Page 79 of The Side Road
‘You won’t blow it up,’ Holly said, and she returned to her soup. ‘You’re older and wiser.’
Mia doubted it worked that way.
While Mia was happy to discuss Saige’s relationship with Connor and April’s dating forays, Holly remained close-lipped on Miles and his family. She continued her marketing work for the Mill Olive Estate and Winery but completed most of her tasks at home. When Miles was absent, attending a function in Sydney, she drove to the estate and worked on site.
It was Blanche’s idea that Mia volunteer at the Men’s Shed. Twice a week, Blanche gave cooking lessons. Easy winter warmers, she called the recipes. Pasta bakes, one-tray chicken dishes, curries, and self-saucing cakes. The recipes were available in PDF format, complemented by Blanche's simple step-by-step instructions.
In early June, using the same format, Mia spent Thursday afternoons introducing the gents to yarn craft. She provideda handout with diagrams and instructions. Initially, she used large needles, twelve-ply wool, and simple techniques. A week later, a man called Kevin was making a geometric kaleidoscope jacket with love woven into every stitch.
When someone knocked on the door on Sunday afternoon, Mia and Snood walked down the hallway. She was expecting Oliver – Tash and Mary had gone to the movies. Mia opened the door and found Miles standing on the veranda. Snood followed her outside and she shut the door behind her.
Rough stubble shadowed Miles’ pale face. His eyes were weary and he looked ten years older. It had been a rough few weeks and Mia felt for him. ‘Are you okay?’ she asked.
‘No! I’m not okay. Talk some sense into my wife. She’s ignoring my messages and she won’t return my calls.’ Covering his face with his hands, he pressed his fingertips into his eyes. ‘This is not my fucking fault.’ He hurled the words at her.
‘Yelling at me won’t help,’ Mia said. Her sympathy was on a short leash and she was about to rein it in.
‘I don’t know what else to do.’
‘Miles, serious question; why did you order pizza when Holly had cooked dinner?’
‘Is that what this is about?’
‘You know it’s not, but it was the final straw.’
‘I had an undercooked chicken sandwich for lunch. Honestly, I felt sick and couldn’t face chicken again for dinner.’
‘Where did you get the sandwich?’
‘The food van on the highway. Never again.’
The van had a reputation for poor hygiene and had received many bad reviews. Mia offered a sympathetic smile. ‘Why didn’t you just tell Holly?’
Miles sighed. ‘Every time I open my mouth, I say the wrong thing. It’s easier if I say nothing. Mia, I don’t know how to be a father. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do, and it’s freaking me out.’
‘Why don’t you try counselling?’
‘Do I look like someone who has a counsellor?’ He ran his hand through his hair. ‘They’ll just laugh at me.’ He had started pacing and Snood watched him walk back and forth.
Mia was tempted to point out that therapy might resolve several long-standing destructive behaviours, teach him how to communicate, help him accept his flaws, and work on his self-esteem. But he didn’t need a lecture, and she doubted he would listen. She also wanted to add, stop using all caps when texting. But it was not the right time.
‘Is she inside? Is that why you closed the door?’ Miles stepped toward the house.
Mia blocked his path. ‘The last thing you need is a restraining order.’
‘She’s my wife!’
‘That doesn’t make her your property.’
Snood had supersonic hearing; he never forgot an engine. As the Citroën climbed the hill, the dog left his position on the veranda and bounded to the gate to wait for Oliver.
After parking, Oliver climbed out of the car. When he caught Mia’s eye, she shot him an alarmed expression. He absorbed this like fuel, stretching to his full height. As he opened the front gate, he greeted Snood, then scaled the steps two at a time and stood square-footed beside Mia. Miles was three years older, but Oliver was a head taller, broader across the chest, and his wrists were like wrenches.
‘Miles.’ Oliver held out his hand. ‘It’s been a while. How are you?’
Miles crossed his arms over his chest. He set his jaw, andhis neck muscles bulged. ‘Are you seeing my wife? Because if you go anywhere?—’
‘Jesus, Miles,’ Mia said. ‘Oliver is here to see me. Have you lost your mind?’
