“Rebecca, you can go, sweetie, I understand.” Mandy smiled a red-lipped smile and patted Rebecca’s arm as she cleared a table.
“Thanks, Mandy, I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done for me.”
“You’re welcome. We all need help now and then.”
Rebecca didn’t speak when they got in the car. He hadn’t realised she had fallen asleep as they drove to Little Lane.
“Rebecca.”
She sat forward and rubbed her face.
“Ready to get your stuff?”
“I need to give the landlord notice.”
“Don’t worry about that. Come on.”
“No. I can manage.”
“I’m going to help you.”
The hallway inside stank of piss and they walked up the three flights of stairs to her bedsit.
A door opened, and a woman came out. “Everything okay?” Carla, Rebecca’s neighbour, eyed Arthur with Rebecca as she bounced a baby on her hip. She wore a pink tracksuit and death-stared him.
“It’s fine, this is Mr Hulston.”
“Is it?” Carla looked him up and down, her expression harsher.
“It’s okay, I’m going back.”
“You’re leaving?” Carla looked at Rebecca, her face softening.
“I’m sorry.”
“No, I’m glad, someone should.” Carla rolled her eyes as the toddler squirmed, reaching for Rebecca.
She took the baby and grinned at him. Arthur watched her coo over the little boy as he grabbed her hair. Arthur smiled, and a knot formed in his chest.
“I’ll miss you though.” Carla glanced back at Arthur. “Well then, the Big-I-Am, don’t treat her like sh-ugar again, all right?”
Arthur raised his brows, and Rebecca fought a smile, kissing the child’s head.
“There, there, precious boy, someone’s tired and grumpy.” She said it in a sing-song voice as the kid started crying. Rebecca handed the baby back.
She left Carla and showed Arthur in. He looked about in horror.
Music pulsed through the floor as she packed in haste. Arthur looked around the dingy, but tidy room. A sofa bed neatly made against a wall, a small rusting fridge with a hot plate and one cupboard made the kitchen. He watched the tap drip. Damp stained one wall and the ceiling in a corner was mouldy. The old worn carpet was disintegrating under his feet. Looking down at his expensive polished shoes, and the hideous pattern, he felt awful.
“Would you mind if I give the things I don’t need to my friend? She has less than I do, and she has a kid.”
Shaking off his guilt, he smiled. “Sure. She seems nice. I guess you told her about me.”
“Fierce, not nice. But I like her, and Charlie is a lovely little one.”
They took over the linens, duvet, and kitchen supplies, what was left of her bread, cereal, milk, and her teabags. She had no other food.
She took the vacuum over last.
“Are you sure?” Carla eyed it hungrily.
“Absolutely, and you have my number.” Rebecca hugged her.
They heard footsteps, and Carla swore, stepping back.
“Ms Silverton, I see you’ve got a gentleman friend there.” He smirked at Arthur. “You know I can’t support any funny business going on here.” The man’s eyes said otherwise.
“And who are you, exactly?” Arthur’s tone echoed out, and Carla crossed her arms returning his smirk. Arthur wondered at him, a revolting greasy creature leering at Rebecca.
“Roger. This is my building, and I take an interest in what goes on here, and I don’t tolerate girls doing things they shouldn’t.”
Rebecca set her face, going red and before Arthur spoke, annoyance burst from her. “Your insinuation and public accusation of my being a prostitute in a misogynistic attempt to shame me is offensive but seeing as you choose to house sex workers in your flats, it must be difficult for you to remember who’s who when you visit them. Unannounced.” She let a shaky breath out.
Carla vanished.
The two men looked at each other. Roger calculating Arthur, and Arthur calculating the pervert. He knew the sort; manipulative, taking advantage of vulnerable people.
“I’m ready to go, Mr Hulston.” Rebecca kept her head up, even with tears in her eyes.
“Hulston?” Avarice lit Roger’s face up. “And where are you going?”
“Leaving this shithole.” Rebecca stomped off, and Arthur picked up the rest of her things.
“You can’t leave, you’ll not get your deposit back, and you need to give notice.” He called.
“You’re a slum landlord.” Arthur owned the whole landing with his body language, tone, and presence filling it up. Rebecca turned on the stairs and looked at him. “Your flats violate about fifty laws. If you have any notion of what’s good for you, you’ll stop harassing your tenants, or you might find the police taking a rather keen interest in you and your business affairs.”
Arthur picked up the case and holdall, and Rebecca threw her key on the ground.
A few kids that hung about were eyeing Arthur’s car when they reached it, and with a glare, they wandered off. He packed the boot, furious, guilt-ridden, and determined to do something about what he’d witnessed and what he suspected.
Rebecca sat on the leather seat and relaxed, wiping tears away, and then grew quiet again, hands on her lap.
Arthur wasted no time and did a one-eighty and left. “Are you okay, did he hassle you?”
“Me and anything with…”
“What?”
“Never mind.”
“What were you going to say?”
She huffed. “Tits.”
He smiled, but it fell quickly. “I’m sorry. I should never have let this happen.”
“Let this happen? Don’t be ridiculous. None of this was up to you. He slinks out of his office and talks to us every time we come home, same with Carla, and a few others. I think he tries to pimp some of the girls. Some are fairly young. Him saying that in front of you wasn’t right.”
Arthur felt sick. “I always thought of myself as a good man, like my father. But it seems I’m not who I thought. You are vulnerable, and you don’t have many people, and I let you down. I did. You’re very sweet, noble, and brave. Mum loves you. I should have taken better care of my reaction. I have a position of privilege that you don’t. I should have used it to help you.”
She cleared her throat. “I don’t want your help. Mr Hulston, thank you for bringing me back, but I don’t want your pity. I’m not a charity project. I don’t want anything from you really. I’d rather not. I’m shit. It’s what I’ve been all my life, and nearly everyone lets me know about it. I’ve fooled some people into thinking I’m better, but you and I both know. You saw it from the off. Being around someone like you only serves to make me feel worse. I’m not normally this able to be open, but I’m so tired and hungry that I don’t care anymore. I’ll be there for Alice and take the wage because what else am I going to do? But I am your employee and no more.”
They went the rest of the way in silence. Pulling up to Alice’s house, he nearly said more, but she got out and started unloading. He helped and let them in.
“Mum, I have a surprise for you.”
Rebecca’s heart pounded. She didn’t believe it. Somewhere between elation and dread, she cautiously followed him in. Alice was in her spot, feet up, looking frail and small.
“What is it?” She saw Rebecca and gave a little cry. “You found her.”
Rebecca grinned and embraced Alice, holding back her tears.
“Oh, my girl,” Alice cried.
“It’s okay, I’m okay. I promise it’s okay. I’m home.”
“Rebecca’s going to stay and help you. No one better, right?” Arthur said.
Arthur took the cases upstairs, and Rebecca followed shortly after.
“You don’t need to help me.”
“Why do you do that? Why do
you feel the need to close off and refuse anything from anyone?”
“In my experience, no one gives you something without wanting in return. I don’t generally trust people.”
He held out her holdall to her, and she reluctantly took it.
“Tell you what, I’ll order a takeaway…”
Rebecca huffed. “I don’t have any money.”
“Let me buy it for you. I’ll prove I want nothing in return. I’m sorry for letting you down in the past. I won’t again.”
“You don’t owe me anything.”
He stepped a little closer and looked down into her eyes. “I do.” He smiled sadly at her and left. She’d nearly forgotten how good he smelt, and how handsome he was.
She took a shower and changed, scrubbing off the bedsit, but she never thought she’d feel clean again. It was heaven to be home. There was familiarity in resentment and fighting, but it wasn’t his fault, and there was no point taking it out on him.
Rebecca only ordered one thing, cheapest on the menu, but he ordered loads and kept offering her spring rolls and more noodles.
She took it, so hungry she quashed her pride and scoffed. She didn’t care that he was laughing at her.
The change in Alice made Rebecca’s heart pinch. She struggled with everything. Not that she was ill, but it was age and worry catching up, worries that she caused.
Rebecca helped her get changed, and she brushed out her hair and re-plaited it before bed.
“I’m so glad Arthur found you.” Alice looked up through the mirror to Rebecca, brush in hand.
“Me too. I was miserable, and I missed you.”
“I was so angry with him.”
“It wasn’t his fault. He was very kind.”
“He feels terrible you know.”
“I know. I shouldn’t have left. I’m so sorry.” Rebecca paused mid brush with a frown.
“You can tell me.”
“It’s that sometimes he makes me uncomfortable. I know what I am, and he’s this stalwart pillar of the community. He makes me feel less than I already do, and he doesn’t mean to, he just does.”
“He is an impressive man. So like his father. Artie was stoic and silent. He loved Arthur and me, but he didn’t really say it, or most people wouldn’t see how he showed it. Once you knew him, though, you’d know it by a look, or he’d do something sweet. Impossibly romantic. He died when Arthur was seventeen. That boy’s been distant ever since. Until you came to me. Arthur came to see you as much he did me, you know.”
“No, he didn’t.”
“I know my son, and he did. I’m closer to him than I have been for years. Thank you.” She reached back with her frail hand and squeezed Rebecca’s. Rebecca blinked back her tears.
Six
LEAST RESISTANCE
The following week, when Arthur came with the shopping, and to stay for dinner, he was alone. Alice shelled peas in the kitchen while Rebecca flitted about. A tray of muffins sat cooling on the side. It was a warm day with a light breeze, and with the window open, the smell of cooking and cakes wafted through the house.
Rebecca whispered, “Where’s Victoria?” The subject had been on her mind, she didn’t like to ask, but it popped out of her mouth.
Alice gave her a pointed stare. “Not been here in weeks.” She shrugged.
Arthur stood in the doorway after fetching all the shopping in, watching them before he made to take a muffin as he set a bag on the side, and she told him off.
“Don’t you dare!”
He gave her a mournful expression that made her blush, and she sighed. “Fine.”
He picked it back up, leant in, took a huge bite, and moaned. He winked at his mum, and she laughed.
Rebecca started to put the groceries away.
“Right, peas are done, what else?” Alice asked.
“Um… sit there and look gorgeous, oh, you’re already doing that.”
Alice shook her head at Rebecca. She moved to go upstairs when she dished up.
“Stay, please.” A little disconcerted at the request, but with them both looking at her, she gave in and ate with them.
Arthur took a sip of wine and spoke. “I wanted to talk to you about something. I kept thinking about where you were living, and your friend, Carla. I went back and chatted with her. Apparently, the landlord has been making things difficult for her. So, I spoke with the housing officer and the police, and an investigation has begun into him. I’ve found Carla another flat, somewhere nearby, and it’s safe, clean, and pervert free. She can still afford to live there.
“She told me she wants to do health and social care. I got her a place on a course at the adult education centre. She’s going to be okay.”
Rebecca nearly cried. He was a good man, but she wasn’t special to him; she was charity, like Carla. Having to remember that in between the moments that made her heart skip was going to be difficult.
“That’s really kind, thank you. She never said anything. I’ve been worried about her.” She didn’t know what else to say.
They sat in the living room after dinner.
“Won’t you read?” Alice asked.
“Oh, no, Arthur doesn’t want to hear me reading.”
“Depends on what it is.” He sat relaxed, a glass of wine in hand.
“Well, we started ‘Pride and Prejudice’, but we only got halfway through.”
He smiled. “Carry on.” He put his feet up.
Rebecca was far too self-conscious, but she read. She felt Arthur watching her the whole time. Forever after that, in her mind, she pictured Arthur as Mr Darcy. It was oddly fitting; a tall and formidable man. It was Arthur down to a tee.
Every few pages Rebecca stopped reading, and they discussed a scene or a conversation.
“No wonder you haven’t finished it.”
Alice laughed.
He looked at his watch. “I should get going. Goodnight mother.” He kissed her papery cheek, and as he stood, he smiled at Rebecca. She didn’t respond other than a quiet murmur.
She helped Alice upstairs after he was gone.
“He likes you.”
“Alice, don’t. He doesn’t, he feels bad.”
“You like him too.”
“No.”
“Liar.”
She pursed her lips and said nothing.
Arthur had an employment contract drawn up with the salary and conditions. Personal Assistant. She gasped at the salary when he presented it to her a few days later.
“This is too much. It’s more than my administrative job.”
“You’re worth it. Mum’s worth it.”
“I can’t…”
“I want to do this properly, for your sake. You’ll be one of my employees, and I’m good to my workforce. You have the same rights and protections as they do, which you should have. That’s what I pay my assistant. It’s a standard contract. You get annual leave, the whole shebang.”
“I’m happy to have the contract, but the salary is ridiculous. I know you feel responsible for me-”
“I am. Just take it.”
“Fine, minus the rent then.”
“You’re not paying rent.” He was starting to lose his temper, and she was starting to find hers. He took a breath. “Please. For mum.”
“You can’t keep guilting me into things by bringing her into it.”
“Does it work?” He grinned.
She huffed an unimpressed laugh. “Fine.”
“Good.”
She signed, and he put it in his satchel.
The few warm weeks of May turned into a little heatwave in June. Everyone complained and knew it wouldn’t last.
It was too hot for Alice. It was too hot for Rebecca too, but they both wanted to make the most of it. Alice joked she wished she could go to the seaside; she’d loved going when Arthur was little. She told her all about his little bucket and spade, and his determination to build a city of castl
es.
Her face wrinkled with joy and pride. It gave Rebecca an idea.
She went out early and bought a few supplies. It was nice not to have to worry about spending a few quid here and there. She flip-flopped her way around the giant supermarket with a trolley at eight o’clock in the morning, large sunglasses in place, wearing shorts and a t-shirt. She carried her bags back to the bus station but passed a nice strip of shops on the way.
She found herself a swimming costume in a boutique on sale, red and white in a fine stripe, with a halter sweetheart neck. The legs were low-cut, and it was backless. She fell in love with it.
Altogether, she picked up some wedge sandals, a blow-up children’s paddling pool, and a family sized box of ice creams, along with a few other things.
Back before eleven, she inflated the pool with her foot pump, set up the large umbrella at the table, and put two of the long unused sun loungers from the garage in the shade.
She made margaritas and set up a picnic. It took all afternoon, and she waited until three when the worst of the heat passed before taking Alice out to the makeshift holiday.
After changing into her swimsuit with a cream cover-up she found in a charity shop, they made their way out to the garden.
Alice laughed when Rebecca led her out. They put their feet in the pool, and Rebecca put the radio on. She shifted her lounger to the sun and put her sunscreen on and relaxed back. Alice had her large sunglasses on and a wide-brimmed white hat. She splashed her feet back and forth in the water and sipped her drink.
They’d both be dozing in an hour, but Alice chatted about the past.
Rebecca loved hearing stories of when Arthur was a boy, and of Arthur Senior.
“When I met Artie, he was so debonair. I had no money, and we still had rationing.” She sighed and sipped her cocktail. “You know, his mother was Jewish, her family came from Austria originally. She came here before the war and was lucky enough to get out. Lost nearly everyone. She served in the war but never talked about it, I often wonder what she did. Artie thought she might have been an agent of some kind. She spoke three languages.” Alice shook her head. “She was a lovely but quiet woman. I met Artie when I was far too young. I decided on him when I was fourteen, and he was twenty-one. Of course, he ran a mile and wasn’t interested, but we met again when I was seventeen. I wasn’t letting him get away. He took some persuading before he finally pulled his socks up and married me. I was eighteen.”
Getting a Life (New City Series Book 4) Page 6