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.
It was another glorious day, the sun a bright, golden orb in a blue sky. With rain forecast in the next few days, Cheryl was determined to make the most of her Saturday off, and for now pushed her worries about Val’s plans to one side.
Paula was waiting at Clapham Junction, looking nervously in each direction until she spotted Cheryl striding towards her. A smile lit up her face and for a moment Cheryl saw a flash of her beauty, but as usual Paula was dressed in clothes that were far too old for her. Since they’d met ten months ago, Cheryl had become fond of Paula and was protective of her, as though she were an older sister.
‘Hello, Paula, sorry I’m a bit late.’
‘I’ve only been waiting for a couple of minutes.’
The two of them moved off, walking along Falcon Road, both beginning to perspire as the sun beat down on them. ‘Maybe we should have caught a bus,’ Paula complained.
‘Yes, but we might as well carry on walking now. I’m looking forward to seeing Betty again. You’re right, she’s nice.’
‘She’s great,’ Paula enthused. ‘I wasn’t sure at first, but once she invited us back to her flat for tea, I found her really kind.’
‘Do you think she’ll join us?’
‘There’s a good chance – and, anyway, you know how persuasive Val can be.’
‘Yes, she can certainly win you round,’ Cheryl agreed. When she’d first made an appointment to see a solicitor about the painting, she had been overawed by his tall, sophisticated receptionist. Initially Val appeared coldly efficient, but Cheryl soon found out that it was just an outer shell – that underneath Val was a warm and caring woman. They had become friends, and she’d been introduced to Paula, soon after hearing about their plans. Cheryl realised then that Val had set out to recruit her, yet it hadn’t stopped her from joining them. Now though, once again, doubts assailed her mind until Paula snapped her out of her reverie. ‘Sod it: these shoes have given me a blister,’ she complained.
‘Hold on, I’ve got a packet of plasters in my bag.’
When Paula slipped off her shoe, Cheryl bent down to apply the plaster, and now Paula was able to walk comfortably again, they were soon on their way. At last the park gates came into view; as they entered, Cheryl’s eyes quickly took in their surroundings. They passed a football pitch, and then after a while took a path that bordered the lake, where she saw rowing