Give Me Truth Read Free Page B

he?’
    â€˜I suppose.’
    â€˜You have to face the truth. Your parents have been having trouble for a long time. Last night was the final straw. I hate to say this, I really do, but you need to accept that it might be over.’
    â€˜No. It’s not over.’
    I put up my words as a roadblock and she crashes straight through them.
    â€˜Your mother can’t go on accepting this behaviour. She’s only stayed so long because of you and Allie. But now this has happened … whatever she decides to do, I expect you to support her.’
    She pauses for me to say something but all I manage is another stupid nod. I’m not really agreeing with her, it’s just that I’ve temporarily forgotten how to speak.
    The legs of my chair scrape on the tiles as I push back from the table and stand.
    â€˜Where are you off to?’
    I mutter and shrug.
    â€˜You haven’t touched your breakfast. Come on, now.’ She slaps her hands together as if I’m a dog in a circus act. ‘Sit down and eat something.’
    I fall back into the chair, jab a fork at a slice of bacon, press some scrambled egg on top of it, a chunk of tomato …
    â€˜David, eat your food, please – don’t play with it.’
    A memory jumps up and hooks me. It’s there in every detail. We’re running through a park on a freezing day, firing soggy chips at each other. Mum and Allie, me and Dad. There were so many moments like that. I always thought they would never stop.
    Gran taps a knife on the table. Jolts me back to her.
    â€˜Oh, I know you have concerns about your father, but I assure you he will manage quite nicely. Your mother and sister are your chief responsibility. You’re the man of the house now. You and you alone. It’s a tall order. What do you say? Can your mother depend on you? Can Allie?’
    I say ‘yes’ quickly, as if it is so simple I don’t even have to think about it.
    â€˜That’s the way, David. I knew you wouldn’t disappoint me.’
    A door creaks open in another room and soon Mum and Allie come back, hand in hand.
    â€˜Allie has something to say to you, Mum. Go ahead, Al.’
    She stands in front of Gran and I hear her hiss, ‘I’m never going to apologise to you, you stupid old cow. And you’ve got spiky hairs on your chin that stick into me when I have to kiss you, which I hate doing.’
    But of course, that’s only in my head. Some of the best things happen in my head.
    â€˜Sorry, Gran,’ says Allie.
    And then they hug and kiss and I see Allie grimace as Gran’s spiky chin attacks her.
    Â 
    Mum’s hair is still wet from the shower. All the rest is a perfect straight line; neatly ironed clothes and shiny shoes, dainty earrings so small they hardly count, and a trace of her favourite musk perfume. She’s in her armour and I have no chance of getting through.
    â€˜I’m too busy.’ She easily bats my questions away. ‘I have to get ready for work. Can’t you see that?’
    â€˜Then when you’re ready. Can we talk then, Mum?’ I follow her from room to room. ‘You have to tell us something. You can’t – ’
    â€˜David.’
    She’s looking into a mirror and I’m behind her as she combs her hair.
    â€˜Get your schoolbag. Have you cleaned your teeth yet?We’re leaving in ten minutes and I can’t be late. Please move yourself.’
    This can’t be an ordinary school day. Our lives just got turned upside down. Maybe if I smash the mirror …
    â€˜Mummm.’ Allie steps into the bathroom. ‘I don’t feel good.’
    â€˜Let me look at you.’ Mum presses a hand against her forehead. ‘You haven’t got a temperature. Do you hurt anywhere?’
    Allie shrugs vaguely. ‘I don’t know. I just feel sick.’
    â€˜Too sick to go to school, I suppose?’
    â€˜Yes.’
    Gran happens to walk past.