Playing Around Read Online Free PDF Page B

through to open the front door.
    ‘My little Puddeny Pie!’ She threw open her arms in welcome. ‘Come and give me a great big kiss.’
    ‘Hello, Nan.’
    ‘Come in. Come in. Take your cardie off, sit down and I’ll make us a nice cup of tea. And there’s a bit of salad and a few cakes if you’re feeling hungry.’
    Sarah poured a generous measure of thick, sterilized milk into her cup and added two heaped spoons of sugar from the stemmed cut-glass bowl – a permanent feature on the dining-room table ever since Angie could remember – and then topped it up with dark orange, scalding tea. Then settled down into her armchair, as Angie perched on the edge of the sofa.
    ‘You sure that’s all you want to eat, love?’
    ‘I’ve had loads, thanks, Nan.’
    Sarah sipped her tea and frowned. Angie was never exactly a chatterbox, but she was being so quiet it was ridiculous, and she’d hardly touched her food. Sarah tried to sound casual: ‘How’s your mum?’
    ‘You know.’
    ‘Still seeing that … What’s this one called?’
    ‘Chas.’
    ‘That’s him. What do you think of him? Another five-minute wonder?’
    ‘Suppose so.’
    ‘You seem a bit down, pet.’
    Angie shrugged. ‘There was a sort of misunderstanding , Nan, that’s all.’
    ‘Had more words indoors? Your mum swinging the lead again?’
    Angie chewed on her lip.
    ‘I’m not making excuses for her, darling, but she’s sort of got into a habit. She’s made not doing anything for herself a way of life.’ Sarah shook her head. ‘I blame myself. When she had you I made such a fuss of her. Looked after her like she was an invalid.’
    ‘Did having me really make her so ill?’
    ‘No, love. Not ill. Look, don’t let’s talk about that now. Tell me how you’re getting on at work. What have you and that Jackie been up to?’
    ‘I should be going soon.’
    ‘Why don’t you phone her? Jackie. She can run along and tell Mum you’re staying with me tonight. We could have a game of cards. Rummy. You always enjoy that.’
    ‘I’d like to, Nan, but I’ve got work in the morning, and I’ve not got any of my things with me.’ Angie stood up and listlessly pulled on her cardigan.
    ‘OK, pet.’ Sarah went over to the window that took up almost the whole wall behind the ornament-covered Formica-topped bar that she had recently had installed in the already crowded room.
    She looked out at the darkening sky. The deep blue was studded with pinpricks of light, the terrestrial stars created by the lamps which glittered amongst the forests of derricks and cranes lining the nearby docks. There would be no foghorns on a lovely clear night like tonight.
    She pulled a cord and the pink, nylon velvet curtains closed with the satisfying swish that always made Sarah smile. Who ever would have thought she would have had curtains that drew themselves? That Doris Barker came up with some things.
    Sarah smoothed her hand lovingly over the fabric, sending out a crackle of static. ‘You promise me you’ll be careful going home, babe. There’s some funny blokes about, you know. Blokes what try and take liberties with young girls.’
    Angie’s breath came out in a little snort. ‘Who’d want to take liberties with me?’
    The wonders of her curtain track forgotten, Sarah spun round to face her granddaughter. ‘What did you say?’
    Angie stuck out her bottom lip. How could she ever have dreamed Martin was interested in her? Whatever would he say if he found out what had gone through her stupid, thick mind?
    ‘Angie?’
    ‘Well, not exactly pretty, am I? Not exactly a fashion model or someone a boy would—’
    ‘You listen to me, young lady. You’ve got a lovely face and a beautiful little figure.’ Sarah put up her hand to silence her granddaughter’s protestations, then marched across the room and fished out a tartan zippered shopping bag from behind her chair. From its depths she pulled out a fat, leather purse. ‘Angela, it’s your birthday next