Ruby by Heather Burnside (sight word books .TXT) 📕

happy. She didn’t particularly like selling herself to strange men, but she knew she could cope with it in view of the rewards. Not only did she have freedom and money but she also got to live with Shelley who she was becoming increasingly drawn towards.

34

June 1998

Daisy stood with her arms folded, looking down at her daughter who was occupying the sofa in her living room. ‘What I don’t understand,’ she said, ‘is why you can’t tell me where you live. It’s been weeks now since you left home and I’ve still not been to see where you’re staying.’

‘Aw, Mam, not that again!’ said Trina.

‘Don’t you Aw Mam me,’ snapped Daisy, to which Trina shrugged in response. Then Daisy added, ‘What’s the problem with where you’re living anyway?’

‘I told you, there’s no problem. I just don’t want you interfering.’

‘But I worry about you, child,’ said Daisy, her tone now conciliatory. ‘You’re so young to be living on your own. I don’t know why you couldn’t stay here till you’re older…’

‘I don’t live on my own,’ Trina cut in. ‘I share a flat with Shelley and she’s eighteen.’

‘Don’t split hairs with me, Trina. You know what I mean. Anyway, eighteen is still very young.’

Trina shrugged again but Daisy wasn’t finished. ‘Well, if you won’t let me come and visit you at home, you could at least tell me the name of the restaurant where you work,’ she said.

‘No chance!’ said Trina. ‘You’d only embarrass me. You’d probably bring that lot with you as well.’ She looked upwards, indicating her brothers who were upstairs.

‘You mean your brothers?’ asked Daisy. ‘They’re your own flesh and blood, Trina.’

‘Yeah, don’t I know it,’ muttered Trina.

‘I beg your pardon, child.’

‘Nothing,’ said Trina, ‘but you know what they’re like. They’d probably be running wild around the restaurant and showing me up.’

Daisy sighed before relenting. ‘I don’t know, you won’t tell me where you live or where you work. How can you expect me not to worry? But, at least you’re here now so I suppose I should be grateful for small mercies.’

Trina felt a pang of guilt. It was only the second time she’d visited home in the six weeks since she’d left but it was difficult to fit it into her busy life. Most of her evenings were spent working till the early hours or out enjoying herself, and the days were spent sleeping off the late nights. And when she wasn’t working, or out having fun, there was always something that needed attending to. Shopping. Washing. Cleaning.

A quick glance around her mother’s living room told her that her mother hadn’t been keeping on top of her own cleaning since she had left home. Trina again felt guilty even though she told herself that it wasn’t her responsibility. But, no matter how much she tried to brush it off, she knew it was a sign that her mother was finding it difficult without her. Daisy was a house-proud woman and she wouldn’t let dust and grime gather in her home unless she couldn’t help it.

Trina thought of how it had been with her mother struggling to hold down two jobs and relying on her to keep her brothers in order and help out in the home. She knew that as well as having all the household chores, Daisy would also be finding it difficult financially. She always had.

Feeling remorseful, Trina reached inside her handbag and pulled out fifty pounds. ‘Here,’ she said, holding out the notes, ‘have this.’

Daisy looked at her with an expression of surprise. ‘Lord above! Where on earth did you get that from?’

‘From working. Where do you think? I want you to have it.’

Daisy continued to eye her sceptically. ‘But you’re only a waitress. You can’t possibly afford to give that much away.’

‘It’s fine,’ Trina scoffed. ‘I get loads of tips. It’s a posh restaurant. We get some rich people in there.’

Daisy didn’t hesitate for much longer. ‘Well, as long as you’re alright with it,’ she said, reaching out for the money then placing it in a jar inside the cupboard. ‘Thank you, Trina. That’s very good of you,’ she added. Then she went over to Trina and wrapped her arms around her, holding her tight for precious moments.

Trina’s face lit up with a satisfied smile and she decided that she would make the effort to visit her mother more often in future.

*

When Trina arrived back home, Shelley was in the bathroom. Trina couldn’t resist going into her own bedroom and stepping over to the dressing table she had recently bought for herself. There she opened up a small jewellery box and pulled out her gold and ruby necklace. For the umpteenth time since she had treated herself to it, she put it on and admired herself in her dressing table mirror. The ruby was pear-shaped and held in a gold clasp and it glistened under the bedroom light.

Trina knew she’d rarely have chance to wear the necklace. It was too risky wearing it for work; there were too many muggers hanging about late at night. Neither would she be likely to go to the sorts of places where she would wear a ruby necklace. But, nevertheless, she’d had to have it. As soon as she’d seen it in the jeweller’s window, she knew she would buy it. And why shouldn’t she? After all, she deserved some reward for the work she did.

In the last six weeks Trina had become used to the job. She didn’t like it; in fact, a lot of the clients made her skin crawl and she hated what she had to do with them. But she loved the rewards. It was so good to be able to treat herself; she’d spent enough years going without. Apart from the ruby necklace, she’d bought herself new clothes and makeup and was steadily improving the state of her bedroom.

Trina also enjoyed flat sharing with Shelley. She was good company and they often had