Free Slur: The Riverhill Trilogy: Book 1 by Heather Burnside Page A

this time of
day when many of her friends and associates would stop for a chat on their way
to their respective departments. It also gave her a chance to exchange
confidences with her friend Norma who shared switchboard duties.
    Norma was
forty-seven and had grown up children of her own. She and Julie had a good
friendship, which had got off the ground from the day Julie had joined the company
as a trainee switchboard operator at the tender age of just sixteen. Norma had
interminable patience, was a natural teacher, and was more than willing to take
Julie by the hand and show her all there was to know. Under Norma’s wing Julie was
soon able to get to grips with the job and, because of her pleasant nature, she
quickly became acquainted with many other members of staff.
    With the passing of time,
Norma and Julie found they were very much at ease in each other’s company, and could
confide in each other regarding their private lives.
    This Monday
morning, however, was different from any other Monday morning, and Norma was
surprised to see Julie sidle up to her desk at one minute past nine.
    ‘Morning
Julie, I’d just about given you up for dead,’ she exclaimed.
    Julie
shuddered at the irony of Norma’s words. ‘Is Jacqueline in yet?’ she asked.
    Norma
sensed that something was wrong. ‘Yes, she stormed in ages ago, and muttered something
about you not showing your face.’
    Norma
registered Julie’s reaction, and asked, ‘Have you two had a barney then?’
    ‘Oh, it’s
worse than that!’ said Julie. She took a deep breath and uttered the chilling
words that still sounded alien to her:
    ‘Amanda’s
dead.’
    ‘Jesus
Christ! What’s happened?’
    Julie began
to relate the sorry tale but found herself getting choked up and was unable to
continue.
    ‘It’s all right,
take your time,’ said Norma.
    After she
had composed herself, Julie continued, stopping to take deep breaths each time
her voice became shaky. When she had finished, Norma leant over and covered
Julie’s hand with her own in a reassuring gesture. ‘I’m so sorry Julie, Amanda
was such a lovely girl! She didn’t deserve to die like that. I’m surprised to
see you still in work.’
    ‘I had to
Norma. I didn’t feel like it, but people are blaming me and I couldn’t let them
think I’d gone into hiding, could I?’
    Norma
nodded sombrely, then added, ‘Look, we’d better catch up on a few calls and
then we’ll have a bit more time to talk about it.’
    Julie did
as she was instructed but, at the same time, she wondered if this indicated a
rebuff by Norma. However, she needn’t have worried as, once they had cleared
the backlog of calls, Norma turned to Julie and said, ‘Right, now we can talk.
Listen Julie, you’re going to have to face Jackie you know? As far as I’m
concerned you’re innocent! It doesn’t matter what Jacqueline, high and mighty
Bartlett thinks, you know you’re innocent and I know you’re innocent! You’ve
been brave enough to come into work today, but you’ve still got to face her.
Get up to that canteen at lunchtime, and show her that you’re not running away!
You’ve got nothing to hide, remember, so don’t let everyone think you have.’
    ‘Right, I
suppose I better had,’ conceded Julie. She knew that Norma was right, but she
wasn’t looking forward to seeing Jacqueline. ‘I just wish I knew why Amanda
died! It can’t have been just because of the drink, but until I know otherwise
there’ll always be that doubt in my mind.’
    Norma
surprised Julie with her angry reaction. ‘Now you listen to me Julie Quinley!
People don’t usually die from having a few too many drinks. You said yourself
that she was coming round a bit when you left her. I reckon someone’s been giving
her drugs somewhere along the line but you can’t be held responsible for that!
Anyway, it’ll all come out in the wash, you mark my words, so don’t you go
worrying yourself.’
    Julie felt
better knowing that she had