CHAPTER 13

As her mother stormed from the room Dee slumped back into her chair. Looking at the back of her hand she saw a slight graze and a bruise forming. She had put all of her power in that blow and it had hurt. Was it worth it? Definitely. All the years of abuse. The way her father had been treated. All of it contained in that one violent slap. Did it make her feel better? You betcha it did. Years of pent-up emotion suddenly released. Her shoulders sagged. Tears rolled down her face but she did not cry. Would not cry. Even though she was not there she would not give her mother that satisfaction. She had never made her cry and never would. All it had done over the years was fuel her resentment and hate.

  Now though she had a problem. Giving the money back was not an issue. She would see Dexter tomorrow and that would be that. The problem was she had to leave. Was her mother backing her into a corner? With nowhere to live and no job Dee would need money. Her mother knew that all too well. Was she hoping Dee would beg to stay? If she did she would be at her mercy. A slave to her clutches, there was no doubt about that. And then there was Derek… What about Derek? She had her savings but they were not so much and would not last very long. There was Dexter of course but they had been relying on the money. They wanted to be together but would Dexter’s landlady let her stay there? No women, the sign in the hall said. She obviously turned a blind eye to Dee staying the night on the odd occasion but that was not the same as staying permanently. Dexter could ask the question but what if she said no. To be safe Dee thought she needed to find another solution. 

Jimmy. What about Jimmy? He had control of her mother’s investments. Could she tap him for something. Just a few hundred to tide them over. She sensed Jimmy liked her so he might be willing. If not, there was always his wife. She could threaten to tell his wife of Jimmy’s association with her mother. Maybe that would do it. Later, if she could catch him on his own she would have a word. 

Dee was worried about Derek so, thinking she had no choice, she started to get ready for the next ten guests who would be due through the front door any time after lunch and before dinner at seven. 

 

Outside Dee’s door, Gloria had gathered her composure and gone down the stairs. Jimmy, standing by her desk, seemed slightly out of breath but she did not care about that. He opened the bottom drawer of her desk and removed a full bottle of gin, picked up her tumbler and followed her into the sitting room.  

As they sat on the sofa Jimmy stared at the red outline and slight bruising starting to appear on Gloria's cheek. 

She noticed him looking and said, “She’s got a fair old whack on her has that girl… Marks the end of the road, eh Jimmy. She’s all grown up now and will be nothing but trouble from now on. She’s got to go.” 

Unscrewing the bottle Jimmy poured a full glass and handed it to Gloria. 

“You’re quiet,” she said. “Nothing to say. You’ve usually got a little something to bitch about.” 

“That’s a bit unkind. I’ve always supported you, haven’t I?” 

“Sure you have. But is that for your own benefit?” 

“And that’s a bit cruel.” 

“You get a lot out of our arrangement though. You can’t deny that, can you?”  

“No, but…” 

“No, but… there you go. That’s what I mean. There’s always a but. No commitment… Say something you mean for once, Jimmy.” 

Jimmy paused, thinking. She’s forcing me to say it. Tell her what she wants to hear. I can do that. It’s easy. Things are changing. Let them dribble on a bit. I'll see how it all works out. I can always change my mind. So he said, “The investment I’ve made will set us up. In six months you can sell up. With the rest of the money we can live the life in the sun. Both of us, together.” 

Smiling, Gloria took hold of his arm and looked him full in the face. Locked his eyes. “You mean that, Jimmy,” she said and stared deep and saw nothing that made her doubt his words. 

Jimmy felt the strength of the look. She’ll never see. I’ve not evaded the clutches of the law all this time without being able to put on a sincere look when needed. He thought again about Dee. He was feeling more confident about a question that had been bothering him for a while so he took the plunge and said, “You know, I’ve always thought, why do you hate Dee so much?” 

That made Gloria’s smile fade. I wondered how long it would take for him to get around to that. Fifteen years is the answer. But it’s a reasonable thing to ask. I know he has a soft spot for her. “That’s an easy one, Jimmy. Her father wanted her, I didn’t. She just came along and got in my way. It’s in the family. My mother didn’t want me and made me pay. It’s just the way we are.” 

“But you must like her just a little bit. After all, you’ve given her a home.” 

“Yes, ironic, isn’t it? A bitch of a mother giving her a home. What else could I do when her father didn’t come home? Now though she’ll be gone and best of luck to her. I’ll be glad to see her leave.”  

But Jimmy thought he saw something in her eyes? I’m not sure she entirely means that. This is a woman torn between greed and family with greed always winning. But now… I’m not so sure.”  

Before any more could be said the front door handle rattled, “That’ll be the first of the new bunch,” said Gloria. “Time to get back to work… You okay to move in with me, Jimmy? I’ve ten coming in and need your room.” 

“No problem,” replied Jimmy, “I’m fed up with sneaking about.” 

 Gloria threw back the last of the gin, “Okay, back to work I go,” and headed towards her desk. Jimmy heard her welcoming the first of the clackers booked in for that evening with her usual insincere speech and that made Jimmy smile. One thing’s for sure, whatever anyone says, regardless of how she treats people, that lady is good at making money. You know, I might just be persuaded to stick with her. After all, she’s definitely my kind of woman. 

 

Jimmy stayed in the sitting room. He heard Dee come down and say something to Gloria. Something about the kitchen. The next thing, Dee was standing in front of him. 

“I want to talk to you,” she said, “I want to thank you for warning me about mother.” It was her opening shot. Be nice and hope for the best. 

Jimmy looked up at Dee. He was suspicious. Dee was rarely nice to him. He said, “You know, I’ve watched you grow up and have been around you for a long time. I do have some affection for you, you know.” 

Well, that’s a start, thought Dee and said, “Maybe you do but you’ve never helped me when she has been violent, have you?” 

“I did what I could. I’d stop her when she went too far. Like today. If you had not stood up for yourself I would have intervened. You know I’ve done it before, don’t you?” 

“But you always put your own interests first. You stayed in the background making your bit of cash and taking her money. If you’d said too much she would have cut you off. That’s how it was, wasn't it?” 

“You’re right of course. I didn’t do enough but that’s me, I’m afraid. I always look to me and mine first.” 

“And that’s why I dislike you. Anyway, you know I can’t stay here anymore.” 

“I know. I was listening outside your door.” 

“Dexter took the money from the safe so we would have a good start. After all, she deserves it. She wants it back but I’ll still have to go… I need some cash.” 

“I’m sorry. I can’t help you, sweetness.” 

Dee baulked at that but said nothing, “Is that can’t or won’t?” she said. 

“Both. I’ve nothing spare and I wouldn’t anyway.” 

“The me and mine thing?” 

“That’s it.” 

“What about her investments? You can get your hand on some of that cash, can’t you?” 

“Not at the moment. I’ve just put it all into a sure-fire scheme to double up. In six months maybe I might be able to do something. Maybe skim a bit off without her knowing when it matures.” 

“I could tell your wife…. Get me a couple of hundred and I won’t tell her.” 

“That’s stooping real low, isn’t it?” 

“I know but I’ve got to try.” 

“You must be desperate… Won’t make any difference, sweetness. Tell her if you like. I don’t like her so much anyway. Maybe you’ll be doing me a favour.” 

“Okay. I get the message Jimmy. You’re really just a one-person man, aren't you. Nothing changes, eh. Oh well, I’ll just have to see what Dexter can come up with.” 

“You can always take the money and run, you know. I would.” 

“What and leave Derek. You heard her and you know as well as I do that she’ll do it. There’s more to life than being a bastard, Jimmy. But you wouldn’t know that, would you?” 

Dee smiled one of those thanks for nothing smiles and left dreading the next few hours of gruelling work, thinking, I’ve had enough of all this. I can’t wait to see Dexter. She said she’s replacing me tomorrow, so I think I’ll go this evening.