A Life Plan Without You. (62 page)

“Dad I’ve had yet another run in with Pat, I’ve also fallen
out with Mum too, she wants me to apologise and I’m not going too
ever. Mum was going to hit me because I refused, so I’ve told her I
won’t be smacked or bullied by either her or Pat anymore.” Becky
laughed.

“Yeah, Sam said you’d had words with Fat Pat again, he did
too, he shouted at her for upsetting you.” She went in as dad put
his arm around me.

“Come on let’s get it sorted, she won’t lay another hand on
you ever again, but from what Sam said you near on killed her
anyway! You need to plant a right hook to the chin Michelle, right
under her jaw, with any luck they will have to wire the fucker
shut, it will stop her talking and fucking eating she needs to do
both.” We went in and mum was up to get her side in. Too late, beat
you to it, ha. So childish Michelle, my small victory put down by
my inner me.

“Sit down and shut up, and listen and listen good and hard.
Pat is no longer welcome in my house after tonight’s performance;
she minds her own business, she is a nosey interfering bitch and if
I find her in here, she will be leaving on her fat arse for hitting
Michelle and make no bones about that Susan, I’m angry as fuck you
allowed her to hit my daughter, are we clear on that?

She has, for far too long stuck her nose into things she has
no concern in, she causes most of the bloody rows in this house,
perhaps if her fat arse wasn’t in my house all the bloody time I
may stop in more? She leads you around like a lapdog, making you
jump through hoops well it stops and she is not, I repeat not to
interfere in my daughter’s life.

I knew about the trip, I was asked and permission was given,
they needn’t have asked, she’s old enough to go, but that lad did.
He asked knowing it could get a clobbering, so think on, I think
highly of the lad, he is a fixture in this family, whether fucking
Pat Lang likes it or not. Before you give Michelle evils and try to
hit her, be careful, she won’t take much more from you either. As
it is she could have hit you back for some of the smacks you’ve
given her, but because you’re her Mother she hasn’t, that is to
stop do you hear. Stop hitting her, because you’re in a bad mood
with me; take this to be her final warning, she ever steps a foot
in this house again and I swear she will wish she hadn’t…” I was
now getting dirty looks and she was about to freak out, bedtime I
think. Poor Dad will be on the couch or JJ's bed. Sam had asked, oh
hell it was happening. Now I’m a little nervous. They slammed a few
doors, and had words but mum was in the wrong and she knew it, she
shouldn’t have let Pat hit me that was dad’s winning rant as she
tried to justify her actions and it didn’t work so she had a
tantrum about going to stop at her mother’s for a few days, yeah
right empty promises…

“That was
a short fight you all right Michelle? Your fellas cute when he’s
embarrassed, he likes you a lot though must have done he was
discussing sex with Dad I had to go it was funny. So you’re having
a night in a hotel then, bring me a prezzie night Michelle!” Oh
hell what is he like?

“Night
Becks, with any luck things will be changing for the better here
now, see you in the morning…”

CHAPTER
11

I have a massive exam first thing, chemistry followed by food
science. Sitting down to start, pens at the ready. I read the paper
in front of me, twice. I'm shocked and surprised that I didn’t
struggle with it, but I could have done with revising, allowing for
a more detailed answer to the questions, none missed and when I re
read it, I think I have done enough to actually get a good mark,
the exam over, I completed it and I left the gym. I had hockey
practice next, changing in the locker rooms I sat and smiled as
Karen, walked in on her own aww have the friends decided you’re not
the cool kid in school anymore?

I padded up and grabbed my stick, the rest had joined us, and
I went to the field to practice. I hit a few balls with the stick,
but the kicking them away was my power play. We did a few, pre
practiced moves that done, the girls were lining balls up, and
shooting them at me. Karen belted one at me, to have it kicked
right back at her, I smiled when it hit her, I laughed on the
inside, apologised to her face. Next exam, wow luckily for me these
are easy questions and ones I have revised well on, I can’t believe
my luck, all done and dusted for today in the exams. An hour on my
art work and I’m happy. Sam was waiting by the gates.

“Hello, you, you’re lucky to catch me, I finished early.” He
kissed me. I missed him last night, again.

“Jimmy said you had nearly finished baby. Did you have a good
exam?”

“Yes I did and an excellent hockey practice too. I even
managed to nearly finish my art exam work too. Have you had a busy
day then?”

“Not as busy as you it seems. Just collecting Mum, who is
looking forward to seeing you?” We we’re at mine, and the bum hugs
and kisses are gratefully accepted, my man has soft lips and does
wonderful things with his soft hands, umm wonderful
things…

“Let me do a quick change, sit in there with mum. Mum I have
finished early, exams started today, so I will be doing odd hours,
my timetables there and can I throw my kit in the washer need it
for tomorrow?” Jeans and tee shirt day today, trainers and hair
tied up in a bun. Perfume on and bag grabbed.

“Mum we’re going to Sam’s, I will see you later, come on I
can’t wait to see Emma, is she all right with her breathing
now?”

“She’s fine and propped up comfortably and waiting to see you
too, but we have to shop first, there’s nothing in, we need to go
up to do a supermarket run, everything we need everything. The
cupboards and the fridge are bare, so we are getting in some good
practice for when we have to do it for ourselves, in our own home.
We just have to sit down and see where you fancy living with your
old man.” He held my hand tightly.

I have the estate house I am buying, but I we would have to
have Mum and James with us for a while, Andy has said he will move
to the flats he had built and have the top flat with views to die
for, but I need green grass to sit on and a backdoor I can open and
a garden to potter around in, perhaps she would consider that? It
needs stuff doing to it, but she can have it however she wants
it…

“Really old man, so we are going to live in sin then? That
works for me.” He smiled, perhaps that would be good enough for
him? We spent a good hour and a lot of money, putting things in the
trolley, laden down with bags we jumped in a taxi. This playing
house thing is bloody expensive. He just held my hand and smiled
all the way back. Jimmy came out to help us with the
bags.

“I think we’ve bought most of the store.” I emptied them, with
Jimmy’s help Emma had slept through us arriving home. I popped the
kettle on as she woke up.

“Michelle, you are here come and sit yourself down next to me
please and tell me about your day.” I did as I was told she hugged
me. Sam smiled as she played with the loose curl that had the
audacity to escape.

“Thank you you’re such a good girl.”

“Are you glad to be home Emma?” She nodded.

“Hated that place and the food it was horrid. I didn’t eat it,
because it was only fit for Dennis. They looked at my meal last
night, and said no wonder you don’t eat this when you get to eat
that.” I smiled, she didn’t like Dennis, so what was the reason she
stopped?

“What do you want for tea then? Do you fancy homemade cheese
and onion pie and all the trimmings?” Jimmy spoke up and Emma and
Sam just looked on.

“Yes please, your last one was fantastic.” Sam looked at me
and he just smiled. I’d already told him all that but the smile on
his face was priceless, that was the day he found out I was Jimmy’s
Michelle.

“That sounds nice.” Sam sat with his mum and I set to, making
their tea.

“It will be great she makes good pies Sam. Her apple pies are
fantastic. Have you not made it for him yet Michelle?” I laughed he
was just winding Sam up now. I shouted through.

“Jimmy, I haven’t had much chance to cook for Sam yet, but
don’t worry he will be getting most of the things I can do. Whilst
I’m cooking for you lot. Stop winding him up you have been my
cooking partner for a quite a while, you had to taste it for my
pastry exam Sam already knows you have had my cooking before him. I
don’t appreciate you rubbing it in either I can always make you
beans on toast James Robert Todd?” He laughed and came in to start
setting the table.

“I don’t suppose your Dad’s in for tea is he?” I heard Emma
sigh, I put the kettle on. Whilst it was cooking, I made our brews
and we were drinking them as we were sat talking, when the door
flung open, the mood changed immediately, he was home and was
followed in by Andy.

“So you’re all home and she’s here again. Emma what are you
making for my tea then? Drink Sam.” They all changed their happy
faces gone. I got up and made him a drink I hated this man. He
spewed bile and hatred his evil eyes looked into mine and his face
sneered. I could see him scanning the room picking upon the tension
and this seemed to bring a smile to his face. He enjoyed making
their lives miserable they live in fear of this drunk, but
why…

I disappear leaving him to Lord it over them. I hear how he
belittles Emma, calls Jimmy a puff, shouts orders at Sam, demands
money laughs and tells him he needs more. I hear Emma cry. It’s not
my place to say anything, not my battle to fight. Well not yet
anyway but if I’m to be a part of Sam’s future, he will be in it.
Then it becomes my fight. Then Mr Dennis Todd, watch who I bring to
the party. My father, complete with left and right hook.

“Here’s your drink, your tea will be about half an hour and
Emma cannot do anything for at least a month, so she will be taking
it easy. Dad will be popping in to see you too Emma, he’s going to
fetch the meat around I need to build you up, did he not say? He
sends his love, and says your to watch the step, he doesn’t want to
see you in hospital again, do you hear?”

“Yes, he said he would be popping in from time to time, he
said your Aunts going to come and see me too, and really you all
don’t need to fuss!” I don’t think the stairs are going to be a
problem, not anymore do you Dennis? “He dropped Sam off this
morning and came in to see me he’s such a nice man. Sam appreciated
the lift up didn’t you Son?”

I smile Dennis is frightened to death by my dad. He grabbed
the drink from me, touching my hand as he takes the mug from me. He
gleams a small moment of pleasure from that briefest of touches. I
see his evil smile. He reeks of stale drink the odour of cheap
perfume and cigarettes lingers around him. It makes me want to
hurl. Who would think that was a catch?

“Your Dad needn’t bother, I can see to everything Emma wants,
that’s what we have the boys for.”

“No, Dad is insistent, Dennis, he knows I worry about Emma and
doesn’t like me upset, so they are helping to get her right again
and please don’t worry it’s our pleasure, Dad loves Sam and wants
to help Sam too and I love Emma, two falls is two too many, so we
need to see to it she is watched, and has no more dizzy spells.”
Sam and the boys look frightened, as Dennis scowls at me, I don’t
care if I have to camp out at the foot of her bed I will do,
because he will not touch her again.

“Besides Mr Todd it’s my pleasure to cook for you, and the
boys, Emma needs building up and who better to look after her than
my aunt the matron of the hospital, and new magistrate, she got
appointed two days ago, the family is so proud of her, and my Uncle
David, did Dad tell you he is being considered for a big promotion
Deputy Chief Constable for Stockton Sam?

I laugh though because no matter what he does he will never be
as good as my Aunt June she’s a judge! Sam sorry they are my dorkey
Cousin Tom’s mum and dad, and live near Aunty Allison. I love
having them as my Godparents along with Don Mather’s, you know him
don’t you Dennis? My other Godfather, the ex-boxing champ? He’s my
trainer, well Dad’s and my trainer, see you’ve learnt a little more
about me today Dennis. Are you alright you look a bit peaky, dinner
won’t be long.”

Sam smiled, yes I was grandstanding but besides the right hook
and left hook I had people to turn to, too. I went to the kitchen
to finish the meal checked on the pie, umm its nice and golden. I
drained the vegetables into the gravy pan tasted it, perfect. Jimmy
came through he got a tray out and hugged me tightly.

“Thanks for looking out for Mum, is your Dad really coming
down, and all that was true?”

“Yes, I need different meats and stuff, and my Godfather is my
dad’s best friend and my trainer, who happens to be a butcher, so
they will pop in during the day, to keep that shit on his toes, I
am very well connected and best he bloody knows it, the little
fucking shit, please stop worrying.” He laughed and he explained
the tray…

“We eat in here Michelle, and he has his on a tray. We get a
bit of peace and don’t have to watch him eat, and when I say eat, I
mean he shovels it in, and then moans that it was crap…” I smiled
and hugged Jimmy who was sad again the happy boy, is back in hiding
again.