It was nice not to have to worry about spending a few quid here and there. She flip-flopped her way round the giant supermarket with a trolley at eight o’clock in the morning, large sunglasses in place, wearing shorts and a t-shirt. She carried her bags back to the bus station, but passed a nice strip of shops on the way.

  She found herself a swimming costume in a boutique on sale, it was red and white in a fine stripe, with a halter sweetheart neck. The legs were low-cut, and it was backless. She fell in love with it.

  Altogether, she picked up some wedge sandals, a blow up children’s paddling pool, and a large box of ice creams, along with a few other things.

  She was back before eleven, and inflated the pool, set up the large umbrella at the table, and put two of the long unused sun loungers from the garage in the shade.

  She made margaritas, and set up a picnic. It took all afternoon, and she waited until three, when the worst of the heat would pass, before taking Alice out to the makeshift holiday.

  She changed into her suit, with a cream cover up she found in a charity shop.

  Alice laughed when Rebecca led her out. They put their feet into the pool, and Rebecca put the radio on. She shifted her lounger to the sun, and put her sunscreen on and relaxed back. Alice had her large sunglasses on, and a wide brimmed white hat. She splashed her feet back and forth in the water, and sipped her drink.

  They’d both be dozing in an hour.

  They talked a little, Rebecca loved hearing stories of when Arthur was a boy, and of Arthur Snr. She reached over to put her empty glass on the table when Alice beamed and called to Arthur.

  Rebecca closed her eyes and nearly died.

  He couldn’t take his eyes from her. She looked so good. He blinked at the sunny vision before him.

  “Ladies.”

  “What brings you by dear?” Arthur kissed his mother’s cheek, and tried not to stare at Rebecca.

  “I had a meeting not far, so I thought I’d pop in. Is this what you get up to when I’m not here?”