Christmas to Come: a heartbreaking coming of age saga set in London's East End Carol Rivers (best sales books of all time .txt) 📖

key slotted into the lock of the front door just as young Michael ran down the stairs with Terry following.

'Caught in the act,' Micky grinned as Ronnie and Joyce entered the hall, their arms full of presents. Bella thought that if Ronnie had been upset over the Fortune he certainly wasn't showing it. There were kisses and hugs all round as they crowded into the front room.

Young Michael jumped up and down excitedly as he was given permission to open his first present. He took the biggest one from under the Christmas tree and began to untie it.

Sean and Ashley rushed in from the kitchen, their faces red with the brandy they had sampled on the quiet. Bella felt a deep sense of well being as she gazed around her. Everyone she loved was here and waiting for a real family Christmas to begin.

Micky was as good as his word. The next day he took them for a drive away from the city and out towards Osterley Park. Wrapped up in their warm winter coats, they stopped for a picnic and Micky and Michael played football. They all drove home flushed with fresh air from their day out. And before bedtime Micky read a long story from one of Michael's favourite books.

The next morning Micky didn't go to work again. Nor the next. He made breakfast for everyone and even washed and shaved with his son at his side. Bella didn't ask who was looking after the club. She felt so happy she didn't want to break the spell. Her one concern was for Teresa. Was she being washed, fed and dressed in the clothes they had bought from the market? Did they have enough food? Had Mary bought her daughter a Christmas present with the money Bella had left?

Micky was in such a good mood that she was almost tempted to tell him the story. She even thought that young Michael might mention his new school friend. But their days were so busy that Michael seemed to have forgotten all about her.

On the evening before New Year's Eve, whilst Gina and Lenny looked after Michael, Micky drove them out for the evening. They strolled hand in hand along the Embankment and took in the sights. The bridges rose tall over the river and a bright, illuminated Big Ben shone against the navy blue sky. They ate at a cockle stall, sprinkling on plenty of salt and vinegar. When they drove home, Bella laid her head on Micky's shoulder.

Christmas had been wonderful. The time they had shared together had made her feel Micky really loved them. She was going to make a New Year's resolution too. If she could patiently accept Micky's absences he would be more inclined to be with them. She knew her criticisms annoyed him and from now on she would try to be a more understanding wife.

Snow fell in January, and when Michael returned to school the children were building snowmen or playing snowballs in the playground.

'Teresa's not here, Mum,' Michael wailed.

Bella looked too but there was no small figure waiting for them.

'Perhaps she's late because of the snow.' The bell rang and all the children went in. Bella kissed Michael and told him to remember to put his coat on at playtime.

Alone, Bella pushed her gloved hands deep in her pockets. For ten minutes she walked up and down the street. Tiny snowflakes landed in her hair and eyelashes, softly covering the path in front of her. Soon she began to grow cold and reluctantly turned for home.

Where was Teresa? What had happened over the holidays? Perhaps she would be at school tomorrow. If she wasn't, then she would go round to Collier Street and see for herself.

By Friday Teresa was still absent. Michael was unhappy that his friend hasn't turned up to school.

'Let's call round, shall we?' Bella suggested.

'Yes, but I don't like her house.'

'There's no other way to find out.'

Hand in hand Bella and Michael walked to Collier Street. The prefabs looked wet and drab and the blocked drains had formed big puddles of dirty water and ice.

'They're not in,' Michael said disappointedly after Bella had knocked several times.

'Let's go round the back.'

Warily they trod over the fallen fence and piles of rubbish half covered in snow. The prefab was covered in green mould. It climbed up the walls like ivy and there were icicles hanging from the broken gutters.

Bella tried to look through one window but she couldn't see anything but darkness. The other window though, was stuck open.

'Teresa?' She could see a figure lying on the floor. 'Is that you?'

'I got a cough.'

'Where's your mum?'

'Don't know.' Teresa began to cough.

'Can you let me in?' She watched Teresa stand up very slowly.

'I don't like it here,' Michael said as they made their way round to the front of the prefab.

Bella drew him close as they waited. When the door opened Bella was shocked. Teresa stood shivering in an old, soiled nightdress and she looked very thin. Her hair was tangled, full of knots and fell over her gaunt white face.

There was no light and no warmth as Bella helped her back to the dark room. The mattress she was lying on was full of holes and exposed springs and as Bella pulled up the filthy cover, a beetle dropped from it and scuttled into the corner.

Bella was angry as well as shocked. What kind of mother would allow her child to suffer like this? Unfortunately she knew the answer.

'When will mummy be home?' she asked Teresa gently.

'Dunno.'

Michael began crying and Bella hugged him. What was she going to do? A doctor was needed immediately. But she would have to leave Teresa alone again to find one.

Ronnie was coming out of the house when they arrived, both of them breathless and puffing. Full of tears, Michael ran into his open arms.

'What's up, young Michael?' He hugged him tightly.

'Teresa's not well.'

'Who is Teresa?'

'My best friend at school.'

'What's wrong with her?' Ronnie asked in