***
After carting what feels like my thousandth barrow of reindeer shit to the massive pile of the steaming stuff sitting in the muck heap, I’m bloody exhausted. Who knew looking after animals could be so tough? My arms ache, my back is killing me, and my legs feel like lead, but fuck, I’ve enjoyed a day of hard labor. I’m both exhilarated and alive from putting my muscles to practical use.
“Hey, Lance!” Ernie’s shout carries across the paddock. He strolls toward me, patting each creature on the nose as he passes and whispering their names lovingly in their ears. I noticed hetalks to the deer all the time, full conversations with them as if they are replying. He’s a odd man, but seems nice enough.
“I’m really pleased with your work today. Why don’t you head off? I’ll see you tomorrow.” A genuine smile of encouragement on his face.
“You sure?” I question. “I still have plenty to do.”
“Of course, mate,” he says. I look at him, taken aback—no one has called mematesince I lost my friend. Dog always called me mate. Ernie looks at me quizzically. “You okay?”
“Yeah. You just reminded me of someone, that’s all.”
He throws me a funny look but doesn’t press me further.
“The shit will still be here tomorrow. So, you get off. It’s nice to have someone here to help who isn’t scared of proper hard work. Off you go,” he repeats and gestures to the exit with his hand.
“That’d be great. I can pick up David and be back for Hannah getting home from school. It’s her first day, and the last term didn’t go so well. I’d prefer to be there just in case her day went to shit.”
He nods in understanding. “My kids are all grown up now. You’ve got to enjoy them when they are small.” Then he walks away back toward the office, calling over his shoulder, “You get off home now. Back to those kids.”
I ping the nanny a message to let her know I will be collecting David early. A reply immediately bounces back, confirming and assuring me the day has gone well. When I decided to employ a minder instead of putting him in a nursery, I poured over review sites and parents’ forums, absorbing every bit of information and advice I could. That’s another task I never had to undertake with my daughter. I appreciate more and more each day how much Ainsley did for our family while I was away.
Being a single parent is stressful, and I’m only months into the job.
***
Dinner is on the table; Hannah seems happy and upbeat this evening. The school day must have gone well. She was pleased when I was home for her getting off the bus. Her account of her day is sparse, but she has a butterfly mind and often jumps from topic to topic as we chat. My little girl is relaxed, and for that, I’m grateful.
“Did you hear that?” Hannah asks.
“What?”
“A knock at the door, I think.”
“I didn’t hear anything.” Then, a quiet rapping echoes along the hall. “I’ll get it,” I say.
I open the door to a woman. Her red hair is messed up and scraped back into a bun, which hangs to one side of her head. The clothes she’s wearing are huge and dwarf her small frame. She keeps her eyes focused on the floor, her body visibly shaking.
“Can I help you?” I ask softly.
Her gaze rises to meet mine, and I recognize her at once.
“Amber?”
She nods. A single sad sign that it’s her.
“Come in. Let’s get you warm.”
She walks silently into my hallway. I lock the front door behind her, removing the key so she can’t run with or without my little boy.
Chapter thirty-five
Katie
“To my best friend in the whole world,” Amy slurs as the final dregs of the third bottle of champagne slide down our throats. Her hand sways as she attempts to pour the invisible final drops into my glass.
“Thank you, darling.” I give her the best smile I can muster, then lean forward to kiss her cheek. The high stool I’m sitting on wobbles precariously as I try to balance. Failing miserably, I fall to the floor onto my knees.