Free I Think I'll Just Curl Up and Die by Rosie Rushton Page B

had been asked out.

Chapter Twenty-Nine
Laura Lets Rip
    While the Farrants and the Kentigan-Frys were making small talk about the excellence of the smoked salmon sandwiches and the awkward sweep to the fourteenth hole, and Jemma was wondering how quickly she could lose another stone, Laura was at home making her feelings known in a somewhat less controlled manner.
    â€˜I just want you to know that I think what you have done is positively disgusting!’ she shouted as soon as Melvyn set foot inside the front door for Sunday lunch.
    â€˜And good morning to you too, Laura!’ he said with a twinkle in his eye. ‘I take it your mum has told you the good news.’
    But Laura had stormed upstairs.
    Laura fully intended refusing any lunch, but it turned out to be roast lamb and mint sauce followed by apple charlotte and ice cream and she didn’t see why she should starve because of the debauched behaviour of her mother.
    â€˜I gave notice on my flat today,’ said Melvyn conversationally when Ruth had dished up.
    â€˜Good,’ said Ruth, nervously eyeing her daughter.
    Perhaps, thought Laura hopefully, he was going to do a runner.
    â€˜So when shall I start moving my stuff in here?’ he continued.
    Laura choked on a Brussel sprout.
    â€˜You are
not
moving in here?’ she exclaimed incredulously.
    â€˜Well, of course – after all, your mum is my responsibility now, isn’t she?’ he said sweetly. ‘She needs looking after.’
    â€˜But – you can’t – I mean, there isn’t enough room in this dump for Mum and me, never mind you,’ she said, her eyes filling with tears. ‘Anyway, we’re OK on our own. We don’t need anyone else.’
    â€˜Well, actually what I thought would be a good idea for us all was … ’ began Melvyn while Ruth bit her fingernails and looked close to tears.
    â€˜I don’t care what you think,’ screamed Laura, slamming down her knife and fork and shooting carrots all over the tablecloth. ‘You should have thought before you got my mum into this mess! But then with a pea-sized brain like yours, I don’t suppose there is much scope for thinking!’
    â€˜Laura!’ pleaded Ruth. ‘Look love, it’ll be … ’
    â€˜HELL!’ screamed Laura. ‘That’s what it will be. And I for one am not stopping around to see it happen. Have your hateful baby, slobber all over your toyboy. See if I care! I’m not stopping here a minute longer!’
    She leaped to her feet. More carrots left the plate.
    â€˜And where will you go?’ enquired Melvyn calmly.
    â€˜To my dad!’ shouted Laura. ‘Because he loves me, even if you two don’t! I shall go and live with Dad!’
    And so saying, she stormed upstairs to her room.
    Mrs Turnbull burst into tears.
    Ten minutes later, Laura stalked into the room.
    Ruth looked hopeful.
    â€˜I’ve only come,’ Laura said dramatically waving a rucksack in the air, ‘to say goodbye. I’m leaving. I am going to Dad’s. And don’t try to stop me.’
    â€˜OK,’ said Melvyn.
    Ruth shot him a glance. ‘Look, why don’t we … ’
    But Laura had gone.

Chapter Thirty
Ginny Lets It Slip
    â€˜What’s for lunch?’ asked Chelsea.
    â€˜You can choose,’ said her father. ‘Try my Carrot and Orange soup, or my Bouillabaisse, or there’s some rather nice Leek and Potato.’
    â€˜What? Soup? Is that all? We usually have a roast,’ she said.
    â€˜Oh, there’s cold ham and cheese as well,’ said her father. ‘And a lemon soufflé for afterwards. But I need to try out these soups before I hit the road with them tomorrow.’
    â€˜God, it’s so humiliating. My father a street vendor,’ cried Chelsea and stormed out of the kitchen. Straight into her mother. ‘Can’t you stop him?’ demanded Chelsea.
    â€˜I’m not sure