Ruby by Heather Burnside (sight word books .TXT) 📕

Trina gave him the price suggested by Shelley and his face remained impassive as he said, ‘OK, get in.’

She did as she was told and the man took off. Trina had no idea where they were going till the car pulled up in a car park behind a block of flats. The man hadn’t spoken throughout the few minutes’ journey and Trina had also kept silent. She didn’t know what to say to him and felt foolish starting a meaningless conversation so she kept her gaze on the road ahead. Nevertheless she could sense the man eyeing up her legs.

When the car stopped the man said, ‘Are you new to this patch?’

Trina glanced across at him. ‘Yes,’ she said, but she didn’t reveal that it was her first time.

‘Press the button on that side for the seat to go back,’ he said, and Trina followed his instructions, noticing her skirt ride up even further as she shot back. Again, she felt panic stirring within her but before she had chance to react the man was on top of her unfastening his flies. She quickly passed him a condom.

It was soon over and Trina felt relief as the man climbed off her, pulled up his trousers and passed her the money. While he was occupied, she slipped her briefs back on and it wasn’t long before he threw the used condom out of the car window then started the engine.

‘Do you want dropping back where you were?’ he asked.

‘Yeah,’ said Trina, keeping her eyes on the road again till she got back to her spot then opened the car door and jumped out.

Once Trina was back on the pavement, she noticed how much her legs were trembling. She felt tears in her eyes but she fought them back, unable to understand why she was so upset. This was what she had wanted after all. And it wasn’t that bad. No different from the boys at school really except the man was older and he’d paid her.

Now she’d had her first client, packing it in wasn’t an option as far as Trina was concerned. What else would she do to earn so much money? And she needed to earn money to carry on living with Shelley. Where else would she go? She dreaded the thought of going back home to a life like her mother’s, full of drudgery and menial, low-paid jobs.

Then she thought again of the money. She’d done it! She’d just got paid twenty-five pounds for five minutes work. Trina’s hand closed around the bunch of notes in her pocket. It was a long time since she’d had twenty-five pounds all to herself, and the thought of earning even more urged her on. Ignoring her trembling legs and persistent nervousness she looked out at the road, noticing the cars passing by, and waited for her next client.

The night was a revelation. Each time a car pulled up Trina would feel a fresh surge of trepidation but she pushed herself on, thinking of the money and her new-found freedom. The clients varied in looks. Their attitudes varied as well. Most of them were alright with her but she had one that talked down to her and was a bit rough.

She soon got used to the drill; she’d ask the client what service he wanted then agree a price with him before she got in the car. During that time she would size up the client and make sure she was comfortable about going off with him.

Trina hoped to catch sight of Shelley again, knowing she’d draw comfort from seeing a friendly, familiar face but she only saw her once and they didn’t have chance to talk much before a car pulled up and Shelley got inside. But as the night drew on Trina became less nervous and finally, in the early hours of the morning, she decided she’d had enough for the night and made her way back to Shelley’s.

*

When Trina arrived at the flat it was empty; Shelley wasn’t home yet. The first thing Trina did was to take out the money and count it. She’d been keeping a mental note of how much she’d earnt until she’d lost count. Now, as she counted the notes in her hands, she felt a rush of excitement. £155 for one night’s work!

Trina was delighted and all the angst of the night quickly evaporated as she dreamt of how she would spend the cash. She was already getting used to this way of life and the sense of satisfaction at the end of the night when she’d earnt her wad.

It wasn’t long before Shelley arrived home. ‘Well, how was it?’ she asked. ‘Did anyone give you any grief?’

‘Not too bad,’ said Trina. ‘There was one guy who was a bit of a dick, but he didn’t bother me too much.’ Then she waved her cash, ‘Look, I got £155.’

‘Well done,’ said Shelley. ‘There’ll be plenty more where that came from. That’s if you want to carry on.’

‘Yeah, course I do.’

Shelley smiled. ‘Well, in that case, I think we should have a celebration.’

Shelley opened the plastic bag she had been carrying and pulled out a bottle of champagne.

‘Wow! Have you just been and bought that?’ asked Trina.

‘No, my last client gave it to me. He’s got a bit of a thing for me so he likes to bring presents.’

Trina laughed. ‘Aah, bless him,’ she said and for a few seconds they both giggled till Shelley pulled two glasses from the cupboard and filled them up.

‘To us,’ she said, chinking her glass against Trina’s.

Trina liked the sound of those words and she felt content. This was where her future lay; with the delectable Shelley, making shedloads of money and buying all the things she’d ever wanted to buy.

They stayed up for a couple of hours, chatting, sharing amusing stories about their clients and taking coke. Despite Trina’s earlier trepidation she didn’t think she’d ever felt so