Bailey glanced at the cover. “Yeah, I liked it too. Did you know it was made into a movie?”
Cassie shook her head as she looked at the cover ofDark Places. “I haven’t heard of this one as a movie, but I know the author did another one that was a movie.”
“You’re probably thinking ofGone Girl. It was really popular.”
“I don’t get to the movies very much,” Cassie responded, but despite her words, her tone was upbeat. That she managed to stay so positive never ceased to amaze Bailey. “I usually prefer the books anyway,” she continued.
He wondered if she was just saying that because money for a session at the movies was probably hard to come by, but Bailey felt much the same way. “Me too. Movies hardly ever do justice to the book.”
“I know, right? The characters never match what I created in my mind and I hate it when they leave huge bits out of the story or change the ending. At least with books I don’t have that problem.”
Jude spoke up. “What about if you hate the story? Most books are boring. At least a movie is over quicker.”
Cassie’s dark eyebrows were almost to her hairline. “What? How can you even say that? The longer the book the better. Hours and hours to lose myself in a make-believe world.”
Bailey knew exactly how she felt. Escapism was the main reason reading was his favourite pastime and why he knew access to books was so important for the people who couldn’t easily buy them. Books opened up the world, took the reader to new places, and provided a way to forget about real life and your troubles for just a bit. And he always chose a book with a happy ending.
“Go and check out the new selection. The guys at work brought in heaps of new stuff and they look great based on some of the covers.” He looked at Jude, who returned his gaze expectantly. “Yes, there are some old magazines that don’t look too bad as well.”
Jude gave him the thumbs up. “Thanks, man.”
Jude leaned into the back of the van next to Cassie and they started perusing the titles that caught their interest. It was nice to listen to their animated conversation as they laughed and joked. Even Emma had joined in and was at least looking at the boxes of books. She hadn’t picked anything up yet, but maybe she would if he didn’t pressure her. He knew from experience that kids could be contrary and do the opposite of what they were asked. Better to leave her to her own devices and see what eventuated.
Bailey stepped away, leaning on a street light, keeping one eye on the kids and the van while he made a phone call. Thursday was the one night he knew his dad wouldn’t be home.
“Mum?”
“Bailey. Oh honey, I’m so glad you’ve called.” Bailey’s felt a prickle at the back of his eyes as her voice washed over him. It’d had been way too long since he’d spoken to her and the happiness in her voice brought with it a surge of guilt. “Bailey? Are you there?”
He swallowed past the thickness in his throat. “Yeah, I’m here. How are you, Mum?”
“I’m fine, honey. More importantly, how are you? I haven’t heard from you for a couple of weeks. Are you doing okay?”
“I’m okay.”
“You’re still working at the energy company?”
“I am.”For now, at least.He pushed aside thoughts of the upcoming redundancies, as there was no point in worrying his mum needlessly. She had enough on her plate dealing with his father and Bailey’s little sister, Sarah. “What about Sarah? How’s she coping with high school? Have things settled down?”
“She’s doing much better.” Lightness returned to his mother’s voice. “She’s completed her first lot of exams and she’s fairly confident that her results will reflect all the study. It helped that she had support with the school making special provisions. Plus she’s joined the catering club. They meet a few times a term to prepare the food for school events and she loves it.”
Bailey smiled at the thought of his sister working alongside a group of her peers to cater for parents and teachers at the school. Even when she’d been tiny she’d loved to perch on a stool in the kitchen alongside their mum and help as she baked.
“And those girls?”
He heard his mother sigh at the mention of the group of girls who’d been determined to make Sarah’s start of high school a misery. “They’re still giving Sarah a hard time, but she’s found a lovely group of friends who are doing her the world of good. They do their homework together, and she’s been to the movies and even had a couple of sleepovers. You don’t have to worry, Bailey, shereallyis doing fine.”
It was just like his mum to know how much Bailey worried about Sarah. He always had and always would. Sarah had cerebral palsy. It was relatively mild and she was fairly mobile, the only obvious signs being a drag to her foot and a slight slurring of her speech, plus she struggled with some of the finer motor skills, but from the moment she’d started school, other kids had given her a hard time. At first, the younger ones hadn’t meant to single her out, rather they’d just been observant of her differences and asked thoughtless questions. There had been no malice but Sarah hated being asked why she limped and why she couldn’t talk properly. But as she got older, the questioning hadn’t stayed so innocent, the stares had turned into teasing, and Sarah had become more introverted. His bright and bubbly sister had become quiet and shy. Losing Stuart and the tension between Bailey and his father hadn’t helped—it was hard for Sarah and his mum, who had to tippy-toe around and live in a battle zone.
“Can I talk to her?”
“I’m sorry, honey. She’s in bed and asleep. The long days and adjusting to all the study are taking it out of her. Maybe if you call a little earlier next time?”
Bailey looked at the time. Nearly 10:00 p.m. He cleared his throat and pushed aside the guilt that he hadn’t called before Sarah’s usual bedtime. “Of course.” He then asked the question he asked on every phone call, although he wasn’t sure he really wanted to know the answer. “And how’s Dad?”
“Nothing much has changed since I last spoke to you. He’s at the club tonight.” Of course he was at the club; that was the reason Bailey had chosen tonight to call.
“You will contact me if you need anything, right, Mum? Anything at all.”
