Ok, so why have I paused by this roadside timber crucifix? Latent Christian heebie jeebies? 

I guess a little anxiety’s ok. Melody reckons Ms Monvoisin drove Willie Naverson to a nervous breakdown, but Melody then also believes that she once saw Patrick Swayze’s ghost in the Pak ‘n’ Save butchery. And that she looks like a Scottish Beyonce. 

I rip into a snow white Snickers bar, gnawing at the chocolate shell. The sugar hit gets me moving again. That’s it Danni, time to be brave, time to validate my suspicions. If I’m right, I’m about to spend an hour with an old school influencer. Besides, the alternative’s a drudge-walk back to Josh, a supermarket lasagne, and the 1pm COVID count on TV.

Yip, must be dozens of women that have headed up to your house on the hill. You see each and every one of ‘em coming, don’t ya? Three tarot readings in and you’ve got old lady Flammel quitting her legal career and packing up for Queenstown. Just one session and Jennifer Laycock’s kicking Joffrey out and turning his garden room into an AirBnB. 

Me though, I’m not coming for divination, nor implied permission. Nup, I’m coming for tuition. 

I’m not completely artless. I know if I drop my voice by an octave Josh’ll fetch me a glass of wine, even three minutes out from the full-time whistle. I’ve got a talent for reading people, learnt that from navigating Mum’s…let’s say mercurial…moods. I know if little Grace lifts her left hand a little before she speaks, no matter what she says, she’s hoping for validation. And I can see Josh’s lies six months before he mouths them.

You though, you’re on a whole new level. These modern-day influencers, they’re all pretenders, right Monvoison? All on the paycheck of this man or that. Not you, nuh-uh, you kicked your man out two years back. And somehow you kept the house and custody of sweet young Delilah. 

So sure, I might be slowing a little as I approach your driveway as the light fades and I get to shivering. I’m not stopping though, this girl’s ready to level up.

I look up as a light appears on the porch. She’s a silhouette and I’m grit and determination. And maaaaybe just a wee twist of fear.