Beginnings

Chapter Seven
It wasn't long after that I got my clothes back (which she had kindly washed and dried because of
the splattering of vomit that coated them), got dressed and found I didn't actually want to go
home. It felt good being in her company once again.
But, I had to go. I had promised Jo I would go shopping with her, under duress of course. I hated
shopping with her … everything turned into a marathon. It was as if she was on a bet with God,
and the bet was she could spot every bargain … try on anything that remotely fitted her … and
piss me off in the process.
Nevertheless, I had promised. Even now, I can't contain the sigh that escapes when I think of
shopping with my sister.
Ash and I exchanged addresses and phone numbers, and I distinctly remember folding the little
sheet of paper so neatly and tucking it in the back pocket of my jeans … it felt like an offering.
As I was leaving, her mum appeared. She didn't look a day older than I remembered - her hair
was still jet black and long, just like Ash's. They were similar in appearance except for the eyes
… her mum's were grey, whereas Ash's were blue like her dad's.
'Well I never … its little Lou Turner, isn't it'
'In the flesh, Mrs Richards.'
'Well I never … how long has it been Ten … eleven years' As she was saying it, she was
walking over to me, peering into my face just to make sure. I should've known what was coming
next, but the years had been kind to me. Mrs Richards had a habit of nearly crushing the life out
of you when she was happy, and then, to add insult to injury, she would pinch your cheeks and
wobble the flesh up and down until your mouth made a farting sound.
Not a pretty sight … or noise for that matter.
And it hurt like buggery … but nevertheless … it felt good to be remembered, and with such
fondness too.
'You're not running off already are you Stay for a cuppa.' She still had my face in a vice like
grip and my answer came out like a wet fart. 'Soon then' I looked at her wide-eyed. How on
earth had she understood my answer 'Come for tea one night, yes'
I nodded, and then sighed with relief as she let go of her death grip on my cheeks, the blood had
fled in fright, and I must have looked a vision with my pasty fingerprinted face surrounded by a
big red blob.
'I'd love to.' As I answered, I automatically turned to face Ash, who was grinning idiotically