by C.J Duggan
Chapter Nine
I stole a moment in the ladies' room, perched on a closed toilet lid for a bit of chin-trembling.
Even Rosanna and Melba must have sensed the change as, for once, they weren't taking their anger out on me. Ellie definitely knew something was wrong when I declined the end-of-shift staff drink from Chris. The Onslow Boys and Angela were still in the poolroom, and I just wanted a discreet exit out the back way. Ellie also knew me well enough not to question me about it, at least not just yet. We made our way down the sloping stretch of road where we would wait for my mum to pick us up.
"Hey, do you wanna go for a ride tomorrow?" Ellie said. "We can pick up our pays and go and blow it all at Carter's. There's this cute little skirt that would look great on you."
This was Ellie trying to cheer me up.
"Sounds good!" I faked a smile.
After I completed my nightly routine, peeling off my half-drenched, smoke-infused clothes to have a long, hot shower, I fired up my computer and found an email from Adam.
To: tessmcgee
Bad news I'm afraid! There is a Magnum P.I marathon on and guess who is front and centre?
ME! Under sufferance of course.
Although don't jump to any conclusions if I return home with a handle bar moustache.
It doesn't mean a thing.
How's things in O town? Hope you're having fun without me.
Sender: Adam I can jump puddles Henderson.
I was so emotionally exhausted even Adam's email did little to perk me up. I couldn't help but think back to Angela's arms draped over Toby, her sardonic smile as she belittled me in front of everyone. The smashing of the glass replayed in slow motion, the brush of Toby's fingers as he helped me pick up the shards.
I felt like such an idiot. I should have insisted with Chris that I'd clean it up. I could only imagine Angela's snide remarks as Chris swept up the mess.
"Ha! I wish someone would clean up after me. That's what you get for hiring twelve-year-olds", she would have said. And then everyone would have laughed with her.
I groaned and cupped my head in my hands.
To: Adam I can jump puddles Henderson
Do it! Moustaches are hot!
O Town is just peachy!
Sender: tessmcgee
To: ellieparker
All good. I am looking forward to our bike ride tomorrow. X
Sender: tessmcgee
