Page 40 of Forgive Me Not
Emma nodded. She hadn’t seen Andrea draw or paint since she got back. No surprise, really. Her sister barely had time to eat and drink.
Tilly pointed to a recipe. ‘Strawberry and white chocolate cupcakes? Yes please!’
‘How about you and Rita visit the farm tomorrow with Stig, and if I get time, I’ll make some.’ Emma studied the bags under Tilly’s eyes. Her slight frame. She could be as young as fourteen. ‘It’s at the top of Broadgrass Hill, the other side of the village. Come over at seven. You can see the animals. Have a wash if you like. Grab a bite to eat. Once the shops are closed, and commuting is over, Healdbury gets pretty deserted, so you won’t miss many passers-by.’
She hadn’t asked Andrea’s permission, but all she could think of was Tilly.
There were many ways of losing children, she decided. Miscarriage. Alzheimer’s. A falling-out.
‘Not sure,’ said Tilly, eyeing her warily. ‘You’re not going to report me to services, are you? Or the police? I’m not going back, and no one can make me.’
‘Just think of all that pig shit to smell,’ said Stig.
Tilly paused, and then her face split into a cheeky grin.
They cleared up every bit of their own litter and then some more, just so that Ted had no reason to complain. Then Emma, Stig, Rita and some of the others headed back into the village. When they reached the crossroads where you turned right, down to the pet shop, Stig sniffed.
‘Do you smell that?’ he said. ‘It reminds me of Bonfire Night.’
The others nodded and crossed the empty road. They hurried past Phil’s. Thanks to the street light directly outside, they could see thick black smoke swirling inside the cheese shop.
Chapter 14
‘Ted and his wife and the grandkids sleep upstairs,’ said Emma. She dropped her rucksack and delved into her pocket. ‘Crap. I’ve forgotten my phone.’ No point in asking if anyone else had one. ‘I’ll call 999 from the pet shop.’
‘Bring a large blanket if you can find one,’ shouted Rita as she and the others ran towards the cheesemonger’s. Stig stopped to tie the Duchess to a lamp post, leaving his belongings by her side. She whined as he rushed off. They reached the entrance door and banged and hollered as loudly as they could.
When Emma came back out with Phil, one of the upstairs windows was open.
‘The hallway’s full of smoke,’ Ted shouted down. ‘Me and Shirley have managed to get into the kids’ bedroom, but now we’re all stuck in here and the smoke’s coming in under the door.’ The pitch of his voice veered from high to low like car tyres skidding out of control. ‘I don’t know what to do. Help us! Please, someone!’ His head disappeared.
Nearby residents appeared in their nightwear. Children’s screams cut through the summer night. Phil and Emma ran to help. ‘What’s this for?’ said Emma as she handed a blanket to Rita.
‘The kids, at least,’ said Rita. ‘We can catch them if we spread this out and hold it in the air.’
‘Isn’t that dangerous?’ said Emma. ‘What if they jump in the wrong direction or the material tears?’
‘Perhaps we can get in and reach them.’ Stig sounded hopeful and pulled hard on the door handle.
‘Don’t be stupid, man,’ said Phil. ‘You’ll get yourself killed.’
But Stig looked at the other rough sleepers and they nodded. One scouted around for something to throw. He found a brick and went up to the shop’s entrance.
‘You can’t just—’ Phil’s voice was drowned out by the sound of breaking glass as the brick fell through the front pane. The Duchess barked frantically.
Stig put his arm through the hole, fiddled for a moment and opened the door. Smoke billowed out. He coughed for a few moments as he stood and listened to the crackle of flames, then pulled his coat collar over his mouth and nose and stepped inside. Phil grabbed his arm, but Stig shook himself free. A couple of the other homeless lowered their heads and followed him in.
‘Ted! How are you all doing?’ shouted Emma skywards as the Duchess barked even louder. Phil hurried over to calm the dog down.
‘The little ones are having trouble breathing. Is the fire brigade coming yet? I can’t stop the smoke getting in.’ Ted’s voice sounded hoarse. ‘Please, please hurry!’
Emma looked at Rita. She shook the blanket and a group of them formed a circle and pulled it tight.
‘You sure this will work?’ asked Emma, palms sweaty. What if she lost her grip when the kids’ weight hit the material? They might break their backs, get concussion or… She inhaled and breathed out, pushing away pessimistic thoughts.
‘There was a fire in a women’s refuge I stayed in once. The fire brigade got stuck in traffic due to an accident. We had no choice. We didn’t think it would work but it turned out fine.’ Rita nodded her head vigorously. ‘We can do this.’
Emma looked up at Ted again. Wondered if they could wait and see if Stig and the others got through, or the emergency services arrived. But the kids were only small and could easily choke on the smoke.
