Diamond Girls Read Online Free PDF

fiercely, emptying Martine’s drawers into a big laundry bag. She shook the drawer vigorously, so that little rolled-up socks and wispy thongs and snaky tights bounced all over the carpet. ‘Of course she’s coming. She lives with us. She’s family.’
    We heard footsteps along the balcony and then a tap at the front door.
    â€˜There she is!’ said Mum triumphantly.
    It wasn’t Martine. It was a small skinny guy with a bad haircut and round glasses. They didn’t sit comfortably so he had to wrinkle his nose and hitch them up every few seconds.
    â€˜Hi,’ he said, glancing at Mum’s stomach anxiously. ‘I’m Terry’s mate.’
    â€˜Oh yeah, great. You’re the guy with the van,’ said Mum.
    â€˜I’m Dixie,’ I said, pushing past her. ‘You’re my dad’s best pal, aren’t you?’
    â€˜Well, I know Terry, yes, through work.’
    â€˜I
said
he’d be an undertaker,’ Rochelle whispered, giggling behind me.
    â€˜No, no, I’ve got this florist’s business. Hence the van.’ He pointed over the balcony way down to a white van with FREDA’S FLOWERS in fancy gold lettering.
    â€˜Oh, I see. You’re Freda, are you?’ said Mum.
    We all sniggered. He sighed. It was obviously a joke he’d got sick and tired of long ago.
    â€˜Freda was my mum. It was her business. Now she’s gone, I run it. I’m …’ He hesitated for a second. ‘I’m Bruce.’
    â€˜Hello, Bruce. I’m Sue Diamond and these are all my girls. Well, shall we get cracking?’
    Bruce looked anxious. ‘Terry did tell you I can’t lift anything, didn’t he? I mean, I’d like to help, seeing as you’re …’ He gestured tactfully.
    â€˜Yeah, no worries, mate, we’ve got everything under control,’ said Mum. She tucked her hand through his arm like they were great pals already. ‘You’re a sweetheart to help us out.’
    â€˜Well, it’s just a business deal,’ Bruce said nervously. ‘I drive you there with all your stuff for fifty quid, right? I need to be back at the shop this afternoon though. I’m short-staffed, and there might be deliveries – bouquets and that.’
    â€˜Sure, sure, we’ll be all moved into our dream house by then,’ said Mum. ‘So let’s get cracking, girls, and get the last of the stuff downstairs.’ She gave Bruce’s arm a squeeze. ‘How about you carrying these clothes, darling?’
    â€˜But I’ve done my back in, Mrs Diamond, like I said.’
    â€˜Call me Sue, silly. I’ve never been a Mrs in my life, I’m my own woman. I know you’ve got a bad back, mate. So have I, as a matter of fact. You try having a big bruiser of a baby boy leaning up close and personal against your spine! I’m not asking you to shift a blooming wardrobe, just a few little flimsy clothes that hang inside it. You can do that, can’t you, Bruce?’
    Bruce saw he didn’t have any choice. He let Mum thrust the duvet containing all Martine’s clothes into his arms.
    â€˜I’ll help you carry some,’ I said, seeing as he was still sort of my dad’s friend.
    â€˜No, Dixie, you start rolling up the rugs. Look at that fluff! Rochelle, you were meant to sweep under them, you dodo. Jude, you get all your boy pals loading our stuff into the van, OK?’ Mum said, giving us all little pokes as she organized us.
    She prodded Bruce too and so he started plodding along the balcony, Martine’s clothes flapping over his arms.
    Then there was a bang of a door, and a lot of shouting. Bruce shuffled back again, looking bewildered. Martine was yelling at him.
    â€˜Mum? What’s going on? What’s this creep doing with all my clothes?’ she shouted.
    â€˜He’s not a creep, he’s my dad’s friend!’ I said indignantly.
    â€˜Yes, don’t you