‘Nah, it’s OK. I ain’t scared of that little worm,’ said Crystal.
Ruby wondered whether Crystal meant what she said or whether she was just displaying bravado for her benefit. Her friend often confused her; sometimes Crystal could seem so meek and yet, at others, she showed a lot of bottle. Maybe, like a lot of the girls, she had an inner strength that she sometimes relied on to get her through. Or maybe it was the drugs that had changed her.
‘Glad to hear it,’ said Ruby. ‘Don’t let that little shit or any of the others push you around. Remember what I said, you gotta learn to stand up for yourself, girl.’
‘Sure,’ said Crystal. Then she seemed pensive before saying, ‘There’s something you should know actually, Ruby. I’ve been meaning to tell you for some time but I didn’t want to worry you.’
‘Go on.’
‘Well, you know I still visit Gilly, don’t you?’
Ruby sighed dramatically. ‘Yeah.’
‘Well, he still talks about getting his revenge for grassing him up.’
Ruby felt a rush of fear, but she quickly disguised it from Crystal and from Tiffany, who was looking concerned. ‘He hasn’t got much chance of that from the nick, has he?’ She laughed falsely.
‘No,’ said Crystal. ‘But he says he’s gonna do it as soon as he’s released.’
‘Shit!’ said Tiffany.’
Ruby looked at her partner. ‘Don’t let it bother you. He’ll have got over it by then.’
But, despite her brave words, she was worried that Gilly would never get over it. Still, it would be years before he’d be released so she’d put it out of her mind for now and deal with it when the time was right.
Crystal smiled weakly, and Ruby changed the subject. ‘Anyway, there’s a reason I’ve asked you here today. There’s something I want to show you, and you’re gonna love it!’ She and Tiffany exchanged smiles, both aware of the surprise that was awaiting Crystal.
They walked her through to the spare bedroom and Crystal stood next to the door, staring around the room inquisitively. Then Tiffany crossed the room and pulled back the screen. A look of amusement flashed across Ruby’s face as she watched Crystal’s reaction.
‘Are they what I think they are?’ asked Crystal, looking at the instruments on the far side of the room, which Ruby and Tiffany had carefully laid out.
Ruby nodded. ‘Oh my word!’ said Crystal. She walked a little closer so she could examine the items. ‘Jesus, Ruby. What the fuck?’
Ruby grinned. ‘It’s Mistress Ruby now.’
‘Haha. So have you become a dominatrix?’
‘Not yet but you can see I’m all set up for it. I’ve had the walls soundproofed as well, which cost a bloody fortune.’ Then she smiled mischievously. ‘I don’t want the neighbours hearing the clients squeal.’
Crystal visibly cringed, then asked Tiffany, ‘Are you gonna do it as well?’
‘No fuckin’ chance!’ said Tiffany, stepping away from the instruments as though they were contaminated.
‘Aren’t you nervous?’ Crystal asked Ruby as she picked up a leather whip and ran her fingers along it.
Although Ruby had been apprehensive about her new venture, she played it down. ‘No more than when I first started on the game. So, if I could do that then, I’m fuckin’ sure I can do this. Besides, it only works one way. There’s no way I’m letting any of the bastards lay a finger on me! And if I make sure I’m always the one in control then how can it go wrong?’
‘Haha, good for you,’ said Crystal. ‘I think you’ll do well at it.’
Ruby picked up another of the leather whips. ‘I think so too. All I need now is my first client and I’ll be all set to go.’ Then she lifted the whip and brought it down so hard it made a cracking sound as it whizzed through the air. She smiled at the other two girls before saying, ‘Bring. It. On.’
12
December 1991
Trina was disappointed that her mother wasn’t going to talk to the Gallaghers’ parents about picking on her brothers, but she couldn’t blame her in a way. The whole family had a terrible name around the area. Mr Gallagher was known for getting drunk and picking fights in the local pubs and Mrs Gallagher was always falling out with her neighbours because of her troublesome sons who made their lives a misery, tearing around the streets on their bikes and making a racket until late at night.
Trina would have kept to her own resolution not to get involved with the Gallaghers if she hadn’t bumped into Shaun with one of his friends a few days later. She caught sight of them in the distance and decided to walk past and ignore them. But as she drew nearer, the boys began to taunt, making fun of the fact that Jarell had run home in tears. Trina’s feeling of injustice resurfaced and anger began to bubble within her.
She tried to keep her temper at bay until she had passed them, and she was doing well until the racist taunts started. Trina could take no more. She turned around and went for Shaun. She was so quick that he didn’t even have chance to back away before she grabbed hold of him and planted a punch on his nose.
Shaun screamed and pulled away from her, then raised his hand to his nose. ‘You bitch!’ he yelled. ‘You’ve bust my nose. Wait till I tell our Kyle about this. You’ll be for it!’
He backed away, clutching his nose and yelling dramatically. Trina was shocked by Shaun’s extreme reaction, given what had actually happened. It was only a small punch that didn’t even leave a mark and Trina shrugged it off. He was a coward and a typical bully. It was OK for him to pick on others but he didn’t like it when someone did it to him.
When Trina returned home, she couldn’t resist telling her brothers but unfortunately her mother overheard Ellis repeating what
