Hell On Earth
by Humbug

Part Six

Disclaimer: This story is purely fictional, all characters are based on those that Shed have created, I do not own copyright of these characters.

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Chapter 20

One Sunday afternoon, nearly two years later, Helen Stewart stood in the grounds of her new house looking at the vast wasteland the Estate Agent had laughingly called ‘a garden.’ Still, it meant Hannah had somewhere to play and now she was almost two, Helen knew her daughter would soon be wanting friends to come round and play in the garden.  Where the hell do I start? Helen asked herself. Some new plants might be an idea - maybe I should introduce Hannah to the world of garden centres?

Hannah appeared through the patio doors.  “Mummy, what are you doing?”
“I’m trying to work out what to do with the garden.  Do you think we should have some flowers?”
Hannah’s eyes shone.  “Oh yes Mummy - can we have some blue ones?  Can we go and get some now?”  Helen laughed.  Hannah’s favourite colour was blue - she was totally obsessed with it. Hannah continued, breathlessly, “and Mummy, it’s my birthday soon - can I have a tea party in the garden please?”
Helen smiled and held her hand out to her daughter.  “Come on then, let’s go and ask Aunty Wendy whether she wants to come shopping with us?”

Helen’s sister, Wendy, was relaxing in the lounge. She still hadn’t retired from the legal profession - in fact she had just handled the closing on Helen’s new house - but she had recently relocated to London and she seemed a lot happier than she had done previously.  She was a doting aunty and spent as much time as she could with Hannah. She smiled with delight as Hannah came running up to her.
“Aunty Wendy, we’re going to buy lots of blue flowers.  Are you coming with us?”
Wendy wrapped her arms round her niece, “I’d love to honey but I’ve got to go now - I’m meeting someone.”
Helen was suddenly curious, “Oh yes?  Anyone I know?”
Wendy looked embarrassed, “No.”
Joking, Helen said: “Well, as your older sister, I think it’s my responsibility to look after your emotional well being.  I’ll be expecting a visit at some point so I can see if the two of you are right for each other.”
“Oh shut up Helen!” Wendy said and threw a cushion at her older sister.

********

Nikki rubbed her fingers where the secateurs had started to chafe her skin.  Some of the bushes really were hard to cut through.  Her thoughts were interrupted by a little girl's voice.
"Mummy look at all the beautiful flowers."
Nikki smiled as she heard the little girl.  It was nice to hear young children being enthusiastic about plants. In her line of work, she all too often heard children moaning about being dragged round Garden Centres when they'd rather be at home playing with their Play Stations.

“Look mummy,” the little girl repeated.
"Yes, they're beautiful aren't they?" she heard the girl's mother reply in a mild Scottish accent. Nikki dropped her secateurs.   That voice! Numb with shock, she turned around.  It was her!  There was Helen Stewart, of all people, kneeling down in the middle of the Garden Centre, talking about flowers with her daughter. Nikki felt a tremor run through her body as she watched.  Eventually summoning up courage, she walked over to Helen and stood beside her.

"Well, I never thought I'd see you here!" exclaimed Nikki.
Helen stood up quickly and found herself looking straight into the face of Nikki Wade. She took a step back, a feeling of breathlessness suddenly seizing her.  Helen was shocked. How could Nikki still have this effect on her after all this time? She suddenly realised that she was staring at Nikki and still hadn't said anything.
"Sorry Nikki - you took me by surprise.  How are you?  How are you finding life on the outside?"
Nikki smiled.  "Great.  I'm savouring every moment - it doesn't quite seem real somehow.  I keep expecting to wake up and find myself back on G Wing."

Helen could sympathize with her - it must be difficult to adjust after so long behind bars. "So, do you still run your Club with Trish?" Helen asked, suddenly curious.
"Yes.  Well - she does most of it, I just help out some nights.  I'm more of a 'silent partner' these days.  What with this job and my landscape gardening, I don't have time to always be at the Club."
"Wouldn't you rather put all your time into the Club?"
"No.  I have this strange need to be outdoors a lot -  being cooped up in a Club all the time would kill me.  Besides, Trish's 'other half' doesn't like me being around too much."
Good, so she hadn't got back with Trish, Helen thought to herself and then stopped to wonder why she was still so interested in Nikki's love life.

"So how about you?"  Nikki looked quizzically at Helen.
"Sorry?" Helen asked, aware that Nikki had caught her 'on the hop.'
"How's work? How's life, etc?"
"Fine.  I'm still with the Lifers' project - it's going really well."
"Good."  Nikki was genuinely pleased.  "You still haven't told me what you're doing here.  A Garden Centre's the last place, I'd have expected to find you."
Helen laughed. "Ah, you can blame this one," she said picking up Hannah.  "It's Hannah's birthday soon and she'd like a tea party in the garden.  Of course, it's a complete mess so I thought I'd better try and tidy it up a bit - hence the trip here."
Nikki smiled mischievously.  "I can't say I'm surprised to hear that your garden's a mess, Helen.  You never did have green fingers did you?"
Helen blushed and playfully tapped Nikki on the arm.  "Hey, less of the insults please."
Nikki's eyes sparkled.  Helen was still the same old flirt. "So, what are you planning to do with the garden?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, you must have an idea as to what plants you want to put in it and where."
Helen shrugged in response.
Nikki sighed. "You're hopeless Helen. You should never be allowed in the garden on your own."
Helen blushed again.

"Look, I know this sounds like I'm touting for business, but don't you think it would be better if you called in an expert to sort it out for you?  Then all you'd have to do is mow it and weed it once in a while."
Helen hadn't considered this option.  Well, she could certainly afford it - what with the proceeds from the sale of her father's house. She had planned to use  the money for Hannah's education, but there was certainly enough spare to cover the cost of a landscape gardener.
"I'll think about it," Helen said, not at all sure if she could cope with having Nikki around her again.
"Okay.  Here's my card.  Call me when you've made a decision."
"Thank you.  Well I suppose I should be getting home now.  Hannah will be bored of listening to us prattle on." Hannah frowned and looked at her mother as if to say she was enjoying the conversation.
Nikki laughed.  She had to admit Hannah was a lovely little girl.  She was the absolute double of Helen and she was obviously very intelligent.  Must have got that off her mother, thought Nikki.  She was sure Sean's brains had never been much to write home about.
"Bye Nikki."
"Yeah, bye Helen."
Nikki watched Helen walk away.  She's still so beautiful, Nikki thought wistfully as a sudden pang of regret and loneliness hit her. I hope she calls.

"Who was that lady mummy?" Hannah asked when they were back in the car.
"Oh she's one of mummy's old friends from work."
"She's nice mummy.  Can we come and see her again?"
"We'll see," answered Helen, aware that she had some serious thinking to do.  Could she employ Nikki to do the garden without things becoming awkward?  What was she hoping to achieve?  A nice new garden or another chance with the woman who still haunted her dreams?  Helen certainly knew the answer to that question, even if she didn't want to admit it to herself.

**********

Chapter 21

Helen sat at the breakfast table and looked out into the garden where Hannah was playing amongst the long grass. The garden certainly needed a serious make-over but Helen was certain she, personally, wouldn't have the time or inclination to do it.  Should she just leave the garden as it was?  Hannah certainly enjoyed playing in it, even if was a mess.  Would she care if it stayed that way? Either way, Helen knew she had to talk to Nikki again - she had been itching to phone her all week but couldn't quite find the courage to do it.

A breathless Hannah ran in from the garden.  "Mummy I'se ever so hot - can I have somethink to drink please?"
Helen laughed - she loved the way her daughter still hadn't quite got the grasp of the English language.  It was certainly something she'd miss when Hannah was older.
 "Of course you can sweetheart," she said as she got up and went over to the Fridge.  She poured Hannah a beaker of ice cold Milk and then returned to her seat at the table.
"Hannah, do you like the garden?"
"Yes, mummy."
"Yes, but do you like it as it is - with all the long grass - or should I change it?"
Hannah looked imploringly at her mother. "I'd like a pond mummy - and a fountain.  Can we have a fountain mummy, please?"
Helen smiled gently.  "It looks like I'm going to have to phone that 'nice lady' at the Garden Centre after all, doesn't it Hannah?" she said as she gently wiped away her daughter's 'milk moustache.'

************

Helen's hands were soaked with perspiration as she dialled the number from Nikki's business card, and she could feel her heart beating much faster than usual.
A deep, but attractive, voice answered.  "Hello, Nikki Wade."
"Nikki," was all Helen could think of to say.
Nikki drew in her breath sharply and felt her stomach do a somersault.  She didn't need to hear any more to recognize that voice.
"Hello Helen," she said, her calm voice masking the torrent of emotion that was washing over her body.  "It's nice to hear from you.  How can I help you?" She thought it was probably better to be as business-like as possible to start with.
Helen switched into professional mode. "I've decided to take your advice and 'invest' in some help with my garden.  I'd like you to come and landscape it for me - that is if you're available."
"Of course.  I'll have to check my availability, but I should be able to at least come and take a look at your garden and discuss a few ideas with you.  If I don't have the time to do the garden myself, I'll make sure I get one of my colleagues onto it straight away."
Helen tried to hide her disappointment.  "Great, that would be wonderful - I look forward to seeing either you or one of your colleagues very soon."
"Good.  I have a space free in my diary tomorrow night so we could throw around a few ideas then.  If that's not convenient, I'm probably not free again until the following week."
"No, tomorrow would be fine.  I look forward to seeing you then."

After Nikki had taken down Helen's address, she put the phone down.  'One of my colleagues' my arse, she thought to herself.  She was certain that she'd take this job even if it meant palming off some of her existing customers, but Helen didn't need to know that - not yet anyway.
 
**********

What the hell could she wear?  Nikki had pulled out half the contents of her wardrobe onto the floor and was still standing around in her underwear.
Trish stared at her appreciatively.  "Nik, you really should cover yourself up.  It's very hard for me to see you like that and control myself."
"I wouldn't let your girlfriend hear you say that."
"No, obviously not.  She'd probably flip if she even knew I was here in your bedroom."
Nikki laughed.  "Well you can tell her she doesn't have anything to worry about - those days are over."
Trish looked offended but didn't say anything.  Nikki might be over her, but she still had - and would always have - feelings for Nikki. Still it was her own fault, if she'd stuck by Nikki when she was in prison, maybe they'd still be together now. Watching Nikki panic as she tried to find something to wear for her meeting with Helen, Trish came to the conclusion that they'd probably have split up anyway - it looked like Helen Stewart was definitely 'Queen' of Nikki's heart.

"For God's sake Nikki, you'll be late for your meeting if you don't get a move on - that would hardly be an auspicious start would it?"
"I know, I know.  I just can't think what to wear.  I don't want to turn up in gardening gear and look really scruffy but, at the same time, I don't want to look too flash or she'll think I've made a real effort."
"But you have made a real effort."
"Yeah, well I don't want her to know that do I?  I have to play it cool."
Trish threw back her head and laughed.  "Play it cool?  You get so hot when you even think about Helen Stewart, I half expect you to spontaneously combust!"
Nikki looked slightly angry.  "Look Trish, if you're not going to help me, I can't see any point you being here!"
"Alright Nik, I'm sorry.  Put these on," she said holding out a pale blue cotton shirt and a pair of black Jeans. "They're casual enough to make you look like you're in work mode, but sexy enough to attract her interest."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes Nikki - now get a move on before she thinks you're not coming."

**********

Chapter 22

Helen was sitting at the kitchen table, impatiently drumming her fingers.  She looked at her watch - 7:15 pm - it didn't look like Nikki was coming. She sighed and poured herself another glass of wine, suddenly feeling very lonely.  Hannah was already in bed and the night ahead looked long and empty.
Just as Helen had decided to get drunk, for the first time since she had been pregnant, she heard a car pull into the driveway.  A car door slammed and seconds later, the door bell rang.

Helen stood up, before walking into the hall and checking her appearance in the mirror.  She was wearing a pair of black, figure-hugging trousers with a skinny, lilac t-shirt that enhanced the shape of her breasts.  Satisfied, she opened the door and smiled at Nikki.
"Hi Nikki, glad you could make it."
"Hi Helen.  Sorry I'm late, I..."
Helen cut in before she could speak and joked "Don't tell me, you didn't have a thing to wear!"
Nikki laughed and said sarcastically.  "Of course, how did you guess?"  If only she knew, mused Nikki.

Helen led Nikki into the kitchen.  She felt it was probably more business-like if they had a table to work on - Nikki was bound to have to make notes. As Nikki followed, she couldn’t resist watching Helen’s tight bottom which was framed beautifully in her figure-hugging trousers.  Nikki sat down at the table.
"Would you like a glass of wine?" Helen asked.
"Just a small one please - I'm driving."
Nikki watched Helen as she moved over to a cupboard to get a wine glass.  She looked fantastic. Nikki felt her loins stir as she took in the pert breasts.  She didn't know how she was going to be able to control herself.  Three years with only a vibrator for company and the strain was starting to show.

Helen had also been observing Nikki as she sat at the table.  God, she looked so sexy in that casual blue shirt.  It was all Helen could do to stop herself from ripping it open. And those tight jeans - Nikki had a bum to die for.  Composing herself, Helen brought the wine over and sat down opposite Nikki.
"Right, let's get down to business," Nikki said, taking a sketch pad and a tin of coloured drawing pencils out of her bag.
Helen eyed the pencils curiously.  "What are they for?"
"For drawing.  It's always best to make a plan of what the finished garden will look like so the customer can make sure it's what they really want."
"I didn't know you could draw Nikki," Helen said in surprise.
"Don't get too excited - I'm no Michaelangelo.  Right, do you have any initial ideas about what you might want to see in the garden?"
Helen looked vague.  "Ermm...Hannah would like a pond and a fountain."
Nikki looked amused. "I can see this is going to be a long night."

After several hours of hard work, Nikki had eventually come up with a viable plan for the garden.  In the end she had, more or less, designed the whole thing herself as Helen obviously didn't have a clue.  Still, it was actually quite nice to have a free hand with someone else's garden.  Usually, Nikki's customers were very particular about what they wanted, even if their ideas weren't always practical.
"There you go, Helen.  What do you think?" Nikki said, handing Helen the finished drawing.
Helen was silent and Nikki started to imagine that Helen thought all her ideas were awful. "If you don't like it Helen, I can make changes - things aren't set in stone yet."
"No, don't make any changes - it's perfect as it is."
Nikki realised that Helen had tears in her eyes.  What was all this about?  Her designs had certainly never reduced anyone to tears before - particularly in someone who wasn't the least bit interested in gardening.
"Helen, whatever's the matter?"
Helen stood up and walked to the doorway saying, just before she left, "Oh just ignore me - wrong time of the month.  You know how it is - sometimes you'll cry about anything."

**********

As Helen stood in front of the bathroom mirror, wiping her eyes, all she could think about was how stupid she must look.  She couldn't believe it herself when she had felt tears welling up inside her.  Nikki's design had just brought everything flooding back.  She had never known that Nikki could draw and it just served to remind her how she had never had the chance to really get to know Nikki. And then there were the last 3 years - time when they could have got to know each other - particularly the last 18 months or so since Nikki's release. Helen couldn't help but feel bereft at all that wasted time.

***********

Helen wasn't really in the mood to continue with their meeting but she soldiered gamely on.
"So you're happy with the final design then?" Nikki enquired.
"Yes, perfectly happy - I'll leave everything in your capable hands.  So when do you think you'll know if you're free to do it?" enquired Helen.
Nikki smiled.  "Oh I've already checked and I can confirm I'll be sending my most talented worker to you."
"Oh." Helen looked disappointed.
Nikki continued.  "Yes, I can't do this week as I have to help out at the Club, but I'll be free to start on Monday if that's okay with you?"
"What?"  It suddenly filtered through what Nikki has just said and Helen suddenly felt a lot happier. "That would be fine - I'd better get a spare key cut so you can let yourself in and out while I'm at work."

**********

Chapter 23

The following Monday, Helen left for work later than usual so she could be at home when Nikki first arrived to start work on the garden.  After she'd shown Nikki all the essentials like the kettle and the bathroom, she led her outside.
"I just wouldn't know where to start," Helen said, gesturing at the mess.
Nikki laughed.  "Don't worry - I love a challenge.  Soon you won't recognize the place."
Suddenly curious, Helen asked: "Don't you have to work at the Garden Centre this week?"
"No. Archie, the guy who owns the Garden Centre, refers the landscaping work to me and I give him a percentage of the profits.  When things are quiet, he lets me work at the Garden Centre to 'keep my hand in' as it were.
"Sounds like a good arrangement."
"Yes it is."
Helen found herself staring into Nikki's deep, brown eyes.  Nikki held her gaze. Embarrassed, Helen looked at her watch.  "I've got to go - I've got a meeting to attend."
Nikki smiled and thought 'some things never change.'

***********

Nikki worked hard on the garden and within a couple of weeks, it started to look fantastic - even Helen started to appreciate its beauty.  Nikki altered her hours so that she could work from 11 to 7 to ensure that she was still working on the garden when Helen arrived home from work.  It wasn’t long before they settled into a habit in which Helen, after bathing Hannah and putting her to bed, would sit outside on the patio and talk to Nikki whilst she worked. Both found the time spent together very pleasant and both regretted it when Nikki had to leave at the end of the day to go and help Trish with the Club.

One evening Nikki was tidying away her tools when she heard Helen’s voice coming from the house.
"Shit! Shit! Shit!" Helen slammed the phone down.
A concerned Nikki walked through the patio doors into the lounge where Helen was sitting with her head in her hands.
"Helen, whatever's the matter?"
Helen looked up.  "Oh nothing.  It's just that the damn child-minder has let me down again - she's really going to have to go."
"Why don’t you just work at home tomorrow?"
"I can't.  I've got a really important meeting to attend and a presentation to give.  I would ask Dominic to do it, but I don't think he's prepared enough for the presentation.  I'll just have to take Hannah with me and foist her off onto one of the secretaries."
"You can't take her to the prison with you Helen," Nikki said in horror.
"Relax.  My meeting's at Head Office, not one of the prisons.  Do you really think I'd take Hannah into one of the prisons with me?"
"I don't know Helen, you're so PC sometimes. What better way of showing the prisoners that you trust them, than taking your child in?"
Helen frowned.  How could Nikki think she would even contemplate taking her daughter in?

Nikki interrupted Helen's thoughts. "Look Helen, why don't you leave Hannah here with me?"
Helen looked surprised.  "But you've got the garden to do.  Besides, you don't want to spend the day babysitting my daughter."
"It would be my pleasure Helen.  Anyway, she can help me in the garden - as long as you don't mind me not making much progress with the plans."
"Are you sure Nikki?  I don't want to impose."
"Really Helen - it's no problem at all."
Helen jumped up with a huge smile on her face and hugged Nikki.  "Thanks Nikki - you've saved my life.  I'll just go and tell Hannah the good news - she'll be so pleased she doesn't have to spend the day with bossy old Mrs Bennet."

************

Helen liked Fridays - it meant she could go home early and spend time with Hannah once the big Head Office meeting was out of the way. She let herself in through the front door and put her briefcase down on the floor. "Hello," she called. "Hannah?  Nikki?  Where are you?"  Must be out in the garden still, she thought to herself.

Grabbing a small bottle of ice cold mineral water out of the fridge, she walked over to the kitchen window and looked out into the garden beyond. She smiled to herself as she observed Nikki patiently explaining to Hannah how to plant flower bulbs.  For her part, Hannah followed every word Nikki was saying and nodded at appropriate points in the conversation as though she understood everything she was being told.  Helen laughed quietly.  Continuing to watch, she saw both Nikki and Hannah rummaging around in the soil, before placing the bulbs carefully in the holes they had created and covering them with earth.  Time to break up the party, she thought to herself.

"Hello!" she said as she stepped out into the garden.
"Mummy!" Hannah cried out in delight and ran up to Helen, jumping into her outstretched arms."
"Helen!  Her hands - they're dirty," Nikki shouted.
Too late.  Hannah's little hands had left wet soil all over the shoulders of Helen's dry-clean only, designer, power suit. Nikki cringed, waiting for Helen's famous Scottish temper to erupt.
Helen just laughed.  "You little tinker.  Have you messed up Mummy's nice suit?  I suppose I'd better go and get changed."
Nikki walked up to her.  "I'm really sorry Helen, I shouldn't have let her play in the soil."

Helen was deeply amused by the concerned look on Nikki's face.
"Don't worry about it.  It will brush off easily enough, once it's dry.  Anyway, I'm glad to see you've been keeping Hannah amused - she looked quite fascinated with what you were telling her."
Nikki smiled.  "Yes, she's quite the little gardener."
"Well at least she inherited something good from her father," Helen said without thinking.  Seeing Nikki's face drop, she put out her hand and placed it on Nikki's arm.  "I'm sorry Nikki, I didn't think."
Nikki pulled herself together.  "No, it's okay Helen, you're right, she has inherited something good from her father."
Helen looked surprised, then delighted at Nikki's response. They continued to  look at each other for what seemed like an eternity.
Helen eventually broke the silence.  "Anyway, I'd better go and get changed and wash Madam's hands before she causes any more damage."  She gave Nikki a final smile and walked into the house, carrying Hannah.

Nikki smiled happily to herself.  She couldn't believe the difference motherhood had had on Helen.  She was so placid and calm.  Nikki could remember a time when the slightest mark on one of her power suits would have sent Helen into a major sulk. Motherhood certainly suited her.

**********

After Helen had changed into a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, she gently washed Hannah's hands at the sink. As she was drying her daughter's hands, Hannah looked at her mother with perfect seriousness and said "Mummy, can Aunty Nikki stay for dinner please?  I promised I'd share my Teletubby Spaghetti with her."
Helen wanted to laugh at the thought of Nikki the hard case prisoner eating children’s pasta shapes, but she suppressed the laughter and replied: "She can  if she wants to honey, but she might have other things to do tonight."  Seeing the disappointment on Hannah's face, Helen scooped her up in her arms and carried her back outside to where Nikki was still planting bulbs.

Nikki stood up as they approached. Helen came to a stop a few inches away from her and asked with a big grin on her face, "Nikki, do you have to rush off?  Only, Hannah would very much like you to stay for dinner," she laughed adding, "...to share her Teletubby pasta shapes."
Nikki blushed but turned to Hannah and said "I'd be delighted to stay for dinner, Hannah."
"Yippee"! Hannah shouted and threw her arms around Nikki's neck.
Nikki blushed again, but she was secretly pleased with Hannah's display of affection towards her, particularly as Helen was obviously overjoyed at the sight.

Hannah wriggled out of her mother's arms and ran into the house to find her favourite toy to show Aunty Nikki. After they'd watched her run into the house, Helen turned to Nikki and placed her hand on her arm.
"Look Nikki, you don't have to stay just to please her.  If you have something else on..."
Nikki misinterpreted her.  "If you don't want me here Helen, I'll go."  She turned to walk away but Helen stopped her.
"I'm not trying to get rid of you, I just don't want you to feel you have to stay just  so you don't upset Hannah."
"I'm not doing it just to please Hannah - I'd like to stay but, as I said before, if you don't want me to, I'll go." Nikki looked at the ground.
"I'd like you to stay Nikki."
Nikki looked up into Helen's eyes and could see that she meant what she said.  She smiled and quietly said "Okay."

The intensity of the moment was broken by Hannah's noisy return to the garden.  "Look  Aunty Nikki!"
Nikki crouched down until she was at eye-level with Hannah.  "Who's this?"
"It's Steg.  He's a Beanie Buddy."
"A what?" said Nikki looked at the multi-coloured, plush dinosaur.
"A Beanie Buddy."
Nikki continued to look puzzled and Helen thought she had better explain.
"They're a range of collectible soft toys - there are literally hundreds of them - big and small."
"Why would children want to collect hundreds of these?  Don't they get fed up of them?"
Helen laughed.  "Actually, most of the collectors are adults but kids still like them."  Nikki looked totally bemused.  "Anyway, talking of kids, it's time I made you two your Teletubby shapes."
"Hooray!" Hannah cried, and held out her hand to Nikki.  Together, they followed Helen into the house.

**********

They had dinner in the dining room.  Hannah sat at the head of the table while Helen and Nikki sat either side of her, facing each other.  Nikki looked around her at the impressive proportions of the room.
“Do you use this room often?”
“Not really - there’s no point when it’s just me and Hannah so we eat at the kitchen table. This room’s good for dinner parties - not that I have many of those.”

Helen served up the dinner - a Vegetable Chilli and Garlic Bread, with a few pasta shapes on the side for Nikki.  Nikki looked bemused.
“You did promise. We don’t want to upset her now do we?”
Of course not, thought Nikki.  She dipped her fork into the pasta shapes and smiled at Hannah as she took a large mouthful.  Actually, they’re not bad, she thought to herself.  I could get used to this.
“Are you a Vegetarian, Helen.”
“Yes, I have been for years - something else for my father to disapprove of - he was the ultimate carnivore. I’m surprised you didn’t know, though I guess we never really had the chance to get to know each other,” Helen replied a little sadly.

************

“Does Sean ever see Hannah?” Nikki asked.
Helen was surprised to hear Nikki mentioning Sean, still there was no point avoiding the question.  “No.  He did when she was first born but then he decided it was ‘too painful’ only seeing her once in a blue moon.  Besides he’s got a new wife and I don’t think she likes the idea of him having a child by somebody else.”
I can understand that, thought Nikki, although she had to admit it, she was becoming extremely fond of Hannah.
Helen continued.  “He sends her cards for her Birthday and for Christmas but other than that, we don’t really have any contact with him.”
Good, thought Nikki.  Aloud, she merely said, “So it’s just the two of you then?”
“Yes.  We spend a lot of time with my sister now she’s moved to London but, other than that, it’s just us.”
“Well that’s something else I didn’t know - you have a sister?”
“Yes - Wendy.  You might meet her if she comes round while you’re still doing the garden.”
“I’d love to meet her,” Nikki replied.

************

Chapter 24

"She'll sleep until morning now," smiled Helen as she came down the stairs. As she started to put Hannah's toys away, she felt strangely conspicuous.  She could feel Nikki's eyes watching her every move.

As Nikki looked around the room, repeatedly fixing her eyes on Helen and then looking away again, she suddenly caught sight of a book on the bookshelf.    It was "The Cat Sanctuary" by Patrick Gale.  She reached across and pulled it out. As she did so, a piece of paper fell out.  Nikki picked it up, immediately recognizing her own writing - it was the letter she had sent Helen from Springmount Open Prison, apologising for her past behaviour and thanking Helen for her help.  So she did get in then, Nikki thought to herself.  She had always been curious to see if Karen Betts had passed it on like she had promised.  Nikki placed the letter back inside the book and addressed Helen.

"Do you remember this book, Helen?"
Helen blushed. "Don't."
Nikki stood up and walked towards her.  "Do you remember what I said to you?"
Helen nodded, looking uncomfortable.
"Do you remember when I asked you if you thought I was simple, because you expected me to forgive you after reading it?"
Helen just looked down at her feet.
"Well, I must be," whispered Nikki, moving closer to Helen and lifting her head up.
"What?" Helen finally found her voice.
Looking deep into Helen's surprised eyes, Nikki said: "I really must be that simple. I was ready to forgive you the moment I read it. If it wasn’t for that conversation with Hazel Malone...”
Helen felt a surge of anger, not for the first time, at the mention of that name.
Nikki’s voice interrupted her thoughts. “I love you Helen."
"What?"
"I love you, you stupid cow.  Now give me a kiss."

As their lips locked in a passionate embrace, Nikki moved her hand lower and Helen felt her knees almost give way.
"Ohhh Nikki..."

***********

They made love long into the night, savouring the feel of each other's bodies.  It was still there.  The passion had never gone away, but then neither had the strength of feeling.
"I love you Nikki," Helen said as Nikki lay exhausted in her arms.
Nikki just smiled sleepily in reply and placed a kiss on Helen's neck.
Helen couldn't believe this was happening.  Over three years apart and now Nikki was her's again. And this time they had a family.  Helen was ecstatic that Nikki had finally learnt to accept Hannah and she knew that, in time, Nikki would learn to love Hannah as though they'd planned the pregnancy together.

**********
 

To Be Continued....