Page 58 of Once Upon A Player
My sister’s message is short and to the point. “How long have you known you were leaving? I can’t believe you didn’t tell us. Give me a call.”
She sounds completely pissed off.
I slouch in the shadows, and since I’m not in the mood to talk, I text her.
Couldn’t tell you. Sorry.
Her reply is swift.
You need to tell Dad to his face. Tonight. Harry and Alice are coming, too
It’s not a request, it’s an order, and I’m a little narked. Obviously I was going to tell Dad. What does she take me for?
An idiot.
Except I’m not. My irritation fades. Mac wasn’t implying that. It’s just the way she is, trying to look out for Dad because, left to his own devices, he’d vanish into his own world.
A bit like Harry before Alice came along.
I text her back.
I’ll be there at 8.
After leaving the hospital grounds, I catch a bus that’ll take me near to Bec’s, where I left my car. There’s someone else I need to tell face-to-face. I was going to wait until we met up later, but I have a better idea.
Violet’s always sharing funny shit about things that happen at work, but I’ve never been to Sycamore Lodge, and it’s time. I know how much she loves working there, but it’s only a temporary thing over the summer, so it’s not like it’ll be a huge career wrench to leave early.
What the hell am I thinking?
I always knew I wanted to keep seeing her when I moved to Madrid, but the longer we’re together, the less the thought of a long-distance relationship appeals. Sure, it’s working for Harry and Alice, but he can work around her schedule, whereas I’m locked into a contract and can’t disappear for a weekend getaway.
And it’s hardly convenient for Violet to fly over a couple of times a month. Things will be much easier for both of us if she moves in with me.
We can leave England together in a couple of weeks when the new season starts.
…
Violet
It’s so hard concentrating at work when all I can think about is Mum.
Why did she lie to me about feeling fine when we spoke on the phone on Saturday?
I know why. It’s because she didn’t want me stressing out when she was staying with Dad’s parents. They came back late Sunday, and I saw straight away she wasn’t right, even though she tried to hide it. And yesterday wasn’t a good day at all.
That’s two relapses within a month.She hasn’t been this sick in years. Dad and I were both on at her about it, and she promised if she isn’t back to normal by the end of the week, she’d go to the doctor about changing her meds.
She’s so stubborn. Why doesn’t she just go today?
My phone rings. It’s Dad, and my whole body goes icy. I can’t even answer it.I don’t want to know…
“Yes?” I croak, because the only thing worse than knowing, isnot.
“Hi, Vi, I know you’re busy, but I wanted to let you know in case you haven’t seen the news.”
My heart stops slamming against my ribs, and I hitch in a wobbly breath. Whatever the problem is, it doesn’t have anything to do with Mum. “The news?”
“Yes. I’ve just heard. Lucas Carter’s transferring to Madrid for the new season. Did he tell you?”
