Family Drama 4 E-Book Bundle

‘I … I just didn’t want an argument.’

‘If I know Dolly, you won’t have much choice. As soon as she finds you’ve gone, she’ll be over here.’

‘Oh, Bessie, what am I going to do?’

‘For starters you can get that frightened rabbit look off your face and stand up for yourself. As I said, Dolly can’t force you to go, and you’ll just have to tell her that.’

Pearl shook her head doubtfully, her head drooping.

‘Come on,’ Bessie said. ‘Let’s get to bed and we’ll worry about Dolly bloody Dolby in the morning.’

With a nod of agreement, Pearl rose to her feet and lifted Johnny into her arms. She followed Bessie upstairs, her tired eyes widening when she saw her old room and the cot in the corner. ‘Oh, Bessie.’

‘Now then, don’t start the waterworks. I knew you’d be moving in eventually and the cot didn’t cost me anything. It was in the back room, but cleaned up nicely.’

Pearl took in the clean white sheets, the soft blankets and choked, her eyes watery as she said, ‘I don’t know how to thank you.’

‘Leave it out, girl. Now get yourself and Johnny to bed and we’ll talk again in the morning.’

Bessie left then and, after settling Johnny, Pearl climbed into her own bed. She had done it; she had got away from Dolly. But now she shivered. Bessie was right: as soon as Dolly found her gone, she’d come looking for her and she dreaded it.

Pearl wanted to remain hidden, but Bessie wouldn’t stand for it. ‘You can’t stay up here for ever, love. If Dolly comes over here, stand your ground. She doesn’t own you and can’t drag you back.’

Reluctantly Pearl followed the woman downstairs, but as she settled Johnny in his pram and glanced out of the window, her heart skipped with fear.

‘Oh God, Dolly’s already on her way over.’

‘Now then, don’t run away. As I told you, stand your ground, girl.’

Pearl wanted nothing more than to flee, but moments later the door flew open, crashing back against the wall. Ramrod straight, her hair still loose and flying wildly around her shoulders, Dolly marched into the shop.

‘I don’t know what your game is, but you can bring that child back to the café.’

The noise woke Johnny up and he began to cry, but as Dolly moved towards the pram, Pearl barred her path. ‘Keep away from him.’

‘You must be mad, girl. I’m not having my grandson living in this dump!’

‘Oy, watch your mouth, Dolly Dolby,’ Bessie said, moving from behind the counter.

‘Shut up!’ Dolly shouted, her hand coming out as though Bessie was a fly to swat away.

‘Don’t you dare touch her!’ Pearl screamed.

Dolly stayed her hand, saying with a scowl, ‘Huh, I wouldn’t touch her with a bleedin’ bargepole.

She made for the pram again, but Pearl bent swiftly, snatching Johnny up and holding him tightly to her. ‘Stay away from my son!’

‘I’ll do no such thing! He’s my grandson and his place is with me.’

Pearl felt her body swelling, stretching, and from somewhere inside she felt imbued with strength. ‘No, Dolly, his place is with me, his mother! I’ll decide where he lives, not you, and we’re staying here.’

‘You heard her. I want you out of my shop, Dolly Dolby, and now.’

‘I told you to shut your mouth, Bessie Penfold! I ain’t going anywhere without my grandson and if you get in my way I’ll smash your bleedin’ face in.’

When Pearl heard the threat it was the final straw. She had lived in fear of this woman, allowed herself to be ordered about like a servant, but she wasn’t going to let Dolly take her son. Johnny was still wailing, but her voice rose above his cries. ‘You lay one finger on Bessie, or my son, and I’ll call the police.’

‘You wouldn’t dare!’

‘Oh yes I would.’ And playing what she hoped was a trump card, she added, ‘And I’m sure the locals would love to see another Dolby being carted off to gaol.’

‘You little bitch,’ Dolly spat. ‘All right, I’m going, but I ain’t finished with you yet!’

The breath left Pearl’s body in a rush as Dolly marched out of the shop, slamming the door behind her.

‘There, there, it’s all right,’ she soothed, patting Johnny on his back. His cries turned to little hiccuping sobs, and then finally stopped.

‘Well done, love,’ Bessie said. ‘She was like a bleedin’ Amazon, but you sorted her out.’

‘Yes, but for how long?’

‘You’ve got the upper hand now, and it won’t take her long to realise that if she wants to see her grandson, she’ll have to behave.’

Pearl smiled at last. She had done it. She had stood up to Dolly and from now on, nobody was going to walk all over her again.

Dolly was fuming as she marched across the road, but saw many eyes looking at her, and heard sniggers of laughter. Her hand flew up, touching her hair, and she suddenly realised that she had dashed out without giving any thought to her appearance. Christ, she still had her slippers on! Head down she surged forward, almost running to the sanctuary of the café.

The postman had been and a few letters lay on the floor. She swept them up, still sick with shame as she flicked through them, but then stayed her hand as one caught her eye. It was addressed to Pearl, the writing spidery, and she frowned, wondering who it was from.

Well, sod the girl. She had run off, taking Johnny with her. Without hesitation, Dolly tore the envelope open. Her mouth gaped in disbelief as she read the contents. She then smiled slyly. She’d keep this bit of information to herself and it would serve Pearl right. Dolly stuffed the letter into her pocket and went upstairs.

‘She wouldn’t come back then?’ Bernie said.

‘No, and she even had the cheek to threaten me with the police.’

‘Blimey! Why did she do that?’

‘Oh, I dunno. Probably because I threatened to give Bessie Penfold a clout.’

‘Bloody hell – what did you do that for?’

‘Cos the old cow told me to get out of her shop.’

Bernie shook his head. ‘Dolly, it sounds to me like you went in there like a bull into a china shop.’

‘Yeah, well, maybe I did, but Pearl can’t keep me away from my grandson.’

‘Dolly, she can, and we can’t do anything about it.’