A Family’s Heartbreak. Kitty Neale

eventually agreed but he smiled as he recalled her firm stipulation that there was to be no funny business between them. He’d assured her that he would never take advantage of her, though how she thought that could happen with six of them crammed into his small flat was beyond him. He was just relieved that she’d no longer be subjected to her father’s sickening temper.

      Since then he’d had a week of frantic activity, arranging extra beds and bedding to accommodate the impending arrival of the Lombard siblings later today. With the beds sorted, he went downstairs to give Edith an update.

      ‘So, they’re all moving in today? Doing a runner whilst Henry’s at work?’

      ‘Yes, that’s right. I reckon they’ll be here in about an hour.’

      He was pacing the room and repeatedly looking out of the front window.

      ‘Craig, will you please sit down! It’s making me dizzy just looking at you.’

      ‘Sorry. I know Jenny said to wait here for them, but I really think I should go and help. What if Henry comes home and catches them? And there’s all their stuff to lug here,’ Craig said, and after only just sitting down he jumped up again, ‘Yes, I’ll go and help, just in case.’

      ‘Craig!’ Edith shouted, ‘I don’t know why I’m raising me voice ’cos you can’t hear me. If Jenny needed you, she would have said so, wouldn’t she?’

      ‘Yes, I suppose so.’

      ‘Right, go and make yourself useful and make us both a drink.’

      Craig smiled warmly at the old woman, then said, ‘Don’t tell Jenny I got myself all worked up, will you?’

      ‘No, I shan’t say a word. Go on, bugger off, you silly sod. That kettle won’t boil itself.’

      Craig normally felt relaxed and at home in Edith’s flat, but today he was fretting. He’d done everything he could to make his place comfortable for his new lodgers and hoped Jenny would like it. He made the tea and handed Edith a cup.

      ‘I know what you’re thinking, but stop worrying, young man. Jenny will be happy up there with you. You’ve assured me that there won’t be any funny business going on over my head, yet no doubt there’ll still be gossip. If I hear anything said I’ll put them in their place, but all that matters to me is that Jenny will be away from her father.’

      Craig hoped he could keep them all safe but worried that once Henry found out where they were, he’d come storming round to drag them all back. The man could try, and though Craig had no doubt that Henry could flatten him, he’d still fight if he had to. He shook his head as if trying to shake some sense into himself, but it was no use. He knew, if it came to it, he’d put his life on the line for Jenny.

      Jenny still had misgivings about moving in with Craig. She knew there’d be gossip, or even women spitting at her in the street. She’d probably be ostracised too, but the thought of being beaten like a dog by her father again was far worse. They’d all be safe at Craig’s, so not just for her own sake, but for the others’ too, she’d agreed.

      They were moving out that day, but Gloria leaned against the kitchen table with her arms folded and lips pouting. ‘I ain’t happy about us all being crammed into Craig’s flat. I don’t see why I have to go with you … why can’t I stay here?’

      Jenny looked at her sister in disbelief. The girl hated her father, so she couldn’t understand why she’d want to remain living with him.

      ‘Don’t look at me like that,’ Gloria snapped. ‘Once you’re gone, I’ll have my own room at last and maybe when you ain’t here he won’t be as bad.’

      ‘And maybe he’ll beat you up instead of me. Have you thought about that?’

      ‘Yeah, well, maybe he won’t!’

      ‘Gloria, listen to yourself. You sound really childish. Anyway, I’m not prepared to leave without you, so either we all stay, or we all go.’

      ‘That’s blackmail!’

      ‘I don’t care what it is. I’m only concerned for your safety. So, what will it be?’

      Gloria stamped her foot and threw her arms around as she trudged out of the kitchen, shouting, ‘All right, you win … we all go.’

      Jenny momentarily closed her eyes and sighed with relief. Gloria digging her heels in was the last thing she’d expected.

      ‘What’s Gloria on about?’ Timmy asked as he ran into the room with his brother.

      ‘Yeah, where are we all going?’ from Peter.

      Jenny hadn’t told her brothers they were going to live with Craig for fear of one them accidently saying something in front of their father. She’d warned her sisters to say nothing too, but now Gloria had let the cat out of the bag. ‘Right, sit down, I’ve got something to tell you.’

      The brothers exchanged a glance, then quickly sat at the table.

      ‘Do you remember Craig?’

      ‘Course we do. He’s the deaf bloke,’ answered Timmy.

      ‘He lives in a flat above Gran, and we’re all moving in with him. Not Dad though, he’ll be staying here.’

      ‘What, forever? Not just for three days or seven years? We’re going to live with Craig forever? Timmy asked.

      ‘Yes,’ she said, watching Peter’s face light up. ‘Eventually we’ll have to find a bigger place, but we won’t be coming back here. Craig’s flat is a bit small, and you two will have to share the front room with him while we girls have the bedroom. Hopefully it won’t be for long. I’m back at work on Monday, and I’m sure Gloria will find a job soon, so we’ll be able to find a larger flat or even a little house to rent.’

      Gloria stamped back into the kitchen. ‘Are you still going on about me finding a job? I told you, Queenie said I can work part-time in her fag shop, starting next week.’

      ‘Yes, but I’m not happy about that. You need to be bringing in full-time wages, and that Dennis upstairs will be too much of a distraction for you.’

      ‘Stop telling me what I can and can’t do! It’s bad enough that you try to dictate where I work and who I see, but now you’re telling me where I’ve got to live too. You’re not my mother!’ Gloria glowered at her sister.

      ‘No and thank goodness for that! I’d be ashamed to have such a brat as a daughter!’ Jenny snapped. She hadn’t meant to be so harsh, but now it was said she couldn’t retract it. Her sister really was trying her patience.

      Gloria threw her a vile look, but Jenny could see it was masking her hurt, then she spun on her heels and walked out.

      ‘Gloria … wait … I’m sorry,’ Jenny called.

      Pamela then slipped into the room and asked, ‘What’s the matter with Gloria? What’s going on?’

      ‘I said something I shouldn’t and now she’s got a strop on,’ Jenny replied, rubbing her forehead in despair. She’d hoped this would be a happy day, but it didn’t appear to be for Gloria. ‘I’ll just have to grovel a bit and maybe she’ll come round.’

      ‘We’re all moving into Craig’s flat and Daddy isn’t coming,’ Peter said with gusto.

      At least the boys were pleased, and though Pamela didn’t show her feelings, Jenny knew she was too. ‘Will you take your brothers upstairs and help them to pack their things?’ she asked her sister. ‘Remember, only take what they really need. There won’t be room for everything.’

      The boys ran upstairs with Pamela following. Jenny relished the silence as she pulled a notepad and pencil from her pocket. She sat at the table and began to write.

       Dad,

       I’ve taken the boys