Annie
I dial Tamsin’s number as I lock the car and head for the apartment. The humidity has me sweating before I’ve even reached the building. As I’m preparing to leave a voicemail, she answers.
‘Well?’ she asks, anticipating the reason for the call. ‘Did you do it?’
I smile into the phone as I put in the door code. ‘I did. I finish next week.’
Tamsin squeals into my ear. ‘Look at you go.’
Today I gave notice at the shoe shop. After reducing my hours midyear, Entwined has now officially replaced my, albeit modest, income. I can now focus on growing the business, which includes outsourcing some of the production to save my hands from certain death.
‘I know I said this was going to be your year, but I think next year’s going to be even better.’
I’m smiling like a madwoman. ‘I don’t know about that. It would take a lot to top this one.’
‘You’re still missing a few key ingredients.’
I roll my eyes. ‘As I’ve said before, I’m perfectly happy being single.’
‘Have you said that before?’
‘Many times.’
Tamsin sighs dramatically. ‘I think a childish part of me hoped that Kevin’s early release would breathe new life into old love. But alas, my star-crossed lovers appear to have moved on.’
I’m almost to the stairs when I register what she just said and grip the handrail for balance.
‘You know, when I saw Sammy on the weekend…’
She continues to speak, and I catch none of it.
‘You still there?’ Tamsin asks after a long silence at my end.
I swallow. ‘Did you say, “Kevin’s early release”?’
A few beats of silence follow. ‘Didn’t Hunter tell you? Kevin had his parole hearing last week and might be out before Christmas.’
Parole hearing? ‘I haven’t heard anything about a parole hearing.’ And I can’t quite believe I’m hearing about it from Tamsin instead of Hunter.
‘Assuming Kevin doesn’t start a drug smuggling ring in the coming weeks or make one of those tiny knives from a toothbrush and go on a killing spree in the meantime.’
I resume my climb.
‘I get the impression Kevin kept the whole thing a bit hush-hush to avoid getting anyone’s hopes up—including his own. But he’s served 60 percent of his sentence, which means he was eligible to apply.’ She pauses. ‘Hunter really didn’t send you a text?’
‘No. No, he didn’t.’ I reach our apartment and unlock the door. ‘We haven’t spoken since New Year’s.’
‘Really?’ Tamsin exhales. ‘I mean, I knew communication was sporadic between the two of you, but you failed to mention that it’s been non-existent of late.’
I walk into my bedroom, eyes going to the dried flowers in the jar. They are so far past their expiry date it’s not funny. I keep waiting for Bridget to bin them while I’m out. Way back in February, she asked me if they might be from Mum. I told her I didn’t know, which is the truth. But she would have signed the card. Jehovah would have seen her send them, so she may as well sign her name.
Hunter sent the flowers. That’s why they’re still sitting in the jar.
‘Maybe he didn’t want to get your hopes up,’ Tamsin says. ‘You know what he’s like.’
I close my eyes. ‘Yeah. I know what he’s like.’ But that doesn’t stop me from feeling cheated. This is big news. This changes everything, and… and he chose not to tell me.
Me.