Page 36 of The Interview

“I’m sorry, and thanks, Kiks,” I say.

Kiki shrugs while I turn and send a sarcastic ‘better?’ kind of smile at Lu.

“So, you gonna tell us what’s crawled up your arse so far it’s trying to punch its way past your tonsils?” Ash asks.

I let out another sigh that sounds more like a huff, which it might be, because right at this moment I feel like I know nothing.

“I was pissed off with Lennon for holding on to all that guilt and never talking to me about it.”

“You angry or hurt?” Georgia asks.

“Hurt, I think, and I’m angry that it hurts.”

“The whole day, the photos, the interview… it wasn’t what I was expecting. The boys joining in wasn’t planned. I knew it would stir up emotions, but for me, for all of us, I think it was almost like therapy. Daniel’s questions…” Georgia trails off for a long moment. “Were there even questions, or did he just give us a subject to talk about?”

“A bit of both, I think,” I reply, though I’m still not sure of anything. “It all feels a bit of a blur now.”

“Well, all I know is that Makenzie Wild has a thing for my husband, and my husband once had a thing for my sister-in-law,” Ash states.

“Yeah, what was all the staring at him about?” Georgia asks.

“No idea. She left before I had a chance to pull her for a chat.”

“Weird. I’ve invited her and Jake over for dinner. You’ll have to come, too. See if it happens again.”

After moving over to the buffet unit G has running along the back of her sofa, I pull out place mats and cutlery while Kiki brings over plates.

“I think Len’s guilt is a conversation you and he need to have in private, not in front of everyone here,” my niece says quietly as we set the table. “If it’s taken him this long to open up, maybe don’t confront him about it in front of everyone, and maybedon’t show that you’re angry or hurt. It may just make him bottle it all up again.”

Pausing what I’m doing, I take on board Kiki’s words. “Yeah,” I reply with a smile at her thoughtfulness, right before she pulls me in for a cuddle.

Like their parents, Cam and Georgia’s kids are all tall, and I feel dwarfed by her lanky frame.

“Thanks, love,” I say with my head resting on her chest. “I didn’t realise how much I needed that.”

“Just imagine how Len’s feeling. Make sure you pay it forward.”

“What’s happening here? Why am I not getting cuddles?” G interrupts and squeezes in.

“Just taking advice from my exceptionally, far-too-wise-for-her-years niece,” I manage to get out while being squished between two of my favourite people.

“Excuse us,” I hear Ashley say, even though I can’t see her. “Where’s our invite to the group hug? I think today has traumatised all of us. We’re all feeling a bit needy.”

Lu and Ash join our little huddle, and suddenly, nothing seems as bad as it did just an hour ago, and I feel stupid for my overreaction. We stand for a long moment, enjoying the sense of safety and comfort that only a cuddle from a loved one can bring.

“Maca’s doing that thing with the playlist again, Mum,” Lu whispers.

We all break apart slightly and listen to Carol King sing “You’ve Got A Friend”.

“He just can’t help himself,” G says, smiling.

We all turn in unison as the boys nosily head into the kitchen before coming to a silent stop at the sight of us all holding on to each other—all of us except Lu—with tears shining in our eyes.

“What the fuck?” Marley frowns.

“It’s good. We’re good,” Ash says before she moves towards him.

CHAPTER