Read Online Tumble Creek by Louise Forster - Free Book Online

hugging?’
    â€˜No reason, I love you, that’s all.’ Sofie manoeuvred Claudia out of the kitchen and down the hall to their room and ensuite. With an arm firmly around her waist, Sofie twisted her to face the mirror and demanded, ‘Look at yourself, sweetheart.’ Claudia turned her head to the side. ‘Yesterday you were fresh, young and happy.’
    â€˜You mean normal,’ Claudia muttered, angry and resentful.
    â€˜You’re more normal than most other teenagers, and more mature. But that’s not what this is about.’
    Frowning, Claudia pressed her lips together and turned away from the mirror; grumbling incoherently she shoved her arms across her chest.
    â€˜What happened to our house has nothing to do with the past and your Dad leaving us to fend for ourselves while he went off with Miss Universe, or whatever the hell she was. And anyway, you know as well as I do that she’s fake and you’re real. We’re free of that now. Sure it was a massive shock, but its just a house, as you said, not a very good one. Just sticks, plaster and glass. As soon as it’s safe, we can get all our precious things. Anything you want to keep, but can’t fit in your room, we’ll put in storage. The house will have to be demolished. It’s a huge and beautiful block of land, over half an acre, with a lovely established back garden and mature trees. I’m not giving that up, okay? As you said before the reality of what happened really hit you, this is a great opportunity to build something amazing.’
    Tears, tracking black mascara, rolled down Claudia’s face. She raised her head and nodded.
    â€˜I’m so glad you agree. I don’t want to go back to Sydney.’
    Horrified, and eyes like a terrified cat, Claudia’s chin dropped. ‘I don’t want to go back either! I love it here. Michelle is the best friend I’ve ever had, we laugh all the time, especially at Bret. We’re decorating the Christmas in July theme together for the restaurant’s window.’
    â€˜Okay—I get it, we’re staying. Good, you can help me design a new home? Research it for me?’ Sofie gently wiped Claudia’s tears, adding mascara smudges to the tracks across her white face. ‘I don’t care if you think it’s blackmail, Claud, I want my girl back. I want to see your beautiful skin, your face, your amazing eyes that always show me how you’re feeling.’
    Claudia pulled back and covered her cheeks as if hanging onto her mask. Sofie let her, but only far enough to allow her some breathing space.
    â€˜Honey, if this is a fashion statement, fine. I have no problem with that. But it’s not, is it?’ Sofie waited for a response.
    Staring at her reflection now, Claudia took a deep breath. ‘No … not a fashion statement.’ With trembling fingers, she grabbed some tissues and make-up remover, and started cleaning her face.
    â€˜There’s my girl. No more hiding behind that paint.’
    Claudia grabbed another bunch of tissues and blew her nose. Voice muffled, she said, ‘On your way to the kitchen, there was something you were going to tell me; it’s not more crap, is it?’
    â€˜Well, maybe just a little.’
    Claudia rolled her eyes and looked at the ceiling, mumbling, ‘Now what?’
    Sofie really had to be careful how she worded this. ‘Claud, it’s going to be okay, we’ve got it sorted. But first, I just can’t sleep with you. I don’t get any rest. I reckon you dream you’re an athletic superstar, throwing javelins, jumping hurdles every night. I was going to make arrangements to stay at Britt’s, but because she’s kinda missing, and—’ Sadly, there was no way she could soften her news; she tried but couldn’t think of a thing. She’d learned from past experience that honesty was the only way, besides, people talk, gossip gets