Slur: The Riverhill Trilogy: Book 1 Read online

  ‘She’s at it again, is she?’ Bill asked.

  ‘Aye, she’s only kissing the bleedin’ mirror now. I swear she gets more puddled by the minute that girl,’ replied Betty, in an amused tone.

  Julie looked at Rita and managed to stifle a giggle as she heard her father grumble, ‘I can’t understand it me, young women out till all hours of the night up to God knows what, and with all these dubious characters hanging about.’

  ‘Yes, I know your feelings Bill, you have mentioned it once or twice.’

  ‘Well, she’s twenty years of age for God’s sake! She should be married with a family now, not stuck in some nightclub getting drunk, with a load of riffraff!’

  Julie held up her hand for Rita to see as she formed the shape of a mouth opening and shutting, in imitation of her father’s familiar complaining.

  ‘She’ll have plenty of time for settling down when she’s had a bit of fun and built up a career for herself,’ Betty replied. ‘A lot of women don’t even think about having children until they are in their thirties these days. Anyway, she’s got her head screwed on the right way. She won’t do anything daft.’

  ‘Huh,’ was Bill’s response, followed by silence.

  Julie and Rita backed away. Julie then opened the front door and they stepped out into the street, shutting the door as quietly as possible so that Julie’s parents would be unaware of their eavesdropping. As soon as they were outside, they gave in to uncontrolled laughter.

  ‘I bet your mam was a right one in her day!’ giggled Rita.

  ‘She might have been, given half a chance.’

  Julie thought about her mother and the tale she had told her many times about her married life. Times had been hard for Betty when she got wed and their finances were fully stretched after Julie’s birth. Therefore, they decided to postpone extending their family until they could afford it.

  When Julie was in school, Betty found herself a job in a store in order to bring in some extra income. After a few years of being stuck at home, Betty was a bit apprehensive at first, but she soon settled in and made lots of new friends. This in turn improved her social life and she began to relish her newfound freedom. After that, there never seemed to be an appropriate time to have more children.

  However, as Betty reached her thirties and sensed her biological clock ticking away, the desire grew to extend her family before her time ran out. This resulted in the birth of Clare, twelve years Julie’s junior, and now a likeable, sweet girl of eight.

  Although Betty was immensely proud of both her daughters, at times she regretted not doing more with her life, and every time Julie thought about her mother’s lack of achievements, she was determined not to make the same mistakes.

  As Julie and Rita made their way up the street, on the way to their friend Debby’s house, the familiar clickety clack of high heels reverberated on the pavements.

  Julie’s home was in a street full of three bedroom semis in a Manchester suburb. Many of the houses looked dreary and run down, a result of the poverty in the area. The home of Bill and Betty Quinley, however, was one of the more presentable houses in the street. The front garden was well tended and baskets of bright blooms hung at either side of the front door.

  Julie’s sister, Clare, and her friends, who were playing further up the street, paused in their play as Julie and Rita approached. For a group of eight year olds, the image of Julie and Rita dressed to go out was a sight to behold, and they gazed in awe as the two older girls walked by.

  ‘Bye our Julie,’ shouted Clare.

  ‘Bye sweetheart. I’ll see you in the morning and don’t forget to be a good girl for Mam and be in at eight o’clock.’

  ‘I won’t,’ said Clare, full of respect for Julie who she saw as a role model.

  Julie couldn’t help but swell with pride as she sensed the idolising glances of the young girls, and caught snippets of their conversation on passing.

  ‘Wow Clare, I wish I could go out all dressed up like your Julie, wearing make-up and everything!’

  ‘Our Julie lets me wear her make-up sometimes.’

  Julie turned to Rita and they smiled at each other on hearing these childish comments. They looked an oddly matched pair: Julie, tall and elegant, and Rita, who was just a year older than Julie, smaller, brasher and louder in every sense of the word. Julie, although slim, was also curvaceous and well proportioned. Her features were sharp but nonetheless attractive.

  She usually opted for the sexy but sophisticated look, and tonight she was wearing a shortish pale blue skirt with a matching fitted jacket, which bore the popular shoulder pads of the eighties. She wore the customary white stiletto heels and had a white leather handbag to match. Her make-up was subtle and served to define her striking features, and her blond hair was naturally wavy.

  As they rounded the corner at the top of the street, Rita opened up the conversation, by talking about her day at work, which was at a food factory.

  ‘Me and Debby were talking to Charlie at work today. He’s a card! He told us this joke…What’s white and slides across the dance-floor?’ Then, pausing for effect, she added, ‘Come dancing,’ the double entendre being a reference to a popular TV dancing show around that time. ‘Well, that was it! We couldn’t stop laughing after that. The slightest thing set us off.’

  They both laughed at this and Julie replied, unwittingly. ‘Oh I wish I worked somewhere like that Rita. It sounds as though you have a great time.’

  ‘Why not?’ Rita replied enthusiastically. ‘I can let you know when there’s any vacancies. You should get a good reference from your place and you’ll soon learn the ropes. There’s not much to it really and I can put in a good word for you so it won’t matter if you haven’t got any experience.’

  Julie was a bit taken aback by this as deep down she saw herself as being a bit above factory work, but she didn’t quite know how to put her thoughts into words without offending her longstanding friend. So she replied with caution.

  ‘I’d love to, but I don’t want to waste my qualifications.’

  ‘Come off it Julie, what’s a couple of ‘O’ levels? Besides, if you decide you don’t like it at the factory, you can always go back to office work. Anyway, you’re a bloody receptionist for Christ’s sake. You’re hardly gonna qualify for the High Achievers Award, are you? I mean to say, I earn more than you do.’

  Julie resented Rita’s views concerning her choice of career, but tried not to show it. Despite her resentment, she appreciated Rita’s open and frank manner, which she had been grateful for in the past, so she maintained a cautious approach.

  ‘It’s what it can lead to that matters. I could do a course in computers or something.’

  ‘Like as if. You’re too busy enjoying yourself to stick a college course. Besides, I could do a course in computers, come to that.'

  Julie didn’t wish this to escalate into a full-blown argument but felt that she must assert herself, so she replied, ‘You haven’t got the ‘O’ levels or the office experience.’ Then, realising that she was now becoming a bit confrontational, she tried to lighten the conversation by joking, ‘Anyway, the talents always a bonus.’

  Rita, however, was not so easy to pacify. ‘Come off it. All men who work in offices are bloody wimps! You can’t beat a bloke with a good trade. That’s what my dad says and it’s true.’

  ‘What’s the use of a good trade if there’s no work around for them?’

  ‘Oh that’s just temporary. They’ll be all right now we’re getting over the recession. It’s all down to that bleedin’ Maggie Thatcher anyway.’

  ‘Well while all your blokes with a trade are still busy looking for work, there’s blokes being promoted at our place.’

  ‘Yes blokes, exactly! Anyway, Vinny’s a builder isn’t he and there’s nowt wrong with him?’

  Knowing the mood that Rita was in, Julie guessed at what was to follow, and she was reluctant to discuss the subject of her boyfriend Vinny.

  ‘Yes, he’s
all right, I suppose.’

  ‘But?’ prompted Rita.

  ‘Well, I just wish he had a bit more ambition, that’s all.’

  ‘You know your trouble Julie? You don’t know when you’re lucky. Vinny’s gorgeous. Loads of girls fancy him. I wouldn’t kick him out of bed myself! He’s got his own place, and he’s good between the sheets, from what you’ve told me.’

  Julie smiled, amused at her friend’s audacity. ‘Well he does know which buttons to press and when to press them, but there’s more to life than sex you know Rita.’

  ‘Oh yeah? Well when you find it let me know, and I’ll have a double helping,’ Rita quipped.

  As Julie laughed, she turned to Rita and said. ‘Let’s stop being so bleedin’ serious! It’s Friday night for Christ’s sake! We’re supposed to be enjoying ourselves, not putting the world to rights.’

  Rita decided that she had made her point anyway, so there was nothing to be gained in pursuing the matter. ‘Yeah, you’re right Jules. Come on, let’s go for it.’

  They carried on walking for a few moments before Julie asked Rita, ‘What time are we supposed to be at Debby’s house?’

  ‘Dizzy Debby? Oh I said it would be about seven by the time we got there.’

  ‘Don’t be rotten. She can’t help being a bit slow at times.’

  ‘It’s all right, she’s used to being called Dizzy Debby. It’s her nickname at work. Anyway, there’s an offy on the way so we can grab some booze and have a few before we go and meet your friends. Eh, I tell you what Julie, we’d better make sure we give your friend Amanda a good time, seeing as how it’s her birthday night out.’

  ‘Don’t worry, we will,’ replied Julie with a smile.

  When they reached Debby’s house, it was Debby who answered the door and led them straight up to her bedroom. Her home was in complete contrast to the one that Julie had just left, and the décor was shabby and dated. Julie recoiled as they passed the bathroom and smelt the pungent aroma that emanated from it. She looked at Rita for her reaction, but Rita didn’t respond. Julie wondered why; could it be that Rita was used to it so it didn’t bother her. “No,” she chided herself. “Rita’s home might be a bit untidy, but it was certainly a lot cleaner than this one.”

  Julie could see that Debby was excited about the forthcoming night out and was anxious to get started. When they entered her bedroom she noticed Debby already had three half pint glasses ready and the sound of Luther Vandross was blasting out of the stereo.

  ‘Don’t your parents mind you having your music that loud?’ asked Julie.

  ‘No, they have the bloody tele so loud, they can’t hear it anyway.’

  ‘Mine are as bad,’ said Rita. ‘Ever since my dad came home from the pub with that dodgy VCR he’s been like a bleedin’ kid with a new toy.’

  The girls seated themselves and began to pour the cans of lager. Julie pretended not to notice the greasy marks that covered the glasses. She inwardly cringed on observing Debby’s choice of clothing, accessories and make-up, but was too considerate to comment. Everything about Debby was overstated, from her fluffy bright blond hair to her fashion sense. All of her clothes were in vivid colours, uncoordinated and clung perilously to her large breasts and rotund hips.

  The girls settled down with their drinks and began to discuss music, fashions and other topics of mutual interest. At eight o’clock, in a more animated state than when Julie and Rita had arrived, they set out, giggling, towards the nearby bus stop in order to make the trip to the city centre which was just a few stops away. When they got off the bus they had a short walk to the pub where they had agreed to meet two of Julie’s workmates, Amanda and Jacqueline, at eight thirty. While they were walking along, they spotted two policemen just ahead of them.

  ‘I think it’s time we had a bit of fun!’ said Rita.

  Chapter 3

  Friday 20th June 1986

  When Julie, Rita and Debby entered the Downtown Bar it was packed with trendy club-goers and the sound of Madonna was blaring through the speakers. The girls began, undeterred, to make their way through the crowds. Julie noticed Amanda and Jacqueline standing at a table in the corner and waving. As they approached the table, Julie saw the look of scorn on Jacqueline’s face, which alerted her to Rita and Debby’s appearances. Their tight tops and short skirts were in contrast to the sharply tailored suits that Amanda and Jacqueline wore.

  Amanda greeted them enthusiastically, her smile enhancing her pleasant features, while Jacqueline managed to force a wry frown. “She’s just as bad outside of work,” thought Julie. She had always been at a loss to understand Amanda’s friendship with sulky Jacqueline, but she put it down to the fact that she was the only person in Amanda’s department who was of a similar age. Apart from that, Amanda saw the good in everybody, and was sometimes dominated by Jacqueline who was her supervisor. Julie’s relationship with Jacqueline was one of tolerance with Amanda acting as a buffer between them.

  Julie was not about to let Jacqueline’s scornful expression spoil her evening, however, and she put all thoughts of her aside while she recounted her recent experience.

  ‘You’ll never guess what’s just happened to me?’ she asked.

  Noting the anticipation on Amanda and Jacqueline’s faces, she continued. ‘Well, we were just on the way here when we noticed these two coppers in front of us. Rita fancied a bit of mischief so she dared me to pinch one of their bums. Well, having had a few drinks, I was feeling a bit brave. So I thought, yeah, why not? As soon as I did it, I wished I hadn’t have bothered. This policeman went bloody mad, said I had committed an offence and all kinds.

  ‘Then, him and his friend had a chat, trying to decide what they should do with me, and the other one said there was no alternative but to take me down to the station and charge me. I nearly died, thinking about the look on my poor mam’s face when I had to tell her what had happened. So, I tried to talk them round, telling them that we were only having a laugh and we didn’t mean any harm. The first copper said that nevertheless it was a very serious offence and not to be taken lightly, and I thought “Oh Jesus, I’ve done it now!”

  ‘Then, I noticed the big smirk on the other one’s face. They were only having us on weren’t they?’

  ‘Aye, it looks like they were the ones that had the biggest laugh when they saw the terrified look on your face,’ added Rita, laughing.

  ‘Your pranks will get you into trouble one of these days Julie, you mark my words,’ said Jacqueline haughtily.

  The other girls joined in the laughter until Julie realised that in her excitement she had forgotten to introduce everybody. ‘By the way,’ she said, nodding towards her two friends. ‘This is Rita and Debby,’ and pointing to the other two, she added, ‘and this is Amanda and Jacqueline.’

  ‘Hiya Mandy, hiya Jackie,’ Rita greeted in an over-familiar tone which was resented by Jacqueline.

  ‘It’s Jacqueline, actually,’ came the frosty reply.

  ‘Oh, pardon me for breathing!’ said Rita.

  Julie, sensing the tension between the two girls, decided to divert everybody’s attention by asking if anybody would like a drink. Jacqueline and Amanda politely refused while Rita and Debby decided to accompany Julie to the bar.

  ‘What the bloody hell’s wrong with misery guts? Are her knickers too tight up her arse or what?’ asked Rita as soon as they were out of earshot.

  ‘Oh take no notice, it’s just her way,’ said Julie.

  ‘Well I’m glad I don’t have to bloody work with her anyway. Honestly Julie, I don’t know how you stand it working in an office. There’s some right miserable cows.’

  ‘I don’t work with her Rita; I’m on the switchboard. Anyway, they’re not all like her. Amanda’s a great laugh. She might look all prim and proper, but just wait till she’s had a few drinks and you’ll find out what she’s really like.’

  ‘I can’t wait!’ said Rita.

  They ordered the drinks and made their way back to the table occup
ied by Jacqueline and Amanda. As they approached, Julie noticed Amanda look up with a smile aimed at Rita. Noting the soft drinks that the girls were carrying Amanda asked, ‘Are you lot not bothering having a drink then?’

  ‘Give over, course we are!’ replied Rita, as she took a seat at the table with her back to the bar. Then she pulled a small bottle of whisky from her handbag, and surreptitiously poured a good measure into her glass of lemonade, adding, ‘but I serve bigger measures than they do in here and a bloody sight cheaper as well!’

  Julie, Debby and Amanda laughed while Jacqueline displayed a half-hearted smirk.

  As the girls started to make conversation, both Rita and Jacqueline found that, despite their initial reservations, they agreed on many topics. In spite of Rita’s exaggerated use of the word ‘Jacqueline’, and Jacqueline’s overzealous observation of Rita and Debby’s dress and behaviour, they got along quite well. They shared a lot of the same views and opinions, especially relating to Amanda’s boyfriend. However, the manner in which they each expressed their opinions differed.

  Amanda had opened up the conversation by stating that she would have to be home at 1 o’clock otherwise all hell would be let loose.

  Rita, at a loss to understand the reason for this, asked, ‘Why, what’s the problem?’

  Jacqueline was quick to point out, ‘It’s her boyfriend; he’s the jealous and possessive type.’

  Jacqueline and Julie were used to hearing Amanda’s constant complaints about her boyfriend, Les. They were also resigned to the way in which, when challenged as to why she stayed with him, she replied, ‘He’s not so bad really,’ or ‘He does have his good points.’

  However, Rita, on learning all this afresh, commented in typical Rita style. ‘Look, you’re not tied to him by a ball and chain. You can do whatever you want, so tell him to piss off!’

  ‘I can’t do that,’ Amanda replied. ‘I live with him.’

  ‘Well he must have something going for him then to make you go home so early. Is he loaded or just good between the sheets?’ asked Rita.