A Home Like Ours by Fiona Lowe (feel good books .txt) 📕

Tara’s head pounded from a combination of lack of sleep, a prolonged adrenaline rush from running with Zac on a still cool night drenched in moonlight, and sustained anger at Jon. She knew she’d been distracted the previous afternoon, busy building Viagra castles in the air and believing the little blue pill would magically heal her marriage. Huh!

They’d arrived home after swimming lessons and Flynn and Clemmie had been tired and hungry. When they’d bickered over the iPad, she’d sent them outside with snacks. She’d been surprised, but pleased, when they didn’t try to come back inside within five minutes. It had reinforced her belief that the more time kids spent outside, the better it was for their imaginations. They’d entertained themselves so well she’d had to ring the dinner bell to summon them inside. There hadn’t been any time to play with anyone—

Her coffee cup stalled halfway to her mouth. ‘Where did you play with these twins?’

‘On the trampoline,’ Clemmie said.

‘Sammy’s awesome! He can do double somersaults.’ Flynn’s eyes shone with admiration. ‘His big brother, Amal, is going to teach me.’

The neighbours. ‘No!’

Flynn’s knife clattered onto his plate. ‘Why not?’

‘Because they’re dangerous.’

‘Somersaults aren’t dangerous,’ Flynn said belligerently.

But African teenage boys are. ‘The twins shouldn’t have been here uninvited.’

‘They weren’t. I asked them,’ Clemmie said.

‘You should have asked me first.’

‘But you told us to stay outside.’

Her daughter’s logic snapped her already stretched restraint. ‘You know the rules, Clementine Rose Hooper!’

Clemmie’s blue eyes swam with confusion. ‘What rules?’

‘Not talking to strangers.’

‘But they’re not strangers. They’re neighbours.’

‘Exactly. And when Lyle lived there we told you not to go anywhere near him.’

‘Yeah, but he was scary,’ Flynn said. ‘The twins are cool.’

‘I don’t care. You both did the wrong thing so they’re not coming over.’

‘That’s so unfair!’ they chorused.

Something about their united complaint made her compensate. ‘Brooke and Benji can come instead. Now go and get ready for school.’

As Tara reached for the paracetamol, her phone vibrated with a message. She turned it over.

Training by moonlight’s my new favourite thing. Zac had placed a moon between the two running emojis that represented each of them.

Her headache eased. Mine too. Tx

CHAPTER

17

At school drop-off, Tara suggested to Kelly that Brooke come for a play date that afternoon. ‘I’m hoping Benji can come as company for Flynn but I’m happy to have Hudson as well. It will give you an hour or so to yourself after work.’

‘I’ve got a better idea,’ Kelly said. ‘Seeing it’s Friday, why don’t Rhianna and I bring something and then the guys come too? It’s been ages since we did that. We haven’t seen you since book group.’ An accusatory tone clung to the words.

Tara didn’t want to invite the woman who’d accused her of not appreciating her husband. ‘I’m not sure Rhianna’s—’

‘What about me?’ Rhianna arrived just as the bell sounded.

‘Gang night at Tara’s,’ Kelly said.

Rhianna’s brows rose. ‘Really?’

‘Why really?’ Tara said coolly.

‘I’m just surprised you’ve got the time. Jon said you’re flat out with this crazy marathon plan.’

Tara’s fingers curved into her palms and she focused on the discomfort instead of saying something she’d regret. ‘I thought it might be nice for us to all get together before Shannon gets busy with the baby.’

‘You make it sound like she’s leaving town.’

Kelly laughed. ‘Shan’s never let a kid stop her from socialising before.’

Just like at the last barbecue and book group, Tara was left feeling criticised. Had she really changed or had Kelly and Rhianna?

On the drive to the community garden for the dreaded morning tea—Helen had refused to take no for an answer—she called Shannon and mentioned the barbecue.

‘That’s a perfect plan if it can be tomorrow night instead?’ Shannon said.

‘Too easy.’ Tara got a zip of pleasure at the thought of telling Kelly that the play date for the kids was still on, but not the barbecue the woman had invited herself to. And if Kelly and Rhianna were busy tomorrow night and couldn’t make it, tough.

‘Sensational. Chris and the kids and I will be there with bells on.’

‘Great. But this doesn’t change today’s plans.’

Tara was really looking forward to lunch, because now she no longer had a kid at preschool, she and Shannon were on different weekday schedules. She didn’t see as much of her friend as she used to or wished to and she desperately needed some one-on-one time with her. Perhaps over lunch Tara could broach the topic of Rhianna and Kelly ganging up on her. Or not … Shannon was so easygoing she’d probably tell her she was imagining things.

Tell her about Jon. But that was impossible. Shannon would tell Chris.

‘Actually, Tara, if it’s okay with you,’ Shannon was saying, ‘I’ve got a million things I have to do before we—before the baby comes.’

‘Oh. Right. Sure. I get it.’ The weight of her disappointment almost flattened her.

‘Thanks! You’re the best. See you tomorrow.’

Tara pulled in beside the new sponsorship sign and snapped a photo for the Hoopers’ Facebook page. At the end of morning tea she’d take photos of the gardeners holding some of the donated tools. It would make a change from pictures of the junior football and cricket teams, who Jon sponsored by providing the uniforms.

Before she slid her phone into her handbag, she checked for texts. There could be something important from the school. You tell yourself that …

She created a new text. Hey Zac, I’m still buzzing. Shivers ran up and down her spine as she willed him to reply.

Excellent!

I’ve got an unexpected opening at noon, she typed.

Cool! You want to shift 2pm to 12?

Did she? Of course she did. It meant she’d see Zac two hours earlier. It also meant she could attend the staff meeting at two, but did she want to? Not really. She didn’t want to do anything to oblige Jon, but if she turned up it would appear like a gesture of goodwill. And right now, appearances were the only thing holding their relationship together.

She