Cassie by Barry Jonsberg Read Free Book Online

time. And how do you know it gets better if you’ve only seen it once?’
    We stand outside Cinema 3. It’s dark in there and I can hear the low rumble of dialogue.
    â€˜Look Amy,’ I say. My foot is tapping again. ‘You want to see this or not? I mean, it’s not like you’re using your own money.’
    She flinches at that, but doesn’t say anything. We enter the cinema just as the opening credits come up. I suppose I should be grateful, but actually the pre-show entertainment is better than the film. I hated it last week. I loathe it this week. It seems to me that something billed as a romantic comedy might contain a suggestion of romance and a hint of comedy. Maybe I’m old-fashioned.
    This turkey has neither. It’s worse than I remembered.
    Not that Amy seems too disappointed when we finally emerge blinking into the foyer lights.
    â€˜That was okay,’ she says. ‘But the plot was kinda lame.’
    â€˜Yep – about the same entertainment value as having a tooth filled,’ I reply. ‘Look, do you fancy a burger? I haven’t eaten anything except popcorn all day and I’m starving.’
    Amy glances at her watch.
    â€˜Well …’ she says. ‘It’s a bit late and I have homework to finish. Shouldn’t you be getting home as well? I mean, your new guests and everything?’
    â€˜I told them I’d be late. They’re not expecting me. Come on, Amy.’ I don’t even try to keep the irritation out of my voice. ‘Live a little.’
    She shifts from one foot to the other and checks her watch again.
    â€˜Well … I suppose …’
    â€˜Good,’ I say. ‘And you’re buying.’
    I got the popcorn and the tickets, after all.
    Holly
    Holly turned the key in the front door and Ivy pounced on her.
    â€˜I’ve been going mad with worry,’ she said. ‘Why are you back so late?’
    Holly manufactured a look of surprise.
    â€˜Mum, I texted you. Said I was going to catch a movie with Amy and then have some food afterwards.’
    â€˜You know I never check my mobile. Why didn’t you ring the landline?’
    It was true. Ivy had a mobile phone, but she wasn’t comfortable using it. She’d told Holly that it had rung once while she was driving and the panic almost caused her to take out a long line of elderly people at a bus stop. Since then she kept it mostly turned off. Holly thought it was the world’s most expensive paperweight.
    Now she put her hands on her hips and glared at her mother. ‘It’s not my fault you never check your mobile,’ she said. ‘And I couldn’t ring the landline because I’ve only got about fifteen cents credit left. What’s the point of having a mobile if you never look at it, Mum? It’s crazy. I left a message and it’s not my fault you didn’t get it.’
    â€˜I tried ringing your mobile, but it was turned off,’ said Ivy.
    â€˜Yeah. In the movies, Mum? Hello?’
    If they’d been alone, Ivy would have blown up. But Holly knew she was conscious of Fern and Cassie in the kitchen.
    â€˜All right, chicken. Okay. But I was worried. That’s all. Come on in and talk to Fern and Cassie. We’ve saved you some dinner.’
    â€˜Thanks, but I’ve already eaten, Mum.’ Holly wasn’t keen to go into the kitchen. She glanced longingly towards her bedroom but followed her mother into the kitchen and sat at the table. Fern was at the sink drying dishes. Cassie was in her wheelchair, crooning softly. Holly caught her eye then looked away.
    â€˜Hi guys,’ she said in a desperately cheery voice. ‘Have a good day?’
    â€˜Hey, Holly,’ said Fern, polishing a dinner plate. ‘Excellent, thank you. We had a picnic, then painted the town red. How about you? How was work?’
    â€˜Boring.’
    â€˜Shame you couldn’t have joined us. We had fun,