by RJ Hunter
"What do you mean?"
Lizzie looked deep in thought, and beckoned Sally to sit down.
"Firstly, we have you, Sally. Technically you're the other woman in an adulterous marriage. Then we have your lover molesting your drunk teenage daughter at a kids drinks party. Penny's not underage and he didn't apparently rape her. Finally, we have you frolicking around naked, having lesbian sex with your lover's wife. They wont buy it. In fact, you'll probably end up on the front page of a tabloid newspaper."
"But Lizzie, he murdered William, and Pauline will tell him that I know. He'll try to kill me to shut me up."
"Do you really believe that, Sally. It could have just been Pauline trying to get at you?
"Yes, maybe you're right. I just can't think straight, Lizzie, but whatever, I've got to think of the children's safety.
Just then, Penny came down clutching her overnight bag.
"Mum, Frank gave this to me for my birthday. It's a real diamond, but I don't think I want it now."
Sally took the necklace from her daughter and examined it closely, before opening the door cautiously and leading Penny out to the car. Lizzie put the bag in the boot, and walked back around to her friend.
"Sally, please come with us, I don't think it's a good idea you being here alone."
"Thanks Lizzie, but I've got to stay and get it sorted out. I want to call Jonathan and Laura and tell them to keep away. Besides, there's still Pepys to think of."
"Okay, if that's the way you want to do it."
Sally nodded.
"There's one other thing, Sally"
"What's that?"
"As soon as I drop Penny off, I'll be coming back. It may take a few hours, but we'll face him together, you and I."
"There's no need," said Penny out of the blue. "I'm not going, I'm staying here with you, Mum."
"Penny, I can't let you stay. Frank could return at any time."
"I mean it, Mum - we have to stick together, and I'm staying!"
Sally had to smile and went across to hug her daughter.
"Okay, but on one condition, you stay in sight of Lizzie while I have a shower. I feel so dirty."
Lizzie turned to face Sally.
"It looks like you're stuck with us, so you had better get used to it."
Sally had to accept that Penny and Lizzie weren't going to leave her. As they went back inside the house, she picked up the necklace that Frank had given Penny. She looked down at the imitation diamond. Poor Penny, she thought, it wasn't even a good imitation. Then with anger in her heart and torment in her soul, Sally opened the front door, and threw the necklace with all the strength she could muster, just as William had done, over twenty years earlier.
The rain and thunder was unexpected and abruptly brought to an end the short spell of warm weather London had been basking in.
The humidity made Pauline sweaty and uncomfortable, and the journey from her home to Frank's office later that evening hadn't made things any easier.
The Gant Carriage Company was busy when Pauline arrived, as taxi firms often are in severe weather conditions. A chatty, overweight blonde receptionist somehow managed to answer the phone calls, speak to the drivers, and deal with people coming in off the street, in a calm, efficient manner.
Pauline pushed past a group of people and went to the front of the queue.
"Where's my husband?" She demanded of the peroxide blonde.
The woman, however was too busy taking a call from a customer to pay any attention to the gaudily-dressed, raven-haired woman standing before her.
"I said, where's my husband?" Shouted Pauline aggressively, as she snatched the receiver from the receptionist and slammed it down with a loud crash.
"You've just cut me off!"
"I don't give a damn, you common tart! Where's my husband?"
"I don't know who your husband is, what do you think I am, a bloody mind-reader!" Retaliated the peroxide angrily.
"Frank Gant! Now find him!"
Instead, the receptionist put her face into an intercom system and pressed a button.
"Mark, are you there, we've got a problem with a drunk woman at the desk!"
A few moments later, a large bearded figure came through the door.
"What's the trouble, Sharon?"
"I think I'm the trouble, Mark." Called out Pauline. "I've come to see Frank, where is he?"
"He's at a restaurant in the city, Pauline, with a corporate client." Replied Mark, none too convincingly.
"Are you driving him tonight, Mark?"
"No, Barry is."
"Where's Barry?"
"Out the back," replied Mark, as Pauline pushed past him.
"Is that rude bitch really Frank's wife?" Asked Sharon, in amazement.
Mark nodded and followed Pauline out to where the offices and driver's area were situated.
"Who's Barry?" She barked at the three drivers watching television.
"I am!" Replied, a skinny, balding man in his fifties.
"Where are you picking up my husband?"
"At Rochelle's, why?"
"Where are you taking him?"
"The Royal Kensington Hotel." Said the driver, totally bewildered.
"I'm his wife, Pauline Gant. I'll go in place of you, so if you don't mind handing over the keys."
"With all respect Mrs. Gant, I don't think I should." Replied Barry nervously, looking towards Mark for support.
"Give her the keys, Barry, after all, she is the boss's wife." Said Mark, sensing it the best course of action.
"Thank-you gentlemen, that wasn't too hard, was it, and what am I driving tonight?"
"It's one of the jags. It's got a 5.3 litre engine, so be careful Pauline."
"Oh, I will, you needn't concern yourselves about that. Don't wait up for us, we'll be rather a long time."
The heavy rain had eased off a little by the time Pauline reached Rochelle's restaurant. She parked the car directly outside and called over to the doorman, who was standing like a sentry, clutching a large umbrella.
"Thank-you, driver, I believe Mr. Gant and his companion are going straight back to the hotel. I will let them know you are here." He said, haughtily.
It was twenty minutes before Frank finally came out. Pauline knew he was drunk from his loud voice and lecherous laugh. There was a girl with him. She was young, slim, in her twenties and blonde. Frank and the girl giggled and cavorted in the rain, before the doorman opened one of the car's back doors. Frank slapped the girl on the bottom as she got inside, and lit up a cigar, before staggering around to the other side.
"The Royal Kensington, Barry, and put your foot down!" Roared Frank, as he groped the girl on the back seats. It wasn't until Pauline had driven nearly a mile that Frank realised that it was his wife driving the car.
"Pauline what the hell do you think you're doing? Where's Barry, he's supposed to be driving tonight?"
"I think it's time we had a talk, Frank, just as soon as we drop the tart off." With that, Pauline slammed the brakes on hard, and pulled over to the side of the road. She then got out of the car and opened the back passenger door. Grabbing the blonde violently by the hair, she dragged her screaming out of the vehicle, and dumped her in the gutter.
Frank was about to get out and intervene, only to find Pauline glaring at him with a crazy look in her eyes.
"Get back in the car, I've not finished with you yet!" She screamed.
"That was a corporate client you stupid bitch!"
"I don't give a damn who it was." Continued Pauline, still venting her anger. "There's something you need to know about your so-called son."
Frank returned Pauline's glare and leapt into the front seat, as Pauline hit the accelerator and sped off into the darkness.
"This had better be good, Pauline, as your life depends on it, believe me - you'll be history, you worthless pile of shit!"
"I think you've got it wrong Frank, you're the one who's history." Replied Pauline bitterly.
"Wha
t the hell are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about us, Frank. I've loved you since the time you flirted with me in the student's bar, back in the sixties. I've never stopped loving you and have always supported you, even through the hard times."
"I don't want to hear this shit, tell me about my son!"
"I'll get to him later, I want you to hear me out first."
"You're mad, Pauline, fucking barking mad!"
"You hurt me Frank, and for that you have to be punished. Just like when you had to go into prison, remember?"
"Just get to the point, I'm a busy man!" He shouted, searching for his cigarettes.
"I said nothing when you murdered poor, Mr. Bloom, and stole his money. I liked him, Frank - but as with everything I like, you have to destroy it."
"That was bloody years ago. He was old, he was going to die anyway. I did society a service." Sneered Frank. "Anyway, he died to get us where we are today. You'd be wise to remember that."
"To get us where we are today? God, you're a heartless bastard. I turned a blind eye to all your criminal activities, and all your women. I knew I was better than them, and you would come back to me. I was never wrong, until now."
"Yes, you're wrong, Pauline. I've got someone else now. I don't need a loser in my life like you anymore."
Pauline suddenly speeded up, and went through a red light, leaving the sound of screeching tyres and blaring horns, far behind them.
"You murdered my grandfather and stole his money, didn't you Frank?"
"I did it for us, Pauline. We now own Swann's."
"Don't try and con me, Frank. I'm not one of your cheap tarts. I know how you operate, remember!"
"He fell down the stairs, Pauline!"
"How do you know?"
"I don't know, but it's not important. You must have told me?"
"No, I didn't, Frank. You killed him, like you killed Mr. Bloom, like you killed Tina and William Peddlescoombe!"
"You can't pin Tina's death on me, you twisted cow. She was a parasite, she loved being one of life's pathetic victims."
"How dare you talk of your daughter like that. It was you that made her like she was. You're responsible for her death. You were her executioner Frank, just as if you'd strung her up yourself."
"Enough! Tell me about Jamie?"
"Jamie told me you killed William Peddlescoombe. Is that true?"
"So what if it is. He deserved it."
"You killed him so you could have his wife, didn't you?"
"Wow! Pauline, clever! I can see you went to university!"
"Well, I had a bit of fun with your little blonde whore too, and I just happened to tell her what you did."
"You conniving bitch, I'll have to shut her up, or deny it. So Jamie told you, did he?"
"It doesn't matter who told me. You're not taking him from me, I've lost everything because of you, my daughter, my grandfather, my marriage, my happiness and my life. And now you want to leave me and take my son too? Well, I wont let you."
"Look at you, you're no mother to Jamie, you're a disgrace - you disgust me! You wouldn't have a leg to stand on if I take it to the courts. You're mentally unstable."
"Wouldn't I, Frank?" Replied Pauline, glaring across at him. "At least I'm his natural parent, which is more than can be said for you."
There was a disturbing silence, and all that could be heard was the sound of the rain hitting the windscreen, over the soft purr of the Jaguar's powerful engine.
"What are you saying to me, Pauline?" Yelled Frank. "What are you saying to me?"
"Mark is Jamie's father. That's what I'm saying, Frank."
"No, it's not true. Tell me it's not true, you lying whore!"
Pauline hit the accelerator, and the big cat leapt into action.
"You're mine Frank, the sooner you realise that the better. But if I can't have you, nobody else will."
"Slow the fuck down, Pauline! What are you trying to do, kill us both?" Screamed Frank as the car hit ninety along the dual carriageway.
"We're always going to be together, Frank. You, me and Tina, our baby girl."
Pauline yanked the steering wheel hard right, as she crossed the reservation and sped the car into the path of on-coming traffic. Frank was dazzled by the headlights of a large truck bearing down on them. He had to think quick. He literally had split seconds to avert an impending disaster. He raised his right leg and managed to swing it over into the driver's foot well, knocking Pauline's feet to one side. Out of sheer fright, Pauline had covered her face and was waiting for the impact that would ultimately re-unite Frank and herself with Tina.
Leaning across, Frank grabbed the steering wheel, and swung the car back towards the correct lane. He could recall hearing the blare of car horns, and the flashing of lights, as several vehicles skidded, before colliding with the heavy goods truck. Fortunately, the lane he had managed to manoeuvre the Jaguar into was clear, and he was able to steer a straight course until they were safely away from the carnage he and Pauline had left behind
.
29. RETRIBUTION
Laura lay awake in her bed at the nurse's home deep in thought. She could hear all the activity going on as her colleagues got up for the early shift. There was always a rush for the bathrooms at this time of day, and if you listened carefully, you could also hear the hushed voices of boyfriends and lovers as they stealthily crept out before the eagle-eyed home warden came on duty.
Her thoughts returned to Dr. Lincoln Greene and the night of unalloyed pleasure she'd spent with him. She couldn't understand her feelings or emotions. She felt guilt, she felt sated, she felt decadent, but above all, she felt free, and was glad she allowed things to happen as they did. Even if she had initially slept with him to get back at Nick, that thought no longer entered into the equation. It was as if Lincoln had made her a real woman, like he was the last piece of the jigsaw, the key to her sexual awakening. It wasn't like she was madly in love, or wanted to spend her life with him, it was literally down to lust in its purest form, and why should she feel ashamed of herself, after all, she wasn't the first student nurse to sleep with a doctor and she certainly wont be the last.
Forgiving herself, she settled back beneath the covers, running her hands up down her naked body, allowing her fingers to explore herself, just as Lincoln had so expertly done.
She must have dropped off back to sleep, as the alarm woke her with a start. She was glad she didn't have to work on the ward at St. Mary Abbot's this week. This was because Laura was due to start her secondment in the accident and emergency unit at Westminster Hospital shortly and was obliged, along with some of the other girls in her set, to attend a week of school.
Wolfson School of Nursing was just a stone's throw away from Empire House, the nurse's home where Laura lived. School was easy and she didn't even have to be there until nine, so she could take her time and make full use of any bathroom she chose, without the fear of interruption. The student nurses were also able to wear their own clothes, which the girls liked. Many would simply wear jeans, which Laura had opted to wear today. Although the day was meant for learning, it was a welcome relief to get away from the practical side of nursing, and gave the girls the opportunity to see old friends and catch up on all the gossip.
Laura was dreading going to A&E. Some of the nurses actually looked forward to it, believing it to be real, front-line nursing. But for most, it represented stress, panic, fear, equipment, monitors and most importantly - blood! The potential for seeing lots of blood and gory sights in A&E was enormous, and Laura tried to divert her thoughts from it. She consoled herself that she wouldn't be alone, and even though she was very proficient caring for the elderly, she and the other girls would be mere novices in casualty and would have to be closely supervised.
"Welcome back ladies, it's lovely to see you all again!" Said Mrs. Drayton, the Nurse Tutor. "I do hope the spectre of the accident and emergency department isn't giving you all nightmares?"
Some of the girl
s laughed nervously as they took their places in in the large, airy classroom.
"As you will see from your handouts, the whole of this week will be dedicated to what happens in a busy city casualty unit, along with the policies and procedures that go with it. Now doesn't that sound interesting?" Mrs. Drayton laughed as she heard a series of moans and groans from the wary, unsuspecting nurses. "Listen girls, it really wont be that bad, and some of you will actually enjoy working in such an environment. The fear of the unknown is often more terrifying than the real thing."
Mrs. Drayton, was a tall, elegant-looking woman of around forty, with red hair, tied up in a bun. She was a confident teacher but always had time for a joke with her charges, which made her probably the most popular tutor at the school.
"Now, we'll just go through the admissions procedure for patients entering the A&E unit, and then, after coffee, I have a surprise for you."
"What, we can all go home early!" Called out one of the students from the back of the class.
"Nice try, but perhaps on Friday, if we get through our schedule." Replied the tutor, peering over her spectacles.
Laura, along with the other girls studied the photocopied handouts that were in front of them, and listened intently while Mrs. Drayton took them through the whole admissions process. It was a tedious hour as it involved lots of paperwork and form-filling, and the girls were glad when coffee time finally arrived.
"I wonder what this surprise is, Mrs. Drayton has in store for us?" Asked Amanda, putting down her plastic coffee cup, to open a chocolate bar.
"She sometimes brings in donuts?" Replied Laura, trying to remain optimistic.
"No, donuts are always on a Friday. Maybe she's going to take us over to A&E?"
"God, I hope not!" Gasped Laura, feeling herself go red.
"Oh, you might see Lincoln?" Smirked Amanda. "So how did it go?"
"It was just as you said it would be, very intense and very, very erotic!" Replied Laura, trying to keep her voice down.
"So are you going to see him again?"
Laura glanced around to see who may be listening.
"No, probably not. He said something about working in the states as a locum. Besides, I could hardly walk when I finally got out of his flat - he was enormous!"
