Page 199 of Fame & Rhythm

“You okay, Annie?” Mum asks, walking over to me. “If you want to get back in the car and leave, no one will hold it against you.”

I let out a small laugh at her not-so-subtle attempt to get me out of here.

“I’m okay, Mum. Let’s just go see what she has to say.”

“C’mon, she’s waiting,” Dad says, already moving.

We walk toward the picnic table set beneath a tall oak tree where Loretta is sitting. She stands as we approach, smiling, but the moment she takes a step toward me, I hesitate.

She notices. “Sorry, honey,” she says quickly, stopping where she is. “I didn’t mean anything. I just… want to get to know you.”

I nod. “I want that too. But maybe we leave the hugging for another time, if that’s okay?”

Mum’s smile is immediate and very satisfied.

Loretta nods, gesturing for us to sit.

There isn’t enough room on one side, so I take the seat opposite her, Mum on one side of me and Aston on the other. Dad sits beside Loretta like he’s playing mediator, while Ella hangs back near the tree, leaning against it, arms folded.

“So…” Mum says bluntly, all eyes shifting to Loretta.

“Well, thank you for meeting with me,” Loretta begins. “You didn’t have to—”

“No, we didn’t,” Mum cuts in.

My eyes widen slightly.

“Dee, drop it down a notch,” Dad says, shooting her a look.

It’s weird seeing the roles reversed for once. Mum usually pulls Dad into line, not the other way around.

“I have some questions,” I say, cutting through the tension.

Loretta nods. “Straight to the point. Okay… go ahead.”

I tighten my grip on Aston’s hand. “So… why did you give me up after six months?” My voice wavers slightly, but I push through. “Was I not good enough for you?” A tear slips down my cheek before I can stop it.

Loretta’s face crumples. She reaches her hands across the table, like she’s hoping I’ll take them. “No, honey,” she says softly. “You were too good for me. That’s why I gave you up. You were perfect… and I was a mess. I couldn’t look after you properly. I had no money—”

“Because you were spending it on drugs,” Mum mutters.

Loretta exhales, pulling her hands back when I don’t take them. “Yes. Unfortunately… yes. I’m not proud of who I was, Annie. I didn’t deserve you then—”

“She doesn’t deserve you now,” Mum snaps.

Dad immediately stands, moving to her side. “C’mon, baby, let’s take a walk,” he says, gently pulling her to her feet.

“And leave Annie here with her? No way,” Mum protests, resisting.

“Dee,” Dad says more firmly. “Aston’s here. You know he won’t let anything happen. Now come on, before you make this worse.”

Mum looks down at me.

I give her a small ‘It’s okay’ nod.

Her expression softens, but I see the tears she’s holding back as Dad guides her away. Ella joins them, the three of them watching from a distance.

“Sorry about Mum,” I say quietly, turning back to Loretta. “She’s not handling this very well.”