Don't Turn Around Read Free Page B

button eyes from the shelf on the wall. His mother would not allow him to sleep with them, they were expensive and just for show. The teddies whispered, their lips unmoving in the darkness. This is all your fault. It’s all your fault he is leaving .
    As if in a dream, Frank crept out to the crack of light coming through the door and listened. His father had long since given up telling Viv to ‘keep her voice down’ in case he heard.
    ‘Said goodbye to him, have you? Happy now?’ His mother shrilled, taking a gulp from the glass of wine in her hand.
    ‘You know I didn’t want any of this,’ Charles said, picking up his suitcase. ‘I’ll be back for him as soon as I get settled.’
    ‘You’re welcome to him. Just remember you owe me.’
    ‘How can you be so cruel? Frankie’s up there crying his eyes out.’
    ‘More fool him. And don’t turn this around on me. All I’ve ever done since we got married is try to please you. On and on you nagged me for a baby. I told you I wasn’t ready, but oh no, “It will be good for our marriage,” you said, and now look at you, abandoning him to travel halfway across the world.’
    ‘That’s not the reason I’m going and you know it. I told you I couldn’t bear you sleeping with other men. How could any husband be expected to put up with that and keep his dignity?’
    Viv took another swig from the glass. ‘And whose idea was that? Oh yes, it was yours. You begged me, in fact. What was it you said when I gave in? Oh yes, “You’ve just saved the family.”’
    ‘I know what I said. I just didn’t expect you to enjoy it so much.’
    ‘Oh, so you would have preferred it if I were raped, then.’ Viv slurred, her voice growing louder.
    ‘Of course not. You’re twisting it all now.’
    ‘You don’t care about me, you never have. It’s your ego that’s bruised, that’s all. It’s not my fault you couldn’t satisfy me.’
    Charles took a step forward, the fury evident in his features. The couple stood face to face as Charles spat out his words; ‘My mother said I couldn’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.’
    ‘Get out of my house.’ The hurt was etched on Viv's face.
    Charles turned to leave. ‘Just go easy on Frank, and try to show him a bit of affection. I know it doesn’t come naturally to you.’
    Viv swigged back the contents of the glass and threw it at the wall, narrowly missing her husband’s head.
    He looked back in disgust. ‘You’re pathetic, you know that?’
    ‘Just get out.’
    Charles paused, looking at the top of the stairs.
    ‘I said get out!’ Viv screamed.
    ‘I’m sorry Frankie,’ Charles said, his voice resigned.
    Viv pushed him out the front door and slammed it behind him, rattling its hinges. Leaning against the door, she slid to the floor and emitted a choking, gasping sound as she sat amongst the remnants of glass. Frank walked out of the shadows and tiptoed downstairs.
    ‘Mummy? Are you OK?’
    Viv swallowed and wiped her nose with the back of her hand. Her mascara drew runny lines down her face as she snivelled in the dim light. ‘Get up to bed will you, I’m fine. And call me Viv like everyone else. It’s just you and me now.’

3 Chapter Three
    W ill peered at the ward map. ‘Now let me see … down the end of this corridor and turn left.’
    Jennifer led the way as she strode down the antiseptic-infused corridor. She could not understand why people complained about the smell of hospitals. It was a damn sight better than the delightful aroma of a custody block. A grey-haired man wearing blue striped pyjamas gave her an appreciative smile as he shuffled towards her, wheeling his drip with one hand, and clutching a bent-up packet of cigarettes in the other. Jennifer flashed him a smile and he returned the gesture with a delighted wink.
    ‘Looks like you have an admirer there, he must have come from the psychiatric ward,’ Will whispered.
    ‘Charming. Let’s hope I can work my magic on Stone,’ she