The Lost Girl of Seahaven: An uplifting and unforgettable women’s fiction novel (Temple River), page 11
Angie looked at her hands, one holding a knife and the other a tomato. The latter was leaking juice, so hard was she squeezing it.
‘Get out of my head!’ She spoke loudly to reinforce the command.
‘Put down the knife and step away slowly, lass.’ Gramps chuckled from the doorway. ‘Killing an innocent tomato is bad enough.’
She had to grin at his words and laid down the knife. ‘I might put this into the compost bin.’ Her fingers were covered in juice.
‘Nan used to keep a bag for all her peelings and offcuts and the like and freeze them until she had enough to turn into a soup base or stock. Dunno why I remember that now but it saved on wastage and you know Nan. The soup queen.’
‘In that case do you mind finding a zip lock bag and we will resume the tradition.’
Within a few minutes Angie had filled one bag. Gramps went to have a shower then opened a bottle of wine, sitting opposite as she chopped an array of vegetables to use to dip into guacamole and tzatziki she’d made from scratch. These would accompany some cheese, slices of a different tomato, and some pickled onions and gherkins. Perfect.
‘I like my cottage,’ Gramps announced.
‘Good.’
‘Study feels a bit more homely with my books in their right places and the desk all but set up. The living room needs some finishing touches, so would you come and give me your opinion tomorrow?’
‘Oh, I’d love to. And I’ve almost finished the linen closest, so I’d like to run a couple of things past you in the morning.’
‘I’m planning an early start to take another carload of boxes down. My videos and the record player and the artwork mostly. Might leave straight after breakfast then you follow me down when it suits.’
Perfect. I won’t even have to mention Xavier.
‘Want to tell me what had you squeezing that tomato to death?’
Angie had hoped he wouldn’t ask. She shrugged. ‘Just thinking about my mistakes. Bad choices.’
He looked at her over his spectacles. ‘Shane.’
‘Yeah.’
‘If I’d known what he was really like when he visited the first time then his head would have been like that tomato.’
‘Gramps!’
‘He hurt you, lass. Lost everyone else I’ve loved in my life and he almost took you away as well.’ His eyes were glistening and his face reddening even though his voice remained neutral. ‘He’s lucky he’s behind bars.’
In a second Angie was on Gramps’s side of the counter and had her arms around him. She rubbed his back, shocked at how fragile he suddenly seemed.
He leaned against her. ‘Never want to lose you again. Should have come and checked on you.’
‘I had to find out for myself though. I never thought of myself as a lost little girl.’
His body stiffened and he pulled back out of her embrace. ‘What did you say?’
‘Just that I probably wouldn’t have believed you. Not for ages.’
‘No, the other part.’
‘About not being a lost kid? It was just a manner of speech, nothing more. That I was trying to be independent and grown-up. And I messed up.’
His expression softened and he drew in a long breath. ‘We all mess up.’
‘Do you want to pick a game? Shall we eat and play?’
He nodded and went in search of a board game. His head was down as he walked and his shoulders were slumped. She’d filled her head with Mary’s story so much that she was letting it creep into her life and was seeing things where they didn’t exist.
Two hours of Scrabble was enough for Gramps. He’d been quieter than normal and seemed distracted, although he still beat Angie more than she beat him. She watched him carefully, fretting over his earlier response to what was an innocent remark.
He’d lost his son and daughter-in-law. His wife. The same losses weighed heavily on Angie. But his moods were hard to predict at present and all she could think was that the stress of moving, of leaving his family home, was bringing up old feelings. After all, he was losing Seahaven in a way.
‘Might get some sleep, lass. Meal was delicious.’
‘Company made it good.’
Gramps began to pack the game away.
‘Go on, I’ll do this.’ Angie took the box from him with a smile. ‘Shoo, you look exhausted.’
‘I’ve missed this. Games nights. You will come and visit me?’
‘Visit you? Good grief, I’ll be annoying and drop in as often as you’ll have me but I think once you settle in, you might end up too busy for me!’
Particularly if three certain ladies have their eyes on you.
Once his bedroom door was closed and the board game away and washing up done, Angie poured herself the final half glass of wine. She let herself out of the back door and wandered to the bench in the front garden.
She sat right on one end, next to Nan’s usual spot. Gramps would be on the other. Even when it was just her sitting with Nan or later, with Gramps, the places would remain the same. How she wished Nan was here tonight. Angie closed her eyes, letting the pleasantly warm air settle around her. Her grandmother enjoyed summer evenings every bit as much and sometimes they’d stargaze on a crystal-clear night. More than ever she needed Nan’s wisdom to help her navigate the next few weeks. And to guide her through the story behind Mary.
‘It is all there, child. Finish my work. Reunite them.’
Angie’s eyes flew open and she jumped up, almost dropping the glass.
Nobody was there. The bench was empty. So was the garden.
Yet Nan’s voice echoed in her mind.
Sitting again, she half-turned to where Nan used to sit. ‘I will finish your work. But reunite who?’
The only response was a lifting of the breeze which rustled the leaves of the old tree above.
FOURTEEN
Gramps was gone long before Xavier pulled up across the driveway exactly at ten. Angie was already there. She hated keeping people waiting and as much as her nerves were rattled, was determined to treat this like a business meeting.
At the last minute she’d remembered Jack’s suggestion of following Xavier but it was too late to run back and get her car keys now.
She climbed into the front passenger seat of a white sedan, almost jumping back out as cigarette smoke swirled around and her foot crunched something in the footwell.
‘Needs a clean. Just ignore the mess.’
I’ll need a shower when I get home!
Angie clicked the seat belt on and tried to avoid the pile of empty soda cans and takeaway wrappings around her feet. There was an open ashtray overflowing with butts and the interior was filthy.
Xavier gave her a cursory glance before doing a U-turn. ‘Daphne insisted you get the chance to view the cottage.’
‘That’s kind of her.’
‘There’s another client who is prepared to pay whatever it takes to get in to it so don’t expect too much.’
Yesterday Xavier had said they’d got off the on wrong foot and now he was obviously planning to revert to how he’d been with her from the start. She should have brought her car. Angie kept her eyes forward. This wouldn’t take long and would be worth it if the cottage was suitable and the owners willing to rent to her. Daphne might have something to say about a potential renter trying to outbid another.
Xavier drove toward town then turned onto the road leading to the Otway Ranges. They passed the primary school and a church and the last of the residential streets and the car sped up once they were on the open road. He was an impatient driver, tailgating a slow-moving van before overtaking well above the speed limit. Angie’s hands gripped each other. Shane was like this. Always thinking about his convenience and needs over the rights and comfort of others.
A few kilometres from Rivers End was a narrow bridge crossing Temple River and just before it, a road forked to the left. Xavier barely slowed as he tore around the curve and despite her best intentions, Angie grabbed the handle above the window.
He smirked at her and it was all she could do not to tell him to pull over and let her out. She had once with Shane and he’d just ignored her and driven even faster and she’d never been so afraid in a car. Not until now.
A chance glance in the side mirror brought with it a sudden rush of relief. If she wasn’t mistaken, Jack’s car was a short distance behind them. She focused on it rather than the man beside her. Why Jack was trailing them was a question for later but right now Angie wanted to hug him. Surely Xavier wouldn’t do anything else dangerous with another car following.
Without indicating, Xavier abruptly slowed and took a driveway, bumping along what was basically a dirt track full of potholes. Surrounded by dense bushland, a cottage appeared and the car stopped.
‘Long way from town. Big drive for you to work. To the shops. Beach. All that stuff.’
Angie pushed the door open and climbed out, peering down the driveway.
No Jack.
Xavier was out of the car and striding toward the cottage. ‘Coming? The owners are back soon so let’s do this and get back to town.’
I will walk back.
It couldn’t have been Jack.
There was no time to analyse what might have been disappointment. Angie hurried after Xavier, traipsing through long grass. Weeds, really. He opened the front door and went straight in.
Angie’s phone beeped with a message.
Parked at the end of the driveway but if you need support (aka, a boyfriend/ best friend/ long lost brother) then text HELP and I’ll magically appear.
Almost laughing aloud with relief, Angie replied.
We will talk about how you got my number. But thanks. Don’t leave.
I’m here for you.
For the first time in forever, Angie’s heart lightened.
She followed Xavier inside.
He stood at the end of a narrow hallway, facing her. ‘Living room to your left. One bedroom to your right. Second bedroom next door on the right. Dining room next door on the left.’
She peered into each of the rooms. All were small and devoid of furniture. They were freshly painted but the carpets and curtains were threadbare.
‘Down here is the kitchen and bathroom and laundry. Everything a woman needs.’ The tone of sarcasm wasn’t lost on Angie.
After a quick inspection, she faced him in the hallway. ‘What are they asking for rent?’
The figure he quoted was ridiculous. It was higher than a city apartment in Perth and this was in the middle of nowhere and had a bit of a creepy feel about it.
‘Now do you see why I discouraged you?’ Xavier stepped closer. ‘Daphne might think this is a nice option but she’s too busy swanning around the countryside to bother herself with a personal visit.’
‘Well, thanks for showing me around.’
‘I thought you were desperate?’
‘I’ll see myself out.’
As she walked back along the hallway she quickly texted Jack then slid the phone back into a pocket.
Xavier overtook her, putting a hand against the door to stop her opening it. ‘You shouldn’t leave so soon, Angie. We should take this chance to get to know each other better.’
‘Let me out, thanks.’
Angie was about done with being civil to this man. Until Shane, she’d never have tolerated the rudeness and whatever it was Xavier was doing but life had taught her caution around people – around men – and she would remain calm until she could get out of the cottage. If only her legs didn’t feel like jelly.
‘Come on. Look around the whole property. There’s a cosy shed up the back.’
‘Oh, honey! Are you in there?’
Xavier visibly started and flung the door open.
Jack had his hand in the air, ready to knock, with a pleasant smile on his face. But his eyes shot straight to Angie’s and narrowed. He changed the trajectory of his hand, stretching it to her. ‘There you are. Ready to leave?’
Grabbing his fingers like a lifeline, Angie slipped past Xavier. ‘Sure am.’
‘Just wait a minute. Who are you and what are you doing here?’ Xavier followed her out. ‘We’re not finished.’
‘Angie said she is ready to leave.’ Jack went down the steps with her then turned to face Xavier, his eyes boring into the other man’s.
She hadn’t released his hand and took a tiny step back. ‘Thank you, Xavier, for showing me the cottage. As I mentioned it isn’t suitable for me but I appreciate the opportunity.’ Angie glanced at Jack. ‘Shall we?’
Xavier stalked inside and slammed the door.
‘You were far too polite with that creep.’ Jack tightened his fingers. ‘Let’s go.’
The inside of Jack’s car was the opposite of Xavier’s. It was clean and smelled nice. Of Jack. Angie put on her seat belt, trying not to think about him that way. Her fingers still tingled from the warmth of his hand, which had held hers until they’d reached his car.
‘How did you get up there so fast after my text?’
‘Something felt off so I was lurking around in the trees close by.’ He grinned as he started the motor. Not that it made much sound.
‘Lurking.’
‘Old habits. He didn’t do anything inappropriate? Because I’m happy to have more of a chat with him.’
What old habits?
‘He didn’t touch me.’
Jack turned to give Angie his full attention. ‘Touching is hardly the only way of being inappropriate. Men like him get off on intimidating women. Probably other men too. But in this case, you.’
‘How do you have my phone number?’
He gazed at her for the longest moment. If a person could see into her soul then Angie thought it might feel like this. Then he faced forward again. ‘Emmett gave it me as you being his next of kin a while ago when he had his health scare and I—’
‘His what?’
Jack’s head turned. ‘Oops…’
‘Tell me.’
Her heart pounded. What on earth had happened to Gramps?
‘So that’s not why you moved back.’ It didn’t sound like a question. ‘This is a discussion for you and Emmett. He was given the all-clear, Angie. Nothing is wrong with him but he had a bit of a scare in the male health arena and asked if I’d have your number just in case anything happened. But nothing did. Okay? Nothing happened.’
He didn’t tell me. He didn’t share something so important.
Even as the tears prickled the back of her eyes Angie was forcing them away. Jack was a stranger to her. Gramps might like and trust him but she wasn’t gullible. Not now.
Jack just put himself out for you.
‘How long ago was it?’
‘Almost a year. I’d moved in about a month prior and we just hit it off.’
Angie would have been just divorced and in the middle of the court cases, she had been barely in touch with Gramps while she navigated that awful time. Pulling him into it was the last thing she wanted yet she’d longed for his wisdom and often stared at her phone, trying to find the courage to speak to him. Had he also wanted to call her and say he had his own worries?
‘Hey… I’m so sorry to make you sad.’ Jack’s voice was soft. ‘I think I have some tissues somewhere.’
A tear had escaped and she quickly brushed it away. ‘Thanks, no, I’m fine. You took me by surprise. He’s all I have in the world and means everything to me.’
‘He’s said the same about you.’
If she didn’t get control right now, Angie was going to dissolve into a puddle of tears. She was stronger than that. Or at least, stubborn. Whichever it was, she found her neutral face and plastered it on but wasn’t prepared to look directly at Jack. ‘I really appreciate you following Xavier and would love a lift home or to wherever it is convenient. Even just to the outskirts of town is fine.’
‘Actually, Emmett asked if I’d drop in to the cottage and help him rearrange some furniture, so is that suitable?’
‘It’s perfect.’
Jack pulled onto the road and went a little further along to turn around. As he did so, another car stopped up near the bottom of the driveway they’d just left, blocking Xavier’s car which was driving down. Two men climbed out and headed toward Xavier.
‘That’s weird.’ Angie worried for a moment in case something was wrong but as Jack went past, Xavier was out of his car and all three were shaking hands and smiling.
Jack had slowed and glanced up but then gradually sped up without commenting.
The drive to Rivers End was the polar opposite of the one out. Not only was the car comfortable but Jack drove without bravado and showiness. She had no need to grab at a handle or grip her hands together and by the time he turned into the carpark at the assisted care community, Angie was almost dozing, her mind slowly going over the most recent parts of the book she’d read in Nan’s office. She never relaxed in cars. This was a first.
‘Now I feel like I’ve partly made up for nearly running you over.’ Jack undid his seat belt and Angie followed suit. ‘What else can I do?’
‘Not a thing.’
‘There must be something, particularly after helping teach me to make tortillas.’
‘It was Gramps who did all the teaching. Anyway, unless you have a keen interest in local history books and love puzzles then I can’t think of anything. You’re helping Gramps and that means heaps.’
Angie climbed out of the car and slung her handbag over a shoulder.
Jack locked the car but leaned on the roof, gazing at her. ‘Do you realise you just described me to a T? Books, researching, uncovering secrets… kind of my thing. I imagine Emmett’s told you about my background?’
‘Not really. Only that you have been renting next door for a while and are a good person.’
‘He said that?’ The grin on Jack’s face was engaging. ‘Nothing from my sister?’
‘I like her.’
