N.B. This is a work of pure fantasy & is not intended to be anything else. I am not a professional writer, and as such do not want to be 'criticised' as such, although constructive is always welcome.
Enjoy...
Lilly walked through the front door, chucked her bag at the bottom of the stairs and walked through into the kitchen. Without saying a word to anyone, she headed straight for the fridge and poured herself a glass of orange juice.
'Oh, hi β you're back early?' Jane, her mum, said.
'Uh-huh' Lilly grunted, and walked out of the room.
Jane looked across at her husband and rolled her eyes.
'Here we go again.' He said.
Jane & Bob had been married for 12 years. Lilly was only 6 years old when they had gotten together. She had recently turned 18, had already been through a string of jobs since dropping out of 6th form school and lacked the motivation & enthusiasm to do anything other than sit at the computer watching video clips or chatting to friends.
Jane walked into the living room, looking across at the computer desk where Lilly had dumped herself.
'Lilly, why are you home early? What's happened?' Jane asked.
Lilly stared at the screen, almost in a trance like state.
'Lilly? Are you listening to me?' Jane said, only louder this time.
Lilly swivelled around in the chair and took some earphones out of her ear β the sound of the "music" was still loud, even without them in your ear!
'What? Did you say something?' Lilly snapped.
'Yes, if you wouldn't have that so loud you might have heard me. I asked what was up? Why are you home early? I thought you weren't supposed to finish until half past five today?' Jane said.
'I quit. I'm not working there for that slave driver anymore.' She snapped back at her mother.
'Oh Lilly. Why? What happened this time' Jane sighed, recalling the other 4 jobs Lilly had 'quit' in the past 6 months.
'The old git wanted me to get on my hands and knees and scrape muck out of the corners. I'm not bloody doing that for anyone. No way.' She snorted, before spinning around and resuming her video watching.
'But Lilly, your job is a cleaner. That's what you are meant to do.' Jane replied.
'I'm not there to clear up other peoples shit mum. No amount of money is worth that.' Lilly replied defiantly, whilst stomping out of the room.
Bob walked into the living room to see his wife looking upset.
'Quit again?' he asked.
'Yes. Again...' she replied, slumping down into the arm chair.
Sat at the dinner table there was an uneasy silence as the three of them sat finishing their meal.
'So are you all packed dear?' Bob asked his wife.
'Yes almost. I'll be leaving early in the morning if I want to avoid all the traffic.' She replied.
'That's a good idea. It's a long drive up to Sunderland.' He said.
Jane was going to spend a week looking after her mum who was recovering after a fall & had arranged to travel the next morning.
'And what about you Lily? Have you got anything else planned for this week, seeing as I thought you would be working?' Jane asked.
'No. Nothing planned. Guess I'll just slob it around, as usual.' She replied, completely oblivious of what she was saying.
Jane just sighed, while Bob sat there getting agitated. Eventually, Lily kicked her chair back and sloped out of the room.
'Bob, what are we going to do with her?' Jane sighed.
'Don't you worry love. I'll have a chat with her while you're away & she can help me do some jobs around the house anyway.' He replied.
As they finished the washing up, Lily came trudging back into the kitchen.
'Mum, Katy's just text. She's having a party tonight, it's a dress up theme one. Can I borrow your black cowboy boots?' she asked.
'No dear, I'm sorry. They were very expensive. You know I only use them for my line dancing.' Jane replied.
'Oh but mum, come on. I've got this cute little denim mini skirt and I wanted to go as a cowgirl!' she argued.
'Lily, I said no. You've plenty of shoes & boots up there in your mess of a room. Enough to open your own shoe shop!' Jane answered.
'Fine. Whatever.' Lily snapped back and stomped out of the room.
Later on that evening, Jane & Bob were sitting in the living room when they heard a thud in the hallway. Lily trudged into the living room with a holdall over her shoulder.
'I'm off Katy's. I'll stay over at hers. Not sure when I'll be back. I'll text you.' She said, and with that, was gone.
Jane burst into tears as she realised just how insensitive Lily had been. She didn't care that her mum was going away for a week, let alone for a week to care for her sick Grandmother. As she sobbed, Bob put his arm around her.
'Oh Bob. Is it me? What have I done to deserve this?' she asked. 'Nothing dear. It's not you. Don't worry. I'll speak to her.' He replied.
As she sobbed into him, Bob felt his blood boiling as he remembered all the little things that Lily had gotten away with over the years.
As they got into bed that night, Jane cuddled up to Bob.
'Sweetheart, would you mind if we just made love tonight. I just want to feel you...' she asked.
'Of course not honey. Of course not.' He replied.
The next morning Jane kissed her husband and opened the front door.
'You'll speak to her?' she asked.
'Of course I will. Don't you worry about it. Focus on your mum. We'll be fine.' He answered her soothingly.
As they kissed, she got into the car and pulled away. Bob went back inside and made himself another cup of tea.
Just as he was finishing reading the morning paper, the phone rang.
'Hello, is that Mr. Hedges?' the voice said.
'Yes, this is Robert Hedges. May I ask who is calling?' he answered.
'Yes, good morning. This is Sergeant Spencer. Can I ask if you know of a Miss Lily Hedges?' the voice continued.