Chapter Forty
Kim
The front door rattles as Danika, Cami, and Hugo enter the apartment late Friday afternoon. Bella’s thumping feet race down the hall as she goes to greet them.
The apartment is crammed. Danika’s house sold nearly two months ago—doing better at auction than expected—but Danika has yet to find somewhere she wants to buy.
In the meantime, they’re staying with Shirley and Paul, an arrangement that suits them all—except for Kim. The three of them spend every weekend at Kim’s apartment. Hugo’s presence is against the body corporate’s “no dogs” rule, but so far, they’ve got away with it. Every weekend, more of Cami’s and Danika’s things migrate to Kim’s apartment, which is getting way too cluttered. Clothes, shoes, soccer kit. Danika has brought over some of her kitchen appliances too, and Kim’s small countertop barely has room to prepare a meal.
Most Saturday mornings, Danika looks at houses while Kim takes the girls to soccer. The decision about soccer teams was made for them. Bella’s team folded—there wasn’t enough interest for a St Kilda girls’ team, so Bella picked a team in Oakleigh, roughly halfway between Belgrave and St Kilda. Cami switched to be on the same team as her sister, and Jorie movedas well. Sylvie is the only one of their soccer friends still with her original team, but Mirza has said she’s being beaten down, and Sylvie will join soon.
Danika is trudging around the open for inspections, looking at everything even half-suitable in her price bracket, from three-bedroom apartments overlooking bushland to modern townhouses with paper-thin walls and noisy neighbours. Cute and tiny two-bedroom cottages to ramshackle three- and four-bedroom places in need of serious work.
So far, there’s nothing she likes or would consider.
Danika paid the agreed money into the trust Alan set up for them, but they haven’t discussed it any further. Alan sent them the details of the trust, but both of them are good at ignoring its existence.
This Friday, Danika enters the kitchen, puts down two bags of groceries, and starts unpacking them.
Kim takes the almond milk, cheese, tofu, and dips and puts them in the fridge along with a bottle of fiano, while Danika stacks crackers and tins of baked beans in the pantry.
“Thai noodles tonight?” Danika asks.
It’s their Friday night routine. They order three sorts of noodles from a café around the corner from Kim’s apartment. Always medium-hot, and Kim has a selection of hot sauces for the girls and their iron stomachs.
“Yes.” Kim plucks the menu from the fridge. She doesn’t know why they need it; they order the same every time and the number is stored in her phone.
She orders, then turns to Danika. “So, what real estate are you looking at tomorrow?”
Danika chews her lip for a moment. “Just one that Mum suggested. It’s not on the market yet, but one of her contacts said it could be suitable. They want a quick sale as the elderly ownersare moving to a retirement village. It’s solid, but needs a bit of cosmetic work.”
“Sounds good,” Kim says. “Where is it?”
“Oakleigh. Not far from the soccer pitch, actually. Will you come and look at it with me? Maybe Suze could keep an eye on the girls.”
“Sure,” Kim says. She’s looked at a few places already with Danika, walking through houses and units, trying to imagine Danika in them.
“Great,” Danika says. “There’s no open for inspection as it’s not on the market, so the agent will meet us there. He suggested 10:30, which would work in with soccer.”
Danika doesn’t mention the house again, and they chatter their way through dinner with the girls. Hugo flops on the couch as he waits for Cami and Bella to join him.
Later in bed, after lovemaking, Danika rests her head on Kim’s shoulder. “Are you happy?”
Kim tenses. Why is Danika asking this now? Isshenot happy?
“Yes.” Kim presses a kiss to the top of Danika’s head. Is this what she means? Does she think they’ve become too complacent in their relationship? Is it too mundane? But no, they’re growing closer, tighter, and their lovemaking is spectacular. Even now, her body hums in the afterglow of orgasm. “I’m very happy with you. I don’t want to change anything. What about you?”
“These are the best times,” Danika says. “I’ve never felt as loved, as secure, as happily a family as I do with you and Bella. I’m a little stressed by the lack of house though. Mum and Dad don’t want us to leave, but it’s past time for us to have our own place again. I’m too old to be living with my parents!” She raises her head so she can look Kim in the face. “I guess I just wondered if you wanted more? More for us together?”
“I will always want more,” Kim says. “Anything you want to give. I love you, Danika, and I don’t see that ever changing.”
“I love you too.” Danika rests her head down again, and her hand creeps up to Kim’s breast. “Want me to show you?”
“Oh, yes.” And Kim’s momentary disquiet evaporates in the tumult of their renewed lovemaking.
Danika stops the car outside a large single-storey brick house. The garden is overgrown, and the house needs a bit of TLC. Paint is peeling from the window frames, and the front gutter sags. It’s also large. Kim sweeps her gaze over the house. Maybe four bedrooms. It must be in poor order if it’s in Danika’s price bracket.
A car door slams, and a muscled brown man in a suit approaches them. “Danika, hello. I’m Farid West from My New Home.”
