Life Shift Read Online Free Page B

you can do. Dad could always get another job I’m sure.”

    “Who will take him on at sixty?”

    “You don’t know Mum, you’re just fearing the worst. You have to be strong now.”

    Her mother took a breath and looked at her.

    “But remember what it was like before. I can't face that again.”

    “You won't Mum, you won't. Wait and see what happens. Dad was going to retire in a few years anyway. It might be better for his health to do it sooner.”

    “Maybe.” Her mother sounded unconvinced, but she had stopped pacing so that was a start. “I'm sorry Chris. Come on. Let’s get started on lunch. Might as well eat some food while we can still afford it.”

    Christine smiled. “I won't let you go hungry Mum,” she said. Her mother smiled back. She looked calmer now. Standing up Christine caught a glimpse of one of the photos on her mother's dressing table - she and Paul as children. Immediately the memory of the dark-haired girl flashed into her mind. She remembered why she had come over to see her mother today. But how could she talk to her mother about that now when she was so worried about other things.

    But Christine’s mother could read her daughter well.

    “What’s wrong?” she said. “I knew when you rang me something was wrong and now I’ve gone and taken over with my troubles. Tell me.”

    “It’s nothing Mum, don’t worry.”

    But her mother would not be deterred.  

    “It is something. Tell me what it is.”

    Christine knew she had no choice. Her mother would never give up now. So she told her about the Tuesday night when her entrance hall had changed and then the walk back from the gym and the encounter with the little girl. She did not tell her about Matt. She couldn’t say why she kept that bit to herself - it just felt like something she shouldn't share.  

    When she had finished speaking she looked at her mother. Her mother was staring at her, a concerned and anxious expression on her face.

    “What do you think Mum? Do you think it’s just tiredness?” she asked.

    “I don’t know love. But you need to go to the doctors.”

    “Do you think so?”

    “Yes. It could be chemical. Maybe your body chemistry is out of whack. You don’t eat properly. But only a doctor can find out. You can have a blood test.”

    “Really?”  

    “Yes you have to go Christine. I’ll worry myself sick otherwise. What does Damien say?”

    Christine looked sheepish. “I haven’t told him. You know what he’s like.”

    “Well he’ll worry obviously,” said her mother, “But you can’t go keeping things like this from him.”

    “I’ll see the doctor first and then tell him if it’s anything,” said Christine.

    Her mother looked at her for a moment and then said, “Okay, if that’s the way you want to do it. But honestly Christine, secrets are never a good thing in a marriage.”

    Another image of Matt and the way he had looked at her flashed into her mind.  

    “It’s not a secret. I’m just not telling him anything until I know what's going on.”

    “Okay,” said her mother, “But promise me that you’ll go to the doctors.”

    “I promise,” said Christine, “But I was hoping you’d tell me it was just stress.”

    Her mother hugged her in reply and then turned to open the bedroom door. But just as she was about to leave she turned around and, with a strange expression on her face, said “Chris, are you hearing the buzzing again?”

    “What buzzing?” said Christine, confused.

    “Don’t you remember?” said her mother. “When you were about nine you had it.”

    “No, no buzzing,” she said, “Nothing like that. Why would there be   buzzing? What happened when I was nine?”

    “Oh it was nothing,” said her mother quickly. “You had problems with your ears. You started hearing a buzzing that's all. We sorted it out with drops. I just wondered if this could be something to do with your ears – knocking your balance out, making you dizzy?