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

switched on the TV and flicked through the channels. But she couldn’t settle to anything. She gulped down the wine then put a stopper on the bottle promising herself that was the last till tonight. And as she sat there feeling a bit more relaxed her thoughts turned to last night once more and the huge sum of money Cliff had offered her.

28

July 1999

A few days later they were in the kitchen and Amy was washing up while her mother sat at the table watching her. She had a curious look on her face and Amy could have sworn that she was about to say something but then stopped herself.

Her mother seemed ill at ease with her for some reason. At first Amy thought it was just her usual irritability after she’d been drinking the previous night. But then she realised it was something more than that.

Eventually, she did speak but her voice sounded tentative, as though she wasn’t sure she should be saying this. ‘What did you think of Cliff?’ she asked.

It was the first time her mother had referred to him since his visit a few days previously although she had heard her talking to him on the phone. The mention of his name took Amy by surprise. She felt the blood rush to her cheeks as she recalled the way he’d stared and how he’d spoken to her. She glanced around at her mother momentarily but then her eyes darted back to what she was doing, hoping her mother hadn’t noticed her blush.

‘He’s alright,’ she said.

‘Alright. Is that all? I think he’s a lovely man and fun to be with. He always cheers me up anyway.’

Amy carried on washing up and didn’t comment. She really didn’t want to be having this conversation.

‘Anyway, he likes you,’ Loretta continued. ‘In fact, he’d like to get to know you better.’

Alarmed, Amy swung around and glared at her mother, temporarily forgetting her embarrassment.

‘Why?’ she demanded.

‘Oh, no reason. He just likes you, that’s all. Anyway, I want you to be nice to him next time you see him. Like I say, Cliff’s a lovely guy and I’d like him to stick around for a while.’

The thought of spending time with Cliff didn’t appeal to Amy and she was confused as to why he’d want to spend time with her. But any doubts were suppressed by her mother’s next words.

‘Dale liked you too, didn’t he? It’s because you’re a good girl. That’s why everybody likes you. Cliff’s not short of a bit of money, y’know. If you play your cards right, he could be good to us.’

Amy kept her back to her mother while she rubbed a ragged flannel over the last of the dishes and stacked it on the drainer with the others. Then she wiped her hands and made for the door. But she had to pass her mother on her way out of the room. Amy noticed the harsh expression on her face, which warned her she might become argumentative. She was often like that when she’d drunk too much the night before, and Amy couldn’t wait to get out of her way.

‘Well?’ Loretta asked as Amy headed towards her.

‘What?’ snapped Amy.

‘Don’t give me that attitude, lady! I’m only asking you a question. You know what I’m talking about. Are you going to be nice to Cliff, or what?’

‘I suppose so,’ said Amy and then she dashed from the room, glad to escape from her unpredictable mother.

*

July 1999

It wasn’t long before Cliff visited them again. In fact, it was only two days later. Amy had been sitting in the lounge with her family, her mother drunk and belligerent, picking holes in everything anyone said whether it was a comment from Amy or Nathan or something on the TV.

‘Turn the bloody telly over. I don’t want to be watching nonsense like this.’

‘But I like it, Mum,’ Amy protested.

‘You would. Small things amuse small minds. Anyway, I don’t like it so do as you’re told if you know what’s good for you.’

Amy hated it when her mother was like this. She could be so volatile when she was drinking and, although she stopped short of using violence, it made her feel belittled when she spoke to her like that.

Amy could tell it was a man at the door as soon as she heard the change in her mother’s tone of voice. First, she heard her saying thank you, her tone ingratiating. Then she heard Cliff’s voice; it was loud and confident and carried easily from the hall to the living room. She felt herself tense as he laughed and joked with her mother then popped his head through the living room door.

‘How’s my favourite girl?’ he asked.

Amy humoured him by turning around, seeing him smile and wink. Behind him her mother hovered until she managed to bustle past, holding out a lavish bunch of flowers and gushing. ‘Look what Cliff’s bought for me. See, I told you he was a lovely man, didn’t I?’

‘That’s nothing,’ said Cliff, and Amy could tell he was addressing his comments to her. ‘Wait till you see what I’ve bought for you.’

He reached inside his jacket pocket and pulled out a box, which was wrapped neatly in gold paper.

‘Well, aren’t you gonna come and get it?’ he asked.

Amy got up off the sofa and walked over to Cliff who handed her the present, his hand lingering on hers for a moment too long.

‘Eh, that’s not how I’ve brought you up,’ said Loretta. Amy looked at her, perplexed. ‘What do you say, Amy?’

‘Oh, thanks,’ said Amy who was so unsettled by Cliff’s presence that she had forgotten her manners. ‘I’ll take it upstairs.’

‘No,’ said Cliff, barring her way through the door. ‘I want to see you open it first. I’d like to see the look on that pretty little face of yours when you see what it is.’

Amy felt herself flush – something she always seemed to do when he was around. While he watched