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Back Familiar Strangers Save as PDF
Chapters (71)
  1. Cover
  2. Dedication
  3. Prologue
  4. Chapter One
  5. Chapter Two
  6. Chapter Three
  7. Chapter Four
  8. Chapter Five
  9. Chapter Six
  10. Chapter Seven
  11. Chapter Eight
  12. Chapter Nine
  13. Chapter Ten
  14. Chapter Eleven
  15. Chapter Twelve
  16. Chapter Thirteen
  17. Chapter Fourteen
  18. Chapter Fifteen
  19. Chapter Sixteen
  20. Chapter Seventeen
  21. Chapter Eighteen
  22. Chapter Nineteen
  23. Chapter Twenty
  24. Chapter Twenty-One
  25. Chapter Twenty-Two
  26. Chapter Twenty-Three
  27. Chapter Twenty-Four
  28. Chapter Twenty-Five
  29. Chapter Twenty-Six
  30. Chapter Twenty-Seven
  31. Chapter Twenty-Eight
  32. Chapter Twenty-Nine
  33. Chapter Thirty
  34. Chapter Thirty-One
  35. Chapter Thirty-Two
  36. Chapter Thirty-Three
  37. Chapter Thirty-Four
  38. Chapter Thirty-Five
  39. Chapter Thirty-Six
  40. Chapter Thirty-Seven
  41. Chapter Thirty-Eight
  42. Chapter Thirty-Nine
  43. Chapter Forty
  44. Chapter Forty-One
  45. Chapter Forty-Two
  46. Chapter Forty-Three
  47. Chapter Forty-Four
  48. Chapter Forty-Five
  49. Chapter Forty-Six
  50. Chapter Forty-Seven
  51. Chapter Forty-Eight
  52. Chapter Forty-Nine
  53. Chapter Fifty
  54. Chapter Fifty-One
  55. Chapter Fifty-Two
  56. Chapter Fifty-Three
  57. Chapter Fifty-Four
  58. Chapter Fifty-Five
  59. Chapter Fifty-Six
  60. Chapter Fifty-Seven
  61. Chapter Fifty-Eight
  62. Chapter Fifty-Nine
  63. Chapter Sixty
  64. Chapter Sixty-One
  65. Chapter Sixty-Two
  66. Chapter Sixty-Three
  67. Chapter Sixty-Four
  68. A Letter from Jackie
  69. Acknowledgements
  70. About the Author
  71. Also by Jackie Walsh

‘And what did she say?’ Dad says. It’s like I’m not even here.

‘That she’s not sure,’ Joanna says, turning to look at me.

‘You’re not sure?’ Dad says.

I stare back blankly, and shrug, hoping it will quieten them. But no, in jumps Danny with my answer all prepared for me.

‘Becca won’t be getting tested for any gene,’ he says. ‘Why the hell would she want to know if that nightmare was waiting for her?’ He puts an arm around Joanna, pulling her close and wrapping his hands around the baby bump. ‘Maybe when she has kids, okay, maybe then she’ll change her mind and get tested.’

Well fuck you, Danny. Why do you care if I get tested or not? You got tested and didn’t ask anyone’s opinion or permission.

Grabbing my jacket, I stomp for the door, saying, ‘You know what? Maybe I’ll do whatever I want.’

The kitchen door makes a bigger bang than I meant it to as I storm out, but I don’t care if the house falls down. I’m sick of Danny trying to run my life, judging me and telling me how to do everything better.

A brown paper bag on the hall table catches my eye. Opening it, I inhale the warm smell of freshly baked muffins. Cinnamon, blueberries, warm sugar, a bouquet of calories. Joanna must have baked them for my father. Taking the bag with me, I slam the front door closed.

Chapter Five

A soft breeze plays on my face when I step outside. Tall trees line both sides of the street; a palette of fall colors. I take a few deep breaths to calm myself, then cross the street to Bert and Edith’s.

From nowhere Stephen Black jumps into my mind. I just slept with my boss. Shit, what am I going to do? There’s no way I can face him tomorrow. Maybe I’ll ring in sick, or just not show up, or move job. Or move city.

Bert’s yard is bare, with dusky grey soil where green grass flourished before the summer sun scorched it. After ringing the doorbell, I hear the shuffle of Bert’s footsteps and pray the Advil starts working soon.

Bert opens the door, a smile tugging at his sagging face. He has one of those funny smiles where only one corner of his lips curls up. He steps back to let me in, calling out to Edith to let her know I’ve arrived. Habit, I guess. She won’t hear him.