Read Afraid for Free Online Page B

pyjamas, a dressing gown, and some slippers from the closet, and then took a toothbrush out of a drawer. She plonked the bundle into Skye’s hands and strode towards the door, ordering, ‘Come with me.’
    Too scared to disobey, Skye got up and followed the woman across the hall and up a flight of stairs to the first floor.
    ‘You’ve got a room to yourself, for now,’ Lucy told her, pushing open a door at the end of the corridor and waving her inside. ‘But if anyone else comes in before you’re gone, you’ll be sharing – and I’d best not hear any moaning about it. Understood?’
    Skye nodded and cast a dismayed glance around the tiny room. A set of steel-framed bunk-beds with wafer-thin mattresses was set against one wall, while the facing one was taken up by a chest of drawers and a wardrobe. The walls themselves were painted a depressing shade of green, and the small window was so grimy that it would have been impossible to see out even if the view hadn’t been obscured by the metal grille that was fixed across it on the outside. In stark contrast to the comfortable bedroom she’d spent last night in, this one looked – and felt – like a prison cell, and Skye wondered if they were actually going to lock her in.
    ‘These are the house rules.’ Lucy pointed out a laminated notice pinned to the back of the door. ‘Read them, and try to learn times for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and what-have-you. We have a strict routine here and, if you’re late for a sitting, you’ll go without. Anything you’re not clear on, ask.’
    Skye nodded again, and held her breath as the tears she’d been holding in threatened to burst out. When at last Lucy left her alone, she sank down onto the bottom bunk and dropped her face into her hands.
    ‘Boo hoo!’ a mocking voice said from the doorway a few minutes later.
    Shocked, because she hadn’t heard the door being opened again, Skye jerked her head up and was horrified to see the girls from the front steps staring in at her from the corridor.
    ‘What you blubbing for?’ Nadine demanded, walking in and opening the dresser drawers to check if there was anything of interest in them.
    ‘Probably missing Mummy and Daddy,’ Simone sneered as she followed.
    ‘Fucking crybaby.’ Maz kicked Skye’s ankle as she squeezed past.
    Skye could barely breathe for fear as the last girl came in and closed the door. ‘What do you want?’ she croaked. ‘I haven’t got anything.’
    ‘No kidding.’ Disappointed to find the drawers empty, Nadine slammed them shut and perched on top of the unit. ‘So when’s your shit getting here?’
    Skye’s mouth had gone bone dry, and she eyed the girls nervously. ‘I don’t know,’ she mumbled. ‘Val said she’ll pick it up when she’s got time.’
    ‘What you in for?’ Simone demanded.
    ‘Nothing.’ Skye’s chin wobbled.
    ‘You must have done some thing,’ Maz said sharply. ‘You don’t end up in this shithole for nowt.’
    Before Skye could answer, Nadine leaned forward and peered at her throat. ‘What’s that?’
    ‘What?’ Skye covered the necklace with her hand.
    ‘That what you’re trying to hide,’ Nadine said, holding out her hand. ‘Pass it here; I want to look at it.’
    Skye’s stomach churned. She instinctively knew that she would never see her necklace again if she handed it over; but if she refused, she had no doubt that it would be taken from her by force.
    The door opened suddenly and Col appeared. He looked at each of the girls in turn before his gaze came to rest on their leader. ‘What’s this, Nadine? Welcoming committee?’
    ‘Summat like that.’ She gave him a sly grin.
    ‘Now why don’t I believe you?’ He raised an eyebrow. Then, jerking his head, he stepped aside and held the door wide. ‘Lunch is ready. Off you go.’
    ‘What we having?’ Nadine asked, standing up and straightening her short skirt.
    ‘Smells like fish,’ Simone grumbled, pulling a face as she shuffled past Col.