Page 53 of Second Chances

“Elena?” Victor answers on the second ring. “How can I help you?”

“I need some more tablets,please?” I beg, my tone pleading with desperation. He has to save me, please be a nice man.Please.

“Of course? The usual? Or I have just got in some stronger painkillers if you’d like to try them. They’re a little bit more money but worth it.” I hear the shake of a bottle from the other end of the line. Victor told me the first time I met him about an accident he’d had. His leg had been broken as well, and he struggled with the constant pain. He told me if it wasn’t for the drugs, he’d have fallen apart. He’s such a nice man.

“That could be a bit of a problem. I’m a little strapped for cash at the moment.” I bite my bottom lip as I speak, hoping he’ll accept some other form of payment until I can get the money.

“You know I can’t give these out for free, Elena. I’ve got mouths to feed. My stupid ex-wife takes me for as much money as she can, not that my daughter sees a penny of it.”

Victor has also told me he only sells the drugs because his ex-wife took all his money when they’d separated. The ‘bitch’ had bought herself new boobs and a nose job. Sadly, very little went to his daughter. One day, his distraught little girl showed up at his house in soiled clothes and told him she didn’t have any clean clothes to wear. Her situation spurred him into getting involved in illegal activities. The poor man was desperate.

“I’ve got several things you can take to pay for them? If you come to the dance school, I can show you?”

He goes silent for a moment.

“I don’t know, but I’ll come and see you. I know how hard your injury is on you.”

“Thank you.”

Victor hangs up. He doesn’t live far from the school, so I know he won’t take long to get here. I collect anything of value together along with my bag, but I can’t help worrying it won’t be enough.

What the hell do I do then?

The stash of money from the students catches my eye. Many of their parents have paid the fees for the new term today, and the takings are sitting waiting for me to pay them into the bank on my way home.

That’s what I can do…I can borrow it for now and then pay it back over the next few weeks.

It’s the perfect solution.

I’m a genius.

The doorbell rings, and I pick up the money from the desk and head to the entrance.

Victor stands there, wearing a black hoodie that covers his head.

I unlock the door and let him in.

“Look, Elena, I’ve been thinking about this on the way over, and I can’t take your possessions for the painkillers. It’d be unfair.”

I hold the wad of cash up to him.

“You don’t have to. I’ve found another way.”

A big smile crosses his face.

“You certainly did.” He rummages in his pocket and pulls out two bottles. “I was hoping you would. I brought you the usual plus the super strength painkillers. It’s perfectly safe to take three a day of the stronger tablets and then a couple of the other ones in between when you need them. What do you say?”

“Anything to stop the pain. It’s been unbearable today.”

“They cost a bit more, as I said, but I’ve had some, and I’ve never been able to exercise as much. It’s been amazing. I feel like a new man.”

“How much?” I really hope it’s not beyond my capabilities. I need these tablets if they’re as brilliant as he says.

“Seven hundred and fifty for the lot. You’ve got a good month’s supply in here of both.”

“Seven fifty!” I gasp in shock at the price.

“As I said, the good ones are a lot harder to come by. I’ve had to up my quality to get more money. The ex is up to her old tricks again, and my daughter is suffering. The bitch said my daughter can’t go on a school trip with all her friends because she needs the money to get liposuction instead. I was livid when I found out. School trips are expensive. I wasn’t sure how I would manage to pay for it, so I took a punt on these new drugs. If you have them, my daughter will be eternally grateful.”

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