The Prodigal

By Violetta Antcliff

Poppy Berisford has everything going for her: a loving family, more pocket money than the average teenager and much more than her fair share of good looks. So why does she give it all up to go on the run with a boy who has nothing to offer her but toil, sweat and tears? A boy who hasn't even started to shave and like Poppy is under the impressio

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gypsy Shadow Publishing
• Release date: Nov 2, 2020
• ISBN: 9781619506367

Violetta Antcliff

Violetta Antcliff has been a member of the Nottingham Writers' Club for over twenty years. A winner of numerous short story competitions, her work was area short listed in Waterstone's Wow Factor story competition. Took first prize in Nottingham County Council short story competition with a story called "Irish Mouse Tales," which was published by Gypsy Shadow Publishing as an eBook in July of 2012. She has had her poetry and short stories read on local radio. Violetta is a prolific writer of short fiction, having written and published more than 40 short stories with Gypsy Shadow.

Book preview

Contents

Copyright Page

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

About the Author

The Prodigal

by

Violetta Antcliff

All rights reserved

Copyright © September 24, 2020, Violetta Antcliff

Cover Art Copyright © 2020, Charlotte Holley

Gypsy Shadow Publishing, LLC.

Lockhart, TX

www.gypsyshadow.com

Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher.

No part of this book may be reproduced or shared by any electronic or mechanical means, including but not limited to printing, file sharing, and email, without prior written permission from Gypsy Shadow Publishing, LLC.

ISBN: 978-1-61950-636-7

Published in the United States of America

First eBook Edition: September 30, 2020

Chapter 1

It was coming up to midnight when Poppy crept out of the house; both her parents were fast asleep in bed. She knew this because when she tiptoed past their bedroom door, she’d heard her father snoring.

Kyle had texted her earlier to say he would be waiting for her at the street corner. He reminded her to bring whatever money she could scrape together, at such short notice, with her.

Being extra cautious, not wanting to wake anybody, Poppy switched off the burglar alarm before opening the front door, then closed it quietly behind her and slipped the key through the letterbox.

As promised, Kyle was stood there waiting for her. He greeted her with, Did you remember to bring the money with you?

Poppy tapped her handbag Yes, it’s all in here, she said.

How much?

Thirty pounds. Every penny I’ve got. How much have you brought?

Fifty—the money I’d saved for the school trip to France. Won’t be going now will it? he said with a shrug of the shoulders.

So what’s the plan, or haven’t you come up with one yet?

Of course I have. First we make our way to the railway station. It’s a bit of a walk I know, but we’ve got plenty of time.

And then what? Poppy wanted all the details.

We make our way to Skegness, find someplace to stay and then I’ll get a job. Shouldn’t be any problem this time of the year.

Finding someplace to stay could be expensive, and don’t forget we’ve got to eat. Poppy was being practical, which was unusual for her.

When I said we would find a place to stay, I was thinking of a caravan, not a big posh family one, just a two birth.

And what will I be doing while you are out at work all day?

You could get yourself a job as a waitress, you look older than sixteen so you should have no problems.

I won’t be sixteen for another three weeks and working as a waitress in some greasy spoon café— Poppy threw her arms in the air. Well, there goes my plan for training as a brain surgeon, doesn’t it?

Kyle laughed. He was one year older than Poppy,