Why Aren't They Screaming? by Joan Smith Page A

track from the road, a look of utter dismay on her features. Loretta turned and saw a young man in jeans standing on the edge of the clearing, his feet planted firmly apart as though he was preparing to resist any challenge that might be thrown at him. There was an unnatural silence in the camp, and an air of tense anticipation. When he finally spoke, his words were an anticlimax.
    â€œLo, Peggy. I’ve been looking for you.’
    Peggy stayed where she was, the group of women and the fire between herself and the newcomer.
    â€˜You needn’t have bothered. I’m all right where I am.’
    â€˜You must be joking! Call this a home?’ He gestured towards the camp with his left hand, not even trying to conceal his contempt. ‘This is no place for you, girl. The bike’s down the road. Why don’t you come home?’ For asecond he sounded unsure of himself; it was more a plea than a question.
    Peggy said nothing, and another uncomfortable silence ensued. After a moment the man moved further into the clearing, stopping on the edge of the group of women. Loretta could see a complicated tattoo on his left forearm: a heart pierced by an arrow, and in its centre a woman’s name, Peggy.
    â€˜You keep back, don’t come any closer!’ His movement had stirred Peggy into action. She looked around frantically, as if for a weapon. ‘Keep away from me, Mick, I mean it! I don’t want nothing to do with you any more!’
    â€˜For Christ’s sake, Peggy –’ He began to advance round the circle of women, holding out his right hand as though coaxing a shy animal. ‘Look, we gotta talk – for the kid’s sake. What’ve you done with the kid?’
    A squeal of rage broke from Peggy. ‘Don’t you mention her, you, you –’ Words seemed to fail her. ‘She’s in a safe place where you’ll never get your hands on her, you vicious bastard! Get away from me,
get away!’
    The man had rushed forward, and Loretta began to move; Clara was quicker, posing her considerable form between Peggy and the enraged Mick.
    â€˜That’s
enough
!’ she cried in tones that rang across the clearing. ‘Peggy’s told you she doesn’t want you here, whoever you are, so you can take yourself off! Go on, you heard me!’ She pointed back in the direction of the road. ‘Go
on.’
    The young man glowered at her for a second, then ducked suddenly under Clara’s arm and made a successful grab for Peggy. The two struggled together, Peggy screaming and gasping as she tried to break free, Mick cursing as her kicks and scratches went home. Loretta and Clara flung themselves into the fray, and Loretta received a sharp blow to the side of the head as Mick let go of Peggy and grappled with his new assailants. She staggered back, as other bodies rushed past her; seconds later Mick was on the ground, shouting ineffectual obscenities at the half dozen women who had pinned him down. She saw Clara lean forward, fixing him with a fierce glare as she addressed him slowly and clearly.
    â€˜In a moment, my friends and I are going to let you go. I’m going to count to ten, and if you haven’t got the sense to disappear before I get there, we’ll have to do something that’ll make you sorry you ever came here. Understand?’
    Loretta heard the words ‘you old bitch’ escape the man’s lips as he made another bid for freedom. Clara was unperturbed.
    â€˜That’s quite enough of that, young man. You’ve already shown us what bad manners you have.’ She went down on one knee and poked him sharply in the chest. This is my land and I don’t want the likes of you on it. Got it?’
    Mick nodded his head in sullen agreement, and Clara stood back.
    â€˜All right, eveyone, let him go. One... two... three...’
    Mick was already on his feet and making for the edge of the clearing. When he reached the