Page 63 of Under Ground

16

Lana

The universe delivers its answer on Monday.

“Mummy. I don’t want day care. Mummy!” Casey screeches from the back seat of the car.

“I’m so sorry, honey. But I have to go back to work today. You haven’t seen Maria in a while, won’t that be fun?” I let out a sigh and keep driving.

I couldn’t face the walk this morning. I’m tired and grumpy from not sleeping over my decision to break up with Alex, and Casey’s been the same—probably for the same reason.

She’s asked me about ‘Daddy’ about five hundred times since we last saw Alex. And while I’m still in love with him, I have no idea what to do about our situation. I’m not even sure if the decision I’ve made is the right one.

I can’t go back in time and stop those pictures of us bringing attention to Casey and me. I also don’t know if breaking up with Alex will stop any speculation.

Maria swoops in like an angel when we get to day care, and once again, I’m so grateful for her. I’d give anything to keep staying at home with Casey instead of going to work, but I know she’s in good hands. If Maria hadn’t been so cautious, I hate to think what might have happened. And getting back into our routine is important to try and return to a sense of normalcy.

By mid-morning, my head pounds, and it’s like I have a team of carpenters in my brain building a house. And, despite taking painkillers, nothing’s making it better.

If anything, it’s getting worse.

“Are you okay?” Gareth surprises me with his question as he walks past my desk, coffee mug in hand. The only thing he’s ever been concerned about is Melanie not finding out about Casey. It’s probably the first time he’s ever enquired about my health.

“I’ve got a headache. I’m sure I’ll be fine.”

“Go home if you’re not feeling well.”

I raise an eyebrow at him. “I’ve only just got back to work after all the drama last week.”

“You should go home, Lana. There’s no colour in your cheeks,” Anna says from behind her desk.

“Maybe.” I still hesitate because if I get behind on these reports, it’ll be a crash course for Anna to learn them.

“Well, it’s your call.” Gareth doesn’t hang around and heads back into his office.

I let out a long breath and then sigh when my mobile vibrates on my desk. I groan as I see ‘day care’ appear on the screen.

Picking it up, I press the button to accept. “Hello?”

“Lana, it’s Maria. I’m so sorry to be calling you like this, but Casey has chickenpox. We need you to come and collect her.”

My head swims. “But how …?”

“She’s not alone. There are three of them going home.” Her kind tone makes me want to cry. My stomach pitches at the thought that I dropped Casey off this morning without realising she was sick. “I’m on my way.”

After disconnecting the call, I walk into Gareth’s office. He’s hunched over his desk, and I tap on the open door to get his attention.

“Casey has chickenpox. I’m going to need some time off.”

His brow furrows. “Any chance you have it?”

I pause. I never had it as a child. And I have been feeling awful … “I’m not sure.”

He covers his nose and mouth with his hand as if I haven’t been in the office all morning as he’s walked back and forwards. “Then, go. Don’t worry about the leave. I’ll make sure you’re paid.”

Usually, I’d give him shit about not caring about his own daughter, but today I just feel crappy and want to go home. “Thanks. Haven’t you had chickenpox?”

He nods. “Yes, and so has Melanie, but I don’t want to take any bugs home.”

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