Free The Family Tree by Isla Evans Page A

‘And maybe this next piece of news might get your attention. Your mother’s leaving too.’
    This announcement had the effect he was obviously hoping for as all three recipients gazed at him in surprise and then, almost in unison, turned to stare at their mother. Shelley opened her mouth and then closed it again.
    â€˜That’s not quite true,’ snapped Kate, glancing crossly at her husband. ‘I’m not
leaving
. . . well, that is, I
am
leaving but not . . . not –’
    â€˜Not
what
?’ Shelley’s black-rimmed eyes stood out even more.
    â€˜Not really
leaving
,’ finished Kate, trying desperately to remember the words her father had used that sounded so
right
. ‘It’s not like aseparation. Not like Uncle Oscar and Auntie Angie. More a time-out, a sort of long service leave. A hiatus.’
    Caleb cocked an eyebrow again. ‘A who ate what?’
    â€˜I thought a hiatus was a type of hernia,’ said Shelley, frowning.
    â€˜No, it’s not medical,’ explained Sam helpfully. ‘Psychological perhaps. A form of escapism. Like going AWOL.’
    â€˜But
why
?’ Jacob’s evident confusion shaved years off his age and made Kate’s heart lurch. ‘Oh, frigging
hell
! You’re moving in with Uncle
Oscar
, aren’t you?’
    â€˜Mu-
um
!’ wailed Shelley, sitting up straight.
    â€˜Don’t be ridiculous!’ Kate frowned at them all, and was even more annoyed to see the slight smile on Sam’s face. ‘It’s got nothing to
do
with Uncle Oscar!’
    Shelley sneered. ‘So you’re saying it’s just a coincidence?’
    â€˜Of
course
it is!’ Kate paused, taking a deep breath. ‘See, you know how I’ve always wanted to write?’ She waited for some acknowledgement of this, from anyone, but when none was forthcoming, closed her eyes briefly and then continued regardless. ‘Well I’ve finally realised that I can’t do it here. There are too many distractions, and I’m not saying it’s your fault because it’s mine too, but the thing is it’s not going to happen. Not here. So I’ve decided to take Mel’s old room in Auntie Angie’s unit and give myself a few months to see if I really
can
write. Then I’ll be back again.’
    â€˜So you’re moving into Auntie Angie’s place?’ asked Shelley, clearly relieved.
    â€˜Yes. And it’s not like I won’t ever be here. I’ll still be doing your father’s books and dropping in and staying over and all. It’s just that I’ll have this place where I can go and see if I can write. Like an office.’
    Caleb leant back again, nodding approval. ‘That makes sense.’
    â€˜
What?
’ Sam stared at him.
    â€˜Good on you, Mum.’ Shelley stood up, stretching. ‘Now can I go to bed?’
    Kate smiled at them both as a surge of relief warmed her. She turned to Jacob. ‘What about you then?’
    â€˜Yeah, cool,’ Jacob nodded also. ‘Whatever. I mean, good idea.’
    â€˜I’m so glad you all understand.’ Kate relaxed, beaming. ‘And I have to say it makes me feel proud of the lot of you. Really proud.’
    â€˜Great,’ Caleb grinned. ‘Now what’s for dinner?’
    â€˜I’m skipping dinner in favour of sleep.’ Shelley yawned again as she rose, pushing her chair in. ‘
Some
of us have to work tomorrow. Goodnight all.’
    Kate watched her daughter head down the little path towards the bungalow, her stilettos dangling from one hand. Then she snuck a glance at Sam, and almost grinned when she saw his set expression. Checkmate, she thought with satisfaction.
    â€˜I might go get a pizza.’ Caleb looked at his mother hopefully for a moment but, when she didn’t offer any other meal choices, sighed exaggeratedly and headed inside.
    â€˜Can you grab me one?’ Jacob followed,