Panic scuttled unease all over her. ‘I don’t know how to be in a normal relationship.’
‘Is there such a thing?’
‘You know there is. You grew up in a family where people loved each other and wanted the best for each other.’
‘I see how much you love Milo and how you want the best for him. Isn’t that a start?’
She thought about the last eighteen months waiting around for Corey to show up, waiting for money. Just waiting. After the weeks of uncertainty, everything was now surprisingly clear.
‘I can’t just be a girlfriend. I want to go to uni. I want a decent job like teaching or being a librarian. Something that gives me and Milo the security I’ve never had.’
‘That sounds like an excellent plan.’ He stretched his hands out towards her. ‘Any chance you can extend those plans to include me too?’
‘I’ll be studying and there’s Milo. You won’t have all my attention all of the time.’
‘I don’t want that. I’ll be working and performing and there’s Milo. You’ll have to share me too.’
Her heart sped up. ‘You really want to try?’
‘I really want to try.’
‘Why?’
‘I wish you could see yourself through my eyes. See how awesome you really are. Jade, you’re clever and funny, you’re a great mum and you make me laugh. Relationships aren’t just about being together, they’re about helping each other grow. I want to grow with you.’
The idea of a healthy interdependent relationship shone as bright as a Christmas bauble, tempting her to take hold of it. But her new need to be independent cautioned her.
‘Can we go slowly?’
‘If that’s what you need, then that’s what we’ll do.’
She laughed. ‘Don’t panic, I’m not talking about sex. I’m saying I don’t think we should move in together straight away. Let’s learn how to date first.’
‘Good plan. And while you’re living here, we’ve got built-in babysitters.’ His face sobered. ‘I’m committed, Jade.’
I’m committed. Two words that had never been spoken to her, let alone been demonstrated, were now being said to her by a man who was content in his own skin. A man who’d shown her over and over that he cared for her and for her son.
And this time she wasn’t running away from her life and making decisions on the fly. This time she had knowledge and information. She was making a considered choice.
‘I’m committed too.’
He grinned at her and grabbed her hands. ‘Looks like we’re going round together.’
‘You’re such a dork.’
‘Yeah, but I’m your dork.’
CHAPTER
44
Tara sat in the break room at the store and read out loud from The Standard.
What started out as an act of civil disobedience by residents Helen Demetriou and Bob Murphy to protect one of Boolanga’s oldest houses from demolition escalated into accusations of alleged corruption in the Mookarii Shire. Allegations have been made against Councillors DeLuca, Rehn, Dangerfield and Leppart for accepting bribes in exchange for paving the way for an investment company to build a resort on the land at Riverfarm. The state government has stood down the entire council and appointed an administrator.
The sacked mayor, Geoff Rayson, was quick to distance himself from his deputy and the other councillors implicated in the scandal. “I’m an open book with nothing to hide and will cooperate fully with any enquiry. I’ve spoken to the administrator and would like to take this opportunity to reassure the people of Boolanga that the community garden, including the new extension and the orchard, are safe.”
When asked about the rumours surrounding his purchase of Ainslea Park, Rayson responded that his wife’s great-aunt died last year leaving Mrs Rayson an inheritance that assisted with the purchase. “It’s disappointing that a private matter has now been made public when all efforts had been made to protect the sensibilities of other family members.”
Mrs Judith Sainsbury has resigned as president of the community garden after ten years in the position. Ms Helen Demetriou has been reinstated as the garden’s coordinator, a role she’d worked in until recently.
In other news, police have charged a youth over a spate of break-ins at Hoopers Hardware, Timber and Steel after cans of spray paint, a worksite radio, pocket knives and other items were found at his home. Investigations are ongoing.
Tara dropped the newspaper in disgust. ‘I know they can’t print Darcy’s name because he’s underage, but bloody Peter Granski hasn’t addressed the fact he’s a white Anglo-Australian.’
‘It will come out eventually,’ Fiza said. She cut three slices of the semolina and yoghurt cake she’d brought to the store and shared them with Tara and Jon.
‘Yes, but if it was one of the black boys, you can be sure he’d have mentioned that.’
‘This is true. And just because the police did not find any stolen goods at those boys’ houses does not mean they are innocent. Like Darcy, they have lost their way.’
Frustration made Tara spear the cake with her fork. ‘Except one of them has been given every opportunity while the others have had to fight for their lives.’
‘Either way, they shouldn’t be stealing,’ Jon said.
‘I agree,’ Fiza said. ‘And their mothers agree too. This was not what we hoped for when we arrived in Australia. The one thing that kept us going through years of loss, heartache and pain was the chance of a better life. We told our children things would be better here. Promised them. But this country makes it hard to belong and our sons suffer.’
‘I keep thinking how Amal said they risked being arrested for free paint so they could spray over the decoy tags Darcy and his mates sprayed,’ Jon said. ‘Can any of them paint more than just graffiti tags?’
Fiza’s chin lifted. ‘I do not know. I want Amal to stay far away from them.’ Her glare softened. ‘Perhaps the art teacher at school can advise you?’
‘What are you thinking?’ Tara asked.
‘I dunno. Maybe a mural on the west wall. They could paint things they remember or miss about where they came
