Hawthorn by Jamie Cassidy Read Free Book Online

a bit of a recluse after his wife Karen passed away. But then, out the blue, just after Gemma was born in fact, he sent us an invite to visit. Kevin thought it was a good idea to go, get into Henry’s good books, you know?” She waves her arm in an arch to indicate the house.
    I feel a stab of annoyance. Why is she trying to make dad look bad?
    Mum glances at me and her expression softens. “Oh, sweetheart. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make a dig at your dad. He was a great dad. I remember, it was just after we got back to London from our visit to Learmonth actually, you got so sick. You were crying all the time, came out in hives, your eyes gunky and streaming constantly. And then you stopped breathing.”
    Danny climbs off his chair and onto my lap. I put my arms around him almost absently, eyes never leaving mum’s face. How come I have never heard this story?
    Mum swallows, her eyes misting. “I thought we’d lost you, I really did. Your dad, he took charge. The paramedics managed to get you breathing again, but you were in hospital for two weeks. Your dad…he was my rock. He spent hours at your side because I couldn’t bear it, to see you like that. I didn’t believe you would make it, but you did. I still don’t know how you pulled through.”
    Jules is staring at mum with interest and it makes me feel better to know I’m not the only one who hasn’t heard this story.
    “Did they figure out what was wrong with her?” Jules asks.
    Mum shakes her head. “Not really, although they did say all her symptoms were allergy-based and for a while they thought she might be like that bubble boy, you know the one. It was the allergy treatment that saved you. Do you remember the inhaler you had and the sweetie medicine I used to give you?”
    A memory stirs somewhere in the back of my mind, but I fail to grasp it and it slips away.
    Mum smiles. “You grew out of it though, much quicker than we expected.”
    I can’t imagine being sick like that. In fact, I can’t remember the last time I was sick.
    Jules takes advantage of the lull in conversation. “Who wants dessert? Ice-cream or cheesecake?”
    “Ice-cream!” the twins shout.
     
    I get into my pyjamas and climb into bed with my laptop. I sign in and log onto Facebook to check if Liam’s on. He’s not. I’m about to sign out when I see a message from Beth. We used to spend a lot of time together, but she got into makeup and fashion and nails and we drifted apart, but she’s good people.
    I click on the message and read it.
    Saw Liam at Costa with Jessica today. What’s up with that? He’s your mate so I thought I’d let you know to warn him, she’s a total ho bag he does not want to go there!
    I stare at the message and my heart is in my feet. I close the laptop and shove it under my bed.
    There is nothing I can do about this. He is miles away and he knows how I feel. He knows how I feel and he chose to go out with her anyway.
    It hurts. Tears leak from my eyes, but I brush them away angrily. Tears are a waste. I have a new life now and, as of tomorrow, Liam is not a part of it.
     

16
    JULES
    The silence is permeated only by the sound of our breathing and the odd creak as the house settles around us. I’ve left the curtains open so I can watch the moon trip across the sky from the comfort of my bed. From up here, the view is unobstructed and clear. It helps me relax and drift to sleep.
    Mary fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. I am still surprised at how she does that. No transition, nothing, just an instant deep sleep. That was over an hour ago. I listen to her deep, even breath and am about to drift off when she starts to mumble. I tense. Another nightmare? She whimpers and cries out. I wrap my arms around her, whispering in her ear, “It’s just a dream, it’s just a dream.”
    She falls silent, her body relaxing. Just as I am about to let down my guard, she bolts upright, breaking out of my grip and screams.
    I act on instinct,