by Karen Woods
Tony was up in arms and spoke in a high-pitched voice. “You are so negative. For once, give me a break and shut up for a minute. When Jordan comes in all will be revealed and you can kiss my arse then when you know what I’ve got up my sleeve. Like I said, Tony Clayton is a man of his word.”
Emily closed her eyes and tried to ignore him. She flicked the TV on and started to watch “Hollyoaks” it was one of her favourite TV shows. The front door banged shut and Jordan appeared at the living room door. They all looked at him as he opened the door and edged into the front room. Frank was barking and Tony had to quieten him down. “This is Lizzy, she’s coming to stay with me for a while until we get something sorted out. Is that alright with everyone?”
Elsie sat up straight and started to pat her hair down. Her voice changed and she started to talk with a posh tone. Emily and Tony giggled as they listened to her. “Of course it is, come in darling and sit down on the sofa. You’re more than welcome here. We don’t have a lot, but what we do have, we can share.”
Tony burst out laughing. “What the fuck is that voice all about? You never speak like that usually. Turn it in, you sound mental.”
Jordan sniggered too, and invited Lizzy to sit down. Elsie snarled over at Tony. “I’m not putting any voice on. Wind your neck in and sit down you muppet.”
Tony was still laughing; it was like he had a feather up his arse. Elsie was eager to talk to the new girl. Jordan had hardly ever brought anyone home in years so she must be special, someone he cared about. “So, how did you two meet? Have you known each other long?”
Tony couldn’t help himself; he stopped her speaking again. “Fucking hell Columbo, leave the girl alone. She’s only just stepped into the place and you’re interrogating her. Let her breathe woman.” “Will you be quiet. I was only asking a bleeding question.”
Lizzy went bright red, what should she say, should she tell them her story, or keep schtum? Jordan jumped into the conversation and saved her bacon. “Lizzy was one of the girls from the house where Emily was. She’s got nowhere to stay so I said we will look after her for now.”
Elsie wasn’t sure about this; she fidgeted about on the sofa and was getting ready to fire some more questions at her. Tony wouldn’t stop her this time, nobody would. “You mean they groomed you too?”
Lizzy licked her lips and took time to reply. “Yes, it was Mark who got me involved. I was young and vulnerable, just the same as you Emily.”
Emily was listening and her fists started to curl into two tight balls at the side of her legs. “Did he tell you that you were his princess too?”
In her heart Emily hoped he’d never said this to anyone else but as Lizzy answered, she cringed inside for allowing herself to be such a fool. “Yes, he told all the girls he loved them. Each new girl he brought to the house had a similar story to mine. We all thought he was Mr Right, the man who would look after us, but how wrong we all were.”
Emily walked over to Lizzy and wrapped her arms around her, squeezing her. “We are the victims here. Don’t blame yourself. He took advantage of us, groomed each and every one of us.” Lizzy had no tears in her eyes, she’d learned a long time ago that tears would never help her. Emily moved away from her and sat back down on the sofa saying, “Jordan, why don’t you make us all a drink?”
Lizzy started to relax; this wasn’t a bad place to stay after all. Tony bolted up from his seat, hands up in the air. “Just hang fire. I need to tell you all something first.” Elsie let out a laboured breath and plonked back in her chair as her husband began to speak. “Emily, do you remember when you asked me to take you on holiday?”
His daughter nodded, “Yes dad and it never happened.”
“Hold your horses, I never said when it would happen, I just told you that I would make it happen, is that correct?”
Emily rolled her eyes. “Yes, it is.”
“Well Tony Clayton is a man of his word and I never let anyone down when my reputation is at stake.” He dug his hand deep into his jacket pocket and pulled out an envelope. He passed it to his daughter. Emily opened it slowly and started to read the documents. Her head came back up and she wasn’t sure if what she had just read was right. She was lost for words and passed the letter over to her mother.
Elsie snatched the documents and started to read them. Every now and then she lifted her head up and looked at Tony. “I hope this isn’t one of your daft jokes Tony?” Elsie moaned.
“No, it’s bloody well not. We are off to Spain after this trial is over! We could all do with a break and there is nothing more I would like than to see than my daughter smiling again.”
It looked like Tony had come up trumps, but where had the money come from? He didn’t have a pot to piss in. Emily jumped up and swung around her father’s neck. “Dad, this is the best gift you have ever given me. I’ve never been abroad before. Oh my God, I’m going on a plane for the first time ever.”
Elsie was still waiting for the punch-line, come on, where was it? Tony rubbed his hands together and sat proud next to Elsie. “Well, I’m waiting” he said.
“Waiting for what?” she hissed.
“For you to say you’re sorry. You said I was full of shit but not this time, nope, not this time. This family is going on holiday to Benidorm for two weeks, all inclusive, so come on, say it Elsie.”
Tony was gleeful, it was a first for his wife to be totally speechless, she was in complete shock. Jordan went into the kitchen and flicked the switch for the kettle. He too was in shock. Where had the money come from? Tony came in behind him and his head was in the fridge searching for something to eat. Jordan coughed to clear his throat. “Oi, where did you get the money from? You must have had a decent graft to be able to afford a holiday?”
Tony smiled and walked closer to his son. He didn’t want anyone else hearing. “I got it out of the safe at the house where Emily was. When I went back to get my coat, I saw a safe was open slightly on the wall. I just acted on instinct and grabbed the fucking lot of it. I’ve not told anyone about it until now. The first thing I wanted to do was to book the holiday and make sure Emily was alright. I got about eight grand, so we have spending money and we can all go to town and buy some new clobber out of it. This holiday will do us all good. We have all been through a lot lately. Look at me, I’m off the shit. Yes, I’ve had a few times when I’ve fucked up but I’m getting there. I’m just taking each day as it comes.”
Tony was the man of the hour, he could still hear the excitement from his daughter in the next room, she was still in shock. Elsie stood at the door smiling from ear to ear. “Well, credit where credit is due, you done good. I don’t know how and I don’t really care, but thank you, it’s exactly what we all need. Come here you big daft bastard and give me a kiss.”
She held her arms out and waited for her other half to come to where she was standing. She puckered up and planted lots of wet sloppy kisses all over his cheek. This was so nice to see; the family was happy for a change. Elsie patted her large stomach with a flat palm. “Fuck me, I better get on a diet, I can’t go on holiday looking like this. I need a bikini body in two weeks. How on earth am I going to do that?”
Tony couldn’t help himself, he loved winding his wife up. “You’re more like a pair of shorts and t-shirts body love; don’t you be starving yourself now. I love you just the way you are.” She knew he was only jesting with her; she didn’t take his comments to heart; it was water off a duck’s back. Jordan winked at his father as he walked past him. His secret was safe and he’d never breathe a word of this to anyone. It was official, The Clayton family was set to go on holiday for the first time ever.
CHAPTER THIRTY
Today was the day the Clayton family had been looking forward to, it was day the men would be sentenced who had groomed Emily, Jane and Lizzy. The corridors of the Crown Court were packed and everyone seemed to be rushing about. The trial was coming to an end after a short hearing where the weight of evidence was so overwhelming that the ju
ry had found the men guilty on all charges.
Emily was dressed in black trousers and a white shirt with her hair was tied back. She looked respectable and ready to hear what would become of her attackers. Emily watched as all the men came out and sat in the dock of the crown court. The men had security all around them. There were eight men in total including Jimmy The Chop, Alex, Omar, and Mark. All through the trial, Emily had sat with a stern expression looking over at Mark. She wasn’t the one in the wrong here. When she gave her evidence in the stand, she’d broken down a few times crying and the judge had given her a few minutes to get herself together. Mark never flinched as she told the court how he met her on Facebook and arranged to meet her. In fact, all the way through the girls’ evidence his expression remained the same. What a heartless bastard he was. Jane had lost the plot when she’d taken the stand. She screamed over at Omar and told him that she hoped he rotted in hell for his crime. He made no attempt to defend himself either, he just growled at her.
Mark had told the courts that Emily had lied to him about her age. This was true but she never admitted it. When Lizzy took the stand there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. The extent of her ordeal was horrific. Jordan was always close by to support her when it got too much for her. Lizzy had the biggest story to tell. She had enough information to point the finger at the top dogs in all this. Jimmy The Chop and Alex were going down for a long time. Jimmy’s wife was in the court room and when she heard the young girl’s story she nearly collapsed. Her temper got the better of her and she stood up in the courtroom screaming at the top of her voice to her husband. “You will never see me or the children again. You’re sick in the head. How could you do that to these innocent girls? I thought I knew you. Twenty years we’ve been married, and you have just thrown it all away. How could you do this, how could you do this to us?” Jimmy’s wife was escorted out of court by the usher and a female friend. You could hear her crying even when she was outside. Jimmy just dropped his head and bit down on his bottom lip. In fairness, he was more of a silent partner. It was Alex and Mark who’d arranged all the punters and the parties, Jimmy just provided the muscle.
Jane was shaking from head to toe and her parents were by her side helping her to hold it together. Tina had been the strongest one through the trial and when she gave her evidence each of the criminals knew they would never be walking away from the courtroom. Mark was sat down in the dock and the guard held him down as he banged his clenched fist on the window that was holding him inside. “You bitch Emily. Did you think I could ever love anyone like you?” He pointed his finger at his victims. “You all deserved it. Desperate you are the fucking lot of you.” The guard who was at his side pushed him back to his seat but you could see by his eyes that he wanted to kick the living daylights out of this man. Lizzy sat back and closed her eyes as the judge read out how many times she had been raped by her attackers, about how they drugged her and done things to her that were disgusting. How this girl had coped was a mystery, she’d been to hell and back.
Now it was time for the sentencing. The public gallery was full of people who wanted to see these men sent down. The journalists had their pens at the ready and they were eager to write the headlines for tonight’s papers. The main court door opened, and Elsie went white as her mouth opened but no words came out. Her parents had come to court. It was inevitable they would have found out; it was all over the news, local radio and the journalist and the police were always hanging about the area. The judge adjourned for a half hour break. He needed some time in his chambers to make sure he got this right. There would be public outrage if he messed this up, so he needed just a bit more time to get his information together. Elsie stood and walked towards her parents, tears bubbling in her eyes. Tony was at her side and he took her hand in his as she met the eyes of her mother and father.
“How did you find out?” Elsie asked, her voice ready to break.
“I heard from one of my friends down the shops. Everyone was talking about it. Why didn’t you let us know?”
Tony was the one doing the talking now and he addressed Elsie’s father. “Emily wanted to keep it as low key as possible, the less people that found out about this the better. She has to live her life after this, so it was her decision not ours.”
Elsie’s dad had never had much time for Tony and he was ready to give him a piece of his mind, when his wife shut him up. “Elsie, we understand. This is horrendous and we want you to know that we are here for you and the kids. She’s going to need as much love and support as she can get over these next few months and I hope we can all work together to get her through this.”
Emily and Jordan came rushing to their grandparent’s side. They paused for a few seconds before they flung their arms around them. “Nana, I’ve missed you so much. I’ve never forgotten about the time we spent together and all the lovely things you and grandad did for us. I’m so happy we can all be friends now.”
Her nana was blubbering, tears flowed from her eyes like a waterfall.
Elsie started to heal the wounds. “We have all made mistakes and things have been said that cannot be taken back, but family is the most important thing in my life – mam and dad, thank you for giving me and Tony a chance. We will prove to you how much we have changed, and you will hopefully be proud of us.”
Tony nodded and looked at his father in law. “I know we have never seen eye to eye and you were probably right about me. I’ve let my family down in the past, but I promise you now that I will be the perfect husband and father to this lot for as long as I live.”
Emily snuggled deep into her nana’s arms and you could see her inhaling the floral smell from her clothing. The aroma was comforting her, it took her to a place where she felt safe and protected. The family had so many years to catch up on, but for now they all walked from the courtroom together as one.
The men were brought into the dock at Manchester Crown Court. Each of them confirmed their name and date of birth. Elsie and her family were on the edge of their seats ready for the sentencing as Jordan put his arms round Lizzy. Mark stood tall; his cocky expression showed that he had no remorse for his crimes. He received ten years’ imprisonment, along with Alex and Jimmy. The rest of the men got five years and eight years. Tony slammed his hand on the brass banister as the judge carried on with his sentencing. He had wanted each of them to get life and now he was screaming over at Mark as he was leaving the courtroom.
“You’ll die in jail! I know people who will get to you. I know lots of people who’ll make sure every day you spend behind bars is a nightmare. Wherever you land, they’ll find you. Don’t close your eyes at night because they will be there watching you, waiting for you.”
Elsie tried to calm her husband down. Emily stood up and Mark turned his head one last time before he was escorted out of the courtroom. Their eyes met and she scowled at him. Justice was served here today and lessons were learned.
*
Tony held the passports in his hands. He was dressed in bright orange shorts and a white t-shirt. His sunglasses were on the top of his head and he was ready to board the plane. Elsie’s parents were there too. They’d arranged to go with the family and try to make up for lost time. Lizzy held Jordan’s hand as they started to board the plane. She whispered in a low voice into his ear. “You’ve saved me in more ways than you will ever know and I know you and me will be part of each other for years to come. I love you.”
This was so nice, so endearing to watch. Loud screams were heard from behind them with heels clipping along the corridor as a woman wearing a large straw hat and a long flowing sundress ran along the tarmac. “Wait up will you. Don’t you dare think you are leaving me behind.” Tina hurried up to the group and sighed as she pulled her boarding pass from her handbag. “Where’s the beer? When can we get a drink?” she sniggered.
The family were finally seated on the plane and Tony looked out of the small window to the side of him. For the first time ever he was proud of the mission he�
�d completed. Fair enough, the money never had come from a graft but still he’d kept his promise and booked the holiday for his family. He turned to his wife and kissed her on the cheek. “I’m a changed man now Elsie, as soon as we are home, I’m going on the straight and narrow. I’ll get a job and look after us all like I should have done years ago.”
Elsie took what he’d said with a pinch of salt, he’d always be a bull-shitter in her eyes but for now she let him have his say. Tony stood up from his seat and looked at all the other passengers. It was party time and from the moment the plane took off from the runway he was going to enjoy every single moment of it. He started to sing at the top of his voice, urging the rest of the people there to do the same. “Oh we’re off to sunny sunny Spain…” he sang as the rest of the plane joined in.
Emily was looking at her mobile phone. She logged onto Facebook and went to the settings. As she scrolled down, she looked over at Lizzy. “I don’t need social media anymore. My life is here right in front of me.” She deleted her account there and then and dropped her phone into her new bag. “I love you dad,” she shouted over at Tony, “I love you all.”
Tony sat back in his seat and closed his eyes. He was bricking it. Elsie reached over and patted his thigh. “You’re nothing but a big softy, aren’t you?”
Tony smirked and dropped his head onto her shoulder. “I think I’ve shit my pants love; I’ve never been so scared in all my life, but keep it on the low, I don’t want the kids to know.”
Elsie laughed out loud. Some things never changed.
THE END
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
