Gangsters Wives by Lee Martin Read Free Book Online Page B

charge I’m allowed a fag.’
    Poppy shook her head. She could tell it was going to be one of those days, and she felt that she deserved one too.
    When the wine was poured and the cigarettes were on the go, Sadie said. ‘So what’s he done now? You look like you’ve lost a fiver and found a tanner.’
    â€˜Just the same,’ said Poppy. ‘He’s never home. Always round that bird’s flat playing mummies and daddies.’
    â€˜It’s the way of the world darlin’,’ said Sadie. ‘Whatever they can’t have they want. Lucky Eddie don’t have a fatherly bone in his body. ‘Cos I sure never wanted a bunch of screaming kids hanging around me.’
    â€˜Never?’
    â€˜Never my love. Think of my figure. ‘Cos if I don’t no one else ever will.’
    â€˜You still seeing that bloke?’ asked Poppy.
    â€˜Shh honey,’ said Sadie. ‘Walls have ears.’ Then she laughed. ‘Him and a few others.’
    â€˜God, if Eddie ever…’
    â€˜He’s only interested in his case,’ said Sadie. ‘It could be three in the bed, and he’d never notice.’
    Poppy laughed. ‘So what’s happening with that? Joe never talks to me any more.’
    â€˜You think I know? Eddie never talks to me either.’
    â€˜Let’s drink to the fuckers then,’ said Poppy. ‘May they rot in hell.’
    They raised their glasses and bashed them together. ‘Fuck ‘em,’ said Sadie.
    After the bottle was finished they left the store and went looking for food. ‘What do you fancy?’ asked Poppy. ‘The Ivy?’
    â€˜That’s like a greasy spoon with celebs,’ said Sadie. ‘Fuck it, let’s go Chinese.’
    They went to their favourite restaurant, The Princess Garden. The waiting staff were all young, beautiful women wearing traditional outfits but with the skirts split up almost to their knickers. All the better to charm the businessmen who used the place at lunch. Sadie marched in like she owned the place and demanded a table although they hadn’t booked. And she got one.
    She looked at the waitresses as they went quietly about their business. ‘Us women,’ she said. ‘We’re mugged off whoever we are.’
    They ordered a selection of food, another bottle of wine and Sadie sat back in her seat and lit another cigarette. ‘So come on Poppy,’ she said. ‘Tell me all the latest. I know you’re dying to.’

14

    After the first course of mixed hors d’oeuvres was served and the wine was open, Poppy said, ‘I don’t think I can go on like this much longer. He’s never home, and when he is, he doesn’t talk to me. We don’t make love, we don’t do anything but sit and look at TV. And he can’t wait to get away to that bitch and his little bastard.’
    â€˜Poppy,’ said Sadie, picking at the food on her plate. ‘We’ve been through this a hundred times. You can’t keep torturing yourself. Shit happens. I’m in the same boat more or less, with this bloody case coming up. Eddie never tells me anything either. It’s the nature of the beast as they say. You’ve got to get over it.’
    â€˜I can’t.’
    â€˜You can. You’re not the first woman this has happened to, and you won’t be the last, believe me. If it’s that bad, leave.’
    â€˜I can’t do that either. I hate him, but I love him too. I’ve always loved him and I always will.’
    â€˜Then stay. You’ve got everything you need. A nice place, money.’
    â€˜That’s nothing.’
    â€˜Tell that to some poor cow on benefits living in a slum.’
    â€˜Like my mum you mean.’
    â€˜If you like.’ Then she realised what she’d said. ‘Sorry doll, you know I didn’t mean that about your mum.’
    â€˜I know Sade. But it hurts me so much.’