Walking in Beckys Shoes — Chapter 3
By
Julie D Cole


I glanced at Millie and then looked nervously at her mother before answering Helen. I said that I didn’t recall the name nor in fact ever meeting him. Then she tried to describe him and she told me what subjects he was taking but I still feigned ignorance.

Millie spoke up and said that I was taking two of the same subjects so I must know him. My immediate thoughts were ‘thanks so much for that Millie. What are friends for.’

So I had no choice but to say something. ‘it’s not Harvey Nicks is it? I only know that one of the guys is called Harvey but I assumed it was his nickname.’

‘Yes that’s him and his friends call him that much to my annoyance. They should call him by his proper name, not his shopping name.’

‘Oh I understand now. He got his nickname because of the department store in London perhaps? So did you call him Nicholas because you liked the store.’

‘Not really but I must admit I do like to visit and so does Nicholas. We often have shopping trips together but I still wish I had a daughter to dote on. He tries his best for me.’
What a strange comment to make. I wondered if Nick might just like girly days with his mum. Oh to have that opportunity. No chance with my mum. She had no spare time these days and told me she was working to put myself and sis through school and university and as soon as she could sh’d retire.

Millie looked at me and whispered that she’d met Nick but didn’t realise that I knew him too. She said that her mum had tried to fix up a date for her with him but right now she was still off boys. Something had obviously happened to Millie to cause her to disappear for 2 years and to react like that but really I had just hidden away so eventually I put our evenings together to the back of my mind.

‘Oh I will tell you later but not just now please. Let’s not spoil our pasta or this reunion. I’ve really missed you and so many times I’ve wanted to find you so we could talk. You’re the only person I can talk openly to. I don’t have a sister or any close friends I’m afraid.’

Then she reached under the table and held my hand and I didn’t feel it was right to push it away. Thank goodness my hands were fairly small and soft rather than those of a sixteen year old scullion like others at school. Most of the guys were always in mischief. With the exception of Harvey Nicks and me of course.

‘Millie has somebody hurt you or tried it on or something? What’s the matter?’

‘Please it’s still causing me nightmares and it was mums idea that we come back here so I could try to face my demons. The good thing is we bumped into you. It’s like magic or my best dream came true. I really missed you.’

Well by now I was already regretting my decision to dress again. I seemed to be already part of Millies life and her best friend again even though it was just an innocent stroll down the High Street.

At least now the waiter distracted us so we ordered and for a while we were involved in the conversations with Vicky and Helen. The subjects were mainly silly and unimportant things although Millie and I were advised how painful giving birth had been for both of them that had resulted in ‘No admittance’ notices being issued for a while to their spouses. It seemed that the subject cause Millie to go white and so her mum seemed to change the subject.

The more I looked at Millie the more I suspected that someone had hurt her.

The rest of the meal went OK and we all shared a desert rather than one each because we’d eaten too much pasta.

Then Vicky asked how I intended to get home and I advised that I hadn’t got far to go and that I was walking. She said that she couldn’t allow that and that she would take me. I had to decline because I couldn’t risk them finding out where I lived and said that if I left now it would be OK since it was still before 10pm. I managed to persuade them and almost ran from the restaurant even though I needed to visit the bathroom due to the amount of sparkling water I’d drunk.

I waved to Millie as I left and knew I had to hurry in case mum arrived home early. I couldn’t go the safe route that was well lit. So I risked the short cut through the side streets that I used a lot in normal mode. Somehow this wasn’t the same since I was conscious of any strange sounds or footsteps and of any shadows from the reduced lighting. Now I could understand just how vulnerable I was and how girls must feel when they walk alone. I quickened my footsteps and had no chance to take any pleasure from the click of my heels.

I looked nervously over my shoulder because I was sure that there was somebody not far behind and I hoped it was just somebody taking a dog for a walk that I could tag onto. Blast it seemed to be a guy with a hooded jacket. I quicked my pace again almost running and the need for the toilet disappeared. I was focused on reaching the safety of the main road leading to the street where I lived. To the left was a small copse of trees where many a dog would stop. Where are they when you need them?

To the right was a tall brick wall and so this stretch was darker than the rest of the route. As I decided to run I heard the hooded man run and the next thing was I was knocked to the ground. He pulled me to my feet and dragged me towards the trees. I wanted to scream but he put his hand over my mouth. He pushed me hard against the tree now so my face was against the trunk and he bit hard into my neck and I could feel he was excited and was trying to reach towards my ‘breast.’ He was trying to unfasten my trousers at the same time and then he seemed to ejaculate and relax his grip.

It was my chance so I lifted my foot and slammed my heel hard onto his foot and he let out an enormous scream followed by the worst swear words imaginable.

I ran for all my life dropping my bag that contained my house keys. I had to get them back but how? Luckily someone came into the light and Held my arm asking if I was OK. Then he chased the attacker whilst I recovered the bag and ran towards home. In the light of the street I realised it was Nicks who must have been heading to meet his mum. I saw him but did he see me? I didn’t care I just ran for home and frantically turned the lock. At least mum wasn’t in and I could change and wash the make-up. I would have a bruise on my neck but at least that was probably less damage that hooded man.

I showered and tried to calm down and was in bed by the time I heard mum come in. That was the narrowest of escapes. What if he’d realised I wasn’t the girl he expected? I was shaking but at least I was safe.