“I don’t feel well.”
“You won’t. You deserve to suffer.” She thought he meant the headache she envisaged for herself in the morning but he did not.
Henrietta opened her eyes when the car stopped and tried to focus on her surroundings.
“What are we doing here? I thought you promised to take me home.” He jumped out of the car and came round to the passenger door, pulled her out and virtually carried her to his front door where he leaned her against the large wooden jamb and went back for her bags. He took them all inside and continued to guide Hetty towards the kitchen.
“I had hoped this would be your home with me after tonight.”
“I think I need coffee.” she struggled to speak.
“I know what you need. You’ve ignored me all evening and flirted with every man in the place.” Henrietta had no recollection of any such raucous behaviour.
“You think you are better than me and don’t need me, what are you, a man in women’s clothing? Well we shall see.” He poked in the sternum with his forefingers and she fell awkwardly against the chunky wooden dining table, flopped backwards and banged her head on a heavy metal ornament and felt a sharp pain surge through her skull. She raised her hands to her head which felt as though it was bleeding.
“Oow! My head.” She slurred.
“Yes, it’s fucked up.”
He shoved her further onto the table until her feet were dangling off the floor, then yanked her elasticated trousers and pants down her legs and let them fall to her ankles which became shackles restraining her movement. He hurriedly undid his belt and let his trousers drop to his knees and held his erect penis with his right hand and lurched toward her as she grabbed the sides of the table with her hands and tried to escape, but he was too heavy and squashed all of the breath out of her lungs. She was breathless and powerless and lay unable to move or speak. Her lips and tongue felt numb and her vision failed and blurred as tears ran freely down her cheeks and into her ears which drowned his grunts and insults with every thrust. She could do nothing, she had been drugged.
“Now that’s what a woman should be like, emotional, passive and on her back!” She stared up at the three images of him which swayed from side to side and whimpered;
“Why?”
“Because you need to be shown who’s the man in this relationship and it isn’t going to be you from now on.” He stood back from the table where she lay helpless and mumbling and he pulled up his trousers, removed his mobile phone from his pocket and held it towards his victim and said;
“I should put this image on the internet entitled rich independent cunt is now fucked!” He yanked the clothes away from her feet and plonked them onto her stomach. “Let’s get you to bed. You probably won’t remember anything in the morning.” He scooped her up and dragged her to the ground floor guest room and slung her onto the double bed. He locked her door and knew the room had an ornate iron grille over the window, so she would be safe until morning. He took the key and retired upstairs to his master suite where he showered, wrapped himself in his towelling robe and lay on the large sleigh bed and phoned his next new girlfriend.
The following morning Terry ate breakfast then made a coffee for Hetty and picked up her bags, a few sheets of blank paper and a pen and went in to the bedroom to reason with her. He sat on the edge of the double bed.
“I can forget your embarrassing behaviour if you can forgive my jealous retaliation.”
“But I think I was drugged.”
“Don’t blame someone else.” She was dumbfounded by his abhorrent insensitivity.
“I planned to take you to Australia to meet your future brother-in-law. Will you still come?” Hetty shook her head, which spoiled all of his future plans. He gave her the paper and pen and told her to write a letter to her bank manager in England to authorise the payment of £75,000 to a bank account number he produced on a slip of torn paper from his pocket. Although she argued about giving back the bit of money he had given recently, she wanted to be released from the room, so reluctantly scribbled the note and hoped the bank would not recognise her signature and refuse the request. He left the room and told her to get dressed. She looked in her bag for her mobile phone but Terry had taken it.
When he reappeared, she was frightened that he might be angry if he had tried to present the order to her bank, but it seemed that he had not sent it as he invited her into the kitchen. She watched him through the window as she ate a bowl of cereal and he loaded his luggage into the car boot and threw her bag onto the back seat. They drove to Malaga airport without talking, he gave her the keys and walked away to catch his flight.
November 1st 2007.
Henrietta was delighted to be rid of him and have her car back and as she drove away from the airport she tried to pretend she had just arrived, as the previous twenty four hours were still rather hazy. However when she got to her house she could not unlock the door. She stood on a plant pot to peer inside and saw that it was empty. She immediately phoned Terry;
“Glad I caught you, I’m at my house and the lock doesn’t work.”
“Yes, I saw the estate agent who said someone had been in. I thought it might be the guys who stole your bag, so I asked him to change the locks and put everything in the garage. He has your new keys. To be honest, I was hoping that this time you would stay with me. We could have a wonderful life together. Are you sure you won’t come to Australia? Please think about it and stay at my place; the keys are in the car. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
Henrietta couldn’t understand why Terry had neglected to say anything about the incident before. She went to the estate agency to confirm that her sale was progressing and to collect the replacement key before returning to her empty house. She turned on the lights and nervously walked around from room to room. Apart from the white goods, all that was left behind was a bed, a few clothes and the contents of the unopened safe. However when she opened the fridge, it contained some decaying food, the bed seemed to have been slept in and there were a few basic toiletries in the en-suite shower room, which included a disposable man’s razor and shaving foam. She felt violated by the stranger who had squatted in her absence. She put the contents of the safe into her handbag and put her clothes into the back of the car, called back to see the estate agent and gave him sixty euros to have the house cleaned and cleared, then drove to Terry’s villa.
The following evening Terry phoned her mobile but she rejected his call. It had the desired effect and she heard nothing more from him for two weeks until she saw a text asking to be collected from the airport. He was jolly and full of stories about the Aussies, test cricket, huge insects and the precious time spent with his dying brother but divulged nothing about the bank account he had opened or the money he had deposited. He got a very reasonable rate. Henrietta said nothing about the squatter in her property or the friend she had invited over from England to stay with her at Terry’s house in his absence. Terry suggested they stop off in Estepona for lunch, as it was still warm enough to sit outside. Once they had ordered, Terry asked:
“What do you think of my villa? Mega isn’t it? You and Oscar must have loved staying there, so much bigger and better than your place. I hope you didn’t go into my study?”
“I did not, the door was locked. So was the garage. Surely you can’t afford that place?”
“Ask no questions, tell no lies. I’ve made great contacts here.”
“Doing what?”
“I’ll tell you if you marry me. Have you decided?”
“I’ve told you umpteen times that I can’t marry you whilst you keep taking money from me.”
“Surely I’ve proved I am worth marrying now? The big house, a restaurant business in the pipeline, I shouldn’t need the damned debt to hold on to you!”
“I’m going home and will give you until the New Year to repay me. Then we will see.”
Once back at Terry’s villa, Henrietta watched TV whilst Terry busied himself in his study and wa
s adamant that she would not sleep with him in spite of his renewed persistence. The following day Terry sulked and made a mysterious solo trip to Gibraltar in her re-commandeered car but promised to take her to the airport upon his return. As he drove her to the airport, he described the wonderful family Christmas he envisaged at the Old Rectory.
November 25th 2007.
Henrietta returned home and unpacked boxes of decorations and trimmed the house in readiness for the forthcoming festivities with Oscar and their friends. She cleaned the house from top to bottom and filled the cupboards with his favourite foods and snacks. When she shopped in favourite places with Ruth or Yvonne, she bought gifts for her friends and her mother and cogitated over a suitable gift for Oscar. Ruth asked about Terry and Henrietta explained that he had sold up, rented out his apartment and was living in Spain. Ruth pulled one of her disbelieving faces again and said that Terry’s name had appeared in the local paper announcing the re-possession of his home and bankruptcy of his shop.
Hetty was both worried and curious and drove to his apartment again where she saw his car parked in a visitor’s space, not his allocated one. She walked up to the main door of the building and the bank of letter boxes and noticed that Terry’s had a large screw securing the lid shut. As she stood on the door step in a state of confusion, a resident opened the door and left and Hetty was able to slip into the communal hallway. She was utterly shocked to see a formal notice of repossession on Terry’s door. She phoned Ruth to confirm the news then tried to call Terry for an explanation but did not get a response to her calls or numerous texts.
She stopped off at her bank on the way home and asked for an interim statement of her account which supported her fear; Terry had taken the £75,000. She felt sick as she stared at the little slip of paper in her hand and lost all hope.
A friend of Henrietta’s phoned to arrange lunch at a fashionable new restaurant she wanted to try. It was over lunch that Jill insisted on paying the bill and told Henrietta her latest news which included the success of a legal claim and the large monetary sum awarded to her in compensation. She told Henrietta that she intended to use the money to purchase a chic new home over-looking the river and asked Henrietta if she would help her with its interior design. In return she recommended her lawyer to Hetty, as she knew Terry had not honoured his debt.
“Clive is wonderful, such a gentleman, so nice and speaks several languages which could be helpful. He is a tank commander in the Territorial Army, I know it’s not relevant to anything legal, but very reassuring! ” The two girls giggled about an action man in combat uniform and Henrietta admitted that she had some additional problems with Terry and would appreciate the introduction.
Clive Goode was happy to call at Henrietta’s home en-route to his own house, at the end of his working day. Henrietta briefly explained her problems with Terry but felt unable to broach the subject of her physical abuse or its embarrassing sexual content. Clive was content to embrace Hetty as a client and await any future instruction.
The boarding school house master took Oscar to Malaga airport and made sure his charge was aboard the correct flight to the east midlands airport where Henrietta collected him from the arrivals lounge and smothered him in embarrassing kisses. Once home, Oscar was keen to see his grandma and other family and friends whom he had missed during the previous months and his schedule of Christmas social activities kept both mother and son busy. Oscar’s father also made a special trip to take his son out for the day and to bring a gift, as it had been more than six months since they had seen one another. Whilst Oscar was out with his father, Henrietta busied herself with chores then took the opportunity to have a light supper in front of the TV and a relaxing bath. She wrapped up in a towelling robe and went downstairs to pour a glass of white wine and return to the sofa and a previously selected DVD.
During the film there was a loud knock at the door as the door chime rang simultaneously. Henrietta presumed that Oscar was home earlier than expected, so hurried into the dark hallway whilst calling loudly for patience. She opened the door to a man dressed entirely in black with a ski hat pulled down to his eyebrows, then tried to re-close the door as he shoved it and barged in. She backed away in fear and gasped.
“Get in before the neighbours see me.” Terry pulled off his woollens.
“What on earth are you doing? What do you want? You frightened me.” She said.
“That’s not very friendly, you are my Fiancée and I thought l’d surprise you. I hoped you’d be delighted to see me and want me to stay the night.” He took off his black ski jacket and gloves and tossed them onto a chair.
“You can’t, Oscar is due home soon and has already asked if his father can stay.” She lied. “Terry, what happened to your flat? I went there and it had a notice of re-possession on it.”
“I told you I had debts but you never said you had anything to do with your ex-husband. Have you been lying to me? I trust you to be faithful whilst I work my arse off to pave the way to a better future for us all.”
“I have a life of my own now without you. I don’t like the fact that you control me and owe money. Besides, Oscar won’t want you here either!”
“I don’t believe what I’m hearing. I’ve come straight from the airport to see you. At least offer me a drink.” He encouraged her to fetch another glass of wine whilst he made himself comfy in the drawing room.
As they sat facing one another he pointed towards the fireplace at a pile of gifts wrapped up in shiny paper and ribbons.
“Which one’s mine?” He asked with a feigned look of excitement. She felt a familiar tension in the air and surveyed the parcels for one which would be suitable and surreptitiously ripped off the tag. He hurriedly tore open the present and threw aside.
“You obviously don’t love me anymore Hetty. That’s not a present for the man you love. To think I’ve turned down forthright offers from other women. I am a catch!”
Henrietta felt uncomfortable and apologised for the gift:
“I didn’t expect to see you….”
“I am hurt and disappointed, but it is for me to decide when you see me!” He started to leave the room but then stopped and turned in the doorway.
“I’ll book into a Hotel for tonight but you should re-think your behaviour. You need to show your man some consideration and respect. Henrietta, let me move in her with my kids for a few days. We are engaged still and it would be fun for Oscar.”
“It isn’t appropriate.”
“Why, because I haven’t paid you back yet? Your love of money over me is absolutely disgusting and I don’t like the fact that you are sneaking around checking up on me either. You need to evaluate your priorities. I want your house for a couple of days, with or without you. It is perfect for the kids; very Christmassy and beautifully decorated. To be fair, you are good at all that artistic shit. Don’t suppose you’ve got much food in the fridge though, you never have!”
“You want my house! Where do Oscar and I go? It’s our home.”
“Don’t be so bloody selfish. You have brought this on yourself and can easily go to your mother’s if you don’t want to see my children. Do you hate them that much that you would want me to spend valuable time with them inside a hotel bedroom?”
Henrietta was lost for words other than a ‘no’.
He turned again to leave then had second thoughts and spun back around and shoved her with an upper cut of his forearm under her chin and as she stumbled backwards she fell clean over the leather arm of the sofa and found herself in the ungainly position of legs dangling over the edge and her head bent uncomfortably between her chest and the large feather cushions. She struggled helplessly to get up, floundering and flapping whilst he grinned at her and lifted her gown which fell open. She lay trapped in shame whilst he quickly undid his belt and dropped his black jeans and jersey pants and held his semi erect penis in his hand and lowered himself just far enough. He struggled and she felt his fingers as he tried to stuff his phallus in
side her. She winced as he caught her tender skin and tried to pull away but her long hair was caught beneath her shoulders and anchored her to the spot. He was unable to penetrate her but had made his point, backed away and pulled his pants up, which he manipulated to dry himself privately.
“Think about the house thing. I’ll call you. Make sure you are in when I do. Remember you’re my girl so don’t let me think you might be cheating on me. Then you’d never get your precious money back!”
“Drop dead!”
“Now there’s a kind and festive thought.” He grabbed his hat and scarf and walked out of the house and into the cold night air.
Henrietta struggled to roll off the sofa onto her knees. She fell with a thud onto the rug and got up to lock the front door and switch on the outside lights. She heard a car pull away over the gravel as she walked back into the drawing room to close the curtains for the first time ever. She was still shaking as she flopped onto the opposite sofa and gazed at the spot where he had just tried to defile her again and noticed a wet patch on the leather arm. She was determined not cry on this occasion or ever again, she would simply placate him every time he phoned but would avoid ever seeing him face to face. She prayed he would go back to Spain and leave her alone. Fortunately, he did.
After the Christmas break life returned to normal; Oscar was back in school and Henrietta spent her days cleaning her perfect home or going for long walks and she began to socialise more with her friends and her Mother. She also enjoyed helping Jill with her decorative project which kept her creative mind from stagnating. She sent regular texts and letters to Oscar and was content that he was both busy and happy with his school friends and would often stay at his best friend’s house at weekends.
The Unsuspecting Housewife Page 10