Joy to the World by Jodi Taylor

Author:Jodi Taylor
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Headline Publishing Group
Published: 2020-08-19T10:53:25+00:00

Once inside the station, in the warmth and the light, Mum said, ‘Let’s have a quick wash and brush up, shall we?’ and it was only when I looked at myself in the mirror that I realised I hadn’t really made a good job of my make-up. Half of it was smudged across my face and I looked like a clown.

I had a good wash in warm, soapy water and buried my face in the paper towel. For a long time. Because whatever happened next wouldn’t be good and I would be in so much trouble. And what about Tommy?

When I could see again, the giant golden horse was standing in the toilets with us. It had followed us from the alleyway. I hadn’t imagined it after all. I whispered, ‘Mum,’ and started to edge away. ‘I can see a giant horse.’

She smiled. ‘So can I.’

‘What does it want?’

‘This is Thomas. He . . . brought me up.’

‘I thought that was your aunt and uncle.’

‘No, it was Thomas.’

I looked at the giant horse who was carefully inspecting the hot air dryer.

‘Jenny, what does this do?’ He turned to the machine on the wall. ‘Good heavens! What are these for?’ and he sounded so surprised I nearly laughed.

‘That’s better,’ he said.

‘Those men – they couldn’t see you, could they?’

‘No.’

‘But I can.’

‘That’s because you’re special, Joy. Would you excuse me for just one moment, please?’

He turned to my mum, lowered his enormous head and said simply, ‘Jenny.’

His voice was warm and deep and full of love and somehow, I just knew everything was going to be all right.

I looked at Mum and her face was glowing. I’d never seen her look like that before. She said, ‘Thomas,’ put her arms around him and rested her forehead on his. The smell of warm ginger biscuits was overwhelming. ‘Are you staying? Please stay. Even if only for a little while?’

‘Oh yes. For a little while. Watching the Checklands’ attempts to mislead the majesty of the law and explain their actions is usually the best bit.’

I thought it would be all bare and horrible but the little room was bright and comfortable. Not at all like the interview rooms you see on TV.

‘They wouldn’t have been able to get us all in,’ said the horse, who appeared to know what I was thinking before I thought it. And how come Mum could see him? And me? But no one else? It was weird. I wondered if my mum was mad and I’d got it off her, which was surprising because I’d have thought if I’d inherited madness from one of my parents it would definitely have been my dad.

They tried to make Uncle Andrew and Auntie Franny wait outside and I insisted on them coming in.

‘It’s usually family only,’ said Sgt Bates.

‘They are family,’ I said and so we all squeezed in. Even the horse, who winked at me.

Sgt Bates cleared her throat. ‘Do I gather Miss Bauer will be joining us? She usually does.’

‘She’s Mrs Checkland now,’ said Uncle Andrew.

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