Читать книгу Desperate Measures - Kitty Neale - Страница 16

Betty was puzzled. She’d heard Cheryl’s story and felt sorry for her, but why had Val seemed so eager that Cheryl recount it to someone who, let’s face it, was a stranger? It had been the same with Paula, the girl talking about her terrible ordeal when they first met, and what did Cheryl mean about Val helping them? How was she supposed to do that? Betty felt there was something going on, strange undertones, something she couldn’t put her finger on, but when Val said she was running Cheryl home, she knew it was her signal to leave.

It was only nine o’clock and a long evening stretched out in front of her with just a wireless for company. Though she was saving to buy a television, it would be a long time before she had enough money, and now that she was baking again, there was a lot less going into the kitty. When there was a knock on her door, Betty went to answer it, surprised yet pleased to see Val.

‘I’m sorry, Betty, when I offered to drive Cheryl home it felt as if I was chasing you out. However, on the drive home I’ve been thinking, and if you’re not busy, can we talk?’

‘Yes, of course.’

Val took a seat, then pulling out her cigarettes said, ‘Do you mind if I smoke?’

‘No, go ahead,’ Betty told her, fetching an old saucer that Val now used for an ashtray.

Val lit up and took a long pull on the cigarette, releasing a stream of smoke before she spoke. ‘I wanted you to meet Cheryl, to hear her story, but I shouldn’t have been evasive about the reason. It was wrong of me, and I’m sorry. I should have been open with you from the start and can only say in my defence that I have to be cautious.’

‘I don’t understand. Cautious about what?’

‘You know what happened to me, Betty, how Mike Freeman ruined my life, my career. You’ve heard that Paula was raped, and how Cheryl was swindled, but you may not have noticed that we all have something in common.’

‘We’ve all been badly hurt. Is that it?’

‘Yes, but in every instance the men who hurt us got away with it. In my case, Mike’s career has flourished, and the dealer who swindled Cheryl gained financially too. The man who raped Paula is still free, living his life without punishment – and there’s always the risk that he might rape another poor young woman.’

‘I know, and I thought the same. What happened to me was awful, but like Cheryl, I think it’s nothing compared to Paula’s ordeal.’

‘I’d hardly call it nothing. Your husband cheated on you, and from what you’ve told me he’s living the good life whilst you struggle financially.’

Betty heaved a sigh. ‘Yes, that’s true.’

‘Wouldn’t you like to pay him back? Wouldn’t you like to see him suffer for what he did to you?’

‘Yes, but I don’t see how.’

Val leaned forward, her expression earnest. ‘Betty I think I can trust you so I’m going to tell you what Paula, Cheryl and I are going to do. If you want to join us, you’d be more than welcome, but if you’d rather not, can I have your promise that you’ll keep what you’re going to hear to yourself?’

‘How can I promise that when I haven’t got a clue what you’re talking about?’

Val’s smile was thin, but she nodded. ‘Yes, I see your point, but we’re friends and, as I said, I feel I can trust you. You see, Betty, we’ve all suffered, and as I mentioned, in each case the men responsible have got away with it. What we plan to do is to get our own back. We want revenge, because only then can we move forward. Take Paula, for instance. We want to see the man who raped her in jail. Instead of walking the streets, maybe stalking his next prey, we want to see him punished for what he did.’

‘Yes, I can understand that, and it’s no more than he deserves.’

‘Then there’s the man who cheated Cheryl. As far as I’m concerned, no matter what the law says, he’s a criminal. We want him to pay for what he did too. As for me, I want Mike Freeman to be sacked, hopefully with his reputation in the industry ruined, like mine was.’

‘Val, I know you’re hurting, but what good would that do?’

‘He stole my job, my life, my career – and I can’t bear it.’

‘Yes, maybe, but I don’t see how you can get him sacked.’

‘As a group we’ll find a way, and, if you like, a plan to make your husband pay too.’

Betty lowered her eyes, thoughts racing. Only that morning she’d received an electric bill that would be a struggle to pay. Richard didn’t struggle, though, or Mel with her cleaner to do all the dirty jobs. She had dreamed of reconciliation with Richard, that Mel would leave him, but knew it wouldn’t happen now. Mel was pregnant and the thought still made her feel sick inside. Yes, she would love to pay Richard back, to see him, and Mel, suffer. But how? ‘I don’t see how I can get back at Richard.’

‘That’s the beauty of this, Betty. You won’t be alone any more. With four of us working together, we’re sure to come up with a plan. In fact, I already have something in mind for the man who raped Paula.’

‘Have you?’

‘Yes, and I’d like you to join us, Betty, but before you make a firm decision, I must tell you that to ensure that he goes to jail, we’ll have to lie to the police.’

‘Oh, no! I don’t think I like the sound of that.’

‘Hear me out first, and if you don’t want to join us, there’ll be no hard feelings.’

Betty listened to Val’s plan, thinking that it could work, should work, and that maybe the end justified the means. Val explained that there were things to be ironed out, but if they were careful the risk of discovery would be minuscule. Even so, the thought of being involved with the police made her stomach lurch in fear.

‘Well, Betty, what do you think?’

‘Val, I’d be useless. I’ve never done anything like that in my life and the thought of lying to the police terrifies me. I’d be such a nervous wreck that it would give the game away.’

‘I think you underestimate yourself, Betty, and remember, you won’t be alone. We’ll all be working together, and each of us will have our turn for revenge. When we implement the plan for Paula, she won’t be involved, and in that way the police won’t have any reason to be suspicious. The same goes for when it’s your turn. We’ll make the plans, but when we carry them out you won’t be involved, so again no suspicion can fall on you. That’s the beauty of this, Betty, and I’m sure you’ll come to realise that.’

Betty shook her head. ‘I’m sorry, but I still don’t think I can do it.’

Val’s smile was sympathetic. ‘I know this must have come as a shock. It’s a lot to take in and a big decision. I don’t expect your answer now, so why don’t you sleep on it?’

‘Yes, all right,’ Betty agreed, relieved when Val rose to leave. She showed her out, her mind reeling as she got ready for bed.

An hour later, Betty was still awake. They would have to lie to the police and the thought of prosecution if they were discovered had her trembling with fear. She scrunched her pillow, mind still churning. Her life had been ordinary, dull, and – since moving to London – lonely. Meeting Val had changed all that and it would be awful to lose her friendship. If she didn’t join them, would Val drop her? Oh, and that meant she wouldn’t see Paula again. She hardly saw her son, and Anne’s infrequent visits were short, so much so that it felt like she’d lost them, that she was no longer needed in their lives.

In such a short time, Val and Paula had become almost a replacement family, Paula like another daughter: one who needed her; one who, unlike Anne, craved affection. The thought of losing them, of being alone again, was unbearable.

Still Betty couldn’t make up her mind. She went over Val’s plan again and suddenly found that her trembles of fear turned to shivers of excitement. She tossed and turned, scared, yet wanting to join the others, wanting not only revenge for herself, but for them too. Could they do it? Could they really pull it off?

Finally, after another hour of agonising, Betty made a decision, at last drifting off to sleep.