Page 61 of Sugarloaf Ridge Lies

Kids asks the most cutthroat questions. But they need to know the truth.

“In heaven.”

Her little brows pull tight. “In the clouds?”

I nod. “Yes.”

“Does that make you sad?”

A hand grips my shoulder. I don’t need to turn to know that it’s Aunt Jean.

My throat grows thick. “Yes, Gracey.”

When we reach the stall, Sally is serving an older lady, talking about a new blend of bath salts, champagne and strawberries.Yum.

Gracey ducks beneath the table and comes up beside her mother.

“The fizzy bath things are really cool,” Gracey says and holds up a light orange coloured ball, thrusting it towards me. I take it, certain she was about to drop it.

Citrus and coconut tease my nostrils. It instantly brings back memories of summer days and sweet cocktails in the city. My stomach churns.God damn it.Whilst the doctor gave me prescription drugs for morning sickness, I’m hesitant to take them. What if they harm the baby? When I reach the second trimester, I should be better.

I hand the sweet-smelling bomb back to Gracey. “That’s lovely.”

Sally is still in deep conversation with a customer, so I take it as my cue to leave to save us an awkward conversation.Would she know Jerry and I have broken up?

“I need to get home, Gracey. It was lovely to see you.”

She frowns. “Okay. I’m sorry about your mummy. I bet she was really pretty, like you.”

What a beautiful little soul. “Thank you, honey. You enjoy the rest of the day and I’ll see you at school.” I smile and wave at Sally. She nods as she listens to the older lady.

Aunt Jean loops her hand in mine and leads me away from the table.

“I think I’m gonna be sick,” I whisper and guide us towards the bathroom block.

I just make it inside a stall to throw up.Gross.

When I exit the stall, I wash my hands and cup the cool water to rinse the acid from my mouth.

“Liv?” a female voice says.

I turn to find Daynah, her smile, wide. She’s wearing an oversized knitted sweater, dark leggings, and leather boots that hug her calves.

“Daynah. Hi.”

Is there somewhere in this town I can escape this woman? We seem to meet at every turn.

She sets about soaping up her hands and turns on the tap. “Hey, you know I was thinking we need to have you over for family dinner.”

Oh, God.She doesn’t know. Jerry hasn’t told his family.Crap.

My face must fall as her dark eyes search me.

I fiddle with the strap of my handbag. “Thanks, but Jerry and I aren’t seeing each other anymore.”

Her mouth drops open. “Oh. Sorry. I didn’t know.”

I force a smile. “It’s okay. I appreciate you thinking of me, anyway.”

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