Part Thirty Three
On the Saturday morning, Lauren crept quietly up the stairs carrying a breakfast tray, with Trigger at her side carrying the morning's newspaper in his mouth. As she pushed open the bedroom door, Yvonne turned over and opened her eyes.
"This is a nice surprise," Said Yvonne, sitting up. Trigger put his front paws up on the bed and dropped the newspaper in Yvonne's lap. "Did you teach him to do that?" She asked, scratching the dog's ears.
"Of course," Said Lauren with a smirk, "He does everything I tell him, don't you boy." At the sound of her voice, Trigger abandoned Yvonne in favour of the wonderful aroma coming from the breakfast tray. As Lauren put the tray down on the bed, which contained croissants straight from the oven, Yvonne's favourite strawberry jam, freshly squeezed orange juice and black, fresh Brazilian coffee, Yvonne said,
"So to what do I owe the pleasure?" Lauren stared at her in utter astonishment. She picked up the digital clock from Yvonne's bedside table which displayed the date as well as the time.
"Mum!" She said in total exasperation. "Don't you know what day it is?" She said thrusting the clock under Yvonne's nose.
"Oh, that," Said Yvonne dismissively. "I was trying to avoid thinking about that."
"It's your first birthday since you got out, therefore we have to do something special."
"Lauren, being forty-eight isn't anything special, believe me."
"So what do you intend to do?" At Yvonne's silence, Lauren reached forward and picked up the address book from the bedside table. "If you're so intent on not even recognising your birthday, then we'll just have to do it for you," She said, flicking through the pages.
"Who's we?" Asked Yvonne, beginning to be slightly worried.
"Only me, Cassie, Roisin and Karen. Got a problem with that?" Hiding her brief flutter of adolescent nerves at the thought of seeing Karen again so soon after their talk yesterday, Yvonne replied,
"Yeah, okay, but nothing major."
Karen was relaxing over a cigarette and the morning paper when the phone rang.
"Karen, it's Lauren, are you doing anything this evening?" Karen briefly smiled at the irony. When did she ever do anything in the evening these days, unless it was with Yvonne.
"No, I've nothing planned," She replied.
"Mum has totally neglected to tell anyone it's her birthday today, and she seems set on ignoring it altogether." Karen grinned, this was typical of Yvonne.
"And are you planning to surprise her?" She asked. Lauren laughed.
"Surprise mum? Are you joking? That'd be impossible. She doesn't want to do anything major, so I thought I'd ask you, Cassie and Roisin over for a barbecue and take it from there."
"Sounds good. What time were you thinking?"
"About seven, and can you bring some wine?"
"Sure, and tell her I said that age is nothing to be afraid of." As Lauren put the phone down and relayed Karen's message, Yvonne sincerely hoped this was true.
Karen started thinking. Just what could she get Yvonne for a birthday present. this, after all, was the woman who had just about everything. Then she remembered how pleased Yvonne had been to have an uninterrupted, lengthy phone call from Denny on Wednesday. What also seemed to connect, was the thought that as she now knew about Grayling's little misleading of her last year, she figured he owed her a favour. Picking up the phone, Karen grinned wickedly to herself, knowing that this time, it was she who held all the cards.
"Neil, it's Karen Betts," She said on hearing his voice.
"Karen," He said, sounding almost jovial. "What can I do for you?"
"I'd like to arrange a home visit for Denny Blood to visit Yvonne Atkins, tomorrow." There was a short but charged silence.
"First," Said Neil, his voice steadily rising. "Why such short notice, and second, exactly what has Daniella Blood done recently to deserve such a privilege?"
"To answer your first question," Said Karen evenly, "I wasn't aware until a few minutes ago that it's Yvonne's birthday today and considering that we're in the middle of the trial of the woman who killed Sharon Wiley, I think it might be the thing to calm Denny down. She's been at boiling point all week so I'm told, and I think this might be the answer."
"Karen, can you give me one very good reason why I should even consider this?"
"Perhaps because you owe me the biggest favour I think you've ever owed anyone," Said Karen quietly.
"Pardon?" Said Neil warily.
"Does the name Michael Hendry mean anything to you?" At his silence she continued. "You know, the man from the CPS who supposedly told you they weren't going to take up my case against Fenner? Only, you forgot to tell me he didn't actually exist, didn't you."
"Who told you this?" Asked Neil furiously.
"I'd have thought that little detail was irrelevant. You managed to swindle me and god knows how many others out of justice, all because you wanted something to hold over Fenner. I think arranging a home visit for Denny Blood is a small price to pay, don't you?"
"Why're you getting so close to Yvonne Atkins?" Good point, thought Karen, cursing herself for not having thought up a decent response for this.
"That's absolutely none of your business," She said without missing a beat. Neil laughed, sounding the happiest she'd ever heard him.
"Don't tell me you've switched sides?" He asked.
"Don't tell me you'd dare to disapprove?" Threw back Karen, thanking god he couldn't see her blushing.
"Just be careful, Karen," He said, sounding about as genuine as on the day he'd expressed so much concern over what had happened with Fenner.
"Neil, you didn't try to warn me off the last Atkins, so don't bother with this one. My private life is my own business, do I make myself clear?" Grayling had to admit that she had a point. He would have hated everyone knowing the utter fiasco that had been him, Di and Tony.
"Point taken," He replied.
"So, do we have a deal?" Asked Karen, "Over Denny Blood's home visit?"
"Yes, I'll put it in writing ASAP and fax you the details." When Karen put down the phone, she knew that however much of a wanker Neil had been to her in the past, his agreeing to do this for her, was his way of apologizing.
When Karen arrived at around seven that evening, she couldn't wait to give Yvonne the surprise of Denny's visit tomorrow. Neil had grudgingly faxed her the confirmation some time in the afternoon. As she turned in to Yvonne's road, she saw Cassie and Roisin in the car ahead of her. She could see Cassie applying lipstick in the driving mirror whilst Roisin sat at the wheel. When they turned in to Yvonne's drive, and Cassie got out of the car, Karen was slightly thrown to see she was only wearing a soft, pale blue bikini which accentuated her tan, with a long tunic-style shirt slung carelessly over her shoulders. For someone, like her, who had been told to make it strictly casual, Cassie looked incredible. On glancing up and catching Karen openly staring, Cassie smirked.
"Oh, don't mind her," Said Roisin handing Cassie a tin that clearly contained a homemade birthday cake. "She just likes to flaunt it at every opportunity." Karen picked up the two large off licence bags and a bouquet of roses from the passenger seat and followed them towards the front door. When Yvonne came to open it, she said with a grin,
"I might have known that an excuse to get pissed would bring you three over."
"Well, quite how you thought you'd get away with not telling us it was your birthday, I don't know," Said Roisin in mock disgust. Yvonne just smiled sheepishly and led them back in to the house. Then, turning back to take in Cassie's appearance, she said,
"I hope you're not going to go anywhere else looking like that?"
"I don't know, oh old and wise one," Cassie said playfully. "It might be fun. Imagine all the women I'd hook in one night."
"Do you have to put up with this all the time?" Said Karen to Roisin with a wink.
"She only does it to wind me up," Said Roisin, secure in the knowledge that Cassie wouldn't stray as easily as she made out she would.
"Would you like me to relieve you of those?" Asked Lauren coming in to the hall, followed by Trigger who lifted his nose to the tin Cassie was holding.
"That's not for you," Said Cassie lifting it out of his reach.
"What've you got in there?" Asked Yvonne, clearly mystified by the tin's contents.
"Possibly the biggest advantage of Roisin still having young children," Replied Cassie, "Is that she's an angel when it comes to making birthday cakes." Yvonne grinned.
"Jesus," She said, "I haven't had one of those since I was a kid."
"Which is why," Said Roisin, removing her precious creation from Cassie's occasionally accident-prone fingers, "You're overdue for one." As Cassie and Roisin moved with Lauren towards the kitchen, Karen held out her red roses.
"Happy birthday," She said with a smile.
"Thank you," Said Yvonne, giving Karen a peck on the cheek. Holding the flowers in one hand, she opened the card. There was a picture of a woman holding up a glass of champagne, and inside, Karen had simply written,
"To whatever future I can give you."
"That's lovely," Said Yvonne, her eyes meeting Karen's for the first time since she'd arrived.
"The best bit's in the envelope," Replied Karen. Yvonne fumbled with the envelope and pulled out Grayling's fax. Unfolding it, she read:
This is to confirm that I, Neil Grayling, Governor of HMP Larkhall, give my permission for Daniella Blood to have a home visit with Yvonne Atkins for the duration of four hours on Sunday August 24th. This visit will be supervised by wing governor Karen Betts...
Yvonne didn't get any further.
"Are you serious?" Asked Yvonne in total wonderment. Karen smiled.
"I'm serious," She said, realising for the first time that Yvonne's happiness was something she wanted very very badly. Being careful so as not to crush the roses, Yvonne put her arms round Karen and squeezed her tight.
"That's the nicest thing anyone's ever done for me," She said, a slight tremor in her voice.
"My pleasure," Said Karen softly, returning the hug and not wanting to let go.
Much later in the evening when they'd eaten their way through the wonderful food Lauren and Roisin had prepared, Lauren went away and returned carrying a very large, but very flat package.
"Happy birthday, Mum," She said putting the parcel in to Yvonne's arms. When it was unwrapped, it was revealed to be an enormous painting of Trigger, sprawled sound asleep under his favourite tree. Lauren had had it framed, and it was ready to hang wherever Yvonne wanted it.
"This is beautiful," Yvonne said in awe. "Who did it?"
"I was able to give an artist friend of mine a very nice commission," Said Lauren with a smile.
"When did you get it done? This looks like it would have taken some time."
"You remember when you went out to Spain in June? Well, those three weeks came in very useful. I don't think I've ever known a dog that was better at sitting for a painter than this one."
"You've been teaching that dog too many decadent habits while I've been inside," Said Yvonne with a laugh. Lauren gently retrieved the painting and bore it away in to the house, returning with a bottle of the finest Krug Karen thought she'd ever seen. Yvonne stared at it mesmerized.
"Where did you get that?" She asked slightly ominously.
"Where do you think I got it?" Asked Lauren preparing to peel off the silver foil covering the cork. "From Dad's stash. Just because you won't go near that cellar doesn't mean we shouldn't drink what's in it."
"We haven't had any of that since before I ended up in Larkhall," Said Yvonne, marveling at how Lauren could even bare to be near the one part of the house that still had Charlie stamped all over it.
"Which is precisely why we should open it now," Lauren said softly.
"Will it be cold enough?" Asked Cassie, the only other one there used to drinking champagne on a regular basis from her pre-Larkhall days.
"It's as cold as a morgue down there, even in this heat," Replied Lauren. She eased out the cork, and filled all their glasses. "To Mum," She said raising her glass, "And to many more birthdays she won't be allowed to forget."
"To Yvonne," Said the others raising their glasses. On taking her first sip, Karen realised why it was she'd never before really liked Champagne, she'd clearly only ever had the cheap stuff, never the real thing.
"God, this stuff brings back memories," Said Cassie fondly.
"Oh, what, of the first time you took me out for dinner?" Said Roisin with a smile. Then to the others she said, "I swear she'd picked the most outrageously expensive restaurant in the whole of London." Yvonne laughed.
"Typical Cassie," She said grinning.
"I was nervous," Said Cassie in mild protest.
"You, nervous?" Asked Karen in astonishment. "That I'd like to see."
"Oh, she was," Said Roisin putting an arm round Cassie's shoulders, "She actually ran out of things to say."
"Jesus," Said Yvonne in total disbelief. But Cassie wasn't listening. She'd spied an empty wine bottle that Yvonne had put on the floor out of the way. Reaching to pick it up, she began looking for its cork, and finding one amongst the clutter on the table, she rammed it back in to the bottle.
"Cassie, what're you doing?" Asked Lauren, but it was Yvonne who recognised the gleam of mischief in Cassie's eye. It wasn't unlike the gleam that had preceded the suggestion of fiddling the prison shop.
"Cassie, whatever it is, the answer's no," Said Yvonne, knowing of old what havoc that too clever brain could cause. Cassie simply grinned wickedly round at them all, and began spinning the bottle round between her two hands.
"Cass, no," Said Roisin in half delight half horror, the first one to twig.
"Actually," Said Karen, the next to work it out, "This could be fun." Lauren simply smiled, fairly sure what Cassie had in mind, and thinking this might be her opportunity to sample what she would otherwise never get her hands on.
"Oh, sod it," Said Yvonne, "What are birthdays for but to make a complete tit of yourself."
"Absolutely right," Said Cassie in triumph, as Karen and Roisin began to clear a space in the middle of the table.
"Let's just hope we've all drunk enough not to remember this in the morning," Said Yvonne, but knowing it was a very small hope.
Lauren refilled all their glasses, and Yvonne took a long swig, just knowing she was going to regret agreeing to Cassie's impromptu game of spin the bottle. Cassie laid the bottle down in front of Yvonne.
"Go on," She said, "Birthday girl's prerogative."
"No way," Said Yvonne, "Your idea, so you go first." Cassie didn't need telling twice. Stretching forward a well-manicured hand, she spun the bottle that had previously held red wine. Cassie was quite obviously adept at this game, because the bottle seemed to spin endlessly, glass slithering silently over the cotton tablecloth. When it eventually came to a stop, the cork that Cassie had rammed back in was pointing straight at Karen. Her eyes briefly flicked to Yvonne, as if to reassure her this wasn't for real. The soft, sultry sounds of Annie Lennox drifted out of the open French windows, and as Cassie leaned towards Karen, a predatory smirk of satisfaction moved over her face. Karen really had no idea what to expect. But when Cassie looked in to her eyes with that wicked flash of fun, together with a certain aura of reassurance, she knew she was going to enjoy it. They both found the other's lips soft and pliable, and as skilled at kissing as a professional clarinetist would be with their reeds. Yvonne had to admit that she found the scene disturbingly erotic. These two beautiful women whom she'd known for some time now in different ways, kissing each other like they were posing for a particularly classy erotic painting. not wanting to wind Yvonne up too much, Cassie hadn't allowed her tongue to come in to contact with Karen's, but she couldn't help briefly running her tongue along Karen's lower lip, almost as a way of saying, you'll never forget your first. Karen looked round the table at the others. Yvonne was gazing at her contemplatively, Lauren had a broad grin on her face, showing that she found the whole thing hilarious. But a brief shadow had crossed Roisin's face, and if she'd had hackles, they'd have risen in a stripe along her neck. Slightly wondering just how good an idea this had been, Karen spun the bottle. This time, it landed on Roisin. Karen stood up and moved round the table to where Roisin was sitting. As she planted a chased kiss on Roisin's slightly wary mouth, she murmured,
"You can put the claws away, you know." Roisin smiled sheepishly. She returned the kiss as one who knows their territory isn't under threat. When Roisin spun the bottle, it landed on Yvonne. With a feeling of curiosity, Roisin got up and moved round to Yvonne. Their first touch of lips was a point of exploration for both of them. For Yvonne, because this was the first woman she'd ever kissed, and for Roisin, because she was finally sampling something of the woman whom Cassie had openly fancied when they were inside. The only word Yvonne could put to it was different. It was certainly gentler than any man's kiss had ever been, but it definitely hadn't ignited any spark in her. Roisin gave Yvonne a brief smile of encouragement as she returned to her seat. Karen lit a cigarette and blew a perfect smoke ring up toward the setting sun. This evening was turning out to be far more enlightening than she'd first supposed. Yvonne was interested now, and when she spun the bottle, the cork pointed towards Cassie. With a grin of pure glee, Cassie watched Yvonne walk round behind Karen to get to her. Karen watched in some amusement as Yvonne joined her lips to Cassie's. Under the gaze of Karen, Roisin and a silently laughing Lauren, Yvonne was treated to a similarly expert initiation process as Karen had been. When they eventually came up for air, Yvonne said,
"I won't ask how old you were when you learnt to do that, because it was clearly a long time ago." Roisin laughed with more mirth than she'd felt since the beginning of the game.
"Oh, Cassie's always been precocious in that department," She said, taking a swig from her glass. When Cassie next twirled the bottle, it landed on Lauren.
"This I don't need to see," Said Yvonne as Cassie moved round the table towards Lauren. As Cassie put a hand on Lauren's shoulder, Yvonne picked up a pile of plates and walked towards the house. Thinking that this was as good a time as any to sample Yvonne's gloriously sensual mouth for herself, Karen picked up a couple of empty wine bottles and followed her. Looking back, however, she was enchanted to see Cassie and Lauren kissing like there was no tomorrow, and Roisin of all things, gazing at them totally transfixed. Not quite able to believe the direction her thoughts were leading her concerning those three, and putting it firmly down to too much wine, she walked through the French windows, over the thick lounge carpet towards the kitchen. Yvonne was stacking the plates in the dishwasher and turned to face her.
"I thought it was my turn for whatever you did to Cassie that made her look as if all her birthdays had come at once."
"Oh, did you now?" Asked Yvonne, grinning wickedly when she saw the lust in Karen's eyes. Moving towards her, Karen put the two empty bottles down on the kitchen table.
"You looked sensational with Cassie," Said Karen in a low husky voice, now standing directly in front of Yvonne.
"So says the woman who looked like she could kiss for England," Replied Yvonne locking eyes with Karen. At the first touch of lips, something deep in both of them reached out to forge that irrevocably strong bond of completion. It really was like coming home, like finding the one you'd been destined to be with all your life. Gentle caresses from soft lips soon became lingering explorations, learning the contours of each other's mouths. The small sound Karen made in the back of her throat was the sexiest thing Yvonne had ever heard. As their arms came up and went round each other, Karen felt like this was where she always wanted to be.
"You're amazing," Said Yvonne between kisses.
"So are you," said Karen nibbling lightly on Yvonne's lower lip and then soothing it with her tongue.
"Before you two get totally out of control," Came a mocking voice from the doorway, "We're off clubbing." They turned to see Cassie gazing at them with a soft smile on her face.
"I'm glad to see you're actually wearing something to go clubbing," Said Yvonne, trying to cover up her embarrassment. Cassie looked gorgeous, in a miniscule black skirt and a truly outrageous top that looked to be made of nothing more than tiny purple beads.
"I've persuaded Lauren to stay at ours tonight, so you'll have some peace and quiet."
"Ever subtle weren't you Cassie," Said Yvonne totally unable to keep the smile off her face.
A while later, they lay close together, side by side along the couch in Yvonne's lounge at the other end of the house. Elton John was playing softly on the stereo and they were working their way down another bottle of wine.
"I haven't drunk this much in ages," Said Karen softly.
"No, me neither," replied Yvonne, lighting a cigarette. She was lying in the crook of Karen's right arm, so held the cigarette up for her to take a drag. Neither of them had shared a cigarette with anyone since they were fifteen and sneaking out of school for one, but lying so close, it seemed silly to light two. The words of Nikita gently drifted across the room.
"Your eyes look like ice on fire sometimes," Said Karen, knowing by her voicing of this randomly soppy thought that she'd definitely had too much to drink.
"How do you mean?" Asked Yvonne smiling. Karen reached for the cigarette with her left hand.
"You'll drop it if you're not used to smoking left-handed," said Yvonne raising their mutual addiction to Karen's lips. She could tell by the slight squint in Karen's eyes just how drunk she was.
"It's just, when you're angry, I mean really furious, there's a part of you that's as cold as ice, but if you look deeper, there's a glint that promises rage." Yvonne grinned.
"You've been doing a lot of looking on the sly."
"Do you blame me?" Asked Karen beginning to laugh.
"No," Said Yvonne reaching for her glass that was on the floor by the couch. "It sounds like you've done a lot more thinking about this, us, than you realise." A soft, secretive smile crept over Karen's face as she remembered what too much thinking had led to on Wednesday night. Yvonne then handed Karen her glass. She had to steady Karen's hand when it shook slightly.
"You are completely pissed," Yvonne said with a fond smile.
"Hmm, good isn't it," Replied Karen with a contented sigh.
"You'll have a rotten hangover in the morning."
"Not me," Said Karen, "Hangovers usually creep up on me later on in the day, so I hope Denny behaves herself."
"She will. I can't believe you sorted that."
"Grayling owed me the biggest favour he'll ever owe in his life. I will have to be here, but I can go for a swim or something to give you some space."
"Does Denny know?"
"No, and she won't till I go and get her tomorrow." Putting Karen's glass back down on the floor for her, Yvonne turned and planted tiny kisses along Karen's jawbone until she reached her mouth. The fruitiness of the wine mixed with their own unique taste. Their arms tightened around each other as their kiss seemed to go on and on. They lay there for a long time, listening to the soft music and alternating between kissing and consuming the rest of that final bottle of wine. Karen knew she was far more drunk than on that occasion with Fenner, but she couldn't have felt safer, more relaxed in Yvonne's arms. When the CD reached its end, Yvonne said,
"Do you want to stay?" Karen simply raised an eyebrow. "Not for that," Yvonne grinned, "But you're clearly in no state to drive." When, a short while later, Karen had borrowed a spare toothbrush and the skimpiest black silk nightie she'd ever seen, she lay in Yvonne's enormous four-poster, and listened to her locking up downstairs. When Yvonne joined her in bed, also clad in what surely was no bigger than a serviette, they moved together like they'd been doing it all their lives. Karen's body seemed to mould itself round Yvonne's slightly smaller frame, so that neither could tell where one ended and the other began. As they slid quickly towards sleep, they both took maximum comfort in being held through nighttime's darkest hours.
On the Saturday morning, Lauren crept quietly up the stairs carrying a breakfast tray, with Trigger at her side carrying the morning's newspaper in his mouth. As she pushed open the bedroom door, Yvonne turned over and opened her eyes.
"This is a nice surprise," Said Yvonne, sitting up. Trigger put his front paws up on the bed and dropped the newspaper in Yvonne's lap. "Did you teach him to do that?" She asked, scratching the dog's ears.
"Of course," Said Lauren with a smirk, "He does everything I tell him, don't you boy." At the sound of her voice, Trigger abandoned Yvonne in favour of the wonderful aroma coming from the breakfast tray. As Lauren put the tray down on the bed, which contained croissants straight from the oven, Yvonne's favourite strawberry jam, freshly squeezed orange juice and black, fresh Brazilian coffee, Yvonne said,
"So to what do I owe the pleasure?" Lauren stared at her in utter astonishment. She picked up the digital clock from Yvonne's bedside table which displayed the date as well as the time.
"Mum!" She said in total exasperation. "Don't you know what day it is?" She said thrusting the clock under Yvonne's nose.
"Oh, that," Said Yvonne dismissively. "I was trying to avoid thinking about that."
"It's your first birthday since you got out, therefore we have to do something special."
"Lauren, being forty-eight isn't anything special, believe me."
"So what do you intend to do?" At Yvonne's silence, Lauren reached forward and picked up the address book from the bedside table. "If you're so intent on not even recognising your birthday, then we'll just have to do it for you," She said, flicking through the pages.
"Who's we?" Asked Yvonne, beginning to be slightly worried.
"Only me, Cassie, Roisin and Karen. Got a problem with that?" Hiding her brief flutter of adolescent nerves at the thought of seeing Karen again so soon after their talk yesterday, Yvonne replied,
"Yeah, okay, but nothing major."
Karen was relaxing over a cigarette and the morning paper when the phone rang.
"Karen, it's Lauren, are you doing anything this evening?" Karen briefly smiled at the irony. When did she ever do anything in the evening these days, unless it was with Yvonne.
"No, I've nothing planned," She replied.
"Mum has totally neglected to tell anyone it's her birthday today, and she seems set on ignoring it altogether." Karen grinned, this was typical of Yvonne.
"And are you planning to surprise her?" She asked. Lauren laughed.
"Surprise mum? Are you joking? That'd be impossible. She doesn't want to do anything major, so I thought I'd ask you, Cassie and Roisin over for a barbecue and take it from there."
"Sounds good. What time were you thinking?"
"About seven, and can you bring some wine?"
"Sure, and tell her I said that age is nothing to be afraid of." As Lauren put the phone down and relayed Karen's message, Yvonne sincerely hoped this was true.
Karen started thinking. Just what could she get Yvonne for a birthday present. this, after all, was the woman who had just about everything. Then she remembered how pleased Yvonne had been to have an uninterrupted, lengthy phone call from Denny on Wednesday. What also seemed to connect, was the thought that as she now knew about Grayling's little misleading of her last year, she figured he owed her a favour. Picking up the phone, Karen grinned wickedly to herself, knowing that this time, it was she who held all the cards.
"Neil, it's Karen Betts," She said on hearing his voice.
"Karen," He said, sounding almost jovial. "What can I do for you?"
"I'd like to arrange a home visit for Denny Blood to visit Yvonne Atkins, tomorrow." There was a short but charged silence.
"First," Said Neil, his voice steadily rising. "Why such short notice, and second, exactly what has Daniella Blood done recently to deserve such a privilege?"
"To answer your first question," Said Karen evenly, "I wasn't aware until a few minutes ago that it's Yvonne's birthday today and considering that we're in the middle of the trial of the woman who killed Sharon Wiley, I think it might be the thing to calm Denny down. She's been at boiling point all week so I'm told, and I think this might be the answer."
"Karen, can you give me one very good reason why I should even consider this?"
"Perhaps because you owe me the biggest favour I think you've ever owed anyone," Said Karen quietly.
"Pardon?" Said Neil warily.
"Does the name Michael Hendry mean anything to you?" At his silence she continued. "You know, the man from the CPS who supposedly told you they weren't going to take up my case against Fenner? Only, you forgot to tell me he didn't actually exist, didn't you."
"Who told you this?" Asked Neil furiously.
"I'd have thought that little detail was irrelevant. You managed to swindle me and god knows how many others out of justice, all because you wanted something to hold over Fenner. I think arranging a home visit for Denny Blood is a small price to pay, don't you?"
"Why're you getting so close to Yvonne Atkins?" Good point, thought Karen, cursing herself for not having thought up a decent response for this.
"That's absolutely none of your business," She said without missing a beat. Neil laughed, sounding the happiest she'd ever heard him.
"Don't tell me you've switched sides?" He asked.
"Don't tell me you'd dare to disapprove?" Threw back Karen, thanking god he couldn't see her blushing.
"Just be careful, Karen," He said, sounding about as genuine as on the day he'd expressed so much concern over what had happened with Fenner.
"Neil, you didn't try to warn me off the last Atkins, so don't bother with this one. My private life is my own business, do I make myself clear?" Grayling had to admit that she had a point. He would have hated everyone knowing the utter fiasco that had been him, Di and Tony.
"Point taken," He replied.
"So, do we have a deal?" Asked Karen, "Over Denny Blood's home visit?"
"Yes, I'll put it in writing ASAP and fax you the details." When Karen put down the phone, she knew that however much of a wanker Neil had been to her in the past, his agreeing to do this for her, was his way of apologizing.
When Karen arrived at around seven that evening, she couldn't wait to give Yvonne the surprise of Denny's visit tomorrow. Neil had grudgingly faxed her the confirmation some time in the afternoon. As she turned in to Yvonne's road, she saw Cassie and Roisin in the car ahead of her. She could see Cassie applying lipstick in the driving mirror whilst Roisin sat at the wheel. When they turned in to Yvonne's drive, and Cassie got out of the car, Karen was slightly thrown to see she was only wearing a soft, pale blue bikini which accentuated her tan, with a long tunic-style shirt slung carelessly over her shoulders. For someone, like her, who had been told to make it strictly casual, Cassie looked incredible. On glancing up and catching Karen openly staring, Cassie smirked.
"Oh, don't mind her," Said Roisin handing Cassie a tin that clearly contained a homemade birthday cake. "She just likes to flaunt it at every opportunity." Karen picked up the two large off licence bags and a bouquet of roses from the passenger seat and followed them towards the front door. When Yvonne came to open it, she said with a grin,
"I might have known that an excuse to get pissed would bring you three over."
"Well, quite how you thought you'd get away with not telling us it was your birthday, I don't know," Said Roisin in mock disgust. Yvonne just smiled sheepishly and led them back in to the house. Then, turning back to take in Cassie's appearance, she said,
"I hope you're not going to go anywhere else looking like that?"
"I don't know, oh old and wise one," Cassie said playfully. "It might be fun. Imagine all the women I'd hook in one night."
"Do you have to put up with this all the time?" Said Karen to Roisin with a wink.
"She only does it to wind me up," Said Roisin, secure in the knowledge that Cassie wouldn't stray as easily as she made out she would.
"Would you like me to relieve you of those?" Asked Lauren coming in to the hall, followed by Trigger who lifted his nose to the tin Cassie was holding.
"That's not for you," Said Cassie lifting it out of his reach.
"What've you got in there?" Asked Yvonne, clearly mystified by the tin's contents.
"Possibly the biggest advantage of Roisin still having young children," Replied Cassie, "Is that she's an angel when it comes to making birthday cakes." Yvonne grinned.
"Jesus," She said, "I haven't had one of those since I was a kid."
"Which is why," Said Roisin, removing her precious creation from Cassie's occasionally accident-prone fingers, "You're overdue for one." As Cassie and Roisin moved with Lauren towards the kitchen, Karen held out her red roses.
"Happy birthday," She said with a smile.
"Thank you," Said Yvonne, giving Karen a peck on the cheek. Holding the flowers in one hand, she opened the card. There was a picture of a woman holding up a glass of champagne, and inside, Karen had simply written,
"To whatever future I can give you."
"That's lovely," Said Yvonne, her eyes meeting Karen's for the first time since she'd arrived.
"The best bit's in the envelope," Replied Karen. Yvonne fumbled with the envelope and pulled out Grayling's fax. Unfolding it, she read:
This is to confirm that I, Neil Grayling, Governor of HMP Larkhall, give my permission for Daniella Blood to have a home visit with Yvonne Atkins for the duration of four hours on Sunday August 24th. This visit will be supervised by wing governor Karen Betts...
Yvonne didn't get any further.
"Are you serious?" Asked Yvonne in total wonderment. Karen smiled.
"I'm serious," She said, realising for the first time that Yvonne's happiness was something she wanted very very badly. Being careful so as not to crush the roses, Yvonne put her arms round Karen and squeezed her tight.
"That's the nicest thing anyone's ever done for me," She said, a slight tremor in her voice.
"My pleasure," Said Karen softly, returning the hug and not wanting to let go.
Much later in the evening when they'd eaten their way through the wonderful food Lauren and Roisin had prepared, Lauren went away and returned carrying a very large, but very flat package.
"Happy birthday, Mum," She said putting the parcel in to Yvonne's arms. When it was unwrapped, it was revealed to be an enormous painting of Trigger, sprawled sound asleep under his favourite tree. Lauren had had it framed, and it was ready to hang wherever Yvonne wanted it.
"This is beautiful," Yvonne said in awe. "Who did it?"
"I was able to give an artist friend of mine a very nice commission," Said Lauren with a smile.
"When did you get it done? This looks like it would have taken some time."
"You remember when you went out to Spain in June? Well, those three weeks came in very useful. I don't think I've ever known a dog that was better at sitting for a painter than this one."
"You've been teaching that dog too many decadent habits while I've been inside," Said Yvonne with a laugh. Lauren gently retrieved the painting and bore it away in to the house, returning with a bottle of the finest Krug Karen thought she'd ever seen. Yvonne stared at it mesmerized.
"Where did you get that?" She asked slightly ominously.
"Where do you think I got it?" Asked Lauren preparing to peel off the silver foil covering the cork. "From Dad's stash. Just because you won't go near that cellar doesn't mean we shouldn't drink what's in it."
"We haven't had any of that since before I ended up in Larkhall," Said Yvonne, marveling at how Lauren could even bare to be near the one part of the house that still had Charlie stamped all over it.
"Which is precisely why we should open it now," Lauren said softly.
"Will it be cold enough?" Asked Cassie, the only other one there used to drinking champagne on a regular basis from her pre-Larkhall days.
"It's as cold as a morgue down there, even in this heat," Replied Lauren. She eased out the cork, and filled all their glasses. "To Mum," She said raising her glass, "And to many more birthdays she won't be allowed to forget."
"To Yvonne," Said the others raising their glasses. On taking her first sip, Karen realised why it was she'd never before really liked Champagne, she'd clearly only ever had the cheap stuff, never the real thing.
"God, this stuff brings back memories," Said Cassie fondly.
"Oh, what, of the first time you took me out for dinner?" Said Roisin with a smile. Then to the others she said, "I swear she'd picked the most outrageously expensive restaurant in the whole of London." Yvonne laughed.
"Typical Cassie," She said grinning.
"I was nervous," Said Cassie in mild protest.
"You, nervous?" Asked Karen in astonishment. "That I'd like to see."
"Oh, she was," Said Roisin putting an arm round Cassie's shoulders, "She actually ran out of things to say."
"Jesus," Said Yvonne in total disbelief. But Cassie wasn't listening. She'd spied an empty wine bottle that Yvonne had put on the floor out of the way. Reaching to pick it up, she began looking for its cork, and finding one amongst the clutter on the table, she rammed it back in to the bottle.
"Cassie, what're you doing?" Asked Lauren, but it was Yvonne who recognised the gleam of mischief in Cassie's eye. It wasn't unlike the gleam that had preceded the suggestion of fiddling the prison shop.
"Cassie, whatever it is, the answer's no," Said Yvonne, knowing of old what havoc that too clever brain could cause. Cassie simply grinned wickedly round at them all, and began spinning the bottle round between her two hands.
"Cass, no," Said Roisin in half delight half horror, the first one to twig.
"Actually," Said Karen, the next to work it out, "This could be fun." Lauren simply smiled, fairly sure what Cassie had in mind, and thinking this might be her opportunity to sample what she would otherwise never get her hands on.
"Oh, sod it," Said Yvonne, "What are birthdays for but to make a complete tit of yourself."
"Absolutely right," Said Cassie in triumph, as Karen and Roisin began to clear a space in the middle of the table.
"Let's just hope we've all drunk enough not to remember this in the morning," Said Yvonne, but knowing it was a very small hope.
Lauren refilled all their glasses, and Yvonne took a long swig, just knowing she was going to regret agreeing to Cassie's impromptu game of spin the bottle. Cassie laid the bottle down in front of Yvonne.
"Go on," She said, "Birthday girl's prerogative."
"No way," Said Yvonne, "Your idea, so you go first." Cassie didn't need telling twice. Stretching forward a well-manicured hand, she spun the bottle that had previously held red wine. Cassie was quite obviously adept at this game, because the bottle seemed to spin endlessly, glass slithering silently over the cotton tablecloth. When it eventually came to a stop, the cork that Cassie had rammed back in was pointing straight at Karen. Her eyes briefly flicked to Yvonne, as if to reassure her this wasn't for real. The soft, sultry sounds of Annie Lennox drifted out of the open French windows, and as Cassie leaned towards Karen, a predatory smirk of satisfaction moved over her face. Karen really had no idea what to expect. But when Cassie looked in to her eyes with that wicked flash of fun, together with a certain aura of reassurance, she knew she was going to enjoy it. They both found the other's lips soft and pliable, and as skilled at kissing as a professional clarinetist would be with their reeds. Yvonne had to admit that she found the scene disturbingly erotic. These two beautiful women whom she'd known for some time now in different ways, kissing each other like they were posing for a particularly classy erotic painting. not wanting to wind Yvonne up too much, Cassie hadn't allowed her tongue to come in to contact with Karen's, but she couldn't help briefly running her tongue along Karen's lower lip, almost as a way of saying, you'll never forget your first. Karen looked round the table at the others. Yvonne was gazing at her contemplatively, Lauren had a broad grin on her face, showing that she found the whole thing hilarious. But a brief shadow had crossed Roisin's face, and if she'd had hackles, they'd have risen in a stripe along her neck. Slightly wondering just how good an idea this had been, Karen spun the bottle. This time, it landed on Roisin. Karen stood up and moved round the table to where Roisin was sitting. As she planted a chased kiss on Roisin's slightly wary mouth, she murmured,
"You can put the claws away, you know." Roisin smiled sheepishly. She returned the kiss as one who knows their territory isn't under threat. When Roisin spun the bottle, it landed on Yvonne. With a feeling of curiosity, Roisin got up and moved round to Yvonne. Their first touch of lips was a point of exploration for both of them. For Yvonne, because this was the first woman she'd ever kissed, and for Roisin, because she was finally sampling something of the woman whom Cassie had openly fancied when they were inside. The only word Yvonne could put to it was different. It was certainly gentler than any man's kiss had ever been, but it definitely hadn't ignited any spark in her. Roisin gave Yvonne a brief smile of encouragement as she returned to her seat. Karen lit a cigarette and blew a perfect smoke ring up toward the setting sun. This evening was turning out to be far more enlightening than she'd first supposed. Yvonne was interested now, and when she spun the bottle, the cork pointed towards Cassie. With a grin of pure glee, Cassie watched Yvonne walk round behind Karen to get to her. Karen watched in some amusement as Yvonne joined her lips to Cassie's. Under the gaze of Karen, Roisin and a silently laughing Lauren, Yvonne was treated to a similarly expert initiation process as Karen had been. When they eventually came up for air, Yvonne said,
"I won't ask how old you were when you learnt to do that, because it was clearly a long time ago." Roisin laughed with more mirth than she'd felt since the beginning of the game.
"Oh, Cassie's always been precocious in that department," She said, taking a swig from her glass. When Cassie next twirled the bottle, it landed on Lauren.
"This I don't need to see," Said Yvonne as Cassie moved round the table towards Lauren. As Cassie put a hand on Lauren's shoulder, Yvonne picked up a pile of plates and walked towards the house. Thinking that this was as good a time as any to sample Yvonne's gloriously sensual mouth for herself, Karen picked up a couple of empty wine bottles and followed her. Looking back, however, she was enchanted to see Cassie and Lauren kissing like there was no tomorrow, and Roisin of all things, gazing at them totally transfixed. Not quite able to believe the direction her thoughts were leading her concerning those three, and putting it firmly down to too much wine, she walked through the French windows, over the thick lounge carpet towards the kitchen. Yvonne was stacking the plates in the dishwasher and turned to face her.
"I thought it was my turn for whatever you did to Cassie that made her look as if all her birthdays had come at once."
"Oh, did you now?" Asked Yvonne, grinning wickedly when she saw the lust in Karen's eyes. Moving towards her, Karen put the two empty bottles down on the kitchen table.
"You looked sensational with Cassie," Said Karen in a low husky voice, now standing directly in front of Yvonne.
"So says the woman who looked like she could kiss for England," Replied Yvonne locking eyes with Karen. At the first touch of lips, something deep in both of them reached out to forge that irrevocably strong bond of completion. It really was like coming home, like finding the one you'd been destined to be with all your life. Gentle caresses from soft lips soon became lingering explorations, learning the contours of each other's mouths. The small sound Karen made in the back of her throat was the sexiest thing Yvonne had ever heard. As their arms came up and went round each other, Karen felt like this was where she always wanted to be.
"You're amazing," Said Yvonne between kisses.
"So are you," said Karen nibbling lightly on Yvonne's lower lip and then soothing it with her tongue.
"Before you two get totally out of control," Came a mocking voice from the doorway, "We're off clubbing." They turned to see Cassie gazing at them with a soft smile on her face.
"I'm glad to see you're actually wearing something to go clubbing," Said Yvonne, trying to cover up her embarrassment. Cassie looked gorgeous, in a miniscule black skirt and a truly outrageous top that looked to be made of nothing more than tiny purple beads.
"I've persuaded Lauren to stay at ours tonight, so you'll have some peace and quiet."
"Ever subtle weren't you Cassie," Said Yvonne totally unable to keep the smile off her face.
A while later, they lay close together, side by side along the couch in Yvonne's lounge at the other end of the house. Elton John was playing softly on the stereo and they were working their way down another bottle of wine.
"I haven't drunk this much in ages," Said Karen softly.
"No, me neither," replied Yvonne, lighting a cigarette. She was lying in the crook of Karen's right arm, so held the cigarette up for her to take a drag. Neither of them had shared a cigarette with anyone since they were fifteen and sneaking out of school for one, but lying so close, it seemed silly to light two. The words of Nikita gently drifted across the room.
"Your eyes look like ice on fire sometimes," Said Karen, knowing by her voicing of this randomly soppy thought that she'd definitely had too much to drink.
"How do you mean?" Asked Yvonne smiling. Karen reached for the cigarette with her left hand.
"You'll drop it if you're not used to smoking left-handed," said Yvonne raising their mutual addiction to Karen's lips. She could tell by the slight squint in Karen's eyes just how drunk she was.
"It's just, when you're angry, I mean really furious, there's a part of you that's as cold as ice, but if you look deeper, there's a glint that promises rage." Yvonne grinned.
"You've been doing a lot of looking on the sly."
"Do you blame me?" Asked Karen beginning to laugh.
"No," Said Yvonne reaching for her glass that was on the floor by the couch. "It sounds like you've done a lot more thinking about this, us, than you realise." A soft, secretive smile crept over Karen's face as she remembered what too much thinking had led to on Wednesday night. Yvonne then handed Karen her glass. She had to steady Karen's hand when it shook slightly.
"You are completely pissed," Yvonne said with a fond smile.
"Hmm, good isn't it," Replied Karen with a contented sigh.
"You'll have a rotten hangover in the morning."
"Not me," Said Karen, "Hangovers usually creep up on me later on in the day, so I hope Denny behaves herself."
"She will. I can't believe you sorted that."
"Grayling owed me the biggest favour he'll ever owe in his life. I will have to be here, but I can go for a swim or something to give you some space."
"Does Denny know?"
"No, and she won't till I go and get her tomorrow." Putting Karen's glass back down on the floor for her, Yvonne turned and planted tiny kisses along Karen's jawbone until she reached her mouth. The fruitiness of the wine mixed with their own unique taste. Their arms tightened around each other as their kiss seemed to go on and on. They lay there for a long time, listening to the soft music and alternating between kissing and consuming the rest of that final bottle of wine. Karen knew she was far more drunk than on that occasion with Fenner, but she couldn't have felt safer, more relaxed in Yvonne's arms. When the CD reached its end, Yvonne said,
"Do you want to stay?" Karen simply raised an eyebrow. "Not for that," Yvonne grinned, "But you're clearly in no state to drive." When, a short while later, Karen had borrowed a spare toothbrush and the skimpiest black silk nightie she'd ever seen, she lay in Yvonne's enormous four-poster, and listened to her locking up downstairs. When Yvonne joined her in bed, also clad in what surely was no bigger than a serviette, they moved together like they'd been doing it all their lives. Karen's body seemed to mould itself round Yvonne's slightly smaller frame, so that neither could tell where one ended and the other began. As they slid quickly towards sleep, they both took maximum comfort in being held through nighttime's darkest hours.