Page 4 of Ajax

Once I’m inside, I breathe a sigh of relief.

My cabin’s not much. Two bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen and a living room. It’s small, but it’s all mine.

I’m not sure at this stage in my life if I’ll share it with anyone.

If I wasn’t scarred, maybe I wouldn’t feel that way. But no matter how big and scary looking I might be, I’m wary of being judged by new people.

That’s why Emma slipped straight through.

She saw me as me—at least, I thought she did.

The whole thing was a lie.

And now I’m not sure anyone else will ever get that close.

THREE

IVY

I’m so tired.

My life is going nowhere, and my family is next to useless.

No. Scratch that.

My familyisuseless.

While Dad and Tyler sit around doing nothing all day, I’m the one keeping house. I’m the one cleaning up after them.

I’m the one doing all the cooking.

Despite my pleading, nothing’s changed.

Going to work is my only real respite, and while I’m tired, I still enjoy working at the pub. Mitchell’s a great boss, and I like the human interaction.

“Ivy. Where are my pyjamas?” Dad yells.

I roll my eyes. “On the end of the bed. Where I usually put them.”

“Why aren’t they in the drawer?”

I finish wiping the cup I’m drying, and put it and the tea towel down on the bench.

“Because last time I put them in the drawer, you couldn’t find them so asked me to put them on the end of the bed.”

He turns and grumbles all the way back to his bedroom. I sigh. I’m so done with my family, but I don’t have the income to leave.

I should have left before Mum died, but then Dad laid on a massive guilt trip and now I really am stuck.

And then there’s my other problem …

“Ivy. Are there any leftovers from dinner?” My brother, Tyler calls from the living room.

“There’s more beef in the fridge. Potatoes are all gone.”

“Can you make me a sandwich?”

I sigh.

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