Chapter 40
40
2001
Me and Flint arrive at the foot of the treehouse. My stomach feels screwed up like an empty crisp bag. As expected, it has been easy to slip out of the house. Mum came upstairs and read me a story before turning out the lights. Even though I hate her at the moment for trying to stop me seeing Flint, I gave her a really big hug. I wanted to tell her I loved her but couldn’t quite manage it. When my watch said it was fifteen minutes later, I got dressed, grabbed my coat and rucksack and crept out the back door. Flint was waiting. I knew he would be. He’s always there when I need him.
It’s cold. My breath is white as if I’m breathing out smoke. That usually make me feel grown-up but right at this moment I feel like a very little girl. An owl hoots. Owls are clever. Am I? Is this the right thing to do?
‘Are you scared?’ I whisper.
Flint shakes his head and his ponytail flicks from side to side like a horse’s tail. ‘Nah. Tim is cool. This is going to be THE BEST fun. I’ll be a real man after this adventure. My brothers won’t be able to boss me around any more.’
It is so dark. Not even the moon shines through the treetops. I already miss my warm bed.
‘Don’t be a wuss, Violet. You’re doing the right thing. This way you won’t have to ever see Alice again. Your Uncle Kevin would be proud. He travelled the whole world. The least you can do is see a bit more of England.’
He’s right. Flint always makes me feel stronger. He climbs up the rickety steps first, turns around at the top and violently jerks his head for me to follow. I do as I’m told.
Tim is waiting, rubbing his hands together. He clears his throat. ‘Hi, guys.’
Why does he sound nervous? And he’s a bit out of breath. I hand him a sandwich and he smiles before wolfing it down.
‘You’re decent to me, Violet,’ he says. ‘I hope one day you’ll realise that I’ve only ever wanted to be decent to you.’
What does that mean? I shiver – and it’s not from the cold.
Voices appear from the bottom of the stairs.
Voices I don’t know. Adult ones. Strangers’ ones.
My heartbeat sounds really loud in my ears. ‘Who’s that?’ I whisper.
‘Nice people,’ says Tim. ‘Nothing to worry about.’ He bites his nails.
My hands are clammy in my gloves. I look around but Flint isn’t there. Where has he gone?
What’s happening? Footsteps sound on the wooden ladder. I suddenly need the toilet.
‘Tim? I don’t want to stay here any more.’ My voice sounds all wobbly.
He smiles. ‘It’s okay, Violet. Everything’s going to be all right.’
For the first time in a while, I think good things about Mum. Her arms around me. Her warmth. Her closeness that smells of cooking and laundry.
Tim reaches out and takes my hand. He squeezes it. A woman’s face appears. She’s got crooked teeth and smells of cigarettes.
She looks scary.
‘May I come in?’ Without waiting, she ducks her head and crawls next to me. She sits down.
I feel as if I’ve done something really, really stupid. I can’t escape; my legs won’t move.
‘I want to go, I don’t like this treehouse any more, don’t try to stop me,’ I shout.