The Glass House by Brooke Dunnell

Author:Brooke Dunnell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Fremantle Press
Published: 2022-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

— FIFTEEN —

She gave in and called Rowan.

He answered almost before the ringtone started. ‘For God’s sake, Jules.’

The reaction made her defensive. ‘What?’

‘It’s been two weeks.’

‘We said we were going to give it time.’

‘That was total bullshit.’

She was glad he couldn’t see her burning face. ‘Well, you didn’t call me either.’

‘I was giving you space.’

The silence lengthened between them. There was a faint buzzing on the line. ‘Are you there?’ Julia asked.

‘Of course I am.’

‘Dad won’t leave.’

‘What?’

She exhaled heavily. ‘I’ve packed up half the fucking house, I’m about to look into nursing homes, and then he turns around and tells me he’s staying here.’

‘What the fuck?’ Julia was pleased Rowan sounded as frustrated as she felt. ‘Why not?’

‘He got a dog.’

‘Right. Paul told me.’

She was surprised. ‘You spoke to Paul?’

‘I needed intel from somewhere.’

Julia decided to park this revelation for the time being. ‘The dog’s a mystery. He didn’t have it when Paul was here, as far as I know. He’s never had a dog in his goddamn life, and now he’s so bonded to the thing he won’t leave the house without it.’

‘Right.’ Rowan paused. ‘Well, I’m sure there are places that would accept—’

‘I suggested that, but he reckons he’s not scarring the dog further by moving him to a new environment.’

‘Jesus Christ,’ he groaned. ‘It’s a fucking dog.’

Julia felt bad to be talking about Biscuit that way. She was sure he’d happily go anywhere as long as he was with Don, and that the line about not unsettling him was a bunch of bull. It was Don who felt unsettled, Don who didn’t want his environment to change. Don who’d agreed to this, or had seemed to, until the last minute.

‘How old’s the dog?’ Rowan asked.

Julia knew what he was thinking. ‘Eight. He’s a good, healthy dog. He could still be around when Dad turns a hundred.’

There was the ticking sound of Rowan sucking his lip, the way he did when he was thinking hard. ‘What are you going to do?’

‘I’m not sure.’

‘Is there someone else who could take the dog?’

‘I don’t want him left with the ranger or anything,’ Julia said. ‘It’s not his fault.’

‘No, I know.’ The ticking sound again. ‘Do you want me to book you a flight home?’

She did want that, wanted it so much it was a physical pulling in her chest, but she knew she couldn’t leave yet. ‘I’m going to talk to Dad again. He’s got to realise this is for the best.’

‘I’ll google some places for you,’ he suggested. ‘See what’s around that allows pets.’

Emotion welled in her throat. To have help, even in that tiny way, after a fortnight on her own. ‘Thanks.’ She coughed and wiped her eyes. ‘What’s going on over there? I spoke to Evie the other day.’

‘I know, she told me.’ Before Julia could ask, he explained, ‘More intel.’

She smiled into the receiver.

‘We’re okay. We had an okay week. I managed to put together some protein and veggies before midnight most nights. Asked if she’d done her homework five minutes before she left for the tram.

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