Chapter 11
The
first few days after the holidays were quiet. Helen was still the acting Number
One much to Jim Fenner’s consternation and his sole aim in life seemed to be to
wind Nikki up whenever he was on duty.
For
her part Nikki tried to ignore his remarks and spent as much time as possible
with Barbara and Tommo so Fenner wouldn’t have chance to get her on her own.
Apart
from a few hours on Christmas Day she hadn’t seen Helen for over a week. When
she had urged her to take on the role of Number One she hadn’t realised how
hard it would be not seeing her and she could see now why Helen had been so
protective of her job. If she had lost her position at Larkhall this was what
it would be like regularly, rarely seeing each other. She didn’t even have the
lifers’ meetings to look forward to anymore. Jill Kelly tried her best but a
middle-aged woman with a matronly figure was hardly Helen Stewart!
She
had a meeting with her solicitor and she paced nervously around the private
visitors’ room awaiting Claire’s arrival. Claire said she had some news but had
been mysterious about it all and she could only tell her in person. She turned
as the door opened and her face lit up when she saw Helen standing there. “What
are you doing here?” she asked as Helen came into the room and closed the door
behind her.
“I
was missing you so I asked Karen if I could sit in on your meeting with
Claire,” Helen replied with a smile. “Claire’s outside. She said she would give
us a couple of minutes alone. You don’t mind do you?”
“Mind!”
Nikki echoed. “Come here.” She drew Helen into her arms and hugged her tightly.
“God, I’ve missed you,” she said harshly.
Helen
pulled away and looked at her. “I’ve missed you more.”
“Nah,
I’ve missed you more than you’ve missed me,” Nikki said with a grin.
“Bet
you haven’t,” Helen’s eyes danced mischievously. “Because I’ve really, really
missed you.”
Nikki
gave a short laugh. “OK, then, you win.”
Helen
jabbed her in the ribs. “You give in too easily.”
“Only
because I want to kiss you before Claire comes in,” she replied.
“You’re
full of good ideas, Nikki Wade,” Helen said softly, as she slid her arms around
Nikki’s waist.
Nikki
ran her fingers through Helen’s hair, cupping the back of her head as she bent and
kissed her.
Helen
drew back with a contented sigh and laid her head against Nikki’s chest.
They
were still wrapped in each other’s arms when Claire tapped on the door and
entered. “Sorry. Do you want me to go out and come back in again?” she asked in
amusement.
“Yeah,
in about two hours,” Nikki replied flippantly.
“You
mean you don’t want to hear that the CCRC have referred your case to the Court
of Appeal?” she teased.
Nikki
looked at her in amazement and then looked down at Helen who was still hugging
her tightly, a broad smile on her face. “Did you know about this?” she
demanded.
“Claire
told me before I came in. I almost burst trying to stop myself telling you.”
She laughed tearfully. “Oh, Nikki, I’m so happy for you.”
“I
can’t believe it,” Nikki murmured. “When? I mean, how soon?”
“About
six weeks,” Claire replied. “And with all the new evidence, I think we stand a
very good chance.”
“I
can’t believe it!” Nikki repeated. “I thought I’d blown everything.”
“Well,
now you’ve really got to behave yourself,” Helen told her in her best
governor’s voice then smiled to soften her words. “I’d better go.” She reached
up and kissed Nikki, momentarily pressing herself against her lover’s slender
body. She drew back and looked at Nikki, her pulses quickening at the desire in
the brown eyes. “See you later,” she said with a hint of promise.
“I
hope so.” Nikki murmured.
Helen
turned to Claire and kissed her cheek. “I’ll call you.”
Claire
nodded. “We’ll meet up for a drink.”
The
two women watched Helen leave then Nikki turned to Claire. “I know it’s none of
my business but you and Helen, were you ever…did you ever…you know?”
“Good
God, no!” Claire exclaimed. “Helen’s never thought about any woman but you in
that way.”
“Does
she know about you?”
Claire
looked at her innocently then she smiled in resignation. “I don’t think so. She
would probably have a fit if she did…the number of times we’ve shared a bed.
When both of us were exceptionally drunk, I hasten to add,” she explained quickly.
“How did you know?”
“Takes
one to know one, isn’t that what they say?” Nikki laughed. “Actually, I picked
up on things you said and started putting two and two together. Are you going
to tell Helen?”
“Probably
not, unless I meet someone really special then I will.”
“So,
has there ever been anyone special?” Nikki persisted.
Claire
looked at her, realising she needed further reassurance. “Nikki, I promise you,
there has never been anything between Helen and me. Yes, I fancied her like mad
at Uni but I knew she wasn’t interested and I decided her friendship meant more
to me.”
Nikki
gave a relieved sigh. “I’m sorry, Claire. My life seemed hopeless and then I
met Helen. I can’t believe how lucky I am sometimes.”
Claire
touched her arm. “You’ve nothing at all to worry about, Nikki. I’ve never seen
Helen so much in love before. Now, shall we get back to why I’m here and how we
can get you out of this place?”
“Good
morning, Governor,” Jim Fenner
sneered superciliously as he encountered Helen on her way to Karen Betts’s
office.
“’Morning,
Jim,” Helen replied stiffly.
“Not
found a replacement for Simon yet, I see.”
“Obviously
not,” she agreed.
“I
was just thinking, some of the lifers’ must be missing you,” he said pointedly.
“Yes, they must really be missing your cosy little chats. Still, being Number
One obviously matters to you more than they do or you would have turned it
down.”
“Is
there a point to this conversation, Jim?” she asked, trying to keep her voice
even.
“No,
just passing the time of day. I was only saying to Nikki Wade the other day, we
don’t see very much of you on G-Wing anymore.” He smiled, enjoying his own
private little joke. “Well, I’d better let you go, Governor.”
Helen
stiffened her back and continued on her way. She rapped on Karen’s door and
entered when she heard Karen call ‘come in’.
“Helen,
we don’t see enough of you these days.” Karen said pleasantly
“Don’t
you start!” Helen snapped, then seeing the surprised look on Karen’s face
continued apologetically. “Sorry, Karen. I’ve just had Fenner having a go at
me. That man is a first-class bastard!”
“Don’t
I know it,” Karen concurred. “Take a seat. What can I do for you?” she asked
when Helen was seated.
“I
just wondered how things were going. I don’t get much chance for a chat now I’m
stuck in my ivory tower,” she replied sarcastically.
Karen
laughed sympathetically. “Actually, I’m glad you came. I really could do with
someone to talk to but this is off the record and in the strictest confidence.”
She lit a cigarette and took a long draw at it. “Michelle Dockley once told me
Jim had beaten her up. I now think he was also responsible for beating her up
the night of Sylvia’s party.”
“Can
you prove it?”
Karen
shook her head. “And Dockley won’t say anything.”
Helen
bit her lip, still unsure of Karen’s true feelings towards Fenner. If she
voiced her own misgivings and it got back to him she didn’t know what he might
do.
“You’ve
obviously got something on your mind, Helen,” Karen observed perceptively.
“Anything you’d care to share or do you still think you can’t trust me?” She
stubbed out her cigarette in the ashtray. “To be honest, Helen, Jim scares me.
I have a teenage daughter to think about and Jim has proved he’s capable of
anything.”
“He’s
also made threats against myself and Nikki,” Helen replied.
“You’re
joking!” Karen exclaimed. “What are you going to do?”
“Barbara
Hunt made me realise he was just trying to wind me up but what could I do anyway?
I couldn’t report him or it might have come out about Nikki and me. You know
yourself, if I lose my job, I might not be able to see her anymore and I
couldn’t bear that.”
“Nevertheless,
Jim can’t be allowed to get away with this, Helen, and with or without your
help, I’m going to make sure he gets what’s coming to him,” Karen retorted
vehemently.
“Don’t
worry, Karen, you can rely on me,” Helen assured her. “Larkhall would be a much
better place without Jim Fenner in it!”
Shell
clutched at the side of her head as she again felt the stabbing pain. There was
something wrong with her and she knew it. The sight in her right eye had
gradually worsened until all she could see were grey shapes. She thought about
Zandra Plackett and her brain tumour. Was this what it had been like for her?
But she couldn’t tell anyone.
Couldn’t let anyone know Shell Dockley was vulnerable!
“Watch
where you’re goin’, you dozy cow!” she screeched as she walked into someone.
“Just
goes to show, Dockley, too much sex makes you blind,” Nikki replied
sarcastically. “Especially when it’s with a wanker like Fenner.”
“Piss
off, Wade!” Shell exclaimed then clutched at her head as another pain stabbed
through it.
Nikki
looked at her and frowned. “Are you OK?”
“I
will be when you get out of my face!” Shell retorted.
“OK!
Keep your knickers on!” Nikki grinned. “But then that would be a first for you,
Dockley, wouldn’t it?”
“Just
piss off!” Shell screwed up her face, as the pain became unbearable. “Nikki,
I…” She grabbed hold of Nikki’s arm in an effort to stop herself from falling.
“What
are you pissing about at, Dockley?” Nikki demanded, then she saw the blonde
woman’s eyes glaze over. Her arms went around Shell to support her and she
gently lowered her to the floor.
“Wondered
how long it would last, Wade?” Sylvia Hollamby said almost triumphantly, as she
stomped up and grabbed hold of Nikki’s arm. “Fighting again! You’ll be on the
block for this.”
Nikki
shook her hand off. “Let go of me, you silly cow! Can’t you see there’s something
wrong with her? Somebody fetch the doctor!” She sank to her knees beside
Dockley. “It’s alright, Shell,” she said gently. “The doctor’ll be here soon.”
A
few minutes later Alex Gilbert pushed his way through the crowd of inmates.
Nikki started to rise but Shell gripped hold of her hand.
“Please,
don’t leave me,” she begged.
Alex
looked at Nikki and nodded. “Mrs Hollamby, can you clear the area, please?” he
ordered impatiently.
“Alright,
everyone, back to your cells!” Sylvia snapped. Even the doctor was giving her
orders now! “Come on, give them some room!”
“What
happened?” Alex asked Nikki as he knelt down at the other side of Shell.
“She
just clutched at her head and collapsed,” Nikki informed him, a worried look on
her face. “What do you think it is?”
“I
don’t know without examining her. I’ll get someone to help me down to medical
with her.” He started to rise but Shell grabbed hold of him.
“I
want Nikki to go with me, please,” she implored.
“Mrs
Hollamby, I’m taking Michelle to medical. Nikki will help me,” he told her
succinctly. “Feel free to accompany us, if you must.”
“So,
you really think Nikki has a chance with her appeal?” Karen asked a smiling
Helen.
“I
certainly hope so. I’ve told her to behave herself.” Helen looked at her with a
lecherous grin. “Until she comes home, of course.”
Karen
looked taken aback as there was a loud knock on her door and Di Barker poked
her head in.
“Miss
Betts. Oh, sorry, Miss Stewart…I mean…Governor,” Di gabbled.
“Di,
what on earth’s the matter?” Karen demanded.
“It’s
Shell Dockley. She’s just been taken down to medical. I think Nikki Wade had
something to do with it.”
Helen
looked up in alarm at the mention of Nikki’s name.
“OK,
Di. Be there in a minute,” Karen said briskly. As the door closed behind Di,
she looked at Helen. “What were you saying about Nikki behaving?”
Shell
was temporarily installed in one of the beds whilst Doctor Gilbert telephoned
for an ambulance. As Nikki moved away from the bedside to go back to the wing,
Shell again caught hold of her arm.
“Nikki,
will you stay with me?”
“Just
what is your game, Dockley?” Nikki demanded suspiciously.
“No
game, Nikki. I just ‘ate ‘ospitals,” Shell replied. “People die in ‘em and I
don’t want to be on my own.”
“OK,
then,” Nikki agreed and pulled up a chair.
They
sat in silence until Shell eventually spoke. “Funny innit, Nikki? I can’t stand
you but I trust you more’n any of ‘em.”
“Sorry,
Shell. The feeling’s not mutual,” Nikki replied facetiously.
“Well,
at least I know you ‘ate me.” Shell laughed. “Not like some of ‘em. Take what
they want and then stick the boot in! ‘Spose I was jealous of you, Nikki. The
other girls respected you but they was just scared of me. Dockley the nutter!
Well, we’ll know for sure when I’ve ‘ad me ‘ead examined.” She laughed again.
“Leave
it out, Shell,” Nikki retorted. She was seeing a side to Dockley she hadn’t
seen before and it wasn’t pleasing her even though they were adversaries.
Karen
wasted no time in reaching the medical wing. Helen had insisted on accompanying
her even though Karen had tried to convince that, as Number One, she was
treading on dangerous ground and should be staying away from any trouble Nikki
was getting herself into. “What happened?” Karen demanded of Alex Gilbert.
“Michelle
Dockley collapsed on the wing,” he told her calmly. “I’ve telephoned for an
ambulance. I want her to have a brain scan.”
“Alex,
did Nikki have anything to do with it?” Helen asked fearfully.
“No,
of course not. See for yourself.” He led them to Dockley’s room and started to
push the door open but Karen stopped him. She put her finger to her lips and
motioned for the other two to listen.
“I
always thought ‘avin’ a screw on my side would ‘elp me,” Shell was saying. “But
Fenner was worse than any of the cons. At least you ‘ad the sense to find
somebody decent. Miss Stewart was OK but she’d got the job Jim wanted so ‘e
‘ated ‘er. Even more now she’s Number One.”
“And
it was Fenner who beat you up, wasn’t it?” Nikki demanded. There was silence
then she continued. “I thought so.”
“Shit!”
Karen cursed under her breath. “All she had to do was say ‘yes’, then we would
have had him!” she whispered.
“Shhh.”
Helen put her hand on Karen’s arm as Nikki again spoke.
“He
was shagging Rachel Hicks, wasn’t he?” Again there was silence.
“I’ve
heard enough!” Karen exclaimed and pushed open the door. “Answer her question,
Shell.”
Nikki
spun round in surprise and her eyes darkened angrily when she saw Helen. “She’d
already answered my question, Miss Betts.”
“Well?”
Karen demanded, but Nikki shook her head. “Nikki, you’ve got…”
“Just
a minute, Karen,” Helen intervened. “I’d like a word with Nikki, alone,
please.”
Karen
opened her mouth to refuse then remembered Helen’s, albeit temporary, position.
“Of course, Governor,” she said stiffly.
“Come
with me, Nikki.” Helen led the way out of the medical wing and into the
corridor.
“What
the hell do you think you’re doing, eavesdropping on my private conversations?”
Nikki demanded angrily.
“Calm
down, Nikki,” Helen said quietly.
“Do
you know what would happen to me if anyone found out I’d been lagging to
screws?” she persisted.
“No
one’s going to find out because you’re not going to lag,” Helen told her. “Why
do you think I got you out of there?”
Nikki
gave a sheepish smile. “Sorry, the mouth spoke before the brain was in gear,
again.”
Helen
shook her head at her. “When are you going to start trusting me, Nikki?”
“I
do trust you, Helen, implicitly. My trouble is, I don’t always think before I
speak.”
“Exactly!”
she retorted. “Look, Nikki, I want you out of all this mess with Fenner. I want
to get the bastard as well but I don’t want you involved.”
“Helen,
I am involved!” she exclaimed. “Dockley only told me those things because she’s
shit scared she’s going to die! She’s almost blind in one eye because of what
Fenner did to her!”
“Nikki!”
Helen looked at her horrified.
“Helen,
you can’t tell anyone I told you that,” Nikki looked at her pleadingly.
“I
won’t,” she promised. “Now, I want you to go back to the wing and keep your
head down. OK?”
Nikki
nodded. “Love you,” she said softly.
“I
love you too,” Helen replied with a smile. “Go on and I’ll square everything
with Karen.” After the briefest of kisses, Helen watched Nikki walk out of
sight before going to find Karen.
“Where’s
Nikki?” Karen demanded.
“I
sent her back to the wing.”
“So,
your girlfriend is more important than nailing Fenner for what he’s done?”
Karen exclaimed angrily.
“My
girlfriend…” Helen couldn’t resist a little smile at the thought. “My
girlfriend’s safety is more important to me than anything. We only have
Dockley’s word that Fenner beat her up. Something she has previously denied on
numerous occasions. Coming from Nikki, it is only hearsay.” She gave an
impatient sigh. “Don’t you see, Karen. We have to get something on Fenner and
make it stick, otherwise he’ll wriggle out of it and make all our lives a
misery.”
“Well,
I just hope your meddling doesn’t land us all in the shit!”