Cold Revenge (Willis/Carter #6)(72)

Cathy looked at Heather as she groomed Murphy, wiping the saddle sweat from him and washing him down with the hose on his legs to cool him off. She must have felt it as she sat on Murphy, felt the pressure like a vibrator, the tease of the touch and release, thought Cathy. Heather had so much to learn about her own body. She could be a teacher for Heather, she was only three years older. Heather was so ready for it.

Heather looked across at her curiously, catching Cathy staring. Cathy blew her a kiss and she laughed, embarrassed.

Cathy understood how it would be a magnificent thing to give Heather to Douglas, to present her. Nicola couldn’t give Heather to him, neither could Yvonne, Heather wasn’t sure about them, but Cathy knew she could. Heather trusted her.

‘Christ, I’ve had enough for one day. I need a beer,’ said Cathy. ‘What time is it, Heather?’ Cathy came to sit next to her on the hay bales as she finished washing Murphy’s legs.

‘Nearly seven,’ answered Heather, looking at her watch.

‘Fuck – you’d better run, Heather, you’re gonna be late!’

‘No, it’s okay. I’m allowed to stay and help my uncle with the animals tonight. My dad said I could.’ She smiled, triumphant.

‘What? Jesus, how come he agreed?’

‘My exams are over, I’ve been trying hard to keep on his good side the last couple of weeks, so he said yes.’

‘That’s incredible. My exams are finished too. Come on, we’ll have a celebration drink at the party tonight, it’s going to be a great one. It’s going to be the best we’ve ever had.’

Heather sat down on the bales and stretched out her legs as she tucked her hands under her thighs and looked sideways at Cathy, smiling.

‘What is it, Heather? Tell me?’ She shook Heather’s arm and made her giggle.

‘Nothing.’

‘Go on, Heather, just do it, I can see you want to, fuck it! You haven’t heard from Ash, have you? Forget him, there’ll be loads of boys at the party. Gavin’s going, aren’t you?’ She shouted across as he was walking past.

Gavin put down his barrow and pumped his palms in the air. ‘Saturday night, whoop whoop.’

‘Gavin, come here.’ Cathy beckoned them across. ‘I was trying to persuade Heather to come. It’s going to be sick, isn’t it, Gav?’

Gavin grinned at Heather. ‘It’s going to get messy.’

Cathy giggled and Gavin went back to his chores.

‘I can’t come, I’m sorry. I am really helping my uncle tonight. He’s worried about the livestock.’

‘Okay, then I’ll walk up the lane with you and we can just call in at the bungalow, see who’s about?’

Heather agreed.

As they approached the bungalow Truscott came from the back of the building and Nicola appeared naked in one of the windows, grinning. Truscott pretended he hadn’t seen her when he caught sight of the girls and Murphy.

‘I’m just checking on the log store. Don’t want to run out of logs,’ he said, shuffling off. They watched him jog back towards the farm.

‘Dirty old git,’ observed Cathy. She knew Heather didn’t like to say that about her uncle; coming to the farm to ride Murphy and hang about was a lifesaver for her, even though he had wandering hands.

Nicola came to the front door wearing just a dressing gown. ‘Heather! How lovely to see you. Come in, leave Murphy tied up, he’ll be fine. Come on, Heather, about time we had you round here for a drink.’

‘I can’t come in right now, thanks.’ Heather smiled nervously. ‘I might come by later.’

‘Heather is going to be staying around tonight,’ said Cathy. ‘She has permission to stay over at the farmhouse and we’re both celebrating finishing our exams.’

‘Oh, Heather, I’m so pleased for you.’ Nicola came out and gave her a hug and held on tightly to her. ‘You don’t want to sleep at the farmhouse, Truscott will be creeping into your bedroom. You come and stay here where you’ll be safe. We’ll look after you, won’t we, Cathy?’

Cathy started giggling. ‘Yeah, tonight’s going to be incredible.’

Nicola smoothed Heather’s hair and held her face in her hands. ‘My beautiful Heather, we have loads of people coming. There’s a DJ too, loads of people will be jamming. We’re having a hog roast. I can find you something to wear, just come for an hour or two. Come in now and we’ll do our nails and drink a few shots. You can borrow some of my clothes. I’ll dress you. I can dress both of you!’

Cathy looked at Heather. ‘Take Murphy back now and then come straight back.’ Heather looked undecided.

‘Look, I’m going back inside,’ said Nicola, ‘you come in when you’re ready. I need to go for a shower. See you later, Heather.’

After Nicola had gone back inside, Cathy looked at Heather. ‘Please, Heather, come back here and I promise it will be fine. You can sleep here in the bungalow and I’ll look after you.’

Heather nodded. ‘I’ll think about it, Cathy, anyway, I can sleep in the field with Murphy. It’s baking tonight, I’ll be fine, I’ll put down a rug, don’t worry about me.’

‘What’s the big deal? A drink together, to celebrate!’