Page 42 of Sugarloaf Ridge Lies

Chapter Twelve

Liv

“Promise me you won’tdo the same thing. Let someone control you, treat you like a ghost in your own house. You deserve to be loved, treated like a queen.”

“I promise, Mum. Jack’s good to me, you know that.” It’s only been a couple of months, but things are getting serious. I’m practically living in his apartment. As for being treated like a queen, it’s not like that. Whilst he dotes on me from time to time, our relationship is equal. Maybe because we were friends first.

Her focus shifts out the back car window as we cruise down the highway. “I don’t know why I put up with him for so long. If he hadn’t have wanted out, I probably would still be with him.”

I grip her closest hand, drawing her gaze. “Mum, you don’t know that. You’re stronger than you realise. The divorce is finalised, so you don’t have to worry about him anymore. It’s time to finally focus on you.” Mum is a people-pleaser and has always put herself last. It’s going to be a hard habit to break, but I’ll do all I can to help.

“I know, I know.” A weary sigh slips from her lips. “Anyway, I can’t believe you’ve finished the last two units in your teaching degree. I’m so proud of you.” Mum’s beaming smile melts my heart.

“That’sifI pass.”

She rolls her eyes. “You’ve worked so hard, I’m sure you have nothing to worry about.”

“Yeah, but will I be any good at it?” The thought of leading a classroom of impressionable young kids... I don’t know if I have what it takes. What if I screw it up? Will I scar them for life?

Mum pats the top of my hand. “My sweet Olive. You received such great feedback with your prac work. I believe in you. You can do this. It’s about time you believed in yourself.”

I simply nod.

“Promise me when you get a teaching job, you’ll give it your all.” The afternoon sun flickers over her face, lighting up her sky-blue eyes. “Some days will challenge you. Some days will beat you down, but you are more than capable. You ring me, night or day, and I’ll be your sounding board. Just don’t give up.”

Tears spring to my eyes as my heart swells. She has such faith in me, and she’ll be there to help me through it, as always, good days and bad. “I promise.”

Grandma turns in the front passenger seat adjacent to me, the lines beside her eyes deepening with a smile. “I think you’ll make the most fabulous teacher, Liv. I can just imagine you now, waltzing into the room in one of your bright big skirts, with a dynamite smile. You’ll instantly have their attention.”

“I might have to dull down the wardrobe, Grandma.”

She scoffs. “Whatever for?” She taps Grandpa on the shoulder. “That’d be a tragedy, wouldn’t it, Patrick?”

“Hey, what?” Grandpa adjusts his grip on the wheel and turns his head towards Grandma.

“Our Liv shouldn’t change, should she?”

Grandpa stares at me via the rear-view mirror and gives me a wink. “Not one bit.”

A sudden weight forces the air from my chest, my ribs set to crack under the pressure. My heart stalls when I drag in a breath, as if shards of glass are lodged in my throat.

No. No, no, no, no no. I’m here again.

“Grandpa?” I choke out.

Time stretches out, everything slows. Sounds morph into a low drone until silence smothers, sucking the oxygen from around me.

I’m back here, trapped.

Please, no.

No way out, I’m forced to relive this moment, again and again.

In a rush of heat and sparks, time accelerates. Squawks and squeals and blinding lights.

My insides quiver with the crunch and wail of metal. I slam against the door. Glass shatters and showers like a raging tornado.

Roll, roll, roll.

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