Mrs Whippy Read Online Free PDF

them in the first place. But I didn’t want to turn Brian against his father completely. That wasn’t my style.
    Brian’s forehead wrinkled. “You’re lying.”
    I shrugged and looked away, not bothered with the conversation any more. Before Brian left the room, Ispoke again, still not moving my head from the television. “I’m a grown woman, Brian. How dare you tell me who I can and cannot talk to! How dare you tell me where to work! I’m your mother and you disgust me with the way you talk to me.” I spoke calmly and politely, but with enough strength for it to really hit home.
    Vincent stepped out from behind the door. He gave me what I
thought
was a small smile before disappearing again down the hall. The very thought of a smile sent tears flying to my eyes.
    After the morning break on Saturday, I was put working on Jenny’s till. She eyed me warily for the first thirty minutes. Then she finally spoke.
    â€œSo you’re Brian’s ma?”
    I didn’t answer. I looked away and waited for the customers to approach us. But the supermarket wasn’t busy.
    â€œHey,” she said. “Hello?”
    I looked the other way.
    â€œAre you ignoring me?” she asked in surprise.
    I turned to her. “My son has ever-so-politely requested that I don’t talk to you.”
    The sides of Jenny’s mouth lifted into a smile. Dimples formed on her cheeks. She looked much softer.
    â€œAh, don’t mind him. He’s an old grump.” She smiled.
    My heart lifted.
    â€œWhat do you see in him?” I asked in confusion. She laughed and shrugged. But I could see her thinking about it.
    After a moment she spoke. “He’s got nice eyes. Blue sparkly eyes.”
    â€œOh,” I said in surprise.
    â€œThey’re like yours, actually.” She studied my face closely. “You’ve got nice eyes.”
    â€œUsually people say the boys look like Charlie,” I said, feeling flattered.
    â€œYuck.” Jenny pulled a face. “No way!”
    I laughed. “Not a fan of Charlie’s, I see?”
    Jenny shook her head. “I should ask you what you saw in
him
.”
    I laughed again. “It looks like you and I are going to get along just fine,” I said. “But don’t tell Brian,” I added.
    â€œOh,
forget
him.” She rolled her eyes. “He’ll grow up.”

Ten
    On Sunday morning I came downstairs to find Charlie rooting around in the kitchen presses again.
    â€œCharlie!” I said angrily.
    â€œYou’ve stopped buying brown sauce.” He looked around the press door with a scowl.
    I stared at him with anger.
    â€œWhy?” he said more forcefully.
    â€œCharlie, you were the only person who liked brown sauce. And you don’t live here any more,
remember
?” I folded my arms across my chest.
    The boys looked at me in surprise. The child-like tone that was usually in my voice when I spoke to Charlie was gone.
    Charlie slowly closed the press door. He stood across from me with his legs spread and his shoulders back, trying to intimidate me.
    â€œHow did you get in here?” I asked, knowing that Brian had left his keys behind when he went out with his father.
    â€œThey’re called
keys
, Emelda.” Charlie spoke as though I were stupid. He dangled his keys in front of my face.
    I snatched them out of his hand, causing the three boys and Charlie to jump. I put the keys in my pocket.
    â€œNow that you’re living with the woman you left me for, you won’t be needing
these
any more, will you?”
    â€œWhat?” Charlie shouted.
    â€œThere’s no need to raise your voice, Charlie. It’s very simple. You have chosen not to be with me any more. You told me you didn’t love me any more and that our marriage was over, yes?”
    Brian’s mouth dropped open. This seemed to be news to him.
    Charlie looked at the kids and back at me. “Not in