A Family Man by Sarah Osborne Read Free Book Online Page B

never been scared of her son, but right now Sophia was sure he was capable of killing her. "Of course not. If Amy hadn't taken off, I wouldn't know now."
    He spun on his heel and marched outside, followed closely by Spike. "You know where she is?"
    "I got a pretty good idea." He climbed on his bike and, as soon as Spike was mounted, he sped off.
     
    Amy was cold, and if she was honest, a little afraid. The old forgotten orchard was a magical place in daylight when she was picking apples from the trees with Joe. She had remembered him telling her that it was here that he had hid out when he was a kid and he wanted to blow off school, and she’d known that no one would be able to find her. It was a secret place behind an old burned-out retirement home, only accessible by lifting a loose panel in the corrugated iron fence. She shivered and hugged her knees, trying to block out the strange noises that surrounded her. She didn't care how scary it was, she wasn't going back. They couldn't make her move to Florida. Away from Nana Sophie, away from her school friends, away from Joe. Suddenly, a familiar sound split the air. Amy smiled. Joe was here.
     
    Spike scowled as Joe lifted the loose panel. "Couldn't you have just told them where she would be? Saved us the best part of a three-hundred-mile trip."
    "To be honest, it never crossed my mind until Maria told me what had happened." He climbed through the gap. "Kid's hiding out. Don't wanna be found." He straightened up. "Amy! Get your skinny ass out here now!"
    It was pitch black. Spike pulled out his lighter. "Fuck. Didn't it occur to you to bring a flashlight?"
    Joe shrugged. "Amy! C'mon, sugar. I know you're here."
    "Joe?" It was a tiny voice from the bushes. Spike lifted his lighter and she stepped forward. "I'm sorry. Are you mad at me?"
    Joe crouched down and pulled her into his arms. "I'm fucking furious. Promise me you'll never pull a stunt like that again."
    Sobbing loudly she threw her arms around his neck. "I don't wanna go to Florida."
    "I know, sugar. Ain't too keen on the idea myself." He buried his face in his hair. "It don't mean you can go running off, scaring the shit outta everyone."
    Spike shook his head and climbed back through the fence. "C'mon, bro. Let's get her home. It's late and the kid's gotta be freezing." He pulled off his hoodie and as she came through the fence, wrapped it round her. "Hi, sweetheart. I'm Spike."
    Amy gave a tiny smile. “Hi, Mr. Spike.”
    Joe chuckled and put his helmet on her head and tightened the strap, before sitting her on his bike and climbing on in front of her. "Hang on tight, sugar. Let's get you home."
     
    Maria was pacing up and down Sophia's kitchen when her phone rang. "Hello?"
    "M, I got her. Be there in five."
    "Thank you." She sobbed as her knees buckled and she sank to her floor.
    Sophia pulled out her cell. "I'll phone the cops, tell them she's turned up." She shook her head. "Just wait till I see that little madam. I'll tan her hide."
    "No you won't. This is my fault. I handled it all wrong."
    "Yes, you did. Joe isn't going to let you off lightly, you know that, don't you?"
    "This has nothing to do with Joe. Amy ain’t his kid. This move will mean a promotion for Rob and the chance of a better life for me and Amy."
     
    They both looked up as Joe, Amy and Spike walked in.
    Maria swept her daughter into her arms. "Oh baby, you scared me so much. Don't ever do that again."
    Amy stuck out her bottom lip, refusing to meet her mom's eyes. "I don't wanna go to Florida." Two fat tears rolled down her cheeks, and she turned to Joe. "Tell her, Joe."
    Joe shook his head and picked her up, his eyes meeting Maria's. "How about I put you to bed here and Nana Sophie will bring you up some milk and a sandwich."
    "Okay. Joe?"
    "Yes, sugar."
    "Will you stay tonight?"
    "Sure."
    "And Spike?"
    "And Spike."
    "Joe, where will he sleep if I stay here?"
    "He can crash on the sofa."
    "Okay." She buried her face into his shoulder and