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Molly nodded. ‘Thank you.’ Sheets, dirty or not, were more than she was used to. For the last couple of weeks, all she’d had was her torn sleeping bag in various shop doorways. Cardboard on cold concrete had done for her back, even at her age.
‘Bet he liked you,’ Hannah said, eyeing Molly as she lit a cigarette. She blew smoke at the yellowed ceiling.
Molly nodded, not really knowing what she meant, and hoisted up her holdall, dumping it on the mattress. The metal bed frame creaked.
‘You’ll have to get ready soon,’ Hannah said. ‘But don’t worry, we’ll help. There’s spare stuff.’
‘Ready?’ Molly said.
‘Duh. For work.’ Hannah offered her a cigarette. Molly took one. Better than nicking her mum’s and getting a clout.
‘Right, yeah,’ Molly said.
Nothing in life is free, Darren had said when he’d offered her the job – at some place he’d called the Cloisters.But you’ll get food and a room. And company. Lots of that.
She knew what he meant. She wasn’t stupid. Though since the audition, where, afterwards, she’d nodded up at him through exhausted, half-closed eyes, she’d tried to block out what her new job would entail. When it came down to it, she had no choice.
‘Bathroom’s off the landing, where you came up the stairs,’ Hannah told her. ‘We take turns to clean it, though it’s usually me with the Marigolds on. Same in the kitchen. If we run out of anything, write it on the blackboard next to the fridge. We go shopping for food together. You can come too. It’s fun.’
Molly swallowed and nodded. She felt woozy from the cigarette. She’d not had one since she left Leeds and that seemed like ages ago, even though it was less than three weeks.
‘Don’t look so worried,’ Hannah said, stroking her arm. ‘You’ll be OK. Everyone’s nervous when they first come but Luba will see you right.’
‘Luba?’
Hannah nodded, flashing her teeth. One was missing at the back and the front ones were a bit crooked, but she was still pretty. ‘Darren’s girlfriend. He’s not the boss, though. We don’t seehimvery often, Vaughn. And you’ll get your regular punters. They often tip well. You’ll settle into a routine.’
‘Right, yeah,’ Molly said. She took a breath. This was better than being on the street. Or being back home. ‘Think I’ll take a shower.’
‘Good idea,’ Hannah said, slinking back through to the other room. ‘And then come and have a drink with us. You’re gonna need it.’
CHAPTER SIX
BELLE – NOW
‘Mum, aren’t you going to say anything?’ Her mother’s blank face gives nothing away. Perhaps it was a mistake, announcing her engagement like this, but she had no idea they’d organised a party for her.
‘Dad?’
Unlike her mother, her father’s face twitches between expressions. His chin is pulled back, his mouth morphing into a grimace and then a forced smile.
‘Nice one, Belle,’ he says, patting her arm. ‘You had me there for a minute.’
Belle tugs on Jack’s sleeve. Isn’t he going to say anything? It was his idea to break the news tonight, after all. She’d reckoned waiting a few more months before they announced their engagement would have been sensible, let them get to know him first. She’d tried to explain to him what her mum was like, how she was all over everything she did like a rash, but he hadn’t really understood.
Her mum shakes her head. ‘No,’ she whispers, though it’s drowned out by the noise of the music and chatter. ‘That’s ridiculous, Belle. Just…just enjoy the party, will you?’ She puts on one of her fake smiles, laughing nervously.
‘I know it must feel like a bit of a…a shock,’ Jack says, glancing at Hannah. ‘But we’re very much in love. Aren’t we, darling?’
Finally, Belle thinks, gazing at Jack, grateful that he’s spoken up.
‘No…’ her mum whispers again. Her eyes are glassy, her body rigid.
‘Mum, please…don’t. It’s my life. I can do what I want.’ Belle tries to keep the pleading tone out of her voice – a childish habit she hasn’t quite shaken. Things are different now. She’s an adult woman.
‘You mean you’re actually serious?’ her dad says. He folds his arms.
‘Totally serious. So it’s a double celebration tonight, right? My birthdayandmy and Jack’s engagement.’
