Page 97 of The Knitting Club at Wagtail Ridge

‘You could get a restraining order against Sally.’

‘I don’t want to do that. I think it crosses a line that we might never come back from.’

Bree understood what he was saying, but to her mind, Sally had already crossed that line and taken several steps beyond it. ‘What does my mother say?’

‘I haven’t spoken to her. I came straight out here as soon as Hooper left. I wanted Vicki to stop worrying about what had happened. I hope it’s okay that we came early.’

‘You can come here any time you want—or need—to.’ In the meaningful silence that followed, Vicki’s laughter rang out. ‘Why don’t you ring my mother now and see what she says? Go inside and use the landline. It’s much better than a mobile and there’s no chance of Vicki overhearing. I’ll keep her occupied while you do.’

Matt looked at his daughter then nodded. ‘Thank you.’

Bree saw how his shoulders slumped as he walked to the house. He would fight for Vicki with everything he had, but right now, it was clear he thought he was losing. And no matter what she said, Bree knew her words would be little comfort in the face of his greatest fear.

‘Where’s Daddy going?’ Vicki appeared at her side. ‘He’s not leaving me, is he?’ Her voice quivered, as if tears were not far away. Bree’s heart contracted. It was so unfair that Vicki was suffering like this. ‘Of course not,’ Bree said brightly. ‘I think he’s going to use the bathroom.’ She pulled a face and Vicki giggled. ‘All right. Have you thought of a name for the baby?’

‘Can we call him Kristoff. After Anna’s friend inFrozen?’

‘That is a very good name. Let’s go and ask him, shall we?’ Bree led Vicki towards the gate into the nursery paddock.

***

Margaret’s advice to Matt was simple. ‘We need to get an intervention order.’

‘I was hoping to avoid that.’

‘Matt. Do you trust her with your daughter? Seriously. Because if the answer is no, then a Family Violence Intervention Order is the answer. At least for now.’

‘But she’s never been violent towards Vicki. Or me.’

‘Do you think she might be? And remember, she can pose a threat without doing actual physical violence. Harassment is a valid case.’

‘I think … I think she’s becoming more unstable. And with Kim’s birthday coming up the day after tomorrow, I’m afraid she’ll do something—’ He took a deep breath. ‘You’re right, Margaret. I don’t trust her. And I don’t want her anywhere near Vicki, at least until she’s had some sort of counselling or therapy. And certainly not without me present.’

‘Then you know I have to do this.’

‘I know.’ His voice fell. ‘What do I have to do?’

‘I’ll get the paperwork underway first thing in the morning. I’ve got my notes here about what happened today. When it’s written up, I’ll send it to you for confirmation or anything you can add. Then we file.’

After they’d agreed, Matt hung up the phone. He sat staring at it for a long time before the sound of Bree and Vicki dragged him from the dark place he had gone to. He pushed his thoughts into the far recesses of his mind and by the time the front door opened, he was smiling.

‘Daddy, we’re calling the cria Kristoff. He’s lovely. And Kristoff was a hero.’

‘It’s a very good name.’

He didn’t get a chance to talk to Bree as dinner was prepared and eaten. Vicki chatted happily, not seeming to notice the tension in him. The little girl was soon yawning, which meant it was time to go. Matt settled her in the car seat, then drew Bree aside.

‘Intervention order?’ Bree asked. He nodded.

She put a comforting hand on his arm. ‘I know you didn’t want to go this route, but it’s the right thing to do. You can’t let things remain as they are.’

‘I know.’ As he looked at her, he wanted to take her in his arms and lose himself in her more than anything. Lose himself in the warmth and the joy that would take away the horrors of the day. But he couldn’t. ‘Bree, I want … But I’m sorry—’

‘Stop.’ She lifted her hand and gently stilled his lips with her fingertips. ‘You don’t have to say anything. You will get past this. Until then, I’m here to help in any way I can. And after, well, that’s something for us both to look forward to.’

As he got into the car to drive away, Matt cursed Sally. It wasn’t enough that she was getting between him and his daughter, she also seemed bent on destroying his first real hope of a happy future for himself. He was not going to allow that to happen.

CHAPTER

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