Ruby by Heather Burnside (carter reed txt) 📗

fancy-dress party. Nevertheless, she was relieved to see him walk down the hall and head for the stairs. She was thankful for that. It had been a close shave.

When she got back inside the flat Tiffany was fretting. ‘Shit, Ruby, what are we gonna do? Now that old cow over the way knows what we’re up to she’ll be watching us every minute. It’s only a matter of time before she complains to him again.’

‘Bitch!’ Ruby cursed. ‘Why can’t people learn to mind their own fuckin’ business? It’s not as if we’re doing her any harm.’

‘I know, but you know what people are like. What are we gonna do?’ Tiffany repeated. ‘If she complains again, we could be out on our arses with nowhere to live and back to working the streets. And how the fuck will we get another place? No one wants to rent their property to a couple of prostitutes.’

‘Don’t worry,’ said Ruby. ‘I think I’ve got a plan that should get us out of the shit. It’s something I’ve been thinking about for a while and, after what’s happened, I think it’s the right time.’

19

September 1993

It was Trina’s first day at secondary school and over a year and a half since her attack at the hands of Kyle Gallagher and his friends. By now her scar had faded into a pale thin brown line. It was no longer repulsive to look at but, nevertheless, it set her apart from the other students, as did her good looks, tall, athletic physique and forceful personality.

During their first games lesson, Nicole Pugh made herself known to Trina. By now, the other students were finding out about Trina’s tough girl reputation. While she was getting changed for games, Trina could see Nicole standing with a group of friends and sizing her up. Trina was still in her underwear, making her feel vulnerable, when Nicole approached with two of her friends following behind.

‘How did you get that scar?’ she asked.

‘Fighting,’ Trina replied, flippantly. Then she added, ‘with boys,’ and stood staring at Nicole, waiting for her response.

For seconds they stood facing each other, their eyes locked in a death stare. It was Nicole who broke away first and walked back to where she had been standing. Her two friends shot Trina a contemptuous glare before they took off after her. Trina knew she had a problem. She had already heard of Nicole’s reputation. Many of the other girls were frightened of her and kept their distance when she was around. Others sucked up to her, wary of getting on her bad side.

They were put on opposite teams for a practice game of netball and Nicole flashed her a sly grin as they took their places. Trina wasn’t surprised when Nicole managed to wrangle it so that they were paired against each other; Trina in goal attack and Nicole as a defender.

While they waited for play to start, Nicole glared at Trina but, to Trina’s delight, she had to look up as Trina was much taller than her. Trina smirked at her and Nicole returned a look of hatred. For the first half of the game, Nicole marked her closely but Trina still managed to score two goals, her tall frame giving her an advantage.

It was during the start of the second half that Trina and Nicole jumped for the ball at the same time. They collided and Nicole knocked Trina off balance. The ball flew from Trina’s hands. Nicole quickly reached for it but the teacher called a foul before she had chance and gave possession back to Trina’s team who yelled with joy when Trina scored a goal off the back of it.

Nicole glared at Trina and hissed under her breath. ‘I didn’t foul; you did, and you’re gonna pay for that, bitch!’

‘Come on, girls, carry on with the game please,’ shouted the teacher.

They resumed play and for the rest of the second half Trina managed to avoid any more encounters with Nicole, but she knew it wasn’t over. Nicole waited until the teachers had left them in the changing rooms before she made her move, stepping right up to Trina.

‘You pushed into me, you bitch!’ she said.

‘No I didn’t. It was you that pushed into me. That’s why the teacher called a foul. Bitch!’ Trina replied.

‘Who are you fuckin’ calling a bitch?’ shouted Nicole, giving Trina a sharp slap on her face.

But Trina was ready and she launched herself at Nicole, overpowering her with a series of swift punches. Nicole staggered backwards, looking around for her friends who stayed out of the way, nervous of getting involved. Trina grinned on seeing Nicole’s look of despair then carried on raining punches down on her.

It was the games teacher who came to Nicole’s rescue, rushing over in alarm as soon as she walked through the door and saw what was taking place. She pushed between the girls, holding them apart while she hollered at them to break it up.

‘Right, I want your names,’ she said. When she had taken a note of them, she said, ‘What a despicable way to carry on in your first week of secondary school! You can report to the head’s office after school and tell him I sent you. And I suggest you get yourself cleaned up,’ she said to Nicole whose nose was pumping blood.

Trina spotted a slight tremble of Nicole’s lip and she could feel an inner glow of satisfaction. She had put Nicole Pugh in her place and everybody would now know that she wasn’t to be messed with. She didn’t care what punishment she got. It was more important that she had beaten her rival.

For the rest of that day Trina basked in the glory of having beaten Nicole Pugh in a fight. Unknown to her, many of the school tough nuts had been waiting to see which girl came out on top in their year, and they were excited to see a winner. Others