‘Until we get the DNA results, we can’t say for sure. But, yeah, Mum’s reaction makes me think we are.’
‘When will we get the results back?’
‘Don’t know,’ Meg said. Georgie had done the test before Christmas. ‘A week or so?’
A waitress delivered hamburgers.
‘Do you think we should tell your mum?’ Meg asked.
‘Nah.’ Georgie picked up the burger, barbecue sauce running down her hand. ‘Not yet.’
‘Why not?’
‘You need to find out what happened before you tell her. You know Jenny is Anna, but you don’t know anything else. You don’t know who your father is. You still have too many questions and not enough answers.’
Meg looked at her towering burger, considering Georgie’s point. Maybe she was right. If there were too many gaps in the story, Chrissy might put her walls up even further. That was the last thing Meg wanted. But the urge to tell Chrissy what they knew was strong.
‘Maybe Chrissy can help me find the answers I’m missing,’ she said.
Georgie shook her head.
‘Why not?’ Meg picked up a knife to cut the burger in half.
‘I don’t want you ambushing her with all this.’ Georgie pulled a piece of beetroot out of her burger, putting it on the side of her plate. She looked up at Meg. ‘I dunno how much more she can handle.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘She’s a wreck, Meg. She’s working seven days a week at the café, but by the time she’s paid the rent, the staff, the suppliers, there’s nothing left.’ Her eyes flashed with emotion. ‘And Dad’s not getting any better. He’s in constant pain.’
‘Can something be done to help him with the pain?’ Meg asked.
Georgie abandoned the burger and slumped back in her chair. ‘He’s on oxycontin. It was prescribed by the doctor the Ashworths sent him to and now he’s addicted. Mum’s been trying to wean him off it, but when he stops, he moans most of the night in agony. She’s basically working to pay for his medication at this point. That’s why I’m working so much. I was going to study beauty therapy at TAFE, but we can’t afford it right now. I’m giving most of my pay to her, but it’s still not enough.’
Meg thought of the older girl in the Facebook photos. ‘Do you have any siblings?’
Georgie nodded. ‘An older sister, but she lives in London. She bailed when things got tough. Can’t say I blame her, to be honest. It’s not much fun around our place.’
‘Chrissy’s lucky to have you,’ Meg said, feeling a wave of admiration for this young woman. And maybe just a tinge of jealousy. ‘You really love her, don’t you?’
Georgie shrugged. ‘She’d do anything for us.’
‘Is that why …’ Meg hesitated, hoping she wasn’t overstepping. ‘Is that why you’re doing OnlyFans?’
Georgie’s face hardened.
‘I saw the link on your Instagram,’ Meg explained.
‘I don’t want your judgment, Meg.’
‘I’m not judging.’
‘It’s just nudes,’ Georgie said. ‘Half the boys in this town have seen my nudes already after Charlie Cook sent them around when I was in year ten.’
‘Do you make much money out of it?’
‘Not yet. I’m still building my profile. Beats working here, though.’ Her face brightened. ‘Oh! I forgot to tell you, I worked at the Ashworths’ place on Christmas Day. Heather and Malcolm’s place.’
‘What? You’re just mentioning this now? How did that come about?’
