Amber by Heather Burnside (great novels of all time .TXT) 📗

who patted her awkwardly on the back. Her grandma’s hug was slightly more relaxed although both of them weren’t given to displays of emotion. Then Amy withdrew from her arms and looked up into her grandma’s face.

‘Thank you for looking after us,’ she said.

Her grandma just nodded but Amy could have sworn she saw tears in her eyes. She didn’t have time to say anything further though as her mother quickly ushered both her and Nathan out of the door ready to set off for their home in Withington.

25

April 1999

As they approached their home Amy was surprised to see that the small front garden had been weeded for the first time in ages. A quick look around the interior told her that it had been given a good cleaning too.

‘Wow, Mum! The house looks nice and clean,’ she said.

Loretta smiled. ‘Well, I wanted it nice for when you and Nathan came home.’

Although Amy returned her smile, Nathan ignored her and was just about to run up the stairs when Loretta stopped him. ‘Hang on a minute. I want to have a chat with you both. Go and sit down.’

The children did as Loretta requested and watched as she sat down too, ready to hear what she had to say.

‘The reason I’ve made the house look nice is because I want things to be different for you from now on. I know it hasn’t been easy since Dale went…’ Her voice quivered and she paused for a moment, allowing herself to regain control. ‘But I’m going to make it up to you.’

She leant over the side of the chair on which she was sitting and retrieved a carrier bag. Then she put her hand inside and withdrew first one box of chocolates and then another.

‘This one’s for you, Nathan,’ she said, passing him one of the boxes. Then she gave Amy the other one saying, ‘And this one’s for you.’

‘Thanks, Mum,’ the children gushed.

‘Can we eat them now?’ asked Nathan.

‘You can have a couple in a minute and the rest after tea, but I want you to listen to what I’ve got to say first.’ The children looked up from their chocolates, paying ardent attention to her. ‘I know you might have been upset by what happened, but I want you to promise me that you won’t tell anybody else about it. None of your friends, none of the teachers, nobody. Do you understand? And if anybody asks you any questions, you’re not to tell them anything.’

‘OK,’ said Amy.

‘Nathan?’

‘Alright,’ Nathan muttered. ‘Does that mean we can have some of our chocolates now?’

‘In a minute. I haven’t finished yet.’

Ensuring she had their rapt attention once more, Loretta added her killer line: ‘If you tell anybody about it or about anything that’s happened in this house then you know you could end up in a home, don’t you?’

Amy gasped but Nathan remained impassive. Loretta looked directly at him for a reaction as she continued. ‘Homes aren’t very nice places, Nathan. They’re full of really bad children who have done terrible things, and the staff beat you. And if you end up in one of those places, you’ll never see me or your grandparents again. Do you understand, Nathan?’

This time Nathan’s reply was more heartfelt, his eager words showing his obvious alarm. ‘Yeah. Course I do. I won’t tell anyone, honest.’

‘OK, you can open your chocolates now. But don’t have more than two. You’re going to be having something else to eat soon.’

Their mother’s efforts continued into evening. She made them a sumptuous roast dinner and Amy was pleased that the portions were akin to those at her grandparents’ house. Loretta followed it with a treacle sponge pudding and custard and the children ate every bit.

Later, Amy helped her mother with the washing up, and then they went into the living room to watch TV. She was relieved when her mother didn’t have a drink although she noticed that she seemed a bit on edge and snappy as the evening wore on. Then she saw her take one of her tablets, which soon calmed her down.

Amy wasn’t bothered that they were watching one of Nathan’s favourite videos yet again. She was just glad that they were all back home as a family and that things were much better. The way her mother was behaving was how she used to be before Dale went.

She recalled her words, ‘I’m going to make it up to you,’ and a feeling of contentment warmed her insides. It was so nice to have their mother back at home and back to her old self. She hoped that this was how things were going to be from now on.

26

October 2015

Crystal walked into her Altrincham store at midday. She’d left Candice there first thing and then dashed to Manchester and back so she could check on one of her other branches. Feeling the heat inside the shop, she quickly shrugged off her coat, revealing a pair of fitted trousers and a lace top, which was tantalising in a classic, understated way.

She smiled at her manager, Deanna, who was at the till and looked further down the store to see her daughter admiring high-end dresses as she carefully placed them on the rails. ‘She looks happy enough,’ said Crystal.

‘Oh, she loves it,’ Deanna replied. ‘She’s been a dream, good as gold.’

‘Glad to hear it. Can you get someone to relieve you while we go through to the back for a chat?’

‘Sure.’ Deanna buzzed for one of the staff to manage the till and she joined Crystal as they made their way through the store to the back office, passing Candice on the way.

‘You OK?’ asked Crystal, patting her daughter on the shoulder.

‘Sure, it’s well cool.’

Crystal laughed. She’d had many positive comments about her shops since she’d started trading but never before had they been called ‘cool’. Still, it was good to know that Candice was enjoying her Saturday job. It was still too early to decide whether it