The Graft

by Karen Woods

  Tina nudged Elsie in the waist and made sure she couldn’t read anymore. “Leave the girl alone for crying out loud. No wonder she doesn’t tell you anything.”

  Elsie chuckled and sat down with her arms folded tightly in front of her. “I’ll find out who he is. You know me when I have a bee in my bonnet. I’ll just get our Jordan to put the word out and then I’ll know everything.”

  Emily knew she was winding her up. “Whatever mother, good luck with that. Anyway, some of us have got a life. I need to get ready. I’m off out again.”

  Tina smiled. “Good on you girl, it’s about time you had some fun instead of being sat in here every day looking after these two.”

  “Correct Tina. They can look after themselves from now on because I’ll be moving out soon.”

  This was news to Elsie, her eyes opened wide and she spoke in a stern tone. “Over my dead body are you moving out! You’re still a kid. So, get that thought right out of your mind. Your dad will go sick if he hears you saying stuff like that, so get it in your head now, you’re here until you are eighteen.”

  Emily rolled her eyes. She wasn’t going to get lippy; she knew better. “Oh, mother. What is up with you lately? Where has your sense of humour gone? I’m joking!”

  Emily left with a smirk spread across her face. Tina winked at her before she left. Elsie was on one, she just sat there staring into space. Tina clicked her fingers in front of her eyes. “Hello, is anyone in? Elsie, it’s me Tina.”

  Elsie give her head a quick shake and she was back in the moment. “Did you hear what she said Tina? She’s a baby still. How can she even think about leaving home?”

  “She’s grown up now. You can’t start putting rules there after she’s had none for years. You’re lucky she has turned out the way she has. It could have been a lot worse.”

  “Still, I’m not happy with it all. I’ll word Jordan up and get him to find out who this geezer is. He seems to have a strong hold on her, she’s not thinking straight.”

  Tina slurped her cup of tea as she watched her friend from the corner of her eye. Elsie was still in deep thought.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Emily sat with Mark in the corner of the pub with Jane and Omar facing her. They were out on the piss again. Emily, being honest with herself, was sick to death of drinking all the time. Before this she had only had the odd bottle of Wicked sat on the park with Jane but Vodka was a whole new level to her. Omar didn’t let any of their glasses get empty either and as soon as they finished one drink, he had another lined up for them. The boozer was packed. Lots of people were in tonight dancing and singing on the karaoke. Emily loved singing but she didn’t have the guts to get up tonight. She had a lovely tone to her voice, and some people had commented that she could have do something more than just be a bathroom singer. Mark was anxiously checking his wristwatch every few minutes as his eyes darted at Omar. They both held the look for a few seconds as if they were intimating something to each other. Mark reached over and grabbed his jacket. “Emily, I’ve just got to nip out. I won’t be long.” Her face dropped and she had a sinking feeling deep in the pit of her stomach. But, what could she say? She had to keep her mouth shut. Mark bent down slightly and kissed her on the cheek. He could sense something was wrong by the look on her face. “Are you okay, doll?”

  She couldn’t look at him; it was written all over her face. “Yes, I’m fine. Just a bit tired.”

  Mark patted the top of her shoulder. “I’ll be back before you know it and we’ll have a great night. Get a few more drinks down you and you’ll feel fine.”

  She found it hard to raise a smile, her heart was heavy and something was on her mind. When Omar went to the bar, Emily moved over to Jane and folded her arms tightly in front of her. “See what I mean, he’s always going on the missing list. I wonder what he’s up to. Do you think he’s got another girl on the go?”

  Jane shot a look over to Omar who was stood at the bar. “I think they’re both shady, something doesn’t sit right with them. At first, I thought Omar was an alright guy, but there are a few things with him that bother me.”

  Emily’s eyes were wide open now, she moved in closer making sure nobody was listening. “Like what,” she whispered.

  “I’m not sure, but every time I go to bed with him, he’s nowhere to be seen in the morning. I found Alex in the bedroom the other morning when I woke up. I shit myself and screamed.”

  “What was Alex doing in your room?”

  “I’ve not got the foggiest idea; I just know he looked shifty.”

  Emily’s heart and mind were racing. “It’s funny you should say that because I’ve woken up with him in my room too.”

  The girls both shot a look at each other and froze. Jane was panicking. “Emily, something is wrong. I drink with these guys and know nothing about the night before when I wake up, it’s like I blank it out. I can’t remember a bleeding thing.”

  “Me too.”

  There was a silence between them. Jane dropped her head low and reached over and touched Emily’s hand. “Do you think they are drugging us or something?”

  Emily was alarmed. “Fuck off. Mark loves me. Why would he do something like that?”

  Jane squeezed at Emily’s fingers until they turned white and growled at her. “You know something isn’t right. We’re not daft. I tell you what, let’s watch our drinks tonight and don’t touch them. We can pretend to be pissed and see what happens.”

  “No way, why would we do that? Like I said, Mark is all over me, he’d never do something like that.”

  Jane held a sour expression as she watched Omar on his way back over to the table. “Well, I’m not drinking anymore. You can if you want but count me out.” Omar was back and handed them both a drink. You could cut the atmosphere with a knife. Emily reached over and grabbed hers. She made a point of drinking it so Jane could see her.

  Omar placed his arm around Jane and snuggled up to her. “What’s up with your mush?”

  Jane could never hide her feelings and she squirmed over at him as she pushed him away. “I don’t feel too good. I want to go home. Can you drop me off?”

  “You’ve not been here for long. I’m not driving to Manchester when I’m already half cut.”

  “Fine, I’ll get a taxi,” she snarled. Jane was adamant that she was going. She was scared and feared what would happen next.

  Omar took a few deep breaths and pulled her closer, he whispered in her ear. Emily was trying to listen in, but she couldn’t hear a thing. Jane started to shout out in a loud voice, everyone was starting to look at her. She bolted up from her seat and made sure everyone could hear what she had to say. “I said, I’m going home. How dare you tell me what I can and can’t do. You don’t own me.”

  Emily tried to keep her calm, but Jane was in the zone and nobody was stopping her now. She barged past Emily and headed for the doors. Omar was frantic and followed. Emily was about to follow, but Omar pushed her back to her seat. “You just stay here. I’ll sort her out.”

  Emily was in two minds what to do. Would she like someone interfering in her relationship? The answer was no. She sat back down and kept her eyes on the door. Jane was big enough and daft enough to look after herself. After a few minutes later Omar arrived back in the pub. He was stressed out and pumping with rage. He stormed over to the table with his hands ragging through his hair. “You better sort that slag out. I’ve invested time and money into her, and she thinks she can treat me like a dickhead. Go outside and see her before I run back and punch her fucking face in.”

  Emily was gobsmacked. What the hell was going on? Omar was usually laid-back and happy. Suddenly, he was a different person and Emily was frightened of him. She edged passed him. “I’ll be back soon.”

  “Just sort her out,” he growled.

  Jane was stood near a wall and she was upset. Emily ran to her side and hugged her. “Bleeding hell, what’s going on. What did he say to you?”

  Jane was blubbering, her w
ords stuck in her mouth. “He’s a prick, he’s not dictating to me what I can and can’t do. He doesn’t own me, the dick. He said he would shave my hair off if I didn’t do what he told me to.”

  Emily calmed down and they both sat on a nearby wall. Emily looked over at her best friend. “So, are you going home?”

  “Dead right I am. I’m going to get a taxi. My mam will pay for it at the other end. There is no way I’m staying here, it’s not safe. These are bad men, honest, I want out of this as soon as possible.”

  “Wow, what am I going to do then? My mam thinks I’m with you. You were my alibi.”

  Jane pulled a sour face. How selfish was her best friend, she was just thinking about herself? “And, you think I’m arsed about you and Mark. That man in there has just ragged me about and threatened to do me in. I can’t stand him. I knew there was something wrong with him, he’s shady. He’s a control freak. He bought me gifts and showed me a good time yes, but I’m not into him anymore. I suggest you cart Mark as well while you can. Let’s go home.”

  Emily gritted her teeth together and she was ready to whack Jane. She took a deep breath and spoke in a clear voice. Her cage had been rattled. “Stop being a drama queen. You just can’t stand to see me happy, can you? Go on, admit it, you’re jealous of me.”

  Jane let out a sarcastic laugh. “Are you crazy? Why would I be jealous of you? You’ve got nothing I want.”

  Emily was fighting her corner. “I have Mark, I’ve seen the way you flirt with him. You only went out with Omar so you could be near my man. I can see right through you. You’re a dirty slag.”

  This was fighting talk. Jane went nose to nose with her best friend and her hot breath sprayed over her face as she spoke. “Oh, have you heard yourself, give your head a shake. He’s the first man that has ever given you the time of the day and you’re all over him. It’s sickening to watch. You can’t see the woods for the trees, but you just watch. He’ll show his true colours soon and, you’ll see who is right. I’m getting a taxi; you can sort your own story out for your mam.”

  Jane walked off. Emily was fuming. She wanted to run over to Jane and kick ten shades of shit out of her. Taking a few seconds to calm down, she started to make her way back inside the pub. Hold on, she froze and quickly moved out of sight. Her neck stretched as she peered over to the car park. Mark was sat in the car with a girl. She could see him laughing, his arms around her shoulder. Her stomach churned and vomit was bubbling up from her stomach. What should she do? She couldn’t just stand there and do nothing. Tears flooded her eyes as she motored over to the car park. Emily’s clenched fist pounded on the passenger side window. “Open the door you slag. Who do you think you are, sitting with my boyfriend?”

  She banged on the window several times. Mark got out of the driver’s side and rushed to where she was. “Fucking calm down will you. If that window goes in, then you’ll be paying for it.”

  Emily slammed her palm onto his chest. “So, how long has it been going on. I trusted you, how could you do something like this to me.”

  Mark let out a laboured breath and shook his head. “What the hell are you going on about? It’s my cousin, Lizzy. I pick her up for work sometimes and drop her off.”

  The girl sat in the car had no emotion on her face, she just looked straight through Emily like she wasn’t even there. “Fuck off Mark. I’m not daft. Don’t take me for a fool.”

  “On my life. I swear down to you, she’s my cousin.” Mark twisted his head slightly and shouted Lizzy to open the car door, “Lizzy, tell this nutter you’re my cousin and I’ve just picked you up from work.”

  Lizzy was in no rush to get this guy off the hook. The corners of her mouth started to rise, and she spoke with a cocky tone. “Yep, he’s my cousin.”

  Emily’s eyes flicked one way then another, she didn’t know what to believe. “So, every time you go missing, you’re picking her up?”

  “Yes, I’ve just told you.”

  Emily’s face was beetroot. What a plonker she felt. She’d made a show of herself. How was he ever going to forgive her for this? It took a few minutes for Emily to digest what had gone on. Her head dipped low and she was on the verge of crying her eyes out. Her voice was low, and she cringed as she spoke. “I’m sorry. I just seen you together and flipped out. Lizzy,” she said as she looked at her directly, “I’m sorry, I just seen red and rushed over without thinking.”

  Lizzy scowled and didn’t even reply. Mark stood there right in front of her and his chest expanded. “I’m not having all this you know. Trust is a big thing to me and if you’re one of them paranoid birds then we can say goodbye now. I’ll drop you off and that will be the end of us.”

  Emily choked, her jaw was wobbling and her heart beat double. “Mark, I’ve said I’m sorry. I just didn’t know what to think. I’ve overreacted, I can’t say anymore.”

  “Go and wait back in the pub. I’ll speak to you when I’ve finished here.” Emily was like a scolded child. Her feet moved slowly as she obeyed his orders.

  Jane had been watching the disturbance from afar. She had seen everything. She watched Mark get back into the car. Her eyes were all over him making sure she didn’t miss a single thing. Suddenly, Jane covered her mouth with her hand. She stood on her tiptoes and held her phone up in the air directed at the car taking a photograph. As soon as she had the image, she examined it on her phone. A cunning smirk filled her face. “I knew I was right,” she whispered under her breath.

  *

  Emily sat in the corner of the pub with her arms folded tightly in front of her. Omar was eager to see what had happened. “Well, is she coming back in here or is she going home?”

  She was on the spot, nervous to tell him the truth. Her voice croaked. “Jane’s gone home. She’s rang a taxi. I tried to reason with her, but she was adamant that she was done with you.”

  “Are you having a laugh or what? Has she really gone? Fucking hell, she’s messed things up now.”

  “What has she messed up?” asked Emily.

  He was anxious and sat cracking his knuckles. “I just need to make a phone call. I’ll be back in a minute.”

  Mark was back and she found it hard to maintain eye contact. Lizzy was with him. “Get me a brandy,” she said to Mark.

  “Do you want a drink Emily? Maybe a double to help you calm down and sort your napper out.”

  He was a sarcastic bastard and all of a sudden, this loving boyfriend had turned into a heartless monster. He should have just laughed it off and told her how foolish she had been. Mark trudged over to the bar; he was playing the victim for sure. Lizzy plonked down on the chair and eyeballed Emily. “So, are you his new girl?” New girl, what did she mean by that? Yes, she was his new girlfriend but to refer to her as a ‘new girl’ was a bit odd.

  Emily sat up straight, she didn’t like this girl’s attitude. “Yes, we’ve been going out now for a few months. We’re in love.”

  Lizzy burst out laughing and rolled her eyes. “Oh, right, so you’re his girlfriend. Where are you from?”

  This bitch was doing her head in and if she carried on with this attitude, she was going to get a piece of her mind, cousin or not. “I live in Manchester, why where are you from?”

  Lizzy was cagey. The less people knew about her the better. “I’m from all over me, love. I like to think I’m a bit of a gypsy. How old are you?”

  Emily was aware that her age was still a secret and there was no way she was confiding in this witch. “Eighteen, nearly nineteen.”

  Lizzy frowned and the side of her cheeks creased. “Really, you don’t look that old, you still look like a kid to me.”

  Emily pushed her breasts out as far as she could and replied to her. “I’ve got a baby face, soft and smooth skin. That’s what makes me look young.”

  Lizzy bent slightly to the left and saw Mark still at the bar. Once she was aware of where he was, she placed her feet on the chair opposite her and chewed rapidly on her chewing gum. “So, you really
like Mark then?”

  Was this a test or what, why she so interested in her love life. “Yes, he loves me, and I love him. We’re going to get a place together soon.”

  Lizzy was amused and she couldn’t hide it, she smirked and rolled her eyes. “Mark tells me that you have a friend too?”

  “Yes, but she’s just gone home she had an argument with her boyfriend Omar.”

  “So, let me get this right, she was seeing Omar?”

  This was like a cross-examination, Lizzy was delving deep and wanted to know the ins and outs of a cat’s arse. “Yes, I thought they were really getting on, but Jane just switched. She’s like that sometimes. She’ll probably phone me later telling me to tell him how sorry she is.”

  Mark was back, he placed the drinks on the table and sat down next to Lizzy. It seemed like Emily was getting the cold shoulder. She had to make this right, get back in his good books. “Jane’s gone home. She had a massive argument with Omar and stormed out.”

  Mark sighed and she could see his temper was rising. “Where’s Omar? Did he just let her go?”

  “No, he went outside after her and Jane said he man-handled her. She was upset, crying she was.”

  “I’d have chinned the daft cow. Omar has looked after her and spent a right few quid on her.”

  Emily didn’t want to get into it any deeper. She remained silent. Tonight had been a total nightmare. It was just one thing after another. All she wanted to do was make things right between them both, but how could she do that when Lizzy was sat there like a spare part?

  Suddenly, Emily went white in the face, colour being sucked out of her complexion. She looked like she seen a ghost. Oh My God, what was Tina doing in here with Alex? If she spotted Emily, she would be straight over and then her secret would be out. Elsie was laid back, but when it came to Emily lying to her, she would go ape. She would have done her in. Head dipped low, she scurried into the toilets, her heart pounding inside her chest. Think girl think. She locked the toilet door behind her and sent Mark a text. “I will meet you outside, I feel sick and need some fresh air.” She pressed the send button and stood behind the door having what looked like a panic attack.