‘With the money you’re paying him. How does that make sense?’

‘When you have a house and children of your own, you will understand how much things cost. He’s also continuing his work with the charity in town and doing jobs for elderly people. We really want to help him out. Charity begins at home. I’m surprised at you, Jasmine,’ her mother said, her pride in Jasmine disappearing.

‘I’m sorry. I think I’m just really tired. School was a bit hectic today,’ Jasmine said sheepishly, trying to win her mother’s approval again. She hated disappointing either one of her parents. The older she got the more it seemed to happen.

‘What if Tim had heard you?’ Frank asked disapprovingly. Jasmine could see that she was outnumbered. ‘I want you to make an effort to be nice to him, he’s a good guy.’

‘Look, I know why you’re nervous – it’s because of what happened at school. Not all men are like that,’ Lisa said, reaching across the table to comfort Jasmine, but she pulled her hand away from her mother.

They just wouldn’t let her forget about the incident.

‘So, because of what happened last year I don’t know what I’m talking about? Don’t I deserve a little more credit than that? You want me to be more mature but then you treat me like a child.’

‘You can’t just go around being suspicious of everyone, Jasmine. He hasn’t done anything to warrant this attitude from you. He deserves a chance, at least.’

‘I guess my feelings matter less than the feelings of some stranger you’ve just let move in with us.’

‘That’s enough,’ Frank said in a voice that indicated he was done talking. He rarely snapped at Jasmine but she knew enough to know that she had lost this argument.

‘I’m tired, I’m going to bed,’ Jasmine told them and stood up quickly, the chair making the angry scream she wished she could.

‘Jasmine! Come back!’ her mother called after her, but she was already halfway up the stairs.

Chapter Nine

Now