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‘That should have given you a hint,’ she retorted sharply. ‘You’re not wanted here.’
‘Yes, he is!’ This was from Jake, who wore a belligerent expression. His jaw was set, his eyes brimmed with tears, and his hands were curled into fists by his side. Izzie’s eyes were huge and she looked from one to the other of her parents, back and forth, like a spectator in a tennis match.
Annabelle heard Ron shuffling behind her, but she didn’t have time to consider how he might be feeling right now. She had more important matters to deal with – such as how to persuade her ex-husband to bugger off and leave them alone, and how to deal with the fallout from Jake and Izzie when he inevitably did leave. Which he would; walking out on them was his trademark.
‘Dad, can we gonow?’ Jake tugged at his father’s arm, a pleading look in his eyes, and Annabelle’s heart ached with the hurt she saw on his face. Izzie, she noticed, had plugged her thumb in her mouth again, a sure sign she was upset.
Troy shrugged him off. ‘Not now, son. I’ve got things to sort out with your mother.’
‘There’s nothing left to sort out,’ Annabelle said.
‘Bella, Bella, can’t we talk about this like civilised human beings?’ Troy licked his lips. ‘I’ve come a long way. I’m tired and thirsty. Can I at least have a drink? And a bed for the night would be nice.’
‘There’s nowhere for you to sleep,’ Annabelle said stoutly.
‘Yes, there is, Mum. He can sleep in my bed.’
Annabelle turned to Jake and said, ‘I hardly think your Aunt Kate would be happy with a strange fella sleeping in the same room as Sam.’
‘He’s not a strange fella, he’s my dad.’
‘Kate doesn’t know him from Adam.’
‘Then Kate is stupid.’
‘Don’t speak about your auntie like that.’ Annabelle was appalled at her son’s rudeness.
‘You hate him,’ Jake declared. ‘It’s your fault we’re not going back to Australia. You made us come here. I hate it here!’ Jake was trembling from head to foot, his face pale, tears pouring down his cheeks.
Annabelle took a step towards him, but as soon as she moved, Jake yelled. ‘I hate you! Hate you, hate you,hate you!’ Then he whirled on his heel and fled into the house.
Izzie hiccupped a sob, and Annabelle’s heart tore in two as she drew her away from her father, who’d hardly noticed her.
‘He can have my bed,’ Ron said from behind her.
Annabelle had forgotten he was there. ‘There’s no need, my ex won’t be staying,’ she told him.
Izzie let out a wail and buried her face in her mother’s stomach. ‘I miss him, Mum. Please let Dad stay.’
Annabelle turned anguished eyes to Ron. ‘What do I do?’
‘You do what you think is best for you and the children. Nothing else, and no one else, matters.’ And with that Ron gave her a small sad smile and followed Jake into the house.
‘Who’s he?’ Troy glowered after him.
‘A friend.’
‘Oh, yeah? What kind of friend?’ He sounded belligerent.
‘He’s Beverley’s lodger.’
Troy’s lips twisted into a scathing grin. ‘I bet that’s not all he is.’
Annabelle rolled her eyes. ‘When’s the next flight out,’ she asked, refusing to be drawn.
‘No idea.’
‘Youhavebought a return ticket, haven’t you?’
