Kitty Neale - A Family’s Heartbreak

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.

Craig couldn’t get Jenny off his mind, but now it was because he was so worried about her. From what Pamela had said last night, things were beyond bad with their father. He sounded like a nasty piece of work, and not a man that Craig would like to go up against, but he couldn’t stand by and do nothing. Craig wasn’t a fighter, and he’d thought long and hard about what he could do, before he finally came up with what he hoped was a solution. He wasn’t sure Jenny would go for it, but he had to try. It wasn’t ideal, but at least she’d be safe and anything had to be better than living in fear for her life.

Feeling determined, he jumped out of bed and quickly washed and dressed. There was no time for breakfast; he had to act fast. Living under her father’s roof left Jenny in imminent danger. Henry had hospitalised his daughter. What if he went for her again?

As Craig marched to her house, he planned what he was going to say. By the time he arrived, he thought it was clear in his mind and knew it was the right thing to do. He’d never forgive himself if Jenny was hurt again and he hadn’t tried to protect her. He knocked and Gloria answered the door. She looked different without all her make-up on. Younger, more like a child than a woman.

‘You again,’ she said, grinning. ‘It seems you can’t stay away. I suppose you’d like to see Jenny?’

‘Yes, please.’

‘I’ll tell her you’re here. After all, who am I to stand in the way of true love?’

Though a younger sister, she seemed to Craig much bolder than Jenny, especially when she called over her shoulder, ‘Jenny, your handsome lover-boy is at the door … again.’

Craig’s brows rose as two lively boys charged out. ‘Who are you?’ the taller of them asked.

Jenny had spoken of her brothers with deep affection, but this was the first time he’d seen them. ‘I’m Craig, I live upstairs from your gran. What’s your name?’

‘Peter.’

‘Hello, Peter.’

The other boy said something, but as he was running up and down the short front path, Craig couldn’t quite get what he said.

‘Sorry, I’m deaf so I have to see your lips to know what you’re saying. Can you stand still and repeat it, please?’

‘You’re deaf?’ Timmy asked, looking astounded.

‘Yes, that’s right, but I can understand what you are saying by the way your lips move.’

‘I said, my name is Timmy.’

‘Pleased to meet you, Timmy,’ Craig said, smiling down at the lad.

‘So, you can’t hear nothing?’ Timmy asked then turned his back for a few moments before spinning round again. ‘Did you hear what I said then?’

‘Nope, afraid not.’

‘Blimey, Peter, he really is deaf!’ Then Timmy looked at Craig again, and asked, ‘But you know what I’m saying now.’

‘Yes, I do.’

‘Wow, can you teach me how to lip-read? I’d know what Terry and Bruce are saying when they’re whispering to each other.’

‘Who are they?’

‘A couple of boys in my class. Will you teach me? Will you?’

Before Craig could answer, Jenny appeared and said, ‘That’s enough, boys, go inside.’

‘But I want to talk to Craig,’ Timmy whined.

‘I said go inside. You can talk to Craig another time. Now do as you’re told or there’ll be no trip to the common.’

‘Hi, Jenny. Did you just say you’re off to the common today?’ Craig asked.

‘Hello and yes.’

‘I know you wasn’t expecting to see me today but I have to talk to you. May I join you?’

‘Go on, Jen, say yes!’ Peter and Timmy urged.

‘If you want – looks like I’m outnumbered anyway,’ Jenny answered, smiling at Craig. ‘Peter, ask Gloria to start making us some sandwiches.’

The boys skipped inside, and looking at Jenny, Craig saw she was blushing again. He found it so endearing.

‘Is everything all right? Is my gran OK?’ she whispered.

‘Yes, as far as I know. That’s not what I want to see you about.’

‘Oh, what is it then?’

‘We’ll talk at the common,’ Craig answered. He was eager to pitch his idea to her, but on the doorstep wasn’t the best place.

Jenny frowned worriedly, then said, ‘I’d invite you in, but my dad’s still in bed and I don’t want to disturb him. If you don’t mind waiting out here, I’ll get myself and the boys ready now.’

‘Of course I don’t mind,’ Craig told her, thinking it was probably just as well that they didn’t disturb her father. He wasn’t sure how he’d react to the man and though he wasn’t one for violence, he wouldn’t stand for him laying into Jenny again.

Jenny quietly closed the door and Craig meandered up the street. He tried to keep his mind focused on his proposition, but seeing her again had flustered him. She did something to him, something he couldn’t explain, but he had to admit, he liked it. Whatever it took, Craig was determined he’d protect her from her father’s brutality and now could only hope she’d allow him to.

Though still in pain, Jenny did her best to hurry up the boys. She stuffed sandwiches into a shopping bag along with some stale bread and a bottle of lemonade.

‘Calm down, Jen, it’s only a stroll on the common,’ Gloria said.