Desperate Measures (4 page)

Now that she had started, Betty found herself unable to stop, the words so long held back, now pouring out. ‘My father ruled the roost at home and my mother happy to let him. It was from her that I learned how to make do and mend. When I married Richard, I just followed in her footsteps and, though we weren’t well off, I was happy. Richard eventually went off to fight in the war, but when it was over he came home with plans to start up his own business.’

‘Really, doing what?’

‘He wanted to open up a car showroom and repair shop. Every penny made was ploughed back into the business so we continued to live frugally. I had to take what little money he gave me for housekeeping and make it stretch. I never had a bank account or any money of my own, but I loved Richard and wanted him to succeed, so I never complained.’

‘And did he make a success of the business?’

‘Eventually, but I never saw the fruits of his success.’

‘Didn’t you? Why was that?’

The painful memories were too much and Betty found tears flooding her eyes. Unable to go on she gasped, ‘I…I’m sorry.’

‘Oh, please don’t cry. Look, I’ll make us a fresh pot of tea, and how about another slice of your lovely cake?’

Betty fought to pull herself together. She couldn’t eat another slice of cake, it would choke her; but she dabbed her eyes and felt a little calmer when Val returned to pour out fresh cups of tea.

‘You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to,’ Val said softly as she poured.

However painful, Betty wanted to talk–to get it out of her system. ‘It’s all right, but I think I’ll jump forward to when my children left home. I missed them so much, and with Richard so busy, I felt lost and lonely. Richard then told me we were moving and I was shocked when he took me to see the house he wanted to buy.’

‘Oh dear, was it too small?’

‘No, Val, it was huge with eight bedrooms, but it had been empty for some time and was in a bit of a state. It was even worse outside, with a massive garden that had gone to seed, with brambles, weeds and a knee–high lawn, let alone the shrubs that had grown out of all proportion.’

‘With just the two of you, why on earth did your husband want to take on a house of that size?’

Betty’s lips thinned. ‘He said he’d been advised that property was an investment, a way to build up assets for his retirement, but I didn’t believe that. He wanted it because he’s a social climber and during our marriage he went out of his way to make friends with the wealthy, well–connected families in the area. Richard wanted the house to impress, to keep up, but he took out a huge mortgage to buy it.’

‘It sounds like it needed a lot of work too.’

‘Richard paid builders to do the renovations, but after that he said money was tight and I’d have to manage without any help. It took me months to clean the house, and even longer to bring the garden up to scratch. In all, it took just over a year, but in that time I grew to love the garden, and the house.’ Betty paused, the next part so painful, and taking a deep breath she struggled to continue. ‘It wasn’t long after that when Richard dropped his bombshell. He…he…told me. Oh God, I…I was such a blind fool.’

‘You’re not alone in that. I trusted Mike Freeman–and look what happened to me.’

Yes, despite all her worldly ways, Betty thought, Val had been betrayed too. She felt an affinity with her new friend and it gave her the courage to go on. ‘Richard had been acting strangely for a while, going out in the evening with the flimsiest of excuses, but I still didn’t see what was going on right under my nose. When he finally said there was someone else I was shocked to the core. It was his secretary, a girl who worked in the showroom office, and yes, I mean a girl. She was only in her late twenties, where of course I was then forty–seven. Like his used cars, Richard decided to trade me in for a newer model.’

‘You must have been heartbroken. What a dreadful way to treat you. I hope he lives to regret it,’ Val said quietly.

‘Oh, so do I…so do I,’ Betty sobbed, finding herself crying in earnest. She felt Val’s arm around her shoulder, grateful that she wasn’t at all like the aloof woman she had first taken her for, and for the comfort she was now offering.

‘Have a good cry. It’ll do you good,’ Val said softly.

At last Betty was able to pull herself together, and said shakily, ‘I’m sorry for breaking down like that.’

‘Don’t be silly: you’ve been through hell. No wonder you’re upset.’

‘You haven’t heard it all yet, but to tell you the truth I’ve got a bit of a headache. I’ll tell you the rest another day, but for now I think I’ll go upstairs and take a couple of aspirin.’

‘All right, but I hope talking about it has helped. Pop down any time; perhaps tomorrow evening if you aren’t busy.’

‘Yes, all right. Bye, Val, and thanks for listening.’

‘Bye, my dear.’

Betty felt emotionally exhausted as she trod wearily upstairs. She hadn’t known Val very long, but strangely it was beginning to feel as if she’d known her for years. There was a deep feeling of empathy, so much so that she had finally unburdened herself.

Yet there was more to tell–worse to tell. Val had been so kind, so sympathetic, but how would she feel about a woman who had been so weak, so stupid, that she had let her husband walk all over her?

Chapter Six

Val was disappointed. It was the weekend again but, despite seeing Betty for a couple of evenings, she hadn’t mentioned her marriage again. So far her story had been all too familiar, one that she had often heard whilst working for Mr Warriner. Betty was angry about her divorce settlement, that was all, and Val now doubted that she’d want to join the group. There were lots of women who’d been hurt by divorce, by their husbands going off with a younger woman, but she hadn’t heard of any who had hit back. Val heaved a sigh, yet maybe she shouldn’t give up yet. Betty said there was more to her story, and it puzzled her that the woman had to live so frugally. From what Betty had said her husband owned a thriving business and they had lived in a very large house, so what had happened to her settlement?

The telephone rang at ten o’clock on Saturday morning and when she answered it, Val found Paula on the line. ‘Hello dear. How are you?’

‘I’m all right, but a bit fed up. Cheryl’s on duty again so we can’t meet up. Can I come round to your place?’

‘Betty has clammed up, but I feel there’s more she isn’t telling me. I was going to pop upstairs to ask her if she’d like to go out for a walk, but to be honest, if she still won’t talk, I’m stuck.’

‘What about this afternoon? Can I come round then?’

‘Make it about two o’clock and I’ll make us some lunch.’

‘Will I meet Betty?’

‘No, I don’t think so. Oh, but wait a minute,’ Val said as she was struck by a thought, ‘maybe if she hears your story it’ll give her the confidence to open up again. I know I’m rushing it, but I really do want to get on with our plans.’

‘Oh, Val, so do I, but I’m not sure about telling Betty,’ Paula said, her voice reedy with doubt. Val could have kicked herself. Honestly, sometimes she was so thoughtless. Wanting to make amends, she said, ‘Darling, I’m sorry, I spoke without thinking. Of course you don’t want to talk about it again.’

There was a pause, but then Paula said, ‘It’s all right. If you think it will help, I’ll give it a go.’

‘Are you sure?’

‘Yeah, but if I choke up you may have to take over.’

‘That’s fine.’

They said goodbye and, hoping that the ploy would work, Val waited a couple of hours before going upstairs to invite Betty to lunch.

‘I was hoping to see my daughter, but so far there’s no sign of her,’ Betty said flatly. ‘I doubt she’ll turn up now, so yes, I’d love to join you for lunch.’

‘I hope you don’t mind, but a friend of mine will be joining us too–the young girl you saw waiting for me outside the flats a few weeks ago.’

‘Err…no, of course not.’

‘Right then, I’ll see you in an hour.’

Val hurried back downstairs, and as she wanted to have everything ready for when they arrived, she hoped that the quick salad she knocked up would suffice. This was it–make or break time. Val liked Betty, felt sorry for her, but she couldn’t afford to waste any more time on the woman. If hearing Paula’s story didn’t draw Betty out, she would have to find someone else to recruit.

Betty was the first to arrive, and Val was gratified to see that she was carrying a plate of buttered scones. ‘I’ve only made salad, so you’re a treasure.’

‘I always enjoyed baking and it’s nice to get my hand in again. I hope your friend likes them.’

‘I’m sure she will,’ Val said, and was just about to close the door when she saw Paula entering the block. ‘There she is now.’

With both of them inside, Val could see that Betty was puzzled–and she understood why. Paula was young and pretty, but dressed like a nun in a threadbare long, dark skirt and high–necked blouse. She wore no make–up, her hair scraped back in an untidy ponytail, and with nails bitten down to the quick, she appeared a nervous wreck.

Val made the introductions, then said, ‘Sit yourselves down. What would you like to drink?’

‘’Ave you got any gin?’ Paula asked.

‘Sorry, no, but I’ve got sherry. Will that do?’

‘Yeah, I suppose so.’

Betty looked shocked, whilst Val went to her cabinet to pour the drinks. ‘What about you, Betty? Will you join us in a sherry?’

‘No, thanks, you know I don’t drink,’ she said, her face showing disapproval as, instead of sipping her sherry, Paula tipped up the small glass to swallow it in one gulp.

Not a good start, Val thought. Betty had no idea what Paula had been through, why she drank, but hopefully when she heard Paula’s story there’d be understanding instead of disapproval. She poured Paula another sherry, and then asked, ‘How’s the new job going?’

‘It ain’t bad, and now that I’ve got the hang of it I’m left mostly on me own. The noise of the flippin machinery cuts out much chance of chatting and that suits me fine.’

‘Paula works in a print factory,’ Val explained.

‘Yeah, that’s right. What do you do, Betty?’

‘Oh, I’m just a cleaner–cum–housekeeper in a house in Kensington. I’m afraid I’m not trained for anything else.’

‘I know how you feel. There was just me and Mum and we were hard up. When I was fifteen she couldn’t wait for me to leave school and bring a few bob in. I’ve been stuck in one factory or another ever since.’

‘Come on, you two, stop bringing yourselves down,’ Val protested.

Betty smiled at last and, indicating the bowl of salad along with a plate of bread and butter, Val urged them to help themselves. They each filled a plate but the atmosphere was still a little strained until Treacle sat beside Betty, balancing on his rear legs to beg for some of her food.

‘You won’t want salad,’ Betty laughed, ‘but is it all right if I give him a piece of my bread and butter, Val?’

‘Just a tiny bit. Honestly, he’s like a dustbin.’

‘I think he’s lovely,’ Paula said. ‘I’d love a dog but I’m not allowed animals in my bedsit.’

‘Don’t you live at home?’ Betty asked.

‘No. When my mum got married again she moved out of London and her new bloke made it pretty obvious that I wasn’t welcome.’

‘But that’s awful. How old were you?’

‘Eighteen, but it wasn’t a big deal. All me mates were here so I didn’t want to move out of London anyway.’

They continued to eat, and Val was pleased to see them looking more relaxed. When the meal was finished and the coffee made, they all sat on the sofas, Betty asking, ‘How did you two meet?’

‘Another long story I’m afraid,’ Val said. ‘I met Paula by chance about eighteen months ago. She had hurt her ankle and I took her to casualty…But I’ll leave Paula to tell you the rest.’

Betty turned to look at Paula, but the girl had her head down.

‘Paula, do you feel up to talking about it?’ Val asked.

‘Yeah, I fink so,’ she said, but then took up her handbag. She removed a packet of cigarettes and, after opening them, offered one to Betty.

‘No thanks, I don’t smoke.’

‘What about you, Val?’

‘Yes please.’

Paula’s hands shook as she lit the cigarettes, but then turning to Betty she said, ‘I know it was a while ago, but it still haunts me. I can’t face going out at night knowing that he’s still out there–and even during the day I’m shit scared.’

Val could see that Betty disapproved of Paula’s language, and as the girl paused, she quickly took over, saying gravely, ‘Paula was raped, Betty.’

‘Oh no! Oh God, how awful.’

When Paula began to cry, Betty moved along the sofa and, as though all her mothering instincts came to the fore, she wrapped the young woman in her arms. ‘There…there,’ she murmured.

For a while Paula cried, whilst Betty held her, but then with a juddering sob Paula finally stopped. She moved away from Betty to reach for her cigarettes again, hands trembling as she lit one up. ‘Sorry Val,’ she said in a voice barely above a murmur, ‘do you want another one?’

‘No, darling. I’ve managed to cut down to ten a day now.’

‘I’m still on forty.’

‘After what you’ve been through, I’m not surprised but, like me, I think you should try to smoke less.’

‘If he was in prison where he belongs, I know it would make all the difference, but you know he isn’t, Val–he’s still around and sometimes it feels like he’s mocking me.’

‘But why is he still around? How did he get away with it?’ Betty cried.

‘There were no witnesses, and it was Paula’s word against his. After it happened she ran home, and it was twenty–four hours before she plucked up courage to go to the police.’

‘It was awful,’ Paula blurted out. ‘There wasn’t a policewoman at the station and the coppers who interviewed me made it obvious they thought it was my fault…that I had asked for it. I didn’t, Betty, honestly I didn’t. Just because I used to wear miniskirts and don’t talk posh, they treated me like a tart. It ain’t right.’

‘Did they at least try to catch him?’

‘It wasn’t hard. He lives locally and, though I hadn’t spoken to him, I’d seen him around. I knew his name, where he lives, and one night at a dance I let him take me home. That…that’s when it happened. The cops said they’d bring him in for questioning, but it was a waste of time. He denied it, of course, and because there wasn’t any evidence, the case didn’t even get to court.’ Once again Paula began to cry, this time spontaneously falling into Betty’s arms.

Val had heard the story before, but it still touched her, angered her that Paula had to live like a virtual recluse. She went to work during the day, but never ventured out at night, her young life destroyed.

‘It ain’t right,’ Paula cried, ‘it isn’t fair that he’s still free. I just wish there was some way to make sure that he goes to prison where he belongs.’

‘I agree,’ Betty said, ‘he should be locked up and the key thrown away.’

It was dreadful to see Paula in such a state again and, though it was necessary to recruit Betty, Val felt awful for putting her through such an ordeal. The girl moved from Betty’s arms again to light yet another cigarette, her fingers stained brown from heavy smoking. When Paula finally stubbed it out, she stood up.

‘I’m sorry, Val, but I don’t like being out in the evenings and I’ve got a splitting headache.’

‘Paula, I’ve got some aspirin. There’s no need to leave yet. It won’t be dark for ages and when you want to go I’ll give you a lift home.’

Betty then rose to her feet, her smile soft and kind as she spoke to Paula. ‘If you’ve got a headache, I think you need a bit of peace and quiet. I’ll leave, but if you ever need anything…’ Her voice trailed off.

‘Fanks, Betty, and it was nice to meet you. I…I’m sorry I broke down.’

‘Oh, sweetheart, there’s no need to apologise.’

As Betty moved to the door, Val followed, saying quietly, ‘You don’t have to leave.’

‘I know, but I think it’s for the best. Bye, and I’ll see you soon.’

When Val closed the door she turned to Paula. ‘I’m so sorry. I should have realised that talking about it would be too much for you.’

‘It…it’s like reliving it all over again, but other than this rotten headache I’m all right now. I like Betty, she’s nice.’

Val nodded in agreement. Yes, Betty was nice and had been so sympathetic, but would she understand what they wanted to do–and why? Not only that, unless she too had been badly hurt by more than a divorce settlement, Val still wasn’t sure that she’d want to join them. Once again she felt a surge of impatience. How much longer was this going to take? Would she have to drop Betty? Oh, she hoped not.