Page 114 of Tricky Girls

She laughs. ‘It’s true, it’s true.’

We’re quiet for a bit. I watch a couple opposite us. They’re sitting how we are, cuddled up and holding hands. Are they looking at us thinking we’re a couple too?

‘How long is it to yours?’

‘Couple hours. Hospital won’t be open so we’ll have to wait until tomorrow.’

‘Is she ill then?’

‘No, she’s fine. She OD’d but not dangerously. She’s still on the mental ward. Apparently she asked my grandad to bring her a pillow and she had pills stashed in there. Not a lot, thankfully. Drugs are super controlled where she is so she couldn’t get her hands on much.’

‘That’s still terrible.’

‘Yeah, Grandad feels awful.’ She sighs heavily. ‘Gonna be a shitty-ass Christmas, that’s for sure.’

‘Least you’ve got me. I’m here for you. Anything you want, I’ll do it.’

That gets her smiling again. ‘Careful. I might take advantage of that.’

‘If it cheers you up, I’m game.’

Elly shakes her head. ‘You’re a gem, Tilda, I swear.’

Apart from the kitchen, the house is dark when we get out the taxi. It’s late, gone midnight. It was a rush to catch the last train but we just about made it.

Elly’s quiet as she leads us up an alleyway between houses. The row of them is exactly like my mum’s, tiny, squished and red-bricked. Slightly better neighbourhood though.

I hear a dog barking on the other side of the back door and a woman trying to shush it. Elly knocks and pushes it open.

‘Incoming,’ she murmurs, stepping out the way so the dog can greet me.

He’s a huge thing, muscled and strong as hell. I push down to stop him from jumping up, scratching behind his ears as he leans against my legs. I’m assuming this one’s Beau. It’s a struggle to shift him so I can enter the galley kitchen.

It’s balmy in there, a tight squeeze with the two of us, the dog, Elly’s nan and several cats tiptoeing on the counters. In the room next door, another dog yaps.

Elly’s nan is a stout, light-haired woman wearing makeup that’s almost as heavy as mine. She leans on a walking frame but steps away from it to greet her granddaughter.

‘Hey, Elly-Belly.’

They share a long hug, twin sighs escaping them. I look way feeling like I’m intruding.

‘Sucky time, huh?’ her nan murmurs.

Elly nods as she draws back. ‘Anyway, this is Tilda.’

I give a stupid wave as I straighten from Beau, feeling inexplicably shy all of a sudden. ‘Hi.’

Elly’s nan smiles, heavily outlined eyes crinkling up. ‘Hiya, love. You alright? Welcome to the mad house.’ She laughs loudly, slapping a hand over her mouth with anoops.‘Don’t wanna wake up the kiddies,’ she hisses.

I smile, the tension inside unspooling some. I expected her to be more, I don’t know,grandmotherly.Someone sweet and syrupy and old fashioned. Someone who wouldn’t like someone like me. Knowing she’s a brash old northern bird, bit like my mum, puts me at ease.

‘Everyone in bed then?’ Elly asks.

‘Yep. Everyone but your brother. I’ve told him to turn that telly of his down.’ She twists her lips and lowers her voice. ‘He seems kind of angry over the whole thing.’

Elly nods as though this isn’t news. ‘We might just crash too, if that’s alright.’

‘Completely alright with me, chickie. Was just waiting up for you two. Do you need food before I go?’

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