by Kitty Neale
‘Thanks, Jenny. I’ll have to hide this away to make sure my girls don’t get their hands on it.’
Jenny hadn’t noticed but a young man had walked into the kitchen behind her. Tina looked past her and said, ‘Jack, this is my friend Jenny. Jenny, meet the baby of the family. This is Jack, my youngest brother.’
Jenny turned around to be greeted by a good-looking man with hair even redder than hers.
‘Hi, nice to meet you,’ Jack said.
‘Er, you too,’ Jenny answered awkwardly.
‘So, you work with my sister. You have my sympathies.’
Jenny smiled. Jack seemed pleasant enough.
‘I see we have matching hair. Do you have Irish roots too?’
‘No … well, I don’t think so.’
‘There must be a bit of Celt in there somewhere, wouldn’t you say so, Tina?’
‘Yes, someone in your family line was a Scot or a Paddy,’ Tina answered.
Jenny had always wondered where she’d got her red hair from. Then she had a vague recollection of her gran once telling her that one of her ancestors had come across to England during the Irish potato famine.
‘Actually, in the past, I think there was someone from Ireland in my family,’ she said.
‘See, I knew it, you’ve got a bit of Irish in you,’ said Jack, adding, ‘All the best-looking women come from the Emerald Isle.’
Jenny was already blushing, but now she could feel her face burning.
‘Stop trying to chat up my mate and take this plate of sausage rolls through to the lounge,’ Tina ordered. ‘Honestly, Jenny, he’s terrible.’
Jenny didn’t answer but she thought Jack was very nice.
‘We can have a chat later when Big Sis isn’t listening,’ Jack said and winked at Jenny as he walked off with the plate.
‘Sorry about my brother. He thinks he’s a bit of a ladies’ man, but truth be known he’s all talk. He’s a lovely lad, but could do with a good woman to sort him out.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Well, he’s got a heart of gold but needs to grow up a bit, that’s all. A sensible woman would see him straight.’
Jenny wasn’t sure if Tina was hinting at something. She thought Jack funny and very easy on the eye, but her heart still belonged to Craig and always would.
Later that evening, at ten o’ clock on the dot, Owen demanded they retire to their room. They’d arrived at the inn in time for dinner, but since their frank chat earlier Lizzie had sulked and spent the rest of the journey mostly in silence, and there had been little conversation at the dinner table.
Lizzie huffed as she followed Owen up the creaky stairs and into the cosy room. She undressed and slipped into the large four-poster bed but kept her back to Owen. He turned off the bedside light, and almost immediately she felt his hand cupping her bottom.
‘I don’t think so, Owen,’ Lizzie snapped at him in the dark. ‘If you want our relationship to continue, then you’ll have to rethink the provision you’re leaving me.’
‘I’m sure we can negotiate and come to an arrangement that we’re both comfortable with,’ Owen said huskily as he pushed his groin into her rear.
‘How much are you prepared to increase your offer?’ Lizzie asked and ground her bottom against his engorged manhood.
‘Five hundred,’ Owen said quickly and tried to thrust himself into her.
Lizzie pulled away and reached behind to hold his penis. ‘Five thousand,’ she replied, knowing she was pushing her luck.
‘One thousand,’ Owen offered and groaned as Lizzie began to pull his foreskin up and down.
‘Three,’ from Lizzie.
‘Two,’ Owen answered.
Lizzie was happy with that and eased Owen into her. She writhed in fake delight. Two thousand pounds! It wasn’t the fortune she’d hoped to inherit but prostituting herself to him had earned her a guaranteed nest-egg.
It was after midnight when Jenny arrived home. She quietly opened the door to find the place in darkness. She tiptoed down the hallway and into the front room, hoping not to disturb the boys.
She got a fright when she heard her gran say, ‘You’re home.’ She adjusted her eyes in the gloom to see her sitting in her armchair.
‘Turn the light on, love,’ her gran whispered.
Jenny switched on the ceiling light and asked, ‘What are you doing sitting in the darkness?’
‘Call me nosy, but I wanted to know if you had a good time.’
Jenny dropped onto the sofa. ‘I did and I’m so glad I went now. It was fun.’
‘Good, it’s about time you started letting your hair down.’
‘I met a nice chap called Jack. Turns out he works with Gloria. Small world.’
‘It certainly is, but I wouldn’t like to paint it. You got on well with Jack then?’
‘Yes, but I think it was a bit of a set-up on Tina’s part.’
‘Will you be seeing him again?’ her gran asked with a glint in her eye.
‘I don’t think so. He did ask me out on a date, but I turned him down.’
‘Why? You said he’s nice and you got on well with him.’
‘I know, but I don’t feel I’m ready, Gran. It’s too soon.’
‘Sweetheart, it’s been six months since Craig died. I know it feels too soon for you, but it always will. I was the same after your grandfather died. It still feels like yesterday, but it’s been years. It doesn’t matter whether it’s six days, six weeks, months or years, it’ll always hurt. You just learn to live with it.’
‘I don’t think I’ll ever date anyone again. Craig was the love of my life and nobody can replace him,’ Jenny said as a tear slipped from her eye.
‘I know you can’t replace Craig but you can still find happiness with someone else. I wish I’d taken the bull by the horns when I was still young enough. You don’t want to end up alone like me. Craig would want you to be happy, wouldn’t he?’
‘Yes, of course he would.’
‘Would he want you to be lonely for the rest of your life?’
‘Well, no, I suppose not.’
‘Right then, you should go on a date with Jack.’
‘I don’t know, Gran. How can I see another man when I’m still in love with Craig?’
‘Does Jack know about Craig?’
‘Yes, I told him. He’s so easy to talk to and it felt like I’d known him all my life.’
‘Jack sounds like an understanding young man and you’d be silly to let him slip you by.’
‘I do like him, but he doesn’t give me butterflies in my stomach like Craig did.’
‘It’s not all about passion. Friendship is just as important in a relationship. Go on, give Jack a chance …’
‘It’s too late, I’ve already turned him down and I’ll probably never see him again.’
‘You said he works with Gloria. She could have a word with him or you could pop into Sainsbury’s and tell him you’ve changed your mind.’
‘I couldn’t possibly do that! But yes, I suppose Gloria could say something, though she’s not normally very subtle,’ Jenny said with a small laugh.
‘I’m pleased you’re taking my advice, but it’s getting late and if you’re going on a date, you’ll need your beauty sleep. Go and carry the boys through, I’ll make up their bed.’
Jenny was tired, but she felt a flutter of excitement at the thought of seeing Jack again. She knew she wouldn’t sleep well and would be wrestling with her conscience all night. She just couldn’t shake off feeling guilty at the thought of betraying Craig’s memory.
Chapter 41
‘That was a busy day,’ Jack said on Thursday as he and Gloria left the building. ‘I’ll be glad to get home.’
‘Yeah, me too, but I’m going round to see my sister.’
‘Say hello to her from me. I’ll see ya tomorrow.’
‘Yeah, see ya, Jack,’ Gloria replied and waved as she walked in the opposite direction. The High Road was bustling with late
shoppers on their way home and workers filing from the array of shops as they closed. As she drew closer to Balham underground station, she could hear the old beggar man playing his flute. He was usually only there on Saturdays, but Gloria thought he might have realised how busy weekdays could be. She began to rummage in her bag for some coppers to put in his hat. She loved the sound of his flute and didn’t mind giving him a few pence in appreciation of his music.
A train must have pulled in on the platform below and a steady flow of people began to emerge from the various exits at street level. Gloria dodged them to get to the flute player and dropped some coins into his flat cap. She was about to walk away when she noticed another beggar sitting hunched up against the wall. She did a double take; there was something about him that looked familiar. She walked towards him, peering at the dishevelled figure, and could hardly believe her eyes. ‘Dad?’
Her father looked up with red-rimmed eyes. She barely recognised him. His dark hair was dirty and straggly, and he had an unkempt beard.
‘Hello, Gloria!’
Her brow furrowed as she studied the state of him. ‘Dad, what on earth has happened to you?’
‘I, er … I had a bit of bad luck. Will you buy your old man a drink, love?’
‘You’ve got to be kidding me! The last thing you need is a drink. I’ll take you home and you can have a bath and a hot meal, but there’s no way I’m getting you any alcohol.’
‘Please, love, just a drop?’
‘No, Dad, look at you – you’re a mess,’ she said, and grabbed his arm to help him to his feet. He appeared to be unsteady, so she wrapped her arm around his waist. The stench from him was vile and made her want to vomit, but somehow she held on. ‘Come on, let’s get you home.’
They’d only taken a few steps when another tramp staggered towards them and offered her father a toothless smile. He was carrying a bottle wrapped in newspaper, which she guessed contained some form of alcohol.
‘Henry, I got us some …’ the vagrant said, holding up the bottle.
‘Good on ya, Bill,’ her dad answered and pulled away from her.
‘Who’s this beauty?’
‘Gloria, my daughter.’
‘Hello, darling, you gonna give your dad’s best mate a kiss?’ Bill said as he lurched towards her.
Gloria jumped backwards, and yelled, ‘Get off me, you filthy old git! Come on, Dad, we’re going.’
‘I – I think I might stay with Bill, but thanks, love.’
Gloria watched, astonished and mortified, as he stumbled along the street with his friend. He was beyond help and she pitied him, but he’d made his choice.
Jenny was pleasantly surprised when Gloria walked in. It wasn’t like her sister to visit, especially during the week.
‘And to what do we owe this honour?’ her gran asked jokingly.
‘I miss Jenny’s cooking,’ Gloria said, smiling.
‘Your timing is spot-on, I’m just about to dish up,’ Jenny told her. ‘You can give Pamela a hand laying the table.’
‘Actually, there’s something I want to tell you. Where’s Peter and Timmy? I don’t want them hearing this,’ Gloria said in a low voice.
‘They’re doing some colouring in Gran’s room. What is it? Are you all right?’ Jenny asked, suddenly concerned.
‘Yes, I’m fine, but I had a bit of a run-in with Dwight. Mum’s ex.’
‘What happened?’ their gran asked with a scowl on her face.
‘He followed me home and forced his way in. Nothing happened. I screamed so loud that the neighbours came round. Anyway, to cut a long story short, he’s been arrested. Turns out that when I complained to the police about him, they matched him up with complaints from other women.’
‘Bloody hell, Gloria. When did this happen?’ Jenny asked.
‘Friday, after work. I’m all right, honest. Gail hasn’t left my side and Charlie next door keeps checking on us, but I must admit I feel better now I know he’s behind bars.’
‘Will you have to give evidence in court?’ Edith asked.
‘Not if he pleads guilty. He’s being done for assault on one poor girl. They said he’d been hanging about outside the secondary school too. What a creep!’
‘Sounds like you had a lucky escape,’ Jenny said as Timmy came running into the room.
‘Escape from what?’ he asked.
‘Hello, you,’ Gloria answered. ‘Escape from the zoo … you … you’re a monkey.’
‘No, I’m not, I’m a lion,’ Timmy said and roared loudly.
‘Go and wash your hands and make sure Peter does too. Dinner’s ready,’ Jenny told him, and indicated to Gloria to follow her into the kitchen.
‘Are you sure you’re all right?’ she asked.
‘Yes, really, I am. You won’t believe what else has happened.’
‘Go on.’
Gloria stepped closer to her sister and whispered, ‘I saw Dad on my way here. Oh, Jen, you should have seen the state of him. He was begging outside the tube station and looked like a proper tramp. He was as drunk as a skunk too.’
Jenny raised her eyebrows, but she wasn’t sure how she felt about hearing her dad was in a bad way. He’d brought it on himself and he didn’t deserve her sympathy, but part of her felt sorry for him.
‘I offered to take him home and give him a bath and some food, but he was more interested in drinking with his alky mate.’
‘Has it bothered you, seeing him like that?’
‘I don’t know … not really, but it wasn’t nice,’ Gloria answered. ‘He made his bed and after what he did to you, he deserves to bloody well rot in it.’
Jenny nodded in agreement, belying how she really felt. She’d spent months hating her father for causing her to lose Craig’s baby, and she’d never forgive him that. She had thought that she wouldn’t care if he drank himself to death, but now that he probably was doing just that, it saddened her.
‘Come on, Jenny, don’t let hearing about Dad upset you. I wish I hadn’t told you now.’
‘I’m fine,’ she said, busying herself dishing up portions of shepherd’s pie. When the plates were full, Gloria helped her to carry them through to the dining room table, where Jenny forced herself to say cheerfully, ‘Sit down, you lot, and I hope you’re hungry.’
‘By the way, Jenny, what did you do to my friend Jack?’ Gloria asked. ‘He’s been in the doldrums since he met you on Saturday.’
Jenny could feel herself blushing again, and answered, ‘He asked me out, but I turned him down.’
‘You’ve broken his heart,’ Gloria said with a laugh.
‘Actually, Jenny’s changed her mind, haven’t you, love?’ Edith said from her armchair.
‘Oh, I – I don’t know about that.’
‘You should go out with him, Jenny. He’s a really nice bloke, and you’ve already got something in common.’
‘What’s that?’ asked Edith.
‘Their hair. Both gingers, the pair of them.’
‘There you go, it’s meant to be,’ Edith said and smiled.
‘Do you want me to tell him that you’ve changed your mind?’ Gloria asked.
‘I’m not sure.’
‘Yeah, you are … I’ll tell him to meet you at seven-thirty outside the cinema tomorrow night.’
‘No,’ Jenny answered quickly, ‘not there. That’s where me and Craig had our first date.’
‘OK then, how about the ABC Café?’
Jenny thought about it before answering. The café could work. They could talk, and she knew she’d enjoy his company. ‘Yes, fine,’ she said, and once again felt nervous excitement knot her stomach.
Lizzie was pleased to be back from Devon. It hadn’t turned out to be quite the mini-holiday she’d been expecting. She’d found it disturbing to see how upset Owen’s niece was, and how poorly the young woman had been.
As she unpacked her bag, Lizzie tried to clear her mind. Owen had promised her the sum of two thousand pounds, but it had only been a v
erbal agreement. Now she had to ensure she got it in writing.
‘I’m going to call in to see mother. Would you like to come?’ Owen asked.
Lizzie couldn’t think of anything she’d rather do less. ‘Sorry, no, I’ve got a headache and think I’ll have a lie-down,’ she fibbed.
‘Would you like me to bring you an aspirin?’
‘Yes, thanks, Owen.’
Lizzie took her shoes off and slipped under the bed covers, then Owen returned with a pill and a glass of water. He looked at her and curled his bottom lip before saying, ‘Would you undress before you get in the bed? Your clothes will be dirty after such a long day and we don’t want the dirt transferred to our sheets.’
Lizzie huffed as she climbed back out of the bed and peeled her clothes off.
‘And please don’t leave them piled on the floor,’ he moaned.
She gathered her garments and threw them onto a chair in the corner of the room, saying sharply, ‘There, happy now?’
‘Yes, thank you.’
‘Good. And before you go, can you call your solicitor?’
‘What for?’
‘To make an appointment to have our arrangement made legal.’
‘There’s no rush. I’m not planning on dropping dead, unless you have a murderous intention in mind?’
‘Don’t be silly. It’s just that I’d feel better if our agreement is put in writing.’
‘Very well, I’ll get on to it tomorrow, but I’ve been thinking and I believe two thousand pounds is rather extravagant. I’ll have Ronald draw up the papers for one thousand.’
‘No way! You agreed to two thousand. You can’t change your mind now.’
‘I can, Lizzie, and I have. If you find the offer unsatisfactory, then please feel free to leave.’
Owen turned and walked away, leaving Lizzie fuming. The scheming old sod, she thought. It wasn’t fair. Owen could live for another ten years and it didn’t seem worth her while to endure him for a measly grand. Then a thought occurred to her. Perhaps she could work on his mother.
Chapter 42
‘I’ve got a message for you,’ Gloria said to Jack as they walked home on Friday evening.
