Lize watched Cat pegging out the washing. It was good to have another adult indoors, especially one that was proving so useful. She began buttering the children’s bread, daydreaming about how she would spend her day, when someone knocked on the front door.
She called out to Reggie asking him to open the door. The next moment Lize’s mother stormed into the kitchen and began shouting at her.
‘You crafty little bitch! Thought you’d steal a march on me did you?’
Lize continued buttering toast, but her hands shook. She put down the knife and began pouring tea, but the pot quivered noticeably as her mother continued shouting at her.
‘Not a word! Not a flaming goodbye or anything! I’m only around the corner, and you couldn’t as much as tell me you were going!’
‘No, that’s right, Mum, I didn’t.’ Lize put the teapot down, and glared at her mother. ‘This house was suddenly left to Louis by a Mrs. White. So I took the opportunity to get out of your house. You’ve done nothing but remind me since Charlie died, that I was getting it at a cheap rent. You certainly didn’t waste any time telling me you wanted your money on time the minute he was killed, and that his death did not make any difference – you still wanted your rent!’
Lize became aware of Reggie and Iris staring wide-eyed at them both.
‘Anyway, Mum, you can charge a higher rent now can’t you?’ Lize said pouring milk into the cups. ‘You were always so fond of telling me you could charge more for the house!’
‘Yes. I can and I will! Make no mistake about that my girl. And you needn’t think Louis will let you stay here once he’s back. If he’s thinking of inviting that Irish bitch to live over here permanently, you can bet your life he’s got other ideas in his mind.’
‘Like what exactly?’
‘You think you’re sitting pretty now don’t you? The older woman jabbed Lize in the shoulder with a finger. ‘But mark my words, Miss High and Mighty, you’ll laugh on the other side of your face one day. You’ll see. And you won’t be drawing his army pay for ever, you grabbing little bitch!’ She poked Lize again. ‘I brought him up! It’s me who should be reaping the benefit, not you.’ She pushed Lize. ‘All those years of putting up with your drunken father; spending every penny in the pub. Years of scraping money together to get some capital behind me ’cos he’d never provided it!’
Lize watched her mother’s lips opening and closing as she raged at her. She coldly met her mother’s gaze then turned her back and resumed buttering bread.
After a short while Lize very calmly turned to face her mother. ‘Oh and for your information Mum, the Irish bitch is already here!’
The back door opened and Cat came in. Lize stopped what she was doing and smiled at her.
‘Cat, this is my mother.’
Cat held out her hand. ‘Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Ross.’
Jessie Ross stared at Cat; gave Lize a withering look, turned on her heel and marched out of the house.
‘Shut the door on your way out, Mum,’ Lize said.
Sighing, Lize put the bread on the plates. ‘Don’t take any notice of her, Cat. She can be really awkward when she chooses.’ She looked down at the children. ‘Come on now you two, eat up.’
Reggie picked up his toast and looked up at Lize with an innocent expression on his face and asked her.
‘Mum, who’s the Irish bitch?’