Ruby by Heather Burnside (carter reed txt) 📗

*

Ruby and Tiffany had only just arrived home and were standing outside the door to their flat while Ruby found the key in her handbag. She was just about to put it into the lock when they heard someone thundering up the stairs. It was the landlord, Mr Walker, and Ruby could see even from a few feet away that he wasn’t very happy. As she and Tiffany waited to see what he wanted, she noticed the envelope he was carrying.

‘There,’ he said, handing the envelope to Ruby.

Curious, Ruby stared at it then slid her forefinger under the seal to prise it open.

‘I’ll save you the trouble,’ growled the landlord. ‘It’s your notice to vacate. I want you out within a month.’

Ruby looked up at him, her expression fierce. ‘What?’ she demanded.

‘You heard. I’ve had more complaints from the other residents.’

‘But it’s rubbish!’ Ruby complained. ‘It’s her over the way stirring it up with everyone. She’s just making trouble for us cos she’s a miserable old cow who doesn’t like anyone having friends.’

‘Oh no it isn’t!’ the landlord snarled, rounding on Ruby till his face was only centimetres from hers. ‘I’ve been keeping my eye on you two. I’ve seen the number of men that come and go, and you can’t tell me they’re all just friends. I know exactly what you two are bloody well up to, so don’t try telling me any different.’

‘We’re not up to anything!’ said Ruby, ‘And you can’t prove we are either.’

‘I don’t need to prove anything. I know what’s going on here, I’m not bloody stupid and if I want you out then I’ll bloody well have you out!’

He turned and stormed off down the stairs with Ruby shouting after him. ‘You won’t get away with this. We haven’t done anything wrong!’ But she knew her words were wasted. Then she turned to Tiffany, her shoulders slumped as she asked, ‘What the fuck do we do now?’

24

December 1996

For several months Trina continued to enjoy her status as Zac’s girlfriend. As the summer faded, the nights became cooler and the prospect of having sex in the park became increasingly unappealing. After Trina had complained yet again about having to spend time in the park where it was cold and dark, Zac arranged for them to go to his house.

It was only the second time she had been there as it was difficult for Zac to find a time when the rest of his family were out. Trina knew he wasn’t interested in introducing her to his parents. There was only one thing Zac was interested in with Trina, but that suited her because it meant they stayed together.

They couldn’t go to her house either, not for what Zac had in mind. As Trina had three brothers as well as her mother, there was nearly always somebody at home. And the idea of introducing Zac to her mother was out of the question. Daisy was a God-fearing Christian woman who would be horrified at the thought of her daughter having a boyfriend when she was still so young.

This particular night, although the rest of Zac’s family were out, his younger brother was in. Even after Trina had been there a while, his younger brother continued to hang around and Trina could tell that Zac was becoming increasingly irritated with him.

‘Why don’t you just fuck off out, Matt?’ Zac said to him.

‘Because it’s too cold,’ said Matt, ‘and, anyway, why should I, just so you can shag her?’

Matt looked scornfully at Trina before leaving the room. Zac got up and dashed after his brother to have a word with him. As Trina sat on the sofa patiently waiting for Zac to come back, she strained to overhear what was being said, but couldn’t hear anything apart from a lot of whispering. Then Zac returned, alone.

‘Come on, we’re going upstairs to my bedroom,’ he said.

‘But… don’t you share it with Matt?’

Zac grinned. ‘Don’t worry, he isn’t there. He’s in the kitchen.’

Trina followed him upstairs and as soon as they were inside his bedroom, they sat down on his bed where Zac immediately began kissing Trina passionately and putting his hands inside her clothes. She couldn’t settle, on edge in case Zac’s brother should walk in or, worse still, his parents might return. She pulled away, and Zac looked at her quizzically.

‘What’s wrong?’ he asked.

‘What if he comes in or if your mam and dad come home early?’ she asked.

‘He won’t. Don’t worry, I’ve fixed him,’ said Zac, smiling enigmatically. ‘And my mam and dad never come home before the pubs shut. So, are we going to do this, or what? Anyone would think you didn’t fancy me anymore.’

Trina hesitated for a moment, glancing around her and trying to think of another excuse. She really didn’t feel comfortable having sex with Zac’s brother downstairs. It had been different in the park; they always made sure they were well out of view of other people and it was usually dark, so someone passing by wouldn’t be able to see them properly anyway. Besides, most of the people in the park at that time were doing the same so it somehow made it acceptable.

As she glanced around, Zac followed her eyes then got up and walked over to a chest of drawers. He picked up a box and handed it to her. ‘Here, I forgot to give you this for your birthday.’

Her birthday had been a week prior and she’d dropped various hints about it, eventually giving up and presuming he hadn’t bothered. But now she felt pleased as she looked at the box in her hands. It was slightly battered but that didn’t matter. She could see from the name on the box that it was perfume and she pulled it open and grasped at the fancy bottle inside, spraying it on herself and smiling as she held her