She hugs me closer, feeding me the tiny scraps of crunchy chips from what’s left, knowing I like them best.
Her voice softens, becoming the soft pillow of reassurance I need, letting me slowly thaw. “You’ve had such a hard run of it lately, but the world’s not usually like this. It won’t always be coming at you at a hundred miles an hour, you’ll see.”
I dredge up a smile. “Maybe I should become a hairdresser’s apprentice, instead.”
“If I thought you had any leanings that way, I’d hire you on the spot.” She drops a kiss on my forehead. “But I don’t think making small talk with customers while you spend hours on your feet will suit you.”
“How dare you? I can stand.”
We stare at each other for a second, then dissolve into giggles, some of my equilibrium returning.
“God, I love you,” she says, giving my shoulders one last squeeze before she stands, crumbling the paper into a tiny ball that can go into the green waste bin. “Whatever you decide to do, I’ll have your back. Take some time away from school if you want. I’ll sort it with the principal.”
The idea sounds good in theory, but I’d hate to lose touch with Clare. And Dahlia and Evie seem set to become good friends.
But in the morning, the idea of going to school and pretending to pay attention exhausts me. I make toast for breakfast, staring out the window, wondering what I’d do with myself if I stayed at home all day.
As though he knows I need guidance, Zane calls.
“Hey, sorry to interrupt whatever you were doing.” He sounds uncharacteristically nervous, a state that weirdly lifts my spirits. “I wondered if you wanted to use Mum’s studio today. I need to go to school, but you’re welcome to be there while me and Dad are away if it helps.”
The idea of spending all day in there, alone, taking my time to work out what I want to do is appealing. “Thank you. That would be good.”
“Really?” He sounds surprised enough that I smile. “Excellent. I’ll send a car around for you straight away.”
I try to tell him I’m fine biking, it’s a nice enough day, but he’s already disconnected.
The moment I pull the phone away, Mum frowns at me. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes, I think so.” It even feels vaguely true.
We finish eating, then I rinse our plates and stack them in the dishwasher.
“If you’re not going to school, do you want to bus with me into town? You could go to the movies or spend the day window shopping.”
“Zane offered me the use of his mother’s studio.” She raises her eyebrows and I hasten to add, “He’ll be at school. It would just be me there on my own.”
“Well, you know enough to make your own decisions.” Spoken with the clear intonation that suggests she doesn’t think that at all.
I’m about to make a cheeky retort when there’s a beep from the driveway. I race outside, Mum following close on my heels.
Maddox stands on the driveway, next to the brilliant yellow Maserati. Evie waves from the driver’s seat of his car, having followed behind.
“Apparently, I’m a delivery driver now,” he says, waiting until I’m close enough to toss me the keys. “Enjoy.”
I fumble the catch, having to bend to grab them from the driveway. By the time I straighten, Maddox is in the passenger seat, yelling goodbye.
“The last time a man apologised to me, I got a five-dollar card from the chemist.” Mum rolls her eyes. “This is far more impressive.” She leans over to give the side a pat. “I’ve missed you, baby.”
Her abrupt change makes me snort with laughter. “You’re meant to be instilling principles in me, not falling head over heels in love with a sports car.”
My gentle caress of the same paint job is far more surreptitious.
“You grew principles all by yourself. I’m the one who used to whip your dad in sex dungeons, remember? Nobody should trust my advice.”
“Mum!”
“What?”
