Читать книгу Desperate Measures - Kitty Neale - Страница 15

Cheryl Cutter vigorously washed her face and then frowned at her reflection in the mirror. She’d been complimented on her nice complexion, but secretly longed to look more glamorous. Her hair was short, wavy, naturally auburn, and her eyes were green. Instead of pale skin with a scattering of freckles across her nose, she’d prefer to have olive tones and mysterious, cat-shaped eyes like the film star Sophia Loren. With her head on one side, she tried a seductive pout, but then burst out laughing. There was no way she could look seductive and had once heard herself described as wholesome; something she had to admit was true.

With a sigh, Cheryl took a dress from her wardrobe. It was Friday evening and she was going to see Val, hoping to meet Betty, but in truth she was having serious doubts about Val’s plans. When Val had first mentioned it, Cheryl had thought it could work, but as time passed, with lots of time to think, her nervousness had increased. The plan was fraught with risks, ones Cheryl felt sure could lead them all into deep trouble.

Cheryl slipped on a pair of white sandals and, after picking up her handbag, locked her door, still wondering if she should back out now before it was too late.

When she arrived at Val’s flat, Cheryl was ushered inside, Val saying, ‘If Betty doesn’t come down, I’ll take you upstairs to meet her. She knows my story and on Saturday she heard Paula’s. I realise it was only six days ago, but we really do have to move things forward. If Betty can’t be recruited, I’ll have to find someone else. The trouble is that could take ages, so let’s see how she reacts to what happened to you. Oh, and if you get the chance, it might intrigue her if you can somehow mention that I’m going to help you.’

‘Yes, all right, but after hearing about Paula, my story will sound a bit tame.’

‘Maybe, but nevertheless, you were swindled. If it hadn’t been for that dealer, you wouldn’t be stuck in nurses’ quarters.’

Cheryl lowered her eyes, wondering how Val would react if she pulled out. Yes, she’d been cheated, but surely what Val wanted to do was a step too far? She’d been mad to agree, had been sucked in when she’d heard about what happened to Paula.

Poor Paula, and thinking about her Cheryl knew she couldn’t back out now. She was tied to this group, not only for Paula’s sake, but her own too. If there was a chance of getting her money back she had to take it. Cheryl was snapped out of her thoughts when there was a sudden rap on the door.

Val opened it to admit a plump, middle-aged woman. ‘Betty,’ she said, ‘I’m glad you’ve popped down. I’ve a friend here I’d like you to meet.’

As the woman stepped inside, she said hesitantly, ‘Err … hello.’

Val made the introductions. ‘Betty, this is Cheryl. Cheryl Cutter.’

‘Hello, Betty, it’s nice to meet you.’

‘Cheryl’s a nurse and has just finished a stint on nights,’ Val explained.

‘Oh dear, that can’t be much fun. Do you enjoy nursing?’ Betty asked as she took a seat.

‘Yes, well, except for the shifts.’

‘It doesn’t help that Cheryl has to live in nurses’ quarters, but after what happened to her, she has no choice.’

‘Why what happened?’

Cheryl found herself annoyed that Val had jumped in with both feet. She knew that Val was anxious to get started on their plans, but surely this was rushing things? Obviously impatient, it was Val who answered Betty’s question.

‘I’m sure Cheryl will tell you what happened to her, but I’ll start by saying she was robbed.’

‘Robbed! How awful. Were you hurt?’

Once again Val jumped in. ‘Not physically, but financially and emotionally. Tell her what happened, Cheryl.’

Exhaling, Cheryl gathered her thoughts before starting at the beginning. ‘I’m twenty-nine now, but tragically my parents were killed in a bombing raid when I was just a year old.’

‘How awful for you.’

Betty sounded so sympathetic, her eyes kind, and it encouraged Cheryl to go on. ‘To be honest, I was so young that I don’t remember it, or being taken to live with my grandmother. She was a widow, living in Richmond, and it must have been hard for her, but she took me on. I grew up seeing her as my mother, and loved her dearly. When I left school I was drawn to nursing, qualified, and decided to make it my career, perhaps specialising in midwifery.’

‘Oh, I’d have loved to do something like that, but I just got married and became a housewife and mother.’

‘Betty, I’ve told you,’ Val said. ‘There’s nothing wrong with that.’

‘No, there isn’t,’ Cheryl agreed, ‘but I had to put my career on hold when my grandmother became ill. I stayed at home to nurse her until … until she died.’

‘I’m so sorry to hear that. You must have been devastated.’

‘Yes, I was, and as my grandmother’s house was rented, the landlord said I had to move out. I think he was going to turn it into flats, double his profit. I returned to nursing and, with no other choice, I applied for, and got, nurse’s accommodation.’

‘You’re jumping the gun, Cheryl. Tell Betty about the dealer.’

‘Yes, I was coming to that. I was in such a state, grieving for my grandmother, but the new place was furnished, and with no room for anything but a few ornaments, I had to have my grandmother’s house cleared. All the furniture was old-fashioned, mostly junk really, but hoping there might be something of value, I invited a local dealer to see it. Two men came, but they didn’t want any of it, saying there was nothing worth buying. I was so upset, but hearing my plight they were very kind and offered to clear it for me. There was a picture above the hearth, filthy from years of smoke damage, but obviously feeling sorry for me, one of the men said he might be able to sell it, and offered me twenty pounds.’

‘Yes, twenty pounds,’ Val said scornfully, ‘and wait till you hear the rest.’

‘I trusted them, Betty, but they took advantage of me in my grief. You see, about six months later, I happened to pass the dealer’s shop. When I glanced in the window, I stopped in my tracks. It had been cleaned and was hardly recognisable as the picture that had hung over my grandmother’s fireplace, but I had grown up seeing it and knew it was hers. It had a prominent place in the window, and the price tag was for two thousand pounds.’

‘What?’ Betty gasped. ‘Oh my God, what did you do?’

‘I was furious and went into the shop to confront the dealer – it was a waste of time and I got nowhere.’

‘Yes, and that’s how we met,’ Val interrupted. ‘Cheryl came to see my employer, but unfortunately she had signed a receipt saying “sold as seen”. There was nothing Mr Warriner could do. In my eyes the dealer had cheated her, stolen from her, but he had the law on his side. Yes, I work for a solicitor, but sometimes I think the law is an ass.’

‘It’s dreadful,’ said Betty.

‘Yes, and Val was so kind,’ Cheryl went on. ‘She saw how upset I was and, as it was her lunch break, she invited me to join her for a coffee. I told her how the money would have given me security, the means to buy perhaps a small flat, but instead I’m forced to remain in nurses’ quarters. It’s awful, and my grandmother would turn in her grave if she knew I’d been cheated, but I still think it’s nothing compared to what happened to Paula.’

Betty looked surprised. ‘Oh, you’ve met her too.’

Cheryl felt colour flooding her cheeks, scrabbled around for an answer, and was glad when Val came to the rescue.

‘Yes, Cheryl has met Paula, and in fact they’ve become friends. We’re all meeting up in the park tomorrow, Betty, so why don’t you join us?’

Obviously puzzled, Betty’s eyes flicked between them, but then she said, ‘All right, yes, I’d like that.’

‘Good, and shall we say midday?’

‘That’s fine.’

‘Right then, now, if you’re ready to go, Cheryl, I’ll run you home.’

‘Thanks, Val. I don’t know what I’d have done if I hadn’t met you, and I know Paula feels the same. We know you’ll be able to help us, and we’re very grateful.’

Betty’s brows were creased as she rose to her feet. ‘Right, well, I’d best be off. Bye, Cheryl, it was nice to meet you, and … and I’ll see you tomorrow.’

When Cheryl had said goodbye, Val showed Betty out, fingers crossed that her ploy had worked. When she closed the door she turned to Cheryl. ‘Come on then, let’s get you home.’

They climbed into her car, Val then saying, ‘I think the timing was right. Betty has heard your story now and, after the hint you dropped, she must be intrigued.’

‘Maybe, but when she hears what we plan to do, she’ll probably run a mile. When are you going to tell her?’

‘When we all meet up tomorrow.’

‘That soon? Are you sure you’re not rushing it?’

‘Maybe, but I can’t afford to waste any more time on Betty and I think it’s worth the risk.’

‘I spoke to Paula yesterday and I must say she seems rather taken with Betty.’

‘Paula needs mothering and Betty seems to sense that. I’m afraid I’m not very demonstrative, but Betty thought nothing of holding Paula when she broke down.’

‘That’s nice, but I’m more like you. In my profession we have to grow an outer shell or the awful things we see would be too much to cope with.’

‘I can understand that, but how you do it is beyond me. Just the sight of blood makes my stomach turn, let alone vomit and bedpans.’

‘It has its rewards.’

‘Not in the way of pay, that’s for sure.’

‘There’s worse off than me, but back to Betty. Do you think she’ll want to join us?’

‘I’m not sure, Cheryl. She’s a nice lady, but very bitter about what happened to her; she’s rather meek and unworldly. She may find the whole idea too frightening.’

‘I wouldn’t blame her for that.’

Val frowned, sensing an undertone in Cheryl’s voice. ‘Are you changing your mind? Do you want to back out?’

‘No, but what we intend to do is frightening.’

‘As long as our planning is meticulous, with every last detail covered, nothing can go wrong.’

‘I hope you’re right, Val.’

‘I am, so stop worrying.’

When she dropped Cheryl off outside her quarters, Val called goodbye, but drove home chewing worriedly on her bottom lip. Cheryl seemed to be getting nervous and she didn’t want this fear to show in front of Betty. Maybe it was a mistake for them all to be there when she revealed their plans – perhaps it would be better if she told Betty in advance. Somehow she would have to broach the subject without putting herself, along with the others, in a bad light. And so for the rest of the journey, she worked out her strategy.