The Road Ahead by Amanda Radley

Author:Amanda Radley [Radley, Amanda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Heartsome Publishing

Chapter Eighteen

It seemed insane. But then, lately, everything seemed insane. Over the last few years, Rebecca’s life had been turned upside down.

She would never forget the terrible moment when her mother told her the news of her cancer diagnosis. It took weeks for the news to properly settle in Rebecca’s mind. During that time, she just went through the motions. She was as strong as she could be and did whatever needed to be done.

Eventually, she understood and accepted that her mum was fighting a horrible and invisible illness. And for a brief while, it made her stronger. But her real strength came from a listless state where she ignored the reality of what was happening. She lived in a place where a fake smile was her best friend.

She wasn’t denying the truth of what was happening. She’d accepted it and decided to push it to one side.

The news of remission wasn’t as joyful as Rebecca had imagined it would be. In the back of her mind, she had always wondered if it would ever really be over. She celebrated and made fanciful plans with her mum for the future, but she knew they’d never really come to pass.

When the cancer came back, it was stronger than ever, shocking Rebecca with the ferocity with which it dissolved her mother’s personality right before her eyes.

But Rebecca had made her mother a promise, to never let cancer win. The first day that she sat Rebecca down and told her the news, she had pleaded with Rebecca not to become sad, not to let the cancer define her.

And Rebecca tried her best. Every time she started to feel sad, she would think of the good times. Knowing that soon her mother would be gone, and she would have a choice between remembering the good times or remembering the end.

It wasn’t easy, but Rebecca had luckily inherited her mother’s positive personality.

Her mother didn’t want to talk about her illness, but she had little else to say. And so, Rebecca had become the focus of conversation, her job, her life, her relationships.

Endless questions about finding someone new had caused Rebecca to create Lucy. Lucy embodied reassurance that Rebecca wouldn’t be alone.

It was a lie, but a kind one. One that Rebecca could happily live with.

Now she hoped that Arabella would be able to keep the lie alive.

“Mum?” Rebecca whispered softly.

Her mum slowly opened her eyes. The beginnings of a smile curled on her lips. “Is it still Christmas?”

Rebecca smiled and nodded. “Yeah, you didn’t think I’d let you sleep through Christmas, did you?”

A glimmer of a memory shone in her mother’s eyes. “Did I… was Lucy here?”

Rebecca took a step to the side, she turned and looked Arabella. She prayed that Arabella would be able to carry off a decent performance.

Arabella took a small step forward and smiled. She looked scared.

“Hello, Mrs Edwards,” Arabella said.

“Please, call me Allison. It’s so nice to finally meet you. Rebecca speaks about you all the time. And I must apologise for the way I look.

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