Chapter 24
Staring out the kitchen window, Suzanne held her coffee cup in both hands, waiting for the fire in the living room to heat the lower level of her house. Jen was showering—she had to be at work in the next hour or so—so Suzanne had decided to wake early too and spend the day working. She had received an offer for some consultation work late last night, and as she stood here this morning, she knew it would help her to get back into some kind of routine. Since the fallout with Jen, Suzanne had turned down several job offers, but today she was ready. For something normal. Something she was used to doing most days. With Jen working, it just made sense to use her time properly.
“Hey,” Jen said as she came into the kitchen. “I’m so sorry if I woke you.”
Jen didn’t often stay over when she had to work the next morning, she had already explained to Suzanne that her morning routine began before the birds started to sing, but Suzanne didn’t mind. She preferred early mornings. They meant her day ended far more productively. “You didn’t. I was already awake.”
Jen narrowed her eyes as she took the coffee Suzanne held out. “Why don’t I believe you? I mean, who the hell wants to be up and out of bed before it’s even seven?”
Suzanne watched Jen’s back as she moved through from the kitchen to the dining table. She took a seat, sipped her coffee, then looked back up at Suzanne.
“I hope you don’t mind,” Suzanne said as she turned to the fridge. “But I made you some lunch.”
Jen grinned as she shook her head. “Thanks, babe. You didn’t have to do that, but I appreciate it.”
“I know you don’t have a very long lunch break, so I thought I’d make it easier for you by preparing it.” Suzanne took a seat at the table facing Jen. “I quite enjoyed making lunch for someone again. It’s been a number of years since I had the chance to do it.”
“Well, this someone thinks it’s very sweet that you made lunch.” Jen reached a hand across the table and took Suzanne’s. “And you’re right. It does make things easier for me. If I don’t have to stop off to buy lunch, I can get my round finished quicker.”
Suzanne searched Jen’s eyes as she squeezed her hand. “You’re so wasted in that job.”
“It is what it is.” Jen lifted a shoulder and focused on her coffee cup. “Having a criminal record means job opportunities are pretty limited.”
“No chance at all of your old job taking you back?” Suzanne knew it was unlikely, but she had heard of people who had gone back into education, even with a criminal record. “Is it something you asked about at all?”
“No, it’s not something I’ve even thought about. I can’t bear to imagine what my old colleagues think of me.”
“Perhaps they understand the situation you were in.”
Jen cleared her throat. “Would you want someone with a criminal record teaching Elsie? Honestly?”
Suzanne pondered that for a moment. Didn’t everything depend on circumstances? “I guess it would depend entirely on why they were in prison.”
“I’m not sure primary school parents see it that way, but I wish it was that simple. If one word about me got out, and it would around here, then I’d be dealing with the humiliation of it all over again.”
“I’m sorry.” Suzanne sighed, wishing she could help Jen to get herself back into a decent, meaningful career. Being a courier was just not what Suzanne believed Jen wanted. “I wish I knew what to do…or to say, at least.”
“I came to terms with what kind of career options I’d likely have long before I was released from prison. While I could try to get my teaching position back, I’d rather focus on something entirely different. It’s just easier for everyone involved.” Jen seemed torn, but Suzanne expected that. She’d had a wonderful job and the world at her feet, but now it was gone. “The problem I have now is that I don’t know where to look or what career change I feel like.”
Even though Suzanne believed Jen deserved the chance to redeem herself where her teaching career was involved, she wouldn’t push. If Jen didn’t see it in her future, then that was her decision. “Maybe it’s something to think about down the line. You know, when you’re ready to find something that really works for you.” Suzanne took her empty coffee cup from the table and moved into the kitchen. “You know you have my support whatever you decide.”
Jen rose to her feet and stretched her back out. She followed Suzanne and placed her cup in the dishwasher, then turned around. “I do miss the kids. I’d always wanted to be a teacher. But for now, I think it’s important that I just get my life back on track. Once I’m confident in that department, who knows what the future will hold. I’m sure the right job will come along for me when it’s supposed to.”
Suzanne liked that attitude. It certainly beat thinking so negatively about the future. Suzanne had been there already. When John died, the first thing Suzanne did was end the career she had at the time. It didn’t feel right to continue something without him. They’d spent so long working together and bouncing ideas around each night as they sat down for dinner…and then it was gone. Suzanne was alone. She couldn’t even look at an interior design magazine. But now her life was falling back into place again. When Jen was ready to take the next step and find something that suited her, Suzanne would be right by her side. And maybe, just maybe, Suzanne would find herself wanting to go back to her own full-time position in the near future. “Your positivity is very refreshing.”
“I’m lucky to be here at all.” Jen wrapped her arms around Suzanne’s waist and lifted up on her tiptoes. She kissed her nose and smiled. “I should really get ready to leave. The quicker I get my round going, the sooner I’ll be finished for the day.”
Suzanne nodded slowly as she smiled. “Will I see you this evening?”
“If you’d like to see me this evening, then yes, I’ll be here.” Jen brushed her knuckles gently against Suzanne’s cheek. “Maybe we could meet up in town and go for a walk? Have some dinner while we’re out…”
Suzanne relaxed against the counter and gazed into Jen’s loving eyes. This woman, well…she was perfect. “That sounds like a wonderful idea.”
Jen leaned in and kissed Suzanne, pressing her to the counter. “Then I’ll look forward to finishing work. I’ll text you when I get the chance, okay?”
Suzanne stroked a hand around the back of Jen’s neck and grazed her nails against her skin. “I’ll be waiting.”
Rushing across the street as quickly as she could, Jen slipped inside the coffee shop before the door closed. She was making excellent time so far today, so a quick caffeine stop was in order before she tackled the last of her afternoon round. Suzanne’s lunch had been exceptional, Jen hadn’t been given something so healthy yet delicious before, but she wouldn’t dare divulge that to her mother. The last thing she needed was a war on lunches between Denise and Suzanne.
She quickly placed her order and moved to the other end of the counter. Suzanne had texted her some fifteen minutes ago, but Jen had been driving, so she hadn’t picked it up yet. She took her phone from the Velcro top pocket in her high-vis jacket and brought up Suzanne’s message.
I’ve booked a table at a gorgeous little restaurant on the high street. My treat x
Jen smiled as she read the message. These moments were exactly what she’d missed when her last relationship ended. The spontaneity. The excitement of not knowing what was coming next.
Babe, you didn’t have to do that. Dinner was my idea. I should be the one paying x
Jen took her coffee when her name was called, added one brown sugar sachet to it, and headed back outside towards her van. Only as she reached the passenger side door, she spotted Grace’s boyfriend outside the shop next door to the coffee place. Did she acknowledge him—he had Toby in the pram—or did she avoid any sort of confrontation?
He has your nephew with him. Just say hello.
Jen hesitated as she took a step forward. She didn’t want there to be any kind of animosity, but she did want to see Toby. Surely Dan would afford her that. She cleared her throat as she pulled her shoulders back, trying to channel some of that confidence Suzanne always seemed to exude. “Hi, Dan.”
Dan turned around, his knuckles white where he held the handle of the pram. “Yeah, uh…hi.”
“How’s the little guy doing?” Jen peered inside his pram, her heart swelling when he gazed back at her with huge, inquisitive blue eyes. “Hi, gorgeous boy.”
“Um.” Dan moved the pram away from Jen, then turned it so she couldn’t see Toby any longer. “Why are you harassing me in the street?”
Jen’s brows rose. “Harassing you? Really?”
“You can’t just walk up to people and start looking at their kid. It’s weird.”
“I mean, it’s not just some random kid. Toby is my nephew, Dan.”
Dan scoffed and shook his head. “Not if I have anything to do with it.”
Jen should probably turn around and walk away, but she was just about done with Dan and his bullshit. On her initial release from prison, Jen hadn’t wanted to rock the boat, but now? Now, she believed it was time to live her life. A life that included her only nephew. “Look, I understand that you don’t know me, that you only know about my past, but do I look like a monster who will lead your kid astray?”
“You’re a junkie.” Dan gave Jen probably the most disgusted look she’d ever received in her life. “I’m not bringing my kid up in that environment.”
“And I’m not bringing your kid up in that environment, either.” Jen sipped from her takeout coffee cup and took a step back. She held up her hand, aware that now wasn’t the time or place. “You may think you know all there is to know about me, but just remember that I know even more about your family. The Pritchards are on everyone’s watch list around here.”
“The fuck is that supposed to mean?”
“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t use language like that around my nephew,” Jen said, shoving her hand in her pocket and taking her keys out. “And as for what it means… Well, you don’t come from the most highly thought of family, do you, Dan?”
“Just because I’m a Pritchard, it doesn’t mean I’m anything like my family!”
“And just because I made a mistake, it doesn’t define who I am.” Jen turned and walked to the back of her van, opening the doors and checking which route she needed to take next. Satisfied that she was in the right area, she closed the back doors and eyed Dan. “Think of all the nights out you and Grace have missed out on because you didn’t want Auntie Jen, the junkie, to babysit for you.”
“What? In your trap house? Don’t make me laugh!”
“Trap house?” Jen laughed, deciding she would tell a tiny white lie just to piss Dan off. “I actually live over on Belmont now. You know, where the millionaires are at. Is that ‘junkie’ enough for you?”
Dan’s brows drew together, his mouth opening and closing. Jen waited for a beat or two, mentally patting herself on the back when Dan didn’t respond.
“Thought that might be your reaction.” Jen took her scanner from the cargo pocket in her pants and logged back on. “Oh, and just a little bit of information for you.” She stepped towards him, now toe-to-toe. “When I was arrested and the police asked me where I was getting my supply of drugs from, you’ll be pleased to know I kept your brother’s name out of it.”
“Our Dean doesn’t deal.” Dan’s face reddened as he said that, practically spitting out the words.
“Trust me, he does. Usually on your dad’s say-so. Imagine how our Grace would feel knowing your family was the reason I could get a hold of drugs.” Jen wasn’t blaming anyone else for her drug-taking, she’d made that decision all by herself, but if it took Dan down a notch or two, she would use it against him just this once. “You’d do well to remember that you and your family are far less squeaky clean than I’ll ever be, Dan.”
“Are you threatening me?” He snorted. “Once a criminal, always a criminal.”
“To be honest with you, I couldn’t give a toss what you think about me. I’ll always be ten times the person most of your family are—ex-con or not. But this is only going to push Grace away. Have a think about whether you’re willing to risk that. You won’t find anyone better than her.”
Jen turned and climbed into her van, firing up the engine the moment the key was in the ignition. Right now, she had work to finish. And then, she would be on her way to another date night with Suzanne Dixon. As Jen pulled away from her parking space, she realised that these were the moments when she was thankful to have Suzanne in her life. While people like Dan pointed the finger, Suzanne knew a different side to Jen. The most important side. The…real, honest, broken side.