The Thirteenth Read Online Free PDF Page B

pulled it on over her dress, she knew her mum wasn’t going to be happy, but she could deal with her.
    Val headed to the bathroom to brush her hair and put on some of the dreaded girl paint. She always felt like a doll putting on lipstick. It almost felt like she was trying to glue her mouth shut. Val had very nice lips and when painted they brought her even more attention than usual, but in her eyes that was never good. Her thoughts were abruptly broken by her mother’s calling for her to go downstairs as Val’s (or her mother’s) guests were arriving. She sounded like she was on the edge of a nervous breakdown.
    “I’m coming now,” Val shouted to reassure her mother so her stress levels could drop just a little. Val smiled to herself as she went down the stairs, wondering which family member was going to get drunk first and make a fool of themselves. She had a few favourites. Her mum had two brothers, Uncle Julian and Uncle Matthew; they were very competitive and it was always a race to the drinks for them.
    As she got to the bottom of the stairs, the door bell rang. “Get that will you please, Val?” “Yes Mum,” Val called, and walked through the now heavily decorated hall to the front door. She prepped to give her best fake smile and opened the door.
    “Hello…” Val stopped almost instantly, catching her breath, and then letting out a scream of joy. “Oh my God! You’re here! How did you? When did you?” Val threw her arms around Delta’s neck. “I need to talk to you,” she gabbled. “So much has happened. There are things going on and I don’t know where to start.” Val was now almost in tears.
    “Well if you let me in, that would be a good first move. Then maybe letting some oxygen go to the rest of my body would be pleasant too,” Delta twanged in her very American accent. She had to almost peel Val off her so she could go into the hall.
    Val realised she was causing a scene and instantly let go. For a moment, she just stood smiling at Delta who straightened her dress and re-composed herself.
    “OK, now we are unattached and a little calmer, first things first.” Delta smiled putting out a hand to stop Val from grabbing her again. “I came home early for your party. How could I miss your 18 th birthday?”
    Delta could sense Val was itching for another hug so she grabbed her hand in an effort to stop her from falling onto her again. “I like your dress, although you need to get rid of the cardigan,” she said plucking at Val’s grubby grey sleeve. All the events of the past few days came rushing back into Val’s head; she was desperate to talk, to share what had been happening with someone who might actually try to understand.
    “We need to talk. Now!” Val grabbed Delta’s other hand and started to walk backwards towards the kitchen, pulling her along.
    The doorbell rang again and Susan came out this time to answer. “Val, why are you wearing that awful cardigan?” she shouted after her, but Val was in too much of a hurry to acknowledge her mum at that moment. She dragged Delta into the kitchen where every surface was now covered in food.
    “Wow!” exclaimed Delta. “There’s enough here to feed five thousand.”
    Val had to smile. “Well, you know my mum! Here theory is that you can never have too much food.”
    Val’s dad marched in and grabbed a crate of beer. “Hi Delta, lovely to see you,” he enthused. “Tell your dad I’ll be round for a game of golf,” he said, patting Delta affectionately on the shoulder.
    “Will do, Mr Saunders. Love your shirt,” Delta shouted after him in her sweetest voice.
    “Creep,” Val sniggered.
    “And your point is?” Delta shrugged her shoulders.
    Now they were alone and face to face, Val started to explain in detail the events of the past days.
    Delta, for once reduced to silence, listened with her mouth slightly open, wondering whether her friend had taken to drinking alcohol.
    When she had finished, Val quickly pulled up