Page 42 of Now and Again

‘My dad’s wife,’ Riley said between gritted teeth.

‘Oh. And how does that mean you can’t come to the gym, exactly?’ India said doubtfully.

‘India…’ Riley inhaled deeply, conjuring some patience. ‘Amanda had to leave to go and see him. My dad’s in France. So my little sister, Mia, needs someone to look after her.’

‘Oh. Wait, isn’t there… Isn’tshethere?’

‘Yes. But I’m on hand in case of… I’m just helping.’

‘That doesn’t sound like a situation that needs you. I mean, isn’t she like, CRB checked and everything? She’s not going to sell her on the black market or anything, right?’

‘That’s not a big concern, no,’ Riley said, rubbing the spot between her eyebrows where a small tension headache was developing nicely. Riley christened it India. ‘I’m just trying to help out. She’s only supposed to be looking after her nine to six, Monday to Friday.’

‘So she gets overtime. Come on, it’s one little spin class.’

‘Christ, you’re not letting this go, are you?’ She checked her watch. She’d be cutting it fine, but she supposed she could go right now and come right back; she might not be missed. ‘But I’m leaving right after, alright?’

‘Great, I’ll—’

Riley hung up the phone, got off the toilet, washed her hands, and climbed into the stretchiest thing to hand. She ran downstairs. ‘I’m so sorry. I have to nip out, but I won’t be long. Ninety minutes max.’

Juliet, sat watching Mia colour in a jungle scene with an admirable disregard for the colours of nature, looked at her quizzically. ‘I keep telling you, I’ll be fine. Go.’

Riley nodded. ‘Right. Back shortly.’

‘For heaven’s sake,’ she heard Juliet sigh as she ran out of the door.

***

‘Pump it! Pump it hard!’ the maniac leading the class screamed at them. Riley was trying to pump it to some extent, but she hated spinning. She was more of a treadmill girl.

She surreptitiously checked her phone. No messages. That was good, right? Everything was fine. Juliet was right, of course. Why the hell would she ever need Riley’s help with Mia? She was excellent with her. The kid who threw epic tantrums was pretty much gone.

Juliet wouldn’t take a lot of credit for that, claiming she was just growing up. But she’d seen Juliet’s magic being worked. She’d installed several magic words in the child that would stop her right in her tracks before she could rev it into top gear. Once she was caught off guard, Juliet would redirect her energy with swiftness. She’d taught it all to Amanda, too. So, all in all, Mia was becoming much less of a handful. Anyone who could do all that didn’t need help from someone who’d never even looked after a neighbour’s pet for a weekend. Not so much as a goldfish had passed through Riley’s hands.

Still, Amanda had asked her to help. And she wanted to. She wanted to know where the fuck her father was, while she was at it. She texted him.Have you heard from Amanda?

‘Focus!’ India screamed from beside her, catching her on the phone. ‘You’re throwing my rhythm.’

‘Sorry!’ Riley said quickly, putting the phone away and trying to concentrate on the barked instructions from the front. Though all it really amounted to was cycling quicker or slower.

Her phone beeped from her arse pocket. She waited until India’s eyes were back on the instructor and slipped it out of her pocket.

Yes. Why?was the terse reply her father had shot back.

So you’re coming back, I take it?Riley demanded.

I’m back Tuesday.

Was there a chance he didn’t know? Had Amanda not told him what was going on?

You know Amanda’s father had a heart attack, don’t you?

Seconds later, Riley felt stupid for even questioning it.

I’m not a doctor, why would I need to be there?

That’s not what she’d need you for.

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