Slur: The Riverhill Trilogy: Book 1 Read Free Page B

that’s all.’
    ‘You know your trouble
Julie? You don’t know when you’re lucky. Vinny’s gorgeous. Loads of girls fancy
him. I wouldn’t kick him out of bed myself! He’s got his own place, and he’s
good between the sheets, from what you’ve told me.’
    Julie smiled, amused at her
friend’s audacity. ‘Well he does know which buttons to press and when to press
them, but there’s more to life than sex you know Rita.’
    ‘Oh yeah? Well when you find
it let me know, and I’ll have a double helping,’ Rita quipped.
    As Julie laughed, she turned
to Rita and said. ‘Let’s stop being so bleedin’ serious! It’s Friday night for
Christ’s sake! We’re supposed to be enjoying ourselves, not putting the world
to rights.’
    Rita decided that she had
made her point anyway, so there was nothing to be gained in pursuing the matter.
‘Yeah, you’re right Jules. Come on, let’s go for it.’
    They carried on walking for
a few moments before Julie asked Rita, ‘What time are we supposed to be at
Debby’s house?’
    ‘Dizzy Debby?  Oh I said it
would be about seven by the time we got there.’
    ‘Don’t be rotten. She can’t help
being a bit slow at times.’
    ‘It’s all right, she’s used
to being called Dizzy Debby. It’s her nickname at work. Anyway, there’s an offy
on the way so we can grab some booze and have a few before we go and meet your
friends. Eh, I tell you what Julie, we’d better make sure we give your friend
Amanda a good time, seeing as how it’s her birthday night out.’
    ‘Don’t worry, we will,’
replied Julie with a smile.
    When they reached Debby’s
house, it was Debby who answered the door and led them straight up to her
bedroom. Her home was in complete contrast to the one that Julie had just left,
and the décor was shabby and dated. Julie recoiled as they passed the bathroom
and smelt the pungent aroma that emanated from it. She looked at Rita for her
reaction, but Rita didn’t respond. Julie wondered why; could it be that Rita was
used to it so it didn’t bother her. “ No, ” she chided herself. “ Rita’s
home might be a bit untidy, but it was certainly a lot cleaner than this one. ”
    Julie could see that Debby
was excited about the forthcoming night out and was anxious to get started.
When they entered her bedroom she noticed Debby already had three half pint
glasses ready and the sound of Luther Vandross was blasting out of the stereo.
    ‘Don’t your parents mind you
having your music that loud?’ asked Julie.
    ‘No, they have the bloody tele
so loud, they can’t hear it anyway.’
    ‘Mine are as bad,’ said
Rita. ‘Ever since my dad came home from the pub with that dodgy VCR he’s been
like a bleedin’ kid with a new toy.’
    The girls seated themselves
and began to pour the cans of lager. Julie pretended not to notice the greasy
marks that covered the glasses. She inwardly cringed on observing Debby’s
choice of clothing, accessories and make-up, but was too considerate to
comment. Everything about Debby was overstated, from her fluffy bright blond
hair to her fashion sense. All of her clothes were in vivid colours, uncoordinated
and clung perilously to her large breasts and rotund hips.
    The girls settled down with
their drinks and began to discuss music, fashions and other topics of mutual
interest. At eight o’clock, in a more animated state than when Julie and Rita
had arrived, they set out, giggling, towards the nearby bus stop in order to
make the trip to the city centre which was just a few stops away. When they got
off the bus they had a short walk to the pub where they had agreed to meet two
of Julie’s workmates, Amanda and Jacqueline, at eight thirty. While they were
walking along, they spotted two policemen just ahead of them.
    ‘I think it’s time we had a
bit of fun!’ said Rita.

Chapter 3
    Friday 20 th June 1986
    When Julie, Rita and Debby entered the Downtown Bar it was
packed with trendy club-goers and the sound of