‘How are the boys?’ Kelly neatly changes the subject. ‘Thanks for looking after them. I hope they weren’t any trouble.’
‘They were lovely, Kelly. No trouble at all. Maybe just… a little subdued, but that’s understandable.’ I don’t mention Nathan’s attitude towards them. He didn’t show his true feelings to Ryan and Sonny, but I’m worried that they might have picked up on his reluctance to have them to stay. Luckily, Nathan was all smiles today. He seems to have forgotten about yesterday’s outburst. When I got back from Kelly’s place yesterday evening, he was still in the lounge, so I crept upstairs to check on the boys, who were out for the count, bless them, so I turned off their light and crawled off to bed too. Nathan came up a while later. He whispered my name and didn’t sound cross, but I didn’t want to risk a repeat of earlier, so I pretended to be asleep.
‘I can’t wait to see my boys,’ Kelly says, picking up her pace. ‘This whole thing has been such bad timing – not that there would ever be a good time for something like this. But Ryan was finally cheering up after his disastrous race and we were planning on spending a lovely family evening together. I was feeling so optimistic yesterday.’
‘You can still pick up where you left off,’ I say, realising that it won’t be the same. That Kelly won’t be able to relax. She’ll be worrying herself sick about what’s going to happen next.
‘What if I go to prison, Fi?’ Kelly stops in the middle of the road and I have to nudge her forwards. ‘What if I’m found guilty of this false imprisonment thing?’
‘Never gonna happen.’
‘You don’t know that.’
‘Mum!’ Sonny has jumped out of the car and is running towards us. Ryan follows suit. I watch the three of them hug as though they’ve been parted for centuries, and I feel a pang of envy at their closeness. I don’t think I’ve ever loved anyone like those three love one another, and I’m not sure I ever will. I walk to the car and wait for them to join me. Through the windscreen I see them talking nineteen to the dozen. Kelly still looks exhausted, but the light has come back into her eyes. She sees me looking and gives me a smile, ushering the boys back to the car.
‘You know you didn’t need to pick me up.’ Kelly gets into the passenger seat. ‘It’s lovely of you, but it’s not exactly miles to walk.’
‘Are you kidding?’ I reply as Ryan and Sonny get into the back seat. ‘As if these two would have waited patiently for you to walk home. They’ve been antsy all morning waiting to hear when you were coming back.’ I start the engine and pull off down the road.
‘Yeah, Mum,’ Sonny agrees. ‘We missed you. What was it like at the police station?’
While Kelly fields more questions from the boys, my mind wanders back to my own problems. The tax inspectors will be coming back to Salinger’s tomorrow, and they still haven’t given me any information about anything. Any hint about what they might be looking for. The only time they ever speak to me is to query paperwork or ask what certain receipts are for. They’re stern-faced and completely unapproachable, and I’m seriously worried. Especially as I’ve reassured Nathan that everything is fine and above board. What will I do when it all comes out into the open?
Maybe I should confide in Kelly. It would take her mind off her own problems. But that’s just selfish of me. I can’t burden her with my issues. Not now.
‘Fi… Fiona? Are you okay? You missed the turning.’ I realise Kelly’s talking to me, and that she’s right. I’ve been so caught up in my thoughts that I’ve taken the turning towards my house instead of hers.
‘Oh, sorry. I’ll turn left here.’
‘Is everything okay?’ Kelly puts a hand on my arm.
‘Yeah.’ I take a breath. ‘Yes, everything’s fine. I just zoned out for a minute.’
‘Oh!’ she cries suddenly. ‘Slow down! Slow down!’
At her outburst, I hit the brake, swerve slightly and almost hit a parked car. ‘Kelly, what is it? What’s wrong?’
‘Mum!’ Sonny calls from the back seat.
‘Are you okay, Mum?’ Ryan asks.
‘Sorry, Fi, but is that Tia?’ Kelly turns and cranes her head. ‘On the other side of the road, back there on the corner. Who’s that she’s talking to?’
I glance in the rear view and see Tia talking to a youngish, dark-haired man. ‘Yes, that’s Tia. Do you want to go and speak to her?’
‘Who’s that man she’s with?’
I realise I’ve stopped in the middle of the road, but there are no cars behind me so I’m all right for the moment. I put my hazards on anyway and turn around to get a better look. The guy looks to be in his twenties, but it’s not anyone I recognise. ‘Is he someone you know? Do you want me to pull over?’
‘Yes! I mean, no! Keep driving, keep driving!’
I turn off the hazards and continue down the road, wondering what it is that could have got Kelly so spooked about that guy.
The boys are still looking out of the back window. ‘What’s the matter, Mum?’ Ryan asks.
‘Nothing, Ry. I just thought it was someone I know, that’s all.’
‘Everything okay?’ I mouth at Kelly.
