Rachel

‘At least a month, I’d say. He hasn’t got a cent to his name, Tanya. That’s why he got evicted.’

Rachel was sitting outside on the deck, talking to her sister in barely more than a whisper. She didn’t want Sean, or the kids, to overhear. Alongside her desire to protect Sean’s feelings and quash the children’s curiosity was the burning resentment that she could no longer talk freely in her own house.

Her brother-in-law had already made himself at home, dumping his mangy rucksacks in the guest bedroom, leaving towels and clothes on the floor of the family bathroom, raiding the fridge for food and beer as he liked. As a result, they were almost out of milk and bread. Rachel would need to make an unplanned visit to the supermarket this morning.

She sucked in a breath. ‘Rory’s worried about him being on his own tonight. Who the hell knows who he’ll invite around? Not to mention the risk of the house burning down. He left the grill on yesterday. The place still smelled of smoke when I got home. Thursday night he was so drunk he fell up the stairs on the way to bed. The last time he stayed, the kids were younger, it went over their heads. Now they know exactly what’s going on.’

After the phone call, she sat outside for a few moments, trying to regain her enthusiasm for the evening ahead. She hadn’t mentioned her worrying blood results to her sister, or the follow-up tests she’d booked for next week. Such a discussion was a guaranteed mood killer. She was determined to enjoy the concert tonight: that was her one and only goal for the day. Have a big night out together: one of the recommendations on her list. Well, tonight definitely qualified as a big night out. She and Rory could reconnect as they enjoyed the music from the comfort of their seats, the kids having a more immersive experience down among the throng.

Ten minutes later she was backing out of the driveway, on her way to the supermarket. Don’t think about blood platelets. Don’t think about Sean. Remember the good times Rory and I had. What it was like before bankruptcy, cancer, falling out of love …

But her thoughts were drawn back to Sean as she waited to turn into the underground carpark. As far as she knew, evictions involved multiple warnings before a notice to vacate was issued. How many weeks’ rent had he been in arrears? The only positive that she could grasp on to was that Sean still had a job. On Thursday and Friday morning, he’d left the house early to go to work. They had to make sure that he hung on to that job.

She was so preoccupied, she missed a perfectly acceptable gap to make the turn. The driver behind her didn’t seem to mind, and a few moments later she cautiously drove down the steep ramp. The carpark was only half-full – plenty of parking spaces from which to choose – so it was somewhat surprising when another car slid into the spot beside hers.

She and the other driver got out at the same time.

‘Rachel, wait, please talk to me.’

Nico. What the hell? How did he know she was going to be here when she didn’t even know herself until half an hour ago? Realisation dawned: he must have followed her from home; he had been the patient driver behind her a few minutes before.

‘Are you following me? Are you crazy?’

He raised his hands, as if he posed no threat. ‘I just want to talk. I am crazy. I love you.’

Rachel scanned the well-lit carpark, registering the number of people rolling trolleys and getting in and out of cars. She could shout and get their attention if she needed. There was no immediate danger.

She marched to the rear of his car, so they were face to face. ‘Listen to me, Nico. Listen to me carefully because this is the last time I will ever speak to you, and the next time you try something like this I really will go to the police. You. Don’t. Love. Me. The fact is, you barely know me. And I am only realising now how little I know you! Waiting for me at the train station, following me in my car – that’s stalking and it’s a crime. Do you understand me?’

He seized her arm, his slender fingers biting into her skin. ‘It’s your husband, isn’t it? He is making you do this. I can deal with him.’

She shook herself free of his grip. Why wasn’t he listening? Couldn’t he tell he was beginning to scare her?

‘You’re insane. Stay away from me.’ She was shaking as she turned to walk away.

The travelator was about thirty metres away. Was she actually going to shop after this? Pick out milk and bread and snacks, as though nothing had happened?

‘I can’t stay away,’ he called out from behind her. ‘Don’t do this. You’re making a terrible, terrible mistake.’

She would not turn around, would not speak to him ever again, no matter what he threatened. And then she was in the bright aisles of the supermarket, trying to remember what groceries had been urgent enough to warrant the trip. Forget him for now. Enjoy this special night. Don’t let him ruin it. But forgetting about Nico was easier said than done. His manic eyes and biting grip, his dishevelled appearance, the open threats. Maybe she should confess to Rory before things escalated further?

No, Nico might still back off. And Rory was more fragile than he looked; their marriage might never recover.