together.'
'So you're going to keep the poor bastard hanging on? Thinking that you still feel something for him, just because it's not convenient for you to split up with him. Is that it?'
'It's not as simple as that, Zena. I like him. He's a nice guy. But he's going nowhere and he doesn't even realise it.'
'And where are you going, Carol?' She looked at her companion. 'Out in front of another audience, just like you do most nights. Just like you will be doing until your tits sag and your bum drops and you get fat and no one wants to come and see you any more. Then you'll probably start working the hotels and the streets full-time. Just like the rest of us.'
'Are you telling me I'm wrong to want more out' of life?' Carol snapped. 'Do you honestly enjoy what you do here, Zena?'
'No, but it pays the rent, and that's all that matters to me at the moment. Look, Carol, it might not be much of a life but it's all we've got.'
'That's shit, there's more to it than that. There has to be.'
Zena wiped some foundation from her cheeks with a moist tissue.
'So, Scotty's only crime is that he's going nowhere. Is that it?' she said.
'I don't know how to tell him it's over. I don't know how he'll react. I know he thinks a lot of me. He's told me he loves me. I don't want to hurt him, Zena.'
'Well, you're going to hurt him a fucking sight more the longer you leave it,' Zena snapped. She got to her feet and started to dress, pulling on jeans and a T-shirt, stepping into a pair of ankle boots.
'Am I wrong to want more out of life?' Carol asked the other girl again.
'No, but I think you're dreaming, Carol. I'm not sure there is that much more. And if there is, it wasn't meant for the likes of you and me.' She smiled thinly, then opened the door of the dressing room. The sound of the music was suddenly louder as Zena paused there.
'Don't hurt him, Carol. He doesn't deserve it,' Zena said, smiling.
Zena said goodbye and closed the door, shutting out the music once more.
Carol turned back to the mirror and studied her own reflection. She ran both hands over her breasts.
Starting to sag yet.
She reached for a cigarette and lit it, sucking hard, allowing the smoke to burn its way to her lungs.
There is more. There has to be.
The clock on the wall ticked soundlessly, the hands crawling around inexorably. Showtime.
She would tell Scott it was over. Zena was right. She shouldn't hurt him. She would tell him.
Eventually.
The phone rang.
For a moment Carol was startled by the ringing, then she turned and picked up the receiver.
She recognised the voice immediately.
'Hi. I'm just about to go on,' she said.
'I know,' the caller said. 'Where shall I pick you up tonight?'
'Same place as before.'
'Same time?'
'Yes. Look, I'd better go.'
'See you later.'
She hung up.
***
In the back of his Mercedes Ray Plummer was smiling as he replaced the car phone.
TWELVE
Scott was still in his office when 'Loveshow' closed. He had some paperwork to finish but decided it could wait until tomorrow. He glanced at his watch, saw it was just after 11.30 and rubbed his eyes. He had to take the money from the bar and the hostesses round to the night safe and deposit it before he went home. The money taken at the door and that collected from the sale of books and videos upstairs in the shop was kept in the building until the next morning. Best not to bank the whole lot at once.
The bar takings were laid out before him, as was the money taken by the hostesses. Over eight hundred pounds in cash, all neatly arranged in piles according to denomination. Scott wound the piles securely with elastic bands and put them into the bag intended for the night safe.
Don Lloyd, the barman, stuck his head around the door and said goodnight. Scott waved and smiled, then looked at his watch again. After a moment or two he got to his feet and wandered down the corridor from his office towards the dressing room.
He knocked and waited.
'Come in,' a voice from the other side called and he poked his head in.
One of the other girls, a tall dark-haired young woman he knew as Lynn Fraser, smiled at him. She was completely naked, unconcerned by his presence. Scott was similarly uninterested in her state of undress; his attention, was drawn towards Carol, who was removing her make-up.
'How did it go tonight?' he asked.
Carol shrugged. 'Same as usual,' she said flatly.
'Well, my Rob's going to be overjoyed when I get home,' said Lynn, reaching for a tissue from the box nearby. 'I'm as horny as hell.' She wiped some of the moisture from her vagina with the tissue. 'Gets you like that some nights, doesn't it?' she continued, looking at Carol.
'I suppose so,' she replied unenthusiastically.
'Half an hour with a vibrator stuck up you,' Lynn cooed. 'I can think of worse ways to pass the time.' She giggled and began to dress. 'I hope Rob isn't banking on a good night's sleep.'
'Can I have a word with you when you're ready, Carol, please?' said Scott. 'In my office.' He smiled at Lynn and retreated from the dressing room before Carol could answer him. Behind him he could hear the dark-haired girl still giggling.
Scott went around flicking off lights. He waved goodnight to Lynn as she left hurriedly, chuckling. Then he made his way back to his office.
He sat down on the edge of his desk and waited.
Carol finally appeared looking a little pale.
Scott smiled broadly at her.
'Ready?' he said happily.
'For what?' she said, somewhat bemused.
'I thought we could get something to eat. You said we could talk…'
She cut him short.
'I didn't say that, Jim,' Carol sighed. 'I don't feel too good. Maybe it's the time of the month.'
'Are you coming back to my place tonight? If it is the time of the month we don't have to…'
'I just want to get home.'
'I'm very tired, Jim.'
He clasped his hands together and nodded, the smile fading but still flickering on his lips.
