Chapter 43
CHAPTER
Elora released Cruz’s hand and moved towards Bindi, who backed away with her hands held up to ward her off.
‘You know?’ she yelled, her face flushed an angry puce as she jabbed a finger at Cruz. ‘Is that why you gave me a job? Out of pity? And having me stay in the studio to help set up the place is bullshit, isn’t it? You felt sorry for me.’
‘Is that so wrong?’ Cruz shrugged.
Bindi’s hands balled into fists. ‘You know what you can do? You can stick your job up your—’
‘Bindi, hey.’ Elora laid a hand on her arm. ‘Do you think we could talk? I could really use your help.’
Her low tone had the desired effect, as Bindi visibly relaxed, her shoulders lowering and her fingers unfurling.
‘Can we talk in private?’ Elora asked. ‘Maybe in the studio, away from flapping ears?’
She glanced at Cruz over her shoulder and mouthed, ‘Sorry.’
Cruz gave a brief nod of understanding and Elora turned back to Bindi, relieved her friend’s colour had returned to normal.
Bindi remained silent as they walked to the studio but Elora could feel the tension radiating off her. She had to tread carefully, because what she said next might make Bindi drive into the night with no intention of returning.
They entered the studio and Bindi waited until Elora had closed the door before whirling on her.
‘How did you know?’
‘That day you texted me to meet at the food van, I saw you leave the pool after you’d showered. And I figured you wouldn’t be sneaking in and out before it opened unless you didn’t want to pay? Then you mentioned your financial difficulties after your ex …’
Resigned, Bindi sank onto the sofa as if her legs had given way. ‘Why didn’t you say something?’
Elora sat next to her. ‘Because I respect your privacy. Our friendship is new and if you’d wanted to tell me, you would’ve.’
‘Yeah, like that’s something you want a new friend to know. “Hey, El, I’m so hopeless I’m living in my car.”’ She shook her head. ‘Who wants to hang out with a desperado?’
‘You’re not hopeless,’ Elora said, wanting to hug Bindi but giving her space. ‘From what you’ve told me, you’re lucky you escaped your ex, and that’s a blessing.’
‘Having nothing but a change of clothes, a few toiletries, a prepaid phone and dwindling savings that I keep for fuel isn’t a blessing.’
‘Having a job and a place to stay is.’ Elora gestured around the studio. ‘Cruz doesn’t think you’re a charity case. He needs help to open the restaurant sooner rather than later and he knows and trusts you, so it’s a win for both of you.’
‘Bullshit. He gifted me the job out of pity.’ Bindi’s mouth set in a mutinous line. ‘Who else knows? Does Kyle?’
‘No-one. I only told Cruz because I was leaving the studio anyway and I knew you’d be working ridiculously long hours, so why drive away at the end of an evening when you could crash here?’
Bindi remained silent for a few seconds before muttering, ‘I guess that makes sense.’
‘We’re on your side.’ Elora laid a hand over Bindi’s, relieved when she didn’t snatch it away. ‘Whatever you need.’
‘I don’t need charity,’ Bindi said, but there was no heat in it.
‘Friends help each other out. Wouldn’t you do the same for Kyle? Robbo? Thommo?’
The lines around Bindi’s mouth softened. ‘Yeah, I probably would, even though those bozos wouldn’t deserve it.’
Elora hesitated to tell her the rest, but now that Bindi knew the truth—that her homelessness wasn’t a secret any longer—hopefully she’d be amenable to it.
‘I researched homelessness in the region and it’s a problem, so I was thinking that maybe you and Cruz could work on some kind of food bank once the restaurant opens? Maybe donate leftover produce, that kind of thing?’
For the first time since they’d started chatting, Elora glimpsed hope in Bindi’s eyes. ‘That’s a great idea. Do you think he’d go for it?’
‘I think so. Cruz is a good guy.’
‘Could you print out the research you’ve done? I still don’t have internet access on my phone and I don’t want to ask Cruz if I can use his computer. Not after the way I behaved out there.’
‘Sure. I’ll collate everything I found. As for Cruz, he’ll be fine.’
‘I owe him an apology, but I’ll leave it until the morning.’ Bindi cast her a speculative glance. ‘Considering you didn’t come in your car, it looks like someone’s having a sleepover.’
Heat rose in Elora’s cheeks and Bindi chuckled.
‘I have no idea what I’m doing.’ Elora pressed her palms to her cheeks to cool them. ‘I really like him, but it’s kind of pointless spending more time together when I’m leaving soon.’
‘Ever heard of a fling?’ Bindi’s eyes glazed over. ‘Then again, that’s how my relationship with my ex started and look how that turned out.’
The expression on Bindi’s face whenever she mentioned her ex made Elora want to cuddle her close and protect her.
‘If you ever want to offload to someone about what happened, I’m here, okay?’
‘Thanks.’ Bindi leaned over and hugged her tight. ‘I’m more of a guys’ girl and don’t make friends with women easily, but I’m glad I met you.’
‘Right back at you. And at the risk of you telling me to shove my advice up my arse, maybe it wouldn’t hurt to chat to someone more qualified than me?’
Bindi reared back as if Elora had poked her in the eye. ‘You think I need a shrink?’
Elora shrugged. ‘There’s no stigma in wanting to offload to someone who’s probably heard it all and then some.
I saw someone in Melbourne after my folks left.
I’d just turned eighteen and was living on my own, and had some serious abandonment issues.
Then I started having panic attacks. It helped to talk things through, get a fresh perspective.
And it turns out, I have high-functioning anxiety.
I still have it, which makes me a less than desirable friend, because I have a habit of backing out of social events if my anxiety escalates. ’
‘But you seem really chill?’
Elora pointed to her face. ‘It’s a mask I’ve honed since I was diagnosed. I’m pretty good most of the time, but when the anxiety hits, I know that self-care is the only thing that helps.’
‘You’re really brave.’ The rigidity in Bindi’s shoulders eased. ‘I’m afraid.’
‘Of?’
‘That once I start talking to a professional about all the shit that’s happened to me, they’ll lock me up and throw away the key.’ She pulled a face and crossed her eyes. ‘Seriously. Besides, I can’t afford a shrink.’
‘There should be a community health centre in the region that will offer free counselling. And if you see a GP, they can give you a mental health care plan that entitles you to ten subsidised psychology sessions a year.’
‘I guess it can’t hurt. I’ve got a lot of anger in here.’ Bindi tapped her chest. ‘Releasing some of it will help me not jump down everyone’s throat all the time.’
‘You’re going to be fine,’ Elora said, reaching out to squeeze her arm. ‘You’ve got friends who care about you, so whatever you need, any time, don’t hesitate to ask, okay?’
‘You’re the best.’
Bindi hugged her again and Elora knew she’d miss her new friend when she returned to Melbourne.