The Disappearance. Annabel Kantaria
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Название: The Disappearance
Автор: Annabel Kantaria
Издательство: HarperCollins
Жанр: Контркультура
Серия: MIRA
isbn: 9781474044868
isbn:
John leaned back. ‘Yes. Exactly. Somewhere where there are people – professionals – there to keep an unobtrusive eye on her. Where she’s got a built-in support network to act in an emergency. Maybe she’ll even make some friends.’
‘Hmph.’ I was trying to imagine explaining all that to Mum.
‘If we go for something where she can sell her current house and invest the money in a flat of some sort, it can continue to be an investment. Rather than, say, something like a retirement home where you’re paying people to look after her and there’s no investment.’
I closed my eyes. My brother: always looking at the financial bottom line.
John buried his face in his hands. When he looked up again, he looked utterly defeated. ‘Well, can you come up with a better idea?’ he said. ‘I can’t think of any other solution. I mean, God, Lexi. Work is shit at the moment. I mean, really shit.’ His voice caught. ‘The twins just seem to need money all the time. Money and lifts and clothes and gym classes and riding lessons and music classes and school trips. It’s one thing after another. I’m hard up against it and worrying about Mum is just one thing I don’t need.’
I rubbed my jaw. As far as I knew, John was doing really well. He must be ploughing all his money back into the business. But, if cash flow was an issue, why didn’t Anastasia get a job? Even something part-time while the twins were at school?
‘All right, all right,’ I said. ‘But isn’t this something that should come from Mum herself? She needs to believe she needs to move, otherwise it’ll be a disaster. We can’t force her.’
‘That’s where we come in. We need to plant the idea in her head. Water it.’
I laughed. ‘Good luck with that!’
John narrowed his eyes and exhaled. ‘We could always try to expedite things.’ His voice was low and I wasn’t sure I’d heard correctly.
‘Expedite?’
He cocked his head. ‘You know … speed things up a little.’
I shook my head.
‘Do small things to make her start doubting herself.’
‘What?’ I stared at my brother.
John shifted awkwardly on his seat. ‘You know … there are ways. It wouldn’t be too difficult.’
‘John! That’s evil! Pure evil. How could you even think of such a thing?’
He closed his eyes. He had the grace to look sheepish, I’ll give him that. ‘But if we don’t,’ he said, ‘how are we going to get her to agree to move?’
‘How about we talk to her? Express our concerns. Good grief, John, she’s our mother, not the enemy!’
John drained his pint. ‘Anyway, think about it. I’m going to do some research, check out some places.’
I closed my eyes.
‘I’ll send you some info,’ he said. ‘Maybe we can see a few places together.’ I didn’t say anything. ‘Look, I know what you’re thinking,’ John continued. ‘But they have nice retirement villages these days.’
‘Whatever,’ I said. I pushed back my chair and stood up. ‘Do what you want. I’m going to go and see Mum. I know it’s not your turn, but why don’t you come too?’
‘Sure,’ John sighed. ‘As long as the end’s in sight.’
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