But it was still a mean dig working at the Cod Almighty was only a temporary thing while she applied for jobs that would make more use of her qualifications. ‘No more than five pounds an hour, I’m sure.’įour pounds actually. How much do you earn in that fish and chip shop?’ĭougie’s mother raised a perfectly plucked eyebrow. ‘Ten thousand pounds, take it or leave it.’
With all my heart,’ Lola blurted out, determined to make his mother understand that this was no silly teenage fling. ‘But I don’t want to.’ Lola’s breathing was fast and shallow.
Far better for you to make the break now’ No, I’m sorry, I simply can’t allow this to happen. ‘So to regain his attention you’d accidentally get yourself pregnant. And the next thing we know, you’d be feeling left out because he’d have all his university friends while you’re stuck working behind the counter of some backstreet fish and chip shop.’ Mrs Tennant’s lip curled with disdain. We love each other! I’ve already told him, if we miss each other too much I’ll move up to Edinburgh and we’ll live - together!’ I want the best for Dougie, just like you do. The hot chips were burning Lola’s legs now ‘Honestly, I’m not ruining his life. But I won’t stand by and let you ruin his life.’ He told me last night that he was having second thoughts about going to university. This isn’t the kind of relationship Doug needs right now. I’ll catch the coach up to Edinburgh every other weekend, and Dougie’s going to drive down here when it’s his turn, then-’ We’re going to see each other whenever we can, take it in turns to do the journey. ‘I know.’ Bewildered, Lola said, ‘I’m not stopping him. ‘He’s eighteen now,’ Mrs Tennant repeated firmly, ‘and on his way to university. Her shoulders stiffening in disbelief, Lola watched as Dougie’s mother drove along, as calm and unconcerned as if they were discussing nothing more taxing than the weather. ‘I’d like you to end your relationship with my son.’ ‘So why did you want to see me? Is this about Dougie’s birthday?’ Her stomach was rumbling but she heroically resisted the temptation to open them. ‘How could anyone not like it?’ Lola balanced the steaming parcel of chips in her lap, careful to keep it away from her bare legs. ‘This is such a great car,’ sighed Lola, stroking the upholstery as Dougie’s mother started the engine. Inside the Jaguar the cool air smelled deliciously of expensive leather and Chanel No. Outside on the pavement it was stiflingly hot and muggy.
Into the wild book chapter 1 free#
Lola beamed free chips and a lift home in a brand new Jaguar.
‘I can drop you home if you like,’ said Dougie’s mother. Youch, static - Lola ducked under the swing-top counter and took the king-sized portion of chips Alf had wrapped up for her, seeing as they had so many left. Having retrieved her shoulder bag from the back room and shrugged off her nylon overall. Was that a shudder? Mrs Tennant shook her head and said with a flicker of amusement, ‘I don’t think so, do you?’ So you don’t want anything to take away?’ I’m just finishing here.’ Lola glanced across at Alf, who made good-humoured off-you-go gestures. I wondered if we could have a chat.’ Even for a visit to a fish and chip shop, Dougie’s mother’s make-up was immaculate, her hair swept into a Princess Michael of Kent chignon. Maybe Alf could be persuaded to quickly chuck a couple of fresh pieces of haddock into the fryer and. ‘Blimey, it’s Dougie’s mum.’ Instinctively wiping her hands on her green nylon overall and curbing the urge to curtsey – because Dougie’s mum was that posh – Lola said brightly, ‘Hello, Mrs Tennant, how lovely to see you!’Īnd how typical that she should turn up two minutes before closing, when all they had left to offer her was a tired-looking saveloy and a couple of overlooked fishcakes. Like, for example, the Cod Almighty at the dodgier end of Tooting High Street. And then there are other places you wouldn’t expect to bump into her at all. There are some places where you might expect to bump into your boyfriend’s ultra-posh mother.Īt a Buckingham Palace garden party perhaps, or Glyndebourne, or turning her nose up at Ferrero Rochers at some foreign ambassador’s cocktail party.
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