Disappearing Home Read Online Free Page B

push each other out of the way. Then handthem back. Men huddle, heads together, lighting their cigarettes. The driver beeps his horn and waves across the other side of the road at somebody who waves back, before he pulls away, past the graveyard.
    My dad speaks without taking his eyes from his reflection in the glass. His sideburns are thick and black; they stick out like they’re trying to grow away from him. He turns his face to the side, wets a fingertip and presses one of them back down. He does the same with the other one then looks out of the window. ‘Proddy bastards, getting ready to march.’ He puts two fingers up at a man wearing a sash. The man sends two fingers back. Dad turns to Mum. ‘Tell her what she’s got to do.’
    She stands up and sits next to me, her voice low in my ear. ‘Joan’s new baby grandson is getting christened soon and Joan’s got no money for the suit.’ She takes a big suck on her cigarette. ‘She’s seen one in town, but it’s too dear. I told her we’d help.’ Clouds of smoke escape from her mouth as she talks. ‘I’ll show you the one she wants when we get there.’
    Once we get into town we make our way to a shop called Blacklers. Mum says, ‘If anyone’s looking, don’t bag it. Wait.’ She hands me the bag.
    â€˜Can we get a new bag?’ I ask.
    â€˜Not today, Robyn. Pay attention.’
    A line of children wait to ride a black and white rocking horse. There’s something fantastic about this high-up indoor horse. How it creaks under a shiny body and black eyes. Once the boy that’s riding is finished his voice trembles when he asks for another go. His nan runs him to the back of the queue.
    I follow them further into the children’s department, towards a rail full of white clothes.
    â€˜How are you going to find it in this lot?’ I ask.
    Mum bends her knees a little to see the sizes better. Her fingers walk across the hangers, like Mr Thorpe finding my next reading book.
    â€˜This is the one.’ She grins. ‘Three pearl buttons up the front and a sailor collar. This one’s nought to three months. We need to find six to twelve.’
    Dad joins in the search along the rail while I stand and watch. The handles on the bag burn my skin.
    â€˜Got it. Now watch carefully, Robyn, I’m putting it right at the very back of the rail. That way you can go straight to it. Remember, the very back.’
    â€˜But it’ll get all dirty in this bag.’
    â€˜No, it won’t. Your dad’s lined it with paper. Make sure you put it on the paper.’
    A lady with tangerine lips and a green floaty scarf smiles beside Mum. ‘Darling, aren’t they? Who’s being christened?’
    Dad walks away.
    Mum’s face flushes red. ‘We’re just looking.’
    The lady looks disappointed. ‘If you need anything, I’m over here,’ she calls over her shoulder as she walks away.
    â€˜Watch her, nosy cow.’
    Mum takes my hand. We follow Dad down the stairs.
    â€˜What did she say?’ he asks when we catch up with him.
    â€˜Nosy, that’s all. Best waiting for a bit, till it gets busier.’
    We walk around town looking in shop windows. The sun burns down on my head. I unbutton my duffel coat.
    â€˜Can I have a drink, please?’ I ask.
    â€˜There’s no money. If you get the suit for Joan, we’ll buy you a Thirsty Pack,’ Mum says, holding the bag for me.
    â€˜Dandelion and burdock?’
    â€˜Whatever flavour you like and a bar of chocolate. We’ll head off to Dolly’s shop, eh? You’ll like that.’
    â€˜Yes.’
    â€˜Let’s go back to Blacklers; with any luck that cow’ll be on her break.’
    It doesn’t take us long to get to Blacklers. Once we’re outside, they hand me back the bag.
    â€˜Now, what floor are you going