Page 40 of #MeToo


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‘I don’t know. Maybe you got your new cellmate to give you a good hiding? Right now I can imagine anything is possible just so you get what you want.’ Even as she said the words she regretted them, but temper and anger and disappointment had taken over and she had to have her say, get it into the open.

When Stan replied it was more of a whisper, not quite a hiss but somewhere between being sorry and irritated. ‘Billie, I promise, the bruises were for real and I am so sorry that you’ve ended up feeling this way but you are blowing it all out of proportion so please, can we talk sensibly about this because I’m going to have to go soon. I don’t like being out of my cell for too long.’

This had an immediate sobering effect on Billie. She was acutely aware that their limited time together was always at the mercy of a ticking clock and, now, the thugs that had attacked Stan. ‘Okay, okay. I was so shocked and I felt humiliated too. I have so much going on in my head right now and this was like the last straw.’

Stan’s voice took on a softer tone. ‘Right, I get it. I’m in the doghouse, just to make life a whole lot worse than it is already.’

Billie knew he was playing the sympathy card and while she felt calmer, she hadn’t finished with him yet. So she ignored the image of his puppy-dog eyes and ploughed on, determined to get to the bottom of it and, if necessary, teach him a lesson. ‘Yes you are, and after I bumped into Doog’s chatty girlfriend in Next and caught a glimpse of the man himself, I’m now wondering if you’ve been brainwashed or something.’

‘Eh?’

‘What I want to know is why she said you and Doog are thick as thieves because it sounds to me like you two have forged a brotherly bond while you’ve been banged up… and from where I’m standing that’s not good. So go on, explain.’

Stan blew air through his lips. Billie heard it whistling and she could feel his exasperation fizzing down the line.

‘Billie, I can’t explain on the phone, I’ll tell you when you come in… do you understand?’

Silence followed while Billie processed his words then remembered that their phone calls could be monitored and recorded, so changed tack. ‘Yes, yes I understand. I’ll wait until I see you at visiting and then I want a proper chat, Stan. I mean it.’

‘I promise, Bill, but until then will you promise me we’re okay? It was a stupid thing to do and I really am sorry.’

‘We’re okay, I promise.’

‘Oh, and as for Doog, will you believe me when I say he’s a good guy deep down and there’s nothing to worry about on that score. He’s got my back while I’m in here, that’s all. I trust him and that’s all you need to know. You have to trust me too.’

The words hung in the air and ever mindful of where Stan was and what he was going back to, never mind the dangerous corridors he had to walk along before he arrived at his cell, Billie gave him what he wanted.

‘I do, Stan. I’m okay now I understand so please don’t worry. Will you phone me on Sunday and then I can tell you all about my night out withher. I’m dreading it so it’ll be good to hear your voice. I can only hope I have something positive to report back.’

‘Babe, just take care of yourself and watch your back. I’ll be thinking of you and if it comes to nothing don’t worry, you did your best. Look, I’ve got to go now. Love you, Billie.’

The prick of tears at the corner of her eyes were somehow scorning her, and she wished she could go back to the beginning of the phone call and handle it differently because now she’d spend the whole night wracked with guilt. At least she’d forgiven Stan and that made her feel slightly better so gathering her strength, Billie said her goodbyes. ‘Bye Stan, love you too. Take care and I’ll speak to you soon.’

Before her last syllable was uttered she heard a click and the line went dead. Wiping tears away Billie pulled the duvet over her body and blanked out any thought of what Stan was doing right now. She had to focus on the tasks in hand: getting through the night out from hell, and then the rigmarole of Christmas. No matter what she had to deal with on the outside, it was nothing like what Stan was going through in there.

31

Billie was so cold and that was before they’d even stepped foot out of the taxi that was heading towards their first watering hole of the evening, an upmarket bar where apparently footballers hung out. No matter how hard she tried, due to her unfamiliar surroundings and scanty, totally unsuitable attire, Billie couldn’t relax and Kelly had picked up on it already.

‘Mate, I wish you’d chill out. And stop pulling the hem down. You look bloody amazing in that dress so stop fussing. You’re doing my head in.’

Luckily, Billie had a perfectly believable excuse ready to go. ‘Sorry, sorry, I’m nervous, you know, if we see anyone or Davey rings. I’m dreading it in case we’re somewhere noisy. If he finds out I’m here, he’ll flip, I know he will.’ Billie shivered, not for dramatic effect but for real. She was now one of those stupid women she used to roll her eyes at as they teetered along the street on a night out, wearing as little as possible, regardless of the temperature.

‘I told you to have some more vodka before we left. Honestly, talk about being a lightweight. Now come on, forget about knobhead and let’s have some fun. I’ve got some ace news so we need to celebrate.’

Billie’s interest piqued immediately. ‘Ooh, go on, spill the beans… does this mean we’re having champagne or is it more Prosecco kind of news?’

Kelly laughed. ‘I’d say Prosecco but it’s still exciting. Guess who’s going to be on the telly after Christmas?’

Billie looked over her shoulder and pretended not to know what she was getting at, which made Kelly squeal with rather annoying fake laughter before she answered. ‘Me!!’

Billie felt duty-bound to play along. ‘No way! But why?’

At this, Kelly settled back into her seat and spoke loudly enough for the driver to hear, thus extracting the maximum amount of attention as she explained. It seemed that Jude, the group organiser at the centre Kelly and Billie attended, was organising a Women’s Day just before New Year. It was during the period where relationships are statistically likely to hit rock bottom and the highest rates of domestic incidents occur. Their local MP was fully on board and would be appearing too, but they needed a victim to speak out and spread the word about helplines and support networks. Kelly had leapt at the chance and was thoroughly looking forward to sharing her experience on behalf of women everywhere. According to Kelly, the national press would be doing a special report as were the local rags and radio. There was even going to be a reception at the town hall later that evening and Kelly had been invited, and a plus-one.

Billie was initially nonplussed because she’d hoped it was going to be something that related to Stan. Gathering her wits quickly she set about congratulating Kelly who clearly thought she was in line to be a UN special envoy and a rival to Angelina Jolie.

‘Oh my God, that’s amazing! You’ll be brill and fancy being on the telly! Can I come along and watch?’ Billie couldn’t think of anything worse but had to show some enthusiasm.