by Ian Todd
Vicky Baker, the other absentee. Aged 29. Joined the force as a twenty-five-year-auld back in March 1971. Her experience wis a combination ae everywan else’s efter being introduced by Sergeant Sally Burke. Hid been duped intae believing promises ae advancement and true love, only tae find hersel the victim ae being sexually used, abused and trapped oan the wrang side ae a slammed exit door. Resigned fae the force exactly twelve months tae the day fae when she’d signed oan the dotted line and taken the pledge ae loyalty tae the Queen.
“Well, Ah must admit, Ah’m no too sure where tae start,” Collette croaked, her throat feeling parched, as she gratefully took a sip ae the boiling tea. “Ah didnae expect tae be, er, meeting youse aw the day.”
“And you? Whit aboot you, Collette, hen? Whit’s your story?” Alice Broon, the shy wan, asked.
“Oh, Ah’m no too sure where tae start noo,” she admitted awkwardly. “Ah feel a bit overwhelmed noo that Ah’ve finally been able tae place faces tae the names in the letters that youse aw sent tae Susan McFarlane.”
“So, how is she daeing?”
“She sounds and looks amazing. So dis the baby.”
“Baby?” a few surprised voices chorused thegither.
“Aye, Willie Burke’s wee boy,” she replied as some ae them looked at each other while others jist stiffened in their seats.
Silence.
“Willie Burke disnae know that the wean exists, if that’s whit’s bothering youse,” Collette added, relieved tae see the stiff expressions relax.
“Naw, ye’ve picked us up wrang, Collette. We didnae know that Susan McFarlane hid goat pregnant, let alone know she’d hid that monster’s wean, so we didnae,” Sam Spence informed her.
“Oh.”
“Look, why don’t ye start your story at the beginning, hen? Efter aw, as ye’ve jist said yersel, ye awready know oor stories efter reading oor letters. Priscilla here didnae say too much other than tae inform us that ye’ve ended up in the same leaky ship as we aw did.”
Collette looked across at Priscilla, who gied her a wee nod ae encouragement, as she thought back tae the snatched conversation they’d hid that night doon in Betty’s Bar and the previous Wednesday efternoon, sitting roond the table she wis noo sitting at again.
Priscilla Presley, nee Jessie McBride, age 36, alang wae Sandra Henderson, wur the auldest oot ae the wummin sitting roond the kitchen table. Priscilla hid joined the force as a twenty-wan-year-auld virgin in September 1960 and hid passed oot in the same class as Sally Burke’s brother, Willie. Efter four months in the job, she’d begun a sexual relationship wae him, before dumping him efter catching him winching another new recruit. When she’d confronted him aboot being unfaithful, he’d beaten her up so severely, she’d been aff work fur ten days tae allow her bruises tae heal. His sister, WPC Sally Burke, hid then introduced her tae Sergeant Daddy Jackson when the pair ae them bumped in tae him up at The Locarno wan Friday night. She’d only realised later that the meeting hid been pre-planned. During that period, Duggie Dougan hid always been hinging aboot wae them socially, so when Jackson suddenly dumped her, there hid been a ready shoulder tae cry oan. Efter a few months, she’d found oot that Duggie Dougan hid no only been cheating oan her wae a young WPC fae another division, bit he’d hid a second wan oan the go as well. Before long, WPC Sally Burke introduced her tae another good pal ae hers, Teddy Bare. She hidnae been aware that he wis a member ae the so-called Irish Brigade. Efter rejecting his advances, he attacked her and raped her in Sally Burke’s flat efter Burke hid gone tae bed. She hidnae reported the assault because she’d been drunk in a flat in the middle ae the night wae a polis sergeant. Who the hell wis gonnae believe her side ae the story? A few months later, her heid wis still minced at whit hid happened. She’d also discovered that she wis pregnant. She’d confronted Bare aboot her situation. While he’d still denied that he’d raped her, he offered tae help her oot. She’d nae option bit tae resign fae the force tae hiv the baby, efter refusing tae hiv an abortion the day that Teddy Bare drapped her aff oan her lonesome at a back-street abortion clinic up a tenement closemooth in Hinshaw Street, Maryhill. When Teddy Bare returned tae pick her up an hour or so later in a polis squad car, she’d awready heided in tae the toon centre and caught a bus oot tae her mother’s hoose in Cambuslang. A day efter heiding oot tae her ma’s, Teddy Bare hid turned up at the hoose and demanded that she get her arse back in tae the toon and up tae Hinshaw Street. When she’d refused, the basturt hid assaulted her, in front ae her ma. While her ma hid wanted tae press charges, Jessie McBride hid persuaded her ma otherwise and tried as best as she could tae get oan wae her life. No an easy thing tae dae back then, seeing as she’d been baptised a Catholic and hid tae walk aboot the area fur nine months, unmarried and visibly pregnant. Oan the first night she’d gone oot socially since the birth ae her daughter the year before, she’d met Byron Blair, a trainee sani man wae Glesga Corporation. He’d been daeing his first ever Elvis gig at The Palais in Dennistoun and hid been impressed that she’d known aw the words tae the songs he wis belting oot, including the obscure wans. Three months before they married at Martha Street Registry Office, they’d changed their names by deed pole. In 1968, they also changed baby Margaret’s name tae ‘Lisa Marie’ in honour ae the birth ae the real Elvis and Priscilla Presley’s daughter and hivving recently found oot that as a result ae Elvis’s low sperm coont, they widnae be able tae conceive as a couple. Soon efter jointly agreeing tae rename Teddy Bare’s daughter, Elvis hid formally taken oan legal parental responsibility fur Lisa Marie. Pricilla hid telt her that Elvis wisnae aware that Lisa Marie wis Teddy Bare’s daughter. While Pricilla wisnae bothered aboot any disclosures regarding her, as her and Elvis never kept anything fae each other, the name ae Lisa Marie’s father wis no tae be disclosed. The change in name hidnae fazed the precocious five-year-auld, who’d stated that there wur seven Margarets, wan fur every day ae the week, in her class at school, bit nae Lisa-Maries, so she wis mair than happy. The news that Teddy Bare, the husband ae Collette’s best pal wis the father ae Elvis and Priscilla’s daughter, hid been the catalyst fur Collette taking tae her bed fur two days solid. The question ringing in her ears hid been, how much did Lesley really know aboot that man ae hers? Lesley hid taken oan the responsibility ae being the stepmother tae nine-year-auld Teddy Junior three years earlier efter a whirlwind romance. Things hidnae been a bed ae roses tae start wae, bit Lesley hid worked hard at it, winning o’er the boy’s trust. The boy’s mother hid committed suicide when he wis jist a wean. Despite Teddy Bare hivving hid live-in girlfriends o’er the years, Lesley hid telt her that none ae them could staun the wean, who wis a spoiled wee brat and as skilful as a journeyman at creating a wedge between his da and his girlfriends. Efter two and hauf years, the boy hid started tae call Lesley ‘Ma.’ Although there wis still psychological issues that the educational psychologists wur supporting her wae, Lesley hid been full ae the joys, though she’d also confessed recently that it widnae surprise her if the boy ended up in jail wan day.
“Classic psychopath, jist like that da ae his,” she’d said cryptically.
Collette sat and spoke, non-stop, fur aboot forty five minutes. Maist ae the time it wis coherent, bit hivving never hid an opportunity tae fully discuss and express her inner feelings wae anywan other than wae Mr Hopkins, her cat, she burst intae floods ae tears and sobbed, aff and oan, four or maybe five times. Each time she bubbled, somewan took her in their erms, gieing her a wee reassuring cuddle, while the rest ae them sat and tut–tutted, slinging her sympathetic glances and nods ae encouragement tae carry oan. By the time she finished her story, she’d gone through a full packet ae Handy-Andys.
“So, nothing’s changed then. There’s a surprise,” Alice Broon cursed, the first tae speak efter everywan hid sat fur mair than a minute lost in their ain thoughts.
“Ah’m sorry if Ah’ve regurgitated a lot ae bad times and memories,” Collette said, apologising. “It’s only recently that Ah’ve discovered whit his
being gaun oan wae ma ain situation. Ah feel so stupid and angry at masel, so Ah dae. Ah’ve never spoken tae WPC Hamilton who’s still walking aboot in possession ae ma da’s good lighter that he left tae me efter he died. Bit, whit Ah dae know is that Ah see masel every time Ah look at her prancing aboot, giggling like a wee school lassie every time Duggie Dougan hits her wae a wee compliment.”
“Don’t punish yersel, hen. We’ve aw been through whit you’re gaun through the noo. We’ve aw passed through that phase ae feeling stupid, blaming oorsels, wondering how somewan as savvy as us could’ve ended up in a situation like that. We’ve aw experienced that by the bucket load, so we hiv. These basturts hiv been at it long before you arrived oan the scene Collette, hen. Christ, there’s probably hunners ae lasses like us that they’ve taken advantage ae o’er the years.”
“Dae ye think so? It’s no jist me that thinks it’s ma ain fault then?” she asked them, starting tae weep again.
“Ye’re only gaun through and feeling whit we aw felt, Collette. Jist accept that it wisnae your fault. Ye never stood a chance, hen. None ae us did.”
“Hear, hear,” a few voices murmured, heavy wae anger.
“Clocked us coming a mile aff, so they did. And, as fur that specimen ae a wummin, Sally Burke? Well, whit kin Ah say that hisnae been said before?” Sam Spence cursed.
“That’s whit’s really hit me hard. How she could dae that tae another wummin?” Collette murmured, shaking her heid.
“So, tell us. Whit ur ye looking fur fae us then, Collette, hen?”
“Ah’m looking fur…fur…tae tell ye the truth? Ah don’t really know whit Ah’m looking fur. Strange though it might seem, Ah thought that aw Ah wanted wis tae get ma da’s good lighter back before jacking in ma job,” she confessed, sounding deflated.
Silence.
“Well, that’s aw fine and dandy, so it is, hen, bit whit aboot that Irish Brigade crowd?”
“Oh, Ah especially want they basturts,” she snapped angrily. “Oops, sorry aboot ma language.”
“Aye, bit in the meantime, whit ur ye intending tae dae wae the letters we aw sent tae that wee Susan McFarlane lassie a few years back? Ah must admit, Ah nearly fainted when Priscilla goat in touch and telt me that they’d resurfaced efter aw this time, so Ah did,” Sam admitted, clearly mirroring everywan else’s thoughts, as aw eyes noo focussed back tae hers.
“Aye, ye’re right, Sam, Ah’ve goat aw yer letters. Ah brought them wae me the day, so Ah did. Youse kin hiv them aw back, if ye want,” she volunteered, taking them oot ae the wee shoulder bag that hid been resting oan her knees and placing them oan the table, as everywan’s eyes shifted fae hers tae the wee bundle, tied thegither wae pink ribbon.
Silence.
“Ah notice that ye’ve placed them in front ae yersel and no oot in the middle ae the table where people kin easily reach oot and take theirs back,” Priscilla observed shrewdly, a wee glint in they eyes ae hers.
“Collette, hen, Ah wrote and signed that letter well o’er two years ago, so Ah did. It wis extremely difficult fur me tae put pen tae paper at the time. It brought back a lot ae heartache and pain tae me that Ah could’ve been daeing withoot it. If ma letter…whit you’ve called ‘a testament letter,’ is still in amongst that wee bundle there, then that’s fine wae me. Ah’m no ashamed ae whit Ah wrote and Ah still believe that the basturts that Ah wrote aboot hiv something tae answer fur. Ah’m no proud ae ma part in these sordid events and if whit ye’ve jist come oot wae is true, then it’s clear that young female recruits ur still in danger ae being sexually exploited or worse. Picking up fae whit Priscilla’s jist asked ye, whit dae ye intend tae dae wae them?” Bridget asked, as everywan again looked across the table at Collette, in anticipation ae an answer.
“Tae be honest wae ye, Bridget, Ah’m still no sure,” she replied, as mair than a few ae them fidgeted uncomfortably.
“Well, Ah take it ye’re no gonnae go back tae that boss ae yers, Duggie Dougan, and haun o’er oor letters tae him and say, ‘Oh, by the way, Ah’ve goat a wee complaint tae make?’ ur ye, Collette?” Alice asked, lightening the atmosphere.
Priscilla nodded that it wis okay fur people tae light up, as she stood up and went and goat two ashtrays oot ae the cupboard and placed them in the middle ae the table.
“Whit Ah mean is,” Collette hurriedly added, realising that she wisnae exactly inspiring confidence in the wummin sitting roond the table. “Ah know whit Ah want tae happen as a result ae yer written testaments, bit Ah’m still no a hunner percent sure how tae go aboot making that happen, although Ah hiv a few ideas. Ah mean, Ah wis initially gonnae take them tae wan ae the newspapers,” she said, receiving a chorus ae derisive laughter. “Aye, Ah know. Ah soon dismissed that idea. Ah heard fae a pal ae mine, somewan in the know, that they widnae be interested in publishing stuff like this.”
“Bloody auld boys network again,” somewan muttered.
“There might be another way though,” Collette volunteered.
“Oh?”
“Ah’m no sure if Ah kin explain it jist noo. It’s a long shot and could be construed in some quarters as being a wee bit dodgy.”
“Collette, unless ye’re sure that something kin be done, then Ah don’t see the point. Ah’m no talking aboot masel here, bit Ah’m talking aboot the young lassies that ur coming intae the service these days. Ah’ve been oot ae the force fur years noo. Ah’m no as stupid as tae believe that anywan wid be interested in ma story. Being naive and taken advantage ae by yer randy work colleagues isnae a crime, so it’s no. Jist ask Susan McFarlane,” Sandra Henderson chipped in.
“Ah know ye probably don’t want tae hear this, Collette, hen, bit Ah think it’s maybe too late. Even when Susan McFarlane’s case wis being investigated, we always knew, if we wur honest wae oorsels, that her chances ae success wur minimal. Ah mean, the fact that Sally Burke and that brother ae hers wur eventually cleared says it aw. They Irish Brigade basturts are too entrenched in the system noo. They’re aw untouchable. Maybe we should jist furget it. Whit’s the point ae bringing up the past? Who’s gonnae guarantee that we won’t be portrayed as bitter ex-employees, dumped lovers ae married men, oot fur revenge?” Susan asked. “Aye, Ah agreed tae write that letter ae support, highlighting ma experience, efter Priscilla goat in touch, bit that wis then, nearly three years ago. As Sandra his jist pointed oot, if it wis difficult then, it certainly won’t be any easier a further three years doon the line.”
Silence.
“Look, they’re aw still there, in braided uniforms, supposedly supervising young potentially vulnerable WPCs. At first, Ah wis a wee bit confused as tae why some ae youse hid stated in yer testaments that ye’d hid tae resign efter announcing ye wur engaged tae be married. That wis the first time that Ah’d heard that if a poliswummin announced that she wis getting married, then she hid tae resign fae the force. Christ, we’re only talking aboot it being seven years since that rule wis scrapped. How many ae youse wur effected by that ruling? The fact that some ae The Irish Brigade went as far as proposing tae youse, knowing fine well that it wid mean the end ae yer careers, is sexual exploitation in itsel and wrong.”
Silence.
“According tae the letters sent tae Susan McFarlane, that applied tae two wummin sitting in this room and another two who urnae here the day,” she reminded them.
“Aye, Mary Connelly died ae cervical cancer since they letters wur posted aff and Janis Mack committed suicide last year, a bitter and broken wummin, so she did,” Priscilla chipped in, leaving that last bit ae news hinging in the air.
“It should’ve been the happiest days ae yer lives, believing ye wur engaged tae be married tae the men that ye loved and it must’ve been devastating tae find oot that it wis aw jist a con tae get shot ae ye,” Collette reminded them, wincing at the pained reaction oan the faces aroond the table. “Surely tae God something like that needs tae be challenged, irrespective ae when it happened? And whit aboot you, Bridget? According tae that testament ae yo
urs, Duggie Dougan, that current boss and supposed lover ae mine, raped ye oan two separate occasions. Despite you being brave enough tae raise it wae his superior, Daddy Jackson, whit happened? Duggie Dougan continued tae be yer local sergeant, regardless ae the seriousness ae yer allegation. Why wid ye no want tae get the basturts responsible fur that? Ah don’t understaun.”
“We aw want justice. Aye, and revenge tae, bit no at any cost. We need guarantees that whitever ye dae wae they letters, something good will come oot ae it. We want oor families tae be proud ae us, no tae turn against us,” Susan Gilroy chipped in, as a few others, including Priscilla, nodded in agreement. “Ah kin understaun why Susan McFarlane widnae hiv wanted tae continue the fight against them, Collette. She wis pilloried wae sexual innuendo aboot her supposedly wild sex life before and efter she joined up. They basturts paid under the coonter back-handers tae wee Ned schoolboys tae pop up during the investigation tae claim she wis nothing bit a wild nymphomaniac who stole their childhood, so they did. That poor soul wid’ve been in some state at the time, so she wid’ve. Ah know how Ah felt when Ah went through aw that shit. Ah’ve nae problem wae you wanting tae dae something aboot your current situation, hen, bit Ah couldnae go through being let doon again, no efter aw this time. Ah need tae be able tae trust you and be assured that ma interests and your interests ur wan and the same. Fur me, it’s aw aboot trust. Ah couldnae cope wae betrayal.”