Page 23
“I don’t want to put anyone out.”
“My grandparents have passed,” Poppy replies. “And since I’m practically living with Bennett now, you’d have the place to yourself.”
“I can’t afford much rent,” I say, mortified. “Hence why I’ve been staying at the caravan park. And I’m not sure when I’ll be able to go back to work.” I hold up my stupid hands as I say it.
“You can stay for free, Daisy.”
I bow my head as tears prick my eyes. Now I know where Nolan gets his kindness from. His family are exactly the same.
“I can’t imagine you’d be able to do much of anything with your hands bandaged like that,” Mrs Sinclair adds. “Is all that padding really necessary?”
“Do you think you could get Gordon to come to the house tomorrow, Mum, so he can have a look at her hands?” Nolan asks her.
My gaze moves to him. “Gordon?”
“He’s our family doctor,” his mother answers. “And of course. I’ll give him a call first thing in the morning.”
“Thank you,” I say.
“How are you showering and bathing bub?” she asks.
“Nolan has been helping with Jonah,” I reply, feeling heat rise to my cheeks. “As for me ...” I let the rest of my words trail off because I’m too embarrassed to say anything more.
Mrs Sinclair’s expression softens. “Since you and Nolan are only friends ...” She uses air quotes around the word friends. “Even though you’ve kissed, I might add, I understand why it would be difficult for you to let him help you with that.”
It would be awkward, and honestly, I wouldn’t dare ask. Helping me free my boob from my bra so I can breastfeed is one thing, but having him wash and dress me feels unfathomable.
“Would you feel more comfortable if it were me? You know, woman to woman. I could come by the house in the morning and help you shower and change,” Mrs Sinclair offers.
“I-I’d appreciate that,” I stammer.
“Now that we have that out of the way,” Bennett says, “I need to ask Daisy some questions.”
“What kind of questions?” Nolan counters.
“Have you applied for sole custody of Jonah?”
“No,” I answer. “I left without a game plan. I also didn’t want to do anything that would alert Jason to my whereabouts.”
“Daisy, you’re Jonah’s primary caregiver. You’ve been the one providing for him, making decisions for him, and meeting his day-to-day needs since he was born. You don’t need to wait until something goes wrong to protect yourself. We can start by applying for parenting orders and request that your son continue to live with you. If there are concerns about Jason’s behaviour we can address those as well.”
“How much will that cost?”
“I’m a lawyer. I can do all the necessary paperwork and court filings for you pro bono.”
“Why would you do that?”
“We call him the fixer,” Nolan says.
“Stop calling me that,” Bennett growls.
“Why would I stop, big brother? It’s the truth. You always swoop in and fix things. It’s what you do.” Nolan’s gaze moves to Poppy. “I’m right, aren’t I, Pop?”
Before Poppy can answer, Bennett fires back, “And now that I know what you’re secretly doing in the background while pretending to be an unemployed bum, I’m starting to question who the real fixer is. Although I have to admit free lawn care for the elderly and disadvantaged wasn’t exactly the career path I expected you to take.”
“Fuck off,” I grumble.
“Language,” his mother chides.
