‘God, I love you Billie, you know that? And I’m sorry I lost it a bit, but sometimes all this gets to me–’
Billie interrupted. ‘Hey, I get it, you don’t have to explain, and I love you too and whatever happens I will stand by you every single step, okay. Me and Iris are waiting for you however long it takes to get you home, I promise.’
In the corner of her eye Billie saw Sue approaching and sensed that Stan had too, because he quickly pulled himself together before she gave him a goodbye hug. As she watched the man she loved struggle to keep control as he handed back his daughter, Billie waged her own war, summoning that inner warrior princess that Aiden once joked about. Somehow they would all get through the next few minutes, then Christmas and as soon as she could get away, Billie would carry on the fight alone.
She was going to take the battle straight to the enemy, knock on their door and, once they let her inside, do whatever it took to claim victory. For Stan and Iris, for all of them.
36
Billie was seated next to Aiden in his car, the engine running to keep them warm while she smudged her eyeliner in the visor mirror. She looked a wreck. Greasy hair stuck to her scalp in patches, her skin was stripped bare of make-up and now, she had panda eyes, an after-effect of a tearful sleepless night – thanks to ‘Davey’. She had even considered sniffing an onion to ensure it looked authentic but Aiden assured her it wasn’t necessary. The huge bruise on her arm was a godsend, even though slipping on her mum’s path and landing with a wallop had hurt like hell.
‘So, do I look rough then?’ Billie turned to face Aiden who grimaced. Result.
‘Oh yes, I’d say dog rough.’ Now he smiled and watched as Billie flipped up the visor. ‘Are you sure you want to do this? You can still back out, you know.’
Billie shook her head vehemently. ‘No way am I backing out. This is it. Last chance saloon. Kelly’s not going to know what hit her today.’
Aiden sighed. ‘Okay, if you’re sure. I’m going to stay here until you come out. I’ll take my lead from you but if you can’t get that phone, just bail and then you never have to see her again. It might not still be in the kitchen, so don’t freak out or feel like you’ve failed.’
‘We could break in, or get someone to do it for us. I reckon I know someone who could help.’ Billie was so fired up she would try anything.
Aiden nodded. ‘Ah, the infamous Doog, I take it. Don’t you worry, I’ve already been made aware of his willingness to help but for now, let’s stay legal. I have a reputation to consider.’ He winked at Billie.
‘Yeah, I suppose so but let’s face it, your interpretation of legal and mine are clearly poles apart. Right, I’m going before I bottle it. I’ll post the cringey meme when I can, then stick to the plan after that.’
‘Okay and good luck… and remember–’
‘Aiden, I’m fine, I get it, stop worrying. See you in a bit.’ And with that Billie got out of the car and headed up the street towards Kelly’s.
* * *
It was bitterly cold outside and the wind was actually making her eyes water for real which was a plus. It was only a short walk to Kelly’s, and Kelly was expecting her. Billie had sent a desperate-sounding text, asking if she could come round. She wasn’t surprised when Kelly agreed at once.
It was the day of the television interview at the community centre and Kelly had talked of nothing else, in between counselling ‘Beth’ through a terrible Christmas with nasty Davey. She completely believed he’d been obnoxious throughout and had prevented Beth from going to see her mum and more or less kept her prisoner in the flat. As a consequence Beth had a massive alcohol-fuelled argument with Davey that left her battered and bruised and determined to leave him, which was why she’d asked good old Kelly for safe haven.
After much thought, Billie had dissected all she knew about Kelly’s personality and realised where she may have gone wrong. Kelly liked to lead, be top dog and in control, when she wasn’t playing the victim. So instead of stroking her ego and playing softly-softly, hoping for snippets and clues, Billie had decided to challenge her. Today, she was going to rile her a little and see if in defence, Kelly would come out fighting to prove she really was the master blackmailer. It might not work but neither had playing the wimpy best friend, so it was worth a try.
They had a good two hours before the television interview and the plan was that if Billie couldn’t get anything of use verbally, or access to the phone, she was going to ask Kelly if she could stay at the flat. Naturally Beth was too scared of bumping into Davey and knackered after rowing all night, so fingers crossed, Kelly would agree and trot off in giddy expectation of becoming a media star, leaving Billie alone. Aiden had said to play it by ear and go with the flow. ‘But,’ he’d said, ‘the minute you have the phone, get out.’
Billie pushed the intercom buzzer and waited. Hearing Kelly’s voice telling her to come up and the click of the lock, Billie pulled open the door, took a deep breath and made her way up the stairs.
* * *
Billie had clearly interrupted Kelly’s interview preparations and Dutch courage routine. There was make-up strewn across the kitchen worktop, accompanied by a bottle of wine. Kelly poured a glass for Billie and topped up her own. ‘Here, get this down you, you look frozen. Why didn’t you put a warm coat on? I’ll lend you one of mine when we go out.’
Billie faked a shiver. ‘Yeah I know… but I grabbed the first thing I could and legged it.’
‘Mate, I hate that you were so scared and you look truly dreadful. Are you in pain? Let me see your bruises because we need to take some photos of them for evidence.’
‘Yes, I am. I ache all over but can I pass on the wine? I wouldn’t mind a glass of water, though.’
Kelly was playing the attentive nurse and immediately filled a glass and passed it to Billie who hovered by the all-important drawer.
‘I’ll show you my ribs in a bit. They’ll look worse when they start to change colour like this.’ Billie held up her wrist. ‘I’m more bothered about this pounding headache. Have you got any paracetamol?’
Billie willed Kelly to head for the bathroom so she could pinch the phone when to her shock, Kelly opened the very drawer where it was stored. Billie saw it, exactly where she remembered and her heart began to race.
‘Here, get those down you. So where is big hard Davey now?’ Kelly tossed the packet of paracetamol over.
