"Muuuuummmm!!!!"
Sammi, stretched out on the lawn, could only smirk to herself.
Letting out that wormrat was a master stroke, she mused to herself. It was payback indeed.
She never did like that landlady at all, and found the old woman stuck-up and snobby.
The front door burst open and a white-faced woman charged down the steps, her face contorted with rage.
Following in hot pursuit, clutching something furry in his hands, was a red-haired little boy, his face almost as red as his hair.
"But, Mrs C," he protested anxiously, "she's not that bad at all! Really!"
His comments fell on deaf ears as the old woman ran blindly towards the old willow tree in the forecourt.
She stopped to catch her breath, glaring nastily towards the approaching little boy.
"Keep .... that..... away..... from.....me," she rasped, clutching her heart.
"But.... but....," Ewan's eyes began to fill with tears, "Rosie is safe, honest."
Finally, Mrs Cartwright gained her breath and her posture.
Towering over him, she glared down at the trembling little boy in front of her.
"I told your mother," she said, folding her arms and frowning, "no pets are allowed."
"But...but..... Rosie's no trouble at all."
Sammi lay listening to the conversation, grinning to herself.
It was just what that old biddy deserved. Especially the way she spoke to everyone. Always complaining about the noise, even when they tiptoed around the poky little apartment. And picking on poor shy little Ewan.
Sammi listened carefully hoping this time that her little brother would have the courage to stand up to this horrid, mean old woman.
Sadly, that wasn't to be.
Sitting up stiffly, she could see that she was getting the better of her kid brother after all.
Ewan drooped his head shamefully, tears rolled down his cheeks. Mrs Cartwright folded her arms, a self-satisfied smirk on her face.
That grin vanished when she witnessed Ewan gently kissing the squirming wormrat between his short stubby fingers.
"Eugh!" she exclaimed, "that's disgusting."
Ewan glanced up at Mrs C, hot, angry tears flowed down his cheeks.
"No it's not!!" he squeaked.
Suddenly, without warning, a thin bony hand flashed across his cheek, sending Ewan reeling.
He let go of the wormrat which squealed with fright vanishing off into the bushes.
"That's for answering me back, you nasty little boy," Mrs C hissed.
Sammi leapt up and charged across to the old woman, her blood seething with rage.
"DON'T YOU DARE HIT MY BROTHER!!!" she screamed with fury.
Just then, Tess, their mother, appeared around the corner, her shoulders sagging from yet another failed job interview.
She could only look on in horror as she saw the scene before her.
Her son, scrabbling around the dirt and debris, her daughter having a stand up fight with their landlady.
"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON??" she bellowed, rushing to pry Sammi from the old woman.
Sammi was sobbing, her face bright red.
"She slapped Ewan!" Sammi protested.
Tess turned to Mrs C.
"Is this true?" she breathed, her fists clenching.
Mrs Cartwright pulled herself up, regaining her stiff composure and mechanically dusting her hands. Indeed, she was a formidable woman.
She looked haughtily down her nose at Tess, her thin lips twisted into a wry smile.
"He was cheeky to me," she replied, "and your daughter attacked me."
Sammi stepped forward to launch herself again, but Tess pinned her arms to her sides in a tight bear hug.
"I was protecting my brother," Sammi spat, pure hatred in her eyes.
"Sammi!" Tess murmured in her daughter's ear, "you're not making this any easier for us all. Cool it will you."
Sammi struggled against her mother's strength.
"Not until SHE apologises."
Mrs Cartwright stiffened, a cruel sneer played upon her thin, haggard face.
"I'm afraid this isn't working out for all of us" she intoned, "I'm afraid you'll all have to leave."
"WHAT????"
Tess loosened her grip on her daughter as the force of the old woman's statement hit her fully.
"You can't do that!!" she exclaimed breathlessly, "we have nowhere else to live."
The old woman sniffed.
"That's your problem, not mine," she replied, turning away, "besides, you'll find that I CAN do that. You broke several house rules. Up until now, I have been extremely lenient. Besides, I run a tight ship around here and you're kind are not welcome. I'll expect you all to vacate the premises as soon as possible."
The front door clicked shut.
Both mother and daughter looked at each other in stunned silence. The only other sound was that of Ewan, mewling softly.....
"Rosie! Rosie!"
Tess turned to her daughter, and Sammi's shoulders stiffened. She knew what was coming.
"What the hell just happened here?" her mother demanded, "and why aren't the two of you at school?"
Sammi felt herself tensing up. All her rage was boiling into a tight nucleus.
"For your information!" she screamed, "it was a study day. And lucky for me it was. Ewan was sent home sick."
"Don't you speak to me like that young lady!" Tess screamed back, "you know where I was. I was trying to find a job so that I can put food on the table."
By now, Ewan had given up his fruitless search for Rosie and was watching with growing distress over this fight between his mum and big sister.
Fresh tears coursed down his face as he witnessed the two of them tearing into each other.
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