Desperate Measures by Kitty Neale Page A

‘He wants a walk so I think it’s time to break up. As I said, from now on we mustn’t be seen together. When you get home, go over my plan again, and if you can think of anything that I’ve left out, give me a ring.’ She then turned her head. ‘Betty, we’ll go home separately, but as long as none of the other tenants sees us, we can meet up either in my flat or yours.’
    With a gulp, Paula managed a small smile as Val said goodbye, then shortly afterwards Betty stood up to leave, her smile kindly as she said, ‘We’ll meet up when this is all over, but until then, take care of yourself.’ She then said goodbye to Cheryl, lifting a hand to wave as she walked away.
    Cheryl touched Paula’s hand. ‘You were right, Betty’s nice–but, come on, no matter what Val said, I don’t think it’ll do any harm if we walk home together.’
    ‘It feels like we’ve only just got here and it’s still early.’
    ‘Yes it is, so let’s go for a stroll around the park before we leave.’
    ‘What if Val sees us?’
    Cheryl grinned. ‘If we go in the opposite direction, I don’t think she’ll spot us.’
    ‘You’re on,’ said Paula, relishing the thought of a little more time outdoors before she returned to her poky bedsit. Four weeks, just four more weeks, and Ian Parker would be locked up–and with that would come her freedom.

Chapter Twelve
    During the following weeks, Val and the others were so consumed with their plan that they seemed unaware of what was going on in the world around them. Cheryl was still worried about pulling off her part convincingly, of her lies being discovered, and was finding it hard to keep her mind on her work.
    Val too was nervous. The plan was hers, the onus on her, and it had to be perfect. If anything went wrong she would never forgive herself. As she sat in reception now, typing a letter, Val cursed when she hit a wrong key. Tutting with impatience, she reached for the Tipp–Ex, knowing that any mistakes in her plan wouldn’t be wiped out so easily.
    Paula had taken to ringing Betty two or three times a week, but now on a Saturday in mid–August they were nearly ready, with one last thing to do. Betty was worried about Paula. It was going to be so hard for her, but Val insisted it was necessary and, in reality, she had to agree. When the telephone rang she went to answer it and wasn’t surprised to hear Paula’s voice.
    ‘Hello, Betty.’
    ‘Hello, sweetheart, and how are you feeling?’
    ‘I’m all right, but nervous about tonight.’
    ‘You won’t be alone, sweetheart. We’ll all be with you.’
    ‘Yeah, I know.’
    ‘Have you heard from your mum this week?’
    ‘Nah, she hardly ever rings me.’
    Betty asked the question that had been on her mind. ‘Does your mother know about Ian Parker? What he did to you?’
    ‘After it…it happened, I was in a state, and a couple of days later, I went to see her. I don’t know why I bothered. She just said that I was a silly cow and should have kneed him in his bollocks.’
    After hearing about Paula’s upbringing, Betty wasn’t surprised by the crude words she sometimes used, or her mother’s callousness, but in this instance she had hoped that Paula would have been shown a little more support. ‘Maybe your mother was shocked and that was all she could think of to say.’
    ‘Yeah, and pigs might fly. It would take a lot more than that to shock my mum.’
    The more Betty heard about Paula’s mother, the less enamoured she felt. The woman had virtually abandoned her daughter when Paula was just eighteen and it broke Betty’s heart that the girl seemed so alone.
    They chatted for a while longer, Betty doing her best to again reassure Paula that everything would be fine that night, and then, saying goodbye, she replaced the receiver. She sighed heavily, hoping she was right. If Ian Parker spotted them, it could ruin everything, and all their careful plans would be in ruins.
    An hour later there was a knock on her