Page 47 - My Home on the Earth

Marissa took a deep breath. ‘I don’t have enough money for lodgings and you can’t sleep on the streets. Come here,’ she said, leading him to the kitchen window. ‘I’ve been exploring. Beyond those flats is open heathland and beyond them is a derelict factory. I found it two days ago. On the site, hidden from the road and heathland, I discovered a wooden shed – well sort of shed. It’s empty, looks new, dry and raised off the ground...’
‘No!’ he shouted. ‘You’re mad and it’s cruel. I can’t stay there; I’ll freeze to death, Mum,’ he cried, throwing himself on the sofa. ‘Why did you let me come here? Lincolnshire was horrible, but at least we had a solid roof over our heads and the shops were nearer. I want to go back!’
‘I’ve told you, I don’t have any money. I’m broke, but my sister has lent me two hundred pounds until your dad sends more at the end of the month. I don’t know what else to do,’ she whimpered, sitting down and starting to cry.
John hated seeing his mum upset. Although she was troubled and thoughtless, he didn’t want to make her even more worried but he wanted her to be honest with him. ‘What do you do with the money Dad sends every month?’
Marissa snapped: ‘It’s none of your business what I do with it. I’m trying to save for a deposit on a flat so I only take out what we need. I had no idea how expensive it would be to live here.’ She paused and softened her voice. ‘You do believe me, don’t you, John?’
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