Page 89 of Wandering Souls

Abi glanced at her. “I think your uncle wants a word, but maybe I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Millie beamed a smile and he got a glimpse of the child under the black garb. “Sure.”

It took all his strength not to focus on Abi as she left, though Bruce had no such qualms, racing after her for a quick pet goodbye. He returned, looking pleased with himself and settled on Millie’s feet again. As for his niece, contrite was a good beginning.

“Did you call Mum?”

Ray stepped closer and put a hand on her shoulder. “I did. She’s glad you’re okay. I wish you’d called me, kiddo.”

She blushed. “I wasn’t thinking. I’m sorry Uncle Ray.”

With a squeeze of her bony shoulder, he slid into the seat Abi had vacated and sent Millie what he hoped was a warm smile. “You’re fifteen, you can get away with it this time.” He saw the nearly empty backpack hanging off the back of her seat. “How did you even get here?”

Pride shone back at him. “I caught the bus to the train station, then the train in to the city, another train to Shepparton and a bus to here. It took all of my savings.”

He tried to calculate how long her journey took. “You must have left early.”

She nodded. “It’s a long way. I wish you still lived in Melbourne.”

Ray held out a hand. She slid her thin one into his, her cold fingers on his palm shocking him. “Are you okay, Millie?”

A shoulder lifted and fell in a half-shrug.

“Come on, kiddo, it’s just us. You can talk to me.”

“I could, then you went away.” Her eyes teared up.

“So, you’re mad at me?”

“Sort of,” she mumbled, looking anywhere but at him.

“Yet, you came here to me.” He lamented how quickly things had changed. He’d hadn’t even been gone a year. “At least tell me, have you got a change of clothes?”

Her blush deepened. “I told you, I wasn’t thinking.”

No, she’d been driven by emotion.

“Besides,” she parried, “I didn’t realize just how far away you were. You’re my uncle, you’re supposed to be there when Mum isn’t.”

Teenage logic. How did he argue with that? “Fair enough. Let’s go get you some clothes first, then we’ll go back to my place where we can talk in private.”

“Sure.”

They stood, bringing Bruce to his feet as well. “I have to warn you, though,” he said as they left the bakery. “You’re going to have to sleep on the couch, at least for tonight. Tomorrow, we’ll sort out something more comfortable.”

“Whatever.”

He chuckled. She’d change her mind after spending the night on the lumpy couch. They headed across the road.

“So, who’s Abi?”

His breath caught in his throat. “She’s a friend.”

A spunky smile flashed across Millie’s face, making him acutely aware of how much makeup she wore—or rather, how much had been smudged off her face. “Is she your girlfriend?”

He wished. “No.”

At the entrance to the local clothing boutique, she paused and shook her head. “Liar.”

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