Read Online The Family Tree by Isla Evans - Free Book Online

from her position perched on the steps of the decking, watched him carefully and waited for some sort of response. Anything.
    â€˜And the unit would be like an
office
. Where I do my work.’
    Sam lifted the leaf catcher out of the water and swung it through the air like a celebratory banner. A sparkling spray of water followed its arc until he banged it against the fence, hard. The leaves tumbled damply into the garden and then he hefted it back up again, splashing it down into the pool to continue his methodical progress.
    â€˜And this would still be
home
. I mean, I’d be coming back here all the time.’ Kate waited patiently for an answer but none was forthcoming. Hector wandered slowly up the path and then stood hesitantly for a few moments before lurching up beside her where he collapsed across the step, panting. She put out a hand and ruffled the pouched fur around his collar, then turned back to Sam. ‘You know, staying over, and coming on Fridays to do your books. Like usual.’
    Sam lifted the leaf catcher up slightly and watched as a bee clambered drunkenly up the rim. Once clear of the water, it spread its wingsseveral times, trying to dry them. Sam brought the leaf catcher over to the edge and tapped it gently on the concrete, letting the bee fall to the ground in a scattering of leaves. After a moment, where it couldn’t be seen, the tiny insect crawled clear and then stopped by the pool gate, unwilling or unable to make a definitive bid for freedom.
    â€˜I know you don’t understand and I am really,
really
sorry about that. But it’s something I need to do. And I just can’t do it here. I need to get . . . away.’ Kate spoke slowly and without looking at Sam. Instead, she stared at the bee, mentally urging it to flight.
You can do it, just give it a try
.
    â€˜You know what really pisses me off?’
    Kate’s gaze flicked upwards, to her husband’s face, staring at her impassively as he leant against the leaf catcher.
    â€˜It’s that I
built
the bloody bungalow.’ Sam jabbed a finger accusingly in the direction of the bungalow, behind the jasmine-covered trellis. ‘All because you wanted somewhere to do your bloody writing. So you’ve had plenty of chances to do whatever it is you
need
to do. But no, you wait till now. And don’t think I don’t know why. It’s because you’re trying to punish me.’
    â€˜Punish you?’
    â€˜Don’t play the innocent, Kate, it doesn’t suit you. You’re trying to punish me for building the units, it’s as simple as that.’
    â€˜What!’ Kate sat up straight and stared at her husband, taken aback by the accusation. ‘That’s ridiculous!’
    â€˜You reckon I railroaded you into the whole thing; you’ve made no secret of that. So now it’s payback time, hey?’
    â€˜That is the stupidest thing you’ve ever come up with. As if I’d –’
    â€˜And what
also
pisses me off is that you’re not taking it out on Angie, are you? Yet she was just as keen about the whole plan!’ Sam picked up the leaf catcher and thrust it down into the pool, turning away from Kate as he began slapping it through the water, sending the leaves away on waves rather than collecting them.
    Surprise transformed into anger, measured by the tightening of Kate’s lips. She pushed Hector off her lap and spoke curtly. ‘The fact that youfeel driven to raze my father’s house to the ground has absolutely nothing to do with my wanting to write. I have
always
wanted to write, and you bloody well know that. As for the bungalow, it’s not exactly
empty
. In case you haven’t noticed, it’s got –’
    â€˜I know it’s not empty!’ Sam stopped punching the leaf catcher through the water and stared at her again. ‘I’m not a bloody idiot. But you’re acting like you’re some sort of martyr. I mean, I