Page 68 of Hidden Gem
“Yippee!” Lilla yelled, skipping across the room.
“Don’t tell your mum,” Marnie whispered as they took seats by the window overlooking the huge playground. Behind it, the lake glistened in afternoon sun.
She considered herself a sensible person, but recent evidence pointed to the contrary. Maybe she’d run out of self-limiting behaviour that weekend at the lighthouse. Whatever the reason, this was the moment she’d been waiting for, spoiling her friend’s nearly-five-year-old.
She could also tell Shasa needed some alone time with her man. Her friend had run around the house trying to locate her daughter’s shoes, a harried look in her eyes. Marnie remembered those busy years of motherhood and wondered if she could do it all again.
Throughout the week, Jason had sent her texts, updating her on his progress. He sounded so excited, working so hard, so close to achieving his goals. Marnie had hidden in the bathroom at work, rereading his texts, munching the last of Kathleen’s chocolates that the kids didn’t seem to like.
At the lighthouse, it had felt like the kinder option to hit pause, to let him focus on the task ahead without worrying about their relationship. But today was Tuesday, the day of the Cabinet meeting. Jason was looking forward to seeing her again, but they couldn’t be seen together. She had to end it. That’s why she’d sent the letter, dropping it off at the courier on Monday morning. It was done, and now she had to focus on just getting through the day. Walking, talking and eating, obviously. It seemed that had become her new focus.
The moment their treats arrived, she spotted Shasa, standing at the cafe entrance, her eyes scanning the room.
“Oh no!” Lilla gasped, her gaze darting between her mother and the four plates brimming with treats filling up the tiny, round table.
“Don’t worry,” Marnie reassured her, sipping her coffee. It tasted weird. “Over here!” She waved at Shasa.
“I’m sorry, I forgot the antibiotics!” Shasa lowered herself into a chair, digging into her handbag. “She has to take these three times a day, and I keep forgetting. I missed the morning one and now it’s 3:30!”
“Oopsie.” Marnie smiled at Lilla, who giggled back. “You better take it now.”
Shasa unscrewed the bottle and sucked a dose of sticky liquid into the measuring syringe. As she stuck it into her daughter’s mouth, her gaze fell on the spread of sugary goodness. “Looks like you have plenty here to wash off the taste!”
She cast a questioning look at Marnie, who grinned sheepishly. “I’m sorry. We couldn’t decide.”
“So, you ordered everything on the menu?”
Marnie pulled a face. “YOLO.” She’d never used the term out loud, even ironically.
Shasa narrowed her eyes. “You only live once? What happened in Wellington?”
Marnie’s stomach tightened. “I’m... not sure.”
Shasa leaned forward. “Not sure? What’s going on with you?”
Marnie appreciated the concern in her friend’s voice. Someone had noticed she wasn’t okay. Someone with whom she could discuss the storm that raged inside her with no sign of settling. She hadn’t felt normal since returning from Wellington. Now she was the one not sleeping. Oh, the irony. She didn’t even notice her tears until Shasa handed her a napkin.
“Talk to me. Is it over between you two?”
Marnie wiped her eyes and took a long sip from her coffee, hiding behind the cup. “I think so.”
“Don’t be sad Aunty Marnie.” Lilla hopped off her chair and circled the table to give her a hug.
Bloody child. Marnie couldn’t see the coffee cup from her tears. “I’m so sorry,” she muttered. “I was supposed to just have this... experience.” She sniffed. “This one last hurrah, something to think back to in my rocking chair. And then I’d be all yours and throw you the best bachelorette party and an amazing wedding.” She hiccupped through the words as Shasa’s arms wrapped around her.
Marnie’s phone beeped, delivering a text from Jason.
It’s over! We built a solid case, will find out later if anything comes out of it. I can’t believe I’m still functioning. Can’t wait to see you. Weekend in Hamilton?
Shasa cast her a questioning look and she turned the screen so that she could read the text.
Her eyes widened. “That man is in love with you! Why do you think it’s over?”
“Because he’s going to read the letter.”
Shasa blinked in confusion. “Okay, I need to hear the whole story. Let’s go for a walk. I’ll get a doggy bag for your treats.”
A few minutes later, they sat on a bench at the waterfront, away from other people, watching Lilla feed Louise slice to the ducks. A huge waste, bad for the ducks, Marnie registered, but couldn’t muster enough energy to react.
