Don't Turn Around by Caroline Mitchell Read Free Book Online Page A

cloakroom assistant. It wouldn’t be much, but I’ve been putting some money aside. You could have Frank weekends when I have to work and I can look after him during the week.’
    ‘Sounds like you’ve worked it all out,’ Viv said, raising her cup for more. ‘There’s only one problem, isn’t there?’
    The sentence hung in the air. Glo leaned forward and whispered, ‘He doesn’t have to know.’
    ‘And how is that gonna happen? You think Osborne is gonna let one of his best earners go, just like that? Off into the sunset, “Ta ra Glo, I’m gonna miss you!”’ Viv extended her fingers in a tinkly wave to demonstrate her point. ‘If he finds out what you’re up to, the only way you’ll leave that place is in a box.’
    Gloria looked around. Frank pulled back behind the door, holding his breath as he strained to hear.
    ‘Mr Wallace is going to rent me a flat over the bingo hall. It’s not much, but it’s a start. There’s a spare room and everything, Frank would love it there, it looks over the town, all the lights, you can see for miles. If we travel down on the train, we can get Frank here to you every weekend. I might even be able to get him a little job so he can help you out with the bills. It’s about time you started taking it easy.’
    Viv lit another cigarette and looked at Gloria coolly. ‘So this Mr. Wallace; married, is he? Planning on paying your rent in kind?’
    Gloria sighed. ‘Maybe, but he’s a good man that wants to help. Osborne will be none the wiser until it’s too late.’
    ‘Glo you can plan all you want, take Frank with you, I don’t care. But you listen to me …’ Viv grabbed Gloria’s forearm hard. ‘Osborne won’t let you go. I’ve seen what happens to girls that try to leave. Why do you think I’ve never walked the streets? You and I may have our differences, but I don’t want anything to happen to you.’ Viv’s cigarette bounced on her bottom lip, and she jabbed the plastic tablecloth with her finger to drive home her point. ‘If you’re leaving, you plan it good. And don’t tell anyone what you’re doing. You get me?’
    Gloria nodded somberly. ‘I won’t tell a soul. When I’m settled, I’ll come and get Frank. That’s if he wants to come.’
    ‘Of course he will. I know I’ve not been much of a mum to him. Since his dad left, life has been hard. Some days it’s all I can do to get out of bed.’
    ‘You try your best Viv, but I think a little break will do you both good. You know I would never have called the social on you. I may be a lot of things, but I’m no grass.’

    F rank counted down the days to the summer holidays. The weeks passed and as the chill left the air, he dreamt of the day Gloria would come for him. She had made him a promise and she was moving away just for him. Once he left, he would never come back to this dive again.
    Thump, thump, thump. The headboard vibrating against the wall in his mother’s room distracted him from his thoughts. Old Andy O’Leary was paying a visit. Shouldn’t take very long, although he always shouted to God when he was nearly finished. He wasn’t a churchgoer as far as Frank knew.
    Faster; thump thump thump. It gained momentum. He really should try to fix that headboard. Wedge something to stop the noise. ‘Oh God, Oh God, Oh … GOD.' Frank imagined ramming a large cloth in Mr. O’Leary’s mouth and taking him down with his crowbar. That would grant him his wish to meet God for sure. After a few minutes, the bedroom door creaked open and Mr. O’Leary padded downstairs, exiting through the back door into the night. Frank looked out his window to the garden below to see the small Irishman swivelling his head from side to side as he checked the coast was clear.
    ‘Frank, come here!’ His mother shrilled from the bedroom next door. Frank got back into bed and pulled the blanket over his head. An object hit the adjoining wall. ‘Frank, you come in here right now.’ Frank dragged himself