The Memories We Hide by Jodi Gibson

Author:Jodi Gibson [Gibson, Jodi]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780648551218
Publisher: Jodi Gibson
Published: 2019-06-04T04:00:00+00:00

Laura’s phone rang, causing her to jump back from the memory. The queasiness she’d felt on that day seemed to have manifested into the present. She quickly grabbed her phone to see who it was. Stella? That was odd. Stella wouldn’t normally call this late at night.

Laura cleared her throat and answered. ‘Hi Stella, is everything okay?’

‘Oh, Laura. I’m so sorry to ring you this late,’ Stella replied. Her voice was tense, and she spoke a million miles a minute.

‘It’s fine. What’s wrong?’

‘It’s Gemma.’

‘Is she okay?’

‘Well, yes. And no. Um, I’m actually out in front of your house. I’d really like to talk to you.’

‘Of course! Come in right now.’

Laura went to the front door as Stella ran up the porch.

‘Oh, Laura!’ Stella said. ‘You’ve been crying. Are you okay? I’m sorry. I shouldn’t lump you with my problems.’

Laura put her arms around Stella, happy to feel her warmth. ‘I’m fine, Stella, really.’

Once in the kitchen, Laura filled up the kettle and put it on the stove. ‘Right, now tell me what’s happened?’ Laura said, pulling up a chair next to her.

Stella looked down and fiddled with her wedding band as she spoke. ‘Well, we had a little tiff earlier today. Gemma and I. It wasn’t much. I was just trying to get through to her. Talk to her. She shuts me out all the time, and I have no idea what is going through her head.’

Laura nodded.

‘Anyway, she stormed out of the house, and that was that. I didn’t think much of it. She’s always storming out or leaving without telling me these days. I guess that was about six o’clock. Then about half an hour ago, the phone rang and it was the police.’

‘Oh my gosh. Is Gemma all right?’

‘Yes, she’s fine. Mostly. They were ringing to tell me they had her there at the station. She was in St. James’s Park with some others. They were all drunk. So the police brought them in. Not to charge them. Just to give them a scare and keep them till they sobered up a bit.’

Laura sighed. Poor Stella. She handed her the box of tissues from the bench.

‘I wanted to come and get her right then and there, but they told me I had to wait an hour for her to settle down. Let the alcohol wear off. I was heading there now and just going to wait outside, but … Oh, Laura. I just don’t know what to do.’ Stella dabbed her eyes.

‘I’m sorry I haven’t been around to see her,’ Laura said, dropping her eyes.

‘Oh, darling. It’s not your fault. You’ve got so much on your plate. This is our mess and,’ she wiped her nose, ‘we’ve got to deal with it.’

‘Where’s Art?’

‘He’s in Sydney again. He’s so busy with work, I don’t want to burden him with all of this. He tries to talk to her when he’s home, but it’s the same thing. She listens, doesn’t say anything, and goes to her room.’

‘How about I come with you? To the station and wait with you.

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