Family Drama 4 E-Book Bundle. Leah Fleming

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       Chapter Thirty-Two

      After changing Johnny, Pearl went to the kitchen, relieved to find that her in-laws weren’t up. She made the baby’s bottle and a cup of tea, returning to the bedroom with everything balanced on a tray.

      Johnny was squalling and Kevin held him out. ‘He wants his grub.’

      Pearl placed the tray on the chest of drawers and, perching on the side of the bed, she gave the baby his bottle, watching as he pulled on the teat.

      ‘Kevin, if you don’t mind, I think I’ll pop over to see Bessie later.’

      ‘Why you bother with that old ragbag is beyond me, but I’m going out too so please yourself.’

      ‘Bessie’s been good to me and I’m fond of her. Where are you going?’

      ‘I’ve got someone to see – a bit of business to sort out.’

      ‘Oh, is it to do with a job?’

      ‘Yeah, you could say that,’ Kevin said, smiling enigmatically as he threw back the blankets, heading for the bathroom.

      Johnny finished his feed, and after Pearl had winded him he contentedly drifted off to sleep. She gently placed him in the cot, smiling down at him for a moment before leaving to rinse out his bottle. Dolly was in the kitchen now, making a fresh brew, but she totally ignored Pearl. The atmosphere was awful, tense, and when Kevin finally showed his face, he received the same treatment.

      Dolly continued to bang around, slamming doors, driving them out of the kitchen and, soon after, the house, earlier than they’d anticipated.

      ‘We might be in for a bit of a rough ride,’ Kevin said as they left the café. ‘My mother can sulk for England, but she can stew in her own juice as far as I’m concerned.’

      Pearl grinned. ‘Any more metaphors before we part company?’

      ‘You cheeky bitch,’ Kevin said, but his smile took the sting out of his words. He leaned over to give her a swift kiss on the cheek, gave Johnny the same, calling, ‘See you later,’ as he sauntered off.

      Pearl pushed the pram across the road, feeling that something had shifted in their relationship. Kevin seemed warmer, more relaxed, his nerves completely gone and a swagger back in his step.

      ‘Hello, ducks,’ Bessie said as she opened the door. ‘Come on in.’

      Pearl lifted Johnny from his pram and followed the old woman upstairs, but her nose wrinkled as she walked into the living room.

      ‘Get that sour look off your face,’ Bessie said. ‘I know the place is a mess, but after running the shop all week, I’m too knackered on my day off to worry about housework.’

      Pearl took at good look at the old woman and didn’t like what she saw. Bessie looked pasty, her eyes hooded with tiredness. ‘You look awful.’

      ‘Thanks and it’s nice to see you too,’ she retorted, flopping onto a chair and holding out her arms. ‘Blimey, he gets bigger every time I see him.’

      When Pearl laid Johnny in Bessie’s arms, the old woman tickled him under the chin, but he remained undisturbed, sleeping soundly. ‘He sure likes his kip.’

      ‘Yes, he’s a contented baby,’ Pearl replied before turning on her heels to head for the scullery. ‘I’ll make us a drink.’

      The room was in an awful state, dishes piled in the sink, all her work when she had lived with Bessie undone. She shook her head and set to, but it was some time before she returned to the living room.

      ‘Here,’ she said, placing a cup of tea beside Bessie.

      ‘Blimey, it’s about time. What have you been doing out there?’ Before Pearl had time to reply she sailed on, ‘Huh, I can guess. You’ve been cleaning up. It’s good of you, but I’d have got round to it eventually.’

      ‘You said you’re worn out, and I think a rest is more important.’ She took Johnny from Bessie’s arms, laying him gently on the sofa. ‘While he’s sleeping, I’ll tidy up in here.’

      ‘Leave it, love. Other than the occasional card reading, you’re the only person who visits me, so what does a bit of mess matter?’

      ‘It won’t take long.’

      ‘What is it with you and housework? I’d rather you sat down for a chat.’

      ‘We can talk while I’m working.’

      ‘How are things over in the café?’

      Pearl paused, a pile of old newspapers in her arms. ‘You wouldn’t believe it if I told you.’

      ‘For Gawd’s sake, you’re making my neck ache. Leave the bloody tidying up and sit down.’

      Returning the newspapers to where she had found them, Pearl flopped beside Johnny. ‘I don’t know where to start really but, as you know, I haven’t been hearing the baby at night.’

      ‘Yeah, and I know it’s upsetting you.’

      ‘It was, but not now. I couldn’t sleep last night, and Johnny wasn’t crying, but it didn’t stop Dolly from sneaking into our room to take him.’

      Bessie straightened in her chair. ‘Bloody hell, and do you think she’s been doing that every night?’

      ‘Yes, I’m sure she has.’

      ‘Huh, with the way she’s been trying to take СКАЧАТЬ