Floods and Tears

Chapter 6 - Kingsley

Jody was furious with Tyler, why couldn't he see what she saw. That her mum wasn't all bad, that things could get better. Why was he assuming the worst. Just when she felt settled with her mum and hopeful, he was planting seeds of doubt. She got back to her mum's house and slammed the door behind her. She turned on the TV to distract herself from her thoughts. Soon she was so focused on the TV programme that she had almost forgotten about Tyler but her rumbling tummy awoke her from her trance like state in front of the TV. She wandered into the kitchen and rifled through the cupboards but they were bare except for a few packets and tins. She opened the fridge but it was empty too except for some milk and juice. She poured herself a drink and sat back down to watch the rest of the TV show. Her tummy was still rumbling but she knew her mum would be back soon.
Suddenly she heard the key in the lock, she jumped up excited about the impending takeaway.
Mum, you're early, didn't think you would be back so... Jody stopped as she realised that it wasn't her mum walking through the door. It was Kingsley, with a couple of other guys behind.
Kingsley! What are you doing here? You not allowed here anymore! Jody exclaimed backing away from the door.
That's not a very nice welcome for you big brother Jody
You're not supposed to be here she repeated through gritted
Oh yeah says who? laughed Kingsley and the two others joined in sniggering
Childrens Services
Do you think I care what the social has to say?
Come on lads let's get this lot upstairs said Kingsley
He and his mates headed upstairs with an assortment of boxes and bags
Meanwhile Jody grabbed her phone. She scrolled through her phone contacts and hovered over her mum's number but then it dawned on her. Kingsley had a key, mum must have given it to him. She scrolled further down the list and pressed Tyler. Just as the phone began to ring Kingsley came thundering down the stairs. He grabbed the phone from Jody just as Tyler picked up
Hey Jods...
Kingsley hung up the call before Jody had the chance to reply
Come on sis give me a break. Can't let you go blabbing to your mates, they might let something slip to the social
Give me my phone back shouted Jody, a sense of panic was starting to take hold as memories of her childhood came flooding back
Sorry can't do that he laughed
Jody ran to the door but was stopped by one of Kingsleys cronies, who grabbed her and pinned her arms behind her back
Where do you think your going snarled Kingsley coming over and putting his face so close to hers that she could smell the alcohol on his breath.
Let me go Kingsley, you can't keep me here!
Now that's where your wrong laughed Kingsley. Mac take her upstairs.
Mac dragged Jody towards the stairs. She went into a frenzy kicking and shouting.
Jake help Mac will you, we can't have the neighbours hearing this kind of racket.
Soon Jody had been bundled into the box room upstairs. It was half decorated. There was a mattress propped up against the wall and various cans of paint, brushes and dust sheets. She banged on the door a few times until Kingsley threatened to tie her up.

She pulled the mattress down and curled up on it. How could she have been so stupid, how could she have thought that things might be different this time.
Jody was just falling asleep when she heard the door bang downstairs and she recognised her mum's voice. Jody ran to the door and began hammering on it.
Mum, mum, I'm up here, let me out please
But her mum didn't come. Jody curled up exhausted on the mattress and fell asleep.
She awoken by the door being unlocked. She sat up and blinked. Her mum was in the door way and Kingsley was behind.
Bought you some dinner. She handed her a sandwich and a cup of tea
Sorry the boys ate all the takeaway
Mum I don't understand. Why have you let Kingsley come back. I thought you wanted to be a good mum, I thought you understood that Kingsley couldn't be a part of our lives. 
Now you listen here. If you think I'm gonna spend the rest of my days scrubbing toilets and mopping the aisles at the local supermarket you are sadly mistaken. Kingsley has paid for the decorating and new furniture in the other bedrooms and if all goes well we will have enough to live comfortably without me having to work myself to the bone.
Kingsley hasn't done a honest days work in his life, he's just getting you mixed up in something dodgy again mum. Look what happened last time!
Well this time you are going to keep your mouth shut