Desperate Measures (23 page)

‘Yes, yes, thanks,’ Richard agreed, his face now as white as Mel’s as she sank onto the sofa.

Paula saw the disdain on the guests’ faces as they looked at her, but she was also pleased to see that many also threw Richard Grayson a look of disgust as they left.

‘Mel, come on, let’s get you upstairs,’ Richard urged.

‘No, no, leave me alone. I hate you! I hate you!’ she cried, her voice stronger now, bordering on hysteria.

Richard Grayson rounded on Paula, his voice a roar. ‘You did this! You and your lies. I’m calling the police. You should be locked up.’

At the threat of the police turning up, Paula baulked, but knew she didn’t dare show fear. ‘Call them, I don’t care. I haven’t done anything wrong. It’s you who should be locked up…you who were sleeping with me while your poor wife is pregnant.’

On that note, Paula turned to march from the room, her heart thumping in her chest. She hurried along the hall and out of the front door, brushing past a young woman who was just coming in. Paula hardly noticed her, or the puzzled look the woman gave her, her sole focus to get away from the house. Guests were still leaving, climbing into cars, but outside now, Paula felt a surge of relief. She’d got some of what Betty had told her in first and, judging by Mel’s reaction, it had been enough.

Betty couldn’t sit still. She went to look out of the window for what felt like the hundredth time, but so far there was no sign of Val’s car. Had it worked? Had Paula pulled it off? Oh, come on, come on, she urged, her eyes once again on the road outside.

At last Val’s car pulled up and Betty strained to see their faces as they climbed out, but they had their heads down as they hurried into the flats. She ran to her door, flinging it open, and when they appeared on the staircase, both grinning widely, she cried, ‘You did it! I can see by your faces that you did it!’

‘Yeah, it went like a dream,’ Paula said as she and Val walked inside.

‘What did he say? Oh come on, Paula, tell me all about it.’

‘I could do with a cup of tea,’ Val said, ‘but I can see you’re too excited to make one. I’ll do it while Paula tells you what happened.’

Betty nodded, hardly aware of Val, her eyes on Paula as the girl flopped onto the sofa. She sat opposite, leaning forward eagerly as Paula spoke.

‘I marched in, found Richard, and you should have seen his face…’

As the story unfolded, Betty grew more and more excited. John had been there, had heard every word. But when Paula got to the part about Mel collapsing she frowned, interrupting Paula to ask, ‘Was she all right?’

‘Yeah, I think so. She fainted, but soon came round, and then she wouldn’t let Richard near her.’

‘Do you think it was an act, or did Mel really pass out?’

‘I dunno. She seemed all right when I left.’

‘Thank goodness for that, and as she wouldn’t let Richard near her, she must have believed you.’

‘I’m sure she did; your son too.’

The air left Betty’s body in a huge sigh. It had worked, her plan had worked, but would Mel leave Richard? Oh surely she would. ‘Paula, I don’t know how to thank you.’

‘There’s no need. Anyway, it was nothing compared to what you all did for me.’

Val came in now, carrying a tray, her smile wry. ‘Did Paula tell you that he also threatened to call the police?’

‘Did he? Oh dear.’

‘Don’t worry, Betty, I left before he got the chance,’ Paula assured her.

Val laid the tray down. ‘We’ve got nothing to worry about. They have no idea who Paula is, or where she came from. Now that it’s over, tea hardly seems appropriate. We should be having a toast, but to be honest I’m so dry and tea will be the only thing to quench my thirst.’

The telephone rang and Betty rose to answer it. ‘Hello, Cheryl. Yes, they’re back and it went like a dream.’

She listened, and then turned to speak to Val and Paula. ‘Cheryl says well done, and she’ll see us in the morning.’

Val nodded and, after a few more words, Betty replaced the receiver, saying as she walked across the room to sit beside Paula, ‘It was nice of her to ring.’

‘It would have been nicer if she’d been here,’ Val said.

‘I know, but she didn’t finish work until six o’clock and then had to view another house.’

Val pursed her lips. ‘I’m surprised she got an appointment on Christmas Eve.’

‘I was, too–but never mind, she’ll be here in the morning. And talking of the morning, look at the time. It’s gone eleven and in less than an hour it’ll be Christmas Day.’ Betty felt a surge of joy and clapped her hands with glee. ‘Oh, I still can’t believe the plan worked. For me it’s going to be the best Christmas in years. Richard will never be able to hold his head up again after this. Once an adulterer might have been forgivable, but
twice!
Even if his male business acquaintances and friends turn a blind eye, I’m sure their wives won’t. He’ll be ostracised and it serves him right. But best of all, my son heard and saw it all! He’ll never forgive his father this time–and wait until Anne hears about it. Surely this will knock her father off his pedestal?’

‘Yes, I’m sure it will,’ Val agreed. She yawned widely. ‘Oh, sorry, but I’m worn out and think it’s time for bed. Goodnight, you two, and I’ll see you in the morning.’

As Val stood up, Betty rose too, impulsively throwing her arms around her friend. ‘Val, you’ve been wonderful and meeting you made all this possible. Thank you–thank you so much.’

For a moment, Val remained stiff in her arms, but then she seemed to relax and returned Betty’s hug. ‘Three down and one to go,’ she said, a smile on her face as she pulled away. ‘Goodnight, and sleep well.’

‘Oh I will,’ Betty enthused.

‘Night, Val, see you in the morning,’ Paula called.

‘Goodnight, and once again, well done, Paula.’

‘Thanks,’ she said, smiling with pleasure.

Betty closed the door behind Val, then asked, ‘What about you, Paula, are you ready for bed?’

‘I think so. I was a bit wound up on the drive home, expecting to hear police sirens.’

‘As Val said, nobody knows who you are, or where you live, and anyway, you didn’t break the law. Come on, let’s make your bed up. I just hope you’ll be comfortable on the sofa.’

‘I’ll be fine.’

It didn’t take long, and now Betty kissed Paula on the cheek. ‘Goodnight, love, sleep tight.’

‘Night, Betty,’ Paula called as she began to undress.

Betty threw her one last warm smile, and soon she too was climbing into bed. She pulled the blankets up to her chin, trying to picture the scene when Paula had confronted Richard. Oh, to have seen his face, Betty thought, unaware that she was still smiling as she finally drifted off to sleep.

In Farnham, Richard returned to the drawing room to see John sitting, elbows on knees, his face buried in his hands, whilst Ulrika remained quietly by his side.

It was midnight and so much had been said. The doctor had left now, but John was still there, an anguished expression on his face as he looked up to ask, ‘Why, Dad?’

‘John, I’ve had enough for one night, and all I care about at the moment is Mel. The doctor’s worried, so much so that if she isn’t any better by morning, he thinks she’ll need to go into hospital. He’ll be round again first thing–it’s good of him to turn out on Christmas Day.’

‘Is she asleep?’ Ulrika asked.

‘Yes, and thank God for that. Her blood pressure rocketed with all the stress and I just hope it’s gone down by morning.’

‘Come on, Ulrika, let’s go home,’ John said as he rose to his feet.

‘What are you going to do, John?’

‘What do you think, Dad? This is unforgivable.’

With his face set in anger, John then took Ulrika’s arm and almost dragged her from the room.

‘John!’

Richard was ignored, and soon he heard the front door slam. Yes, it was unforgivable and his son understandably upset, but for now, as he had told John, all he cared about was Mel.

Chapter Thirty-five

Betty awoke early, and her first thought was Richard. Had Mel left him? She hoped so. In fact she hoped he was very alone, as alone as she’d been every Christmas since their marriage ended. But not this year. This year would be spent with friends–ones with whom she’d shared so much; ones who had become a substitute family.

With a smile on her face, Betty threw back the blankets and, after putting on her thick, warm dressing gown, she tied the belt firmly around her waist. It wasn’t just Christmas Day, it was Paula’s birthday, so softly opening her bedroom door she crept into the living room, only to find that Paula was already awake. ‘Oh, you’re up. Was it uncomfortable on the sofa?’

‘A bit,’ she admitted, ‘but it’s lovely to be here and tons better than waking up in my bedsit.’

‘Well then, Happy Birthday,’ Betty beamed, bending down to give her a kiss before she hurried to light the fire.

Paula grinned. ‘Thanks, and while you’re doing that, I’ll make us a drink.’

‘Smashing,’ Betty said, whilst hoping that John would ring soon. She could anticipate what he’d have to say, but of course she would have to feign surprise, and of course, disgust. There’d be no more spending time with his father now and, when Anne heard about it, surely she’d feel the same?

Betty sat by the lit fire, appreciating its warmth. Paula returned with drinks on a tray, and she smiled with pleasure. Oh, this was so different from last year when she had only seen Anne and John for a couple of hours, the rest of the time spent alone with only her radio for company.

‘Lovely,’ Betty said when Paula handed her a cup of tea, ‘and once I’ve had this, I’ll make our breakfast.’

‘A bit of toast will do me,’ Paula said. She looked at the Christmas tree and the small pile of packages at the base. ‘When are we going to open our presents?’

‘Val and I decided that we’d celebrate your birthday first. We’ll open our Christmas presents later.’

With wide–eyed wonder Paula said, ‘Really? Blimey, that’s great.’

Paula looked so pretty now, fresh–faced, happy, and so different from the pale shadow of a girl that Betty had first met. There were still traces of nerves, but she was smoking less, drinking less, her eyes bright and clear. ‘Paula, what about your mum? Didn’t she invite you to spend Christmas with her?’

‘You must be joking. Her bloke has made it plain that he doesn’t want me around and Mum ain’t about to upset him. She did send me a card, though, with a ten–bob note in it.’

‘It’s Christmas morning and surely it wouldn’t hurt to ring her?’

Paula frowned, small teeth biting into her lower lip. ‘Yeah, I suppose I could do that.’

‘I’ll leave you to it,’ Betty said as she went to the kitchenette.

She tried not to listen, but couldn’t help overhearing when Paula’s voice rose in anger.

‘Why should I buy him a Christmas present?’ she yelled. ‘Alfie ain’t me dad! In fact, I don’t know who is.’

‘No, I ain’t apologising, and you seem to forget that Alfie didn’t want anything to do with me.’

Betty walked into the room to see Paula staring at the receiver and, replacing it, she said, ‘That was a waste of time. She hung up on me. I got her a nice scarf, the best I could afford, but she’s got the hump because I didn’t send Alfie a present.’

‘Yes, I gathered that,’ Betty said, smiling wryly. Yet she felt there was more to this than met the eye and said gently, ‘It must have been hard for you when she first met him, and perhaps you were a bit resentful. Maybe Alfie found you difficult, or sulky something like that.’

Paula’s eyes narrowed in thought. ‘I suppose there could be something in that, but to be honest, men came and went with my mum and I soon cottoned on that it was daft to look for a dad in any of them. They never stayed long, so mostly I just kept out of their way. When Mum met Alfie, I thought he’d go the same route, so you could have knocked me down with a feather when they got married.’

‘How did you react?’

‘I wasn’t funny with him. We just didn’t gel. All he wanted was me mum, and I was just someone who was in the way, someone who stopped him getting her full attention.’

‘What a shame. She should have put her foot down, told him that if he wanted her, he’d have to accept you too.’

‘Leave it out, Betty. My mum was never the maternal type, and she ain’t gonna change now. I’m not naïve enough to believe that we’ll ever play happy families. She’s found a mug who’ll look after her, and if they want me out of the picture, that’s fine with me.’

‘But…’

‘Please, can we change the subject?’

Betty accepted defeat. It seemed that nothing could change Paula’s relationship with her mother. ‘Eat your toast and then we’d best get dressed. There won’t be any buses running, and I know Val’s picking Cheryl up at ten.’

When there was a knock on the door at ten–thirty they were washed, dressed and ready. ‘That’ll be Val and Cheryl. Let them in, love.’

Paula jumped up to open the door, finding Val laden down with parcels, all balanced precariously up to her chin. ‘Gawd, let me give you a hand,’ she offered.

‘Put them under the tree with the others,’ Betty urged.

‘Happy Christmas everyone,’ Cheryl said as she crouched beside Paula to lay her presents alongside the others. She then stood up, one still in her hand. ‘Happy Birthday, Paula.’

‘Cor, thanks. Can I open it now?’

‘Yes, of course you can.’

Val handed her another one, whilst Betty reached down beside her chair. ‘And here’s mine.’

Paula’s face was pink with pleasure as she sat down, opening them one by one. There was a bottle of Tweed perfume from Val, a make–up bag and lipstick from Cheryl. Paula thanked them profusely, but when she came to Betty’s present, her face positively beamed. ‘Oh, they’re lovely.’

Since finding off–cuts of material on a market stall, Betty had been busy on her sewing machine. She’d made Paula a matching skirt and bolero in a pretty blue woollen material. ‘I’m glad you like them, but if they don’t fit I can make alterations.’

Paula jumped to her feet. ‘I’m gonna try them on,’ she said, lightly running from the room.

When Paula came back, Betty smiled with delight. The outfit looked lovely, the skirt sitting two inches above her knees. ‘If it’s too long, I can take it up,’ she offered.

‘No, I don’t wear miniskirts now and this is perfect,’ she said, then giving a little twirl. ‘This is my best birthday ever.’

The next hour was a happy one, with them all mucking in to prepare the vegetables for dinner. They then decided to open the Christmas presents. Paula was on her knees by the tree, handing them out, when there was a thump on the door.

‘Goodness, I wonder who that is,’ Betty said as she went to open it. ‘Anne!’

‘How could you! How could you do such a thing?’ Anne yelled as she pushed past Betty to storm into the room.

Paula was still on her knees, a package clutched in her hand as Anne marched up to her, eyes blazing. ‘You bitch! I knew it! I knew it was you.’

‘Anne, what are you doing here?’ Betty cried. ‘I thought you were in Cornwall.’

‘That would have suited you fine, wouldn’t it!’ Anne cried as she turned to her mother. ‘But we had problems with the car and had to turn back. If it wasn’t for that, your sick, rotten scheme might have worked. But I was there, Mum, and turned up at Dad’s just in time to see
her
leaving.’

‘No…no,’ Betty cried, shrinking away from the look of anger and disgust on her daughter’s face.

‘Why, Mum? Why did you do it?’

‘You know why,’ she cried in defence. ‘You know what your father did to me.’

‘Not again! How many times have we been over this? Yes, Dad found someone else. Yes, he had to virtually force you to leave, but you left him no choice.’

‘No choice! I gave my life to your father, but then he moved that…that woman into my home.’

‘Shut up! That woman, as you often call Mel, was admitted to hospital early this morning. Her blood pressure has rocketed and it’s touch and go whether she loses the baby. Her own life is at risk too, and if they die, Mum, what does that make you?’

Betty stared at her daughter in horror. She had wanted to bring Richard low–even to break up the marriage, but this…‘No, no, I didn’t want to hurt the baby, or Mel.’

‘And I’m supposed to believe that! You knew Mel had high blood pressure, but it didn’t stop you, did it! Oh, I’ve had enough of this. John and Dad are at the hospital and I’m going back to see if there’s any news. I’m sure they’ll love to hear that–while Mel is fighting for her life, for her baby’s life–you, your friends, and that…that evil bitch over there are having a lovely time celebrating Christmas.’

‘John…John’s there?’

‘Yes, Mum. Your precious son has at last heard Dad’s side of the story. He wouldn’t listen to either of us before, but thanks to your little plan, he’s now seen you for what you are.’

Betty was now frozen with shock, her feet unable to move beneath her as Anne stormed out. She managed to hold out a hand in appeal, but then the room grew dim. She heard a distant voice, saw pinpricks of light floating before her eyes; then, unaware of anything else, she crashed to the floor and into oblivion.

‘Betty,’ Cheryl cried, and was the first to rush to her side. Like the others she’d said nothing whilst Betty’s daughter had confronted her. She had stood in shock, feeling helpless, but though she was kneeling by Betty now, she was sickened by what she’d heard. Betty had known that Mel had high blood pressure. As a woman who had borne two children, she knew the risks of upsetting her, yet during the planning she hadn’t even mentioned it. Why? No, no, surely she hadn’t wanted this to happen? Surely she hadn’t wanted to put Mel and the baby at risk?

Val and Paula were by Cheryl’s side now, both trying to help, but Betty remained unconscious and Cheryl frowned worriedly. ‘I don’t like the look of this.’

‘What’s the matter with her? Why won’t she wake up?’ Paula appealed.

‘I don’t know. Help me to roll her onto her side, and Val, call an ambulance.’

‘But why? Surely she just fainted?’

‘I think there’s more to it than that. To be on the safe side I think she should go to casualty.’

‘Oh God,’ Val choked, rising swiftly to run to the telephone.

‘Betty! Betty! Wake up, please wake up,’ Paula begged, but to no avail.

Cheryl could see that Paula was shaking and sent her to find a cold cloth, anything to keep her occupied while they waited. Val looked frantic too, but at least she remained controlled, yet Cheryl sighed with relief when the ambulance arrived.

Betty was loaded into the back, Cheryl climbing in too, and after shouting to Val and Paula that she’d see them in casualty, the doors closed. Taking a seat she looked at Betty’s ashen face, feeling sick inside, fearing the worst as the ambulance sped off.