Ill get married, but certainly not to that charming lad. Yes, hes wonderful in every way. Just not for me.
Mothers come home again with her boyfriend and another man. All tipsy, already Harriet squeezed into the shadowed nook behind the old dresser.
Theres nowhere to hide, its snowing outside. How Im sick of it all. Come summer, Ill finish my GCSEs and go off to London. Ill train as a nursery teacher. Only ten miles, but Ill live in student halls.
Mother and her company made themselves comfortable in the kitchen. There was the glug of liquid poured into glasses, and the scent of cold sausage filled the air, making her mouth water.
Oi, you! came Mothers voice.
Why so shy?
Theres two of us
Its hardly the first time with two, snorted Terry, Mothers boyfriend.
A crash of dishes rang out. Rushing, panting. Harriet pressed herself further into the corner. The noise suddenly faded.
Listen, Colin, shes asleep, Terry said.
You said she was a good girl, but something about her mumbled Colin.
Shes got a daughter though
What daughter?
Harriet, shes grown now. Likely hiding off in her room.
Drag her here, Colin snapped joyfully.
Harriet, where are you? Terry stepped in, grinning wickedly when he spotted her. Come on, sit with us!
Im fine here.
No need to be shy, Terry tried to slink an arm around her.
Harriet clutched at a vase that stood beside her, and crashed it down on Terrys head.
Glass shattered with a ringing sound. She slipped away, darting from the room.
Grab her! Terry roared.
But Harriet was already at the front door. No time for shoes; she burst outside in socks, old shorts and a T-shirt.
Behind her, the men gave chase. The village street lay deserted, snowy and stark. Where to run in this icy night? Shouts echoed behind her. Past a grand house a dog barkedthen someone yelled at the dog.
Harriet threw herself at the gate, banging her fists against it. A man in his forties opened the door.
Help me, she whispered, pleading.
Get inside! He yanked her in and slammed the door.
Edward, who is it? A woman appeared on the porch.
Look, he nodded towards Harriet, Some blokes were after her.
Hurry, get inside! The woman seized Harriets hand. Tell us everything inside.
Harriet, come out quietly! Terrys voice bellowed from the street.
Edward, dont get involved! the woman shouted. Come inside!
Through the gate, you could hear shouting and the barking dog.
We should call the police, the woman muttered, clutching her phone.
Pauline, itll be fine. Ill sort it myself. Theyre locals, I suppose.
And how will you sort it?
Nicely. You calm the girl.
The man grabbed a shopping bag, went to the fridge, and dropped a bottle and a hunk of sausage inside.
In the yard, he stroked the dog, then strode out into the snowy street. Terry rushed him.
Give us Harriet!
Theregrab and get lost.
Whats this? Terry peeked inside; a greedy smile broke over his face. He nodded to Colin, Lets go!
***
Yes! My name is Pauline St George, the woman set the kettle on. Sit down, get comfy. Tell mewho are you? Whats happened?
Im Harriet, the girl stammered, teeth clattering together. I live at the end of this street.
Youre Keiras daughter?
Yes.
Well, weve only just moved here, but weve heard plenty about your mother.
Harriet lowered her head and began to cry.
Hush, now! The woman came and, without thinking, pressed Harriet gently to her breast. The touch was strange and comforting. Harriet clung to her, sobbing.
There, there! Thats it! Well have tea soon.
The man returned.
All sorted. Theyre off.
What do we do with our lovely guest? Pauline smiled.
Well sort that out tomorrow. For now, lets drink tea and get her in the bath.
Hungry? Pauline sat a steaming mug before Harriet and grinned. Looks like you need it.
Sandwiches appeared. Bits of cake, too.
Eat up! Edward chuckled, watching Harriet eye the food.
No questions, just gentle glancesthey sensed her shyness.
After supper, Pauline led her to the bathroom.
Wash up, put this dressing gown on!
***
All Harriet wanted was not to be thrown out into the cold again that night. It was blissful soaking in the tub, while outside it was bitter. But she had to get out; the hosts were waiting.
She came out to the sitting room. The couple sat side by side on the sofa. Harriet gave a feeble smile.
Thank you!
Harriet, Pauline began gently, I gather no ones really looking for you. You dont want to go back home.
Harriet buried her head.
Tomorrow morning we must leave early Pauline sighed.
I understand, Harriet whispered.
Youll be alone. Dont open the door to anyone! Jack wont let anyone near the yard. Is that clear?
Yes! Harriet burst out, unable to hide her relief.
Maybe you can make some stew for us before were back? Edward winked. Can you cook?
I can! Harriet rushed, desperate not to be sent away. Im a good cook and can clean.
Do please tidy downstairs, if its not too much, Pauline agreed.
***
She woke with the household. Lay quietly, fearing being told to go. The car rumbled out in the yard. Silence.
She got up. Washed. The kitchen was warm; hot kettle, bread, sausage, and cheese sat on the table, pork ribs on the counter.
She ate. Cleared up. Wiped all the surfaces. Mopped the floor.
In the hall, she found the vacuum and tidied every nook.
Just as she turned it off
And whats all this? a voice behind her demanded.
She spun. A tall, handsome eighteen-year-old, brown eyes wide with curiosity.
Im cleaning, Harriet murmured. Who are you?
Well he shook his head, fished his mobile out:
Mum, Im home. Whos this?
Son, let the girl stay with us for a bit.
Fine by me.
He slipped his phone away. Looked Harriet up and down, then went off to the kitchen.
Would you like tea? she offered.
Ill sort it myself.
***
Harriet put away the vacuum. She dusted, listening for every sound from the kitchen.
The lad ate, went off to the bathroom.
He emerged, clean-shaven and smelling of aftershave.
Oi, mate, bring out another bottle! a voice hollered from outside.
Whats this? the boy peered out the window.
Dont open for them! Harriet gasped.
He looked at her, amused for some reason, and headed for the door.
Harriet rushed to the window. At the fence stood Terry and Colin, shouting. She felt panic crawl over her.
The boy went out. The men advanced on himthen, quite suddenly, collapsed in the snow. Harriet couldve sworn both fell at once.
The lad leaned down, said something. The men got up, heads bowed, and shuffled towards Keiras house.
***
Back inside, his gaze landed on Harriets frozen figure. He approached.
Are you scared?
Unthinking, she buried her face in his chest, tears flowing.
Whats your name? he suddenly asked.
Harriet.
Im Russell. Hey, dont cry. They wont come back here.
***
Russell went up to his room, not returning till evening. Harriet cooked stew, then sat alone in the kitchen, deep in thought.
She ached to stay in that warm house, among kind folk, though she knew she was out of place.
Pauline and Edward returned, Pauline shaking her head at the sparkling kitchen, Edward singing the stews praises.
I suppose Ill go home now, Harriet said, defeated. Thank you for everything.
Harriet, stay with us a few more days!
Thank you, Paulinebut Ill go home, the girl insisted.
She moved towards the door, then hesitated. She was still wearing borrowed clothesa dressing gown, slippers.
Come on, Pauline took her by the shoulder and led her to the lounge.
She opened the wardrobe, rummaged, produced jeans, a jumper, a warm coat.
Here, put these on. Were almost the same size.
Oh, you shouldnt
You cant go home half-dressed! Take themI wont miss them.
Harriet slipped them on, sneaking a glance in the mirrorshed never owned such nice things.
In the hall, Pauline made her wear a woolly hat and winter boots.
Wear them well, Harriet.
Thank you, Pauline.
***
Life crept back to its old tracks, but not quite the same. Mother found work at a farm. Her boyfriend had vanished with his mate.
Spring arrived. One day, Harriet was poring over her revision at home when someone knocked at her gate. She peered out and staredRussell stood at the fence. He noddedcome out!
She didnt just walk out, she flew.
Hi, Russell smiled.
Hello!
Mums looking for you.
***
And so, Harriet stepped inside that house where shed spent her most blessed day.
Welcome, Harriet! Pauline greeted and enfolded her in a hug.
Thank you, Pauline!
Come in, lets have some tea! Pauline poured her a cup, then joined her at the table.
So, heres the thing. Edward and I are flying off to Turkey for a month, a dreamy smile flitting across her face. Russells rarely home. Could you mind the house for us? Feed Jack and the cat, water the flowers. Ive lots of plants.
Of course, Pauline.
Excellent, she counted out cash. Heres £200.
Pauline, you dont have to
Take it! Well be fine. Come, Ill show you everything.
Harriet carefully memorised where the pots and tubs stood, where the pet food was stored, how to portion the meat for Jack. Then Pauline called:
Russell! He came right down. Introduce Harriet to Jack!
Come on, Russell grinned, resting a hand lightly on Harriets shoulder.
They went out to the yard, untied Jack, and strolled around.
All the way, Russell talked about university, karate, the business he and his father ran.
Harriet was thinking of other things. She understood, with a strange clarity, the chasm between her life and Russellsjust as with their parents. They were good people, not a fairytale, just reality.
In two months Ill sit my college exams. I will pass. Ill study, work, do my best. Ill be somebody. Ill get marriedbut not to that perfect boy. Yes, hes lovely in every way. But not mine.
She was grateful for Paulines clothes and those £200. At least she could survive the start in London.
With deep intuition, Harriet sensed this night marked the end of her hard childhood. Now comes adult lifetough in its own ways, where everything depends on her alone.
At the gate of the cottage, she stroked Jacks neck, smiled at Russell, and made her way home. Tomorrow her job startedjust a job, and nothing more.
