‘She didn’t even try to deny it,’ Mum said. ‘Not that she could.It’s not what it looks likewouldn’t have cut it. She simply glared at us and said,what did you expect when you cut me off? I need money. You owe me.’
So now she was gone, leaving them heartbroken and full of apologies that they hadn’t heeded my warnings and had hurt me by stirring up painful memories. I was glad that it had happened because they now knew the full truth about what Leanne did and what she was really capable of, but I was so sorry that they’d been hurt yet again by her. They were such kind people and they didn’t deserve to have anyone – especially their own daughter – treat them with such cruelty. Perhaps if I’d been braver and told them sooner, this could have been avoided. But I refused to go down the route of blaming myself about any of this. It was all Leanne’s doing.
A weighted body suit? I should have known. That leopard’s spots hadn’t changed – they’d multiplied instead. Now wasn’t the time to discuss the idea of reporting Leanne to the police – not after what they’d just been through – but I would have that conversation with them when the dust had settled and we’d decide what to do together. Did I want to see Leanne punished or did I just want her out of all our lives for good? My gut told me it was the latter and, as she’d just burned her final bridge with Mum and Dad, perhaps it was finally over.
48
JED
Aaron arrived back from his trip early the next evening so I picked him up from school after work.
‘I want to know all about your trip,’ I said as we walked back to my car, ‘but I’ve got some news I think you’ll want to hear first. I met with your mum last night and you know how you said you want to live with me permanently? Well, she says you can.’
He dropped his backpack on the ground and stared at me.
‘It’s vital you know she’s not rejecting you. She just thinks that… oof!’
He’d launched himself, almost knocking the wind out of me, and I wrapped my arms around him and held him tight. I closed my eyes, relieved to finally be able to do that without feeling guilty for going against Ingrid’s wishes and without fear that I was about to lose him.
‘Can I call you Dad now?’ he asked after he released me and we set off walking again.
‘I’d love that. Although I think you’ve called me it once already.’
‘I didn’tthink you’d heard.’
‘Oh, I heard and I loved it but I couldn’t make a big deal about it in case I lost you again. We’ve got lots to talk about…’
On the way home, I gave Aaron the key highlights of my conversation with Ingrid, taking care to emphasise that it wasn’t about his mum not wanting him but about wanting what was best for him. I think it went in but he was more excited about having me back as his full-time dad. We’d talk more over the weekend.
Mum, Dad and Lucy were delighted by the news, as was Erin when I FaceTimed her later. The university term had already ended and she’d been to Zack’s parents’ for a week but the pair of them would be back in Whitsborough Bay tomorrow for the rest of the Easter break. Zoe had overheard Tara and me discussing the lack of space at Mum and Dad’s a couple of weeks ago and had suggested Erin and Zack stay with her in the flat. It seemed ridiculous that such an obvious solution hadn’t entered our heads, especially with them all being the same age. Erin and Zoe had connected on WhatsApp and the pair of them seemed to have struck up a friendship already.
Aaron was shattered after his trip so he went to bed early and I also retired to my room to FaceTime Tara.
‘I bet it felt amazing to have that reaction from him,’ she said after I’d filled her in on Aaron’s response to my news.
‘It was such a special moment for both of us but it feels like a special moment for you and me too. Everything’s been up in the air while we’ve waited for the situations with Ingrid and Leanne to pan out. Now that they’re resolved and things seem to be calming down, we can finally start planning things – going for ameal with Michael and Nia and maybe even booking that weekend away.’
When we started talking dates, we realised a mini-break wasn’t going to be possible any time soon. April would be busy as Easter was the start of the tourist season with trade picking up. Then it would be Tara’s birthday and Carly’s wedding. Realistically, it would need to be in June after the half-term break and before the café’s birthday celebrations.
‘I’ve been thinking a lot about children,’ Tara said. ‘We agreed not to have any kids together but, aside from your girls, we’ve assumed responsibility for two teenagers – or an almost-teen in Aaron’s case. It should feel scary but it doesn’t feel that way at all. It feels like this was how it was always meant to be – that I was never meant to have my own kids because my help would be needed for someone else’s. Aaron’s a bit different because you’ve already got that connection and you’ve always been his dad but Zoe was a complete stranger to us both until recently. That got me thinking that there must be more teens like Zoe out there who haven’t had a decent start in life for whatever reason and would really benefit from someone looking out for them, believing in them and helping them believe in themselves. Zoe had hopes and dreams which she dismissed as impossible but they weren’t and she needed someone to help her see that and set her on the right path. What if we ran some sort of retailing and hospitality apprenticeship between us but specifically aimed at kids like Zoe? And what if, when Zoe’s ready to move into her own place, another teen in need moves into the flat and…’
Her face had become increasingly animated and her voice more full of passion as she spoke, but her smile slipped and she tutted.
‘Where’s my head at? When Zoe moves out, there won’t be a flat anymore because you’ll be converting it intoyour art studio. Ignore me. I’m just throwing ideas out there and I’m tired so I’m not thinking them through properly. Maybe not the flat but there has to be something we can do to help teens in need.’
‘I’m sure there is. I’m tired too so nothing springs to mind just yet, but let’s keep talking and I’m sure something will present itself.’
After we said goodnight, I lay back on my pillows and reflected on what Tara had said. I’d never come across anyone with such a drive to make a difference to others and it made me want to be a better man every day. What an inspiration she was.
49
TARA
On Saturday afternoon – the first day of the Easter holidays – I was restocking the soft drinks fridge behind the counter when I heard a woman asking for a table for five. I was sure I recognised that voice and, when I turned around, there she was.
‘Krystal! I wasn’t expecting to see you again.’
‘Surprise! We’re on holiday. After we met, I went exploring and loved the town. I wanted Benedict and the kids to see it so we have a caravan booked for a week.’
