Ahead of his Time by Adrian Cousins (children's books read aloud .txt) 📕

towards Jess, closing the gap which caused Jess to lean back against the sink. “You talk to me now. You tell me everything, not ’im … just me.” She thumbed over her shoulder in Paul’s direction.

“Ma?”

Shirley turned to her son. The height difference between them was over a foot. Paul, like Patrick, was built like a brick-shit-house. Shirley had a frame more like a short Twiggy, but it was clear to see Paul was terrified of her.

Shirley sneered at him. “Shut up.” She held his stare for a few more seconds before turning back to Jess.

“Patrick will be out in less than ten. You’re going to be a little angel in those years.”

Jess nodded.

“You’ll go every week to visit him. You won’t get involved with anyone else … you’re his woman, and you’ll stick by him … you clear?”

Jess nodded.

“You and I will bring up this child, and Patrick will come out with a faithful woman waiting for him.”

Jess nodded and swallowed hard. Unable to avert her eyes from Shirley as they pierced into her skull.

“We understand each other? Woman to woman.”

“Yes.” Jess knew this was her opportunity to rid herself of Paul. She mustered up some courage from somewhere. “I love Patrick. I’ll do everything you say, but keep him away from me.” She pointed at Paul.

Shirley didn’t move for a few seconds, then leant back. After already being told to shut up twice, Paul presumably had decided to keep schtum in fear of another mauling by his mother. He edged closer, his fists balled and appeared ready to smash his fist through Jess’s teeth.

Shirley nodded, then glanced at her son. “You ’eard her. You keep your distance.”

“Why would I wanna touch that?” He turned up the corner of his mouth and looked at Jess as if she were something he’d scraped off his shoe. As Shirley turned back to look at Jess, he suggestively stuck out his tongue.

“You sick git. I wouldn’t touch you if you were the last man alive.”

“Too late, girlie. I’ve already fucked ya.”

“No you haven’t. No you haven’t!” Jess shot back at him, concerned that Shirley would believe his lies. She was going to comply with her demands and always be faithful to Patrick.

“The alley a couple of weeks ago. As I said, I’ve already been there!” he grinned.

Jess froze and felt her knees weaken – grabbing the edge of the sink to support herself as she became nauseous. “You? You … you … raped me? You raped me!” she shrieked.

Shirley swivelled around and glared at Paul, a steel-cold stare. Paul now appeared uncomfortable as he retreated from his mother. He winced and stepped back further, clearly concerned about what was about to happen.

Shirley didn’t need to ask the question. She had four boys who she ruled with a rod of iron. She knew when they were lying and when they fucked-up. She never needed to ask. Shirley swung her arm with such force that the slap knocked Paul off his feet, causing him to crack his head on the countertop as he crumpled to the floor. “You disgusting piece of shit. Get out. GET OUT!”

Whilst Shirley physically threw her son out of the flat, Jess slid down to the lino floor. Tears flowed, and she tried to control her breathing as she’d started to hyperventilate. Shirley strode back into the kitchen, leant down and slapped her across the face.

“GET UP!”

The shock of the slap instantly brought her breathing back under control. Jess crawled to a kitchen chair, hauling herself onto it and stared down at the table, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.

“Who’ve you told?”

Jess didn’t look up. Shirley stepped forward, forcibly grabbing her chin and yanking it up.

“Talk, girl. Who’ve you told?”

Jess suppressed her tears as she shook her head. “No … no one.”

“No one?”

Jess shook her head again. Thinking of her father and how much she needed him here now.

Shirley leant forward, her nose now inches from Jess. “That’s how it stays. You tell no one. Patrick must never know … you understand?”

Jess nodded as the tears escaped again and poured down her cheeks.

“I’ll deal with him. He’ll never come near you again. But … you utter a word about this, and your life will be over … OVER!”

Jess nodded again. Shirley released her chin from her tight grip, then gently stroked Jess’s hair. She pulled out two cigarettes and lit them, then offered one to Jess and sat in the chair opposite.

“Smoke that, then go and have a wash. You’re a mess.”

41

The Long Kiss Goodnight

“Hold the line, caller.”

I waited, holding the curly telephone cord. Well, that’s what the lady said at the other end of the phone to do – so I did.

“Jenny Lawrence speaking, how can I help you?”

“As far as I’m aware, you married me five weeks ago. Unless you’re leaving me, I believe your name is Jenny Apsley,” I chuckled.

“Oh, darling, I keep forgetting!”

“Forgetting your name, or we got married? As I said, it was only five weeks ago. Has your memory gone? Oh, hang on, don’t tell me your real name is Samantha Caine from the ‘Long Kiss Goodnight’?”

“Who, darling?”

“Oh, yeah. Don’t worry, that’s another great movie we’ll have to plan to watch. Although we’ve about twenty years to wait for that one.”

“Oh, okay, darling. We can add it to the list,” she chuckled.

“How did you get on with Barry?”

“Yes, he’s been very helpful. As I thought, she doesn’t have a leg to stand on, well, legally. As Beth is our adopted daughter, she has no rights.”

“I thought so. That’s good news.”

“Yes, it is. After talking to Barry, I feel so much better. But of course, that’s only legally, and I’m not sure that woman operates within the law.”

“No, you’re right.”

“Let’s talk to Daddy tonight and see what he thinks we should do.”

“What time did we say to be at your mum and dads’?”

“Have you lost your memory now?” she chuckled again. “I will go there straight after work, as