Standing Strong Read Online Free Page A

Damien with gusto, Jacqueline less so. She was pleased to see that Squish had his own lunch – a few crusts of wholemeal bread. She found herself struggling to be normal with Damien, to even look him in the eyes. But she’d sorted out the mess – well, as good as – so what was her problem?
    Finally they were screwing up their paper wrappers and leaning back in their chairs, satisfied. An awkward silence loomed.
    â€˜So, how’s it all going?’ Jacqueline asked, and cursed how professional she sounded.
    â€˜All good. Coming together. Thankfully it’s not as hectic as last week’s whirlwind. Actually, can you look at the house plans and give your opinion?’ he asked, reaching down and picking up a roll of papers she hadn’t noticed. She’d been too busy thinking how good it was to see him, despite the fact he was a sad reminder that her career was over.
    â€˜Sure.’
    They chuckled as the young roo did one more lap of Jacqueline’s office before finding her pouch and somersaulting back in.
    â€˜That’s so cute,’ she said, wistfully.
    â€˜It is. I never get tired of seeing her do that. Hey, are you okay?’
    â€˜Yes, fine. Why?’
    â€˜You don’t seem totally yourself. You seem, I don’t know, troubled.’
    â€˜Probably tired. It’s been a crazy few weeks, though nothing compared to what you’ve been through.’
    Damien frowned. ‘Well, if you’re sure. You’d tell me if something was wrong, wouldn’t you?’
    â€˜Yep. It’s all good,’ she said, smiling, but unable to quite bring herself to look him in the eye. She felt a stab of guilt as sharp as a knife dig in under her ribs. Should she just tell him?
    â€˜Right, so,’ he said, standing up to lean across her desk and unroll the plans. ‘I just want to know if you think I need to make any alterations. I’m disappointed you didn’t get to see through the place that day before …’ Damien unrolled the large sheets without finishing his sentence and began collecting objects from her desk to hold the unruly corners down.
    Suddenly they were both staring at the letter to Doctor Squire in full view on top of her in-tray. Damn it, she should have at least tucked it into one of the middle trays. But she’d become distracted by the cuteness of Damien and his small menagerie, and then hadn’t really had a chance. Regardless, there, staring up at them in clear, bold, underlined type were the words: Re: Resignation of psychologist position . Jacqueline felt her cheeks heat up. Damien, frowning, looked from the piece of paper to Jacqueline.
    â€˜You’re resigning?’
    â€˜It’s okay. It’s all good. We’re all good,’ she said, trying to sound bright.
    â€˜But I thought you liked it here in Wattle Creek.’
    â€˜I do.’
    â€˜So, why are you leaving?’
    â€˜I’m not.’ Well, I hope I’m not.
    Now Damien looked really confused. Jacqueline sighed, swallowed, took a deep breath, and opened her mouth. ‘I’ve made a huge mistake …’
    Damien sat in stunned silence as she told him everything. And then, just as she had that morning, he tried to find another solution. And to every suggestion, she shook her head. She’d been through every scenario, looked at it all from every angle.
    â€˜Resignation is the only way,’ she said when they’d gone around and through it all for a second time.
    Damien nodded a few times slowly. He clearly saw it now too. ‘It’s not fair,’ he said sadly.
    â€˜I know it doesn’t seem like that, but I should have known better.’ I still can’t believe I managed to block it out . ‘I should never have got involved with you – well not for two years,’ she said with a wry smile. It felt better to have it out in the open, as horrible as it was.
    â€˜I guess rules are rules. But