A Good Life by Leanne Lovegrove

Author:Leanne Lovegrove [Lovegrove, Leanne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Leanne Lovegrove

An hour later she arrived home to find Millie on the deck drinking her morning cup of tea. She cradled Lola in her lap like a baby.

‘Millie?’ she asked as she plonked herself in the chair next to her. ‘Did you know about Beach Haven?’

‘The women’s refuge? Yes, of course. They do wonderful work.’

‘I stumbled across it today. I couldn’t sleep and went out for an early walk. There was a queue of women and I went in as if it was a country fair,’ Greta tittered an embarrassed laugh. ‘So stupid but I’m glad I did. I met this young girl in the most awful of circumstances. Her name is Skye and she’s an orphan having lost her mother,’ Greta shivered. ‘She’s beautiful, like a china doll and she sings opera, can you imagine?’

Millie shook her head.

A car approached down the driveway. Greta held her breath. Who would it be? The police? Charlie? Would he return and demand they speak? Quickly Greta realised it was Charlene Harris. At first she flinched with dread, but then she exhaled with relief. Could have been worse.

The pair didn’t move and allowed Charlene to exit her vehicle and move towards the porch.

‘Hello again, Ms Osborne, so lovely to see you. What are you working on?’

What? Charlene greeted Millie first. Well, at least she wasn’t centre of attention. Greta turned towards Millie whose mind appeared to be ticking over.

‘I tell you what, Charlene. You have your visit with Greta and I’ll give you a special tour. I never show my pieces before they’re ready for exhibit so this is especially for you.’ Millie gave the woman a sly ‘we’re in this together’ grin that Charlene soaked up.

The woman beamed and Greta rolled her eyes.

Turning towards Greta, Charlene’s entire demeanour changed. ‘Greta,’ She sat on the single wicker chair across from her and extracted a pile of papers from her over-sized handbag.

Shit. She knew. Of course she knew. Did Greta think she could hide recent events? No, but maybe a kinder introduction…

‘There’s something we have to discuss . . .’

‘Yes, I’m aware of the incident—’

Charlene kept talking. ‘. . . there are other claims being investigated that implicate you—’

‘What?’ Greta stood up.

‘Please, Ms Johnson, sit down.’ It was her teacher-stern voice. ‘I’ll explain.’ And she waited for Greta to sit. Then she nodded approval at her compliance. Greta didn’t dare look at Millie.

‘Five other complainants have lost their superannuation funds to the extent of $800,000.’

Greta felt the sting and taste of bile as it rode up her throat and raced to the railing and vomited over the edge. She stayed still until the dry retching stopped. Wiping her mouth with her palm she went back and sat down.

Millie rose.

Greta thought to offer her comfort but instead she went indoors. Yes, it was probably too much for her to digest as well. Charlene droned on with the names and details but Greta zoned out. The minutiae didn’t matter.

Millie returned with a jug of iced tea. Poured Charlene a glass first, and then Greta.

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