In another dream Rita was sitting with Amanda, her face taunting and menacing. It was during their last night out and Julie watched as Rita handed a white powdery substance to Amanda. Julie could see that Amanda was about to take it. She wanted to stop her but couldn’t; she was just an outsider who could only observe as Amanda stared at the drug in her hand and prepared to put it in her mouth.
Julie awoke in a sweat drenched panic to the sound of her own voice screaming, ‘No, no, no!’ She soon took stock of her surroundings, relieved to find that she was in her own bedroom.
As Julie attempted to calm her racing heart her mother rushed into the room. ‘Are you all right love?’
‘Yes,’ Julie tried to reassure her. ‘It’s just another nightmare, that’s all. You go back to bed Mam. I’ll be all right, it’s over now.’
When Betty had left her room, Julie picked up a book from her bedside table, intent on reading for the rest of the night. She knew that, in her present state of mind, there was no chance of getting any peaceful sleep.
Chapter 22
Saturday 2nd August 1986
If Julie had answered the front door, Rita would never have got over the threshold. However, it was Clare who answered it so Rita found it easy to barge past a child of eight and make her way up to Julie’s bedroom.
‘Julie, have I got news for you!’ she announced as she strode boldly into Julie’s room.
‘You’ve got a bloody nerve!’ Julie shouted. ‘I’m not interested in hearing anything you’ve got to say!’
Rita appeared shocked. ‘It’s important Julie!’
‘It may be for you, but I don’t give a stuff! You don’t think I’m gonna sit here while you rub my nose in it do you? I don’t want your explanations, I just want to see the back of you. Now get out of my room!’ she yelled.
‘What the bleedin’ hell’s up with you? Have you completely lost your marbles?’ Rita asked, astounded.
Julie retaliated. ‘Well you didn’t think I was going to take it lying down, did you? I might be suffering from depression, but I’ve not gone soft altogether. What do you expect, a pat on the back or something? You cheeky hard-faced bitch! Just get out, go on, get back to him, and I hope you’ll be very happy together.’
‘Julie, what on earth’s the matter? I thought we’d discussed this, I thought you were all right about me going to Greece. What the hell’s got into you?’
‘What do you mean, Greece? Do you mean you’re going away together?’
‘I told you, as soon as he gets the money, I’m going over there.’
‘I’m not talking about Yansis, I’m talking about Vinny. So you can cut the pretence.’ As Rita stared, dumfounded, Julie continued. ‘Yes, your sordid little secret’s out!’
‘What are you talking about? I’m not seeing Vinny! I’m in love with Yansis. You know that.’
‘Yes, that might be what you’ve told me, but I know what’s really going on. Don’t try denying it Rita; you were seen going into his house.’
Rita sighed as the realisation it her. ‘I know where you’re coming from now. Yes, I have been to Vinny’s house, but it’s not what you think, you silly cow!’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Julie, that lad thinks the world of you! Don’t you think he’d rather have been talking to you than me? You’ve been such a bitch with him lately that the poor lad doesn’t know whether he’s coming or going. He asked to see me so that I could help him sort things out.’
‘Oh I see,’ Julie replied. ‘He thinks you can bring the mad cow to her senses does he, and let her know what she’s been missing?’
‘I’m not talking about that. Now get off your high horse a minute and let me explain!’ Rita continued before Julie had a chance to interrupt. ‘Vinny thinks he knows who killed Amanda. He’s found something out. He asked to see me about it because he was frightened of getting his head bitten off if he rang you. Anyway, he wants to try to help you get out of this mess, but if you want to find out more then you’ll have to speak to Vinny about it.
‘After all, it is you he’s trying to help, not me. No matter what your warped mind might be thinking, we both know that Vinny wouldn’t even bother giving me the time of day if it didn’t involve you! And I’m disgusted at you Julie for even thinking that I would go after him behind your back. We’re supposed to be mates aren’t we? I might be a lot of things, but I would never do the dirty on a mate. You’ve really insulted me today Julie. I was trying to help you!’
Julie felt terrible. She wished that she could take back her accusations, but it was too late; she had already hurt Rita. ‘Rita, I’m so sorry, I got the wrong end of the stick.’
‘People see what they want to see Julie,’ Rita replied coolly as she walked away.
--------------------
Saturday 2nd August 1986
Rita’s revelation had been like a lifejacket to a drowning man. Suddenly, after all these weeks of misery, there was some hope. If Vinny had found something out about Amanda’s killer, then that could get her and Rita off the hook. She knew that nothing would bring Amanda back, but at least she wouldn’t have to live with the guilt of Amanda’s death and that would make it easier to cope.
Apart from giving her hope, Rita’s words had also brought her to her senses and made her realise how useless she had become. She had been so wrapped up in her own self-pity that she had convinced herself that the whole world was against her. Instead they had been trying to help her and she had done nothing to assist. She felt so ashamed and embarrassed by her own behaviour. Finally, she decided that it was about time she plucked up the courage to ring Vinny.
When Julie walked into the living room she wasn’t surprised to see her father immersed in one of his favourite pastimes of reading his paper. She hesitated at first before approaching the phone, not wanting him to overhear. But then she told herself that if she kept making excuses she would never make the call. “It’s now or never,” she reassured herself as she lifted the receiver and dialled the number.
As Vinny answered the telephone, Julie’s heart began to race and she thought for a moment that she wouldn’t be able to speak. In her agitation she rushed at the words.
‘Erm, hello Vinny, it’s me. I owe you an apology. I know I’ve been a real pain and I just wanted to say, well, that I’m sorry.’
Vinny sounded taken aback. ‘Oh,’ he replied. ‘That’s all right. I know what you’ve been going through. I just thought I’d leave you to it, till you were feeling a bit better.’
‘I know, Rita told me. She told me about you finding something out as well.’
‘Oh yes, that.’
‘Yes, do you want me to come round so we can talk about it?’
‘Yes, as long as you’re not just coming to see me because of that.’
‘Oh Vinny, I’m sorry! I did want to phone you before now but I was frightened of how you’d react after how I treated you.’
‘I’d have been all right; I wanted you to ring. Anyway, you’ve rang now haven’t you? So why don’t you come round tonight if you’re not doing anything?’
‘Right, tonight it is, I’ll see you about seven.’
As Julie replaced the receiver a surge of excitement rushed through her. She hadn’t felt this good in weeks. While she was in this positive frame of mind, she decided to ring Rita next to apologise.
After a few seconds on the phone to Rita, it became apparent that Rita wasn’t really hurt, but was determined to let Julie grovel for a bit before accepting her apology. Knowing that she deserved this treatment, Julie humoured Rita for a while, although she could sense that a reconciliation was imminent. Rita’s words indicated her concession when she said, ‘You have been a silly cow you know Julie. Fancy thinking me and Vinny were at it behind your back. As if either of us would do that to you. You know your trouble don’t you? You don’t realise how well thought of you are.’
‘I know, I know,’ muttered Julie. ‘I do realise now though, and I promise I’ll n
ever doubt you again Rita.’
Julie then told Rita about her conversation with Vinny and that she had arranged to see him that evening. At Rita’s request, she promised to let her know the outcome.
Heaving a sigh of relief, Julie put down the phone.
‘What’s been going on then?’ asked her dad.
‘Oh no!’ she thought. Just when she was beginning to feel a lot better about things, the last thing she needed was for her dad to say something that might upset her again.
She knew, however, that she had no alternative but to confide in him if she was to have any chance of regaining his trust. After she had explained to him all about the situation with Rita and Vinny and what had transpired during her phone calls, he said, ‘Well it’s about bloody time things took a turn for the better! Let’s hope Vinny can help you find out who really did it, but you two be careful; you don’t go messing about with murderers. The minute you find anything out, you get to the police, do you hear?’
‘Yes Dad,’ she assured.
‘Oh, and Julie,’ he added. ‘I knew all along you were innocent. No daughter of mine goes around killing people, even if you are a bit of a boozer.’
He peered back into his newspaper, smiling to himself without giving Julie a chance to respond.
His support had been the final encouragement Julie needed and as she prepared for her meeting with Vinny, she hummed contentedly to herself. “First Rita, then Vinny and now my dad,” she thought. “I feel as though I’ve scored a bloody hat-trick.”
Chapter 23
Saturday 2nd August 1986
As Julie approached Vinny’s house she saw the curtains twitching across the road at number 25. “Well,” she thought, “I wonder what that silly little cow, Melanie Butterworth, will have to say about this at school tomorrow.” She smiled as she thought about Clare’s anticipated reaction to any quizzing from Melanie. “Knowing our Clare,” she thought. “She’ll probably give the spiteful little bitch a bloody good run for her money.”
When she knocked on Vinny’s front door, she felt as though her stomach had turned to jelly. Within seconds Vinny was standing before her. He appeared like a stranger and their conversation was stilted at first. She noted his appearance; he was wearing a new shirt, which showed off his honed muscles and he looked clean-cut and sleek. A feeling of desire surged through her as she smelt the subtle but masculine scent of his body.
Without speaking he led her through to the lounge where he had placed a bottle of red wine and two glasses.
‘Would you like a drink?’ he asked and, when Julie didn’t immediately reply, he added, ‘You don’t have to if you don’t want.’
Remembering their last encounter, when she’d not even wanted to share a bottle of wine with Vinny, she cringed with embarrassment. ‘I’d love a drink!’ she responded and she smiled at him as he began to pour. She knew that she shouldn’t be drinking because of the medication she was taking but she didn’t want to seem difficult. She therefore decided that she would pace herself and just have a glass or two.
Julie sat down clutching her glass of wine. He took her coat from her and went to hang it up. She sensed that they were both treading carefully, and became determined to put things right between them. When he returned she tried to make polite conversation. ‘How have you been?’ she asked.
‘Not too bad. I’ve missed you but, in the end, I decided that I had to get on with my life so me and Pete have been going out a lot. It’s been OK I suppose.’
Julie felt an inexplicable hurt at this comment. In her naivety she had imagined Vinny sitting at home pining for her but he was tougher than she had given him credit for. She hadn’t given him credit for a lot of things. Julie had been too busy chasing shadows. She thought about Mike with his slick charm. It was undeniable that he had given her a good time for as long as it had lasted but it was all a sham. She had analysed their date many times since that night and come to the conclusion that his whole conversation revolved around himself.
As soon as Mike had heard anything negative about her, he couldn’t get away from her quick enough. And yet here was Vinny, strong and self-sufficient, but considerate too. Even though she had pushed him aside, he had still been there for her, allowing her the breathing space that she needed in order to sort herself out.
‘There’s been big changes at work,’ he said. ‘I’ve jacked in my job.’
Julie gasped in surprise, ‘You’re joking!’
‘Yeah, I have. I got sick of them making a mug of me. Anyway, this firm called Gads Brothers asked me to work direct for them. They said that the company I worked for were incompetent and that I was the only builder who was any good at his job. So I took the offer. They’ve got loads of work for me, should keep me going for a while, and I’m putting a few adverts out to see if any other work comes up.’
‘That’s brilliant!’ said Julie, astonished.
‘Well you didn’t think I was going to take shit from them forever, did you?’ asked Vinny.
‘Well, to be honest, you have put up with a lot from them.’
‘I know, but it’s not always easy to go out on your own you know. It’s a big risk, but luckily Gads Brothers have given me the break I’ve been looking for. It’s a bit scary though; I’ve still got bills to pay if anything goes wrong.’
‘Give over!’ said Julie. ‘You’ll do great. Once word gets round about how good you are, they’ll be banging on your door for you to work for them.’
‘Well I hope so,’ Vinny smiled.
They sat in silence for a few minutes and Julie gazed around uncomfortably while Vinny got up and fiddled about with his record collection. She wanted to broach the subject of Amanda’s murderer but didn’t want Vinny to think that was the sole reason for her visit, especially after his comment on the phone. She sensed that Vinny knew what was on her mind but he was making her wait for the information, testing her. Julie felt an urge to keep the conversation going so that she wouldn’t risk losing Vinny’s confidence in her.
‘You’re looking well anyway,’ she said.
‘Thanks,’ said Vinny. ‘You’re not looking so bad yourself. How are you feeling now anyway? Rita said you weren’t so good.’
‘Not too bad. It’s been hard at work, in fact I’ve ended up on the sick, but things have got a bit better at home. My dad’s been all right with me lately, so that’s one good thing.’ She checked herself before continuing. “I’m rambling,” she thought. “It’s all me, me, me again. I’ve got to stop it. I’ve got to let him know how much I’ve missed him, how much I care.” She didn’t have the courage to speak these words, however, and she tried to disguise her discomfort as she took a gulp of her wine.
‘I know it’s been hard for you Julie, but I just wish that you’d have let me help you instead of turning your back on me. I’ve missed you, you know.’
‘I know, me too,’ said Julie, fighting back tears.
Vinny dashed over to her and pulled her towards him. She clung to him for comfort as the tears began to flow. Unavoidably she started to sob and felt foolish.
‘It’s all right, it’s all right,’ he reassured. ‘You’re here now and everything’s going to be OK. I think I’ve found out who killed your friend and I’m going to help you sort things out.’
As much as Julie wanted to find out what he knew, she didn’t speak for a few moments. Instead she took comfort in his embrace, realising for the first time that this was what she wanted more than anything; to feel his love and know that he was there for her.
Eventually, after composing herself, she spoke. ‘Thanks for standing by me through this Vinny. I’m so sorry for how I’ve been! I don’t know what came over me, I just felt as though I couldn’t cope with anybody or anything. Everybody I talked to reminded me of Amanda and when I tried to take my mind off her I couldn’t stop thinking about her anyway, and it was just impossible to think about anything else.’
‘I know, I realise that now but I didn’t at the time. I’m sorry
too. So that makes us quits, eh?’ he asked as he stroked her hand and looked into her eyes.
Julie smiled in reply.
‘Right, so let me tell you what I’ve seen.’ He topped up their glasses before continuing. ‘Me and Pete decided to go somewhere else one night for a bit of a change. So, we went to the Hacienda. We’d heard loads about it so we thought we’d give it a try.
‘We’d just got our drinks and were having a wander round when I saw this guy in the corner, and I said to Pete, “I know him from somewhere”, but I couldn’t place him at first. Pete said, “Have you seen what he’s doing?”, and when I looked I saw him taking notes off people and giving them a small package, then they’d disappear to the toilets. We couldn’t believe it, all these bloody student types, and he’s there flogging drugs as large as life. I couldn’t stop thinking about it for ages. I’ve never seen anything like that in the clubs we go to. Then it dawned on me where I’d seen him.’
He paused for effect as Julie stared open-mouthed at him in anticipation.
‘It was at a works do with you. He was with your mate Amanda. Right slimy git he was as well. Thought he was bleedin’ rockerfella.’
‘Do you mean Les?’
‘Yes that’s right; that was his name.’
‘Jesus!’ said Julie. ‘Then it could have been him that gave Amanda the drugs, after me and Rita left her with him.’
‘Yeah, that’s what I thought.’
‘We’ll have to go to the police Vinny and tell them what you’ve seen. Will you come with us and speak to them?’
‘Course I will. I told you, didn’t I? I want to help you.’
For the remainder of the evening they chatted amicably. It seemed that this revelation had lightened the atmosphere between them and Julie felt able to relax once more with Vinny. When he couldn’t resist her any longer and chanced making an advance, she willingly responded.
Slur: The Riverhill Trilogy: Book 1 Page 14