My Little Girl by Boland Shalini

Author:Boland, Shalini [Boland, Shalini]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-04-22T05:00:00+00:00

Twenty-Eight

JILL

I’m finally back home, resting with my feet up on the sofa. Bless Claire’s heart; earlier this morning, after the M&S situation, she left me seated on the wooden bench by the bus stop while she returned to the supermarket and paid for everything that I’d left in my basket, plus a few extras. She also told me that sometime soon, we’d have a confidential meeting, just the two of us, where she’d help me sort out my finances. I can’t believe that she’s being so lovely. I think I might have misjudged her all these years. Which was possibly due to my closeness to Laurel.

Aside from this morning’s drama, I’m a little disappointed right now. Oliver was supposed to come over to see me later, but he left a message to say that he doesn’t want to leave Claire so he’ll visit tomorrow instead. I’d really been looking forward to having my boy all to myself. I wanted to support him. To find out how he’s bearing up. To make him tea and feed him biscuits and pamper him with a fancy lunch. But I can’t begrudge Claire his attention. Not after what she did for me this morning. Not after what she’s been through, and is still enduring. I just hope she doesn’t spill the beans to Oliver about what she saw earlier in the supermarket. Or about my money worries. I know I promised Claire I’d tell Oliver, and I will. Just… not yet.

I’m pulled from my thoughts by the doorbell. Normally, I love the chime of my doorbell and the ringing of my phone – they usually signify friends and family who are thinking of me – but these past few days those sounds have invoked deep feelings of dread. Of fear that it will be more bad news.

I drag myself upright and walk towards the front door with a swooping feeling in my belly. So much so that I put a hand to it, to try to calm the jitters. I open the door, surprised and quite relieved to see that it’s Claire. ‘Hello, I wasn’t expecting to see you so soon.’ I peer beyond her shoulder hopefully to see if Oliver’s here too, but the space behind her is empty.

She gives what looks like a nervous smile, and my anxiety returns. ‘Hi, Jill. Can I come in for a sec?’

‘Of course.’ I step aside and follow her through to the kitchen. ‘Thank you so much for your help this morning – and your understanding.’

‘What? Oh, yes, of course. Not a problem.’ She seems distracted.

‘Have a seat.’ I gesture to the sofa while I take one of the dining chairs before immediately standing again. ‘Sorry, would you like a drink?’

‘No, I’m fine thanks.’

I sit again, waiting, with no small amount of trepidation, for her to explain why she’s come. I also wonder why she’s not with Oliver. He said he didn’t want to leave her this morning and yet here she is, alone.

She takes a breath as though she’s building up to whatever it is she wants to say.

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