Page 11 of #MeToo
In the end there had been no need to rent a room in a shared house or fill in dreary mortgage forms and fall on the mercy of the bank manager because within four months, they progressed swiftly from dating to exclusivity and then referring to each other as ‘my partner’ when Billie moved into Stan’s house. There was no doubt about it, they were in love, loving life, their careers and neither could fathom how it hadn’t happened sooner. And nor did they spot the storm cloud that was hovering, like a portent of doom gliding their way.
* * *
Bright lights coming in the opposite direction, some arsehole using full beam, caused Billie to squint and hold up her hand to shield her eyes from the glare.
‘Bloody idiot,’ she muttered under her breath while at the same time feeling relieved to be released from reminiscences. The past was still as painful as the injuries she’d sustained that awful night. In some ways, they had marked the beginning of the end for her and Stan.
Seeing the sign for Thurlstone, Billie indicated and began the short drive towards the village, eager now to get out of the rain and home, well her parents’ cottage at least. Despite the gloom that had settled on her the moment she set off for Manchester earlier that day, and knowing full well that she was walking straight into a battle with her mum, when she spotted the yellow glow from the leaded windows, her heart lifted and all she wanted to do was get inside.
After pulling onto the driveway, Billie heaved herself out of the car and stretched creaky bones, inhaling deeply the Pennine air before locking the car and almost running up the path and worn stone steps that led to the front door. There was no need to use her key because her mum had obviously been keeping lookout. Through the frosted glass, Billie could see Claudia coming along the hallway, a misty form, and then the sound of her voice, chattering away. As the door swung open, Billie heard the word that always made her heart sing and then, a second after she saw her mother, the face that set her world alight.
Claudia’s sing-song voice couldn’t even break the spell. ‘Here she is at last, look who it is, here’s Mummy, there you go, told you she wouldn’t be long.’
Stretching out her arms, Billie reached out and took her precious baby in her arms, beautiful Iris, her daughter, and Stan’s.
10
Stan was sitting on his bed, head in hands, sucking in air and willing the migraine that was building in his temples to desist. The last thing he needed was a full-on attack or, for that matter, to endure the rigmarole of the medical centre. He preferred, for many reasons, to stay exactly where he was and tough it out.
‘Don’t be sick, don’t be sick,’ Stan muttered under his breath, shutting his eyes to block out the light, until his mantra was interrupted by the sound of something hitting the bed opposite, breaking his concentration and forcing him to open his eyes. Better safe than sorry.
Looking up, Stan was first aware that the doorway was partially blocked by a substantial form. Folded arms were embellished with tattoos that matched the one snaking up a thickset neck the size of Stan’s thigh towards a domed and well-polished scalp, Then, as his eyes focused, Stan was caught in the glare of piercing blue eyes. He waited for the inevitable, knowing the sneering mouth would have plenty to say.
‘Hope you’re not having a cry, soft lad? What’s up? Did Pinky give you the elbow?’
‘Fuck off, Doog. I’m not in the mood and no, she was okay. It went better than I expected.’
‘So why you sittin’ there looking like a mard twat?’ Doog pushed himself away from the door then launched himself onto his bed, landing on his back before folding his arms behind his head and waiting for his cellmate to reply.
‘Cos I’m getting a fucking migraine, okay? Now shut it and let me rest. I need to keep my eyes closed then it might ease off. Don’t suppose you could get me a mug of water, I need to sip it, cold as possible.’
‘Who do you think I am, your bleedin’ slave?’ Regardless, Doog heaved himself off the bed and grabbed Stan’s mug then filled it with water. ‘Here, don’t say I don’t do owt for you.’
Stan took the mug and raised his head, sipping at the lukewarm water then flopped down on his mattress, taking once more to prayer but this time asking for divine medical intervention.
‘She’s a bit of all right your bird, sort of weird lookin’ but I wouldn’t say no.’
‘Fuck off, Doog.’
‘Ah, don’t be like that, mate. I’m only messin’ with you. Did you give her the line about it being hell in here and havin’ to watch your back, like I told you?’
‘Yes, I did and it really shit her up, if she wasn’t freaked enough already. I felt really bad especially when she filled up.’
‘Stop being wet. You gotta make her see how bad it is in here for the likes of you.’
‘Oi, I’m not one of them and you know it.’ Stan indicated to the cell next door with his thumb.
Doog chuckled. ‘Yeah, I know, mate, you and me both, but you might as well tell it to that wall for all the good it’ll do. This place is full of innocent bastards like me and you, so get used to it.’
‘I’ll never get used to it. And stop acting like you’re a fucking big-time lifer who knows it all. You’ll be out soon and I’m going to rot in here if I don’t do something fast. I’m banking on Billie giving that private dick a kick up the arse; or asking some of her old copper mates for help. Anything is better than wasting away in this shithole. And what are you talking about… innocent? You told me you sent those photos to all your mates, so I reckon they got you bang to rights.’
Doog sniggered. ‘Yeah, yeah, I s’pose, but I was provoked and they didn’t take her being a slapper and a cheat into consideration.’
When Doog smirked at Stan he merely tutted. Rolling his eyes was too painful.
‘Well just so you know, I did my bit and gave Pinky the evils when I passed earlier. I caught her eye when she arrived, then at the end of visiting. I swear she looked like she was going to shit herself when I eyeballed her. Job done.’
Stan groaned and it was nothing to do with his migraine. ‘Poor Billie, she doesn’t deserve all this.’
