Page 87 of Triple Trouble

At lunchtime, Helen turned up with her daughter, Carly, and the two grandkids. She moved stiffly, like she was still in pain, but her face lit up when she saw me.

“This is absolutely wonderful,” she said, as she took in all the happy faces. “I’m so proud of you.”

“Me too,” I said. “I’m honestly shocked I’ve been able to pull it off.”

“I’m not,” Helen countered with a twinkle in her eye. “I always knew you had it in you. You underestimate yourself too much, you know?”

I knew she was right. Everything had gone smoothly, the customers were happy, and we were doing something that would improve their lives in a tangible way.

And then Helen surprised me.

“Have you thought about doing this as a job?” she asked.

“What?” I asked.

“Events management. This would look great on your CV.”

I was stunned.

What if Icouldget a job like this? I’d never truly thought about it before, because my superstitions told me that as soon as I started making positive changes to my life, I’d be diagnosed with cancer. But then, so many good things had happened lately, and my breasts were as lump-free as ever.

“I’ll think about it,” I said.

“I’ve heard a rumor there’s a position opening up soon at my library,” Carly said. “Think about it. It wouldn’t pay much, but we’d love to have someone like you.”

She handed me a business card and I couldn’t believe she was actually offering me a job. But then I saw the address and remembered that the library was in Adelaide.

“That’s a long way to go,” I said. Getting that much distance from Nathan and having a fresh start would be wonderful, but could I leave the guys? We’d agreed that nothing would change, and moving interstate would be abigadjustment. Perhaps too big. I couldn’t expect them to come with me, could I? Especially after we agreed not to change anything?

“Think about it,” Carly said. “The job’s not officially available yet, so you’ve still got time. You’ve done an amazing job here.”

“Me too,” Helen added.

“Thank you,” I said, glowing with pride. Of course, I couldn’t take all the credit — the day wouldn’t have happened at all without Xavier’s idea, and all their hard work.

When we locked the doors at five p.m., we still had several women waiting. The guys stayed back, continuing to work until every woman who’d walked in had new nipple tattoos. Finally, at eleven thirty, I let the last person out.

“Fuck,” Xavier said, and slumped forward on the reception desk. “What a day.”

“A profitable one, though,” Adrian said, as he picked up the donation books and shook it. “How much money do you think we have raised?”

“There’s gotta be at least a couple of hundred in there,” I said, taking the box and feeling its weight. “Plus, whatever was donated electronically.”

Adrian took the box back and locked it in the secure cupboard.

“I’ll take it to the bank tomorrow and donate it.”

Something about that bugged me, and I was so tired that it took me a moment to realize why. Adrian had been in prison — what if he was planning to steal the money?

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” I asked. Adrian frowned, and I knew I’d said the wrong thing.

“Because I’ve been to jail?” he guessed correctly.

Xavier moved between us, keeping us apart.

“We’ve all had a long day,” he said. “Emma, I’d trust Adrian with my life. He handles money for me all the time, and none of it has ever gone missing.”

“I was wrongly accused,” Adrian said, his tone of voice warning me not to push the topic. “I was arrested for my brother’s crime, just because I was there.”

---