Chapter 76
"I learnt quickly." She says, and the smile fades.
"When?"
"Julia worked late. She had to. We needed the money."
"What about Fiona?"
"Mum? She was no help."
"What do you mean?"
"She didn't do anything of any use."
"Did she work?"
"No. "
"What did she do all day?"
"Drank. What did you expect from her?"
"But you were six!"
"And? What did it matter to her?"
"You were only young. You shouldn't have had to do that."
"So were you." She says quietly, but I still hear.
"That was different."
"How was it different?"
"I knew what I was doing, I could handle it!"
"And I couldn't?" She demands, glaring at me.
"You shouldn't have had to!"
"Well, I did." She turns away again. There's a pause. I sigh.
"I'm sorry."
"For this?"
"For everything. For leaving you, and for what you had to go through, and everything else." She looks up at me again, watching me. Then, without warning, she's gripping me tightly, hugging me with all her might. I hug her back. I feel…lighter, somehow. Better.
"The food!" She exclaims suddenly, letting go. She pulls the lasagne out of the oven, then looks at me. "Are you eating, then?" I think about it, then take a deep breath and reply.
"Yeah, I am."