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As he turns, a look passes between us and with a small smile, he winks before heading out into the cold night.
* * *
As I liein the spare bed, I wonder how I got here. Yesterday my life was all mapped out. I was doing a job that I love and my head was set on solving the mystery. I never thought I’d enjoy it though and it’s all down to one man.
I am so conflicted with my emotions. The woman in me is screaming to grab him with both hands and not let go but the detective in me is trying desperately to remain professional and not become the stereotype I hear the guys joking about in the office. I want to be better than them, not to prove their misogyny right, so I’m battling with my own feelings as well as a family emergency and the realisation my parents had a secret and never even considered telling us.
I like to believe I would be happy for them and encourage them to spend the money. They won it fair and square, but I know deep inside I would have shared my good fortune with them if it was me. I suppose it’s only when the situation becomes a reality that the truth comes out and perhaps I would do as they did and put myself first. It’s not a bad thing and I hate myself for being disappointed in them, but then again, why would they consider me? I’m hardly the doting daughter and distanced myself from my family in the pursuit of my dream job. That’s why I completely understand Robert and what he did. I would have done the same, and I also understand his guilt because nobody likes to imagine they’ve hurt someone, especially a man who was his only friend.
There is so much whizzing around my mind I can’t sleep, and my thoughts turn to Sable and Robert’s father, David.
There is something strange about him, but Sable is completely different from what I expected. Seeing her with Brad and Angelina revealed how much she loves children, making me wonder what her relationship with Robert is like and if they are distant because of his father.
The fact Robert has gone home is also interesting because when he left, it was as if part of me was leaving with him.
Somehow, I fall asleep and it’s as if my head just hit the pillow before the alarm goes off.
* * *
I havea newfound respect for my sister after the morning I’ve had. To be honest, attempting to rise two sleepy, belligerent children from their warm and cosy beds after a late night took a superhuman effort. It took all my powers of manipulation to get them to eat the cereal I provided, and I almost forgot to pack their nativity outfits, which also gave me anxiety as I stuffed the feather boa in a unicorn rucksack. What will the teachers think when my niece dresses as a femme fatale for the Christmas story? Sally is lucky she’s not here because, quite honestly, the playground mafia will dine out on this for months.
Finally, we slam the door behind us and as I open the garage, I just pray Sally’s car is here because if it’s not, we are going to be extremely late.
“Auntie Jess, I’m not feeling well.” Angelina whines, holding her tummy and screwing up her face.
“You’ll be fine.” I stare at the monstrosity that is lurking in the garage and my heart sinks. Does Sally really need this all-terrain vehicle in the leafy suburbs?
The rather large and angry Cherokee jeep stands smirking at me defiantly, almost daring me to chance my luck. This isn’t a car, it’s a transformer and I half expect it to morph into the giant robot and crush me to dust under its heavy boot.
Brad shouts, “I’ve forgotten my homework.”
Tossing him the keys, I say quickly, “Go and get it while I bring the car out.”
“No, I’ve forgotten to do it.”
I spin on my heels and stare at him in dismay and he shrugs, appearing not to care less that he’ll be reprimanded for this.
“Why didn’t you remind me?” Once again, it’s as if this is my fault and the guilt I’m wearing like a technicolour dream coat for all to see, is not easing at all as the hours tick by being a replacement mother.
“I forgot.” He shrugs and I bite back, “Then you must deal with the consequences and tell your teacher that.”
“But mum always does it for me.”
“She does not.” I gasp and Angelina nods, seemingly forgetting about her tummy ache as she senses her brother is in trouble. “She does mine too.”
“Why?”
“Because she likes it.” Angelina smirks and I growl, “We don’t have time for this and just so you know, I’m not your mother and I willnotbe doing your homework. Understand?”
“I want mummy.” Angelina begins to cry, and Brad looks a little worried. “She is coming home, isn’t she?”
“Daddy too.” He adds as an aside.
“Of course.” I sink to my knees and pull them into my arms and say gently, “They are just enjoying a few days away. It was sudden, and they had no time to waste, but they love you very much and will be home before you know it.”
“Won’t mummy be coming to see me be a fairy?”
Angelina sobs and Brad’s voice wobbles a little as he whispers, “Daddy promised.”
