‘Of course. I’ve been looking forward to this for months, it will be a lot of fun, but I’m probably most looking forward to seeing everyone’s costumes. Everyone normally puts in a lot of effort. I’ll take photos of everyone and text them to you.’
Zara had a mobile phone which unlike many of her friends she almost never used. It was off most of the time. She just took it out with her in case she needed to ring Alex for any reason. It made Alex feel happier knowing she had it in an emergency or if Zara needed her. It made Zara roll her eyes every time Alex asked ifshe had it with her. At least looking out for photos from Quinn’s party might actually make Zara want to take it with her tonight.
‘You’re going to look so funny,’ Zara said, resting her head on her arms.
‘Right, better go, I’ll catch you later.’ Quinn gave Alex another quick kiss, ruffled Zara’s hair, gave Immy a wave and ran out the door.
Immy gave him a mock suspicious glare as he ran down the path, which made Alex smile. If only she knew.
Alex walked into the Wonky Tree Studios a short while later and went straight up to see Quinn. He looked up from where he was working when she walked in and smiled.
‘Hey.’ He took her in his arms and gave her a kiss. He suddenly looked wary. ‘I have some news. Tina has issued a public apology.’
‘She hasn’t,’ Alex said, in surprise.
‘Have a look for yourself.’
Quinn fished his phone out of his pocket, swiped the screen a few times and then handed it over.
Alex could see the post was on the neighbourhood forum, just like the last one. There was a part of her that almost didn’t want to read it.
Tina Parker-Barrington:I would like to formally apologise to Alexandra Campbell for my previous post. It was not my place to cast judgement on someone else’s relationship and I’m not sure why I felt the need to negatively comment on something that makes someone else happy. Alexandra and her daughter have had a tough few years and I wish them both only happiness from here on in.
‘That’s nice, and she’s taking complete accountability for her actions,’ Alex said, looking up from the screen. ‘I’m not sure what you said to her to make her do such a U-turn with her feelings, but it worked.’
‘Well, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about—’
‘Hang on, let me finish reading.’
It has also come to my attention that Liam was not as squeaky clean as everyone was led to believe, which goes to show no one can really know what goes on behind closed doors and what people are secretly living with. My heart breaks for what Alex had to go through.
Those in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones, or as the bible says, ‘Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone.’ We should all be mindful of throwing stones at our neighbours when we all have our own faults and weaknesses.
Alex read it through again and felt her blood run cold. She looked up at Quinn. ‘What did you tell her about Liam?’
‘I was going to tell you but—’
She took a step away from him. ‘What did you do? You’ve told the most indiscreet person and the biggest gossip in the whole of Lovegrove Bay my deepest secrets. Why the hell would you do that?’
‘They’re not your secrets, they’re Liam’s. And why are you still protecting him after all this time?’
‘I’m not protecting him, I’m protecting Zara. Do you think I ever want her to find out what her dad was really like before he died, what he did to me? No kid needs to hear that.’
Quinn pushed his hand through his hair. ‘Look, I just didn’t want anyone to think he was this perfect man, because he was far from that. People loved him and, regardless of this statement from Tina, people will still look at you unfavourably because they feel you are betraying the memory of this wonderful, beloved member of the community. I just felt they needed to know he wasn’t so saintly.’
‘So you told the whole town that he was an alcoholic? That’s my business and you had no right to share that.’
‘I only spoke to Tina and I never—’
‘Look at these comments,’ Alex interrupted. “What do you mean, Liam wasn’t squeaky clean,” and “What do you know that we don’t?” and this one “Come on, Tina, dish thedirt.” Dish the bloody dirt, like my life is now this exciting form of entertainment. It was bad enough when people were gossiping because I was dating Liam’s brother but now they have something extra exciting: I was married to an abusive alcoholic. Why would you do this?’
‘I was trying to protect you. But I didn’t—’
‘Protect me, you’ve destroyed me,’ Alex interrupted.
‘I’ve destroyed him, not you. People will feel sorry for you.’
‘I don’t want their pity.’ She took another step away from him. ‘I don’t want to even be near you right now.’
