Page 40 of The Me I Left Behind

“Or who paid for it,” Freya said.

Lilly met her gaze. “I’ve wondered that over the years. When I was a kid, I didn’t think about it. Just did what I was told. What was expected of me. But now…?”

“Now, there are a lot of questions.” Freya held her gaze.

“You, too?”

She nodded. “So many questions.”

Lilly drew her hand away and opened her menu. She stared at the selections, seeing the words, but not really.

Her thoughts drifted….

“You’ll love your new school, Lilly,” her mum had said. “There will be lots of girls and you’ll make new friends and have so many adventures.”

“But I have Freya. I don’t need new friends. And I have adventures here.”

Her mum stared down at her. “You don’t know yet what you’ll be missing, so keep your mind open. It will be good for you.”

“But I want to stay here, with you and dad and Poppy.”

She neatly folded her new school uniform and placed it in her backpack. “Poppy is moving to the city. She found work there.”

“But you and Dad….”

“Me and your dad have work here. You’re older now, Lilly. Boarding school will help you for later, so you won’t have to struggle like your dad and me.”

“But I love it here!”

“You have to go. I’m sorry. Freya is going, too.”

She started to turn and run.

Her mum grabbed her arm and shook her. “Girl! Go and get out of this place. Make a better life for yourself. Forget us, me and your dad, and go.”

The horror of her words had stayed with Lilly for years. In fact, she wasn’t sure she had shaken them to this day. She wanted me to go. She didn’t want me there.

Had Mumeverwanted me?

Freya’s words penetrated her musing. “I think I’m going for a small bowl of wonton soup, then the Massaman Chicken Curry with coconut rice. And did you see they have milkshakes? Hand-dipped. I’ll go for chocolate, myself. What about you?”

Lilly looked up. “What?”

Freya caught her gaze. “You were lost there for a moment.”

“I know.” She shook herself, trying to chase the memory away. “We’ll talk later. Let’s eat. What are you having?”

Freya chuckled. “I just told you. Soup, chicken curry, and a milkshake.”

“All for lunch?” Lilly tossed her a silly grin and arched a brow. “You farm girls sure eat a lot.”

“Wouldn’t hurt you to put on a few pounds, Lilly. You’re thin as a rail.”

And there it is.“I told Poppy you’d make me eat.”

“So, what looks good to you?”

“Salmon salad, I think.”