After Masha's confrontation with Dmitri, the rest of Beth's afternoon passed in somewhat of a blur. Once Masha's mood had abated, surprisingly she turned out to be rather pleasant company. Nevertheless, she continued to pry and her attempts to get Beth to reveal how she had got her bruises had all the subtlety of a blunt knife.
Beth knew she would feel entirely alone had it not been for Masha's presence. Given time, she might even bond with the other woman. She could tolerate being interrogated by Masha if it meant she at least had some sort of support in this strange new world she had found herself in.
But it was still weird going through exactly what she should wear later that night. In the time it had taken to go upstairs, Masha had already decided what Beth would wear. As a result, when Masha left, Beth had been given strict instructions.
Which was why at half-past six, Beth was standing in lingerie that cost as much as - if not more than - a whole week's rent, fiddling with the zipper of her dress that had gotten stuck. Given how much that zipper had cost, she would have thought the profits would have been better invested in finding a way to prevent it snagging. Seemed like money couldn't buy quality after all. And it was insane that anyone would pay that much for panties - they were only a scrap of lace, after all.
As for the bustier, it somehow managed to cover her entire torso and hide the marks on the back, as Dmitri had stipulated, but it made her feel even more exposed. Added to the ensemble was a pair of silk stockings - the tops were elasticated so that she did not need a garter - and heels so high that Beth knew she would topple over in them. She slipped her feet out of the shoes and decided she would put them on at the bottom of the stairs - as tempting as a trip to the emergency room was, Beth was simply not prepared to break an ankle just to avoid Dmitri.
Back on firm ground, where she was less concerned about toppling over, it was much easier to wiggle the zipper free. She had the dress on in no time.
Masha had done her make-up before she had left and all Beth had to do was apply lipstick. The only one Masha had left her was a vivid, vampish red. It felt sticky against her delicate skin.
She knew she should check her appearance in the mirror. But Beth didn't dare - she didn't give a rat's arse as to whether or not she looked attractive. Not when the only man who would be seeing her was Dmitri.
Knowing it was early and wondering if Mrs Jenkins needed any help, she wandered downstairs. Leaning against the bannister, she put her heels back on and tottered around in search of the kitchen. There was a note on the fridge addressed to Dmitri saying that the dining table had been set for two, the food was all prepared and that they should leave the washing up in the sink for the morning.
Beth frowned and looked around. The table in the kitchen was bare. She figured out that the 'dining table' must be in another room and was about to go on another hunt when she spied a telephone.
Picking up the receiver, she began to dial the telephone number for home, before stopping herself abruptly. Her mother wasn't likely to pick up. Her father was.
What would she say to him? That she had effectively prostituted herself in order to pay off his debt? He didn't care for her beyond her funding his drinking and smoking habits. She didn't want to give him the satisfaction of knowing how low he had brought her.
She hung up. Then she had a sudden flash of inspiration and started punching in another number.
The dial tone sounded and soon enough, her friend Jennifer answered.
"Hello?"
"Hi - it's me - Beth."
"Beth!" Jennifer shrieked. "Where the hell are you? You didn't show for your shift this afternoon."
"I know, I'm sorry - I hope you weren't run off your feet."
"No - the restaurant was quiet. But Robbie was pretty angry. Says he can't deal with unreliability - if you don't show tomorrow, he's going to give you the boot."
Beth sighed. Her job at the restaurant had been her best paid to date. Robbie, the manager, was a hard taskmaster, but he was fair and always made sure his staff got their share of the tips.
"He's going to have to fire me," she said. "I'm out of town. Sort of."
"What? Where are you?"
"I'm staying somewhere else for a while."
"Are you ok?"
"Yes," Beth replied, although she really wasn't as sure as she sounded. "Just a family emergency."
"No way you can get back for your shift tomorrow?"
"No, afraid not."
Beth hadn't asked Dmitri, but funnily enough she didn't think he would allow her to work twelve-hour days. She had no idea how she would pay the rent that month, but she'd just have to work something out. Dmitri might even lend her the money - even if it meant adding more time to her stay.
"What happened?" Jennifer demanded. "Is your Mum all right? Did your Dad kick you out? I knew he was a good-for-nothing dickhead!"
"No, nothing like that. I just had to go away for a couple of days."
"Then how come you're ringing?"
"I needed a favour..."
"If you want me to talk to Robbie, it won't work," Jennifer warned. "You know what he's like with no-shows. No way will he keep your job for you until you come back."
"I know - I'll just have to hope he's got another opening." That or find a new job - but Beth had two months to get through before she had to face that particular dilemma. It was just another problem to add to her list, but at least it was somewhere near the bottom. "I just need you to get a message to Mum."
"Sure - what do you want me to tell her? I can stop by tonight."
"Not tonight - I don't want Kevin finding out," Beth said forcefully. "It's pub quiz night tomorrow - go over to my place then."
"What if he's home?"
"Just say..." Beth racked her mind for an acceptable story. "Tell him that you're collecting the make-up I borrowed from you - it's on the dressing table in my bedroom."
"Ok. Got it. What do you want me to say to your Mum?"
"Just that I'm fine. I'm safe. And that I'll get the rent money to her somehow."
"That's all? You're not going to tell her where you are?"
Beth shook her head, even though Jennifer couldn't see. "No - I don't want Kevin to know. Just call me on this number if Mum needs me - you've got me on caller ID, right?"
"Yes, I've got you."
"Great." Beth checked the clock on the kitchen wall. It was almost seven. "I've got to go."
"Ok, but keep in touch - and call me if you're in trouble. Promise?"
"Promise," Beth gave her word.
The line clicked as the call disconnected and then went dead. Beth replaced the receiver. She had never thought she would feel homesick. Although now she thought about it, she hadn't spent a night away from home after her father left. Her Mum had never been able to afford to pay for school trips and Beth was too busy looking after her to go over to her friends' houses for sleepovers.
Now she suddenly found herself longing for familiar surroundings and she hadn't even been at Dmitri's for a full twenty-four hours!
