Abomination Read Online Free Page A

blame.’
    ‘I feel responsible.’
    ‘Well, you’re not.’ He stopped. ‘Look, you don’t have to walk me home, Martha. I’m fine, honestly. It’s miles out of your way.’
    ‘I don’t mind. I want to walk you home.’
    ‘Won’t your folks wonder why you’re late?’
    ‘No.’ They would, but I didn’t care. Not at that moment.
    ‘Well . . . if you’re sure.’ He gave me a shy smile. ‘Thanks for rescuing me, by the way.’
    I shook my head. ‘Killer rescued you. I wish it had been me.’ I shouldn’t have said that. I know I shouldn’t. It just slipped out.
    He laughed. ‘Why d’you wish that?’
    ‘Well, because . . . I like you, I suppose.’
    He nodded. ‘I like you, too.’ His expression grew serious. ‘You know they’ll give us a hard time tomorrow, don’t you? You for bringing Killer, me because they hadn’t finished kicking me.’
    I shrugged. ‘They give me a hard time every day, Scott. I’m used to it.’ I grinned briefly. ‘I know it’s a funny thing to say, but it’ll be nice not to be the only one.’
    He chuckled. ‘I know what you mean. Anyway here we are – Dinsdale Rise. I live at number eight. Fancy coming in for a Coke or something?’
    I fancied it all right. I’d have loved to have seen the inside of his home, but I shook my head. ‘Better not. Mother’ll be worried. Thanks anyway.’
    He pulled a face. ‘No prob. See you tomorrow. Oh – and thanks for walking me.’
    ‘I enjoyed it.’
    I watched till he closed the door, then set off back. I knew there’d be trouble when I got home, but I was glad I’d walked with Scott.

13. Unlucky for Some
     
    ‘What on earth’s happened to your face, Scott love?’ She’s a worrier, my mum.
    ‘It’s nothing, Mum. We were having a game. Got a bit carried away, I guess.’
    ‘You certainly did. And who’s the girl?’
    ‘Girl?’
    ‘The one you were with just now.’
    ‘Oh.’ That’s another thing about my mum. Eyes like a hawk. ‘Just someone from school. We walked on together.’
    ‘Ah – so that’s why you’re late, is it?’ She twinkled. ‘Bit of courting, eh?’
    ‘No.’ I shook my head. ‘No way. I don’t even like her.’
    ‘Didn’t look as though you were saying goodbye to someone you hate , Scott. What’s her name?’
    ‘Martha.’
    ‘What an old-fashioned name. Haven’t come across a Martha for years.’
    I nodded. ‘She’s an old-fashioned girl.’
    ‘Nice name, though. I like it. You should’ve invited her in, Scott.’
    ‘I did, but she wouldn’t.’
    Mum chuckled. ‘I thought you said you didn’t like her.’
    ‘Yeah, well . . .’ I left the kitchen to hang up my jacket so she wouldn’t see me blushing. Why do parents have to bang on about courting every time they happen to see you within fifty metres of a girl? It’s embarrassing.
    *
    ‘What time do you call this , Martha?’ There they sit, the pair of them, gazing at me across the table. They’ve waited dinner for me. Animal noises from below tell me Abomination’s had to wait too. I look at my watch. ‘It’s ten to five, Father.’
    He nods. ‘Ten to five. Your mother had dinner ready at four-fifteen as usual. We’ve been sitting here for thirty-five minutes listening to that racket from the cellar, and now the food is spoiled. What have you to say to us?’
    ‘I’m sorry, Father. Sorry, Mother. Somebody needed my help. At school. I had to give it.’
    ‘Who, Martha? Who needed this help?’
    ‘Scott. The boy I told you about.’
    ‘Ah. I see. And this help – what form did it take?’
    ‘He was being beaten. By a gang. I ran for a teacher.’
    ‘And this took thirty-five minutes?’
    ‘No. The teacher – Mr Kilroy – gave first aid. I watched.’
    ‘Why?’
    ‘Because . . . it was my fault Scott got hurt. He stuck up for me.’
    ‘I see. And after the first aid?’
    ‘The teacher asked me to walk Scott home.’
    ‘The teacher asked you? Why, Martha.’
    ‘I suppose he thought Scott