‘Hello, Betty. Come on in,’ Val invited. ‘The others aren’t here yet but, my goodness, that cake looks delicious.’
‘It’s only a chocolate sponge and easy to make,’ Betty said, ‘and to be honest I could only afford cooking chocolate. I was hoping the others hadn’t arrived yet. I wanted to have a word with you first.’
‘Is something wrong?’
‘No,’ Betty said as she put the cake on the table before sitting down, ‘but I want to ask if it’s going to be me next, or you.’
‘I don’t know yet, but I think we all need a break. It’ll give Cheryl a chance to find a flat, and in the meantime maybe I can come up with a plan for Mike Freeman.’
‘Oh, right.’
Val could sense her disappointment. ‘What is it, Betty? Come on, don’t be cagey. Have you thought of something for your husband? Is that it?’
‘Well yes, but if we’re going to take a break, it won’t work.’
‘If that’s the case, tell me about it now.’
Betty nodded, looking eager as she said, ‘As I’ve mentioned before, Richard is a social climber and his image is very important to him. With this plan, a lot will depend on Paula or Cheryl,’ Betty said, going on to tell Val what she had in mind.
‘Yes, it could work, but it won’t help you financially.’
‘It’s too late to do anything about my settlement, but if this works it’ll ruin Richard’s reputation.’
‘Would that be enough for you?’
‘Oh yes, and with any luck it’ll hit his pocket too. It’s a lot to ask of either Paula or Cheryl. I’m not sure either of them will want to take it on.’
‘We’ll tell them what you have in mind and see what they have to say.’
‘Are you sure? I know you said we need a break, but Richard always throws his party on Christmas Eve. I thought he might call it off this year, but it seems it’s still on.’
‘Call it off. Why?’
‘According to my daughter, Mel has high blood pressure and needs to rest. I had high blood pressure when I was pregnant too, but I wasn’t fussed over like Mel.’
‘Isn’t it dangerous?’
‘It didn’t do me any harm and lots of women have it.’
‘How far along is she?’
‘By Christmas, I think she’ll be seven months, maybe a little more, but there’s no need to worry. Richard has made sure that Mel won’t have to do a thing–he’s even getting the food from caterers.’
Val was quiet for a moment, but then said, ‘I make it just over six weeks to the party.’
‘Yes, but other than a bit of rehearsal, there isn’t much to do.’
Val lowered her eyes. Betty was right. The plan was a simple one, the main onus on either Cheryl or Paula with little to do beforehand. Betty had everything worked out, leaving her free to think about Mike Freeman, and they could tackle him in the New Year. ‘All right, Betty. I’m happy to go ahead with it, but, as I said, we’ll have to wait to see what Cheryl and Paula have to say.’
‘Are you sure, Val? You were the one who brought us all together, but now you’ll be the last one to benefit.’
‘I don’t mind,’ and hearing a knock on her door she said, ‘That’ll be the girls now.’ Val’s smile vanished when she saw the look on Paula’s face. ‘Come on in, but what’s the matter?’
‘Nuffin’,’ she said shortly, throwing herself next to Betty on the sofa.
Val raised her brow in enquiry to Cheryl, but she just shook her head before sitting down.
Val felt you could cut the atmosphere with a knife, and Betty must have sensed it too as she asked, ‘Have you two had a row?’
Paula snapped, ‘Ask Cheryl.’
‘We had a few words, but I’ve apologised.’
It might be the case of least said soonest mended, Val thought. ‘I’ll make us a drink and we’ll have a slice of that lovely chocolate cake.’
‘What was the furniture like?’ Betty asked.
‘It’s nice, and not only that, Charlie said I can have everything. China, cutlery–in fact, the lot.’
‘That’s wonderful, and once you’ve found a flat, you’ll be all set up.’
‘I’ll have to store it for now, but yes, thanks to Charlie, I’ll hardly have to buy a thing.’
Val made the drinks, sliced the cake, but handing it out she could still feel a strain in the atmosphere. It was time to give them something else to think about. ‘I had thought we’d take a break before our next plan, but Betty has come up with an idea for her husband and it’s a good one. I’ll leave her to tell you all about it.’
Betty told them what she had in mind, then adding, ‘Of course a lot will depend on either you, Cheryl, or Paula. One of you will have to play the role and I know it’s a lot to ask.’
Paula shrugged. ‘I’ll do it. As everyone seems to think I’m a tart, it’s only fitting.’
‘What are you talking about? We don’t think you’re a tart,’ Betty protested.
‘Yeah, well, maybe you ain’t as narrow–minded as some people I could mention.’
‘Paula, please, I said I’m sorry,’ Cheryl said.
‘Look, what on earth is this about?’ Val asked impatiently.
‘Ask her,’ Paula snapped.
‘It’s my fault. I’ve been feeling guilty about sending Ian Parker to prison, and I was stupid enough to ask Paula if she led him on.’
‘You what?’ said Betty, her voice loud in indignation. ‘Of course Paula didn’t lead him on. How could you think that?’
‘I don’t now. It was silly to doubt her story and I’ve said I’m sorry.’
‘I should think so too,’ Betty snapped.
Cheryl looked stricken as she jumped to her feet. ‘I’d better go.’
Val shook her head as she laid a staying hand on Cheryl’s arm. ‘No, don’t go.’ She then turned, her tone soft and persuasive. ‘Paula, surely you don’t want our little group to break up? Cheryl has said she’s sorry. Can’t you forgive her?’
‘It’s all right for you to say that, but I was really hurt. I thought we were friends, that Cheryl liked me, but now…’
‘We
are
friends. When I find a flat, I’ve asked you to move in with me. Do you really think I’d do that if I didn’t like you?’
Paula sniffed, and then said grudgingly, ‘Well, no, I suppose not.’
‘You’ve offered Paula a home. Betty, don’t you think that’s wonderful?’ Val cried, expecting Betty to agree, but instead saw that she looked less than happy.
‘Well…yes.’
Val knew that Betty had grown fond of Paula, seeing her as a second daughter, and felt that her reaction was jealousy. Gently cajoling she said, ‘It’ll be lovely for them. There’s only a staircase between us, Betty, and just like us, they’ll be close together.’
Betty managed a smile. ‘Yes, you’re right, but I hope they won’t be too far away.’
‘Paula hasn’t agreed to move in with me yet,’ Cheryl said.
‘Paula, surely you won’t turn down the offer?’ Val exclaimed.
‘I dunno. I’m still thinking about it.’
Val heaved a sigh. ‘All right, but will you at least accept Cheryl’s apology?’
There was a pause, but then she said, ‘Yeah, all right.’
‘Good girl,’ said Val and, deciding that they needed to focus on something else, she suggested, ‘Perhaps we can get back to Betty’s plan now?’
With a look of relief, Cheryl sat down again. ‘Thanks, Paula, and as for you playing the role, I don’t mind doing it.’
‘No, it’s my turn,’ Paula said, ‘but there’s one thing, Betty. What about your daughter? She might recognise me.’
‘Don’t worry. Anne won’t be at the party.’
‘That’s good ’cos I really want to do it and can’t wait to see the look on your ex–hubby’s face.’
‘I wish I could see it too,’ said Betty.
The tension had eased, and for the next hour they went over the plan, but as most of the onus lay on Paula, the others had little part to play.
‘Paula, I’ll tell you everything I can about Richard. In that way, if you’re asked questions, you’ll be able to give credible answers. Other than that it’s just a matter of Val driving you to Farnham.’
‘Betty, unlike in my case, this plan won’t make you any better off financially,’ Cheryl pointed out.
‘I know, Val said the same,’ Betty admitted, ‘but it’s too late to get a new settlement and I’ve accepted that.’
‘Right then, I think we’ve covered everything,’ Val said. ‘It’s just a matter of drumming as much information into Paula as possible over the next six weeks and then waiting for the night of the party.’
‘I’m afraid I can’t meet up with you tomorrow. I told Charlie that I’d start packing his things.’
‘Yeah, and I’m giving her a hand.’
Cheryl’s eyes widened. ‘You’re still coming?’
‘If I’m moving in with you, it’s only fair.’
‘You’re moving in?’
‘That’s what I said, didn’t I?’
They grinned at each other, Cheryl saying, ‘That’s wonderful.’
Val smiled too, then said, ‘Cheryl, as you won’t have a role to play in Betty’s plan, I don’t see why you can’t concentrate on finding a flat.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Yes, and I’m sure I can get my boss to give you a discount if you want to use him for the conveyance work.’
‘That’d be great. Thanks, Val.’
With the atmosphere now a happy one, Val relaxed. One by one she looked at their faces; like Betty, she hoped that Cheryl would stay in the area. Once again she realised that these three women had become like a family to her, one that she didn’t want to lose. It was something she had never expected, hadn’t planned on, but the feelings she felt for them had crept up on her until she couldn’t imagine her life without them in it.
When the group broke up on Saturday, Val had driven them home, but both Cheryl and Paula had forgotten about getting boxes to take to Charlie’s. They were at his house by ten on Sunday morning, apologetic, and making do with what he had managed to rustle up.
‘You youngsters,’ Charlie commented with a good–natured smile, ‘and judging by the way you’re wrapping that china, we’ll run out of newspaper too.’
‘It’s so pretty and I don’t want to risk any breakages,’ Cheryl said as she carefully removed another piece of the dinner service from the sideboard.
‘Yeah, my Nora liked nice things. Mind you, that set only came out on high days and holidays.’
‘I’ll take good care of it, Charlie, but I still think you could sell it.’
‘Maybe, but as I said before, I’d rather it did you a turn.’
‘It won’t just be me. When I find a flat I’ve asked Paula to move in with me.’
‘Well, ain’t that nice? I bet Paula’s dead chuffed.’
‘Did I hear my name?’ Paula said as she walked into the room.
‘I was just telling Charlie about us living together.’
‘Yeah, and it’ll be great to get out of me bedsit.’
‘Have you finished in the kitchen?’ Cheryl asked.
‘You must be joking. I’ve made a fair old dent in it, but I’ve run out of boxes and newspaper.’
‘I’ve run out of paper too. It’s only one o’clock, but I suppose we’ll have to call it a day.’
‘I’ll see if I can scrounge up more tomorrow,’ Charlie said.
‘We’ll do the same, and if it’s all right with you, come back tomorrow evening.’
‘Yeah, that’s fine.’
Paula was now by the budgie’s cage, one finger poked through the bars, but the bird scuttled along to the far side of his perch. ‘Leave it out, you silly sod. I ain’t gonna hurt you,’ she said softly, but as though struck by a thought, her head shot round. ‘Cheryl, can I still have Charlie?’
‘Yes, of course you can.’
Paula smiled with relief as she turned back to the budgie. It had knocked her for six that Cheryl had doubted her, and in truth it still rankled a bit. She’d spent hours lying awake last night, going over and over it, wondering if her impulsive decision to move in with Cheryl had been a mistake. Finally, in the early hours, her mind had stopped racing. Cheryl
had
apologised, and she’d hardly offer her a home if she didn’t mean it. They still had a lot to talk about, not least how much rent Cheryl would want, but now Paula’s ears pricked up as Charlie asked, ‘What sort of gaff are you looking for, Cheryl?’
‘As long as it’s got two decent–sized bedrooms and doesn’t need a lot of work, I don’t really mind. I was thinking about a flat, but if I could find a small house with a garden it would be a bonus.’
‘I’ve always fancied a bit of gardening, but this council house has only got a yard. Mind you, my son reckons he’s got a big spread so maybe I can get me hand in when I get out there.’
‘I’m sure you will, but as there’s nothing more we can do today, I think we’ll be off, Charlie.’
‘Yeah, all right,’ he said, then glanced at the clock, ‘and I’ll just have time for a pint before me local closes.’
Paula took one last look at the budgie and then followed Cheryl to the door. ‘Bye, Charlie.’
‘Yeah, see you at work in the morning.’
‘We didn’t get a lot done,’ Paula said as they walked away from the house.
‘I know, but we don’t want to leave Charlie with nothing to use, so we can take our time.’
‘Cheryl, it’s good of you to offer me a place, but how much rent are we talking about?’
‘How about the same as you’re paying now?’
‘No, no, that wouldn’t be fair. I was talking about finding a bigger room and can manage an extra ten bob, or maybe even a quid.’
‘If you’re sure, the extra ten shillings would be fine.’
‘What’s the set–up going to be, Cheryl? At the moment I get use of the bathroom and kitchen, but other than that I stick to me room.’
‘No, no, it won’t be like that. We’ll each have a bedroom, but as for the rest of the flat, we’ll share it. We’ll have a living room we can both use and, as Charlie has given me all those wonderful things, I might even be able to stretch to a television.’
‘Blimey, that sounds great, but when you’ve got a feller coming round, tip me the wink and I’ll stay out of the way.’
‘I don’t think that’s likely, but the same goes for you.’
‘Huh, no thanks. I ain’t interested in blokes.’
‘I know that’s how you feel now, but things might change, Paula.’
‘I doubt it.’
They paused at the end of Charlie’s road. ‘What have you got planned for the rest of the day?’ Cheryl asked.
‘I thought we’d be longer at Charlie’s, so nothing really.’
‘Me too, but it’s too cold to stay outdoors. I think I’ll go back to my quarters and catch up on a bit of ironing.’
‘Yeah, I should do the same,’ Paula said, though in truth she dreaded the thought of going back to her poky bedsit.
‘Tomorrow we’ll meet up around seven at Charlie’s, if that’s all right with you?’
‘Yeah, that’s fine.’
‘See you then,’ Cheryl said, waving as she walked away.
‘See you,’ Paula called, but then seeing a telephone box she hurried towards it. If Betty wasn’t busy, she could pop round to see her, maybe Val too.
At the same time, Betty was doing her best to hide her feelings as John sat holding Ulrika’s hand, his face animated with happiness. ‘I can’t believe she said yes this time.’
‘Have you set a date for the wedding?’
‘Not a definite one, but we thought sometime in spring next year.’
‘That’s nice,’ Betty said, trying her best to sound sincere whilst her thoughts raced. The one thing she dreaded was happening. A wedding, one she’d have to attend, where she’d be forced to face Richard and Mel. There was still the plan, though, and she was cheered by the thought. If it worked, and surely it would, Mel might be long gone before the wedding.
‘I am sorry that I upset you the last time we were here,’ Ulrika said, her accent still evident as she enunciated each word.
‘No, my dear, it’s me who should apologise. I overreacted and I’m sorry. Now come on, tell me what you have planned so far. Is it to be a church wedding?’
‘Yes it is.’
‘That’s good and far nicer than a registry office,’ Betty said, but then the phone rang and she rose to answer it, finding Paula on the line. ‘I’m sorry, love,’ she said on hearing that Paula wanted to come round, ‘but my son is here with his girlfriend. I think Val’s in, so why don’t you give her a ring and maybe I’ll see you later.’
‘Who was that?’ John asked when Betty sat down again.
‘Oh, just a friend of mine.’
‘You didn’t have to turn her away. We’ll be off soon.’
‘At least stay for another half an hour.’
‘Sorry, Mum, we can’t this time. I rang Dad to give him the news and he insisted on laying on a bit of a celebration.’
‘If you’d rung me first, I could have done the same,’ Betty said huffily. ‘I suppose your sister will be there too.’
‘Yes, I think so,’ John said as he rose to his feet. ‘Come on, Ulrika, we’d better make a move.’
Betty made a supreme effort to hide her unhappiness at her feelings of exclusion. ‘I’m happy for you both,’ she said, moving to kiss Ulrika on the cheek.
‘Thank you,’ she said, returning the kiss.
‘Bye, Mum,’ John said.
‘Don’t leave it so long before you both come to see me again.’
‘We won’t,’ he said, bending to give her a swift hug.
Betty walked with them to the door, still managing to keep a smile plastered on her face as she showed them out–one that dropped as soon as she closed the door. They’d only been with her for an hour, but were now off to Richard’s where no doubt he’d break out the champagne. She could picture it: Richard, along with Mel, Anne and Anthony, all toasting the happy couple whilst she had to remain on the outside. Excluded from it all–from the family that she had given so many years to and the house she had grown to love.