She props herself up on one elbow. ‘Let me at least stay until your dad’s sentenced. Then we’ll go from there.’
‘What about work? And Bridget?’
‘My sister’s not going anywhere.’
The fact that she only answers the second question has me sitting up also. ‘And what about work?’
‘I’m going to look for another job when I get back.’ She doesn’t meet my eyes when she says this.
‘Why? What happened?’
She drops her head to my shoulder, kissing it. ‘Let’s just say that you were right, and I learned a valuable lesson.’
Fucking James. ‘Do I need to fly to Brisbane and break his face?’
I’m rewarded with the smallest of smiles from her. ‘While I appreciate the offer, I’ve already handled it. I phoned him from the airport to tell him I won’t be coming back.’ She reaches up to touch my lips. ‘I love you.’
The words make me feel hot and shaky. A response swirls inside me, words I haven’t said in years. The last words Mum heard me say. Instead, I say, ‘I’m sorry.’
Annie nods. ‘It’s okay. They’re just words.’
I press my forehead to hers and close my eyes. ‘We might be waiting months for the hearing.’
She strokes the back of my hair. ‘Then I guess you’re stuck with me for a while.’