A Family’s Heartbreak. Kitty Neale

as he followed his older brother.

      ‘Yeah, me and all, thanks to you two little brats,’ Gloria called from the bedroom.

      Jenny grinned at the boys, and asked, ‘Did you jump on her again?’

      ‘No,’ Timmy answered, ‘we drew on her face.’

      ‘You didn’t! She’ll have your guts for garters. Come on, get yourselves downstairs and let her have a lie-in.’

      The truth was, Jenny didn’t want the boys’ jovialities to disturb their dad. Luckily, he was a heavy sleeper, especially after he’d had a good drink.

      In the kitchen, Jenny gave the boys a glass of milk and made them some bread and jam, along with a pot of tea for herself. It hurt to lift the kettle, but she hid the discomfort from her brothers.

      ‘Where’s Pamela?’ Timmy asked.

      ‘She went to stay with Gran last night.’

      ‘Can we go to see her today? Gran might have made some cakes!’

      ‘Not today, but we’ll go next Saturday,’ Jenny answered. Craig had said that Gran was fine, just shaky, but she wasn’t sure the old woman would be up to seeing the boys.

      ‘Can we go to the common then?’

      ‘Well, if you stop being mean to Gloria, she might take you. You can take the old bread and feed the ducks.’

      ‘Cor yes,’ Timmy said excitedly. ‘I like the ducks, but the geese are a bit frightening.’

      ‘I don’t want to go to the common,’ Peter said sullenly.

      ‘Why not?’ Jenny asked.

      ‘I just don’t want to. I want to stay at home today.’

      ‘But it’s going to be a lovely sunny day and you’ll have lots of fun.’

      ‘I don’t care. I’m not going!’ Peter said firmly, then sat with his arms folded.

      ‘Don’t be daft, Peter. You’re coming with us,’ Timmy told him.

      ‘No, and you can’t make me!’

      Jenny pulled out a chair and sat opposite Peter. ‘No one is going to make you do anything you don’t want to, but can you tell me why you want to stay at home today?’

      Peter’s bottom lip began to quiver, and his big blue eyes glistened. ‘Mummy might come to see us today,’ he cried, ‘and I want to ask her if I can live with her.’

      Jenny’s heart broke for the boy. ‘I don’t think she’s coming today and I’m sorry, Peter, but I doubt she’s got room for you. Anyway, I don’t want you to leave us. We’d all miss you too much.’

      ‘If Peter goes to live with Mum, can I go too?’ Timmy asked.

      ‘No, I’m afraid the two of you aren’t going anywhere.’

      ‘But you said I don’t have to do anything I don’t want to … and I don’t want to live here!’ Peter cried, his cheeks now wet with tears and his nose beginning to run.

      ‘I know that’s what I said, but that was about going to the common.’ Jenny turned her head and said, ‘Do me a favour, Timmy, go and get your brother a hanky to wipe his nose.’

      As the boy ran off, Jenny pushed her chair back and went over to Peter. She crouched beside him, placing her arm across his shoulders. ‘Come on, darling, stop crying now. Why don’t you want to live with us?’ As soon as she’d asked the question, Jenny regretted it and knew what his answer would be.

      ‘I do … but … but …’

      ‘It’s all right, I know,’ Jenny interrupted. ‘Dad frightens you.’

      Peter nodded his head and asked, ‘Does he scare you too?’

      ‘Sometimes, but when he’s in a bad mood it doesn’t last long. He soon gets over it and goes out to the pub.’

      ‘But he hits you … and I think he’s going to hit me too.’

      ‘No, he won’t. I won’t allow him to. Dad will never lay a hand on you, not while I have breath in my body. I promise.’

      ‘Really? Cross your heart and hope to die? Stick a needle in your eye?’

      ‘Yes, I really, really, promise.’

      ‘But last time he hit you, an ambulance took you away,’ Peter said and began crying again.

      ‘But I’m fine now, so you’ve nothing to worry about.’

      Timmy appeared with a hanky, scowling as he said, ‘When I grow up, if I see Dad bashing you I’m going to kick his head in!’

      ‘Timmy, you mustn’t say things like that. Violence doesn’t solve anything. When Mum walked out on us, Dad could’ve sent you to live in a children’s home, but he didn’t. He does his best, and all right, he loses his temper now and then, but as I said before, he soon gets over it.’

      Peter sniffed, took the hanky and wiped his nose while Timmy said, ‘It might be nice in a children’s home.’

      ‘No, love, it wouldn’t be nice at all. Now come on, Peter, no more tears, and no more talk of kicking Dad’s head in, Timmy,’ she said sternly, then, trying to lift their spirits, she forced a smile and said, ‘Now, who would like a biscuit, a nice custard cream?’

      There were only three biscuits left and now that Gloria was out of work, and Jenny on unpaid sick leave, she doubted they’d be having any more biscuits in the house for a while. For now, though, two enthusiastic hands shot in the air, and both boys piped up, ‘Me, I’d like one please.’

      Jenny handed her brothers the treat and saved the last one for Gloria. The girl had a terrible sweet tooth. With all the sugary snacks Gloria ate she should have been the size of a bus, yet somehow she managed to keep her trim figure. ‘Now that’s sorted I’ll ask Gloria if she’ll take the pair of you to the common later.’

      ‘Did I hear my name mentioned?’ Gloria asked, as though on cue as she walked into the kitchen. ‘Oh, biscuits, lovely. Where’s mine?’

      ‘In the tin. I saved you the last one, but surely you’ll want your breakfast first.’

      ‘One biscuit won’t spoil it,’ Gloria said, and raided the tin.

      ‘I said you’d take the boys to the common later.’

      ‘No, not today,’ Gloria answered.

      ‘Please, Gloria, please take us …’ Timmy begged.

      ‘Nope, I’ve got far better things to do. You’ll have to wait for Pamela to get back from Gran’s.’

      ‘What better things?’ Jenny asked.

      ‘I’ve got my hair to set, my nails to paint, my skirt to take up and then I might see if Dennis is hanging around the ABC Café this afternoon.’

      ‘I see, and that’s clearly far more important than taking your brothers out today.’

      ‘Well, yes,’ Gloria said, ‘of course it is.’

      ‘But we want to go to the common,’ Peter cried.

      ‘I’ll have to take you, but I can only walk slowly so no running off,’ Jenny told them and as they ran around whooping with glee, she said to Gloria, ‘It’s a fair way to the common and I hope I can manage.’

      ‘I’m sure you’ll be fine, and a bit of fresh air will do you good.’

      Jenny wasn’t surprised by her sister’s selfishness. What Gloria wanted always came first, but at least she’d taken up the reins while Jenny had been out of action. However, now that she was out of bed, it was obvious that Gloria considered her well enough to take over again.