Read Online Double Take by Kendall Talbot - Free Book Online

rounded rump. Nicely toned bottoms were her thing. Her eyes fell on the photo above the television. She felt so uncomfortable with it there. Every time she sat in the lounge she felt like she was sharing the room with Murray’s wife. It was sad that Hazel had passed away, especially so young. But Gemma didn’t understand why he had to make her photo the centrepiece of the wall. It could go on the sideboard, or down the hall. Or anywhere else. It was hard to relax with her watching their every move.
    Murray returned with two glasses of wine and Gemma swigged a couple of quick sips, hoping the alcohol would work its magic. She was still weary from her long day at work. But moments later her hopes of relaxing were dashed when Trent and Max bounded into the room as if they’d loaded up on red lollies. Max practically jumped into the lounge beside her and she nudged sideways to give him more room. Trent remained standing but he was shuffling his feet and fidgeting so much she wondered if he had ants in his pants.
    â€œDad, please don’t be mad at us,” said Trent.
    Murray raised an eyebrow.
    â€œBut we wanted to prove we were telling the truth the other day about the bank robbers.”
    Gemma paid attention now, Tiffany’s comment about their story being so outlandish that it had to be true resonating in her memory.
    â€œOkay,” Murray said, his voice steeped with scepticism. “But how do you plan on proving that?”
    Gemma nearly spilled her wine when Max burst from the chair beside her and ran out the door. “Max! Careful, buddy,” she huffed.
    Max returned seconds later hugging a boom box that was nearly as big as his torso. But he was grinning like a kid at the dessert bar at Sizzler. “With this.” It took all his effort to lift the cassette player above his head.
    â€œWe taped the robbers this time,” Trent said.
    â€œYou what? Jesus. What were you boys thinking?” Murray was on the edge of his chair now. He ran his hands through his hair, and when his eyes met with Gemma’s she saw something she hadn’t seen in him before—fear.
    â€œWell, Dad, you didn’t believe us last time, so we had to prove it was true. You said you wouldn’t be mad, remember?”
    â€œJeez… I can’t believe this.” Murray palmed his hair again, and Gemma now knew why he was thinning so much at his temples.
    â€œOh, and one other thing, Dad. Please don’t be mad about the swear words. We had no idea what they were going to say.”
    Murray seemed frozen to his seat and Gemma wondered what was going through his mind. She, on the other hand, couldn’t wait to hear the tape. “Let’s move to the kitchen, shall we?” She stood up, clutched her wine and shuffled the boys towards the kitchen. Together Max and Trent worked on moving the small round table closer to the power point. Then Trent plugged the boom box in and fiddled with it until it was centred exactly in the middle of the table. By this time Murray had joined them.
    Gemma sat down beside him while the boys remained standing.
    â€œNow Dad,” Trent said. “Remember you said you wouldn’t be mad.”
    â€œI’ll decide once I’ve heard the tape.”
    â€œBut Dad,” Max pleaded.
    â€œShush, Max.” Murray shut him down. “Let’s hear it.”
    Gemma noticed Trent’s trembling fingers as he reached for the play button.
    â€œFuck you!” The voice on the tape was loud and clear.
    â€œWhat on earth?” Murray reached forward and jabbed the stop button. “Trent—”
    â€œSorry Dad, I told you there were swear words. Please, can we play the tape? Please.”
    For once Gemma agreed with Trent’s pleading. “We might as well hear it, Murray.”
    â€œPlease, Dad.”
    Murray’s shoulders sagged slightly and he sighed. “Okay.”
    Max poked the play button again and this time