The Affectionate Player - Part2

Chapter 5

"Try not to worry, Gracie. I know it's been awful for you but Monty's home and you're home, and you're both safe. That's all that matters. Yes?"

Nodding I agree but I don't know why. Yes, we are home safe but while Monty thinks he's been on an adventure, my life has been shattered beyond recognition. Doesn't she see that?

Making our way to join Max in the kitchen, Rudi follows behind us with take away and beers. Max dishes up as Rudi fixes us all a drink and in minutes we're tucking into my favourite. Curried prawn noodles and dim sum; we must be celebrating if Caitlin's given way to Indian food tonight or maybe she's had enough spice over the last month.

We all watch as Caitlin talks amicably about Rudi's family, sharing some of the culinary tips she'd picked up from her mother-in-law, and he adds to the humour recalling how neither woman could understand the other's accent at first. That I could believe!

Following our meal, Rudi, who seems eager to know the full details of how Monty was taken, presses Max for information and while appreciating his friend's concern Max visibly grows uncomfortable with every question.

"Well, it's been a rubbish few days for you all but I have to tell you, I'm as happy as a pig in shit that you're both home safe, Gracie." Rudi turns, addressing me. "Max was out of his mind with worry for you and Monty. Clever idea, wasn't it? I'm sure you're pleased to have had a hand in getting him home safe." No one speaks as all eyes observe me and in a moment of doubt, my eyes find Max. He shakes his head as if reading my mind.

"What do you mean?" Uncertainty sweeps in, clouding my thoughts.

"With Monty. That's why he's home."

"Rudi," Max warns, not taking his eyes off mine. "Leave it, mate."

"What's he on about, Max?" I ask, anxiously. Again, he shakes his head prompting me to address his friend. "I don't know what you're talking about. I didn't have a hand in anything."

"Of course you did. He's home, isn't he?"

"Yes, Rudi, and it's beyond a miracle, but what in fact happened was that I got accused of child abduction – by him!" I wave angrily in Max's direction. "And arrested for being party to a crime I didn't commit. And as if that wasn't bad enough, I had my face plastered on every bloody newspaper telling the world about it!" I could feel my blood reaching boiling point. I'll be damned if I'm going to listen to this shit tonight. I catch a glimpse of Max who's visibly squirming.

"Sorry, Gracie. I didn't mean to upset you."

An awkward silence falls across the room, disturbed a moment later by Monty wailing through the monitor. Instinctively, Max and I both jump to our feet.

"I'll go, Gracie. You stay here and chat with Caitlin. Rudi? You come with me." We watch as they leave us. Turning to my friend, I catch her eye. No longer watching the door, she's studying me.

"Rudi didn't mean to make you angry, Gracie. He's just..." Pausing, I wait for her to finish.

"He's just what, Caitlin? Wanting to rub my nose in it?" She looks shocked and almost wounded by my response.

"Of course, he doesn't. We all love you, Gracie." Reaching across the table, she caresses my hand offering a little comfort. "Look, just forget about it, babe. Rudi just assumed you and Max had discussed things." I glare at my friend in disbelief. Has she not read the bloody papers? Does she not understand the hell Max has put me through since last Friday?

"We've discussed nothing," I answer sharply. "I don't want to talk to him about it because he'll say sorry to me, like he always does and I'll forgive him, like I always do. I'm here to raise my children, not to play happy families with him!"