The Year of the Rat by Clare Furniss Page B

need money to live, if you hadn’t noticed. Anyway. Work have been brilliant letting me take unpaid
leave since we brought Rose home. They didn’t have to. But I’ve got to start earning again. I need to go back to work. Now. Or we’re in danger of losing the house.’
    ‘Right.’
    ‘And we can’t afford any childcare.’
    ‘So who’s going to look after her?’ I nod to The Rat.
    ‘Well, that’s the thing.’ He pauses and shifts uncomfortably and suddenly I realize what he’s going to say. But no, surely he wouldn’t? He takes a deep breath.
‘Until I can sort out something more permanent, I’m going to need your help, Pearl. I’m going to need you to keep an eye on your sister.’
    ‘
Me?
’
    ‘I wouldn’t ask if I wasn’t desperate, Pearl.’
    ‘But I can’t.’
    ‘I know it seems daunting. But you’ll be fine. You’ve done babysitting before, haven’t you? And this will be easier really because you know Rose and she knows you and
you’ll be in your own home.’ He doesn’t even sound totally convinced himself.
    It’s true, I have done babysitting a few times, but only ever as a favour to Molly when she was supposed to be looking after her brothers and only if she promised me the kids would be in
bed before I got there. Then I just sat there with the TV on really quiet, hoping they wouldn’t wake up. I didn’t have a clue what I’d do if they did.
    ‘You’ll be able to phone me any time. I’ve talked to work about it and they’re very understanding.’
    God, he’s got it all worked out. How long has he been planning this?
    ‘And that’s supposed to make it all OK? What if I’ve got other plans?’
    ‘Like what?’
    He’s got a point. I’ve hardly got a packed social diary.
    ‘It won’t be for long,’ he says. ‘You could see if Molly could come round and help. She’d be company for you and she’s good with children, isn’t
she?’
    ‘Meaning I’m not?’
    ‘No, of course not,’ he says uncertainly. ‘I just meant – well, she’s got younger brothers, hasn’t she? She’s used to looking after them.’
    ‘Well, she’s in Spain with her posh boyfriend and his family,’ I snap.
Getting an amazing tan and eating way too
much tapas!!!
according to the postcard which
arrived yesterday.
Really missing u though!
‘So she can’t.’
    ‘Oh,’ he says. ‘Well, never mind. Dulcie next door has said she’ll keep an ear open and you can go round to her if there’s any problem.’
    I actually laugh out loud. ‘Dulcie from next door? Are you kidding me? She’s ancient. She must be a hundred at least. I expect she’s deaf as a post. Probably senile
too.’
    ‘That’s uncalled for, Pearl. Really. You’re being very unreasonable.’
    ‘
I’m
being unreasonable?’
    ‘Yes!’ He yells it. The Rat’s face crumples and she starts to cry. ‘Yes you are. You’re being unreasonable and selfish and I just don’t understand why.
I’m going out of my mind with worry, just trying to keep everything together, and I thought I could rely on you to help.’ He’s so angry he’s shaking. ‘I feel like I
don’t know you any more, Pearl. I feel let down. And so would Mum.’
    I’m so shocked I can’t speak. Dad never shouts at me. I honestly can’t remember a single time, except for once when I was about five and I ran out into the road after a
football and a car almost hit me. I can still hear the screech of the brakes. He’d yelled then all right.
    He stands up abruptly and turns away from me so he’s face to face with the hideous 1970s orange and brown zigzag wallpaper that adorns the sitting-room walls, which I can’t help
thinking isn’t going to cheer him up much. He rocks The Rat to try and calm her down, but it’s like she knows he’s upset and her roars just get louder.
    I stare at his back, trying to work out what to do.
    ‘All right,’ I manage to say eventually. ‘Keep your hair on.’
    When he turns round, there are tear tracks on his