CHAPTER 34
Titch came bounding up the stairs two by two, nearly knocking into Rosa who was holding a tray with her dinner on it.
‘Whoa, lady, that wouldn’t have been very clever.’
‘Sorry, sorry. I’m desperate for the loo.’ She eyed Rosa’s macaroni cheese hungrily. ‘Ooh, any more of that left?’
‘No, it’s a ready meal. I’ve had a busy day - and where have you been anyway? No – tell me when you’ve been to the loo.’
When Titch re-emerged, looking a lot calmer, she told Rosa: ‘I’ve done really well today. I got myself cleaning jobs at two pubs in Polhampton - early starts, but not on café days, so I’ll be raking it in. But that’s not all I’ve managed to do today.’ The young girl looked triumphant.
‘Look!’ She pulled a cheque from her bag and started waving it around. ‘Three grand! I knew it was just a matter of time.’
‘What - did you win the lottery or something?’
‘In a way.’
‘Titch, stop being annoying and tell me.’
‘It really is an “If I tell you, I have to kill you” scenario though, Rose.’
Rosa couldn’t even imagine what was going to come out of the wayward girl’s mouth this time. She shook her head. ‘What have you done now?’
‘Well, you know I told Sheila that the baby was Lucas’s.’
‘Yes. Oh God, Titch. I think I know what’s coming.’
‘She called me to go and see her, said she had spoken to Lucas and that he had admitted he’d had sex with me.’
‘But he would have known you’d used a condom.’
‘I told her it had split. He drove off so fast he wouldn’t have known that - bastard. Anyway, she believed me and then offered to pay for a private abortion out of the area. But I wasn’t happy with that. You see, I need more than that.’
‘Oh Titch, what else did you say?’
‘That if she wanted an alibi for the hit-and-run she could pay me more.’
‘But he was adamant it wasn’t him when we spoke about it,’ Rosa objected.
‘Don’t be too gullible, Rose. He asked if you could cover for him too, remember. His drink-drive story could be a complete ruse - and Madam Hannafore knows exactly what happened that night, I can feel it.’
‘Titch, isn’t that blackmail?’
‘I see it as a constructive deal.’
‘So, on a serious note, when are you having the abortion? You should arrange it soon.’
‘I’m not.’
‘OK.’ Rosa took a big slurp of her Diet Coke. Hot scratched at the balcony door to be let out.
‘Don’t worry. I don’t expect you to support me and a titchy Titch.’ The girl picked up Rosa’s can and took a swig. ‘I’ve got three grand here. I’ve now got two jobs. I am going to save and save so I can afford to rent a little place somewhere. This baby is going to have a blessed life. Well, as good as I can possibly make it anyway.’
‘But what happens when Sheila realises you haven’t had the abortion?’
‘I’ll worry about that when it comes to it. By that time, I will have paid a deposit and upfront rent on a place - and what is that saying? “You can’t sue a straw man” or something like that.’
‘You’ve got balls, I’ll give you that.’
‘Also, as I’m so tiny I’m hoping I won’t start properly showing for months.’
‘It will be hard, Titch. Bringing up a child alone.’
‘Life is hard, Rosa, and after losing my brother and my dad I can’t even think about letting this little life go. I saw Mum today too. She’s calmed right down and believe it or not is quite excited about me having the baby.’
‘Does she know whose it is?’
‘Only that it was a random tourist who had come down at Christmas. I don’t want the father to be involved.’
‘Ah, so why couldn’t you tell me that?’ Rosa was glad finally to have some kind of an answer. But she could sense Titch’s agitation. ‘It’s a relief, that your mum has come round and is OK about it anyway. I’d love to meet her.’
‘She doesn’t go out much as she’s in a wheelchair, you see – has got MS. We have a bungalow up the top of the hill now, which helps, but even with a carer who pops in daily, I know she has missed me around the house.’
‘Your family certainly have had more than their fair share of lemons thrown their way, haven’t they?’
‘Yes. I should be face down on the ground with flailing arms banging on the floor screaming, “Why me!” But you and I are survivors, Rose. That’s why I love you. We get each other. But Rose . . .’
Rosa felt the strange tingling feeling again.
‘Titch, it’s fine. If you want to go back home, then you must go. Your mum needs you and you need to save the money now.’
‘If you’re sure?’
‘Of course I’m bloody sure. The peace will be nice, in fact,’ Rosa teased.
Titch poked her in the ribs. ‘Oi.’
‘We need to get the Titchy Titch Fund up and running, don’t we? So, once the shop is open, I’d love you to help out - if you want to, that is - and also at the launch on Valentine’s Day. I will pay you the going rate.’
‘That would be amazing. Thanks, Rose. Let me give you some extra money for rent before I go. Forty pounds was peanuts.’
Rosa thought back to Josh’s kindness when she was about to move down to Devon.
‘I wouldn’t think of it,’ she said. ‘It’s so important for you to get the best start for this little lad or lady.’ It was her turn to bite her lip.
Titch put her hand on Rosa’s arm. ‘I’m sure she loved you, Rose.’
Rosa got up hastily and walked out onto the balcony, allowing the crashing waves and cries of the gulls to drown out her full-blown sobs.