‘Do you know,’ Betty said as she eyed herself in a full-length mirror, ‘I think you’re right. I can’t afford both and won’t bother to try the other one.’
The purchase made, they left the small shop, Betty chatting about what she could wear with the skirt. ‘I’ve got a couple of blouses – when we get home, would you help me to choose one?’
‘Yes, if you’d like me to.’
It didn’t take long to drive to Battersea, and after parking they went into the flats. ‘Treacle will need a walk as usual, but then I’ll pop up.’
‘All right. See you soon. And thanks for taking me to that shop, Val.’
‘I’m glad you liked it,’ she replied, saying goodbye before going inside. As usual Treacle went mad when he saw her, and after clipping on his lead Val was outside again and on her way to the park. She wasn’t looking forward to talking about Mike Freeman again, but had to get Betty talking too – and sooner rather than later.
When Val returned, Betty opened her door with a flourish. ‘Come on in. I’ve been sorting out a few blouses for you to look at.’
Treacle made straight for Betty and, seeing that the dog was panting, she hurried to get him a bowl of water. He lapped it up then headed for the rug where he settled down. ‘He was thirsty. What would you like to drink, Val?’
‘Something cold would be nice.’
‘Lemonade?’
‘Yes, lovely.’
Val looked at the blouses, but saw only one that might be suitable. When Betty returned holding two glasses, she pointed it out. ‘That plain pale blue would go nicely with the skirt and I’m sure I’ve got some beads that would tone in nicely.’
‘I can’t take your beads,’ Betty protested.
‘They’d be no loss. I haven’t worn them for ages.’
‘If you’re sure, then thank you very much. I noticed you didn’t buy anything. Wasn’t there anything you liked?’
‘I saw a lovely dress, but with a couple of bills to pay this month I couldn’t afford it.’ Val sighed, ‘My wages were a lot higher when I was a sales manager.’
‘Why did you leave such a good job? Was it to do with that man you mentioned?’
The conversation was going as Val had hoped, but now her expression saddened. ‘Yes … Yes, I’m afraid it was.’
‘I’m sorry, Val. I’ve upset you and shouldn’t have asked.’
‘No, it’s all right, and anyway, perhaps talking about it will help.’ Val paused to take a sip of her lemonade, then saying, ‘I’ve already told you how I met Mike Freeman so I’ll go on from there. We met as often as we could and I found myself falling in love with him. I was so happy, Betty, and we actually began to plan a future together, but then my sales director announced his retirement. Applications were invited for the position and, as it was such a wonderful opportunity, along with a huge rise in salary, I decided to apply.’
‘Oh dear, and I suppose Mike was against it?’
‘No, it was nothing like that. As I said, Mike and I had become very close, and in the same industry we had a lot in common. Being a sales rep or manager can be a lonely life. With so much travelling, along with working long hours, it’s difficult to maintain friendships. As Mike was in the same position he understood, becoming not just my lover, but my dearest friend.’
Betty’s eyes widened and for a fleeting moment Val thought she saw an expression of disapproval. She should’ve guessed that Betty would be old-fashioned in her views and worried that she had put her foot in it by saying that Mike was her lover, she quickly continued, ‘To gain the promotion, my application had to be dynamic, innovative, and through someone I knew, someone that risked their job to tell me, I got a whisper that their research company was very close to developing a ninety-six-well microplate for scientific assays and—’
‘A what plate?’
‘It doesn’t matter, Betty; suffice to say that when it became available it would save laboratories a fortune on manpower. I knew that if our company wasn’t to be left behind it would need to be first in offering to sell this technology. With Mike’s help I drew up my proposal to gain an exclusive contract with the manufacturer, along with other ideas I had for growth and change.’
‘It all sounds very impressive, Val.’
‘I thought it was, and Mike did too. He promised to say nothing to his company about the new technology until I’d secured the position, and I thought my promotion was in the bag. Oh, Betty, I was such a fool, a complete and utter fool. I loved Mike, trusted him without realising the cost. I thought he loved me too, but instead he betrayed me.’
‘What did he do?’
‘He told his company about the new microplate – who would be supplying it – and got the contract for his firm ahead of mine. Not only that, he was indiscreet and word got round that he got the information from me. When it reached my employer’s ears, I was thrown out of my company. I lost my job, my career – and it was all down to Mike Freeman.’
‘My God, if you ask me the man should be shot.’
‘Yes, and I felt like shooting him too, especially when he gained promotion whilst I couldn’t get another decent job in the industry. I even applied to be a sales rep again but, as I said, word had got out that I wasn’t to be trusted. That and the fact that I was now considered too old. At the time I was nearly forty-three. I’m forty-five now.’
‘But that isn’t old,’ Betty protested.
‘Yes, well, that’s how I was seen within the industry. Mike Freeman destroyed my reputation, took away all that I had worked towards. I loved my job and was good at it, but it all counts for nothing now.’
‘Huh, men. If you ask me, they’re all the same.’
‘Oh dear, have you been treated badly too?’ Val asked, trying not to look too eager as she took another sip of lemonade.
‘Yes, but I … I’m afraid I can’t bear to talk about it.’
‘Did it happen recently?’
‘No, it was four years ago, but I still can’t get over it.’
‘I’m so sorry,’ Val said, and seeing that Betty’s eyes were full of tears she added, ‘I can see that you don’t want to talk about it, but if you ever change your mind and want to get it off your chest, I’ll be a sympathetic ear.’
‘Thanks, Val.’
Betty had clammed up, and hiding her disappointment, Val rose to her feet. ‘Well, thanks for listening to me, Betty. It certainly helped, but it’s time I did a bit of housework. If you aren’t busy tomorrow, perhaps you’d like to join me for tea again.’
‘I’d love to, and I could make a nice Victoria sponge.’
‘Lovely,’ Val said, waking Treacle from his snooze. She’d hoped that confiding in Betty would encourage her to do the same, but it hadn’t worked, and her expression was now grim as she made her way downstairs. Talking about Mike Freeman had opened up the wounds, so once inside her flat she went straight to her drinks cabinet to pour a large glass of sherry. She would have to ring Paula and Cheryl to report her progress, but there was little to tell them. Val gulped down her drink then poured another, consoling herself with the thought that there was always tomorrow. Maybe with a little more urging, Betty would finally tell her story.
Betty awoke on Sunday morning to find that her thoughts immediately went to Val. It was wonderful to have a friend now, someone who trusted her enough to share a confidence. Betty’s heart