Ruby by Heather Burnside (carter reed txt) 📗

‘Fuck the neighbours,’ said Ruby, pointing the V sign in the direction of her neighbour across the hallway and pulling faces as she continued jumping up and down and laughing. ‘We’re out of here anyway in just over a week so what have we got to lose?’

Tiffany laughed too but when she calmed down, she said, ‘We should really see it first before we get too excited.’

Ruby smiled enigmatically. ‘I don’t think it’ll be a problem, Tiff. That Victor’s no fool no matter what he might look like. And if he says it’s a goer, then it’s a fuckin’ goer. She held the bottle of wine up once more, and shook it around to illustrate the small amount remaining in the bottom of the bottle. ‘Come on, girl; let’s grab another bottle from the kitchen. This is a celebration!’

30

September 2007

After weeks of refurbishment, the club was almost ready. Ruby couldn’t believe her luck as she glanced around the waiting area of the massage parlour (or ‘the club’ as she preferred to call it). It met her vision precisely, striking the right balance of plush and inviting as well as sultry and seductive, and she couldn’t have been more pleased.

The sumptuous carpet was deep pink and the room was lined with burgundy Chesterfields. In the corner was a coffee machine where clients could grab a complimentary coffee and then sit down on the comfy sofas while the girls made them welcome. The walls were painted cream and the ceiling was dotted with rose-coloured, dimmed spotlights, giving the room a warm glow. The tasteful prints adorning the walls and the potted plants standing in large pots added to the room’s homely feel.

As soon as she and Tiffany had viewed the rooms above North nightclub, Ruby had known they were what she was looking for. True to his word, Victor had found them the perfect place; it was a little run down and in need of a makeover, but in terms of the number and size of the rooms, it was ideal. There was even an area that could easily be separated from the club for Ruby and Tiffany to use as their own private apartment. As well as a refurb, the place had wanted a great deal of imagination but, as Ruby walked around the building, ideas started to form in her mind.

Ruby knew there was still a bit of work to be done in her own apartment and one or two of the other rooms, but that wouldn’t take long, and they would soon be up and running.

At Victor’s advice, Ruby had officially named the place Ruby’s Massage Parlour due to UK laws against running a brothel. But there was an unwritten understanding between the management, the girls and the customers that the services on offer included far more than massage.

‘Ruby’s Dungeon’ was inconspicuously situated in an attic room at the top of the building accessed via a door marked, ‘Private’. Another private door led to Ruby and Tiffany’s living quarters, which were also at the top of the building, but separate from the dungeon. Only Ruby and Tiffany had keys to the private rooms.

Now, Ruby was sitting in the waiting area with Tiffany, getting a feel for the place while they waited for their visitor, Rose, to arrive. It wasn’t long before Ruby heard the sound of heels tapping on the stairs and she guessed Rose was here. The sight of a voluptuous blonde confidently announcing her arrival told her she had guessed right.

‘Come and take a seat,’ said Ruby, trying to act cool but secretly delighted at Rose’s appearance.

Rose was aged around thirty and very well-maintained. She was average height with blonde, straight hair and her attractive features were defined by heavy but skilfully applied makeup. Ruby imagined that, apart from the liberal application of makeup, Rose had probably had some cosmetic help with her looks, which were a little too perfect but nevertheless attractive.

Likewise, Rose’s figure was like something out of a playboy’s dream; huge breasts, tiny waist, flat stomach and rounded, well-toned hips. The whole package was displayed in a low-cut, figure-hugging dress that sat just above the knee.

The only thing that marred Rose was her voice, which was loud and high-pitched. I guess there are some things that even plastic surgery can’t put right, thought Ruby sardonically but, nevertheless, she was thrilled by everything else about Rose. Even before the interview began Ruby knew she wanted Rose working for her. The punters would love her!

‘We’re holding interviews here for now,’ Ruby said, trying to maintain a professional approach despite her excitement at the thought of having Rose on the books. ‘Some of the rooms are still being refurbished. Would you like a coffee then I’ll tell you a bit about how we operate?’

Rose declined a drink so Ruby began explaining things straightaway. ‘We operate as a massage parlour, but you’re free to offer extra services to the clients. We’ll take a daily fee from you for use of the room, and we’ll manage the bookings. If you receive any private bookings then you’ll have to let us know so that we can put them in the diary to avoid double-booking.’

Rose stared wide-eyed at Ruby, her eyelashes fluttering intermittently, as Ruby went through all of the procedure before asking her about herself. It turned out that Rose had been in the industry for a number of years and had recently worked at another brothel in the city until it was shut down. That meant that she already had her own clients who would continue to visit her at Ruby’s brothel.

The interview couldn’t have gone better and, after she had asked Rose whether she was happy with the rates and the set-up, Ruby offered her the job straightaway. She and Tiffany then watched as Rose wiggled her way out of the room and down the stairs out of the building.

‘Wow!’ said Tiffany, once Rose was gone. ‘I