Trent picked up Jaxon for band practice earlier, and my father and grandfather sit together discussing Mike’s latest legal case on the couch. Something about corporate tax evasion—beyond boring. Miriam waves me over to the kitchen and we sit opposite each other at the island.

I’m still nervous about making a good impression. Ask questions, my mother always told me, that’s the best way to win people over.

‘What’s Chicago like?’ I ask. ‘I don’t really know anything about it. I mean, I know New York from all the movies and TV shows, but Chicago … It’s also a big city, right?’

‘Best city in the world.’ Her eyes light up. ‘Lake Michigan. The stunning views from the sky deck of the second tallest building in the whole of the USA, Sears Tower. But it’s not called “the windy city” for nothing; you have to know how to dress for the winter, much like here. Summer, however, is a delight. And the changing of the leaves … a piece of performance art. What trees do you have in Australia?’

‘Eucalyptus and wattles.’ I can almost smell their sweet yellow blossoms. ‘And bottlebrush, grevilleas and tea-tree.’ I’ve learnt a lot about nature since moving in with my aunt and uncle. Paula’s a pharmacist but she spends all her free time gardening—she’s great at it too—and Dave’s a landscaper. Between them, they know every plant and seed imaginable.

‘Wish I had visited when Adam was there, missed that opportunity, but now that I have found you, there’s time. Do you want to see some pictures of Chicago? Or, you know what, let’s do it tomorrow at the spa. I booked online yesterday.’

Wow. The woman can talk. ‘Spa?’ I ask.

‘Manicures and pedicures. You know, girl time. What do you think?’ She takes my hand to inspect my nails.

Hell yeah, is what I think. I have a grandmother and she’s spoiling me already.

‘They’re a bit of a mess,’ I say, looking at my chewed-up nails.

‘They’ll fix them up for you in no time,’ she says, giving me a peck on the cheek.

Chapter 13

Chapter 13

‘How’s the water?’ the beautician asks. ‘Not too hot?’

‘Perfect,’ I say.

‘Tell me if it gets cool and I’ll refill it.’

My fingernails look glam in OPI Freedom of Peach and now my feet are soaking in a tub. No one will see my new nails until I’m back home as they’ll be hidden under layers of socks and gloves. I take a short clip of my toes splashing around in the bubbles and then blow a kiss at the camera. I’m trying to make up for neglecting Oliver—he feels so far away.