‘I discharged myself,’ Josie muttered, holding onto the hall table for support as she waited for the room to stop swaying and her heart to stop pounding. Unable to find a taxi, she had walked home, stopping off at the late shop on the way to pick up a pack of cigarettes and a cheap bottle of vodka with the money she would have spent on her fare. A couple of slugs from the bottle outside the shop had made her legs feel a little less sluggish, and the hit of nicotine had shifted the fog inside her head. But she was exhausted now.
‘You look terrible,’ Holly said, her young face creased with concern as she took in Josie’s swollen eyes, the bruises on her cheeks, the split lip and the blood on the neck of the gown she was wearing beneath the unfamiliar coat. ‘What did he do to you?’
‘Stop fussing, I’m fine,’ Josie said irritably, slapping her hands aside. Then, staring at the woman who was standing behind Holly, she frowned, and said, ‘Where’s Bex’s mum?’
‘Bex’s mum?’ Holly repeated. ‘Why would she be here?’
‘The copper told me someone called Suzie was with you.’
‘Yeah, that’s right. This is Suzie.’
‘You said that was Bex’s mum’s name.’ Josie was confused.
Blushing guiltily when she recalled the lie she’d told at dinner earlier, Holly said, ‘Er, yeah, it is. They’re both called Suzie.’
‘Sorry, we haven’t been introduced.’ Suzie stepped forward. ‘I live across the road.’
‘I know who you are,’ Josie said, eyeing her warily. ‘But why are you here?’
‘I heard what happened and wanted to make sure Holly was OK,’ said Suzie. Then, smiling, she reached out to take Josie’s arm, saying, ‘You shouldn’t be on your feet, love, so let’s get you sat down. Holly, go and fetch your mum’s quilt while I make her a cup of tea.’
‘I don’t want tea.’ Josie snatched her arm away. ‘I want you to leave.’
‘Mum!’ Holly protested. ‘She’s only trying to help.’
‘We don’t need help,’ Josie snapped.
‘I did,’ Holly argued. ‘The police would have called social services and had me taken into care if she hadn’t been here, so you should be thanking her.’
‘It’s all right, hon,’ Suzie said softly. ‘Your mum’s had a rough night and needs to rest, so I’ll go home. You’ve got my number if you need me.’
She went into the living room and gathered her things together, then said goodnight and let herself out. When she’d gone, Holly folded her arms and gave her mum a reproachful look.
‘You didn’t have to be so rude.’
‘How do you know her?’ Josie demanded. ‘And don’t say you don’t, ’cos it’s obvious this isn’t the first time you’ve met her. And what’s all this hon business?’
‘I’ve seen her on the street a few times and said hello. And she calls everyone hon.’
‘You’re lying.’ Josie narrowed her eyes.
‘No, I’m not,’ Holly replied sulkily. ‘God, why don’t you ever belie—’
The slap was swift and sharp, and Holly gaped at her mum in shock as she covered her stinging cheek with her hand.
‘What was that for?’
‘You brought a stranger into our home!’ Josie yelled, grabbing her arm. ‘Have you any idea the damage you could have done?’
‘I had no choice,’ Holly cried, wincing when her mum’s nails dug into her flesh. ‘OW! You’re hurting me!’
‘What have you told her?’ Josie shook her roughly. ‘Tell me what you said!’
‘Nothing!’ Holly protested, yanking her arm free and rubbing the sore spot. ‘And I haven’t done anything wrong, so I don’t see why you’re flipping out like this.’
‘You broke the rules!’ Josie glared at her.
‘The rules are stupid,’ Holly shot back, too angry and upset to hold her tongue any longer. ‘I’m nearly sixteen, but you won’t let me answer the door or talk to anyone. It’s not normal.’
‘I let you hang around with Bex and that other one – Kelly, or whatever her name is,’ Josie argued. ‘It’s only these nosy bastards round here I don’t want you getting friendly with.’
‘Why? What’s wrong with talking to your neighbours? Everyone else does.’
‘You know why. It’s dangerous.’
‘But Suzie’s not like the others. She’s really nice, and she doesn’t even talk to anyone round here.’
‘Shut up about fucking Suzie!’ Josie roared, balling her hands into fists. Then, breathing in deeply through her nose, she lowered her voice and said, ‘You’re not to talk to her again, and that’s the end of it. Now go to bed and give me some bloody peace.’ She brushed past Holly and went into her room, closing the door firmly behind her.
Sighing, Holly shook her head in despair and went to her own room. Her mum ought to be glad Suzie had stepped in and stopped her being put into care, but, as usual, all she cared about was herself and her stupid rules.
Josie switched the light on and dropped her bag onto the bed before shrugging the coat off and flinging it aside. In need of another drink, she took the bottle of vodka out of her bag and poured a measure into the dirty glass on her bedside table. Knocking half of it back in one mouthful, she gently rolled her head to ease the tension in her shoulders. When she noticed the wardrobe door standing open, her body instantly stiffened again, and her heart leapt into her throat when she saw the biscuit tin lying open on the floor, the photographs and papers it had contained strewn around it.
‘HOLLLYYYY!’ she bellowed.
‘What’s up?’ Holly rushed in, her eyes wide. ‘You haven’t hurt yourself, have you?’
‘Who’s been in here?’ Josie demanded.
‘No one,’ Holly lied. Then, frowning when she noticed the glass in her mum’s shaking hand and the bottle on the table, she said, ‘You shouldn’t be drinking. You’ve only just come out of hospital.’
‘Stop trying to change the subject,’ Josie hissed, her eyes blazing. ‘You’ve had that bitch in here, haven’t you?’
‘No.’ Holly shook her head.
‘Explain that, then!’ Josie pointed at the photos and papers.
Holly winced when she realized she’d forgotten to put them
