by Kitty Neale
Jenny didn’t want to upset her friend and said, ‘Thanks, Tina, I’ll be there.’
‘What you doing this weekend?’ Jack asked as he walked along the High Road with Gloria.
They’d finished work and Gloria was looking forward to getting home. Her feet were killing her, and she needed a nice long soak in the bath. ‘Not much. Me and Gail might go to the pictures tomorrow night. Wanna join us?’
‘Nah, it’s all right, thanks. I’ve already got plans.’
‘Suit yourself. I’ll see you on Monday,’ Gloria said as Jack turned off at his road.
‘Yeah, see ya,’ he called back.
She didn’t have much further to walk and was glad she and Gail had found a flat close to work. The furniture was a bit tatty and only one gas ring worked on the hob, but they both liked the place. Gail was a few years older than Gloria and had moved out of her parents’ house because her mum was having their seventh child. The house was already overcrowded and she was embarrassed her mother was still having children at the age of forty-six. Gail had said she was going straight from work to see her mum, so Gloria had the place to herself. As she turned the corner, she heard a familiar voice that made her stomach turn.
‘Hello there, pretty lady, what a pleasure to bump into you.’
There was no mistaking Dwight’s American accent, and she ignored him as she picked up her pace.
He must have run because he appeared at her side and said, ‘Didn’t you hear me calling? Where are you off to in such a hurry?’
‘Yes, I heard you, but I don’t want to talk to you,’ Gloria answered and hoped that would be an end to it.
‘Don’t be like that, Gloria, you’ll break my heart into a thousand pieces. You’re looking mighty fine and I’m proud to be walking with you.’
‘Just go away,’ she said brusquely.
‘Gloria, so glorious. She stabs me in my heart, over and over, but I can’t help myself and keep coming back for more. It’s a pain that feels so, so, so good,’ Dwight said and licked his lips as he mockingly held his hands to his chest.
Gloria thought he sounded pathetic and hoped that if she didn’t respond, he’d get the message and leave her alone.
‘Are you on your way home?’
Gloria continued walking and remained silent.
‘I’ll escort you and ensure you get safely to wherever it is you’re going. It’s such a beautiful evening and how better can a man spend his time but with such a beautiful woman?’
Gloria realised she wasn’t going to shake him off so easily and spun on her heel to face him. ‘You’re a dirty creep, Dwight. I don’t like you, and I never will, so just bugger off and leave me alone.’
He held up both hands, and thankfully he didn’t pursue her as she marched off again. He made her feel uncomfortable, and she shuddered at the memory of him ogling her with lust in his eyes. When she reached her front door, and placed the key in the lock, Gloria glanced over her shoulder, relieved that he hadn’t seen where she lived.
As soon as she stepped through the door, she kicked her shoes off, then turned to close it, but to her horror Dwight appeared as though from nowhere. He pushed against the door and before she could stop him he was in the hall.
‘Aren’t you going to ask me in, pretty lady?’
‘Go away,’ Gloria shouted, ‘or I’ll scream.’
‘I like it when a lady screams because then I know I’m giving her pleasure. Your momma was a screamer, she loved it hard. Are you a screamer, Gloria? Are you like your momma? Do you like it hard?’
Gloria was really scared now. She wanted to run, but Dwight was blocking the doorway. She couldn’t get past him and daren’t run to her room. There was only one thing she could do and could only hope it would work. ‘I’m a screamer all right,’ she said, and taking a deep breath she let out an ear-piercing screech.
Dwight looked shocked but didn’t budge. She took another deep breath and screamed again as loudly as she could.
‘I’m only playing with you,’ Dwight drawled. ‘Now hush up, and I’ll be on my way.’
At last he walked out, and Gloria frantically shut the door. She was trembling and her heart was thumping. She leaned back against the door and rested her head on the wood as she took a few long, slow breaths.
She began to calm down, but then her eyes widened in disbelief when Dwight spoke again.
‘I’ll be seeing you, pretty lady,’ she heard him say through the letterbox.
He was on the other side of the door. There were only a few inches of wood separating them and Gloria stood motionless, hardly daring to breathe, listening for every sound. Had he gone, or was he outside, waiting to come in and get her? Her body flinched, and she stifled a yelp when she heard a knock.
‘Please … please go away,’ she whispered.
‘Hello? Is everything all right in there?’ a voice said.
It sounded like a woman and relief flooded through her. Someone must have heard her screaming. Slowly and with trepidation, Gloria opened the door a fraction and peeked out. A small, rotund, middle-aged woman was on the doorstep with a thickset, burly man by her side.
‘I’m Rose, and this is Charlie, my husband. We live next door and thought we heard someone screaming. Are you all right, love? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.’
Gloria pulled the door open wider and looked past the couple to make sure there was no sign of Dwight. ‘Yes, I’m … I’m fine now. Thanks. I was so scared …’
‘What happened, love, do you want to tell me?’ Rose asked softly.
‘A man … he, erm … oh, God, a man followed me home and tried to get in. I didn’t know what to do … I screamed …’ Gloria suddenly found herself in floods of tears and felt Rose’s plump arms around her.
‘It’s all right, love, you’re safe now. Get your shoes on. You’re coming back to mine.’
Gloria wiped her wet face with the back of her hand and slipped her feet into her shoes. She didn’t know the strangers on her step, but never had she been so grateful.
‘Would you like my Charlie to go and fetch a policeman?’
‘I … I don’t know.’
‘It’s all right. Let’s get you a cup of tea and then you can decide.’
Gloria nodded and allowed Rose to lead her next door. She sat on their comfortable sofa and drank sweet tea. She couldn’t get the leering look in Dwight’s eyes out of her mind, and she was still trembling. ‘Do you mind if I stay here until my flatmate Gail comes home?’
‘You stay as long as you need. I’ve got a big stew in the oven, so you won’t go hungry. Now, what about that policeman?’
Gloria was still undecided. She could name Dwight and tell the police where he lived but as he hadn’t harmed her, she doubted they’d do much. ‘I know the man. He was my mum’s ex-boyfriend. He didn’t hurt me, just frightened me. If I report him to the police, do you think they’ll arrest him?’
‘I’m sure they will, and if not, they’ll probably give him a warning and tell him not to come near you again. Them screams we heard were blood-curdling. I said to my Charlie, I thought there was a murder going on. You must have been very scared, so I think you should do something.’
‘Right then,’ Gloria said, feeling stronger, ‘can we ask Charlie to get the police?’
Chapter 40
‘I’ve packed some sandwiches for the journey,’ Lizzie said, trying to hide her thrill about a trip to Devon.
‘Are you sure you want to come?’ Owen asked. ‘I’m worried you’ll find Caroline’s condition rather shocking.’
Lizzie wasn’t in the least bit concerned for Owen’s niece, she was simply looking forward to what she saw as another holiday. ‘I wouldn’t like to think of you doing this alone,’ she lied.
Owen stepped closer to her and kissed her gently on the cheek. ‘Thank you, Lizzie, you’re a good woman.’
Lizzie smiled sweetly at the old man, convinced she’d soon have her name on his will. When she was sitting in a car
with him for hours it would give her the opportunity to talk some sense into him. After all, what good would all his and his mother’s money be to Caroline?
‘We’d better get off if we want to miss the Saturday-morning shoppers. There’s a nice inn about halfway between here and Devon. I’ve stayed there before, they do a very nice game pie. If we stop there overnight, we’ll arrive in good time to visit Caroline tomorrow.’
‘OK, I’m game if you are. Let’s go. Devon, here we come!’ Lizzie said and realised she sounded a bit too upbeat. ‘I’m sorry, Owen, I’m just trying to keep your spirits up.’
‘No, it’s fine, Lizzie. I’ve no doubt moving to a new care home will be distressing for Caroline, but I’m sure she’ll soon settle in. She’s been at Askwith House for most of her life, so maybe a change of scenery will do her good. You’re right, let’s make this an enjoyable trip.’
Before long they had left London and Lizzie was watching green fields pass by. Her tummy rumbled. ‘Would you like a sandwich?’ she asked.
‘No, thank you. I don’t eat while I’m driving and I’d rather you didn’t eat in the car when we’re on the move. I’ll pull over shortly.’
Lizzie wished now that she hadn’t skipped breakfast. She began to realise how boring the journey would be and had forgotten how odd Owen could be at times. He had funny little ways that really grated on her, though she did a good job of hiding her irritation. When they’d been in Spain, he’d insisted that she didn’t swim in the sea and only use the hotel pool. She hadn’t understood his reasoning about fish using the oceans as lavatories but had done as he’d asked. He’d also annoyed her with his pointless rule about setting his stupid alarm clock for seven in the morning. They were on holiday, but Owen said he didn’t want to waste the day. He’d also stuck to his rigid ten o’clock bedtime. That had really got on her nerves as, from what she’d seen, Spain didn’t liven up until ten.
About half an hour later, Owen pulled over into a small farm track. ‘We’ll have a ten-minute break here,’ he said, and turned off the engine. ‘You should stretch your legs.’
Lizzie didn’t need telling twice and climbed out of the car. She arched her back as she breathed in the country air. ‘There’s nothing fresh about this,’ she said, wrinkling her nose at the smell of fertiliser.
‘Indeed. They must have been muck-spreading. Apparently, it’s good for you. My father would tell me it puts hairs on your chest.’
‘I don’t want a hairy chest, thank you very much,’ Lizzie answered and got back in the car. The awful smell had killed her appetite and she couldn’t wait to get away from this spot. She tapped her foot impatiently as she watched Owen leisurely strolling back and forth with his hands behind his back.
‘Come on,’ she muttered to herself, then wound down the window. ‘Can we go now, please?’
‘I thought you wanted a sandwich?’
‘No, not in this stench.’
Owen climbed back behind the wheel and Lizzie noticed he was smiling. ‘What’s so funny?’ she asked.
‘You. You’re a town girl through and through. I find it astonishing that you can’t tolerate the smell of the countryside, yet the pollution in London doesn’t bother you.’
‘Granted, London is mucky, but it doesn’t smell as rotten as this.’
Owen started the car and they reversed onto the road. ‘I’ll stop again shortly, and I’ll try to find somewhere more to your liking,’ Owen said with amusement.
He seemed in a good mood, and as they drove along Lizzie hoped she wasn’t about to ruin it. ‘Your niece, Caroline … you pay for all her care?’
‘Yes, it’s what my sister would have wanted.’
‘It’s lovely that you care for her, but what will happen to Caroline if anything happens to you?’
‘You mean, when I die?’
‘Yes.’
‘I’ve made provision for that in my will. Du Cane Court and my shares will be sold, then all monies, including what I may inherit, will be left in trust. There will be sufficient to look after Caroline for the rest of her life.’
‘What’s a trust?’ Lizzie asked.
‘It’s a group of people, in this case my solicitor and my accountant, who will look after my assets on behalf of Caroline.’
‘Is that wise?’ Lizzie asked, feigning concern.
‘Very. Neither party can release money without the other’s signature.’
Lizzie thought for a moment, and then said, ‘But surely they could be working in cahoots and swindle your money for themselves?’
‘I suppose that could happen, but I think it most unlikely. I’ve known my accountant since he was a very young man. He started his career in my business and I trust him implicitly.’
‘I hope you’re not being a bit naïve, Owen. I don’t think you should trust anyone when it comes to money.’
‘I agree with your sentiment. In my lifetime I’ve seen some very unscrupulous activities. Money can bring out the worst in people: greed, lies and mistrust. However, once I’ve passed on, there isn’t much I can do.’
‘Couldn’t you leave your money to a loved one? I honestly think you’d be better off putting your trust in family.’
‘I don’t have any family, Lizzie, you know that.’
‘You have me …’
‘Huh, I see, but you’re not family.’
‘I could be … if you married me …’
Owen fell quiet and Lizzie saw his knuckles turn white as he gripped hard on the steering wheel. Then he suddenly swerved to the side of the road, stopped the car and put the handbrake on. He turned in his seat to look her directly in the eyes. She smiled at him and fluttered her eyelashes. This is it, she thought, he’s going to ask me to marry him.
‘Lizzie, I enjoy your company very much. You make me feel alive and forget that I’m an old man. But we both know we’re not in love. I’m happy to have you living with me, and to take you out and about, on holidays abroad and such. In exchange, I benefit from a beautiful woman’s company. However, there will be no marriage, and I want to make it clear that you will never be a beneficiary of my will, though I have left some provision for you. Now, with that said, are you happy with this arrangement?’
Lizzie’s face dropped as all hopes of becoming a wealthy woman were suddenly dashed. ‘I thought you loved me,’ she said and forced tears to fill her eyes.
‘No, Lizzie, and you don’t love me. It’s no use pretending, though I do think you could have a good career on the stage,’ Owen said with a cynical chuckle.
Lizzie looked at the old man with contempt. She thought about all the nights she’d allowed his gnarled hands to grope her and the times she’d pleasured his wrinkled and sagging body. She’d tolerated his slobbering kisses and put up with him being stuck in his stupid old man’s ways. For what? It hadn’t got her anywhere. ‘How much provision have you left me?’ she asked.
‘Three hundred pounds.’
‘Is that it? Surely I deserve more than a lousy few hundred quid?’
Owen started the car again and said coldly, ‘Lizzie, if you don’t like it, you know what you can do.’
It was early Saturday evening and Pamela was helping Jenny prepare to go to Tina’s birthday party.
‘Ouch, that hurts,’ Jenny said, wincing as Pamela pulled her hair into a high ponytail.
‘Stop being such a baby.’
‘Hark at you, sounding just like me and all grown-up. When did that happen?’ Jenny said.
‘I’m fourteen and I’ll be leaving school next year.’
‘Yes, you will,’ Jenny mused. ‘I hadn’t really thought about it. What will you do? Work full-time in Harper’s?’
‘I hope not. I like making clothes, but I don’t reckon I’ll ever be good enough to be a fashion designer. Instead, I was thinking of hairdressing.’
‘That’s a wonderful idea. You’re great at doing hair and the only person I know who can do anything with my mop.’
‘Do you really think so?’
‘Yes, definitely,’ Jenny answered with gusto. She felt proud of Pamela, especially considering what the girl had been through.
‘Right, you can look in the mirror now.’
Jenny went to look in the one on her gran’s dressing table and admired her reflection. ‘Wow, Pam, it looks smashing. You definitely should take up hairdressing.’
Once she’d dressed, Jenny walked into the front room. She was happy with her appearance but still felt self-conscious.
‘Jenny, you look a million dollars,’ her gran gushed.
‘Yeah, you look really pretty,’ Timmy said, but soon went back to the Lego model he was building with Peter.
Jenny could feel herself blushing. ‘Thanks, Gran. Are you sure you don’t mind me going out tonight?’
‘Don’t be daft. Go on, bugger off, and make sure you have a good time.’
When Jenny knocked on Tina’s door, twenty minutes later, her friend opened it with a glass in her hand.
‘Jenny! You look fantastic. Come in, I’ll introduce you to everyone.’
Jenny followed Tina along the narrow hallway and then into a surprisingly large lounge. As soon as she walked in, she wished she could have walked back out again. There were at least a dozen people looking at her as Tina announced, ‘Hey, everyone, this is Jenny, my friend from work.’
Jenny was met with an array of people saying hello to her, and once again she felt herself turning red. ‘Erm, this is for you,’ she said quietly to Tina and handed her a gift with a birthday card.
‘Ah, thanks, Jenny, you shouldn’t have. Come through to the kitchen and I’ll get you a drink.’
Tina danced her way along the hall and into the well-appointed kitchen, saying with a smile as they entered, ‘What can I get you?’
‘Just a lemonade, please.’
‘We can do better than that! How about I add a wee bit of Martini?’
‘Oh … I … erm … don’t know …’
‘Go on, it’s a party!’ Tina urged.
‘OK then, but only a few drops.’
Tina poured Jenny her drink then opened the gift she’d given her. Jenny was pleased that her friend seemed delighted with the fancy bubble bath. It had been Pamela’s idea; she’d told Jenny that it was Gloria’s favourite.