Chapter 59: Consent

Trigger warnings: references to rape in the last PoV.


Carla

My eyes drift over Michelle's glum expression as she stares down disinterestedly at the magazine. I was sure she wasn't reading it, because she had been fixated on the same page for ten minutes. Lowering the fork towards my bowl of melon, I let out an exasperated sigh in the hope it'll make her realise how scintillating our breakfast conversation was. Her eyes remain down on the page and I lean forwards slightly to check it wasn't just a very good looking man, or woman, that had caught her attention.

How teamwork can make your life better:

The title reads. It didn't seem very steamy. "...Penny for 'em?" I eventually ask quietly and she raises her head, as if shocked that I'd noticed the tension in the air.

"What?"

"Penny for your thoughts." I elaborate as though she had never heard the expression. "You've had a face like a slapped backside all morning. And you were home late last night. I didn't even get a cuddle."

"Sorry... There was a problem cashing up." She excuses, which I only half believe, because I had tasted wine on her lips when she finally climbed into bed to give me a quick kiss goodnight. And at the moment I was like a sniffer dog with detecting things. "Did you have a good night?"

"Me and Liam had a great night together." I smugly sip my orange juice as her brow furrows.

"You looked after Liam last night?"

"No, Liam Neeson." I correct her and she just rolls her eyes. "Taken 2 and a pizza to myself. It wasn't all bad."

"Not keen on Taken 2." Her eyes avert back to the magazine, flicking the page as if she had actually been reading about how teamwork could make her life better. "Those films shouldn't make sequels. They're better left alone."

"Ooh, get you, film critic." I try to perk her up and she just shoots me a small but evidently false smile. "I think it's okay. It's the third one they should never have released."

"Yeah well I don't like the whole franchise." She just sighs, her eyes fluttering closed as she releases, "it's too close to home. Reminds me of what Will did."

I was surprised she was being so honest over her morning cornflakes, but grateful for the admittance all the same. "...Is that what's on your mind? Will?"

"Not until you mentioned Taken." She just responds, eventually getting up and throwing her hair back off her shoulders. "I've got to get to the bistro, Kate's taken the day off."

"Oh, she's only been manager five minutes and she's already skiving?" I glance at the clock, eight fifteen. The bistro didn't even open until ten. "Bit early, isn't it?"

"Well there's stuff to get done." She pulls her jacket on, before adding, "you'll be alright opening the factory, won't you? I'll be there once Daniel's taken over."

"...Yep." I just say shortly, deciding now clearly wasn't the time to be getting into an argument. She briefly waves me off before closing the door, leaving the flat in silence with all but the tick of the clock. I lower my hand to my bump, grazing my finger nails over the soft fabric for a moment. "Well, I guess it's just me and you two."


Michelle

My eyes are squeezed so tightly shut that I was starting to experience that lightheaded fireworks display, my hands pressing into my face as I rest it upon them. It was a good job Ryan wasn't working today because he'd have fussed over me five times a minute if he saw the mood I was in. Luckily, it was Daniel and Faye's shift, and supposedly Kate's, but I had told her to take the day off.

My mind was whirring with the events of yesterday. I hadn't been told much, as she hadn't been in a state for explaining in great detail. As soon as I had mentioned the police she had made her excuses and left, so I texted her soon after to not worry about working today.

Suddenly, the brightly-coloured sparks are

interrupted by an awkward voice in my ear. "Uh... Michelle?" I pop my head up to notice Faye, hands clasped in front of her. "There's a boy outside, he said he wants to speak to the manager."

"Is it a complaint?" I sigh, I didn't have the energy to be dealing with snooty customers today. I was sure I'd just end up biting their head off.

"I don't think so." She shuffles her feet slightly. "He's just come in."

"...Right." I compose myself, flashing her a professional smile before exiting the kitchen. I see the light-haired boy, miserable faced, typing away on his phone as he leans up against the counter. "...How can I help?" I draw his attention to me and he suddenly snaps his head up, pushing his phone back into his pocket.

"Oh hi... I was wondering if you had any jobs going?" He peers around and I just take a moment to figure out if he was being serious. He didn't really fit the image of the place; grey hoodie pulled over his shoulders, rucksack probably full of graffiti cans, maybe even a knife, slung on his back. But he continues to await an answer, which indicates to me that he wasn't joking. "...Anything at all?"

"...Have you got a CV?" I just hold a hand out and he reluctantly pulls his rucksack from his shoulders, rooting around and pulling out a screwed up piece of paper, handing it over to me.

Tyler Jefferies

Age: 16

Email: iveprobsbangedurmom

Mobile number: 07793386510

Work experience:

Two months community service mowing grass at Heaton Park. (2018).

Managing the Stink Bag tuck shop at Weatherfield High. (2017-19).

"...Is this a joke?" I ask after skimming the piece of paper, looking up at his hopeful expression. He just shakes his head. "...What's the 'Stink Bag tuck shop'?"

"Stink bag funny fart bombs." He grins slightly, even managing a small nostalgic laugh. "You've never seen one? You throw it on the floor and it pops and makes the whole room stink of farts. We sold them at school. On the down-low of course."

I just blink, hesitating before casting my eyes down to it again. "...Right." I pause. "And the community service..."

"Oh yeah I spent a few months at Juvie. Got in with the wrong group all that." He lightens his tone. "Got an early release though. For good behaviour." He emphasises, as if that would resolve everything else. I force my lips into a pursed smile, handing his CV back over to him.

"I don't think there's really any positions available for you right now." I try to tell him politely, but he just folds his arms. "Good luck with the search though... And the... Tuck shop."

"Oh please. I really need this." He suddenly starts to beg. "Nowhere will take on a convicted teenage criminal." He points out as if it was an unreasonable thing for a business to do. "I'll do anything, clean the floors, the toilets even."

"...I'll let you know if anything comes up." I go to leave and his voice draws me back again.

"But you haven't taken my details!"

"Goodbye, Tyler." I dismiss him shortly, his face dulling as I turn on my heel, vanishing into the kitchen.


Carla

"Oh well, thanks again for coming in." I reach my hand out to shake Vicky's in a friendly manner.

"I never thought I'd get it just like that!" She admits, clearly gleeful at how easy the interview had been.

"Oh well if you can put up with our resident genius; Kirk Sutherland." I joke, and she laughs softly despite not having met him yet. She had all those pleasures to come. There was always a part of me that became excited when I took a new employee on. It made me wonder whether they would stick around as long as people like Fiz and Sean, the ones who really had seen it all, the ins and outs, ups and downs of my life. They'd stuck by my side. Vicky seemed like the kind of woman who would do just that.

"What time is it?" Sarah bustles into the office interrupting us as she catches a glimpse of the clock. "Right, I'm gonna have to go and get Harry from my mum's."

"How many have you got?" Vicky makes interested conversation, as Sarah dumps her clipboard on her desk.

"Oh I've got two." She flicks her head around, flashing Vicky a friendly smile.

"Mm, one of them's older than she is." I tease Sarah, who just narrows her eyes playfully.

"Aw, I had mine young and as well."

"Ahh." I look up at Vicky, my hand dropping to my bump involuntarily. "And I'm quite the opposite."

"When's the due date?" She smiles at me, clearly pleased she now had the answer to whether I was pregnant, or just ate a lot of mince pies over Christmas.

"17th June." I nod, leaning back in my chair. "Although it's twins so I'll probably be induced early. Fingers crossed. I've already had enough."

"Haha, I remember it well." Vicky reminisces and we remain in a comfortable silence for a moment as Sarah gathers her things.

"Need me to show you out?" I offer politely.

"No, I know the way. You stay put." She takes all the necessary forms from me that I am now holding towards her. "See you tomorrow."

"Yeah, see you in the morning!" Sarah sings cheerfully as Vicky waves her off. I tilt my head to the side as I watch her go, bright yellow hoodie disappearing from view.

"Bye love!" I call after her as Sarah takes a few paces towards me. "Ahh... She's alright isn't she?" My eyes drift back to Sarah's, a content smile on my face, one that mirrors her rather cocky one. "...What?"

"Nothing, she seems good." Sarah shrugs brightly. "Very attractive."

My head suddenly dips as my cheeks flush, scribbling something down on the pad in front of me. "...Really? Hadn't noticed."

"Oh pull the other one!" Sarah bursts into a fit of giggles and defensively I throw my pen in her direction. "She was only in here ten minutes, I've never seen you hire somebody so fast!"

"Uh!" I cut her off, trying to avoid falling for her laughter. "I have a wife and two babies on the way, thank you."

"Doesn't mean you can't do a bit of window shopping though, ey?" Sarah winds me up, slinging her bag onto her shoulder and finishing with, "see you in a bit," before leaving the office.


Michelle

Text Message

To: Carla

Sorry babe, I know I said I'd be in today but it's been hectic without Kate here. One table left, will be home soon xx

I send it off and slip my phone back into my skirt pocket, looking over to table seven with slight annoyance as they eat their cheesecake crumb by crumb. I hear the squeak of the door, turning around to see an attractive woman in a yellow hoodie pacing towards me.

"Oh sorry love, we're closing-"

"This place?" She interrupts me with an aggressive tone, peering around the bistro with a look of disgust. "This is the place that thinks it's too fancy to hire my son? I've seen better decor in Burger King."

"...Excuse me?" I furrow my brow, folding my arms defensively.

"Vicky Jefferies." She introduces it as if I should know, relenting in holding out a hand for me to shake. I just arch a brow, waiting for some further elaboration. "Tyler's mum. He said he came in with his CV earlier and you did nothing but stick your nose up at his work experience."

"His work experience?" I scoff suddenly, shocked at her audacity. "Oh yeah? And what were the entry requirements for his community service, eh? He must have shone in the interview."

"Oh you conceited little-" she begins, rolling her tongue between her teeth. Realising she was getting nowhere, she resides to a different approach. "...Have you got kids?"

"I do as it happens." I respond, before unnecessarily adding, "two boys, both in their twenties." I note the surprise in her expression. "And twins on the way." Her eyes fall to my stomach, brow furrowing in confusion. "...My wife is carrying."

Again, the look of surprise that I was now so used to, before an expression of puzzlement crosses her face, "your wife doesn't happen to own the factory across the way does she?"

"...Yes." I just put bluntly, before adding for good-measure, "we both do, actually."

The corners of her mouth twinge upwards into a smile now, almost letting out a splutter of laughter. "...Well I guess we'll be seeing more of each other then." She just finishes with, eventually turning to walk away before adding, "oh and since you're my boss, I'm sorry for calling you conceited."

Since you're my boss? I stare on in confusion as the door swings to a close, not having much time to ponder it as the couple on table seven are waving me over to finally pay the bill.

Once their table is cleaned down and the plates stacked by the sink ready to be washed up the following morning, I stand back to observe them. To be fair, we did need a pot wash. But maybe I could flick through a few other channels before I hired an ex-convict.

Moving back out into the main restaurant, I check everything is put away ready for the following morning, the door swinging open again behind me.

"Oh Vicky I'm not gonna-" I begin, spinning around to notice it was not who I was expecting. In fact, it was the last person on earth I wanted here right now. "...We're closed. Actually no, better than that, you're barred."

Ray just fashions a smug smile as he moves further into the room. I watch his every movement, taking a step back with every one of his that moves forward. "You can't bar me."

"I can. And I will." I enforce, planting my mobile on the counter as if to threaten him. I try to push back all the brewing panic. I needed to handle this, I couldn't let my ptsd defeat me again. "After what you did to Kate."

"Oh." He looks at me almost pitifully, before dating to ask, "...are you jealous?"

"You're repulsive." I admit in an exhale, hating how he chuckles at my words.

"I bet your wife isn't satisfying your needs at the moment, eh?" Ray arrogantly passes behind the bar, taking me back as he pours himself a glass of wine. "In and out of hospital. I bet all the stretch marks are a right turn off."

"I will call the police right now." I warn him, picking up my mobile to do just that. "You don't have the right to stride in here and help yourself to company liquor! Get it into that sleazy head of yours. I'm not selling. This place will never be yours."

"Funny you should say that." Ray raises his to his lips, peering over the rim tauntingly. "...Because it already is."

My blood runs cold. My body is static as I just stare at how he tilts the scarlet liquid against his lips, delicate crystal colliding with the rough stubble that covers his chin. There was no way...

I don't say anything for a matter of seconds, so the wicked grin on his face continues to unravel his vindictive plan. "Ah... Guess Kate didn't tell you that part." He reveals, fixating his eyes on me so intensely that I shiver. "We signed a little deal the other night. I made her an offer she couldn't refuse - she needed the money."

"...You threatened her?" The words are dry in my throat, eyes narrowing with suspicion. "You threatened a scared young girl into signing her share in the business away?" My voice rises dramatically. "What was it, ey? Were you ripping the buttons off her shirt when you made this proposition? That's against the The Intellectual Property Unjustified Threats Act 2017!"

Ray looks a mixture of surprised and amused at my knowledge, before subtly adding, "it's liable with the Applicable Contract Law Act 1990. I made her an offer, she signed on the dotted. It's all kosher."

"How sick are you?" I suddenly shout, slamming my fist on the counter and it only torments his enjoyment further. "I told you three times that you're not getting your hand on this business! Why do you want it so badly? Ey? Do you want to turn it into some sleazy strip club to satisfy your needs?" The room trembles with my words and I dare to take a step forward warningly. "Well it's thirty percent, you bastard. You still have no control."

His expression flickers, clearly not used to hearing those words, before finally emitting, "hm, we'll see about that." He flashes me another sick grin before slamming his glass down, moving past me and making me shudder as he does so. His footsteps echo as he nears the door and I refuse to look at him, just staring at the shallow pool of red that was left in the glass, the crystal tinted like blood. "...I'll see you in the morning, Michelle."


A/N: Getting back into this after this chapter! A lot of drama to come, thanks for your ongoing support!