Closer by Maxine Linnell Page A

grumbled. “You having a party? Can I join in?” 
    Mum decided it was time we all went to bed. She looked once at Dad and told him he was sleeping in the back room downstairs. He didn’t say a word, he got up and went. Mum tucked me in like I was four or something, and kissed me on the cheek Dad had touched. Somehow that made me feel better, like she’d wiped away some of what had happened. She said none of us would go to school or to work tomorrow, except George, who had an important match on. 
    Then she went off with Hannah to her room, holding her hand, gently, like Hannah was ill. And Hannah did look ill. All her strength had gone, and she looked like a train had run over her. She looked lost, like everything was different and very strange. Even though I knew I hadn’t gone through what happened to Hannah, I knew how she felt. The world was different. 
    And as it all comes back this morning the world is still different. I can’t think about what comes next. All I can think of is Hannah. How brave she was, how much she’s been through, how much she’s done to protect me, when I thought she didn’t care, didn’t know I was on the planet. It shows how wrong you can be about people. 
    The sun’s shining through my window. It’s warm on my shoulders. There’s a knock on my door, and this time I know it’s all right, Dad won’t hurt me now, not like that. Hannah comes in. She hasn’t slept, that’s obvious. 
    â€œCan I come in with you?” 
    Her voice is low now, like it was before. Her head’s down and her hair’s hanging round her face like she’s ashamed to be seen. I turn back the duvet and she lies next to me. I put my arms round her. 
    â€œIt isn’t your fault, Han. It isn’t.” 
    â€œBut I feel like it is. Why didn’t I stop him? Why didn’t I tell somebody?” 
    I feel like the big sister now. 
    â€œYou were doing your best, for everyone. You were so brave last night, I’ll never forget it, not for my whole life.” 
    â€œI’m so tired.” She lets herself rest against me. After a while she goes to sleep and I lie there holding her, knowing that she saved me, and I’ve got a real sister now, who I’ll be close to forever, after last night. Something’s gone, and something else has come in its place.

Me and Mum 
    I wake up and now the sun’s high, my arm’s aching where Hannah’s lying on it, and I’ve got to move. I need to pee. I slowly ease my arm out from under Hannah, and climb over her. She turns and drifts back into sleep. 
    I head for the bathroom and find Mum cleaning out the airing cupboard. She’s folding up the towels and the pillowcases and putting them in neat piles. She looks like she’s been up for hours. She only does that kind of thing when she’s working something out. It’s embarrassing meeting her after last night. I don’t know what to say to her, and we both stand there until she realises I need to pee and she goes out and closes the door. When I look in the mirror I see somebody real, and thin. Too thin. 
    I turn on the shower and stand under it for ages, washing everything off me, shampooing my hair and scrubbing my skin. I grab a clean towel from the cupboard and wrap it round me, sitting on the edge of the bath drying myself. I rub cream onto my skin, good-smelling cream. I creep into my room and pull on my clothes. I leave Hannah to sleep, and go downstairs, watching out for Dad. I don’t know how to face him this morning. Now Mum’s crashing round in the kitchen with the pots and pans. 
    â€œMum,” I say, careful. 
    â€œYes, love?” 
    â€œWhat’s for breakfast?