“She didn’t?” I ask. What the hell was this woman doing when I wasn’t around?
Ace shifts Jimmy around so he can stroke the bunny's side. It’s like Ace was born to look after animals. I should encourage him to be a vet one day.
“No, she would play on her phone and tell me to go away, make me watch Eden.” My blood is boiling. “I had to put Eden to bed if you weren’t home.”
“I’m sorry, son. I didn’t know.”
Ace shrugs his shoulders. He is so young and has been neglected by his mother.
“Why didn’t you tell me before?” I ask.
“She’s my mum. I thought it was normal until Gemma… She likes me.” Ace's voice cracks a bit, I can tell he wants to cry. "She lets me play and she doesn't shout."
I take Jimmy from Ace, returning him to the enclosure. Then, I sit back down. I put my arm on his shoulder, pulling him in for a hug, which he desperately needs. My shirt is soon soaked in his silent tears. I wait until he’s ready to move out of my arms, before we talk again.
“I’ve been doing some thinking. I know how responsible you are. How about you give me another few months, and we can rescue some bunnies. There are plenty out there that need a loving home, and I think we could do that.” I know I'm giving in to my own emotions, but Ace is so caring and needs something to love—something more than just me and his sister.
“Can I?” His whole face lights up.
“Yes, but we have to make sure the enclosure we get is big enough. You know bunnies can live for around ten years, right? Sometimes even longer. So, when you are a teenager, I don’t want you to lose interest. I mean, we will have to tell Eden one is hers, but I don’t think she will be bothered.”
Eden’s attention span is rather short, to her they will be something she will love for five minutes then forget about and that’s the difference between them. I trust Ace to care for and look after the rabbits.
“Can we get some older ones?” he asks. "They need homes, too."
“Of course.”
I know I am going to be the main person to look after them, but he needs this. I have the perfect spot in the garden where we can install a large rabbit shed and attach a big walk-in run. At least the garden is fenced off so they can run around.
I pry Ace away from the rabbits and take him to get some food. Something light before dinner, though I think I'm going to have to cook, as my mother hasn't prepared anything thatGemma can reheat. Ace orders a toasted sandwich, and even though I tell him to be careful that it's hot, he takes a big bite and makes "fa fa fa" noises as he holds his mouth open to cool it down.
I get Eden a stuffed bunny as a consolation prize for not spending the evening with us. I let Ace pick it out for her and give him the money to count out to pay for it.
Ace looks pleased with himself, then he spots a fake red rose. "We should get that for Gemma," he says.
"We'll take one red rose," I say, pulling out more money. I just hope Gemma doesn’t get the wrong idea.
Chapter
Nine
ALEX
We’re all back homeby six. The girls show off their new, matching pink nails. Whilst Eden has hers just painted, Gemma seems to have some sort of tip on the edges of hers. Eden is warned that the colour would have to be removed before school tomorrow, which she isn't happy about. So, to try and cheer her up, we give her the new stuffed bunny. It calms things, if only a little.
The rose is sat in the bottom of the paper bag. Carefully taking it out, I give it to Gemma.
“For me?” She smiles. It’s as pretty as her.
Eden sees the rose and starts to cry. Gemma gives it over to my daughter who smells it and then discards almost as soon as she is handed it.
“What are we doing for dinner tonight?” Gemma asks me.
She jumps on the kitchen unit, grabbing an eating apple from the fruit bowl.Her long legs are crossed over each other. How short are her shorts?
“Let’s get the cookbook out. I’m sure we can make something. Kids, want to help with dinner?” I ask.
“Yes,” they shout in unison.
