Ruby by Heather Burnside (carter reed txt) 📗

with a mix of pity and scorn. Her anger at the man was swiftly replaced by sympathy for Pammy.

‘Are you two OK?’ she asked. Both Tiffany and Pammy said yes even though Ruby could tell by looking at them that they were both shaken. ‘Take no notice of that fuckwit!’ she said to Pammy. ‘We both think you’re beautiful and so do lots of the clients too.’

As Tiffany nodded, Pammy managed a half-smile before Ruby said, ‘Why don’t you take the rest of the night off, Pammy? You’ve only got one more client booked in so you won’t be losing much. And I’ll not charge you for your room tonight so you won’t be any worse off.’

‘OK, thanks,’ said Pammy, her voice tiny and shaking.

Ruby knew that, although Pammy had the strength of character common in most of the working girls, that cruel man had touched her sore spot, and she was on the verge of tears. Ordinarily, Pammy let everyone know how proud she was of her ample cleavage and generous curves, but Ruby could now see that it had all been an act.

Ruby knew too well that it didn’t take much to undermine your confidence and take you right back to that place of insecurity and inadequacy. After all, it was the very place she had come from as a child when she felt inferior to all the other girls who always had more than her. Ruby crossed the room and put her arm around Pammy. ‘Please don’t let an arsehole like him get to you, Pammy. You just remember, you’re beautiful in your own way.’

Then she and Tiffany left Pammy alone to shed a few private tears before she pulled herself together and shielded her insecurities behind a low-cut dress and a fresh application of makeup.

‘You sure you’re alright?’ Ruby asked Tiffany later that night when her own client had left and she’d joined her partner at the reception desk.

‘Yeah, fine now,’ said Tiffany. ‘I hope Pammy will be OK.’

‘She’ll be fine. You watch, girl, she’ll come bouncing back through that door like nothing happened.’

‘What about you?’ asked Tiffany.

‘I’m OK,’ said Ruby. ‘I can easily handle a little shit like him.’

‘I noticed,’ said Tiffany, laughing.

Afterwards, Ruby thought over what she had said to Tiffany about her ability to handle the awkward client and her mind drifted to the problems she’d had to deal with since the club had opened. As well as abusive clients and visits from the police, Ruby had had one of the more popular girls getting too cocky. She’d confronted Ruby, telling her she should be passing more clients her way until Ruby had told her to fuck off and see if she could do any better elsewhere. She’d lost a few clients as a result of the girl leaving but had soon found a replacement and gained new clients.

Yes, she’d had her share of difficulties in running a brothel but nothing major, and certainly nothing as bad as what she’d faced as a young girl working the streets of Manchester. She’d handled all the problems at the club with help from Tiffany, the love of her life. And, despite all the challenges, she still loved her status as manager as much as she had at the outset. It was her life. There was nothing she could think of that she would rather be doing. And she wasn’t prepared to have it spoilt by anybody or anything.

40

August 1998

Trina had disliked the man straightaway. He had a superior air about him and, although he wasn’t abusive as such, he talked down to her as though she was scum. He told her that he wanted full sex then, as soon as he’d parked the car in a secluded area, he got on with it in a cold, matter of fact way. That didn’t bother Trina so much; she knew the drill by now and didn’t expect clients to behave lovingly towards her. With clients like this one she detached herself emotionally and hoped for it to be over with as soon as possible.

But this client was a problem. To start with he had difficulty getting an erection. Trina offered to give him his money back and leave it at that but the client was emphatic that they should keep trying. Eventually he managed to perform, but it wasn’t for long.

‘I think we’d best call it a day,’ said Trina.

‘Oh no we won’t! I haven’t come here for nothing,’ he said. ‘You’ll just have to help me out more.’

‘That’ll cost more then.’

He tutted. ‘Just do it!’

But no matter how much Trina tried, it wasn’t happening. She was relieved when the man zipped up his trousers and started the car engine, even though he scowled at her as though it was her fault. Trina was also perturbed at the way the man locked all the car doors before they set off.

They returned to Trina’s usual spot and the man took out his wallet and flung two notes at her. She looked at the money. ‘There’s only fifteen pounds here. It’s twenty-five for full sex,’ she said.

‘But it wasn’t full sex, was it?’ he snapped. ‘And as you failed to satisfy me, I think I’ve been more than generous.’

Trina realised that the man was trying to shift the blame for his own inadequacy. His haughty tone annoyed her and she was tempted to retaliate. But then she remembered that he’d locked the car doors. The crafty bastard!

‘Give it here then,’ she said, holding out her hand.

Once the man had paid her, he unlocked the car doors and she jumped out onto the pavement. ‘Bastard!’ she shouted as he drove away. ‘It’s not my fault you can’t fuckin’ get it up.’

She continued hurling abuse at the man until his car disappeared into the distance. Even when she’d stopped shouting, she was still angry. The stuck-up bastard! It was bad enough that he hadn’t paid her the full amount, but then to have the