Chapter 15

As her mother tucked her into bed, little Lyla’s observations throughout the day overwhelmed her curiosity.

What does mum get up to when I’m asleep?

Does she finally relax?

Does she watch TV?

Does she finally eat?

Lyla tiptoed out of her room, leaning carefully onto the walls of her house, so as to avoid a misstep.

As she turned the corner towards the kitchen, her mother’s muffled voice slowly became audible and comprehensible.

“Joe, Lyla’s six and about to start school.” There was exasperation in her voice, before it dulled to a hum of nothing.

Suddenly, the atmosphere pulsed with wrath.

“You don’t fucking understand, Joe – you – ugh, do we really have to go to court again, Joe?”

And the berating continued.

“I don’t care if you have another family now – you were meant to uphold your end of the bargain. Sending Lyla to a private school was always part of the plan –”

The anger intensified.

“You know what, fuck talking to you, you piece of shit.” She slammed the phone to the landline, face buried between her hands.

…

“Are you okay, mu –”

“Oh my God, Lyla! You scared th – me!” Her mother jumped.

A nervous Lyla appeared from the darkness, as she shuffled speedily towards her mother, arms outstretched.

Her mother readily received and embraced her, stroking Lyla’s beautiful, long hair as she shivered in her mum’s embrace.

“It’s okay, Lyla, everything will be okay. Sorry, mummy scared you. Everything will be okay.”