The Mimosa Tree Read Online Free PDF Page B

present my sister, Sofia.’
    At the sight of my mother, Felicia’s expression changes like someone who’s been put in front of a starving child in Africa. This tells me immediately that Via has given her the whole breast cancer sob-story. I groan out loud, but as usual, no one is paying any attention to me. Felicia steps around the table, heels clicking across the floor, and attempts to greet my mum with a kiss, which, due to my mother’s nervousness, ends up being wiped from her nose to her ear.
    â€˜It’s a pleasure to meet you Mrs Verdi.’
    Mum bows to her like she is royalty. ‘Sorry,’ she says gesturing to her body, her clothes, the room, our life. Then she seems to sink lower into her nightgown, like she is trying to disappear. Felicia pats Mum on the shoulder, the way you might try and reassure a three-year-old who has wet their pants.
    â€˜You look beautiful,’ says Princess bloody Felicia.
    Mum looks anxiously at Via like she isn’t sure she’s understood her properly.
    â€˜And this,’ says Via apologetically, ‘is Mirabella.’ She keeps gesturing at me, like Felicia might have trouble locating me in the room. There’s an awkward moment when everyone is staringat me, expecting me to say something I guess. When it’s clear this isn’t going to happen, Felicia coughs nervously then walks over to me, her high heels clicking delicately against the floorboards. I have never met this girl before but I am almost certain she is going to try and hug me so I thrust my arm out for a handshake.
    â€˜Great to meet you finally!’ she says, taking my hand as I’d hoped, but then walking straight through it and grabbing me in a flowery-smelling hug. It takes all my control not to shove her away. ‘No need to be so formal. I want us to be friends.’
    â€˜Mira is very grateful,’ says Via, fishing in her handbag for her cigarettes. ‘She has no friends. She is sad and mean, like her father.’
    â€˜Via!’ says Mum horrified.
    I put my hands on my hips. ‘My sadness and meanness has nothing to do with him. I developed it all by myself.’
    Via shakes her head, slips a cigarette between her lips. ‘Ignore her,’ she says to Felicia then slides a chair out from the table. ‘Sit and have a coffee. We’ll put on a fresh pot for you.’
    â€˜Oh don’t go to any trouble for me.’
    â€˜No trouble. Mira will make it.’
    Don’t even think about saying yes, I think, glaring at Felicia with an eyebrow crunching scowl.
    â€˜Umm, thank you, but we really need to get going.’
    Maybe she’s smarter than she looks.
    â€˜Yes!’ says Mum. ‘Look at the time. You’re going to be late!’
    â€˜Don’t worry, Mrs Verdi,’ says Felicia beaming, as she hooks a thick set of keys from her fashionable purse. ‘I have the Celica.’

    ***

    Mum has put on a dressing-gown, the only one she owns and more suited to midwinter than the scorching heat of the morning. She hugs me tightly and kisses me on the cheeks, wiping sweat across my face. Felicia smiles antiseptically as she unlocks the car door for me. A Toyota Celica, I can’t believe it. How embarrassing. Now everyone’s going to think I’m a yuppie. Why can’t she be driving a Datsun like a normal person? Felicia opens the car door and Via leans in, starts groping the sheepskin seat covers like they might start purring.
    â€˜What a lovely car. Was it very expensive? ’ says Via, her ballooning bum wagging in the air.
    â€˜I don’t know, Mrs Grassi. Daddy bought it for me.’
    â€˜Really?’ says Via looking meaningfully at Mum. ‘Your father bought you this very nice, expensive car. He must love you very much.’
    â€˜Oh yes. We’re very close.’
    Via makes her how-lovely face, which unfortunately looks more like she’s suffering cramps. While they are all