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37. Family Time
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2024-10-29 19:42:56True to Mum’s word and thanks to Sam’s need to celebrate his birthday twice a year, evening finds the entire Hansen family huddled in their warmest clothes, standing to the side as Trey and I get popcorn and soda for the movie. Sam is running around with Liam, there’s no sign of Willow. Maria is standing a few feet away from Mum and Dad, glaring into space and looking as if this is the last place she would like to be at the moment. She tried to deceive her way out of coming, but Mum wasn’t taking any excuses. I can only imagine where she wanted to get to instead.
Trey keeps looking around.
I nudge him in the side. “Expecting someone?”
He shakes his head. “No.”
“That girl wouldn’t stop stealing glances at you back at the restaurant,” I tease, referring to a girl who had been at one of the tables at the restaurant we went t
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"Wake up.” Shake. “Get up.” I press the pillow to my face and wish the voice away. What sort of human being disturbs perfect morning slumber? “It’s nine already, Jo.” “What?” I yell and fly up, shoving the pillow away. It’s not that late, is it? Jude is standing beside the bed, regarding me with an amused smile. He looks put together, like he woke up a long time ago. “Shit.” I hop out of bed. “I need to go home.” The last of that sentence finds me at the bathroom door. I get in quickly, do a quick clean up and put on my dress. When I get back to the room, Jude is sitting on the bed. He quirks his brow. “What’s the hurry for?” I give him a look of disbelief. “I don’t want to get into any trouble!” “Your parents already left for work by now, right?” I nod.
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Jude picks up the phone on the first ring, to my relief.“Look who’s calling me,” he says, amused.I manage a smile past the tears that won’t stop streaming down my face. I take in a deep breath and try to keep my voice even.“Hey Jude. I need a favour.”I fail terribly, sounding as if I have grains of sand stuck in my throat. My body shivers, a fresh sob threatening to surface.“Jo? Are you okay?” Jude’s voice drops the playfulness, becoming urgent.I suck in another breath. “No, I… Can you pick me up please?”“Of course,” he responds without missing a beat. “Where’re you?”“You know Ana Grace right? Do you know her place?”“Yes, yes I do, is that where you are?”
