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‘Oh,’ I can’t help but reply.

‘Jesus, Lia. You could sound more grateful. We don’t hear from you in days and then suddenly I offer you a job and you don’t want to know.’

I don’t point out that her asking me to babysit her kids isn’t really a job, but I’m in no mood for an argument and at least it will get me out of the house tonight.

‘I’d love to do it,’ I lie. ‘What time do you want me there?’

‘See you at seven. And we’re planning a late one, so bring something to entertain yourself.’

Oh goodie, I get to spend the night with Angie’s kids. I don’t know their names, ages, or general temperament, and I have almost zero experience with children, but how bad can it be?

‘See you at seven,’ I reply.

30

I can’t say I’m looking forward to it as I approach Angie and Tim’s house, but I’m here.

Their front window is covered in paper bats and wonky pumpkin drawings, presumably courtesy of Jake and Emily, but Angie never was any good at art, if I remember correctly.

I stop in my tracks, feeling my phone vibrating in my pocket. It’s Adam.

‘Hey,’ I answer, smiling even though he can’t see me.

‘Hey, Lia. I’m sorry for rushing out earlier,’ he says. ‘I was… I was wondering if you wanted to hang out tonight?’

‘Oh, I’d love to, but I’m actually babysitting Angie’s kids tonight,’ I reply. ‘You could join me if you want?’

‘Sounds fun,’ he says with a laugh. ‘Drop me a pin and I’ll be right over.’

The beauty of living in a small coastal town is knowing that you really can get anywhere in five minutes.

I send him my location as I reach Angie and Tim’s front door.

Tim answers, his eyes lighting up in a way that makes me a bit uncomfortable.

‘Lia! Hello,’ he says, leaning in a little too close as he ushers me inside.

‘Hi, Tim,’ I reply, stepping back.

‘You look really beautiful,’ he tells me.

‘Are you practising, for when Angie comes downstairs?’ I ask with an awkward laugh.

‘Er, yeah,’ he replies. ‘Come this way.’

He leads me to the living room where two young kids are glued to the TV.

‘Here they are,’ he tells me. ‘This is Jake, he’s four, and this is Emily, she’s two.’

‘Hi, Jake and Emily,’ I say cheerfully.

They both glance at me and quickly look back at the TV. Tim sighs.

‘We’ve worked really hard to teach them not to talk to strangers, and they’re taking it a bit too literally,’ he explains. ‘We’re working on it.’

Before I can respond, Angie joins us, all dolled up.

‘Hi, Lia! Look who I found at the front door,’ she says as Adam follows her in.