The Debt & the Doormat by Laura Barnard Read Free Book Online

drive off a cliff in a convertible?’ she grins.
    Jazz’s text flashes into my head.  ‘We could always just ditch it.’
    She looks at me in complete confusion.
    ‘Ditch?  You mean, do a sickie or something?’ she asks, her eyes widening with interest.
    ‘Yeah.  I can't promise any wild adventures, but I’ve got tea and biscuits?
    ‘Tea and biscuits!  Why the hell didn’t you say!  Let’s go!’  She breaks into her deep, husky laugh.  ‘But seriously, since when did you become so reckless?’  Her face twists into a confused smile.
    ‘It’s a long story.  So are you in?’
    ‘Yeah, why not.’
    We go into the station toilets and take it in turns to call into Mandy the receptionist.  I feel my heart in my throat as the phone rings in my ear.
    ‘Good morning, Nits R the Pits.  How can I help you?’ Mandy drawls, sounding half asleep.
    ‘Hi, it's Poppy,’ I croak.  ‘I’m so sorry but I just feel really, really ill.  I don't think I can make it in today.  I need to be close to a loo....but, oh God, I’ve got so much work to do.  Maybe you could...bike my computer and desk over to me?  I don't know,’ I say, my voice fading.  ‘Ring me or text me....about anything.  I’ll keep the phone by the bed.’
    ‘Nah don't worry Poppy, I’ll tell Victor.  Feel better.’
    I let out one more moan before hanging up.
    ‘We did it!’ Lilly exclaims, shocked by our own excellence. 
    We skip onto the tube, giggling like school girls.  I feel so naughty, as if I’m bunking school.  I can’t help looking over my shoulder all the way home to check that I don’t see anyone from my work. 
    We go back to the new house and I flick the kettle on, glad that Ryan seems to have moved from his eternal chair.  I start opening cupboards, searching for biscuits.   
    ‘So, what are the new housemates like?’ she asks as she perches on the kitchen table, having been filled in by me on the ride back.
    ‘Ugh!’ I sigh.  ‘One of the girls seems sweet, but the other ones a right bitch and there’s a guy.’
    ‘A guy?’ Her eyes light up with interest.
    ‘Yeah, a guy, ’ I drool sarcastically.  ‘He’s a bit of an idiot though.’
    ‘Yeah, but is he fit?’ she asks searching around, as if I’ve hidden him under the sofa.
    ‘I suppose in some way.  Not my type.  All shaggy hair and attitude.’
    ‘Mmm, sounds yummy,’ she licks her lips.
    ‘He’s not a dessert,’ I laugh, putting tea bags in the mugs.  ‘And by the look of things we’re not even having biscuits.’
    ‘Don't they have any?’  She starts rifling through their cupboards. 
    Victor suddenly flashes through my mind and an urgent flicker of panic goes through my body, starting in my stomach and ending up buzzing in my brain.  What have I done?  He’s going to find out I’m lying.  How could I be so irresponsible?  He’s got two meetings today.  Who will he ask to make drinks?  Maybe Cheryl.  But what if Cheryl’s better at my job and they decide to get rid of me completely?  Oh God, what have I done!? 
    ‘I’m going back,’ I declare.
    ‘What?’ she yells, sticking her head out of the cupboard, completely surprised.
    ‘I’m going back.  I’m sorry Lil, but I just can’t bear it.  We’re going to get found out.  I just know it!’ I edge towards the door as panic starts to rise in my throat.  He’s going to fire me. 
    ‘No!  You can’t go back.  If you go in after you called in sick they’re gonna know that you were faking.  And they’ll know we did it together!  They’ll put two and two together and we’ll both get fired!’ she screams, shaking my shoulders with desperation.
    I’m getting hysterical now, imagining Victor’s face as he sacks me tomorrow.  God, I can't bear it.  My stomach weighs with worry and dread.  Why did I ever think this would be a good idea?  Victor’s going to go mad.  He might even smack me round the face.  I think I’m going to be