by Lee Martin
‘So what about me? Does he know everyone involved? The real names?’
Eddie nodded. ‘We had to keep on top of things. In touch. Soon as I knew I was in for a stretch, I told Connie and the boys the lot.’
‘Jesus,’ said Sadie. ‘No wonder he told me to take a hike. He can drop you right out. Honour amongst thieves eh?’
‘This thief.’
‘But Eddie, what am I going to do? We’re going to lose the house, the cars, everything.’
‘Start again doll.’
‘What? And you expect me to be there when you get out? Seven years and change if you’re a good boy. Otherwise, when?’
‘I’m sorry love. You could always get a job you know. Flog the place off. We’ve got equity. Buy a flat.’
‘Christ Eddie. What’s happened to you? This isn’t the man I married.’
‘It’s the man you’re married to now. I done all right by you girl. Now go and sort something out for yourself.’
‘I don’t believe this,’ said Sadie.
‘Listen love. I know what you got up to when I was out and about at work. You shagging anything with a dick. I never done nothing because I was at it myself. You pissed on our marriage with those geezers. Now you’re on your own. And I warn you, there’s worse to come.’
‘You bastard,’ Sadie almost spat.
Eddie shrugged, and with tears in her eyes Sadie got up and left the room, without another word or a backward glance.
25
By this time Poppy and Niki were lovers, their friendship gradually having evolved into something deeper. It started in the changing room of one of the boutiques on Canary Wharf. The two women had met for morning coffee, as had become a habit. They enjoyed their freedom and each other’s company, as the hordes of office workers and construction workers swarmed through the place. ‘Think it’ll ever be finished?’ asked Poppy, as yet another bunch of builders in overalls and hard hats passed by, clutching bags from one or other of the sandwich shops that fed them.
‘What, this place?’ said Niki. ‘I don’t know. Seems that every time a new tower is finished, they start on another. I can see them from my bedroom window. It’s like on the Island. All they do is build more flats on every available space. I think if you left a car in the street for long enough someone would try to put a penthouse on top of it.’
They both laughed, and Poppy bit into one of the pastries they’d bought. ‘How come you speak such good English?’ asked Poppy. ‘You’re amazing for someone who hasn’t been here long.’
‘American films at home in Russia. On satellite and video. And I had a good language teacher at school. I’m lousy at mathematics though.’
Poppy laughed. ‘I’m lousy at everything. Fancy a go round the shops?’ she asked.
‘Sure.’
They wandered through the malls, stopping every now and again to admire a garment or a pair of shoes, or sometimes to wonder who would be seen dead in something or other.
Then Niki saw a dress she loved. It was nothing special. Nothing flash. Just basic black that even Connie couldn’t moan about. But if course she had no money or card to buy it with.
‘Try it on,’ said Poppy. ‘Can’t hurt. If it looks good I’ll treat you.’
‘I can’t,’ said Niki. ‘It’s too much.’
‘It’s Joe’s money,’ said Poppy. ‘And if I spend some on you, at least the bitch and her bastard won’t get it.’
They went inside. The shop was empty apart from a blonde behind the counter studying Heat magazine and filing a nail. ‘The dress in the window,’ said Poppy. ‘Black. Have you got a size…?’ She looked at Niki.
‘Eight,’ she said.
‘Lucky girl,’ said the assistant. ‘I can’t get below a ten whatever I do. Let’s have a look.’
She went over to a rail and swished through the dresses on it, until she pulled one out. ‘An eight it is. They come up a bit small I warn you, but I think it should be fine with your figure. Give it a try. Dressing room’s through there.’ She handed Niki the dress and pointed to a narrow corridor between more racks of clothes, and went back to her magazine.
Niki took the dress and followed the assistant’s directions. Poppy wandered round the shop picking things up and putting them back.
‘Poppy,’ Niki called from the back. ‘Come see.’
Poppy did as she was bid, and followed the sound of Niki’s voice into a miniscule, curtained closet. The dress fitted Niki’s slim frame perfectly. Her tiny breasts stood out, the nipples visible through the thin fabric, and the skirt finished just above her bare knees. ‘Fabulous,’ said Poppy, experiencing a strange feeling as she stood close enough to Niki to feel her breath. ‘You’ve got to have it.’
‘Thank you Poppy,’ said Niki, throwing her arms around her friend, and kissing her full on the mouth. Their lips parted and their tongues touched, and for the first time in her life Poppy gave another woman a kiss on the lips.
‘Did you like that?’ asked Niki when they pulled apart.
Poppy nodded, too breathless to answer.
‘I thought you would.’
‘Everything OK in there?’ called the assistant.
‘Yes, coming,’ stuttered Poppy.
‘Now let me get dressed and let’s get out of here,’ said Niki, mischievously.
Poppy paid for the dress on her card and the two women stood outside the shop. Poppy had never felt such a rush of desire. Not with Joseph or anyone before. ‘What shall we do?’ she asked.
‘There’s a hotel around the corner. We could go there,’ said Niki.
And like a pair of teenage girls, they ran off laughing towards the Four Seasons hotel.
26
They got a room easily. Poppy gave her card details, and no one turned a hair at their lack of luggage apart from the bag from the boutique. She took a suite on the top floor with a breathtaking view over central London to one side, and Greenwich and Blackheath on the other, with the iron-grey Thames snaking beneath them. ‘It’s fabulous,’ said Niki as she went out onto the balcony. ‘Look, you can see my house. It’s tiny. If Connie came out into the garden, and I had a sniper’s rifle, he wouldn’t know what hit him.’
Poppy didn’t know what had hit her either. She suddenly panicked, and Niki, looking back through the window knew it. ‘Come out here Poppy,’ she said. ‘Have a smoke. Relax.’
‘I don’t…’
‘I know. But you will.’
Poppy joined Niki on the balcony. The world seemed to swim beneath her from the great height, and she reached for her friend for support. They stood there holding each other as they shared a cigarette. ‘I’ve never done anything like this before,’ said Poppy.
‘Nor had I until I did,’ said Niki. ‘At school.’
‘Seems to me you had a pretty colourful school career,’ said Poppy. ‘Mind you, so did I. I got pregnant. That’s why I can’t…’
‘I know. I know, my darling Poppy,’ said Niki.
They finished the cigarette and Niki flipped it over the balcony rail, and they watched it fall, pulled by the breeze until it was out of sight, lost in the waters of the river.
They went back inside and Niki found the mini bar. ‘Champagne?’ she said.
‘Might as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb,’ said Poppy.
‘A strange expression,’ said Niki. ‘Sheep, lambs. That’s us. You won’t get into trouble will you? For spending all this money, I mean.’
‘No. Joe’s very careful not to stir things up too much these days. He doesn’t care anyway.’
‘Then let’s enjoy it,’ said Niki. She went though into the bedroom and exclaimed. ‘Just look at the size of this bed. And the bathroom. It’s beautiful.’
Poppy was pleased with her friend’s excitement and followed. Niki was just in her briefs again, her coat and dress slung over a chair. ‘You’re beautiful,’ said Poppy.
‘So are you Poppy,’ said Niki. ‘You don’t know how beautiful. Now come to bed.’
‘Half-black,’ Poppy corrected her. ‘By my dad.’
‘He must’ve been a handsome man, and your mother as gorgeous as you.’
‘Once,’ said Poppy, thinking of the shrunken woman in her tiny flat, which could also probably be seen from the eyrie where they now were. ‘Once.’
They both got into bed and toasted each other with their champagne flutes. ‘Are you happy?’ asked Niki.
‘For the first time in ages,’ said Poppy.
They laid their glasses on the matching bedside cabinets and they hugged. Niki took the initiative and kissed Poppy’s mouth again, a long, lingering kiss that seemed to last forever. When they parted Poppy said, ‘That was wonderful.’
Niki slid her hands to her breasts and gently stroked them before taking one nipple in her mouth, her dark hair covering Poppy’s tummy. ‘That’s even better,’ breathed Poppy, taking one of Niki’s tits in her hand too. ‘Don’t stop.’
Barely a moment later Poppy lay back on the white sheets, trembling. ‘I’ve never come that fast,’ she whispered.
‘Let’s have another drink,’ said Niki. ‘Then you can do me. Let’s see how fast I can come too.’
27
Niki looked down at Poppy as she lay recovering from the strongest orgasm she’d ever known. Poppy couldn’t believe how the young Russian girl had made her feel, and couldn’t wait to reciprocate, but she was exhausted. ‘I need a drink first,’ she said. ‘And a cigarette.’
‘Are you being cruel to me?’ asked Niki. ‘Making me wait?’
‘No love,’ said Poppy, reaching for her hand and giving it a squeeze. ‘I’m just… God, I don’t know what I am. Give me a minute will you.’
‘Take as long as you want,’ said Niki. ‘There’s no rush is there?’
‘No. Joseph’s out with the bitch and the brat as usual. What about you?’
‘As long as Connie’s tea, as he calls it, is ready for six o’clock, then he doesn’t care. He thinks I’m safe with you.’
‘And you are darling,’ said Poppy, sipping at her champagne, and sitting up in bed to light a cigarette. ‘And we’ve got hours.’
Hours that they spent exploring each other.
When they were lying close together under a sheet, when Niki had tumbled off her, Poppy asked, ‘What did you say?’
‘When?’
‘When you were all excited. Russian wasn’t it?’
‘Yes. I just said that I loved you and wanted you forever.’
‘Forever is a long time.’
‘I know. And I know things can’t go on like this, now we’re…’
‘What?’
‘Lovers. Together. That’s what you want isn’t it?’
‘Yes.’
‘Be sure. We’re playing a dangerous game.’
‘I am sure. And I know we’re playing with fire, but I don’t care,’ Poppy said tenderly, looking into Niki’s eyes.
‘We must be careful. You know what Connie’s like.’
‘We will be.’
‘I know we will. Do you want to come again my sweet?’ asked Niki.
‘Again and again, and again.’
‘Then you shall. Do you ever use things?’
‘What things?’
‘Sex toys. Dildos, vibrators?’
‘I used to. My mates bought me one of those Rampant Rabbits from Ann Summers for my birthday,’ said Poppy, blushing. ‘How about you?’
‘What is a rampant rabbit?’ Niki looked quizzical, and Poppy thought she would burst out laughing as she explained. ‘I don’t have anything like that. Connie would go crazy. But I do use this.’ She hopped out of bed and found her handbag, from which she pulled out her mobile phone and switched it on. She fiddled with the controls whilst Poppy poured more champagne for them both.
‘What are you doing?’ asked Poppy. ‘Who are you calling? Not Connie?’
‘Don’t be crazy. There.’ And Niki pushed a button and the phone started buzzing in her hand. ‘I’ve put it on to vibrate. Now open your legs.’
‘Niki, you’re terrible,’ said Poppy, and laughed out loud.
The early afternoon sped past, and soon it was time for them to part. ‘I’ll never forget today,’ said Poppy as she repaired her make up and got dressed. ‘As long as I live. We will do it again, won’t we?’
‘Of course. Whenever you want. Whenever we can.’
‘Soon?’
‘As soon as is possible, but the men must never guess. Not until we’re ready.’
‘Ready for what?’
‘To kill them, what else?’ said Niki, coldly.
‘Are you kidding?’
‘Never been more serious in my life.’
Poppy could hardly believe her ears. ‘Christ, that’s a bit strong. We can’t.’
‘Then we’ll be on the run for the rest of our lives.’
‘Better that than murdering our husbands!’
‘Poppy, you don’t get it. This is the most serious thing either of us will ever do. If we’re together, we go all the way.’
‘Or what?’
‘Or we cannot be together.’
‘Oh Niki, you’ll have to be strong enough for both of us.’
‘For you Poppy, I’ll be strong enough for an army.’
‘I love you,’ said Poppy.
‘I love you too.’
‘Then I’ll do it.’
‘I never had any doubts.’
And they kissed again.
28
By this time Sadie was almost at her wit’s end. There was no cash in the coffers, and she was reduced to pawning some jewellery just to survive. And worse. Eddie’s most hurtful betrayal came when she returned from visiting him at the prison, to find a ‘For Sale’ sign outside the house. She phoned the number on the board and spoke to a rather disinterested woman, who told her that Jack Lewis had organised the transaction. ‘We’ll need to get in,’ the woman said. ‘To look around. Appraise the value of the property.’
‘Over my fucking dead body,’ said Sadie, and slammed down the phone. Only to pick it up again and call the solicitor. ‘What’s going on Jack?’ she demanded, almost in tears. ‘My bloody house is being sold out from under me.’
‘And you were unaware?’
‘Of course I bloody well was. Why do you think I’m phoning you now?’
‘As a matter of fact I’ve been trying to get in touch with you on the same subject.’
‘My mobile’s dead,’ said Sadie. ‘I forgot to charge the battery. And I’ve been out all day.’
‘Maybe you’d better come in,’ said Lewis. ‘Tomorrow morning, and we can talk.’
So, just as she did when Eddie was first banged up, Sadie again went to Lewis’s office. But this time she declined coffee. And this time she knew a whole lot more about the trouble she was in. ‘What the hell do you mean by putting my house up for sale without a word?’ she said, trying to keep the anger and frustration out of her voice.
‘Strictly speaking it’s Mr Ross’s property,’ replied Lewis. ‘And the mortgage is well in arrears.’
‘I’m going to sort that out,’ said Sadie.
‘But he called me from the prison, and gave me instructions.’
‘Instructions not to tell me?’
‘No. I had no idea, Mrs Ross. This is most disturbing. We’ve always had a good relationship. If I’d known, I would have delayed speaking to the agents. I only tried to get in touch with you so that they could gain access to make a proper valuation.’
‘I don’t want them in the house!’ Sadie cried angrily.
‘This is difficult Mrs Ross. I’ve had my instructions. Mr Ross was adamant.’
‘And so am I. No one gets in.’ And with that she stormed out of the office.
Communication with Eddie then became impossible. No phone calls. No visitor’s order, and
the letters she sent remained unanswered.
A young man from the estate agent called to value the place. Sadie explained what was going on, and although he was sympathetic, he was unmoved by her protestations, and she was forced to seduce him in the master bedroom to get him to agree to delay the sale as long as possible. He was nervous and inexperienced, and Sadie felt like shooting him and burying his body in the basement.
Things were definitely going downhill when she couldn’t even get a decent fuck.
So she called up her closest friends, Kate, Niki and Poppy to see if they could help.
They met in a Cantonese restaurant in Custom House. A huge, lavish place where she’d been once with Eddie in better times, and which had booths down one side to allow for privacy. Sadie had ordered a table for four, and she sat next to Kate, whilst Poppy and Niki who had arrived together sat opposite. They hadn’t all met since the trial and the first half hour was spent catching up, although they were each careful to keep their secrets to themselves.
Finally, when they’d been served their duck with pancakes and plum sauce, and the second bottle of wine was open, Sadie began to tell the truth. ‘I’m broke, girls,’ she said. ‘Skint. Boracic. That fucking bastard Eddie spent every penny, or at least that’s what he says. And now he’s put the fucking house up for sale without a word.’
‘Behind your back?’ asked a stunned Poppy.
‘Yeah. You’re not surprised are you? Those men don’t give a shit. Look at what Joseph done.’
Poppy nodded.
‘But Eddie wouldn’t do that,’ said Kate. ‘He’s your husband. And that’s where you live.’
Sadie laughed. ‘That’s what I thought too. But he’d found out what I was up to with those blokes. Fuck knows how. Some little shit probably saw me at it, and grassed me up. I was a bit careless, if you know what I mean.’
‘We did warn you,’ said Kate.
‘I know. I suppose none of you lot let anything slip…’
‘No chance,’ said Kate. ‘Me, tell Robbo? You’re having a laugh.’
Niki and Poppy both shook their heads emphatically. ‘You know we would never do that, babe,’ said Poppy in a soft voice.
