I got the kids some Christmas presents today, Stef took them home with her, every year the kids presents are always hidden at Stef’s, yet, every year the kids still ransack the place looking for them. I got Tony his chemistry set, it's a really big one, I did my homework on what would be the best thing to buy and that's the one I got. I also got Si his football top, I also got him tracksuit bottoms and a t-shirt from his favourite team, it was buy one get one half price.
I open the front door, arms weighed down with food shopping, as soon as I walk in the door I know that Hunters still here, I can smell the muskiness of his aftershave.
“Let me give you a hand.” Hunter says walking out of my kitchen, taking the bags from my hands.
“What are you doing here Hunter?” I follow him into the kitchen, so mad that he’s still here; I’m completely ambushed yet again.
“We really need to talk Jess.” Hearing him talk so normal to me, it's bringing back the memories of all the good times we had together.
“There's nothing to talk about Hunter.” I start putting away the shopping hoping it will help calm me down, I think I’m on the verge of breaking down.
“Jessica please just let me talk?” Hearing him say my name like that, it makes me cry, thinking about how he would only call me Jessica when he had something serious to say.
I don't turn around to face him, I don't want him to see me cry. “Say whatever you think you need to say and then leave.”
“Look Jess, my mum hated the fact that I chose you over anyone she shoved down my throat.” he tells me and I knew his mum hated me, she made me uncomfortable from the get go. “Are you listening to me?”
“Of course I’m listening to you!” the tears won't stop falling in fact they seem to be coming a lot faster.
“I’m trying to tell you something and you’re not saying anything?” he sounds confused, but I don't see why.
I’m listening, but he’s not saying anything of value, “I came to see you once you know. It was four months after we had broken up. I did so well pretending that I was fine, that I was getting over you, but I wasn't, I was so depressed. So I decided the only way to sort myself out was to see you and get closure. Boy did I.” I turn around and face him, tears streaming down my face as I do. “Do you know what I saw? You and some girl having sex. I left and I vowed to get over you. So I did, I made a life for myself and I was happy. Until you ruined it yet again.”
“Jess, I…” he’s lost for words, he looks broken but I don't have it in me to care.
“Leave and don’t come back.” I walk out onto the balcony and closing the door behind me. I take my cigarettes out of my pocket and light one as I sink to the floor and cry.
I don’t know how long has passed but I’m still sitting on the floor, my tears have subsided but I’m raw and numb. I never told anyone about visiting him before. I didn't want anyone thinking I was stupid. Which I was. I light up again, thinking how shit this day has been and how grateful I am that I’m not working tonight.
The balcony door opening has my whole body tensing, I look up and see that it's Owen. I ignore his presence and just look at the floor. “I know that you probably hate me right now, but I had to do something. You both still love each other, that's obvious for everyone to see.”
“Just because two people love each other, that doesn't mean that they should be together. You should have minded your own business.” He betrayed me plain and simple and as he’s my brother, that betrayal runs deep.
“Jess, I thought I was doing the right thing.” he sounds upset and for the first time since he stepped onto the balcony I look at him, and I know that he heard everything.
“You listened to everything?” he nods looking ashamed, and so he should be, “you’ve broken all the trust I had for you, I’m so disappointed in you. I kind of hate you for putting me in that position.”
“I know but Jess you didn't listen to him.”
“Don't. Okay, just don’t, I did listen to him. His mum hated me I know. There was no need to tell me something I already knew. Fact of the matter is, I’m too poor and common to be with Hunter, you know it, I know it and everyone else knows it.” Do I believe that? No I don't. If anything I'm too good for his snobby family.
“You’re not poor and you’re not common.” he says with such disgust “Anyone who thinks that is a cunt.”
“Okay, look Owen, as much as I loved Hunter, and yes I still do. Nothing is going to change the fact that he didn't want us. I’d better get a move on; I’ve to pick Emme up soon. What did Hunter say about Emme?” I ask, part of me wants him not to give a damn, but the bigger part of me wants him to want her.
“He didn't say anything.” a funny look comes across his face, but I don’t have the time to decipher it.
Chapter Twelve
“Is Damien here?” I ask Tommy, I’ve just finished my set and there’s a crowd of boys who want the party to continue.
“He's in his office, want me to call him?” Tommy asks with a smile on his face. He’s dying to get home, Candy’s not working tonight.
I nod, I’m not going down to Damien’s office because I know that Saffron is down there, those two have been inseparable. Damien’s even paid off her college tuition. Which for Saff to allow him to do was a big step. She hates anyone doing something for her, and she hates owing money. I don't blame her, just look at my mum.
“He's on his way.” I nod and walk over to the bar. I’m thirsty and hot, on nights like tonight where it's busy, I’ve been on stage twice as one of the girls is sick I tend to get overheated. Today's different though, I’ve felt off all day. I think it’s stress. It's been six days since the Hunter and my mum debacle.
“Bubbles you wanted to see me?” Damien says from behind me and I jump.
“Jesus, did no one teach you not to sneak up on people? Anyway, What’s happening? Are you staying open? None of the customers want to leave, it’s two am and we usually shut at this time, but these customers are giving out good tips and I don't mind staying on a bit extra especially with Christmas just around the corner.
“We’re going to stay open for another hour, but that's all. Are you and Cherry okay to stay on? I’m going to take Saffron home; she’s run off her feet.” He's looking around and I know that he’s making sure that there's not a complete drunken asshole in the club. All the other girls have gone home as I’m the last on stage.
“Cherry’s been looking for some extra money. She hates that she's on early all the time. So yes, go take Saff home. Fran or Tommy will give me a lift home. So you don’t need to come back.” I say grateful he’s staying open a bit longer, it’s Sunday so I’m off tomorrow and Tuesday so I can sleep a bit during the day if I need to. That, along with the fact that things with Owen are a bit tense still, I’ve still not forgiven him for bringing Hunter back to the flat.
“Okay, go tell Cherry she has an hour until we close, Terry’s staying on as a barman so if you and Cherry aren’t dancing you’re waitressing too.” He’s not even looking at me; Saff’s standing by the door talking to Fran. “Make sure one of the boys take you home okay? You lock up for me.” He hands me the keys and then he’s off; he walks over to Saff, takes her hand and they leave. Someone wasn’t happy that she was talking to another man.
I quickly run backstage to the changing room to tell Cherry to get her arse back on stage, she’s going to be in heaven, she loves the attention. She’s sitting on the chair applying makeup, “Cherry, babe, we’re staying open for another hour.” Her face lights up, “better get on stage before they start getting rowdy. Do you want to do two dances? You can end if you want?” Those who close always get bigger tips, like I did already today, I got eight hundred, and I’ll be up dancing again so hopefully I’ll make at least a grand tonight. I’ll put a good chunk of that away into savings and get the rest of the Christmas presents, that way all I have to worry about is the food shopping for Christmas.
“Yes, are you sure?” She’s excited and bouncing
in her shoes.
“Yes, honestly. We’ll also be waitressing between dances, so even more tips.” I watch as her face lights up. She too has kids at home, her son has Spina bifida, and he’s the loveliest little boy you’ll ever see, so happy all the time. She also has a nine month old, her boyfriend is an arsehole. He doesn’t pay any attention to Kevin or Katy, all he wants is money, a bit like my mum.
We hear her name being called from the DJ and she smiles at me as she rushes on stage, the beat to Work From Home by Fifth Harmony starts and I can’t help but bop along to it. I love this song. I quickly hurry out into the club floor; I need to make sure that they get drinks. The more drinks they have, the drunker they get and the drunker they get the more money they tip us.
I watch in horror as a guy ,jumps onto the stage and runs over to Cherry, I can’t believe that he even got onto the stage let alone getting this close to her. I gasp as he touches her and starts to grind against her. She manages to push him off her, but he comes back at her again. I see movement in the corner of my eye and see both Fran and Tommy running. About time, Damien is going to go mental when he finds out.
I hear the beat of Pussycat Doll’s Don’t Cha start up and watch as Cherry goes into another routine, acting as though nothing happened. I watch as she starts to move, I love the fact that she’s so into it, she looks sexy, her long cherry red hair is flowing around her as she twists around the pole.
“Jess.” I freeze at the voice. God Hunter, why does he have to be here now? I knew that he wouldn’t be able to leave me alone. “Jess, we need to talk.”
“You’re right we do, but we sure as fuck don’t need to talk now. Jesus Hunter, I’m at work, couldn’t this have waited until tomorrow?” I sound resigned and tired even with the bass pumping through the club.
“Okay Jess, tomorrow. I’m holding you to that.” Just as quickly as he appeared, he’s gone.
“Damien is going to kill them. I can’t believe they left without us.” What was meant to be an hour turned in to two and by the time we helped Terry clean up and got changed, Terry, Tommy and Fran had disappeared. They actually left us alone.
“Do you have someone to pick you up?” I ask Cherry, knowing full well that the fifteen hundred she made tonight will like myself have Christmas sorted.
“Yeah Jess, Leigh’s on her way. I texted her as soon as I realized that the guys had left us. She’ll be here in a few minutes. Do you need a lift?” Leigh’s her sister who lives with Cherry and her mum. They look after the kids while Cherry’s working and Cherry will look after Leigh’s daughter during the day.
“No babe, I’m fine. I’ll wait for you to leave and then I’ll lock up. Never know who’s around. I’m just going to get the tube home; I have the Oyster card so it’s not going to be a big hit like a taxi would be.”
“Okay Jess.” It doesn’t take very long for her sister to get here. The roads at this time of night are dead. “Gotta go, bye Jess and thank you.”
“No worries see you on Wednesday.” Glad that she’s not trying to persuade me to come with her, they live in Putney and it’ll take them ages as it is to get home.
I realize that I’ve left my phone in my locker so I quickly run and get it. I see that I have five missed calls from Owen and three texts. Shit, I forgot to text him. I quickly text him back, telling him I’m sorry and that I had to work late and I’m leaving soon, so I won’t be long.
As I’m walking back through the club, I hear a door close I look up from my phone, but see nothing, and there’s no other noise, my phone vibrates in my hand and Owen texted me back saying that he’ll wait up for me.
A creaking noise has my head snapping up only to see a man standing there looking at me. It was the man Fran and Tommy had to throw out as he was getting rough with Cherry while she was dancing.
“Look who’s here. I’ve been watching you all night.” I’m frozen to the spot, how the hell did he get in here? Oh fuck, I forgot to lock the door when I let Cherry out. How stupid am I? “You’ve been shaking that arse for me all night.” He touches his dick and looking at where his hand is touching, I see the outline of his erection through his trousers.
“It’s my job, to dance.” My voice is shaky; I don’t think I’ve ever been so scared in my entire life.
“I paid a lot of money tonight. I think I deserve something in return.” Oh god. He takes a step towards me; I’m rooted to the spot. “What do you say, how about I get a private dance?”
“We… Um, we’re closed, sorry. Come back when we’re open.” My body is shaking; I don’t know what to do.
“Well, you’re here all by yourself, so no one’s going to know.” He’s so creepy, he starts advancing towards me. I come unstuck, I start to walk backwards until my back bumps into the bar, and he’s right there, he’s closed me in. I have nowhere to go. “I’ve wanted to do this all night.”
He reaches out and tries to grab my breast, but I move out of his reach, or so I thought, I did dodge the hand that was going for my boob, I however walked straight into the arm going for my arse. “Get off me.” I start struggling as both of his arms close around me, both hands on my arse, pulling me against his erection.
He doesn’t let go, in fact, he pushes me to the floor, he’s so rough that my head bounces off the floor with a sickening thud. Before I even have a chance to try and get away, he’s on top of me, pulling at my vest top. “No.” I’m screaming and wriggling around, trying to get him off of me.
The feeling of his weight on top of me is making it hard to breathe. I need to get away somehow; I need to get out of here. I twist underneath him and somehow manage to get him off of me. I turn so I’m on my stomach and start to crawl away, trying to get onto my feet as I do.
Just as I’m on all fours, I see feet in front of me. Just as one foot lifts up and swings. Pain erupts in my head, then all of a sudden, nothing. Everything’s black.
“Jess, wake up.” I hear someone talking to me but it’s foggy and for some reason I can’t get out of this fog. “Jess baby, please wake up. You need to wake up, everyone is so worried.” I know that voice. Why is Hunter calling me baby?
“Mr O’Shea, Ms, Hughes will wake up when she’s ready, just have some patience.” She sounds cross, good, about time someone told Hunter off.
“Please baby, please wake up.” he’s begging me, that isn’t like Hunter, why can’t I wake up? I fall back into the abyss.
“Mummy, wake up.” My baby is upset, I need to see her. The fog isn’t here this time so I try and open my eyes; I’m assaulted by bright lights and have to close my eyes. I try and open them again and they finally adjust to the light.
“Mummy, I’m here.” she says, but I can’t see her, I start to panic and I can hear a machine beeping like crazy. Why can’t I see her?
“Jess, it’s okay, we’re here.” Owen says and I can see him, but why can’t I see Emme? “Jess, just calm down, you’re sending the machine into meltdown.”
“Emme, where’s Emme?” I need to see her.
He disappears out of my line of sight, but when he reappears he has Emme with him. “Here, she’s just here, you couldn’t see her as one of your eyes is bandaged.”
I put my hands out and my baby jumps into them, I pull her close to me and hug her. Good, her hugs are the best thing ever. “Where am I and why do I have a bandage on my eye?”
“Mummy some man hurt you.” Emme says and starts crying; I hold her tightly against me and rock her back and forth in the bed.
“Emme’s right. You were working and someone broke in and hurt you.” Owen tells me and even though I’m not looking at him, I can tell that he’s furious.
I close my eyes as I rock Emme and it all comes flooding back, his hands on me, and the feel of his weight on top of me. I squeeze my baby tight against me, I can’t believe this happened. Then I get a thought that makes me lean over the bed and throw up. What did he do to me while I was unconscious?
“I’m just thankful that Hunter walked in wh
en he did, god knows what that prick would have done to her if he hadn’t. I still hate him though.” Si says and I feel a tiny bit of relief, Hunter stopped him, but what happened in the meantime?
“Yeah, we’re all grateful that Hunter was there. The fucker has been arrested and the police are waiting to take your statement.” Owen says, and I’m getting really tired, but I just want to go home. I kiss Emme on her head as she’s asleep in my arms, I lean my head back against the pillow and close my eyes and drift off, holding my baby.
Chapter Thirteen
I’ve been home for three days and I’ve had more visitors than I’ve ever had before in my life. Damien and Saff came, and Damien is furious, he’s on a rampage and sacked both Fran and Tommy, not just for what happened with me, as they were meant to give both Cherry and I a lift home, but also for allowing him to get that close to Cherry. The police we’re at the hospital the next time I woke up and I gave them my statement. It was horrible having to re-live it, I was scared at first in case he was able to get close to me or my family but the police officer assured me that he’s still locked up.
Stef has been camped out here, I know that she was really worried when she heard what had happened, that and I think that fucker who is married is harassing her. I’ve been watching how close she and Owen are and they definitely have sparks flying.
Cherry came, she took one look at my black eye, and cried. She told me that she should have waited for me that she and her sister should have brought me home and none of this would have happened. I tried to tell her it wasn’t her fault but she wouldn’t listen to me.
My eye is black and horribly bruised. I’m extremely lucky; he kicked my temple hitting the corner of my eye. The doctor told me if he was any closer than that to it that I could have lost my eye. It hurts like a bitch and I look fucking hideous. I’m scared to go back to work, Damien has assured me that no one will be left alone ever again and I believe him, I doubt he’ll let me out of his sight. It sounds so stupid, being scared even though I know he’s behind bars.
The Secrets Of Life (The Working Girls Book 1) Page 11