The Insider’s Club by Shirley Day

Author:Shirley Day [Day, Shirley]
Language: eng
Format: epub

14

Paradise

It’s evening. The doors and windows all stand open on to a moonlight night cutting a path across the sea outside. The waves gently claw at the beach. Boo is in bed, and the dog is asleep, sprawled over the bottom of her bed. She’s in heaven. I’ve never seen a little girl love a dog so desperately. Sometimes, I find myself wondering if that stinky old mongrel was the bit that was missing in this picture-perfect paradise. Even Ed is warming to the animal’s charms. The house feels at peace. Everything is relaxed, especially my boss, who has changed into canvas-coloured shorts and a round-neck tee. We had an Asian slaw with cold smoked chicken and a garnish of rocket for dinner—all bought from the deli! It’s been finished up and polished off, and now Ed’s staring intently at a child’s colouring book. His child’s colouring book.

‘So, this was before,’ he turns the page from a mass of chaotic bright colours to one with each band of blue, orange and yellow all neatly bounded within the line. ‘And this is today.’

‘With the glasses,’ I add.

‘With the glasses,’ He repeats, flipping the page back again. ‘Wow.’

‘And those aren’t a full prescription. Her proper glasses are in next week.’

He lets out a loud audible exhalation, his body slumping slightly as he leans back in his chair. ‘All this time, all the glass dropping and lack of reading.’

‘Well, she is only five.’ I’m hesitant to encourage some kind of whitewash here. ‘Five is still young to be reading. Not all kids do, and that’s okay.’

‘But at least she’s on a level playing field now.’

‘Yeah.’ I go to take the book from the table, but Ed slides his hand over mine. ‘Hannah, I can’t thank you enough.’

I feel the warm pressure of his fingers and find myself wanting to stay there, with him touching me and the waves pawing gently at the shore forever. Standing in his kitchen, talking about a child that I’m beginning to love, it’s cruel that this whole thing is doomed.

‘I guess that’s …’ He hesitates, withdrawing his hand. Pushing back his chair, he stands, clearing his plate from the table. ‘I guess I’m sorry.’ He takes a deep breath. ‘You were right.’ He raises one eyebrow ironically. ‘As usual. I guess that’s what comes with training.’

For a moment, I’m lost—training?

‘If you get a degree in childcare, then you’re on the lookout for these kinds of things.’

I never said I had a degree in childcare. I’d only ever said I had experience. But Ed and Boo have been bombarded with short-stay childcare. It must be easy to forget which flavour of the month had which qualification.

‘I don’t have a degree in childcare.’ I say, not wanting to blow my trumpet in a direction I’m not sure I can maintain a tune. ‘I’m a …’ I pause. What am I? I used to think I was a journalist or an editor, but that’s not relevant here. ‘I’m a problem solver,’ I say brightly.

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