Page 3 of The Paradox Club

“Not possible.”

“Look, Tess, if you drop out of school, it means you can’t go on living in the dorm. You don’t have a job or any significant amount of money. You won’t even be able to see me or anyone else in this office once you’re officially not a student anymore. I don’t want you living on the streets. You have to go somewhere.”

“And you think I should go to Marie?”

“Your mother. Yes. That would certainly be one choice. But you shouldn’t go there if you think she’s only going to make the situation worse.”

“Then I shouldn’t go there.”

“When was the last time you saw your mother?”

“Two years ago, I think.”

“You haven’t seen her since your sophomore year?”

“Maybe three years ago, then.”

“Why haven’t you seen your mother in three years?”

“Harry died when I was twelve.”

“In the fire.”

“Right.”

“Ten years ago.”

“Right.”

“And…”

“And, like I said, I did spend some time with Marie, even though she clearly didn’t want me there. But finally, I couldn’t do it anymore—sitting there absorbing her resentment. So, when I was fourteen, I stopped going. On the advice of therapist number one. I mean, I’d visit for an awkward hour or two at Christmas, but other than that…”

“How long had you been in therapy?”

“A few months.”

“Your father was dead, your mother ignored you, and you waited almost two years to see a therapist?”

“I was a kid. What did I know?”

“Not even a school counselor or anything?”

“Therapist number one was the school counselor.”

“And you lived with Aunt Vivian?”

“On holidays. When I wasn’t at boarding school.”

“Who decided to send you to boarding school?”

“I got the impression Marie and Aunt Vivian talked about it together. Something about giving me a fresh start.”

“And they didn’t think you were a little young to go away to school?”

“I was intellectually mature, Vivian said.”

“Is Aunt Vivian your mother’s sister or your father’s?”