.

that as it was such a warm, clear night, they would be able to see the stars, something he professed an interest in. She’d agreed, but that moment, that one decision, had changed her life. Something had been taken away from her – something she could never get back.

      Paula shivered, the scene playing over and over in her mind as her hands wrung in her lap. They had walked onto the common, Ian pointing out the Milky Way and other formations. She’d been impressed with his knowledge, trying her best to sound intelligent, but then shortly afterwards he struck. She’d been forced onto the grass, Ian’s hands pushing up her skirt, pulling at her knickers, ignoring her kicks and screams of pain as he entered her. She’d been left broken, sobbing, whilst he just walked away, never once looking back.

      ‘Are you all right, ducks?’ the elderly woman sitting beside Paula asked.

      It was only then that Paula became aware of the tears streaming down her cheeks. She fumbled for a handkerchief, wiped them away and managed to croak, ‘Yes,’ before rising swiftly to her feet, heading for the platform and willing the bus to stop.

      It slowed on the approach to some traffic lights and Paula jumped off, relieved to find that it wasn’t far to the factory. She clocked in, glad that she had managed to pull herself together as she entered the machine room. God, would she ever get over what Ian Parker had done to her? Would it always haunt her? And at the moment it wasn’t her mother she longed for – it was the comfort of Betty Grayson’s arms.

       Chapter Nine

      Cheryl Cutter vigorously washed her face and then frowned at her reflection in the mirror. She’d been complimented on her nice complexion, but secretly longed to look more glamorous. Her hair was short, wavy, naturally auburn, and her eyes were green. Instead of pale skin with a scattering of freckles across her nose, she’d prefer to have olive tones and mysterious, cat-shaped eyes like the film star Sophia Loren. With her head on one side, she tried a seductive pout, but then burst out laughing. There was no way she could look seductive and had once heard herself described as wholesome; something she had to admit was true.

      With a sigh, Cheryl took a dress from her wardrobe. It was Friday evening and she was going to see Val, hoping to meet Betty, but in truth she was having serious doubts about Val’s plans. When Val had first mentioned it, Cheryl had thought it could work, but as time passed, with lots of time to think, her nervousness had increased. The plan was fraught with risks, ones Cheryl felt sure could lead them all into deep trouble.

      Cheryl slipped on a pair of white sandals and, after picking up her handbag, locked her door, still wondering if she should back out now before it was too late.

      When she arrived at Val’s flat, Cheryl was ushered inside, Val saying, ‘If Betty doesn’t come down, I’ll take you upstairs to meet her. She knows my story and on Saturday she heard Paula’s. I realise it was only six days ago, but we really do have to move things forward. If Betty can’t be recruited, I’ll have to find someone else. The trouble is that could take ages, so let’s see how she reacts to what happened to you. Oh, and if you get the chance, it might intrigue her if you can somehow mention that I’m going to help you.’

      ‘Yes, all right, but after hearing about Paula, my story will sound a bit tame.’

      ‘Maybe, but nevertheless, you were swindled. If it hadn’t been for that dealer, you wouldn’t be stuck in nurses’ quarters.’

      Cheryl lowered her eyes, wondering how Val would react if she pulled out. Yes, she’d been cheated, but surely what Val wanted to do was a step too far? She’d been mad to agree, had been sucked in when she’d heard about what happened to Paula.

      Poor Paula, and thinking about her Cheryl knew she couldn’t back out now. She was tied to this group, not only for Paula’s sake, but her own too. If there was a chance of getting her money back she had to take it. Cheryl was snapped out of her thoughts when there was a sudden rap on the door.

      Val opened it to admit a plump, middle-aged woman. ‘Betty,’ she said, ‘I’m glad you’ve popped down. I’ve a friend here I’d like you to meet.’

      As the woman stepped inside, she said hesitantly, ‘Err … hello.’

      Val made the introductions. ‘Betty, this is Cheryl. Cheryl Cutter.’

      ‘Hello, Betty, it’s nice to meet you.’

      ‘Cheryl’s a nurse and has just finished a stint on nights,’ Val explained.

      ‘Oh dear, that can’t be much fun. Do you enjoy nursing?’ Betty asked as she took a seat.

      ‘Yes, well, except for the shifts.’

      ‘It doesn’t help that Cheryl has to live in nurses’ quarters, but after what happened to her, she has no choice.’

      ‘Why what happened?’

      Cheryl found herself annoyed that Val had jumped in with both feet. She knew that Val was anxious to get started on their plans, but surely this was rushing things? Obviously impatient, it was Val who answered Betty’s question.

      ‘I’m sure Cheryl will tell you what happened to her, but I’ll start by saying she was robbed.’

      ‘Robbed! How awful. Were you hurt?’

      Once again Val jumped in. ‘Not physically, but financially and emotionally. Tell her what happened, Cheryl.’

      Exhaling, Cheryl gathered her thoughts before starting at the beginning. ‘I’m twenty-nine now, but tragically my parents were killed in a bombing raid when I was just a year old.’

      ‘How awful for you.’

      Betty sounded so sympathetic, her eyes kind, and it encouraged Cheryl to go on. ‘To be honest, I was so young that I don’t remember it, or being taken to live with my grandmother. She was a widow, living in Richmond, and it must have been hard for her, but she took me on. I grew up seeing her as my mother, and loved her dearly. When I left school I was drawn to nursing, qualified, and decided to make it my career, perhaps specialising in midwifery.’

      ‘Oh, I’d have loved to do something like that, but I just got married and became a housewife and mother.’

      ‘Betty, I’ve told you,’ Val said. ‘There’s nothing wrong with that.’

      ‘No, there isn’t,’ Cheryl agreed, ‘but I had to put my career on hold when my grandmother became ill. I stayed at home to nurse her until … until she died.’

      ‘I’m so sorry to hear that. You must have been devastated.’

      ‘Yes, I was, and as my grandmother’s house was rented, the landlord said I had to move out. I think he was going to turn it into flats, double his profit. I returned to nursing and, with no other choice, I applied for, and got, nurse’s accommodation.’

      ‘You’re jumping the gun, Cheryl. Tell Betty about the dealer.’

      ‘Yes, I was coming to that. I was in such a state, grieving for my grandmother, but the new place was furnished, and with no room for anything but a few ornaments, I had to have my grandmother’s house cleared. All the furniture was old-fashioned, mostly junk really, but hoping there might be something of value, I invited a local dealer to see it. Two men came, but they didn’t want any of it, saying there was nothing worth buying. I was so upset, but hearing my plight they were very kind and offered to clear it for me. There was a picture above the hearth, filthy from years of smoke damage, but obviously feeling sorry for me, one of the men said he might be able to sell it, and offered me twenty pounds.’

      ‘Yes, twenty pounds,’ Val said scornfully, ‘and wait till you hear the rest.’

      ‘I trusted them, Betty, but they took advantage of me in my grief. You see, about six months later, I happened to pass the dealer’s shop. When I glanced in the window, I stopped in my tracks. It