Everything We Keep Di Walker (free ebook novel .txt) 📖

Brown, our assignment isn’t due til tomorrow,’ Tully said.

‘Hey, I’m just the messenger, Tully, but I’m pretty sure it’s not about that,’ Mr Brown replied, looking down at the messages again. ‘It’s something about a science competition she wants you two to enter. Anyway, see Ms Faber at lunchtime and she will give you the details.’

Tully’s surprised face looked at Agatha. ‘A competition. That’s fantastic. Do you want to?’

Agatha nodded. Maybe she was wrong about today and about Tully. Agatha was in unfamiliar waters, but for some reason, she felt okay.

By the end of the school day, Agatha had managed to avoid any difficult conversations with her new friends and apart from Jax, not a single teasing word had been said to her by anyone else. Ms Faber had given her and Tully information about a Science Fair that a university was holding during the next school holidays and the three made plans to work on an idea together.

As she walked towards the main gates, Tully on one side and Cora and Morgan on the other, Agatha was feeling like Mrs Sloane may be right about this school, maybe it was different from all the others.

‘Who’s that?’ Tully said, seeing a woman standing a few cars up the street and waving in their direction. Maybe the school is different, but other parts of her life aren’t.

‘That’s Nell.’

Tully looked at Agatha. ‘Friend or foe?’ she whispered.

Agatha gave Tully a half smile, ‘A bit of both I suppose.’

‘Do you want us to come with you?’

‘Nah. She’s okay. She’ll take me home.’

‘Wait. . . which home?’

It was Agatha’s turn to calm Tully. ‘To Katherine. She’ll take me to Katherine. But thanks, you know. For worrying.’

‘That’s what friends do. See you tomorrow.’

Tully and the other two walked past Nell and further along the street. Agatha watched Tully get into her mother’s car. She walked to Nell.

‘Good day?’ Nell asked.

Agatha shrugged.

‘I think I know what that shrug means. I don’t think you’re too impressed with me picking you up.’

‘I was hoping it would be Katherine. No offence.’

‘None taken. I was hoping it could be Katherine too, and not just today, but every day.’

‘What does that mean?’

‘Nothing, really. Honestly Agatha, you overthink things. Let’s go, it’s too hot.’

Agatha was thankful that the car ride was short. She had worked out a long time ago that Nell wasn’t good with silence. If there was silence, Nell would think of something to say to fill it. Several minutes later they pulled up in front of Katherine’s house. Agatha could see her at the window, waiting.

‘What’s going on?’ she asked.

‘Nothing, just a chat, sort a few things out.’ Nell was already getting out of the car.

‘Chats never go well for me Nell,’ Agatha said, closing the door of the car. They walked up to the front door, which was already opening. Chief sprinted out to greet them as Lawson held the door back for them to enter.

The four stood awkwardly in the sitting room, then Katherine suggested they move to the dining table, ‘For a snack and something cool to drink.’

The table had been set for afternoon tea, and Agatha sat at the end, just like she had done ever since Lawson had returned. It had become her spot.

‘Well? Just tell me,’ her voice was impatient.

‘Right,’ said Nell. ‘I’ll just say it.’

Katherine put her hand out towards her, but Agatha didn’t take it. She folded her arms and looked directly at Nell.

‘The Court has granted you six months, to stay here. Then we can go back and ask for a permanent placement, if everyone agrees.’

Katherine smiled, ‘That’s excellent news.’ Her hand moved to Lawson who took it and they both smiled at Agatha.

‘Great news,’ he said.

Still with her arms folded, and having not stopped staring at Nell, Agatha, who was not smiling, leaned forward.

‘There’s a but, isn’t there Nell. There’s always a but.’

‘You’re right. There is a but. You know how the system works.’

Agatha sat back. ‘I knew it.’

‘What is it Nell?’ Lawson said. His hands were now clasped together on the table in front of him, as he listened intently to every word.

‘The Court has said that Agatha must have regular visits with both of her parents. Weekly visits. For the next six months. After that, if a permanent order is made, then the visits will be renegotiated.’

Katherine turned to Agatha, ‘That sound fair enough. What do you think?’

Agatha was not sure what she thought. Weekly visits with her parents? ‘So, every Saturday or something, I have to get the train back and visit them? For how long, Nell? All day?’

‘You won’t be taking the train, sweetheart. I’ll take you,’ Katherine said.

‘And I can take you,’ Lawson said. ‘We’ll go together, the three of us.’

Agatha looked at them both and slightly shook her head. She’d taken a chance once, with Tully, she didn’t want to do that again.

‘I know what you’re thinking, Agatha,’ Katherine said, ‘and it won’t happen. We won’t change our mind about you.’

‘This morning I told you about Courage,’ Lawson said, looking down the table, directly at Agatha. His voice gentle for such a tall man. ‘Here’s another value; Honesty. You will always have that from us. If Katherine says nothing will change for us, then you can rely on that. Honesty.’

For a moment Agatha looked directly back at Lawson and gave him a small nod. She turned to Nell, ‘When is my first visit?’

‘Tomorrow. 11am.’

‘But it’s a school day, Nell?’ Katherine objected.

‘I know. But they had to pick a time and that’s what their lawyer said, for the first one. After that it can be Saturdays, or some other time. I’ll talk to your parents about it.’

‘My Science assignment is due tomorrow. I want to be there with Tully to hand it to Ms Faber.’

‘Sorry, kiddo. Court trumps school,’ Nell said.

Agatha shook her head, ‘It’s not fair, Nell.’

‘I know. But hey, look on the bright side – it’s a good sign that you want to go to school so badly, don’t you think? Didn’t