Read Online Behind a Closed Door (The Estate, Book 2) by Mel Sherratt - Free Book Online Page A

high in the hallway and followed her into the living room. From where she was standing, she surveyed the mess. At least a dozen dirty cups on the coffee table, piled next to them, plates containing the remnants of two different meals. Gossip and fashion magazines were scattered over the floor, beside nail varnish and bags of cotton wool pads. Clothes seemed to be strewn over every seat.
    Gina flopped down onto the settee, not bothering to move anything.
    Josie pulled her coat down as far as it would go to cover her bottom and perched on the edge of the chair. She didn’t want to sit in anything suspect.
    ‘I’ve had more complaints about the twins,’ she began.
    ‘Oh?’ Gina lit up a cigarette and took two long drags before she spoke again. ‘And which nosy bastard has reported them this time?’
    ‘You know I can’t tell you that.’
    Gina glared at her. ‘I can’t see why not. I always guess who it is by the complaint. Anyway, what are they supposed to have done this time?’
    ‘They’ve been causing a nuisance up at the shops. They’ve –’
    ‘Doing what?’
    ‘Hanging around the outside, swearing at customers, begging for cigarettes, following people around in a threatening manner. On one occasion, a purse has gone missing.’
    ‘I hope you’re not saying that one of my girls nicked it.’ Gina looked outraged.
    ‘No, I don’t have any proof but –’
    ‘Then I’d shut your mouth if I were you or I’ll have you for slander.’
    Josie swallowed. Things were going no better than she’d envisioned, but she tried to stay calm.
     ‘They’ve also been seen throwing eggs at Mrs Robson’s bungalow,’ she added.
    Gina nodded and took another drag. ‘So she’s complained has she, the moaning old bag? I’ll –’
    ‘It wasn’t her,’ Josie told her truthfully. ‘You know she keeps herself to herself.’
    ‘She’s a nutter.’
    Josie ignored her, not wanting to be drawn into discussing anyone else. Just then, she heard the front door open and slam shut. She held her breath for a second, unsure what to expect, which member of this nasty family she would encounter next.
    ‘What the fuck is she doing here?’
    ‘Hello,’ Josie greeted the scowling girl. She was followed by her identical twin sister, who ignored Josie and went into the kitchen.
    ‘She’s come about you two.’ Gina stubbed out the remains of her cigarette and lit another one straight after. ‘Do either of you know anything about a purse being nicked at Shop&Save. Clare?’
    ‘No, we bloody don’t.’ Clare folded her arms across a blossoming chest. ‘So don’t start blaming me and Rach for it. We were home all night, weren’t we, Mum?’
    Gina snorted. ‘That’s right, love, you were.’
    Josie sighed and stood up. It was like talking to a brick wall.
    ‘I don’t have any proof this time, Gina,’ she said, ‘but you can’t keep on letting your girls rule the roost. Sooner or later, they’re going to go too far.’
    Gina pushed the pile of plates to one side and put up her feet. ‘They’re kids,’ she yawned, stretching her arms above her head. ‘They’ll grow out of it.’
    ‘Danny didn’t.’
    ‘Keep Danny out of this!’
    ‘I was just saying.’
    ‘Well, don’t,’ Gina warned. Her top lip curled up scathingly. ‘If you’ve said what you’ve come to say, then sling your hook. Danny’s still in bed, and if I start raising my voice, he’ll wake up – and you don’t want that, do you?’
    Josie certainly didn’t. Danny Bradley scared her more than Gina. An evil specimen of a young man, it gave her the creeps even looking at him.
     ‘Yeah,’ said Rachel. She sat down next to her mother. ‘Fuck off out of our house with your airs and graces.’
    Josie stood her ground. ‘Think about what I said, Gina. This can’t keep happening.’
    Gina did nothing but stare at her.
    Feeling dismissed, Josie couldn’t leave the house quick enough. Getting into her car, she drove to the next street, parked