Mark had followed her. His fury with Ashley for disappearing was only beaten by his anger with Rebecca for putting him in prison. He’d been caught driving a car he wasn’t insured, nor was he licenced to drive on the way to Chadford to look for her, and went back inside.
But after the phone call form Julie, his malice, and hope grew. He borrowed a mate’s car, and picked Julie up. She had watched the girl off in the distance as she followed her at a brisk walk, they followed the direction she went, and couldn’t find her.
He did spot a few girls coming and going from a small building on the main road where Ashley had run down, that was the last sight Julie had of her.
He pulled out his phone and searched the address. There was little online about it. It was odd. It took him a while to find anything out, but the name ‘Arc Support Foundation’ reappeared a couple times. A women’s charity. He sneered, and waited.
He only glimpsed a brunette as she dove into a taxi one morning with another woman. She sighed. He stank and needed to go home and shower, but he lit another cigarette and kept watching.
Ashley made it to the train, looking behind her the entire time, he hadn’t followed, but she couldn’t turn away.
“We’ll call the police when you’re on that train. It’s not the first time a man has tried to stalk one our girls.” Danni rubbed her arm and Ashley nodded.
The train station was busy, she gave the girl her ticket, and saw her onto the train. Ashley shook and waved goodbye. She felt the fear rise in her, but she held steady, gripping the seat for dear life.
Rebecca shuffled her feet, Arthur didn’t once let go of her hand. She had tears in her eyes already, but she focused on her breathing. She didn’t know how she would react to seeing Ashley again. Her heart kicked up as the train pulled in, and her stomach dipped. She looked out for the familiar face and hair, but she couldn’t see her. A pretty brunette appeared before her, and it took a minute to realise that it was Ashley. Gone were the cheap tacky clothes, gaunt patchy face, and haunted defeat. Here was a pretty healthy young woman, who started bawling as soon as Rebecca recognised her.
Rebecca pulled her into her arms, they both sobbed into each other, swinging from side to side. Rebecca finally pulled back.
“Ready?”
Ashley nodded, she couldn’t speak. Arthur took the girl’s backpack, and walked behind the two women, Ashley clung to Rebecca as they walked from the station. The look in her eyes was Rebecca’s when they first met. A wary fear, tired of the world. He hadn’t known that then, only recently when he found her again had that look gone, and when he held her, her eyes were happy and content.
Rebecca stayed with Ashley in the back of the car, she trembled and looked out the window, Rebecca calming her they whole time. When they pulled up at the house, and rambled up the gravel drive Ashley spoke.
“You live here?”
“Yes.”
“Fucking hell.” Rebecca laughed as she led the girl inside. She whistled as she watched Arthur turn off the alarm.
“Tea?”
“Please.” Rebecca led her into the den, and they settled in there.
Arthur came in with the tea and the cake Rebecca had made. Ashley watched him the whole time. He nabbed a slice and kissed Rebecca’s mouth.
“I’ll leave you to it, I’ll be in the office if you want me.”
Ashley didn’t miss the little sparkle in Rebecca’s eyes. They were silent for a beat as Rebecca handed her cousin some cake.
“You look happy.”
“I am. Arthur is wonderful.”
Ashley crinkled her nose. “Arthur though?”
Rebecca laughed. “It was his father’s name. People call him Art, I always call him Arthur, it seems to suit him.”
“He’s hot.”
“That he is. So, are we going to talk about it?”
Ashley told her everything. From the drugs and the parties, how they made her feel special, how they used her, how she was abused and hurt, how she had enough and made the change, because if Rebecca could do it she could. Rebecca listened, hand in Ashley’s, they cried together, understood together, and any lingering fear Rebecca had faded at the measures they took to get her away.
Rebecca stroked the auburn hair. “It looks red with the sun on it. It suits you.”
“I’m so sorry, I can’t put it right, what happened to you, I’m so glad you’re happy, you deserve it.”
“As do you. You’re safe.” They talked for a while, and Rebecca told her what had gone on in her life, told her all about Alice.
Arthur was reading when she found him.
“How is she?”
“Okay, I gave her the tour, showed her to her room. She doesn’t have a phone. I don’t think she’s up to anything. I believe her.”
“Good.”
“She got into bed and asked me to stay with her while she went to sleep, she’s exhausted.”
“How are you?”
She went into his arms, he held her, his warmth, and love was all she needed. “A little shaken, but okay.”
She kissed him, greedy little kisses that made him smile.
“What are we going to do?”
“I don’t know. We might have to delay our trip for little bit.”
“I know, it’s perfectly fine, she needs your help.”
She rested her head on his chest and he read to her, his voice made her purr and she fell asleep.
Ashley got up at dawn, she sat in her large room, nicer than anything she had ever known, a little agitated. She showered in the en suite, and went down stairs. Arthur was in the kitchen in workout clothes, sweat clung to him.
“Morning, how’d you sleep?” there was a warm affable way about him that put Ashley at ease, she knew he wouldn’t hurt her, and she relaxed.
“Really good, but I’m…”
“Strange house and all that?”
She smiled. He downed the smoothie he was holding and put the kettle on.
“I’m sorry to put you out.”
He gave her a little frown. “You haven’t, really. Rebecca doesn’t have many people, and neither do I, not really. It’s good for her to have you here, to put those things to rest. You’ll be fine, but I’d ask one thing of you, that’s all.”
“Okay.” Her body language changed.
“I don’t know you, and neither does Rebecca, so bear that in mind. If at any time you’re tempted to go back, to tell someone where you are, don’t. Stop. Don’t go online and let people know you’re here, don’t get in touch with someone from school, thinking it would be nice to catch up. No matter how hard.
“Rebecca has been through enough, and it’s taken her a long time to move on. I won’t have her dragged back, accidentally or not. I’m not trying to be unpleasant.”
“No, I get it. Really. You really love her don’t you?”
He grinned. “More than anything.”
A month passed of Ashley getting her feet. Arthur took them shopping, and bought her some clothes, she didn’t want charity, but Arthur insisted she have some decent clothes. She reluctantly gave in.
Ashley learnt her way round, settled in, and began to relax. When she knew that Arthur and Rebecca had delayed their trip for her, she felt terrible.
She watched them with a little jealousy, she was beginning to feel like a third wheel, and she had no friends, no job, nothing that she had earned for herself.
“Are you going to tell me what’s wrong?”
They were lying out in the garden, the sun was hot, and the smell of the barbeque wafted over to them.
“I’m bored. I know that sounds ungrateful, but…”
“You’re ready to re-enter the world?”
“Yes.”
“Good, I’ve been thinhing about that actually.”
“And?” Ash turned onto her side.
“I want you to meet my friends, I don’t have many, but they’ll be coming over in a bit.”
“What?” she sounded a little panicked.
/>
“Well, you need a bit of a push, and you said you want us to still go on our trip, and I’m not saying we’re going right now, but you need to find your own way, and I’m leaving you without a cushion of support. I know just the thing.”
“What?”
“Everyone likes something nice to look at.” She smiled. “But I warn you, Pete, is a bit of a sexy crumpet, it’s hard to not swoon. Don’t swoon, he’ll be on you like a fly on shit. He will shag everyone with a vag that’s willing. So, there’s that, I mean if you want to, fine, if you’re not ready for that, fine, but under all the flirty bullshit, he knows, he understands, more than most men could. He’ll take one look at you, and get it. When Arthur and I were apart, Pete was there for me, I could open up to him. He never told me of his life, but I get the feeling that it’s worse than what either of us have been through. You can trust him, just don’t take him at face value like everyone else. Fuck me, he flirts with everyone, he can’t help it, it’s like a defence mechanism.”
Ashley thought about it. “Who else?”
“Cressie is a genuinely sweet human being, not an ounce of nastiness in her. She and Pete are friends. Joe, is an old friend of Arthur’s. Run’s the little cinema I told you about. He’s great. It’ll be fine. You don’t have to be friends with them, but you know, can’t hurt to meet them.”
Ashley went inside and changed five times. She was getting used to her hair, even though it had lightened up a little.
She was nervous and fidgety.
Pete and Cressie both swore when they arrived. The house was impressive. They rang the bell. Arthur greeted and welcomed them. Arthur didn’t know what to make of Pete. He knew the guy had a thing for Rebecca, but she didn’t reciprocate, and Arthur wasn’t afraid that anything would happen. But he was her friend, she never said what it was about him that made them close until they were discussing what to do over Ashley.
“He knows.”
“What does that mean?”
“When I was living with Stella, something nearly happened,” Arthur went blank, “it’s okay, I said no, I didn’t want to, because I’m still in love with you.” She put her hands in his chest, and he sighed. “I couldn’t. I just couldn’t. But that night we shared something, a moment where we both knew, it was in his eyes and he understood that I had been through something horrible, he could read it in me, because so had he. It was an important thing for me. I think he’ll be good for Ash. She needs more people, and I think he’ll get her. He knows everything that happened to me.”
Arthur showed them through, Pete admired the guy, how could he not, he wasn’t petty or jealous, and he loved Rebecca. He saw the girl with Rebecca, as he embraced her.
“Why are you two not living the highlife somewhere exotic?”
“Well, this is Ashley.” Pete’s brows rose and he turned to her. Ash had lost the power of speech. He was a crumpet, not just that he was good looking with his blond curly hair, perfectly ruffled, or his perfect smile, or skin, or hot body, it was the presence he had, the assuredness without arrogance.
There was a momentary pause as he looked at Rebecca then Ashley. He beamed and kissed her cheek.
Ashley blinked. Cressie sighed and rolled her eyes.
They had a nice afternoon, and when Joe turned up with Nick the GP, Rebecca was thrilled for them.
Ashley was quiet at first, but relaxed as the afternoon went on, she stayed away from the beer and stuck to pop, running a sugar high as a substitute. Rebecca was impressed.
Pete and Ashley talked all evening, Even when Cressie had left, the others went in, those two sat outside talking.
Rebecca watched them through the glass.
“I mean I hoped they’d hit it off, but?”
“Shall we just leave them to it?” Arthur raised his eyebrows. “While she’s distracted, and alone…” She laughed as he made a suggestive face and let herself be taken to bed.
Fifteen. Your own way
“He’s lovely.”
“Yes, I know, not what I asked.” Rebecca stared at Ashley, who was maroon in colour. She only managed to clear her throat when Pete appeared. Rebecca tried not to smile, pulling her lips into her mouth.
“Well, well, two beautiful ladies enjoying breakfast, may I join you?”
“Oh give it a rest you tart.” He raised his brow at her.
“Where’s tall dark and handsome?” he snaffled a croissant from the table while Rebecca fetched him a cup.
“Here.”
He kissed Rebecca and joined them. It was a surreal moment, and awkward until Rebecca started laughing.
Ashley looked like she wanted to die.
Pete looked round the table, downing his coffee. “So, anyway, I best make a move.” He looked at Ashley, who followed him out.
Arthur cleared his throat as Rebecca shook with her laughter, finally snorting, setting Arthur off.
Ashley came back for another croissant, before trying to abscond.
“Oh no, come back here young lady, I want details.”
“I don’t.” Arthur muttered.
She sat down. “We didn’t sleep together, I mean we slept together but you know, nothing happened. We just talked all night until we fell asleep.”
“Did he tell you?”
“Yes.” Rebecca nodded.
“That’s huge for him, he won’t talk about it.”
Ashley started crying. Arthur looked horrified. “I know, he’s…he’s…”
“Yes. I know. I’m happy for him, for you.”
“I don’t know if it’s like that.”
“It doesn’t have to be, you don’t need that yet, but I get the feeling you need each other. Ash,” she looked up, wiping her eyes. “Arthur and I were talking last night. We’re going to go at the end of August, after the bank holiday. We want you to stay here and housesit for us. Pete is welcome here any time. We’re trusting you, I know that sounds patronising, but you know what I mean.”
“I know, thank you. I should start looking for a job, start you know, getting on with it.”
“Good.” She clasped Ash’s hand.
Pete, Cressie, and Ash hung out once in the following week, and Ash was glued to her new phone, constantly messaging Pete. When Ash told Rebecca they were going out Rebecca was thrilled.
“He said he wants to talk to you first though.”
“He probably wants me to know he isn’t going to fuck about with you.”
Arthur drove them into town, he had his own plans for the evening, and they dropped Ash off on the way.
“I won’t be a minute.” She put a tender kiss on the corner of Arthur’s mouth he offered a small smile as he waited.
The two women went into the restaurant together. Pete was in the small bar at the front. He beamed at them both and hugged each one.
“I’m going to pop to the ladies.” Subtle, Ash.
“What’s up?”
“Are you okay?”
“Yes why?”
“I was worried you’d be weird about me and Ash.”
“No, I hoped you’d hit it off.”
“She’s sweet, and damaged. I’ll be honest, I don’t know if this is more than…I don’t know, I mean you know that I liked you, I wonder now though.”
“If it wasn’t our commonality? It would have been easy for us to fall into that if it hadn’t been for Arthur, I’m not stupid. Ash needs someone in her life like her, but not toxic. You are many things, toxic is not one of them. You were a good friend to me, when I needed it. I hope you can be that for her, and you’ve got to admit, she is pretty hot.”
He shook his head. “The barbeque was weird you know, I’ve never done that, spent a night with a woman and not even touched her. It was…” he shrugged.
“Take care of her.”
He smiled, a wolfish grin and she rolled her eyes.
“Ash, I’ll see ya, have a good night!”
She waved as she tottered out, and climbed back into the car.
“So, what
do you have planned for us?”
He grinned and drove them home.
“I thought we were going out.” He just kept grinned and looked at her as they sat in the car.
“When we had a little conversation about the things you wanted to try?” she swallowed and nodded. “Well we haven’t had that much alone time recently, and I wondered if you wanted to try some?”
She nodded and he kissed her.
“Ready?”
“Yes.”
“You trust me? I’ll never hurt you, you know that.”
“I trust you, are you going to go a bit caveman?” he took her hand as they went in.
“Wait.” He gave her a stern sparkling look. Her heart thudded. He came back with a bottle of champagne and two glasses. “Hold these.” She took the glasses, and he knelt low, grabbed round her thighs, and hoisted her over his shoulder with a grunt.
She screamed and laughed all the way up the stairs.
Ash looked around the large house that was all hers for a few months. She had to get her head round living in the real world. She wasn’t knee deep in idle shits who had never had a job. Her new life was full of filling out forms and references.
She thought about the Arc a lot, about Danni, and all they did for her. She wanted to help those following her, mentor others, maybe even counselling. She mooched the internet and found a local women’s support foundation.
She rang and had a long chat over the phone. She volunteered her time, and they helped her get into FE College. Get some qualifications. It was a place to start.
Ashley had Pete, she had something special there, a friendship, comfort, something more. Then there was Rebecca. She was everything that Ashley wanted to be. She was so different to how she remembered her.
Rebecca had once been repressed, quiet, and afraid, but now she was so different. She was happy, and Ashley was so close to it, there was nothing she wouldn’t do to hold onto it.
She didn’t know what her future would be, and it didn’t matter, it was hers, made of her own decisions and choices, hers to make.
Epilogue. Getting it right
Getting a Life (New City Series Book 1) Page 21
