Unsuitable

Audrey held the phone away from her ear a moment. No matter if Reece was on again with Sky, she needed to talk to him. “Do you know where he was going?”

“I do, but it’s none of your business.”

“Are you guys back together?” She hadn’t meant to say that. She could very well be Etta making this call.

“That’s certainly none of your business.”

Etta might know what to do next. “It’s not. I’m sorry to bother you. But I need to talk to him.”

There was silence, then a groan. “You did a number on him. Whatever you’ve got to say better include words to make him lose the great heaving sad attack he’s carrying around.”

“I’ll try.”

“We’re not together, though I can’t believe I told you that. He’s just changed a washer for me and gone home to his mother’s.”

“Thank you.”

Sky said, “Don’t make me regret helping you,” and hung up.

She couldn’t call him. She had to go to him. She wasn’t waiting any longer. She bundled Mia up and drove to the address Reece had given her as his next of kin contact. It was an old well-kept weatherboard house in a good neighbourhood. It had a wide verandah and the front door was open. His car was out the front. She was thirsty and dizzy and nervous and tired and adrenaline buzzed in her limbs.

“Don’t be scared, Mum.”

It was Mia holding Audrey’s hand when they went through the gate and up to the door.

Audrey knocked. A voice shouted, “We don’t believe in God. We’re going to burn in hell. Don’t bother with the pamphlet, and no, we don’t want cheaper gas.”

That had to be Neeva. Then Flip was in the hallway. “She’s here. Audrey’s here.”

She and Mia were surrounded, and Audrey was face to face with Reece’s mother. She held her hand out. “I’m Audrey Bates.” Reece’s mum shook her hand, briskly, catch and release. Audrey passed her hand over Mia’s head. “This is Mia.”

Reece’s mum smiled, but the girls were watching her and Audrey knew the smile had a certain meaning, she couldn’t be sure how much poison was in it.

“Charlotte McGovern. Charlie. You’ve met the girls. What can I do for you?”

There it was, not poison but a virtual shotgun. Audrey needed to state her business and it had better meet Charlie’s approval or she’d be invited politely to leave.

She wasn’t leaving without seeing him. “I’ve come to see Reece. No, that’s not right. I’ve come to get him. I’m in love with your son and I was a fool and didn’t understand how important that was, how important he was. But I’ve got it straight now, and I want to ask for another chance.” Brave words, but it was more complicated than that.

“I see.” The gun was still loaded.

“Is he here?”

“He’s not. He’s taken Etta for a driving lesson.”

Audrey held her breath. There was a subtle shuffling of feet and she realised the girls had arranged themselves at Charlie’s back.

“You’re welcome to wait.” Charlie turned to Flip. “Take Mia inside and be nice. When Reece gets home, leave him alone. I know you’ve been up to something, but it ends now.”

The girl’s vanished down the hallway. Mia didn’t so much as glance back at Audrey before entering the house, but Charlie never broke eye contact.

“How old are you?”

“Older than Reece.”

“Too old.”

“Isn’t that for him to decide?”