By the time Sally had reached the lane, she had slowed to a crawl, her earlier horror now replaced by anger. How could he? And with her! Bile rose again as she recalled the scene, the ecstasy on Arthur’s face imprinted on her mind.
She was his wife, the one who was beside him in bed every night, but Arthur hadn’t made love to her since he came home from hospital. She had made all sorts of excuses for him in her mind, his tiredness, his worries about the building project, his painful stump, but it hadn’t stopped him when it came to Patsy.
When Sally reached number five she paused to draw breath, once more feeling tears flooding her eyes and wanting only the comfort of arms around her. ‘Oh, Mum,’ she cried, as she ran into the kitchen.
‘What on earth’s the matter?’
‘Arthur . . . Arthur. Oh, Mum,’ and sobbing, she ran forward.
For a moment her mother’s arms enfolded her, but then abruptly she was pushed away. ‘What is it? Has something happened to Arthur?’
Sally’s throat was so constricted with emotion that she could hardly speak. ‘No, but . . . he . . . he . . .’
‘Come on, Sally, pull yourself together. Tell me what’s happened.’
Hearing the stern tone of her mother’s voice, Sally felt as if she’d been doused with a bucket of cold water. ‘I caught him with another woman.’
Her mother’s eyes widened, and for a moment there was silence, but then she said, ‘Sally, start at the beginning.’
She sank on to a chair, fumbling with her words at first, then gradually able to recount the scene. Nausea rose again, and with her hand over her mouth she rushed to the toilet where bending over the bowl she was violently sick. When there was nothing left, she perched on the rim of the bath, brow beaded with perspiration and her throat burning.
Her mother appeared in the doorway. ‘Sally, are you all right?’
‘I don’t think I’ll ever be all right again.’
‘Of course you will. Now come downstairs and let’s talk about this.’
‘What’s there to talk about?’
‘Come on,’ she repeated. ‘I’ll make you a cup of tea.’
Tea, Sally thought, her mother’s answer to every crisis, as though the brew had some sort of magical qualities. Not this time, she thought as she followed her mother into the kitchen.
Whilst her mother set the kettle to boil, Sally sat down, her gran asking, ‘What are you going to do now, love?’
‘I don’t know, but as far as I’m concerned my marriage is over.’
‘Listen, Sally, I know you’re hurt, and I don’t blame you, but don’t make hasty decisions. Men are different to us. They’re ruled by what’s in their trousers and can sleep with a woman without emotions being involved. Why else do you think there are prostitutes?’
‘That’s no excuse, Gran. And anyway, Arthur wasn’t with a prostitute. He was with our upstairs neighbour.’
‘You’re not listening to me, girl. Arthur may have slept with another woman, but I’m sure it’s you he loves.’
‘But he betrayed me, Gran. He betrayed my trust and our marriage. I . . . I can’t forgive him.’
‘You’re in a state, and perhaps it’s too soon to talk about it.’
Sally glanced at the clock, surprised to see that it was only just after three. She felt that her life had fallen apart, that nothing would ever be the same again, and it had all happened in less than two hours. Closing her eyes, she felt a rush of weariness. She knew that she didn’t want to think about it any more, that her mind wanted to shut down. Her mother spoke, but her voice seemed to come from a great distance.
‘Why don’t you go and have a lie down? I’ll pick Angel up from school.’
Sally wanted to be alone, to crawl into a shell and never come out again. ‘All right, Mum,’ she said, rising to her feet.
‘Wait, Sally. What if Arthur comes round?’
‘He won’t do that. He’s too busy with Patsy.’
‘Don’t be silly. He’s bound to want to talk to you.’
‘Well, I don’t want to talk to him! If he comes round, as far as I’m concerned you can shut the door in his face.’ And on that note she left the room, climbing upstairs like a weary old woman.
Only five minutes later there was a knock on the door. Ruth was surprised to see Elsie on the step. ‘Blimey, that was quick! Did Arthur ring you?’
‘He didn’t need to. I turned up just after Sally ran off and he was still with that tart. Is Sally here?’
‘Yes, but she’s upstairs having a lie down. This has knocked her for six, Elsie.’
‘Do you mind if I go up to talk to her?’
‘Of course not, but at the moment I don’t think it’ll do any good.’
‘Maybe not, but I’d still like to see her.’
‘Go on up then. I’ve got to collect Angel from school, but I’ll see you when I get back.’
Elsie knocked softly on the bedroom door and opened it to see Sally sprawled on the bed, one arm flung over her face. ‘Can I come in, love?’
‘Elsie, what are you doing here?’ Sally asked, her eyes bruised with pain as she raised herself into a sitting position.
‘I know what Arthur has done and had to talk to you. You’re upset and I don’t blame you, but I’ve spoken to Arthur and he said some funny things.’
‘Like what?’
‘Are you repulsed by him now that he’s lost part of his leg?’
‘No, of course not.’
‘He said you keep a distance between you in bed?’
‘How would Arthur know that?’ Sally said bitterly. ‘He falls asleep as soon as his head touches the pillow.’
‘He also said that you’ve got your eye on his friend Joe.’
‘What!’
‘Is it true?’
‘No,’ Sally said, but then her eyes narrowed in thought. ‘Once, when Joe and Patsy came to dinner, Arthur was flirting with Patsy. I was annoyed, so much so that I got my own back by flirting with Joe.’
‘I see . . .’
‘It meant nothing, Elsie, and it’s no excuse for sleeping with another woman. I love Arthur, and until now I thought he loved me.’
Elsie sensed that Sally was telling the truth, and even if Arthur thought Sally was repulsed by his leg, it didn’t excuse what he had done. However, the thought of them breaking up was awful, and she fought for words that might mend bridges. ‘If you ask me, Arthur was led on by that girl. He said that she made all the moves, and I reckon she’s nothing but a slut. Please Sally, don’t let this break up your marriage. Can’t you find it in your heart to forgive him?’
‘I don’t think I can, and if anything, his excuses have made things worse. I can’t believe he’s blaming me, and I can’t believe he said that I’m repulsed by his leg. That’s utter rubbish, and he knows it. And as for Patsy leading Arthur on, well, he’s got a tongue and could have said no.’
It’s too early, Elsie thought, Sally’s wound deep. ‘Give it a few days, love, and maybe then you’ll see things differently.’
‘I doubt it, Elsie. I doubt it. Can I ask you a favour?’
‘Of course you can.’
‘I left without bringing anything with me, and both Angel and I will need clothes. When you go to Maple Terrace again, can you pack a few things for us?’
‘Yes, all right,’ Elsie said and, after stroking Sally’s hair for a moment, she left the room. Oh, son. What have you done?
Ruth had been to fetch Angel and was just coming in the street door as Elsie came downstairs. With an expectant expression she said, ‘Did Sally talk to you?’
‘Yes, but if anything I think I’ve made things worse. Where’s Angel?’
‘I let her play outside for a while. What did you say to Sally?’ Elsie recounted her conversation, ending with, ‘So you see, she now thinks that Arthur is blaming her for what happened.’
‘It sounds like he is to me,’ Ruth snapped. ‘None of this makes sense. Arthur says that Sally doesn’t go near him and makes him feel less than a man. But Sally says he’s been distant and cold with her since he came home from hospital. If you ask me, it seems that the two of them have got their wires crossed.’
Ruth frowned. ‘That still doesn’t excuse what he’s done, Elsie.’
‘I know, believe me I know. Anyway, I’d best be off. I told Sally I’d pick up a few things for her and I want another word with my son.’
‘Tell him not to come round here, at least for the time being,’ Ruth said hurriedly. ‘Sally is adamant that she doesn’t want to see him, and not only that, I’m so mad at him that I wouldn’t trust myself not to give him a piece of my mind.’
Elsie’s eyes clouded with distress. ‘Oh, Ruth, I’m so sorry.’
‘You don’t have to apologise,’ Ruth said as she laid a hand on Elsie’s arm. ‘It isn’t your fault.’
‘But he’s my own flesh and blood and I’m so ashamed of him. Not only that, what on earth is Bert going to say? He’ll probably disown the lad.’
‘I doubt that,’ Ruth consoled.
Elsie left with a heavy heart. She saw Angel playing, and stopped to give the child a kiss and a hug, but her thoughts were elsewhere as she made her way to Maple Terrace.
Please God
, she prayed,
don’t let this be the end of Sally and Arthur’s marriage.
It was seven-thirty in the evening when Arthur heard a knock on the door. If it was his mother again she could clear off. He’d had just about enough of her lecturing.
Sally had told his mother a pack of lies, and he was fuming. She’d accused him of being distant and cold, when in truth it was the other way round. She also denied being repulsed by his leg and it seemed his mother believed her. Before leaving she had packed a suitcase of clothes for Sally and Angel, saying that he should stay away from Candle Lane for the time being. Bloody cheek! He wasn’t a child to be given orders. He’d go to Candle Lane if he wanted to, if only to give his wife a piece of his mind.
There was another rap on the door and with his stump still too sore to wear his prosthesis, he fumbled for his crutches and went to see who it was. ‘Come in, Joe,’ he said shortly.
Joe’s brows rose at his tone and as they walked into the living room, he said, ‘What’s up, mate?’
‘Sally’s gone back to her mother’s. We’ve split up.’
‘Split up! But why?’
‘If you must know, she caught me having it off with Patsy.’
‘You and Patsy? No . . . I can’t believe it. Bloody hell, Arthur.’
‘Don’t look at me like that. Patsy made it obvious that she was available, making all the moves, and well, it just happened.’
‘And Sally caught you. She must be in a right state.’
‘I doubt it,’ Arthur said, choosing to forget the look he’d seen on his wife’s face. ‘If you must know, things have been bloody awful since I came out of hospital. Sally can’t stand the sight of my leg, and has made it plain that sex is off the menu.’
‘I reckon you’re imagining things.’
‘Is that so, and have I imagined the pitying looks I’ve been getting from our labourers too?’
‘You can’t blame them for feeling sorry for you, but if you must know from what I’ve heard they admire you for getting to work so soon after coming home from hospital.’
Arthur ignored the comment, only saying what was on his mind. ‘Patsy told me that Sally fancies you.’
‘Bloody hell, mate, can’t you see how juvenile this sounds? If you ask me Patsy’s still peeved that I ditched her and is stirring things up. You’re mad to listen to her. She’s nothing but trouble.’
‘You took her out a few times.’
‘Yes, but unlike you, I’m single.’
Arthur scowled. ‘All right, so I shouldn’t have had it off with her, but, well, it was there, offered to me on a plate and—’ There was a knock on the door and somehow Arthur knew who it was. Did he want to see her again? For a moment he floundered, but then remembering Sally’s lies, his anger reasserted itself.
Once again he tucked his crutches under his arms and went to the door. It was Patsy.
‘Hello, Arthur. I had to come down to see you. Are you all right?’
‘I’m fine,’ he said, leading her into the living room.
‘What do you want?’ Joe snapped.
‘I’ve come to see Arthur.’
‘Don’t you think you’ve done enough damage?’
‘Joe, keep out of it,’ Arthur said. ‘If I didn’t want to see Patsy I wouldn’t have invited her in.’
Joe looked angry, his face reddening, but he only said, ‘Fine. I’m off then. Are you coming to work tomorrow?’
‘If you can do without me for another day, I could do with staying home. My stump is still giving me gyp,’ he said, flopping heavily onto the sofa.
‘I can manage and for longer if necessary. Just let me know when you want picking up again,’ Joe offered, and then throwing Patsy a look of disgust he saw himself out.
Arthur was aware of the front door slamming, but then Patsy perched on the arm of the sofa beside him, her expression one of regret. ‘I’m sorry that Sally caught us, Arthur.’
‘Yes, so am I.’
‘I’m so ashamed of the way I threw myself at you. I was brazen and it’s not like me at all. It’s just that I fancy you so much and I just couldn’t help myself. You’re such a handsome man, and the fact that you’re missing a little bit of leg doesn’t worry me.’
‘It worries Sally.’
‘Yes, I know. She told me she finds it revolting.’
Arthur felt vindicated and wished his mother could hear this. She’d know then that Sally had been lying through her teeth. She
was
repulsed by him, and now the pain of her rejection twisted his guts. As if aware of how he was feeling, Patsy slid onto his lap. She leaned forward to kiss him and Arthur didn’t resist.
Patsy got to work, smiling secretly. She had hoped that Joe would be her way out of her present life, but he’d rejected her. Not about to give up she’d seen the way things were between Sally and Arthur. Most men were so easy to manipulate and it had been a simple thing to feed Arthur’s paranoia.
She mounted Arthur now, her thoughts distant from the act and set only on the future. Patsy as always felt nothing, but had learned to be a good actress, finding that a few groans here and there sufficed. Sex to her was just a means of making money, but un believably, as Arthur drove into her, she found herself responding. Feelings she thought dead rose to the surface and she gasped with pleasure. Her hands reached up to pull off her jumper, and with no bra on she leaned forward to bury her breasts in Arthur’s face.
Patsy’s mind now became oblivious to anything but the sensations that ripped through her body. How long had it been? How long since she had felt like this? She eased up, moving slowly, loving the feeling and for once wanting it to last. ‘Wait, darling,’ she urged, ‘take it slowly.’
Despite that, soon after it happened, a sensation deep inside, one that left her gasping. ‘Oh, Arthur, ohhh!’ she cried, and as Arthur exploded inside her, they climaxed together.
For a while they just clung to each other, drawing breath, Patsy astounded by what had happened. She thought about her clients, the old and sometimes crippled men that she serviced, and grimaced. Mind you, they paid well, and were pathetically grateful. None of them lasted for more than a few minutes; she made sure of that, ensured that with a few tricks the act was soon over. Now though she wanted out of the game and was determined to snare Arthur. What she hadn’t expected was to find the sex enjoyable, this an added bonus.
‘I’m sorry, Arthur, I couldn’t resist you again. You’re so handsome and I can’t believe that Sally doesn’t fancy you any more. She must be mad.’ Patsy leaned across Arthur again, making sure that her breasts were in his face as she stroked his hair. ‘Still, don’t worry, I’m sure she’ll get used to it. You’ll just have to give her some time.’
‘Huh,’ he murmured, his lips now brushing her nipples. ‘Why should I? My leg doesn’t bother you, and if Sally doesn’t like it now, she never will. Anyway, after the frustration she’s put me through, I’m not sure that I want her back.’
Patsy smiled. That was just what she had wanted to hear, and triumphant, she kissed him passionately. He was soon aroused, as ready as she was. ‘Oh, yes!’ she cried as he entered her. He was hers now, and if there was any sign of him trying to get Sally back, she’d find a way to put a spoke in the wheel.