Girly gossip

'Hey Mum, I've just been talking to Aria and she said shit's really hit the fan over at home! Apparently Dad threatened Nyla with a gun to tell him where we were, and Stanley has gangster relatives so he called them over and they beat Dad up and left him in a dumpster! And Aria said she joined in with a baseball bat!'

'...Oh. I was hoping you wouldn't find out.'

'Wait, you knew?'

'Yeah, they told me. I didn't want to upset any of you so that's why I kept quiet.'

'Right... God, that's horrible.'

'I know. Poor Nyla didn't deserve that. And she still didn't give up our location... that's true friendship. What a brave woman.'

'Yeah, I don't think I could've held out...'

'When she comes over here I'm going to treat her. I dunno what yet. Shopping, maybe. Take her to the best department store, hand her my card and just tell her to go wild. I still have a load of your dad's money in my account, so it's poetic justice, really.'

'Heh, good. I like the idea of him funding a shopping spree.'

'I'll have to give you some too. Buy all the things he'd disapprove of.'

'I'll think hard on it then!'

'So how's it going over in Isla Paradiso?'

'I love it here! Everything about it – the house, the location... it's all so nice! I wish we'd done it years ago.'

'Awesome. So what about the men...? I bet you've seen a lot of young surfer dudes on those beaches, right?'

'Oh, absolutely. Some of those abs... well, it's giving me a lot of inspiration for my writing, let's just say that.'

'That's what I like to hear! What about school then?'

'Hmm. It's okay. None of us have really made any friends yet... At least we've got each other though. It's kinda tough being the new kids.'

'That makes sense.'

'I'm sure it'll get better soon. I guess it doesn't really matter either way, though. After this year we've got uni, after all!'

'That's true. You lot still wanna go to the same one, right?'

'Of course we do! Are you still planning on going?'

'Damn right. I'll do my best, at least. I don't wanna be left behind here while everyone else goes swanning off. Fact is, I'll need a backup career. You know how hard it is to break into the wrestling business, especially if you're a woman. Double that if you're a woman without long hair and big tits.'

'You make sure you make it, okay? Because someone with your talent shouldn't be held down because of idiot men judging your worth as a sexual object!'

'Eh, you'll always get those neckbeard losers. I've just gotta prove that I can hang with the best of 'em.'

'Good! How's it going for you, anyway?'

'Could be better. I just don't trust Mum's dickhead boyfriend. He's dodgy as fuck. Pretty sure he's a drug dealer.'

'Oh dear...'

'I'm not gonna waste any more time talking about that asshole though.'

'Okay. Hey, Tristan says he's going to try going back to work soon.'

'Oh, that's great news! Tell him good luck from me.'

'Will do. I'm sure he's going to be fine! I think he's regaining more confidence now with his new eye, which we're so pleased about. After everything, he really deserves to be happy.'

'Awesome. Oh yeah, your nephew keeps making jokes about having sex with me. Like, more than usual.'

'Does he?'

'Yeah. Don't get me wrong, I'm not really bothered. You don't have to tell him off or anything.'

'Oh really, you don't mind? Might you be kinda enjoying it then?'

'Umm... maybe a little bit...'

'It's him you have a crush on, isn't it? That's why you didn't want to tell me!'

'Yeah... guilty as charged. I didn't notice it too much 'til I started spending more time with him, but yeah. I like him a lot. You're not pissed about it, are you?'

'Aww, no! Not at all! I think it's sweet. You two'd be nice together. I mean, 'cos I already know you and how nice you are, I'd be happy for him to end up with you.'

'Thanks Carmella.'

'No problem! You should tell him you like him.'

'Haha, yeah, not made it to that part yet... We'll see how it goes.'

'Alright. Just don't take too long! I'm not waiting around while you two are all awkward around each other and too scared to tell the other how you feel!'

'Nah, I won't be. I bought a new shirt the other day anyway... might try it out and see how he reacts.'

'Oh yeah? What's it like?'

'I'll send you a photo on PlumbBook...'

PND demands

'So Tony explained that he spoke to Hazel the other day. Apparently she said she hates the things her father's done.'

'I should fucking hope so! At least it shows she's got some morals, I guess, but Christ.'

'I know... I suppose it's good to hear, but... ugh, I don't know how to feel.'

'If she's being outspoken about her disgust of Miles' actions, then perhaps she's reached a turning point. It's horrendous that it took what happened to Tristan for her to open her eyes, but it's better than nothing. Though having said that, you are absolutely within your rights to not trust her in the slightest, she's been completely appalling to you.'

'I'm still upset over that. What's made her change her mind? How has she gone from condoning torture to being against it?'

'Of course. If someone said that to me, I'd be furious. Hell, I'm fucking mad she said it full stop. Perhaps actually seeing one of his victims day in day out before the attack happened was a wake up call. Maybe she discarded your experiences as something that happened before she was born, to someone she barely saw and that distanced her enough to put it out of mind. Not that I'm saying it's the correct approach if I'm right, but it's the only thing I can think of. But seeing the triplets, and then Tristan disappearing, and the other two acting noticeably and understandably different... That's harder to ignore.'

'You're right. That does make it different.'

'I'm really sorry. It shouldn't make a difference.'

'Oh well... I should just look at it as a positive thing. I'm not going to get involved or anything though.'

'That's a good idea. Perhaps this is the boot up the ass the girl needs to re-enter the real world, but yes, it's definitely better to keep a wide berth.'

*KNOCK KNOCK*

'I'll get it!'

'I'm looking for Nalini. Is she here?'

'Jesus fuck man, your face.'

'Forget that, just answer my question.'

'Quick, hide me in the wardrobe.'

'I'll sneak you upstairs.'

'Please do.'

'Why should I help you after what you've done?'

'It's nothing to do with you. Go back to that parasite you call a child and leave the adults to it.'

'Ugh, fucking cunt.'

'You shut the fuck up. She's worth a million of you.'

'I haven't got time for this!'

'Hey, you can't just barge in! Nobody fucking wants you here! Are you deaf? You know a cop lives here, right?'

'Oh, as if he'll do anything.'

'Ah. I was right.'

'...Hello.'

'Hello. Can you make me another PND?'

'What's wrong with the current one? If it's broken, I can come round to have a look at it.'

'...Roxxi took it when she left.'

'Ah. I see. Well, the materials for it are quite scarce, so I can look into it but I'm afraid I can't promise anything.'

'It's rather urgent. Miles has sent another threatening letter. I'm in immediate danger.'

'Good.'

'Well, I can promise you that I'll definitely be making some calls about it.'

'How soon though? I really don't have time to spare!'

'I'll call tonight.'

'Good. Try to make it as quick as possible, alright?'

'She already agreed. I'm sure she'll do her best, so stop nagging her.'

'I can't be left at Miles' mercy!'

'Oh yes, that'd be unthinkable to do that to someone.'

'Rest assured, I don't need constant reiteration of how serious the situation is. I understand the danger.'

'So you can piss off now. Ellis will be bringing Nix back soon, and I don't want her around the likes of you.'

'Oh believe me, I don't want to be anywhere near the vermin.'

'Keep your fucking stupid views to yourself and just get out, you bloody bastard! And don't bother coming back!'

'Alright, fine! I'm going!'



*SLAM*

'Fucker!'

'I hope those bruises are agony.'

'I hope he walks under a bus on his way back.'

'Well I was going to ask if I did the right thing in lying about a materials shortage, but I think I did.'

'Oh, definitely. You're under no obligation to carry on protecting him. I won't encourage Miles' atrocities, but I'm washing my hands of the situation. My cunt of a brother didn't help when I was at his mercy, after all. I shan't do it for him.'

'Fucking hell. Come here. You don't need to rely on him for protection any more.'

'Thank God for that.'

'Tate can rot. I don't care what the hell happens to him, he's not worthy of protection and it'll take something pretty fucking big to get me to change my mind. I'd rather focus my time and energy on more worthwhile people.'

'I'm sorry you've been dragged into this, Nalini.'

'If I hadn't been though, I wouldn't have been able to provide Roxxi and the kids with their PND, nor help them leave. I'd rather be involved and have to deal with that pus filled genital scab than stand by and do nothing.'

'We all appreciate it.'

'Yeah, it's great the kids could rely on you.'

'And let's look on the bright side. I've got something else to write about in my fucking anger management diary now, so that'll make my therapist laugh.'