The Air Raid Girls by Patricia McBride

Author:Patricia McBride [McBride, Patricia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Boldwood Books

I walked towards Mum’s house and realised I no longer thought of it as my home, even though it was the only permanent place I could give that name. My footsteps dragged and not just because of all I’d been through in the last twenty-four hours. My breathing became rapid and shallow as I tried to think of the various ways meeting her could go. Was Alex, the dreadful boyfriend, still there? If so, it must mean she still didn’t believe me. Or worse, she didn’t care. But I couldn’t believe that of her, she’d always been a loving mother. If he was gone, it could be for some other reason, so she might still think I lied. My best hope was that she’d found out what he was really like and thrown him out.

I knocked on the door, tentatively as first, then more firmly as no one responded. She was out. I didn’t know whether to be pleased or not, but the tension in my shoulders relaxed a little. I looked around the garden. She’d been busy making what was a mess with bricks and rubble left behind by the builders into something that was restful to the eye, even in cold weather.

I knew where she kept the spare key; under a plant pot at the side of the house. My key was still under a pile of bricks. I fetched her spare and let myself in. The smell of the house, furniture polish and Mum’s cooking, hit me in a way nothing else could and caught my throat. I walked through to the kitchen and dumped my kitbag down, rubbing my sore shoulders. I put the kettle on, then went upstairs to Mum’s bedroom. If anything would show if the ratbag was still there, it would be his clothes in the wardrobe.

I sent up a little prayer as I opened it, then let out a sigh of relief. There were no men’s clothes there. Just to be sure, I checked the drawers and then my old room. Nothing. Mum still might not believe me, but at least I wouldn’t have to put up with that awful apology for a man and his devious ways.

I was on my second cup of tea when I heard the key in the lock. Holding my breath, I walked towards the front door. Mum gasped and stood still for a second when she saw me, her eyes widening. I held out my arms, wondering if she’d knock them aside, but she ran forward and wrapped me in a comforting embrace. She smelled of her favourite lavender toilet water and soap and the smell took me back to childhood and happier days.

‘Oh, Lily,’ she kept saying, her voice breaking, ‘I’m so glad you’re home.’

She looked just the same, her warm brown eyes and wavy hair. She was wearing a dress I hadn’t seen before. She saw me looking. ‘Got it in a jumble sale last week. Only took a little while to make it fit.

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