Page 26 of Hidden Gem
“There’s treatment for it, right?” Shasa studied her face.
“Sure. And a diet.”
“What kind?”
Marnie winced. “I’ve been to scared to check. It’ll be all carrots and celery juice.”
Shasa was already on her phone. “Avoid sugar, dairy, processed foods, alcohol...”
Of course. Unwilling to hear the rest, Marnie snuck outside to check on Lilla.
When she came back, Shasa jumped up, holding her phone. “Look! I found this article about fasting. A 48-hour fast might reset your body and make the symptoms go away completely.”
Marnie grabbed the phone and scrolled through the article, a hope igniting. She’d never fasted in her life, but maybe she could do it. The idea of resetting her body sounded amazing. If she could start over, be okay for a little bit longer, then maybe she wouldn’t end up alone. She could find someone like Jason. Or, more likely, someone like Lando. Despite his propensity for fanny packs and bicycle shorts, he wasn’t a bad guy. All that cycling had made his calves really pop.
Marnie looked out the glass doors. The sun had dropped behind the neighbouring house, leaving the dolphins in the shadow. Lilla had lost interest in the fountain and was exploring the decorative pebbles outside the door. “It doesn’t look too bad in the shade.”
Shasa narrowed her eyes. “I know that look! You’re not keeping it.”
“Lando will be crushed if I say I don’t like it. He must have spent a lot of money on it.”
“Then he can sell it and get his money back!”
Marnie shook her head. “Who would buy it though?”
Shasa cast her a stern look. “Listen to yourself! You’re dealing with an illness, you need to look after yourself, not worry about some middle-aged man-child’s feelings! He never asked for your opinion. It’s all on him!”
Marnie bit her lip. Shasa was right, but she couldn’t help how she was wired.
“Fine.” Marnie patted Shasa’s arm and guided them onto the couches, away from the direct view of the backyard.
“So, how was the gala? Do you have any photos?” Shasa asked.
“Yes!” Marnie looked around for her phone. Where was it? Oh, right. Charging on the kitchen counter.
As she picked it up, she noticed a missed call. A blocked number. Could it be...? Before the she made it back to the couch, the phone rang. Again, a blocked number. Her hands shaking, Marnie glanced at Shasa. “Sorry, I should take this.”
She skipped across the floor and hid in Tanya’s bedroom, cringing at the pile of clothes covering her daughter’s bed.
“Hello?”
“Is this Marnie Browne?”
Marnie immediately recognised Kathleen’s voice. Her entire body froze, and she had to remind herself to breathe. “Yes.”
“Oh, I’m so glad I reached you! I just wanted to follow up on our little conversation.”
“Okay.” Marnie swallowed air. Why couldn’t she think of a complete sentence?
“Look, Marnie. I saw you talking to Jason Hallett at the end of the evening, and I just wanted to offer some words of advice, woman to woman.”
“Advice?” Marnie parroted. The air around her felt freezing, and she glanced to see whether Tanya had left her window open. No, the chill was coming through the phone.
“I know he’s a charming fellow and a gifted orator. But he has an agenda.” She drew a breath, as if for dramatic effect. “He’s after my housing portfolio, Marnie. Jason wants me gone. There’s nothing wrong with ambition, of course. But he’s digging for dirt.”
“How do you know?”
“I’m not stupid, Marnie. Despite what some suggest, I haven’t lost my mental faculties. There’s nothing wrong with me!” The strain in her voice broke through the controlled veneer. She didn’t sound okay.
