Chapter 9
Chapter nine
Imogen sat back against the pillows and pulled her knees up. Robbie smiled from the doorway and Janka let herself fall down onto the bottom of the bed, laughing.
“It’s all going to plan,” Robbie said as she walked towards them both.
“I think so.” Imogen nodded, adding, “Mum is clueless, that is for sure… Billy, I’m pretty certain, will be the one to work it out first.”
"Do you think they suspect at all?" Janka asked, rolling onto her side.
Imogen shook her head. "No, Gran said that Mum wasn't happy about having to stay at the cabin, but it didn't take much to convince her…so that's good." Imogen laughed. "I thought I was going to have to share a room with her."
"Imagine," Janka said.
Robbie sat on the edge of the bed. "I dunno, I guess I'd do anything to share a room with my mum."
Imogen's face fell. Janka winced.
"Sorry, Rob, that was insensitive," Imogen said.
Robbie shrugged. "It's okay. I don't expect you to not have opinions about your mum, just because mine's dead." She half-smiled. "And I've got Georgia to complain about, so…" She shrugged again.
"At least your mum and aunt are around," Janka said, sitting up. "Mine's always working—three jobs. Dad too. Sometimes I think your mum and Georgia are more parents than mine."
"I get what you mean about jobs. When I was little…when Billy wasn't around, Mum had several jobs like that, and I'd get shunted between neighbours and babysitters for a few hours,” Imogen said, before adding, “I think my mum likes having you both to fuss over."
"I guess I'm lucky that I've always had two parents with time for me," Robbie added. "Even now, with Pippa and Georgia, they both work, but there's always someone at home, or we can hang out at the café if my grandparents aren't dragging us off somewhere."
"The one thing we all have is parents who love us, and parents who love our friends, so…that makes us lucky," Imogen acknowledged.
"So, what are we doing tomorrow?" Janka inquired. "Obviously, we are skiing, but then what?"
"Meredith is taking them both to the spa, but when she gets there, she's going to ‘remember’ an appointment and Schultz will have to take her…" Robbie explained.
"Meaning Mum and Billy will have to spend at least an hour in bathing suits and hot water." Imogen winked cheekily, adding, "With breathtaking views of the mountain."
"So romantic." Janka placed her hand over her heart and fell onto her back, laughing.
"Right, we should get some sleep." Robbie yawned. "All this snow tonight means fresh powder in the morning."
"Yes, so exciting. Skiing and Operation Cafferty-Fisk." Janka fist pumped as she got up off the bed. "Night, guys."