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However, his mother was still a bundle of nerves, so to keep her happy Robin kept his promise, the two of them calculating the starting up costs and profit projections for the new business. He had his concerns, especially about the initial costs, but his mother had told him there was no need to worry – that if her savings were insufficient she would go to the bank for a loan. He didn’t like this idea, suggesting instead that she approached his father for funding, but she would have none of it and, rather than upset her, Robin had said no more.
Five weeks had now passed and he hadn’t heard his mother being anything other than kind to Jenny. On the other hand, though she wasn’t actually rude, Jenny was barely polite. She’d be sixteen tomorrow, and Robin was wrapping her present.
‘I wasn’t sure what to get Jenny for her birthday, so settled on a book as usual. What about you?’
‘Your father is buying her a record player and it will be from both of us. Talk of the devil,’ she said as the telephone rang. ‘That’s probably him now. He usually rings to let me know when to expect him.’
Robin had finished wrapping the book and, intending to put it in his room until tomorrow morning, he followed his mother into the hall, pausing to listen to the one-sided conversation. He gleaned enough to realise there was a problem, but then there was a flurry of activity overhead and he quickly hid his present behind his back as Jenny appeared.
His mother had just replaced the receiver and, leaning over the banister, Jenny said, ‘I heard the telephone. Was it Daddy? When is he arriving?’
Delia’s reply was short. ‘He isn’t coming home.’
‘But…but he promised,’ Jenny cried.
‘Work always comes first with your father and you should have learned that by now. He obviously feels it’s more important than your birthday.’
Jenny looked stricken and fled back to her room.
‘That was a bit harsh, Mother,’ Robin said.
‘I don’t see why. I only told her the truth.’ Then her voice cracked. ‘Oh, I’m sorry, Robin. I was annoyed that your father broke his promise and spoke without thinking. It’s always the same. He causes upset, but it’s me who’s shown in a bad light.’
Robin was alarmed that his mother was still so fragile, so easily upset. ‘You aren’t to blame and I’m sure Jenny knows that. I’ll go and have a word with her.’
‘I…I should do it,’ Delia said, but tears began to come in earnest now.
Robin put an arm around her, leading her back into the drawing room. His mother needed him and Jenny would have to wait.
Jenny was unable to deny the truth of her mother’s words. Her father had put his work first, so much so that it was more important than his promise to be there for her birthday. He hadn’t even asked to speak to her, to offer any explanation, and Jenny couldn’t help wondering if it was because she wasn’t his real daughter. Perhaps it wasn’t possible to really love a child who wasn’t your own – that had certainly proved to be the case with Delia.
Jenny hadn’t been able to stand up to her, not with Robin so sure that she had caused this so-called bout of bad nerves, and no matter how much she protested, told him that it was all an act that their mother dropped when he wasn’t around, Robin didn’t seem to believe her.
All Jenny thought about now was getting out of this house, and she was counting the days to the end of term. Tomorrow, on her birthday, she had planned to tell her parents that she was leaving home – that she and Tina were going to look for a flat together as soon as they left school. She had been worried about her father’s reaction, but wasn’t worried any longer. He wouldn’t care. Once again Jenny was swamped with a familiar feeling, one of loneliness, of something missing in her life. She was alone, without real parents, or anyone else who cared about her.
But wait, she did have someone; she had Tina, who saw them as sisters, and at this thought Jenny came to a swift decision. Of course, she would have to speak to Tina, but she doubted her friend would take any persuasion. Only moments later Jenny went downstairs, saying shortly as she poked her head into the drawing room, ‘I’m going out for a walk.’
She didn’t wait for a response before heading outside. So intent was she on speaking to Tina that her face was gleaming with perspiration by the time she reached Princes Way.
As Jenny entered the block of flats she hoped that Tina’s father was away, the thought of even looking at the man making her stomach churn. She took the lift to the fifth floor and, fingers crossed, she stepped out to knock on Tina’s door. She was thankful that it was her friend who opened it.
‘Tina, can you come out for a while?’
‘You look all hot and bothered. What’s wrong?’
‘I need to talk to you.’
‘Come on in,’ Tina offered.
‘No, we need to be on our own.’
‘Oh, right. Hang on then. I’ll just grab my shoes.’
‘Tina! Who’s that at the door?’
‘It’s Jenny. We’re just going out for a while, Mum,’ Tina called back. She winked, disappeared for a moment, and then reappeared, hopping on one foot as she put on her other shoe. ‘Right, let’s go.’
Jenny said nothing until the lift doors closed behind them, and then drew in a deep breath. ‘Tina, instead of waiting, I want to leave home now.’
‘What! Blimey, we’ve still got a week till the end of term. What’s brought this on?’
‘I’ve just had enough. You were sixteen last week, and as it’s my birthday tomorrow I can’t see the school kicking up a fuss if we don’t go back.’
‘Yeah, I suppose you’re right. When do you want us to leave?’
‘Tomorrow.’
‘Gawd, that soon?’ Tina said, as they stepped out of the lift, but then she grinned. ‘Yeah, well, as far as I’m concerned it couldn’t have come at a better time. My dad’s due home on Sunday and you know what that means.’
‘Oh Tina, yes, we’ve got to get you out of there. We could pack tonight and leave in the morning.’
‘Yeah, that could work. With the old man arriving, mum is sure to go out to get in a bit of shopping. I could sneak out then, but I won’t be able to say for sure what time it will be.’
‘Don’t worry. I’ll have to draw some money from my post office savings book, and after that I’ll wait for you in that café on the corner of the High Street.’
Tina linked arms with Jenny. ‘It all feels like a dream, and I can hardly believe we’re really leaving.’
‘Well we are. I just hope that when we get to Chelsea we’ll be able to find somewhere to stay.’
‘It’ll be a doddle,’ Tina said with assurance. ‘We just need to buy the local paper and there’s sure to be rooms advertised.’
‘Yes, but will they let us move in straightaway?’
‘I dunno, but fingers crossed. If the worst comes to the worst, I suppose there’s always a hotel.’
‘That would soon swallow up my savings,’ Jenny said worriedly.
‘Now you sound like you’re changing your mind.’
‘No, I’m not,’ Jenny insisted.
‘Thank goodness for that. It’ll be great, Jenny, you and me in a place of our own, and in Chelsea too. I wouldn’t mind a job in a boutique on the King’s Road, and at least you won’t be stuck in a boring library.’
Jenny knew that leaving the opportunity of the library job behind would be her only regret and doubted she’d get such a chance again. For a moment she was saddened but then again staying at home would be far worse. Perhaps she’d be able to find a job in a bookshop and that would be some compensation. Cheered by the thought she said, ‘Right then, I’m off home to sort out what clothes I’m taking. I’ll see you in the morning.’
The two of them retraced their steps and parted outside the flats. Jenny continued on her way, undecided whether to tell her mother she was leaving when she got home or wait until she was packed and ready to go in the morning.
Chapter Ten (#ulink_3aafa599-e3cd-5e09-9a8b-e39eabe18503)
Delia was upstairs, just leaving the bathroom when Jennifer returned from her walk. She hadn’t wanted to overplay her hand and so had shown nothing but kindness recently towards Jennifer. However, the girl would be sixteen tomorrow and it was time to bait her again – time to strike.
She followed Jennifer into her bedroom but, not having had a chance to rehearse her words, Delia had to think quickly.
‘Jennifer, I’m not happy that you went out without telling me where you were going. I know you were upset, and Robin thinks I was harsh with you, but I’m not prepared to make excuses for your father. He isn’t coming home, accept that and pull yourself together.’
‘I…I just went out for a walk, that was all.’
‘It was more like you went off in a sulk. You are not a child now and I suggest you stop behaving like one. You’re sixteen tomorrow and thankfully can leave home if you want to.’
‘Thankfully? It sounds like you want me to go.’
Delia smiled sardonically, deciding to move this forward. Going out to the hall she raised her voice to a loud wail. ‘I can’t stand this again. I really can’t. Your behaviour is just too much…too much…’
As Delia had hoped, Robin came running upstairs. ‘Mother, what’s the matter?’
‘I tried to apologise, to explain why I was so harsh, but now Jennifer seems to think I want her to leave home. I don’t, Robin, but…but she was so nasty…so…so rude to me.’
‘Mummy, calm down and let me take you downstairs,’ Robin urged, and then shouted at Jennifer, ‘As for you, I’ll deal with you later.’
Delia clutched her son’s arm as they went into the drawing room. He was making a fuss of her and she enjoyed it, letting him think he had managed to soothe her.
‘If you’re all right now, Mummy, I intend to see that Jenny apologises for her behaviour.’
‘Thank you, darling,’ Delia said, glad that once again Jennifer had proved no match for her. The girl was too young and innocent to work out what was really going on, and Robin was the same, easily fooled.
While Robin went to get Jennifer, Delia composed her expression to one of wounded hurt. When the girl appeared, Delia waited for the apology. It didn’t come. Instead when Jennifer spoke it was with defiance.
‘I know you planned all this,’ she said, ‘but you needn’t have bothered.’
‘What is that supposed to mean?’
‘That I’d already decided to leave home.’
‘But you can’t, Jenny,’ Robin protested.
‘Oh yes I can. It’s just what your mother wants.’
‘Don’t be silly. She did once suggest it and had her reasons, but then we agreed that you’re too young. Mother, tell her,’ Robin urged.
‘If Jennifer wants to go there’s nothing I can do to stop her,’ Delia said. Then, seeing the expression on her son’s face, she could have bitten off her tongue. She quickly back-pedalled. ‘Of course I would prefer her to stay, and hope we can persuade her to do just that.’
‘If you believe that, Robin, you’ll believe anything,’ Jennifer told him. ‘I’ve never made her life a misery. In fact it’s the reverse and I’ve told you how she treats me when you’re not here.’
Delia knew that she had to stop this, and wailed, ‘It’s you who’s telling lies. You’ve always been jealous of my relationship with my son and now you’re trying to come between us. Oh, Robin…please, I can’t take any more of this.’
Just as Delia had hoped, Robin rushed to her side, and over his shoulder she saw the look of disgust Jennifer threw at her before she marched out. For a moment Delia was annoyed at her audacity, but then realised that it didn’t really matter. The girl was leaving, and now all she had to do was to convince Robin that she’d played no part in her decision.
At last her torment was over and she would never have to look at that face again – the tears Delia shed now, ones of relief.
Robin was angry with Jenny for upsetting his mother again, but hated the thought of her leaving home. He would have to talk to her, but with his mother in this state it would have to wait.
‘Jennifer really was telling lies, but I don’t know how to convince you of that.’
‘I’m not sure you have to. I’ve seen for myself now what Jennifer has been putting you through. I just wish you’d told me before and then I’d have understood why you always seemed rather cold and distant towards her.’
‘I didn’t want you upset; I tried to shield you.’
‘I’m not a child, Mother.’
‘You were when you took your eleven plus exams, followed by grammar school with more to face. I was so proud when you passed and went on to college, but what I feared is now happening. Instead of concentrating on your studies, you’re distracted and worried about me because of Jennifer.’
‘I’m still on course to pass my A levels.’
‘That’s good,’ Delia said, but then she started to sob again. ‘I dread to think what your father will say. He’ll blame me, I…I know he will.’
‘Mother, don’t worry. When he comes home again, I’ll put him straight.’
‘I doubt you’ll convince him. Jennifer can do no wrong in his eyes.’
‘I must admit I found it hard to believe at first, but I’m sorry now for doubting you.’
‘There’s no need to apologise, darling, but oh dear, with all this emotional upset I’m so tired,’ she said, placing a hand over her mouth and yawning. ‘I have an awful headache and think I’ll go to bed.’
‘Yes, do that, and don’t worry. I’ll see that everything is shipshape and the doors are all locked.’
‘You’re such a comfort to me. Good night, darling.’
Robin saw how emotionally drained his mother looked as she rose to her feet. It was his turn to protect her now, to shield her from any more distress, and to do that he’d have to make sure she remained calm in the morning. They would both talk to Jenny, persuade her to stay, and hopefully things would get back to normal.
After he checked all the windows and made sure the back and front doors were secure, Robin went upstairs. The house was strangely silent and his room hot and stuffy as he lay on his bed, his mind twisting and turning.
Despite the fact that he’d been blind to Jenny’s faults, she was in his system, and he hoped they could talk her round. Yet if there was another scene he doubted his mother could cope. She was already at the end of her tether, and he dreaded the thought of her breaking down again, of having to call the doctor, who might well have her hospitalised. Anger towards Jenny flared once more and Robin began to wonder if it might be for the best if she did leave home, though the thought still had the power to make his stomach churn. Where would she go?
Wait! Jenny said she had planned to go, and that must mean she had somewhere lined up. She must have broken into her savings to rent a room, but as the job she was starting was a local one, it wouldn’t be far away.
At last, realising that all this could work out to his advantage, Robin smiled. Jenny would be living alone, and would perhaps be so lonely that she’d welcome his company. When he called round to see her, there’d be just the two of them and as his imagination took over, Robin groaned, his hand snaking downwards as he sought release.
Jenny packed, stuffing all that she could into an old rucksack that she had once used for a Guides camping trip, and then finally climbed into bed.
She thought over all that had happened recently. Thanks to Robin blurting it out, everything made more sense. Out of her hearing, her mother must have suggested that she leave home, but Robin, and perhaps her father, had been against it.
How clever her mother had been, pretending to agree that she was too young, pretending that she cared, convincing Robin that she didn’t want her to go, yet all the time planning a way to drive her out.
Oh, what did it matter? She’d be gone in the morning, her only regret that she wasn’t able to say goodbye to her father. Yet he wasn’t really her father. If he had been he wouldn’t have broken his promise. Feeling the threat of tears, Jenny blinked rapidly.
No, she wouldn’t cry. She was being childish and by acting childishly she had played right into her mother’s hands. It was time to grow up. Tomorrow was going to be the start of a new chapter in her life, one she couldn’t wait to begin.
Chapter Eleven (#ulink_9c8ac04e-04da-5d2b-83f9-ecf503ac8151)
