By the time she had managed to grasp some sleep and woke up to find her partner in the kitchen preparing a late lunch, it seemed that Tiffany had forgotten all about Crystal’s visit as all her chat related to the situation surrounding Victor’s death. Ruby decided not to mention what Crystal had said unless Tiffany asked, as she didn’t want to worry her.
It was a few days later when Tiffany finally broached the subject. They’d just got home from work. It had been a busy night and they decided to have a quick nightcap in the lounge before going to bed.
‘You haven’t been right for days,’ said Tiffany as she poured the drinks. ‘Is it about what happened to Victor or is there something else worrying you?’
Ruby sighed. At first she deliberated over how much to tell Tiffany, but after the immense stress of the last few days she decided that she really should confide in her partner. After all, the situation with Gilly might mean Tiffany could be in danger, so it was only fair to warn her.
‘Come on, let’s sit down so we can talk,’ she said, her voice sounding downbeat.
Tiffany picked up on Ruby’s glum mood as she followed her to the sofa, her face full of concern.
‘Well, for a kick off,’ began Ruby, ‘now Victor’s dead, how the hell are we supposed to keep the club running?’
‘Shit, I didn’t think of that,’ said Tiffany. ‘Surely we’ll be able to sort something out.’
Ruby didn’t reply. Instead she put her head forward and ran her hands through her hair. Then she looked up at Tiffany. ‘There’s more.’
‘Go on,’ said Tiffany. ‘Is it to do with Crystal’s visit? I forgot to ask you about her with everything else that’s been going on. How was she anyway?’
‘Same as usual,’ said Ruby, sounding subdued. Then she cleared her throat. ‘She told me something while we were alone… It’s Gilly. It looks like he’s gonna be released soon.’
‘Shit! When?’
‘I’m not sure. He’s got a parole hearing soon and from what Crystal says, he thinks he’ll be released cos he’s kept his nose clean while he’s been inside. According to her,’ Ruby continued, her tone now sharper, ‘he’s coming for me when he gets out. He wants his revenge for grassing him up.’
‘Shit,’ said Tiffany, again. ‘Why didn’t you tell me? When’s the hearing?’
‘I’m not sure,’ said Ruby, ignoring Tiffany’s first question. ‘I was that bloody worked up when she told me that I didn’t think to ask. Plus, I had Victor on my mind. But it’s not far off from what she said.’
‘Jesus, no wonder you’re stressed! I’d be scared too. The guy’s a nutcase from what you told me.’
Ruby didn’t bother correcting Tiffany’s assumption that she was scared; her girlfriend was one of the few people who saw Ruby with her guard down. Instead she said, ‘I’m fuckin’ angry too. I might have grassed him up, but I had a good reason for it. The man’s a fuckin animal! If it hadn’t been for me, Crystal would have died in that dingy back alley and there’s no way I could let a nutcase like him carry on roaming the streets.
‘What really pisses me off though is that Crystal’s daft enough to still put up with him after what he’s put her through. And no matter how many times I tell her, it doesn’t make any fuckin’ difference! You’d have thought she’d have taken the chance to get away from him while he was inside. But no, not Crystal.’
When she’d given Ruby chance to finish her rant, Tiffany patted her shoulder and said, ‘Eh, you don’t know if she will take him back.’
‘Oh, I know alright. It was written all over her face.’
Tiffany now ran her hand down Ruby’s arm, attempting to comfort her as she said, ‘Try not to worry, Rubes. It might be an empty threat.’
‘You don’t know him. The guy’s a fuckin’ psycho! And don’t forget what he did to Crystal.’
Tiffany frowned. ‘Well, at least now you know, you can be prepared for him.’
Ruby didn’t reply. She just screwed up her face while she picked at the cushion to the side of her.
‘Oh, I forgot to mention,’ said Tiffany, changing the subject. ‘A letter came for you this morning. I forgot to give it you before we went to work.’
Tiffany got up from the sofa and quickly went to fetch the letter. Ruby felt a pang of guilt about her outburst, knowing that Tiffany was anxious to placate her. When Tiffany returned with the letter and handed it to her Ruby slid her finger under the seal and pulled the letter out.
It was on a solicitor’s letter-headed paper and Ruby quickly scanned the contents, curious as to why a solicitor would write to her. By the time she reached the end of the letter a relieved smile replaced her angry look of earlier.
‘What is it?’ asked Tiffany.
Ruby looked up at her, the smile on her face now wider. ‘Good old Victor,’ she said. ‘He’s only gone and left me the massage parlour.’
‘Yes!’ shouted Tiffany, punching the air with her fist then getting up from the sofa and jumping up and down while cheering.
When Ruby didn’t join in with her enthusiasm she sat back down and said, ‘Sorry, poor taste. I’m sorry he’s dead, but it does get us out of the shit, doesn’t it?’
‘Yeah,’ said Ruby. ‘He did right by me. And, d’you know, he might have been weird but I’ll miss him in a way. Still, it’s a relief to know I’m still in control.’
‘Yeah, course it is,’ said Tiffany. ‘So why don’t we celebrate? Maybe we could do something special on our next night off. I’m sure Victor wouldn’t have minded.’
Ruby tried to cheer up, not wanting to spoil Tiffany’s happiness, and knowing she was trying to take her mind off things. But it was difficult to relax and share in her girlfriend’s joy, not when she
