style="font-size:15px;"> ‘Hi, Jenny. Did you just say you’re off to the common today?’ Craig asked.
‘Hello and yes.’
‘I know you wasn’t expecting to see me today but I have to talk to you. May I join you?’
‘Go on, Jen, say yes!’ Peter and Timmy urged.
‘If you want – looks like I’m outnumbered anyway,’ Jenny answered, smiling at Craig. ‘Peter, ask Gloria to start making us some sandwiches.’
The boys skipped inside, and looking at Jenny, Craig saw she was blushing again. He found it so endearing.
‘Is everything all right? Is my gran OK?’ she whispered.
‘Yes, as far as I know. That’s not what I want to see you about.’
‘Oh, what is it then?’
‘We’ll talk at the common,’ Craig answered. He was eager to pitch his idea to her, but on the doorstep wasn’t the best place.
Jenny frowned worriedly, then said, ‘I’d invite you in, but my dad’s still in bed and I don’t want to disturb him. If you don’t mind waiting out here, I’ll get myself and the boys ready now.’
‘Of course I don’t mind,’ Craig told her, thinking it was probably just as well that they didn’t disturb her father. He wasn’t sure how he’d react to the man and though he wasn’t one for violence, he wouldn’t stand for him laying into Jenny again.
Jenny quietly closed the door and Craig meandered up the street. He tried to keep his mind focused on his proposition, but seeing her again had flustered him. She did something to him, something he couldn’t explain, but he had to admit, he liked it. Whatever it took, Craig was determined he’d protect her from her father’s brutality and now could only hope she’d allow him to.
Though still in pain, Jenny did her best to hurry up the boys. She stuffed sandwiches into a shopping bag along with some stale bread and a bottle of lemonade.
‘Calm down, Jen, it’s only a stroll on the common,’ Gloria said.
‘I know but look at the state of me, I’m a complete mess.’
‘You look fine.’
‘Where are my shoes?’ she asked frantically, her eyes darting around.
‘In your bedroom I should think.’
Jenny couldn’t run upstairs, but walked as quickly as she could, to find her father emerging from his room.
‘What’s all the fucking commotion about?’ he growled.
‘Sorry, Dad. The boys are a bit excited because I’m taking them to the common, that’s all.’
‘Good. Get a move on and get them out from under my feet then. Where’s your sister? I want some breakfast.’
‘Gloria’s downstairs, Pamela has gone to stay with Gran ’cos she had a fall.’
‘Huh, your mother should be looking after the old girl. Is your gran all right?’
‘Yes, just a bit shaky, I think.’
‘Right. I ain’t got time for your mother, but Edith’s a good woman. ’Ere, take this and get her some flowers or something … make sure you say it’s from you kids though. I don’t want her thinking I’ve gone soft in the head.’
Jenny tried not to show her astonishment as her dad fished in his trouser pocket and handed her five bob. She muttered, ‘Er, right, thanks.’
He barged past her and she stood bewildered as he stomped downstairs. This was turning into a day of surprises. Once in her room, Jenny shoved the money into her purse, put her shoes on, ran a brush through her tangled hair and grabbed a light coat. Although she was still sore, the thought of meeting Craig muffled her pain. She took a last quick glance in the mirror and decided there wasn’t any need to pinch her cheeks: they were red enough already. Too red, in fact, but there was nothing she could do about her persistent blushing.
She drew a long, deep breath, which was a mistake and she gasped at the pain in her ribs. Shallow breathing was all right, and they’d have to walk slowly, but she was thrilled that Craig was joining them. Slowly she walked downstairs, to see Timmy and Peter hovering at the street door. ‘Come on then, boys, let’s go,’ she said, and called, ‘See ya later.’
Craig was casually standing close by, and as she walked up to him, once again her stomach somersaulted. She tried to act cool, though felt sure her glowing neck and cheeks gave her away. ‘Hello again.’
‘That was quick,’ Craig said cheerfully.
‘We was ready before Jenny,’ Timmy piped up.
‘And we’ve got a picnic,’ Peter added, then they ran on ahead.
Craig took the shopping bag from her and frowned. ‘You look a bit uncomfortable. Is this walk going to be too much for you?’
‘As long as we take it slowly I’ll be fine.’
The boys were in a rush, and Jenny had to call them back a few times as they ran on ahead, but eventually they reached the common and stood by the pond.
‘Can we have some bread for the ducks now?’ Peter asked.
‘Yes, here you go,’ Jenny answered. She took the bag from Craig, fished out the stale bread and broke it in two. The boys merrily skipped off and Jenny smiled. It was nice to see them so happy and carefree, especially after how upset Peter had been earlier.
Craig removed his jacket and laid it out on the grass bank. He offered Jenny his hand and helped her to sit down. ‘Penny for them,’ he said.
‘I was just thinking how lovely it is to see the boys relaxed and having fun.’
‘I know it’s none of my business, but I can’t imagine it’s easy for any of you with your dad being the way he is.’
He sounded so sincere and sympathetic that Jenny found herself opening up to him. ‘No, it’s not easy. The boys are too young to understand why my dad behaves the way he does. When he loses his temper, it frightens them, and while my sister Pam lives on her nerves, my other sister Gloria is filled with hate. I just wish there was more I could do to protect them.’
‘Well, maybe there is.’
‘I don’t see how,’ Jenny answered. She’d thought long and hard but hadn’t come up with a solution. She couldn’t afford to rent somewhere for them all and even if she tried to squeeze them all in to her gran’s flat, she knew that would be the first place her dad would look.
‘That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. I think you should all move in with me.’
Jenny gasped. Craig’s suggestion had taken her by surprise and the idea seemed ludicrous. ‘But … but we can’t —’
‘Wait, hear me out. I realise space would
