"Where the hell have you been?" The shouting had already started, with Claudine only just entering the house. It still made her jump, even though she should have been used to it by now.
"Out," Claudine replied feebly, "I left you a note."
"As if that's an excuse, you pathetic child! You've got responsibilities now, you can't go swanning off when you feel like it."
"Sorry," Claudine's voice emerged only as a whisper, "I didn't -"
"You didn't what?! Think?! Know?! That's the thing with you Serene-"
"Claudine," Claudine inputted softly, her eyes falling to the floor, her phone twisting in her hands. It wasn't that she was nervous - or so she told herself - more on-edge than anything. Life was just easier without any arguments.
"Claudine," her mum wafted her hand around, refuting her mistake. "That's just the thing. You never think. That pretty little head of yours is empty."
Claudine tensed as her mum marched towards her, eyes squinted and hands outstretched. She grabbed Claudine's head roughly and knocked hard on it.
"See? Nothing in there, is there? Hellooo?!" Claudine could tell her mum was completely out of it.
"Mum, you're drunk," Claudine sighed, taking hold of her mum under the arms and guiding her over to the sofa. "Again."
"Shut it!" Claire - Claudine's mum - slurred viciously. Claudine brushed it off, until a small cry from upstairs disturbed them both. "Shut that thing up, now!" Claire grabbed Claudine's arm tightly as Claudine winced at the pain. Claudine nodded frantically until her mum released her arm and went running up the stairs, phone in hand, shutting the door fast behind her.
The crying subsided as Claudine switched the light on and walked over to the window, shutting it softly. Walking back to the door, she fastened the lock and took a seat in the middle of her double bed. From the other side of the room, a toddler waddled over and clambered onto the bed, resting her head on Claudine's lap. The only sound to be heard was the soft sucking from the toddler's dummy as Claudine sat in silence, stroking the toddler's head in soft, soothing motions.
*
Claudine sat still until the toddler had fallen asleep. Gently removing herself from underneath, she slipped across to the door, undid the latch and quietly descended the stairs. Her mum was fast asleep on the sofa, drink still in hand. Claudine sighed and traipsed into the kitchen, not daring to even breathe in case her mum woke up. Upon reaching the cupboards, she grabbed as much food as she could, several empty baby bottles, tea towels and as many tins of baby food she could carry. Quickly running up the stairs, Claudine's heart lurched into her stomach as one tin dropped with a crash, and fell all the way down the stairs.
Her mum shifted on the sofa but thankfully, didn't wake. Claudine sighed a breath of relief and ran the last few steps before diving into her room. She placed all the contents from her arms in one bag before picking up another and returning back downstairs. This time, she searched until she found what it was she was specifically looking for - alcohol. Any bottles or cans she found got chucked straight in the bag which was then chucked straight into the bin. Sighing a weary sigh, Claudine returned upstairs, changed into her pyjamas and snuggled into bed beside the little girl, holding her close.
Just as she was about to drift off, her phone buzzed from beneath her pillow. Retrieving it, she saw upon the screen it was a text from Danny.
Thanks for 2night. It was good (:
We're all going to the beach 2morrow.
Want to come??
Danny x x
Claudine didn't know what made her feel so overwhelmed, but before she knew it, a single tear dropped from her eye and onto her knees, which were pulled up close, tight to her chest. Wiping her eyes before anymore could escape, she pressed reply and typed out a message.
Sorry, can't. Working tomorrow.
Maybe another time? Promise.
X
Claudine read and re-read the text before pressing send. Stroking the bruise beneath her eye as she looked over her arm to see if another one had appeared, Claudine's phone buzzed again.
Ah cool. No worries.
Hope to see u soon.
We all do. Love Danny boy ;) x
Claudine wanted to laugh at Danny's message, but something wouldn't let her. Instead, she placed her phone back under her pillow and closed her eyes, drifting off into a deep sleep. The trouble was, her dreams were never that far away from reality.