Sophie’s mind had raced as she ended the call.So Nel Foleywasback.She was a doctor now.Did Ryan know that?Sophie wasn’t sure if it would make him more or less likely to let her take Harvey.These things were hard to predict.Hopefully he would be in a good mood when he got home and she could ask him.
She looked at Harvey’s pale face.‘You okay, buddy?’She put a hand on his forehead.It was warm, but not hot.The Panadol she’d given him earlier seemed to be helping.
He nodded, watery-eyed.
‘Shall we keep going?’
He nodded again.Sophie looked back to the book.‘“That very night in Max’s room a forest grew …”’
As Max arrived at the island of the Wild Things, Harvey curled into her, his raspy breath warm on her neck.By the time Max started the journey back to his bedroom, Harvey’s breathing was long and steady.Sophie closed the book and placed it on the floor beside the bed.Her own eyelids felt heavy.She let them close, just for a minute.
‘Mum, Dad’s home,’ Jasmine whispered.
Sophie sat up, trying to shake off the heaviness of sleep.‘What time is it?’
‘I don’t know.The Voiceis finished.’
‘Where’s Charlie?’
‘In his room.’
‘You better get to bed.’Sophie kissed Jasmine’s forehead.‘Goodnight, sweet girl.’
Sophie stopped at the kitchen door, watching Ryan as he waited for the kettle to boil, trying to gauge his mood.The plate she’d put aside for him sat on the bench, untouched.He didn’t like to eat after seven.
‘I didn’t hear you come in,’ she said.
He swung around.‘Where’ve you been?’
‘I was settling Harvey—he’s got a cold.I had to pick him up from school before lunch.’
Ryan shook his head.‘You had to be half-dead to miss school when I was a kid.’
Sophie murmured in agreement.‘How was your day?’
‘Brilliant.’He flashed her a smile.‘We had another Hammond payday.’
‘Really?’
‘He bought the penthouse in the new development near the wharf for his mum, sight unseen.’
‘Wow, well done!’Sophie said, striving for the right tone.
It had been three years since the Sydney publican had first flown into Carrinya on his seaplane to inspect the brewery.A lot had changed in those three years.Roy had officially handed over the reins of Warner Property to Ryan and Lachie.Ryan had bought a block of land on the south side of town with a view of the ocean and built them a new house, made possible by the commission from the sale of beachfront properties to wealthy city people.He had also developed an obsession with cycling, which Sophie suspected cost them a small fortune.But despite the upward trajectory of Ryan’s income—which must be significant, not that she knew for sure—her weekly allowance was unchanged.It was becoming harder and harder to muster the appropriate level of excitement.
Ryan scoffed.‘The man’s got more money than God.’
She laughed, tentative, not sure it was quite the right response.
The kettle clicked off.
‘You go sit down,’ she said.‘I’ll make the tea.’
Chapter 9
The clinic was dark and cold when Nel and Cath arrived on Wednesday morning.They flicked on the lights and the heating and stood looking around.Nel was fighting an urge to leave when Viv, the practice manager, appeared at the door.
‘Nel!Look at you, all grown up!’she said, fleshy arms outstretched to take Nel’s hands in hers, hazel eyes shiny behind red glasses.Generally Nel didn’t like overly affectionate people, but Viv’s warmth was infectious.‘How wonderful to have you back, darling girl.I just wish it was in better circumstances.’
