by Louise Guy
She cleared her search history and closed the lid on her laptop. It was all very well thinking through the pros and cons of what she’d done, but deep down she still believed she’d done the right thing. But now, paying Zane off, which she had no idea how she would do without Damien noticing money missing, would take her deception to a whole other level and that was something she wasn’t sure she could do. She fingered the heart-shaped pendant, wishing she could call her mother for advice. A lump formed in her throat as she thought of her mother, who always seemed to have a solution to any problem. She did her best to swallow it down, wondering instead if Phyllie would be home later. She could pop in and see her while Amy was at the party. She slipped her phone from her pocket and rang her number.
After organising to drop in on Phyllie later that morning, Hannah made her way down to the kitchen, where Damien was making coffee. It was only nine, but they’d all been woken early when a neighbour started his lawnmower at seven.
He raised a cup to her. ‘Want one?’
She took a seat at the counter. ‘Yes, please.’
‘We should probably wait until Nat arrives, but I’m still half asleep.’
Hannah stared at her husband. They’d been awake for two hours and he hadn’t mentioned Nat visiting. She hadn’t spoken to her sister since the family dinner and had no desire to. ‘Why’s Nat coming over?’
Damien blushed. ‘We discussed something last night that she wants further clarification on. Long story, but there’s something I need to talk to you about.’ He handed her a cup of coffee and sat down on a stool next to her.
Nerves swirled in Hannah’s stomach. Did he know about Zane Fox? Had he guessed something was up with her? She waited, her hands clenching the cup tightly.
Damien cleared his throat. ‘I’ve been keeping something from you because I was worried you might overreact.’
Hannah stared at him again. Wherever this was going, it wasn’t what she’d expected. ‘Okay, go on.’
‘You know how I play solitaire and other card games online sometimes?’
Hannah nodded.
‘I also play online poker.’
‘You spend money on it?’
Damien nodded. ‘A bit.’
Her husband played online poker? He squandered their savings on gambling? ‘How much have you lost? You know the long-term odds of actually winning at something like that are very slim. You’ll generally lose at least eighty-five percent of the time.’
Damien shook his head. ‘Remember I said I hadn’t told you because I was worried you’d overreact? Imagine your glass was half full. If it were, you’d have just asked me how much I’d won, not lost.’
Hannah put her cup back on the counter. ‘Okay, how much have you won?’
‘About the same as I’ve lost. Not a lot. I’m not playing it to win big, just to have some fun. It only costs a dollar to enter the cheaper games, so you don’t need to worry. Losing our life savings is not something I plan to do.’
‘No one plans to lose when they gamble, yet more than four hundred Australians commit suicide each year rather than face their gambling losses. That’s more than one a day.’
Damien sighed. ‘I knew I shouldn’t have told you – and that you’d turn it into some statistical nightmare and take all the fun out of it.’
Hannah’s mouth dropped open. ‘Is that what you think I do?’
Damien took her hand in his. ‘Not on purpose, but sometimes. My gambling isn’t a problem, I just thought I should tell you about it. I’ve been playing for a few years and it seems strange to be keeping something from you.’
Hannah extricated her hand. ‘Why tell me now?’
‘Nat probably would otherwise. Matt mentioned online poker to her last night and also let on that I play. She was pretty horrified that I hadn’t told you.’
‘Really? Nat actually cared about me?’
Damien nodded. ‘That’s why she’s coming over this morning. I promised I’d tell you and she’s checking up on me. She was right, though. We shouldn’t have secrets from each other. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, and promise I’ll let you know if I ever think it’s becoming a problem.’
We shouldn’t have secrets from each other. She swallowed down the lump that kept filling her throat. Would he ever forgive her if he found out what she’d done? She wasn’t convinced he would. She was, however, surprised by her sister’s loyalty towards her. That was unexpected. ‘How did Nat go last night? She can’t afford to lose much at the moment.’
‘She can now.’
Hannah’s eyes widened.
‘She cleaned us out, and Matt was betting big. Nat stayed with him in each hand, and nine times out of ten she won.’
‘I didn’t know she really knew how to play.’
‘Phyllie’s been teaching her.’
‘Phyllie? I thought she was kidding when she offered to teach Nat. What does she know about poker?’
Damien laughed. ‘Based on Nat’s winning streak last night, I’d say a lot.’
Hannah was standing by the front door waiting for Nat to arrive and contemplating the information Damien had imparted about his online gambling habit, when the doorbell jolted her out of her thoughts.
She whipped the door open, realising she’d been so deep in thought she hadn’t even noticed Nat’s car turn into the driveway.
Nat raised an eyebrow. ‘I wasn’t expecting you to be waiting by the door. Does that mean you’re excited to see me?’ She held out a box to Hannah. ‘Pastries. A thank you for Damien including me last night, and I figured after the other night at Dad’s anything to make you a bit sweeter was a good idea.’
Hannah stared at her sister for a moment, still trying to get her head around this sudden revelation that gambling was an issue in her family and that Nat had stood up for her with Damien. She chose to ignore Nat’s dig at her and took the box. ‘Thanks. Come in, I’ll make some fresh coffee.’
She led Nat down the carpeted hallway, past the many family photos that decorated the walls, through to the kitchen where Amy, having finished her homework, was sitting at the island bench, headphones on, staring at something on her iPad. Hannah tapped her on the shoulder and she removed her earbuds. ‘Time to turn that off.’
Amy scowled at her mother but managed to muster a smile for her aunt. Nat leaned down and hugged her while Hannah busied herself with the coffee machine. ‘How are you, princess?’
Amy rolled her eyes. ‘Too old to be called that for a start.’
Nat laughed. ‘Okay, Amelia. Is that better?’
‘Yes, Nathalia, it is.’
Hannah smiled. Her daughter gave as good as she got. She never had to worry about Amy not standing up for herself.
‘Did you hear we’re getting a dog?’ Amy asked Nat.
Hannah’s smile slipped. What?
‘Mum and Dad thought I was so good with Toby the other night, they decided to get me a dog for my birthday.’
‘That’s fantastic,’ Nat said. ‘What type are you going to get?’
Had Damien agreed to this, because she certainly hadn’t. She liked dogs, but she didn’t like all the work that went with having one.
‘A rescue dog. I’ve been looking online.’ She held up her iPad. ‘There are so many to choose from. My birthday’s still almost three weeks away, so there’s plenty of time to make a decision.’
‘Hold on a minute.’ Hannah placed a steaming hot mug in front of Nat. ‘Did Dad say you could have a dog? Because this is the first I’ve heard about it.’
Amy held the iPad in front of Hannah. A gorgeous brown face stared back at her from the RSPCA page, with a headline that read: ‘Bear is looking for a home.’
Bear can keep looking for a home. ‘Dad agreed to this?’
‘Of course.’ Amy slipped off the stool. ‘He understands that we need to do our bit to support dogs in shelters, so adopting one is the first step.’ She grinned at Nat. ‘I’ve got a few weeks to convince them that Bear will need a friend.
Two dogs would be perfect.’
‘They sure would,’ Nat agreed. ‘They’d keep each other company when you’re at school. That’s exciting news.’
‘I’m just going to go and chat to Skye,’ Amy said. ‘I was telling her about Bear yesterday and I want to show her a photo.’
Hannah shook her head as her daughter left the room. She picked up her coffee and sat on the stool next to Nat.
Nat looked at her and smiled.
‘What?’
‘Haven’t you worked out that your daughter’s playing you?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘The dog. Showing us cute pictures, saying that Damien agreed to it and then adding in the bit about convincing you to get two dogs. I’m guessing Damien knows nothing at all about getting a dog, and Amy’s clever enough to make you think you’re deciding between whether to get one dog or two, whereas the real decision is whether you are getting a dog at all. She’s manipulating the situation beautifully.’
Hannah frowned. Would Amy do that? Would she be clever enough? She shook her head. ‘No, she must have spoken to Damien. She’s only eleven. She wouldn’t come up with a plan like that.’
‘Want to bet?’
Irritation overcame Hannah. ‘Of course, you think you know my daughter better than I do.’
‘Jeepers, no need to snap. I’m just saying I think she’s up to something, that’s all.’
‘I definitely disagree, and anyway, bet what?’
‘Let’s call Damien in. If he knows about the dog, then you’re right, and I’m giving Amy far too much credit for being deceptive. If that’s the case, I’ll babysit for an entire weekend so you two can get away.’
‘And if I’m wrong?’
‘Then Amy gets her dog. One, of course, not two, but she gets to pick a rescue dog for her birthday.’
The corners of Hannah’s lips twitched. She’d be stupid not to accept the bet. A weekend away with Damien would be lovely, and seeing her sister’s face when she realised she was wrong and didn’t know her niece as well as she seemed to think she did would be the icing on the cake. She held out her hand. ‘Deal.’
‘Let’s call in Damien.’
‘He’s popped out to the shops. He’ll be back any minute.’ Hannah pulled the box of pastries across the counter and opened the lid. ‘Mm, these look delicious.’ Glazed pecan Danishes, croissants and brioche au chocolat stared back at her. She pushed the box across to Nat. ‘Hold on, I’ll get us some plates.’
‘Did Damien tell you what happened last night?’ Nat asked.
‘He mentioned you cleaned up, and I’m assuming from the box of pastries he was right.’
Nat grinned. ‘Over two grand. Can you believe it?’
Hannah stopped, the plates held in mid-air. ‘You’re kidding? They bet that kind of money?’
‘Damien said not usually, but I think Matt was showing off. Backfired on him.’
‘But what if you’d lost?’
‘I only took a hundred with me to start with. I just won the first few hands and turned it into more very quickly.’
Hannah placed the plates down in front of Nat. ‘Did Damien lose much?’
‘No, I don’t think so. He said a hundred’s his limit and he pulls out then, or before if he knows the night’s not going well for him. I don’t think he even got through that much last night. Both he and Pam stopped playing once the stakes got too high. Said it was a waste going into the hand as they couldn’t keep up with the betting.’
Hannah nodded. That was good to hear at least. But this news that Damien was also playing online poker was worrying. It was gambling and gambling was addictive. The last thing she wanted was to see their life savings disappear. ‘Thanks, by the way.’
Nat’s eyes widened in surprise. ‘For what?’
‘For making Damien tell me about the online poker. I’m shocked that he kept it from me.’
‘He said he didn’t want you to worry. That you might think he was spending lots of money when it’s only a hobby that he uses to practise for the real games.’
He was still hiding it from me played over in Hannah’s head. She knew it was hypocritical, based on the fact she was keeping a massive secret from Damien, but it made her wonder what else he was hiding. That was not a conversation she was going to have with Nat though. She changed the subject. ‘Damien said you were at Phyllie’s for poker training on Friday.’
Nat nodded. ‘I owe her a commission from what I won.’
Hannah smiled. ‘I doubt she’ll take it. Look, I know you and I disagree on many things, but Phyllie is one thing we do agree on. I’m really relieved that you’re going to move in with her. I know it’s probably not ideal from your perspective and might only be short term until you find something else, but she needs help. She’s doing too much.’
Hannah was amazed when Nat nodded. She was so used to her sister objecting to everything she suggested.
‘And there’s that bloody goat too,’ Nat said. ‘It worries me.’
‘What goat?’
Nat hesitated. ‘It belongs to a neighbour, but I promised I wouldn’t say anything. She thinks if you know, you’ll be straight round there packing her bags and driving her to the assisted living place.’
‘I wouldn’t do that. I’m just worried, and if she’s that against going into assisted living, then after you move out we need to work out a schedule for helping her. Get someone in to do the mowing and things like that. I know Dad goes round and does it occasionally, but Phyllie still gets out and does it herself if he hasn’t been for a while.’
Nat nodded. ‘Getting rid of the goat might be something we should add to the list too.’ She met Hannah’s eyes. ‘When I arrived on Friday it had her trapped in the garden. It was only after her flowers, but she got in its way and it jabbed her with its horn. She needed a couple of stitches and was very shaken up. It scared me, so I’m not surprised it scared her.’
Hannah dropped her pastry on to her plate. ‘What? She needed stitches! Jesus, Nat, how come this is the first I’m hearing about it? Did you take her to the doctor?’
Nat looked across the kitchen, through the French doors to the back garden, avoiding Hannah’s gaze. ‘I had a medical professional come to us. Don’t worry, she got proper medical treatment.’
Hannah watched her sister. Nat was a terrible liar. Ever since she was little, she’d refuse to make eye contact and would look off into the distance when she was lying. It was easy to pick up on. ‘Why are you lying about that? Was she hurt worse than you’re saying?’
Nat sighed and looked back at Hannah. ‘I’m not lying. She was attacked by the goat, had a cut that needed stitches, and I had a medical professional attend. There was nothing more to it. It meant we didn’t have to waste our afternoon waiting to see a doctor, and she insisted we open the Prosecco I brought with me and get on with our poker training. You know what Phyllie’s like. There’s no arguing with her.’
‘I’ll speak to the council tomorrow,’ Hannah said. ‘See what can be done about the goat.’
‘Don’t. I suggested I’d speak to the council and Phyllie made me promise not to. She doesn’t want to upset her neighbour.’
A key turning in the front door signalled Damien was home. He appeared in the kitchen moments later, a beautifully gift-wrapped box in his hands. He smiled at Nat. ‘And the champion returns.’
She laughed. ‘Beginner’s luck, but it was fun and good timing.’
He put the present on the bench and placed an envelope on top. ‘I got some books for Amy to give Mia. She said Mia’s a bookworm, so hopefully she’ll like them. There’s a card there too. Amy just needs to write it. The bookstore wrapped the books, so that makes it easy.’
Hannah glanced at the rustic wooden clock on the kitchen wall. She’d need to leave soon to take Amy to the party. ‘Would you mind taking the card up to Amy and asking her to write it? I just want to chat with Nat a bit longer. We’re worried about Phyllie.’
Damie
n picked up the card, concern flooding his face. ‘Why, has something else happened?’
‘Else?’
‘I mentioned the goat incident to Damien last night.’ Nat didn’t meet Hannah’s eyes.
‘Really?’ Hannah turned to her husband. ‘And you didn’t say anything?’
‘I didn’t want to worry you.’ Damien’s cheeks burned red, something that happened when he lied. Neither her sister nor her husband were any good at lying. Ironic that she, who usually did everything by the book, was so effective at it.
Her eyes flicked between the two of them and they both looked away evasively. ‘Okay, enough. Tell me what happened and why you’re both lying about it. You’re beginning to freak me out.’
Nat exchanged a look with Damien, a look that had Hannah’s mind racing. Why were they exchanging secret looks? What was going on here?
Damien sighed. ‘Nat rang me on Friday and asked me to drop into Phyllie’s and sew up her arm. She was fine, the cut wasn’t too deep but did need to be cleaned up. I examined her all over and other than minor shock, she was okay. We didn’t tell you because Phyllie said she’d kill us if we did. She said it would be another nail in her coffin regarding assisted living. She said she’d prefer the nail to go in a real coffin than be forced out of her home.’
Hannah tensed. Had she pushed it so far that Phyllie believed she’d force her out of her home? She was only trying to help. ‘I’d never do that. I want to make sure she’s looked after, that’s all. And with Nat moving in I feel a lot more comfortable. We were also talking about putting a roster together to help Phyllie out.’
