Never Ever Leave Me (8 page)

“I was a policewoman until I retired twenty-five years ago,”
she said.  “In my day you walked a beat so you had to be fit.  You can imagine how tough my job was especially in the nineteen fifties and sixties with the Glasgow gangs.”

“You still seem pretty fit to me,” Katy said.

“That’s because I go to the gym three times a week.  Old fogies like me get in for free.  I have to have an assessment every six months because they’re worried in case I drop dead, but so far so good.  I don’t use any of the heavy equipment but I like to swim and I can use the treadmill.  As far as health is concerned if you don’t use it you lose it and I don’t feel ready for the nackers yard just yet.”

Seher was right about the trifle for de
ssert, but she didn’t mention the ‘wee dram’ and mug of tea which was served after the meal.  During the evening and with Granny’s encouragement, Katy told her neighbour everything that had happened to her.  It was a relief to unburden herself and share her story.  The two women sat chatting for several hours and Katy was surprised when she looked at the clock above the fireplace and saw it was after midnight.

“I’d better go home and let you g
et to your bed,” she said.  “I’m sorry I’ve kept you up so late.  I do hope I haven’t overstayed my welcome.”

“I always go to bed late.  Old people don’t need much sleep and I’ve really enjoyed your company.  We’ll have to do this again.”

“I’d love that,” Katy replied, “Only next time, I’ll cook for you.”

When
she returned to her home she locked the door and shut the curtains.  It felt good to have her own space and she was amazed how quiet the flat was compared to the noise and hustle and bustle of the refuge.  For the first time since arriving in Glasgow she was confident she’d get a good night’s sleep.

CHAPTER 11

By the third week in August and eight weeks into their funding John and Patrick had gathered all the statistics and data they required for their research.  All that remained was for them to write up their paper.  Each of them was clear which sections they were to handle and the plan was for them to collaborate once again in three weeks time to collate their work.

August was hot and sticky and Patrick’s modern house felt oppressive. 
John craved his own home with its thick, red sandstone walls and high ceilings.  He actually missed Glasgow with its grimy streets, grey sky and near constant rain.  Even sitting in the garden, if he could have found shade, work was impossible, as the neighbours’ children were still off school for the holidays and they were so noisy he couldn’t concentrate.  Patrick and Penny had become ‘an item’ and she seemed to be around all the time.  Now that the research work was complete John thought he should go home to do his writing up.  It would give his friend his space back and free range to entertain his new girlfriend and John would feel more comfortable both physically and emotionally.  He could return at the agreed date for the final collaboration and collation of the paper.

“I hope you don’t feel as if I’m forcing you out, mate,” Patrick said when John broached the subject.

“Not at all, you’ve been a perfect host, but I miss my home and my home town.  The Scottish schools are back now and where I live is very quiet.  It will be easier for me to concentrate on work as there’ll be no distractions.”

“Ah, distractions,” Patrick pondered.  “I’ll have to knuckle down when you’re away, but Penny is such a distraction.”

“If I’m not here you’ll be able to work on your own through the day while Penny is in her office then, in the evenings, you’ll be able to spend all your time together without me getting in the way.   It’s the best solution all round.  Not that I don’t like your company, being here with you has got me back into the world and I’m sincerely grateful.”

“It’s nice of you to say that.
  I’ve enjoyed having a mate to hang out with.  We get on so well and I do intend to try to get funding for another project if you’re up for it.”

“Absolut
ely, I think we’re really onto something and I’d relish the opportunity to take it further.”

“While we’re on the subject of taking things further, have you any plans to see Jenny again?  She likes you.  In fact Penny thinks she’s rather sweet on you,” Patrick said with a wink.

“All the more reason for me to go home now, she’s a nice girl, but I’m not ready for romance.”

Over the next twenty-four hours John purchased his train ticket, said goodbye to people he’d met promising to get
in touch again when he returned and transferred information from Patrick’s computer onto his and vice-versa.  By the weekend he was on a train northbound to Glasgow.

…

After a few weeks Katy was well established in her new job and her new home.  With her first month’s wages she bought flowers and a bottle of whisky for Granny Alison.  She knocked on her neighbour’s door and when it was opened she proffered the gifts.

“Are you sure you can afford this?” Granny asked
, her eyes shining with delight.  “I’m grateful for the generous gift, you know how much I enjoy a wee dram after my dinner and I haven’t had fresh flowers in this house for ages, but I don’t want you to leave yourself short.”

“It’s my pleasure to give this
to you.  It’s just my small way of saying thank you.  You’ve been like a real granny to me these last few weeks and I can’t tell you how much it means to me to have you living next door.”

“You’ve been like a breath of fresh air in this place, Katy.  Up until you moved in all my neighbours have been old folk and old folk can be so boring.  It’s nice to have some young conversation.  I know Seher’s pleased that you two have become friends.  She’s a nice lassie and clever like you.  I’m
just glad her brother hasn’t tried to marry her off to some goat farmer in Pakistan.  The family enjoy the big money she earns so she’s safe for the time being.”

“Now Granny,” Katy scolded, “You know her sister is going to marry an accountant not a goat farmer and it’s someone she met at university here in Glasgow.  His family live in Pakistan
, but he has a big house in Newton Mearns.  I’m sure Nusrat will be very happy.”

“We’ll see,”
the old lady conceded.  “She’ll probably end up a bored housewife with five children instead of being an optician as she was trained to be.  What’s the point of all that work to get a degree when all she’ll end up being is a housewife and mother?”

“Trust me Granny, if I could be a housewife and mother instead of working
full-time and being on my own, I’d be delighted.  I’m about to consult Seher about getting a divorce so I can move on, but I’d love to meet someone decent to spend my life with.”

“Well, I guess what you’ve never had you never miss.  I personally loved being in the police and my life was very fulfilling.  Everybody’s different I suppose.  Anyway, thank you once again for your very generous gift.  Would you like to come for dinner tomorrow?  It’s Friday and I could get some steak slices from Greggs and a couple of wee trifles.  We coul
d have a double measure with our tea,” she said, grinning and holding aloft the whisky bottle.

“Th
anks, that sounds great.  I’ve just bought a fruit cake so I’ll bring in a couple of slices to have with the tea.”

With the arrangement made both women returned to their homes and
Katy felt really happy.  Mentioning to her neighbour about seeking a divorce somehow made it feel real and she was eager to meet up with Seher to set things in motion. The sooner she was free from Gordon, the better.

…

Gordon had dreamt up his plan weeks before, but it wasn’t until now he had the means to go forward.  It was a chance meeting in the local supermarket that gave him the information he required.  He recognised Betty, the receptionist from Katy’s former job, immediately, and he quickly engaged her in conversation.

“I was so sorry to hear
about the break-up,” Betty said.  “How are things now?”

“Great, Betty, really great,”
he lied.  “I’ve got a new job and I’m earning good money now.  Katy will be able to stop work and we can start a family.  That’s all she’s ever wanted, but when I was out of work the pressure was awful.”

The lies rolled off his tongue
easily and seamlessly, one after another.

“So is she coming back from Glasgow, then?” Betty asked.

“Yes, she’s just got to work her notice at…..sorry I can’t remember the name of the company she’s working for.”

“McLay and Bell,” Betty offered.

“Yes that’s it, McLay and Bell.”

Got you, Gordon thought.  McLay and Bell in Glasgow, you can run but you can’t hide.

“I’m delighted for you both,” Betty said.  “I always thought you were the ideal couple.”

“Thank you Betty.  I’m sure
Katy will call you when she gets back.”

Gordon practically skipped home.  In another few weeks he’d complete his community service then he’d pay Katy a visit. 
He’d soon sweet talk her into coming back home and this time he’d never let her leave.

CHAPTER 12

Within a few weeks Katy had settled easily into her new position and her new home.  As predicted by the women at the refuge, after she left, she made no contact with any of them.  She was delighted to be able to put the refuge and the part of her life it represented firmly behind her.  Her workplace was friendly and she had an easy rapport with the people employed there.  On the last Friday of every month the boss treated his staff by buying everyone a cream cake to have with their coffees and special events like birthdays were celebrated in the same way.  The business generated enough work to keep everyone busy so all in all the days were free from pressure because everyone’s job was assured.

Katy’s home life was comfortable too.  She spent time with Seher who’d become more than
just an acquaintance.  The two young women often went out together, visiting the high street shops most Saturdays and the cinema every Wednesday evening when they could get two seats for the price of one.  Dinner with Granny Alison had become a weekly event so she wasn’t lonely.

It was
the last Saturday in October and the girls were having coffee in Starbucks in the city centre.  Seher explained to Katy that because she and Gordon had been married at Gretna Green, a romantic whim which seemed ironic now, she could get divorced in Scotland so there would be no need for her to travel back down south.

“I can simply arrange for
him to be served the papers then it’s up to Gordon to sort himself out.  He’s never tried to get in touch with you so the whole thing will probably just amble along until it completes.  I don’t suppose he’ll contest the divorce,” Seher said.

“I’m not so sure,” Katy replied.  “He
always has to win, he’s very competitive and he hates to lose at anything.  He always has to be in control.  I think the only reason he hasn’t been in touch is because he doesn’t know where I am.  To tell you the truth, I could have gone anywhere.  I bought a ticket on the first train out of town and I didn’t have a clue, when I arrived at the station, where I was going or what I was going to do.  A kind man on the train helped me.  He even gave me his card so I could get in touch with him because he was trying to find me somewhere to live.  He was the one who took me to the hotel in his taxi.  My head was in a mess and I was distraught.  I arrived in a strange town at night, knowing nobody.”

“Why didn’t you contact him?  Was he a bit of a sleaze?  Did he frighten you?”

“No, quite the reverse, he was a perfect gentleman.  I wanted to get in touch with him, but when I was rushed into hospital in the early hours of the morning, his card was lost.  The hotel packed up my belongings and delivered them to me, but the card wasn’t amongst them.  They probably threw it out when they cleaned the room without realising it was important to me.”

“Could
n’t you try to trace him, maybe through Facebook or something like that?  What was his name?”

“John, he told me his name was John Houston and he was a lecturer, some kind of science, I think.”

“A lecturer should be easy enough to find.  Which university?”

“I’m not sure,” Katy replied.  “But it’s too late now anyway.  I don’t suppose he’d be interested in hearing from a complete stranger.  What could I say?  The flat he was going to help me with will be gone now and I’m perfectly happy where I am.”

“A handsome, kind stranger helps you in your time of need.  He has a good job and you like him, of course you should try to find him.  I take it he’s single, you did establish that didn’t you?”

“He’s a widower.  He told me his wife died about a year ago and he missed her enormously.  They were childhood sweethearts.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Seher replied dismissively, “But she’s gone now and after a year he’ll be ready to move on.”

“You’re impossible, you do know that.  The poor man was heartbroken.”

“I’m sorry, Katy, but life goes on and you’re about to file for divorce.  You don’t want to let a good catch slip through the net.  Trust me, there’s not too many of them around.”

“I hear what you’re saying,
but I have no intention of phoning a virtual stranger to thank him for being kind to me, not after all this time.  I’ve missed the chance, it’s over.  If I tried to get in touch now he’d think I was some kind of crazy stalker.”