Day 48 / 10:39
‘So, like I was saying, my sister called last night.’
‘What?’
It’s Saturday morning and Juliet’s there, putting the kettle on.
‘Yeah. I was surprised, too.’ Her tone is mildly sarcastic, but she grins at Noah.
‘Sorry.’ He’s learning, slowly, that it’s worth paying full attention from the moment she starts talking, otherwise he lands up lost and confused, wandering in Julietland. One of these days he’s going to tell her what it’s like being on the receiving end of her constant stream of information.
‘Yep, Noah. Lily called with some interesting news.’
‘Shouldn’t you tell Ms Turner?’
She laughs. ‘Why should I tell her when I have you to talk to, Noah? So ready to listen, so full of good advice.’
‘That’s me,’ he says. ‘Pearls of wisdom.’
Her eyes widen. ‘My God, Noah. A joke. Maybe that’s something you should share with Ellen?’
‘So,’ he says, ‘Lily? She phoned?’
‘Yeah.’ Juliet looks down. ‘It was quite something, actually.’
Juliet, silver-tongued Juliet, goes quiet.
‘And then?’ He moans about Juliet talking non-stop, but seeing her like this is worrying. ‘Are you sure you don’t want to talk to Ms Turner?’
‘I will,’ she says. ‘I think I will, but I need to tell you first, Noah. Get my head around it all.’
One of the most frustrating things about being here is your chatty little friend, Noah.
The Dark is trying to squeeze its way in, but he’s listening to Juliet, trying to figure out why her face is happy and sad and almost tearful at the same time.
She swipes at her fringe and looks at him, her smile looking like she’s hauled it up from the depths and stuck it on her face. ‘Bart’s left.’
Juliet’s father. Bart Ryan. Noah’s father is his boss.
‘Yep. Finally packed his bags and gone. Not too sure how it’s going to work out, but one thing I can tell you, Noah,’ her voice is fierce, ‘I’m so glad he won’t be there when I get home. I won’t have to feel him looking at me as if I’m never going to be quite good enough. So, that’s the one thing. But there’s more.’
The anger’s gone, replaced by confusion. ‘Really don’t know what to make of this one. Lily says Mom drove her to school this morning.’
‘So?’
‘So? So? Shit, Noah. My mom hasn’t driven for almost two years. Not since she got pulled over and nearly lost her licence. If it hadn’t been for Dad, she would have. But, “Never get behind the wheel again.” That’s what he said to her. “I don’t work my arse off so that you can prang my car. Do you know how much it cost me?” We were in the car once when she hit this huge tree, almost head on, but he wasn’t worried about Mom, or me, or even Lily. No, all he was worried about was his precious Lexus.’
Noah has no idea what to say.
‘Well, not even that stopped Mom drinking. She tries, you know, Noah. Sometimes she gets all the booze in the house into the kitchen and then she pours it all down the sink. Only he says, “Why bother? The only thing that does is make the place smell like a distillery. And then you go straight out and buy some more. Do me a favour, Monica. Just drink the bloody stuff, instead of wasting it. You’re cheaper that way.”’
Noah passes Juliet a cup of tea in her mug (the one she leaves here now) and she smiles, properly this time.
‘Thanks, Noah. So anyway, the thing is, my mom never drives. I do. I take her car and drive places – like the supermarket to buy us food, or taking Lily to extra maths.’
‘But you don’t—’
‘Well obviously I don’t, Noah. How can I have my licence when I’m only fifteen? But someone has to do it. Most of the time Mom doesn’t know if we’re there or not. And Dad? He never asks how come there’s food in the pantry when he’s forbidden Mom to use a car.’ Juliet pauses for breath. ‘Only, yesterday, she did. And Lily said she was fine. She didn’t smell, she had a shower, her hair was clean. She told Lily she’s going to stop. “I mean it, Lil.” That’s what she said.’
Juliet takes a sip of tea and looks up at him, her eyes full of tears. ‘I want to believe it, Noah. I really do. Maybe now she’ll come visit me. And bring Lily.’