Chapters (67)
- Cover
- Dedication
- PROLOGUE
- PART ONE
- ONE
- TWO
- THREE
- FOUR
- FIVE
- SIX
- SEVEN
- EIGHT
- NINE
- TEN
- ELEVEN
- TWELVE
- THIRTEEN
- FOURTEEN
- FIFTEEN
- SIXTEEN
- SEVENTEEN
- PART TWO
- EIGHTEEN
- NINETEEN
- TWENTY
- TWENTY-ONE
- TWENTY-TWO
- TWENTY-THREE
- TWENTY-FOUR
- TWENTY-FIVE
- TWENTY-SIX
- TWENTY-SEVEN
- TWENTY-EIGHT
- TWENTY-NINE
- PART THREE
- THIRTY
- THIRTY-ONE
- THIRTY-TWO
- THIRTY-THREE
- THIRTY-FOUR
- THIRTY-FIVE
- THIRTY-SIX
- THIRTY-SEVEN
- THIRTY-EIGHT
- THIRTY-NINE
- PART FOUR
- FORTY
- FORTY-ONE
- FORTY-TWO
- FORTY-THREE
- FORTY-FOUR
- FORTY-FIVE
- FORTY-SIX
- FORTY-SEVEN
- FORTY-EIGHT
- FORTY-NINE
- FIFTY
- FIFTY-ONE
- FIFTY-TWO
- FIFTY-THREE
- FIFTY-FOUR
- EPILOGUE
- Mailing list
- A Letter from Kathryn
- Acknowledgements
- About the Author
- Also by Kathryn Croft
‘I don’t want to bore you with details of my day at work,’ Rob says, opening the fridge and pulling out a beer.
‘You’re so good with Jackson,’ she says.
He shrugs. ‘He’s a good kid.’
‘Maybe while he’s here, though, you could keep the alcohol hidden? Greg never used to drink in front of him and, well, it’s clear that Jackson looks up to you. Kids are impressionable, aren’t they? I just wouldn’t want him deciding to try it for himself.’
Rob stares at her and she wonders if she’s made a mistake bringing it up. ‘Okay,’ he says. ‘But give the boy some credit. He’s not about to turn into an alcoholic at thirteen just because his stepmother’s friend enjoys a beer in the evenings.’
Sienna knows he’s probably right, but the accusation in his tone sets her on edge, forces her to confront something she’s been ignoring. Rob is changing and she hasn’t wanted to see it. She’s been so content living in this bubble, having something other than Greg’s death to focus on, that she’s been blinded to what’s right in front of her. ‘I know, but I’m just… well, worrying I suppose. I’m responsible for him while he’s in this house.’
‘Just relax, Sienna. It’s all fine.’
This doesn’t even sound like Rob, and she wonders how many beers he’s already had. ‘I just like having you both here,’ she says. ‘And I don’t want anything to ruin that.’
Rob shakes his head. ‘Are you surprised that I’m drinking in the evenings, Sienna? Am I not living up to this ideal you’ve made up in your head? You want everything to be perfect all the time, don’t you?’ He smirks, and again she’s struck by how at odds his behaviour is with the man he always appeared to be. ‘On the outside, at least,’ he continues. ‘You don’t really care if it’s real or not, just as long as it appears to be real.’
Even though she’s thrown off guard by this verbal attack, Sienna is used to standing her ground, defending herself. ‘No, you’ve got it wrong. Maybe I used to be like that but that’s not who I am any more.’
‘Then why am I here? Why is Jackson here? You’re trying to play happy families so you don’t have to face reality.’
His words sting, cutting into her, opening fresh wounds.
‘Because you know, don’t you?’ he continues. ‘You know that it’s all your fault.’
FORTY-EIGHT
Abby
‘Are you okay?’ Mark asks. ‘You’ve been quiet all evening.’