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

‘Om! It’s hot and—’ Sammy’s eyes widened when he saw the cake. ‘Cool! A one cake.’

‘Milo’s so lucky,’ Leila said. ‘Can I carry it?’

‘I will carry it,’ Fiza said firmly. ‘Come. Let’s go to the party.’

Jade didn’t know what to expect. After all, no bloke she’d ever known had organised a party and, going on Helen’s scepticism, her hopes weren’t high. Smoke puffed from the pizza oven’s flue, the balloons she’d requested were tied in clusters and she saw a box of bubble bottles on the sink. Even Daisy was wearing a birthday bandana. But it was the strings of flashing coloured lights wrapped around the support poles of the shelter and criss-crossing under the perspex roof that took her breath away.

Milo squirmed in her arms, fascinated by the lights. Then he saw Bob and squealed in delight.

Bob’s blue eyes twinkled. ‘Happy birthday, little buddy. And to you too, Jade.’

‘Thank—’ The loud pop of a cork made her turn. Lachlan was holding aloft a large dark bottle.

‘Happy birthday, Jade. Want a drink?’

She’d never tasted sparkling wine before. ‘Sure.’ She settled Milo on a picnic rug and accepted the frothing drink.

‘Fiza, I’ve got cans of soft drink in the esky for you and the kids,’ Bob said. ‘Help yourself.’

‘Happy birthday, Jade.’ Helen walked into the shelter holding a chocolate cake with a decoration sticking out of it that looked like exploding stars. A gold 20 waved in the centre. ‘Bob, the price of this cake is outrageous. I could have made it for a third of the cost—’

‘Thanks for picking it up.’ Bob pulled out his wallet.

Helen waved the money away. ‘Oh, I didn’t pay for it. I told Karina you’d be in later to settle up.’

‘Right. Good. Okay, time for presents!’ Despite his silver hair and craggy cheeks, Bob looked as excited as Leila and Sammy.

Lachlan gave Jade a wry smile. ‘Uncle Bob loves a party. He and Auntie Pen used to have a bonfire night every June and invite half the district. When I was little, Mum would put me to bed early but Uncle Bob always snuck in and got me so I wouldn’t miss out. Everyone needs an Uncle Bob.’

‘This is for Milo.’ Bob pushed a little wooden trolley with red wheels towards the baby. ‘It’s a walking toy. The blocks give it enough weight so he can stay steady and push it around.’

Lachlan bent down and built a short stack with the blocks. Laughing, Milo knocked them down. ‘Is that fun, squirt?’ Lachlan built them up again.

‘You did exactly the same thing with the ones I made you,’ Bob said.

Jade stared at him, not believing what she’d just heard. ‘You made the wagon and the blocks?’

Bob nodded. ‘I like to dabble in a bit of woodwork. This is for you.’

He passed her a small box wrapped in a green ribbon. Inside, a pair of earrings fashioned from three different pieces of polished wood nestled on cotton wool.

Without thinking, Jade hugged him. ‘They’re beautiful. Thanks.’

‘No worries.’

Then Fiza gave her a card, and Lachlan mumbled something about ‘not being much’, which turned out to be a bar of lemon myrtle scented soap wrapped in plain tissue paper.

Helen shoved a tiny green plant in a recycled black pot towards her. ‘It’s a peace lily. Look after it and it’ll flower eventually.’

Jade suddenly got hot and uncomfortable, which was dumb because who didn’t enjoy getting presents? But she couldn’t stop herself thinking how this random group of people had done more to make her feel special on her birthday than her family. Familiar hurt rose up and bit her as savagely as a pit bull. Before she could stop herself, she was saying tersely, ‘Of course I’ll look after it!’

‘Good,’ Helen said. ‘Lachlan, you got those pizzas under control? People are arriving in five minutes.’

Lachlan winked at Jade. ‘Halal pizza ready in ten and then I’ll tie some balloon animals for the kids.’

The party rolled out across the afternoon. Although Bob had told everyone not to bring anything, the women arrived with plenty of food to share. Jade ate so much she thought she’d burst. It was a truly happy occasion, but not even her buzz from the sparkling wine or the many compliments for her cake were enough to keep despair at bay when everyone sang happy birthday to Milo.

Lachlan took a photo of her and Milo blowing out his candle, but when Jade looked at it she didn’t see their smiling faces, only the absence of Corey.

Aima laughed at Milo whose cheeks were smeared with blue icing and chocolate cake. ‘He likes this food. Maybe I make for my daughter.’

Jade wiped Milo’s face and hands. ‘A three ca—’

‘Fuck, Jade. What the hell?’

The easy chatter of conversation died. All heads swung towards the angry voice.

‘Corey?’ Surprise and delight shot Jade to her feet. ‘Everyone, this is Corey. Milo’s dad.’

‘G’day, Corey.’ Bob stretched out his hand.

But Corey was looking past him to Milo, who was sitting on Aima’s lap. Jade followed his gaze and her pleasure at his unexpected arrival vanished as wariness stalked in. She’d told him she wouldn’t bring Milo to the garden.

Corey moved towards Aima, but Jade moved faster, scooping up their son. ‘Look, buddy,’ she said brightly. ‘Daddy’s here for your birthday.’

Corey threw his arm around her waist and dug his fingers into her skin. He ducked his head in close, his eyes sparking like flint, his breath all beer fumes. His words came out tight and low. ‘I’ve been waiting two f-ing hours.’

Her heart rate picked up. Corey must have sunk more than a couple of beers while he’d waited. ‘I didn’t think—you didn’t say you were coming.’

‘I don’t need to. You should be home waiting for me instead of here with stinking scum.’

Her skin flashed hot and cold. ‘Shh, they’ll hear you.’

‘So? They’re brainwashed not to have any feelings. It’s why they blow people up so easily. What I care about is how you’ve