Full House [Quick Read] Read Online Free Page A

out and work for a living and leave the nest. Instead of expecting their mums and dads to provide everything for them all of the time …’
    ‘But it’s all right, isn’t it? Dad will get a proper amount every week, won’t he? I mean, he said it wasn’t anything to worry about,’ Anthony replied, bewildered.
    ‘Is that what Dad said?’ Dee sounded surprised. ‘That’s not what I heard. I heard him say we all had to pull together and I’m just asking how you plan to help out. Right, so now, what are your plans for the evening?’
    ‘Plans?’
    ‘Yes, I was wondering what you were going to do?’ Dee said.
    ‘Well, nothing in particular, just … just the usual, Ma.’
    ‘Right, love, and where will you do this usual ?’
    ‘Well, here. I mean, here at the table, isn’t that all right?’
    ‘Not tonight, love. Your dad and I need the table to work out some figures. We need some space to spread things out.’
    ‘But you have a table in your bedroom.’
    ‘No, that’s a little fancy table for ornaments and hairbrushes,’ Dee explained patiently.
    ‘You don’t have any of those on it, Ma.’
    ‘No, but I might some day! Anyway about tonight? You can work in your own room, can’t you?’
    ‘It’s a bit small and cramped, Ma.’
    ‘I know, Anthony, I know. Small and cramped. This is what happens,’ Dee said. She sounded sympathetic.
    Anthony felt that all this was somehow unfamiliar. ‘Yes, well, I suppose it is. What time’s supper?’ he asked.
    ‘Supper?’ Dee looked surprised that he had asked.
    ‘Like, what time are we eating?’ Anthony explained.
    ‘Oh, whenever you like, of course. Your dad and I will be having a lamb chop around six-thirty before we get on with our paperwork.’
    ‘Lamb chops, that will be grand.’ Anthony’s face lit up.
    This was harder than Dee believed possible. It had to be Anthony, of course, the gentlest of them. Maybe Liam’s way was right. After all, it was their home, and Anthony had a right to expect his supper. But no, she couldn’t break her resolution now.
    ‘Oh, I was only making supper for your dad and myself. I was thinking that, after our little talk, the rest of you would have your own plans.’ She tried to look bright and pleasant about it all.
    ‘So there’s no supper, is that it?’ he said glumly.
    ‘Nonsense, love, aren’t the chip shops full of food – or a Chinese takeaway, maybe?’
    ‘Or we might make something here?’ Anthony wanted to keep some hold on normality.
    ‘Well, sure, but don’t take those two rashers and the eggs, they’re for your father’s breakfast, and you’ll make sure not to use up all the milk …’
    ‘No, Mam.’
    ‘Right, I’m off upstairs to have a bit of a rest. I’ll see you later on.’
    ‘Right, Mam.’
    His eyes followed her as she left the room. Normally she would have made him tea, given him a slice of apple tart and tried to draw him out. Mam always wanted to know what Anthony was thinking. He was mainly thinking about music, which was hard to explain sometimes. But today she was totally different. As if he weren’t all that important or something. Or as if Mam had her mind outside the house, away from the family. But that couldn’t be. Surely?
    Anthony went to the fridge to get himself something to eat. It was almost empty. On one plate were two lamb chops, on another two bacon rashers and two eggs. There had been plenty of food in it yesterday.
    Something very strange indeed was happening here.
     
    In the shopping mall Rosie had managed to draw several passers-by to the cosmetic counter. She had a good manner with the customers.
    ‘Excuse me, is that a new jacket? It’s beautiful .’ Then she would offer the lady her little business card. ‘I’m from this company and we are offering complimentary make-up at our counter. Perhaps with this jacket you might consider a more vibrant lipstick? Anyway, do come in and see what we have. No obligation to buy …’
    Bella, who ran the