Homeward Bound

Homeward Bound Chapter 17

'Is she, okay?' Helen asked me warily, as I crouched down and began to tap mum's cheek.

'I think she's coming around,' I replied, thinking how the hell were we going to get out of this one.

Mum gave a theatrical moan before she opened her eyes and then took a few minutes to focus on me.

'Gwen, oh dear, Gwen, tell me you're okay,' Helen beseeched her, as mum now sat up and blinked a lot.

'Tea, I think,' I suggested, as there was little else I could think of just then...well there was but I don't think mum nor Helen wished to discuss the pit falls of a cat fight with Margo.

Helen vanished into the back room again while mum now did her best to get to her feet before she gasped at the state of the shop.

'Oh lord, what a mess,' she gasped out.

'Yes,' I agreed, as mum glanced at me with deep concern.

'Should we tidy it up?'

'What for?' I demanded, as the damage was done and the fall out was going to be huge.

'Well, Helen...' mum floundered, not sure what to say before Helen came back with a mug of tea for mum.

'It's got sugar in it for shock,' Helen confessed.

Glancing at it, I suspected a good dose of milk too but mum didn't seem to notice this as she took her first sip.

'I think we should tidy up,' mum stated, as Helen looked around at the mess like she'd just come back and found it done over by crocks.

'Oh lord, what a mess,' she exclaimed, going to the shut door and putting the sign to closed.

I assessed mum, after all, I'd not done a first aid course for nothing and I couldn't deny that I wasn't concerned about her being unconscious even for a few minutes. Mum, on the other hand didn't see the point after consuming the tea. She was more concerned about tidying up the mess with Helen.

'Mum, Mrs O'Malley,' I began, thinking I really needed them to see what the outcome could be here.

'Helen, dear, you know it's Helen,' Helen persisted.

'Yes, okay, but both of you, stop and listen to me,' I begged, as between them they cleared up the mess made in the fight.

'We are listening,' mum retorted, showing me she was slightly annoyed with me.

'Do you realised, Helen, that Margo could bring the police to your door,' I pointed out, getting a response from her that I wasn't expecting, which was a smile. 'You're not taking this serious. She's a dangerous woman. She told me that her husband is the local councillor, so surely he's got to power in the town.'

'She's right, Helen,' mum sided with me, which was a first, looking very sober.

'She had it coming, opening her mouth with those slanderous remarks. She's been lucky that no one has taken her to court for slander,' Helen, retorted all fired up again. 'You heard what she said, Cara. She was almost calling you a slut and what gives her the right to even remark on who you date.'

'Helen, please,' I beseeched her, as mum picked up the bag we'd brought in and pulled out the dress.

'I don't recall buying this?' she remarked, holding it up and showing Helen, who gaped at the stylish number that would never fit either of them.

'It's...' I began, thinking on my feet, 'I old rag of a thing I packed by mistake. I want rid of it.'

'Are you sure, Cara?' Helen quizzed me.