Читать книгу A Family’s Heartbreak - Kitty Neale - Страница 8

The following week, Craig looked out of the window and caught a glimpse of Jenny arriving at her gran’s. He thought she looked stunning and quickly checked his own reflection. ‘Who are you trying to kid?’ he asked himself. ‘A woman like her would never be interested in a bloke like you.’

Though Craig thought Jenny was accompanying him to the cinema out of sympathy, he still intended to make the most of the evening. It was only the second occasion he’d taken a woman out and he cringed at the memory of the first time. It had ended in disaster when he’d misread her words so when she’d said she played the guitar, he’d thought she said she peed in a jar. When he’d realised his mistake, he had roared with laughter, but unfortunately his date didn’t seem to have a sense of humour or the patience to understand the limitations of lip-reading.

Craig hoped this evening would go more smoothly. He’d been looking forward to this all week, but once again he reminded himself not to get his hopes up. Jenny could have the pick of blokes in Balham so was unlikely to choose him. He’d discovered that once women found out about his inability to hear, they normally did a runner. Granted, Jenny already knew he was deaf and had still agreed to go out with him, but he had to admit to himself that she hadn’t seemed very enthusiastic and he guessed she’d only said yes because she felt sorry for him. Still, it was nice to have someone to go to the cinema with for a change. At least he wouldn’t be sitting there alone, surrounded by couples. In fact, he’d have the best-looking girl on his arm, and even if they just became friends, it was better than being lonely.

‘Oh, Jen, you look a picture,’ Edith said when Jenny walked in.

‘Pamela helped with my hair. I’m amazed at how she’s styled it. Perhaps she could get a job as an apprentice hairdresser when she leaves school.’

‘You scrub up smashing. It’s nice to see you dolled up for a change. Are you looking forward to tonight?’

‘To be honest, Gran, I’ve been having second thoughts,’ Jenny answered, omitting that her stomach was in knots with nerves and she’d hardly slept because of worrying about it.

‘Why? Craig’s ever so nice. Yes, he’s deaf but you could do a lot worse, you know!’

‘It’s not him. I’m sure he’s great.’

‘So, what is it then? First date nerves?’

‘I suppose so. I’m not very good at talking to men.’

‘Don’t worry, sweetheart, everyone gets butterflies at first. You’ll soon relax, and then I’m sure you’ll have a lovely time. I reckon Craig will be feeling just as nervous.’

‘Do you think so? I wasn’t even sure he really wanted to take me out.’

‘Oh, he’s keen on you, I could tell. He couldn’t take his eyes off you and when I suggested the dance, he was quick to invite you to the cinema instead. Now stop worrying and just enjoy yourself.’

Jenny heard a light tap on the front door and her stomach flipped.

‘Go and answer it then,’ her gran urged.

She took a deep breath to compose herself but could feel her cheeks burning. Her pale skin made blushes really stand out, and she guessed her neck and chest would be red too. She opened the door but could hardly bring herself to look at Craig.

His voice upbeat, he said, ‘Hiya, Jenny. You look fantastic. Are you going somewhere nice?’

Jenny panicked. Had he forgotten about their date? She looked at him now, her eyes wide.

‘Only kidding,’ he said, grinning. ‘You do look fantastic though.’

‘Thanks,’ she muttered. ‘Come in.’

Craig followed her through to the lounge and stood by her side as he said hello to Edith.

‘Well, I say,’ her gran said proudly as she eyed them, ‘don’t you make a handsome couple.’

Jenny’s cheeks were already flushed and the last thing she needed was her gran making remarks like that. ‘We’d better go. We don’t want to be late,’ she said, trying to get them out of the door before her gran said anything else to embarrass her.

‘Righto. See you later, Edith. Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of Jenny and make sure she’s home at a sensible time.’

‘I’m sure you will, young man,’ Edith called, though Jenny knew Craig couldn’t have heard her.

Lizzie shoved her arm through Roy’s and reached up to kiss him on the cheek.

‘What was that for?’ Roy asked.

‘Do you really want to see this poxy film? I could think of better things to do than queuing up outside the Ritz.’

‘Oh yeah, like what?’

Lizzie stood on tiptoes and whispered in his ear, ‘Let’s go back home and I’ll show you. We can have an early night.’

‘You saucy little minx,’ Roy said, beaming. ‘Come on then.’

Lizzie knew how to twist Roy around her little finger, and the suggestion of going to bed always worked when she wanted to get her own way. She wasn’t interested in seeing a film about a girls’ school. It sounded daft to her, so with an arm still hooked through Roy’s, they left the queue. To Lizzie’s horror, she spotted a familiar face in the line of people, and her eldest daughter had seen her too.

‘Mum, hello. I … I didn’t expect to see you here.’

Lizzie flashed a quick look at Roy. The man looked confused, but it wasn’t any wonder considering she still hadn’t mentioned any of her five children.

‘We’re not stopping. Gotta dash, see ya. Hope you enjoy the film,’ Lizzie said quickly and pulled on Roy’s arm, dragging him down the street and away from the awkward situation.

‘Did she just call you Mum?’ he asked, clearly perplexed.

‘Yes, but it’s not what you think,’ Lizzie answered, trying to buy some time to think of a good get-out.

‘So, she’s not your daughter?’

‘Well … she is … but—’ she stammered, unusually lost for words.

Roy tugged himself away from her grip, then angrily said, ‘For Christ’s sake, Liz, why didn’t you tell me?’

‘Don’t be like that, Roy. It’s not like I lied to you or anything. I just haven’t got around to mentioning it to you.’

‘You’ve got a grown-up daughter who doesn’t look that much younger than me and you didn’t think to say something? As for not lying to me, how old are you really?’

‘For goodness sake, a lot of women tell fibs about their age, and anyway, what does it matter?’

‘It matters to me. I don’t want to be lumbered with some washed-up old tart! What are you, thirty-five … forty?’

Lizzie bristled, her temper rising, ‘I’m forty-two, as it happens,’ she snapped, ‘and I’ve got five kids who live with their father. You’ve just met my eldest, Jenny. She’s twenty-two, and yes, that’s right, just a few years younger than you.’

Roy fell silent, but Lizzie could see he was shocked by her revelations. She didn’t want to lose him and kicked herself for losing her rag. ‘Look, it’s not the end of the world. All right, I’ve got kids, but it doesn’t mean anything has to change between us. Come on, let’s go home and have that early night,’ she suggested, licking her lips suggestively.

‘You deceitful bitch!’ he growled, his eyes cold and hard. ‘What makes you think I want to be with a grandmother, eh?’

‘Leave it out. I ain’t a grandmother!’

‘Maybe not, but you soon could be. Blimey, it won’t be long before you’re tucking your tits into your knickers and walking with a stick! Nah, Liz, this ain’t on. You duped me into sleeping with you, but now you can get your stuff out of my flat and sling your fucking hook.’

Roy stomped on ahead, leaving Lizzie reeling. She hadn’t expected him to take it so badly and quickened her pace to catch up with him. ‘Roy … wait … Roy,’ she called, but he carried on marching ahead of her.

Finally, as he opened his front door, she caught up with him. ‘Please, Roy, let’s not be hasty. Come on, let’s go to bed,’ she purred, confident that she’d be able to seduce him, and he’d forget about her age. ‘We can talk about this again later.’

‘Ugh, no thanks. The thought of sleeping with you turns my stomach now. Bloody hell, Liz, it’d be like sleeping with my mother! You’re a looker, but I need a girl of my own age. Sorry, but we’re finished.’

Lizzie’s heart sank as she realised she wouldn’t be able to persuade him to change his mind. Worse still, she’d be homeless again. ‘Please, Roy. I understand but give me a chance to get myself sorted. I can’t go tonight. I haven’t got anywhere to go.’

Roy looked her up and down with disgust, then spat, ‘Tough. That ain’t my problem. Go back to your old man and look after your children – like a proper mother!’

He opened his door, walked in and then slammed it shut behind him, leaving Lizzie dumbfounded on the doorstep. She slowly lowered herself and sat on the cold concrete step as Roy’s words spun in her head. She couldn’t go back to Henry. Roy didn’t understand what her husband was like. Of course, she would have liked to take her children with her when she left, but where could she have gone with five kids in tow? Lesley hadn’t wanted them. Anyway, she reasoned, they were better off in their own home, and whatever Henry was or wasn’t, he was at least a good provider. But that didn’t mean she’d put up with his punches again. No, she would never go back to him, never. Though she might try and cadge a few quid out of him now.

Gloria had tucked the boys into bed, and when her dad had come home from the pub she’d warmed his dinner through. He hadn’t eaten it, but she was thankful that he was in a mellow mood. He’d stumbled up the stairs to his room, and now Pamela had taken herself off to bed too.

Gloria sat alone in the front room, listening to the radio whilst waiting for Jenny to come home. She couldn’t wait to hear all the details of how her older sister’s date had gone. Before long, she heard the front door quietly close and Jenny breezed into the room. From the look on her face, Gloria could tell it had gone well. ‘Someone looks happy! Tell me all about it, I’ve been dying to know.’

‘Oh, Gloria, it was amazing! We held hands watching the film. I was a bit worried because I thought my palm might have been all sweaty, but he didn’t let it go. Then after the film he took me to the coffee bar and we talked and talked and talked some more. He insisted on walking me home, then out there, in the street, he kissed me! Just a little peck but it was on the lips. Honestly, it feels like I’ve known him forever! And you’ll never guess who we bumped into?’

‘No, go on, tell me.’

‘Mum. She was there with a bloke who looked young enough to be her son. You know her though, she hardly said two words to me and didn’t hang about.’

‘Nothing that woman does surprises me any more. Enough about her, you’ll be seeing Craig again then?’

‘Yes, and I can’t wait. I said I’d call in to see Gran on Tuesday after work, so he said he’ll take me out for something to eat. Do you mind cooking dinner for you all that night and keeping an eye on the boys?’

‘I suppose so, but don’t make it too often, they ain’t my responsibility.’

‘How have the boys and Pamela been?’

‘Don’t worry about them, they’re fine. Timmy had a bit of a bellyache, but I reckon he was swinging the lead ’cos he wanted to wait up for you to come home. Dad’s upstairs, probably passed out by now. Anyway, what did it feel like to be kissed?’

Jenny threw herself back on the sofa and sighed deeply before answering, ‘Dreamy.’

‘Blimey, ’ark at you, you’re swooning,’ Gloria chuckled. She would never admit it, but there was a part of her that was jealous. Yes, she was happy for Jenny, but she wished it was she who had a boyfriend. Someone, anyone, who could take her away from the hell of living with their father. She had someone in mind, but so far she hadn’t attracted his attention.