‘OK,’ says Rose slowly. ‘Let’s unpack this. Your sister told you to get help by coming here?’
Dan nods.
‘You don’t really understand why.’
Again, Dan nods. ‘Vicky made me book this shortly after Julia got out of the psychiatric hospital. She lives with her cousin, Miriam. They’re very close. Julia point blank refused to spend longer in the hospital than the mandatory period. Miriam was going to be away, so I suggested that she move in with me and she said no because her psychiatrist advised against it.’
Rose wonders why the psychiatrist advised this but that’s for another day.
Let him get the bones of the story out so he can think about it. Telling your truth to other people is more than the sum of its parts.
‘The thing is, I’m terrified my sister is right.’
He finally looks up and, now, he no longer has his calm, disinterested mask on. Now he’s maskless and honest.
‘I’m terrified that it is my fault, you see. That I drove her to it. But I don’t know why. I wish I did. I want to fix whatever it is that I’m doing wrong so Julia’s happy.’
The group inhales en masse and Dan stares pleadingly at Rose.
I want you to tell me I didn’t drive her to it, those eyes say.
That’s not how therapy works, Rose thinks.
Chapter Ten
‘Did you make her do it?’
It’s Dianne who speaks, her small face taut with anger. ‘Did you? Men like you can drive a woman to anything,’ she hisses.
Dan looks appalled.
‘No—’ he begins.
Dianne’s out of her seat, rage quivering in every part of her.
‘Thank you, Dianne,’ says Rose. She rises from her chair too, but she’s commanding, firm, utterly in control. ‘Let me continue for now.’
Dianne’s mouth tightens. She does not sit back in her chair, though: she’s bolt upright, tensed for action. If Dianne had a spear in her hand, Rose imagines her stabbing Dan, so great is her fury.
‘Dianne.’
Rose moves to Dianne and puts a hand on Dianne’s arm.
Dianne jerks at the touch.
‘Please, it’s going to be all right. I promise,’ Rose says softly.
‘You can’t promise,’ says Dianne, and her eyes are opaque with pain.
‘I can,’ says Rose.
Keera and India are on the edge of their seats now, each ready to step in.
‘Please,’ Rose says to Dianne, still touching the other woman’s arm. ‘I can help you, you know,’ she says very softly.
‘Nobody can,’ says Dianne in a whisper, wrenching her arm away, but she sits.
Rose manages to gain enough self-control to sit back in her throne-like seat and turn her attention to Dan.
