Rival

by Jacqui Rose

  With her eyes wide open, Milly spoke in almost a whisper. ‘Like what, Ellie?’

  Looking awkward, Ellie shrugged. ‘You know, sex stuff.’

  ‘Oh my God, Ellie! Where was your boyfriend?’

  ‘He’d gone.’

  Shaking her head, in all innocence Milly asked, ‘Why would he just leave you there with them? I don’t get it, why?’

  ‘Cos that’s what he does, okay … Do you want to hear this or not?’

  ‘Yeah of course,’ Milly answered, wondering how Ellie could sound so calm.

  ‘This one man was horrible, though he was well handsome but he was loud and rough. I’d seen him before, done stuff with him before, but it didn’t make me feel any better, cos I knew what was coming. So I took a lot of coke and I must have passed out because the next thing I know …’ She trailed off and Milly could see the tears in her eyes.

  ‘What, Ellie? What happened?’

  ‘I … I woke up and this guy was helping me. He took off …’ She stopped, not fully knowing herself what had actually happened. ‘I’d been tied up, wrapped up in black bags.’

  Milly’s hands shot over her mouth. ‘Oh my God, Ellie! Oh my God. Then what?’

  ‘Then the guy who found me, he took me to the hospital, left me there, and that was it really.’

  Ellie shook her head, speaking vehemently. ‘That’s not it, Ellie. You’ve got to call the police. You’ve got to tell them. You could’ve been killed.’

  ‘I can’t.’

  ‘Why not? What did your boyfriend say? He must want you to go to the police, right?’

  ‘I told him, but he never said anything, apart from he wanted to make sure that I hadn’t said anything to the nurses.’ Ellie sighed, sadness exuding from her. ‘Anyway, he said he’ll take me out to cheer me up, so I can get my nails done and he reckoned he was going to get me a designer bag as well.’

  Angry for Ellie, Milly took hold of her hands. ‘Ellie, listen to me. This ain’t normal. Has this stuff happened before?’

  ‘Not as bad as this but …’ She stopped and shrugged, not really knowing what else to say.

  ‘You’ve got to get away. He doesn’t care about you and it’s obvious he’s going to get you to do it again, and next time you could be killed. He sounds a right wanker.’

  ‘He ain’t! Don’t call him names. I thought you were my friend,’ Ellie shouted angrily.

  ‘I am, I am!’

  ‘If you were, you wouldn’t talk about my boyfriend like that. I love him and he loves me. You’re just as bad as the rest of them. He looks after me and I help him out. That’s what you do in a relationship, but maybe you wouldn’t know that, cos your fella ain’t even around, is he? And no matter what you think, he does care! I know it.’

  Milly began to cry along with Ellie. ‘But he doesn’t, El. Can’t you see that? He can’t do if he makes you do stuff like that with other guys.’

  ‘He doesn’t make me, I want to do it!’

  ‘I don’t believe that, Ellie. I don’t believe you want to do that.’

  Her eyes flashing with anger, Ellie screamed at Milly as tears ran down her face. ‘What do you know? What do you fucking know about anything? You don’t know him; you don’t know what he’s like.’

  ‘I know scummy men. I saw the way my dad treated my mum and she never got away and she’s miserable and her life’s ruined because of him, and so is everybody else’s.’

  ‘Then your mum’s stupid, cos I can leave whenever I like, but I don’t want to. What part of that don’t you get? We’re not all losers like your mum.’ Ellie stood up and Milly staggered up too.

  ‘Please don’t go, El.’

  ‘And what? Stay and have you bad-mouth my boyfriend? I don’t think so.’

  ‘Look, I promise I won’t say anything else. I just want to help cos you’re my friend. And … and if you want, you can stay here with me.’

  ‘I’d rather die.’

  At that moment, Ellie’s phone pinged. She looked at the text, then headed for the door. ‘I have to go anyway. Unlike yours, my boyfriend wants to see me.’

  She slammed out of the bedsit, leaving Milly standing alone in the middle of the room, listening to the noise of Soho rising up from the street.

  She sighed and a feeling of anxiousness came over her but then, she supposed she didn’t have to leave it like this, did she? Maybe she could do something about it after all. With that thought in her mind, Milly grabbed her coat and rushed down the stairs. She was going to find out exactly who Ellie’s boyfriend was …

  30

  Back in Tower Bridge, Alfie sat in his black, silk boxer shorts on the bed with a half-drunk bottle of whiskey and a couple of grams of cocaine on the night table. He sighed as the hooker, Rachel, attempted to bring him to climax, but he wasn’t in the mood. All he could think of was the young girl and how she’d ended up in Wan’s clutches.

  ‘Jesus, Rachel, watch your teeth. You’re supposed to be giving me a blow job not peeling the skin off me dick. If I wanted my penis to be shredded, I would’ve used a frigging cheese grater.’

  With her mouth full, Rachel looked up and winked at Alfie, then gave up and sat back. ‘It ain’t my fault you’re sailing at half-mast. The last time I saw something drooping this much was me auntie’s potted Christmas geranium. Anyway, what’s going on? This isn’t like you. I reckon you need to knock that shit you’re snorting on the head. I thought you were giving it up. That’s what Jan said, anyway.’

  The idea of Jan, the prostitute he’d been with the other day, talking about him irritated the hell out of Alfie. ‘Then Jan’s a mouthy fucker, ain’t she? And besides, when I need drugs advice from a whore, I’ll let you know …’ He stopped and then looked rather sheepish as he pulled on his blue Abercrombie & Fitch T-shirt. ‘I’m sorry, Rach, ignore me. I’ve just got a lot on my mind.’

  ‘Care to share?’ Rachel asked as she got up from her knees and sat next to Alfie on the super-king-size bed.

  He stared at Rachel, taking in her warm face and her dark green eyes. Although she was still attractive, she looked older than her thirty years, but he guessed the life she led still took its toll, even if she didn’t have to stand on street corners anymore.

  He’d known Rachel for over fifteen years, if not longer, and there’d been loads of times she’d lent a listening ear. ‘What do you know about Wan Huang?’

  A look of disgust crossed over Rachel’s face. ‘I know I wouldn’t go near him with a barge pole, no matter how much you were paying me, and you know how much I like my readies.’

  ‘Why not? Why wouldn’t you go near him?’

  Reaching across to her jacket, Rachel pulled out a cigarette from the pocket and quickly lit it. ‘Where do you want me to start? He ain’t right in the head. I know his brother was bad, well moody and proper violent too, but Wan, he’s got a screw loose. None of the girls I know will work for him; they’ve got too much sense, and anyway, we’re probably too old for his liking.’

  Alfie shrugged as he allowed himself to succumb to temptation and snort up a line of cocaine. It hit the back of his nostrils and throat and he swallowed hard, pinching his nose as it continued to feel like it was burning his sinuses. ‘What are you on about?’

  ‘Oh come on, Alfie, everyone knows that he’s into young girls. Or rather, that’s what his business runs on. Even the Old Bill know it – they just don’t do anything about it.’

  Alfie slowly turned and looked at her. ‘How young are we talking about?’

  ‘Well it depends on the clients, but we ain’t talking about young young, not like a nonce, not pre-puberty, but you’re still looking at thirteen, fourteen years old. Vulnerable ones, like runaways and stuff. He’s just scum, Alf. He’s bad news.’

  ‘But if they’re that young, how come the Old Bill ain’t doing anything?’

  ‘Problem is proving it. I think they’ve given up trying.’

  Alfie shook his head. ‘I don’t get that. How hard must it be?’


  ‘It’s the girls. They won’t say anything; they keep their mouths shut. They wouldn’t dream of ratting him out.’

  Snorting another line, Alfie lay back on the bed. ‘They’re that fearful?’

  ‘Oh no, ain’t nothing like that, darlin’ – well not in the sense of fisticuffs,’ Rachel said as she took a deep drag of her cigarette. ‘They love him. That’s what they’re fearful about, they’re scared he’ll just walk away.’

  ‘That’s messed up.’

  ‘Of course it is, but so are these girls, and that’s why he recruits them. He picks them very carefully. He knows exactly which ones to groom. Wan’s attention is probably the most they’ve ever had in their life. And he plays the game well. He’s a jack-in-a-box.’

  Alfie frowned, feeling his tongue becoming numb from the cocaine. ‘What you on about?’

  ‘That’s what we call it when a pimp keeps giving and taking his so-called “love”, or attention, away. Like he’ll give it to you on the Monday, taking you out, buying you stuff, giving you loads of affection, but then the next day, for no reason he’ll take it away. Call you names even, make you feel like that unwanted kid again. You end up feeling shit, like you’ve done something wrong or even worse, like there’s something wrong with you. Like you’re unlovable. And cos you’re so desperate to feel special and cared for again, because the way he made you feel helped you forget what a shit life you’ve had so far and how bad you feel about yourself, you’ll do anything for him to make you feel good again. Then if you decide to walk away for whatever reason, suddenly he’s showering you with gifts and love, and you wonder how you could’ve ever doubted him and you swear to yourself you’ll never think of leaving again.’

  Even though he was high, Alfie could hear the pain in Rachel’s voice. ‘You sound like you’re talking from experience.’

  ‘Ain’t we all, Alf? Ain’t we all?’

  ‘I’m sorry, Rach. I don’t know what you’ve been through, but I’m sorry nonetheless.’

  ‘You’ve got nothing to be sorry about, Alf. I reckon when it comes down to it, you’re one of the good ones. And that’s what we’re all looking for. Someone that will make us feel good, and if you’re desperate, you’ll take a whole heap of crap just to get a tiny bit of good. And Wan knows that. He uses that with those girls of his. Wan’s tactics are less about being handy with his fists – but of course there’s still a bit of that – so the girls aren’t terrified of him in the violence sense, but they’re terrified of losing him. They’re free to come and go as they like, free to walk away, but they won’t. They can’t. They need him. He’s like an addiction. Your coke is nothing compared to him.’

  Rubbing his head, Alfie thought about what Rachel was saying. ‘How do you know all this about him?’

  Rachel looked out towards Tower Bridge. She stayed silent for a moment and then let out a long sigh. ‘My sister. She was twelve when she ran away from my bitch of a mother. Thirteen when she went to work with Wan. And fourteen when they found her beaten to death, wrapped up in bin liners. Her name was Louise.’

  31

  It was almost 6pm as Tia ran through the streets, barging into people and feeling the cold cut into her face. She didn’t want to think what Vaughn would say to her when she came back. If only he knew that she didn’t have a choice perhaps he wouldn’t … Tia’s thoughts were broken as she heard the screeching of brakes and stepped back onto the pavement just as a Range Rover mounted it, blocking her way, very nearly knocking her over.

  ‘Tia!’ It was Vaughn.

  She closed her eyes and suddenly felt the tears run down her face as he ran up to her, pushing her against the side wall.

  ‘What the fuck do you think you’re doing? Are you getting off on this? Running away all the time and playing games?’

  ‘I ain’t a kid, Vaughn.’

  ‘No, so don’t act like one. And you know something, I’m not covering for you anymore. Fuck that, I ain’t putting my neck on the line for you.’

  Furious, Tia snapped her eyes open, her face twisted in rage. ‘No, but that doesn’t surprise me. You just leave everyone else to put their necks on the line for you.’

  ‘That ain’t true.’

  Tia’s cheeks were flushed. She raised her voice, her face inches away from Vaughn’s. ‘Oh but it is – you don’t even see what’s going on around you, do you? You really think that Harry has your best interests at heart? You think Harry can just click his fingers and make everything all right, do you? Is that what you think he did?’

  ‘I’ve lost you now. What are you even talking about?’

  Wishing she could stop herself but with her emotions getting the better of her, Tia’s words tumbled out. ‘I’m talking about you, about Harry, about Wan. If only you knew the truth.’

  Vaughn blinked, shaking his head in bemusement. ‘You’re not making sense.’

  ‘You’re just as bad as they are, thinking that it’s all about you. Letting people pick up the pieces, poor old Vaughn.’

  Trapping her against the wall with one arm on either side of her, Vaughn’s handsome face loomed down over her. ‘I don’t think so and what are you talking about? At least have the fucking decency to finish what you started.’

  His words seemed to enrage Tia, and her eyes flashed in fury. ‘Finish what I started. Me? Are you serious? You can seriously stand there and say that to me! You fucking bastard.’

  Vaughn shook his head. ‘Tia, please. Just stop this.’

  Crying harder, Tia’s voice cracked. ‘Don’t. Don’t you dare tell me what I need to stop! Now just get out of my way, I’ve got places to go.’

  ‘You know I can’t let you.’

  ‘Just move.’

  Vaughn stared at her, locking on to her gaze, then without warning, he leant forwards and kissed her. Passionately, urgently. Long and hard. Then suddenly he drew away. ‘I’m sorry … I’m sorry, Tia … Fuck.’

  The slap to Vaughn’s face stung, leaving a welt on his cheek as Tia glared at him.

  ‘Why? Why would you do that?’

  ‘Tia …’

  She shook her head, wiping her tears on the back of her grey Chanel coat. ‘You bastard … you bastard.’ At which point Tia ran off, leaving Vaughn standing, kicking himself in the street.

  Through the veil of tears, Tia stumbled through the back streets of the West End, turning left along old Clifford Street before cutting through to Savile Row. She darted across Regent Street, not caring about the bus hurtling towards her, sounding its horn. She ran down Glasshouse Street then suddenly stopped, unable to go any further. She leant against the wall outside Prezzo and burst into uncontrollable tears, covering her face with her hands; sobbing and shaking whilst ignoring the strange looks of the passers-by.

  If she thought her head was a mess before, well now it was a wreck. First Harry with that girl she couldn’t get out of her head and now this. What the hell did Vaughn think he was playing at? But that was the point, she guessed. That was what she was to Harry and Vaughn: a game, a joke.

  And who did Vaughn think he was? After everything, he thought that he could just lean in and kiss her. Like she was nothing. Like her feelings didn’t mean anything. She wanted to scream. She wanted to tell him everything. But then, what good would that do? She needed to let sleeping dogs lie …

  It took another few minutes before Tia was able to recover herself enough to continue to walk through the streets of Soho. She felt exhausted but she had a feeling that the worst hadn’t even begun.

  Turning into Brewer Street, she walked past the vintage magazine shop and just as she was doing so, her thoughts were cut short as she saw Wan standing in front of her. She walked slowly towards him and he smiled as he pulled her into the entrance of the small, gated archway by the side of his restaurant.

  She stared at him and tried not to show how uncomfortable she felt.

  ‘You’re late, Tia.’

  ‘I know and I’m sorry,’ Tia said as she glanced along the street. />
  ‘Are you sure no one followed you?’

  With her anger giving her confidence, Tia spat out her words. ‘Oh, I don’t want anyone to know I’m here either. The last thing I want is to be seen with you.’

  Wan leant in to her. ‘Don’t forget, Tia, this was what you wanted. You begged for it. Remember?’

  Shaking her head, Tia glared at Wan, who she’d known longer than she’d known Harry. In fact, it had been her who’d introduced Wan’s older brother to Harry and it was her who’d regretted it ever since.

  Overwhelmed by everything, Tia snapped, ‘I never wanted this, I just didn’t have a choice.’

  Wan put his hand under Tia’s chin, lifting her head up. He wrapped his other arm around her shoulder and brought her in for an embrace, kissing her passionately. He pulled away and smiled. ‘Yes you did, Tia, you had a choice, but you decided you wanted it this way. You’ve got too much heart, girl.’

  Not reacting outwardly to the embrace or the kiss, but detesting every moment she had to spend with him and feeling too exposed standing there, Tia said, ‘Can we get on with this? I have to get back.’

  Slipping his hand around her shoulders, Wan led her through the archway into the private courtyard, nodding his head towards a large, yellow steel door at the back of a building. ‘Yeah cos you wouldn’t want Harry to see you, would you? If he found out, he’d think you were being a very naughty girl.’

  Bristling at his name, Tia tried to play it down. ‘Just leave Harry to me.’

  ‘Whatever you say, but you know if you ever need me to have a little word in his ear, let him know that there’s bigger fish than him, just call me,’ Wan said as he played with Tia’s long blonde hair.

  ‘I don’t think so, Wan, do you?’

  ‘I saw him the other day. He wasn’t happy with you then, either; just think what he’d do to you if he knew you were with me. It would be worth telling him just so I could see his face.’ Wan laughed.

  ‘Don’t you dare. You hear me! Don’t you dare!’

  Wan stared at her and grinned. ‘Calm down, Tia, I’m only saying.’