Another text pinged on her phone, causing her to brake inadvertently. She let out a long breath as she saw it was Damien. The text appeared on the display.
Running a bit late. Will meet you at your dad’s. Xx
‘Dad’s acting so weird lately,’ Amy said. ‘Is he sad about something?’
Thoughts of Zane Fox momentarily left Hannah’s mind as she considered Amy’s question. Her daughter was very perceptive; Damien had been distant and distracted lately. She could pinpoint exactly when it started – the second Sunday in June. The morning after his monthly poker game he’d not been himself. He’d dropped in to see his parents that morning and judging by his mood when he’d returned, she’d worried that something was wrong with them. He’d assured her they were fine, that he was tired and had a few things on his mind. ‘I think he’s just stressed with work,’ she told Amy.
‘Well, I need him not to be. I have to talk to both of you about something important and if he’s stressed he’s just going to say no.’
‘Oh? What’s that?’
‘I’m too old for after-school care and . . .’
‘We’ve discussed this before and the answer’s still no,’ Hannah snapped, cutting Amy off. ‘It’s not a matter that’s up for discussion. When Dad and I are working, that’s what you have to do. End of topic.’
‘Fine, I’ll speak to Dad. Even when he’s stressed he lets me finish my sentences.’
It was impossible not to miss Amy’s scowl in the rear-view mirror as Hannah opened her mouth, ready to respond. She closed it again. What she really needed was to take a deep breath and do her best not to let Zane Fox’s sudden reappearance rattle her. She didn’t deal well with stress, and unfortunately those closest to her usually felt the fallout.
‘Nat’s here,’ Amy announced as they slowed in front of the magnificent Edwardian brick house.
Nat’s presence was hardly going to lift Hannah’s spirits. They hadn’t spoken since the disastrous life coach birthday gift. She still didn’t understand her sister’s reaction. Life coaches were amazing. She’d seen one five years earlier and now made appointments every six months to make sure she was on track to meet her goals. She couldn’t comprehend how Nat interpreted the present as anything but an opportunity. She wasn’t planning to bring it up tonight though. She would do her best to be friendly and hope Nat reciprocated.
Hannah took Amy’s hand, surprised that her daughter let her, as they made their way along the pebbled path to the front door. She drew in a breath and managed to smile, noting the lavender-blue hydrangeas were still in flower in the garden bed that ran along the front of the house. To have flowers in mid-July was a sign, according to her father, that ‘all was well in heaven’. Her mother had adored hydrangeas, and when they were still in flower on her birthday she’d said the gods were looking down on her and preparing her for a wonderful year ahead. Following her death, it had always seemed extra special when they were in flower on her birthday.
The garden was well looked after. The lawns were neatly mown and the two bushes either side of the path had been recently trimmed. She’d never considered it anything special when they were growing up, but now East Malvern was a sought-after area in Melbourne’s south-east and her father’s house retained its character and charm. Newly built townhouses surrounded it, but the leafy garden kept it private and tranquil.
Amy dropped her hand and broke into a run to reach the door first. She knocked and it opened instantly. Hannah’s father, his thinning hair now almost totally grey, was waiting on the other side. He scooped Amy into a tight embrace, eliciting a muffled cry of objection from his granddaughter.
‘Hi, Dad.’ Hannah leaned towards her father and planted a kiss on his cheek as Amy squirmed out of his arms and went inside, no doubt in search of his beloved dog, Toby. ‘How are you?’
Her father linked his arm through hers. ‘Good, love. Now come in, it’s freezing out there. We’ve got the fire on and the wine open.’
‘Damien will be here any minute,’ Hannah said as he led her along the wide hallway to the back of the house. ‘He’s running a bit late from work.’
‘That’s fine, Han.’ Sue looked up from the kitchen bench as they entered the open-plan kitchen and living area. Her father let go of her arm and went in search of more glasses.
‘Sorry, I’d come and hug you but my hands are covered in flour.’
Sue was the one woman Hannah knew for sure her mother would have approved for her father. Her best friend for twenty-eight years, Sue had been part of the family well before she officially joined it when she married Hannah’s father ten years earlier. Connected in their grief and mutual love of a wife and best friend, they were perfectly suited. She smiled at her stepmother. ‘Where are the others?’
‘In your dad’s study. Just Phyllie and Nat.’
‘Go and say hello, love,’ her father suggested. ‘I’ll bring you a glass of champagne in a minute. I’ve got some sparkling grape juice for Amy. Is that okay?’
Hannah bit the inside of her lip. He already knew the answer to that question.
‘I just thought, it being a special day and all, that she might like a change from water. And it’s organic.’
She took a deep breath, deciding tonight wasn’t the night for an argument. ‘If you put it in a champagne flute, I’m sure she’d be over the moon.’
Her father beamed. He was so used to her saying no to treats and sugary drinks he’d be thinking something was wrong with her. It didn’t make sense to Hannah to drink anything loaded with sugar, and she certainly wasn’t going to poison her daughter and risk tooth decay, type 2 diabetes or heart disease. But it was a special day and she didn’t want to spoil it. One glass wasn’t going to hurt any more than a glass of champagne would hurt Hannah. She was looking forward to a drink. She wanted to celebrate her promotion, even if her mood had been soured by Zane’s phone calls. She planned to sip the champagne and privately dedicate it to both her mum and her own achievement.
‘Go and join Phyllie and Nat,’ her father encouraged again. ‘They can’t wait to see you.’
Hannah gave a wry smile. They both knew that was very unlikely. Phyllie might be happy to see her, but Nat certainly wouldn’t be. And after her last conversation with Phyllie, she expected a chilly reception from her grandmother too.
Chapter Four
A familiar uncomfortable feeling settled over Nat as she heard her sister’s voice in the hallway. She took a large sip of her wine.
‘What is it with you two?’ Phyllie asked. ‘Your face changes the moment Hannah’s mentioned, or like now when you can hear her. The two of you used to be so close. Is she that terrible?’
Nat considered the question. Hannah wasn’t terrible, but she was no longer the Hannah Nat had adored as a young girl and teenager. Hannah’s change in attitude towards her immediately after the accident had been the equivalent of a slap in the face, reinforcing that Nat should feel guilty for letting their mother down. There was never any question of Hannah covering for her following the accident. Instead, she went from being an ally to constantly telling Nat what she could and couldn’t do. Not only did she find this unbearable, it shook her confidence. She no longer had the support of the sister she looked up to. Encouragement was replaced with constant worry, of evaluating the possible negative outcome of every situation. Hannah developed the knack for sucking the fun out of everything. And then of course there was Hannah’s continued success, which contrasted with Nat’s spectacular ability to fail. She knew Hannah considered her a failure, she saw it in her eyes and heard it in her words. It was hard not to get defensive when someone always made you feel inferior. However, telling Phyllie any of this would just have their grandmother defending Hannah, and Nat didn’t need that right now.