Mother’s Ruin

by Kitty Neale

  There was another rap on the door and with his stump still too sore to wear his prosthesis, he fumbled for his crutches and went to see who it was. ‘Come in, Joe,’ he said shortly.

  Joe’s brows rose at his tone and as they walked into the living room, he said, ‘What’s up, mate?’

  ‘Sally’s gone back to her mother’s. We’ve split up.’

  ‘Split up! But why?’

  ‘If you must know, she caught me having it off with Patsy.’

  ‘You and Patsy? No . . . I can’t believe it. Bloody hell, Arthur.’

  ‘Don’t look at me like that. Patsy made it obvious that she was available, making all the moves, and well, it just happened.’

  ‘And Sally caught you. She must be in a right state.’

  ‘I doubt it,’ Arthur said, choosing to forget the look he’d seen on his wife’s face. ‘If you must know, things have been bloody awful since I came out of hospital. Sally can’t stand the sight of my leg, and has made it plain that sex is off the menu.’

  ‘I reckon you’re imagining things.’

  ‘Is that so, and have I imagined the pitying looks I’ve been getting from our labourers too?’

  ‘You can’t blame them for feeling sorry for you, but if you must know from what I’ve heard they admire you for getting to work so soon after coming home from hospital.’

  Arthur ignored the comment, only saying what was on his mind. ‘Patsy told me that Sally fancies you.’

  ‘Bloody hell, mate, can’t you see how juvenile this sounds? If you ask me Patsy’s still peeved that I ditched her and is stirring things up. You’re mad to listen to her. She’s nothing but trouble.’

  ‘You took her out a few times.’

  ‘Yes, but unlike you, I’m single.’

  Arthur scowled. ‘All right, so I shouldn’t have had it off with her, but, well, it was there, offered to me on a plate and—’ There was a knock on the door and somehow Arthur knew who it was. Did he want to see her again? For a moment he floundered, but then remembering Sally’s lies, his anger reasserted itself.

  Once again he tucked his crutches under his arms and went to the door. It was Patsy.

  ‘Hello, Arthur. I had to come down to see you. Are you all right?’

  ‘I’m fine,’ he said, leading her into the living room.

  ‘What do you want?’ Joe snapped.

  ‘I’ve come to see Arthur.’

  ‘Don’t you think you’ve done enough damage?’

  ‘Joe, keep out of it,’ Arthur said. ‘If I didn’t want to see Patsy I wouldn’t have invited her in.’

  Joe looked angry, his face reddening, but he only said, ‘Fine. I’m off then. Are you coming to work tomorrow?’

  ‘If you can do without me for another day, I could do with staying home. My stump is still giving me gyp,’ he said, flopping heavily onto the sofa.

  ‘I can manage and for longer if necessary. Just let me know when you want picking up again,’ Joe offered, and then throwing Patsy a look of disgust he saw himself out.

  Arthur was aware of the front door slamming, but then Patsy perched on the arm of the sofa beside him, her expression one of regret. ‘I’m sorry that Sally caught us, Arthur.’

  ‘Yes, so am I.’

  ‘I’m so ashamed of the way I threw myself at you. I was brazen and it’s not like me at all. It’s just that I fancy you so much and I just couldn’t help myself. You’re such a handsome man, and the fact that you’re missing a little bit of leg doesn’t worry me.’

  ‘It worries Sally.’

  ‘Yes, I know. She told me she finds it revolting.’

  Arthur felt vindicated and wished his mother could hear this. She’d know then that Sally had been lying through her teeth. She was repulsed by him, and now the pain of her rejection twisted his guts. As if aware of how he was feeling, Patsy slid onto his lap. She leaned forward to kiss him and Arthur didn’t resist.

  Patsy got to work, smiling secretly. She had hoped that Joe would be her way out of her present life, but he’d rejected her. Not about to give up she’d seen the way things were between Sally and Arthur. Most men were so easy to manipulate and it had been a simple thing to feed Arthur’s paranoia.

  She mounted Arthur now, her thoughts distant from the act and set only on the future. Patsy as always felt nothing, but had learned to be a good actress, finding that a few groans here and there sufficed. Sex to her was just a means of making money, but un believably, as Arthur drove into her, she found herself responding. Feelings she thought dead rose to the surface and she gasped with pleasure. Her hands reached up to pull off her jumper, and with no bra on she leaned forward to bury her breasts in Arthur’s face.

  Patsy’s mind now became oblivious to anything but the sensations that ripped through her body. How long had it been? How long since she had felt like this? She eased up, moving slowly, loving the feeling and for once wanting it to last. ‘Wait, darling,’ she urged, ‘take it slowly.’

  Despite that, soon after it happened, a sensation deep inside, one that left her gasping. ‘Oh, Arthur, ohhh!’ she cried, and as Arthur exploded inside her, they climaxed together.

  For a while they just clung to each other, drawing breath, Patsy astounded by what had happened. She thought about her clients, the old and sometimes crippled men that she serviced, and grimaced. Mind you, they paid well, and were pathetically grateful. None of them lasted for more than a few minutes; she made sure of that, ensured that with a few tricks the act was soon over. Now though she wanted out of the game and was determined to snare Arthur. What she hadn’t expected was to find the sex enjoyable, this an added bonus.

  ‘I’m sorry, Arthur, I couldn’t resist you again. You’re so handsome and I can’t believe that Sally doesn’t fancy you any more. She must be mad.’ Patsy leaned across Arthur again, making sure that her breasts were in his face as she stroked his hair. ‘Still, don’t worry, I’m sure she’ll get used to it. You’ll just have to give her some time.’

  ‘Huh,’ he murmured, his lips now brushing her nipples. ‘Why should I? My leg doesn’t bother you, and if Sally doesn’t like it now, she never will. Anyway, after the frustration she’s put me through, I’m not sure that I want her back.’

  Patsy smiled. That was just what she had wanted to hear, and triumphant, she kissed him passionately. He was soon aroused, as ready as she was. ‘Oh, yes!’ she cried as he entered her. He was hers now, and if there was any sign of him trying to get Sally back, she’d find a way to put a spoke in the wheel.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  For Sally the days were filled with moments of agonising pain at Arthur’s betrayal, interspersed with moments of anger. She knew that Angel was confused and she constantly asked to see her father, but so far she had fobbed her off with excuses.

  It was the first Sunday in April, but the day had started bleak, the sky dark and heavy to match her mood. Then, by three in the afternoon, the sun broke through and Angel begged to be allowed outside to play.

  ‘No,’ Sally said, her eyes fixed on the sparse fire burning in the grate.

  ‘Pleeease, Mummy!’

  ‘Sally,’ Ruth urged, ‘she’s been cooped up all day and it won’t hurt to let her go out for a while.’

  She sighed heavily, too caught up in her own misery to fight. ‘All right then.’

  Angel squealed with delight, but Sally hardly heard her. Her gran’s words kept going round in her mind, but they failed to comfort her. So men could sleep with women without becoming emotionally involved, but to her that was no excuse. When she fell in love with Arthur, she’d found real love, deep love, and had thought he felt the same. How wrong, how blind she’d been.

  Time ticked by slowly and desperate for diversion, Sally listened to her mother and gran as they talked about Tommy.

  ‘That boy seems to be staying away.’

  ‘Yes, and when I saw him playing outside earlier he looked all right. To be on the safe side I’ll go on keeping an eye on him, and if he turns up
at my door again, whether Laura likes it or not, I’m taking him in.’

  ‘That’ll just get her back up and make things worse for the boy.’

  ‘What choice is there? If I don’t take him in he’d be out on the streets all night.’

  Sadie sighed heavily. ‘Yeah, I suppose you’re right.’

  Half an hour had passed since Angel had gone out to play and Sally decided to check on her. She scanned the lane but there was no sign of her daughter. Tommy Walters was there, playing with a couple of other boys and she called, ‘Have you seen Angel?’

  ‘Yeah, she was with us till a little while ago, but then she said she was going to see someone.’

  Sally’s stomach did a somersault. Angel had been whining for days that she was missing her dad, and not stopping to think about it she chased after her daughter, hoping to catch up with her before she reached Maple Terrace.

  There was no sign of Angel and breathless, Sally stopped outside the flat. She didn’t have her handbag and without keys she was forced to ring the bell, shocked when Patsy opened the door.

  ‘Hello, Sally. Have you come round for your daughter? We were a bit surprised when she turned up on her own.’

  ‘Yes, I’ve come for Angel,’ Sally said, fighting the urge to dig her fingernails into Patsy’s face. Holding her head high and hardening her voice, she added, ‘Tell her that I’m here to take her home.’

  ‘Don’t you want to come in?’

  ‘No, I don’t! Now please tell my daughter that I’m waiting.’

  ‘But she wants to see her daddy and there’s no harm in her staying for a little while.’

  Sally’s back was rigid. She wouldn’t give Patsy the satisfaction of seeing how upset she was. Instead she spat, ‘I don’t want my daughter associating with the likes of you.’

  ‘There’s no need to be nasty. We’ve just had our dinner, and I was about to start rearranging the furniture when the kid turned up. Arthur was dead chuffed to see her.’

  Sally felt the blood drain from her face. So, Patsy was already making herself at home. She was planning to shift the furniture, change the room that Sally had so carefully arranged, and what was more, it seemed Arthur was allowing it. ‘Get my daughter,’ she demanded. ‘I’m taking her home.’

  ‘I think you’ll find that Arthur has a right to see Angel.’

  ‘No, he hasn’t. He lost any claim on her when he had it off with you!’ Sally knew she sounded coarse, but didn’t care; in fact, if she had to look at Patsy’s smug face for much longer she’d go for her, she really would.

  ‘If that’s your attitude it seems your divorce will be nasty. I think you’ll find that Arthur’s solicitor will insist that he has access to Angel.’

  Sally’s mind reeled. Divorce! It had come to that. Her teeth clenched. ‘A divorce suits me,’ she ground out. ‘Now, as I said, tell my daughter I’m waiting!’

  ‘All right, keep your hair on,’ Patsy said, as she turned to go back inside.

  Only moments later Angel appeared and seeing Sally she held back. ‘No, Mummy, I don’t want to come home yet.’

  ‘Come here!’ Sally demanded and, grabbing her daughter’s hand she pulled her over the threshold and along Maple Terrace.

  Angel was dragging her feet, still protesting, but Sally hardly heard her. Arthur wanted a divorce and, at the finality of the thought, Sally’s shoulders slumped.

  Patsy smiled happily as she closed the door on Sally. What a bit of luck. She had popped down to see Arthur, only to find that he was talking about getting Sally back and inwardly she had fumed.

  Hiding her feelings she told him that the time wasn’t right. It was too soon and it would be better to give Sally a bit of space, she’d advised. Despite this, he still wanted to go to Candle Lane, but thankfully Angel had forestalled him by knocking on the door.

  By calling round to collect her daughter, Sally had played right into Patsy’s hands and she felt a surge of glee. It hadn’t taken much to hint that she was living with Arthur and the silly cow had taken the bait. Now, with a few choice words to Arthur, she could push the pair of them even further apart. Her lips curled with satisfaction. Yes, with luck, she’d be able to snare Arthur soon. They were already having sex frequently, the man insatiable, but he’d baulked at her sharing his bed. Well, that was about to change, Patsy decided.

  She composed her face, looking sad as she walked into the living room. ‘I’m so sorry, Arthur. I did try, but Sally refused to let Angel stay. In fact she was really annoyed that Angel came round here on her own and said that she’s going to see a solicitor first thing in the morning.’

  ‘A solicitor! What for?’

  ‘She’s going to file for a divorce, and not only that, she intends to make sure that you never see your daughter again.’

  Arthur’s face flushed with anger. ‘I’m not standing for that! I’m going to see her, and right now!’

  ‘You’d be wasting your time. She won’t talk to you and made that plain. I did try to persuade her to come in, but in no uncertain terms she refused. If you want to make sure you get access to your daughter, you’ll need to see a solicitor too, and as soon as possible.’

  ‘Are you sure she’s filing for a divorce?’

  ‘Yes. She said that the next time you hear from her, it would be through a solicitor.’

  ‘She can’t keep me away from Angel!’

  ‘I know, but you’ve got to face it. Sally won’t take you back and you must take steps to see that you don’t lose your little girl too.’

  Arthur slumped back on the sofa, his eyes dark with anger. ‘The bitch! If this is the way she wants to play it, fine. I’ll see a solicitor first thing in the morning.’

  Patsy sat beside him, hiding her triumph. Arthur was a proud man, and now there was no way he would crawl to Sally begging for forgiveness. He suddenly grabbed her, fury still evident in his eyes and, as his teeth sank into her neck, Patsy groaned with pleasure. He was taking his anger out in sex, but she didn’t mind. Thanks, Sally, she thought, smiling wickedly.

  Later, they lay back, both spent, Patsy nestling close to Arthur. Maybe tonight, she thought, maybe tonight he’d let her stay and in the morning she’d be there to see Joe’s face when he came to pick Arthur up for work. She pictured the special underwear she had upstairs, imagined wearing it when she opened the door to Joe, and smiled. He would see what he’d let go and it would serve him right. It wasn’t that she was interested in him now, after all, Arthur was the one who could please her, but if Joe was jealous it might stir things up a bit between the two men. They might be in partnership when it came to work, but she certainly didn’t want Joe calling round socially.

  ‘Won’t you give Arthur another chance?’ Elsie asked, as she and Bert sat in the kitchen.

  ‘He has Patsy living with him now,’ Sally told them, the events of the afternoon still vivid in her mind. She loved her in-laws, yet when they had called round less than ten minutes ago, she had been in no mood to talk.

  Angel was still upset, wanting to go back to see her daddy, but had brightened up when Elsie and Bert arrived, especially when they’d given her a present. She had looked at the new box of paints and colouring book with delight, almost immediately beginning to fill in one of the pictures.

  ‘Sally, I’m not defending what my son has done,’ Bert said, ‘but you’ve only just broken up. I can’t believe that he’s moved that girl in already.’

  ‘He has. I saw it with my own eyes.’

  ‘You must be mistaken,’ Elsie protested. ‘I’m sure it was only a one-off thing with Patsy.’

  ‘Don’t like Patsy,’ Angel said, her brush poised as she abandoned the painting to listen to the conversation.

  Sally frowned, recalling that Angel had said that before. Had her daughter foreseen this happening? She saw how Angel’s ears were pricked, and not wanting her to hear any more of this conversation, she said quietly, ‘Elsie, I’d rather not talk about this in front of Angel.’

  Bert
frowned, and then crossed the room to Angel. ‘How about coming for a ride in Granddad’s car?’

  ‘Can we go to see my daddy?’

  Sally tensed, relieved when Bert said, ‘Maybe another time, but right now I thought we might go to the park and you can have a ride on the swings.’

  Angel scrambled to her feet. ‘Will you push me really high?’

  ‘Of course I will. Now run and get your coat.’

  ‘Thanks love,’ Elsie told him, smiling warmly at her husband.

  ‘Sally’s right, we shouldn’t talk in front of the child. I’ll be back in an hour and then I’m going to have a word with my son.’

  Angel ran back into the room, her coat clutched to her chest. ‘I’m ready, Granddad.’

  Bert leaned down, his huge form towering over his granddaughter as he helped her put on the coat. ‘Right, see you later.’

  ‘I dread to think what Bert will have to say to Arthur,’ said Elsie when the coast was clear. ‘He was furious when I told him and wanted to see Arthur straightaway. I managed to talk him out of it, telling him that we shouldn’t interfere. Now, though, I doubt there’s much chance of keeping them apart.’

  ‘Sally, what’s this about Arthur moving that girl in?’ Ruth asked. ‘I know you were upset when you came back with Angel, but I thought you were just annoyed that she’d gone round there.’

  ‘I didn’t want to talk about it, Mum, and I still don’t.’

  Elsie shook her head. ‘I still think you’re mistaken, love.’

  ‘No, I’m not. Patsy was there when I went to get Angel, but I don’t want my daughter anywhere near the likes of her. Arthur wants a divorce, our marriage is over, and as far as I’m concerned, now that Arthur has moved Patsy in, he’s forfeited any right to see his daughter.’

  ‘Sally, I know you’re angry and I understand, really I do, but you can’t keep Angel away from her father.’