Rhiannon (2 page)

Mair breathed a sigh of relief.

Dai smiled. ‘What do you say? Shall we give it a go?'

‘When do I start?'

As they headed back to the pub to pack their few belongings Mair couldn't contain herself any longer, ‘I'm that excited about us lodging with Mr Hughes. I liked him a lot. Did you like him, Mam?'

‘Like him? The main object of the exercise was to make him like me and it worked too. Didn't you notice how the silly old bugger couldn't take his eyes off me? It'll not take me long to have him wrapped around my little finger – although we may have to tread carefully around his precious Rhiannon for a while.'

Mair hadn't fully understood what her mother meant. But knowing her mother as she did she could tell she was up to something.

 

Dai Hughes wondered how long he would have to wait before his young wife decided to return home – or maybe she was in the habit of staying out all night? With him working the night shift every other week, how would he know? He stared at the erratically dancing red flames; they seemed to reflect his mood. He was so angry, not just with Nellie but also with himself. It had been his weakness that had ultimately brought them to this. If only he had been strong enough to resist the temptation to take her to his bed, there would have been no need for him to do the ‘decent thing' and enter into this sham of a marriage.

At first he had kidded himself that it was for the best, telling himself Rhiannon needed a woman in the house. He even told himself that Rose, his dearly departed wife, would never have wanted him and Rhiannon to live alone. Anything, but admit his unnatural obsession with Nellie – a girl almost young enough to be his daughter. What a fool he had been.

The sound of the noisy back-door latch made Dai jump. After spending what seemed like hours sitting in front of the fire his eyes had become accustomed to the darkness. He watched in silence as his wife tiptoed across the stone floor, her arm outstretched, feeling for the oil
lamp on the table. On finding it her fingers slowly turned up the wick – filling the room with a harsh yellow light.

‘Decided to come home then, have you?'

‘Bloody hell! Y-you frightened the life out of me.'

He watched as she made an effort to straighten her dishevelled clothes.

‘What're you doing home s'early anyway?' she asked, her speech slurred.

‘I live here, remember? And from what I can see, it's a good job I came home when I did. God only knows what you get up to when I'm on nightshift.'

‘Spying on me, hoping to catch me out then, were you?'

‘It wasn't my intention – but unfortunately, that's the way it's turned out. What do you think you were doing leaving the house?' Dai demanded.

‘I wanted to have some fun. Where's the harm in that?'

‘Where's the harm? Do you really think it's right to leave Rhiannon and Mair alone for God knows how long?'

‘For God's sake, man. When are you going to realize that your precious Rhiannon's no longer a baby? She's nearly sixteen!'

At that very moment Rhiannon burst into the room, out of breath from running down two flights of stairs, annoyed at having nodded off on the stairs only to be woken up by their loud voices.

‘And talk of the devil, here she is – Daddy's little girl.'

Dai walked over to her and, placing his arm around her shoulders looked into his daughter's big brown eyes. ‘Rhiannon, I want you to do as I say and go back to bed. I need to speak to Nellie alone.'

‘Please, Dad. I don't like it when you two quarrel.' Rhiannon turned to her stepmother. ‘Nellie, pl-ease. Just say you're sorry.'

‘Go on. Do as your wonderful daddy says. Bugger off back upstairs with the other brat,' Nellie barked.

‘Don't you dare speak to her like that,' Dai spat. ‘And don't ever let me hear you call your Mair a brat.'

‘And what are you going to do about it?' She sniggered, her body swaying from side to side.

‘You're drunk! You've been down the pub, haven't you? What kind of a mother would rather be out drinking with her cronies than stay at home caring for her children?'

‘I'm not drunk. Just a bit tipsy. And yes, I have been with my friends. They understand me, they make me laugh and they let me have some
fun. I'm twenty-nine, for Christ's sake! Four years is long enough. I'm too young to be stuck here with you ... I hate you!'

She lunged toward him with fists held aloft, as if intending to hit out at him. Instead she lost her balance and only his quick reaction – reaching out to catch her – saved her from falling face down onto the stone floor.

‘Rhiannon. Go to bed. I'll not tell you again. Go now!' Dai shouted.

Dai watched her leave the room reluctantly, her eyes pleading with him not to lose his temper. God, how he wanted to control himself, if only for his daughter's sake, but this woman would test the patience of a saint.

With Rhiannon safely out of the way Dai made a grab for his wife's shoulders. ‘So, you hate me, you hate the kids, you hate living here? Well, that's too bad. You wanted this marriage, and while you're under my roof... .' He stopped when he realized he'd been shaking her body like a rag doll.

‘Let go of me,' she screamed pulling away from him. ‘Your roof, my arse. It belongs to the colliery, not you. And as far as I'm concerned you can stick it where the sun doesn't shine.'

‘This is my home. And while you live here you'll behave yourself, is that clear?' He raised his hand to strike her, and then stopped himself. What was he doing? In all the years he'd lived with his Rose he'd never once laid a hand on her – not that he'd ever had cause. All his life he had abhorred the men who resorted to violence against women.

‘You're such a big man, aren't you? Oh yes, you can shake me, manhandle me, and raise a hand to me – all very manly indeed. But it's a different story in the bedroom, now isn't it? There the only thing you can raise is a smile.' She stopped and gave a loud, exaggerated laugh. Then, slowly moving her hands, she began caressing her own body. ‘What I want is someone to lust after these breasts, these hips, these thighs—'

‘Stop it. You're behaving like a harlot!'

‘Typical! Well, what I need is a real man – not a bloody excuse for one. Your idea of having sex is the three “W's” – whip it in, whip it out and wipe it.'

‘That's enough. Shut your filthy mouth. I'll not have the children subjected to such gutter talk, do you hear?'

‘Your Rhiannon, you mean. Don't want her knowing 'bout you having a small one, eh?'

‘Nellie, I'm warning you!'

‘Go on. Hit me, why don't you? I can see it in your eyes, you'd just love to thump me one, wouldn't you?'

Dai stared at his clenched fists. She was right. At that precise moment he had an overwhelming urge to belt her. But instead he made a grab for the back of the chair.

‘See, you're not even man enough to belt me. Well, I've had enough of this house, the kids and most of all you. I'm going. I only came back to pick up a few things and I'm off.'

‘What do you mean off? Off where?'

‘I'm leaving you. In fact, I'm leaving the valley. The truth is, I've had a better offer from someone who really knows how to give a girl a good time!'

‘Another man, you mean?'

‘Give the man a prize. It's finally sunk in,' she sniggered.

‘What about your Mair? She's your own flesh and blood.'

‘She's all yours. From now on you and your wonderful Rhiannon can have her. I never wanted the brat in the first place. But I knew if I brought her with me you'd feel sorry for her. All that pretending – being nice to Rhiannon, cleaning house, cooking, going to bed with you. All a means to an end. I truly believed you were a “good catch”. How wrong can a girl be? I don't want you and I don't want your name. I shall leave as I came – as Nellie Parsons!'

‘Get out. Take what you want and go. We don't need the likes of you. Go before I do something I know I'll regret.'

 

Rhiannon and Mair sat on the stairs; they'd heard everything right up to the back door being slammed as Nellie made her dramatic exit.

‘Oh, Rhi. She's really gone and left me. What am I going to do?'

Rhiannon pulled Mair to her. ‘You're going to stay put with us. This is your home, Mair. I think of you as my little sister, so we must stick together, be strong and look after Dad.'

It was true. The early resentment Rhiannon had felt when Mair and Nellie first arrived, at least where Mair was concerned, no longer existed. Over the past four years she and Mair had formed a genuine bond and Rhiannon couldn't imagine not having her with them. And while Rhiannon found it hard to sympathize with the loss of Mair's mother, she was concerned for her father's state of mind when the gossips got their teeth into Nellie's leaving. She could almost hear them now. ‘The poor man. His first wife died on him and this one's up and left him. Mind you it was doomed from the start, with her being
young enough to be his daughter – there's no fool like an old one, eh?'

As Mair continued to cry on her shoulder Rhiannon felt a pang of guilt for her own true feelings: relief, that Nellie had gone. This meant that she, Rhiannon Hughes, was now the woman of the house.

Nellie raced from the house carrying only a small suitcase – not much to show for four years, she thought. Still, at least she had a nice warm coat to shield her from the winter chill in the air. As she made her way down King Edward Street, thankful for the part moon lighting her way, she could hardly contain her excitement. She felt a sense of achievement. Soon she'd be on her way to Cardiff and a new life with Harry Stone.

 

Nellie had first met Harry a year ago when he called at the house touting for business. He was a travelling salesman knocking on doors throughout the valley, with a large suitcase full of everything from a pair of silk stockings to a scouring brush. He was so unlike any other man she'd ever met. With his swarthy good looks, he was so sure of himself, wearing a thick serge dark suit with a starched white shirt, a bowler hat perched jauntily on his mop of jet-black hair; it was obvious to all that he was no valley boy. Nellie was instantly taken with him, even before he began openly to flirt with her.

‘Well, now. Aren't you the pretty one? I'm sure I must have something you'd like... .' He paused to look her up and down before adding, with a wicked smile, ‘in the suitcase, of course.'

She actually blushed.

‘Come on, how about a nice pair of silk stockings? They're only a shilling – or just sixpence if you let me fit them for you.'

Nellie giggled. ‘You saucy thing, you!'

‘Well there's no harm in a bloke trying, now is there?'

He didn't have to try very hard. Nellie was so bored with her humdrum life, a fact not missed by the wily Harry Stone. He sensed she'd be like putty in his hands. And, after over an hour of trying to tempt her to buy something, he eventually offered her the one thing he
was sure she wouldn't refuse.

‘At least take pity on me and meet me for a drink one night.'

At first she acted all coy. ‘What a cheek! What a thing to ask a respectable married woman. And don't pretend you didn't know. I've seen you looking at my wedding ring.'

‘Sure, I know. But where's the harm? And I promise, I won't tell if you don't.'

Nellie laughed. Then she nodded. ‘You're right. Where's the harm? It'll beat staying in this dump.'

‘Then it's settled. How does next Friday night suit you?'

She smiled. Next Friday night Dai would be working the night shift. ‘Yeah, that suits me fine.'

‘Great! I'll pick you up at, say, seven-thirty. I'll wait at the end of the street. Don't be late!'

‘What time's your train back to Cardiff?'

‘The last one's 10.45 p.m. Mind you, I could always book into the Royal Hotel for the night.'

‘That'll cost you a few bob.'

‘I can afford it. Mind you, don't you go telling everyone that. It wouldn't do to show my punters how well I'm doing off their backs, eh?' He touched the side of his nose and winked.

When Friday night came Nellie had no qualms about leaving Rhiannon looking after Mair. She'd never loved Dai. Up to now their sham of a marriage had suited her but the time had come for her to have some fun, starting with this travelling salesman.

From then on every time Dai did the night shift Nellie would sneak out of the house to meet Harry, sometimes staying out all night, always making sure to be indoors before Dai was due home.

Much to Nellie's surprise what started as just a bit of fun ended with Nellie becoming well and truly smitten with Harry Stone. Although, for all his flattery, she was never sure how he truly felt about
her
. Then one night, right out the blue, he asked her to go away with him.

‘Come on, Nell. Why don't you up sticks and leave that miserable old bugger you're wed to? You could come stay with me in Cardiff – there's plenty of room where I'm lodging.'

Her whole being wanted to scream out ‘Yes! Yes! Yes!' But she stopped herself. It was a big step. And, boring as life had become with Dai and the kids, she at least had security and a roof over her head.

‘But how will I live? All I have to my name is the few bob I've managed to fiddle from the housekeeping each week.'

‘Don't you worry your sweet little head 'bout that. I'll be more than happy to sub you till you find a job. It's the least I can do for my girl.'

Her heart fluttered. It was the first time he'd ever called her
his girl
. ‘But it may take me ages to find a job.'

‘I've already put some feelers around and believe me, Cardiff is calling out for a girl with your talents.'

She wasn't at all sure. But he sounded so full of confidence.

‘Do you really think so?'

‘I know so. You stick with me, kid. And together we'll make a fortune.'

 

As Nellie turned the corner she breathed a sigh of relief to see Harry waiting for her, his large suitcase, holding all of his goods for sale, at his side.

‘At long last. Where the hell you been? The last train leaves Pontryl in twenty minutes. If you hadn't shown you wouldn't have seen my arse for dust and you'd have blown any chance of getting away from this dump of a place. I don't like to be kept waiting. You'll do well to remember that!'

His anger took her completely by surprise. She hadn't expected a reprimand. Up to now she had only known Harry Stone, the fun-loving joker; she hadn't seen this side of him before. She quickly decided to tread carefully until she had him completely under her spell – just like Dai.

‘I-I'm sorry, Harry. Dai was there waiting for me, we had a terrible row. He was so nasty.' Then she added, ‘Mind you, when he begged me not to leave him and the kids I almost felt sorry for him. I hadn't realized how much he loved me.' She lied, not wanting Harry to know how much she now depended on him for a roof over her head.

‘Well, if you want to change your mind?'

‘No!' she blurted. Then, realizing how desperate she sounded, ‘No, of course not. I've made my choice. From now on my life is with you.'

‘Good. Now come on, get a move on. It's late and I can't wait to get you tucked up in my bed,' he said, flashing a wicked smile, his anger having disappeared as quickly as it had come.

‘Why, Mr Harry Stone, I could have sworn we made love not much more than an hour ago? It was great for me but if you can't remember then I'm not the woman I thought I was,' she teased.

‘If you think it was good in that squeaky single bed of your mate Dilys's, wait till I get you onto my own double bed!'

The train journey to Cardiff seemed to take for ever. From their carriage window, only the occasional flicker of the gas lamps as they passed through the sleepy villages
en route
, disturbed the blackness of the night. Excited as Nellie was, when Harry dozed off next to her, she struggled to keep her own eyes open.

‘Come on, sleepy head, we've arrived,' Harry said as he opened the carriage door.

As Nellie stepped from the train she felt a foreboding and made a grab for Harry's arm. With no home, no money and no job she realized how much she depended on his generosity. As she entwined her arm in his Harry pulled her to him and kissed her and all her fears subsided. She was his girl – he'd said so.

‘It's quite a walk to my digs so, just this once, we'll get a cab. All right?'

‘Anything you say, Harry.'

‘That's what I like to hear.'

As Nellie stepped from the cab she was overcome by the pungent smell and automatically raised her hand to her nose.

‘What's that horrible smell?' she asked.

‘It's the Bay. It's low tide.'

‘The Bay? I didn't realize you lived near water. I thought you lived in the city.'

‘This is Tiger Bay and, in my mind, the life and soul of Cardiff. I'll show you around tomorrow. But for now, get up those stairs, woman!' He playfully tapped her bottom, edging her through the front door of a large terraced dwelling.

‘It's too dark. I can't see where I'm going.'

‘Hang on while I get the box of matches out of my pocket.' He lit a match. ‘Is that better? For weeks I've been asking the bloody landlord to fix the damn light on these stairs. He's an ignorant bastard. I can see I'm going to have to get rough with him.'

Nellie gave a shiver. The stairwell felt damp and dirty. She hoped the rooms were better.

‘Well, what do you think?' Harry asked, as he switched on the light.

Nellie looked around the dark and dingy bedsit. She didn't know what she'd expected but she definitely hadn't expected to live like this.

‘It's a bit small, isn't it?' she said at last.

‘Small but compact though, eh? And it's got everything we need. A wardrobe, a cooker, table and chairs and most important, a large feather bed.' He pulled her to him, pushing her onto the bed. ‘What more do we need, eh? I know it's not as grand as you're used to,' he
sniggered sarcastically, ‘but, trust me, we'll soon be moving on to bigger and better premises.' He tapped the bed. ‘This bed is going to make us a fortune.'

‘What do you mean? I don't understand.'

‘You'll know soon enough, darling. Now come here, you little sex-bomb, you.' He roughly grabbed her hands, raised them above her head and spread-eagled her on the bed.

‘Don't. You're hurting me!'

‘I thought you liked a bit of rough.'

Ignoring her pleas he climbed on top of her.

‘Stop it! What's come over you? If this is how you're going behave I'm off!' He was frightening her.

‘And where would you go? You've no money, remember. The sooner you come to terms with the fact that we need each other, we'll get along just fine. From the moment I clapped eyes on you I saw the potential for you being my ... our ... ticket to a fortune. You've got what it takes.' He released his grip on her hands, once again his mood had changed and he was gently kissing her lips, then her chin, then her neck.

She instantly forgot his previous roughness. This was more like it.

She loved it when he kissed her neck. But now wasn't the time; she needed some answers.

‘Harry, love? I still don't understand. What can I possibly do to make a fortune?' She was both intrigued and excited at the prospect of making a load of money.

‘You must know you've got what it takes – there must be loads of men crying out for a woman like you, men with money to burn.'

She pushed him aside and sat bolt upright. ‘Are you suggesting what I think? You want me to seduce men for money!'

‘Why not? You know you love it. I feel it. I sense it. You don't just want sex – you need it!'

Nellie couldn't deny the way she'd always felt. Most women only did it to please their men; she was different. But to charge money, become a prostitute?

‘You must be mad?'

His hands grabbed her throat. ‘Mad! Don't you dare call me mad, you bloody slut!'

She felt his hand across her face. She screamed out. He slapped her again. She couldn't believe this was happening. This wasn't what she'd come to Cardiff for. Suddenly her boring life with Dai and the kids
didn't look so bad after all. Maybe she could go back? The silly bugger would be sure to welcome her back – then she remembered how she'd slagged him off in front of his precious Rhiannon; she realized that going back was definitely not an option. From now on she was stuck with Harry Stone, so she'd better make the best of it. She stopped struggling.

‘That's better. Come on, Nell, start seeing sense, think of the money!'

‘How much money?' He had her interest.

‘Loads and loads. With my contacts I'll get you the best punters in Cardiff. By the time I'm finished with you, you'll be the talk of the town. As I said before, stick with me, girl; I'll not steer you wrong.'

She smiled, suddenly warming to the idea. Surely if Harry depended on her for his good fortune he'd be especially nice to her – no more slapping her about.

‘I'll need some new clothes.'

‘Of course.'

‘And a fancy new hairdo.'

‘Anything you want, my sweet. Now come here, it's time to practise your new profession.'