Chapter 15
Helen
arrived at Larkhall about ten-thirty and, after collecting a visitor’s badge, was
taken to the Wing Governor’s office. “Thanks for coming, Helen,” Karen greeted
her warmly. “Still no regrets about leaving this place, or the people, then?”
Helen
hesitated fractionally before answering. “No, none. Once I’d made the decision
it was easy to leave it all behind.”
“Well,
speaking as the one who benefited, thank you very much for leaving,” Karen
laughed.
“I
hope you’re still thanking me in six months time,” Helen joined in her
laughter.
“So
do I. Right I’ve allocated a visitor’s room for your use, so I’ll take you
there and have the girl brought to you. This is her file.” She handed her a
buff folder.
As
she followed Karen along the familiar corridors, Helen heard someone call her
name.
“Miss
Stewart.”
She
stopped, turned slightly then stiffened. It was Sally the woman Nikki had been
kissing. Woman! She was little more than a child really. What had Nikki been
thinking about? She started to walk but Sally kept up with her.
“Nice
to see you, Miss. No hard feelings, Miss, about that joke me and Nikki played
on you.”
Helen
stopped and grabbed hold of Sally’s arm. “What did you say?”
“In
the shed, Miss,” She saw the look on Helen’s face. “It was Nikki’s idea really,
Miss. It was just a joke.”
“No,
no hard feelings.”
“Thanks,
Miss. See ya.”
“Walk,”
Karen yelled after her fleeing back then looked curiously at Helen. “What was
all that about?”
“Nothing.
Just something coming back to haunt me.”
Helen
spent the remainder of the morning interviewing Tessa Bates. She was a nice kid
who been led astray by the wrong crowd but if it wasn’t nipped in the bud now
she would spend the rest of her life in and out of Larkhall or somewhere like
it. Shortly after Tessa had left Karen poked her head round the door.
“All
done, Helen?” she asked coming into the room.
“All
done,” Helen stuffed her papers into her briefcase with sigh. Now she could get
out of Larkhall again.
“So,
do you think you can help her?”
“I’m
sure we can. I’ll let you have my report and then you can arrange the transfer.”
“Anyone
you’d like to see before you leave?” Karen asked pointedly watching for the
other woman’s reaction but Helen just shook her head. “I’d like to ask a
favour.” Karen continued. “Would you
see one of the other women for me?” Helen looked puzzled. “I just thought with
your past history with Larkhall talking to you might bring her to her senses. I
don’t seem to be getting anywhere with her. She’s abusive, obstinate,
uncooperative.“
“Sounds
like someone I used to know,” Helen said before she could stop herself.
“So,
would you see her for me?”
“If
you think I can do any good.”
“I’m
sure you can. Give me a minute and I’ll have her brought here.”
Nikki
had just picked up her knife and fork when Dominic McAllister walked over to
her. “Nikki, Governor wants to see you.”
“Mr
McAllister, I’m eating,” Nikki informed him without looking up.
“Sorry,
Nikki but she wants to see you now.”
She
shoved her plate towards Barbara who was sitting opposite her. “Make sure
that’s here when I get back.”
Karen
was waiting for them outside one of the visitor’s rooms. “Thanks, Dominic. I’ll
take over from here.”
“What’s
going on, Miss?” Nikki demanded.
Karen
pushed open the door and indicated for Nikki to enter. “Helen,” Nikki said
softly when she saw who was sitting behind the desk.
Helen
looked at Nikki in stunned surprise. What the hell was Karen playing at?
“I’ll
be back in one hour. I’ll make sure you’re not disturbed,” she informed Helen
then quickly closed the door.
The
two women looked at each other before Helen finally spoke. “Sit down, Nikki.”
Nikki
stood looking down at her. “How are you, Nikki? Oh, I’m fine thanks, Miss.
Thanks for asking,” she mimicked.
“I’m
sorry, Nikki. How are you?”
“Forget
it, Helen. You don’t really care. You didn’t even visit me when I was in
hospital,” she retorted bitterly.
Helen
opened her mouth and then closed it again. What was the point? “Please sit
down, Nikki.” She waited until Nikki was seated before continuing. “Miss Betts
has asked me to have a word with you about your behaviour.“
“What
the hell are you talking about?” Nikki asked incredulously. “I haven’t done
anything wrong for weeks.”
“But
she said…” Oh, God, Helen thought, I can’t believe Karen has done this.
“What
did she say?”
“She
seems to think you and I have some sort of history.”
“And
you don’t care if she knows?”
“No,
I don’t care but like I said, it’s history.”
“Yeah,
right,” Nikki agreed dismally. She studied Helen’s face intently hoping to see
a glimmer of the love she felt sure Helen once had for her but all she could
see was anger and disinterest. “I’m sorry Miss Betts wasted your time, Miss. My
dinner is getting cold, I’ve got to go.” She stood up and turned towards the
door.
“Isn’t
that supposed to be my line,” Helen said softly.
Nikki
turned round to face her. “No, Helen, that was your escape route and you used
it whenever the situation looked as if it might get…difficult for you.”
“I’m
not using it now.”
“What
the hell are you playing at, Helen?” Nikki demanded angrily. “Don’t you know
how much it still hurts?” She turned and reached for the door handle.
“Nikki
wait.” Helen moved swiftly round the desk and stood in front of her. “I don’t
care what you’ve done, or who you’ve done it with but if I let you walk out of
that door now I know I’ll never see you again.” She reached up and stroked
Nikki’s cheek. Nikki flinched and pulled her head back. “Have you found someone
else?” She asked, afraid of the answer.
“No,
of course not and since I’ve been in here I’ve not done anything with anyone
except you.”
“Forgive
me, Nikki.”
“Why
the hell should I?” she asked savagely.
“Because
I love you.”