Glimmer and other Stories Read Online Free

aren’t you girl?’ She put her hand on her own stomach. ‘Me too. Shall we go and get some soup?’ Gladiator barked and licked her face. She laughed. ‘Okay, okay, let’s go.’ Katy grabbed the dog’s collar and went outside into the cool night air.  
    The rain had stopped and the sky was clear. The moon shone bright and made drops of water that clung onto the cobwebs shimmer like diamonds. To Katy, they looked like necklaces left out to dry by ghosts. Owls hooted loudly, she put her hands over her ears and hurried after Gladiator. The dog stopped at the front of the cottage. When Katy caught up a security light came on revealing the colour of the house. It was painted a dark red, the colour of blood.   The smell of hot toast and butter filled her nostrils and she sniffed the air like a hungry cat. Gladiator jumped up and pawed at the door. It creaked open and Katy saw John standing in front of her.
    ‘Changed your mind have you?’ he said.  
    Katy lost her footing for a moment as Gladiator ran through her legs and into the kitchen.  
    ‘You can come in if you like.’  
    She stood still and looked inside. Her gaze was drawn to a string of orange fairy lights draped around a large metal mirror. They gave off a cheery glow that made her feel as if she were about to enter Father Christmas’s grotto.  
    ‘Ten seconds, then I’m closing the door. Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two…’ Katy stepped inside.
    ‘Are you hungry?’
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘I’ve got soup?’
    ‘What kind?’
    ‘Tomato.’
    Katy pulled a face. ‘Don’t like tomato.’
    ‘Really, well that’s all I’ve got.’  
    ‘Is it out of a tin or packet?’
    ‘Tin. Want some or not?’
    She nodded and followed him into the kitchen. It was small and smelt of bleach. Her nostrils twitched and she scratched her nose. Looking down, she saw a streak of dirt on her fingers. Then her gaze fell onto her muddy dress. ‘Mister? Can I wash my hands?’
    ‘Looks like you need more than your hands washing. Call me John. The bathroom is through there. First on the left. Watch out for Gladdy, she’s eating in the corridor.’  
    Katy walked up three concrete steps to a tiny hallway. She paused to watch Gladiator wolf down her dog food before lifting the latch on the brown varnished door. Pushing it open, she stepped inside the bathroom, closed the door and slid the bolt across. John knocked and Katy put her ear against the wood.
    ‘Why don’t you have a shower? I’ve got a granddaughter about your age. I’m sure I can dig out some clean clothes for you.’
    Katy touched her tattered dress and said, ‘Okay, thanks.’   She turned on the shower, peeled off her dirty clothes, stepped into the bath and raised her head to the jets of hot water. Katy washed away the muck and blood that clung to her body and hair. She stood under the spray until her skin went red. Waiting to feel clean.
    ‘How are you getting on in there?’  
    Turning off the water, she stepped out of the bath and said, ‘Finished.’
    ‘Open up and I’ll hand you the clothes.’
    Katy wrapped herself in a towel, opened the door and stuck her hand out. Something soft touched her skin, and she grabbed onto a piece of fabric, pulled her hand back through the door and locked it. In her hands were a pair of white knickers, a white vest, and a white satin dress with a pink bow around the waist. She pressed her nose against the garments and sniffed. They smelt of spring flowers and she put them on. With a glance in the mirror, Katy nodded at her dirt free reflection, and went into the kitchen.
    ‘Well, don’t you look nice. Sit down Katy and I’ll bring you something to eat. Put that napkin around your neck. Don’t want that dress getting stained.’
    Katy did as she was told and John placed a steaming bowl of soup on the wooden table. She blew across the surface, took a spoonful and sipped.  
    ‘This is really good,’ she said, and shovelled the liquid into