‘You’re too cynical, suspicious of everybody.’
‘I’ve got every bloody right to be. I’ve been let down too many times. I don’t like people sticking their noses in. It makes me feel uneasy. I don’t know anything about anyone here, but they all seem to know a lot about me.’
‘But that’s only to be expected, isn’t it? We’re a large family from way out of the area, and we’ve moved into the middle of a small, tight-knit community.’
‘Inbred, more like,’ Tammy said, listening in.
Michelle sighed. ‘You’re as bad as each other. They don’t know about us. All they know is that we’ve moved into the grey house, as they all insist on calling it, and they know what happened with you at that chap’s house this week.’
‘I’m going to paint that bloody house next summer.’
‘I’ll help you,’ Tammy said, surprising them both.
‘You serious?’
‘Anything to get rid of the grey. It’s like living in a morgue.’
‘Don’t say that,’ Michelle said, lowering her voice again as Mary returned with their drinks. ‘It’s not that bad.’
‘Here we go,’ she said, handing the drinks around and getting them right. She put the orange juice down in front of George. ‘You’re a big strong lad, aren’t you?’
George just looked at her, then looked at his mother. ‘It’s your accent, I think,’ Michelle explained. ‘He has trouble understanding us sometimes, never mind anyone else.’
‘Ah, he’ll get used to us,’ she laughed, ‘and we’ll get used to him. Won’t be long with your food now.’
‘See,’ Scott whispered, ‘it’s like the bloody Wicker Man.’
‘The what?’ Phoebe asked.
‘The Wicker Man. It’s a horror film. A policeman moves into a place like Thussock, and it turns out they’re all a bunch of screwed-up devil worshippers.’
‘What, a bit like Hot Fuzz?’
‘Sort of. The Wicker Man came first though. The original’s a classic. In the last scene the policeman is—’
Michelle put her hand on his. ‘Come on, love, this place is nothing like that. I don’t think Phoebe wants to know about horror films.’
‘I do,’ she protested.
An elderly couple came into the café and sat down at a table nearer the counter. Mary’s voice drifted out from the kitchen. ‘That you, Edie?’
‘Aye, that’s us,’ a decrepit-looking, grey-haired woman replied.
‘The usual for yous two?’
‘Aye.’
‘Be a few minutes, love. Got a big order on.’
‘There’s no rush, Mary. We’ve all day.’
At least that was how Michelle thought the conversation went. It was difficult to make out. The locals’ accents became broader and harder to decipher when they were talking to each other. ‘You do realise that’s how George is going to talk, don’t you?’ Tammy said. ‘Did you think about that when you dragged us all up here? He’s going to end up with a Scottish accent.’
‘Nothing wrong with that,’ Michelle said, though she wasn’t entirely sure how it made her feel.
‘Not if you’re Scottish,’ Tammy added unnecessarily.
The food was good. In fact, it was better than good. The only person who’d left anything on his plate was George, and his dad was now finishing off his few remaining nuggets and chips.
The café was getting busier. A group of lads had appeared, making more noise than the rest of the diners combined. Michelle noticed the way Tammy tried not to make it obvious she was watching them and, at the same time, how they were gawping at the girls. ‘You know them?’ she asked. Tammy sank into her seat, embarrassed at being seen out with her family. It wasn’t cool.
‘They’re from school,’ she replied. ‘The cocky one’s Jamie. I’ve been beating him off all week.’
‘Lucky you,’ said Scott. She just glared at him.
‘You think? Look at the state of them.’
‘That’s a bit harsh.’
‘Whatever.’
‘Want me to have a word, tell them to back off?’
‘Don’t you dare,’ she said quickly. ‘I’d die. I can handle myself, thanks. The last thing I need is you getting involved.’
‘Yeah, but if they’re causing you problems.’
‘Don’t Scott, just don’t.’ She shook her head in despair. He just didn’t get it, did he? She was relieved when Heather, the girl who hung around with these lads, came into the café. Tammy had spoken to her a couple of times in class during the week just gone and was quietly pleased when Heather spotted her then changed direction and came straight over.
‘All right?’
‘Yeah, you?’
‘I’m good. These your folks?’ Heather asked. ‘Nice to meet you all.’
‘Get your arse over here, Heather,’ Sean, one of Jamie’s mates, hollered across the room. ‘You got any cash on you?’ Heather turned around and glared at them, stuck her fingers up out of sight of Tammy and her family, then turned back again.
‘Sorry about them,’ she said. ‘Bunch of morons.’
‘They’re fine,’ Michelle said. ‘I’m Michelle, by the way.’
‘Heather.’
‘You two in the same class at school?’
‘For some subjects,’ Tammy mumbled, still embarrassed.
‘You settling in?’ Heather asked.
‘Getting there,’ Michelle replied. There was an awkward silence. Michelle sensed Heather wanted to go but didn’t want to appear rude. She tried to make it easier for her. ‘You’ll be wanting to get back to your friends.’
‘Hardly friends,’ she laughed. ‘That there’s my brother.’ She pointed to Jamie.
‘Oh, right.’
‘What you doing today?’ Tammy asked suddenly. Heather shrugged.
‘Not a lot. Hanging around town for a bit, I guess. Want to come?’
Tammy was up and out of her seat in a heartbeat. ‘I won’t be long,’ she said to Scott and Michelle. ‘I’ll keep in touch.’
‘Where will you be?’ Michelle asked.
‘Your place ain’t too far from mine,’ Heather answered quickly. ‘We live on the estate. We’ll walk back together later.’
‘Be careful,’ Scott warned. ‘Don’t do anything stupid.’ But they were already gone. A few seconds later and the three boys left too. Scott looked concerned, Michelle less so.
‘We have to let her do this,’ she whispered to him. ‘If we’re going to settle in here, she has to make friends and have some freedom.’
‘Yes, but those lads…’
‘Are just normal lads, same as you were at that age. Besides, I think she’d eat them for breakfast.’
‘I don’t know. I’m not happy about this. What about all the trouble there’s been here?’
‘Ken Potter’s dead, remember?’ she whispered. ‘That’s all done now. And besides, it’s Saturday lunchtime and they’re in the middle of town. They’re safe.’
‘Ah, don’t worry,’ Mary said. Michelle looked up, startled. She hadn’t even realised she was standing next to their table, never mind that she was listening in on them. ‘Those boys are all noise, no trousers. They’ll give it all the attitude they can, but they’re good lads at heart. Now, can I get yous all anything else?’
‘No, we’re done, thanks,’ Michelle said. ‘Lovely meal.’ She meant it. The food had been perfect, just what she’d wanted despite all their original reservations and protestations. Funny how the satisfaction of a full stomach made them all feel a little more settled.
Michelle loaded George back into his pushchair then waited outside with Phoebe as Scott settled the bill.
They passed Tammy on the way home. She was walking along the side of the road with Heather. Jamie, Sean and Joel were following close behind. Tammy did what she could to pretend she hadn’t noticed the car, even when Scott beeped the horn, wound down his window and shouted at her.