But wait, she did have someone; she had Tina, who saw them as sisters, and at this thought Jenny came to a swift decision. Of course, she would have to speak to Tina, but she doubted her friend would take any persuasion. Only moments later Jenny went downstairs, saying shortly as she poked her head into the drawing room, ‘I’m going out for a walk.’
She didn’t wait for a response before heading outside. So intent was she on speaking to Tina that her face was gleaming with perspiration by the time she reached Princes Way.
As Jenny entered the block of flats she hoped that Tina’s father was away, the thought of even looking at the man making her stomach churn. She took the lift to the fifth floor and, fingers crossed, she stepped out to knock on Tina’s door. She was thankful that it was her friend who opened it.
‘Tina, can you come out for a while?’
‘You look all hot and bothered. What’s wrong?’
‘I need to talk to you.’
‘Come on in,’ Tina offered.
‘No, we need to be on our own.’
‘Oh, right. Hang on then. I’ll just grab my shoes.’
‘Tina! Who’s that at the door?’
‘It’s Jenny. We’re just going out for a while, Mum,’ Tina called back. She winked, disappeared for a moment, and then reappeared, hopping on one foot as she put on her other shoe. ‘Right, let’s go.’
Jenny said nothing until the lift doors closed behind them, and then drew in a deep breath. ‘Tina, instead of waiting, I want to leave home now.’
‘What! Blimey, we’ve still got a week till the end of term. What’s brought this on?’
‘I’ve just had enough. You were sixteen last week, and as it’s my birthday tomorrow I can’t see the school kicking up a fuss if we don’t go back.’
‘Yeah, I suppose you’re right. When do you want us to leave?’
‘Tomorrow.’
‘Gawd, that soon?’ Tina said, as they stepped out of the lift, but then she grinned. ‘Yeah, well, as far as I’m concerned it couldn’t have come at a better time. My dad’s due home on Sunday and you know what that means.’
‘Oh Tina, yes, we’ve got to get you out of there. We could pack tonight and leave in the morning.’
‘Yeah, that could work. With the old man arriving, mum is sure to go out to get in a bit of shopping. I could sneak out then, but I won’t be able to say for sure what time it will be.’
‘Don’t worry. I’ll have to draw some money from my post office savings book, and after that I’ll wait for you in that café on the corner of the High Street.’
Tina linked arms with Jenny. ‘It all feels like a dream, and I can hardly believe we’re really leaving.’
‘Well we are. I just hope that when we get to Chelsea we’ll be able to find somewhere to stay.’
‘It’ll be a doddle,’ Tina said with assurance. ‘We just need to buy the local paper and there’s sure to be rooms advertised.’
‘Yes, but will they let us move in straightaway?’
‘I dunno, but fingers crossed. If the worst comes to the worst, I suppose there’s always a hotel.’
‘That would soon swallow up my savings,’ Jenny said worriedly.
‘Now you sound like you’re changing your mind.’
‘No, I’m not,’ Jenny insisted.
‘Thank goodness for that. It’ll be great, Jenny, you and me in a place of our own, and in Chelsea too. I wouldn’t mind a job in a boutique on the King’s Road, and at least you won’t be stuck in a boring library.’
Jenny knew that leaving the opportunity of the library job behind would be her only regret and doubted she’d get such a chance again. For a moment she was saddened but then again staying at home would be far worse. Perhaps she’d be able to find a job in a bookshop and that would be some compensation. Cheered by the thought she said, ‘Right then, I’m off home to sort out what clothes I’m taking. I’ll see you in the morning.’
The two of them retraced their steps and parted outside the flats. Jenny continued on her way, undecided whether to tell her mother she was leaving when she got home or wait until she was packed and ready to go in the morning.
Delia was upstairs, just leaving the bathroom when Jennifer returned from her walk. She hadn’t wanted to overplay her hand and so had shown nothing but kindness recently towards Jennifer. However, the girl would be sixteen tomorrow and it was time to bait her again – time to strike.
She followed Jennifer into her bedroom but, not having had a chance to rehearse her words, Delia had to think quickly.
‘Jennifer, I’m not happy that you went out without telling me where you were going. I know you were upset, and Robin thinks I was harsh with you, but I’m not prepared to make excuses for your father. He isn’t coming home, accept that and pull yourself together.’
‘I…I just went out for a walk, that was all.’
‘It was more like you went off in a sulk. You are not a child now and I suggest you stop behaving like one. You’re sixteen tomorrow and thankfully can leave home if you want to.’
‘Thankfully? It sounds like you want me to go.’
Delia smiled sardonically, deciding to move this forward. Going out to the hall she raised her voice to a loud wail. ‘I can’t stand this again. I really can’t. Your behaviour is just too much…too much…’
As Delia had hoped, Robin came running upstairs. ‘Mother, what’s the matter?’
‘I tried to apologise, to explain why I was so harsh, but now Jennifer seems to think I want her to leave home. I don’t, Robin, but…but she was so nasty…so…so rude to me.’
‘Mummy, calm down and let me take you downstairs,’ Robin urged, and then shouted at Jennifer, ‘As for you, I’ll deal with you later.’
Delia clutched her son’s arm as they went into the drawing room. He was making a fuss of her and she enjoyed it, letting him think he had managed to soothe her.
‘If you’re all right now, Mummy, I intend to see that Jenny apologises for her behaviour.’
‘Thank you, darling,’ Delia said, glad that once again Jennifer had proved no match for her. The girl was too young and innocent to work out what was really going on, and Robin was the same, easily fooled.
While Robin went to get Jennifer, Delia composed her
