Tina looked at me imploringly, I hugged her close to me and whispered, “I hope you haven’t forgotten already that you’re mine.”
“No, sweetheart, of course not, but…” she trailed off.
“What do we do? We speak to Diane and James; shall we invite them for Sunday lunch?” Tina nodded. “My instinct now is to sue both the venue and the stripper company, even if it’s for one pound, just to get an admission of liability. It makes it all public and shows you did nothing wrong. That covers all and anyone that they might send the picture to that isn’t close friends and family who we can tell.
“As for your husband, I think he knows, so they can send me my own copy if they like. Their timing couldn’t really have been worse given all we’ve spoken about over the last week. I think we can agree that they’ve picked on the wrong person.” She smiled and nodded.
“I’m curious who they are and why pick on you out of a hall of willing slappers? I bet a whole bunch of them did stuff their old man wouldn’t have approved of and possibly a whole lot worse. Of course, you had to be the best one there, so there is that.”
She smiled at that part, not so much my next bit, “What I would really like to do is find out who this ‘we’ is and slit their fucking throats. Which is why it’s best we get Diane and James round for lunch tomorrow to keep a level head on both of us.”
“Right,” Tina was on a mission, “get up, we need to go shopping, I think a nice leg of lamb, I can make a chocolate mousse for pudding.” Then she stopped and looked at me, “What do we tell the girls?”
“We tell them the truth, Diane and James are coming for lunch and we would like them to join us. Then we tell them all together, Claire with them gives us three legal minds; Chelle, you and me gives us three number crunchers. There is no lack of brains, I’m sure we can do something.”
On the way to the shops, Tina called Diane and told her something had come up from the night out and we would like her and James for lunch to discuss a few things. She promised they would be there and we continued to the shops. We bought--I say we, Tina bought, I carried--a shoulder of lamb which she had the butcher bone and butterfly, we had herbs and accompaniments at home; she also got ingredients for her world famous mousse, the secret recipe of which was handed down, mother to daughter…maybe too dramatic, but it’s a damn good mousse. When we got home the girls were both there and in high spirits as ever, but they picked up on the mood hanging over us. We told them not to worry but asked they join us for lunch the next day where we would explain and of course, they agreed. This didn’t lighten the mood at all as Tina set about preparing food for tomorrow. Claire joined her and Michelle sat down on the sofa cuddling up to me.
“What’s going on, Dad?”
“Is your sister working on your mother?” Michelle looked around the room for some help or inspiration before answering me.
“We’re both worried. Everything was fine yesterday before we went out, you were both still out after Claire got home and when you got back, well, you may as well have had signs around your neck saying the sky is falling.”
“Did we look that bad? And you didn’t answer me.”
“Yes, you did and yes, she is,” she replied.
“Go and tell her to back off, we promise to tell you and we will, but you will have to be patient.” Michelle jumped up and walked into the kitchen; a few minutes later she was back at my side.
“I told Claire; mum had already told her the same. You know if there’s anything we can do…” she trailed off, probably thinking similar to most of us the first time we say that to a parent.
I put my arm around her, “I know and to be honest, that’s what tomorrow will be about. And yes, I do expect you and Claire to help in any way you can but thank you for offering.”
For some reason, the mood in the house never really picked up again that afternoon or evening. Tina had a few texts from her friends and every time, she jumped and looked worried. They were all checking up on her and asking if she was alright after what had happened the night before; the rumour mill had started and she had got some texts from friends who were not even there. I think the most surprising was when I got a call from Steve checking up on her and in his usual subtle way asked if anyone was in need of some education. I closed asking him to keep it to himself and to ask the person who told him to do likewise; he promised he would but in return made me promise to call him if we needed anything. Not saying he isn’t smart, because he is, but it was nice to know I had some brawn in my corner along with the brains.
Tina was drained from everything that had happened on Friday and before recovering properly, we were hit with that text; it just about wiped her out and by ten that night she was fast asleep on my lap. Both girls looked worried when I said goodnight to them and made to carry her to bed, and I tried to reassure them that everything was going to be fine. I’m not sure I convinced them. Tina woke up on the way upstairs so I told her she couldn’t put on any weight if she was planning on making this a regular thing. This got a weak smile from her and I think she was about to apologise when she looked into my eyes and just lay her head on my shoulder.
Before getting into bed Tina wanted another shower and asked me to hold her; we stood beneath the steaming spray for five minutes with her back to me and holding onto my hands around her waist. Without too much said we got out, dried off and climbed into bed with Tina spooning into me again. I checked if she needed to say anything before we went to sleep and she said that she was fine and within a minute of turning the light out I heard her breathing hit the soft regular pattern indicating she was off. It took me a good while longer to fall asleep; firstly, I hadn’t been hit so hard emotionally as I was in a support role, secondly, I had questions and concerns running around sending my head all over the place.
What was this all about? Who had taken the picture? Who had sent it? What could be done to stop them, stop them harassing Tina, but also anyone else? And on and on.
When I woke up that Sunday, Tina was in her usual position, but she was awake and looking at me. The first thing I saw was her beautiful face as it curled into one of her heart-warming smiles. I leant forward and gave her a quick kiss on the nose and asked if she wanted breakfast.
“Can we talk first?”
“Breakfast in bed with a side of talking?” I responded to which she nodded. I got up, splash and dash, quick rinse of the mouth and wandered off to the kitchen. When I returned with the tray with our breakfasts on, Tina had obviously got up; I could see she had run a brush through her hair and as we sat in bed and ate and talked about how we thought the day would pan out. Of course, we were nervous; neither of us had been in a situation like this before, but I was confident that with our family and good legal support we would weather it without issue.
The morning dragged, Tina spent most of it in the kitchen getting the meal prepared and in the oven. I took advantage of the fine weather and started to tidy up the garden after the winter; most of my morning was taken up with mowing the lawn and pruning the roses. Once I was done, I went and grabbed a shower and got into some semi-civilised clothes, that is clean shorts and a polo shirt. Tina and the girls had all plumped for light sundresses and it turned out that Diane and James had similar thoughts.
Damn! Can Tina cook or can she? Lunch was exquisite; the lamb had been slowly roasted with mint sprigs and served with roast potatoes which had been cooked in a mix of lard and juices from the lamb, cauliflower cheese and leeks. We all had soft drinks as we knew there was going to be some in-depth talking afterwards. The meal was rounded off with coffees and promises of Tina’s chocolate mousse.
Once the table had been mostly cleared and the coffee served, I slid a pound coin over the table to Diane. While keeping my finger on it I said, “I would like to employ your firm to give us advice and if necessary represent our interests as solicitors and barristers in the situation we plan to discuss now and any resulting action from it. I do expect as our legal representatives that everything discussed during this session will remain confidential unless you deem it legally warranted to break the confidentiality. I put the same request upon everyone that remains and witness the conversations.” I looked at the girls as I finished talking to Diane.
Both of them nodded and said that of course they would, Diane took the offered pound and went to her bag. She pulled out a receipt book and recorder which she started and put on the table. She accepted us as clients for the discussion and anything further for the fee of one pound for the duration of all action, finishing by writing a receipt for the fee. Although this was a formality to employ them it was required to keep everything legitimate, including their confidence, as this was a personal situation, much the same as when had moved in the past. Had it been through the firm, we keep them on a retainer so there would be no need to go through this. I was so pleased that I had offered to help finance them when they were starting up.
Tina recounted the events of Friday night, but this time from when Diane had picked her up with the limo, she explained about the signup and waivers and releases they had to sign. She missed out the part about Black Band but did tell about the wristbands, right up to the point when that lovely person had held her head, the reactions to this and them subsequently being asked to leave. Both James and Diane asked pertinent questions; through this, Michelle and Claire sat in stunned silence though both reached out and held Tina’s hands. We took a break then for the girls to get their heads around the story so far and to ask anything they had to,
Michelle had a look on her face that said she was working through something, so I gave her time to speak up, “So, if I understand it right, his cock just happened to be at the right height and right angle to slip into your mouth? Sorry, mum, but that’s bullshit!”
“Chelle!” I admonished. I knew this whole thing was getting under my skin; I have always hated being in unfair situations or seeing anyone else in such. If any of those involved walked into the room now, I don’t think I could be held responsible. Claire looked like she was about to jump up and lay into her sister. I held her wrist to tell her to do the opposite of what was going on inside me and remain calm. I understood what Michelle had meant; Claire seemed to think she was blaming Tina.
Tina knew me and saw it in my eyes; reaching across and putting her hand on mine, she said, “Love, this is why we brought the four people closest to us together. Let them help us, let them point out things we might miss. What do you mean, Michelle?”
“Think about, the way you describe it, even hard it would have been waving about. Even screaming like you were, the chances of it just happening to be in the right spot at the right moment is unbelievable. Is there any video from the night? Have you questioned the others at the table? I don’t doubt mum,” she said putting her arm around her, “but my guess would be that cock boy DID see what was going on and took his chance. Fucking silly chance, 'cos if it was me, I would have bitten it off.” Claire nodded; she was in complete agreement with Michelle on this point. I don’t know where my daughters got their fire from, but it was burning bright as day on both their faces.
Claire and Tina relaxed a little. I turned to Diane, “You said about releases, presumably for video or pictures, can you get hold of a copies?”
“Added to my list of things to do for Monday,” Diane smiled back.
“If it shows that the stripper did see what he was doing and was active in putting it in, then we should have him arrested and sued personally for sexual assault. The white wristband is a loud and proud ‘No’ so there should be no confusion,” said Claire. “Failing that, we can sue him for not taking care of his and other people's health and safety along with the managers of both the venue and troupe personally.
“Finally, sorry, but can we also get a court order to pass over the details of the girl that caused this and have her arrested and sued for sexually assaulting mum?”
James deferred to Diane, who agreed that it was a good approach as it puts maximum pressure on them as individuals as well as organisations. On her way home yesterday, Diane had stopped at the police station to report the assault and get the ball rolling, nothing heavy, just to get a file opened ready for evidence on Monday. She then looked at Tina and said, “Sorry, if that’s what you want to do, I can get it all dropped if you don’t.”
“If it wasn’t an accident, I want the book thrown at him and at that bitch. Any changes we can make to law and good practice will be good for everyone too, so yes, I’m happy to hit everyone.” Any shred of sympathy that I may have had for the stripper when Diane had told me about him writhing in pain, disappeared in a puff of smoke.
We resumed with the reason for bringing them together, telling them about the texts and letting everyone see them. The stunned silence around the table was telling in itself, given the people sat there; no one knew what to say to start. This was broken by a ping from Tina’s phone; all eyes turned to her as she opened it. I saw her slump a little before she slid it over to me, I read it and passed it to Diane and it went around the table.
Youll look even better with my cock in your mouth. Keep you’re diary clear ill be in touch
“Shit,” said James, “their grammar is appalling!”
Diane gave James a frosty look and started, “And then somehow they will get a picture of that and next it will be something more and so on until you are at their beck and call. They have one flaw in their plan.” Everyone looked at Diane expectantly.
She looked around the table as if we had two heads each; with a sigh she said, “Their biggest hook is to tell Luke.”
“But I know.”
“And therein lies the flaw.” She looked so exasperated, James was quietly smirking and the girls rolled their eyes.
“Look, I’m sorry, I’m pissed off, pissed off about what happened Friday, pissed off that Tina is now getting threats. So sorry if I’m a bit slow on the uptake, but my brain is occupied with hurting people.”
Tina took my hand and smiled at me while Diane continued. “Obviously there is the threat to send the picture to everyone Tina knows. Not knowing what they have access to, this could be anywhere from an idle threat to everyone including clients and colleagues. It’s not the end of the world but it would obviously be pretty embarrassing. The jungle drums have been at work and it appears to have spread about what happened, but seeing the picture is a whole different ball game, I can assure you. Girls, what did you think?”
Claire looked uncomfortable, so Michelle spoke up, “Of course we were shocked by what happened, but when dad showed us the picture it was surreal. Just seeing mum with a cock in her mouth,” she quickly realised what she said and shot Tina a glance who just shook her head gently, “it was weird. Had it been anyone else, it would possibly have been quite hot, but it was mum. On top of that, we knew it wasn’t dad, my brain had issues trying to put it all together.”
Claire joined in, “We had the advantage of knowing what had happened, imagining what someone who didn’t would think isn’t difficult and that is without any text to add context to it. It’s pretty shitty.”
“Pretty!!” Tina squeezed my hand to calm me.
“One thing I’m wondering,” said Michelle, “how did they get mum’s number? Not knowing this, the next question is who can we trust? Argumentatively, we shouldn’t be trusting Diane and James, no offence.”
Before they could say anything, Tina said, “My mobile is my work one, I know I should keep them separate, but I’ve seen your dad juggling two of them and frankly it looked like a pain in a backside. The number is freely available on the company website and a search of my name will take you there. So, it could be anyone who can recognise me from the picture.”
“Which doesn’t mean that James and I couldn’t be involved, but you’re a mathematician, Michelle, you can do the cost-benefit analysis. I fully understand if your parents would like us to step away, I hope they won’t” Both Tina and I shook our heads and she continued, “If we are being honest, we could probably discount everyone that knows your parents with any depth. Everyone who was with us on Friday was telling your mum it would be fine once she had explained to Luke, that’s what people think about your parents, no secrets and absolute love and support. If we were to tell anyone that knows them to any extent that someone is trying to do that with a photo from that incident, they would laugh.”
It was James who spoke next, “In my experience, Diane is right, however, suing both the venue and the people that hired it for the show makes it what happened on Friday a matter of public record so even if the picture gets out, which it probably will and someone comments about it, then you can refer them to the case record. It’s not perfect because it doesn’t stop them releasing the picture.
“We can do it as a joint action, sue them both at the same time under the same suit, this stops having to repeat yourself more than the dozen times the defence will in court. The disadvantage is, damages are likely to be less, but it shouldn’t be the primary objective of the case, any decent amount will just be a bonus. The important thing is to get the story out there, it reduces the impact of them sending the picture out. Diane has already started to gather information about the organisations and who the best person to contact is, the strippers have nothing to do with that American company, just a British copy-cat, though they appear to have been successful so far.”
Tina spoke up at this point. “Actually, I think the impact of the picture is secondary regarding them, the most important thing is to try and stop it happening to someone else. About the picture, I’m lucky that I was confident enough,” she looked at me, “finally, to share everything with Luke and beyond that with you. Yes, it will be embarrassing having that picture floating about, but the most important thing is protecting others.” Damn I was proud how she was handling this; the final realisation that I meant what I had been saying all these years seemed to have given her an armour and confidence to meet this head on.
Once we got all the discussion about the known entities out of the way, talk turned to finding out who the blackmailers were. For some reason at that point, we all pussyfooted around actually calling it blackmail. Diane said she would try to get a trace on the number but expected it to be a pay-as-you-go. That they had left the number open hinted at least they didn’t care, but there was potential they might further down the line expect some sort of two-way interaction either via phone or text. Realistically as far as dealing with them we agreed that beyond the trace, there was little more we could do. James suggested reporting it to the police, but Tina said that they would not do anything, as all it was at that time was a vague threat and no demands. She had a look about her that warmed my heart; I readily agreed reading a lot between the lines, but it looked to me like Tina was spoiling for a fight. There might not have been anything to read, but I always had fun putting two and two together and getting five.
Diane had already started thinking about a draft complaint which would be submitted to three organisations on Monday – the local council, who licence that sorts of events, the venue and the Wolves in the Fold – the name of the stripper company. They also asked Claire if she would like to help; she jumped at this to help her mum and for the experience. They also wanted to get the paperwork in place to file the suits by Thursday to try and get ahead of the bank holiday weekend and reduce delays. With some idea of who had to do what, we ended the meeting. James and I went to the kitchen to make some coffee and the girls adjourned to the living room.