Ruby by Heather Burnside (carter reed txt) 📗

could look at her. ‘You look great! How the fuck did you find me?’

‘It wasn’t hard,’ said Shelley. ‘All the kids hang about in this park. I just asked some girls over there if they’d seen you and they sent me here.’

The word kids didn’t sound as though it was intended as an insult, more a statement of fact. Trina recognised the name, Shelley; it was Nicole’s older sister. As soon as Nicole moved away Trina could see Shelley full on. She looked older than them and beautiful with blonde hair and lovely blue eyes. The attraction was instant.

Although Trina had been attracted to girls before, she’d never felt a pull like this. She’d previously dismissed it, knowing deep down that she fancied girls but telling herself it was maybe just a phase. But now she knew for sure.

As Nicole fussed over her sister, Shelley smiled back at her, enjoying the attention and the feeling of sisterly warmth that passed between them. Then Shelley’s eyes locked with Trina’s and Trina felt a moment’s discomfort; her intensity of feeling unsettling her. Nicole spotted her sister’s wandering gaze and spun around.

‘Trina, I can’t believe it!’ she said. ‘This is our Shelley. I’ve not seen her for months.’

She was delighted at seeing her older sister and Trina beamed a big smile at both of them. ‘Hi!’ she said, feeling herself blush under Shelley’s scrutiny.

Trina recalled Nicole mentioning that her older sister had left home under a cloud. Her memory was hazy with the details but now she wished she’d paid more attention to what Nicole had told her. Now, as she looked at Nicole’s striking sister, Trina was eager to find out as much as possible about her.

For a few seconds they surveyed each other. Shelley was similar in looks to Nicole but prettier. She was wearing a short A-line skirt and a cropped top with a slouchy jacket layered effortlessly over the top, adding just the right volume to her slim frame. Her makeup was perhaps a little overdone but, in a way, it added to her charm.

The bright red lipstick, frosted eyeshadow, blue eyeliner and lashings of mascara were very much in fashion. Nevertheless, the way they had been liberally applied would have looked tarty on someone older, but with Shelley’s elfin features, her makeup seemed to transport her from innocence to streetwise sophistication.

‘Trina’s my best mate,’ said Nicole. ‘I’ve told you about her before. We have some right laughs together.’

‘It seems an age since I was palling around with my mates at school,’ said Shelley wistfully.

‘I bet you’re glad you’re not there now,’ said Nicole. ‘It’s shit.’

‘Course I am. I’m doing alright for myself now,’ said Shelley.

‘Where you living?’ asked Nicole.

‘I’ve got a two-bedroomed flat in Whalley Range. You’ll have to come and see me but don’t let my mam know.’

‘Oh no, I won’t,’ said Nicole. ‘She’d kill me.’ Then she seemed to sense a change in her sister and quickly added, ‘I’m sure she’ll be alright in the end though. You know what parents are like.’

‘It’s alright,’ said Shelley. ‘I don’t need them. I’m doing alright now,’ she repeated.

As the conversation continued, Trina became mesmerised by her. She seemed so grown-up and switched on compared to them. Trina felt childish and unknowing compared to Shelley, who had an edge to her. It was in everything about her; from her stylish clothing and striking features to her mannerisms. She noticed her body language; the flirty way she tossed her long blonde hair and the way her smile seemed to mask a hidden depth. She would become momentarily lost in thought but then quickly recover, hinting at a life of tough decisions.

And when she spoke, she just seemed to know everything they were feeling as though she had experienced it all already but in a more enjoyable and shocking way. She was also knowledgeable about the wider world; a world outside of school and family life.

The more Trina watched and listened to Shelley, the more smitten she became. It was a revelation and she knew straightaway that she’d found what she’d been looking for. She had fallen instantly and unremittingly in love.

27

April 1998

The following day at school Trina couldn’t wait to find out more from Nicole about her older sister, Shelley.

‘Your sister’s really nice,’ she gushed. ‘Why did she leave home?’

‘My mam and dad kicked her out.’

‘Why?’

‘She got into loads of rows with them about drinking and staying out late. Then my mam found out she was shagging around, and she went fuckin’ ballistic. They had a massive row and Shelley walked out. My mam told her not to bother coming back so Shelley told her to fuck off.’

‘Jesus! You don’t think they’ll throw you out for coming in late, do you?’

‘Nah. They’re always giving me grief, but I think they’re secretly scared of me walking out too. I can tell they miss our Shelley.’

‘Is it the first time you’ve seen her since she left?’

‘No, I’ve bumped into her a couple of times. Once she sent me a message to meet her in town so I did, but that was months ago.’

‘How does she manage?’ asked Trina.

Nicole looked around her to make sure nobody was listening then she whispered, ‘She’s on the game.’

‘What?’ asked Trina. Then a flash of Nicole’s eyes told her she had heard correctly and she added, ‘You’re joking!’

‘No,’ said Nicole, grinning.

‘Jesus! I wonder what it’s like,’ said Trina.

‘Fuckin’ awful from what she’s told me. I mean, she gets loads of dosh. Some of ’em buy her clothes and perfume. One even bought her a gold chain but she has to put up with a lot of pervy clients too.’

‘How d’you mean?’ asked Trina.

‘Dirty old bastards that want her to do all sorts. You wouldn’t catch me doing what she does.’

‘How did she get into it?’ asked Trina, fascinated.

‘I don’t know; you’d have to ask her,’ Nicole replied sharply as though she was growing bored of Trina’s questions.

‘I can’t believe it.