A Family’s Heartbreak. Kitty Neale

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СКАЧАТЬ a fall and asked me to come round. Oh, blimey, are you all right? You look like you’ve been in the wars too.’

      ‘I … I’m nearly better now, but what about my gran? Is she all right?’

      ‘She hasn’t broken any bones, but it’s left her a bit weak and dizzy. She’s hoping you, or one of your sisters, would stay the night with her.’

      ‘Oh, no! Poor Gran! Are you sure she hasn’t broken anything?’

      ‘She seems fine, just but a bit shaky. She tripped over and couldn’t get herself back up. She’s a bit unsteady on her feet at the moment though and that’s why she’d like someone with her.’

      ‘Yes, of course. I won’t bother to ask my sister Gloria, she’ll only make some excuse not to go, but I’ll send Pamela straight over. In fact, as it’s dark now, would you mind if she walked back with you?’

      ‘Of course not.’

      ‘Gloria, I know you’re there, so go and tell Pam to pack an overnight bag. Tell her to hurry up.’

      Gloria emerged sheepishly from behind the door and flashed Craig a smile before running upstairs.

      ‘How have you been?’ Craig asked.

      ‘Not bad, thanks. Look, I’m sorry about the other week.’

      ‘It’s all right, I understand,’ Craig answered.

      ‘No, I don’t think you do. I did want to go out with you, but after the accident I was kept in hospital for a few days.’

      ‘An accident? What happened?’

      ‘I fell down the stairs. Silly really, just missed my footing,’ Jenny said. She didn’t like telling him lies but couldn’t bring herself to reveal the awful truth. ‘I fractured a couple of ribs and I’ve been in bed since I was sent home. I’m a lot better now though and this is my first day up.’

      ‘That sounds painful, Jenny, but I’m glad to hear you’re feeling better. Your gran will be pleased to know that it wasn’t your father again.’

      ‘What?’

      ‘Shit, sorry, I wasn’t meant to say anything. Edith was worried, she told me about your dad.’

      ‘Oh, I see. Well, she shouldn’t have, and as it happens, the accident had nothing to do with my father,’ Jenny replied, and lowered her eyes. She was embarrassed and didn’t want Craig to see that she’d been untruthful.

      ‘She didn’t mean any harm, but Jenny, does this mean that when you’ve fully recovered I can take you out again?’

      Jenny wanted to shout yes please! – there was nothing she would like more. Instead she shyly nodded her head.

      ‘Great, well, when you’re ready, I’ll take you out to dinner.’

      When Pamela came downstairs, Jenny turned to her and said, ‘Give Gran my love and tell her I’ll call in to see her as soon as I can.’

      ‘Yeah, all right,’ Pam agreed.

      ‘See you soon, Jenny,’ Craig husked, smiling softly.

      She felt her cheeks flush, and before closing the door, stammered, ‘Y-yes, see you.’

      As they walked back along the hall, Gloria smiled and said, ‘He really fancies you.’

      ‘Stop it, we’re just friends.’

      ‘Pull the other leg, it’s got bells on it. I only got the tail end of what was said when I came downstairs with Pam, but from what I heard it sounds like you’ve arranged another date?’

      ‘Yes, we have, but I’m not sure it’s a good idea.’

      ‘Why on earth not?’

      ‘If Dad does this to me again, I’m not sure how Craig would react. It’s not fair to involve him in my problems.’

      ‘Your problem is that you think too much. Just go out with the man and enjoy yourself.’

      ‘Maybe, but I can’t think about it now. I’m tired, Gloria, and I’m going to bed.’

      ‘Righto, nighty night.’

      Jenny wearily climbed the stairs to her room. She wished Gloria had called in to see their gran when she’d been asked to, but at least Pamela would be with her now. She undid the buttons on her dress and allowed it to fall to the floor then stepped into her winceyette nightclothes. It was easier to pull the nightdress up than put it over her head.

      She slowly climbed into bed, with thoughts of Craig flying around her mind. It had thrilled her to see him again, and though it was against her better judgement, she liked the idea of going to dinner with him. Maybe she should take Gloria’s advice to just go out with the man and enjoy it. As long as she kept Craig and her father apart, surely it would be all right?

      Even though it was almost dark, Pamela would have preferred to walk alone to her gran’s flat. She felt awkward with Craig and hoped he wouldn’t talk to her. Jenny had already told her to make sure he could see her lips, so he’d be able to understand what she was saying, but she still didn’t feel comfortable.

      ‘How old are you, Pamela?’ Craig asked.

      Oh no, she thought, he’d gone and asked her a question. She turned her face to look at him, then answered, ‘Thirteen.’

      ‘Thirteen, a ripe old age. Do you know what you want to do when you leave school?’

      ‘I dunno. Work in a factory, I suppose, like my sister.’

      ‘A factory, eh? Have you ever thought about doing anything else?’

      This wasn’t as bad as Pamela had thought it was going to be. Craig understood everything she said. ‘I did think about hairdressing, but I really want to be a fashion designer, like Mary Quant. Fat chance though. Things like that don’t happen to girls like me.’

      ‘Don’t say that, you never know what the future holds. Who’s Mary Quant? I’ve never heard of her.’

      ‘It doesn’t matter,’ Pamela said, smiling.

      She found herself warming to Craig and decided she quite liked him. They were soon at her gran’s, and she was pleased to see the old woman was mostly unharmed from her ordeal. ‘Can I get you anything, Gran?’

      ‘Yes, love, a cup of hot milk and a couple of aspirins. It might help me to sleep.’

      Pamela scuttled off to the kitchen, but she could still hear what was being said in the living room.

      ‘How was Jenny?’ her gran asked.

      ‘She’s as bad as you, Edith. She’s taken a tumble down the stairs and that’s why she hasn’t been to see you for a while.’

      ‘Stairs, my arse! Is that what she told you?’

      ‘Yes, СКАЧАТЬ