Unforgettable by Jean Saunders Read Free Book Online Page A

Mum.’
    â€˜That’s why I sent for you, ain’t it?’ he barked back.
    She stared him out, disgusted by the state of him, but realizing something else too. She hadn’t been away from home all that long, but in those months when she had stood on her own feet, she had lost her old fear of her father. In his present condition, she had lost respect too, but she wasn’t going tothink about that now.
    â€˜For pity’s sake, you two, don’t start arguing the minute you’re together,’ Gracie’s mother said wearily. ‘If we can’t all get along, what’s the point of it all?’
    She was stopped by a bout of coughing that left her gasping and reaching for a handkerchief, and Gracie just managed not to yell at her father that this was all his fault. Her mother, the peacemaker, wouldn’t want that. So she forced a smile to her lips, resisting the urge to look at the bloodstained handkerchief her mother was trying to hide now.
    â€˜Why don’t you go and wash, Dad, and I’ll put the dinner on the table. It’s mince and mash tonight, your favourite.’
    It was also one of the meals her mother could comfortably keep down now, as she had learned since coming home. Hiding her heartbreak, Gracie served up the meal and watched as her mother picked at the food, professing that it was lovely, but that she wasn’t really hungry.
    â€˜She eats no more than a bird nowadays,’ her husband said, talking all the while he shovelled the food into his mouth. ‘She needs to keep up her strength and she won’t do it by starving herself.’
    â€˜Leave it, Mick,’ Queenie said. ‘I’ll eat what I need.’
    Gracie intervened. ‘I’ve made a blancmange. Try some of that, Mum.’
    â€˜Just a little, then.’
    Gracie was becoming more and more alarmed, seeing now that her mother’s behaviour when she had arrived was little more than a sham. This was the real woman, this pathetic, seemingly shrunk little woman who seemed too weary to make any further effort. She resolved to visit the doctor as soon as possible to find out just how long a future her mother really had, and what she could best do for her in the meantime.
    At the end of the meal, her father belched and farted at one and the same time, and apologized for neither. It was no surprise to Gracie that her mother decided to go to bed early and left them to themselves. She put the dirty dishes and pans in the scullery sink, trying hard not to bang them about in her growing anger as he watched her with narrowed eyes.
    â€˜I hope you were paid all that you were owed from that sweatshop, Gracie. You’ll need to pay your way here now you’re back. This isn’t a charity—’
    She plunged her hands into the soapy water. ‘Oh, don’t worry, I’ll do my share, as long as you do yours!’
    â€˜What the bloody hell does that mean? Anddon’t speak to your father in that way. Respect for your elders, my girl!’
    She bit her tongue, aware that she was going to have to do it more often if they were all to stay sane.
    â€˜What I mean is, Mum obviously needs decent food that she can eat, and regular visits from the doctor. It’s all got to be paid for, and you shouldn’t be boozing all your wages away.’
    For a minute she thought he was going to hit her, and she flinched visibly at the sight of his clenched fists. She had never spoken to him in that way in her entire life before, but she was independent now. At least she had been in London, and although her life might have changed, the spirit was still there.
    â€˜When I need a chit of a girl telling me what to do, I’ll ask, and you’ll be a long time waiting!’ he shouted. ‘See to your mother and get on with your women’s work and leave me to mine.’
    He turned and slammed out of the door, leaving Gracie with her eyes stinging. Fighting with her dad