“My face, Ruth. How long is it going to take to heal? I can’t go out of the flat looking like this.”
Ruth examined Vicky’s mouth again. “Not long … and it’s amazing what a clever amount of make-up will cover … but we need to get you to a dentist as soon as possible. Perhaps tomorrow. It’s supposed to rain so we can cover your head with a hood and no-one will have an inkling. You can also wear a scarf over your mouth.”
“What about the dentist? How on earth do I explain the loss of two teeth?” Vicky croaked. Her mouth was very dry and hurt so much.
Ruth gave her a sip of warm water. “We’ll just say you got in the way of a drunk in the club.”
“Oh. Oh, of course. Thank you so much for coming, Ruth. I really don’t know what I would have done without your support. I’m so very grateful,” she said, sinking back into the fluffy pillows. She was extremely tired and just wanted to slip into dark, dark oblivion and blot out all that had happened to her.
Ruth held Vicky’s hand until she was sure she was in a deep sleep and not likely to wake for a while. She left the room, shutting the bedroom door behind her quietly and went through to the lounge to ring Charles, wanting to dissolve into tears when she heard his loving voice. How she longed to be back with him, enveloped by those thick, ancient walls of the castle and his comforting presence. How she wished she didn’t have to deal with these traumatic events.
“How is Vicky,” he asked anxiously. “Has she taken Barrie’s betrayal with Delia very badly?”
“She’s fine,” lied Ruth. “A bit weepy but that’s to be expected.”
“I presume he’s not returned.”
“Um. No. I think he’s gone to a hotel. I’m not sure which one,” said Ruth, thinking quickly, despising the deceit, but knowing it was for his own good. He mustn’t get upset. His blood pressure mustn’t go through the roof … and it would if he knew the truth.
They talked for a while. Ruth wanted an update on Stephen, who apparently had pleased his father greatly by walking steadily around the outside of the castle today, Tina and Charles on either side of him. Then the conversation turned to when they would return to Canleigh.
“Do you mind if we leave it until next week?” asked Ruth. “I would love the chance to visit Covent Garden while I’m down here and it would do Vicky good to get out. You know how she loves ballet and Barrie didn’t and she doesn’t like going to the theatre alone. Then, of course, there is your dinner with Lord Massingham. You won’t want to miss that ...and you will be able to have a good old chinwag without worrying about me.”
“Okay. Okay,” Charles laughed. “If you want to kick up your heels in London for a little while, you can. But no longer than a week. I’m missing you more than you will ever know. I hate being without you by my side. I feel … incomplete.”
“I know, darling,” said Ruth. “I feel the same and I promise … no longer than a week … and I’ll ring you every day.”
“Don’t forget, darling. I can’t get through twenty-four hours without hearing your voice.”
They said goodbye, Ruth marvelling at the intensity of her love for him. Life wouldn’t be worth living if they couldn’t be together. She would wither and die without him and would do everything possible to keep this sordid episode a secret from him. He must never find out what had happened in this flat.
She checked on Vicky once again who was laying on her stomach in a deep sleep and then turned her attention to the master bedroom. Someone had to clean up the mess and Ruth set to. The sight of the bloodstained sheets made her retch when she visualised what had occurred there. In the kitchen, she found big black plastic bags and returning to the bedroom, pushed the sheets into them, picking up the whip and leather belts gingerly and did the same with them. Their presence was totally offensive and Ruth wished ardently she could use them on the perpetrators of the crime. It was exactly what they deserved. Corporal punishment, dispensed by her. What a pleasure that would be … but it would only make her as bad as them.
She took the bags downstairs and left them by the entrance door where Vicky wouldn’t see them. Alex would no doubt be able to get rid of them in the morning. Alex, she thought, making up the marital bed with fresh linen. What a lovely man he was. Solid and dependable. Not showy or unreliable like Barrie. What a shame Vicky had chosen unwisely. It should have been Alex.
