by Louise Guy
‘Oh no,’ Nat said. ‘You don’t need to do that. I’ve plenty to cover us.’
‘Consider it my treat. That five hundred is better spent practically anywhere else.’ He winked. ‘Except the poker rooms of course.’
The next morning Nat opened one eye, then the other, her fingers crossed under the duvet. It was doubtful she’d get away with drinking the amount that she and Eliza had the previous afternoon and not be hungover. They’d stopped after the second bottle and ordered some finger food, but it was still close to a bottle each and a lot more than Nat usually drank. She was surprised to find she felt okay. No thumping headache and no churning stomach. She looked up at the ceiling and smiled in gratitude to Jacob. Eliza had said that drinking the expensive wine should mean they’d be fine, and it looked as if she was right.
‘You alive up there?’
Phyllie’s voice drifted up the stairs. Nat swung herself out of bed and went out on to the landing.
‘It’s after nine. I just wanted to remind you that you said you’d pick Amy up and take her to the movies today.’
Nat smiled. ‘I haven’t forgotten, just enjoying a luxurious sleep-in.’
‘I’ve left you some money on the kitchen table. It’s my treat today for you and Amy. There should be enough for the movies and some afternoon tea or something from the candy bar.’
Nat shook her head. ‘No, don’t be silly. I got paid yesterday, and I’m happy to take her out.’
Phyllie waggled a finger at her. ‘You need to pay down that credit card, missy; no point splurging unnecessarily. The way you were giggling last night, I’d say your afternoon with Eliza probably cost you a pretty packet.’
‘It didn’t cost anything. Her brother, the millionaire, picked up the bill. That reminds me, I should get online and thank Eliza, or at least tell her to thank Jacob for me.’
Nat had arrived home just after eight the previous night. She and Eliza had chatted non-stop, finding out so many things about each other. It had been a lot of fun, and she felt even closer to her new friend. She’d been able to fill Phyllie in that Eliza hadn’t misrepresented herself and was a lovely person. Phyllie looked like she still didn’t believe her, for reasons Nat couldn’t fathom. ‘Not everyone in the world is out to cheat and steal,’ she’d reminded her grandmother. ‘There are plenty of real people in chat rooms. And anyway, who’s going to misrepresent themselves in a gambling addicts’ chat room? It’s not as if anyone has anything of value you could prey on them for.’
Phyllie seemed to accept that point, and Nat enjoyed telling her more about Eliza’s situation.
Now, she went back into her room and slipped on her white linen robe and Ugg boots before coming downstairs and switching on the computer.
Phyllie placed a cup of steaming coffee in front of her.
‘There are perks to having the computer down here after all. Thanks, Granny!’
Phyllie slapped her on the arm. ‘Don’t you Granny me, girlie. It makes me feel like some frail old lady. I might be old, but I’m certainly not decrepit. Now, I’m going to visit Verna. I’ve left that money for you on the table, so make sure you take it.’
‘Okay, thank you. I’ll make sure Amy knows it’s your treat.’
‘No need to do that, I just want you to save your money for the moment.’
Phyllie collected her bag and let herself out of the front door while Nat logged on to the chat room. She smiled as the computer processed her details. For the first morning in weeks, she hadn’t woken up wanting to play poker. The very thought of it repulsed her. Listening to Eliza’s story last night of just how badly it had affected her husband, and also others she’d got to know in the chat room, made her cringe.
There was a message waiting.
LizaE
Hey, Lia, you there? Was great to catch up yesterday. Jacob has a message for you. Let me know when you’re online, so we can chat. And Suze, if you’re around, hope it went ok with your husband. We’re here if you need us.
PinkFish88
Yes, I’m here. Thank you for a great afternoon too! Was so lovely to meet you (and hope we meet you also, Suze) and to find out you’re not a seventy-year-old perverted male pretending to be someone you’re not. You can be assured, neither Eliza or I are weirdos, Suze. We both had reservations about meeting yesterday and were both relieved to find that not only are we normal, but we got along brilliantly. You’ll, of course, have to prove you’re not pretending to be someone you’re not if we do meet! Although my gut feeling, which I can usually trust, tells me you’re genuine too.
What’s Jacob’s message? I have a big thank you for him too. Can’t believe we drank that much and I’m hangover free. If only I could afford top-shelf wines like that every day!
LizaE
Jacob wants you to know that he’s decided to prove to you that he could find a better way to use your five hundred dollars than you could. He invested it overnight and turned it into three thousand! He’s now taken that three thousand and reinvested it. He told me to tell you not to worry, you don’t owe him a cent if he loses it all, but if it does increase it’s all yours. Told you he was gold!
Nat stared at her screen. No way. Why would he do that? He hardly knew her. She couldn’t accept it, that much she knew. This turning money into so much more overnight didn’t ring true for her either. How could it be that easy?
PinkFish88
Wow! Blown away but I can’t accept the money. Tell Jacob thanks but I never gave him any money so can’t expect him to invest for me. Also, he’s married, I assume he remembers that?
LizaE
Lol! He’s not looking for anything more than to help you. He’s very interested in our situation and has been looking into Gambler’s Aid. Remember how he said the company were planning to invest in things that benefit the community? Well, he’s thinking that helping addicts is a good starting place. He also said he might be in touch to find out who he should speak to at Endeavour Trust regarding the community houses. He’s genuine, Lia, one hundred percent. Turning your money into a bit more is just because he can. If it turns into a larger amount it will help with your credit card.
Nat didn’t know what to say. Could she accept money from a total stranger? No, she didn’t think she could. Anyway, it was probably all just on paper. She doubted he’d actually invested anything in her name.
LizaE
See the screenshot attached. Jacob said he’d contact me at three and let me know if this multiplied at all this morning. If it does, he thought you might want to withdraw it and decide whether to reinvest or use it for your debt. Just think about it between now and three. There’s no pressure. As much as we both expect everyone on the internet to be out to rip us off, there are genuine people too. That’s what I recognised in you yesterday, and I hope you did in me too. There’s nothing to lose, and that’s the main thing. Have to run. The girls are meeting friends at laser tag this afternoon – the little princesses . . . not!
Nat smiled at the thought of Eliza’s girls. She’d shown her some photos of them the previous day. They were adorable but didn’t look much like Eliza. Two very tall blonde-haired girls. Apparently, they took after their father. She could see that Suze wasn’t online but posted a final message before she logged out.
PinkFish88
Thinking of you and feeling for you. Ready to chat whenever you need someone. Xx
Nat picked up her coffee cup and took it through to the kitchen. She saw ten dollars sitting on the table with a note. For you and Amy, enjoy!
She picked up the money and glanced down at the floor in case Phyllie had dropped the rest. She hadn’t. Was this a joke? The two of them going to the movies and buying snacks would set them back forty, if not fifty dollars. A memory flashed in Nat’s mind from many years earlier. She was about ten and Hannah thirteen and she remembered Phyllie calling to them.
‘The money for the theatre’s on the table. There’s enough for two tickets and a small popcorn. No soft drinks, y
ou hear me? It’s all rubbish and will rot your teeth.’
Phyllie had always left them a ten-dollar note. They’d go to the matinee special, which gave you entry and a snack. Did Phyllie think it was still 1998? Back then the small local theatre they went to was cheaper than most of the mainstream cinema chains. You could get a ticket for under five dollars. You definitely couldn’t do that today. An uncomfortable feeling settled over Nat as she walked back up the stairs to her bedroom, planning to have a shower and get ready. Hannah was right. There really was something wrong with Phyllie.
Chapter Twenty-One
Hannah slipped out of bed early on Sunday morning. She poked her head into Amy’s room, where Bear lay curled up on the bed. He lifted his head when he saw her and then put it back down again. He looked miserable. They’d said no to Amy taking him for the sleepover at her grandfather’s, but now she wondered if that had been such a good idea. Still, a break from each other meant they’d be even happier to see each other that afternoon. She went in and sat on the bed and rubbed the dog between the ears.
‘She’ll be back this afternoon, Bear.’
He moved closer to her and laid his head on her lap, his big brown eyes staring up at her. Hannah sighed. Wouldn’t it be nice if her only problem right now was missing Amy. The house had been unusually quiet without her the previous night, and she and Damien had ended up going out for dinner. She’d been on edge all evening, trying to muster the courage to start the conversation about Zane Fox and Damien’s mother, but she’d clammed up, and they’d come home and watched a movie on Netflix. She’d been so distracted she couldn’t even remember what the story was about.
She’d met with Zane after work on Friday afternoon at Red Orchid, a small bar tucked away in an alley in Prahran, and her legs had trembled throughout the encounter. He was already there when she’d arrived, seated in a back corner, his trademark smirk on his face. He was sipping a glass of champagne, and another sat on the table for her.
He nodded at it. ‘Thought we could have a drink to celebrate our last transaction together.’
Hannah had been tempted to knock back the glass in one gulp, but as it had been purchased by Zane, she chose to ignore it. ‘Yes, this will be our last transaction. That much I guarantee.’
‘Really? That’s a bit presumptuous, isn’t it?’
As soon as the words left his lips, she knew that she’d made the right decision. If she handed over more money now, he’d be back in a couple of months with some other threat.
He’d laughed. ‘I’m just kidding. Yes, this will be the last time you ever have to see my beautiful face. Now, I assume you have a document you’d like me to sign?’
She stared at him, wondering how someone became so awful. What did he think when he got up each morning? How will I rip someone off and make their life miserable today?
‘You look very serious, Hannah.’ He glanced at his watch. ‘We’re both busy people. Let’s just get this contract signed and the transaction completed.’
Hannah took a deep breath. ‘There is no contract, Zane. I came here today to tell you I’m not going to allow you to blackmail me. If you decide to provide Damien’s mother with information on how to contact him, that’s your prerogative. I don’t trust that you won’t be back for more money if I pay you again.’
Zane shifted uncomfortably in his seat. It appeared he hadn’t considered this scenario. ‘I wouldn’t come back for more. This is a one-time transaction. You have my word, and as I said, I’m happy to sign anything you need.’
Hannah pushed her chair back and stood. ‘No. I came here in person to ensure there was no misunderstanding. You said when we last met that Janine had offered you the same amount to provide her with information. If you want money, that’s where you’ll need to go to get it.’
She turned on her heel and strode towards the door of the bar. She half expected Zane to already be on his phone calling Janine. She didn’t dare turn and find out.
Now, as she continued to rub Bear between the ears, she wondered what Zane would do next. ‘Regardless, we have to tell Damien before that prick does, don’t we, Bear? That’s not how we want this to play out.’
‘Tell Damien what?’
Hannah’s head snapped round. Damien was standing at the door, yawning and pushing a hand through his messy hair. He didn’t wait for an answer. ‘You’re up early. I thought we’d be taking advantage of Amy being away for the night.’ He grinned. ‘Come back to bed. We can still make the most of our child-free morning.’
Hannah smiled at him. ‘I think we did that pretty successfully last night.’
He moved into the room and sat down next to her. Bear lifted his head from Hannah’s lap and moved it to Damien’s.
‘He’s a great dog, isn’t he?’
Hannah nodded. ‘He is. He’s missing Amy though. I probably should have let her take him to Dad’s. I didn’t think it was fair to ask them to have both of them.’
‘It’s good for them to be apart for a couple of days,’ Damien said. ‘Absence makes the heart grow fonder and all that.’ He took her hand and squeezed it. ‘Now, what were you talking to Bear about? What do you need to tell me before the prick does? And who is the prick, by the way?’
Hannah closed her eyes, a lump forming in her throat so large she imagined it might prevent her from talking.
‘Han, you’re scaring me. What’s going on?’
She opened her eyes, her lip beginning to tremble. ‘How about we go downstairs and make some coffee. I think I’ll need it before I can even start.’
Damien pulled her to her feet, eyes filled with concern. ‘Is this conversation we’re about to have the reason you asked your father to have Amy this weekend?’
Hannah took a deep breath. ‘Yes.’
Hannah was in no hurry as she used the coffee machine to prepare their morning drinks. She’d gone over what she was going to say a thousand times but no matter which way she spun it, she couldn’t see the conversation going well. Damien was sitting at the island counter watching her as she moved around the kitchen. After five minutes of watching her fluff about, he stood.
‘You go and sit down, and I’ll finish making the coffee. I’m not sure what you’re doing exactly, but by the time you give me a cup it’s going to be cold.’ He smiled. ‘You don’t have to be nervous, Han. I can’t imagine anything you could tell me that I’d get angry about. Especially on a Sunday morning when we have the house to ourselves until at least four or five o’clock. It’s only six a.m. now. That’s hours and hours we’ll need to fill, and I have many ideas on how we can do that.’
Hannah followed his orders to sit down but didn’t respond to his innuendos. The likelihood of him still wanting to fill in those hours anywhere near her was unlikely.
Damien frothed the milk for their drinks and brought the mugs across to where Hannah was sitting. He placed hers in front of her and sat down.
‘So?’
She drew in a deep breath and met his gaze. ‘There’s something I need to tell you, and I need you to let me finish before you ask any questions or get angry.’
He picked up his coffee. ‘I can’t imagine I’ll get angry, but okay, go ahead.’
She hesitated before forcing the words out. ‘Do you remember Zane Fox?’
‘The guy who looked into my biological parents?’
Hannah nodded. ‘He contacted me a few weeks ago to blackmail me.’
Damien sat his coffee back on the bench. ‘What? Why?’
‘He has information that he knows I would like kept private, and he intends to share that information.’
Damien was up off his seat. ‘That bastard. I’ll kill him, Han, I mean it.’
Tears filled Hannah’s eyes. Her husband was on his feet ready to defend her without even asking what the information was. She reached out and took his hand. ‘Sit down. When you hear what the information is you might not feel the same way.’
He sat back down on the stool, a vein in his forehead
throbbing. Hannah imagined he was thinking about how he’d kill Zane Fox if given the opportunity.
‘Twelve years ago, I did something that at the time I thought was the right thing to do. I weighed up the pros and cons of keeping some information to myself. It was more than keeping the information to myself. I lied about it. I changed the facts to protect the people I love. I honestly thought at the time it was in their best interests.’ A tear trickled down her cheek.
Damien wiped it away, the anger on his face now replaced with concern. ‘Han, anyone who knows you would realise that you’d have done a full risk assessment before making a decision like that. They’d know you wouldn’t lie or do something to hurt them without very good reason.’
She drew in another deep breath. ‘I hope you still feel like that when I tell you what I did.’
‘You’re really scaring me now.’
‘Twelve years ago, Zane Fox told you that your biological parents were dead. That they’d been killed in an accident when bringing you home from the hospital.’
He nodded. ‘I still have the newspaper article about their deaths.’
‘The article wasn’t about your parents, Damien, or you. It was another family. Their names weren’t listed in the article, which was why he was able to use it.’
Damien froze. ‘What? Why would he make something like that up?’
‘To protect you from the truth.’
‘The truth?’
She nodded. ‘Your parents didn’t die in a car accident. When Zane presented you with that story, they were still alive.’
‘But they’re not now?’
‘Your mother is, but your father isn’t.’
A flicker of hope sparked in Damien’s eyes. ‘My mother’s still alive?’
She nodded.
He moved off the stool and began pacing up and down. ‘My mother’s alive. Okay, this is not the conversation I thought we’d be having this morning. Why did Zane Fox tell me they were dead?’