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“Not exactly.”

“Then maybe you should. Get it out in the open. Who knows, maybe she’ll feel the same way.”

Ryan took his eyes away from the road briefly to glare at me. “She?”

“You know, this girl you like.”

He gave a high-pitched laugh. “It’s not a she, it’s a he.”

“Huh?”

“I’m still as gay as I’ve always been, Mum.” He laughed again.

My son’s gay? Oh, okay. I just didn’t expect it, that’s all. “Right, um… yes. Well, maybe you should, you know… talk to him. See if he feels the same way?”

“I think he does, but I don’t want to risk breaking up Primal Prophecy if it doesn’t work out.”

“He’s in your band?”

Ryan nodded. “And before you ask, no it’s not Davo, the guitarist. He’s one hundred per cent straight.”

No idea who that was, but anyway. “So who is it? You can tell me, I’m your mum.” Ugh again. Did I just say that? Was I taking advantage of my motherly authority to get the upper hand on all the gossip? Yep.

Ryan hesitated, chewing his lip. “It’s Ben.”

“Do you mean… Bungy Ben?”

“The one and only. Bungy expert, kick-ass drummer and hot as chilli.”

That was a little too much information, but I guess Ben was kind of good-looking, with an impressive physique. What was a mother supposed to say in this situation: ‘Go for it, son. He’s a catch!’?

“I guess if it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be.” There, that should do it for my daily motherly wisdom.

“True, Mum. True.” He drove in silence for a while and when Miss Car directed us to the best available parking spot (a four-hour spot right near the entrance), Ryan angled the car sideways alongside the other cars and said, “Park left.”

A squishy sound emerged from underneath and the car moved directly sideways into the parking spot. Ryan didn’t have to manoeuvre the car, it literally moved sideways, like the wheels had swivelled around. Cool!

“Only five minutes late,” Ryan said, sliding out of the car and shrugging his shoulders. “Well, I’ll leave you here and that way you can drive yourself to the meeting this afternoon.”

I’d forgotten about the meeting. No idea what that would be all about, but with any luck, by then I may have figured out a way to get back to the past.

“Where are you going then?” I asked Ryan.

“Back home. Someone needs to be there to set up for your big party.” He kissed me on the cheek. “Your jump was awesome, Mum. I can’t wait to tell Dad about the look on your face! See ya!” He pressed something on his shoe and rolled off and out of the car park on his wheelie shoes.

I was suddenly alone. A gasp shot out of my mouth when I realised something. I was supposed to meet Diora, my daughter, right now in the food court of this shopping centre, but how would I find her when I had absolutely no idea what she looked like?

Chapter 6

Darling Daughter Diora

“Of all the haunting moments of motherhood, few rank with hearing your own words come out of your daughter’s mouth.” – Victoria Secunda

The crowds pushed past as I followed the signs to the south food court. Weaving my way between people, the e-pad vibrated against my wrist before the melodic beeping noise reached my ear.

Message received flashed on the small screen.

I pinched the e-pad and the screen appeared, showing a text message: