Though it wasn’t bitterly cold inside, as the fire, not long died, was still glowing red. The lounge was empty, though, as was the kitchen. Only the grease-laden stale smell of chip-paper lingered. She ran back into the lounge and looked up at the clock. It was now almost 11 o’clock at night.Maybe her mam and dad had just gone to bed. The thought cheered her. ‘Mam!’ she called, hitching up her nightie and taking the stairs two at once. ‘Mam, you up there? Mam! Mam, I need you!’There was no response, and putting her head round her parents’ bedroom door confirmed it. The Bull, she thought wretchedly. They’d be at the sodding Bull, having a fucking lock-in, wouldn’t they? She had to fight down an urge to just drop to her knees and sob. It was her who had to go round and fucking babysit – even though they were her mam and dad’s fucking grandkids – while they went and got pissed with their mates. How was that fair? And what the fuck was she supposed to do now?Auntie Maureen, she decided, trying to gather her wits and think rationally.
