28 Clover Lane

Chapter 3

8:35pm. I'm watching TV, the latest Ice Age film, and can't help the smile that breaks out on my face as Sid the Sloth bounces around in front of me. My girlfriend Lily always teases me and tells me that I look like Sid. My mind wonders to her and I drift out of focus of the film for a while as I think about Lily. As if it's reading my mind, my mobile phone buzzes in my pocket and I pull it out to see the words Incoming Call: Lily x flashing on the screen. I smile again and press the green symbol.

"Hey gorgeous," I say.

"Hi," she replies. Something's not right - she seems distant, far away, as if something's bothering her. I lean forwards on the sofa, pressing the phone to my ear.

"Is something wrong?" I ask.

Silence for a few seconds, then a light sob.

"It's mum," she says quietly. "She's gone again."

"Oh Lily," I say, my voice soft and reassuring. "Do you want me to come over?"

"No, no, I'm just going to see if she comes back. She might have nipped to the shop, or gone into town. You know what she's like."

I do know what she's like. Lily's mum, Victoria, is an insecure widow who Lily struggles to keep under control. If Vic had her way, she'd spend all week in a pub, drinking and sucking on cigarettes because it's the only thing that she can turn to these days. Both Lily and I know that her mum isn't at the shop or in town; she's run off somewhere again. I know this makes Lily feel helpless, but she hates sympathy - Lily's a strong girl.

Although today, her voice is telling me that she's not feeling as strong as she usually does. I know she needs someone to be there for her.

"Are you sure? I'm not doing anything. I can come over if you want."

I wait a moment for her reply. She seems to be considering it.

"Okay," she says eventually. "The house is so quiet without mum in it, bustling around. Although, I should be used to her not being here. This is the third time this year that she's left me to deal with everything. We had five final demands for the leccy bill today Nathan, five. I mean, how the hell are we supposed to pay them off by the end of the month? We barely have enough money in the bank to buy food as it is, never mind keep the house. My part-time job at River Island doesn't cover anywhere near the amount of money that we need. And mum's been drinking again. Does she think she can just run off and leave me to deal with this mess? I just feel so fucking useless."

I listen, my heart breaking. I want to help her out but I know what she'll say: "No, Nath, it's not fair on you. You need your money for yourself." What she doesn't understand is I can easily give up half of my money without any severe consequences.

"I'll be there in five minutes," I say. I grab my coat and switch off the TV. Right now my girlfriend needs me by her side.