The Doors We Open by Donna Jay

Author:Donna Jay [Jay, Donna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Donna Jay

CHAPTER 16

As promised, Eloise texted Savannah to let her know she got home in one piece. Not as easy as it sounded when she was flying high, drunk on lust.

Over the following week, they fell into a routine of sorts, messaging each other daily. Most of the time it was just everyday stuff—the weather, work, soccer—and Eloise soaked up every word.

The front door to her ex-marital home opened and Jack ambled down the driveway, lugging his backpack as if it weighed a tonne. It was Friday afternoon, and although Anton was out of town for the weekend, she had no desire to set foot on the property.

When Jack reached the car, Eloise pushed open the passenger door. “Hey, son.”

“Hi.” He dumped his bag on the back seat and climbed in the front.

After checking for traffic, Eloise headed back down the hill towards the lake. “How was school?”

“Good.” He thumbed his phone, staring at it as if she was a taxi driver he didn’t want to talk to. She got it, but it still annoyed the crap out of her.

Her irritation was quickly replaced by a smell so repugnant it burned the back of her throat. What the hell is that? “Did you shower today?”

“Huh?” Jack frowned, a deep crease appearing between his eyebrows. God, he looked like his father when he did that. “You’re acting weird again.”

“Sorry, but something smells.” Once the road was clear, Eloise turned right onto Lake Terrace. “What’s in your bag?”

“Clothes.”

She stopped herself from asking if they’d been washed. Once they were home, she would do his laundry. Instead of interrogating him further, she opened the window, gulping in some fresh air.

“Is something bothering you?”

“No.” He didn’t look up.

Putting it down to hormones, she let it go. Besides, it was hard to talk when you were trying not to breathe. The smell was growing stronger by the second, scorching her nasal passages.

“Here we are.” As soon as she shut off the engine, Eloise was out of the car.

She yanked open the back door and grabbed Jack’s pack, beating him to it. Against her better judgement, she sniffed.

Fighting the urge to gag, she batted the air. “What the hell is that?”

Distracted by his phone, Jack answered, “I think Ratbag p—” Seeming to realise what he’d said, his eyes went wide, all the colour draining from his face.

What. The. Fuck!

Tamping down the fury that surged, Eloise fought to keep her voice calm. “Pardon me?”

“I meant Sooty. Logan’s cat. I think she peed on it.”

Not buying it for a second, she set her jaw. “Don’t you dare lie to me.”

“Mum.” He looked stricken. “Dad will kill me.”

“Not if I do first.” She shook her head. There was no need to scare the kid. “Sorry. No one’s going to kill anyone. Let’s go inside where it’s warmer.”

She started towards the house. Jack followed, head hung low as if he was about to meet his maker.

“Put it in there.” She pointed to the laundry.

His clothes and bag would be getting washed before they went anywhere near his room, but they could wait.

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