‘So I went up to Ida to give her my order and she told me to get to the back of the queue or sit back down. Like I’m some sort of school kid.’ Normally I wouldn’t take that kind of rudeness from anyone. I don’t know what’s up with me. Or rather, I do know what’s up with me, and I don’t like it. I don’t feel at all like myself.
‘Let me go and have a word.’ Kelly gets up. ‘What do you want, Tee?’
‘A sausage roll for Leo and a chicken salad wrap for me.’ But, actually, I feel like telling them to stuff their business up their arses before storming out.
Kelly goes up to the counter. I see her talk to Ida who gives her a warm smile and a nod.
‘Did she take the order from you?’ I ask when Kelly gets back.
‘Yeah, no problem.’
‘Thanks.’ I shake my head in disbelief. What the hell was all that about? The waitress deliberately ignored me and then Ida was downright rude.
‘You okay?’ Fiona asks.
I want to yell,No, I’m not okay!I really wish I’d never pushed Kelly into coming to meet me for lunch. It’s been a total waste of time. Rather than making me feel better, I now feel ten times worse. I want to cry with stress and frustration. Someone’s sending me disturbing photos, there are rumours going around that I’m a murderer, and, to top it all, everyone in town and at school seems to hate me.What the hell is going on?
‘Yep, fine,’ I reply, not wanting her to see that I’m rattled. But I’m not sure how long I can keep all this bottled up.
Seventeen
KELLY
I push open my front door. Luckily Derek agreed to let me close the shop early so I could be home when the kids get back from school. Normally they walk home and let themselves in when I’m at work, but because Sophie’s here, I’m not comfortable leaving them all together without me. Just in case something happens.
They shouldn’t be back for at least another half hour, which is perfect, as that will give me enough time to talk to Sophie about what she plans to do next. I’m not sure how much good a talk will do, but she can’t expect to stay here forever. I want to help her, of course I do, but hiding away in my attic isn’t going to fix whatever’s been going on in her life.
I’ll also have to call Tia later. I feel bad that she didn’t get a chance to talk about whatever it is that’s upsetting her. I thought she might open up to me and Fiona, but it was clear that she didn’t want to say anything in front of Fi. Not sure why because Fiona’s always been good at giving out advice. True, it’s not always the advice people want to hear – I guess she can sometimes be a bit too honest. But Tia’s also quite straight talking. I sense there might be some awkwardness between those two. Maybe things will settle down after our group picnic at the regatta tomorrow. I hope so. And I also hope Ryan isn’t going to be difficult. I have this niggling feeling he might refuse to come, and I really don’t want to leave him at home while we’re all supposed to be there having fun. Especially if Sophie’s still going to be here.
I step inside the house and close the door behind me. And then I freeze. My nerve endings prickle. There are voices coming from the kitchen. I cock my ear. There’s music playing, and it sounds like someone’s laughing. It must be Sophie. Has she let someone else into the house? I don’t think I’m very comfortable with that. No, I’m definitely not happy. In fact, my palms have begun to sweat. What if it’s her abusive partner who’s discovered where she is?
There’s another short burst of laughter. I know that voice. It sounds like…
I stride into the kitchen and throw open the door. Despite it being a bright day outside, the blinds are closed, and the lights are on. I realise that Sophie is still wary of anyone spotting her through the windows.
Right now, she’s leaning against the kitchen counter with a cup of tea, while Ryan and Sonny are seated at the kitchen table, their homework spread out before them. The radio’s playing some dance track while a DJ talks about tomorrow’s breakfast show. Sophie immediately straightens up when she sees me, her eyes wide and suddenly fearful.
‘Hi, Mum!’ Sonny waves. ‘Sophie’s helping us with our homework. She’s really good at it.’
‘Hello.’ I’m not sure what to make of this scene. ‘Why are you two home so early?’
Sonny rolls his eyes in an exact imitation of his brother. ‘It was a half day, Mum. Teacher training. You forgot.’
‘So how long have you been back?’
‘Ages,’ Sonny replies. ‘Sophie helped us make lunch.’
‘Uh, I hope that’s okay.’ She’s almost cowering. I hate to think that I’m the reason for her uneasiness.
‘Of course that’s okay.’ I smile, trying to put her at ease. ‘I’m grateful to you for helping them.’
‘Oh, I’m happy to do it. They’ve been telling me all about the regatta. Sounds great. I’d love to be able to sail. It sounds like such good fun.’
‘I could teach you, if you like?’ Ryan says, reddening.
I realise he might have a bit of a crush.
‘I’d love to take you up on that one day,’ she replies. ‘I didn’t realise you were a sailor.’
