Billie took a seat at the table, removed her phone from the top pocket of her denim jacket and pretended to check it for messages. ‘No idea, in fact I don’t care. I hate him so much. He’s ruined Christmas before but stopping me from seeing my mum was the last straw. Are you sure it’s okay for me to stay here tonight? I didn’t get a chance to pack anything so I might need to borrow some stuff, you know, clean knickers and a nightie.’
‘Mate, it’s fine and your pyjamas from the other week are all clean, so make yourself at home. You can stay as long as you want but I think it’s time you made some tough choices and left Davey for good.’
Here goes, thought Billie as she posted the meme on Facebook,it’s now or never.‘Well it’s okay for you to say but everything in your life is rosy, you’ve got a job, a nice flat and all that. I’ve got sod all apart from Davey so I’m stuck. It’s not going to be easy starting from scratch, you know.’ Billie pressed the wordpostand smiled inwardly, knowing that Aiden would see it and get the message. When she looked up she saw Kelly glaring at her so asked, ‘What’s up?’
‘You, that’s what! Why don’t you stop pissing about on Facebook like always and take control of your life. Stop whining for a start.’
‘Charming, and for your information I’ve posted a meme that will give the arsehole the message I’m not pleased with him. Look.’ Billie turned the screen so Kelly could see and listened as she read the words.
‘I am a strong woman. No man can define me.’
At this, Kelly burst out laughing. ‘Seriously, that’s so lame. I’d delete it if I were you. Davey walks all over you and saddo memes won’t bother him one bit. It’ll probably give him a laugh.’
Billie made a fed-up face. ‘Okay then, smart-arse, what would you put?’ But before Kelly could reply, the phone began to ring. It was ‘Davey’. Acting cocky, Billie swiped the phone and said, ‘What do you want?’ and was then treated to a foul-mouthed tirade that ended with him telling her to stop posting shite on Facebook and get home, now!
Billie cut him off in mid-flow, like they planned. They wanted Kelly to believe that Beth was too scared to go home. It looked like she’d taken the bait.
‘Bloody hell, he really is pissed off. Please tell me you’ve switched off that app where he can track you… the last thing we need is the nutter coming round here.’
Billie winked. ‘Already thought of that.’
‘Good… so you’re not entirely stupid after all.’ Kelly was applying mascara as she spoke.
Billie decided to take umbrage as she scrolled through Facebook which seemed to irritate Kelly.
‘For fuck’s sake will you leave that sodding phone alone and make some decisions about your life. Take control for once.’
Instead of doing as she was told Billie held up the phone and took a photo of Kelly in her rollers.
Kelly pointed. ‘Don’t you dare put that on there… I’m warning you!’
Billie laughed. ‘Well stop being a grump then! You’ve been a right narky cow since I got here. What’s wrong? Are you getting nervous about this telly thing?’
Kelly put down her mascara and rested her arms on the table, looking stern and when she spoke her tone was serious. ‘I want you to sort yourself out, that’s all. And stop letting him pull your strings.’
‘And I told you, it’s not as easy as that. Don’t you listen to anything at the meetings? If women like me could just walk away we would. I’d have gone to my mum’s ages ago but I’d be bringing trouble to her door and I haven’t got a wonderful daddy to protect me like you do.’
‘Are you deaf or stupid or something? I’ve told you, you can move in with me and now is as good a time as any. I won’t charge you rent until you get a job or the dole, but at least we can start having some fun rather than sneaking about when Davey’s out of the way. And I’m not scared of that knobhead. I’ll ring the police on him if he comes round here. What do you think? Have you got the bottle or are you going to limp through life like this?’
‘Are you serious? You’d let me move in rent free? I’m not a charity case, you know. I need to get a job first so I could pay my way. I can’t let you bankroll me, it’s not fair.’
‘Look, I told you, money isn’t a problem and I don’t mind sharing. I was going to ask you if you fancied going on a winter break, my treat. You do have a passport, don’t you?’
Billie’s mind was racing but she had to get this right, throw Kelly off balance when she least expected it. ‘Yeah, yeah, you keep telling me you’re loaded but how do I know you’re not bullshitting? You can’t expect me to leave Davey just cos you reckon some bloke is going to keep giving you money. For all I know you could be making it all up and yes, I have got a passport – not that I ever get to use it.’ Billie folded her arms across her chest and adopted a sullen expression, one her mum had been used to in her teenage years.
A flash of temper crossed Kelly’s face as her eyes hardened. Then a sly smile crept to her lips. She’d accepted the challenge, Billie knew it.
‘So you think I’m a bullshitter do you? Well, look at this. Then you can apologise and eat your bloody words.’ Kelly pushed back the chair so hard it nearly went flying then stomped over to the sink and flung open the door below. She pulled out a giant box of soap powder which she slammed onto the draining board.
Billie watched transfixed as Kelly dug her hands inside and rummaged for a second before pulling out a carrier bag, sending white powder everywhere. From the bag Kelly removed a package and Billie knew instantly what it was, even before it had been slapped onto the kitchen table.
‘There, satisfied? Fifteen grand, give or take a few hundred quid that I’ve already spent. So now do you believe me?’
Kelly looked triumphantly down at Billie who was completely lost for words. Euphoric but speechless. When she managed to form a sentence and her brain had re-engaged, Billie placed her hand over her mouth, this time not faking the shock she felt.
‘Oh my God, oh my God, Kelly! Where the– I honestly thought you were joking but you’re not.’ Billie looked away from the huge wedge of notes and over to Kelly who was now seated at the table and pouring herself another drink, looking immensely pleased with herself.
‘So now you believe me, can we cut the crap and get on with having some bloody fun in our lives or shall I ring for a taxi and you can go home to dear old Davey?’
