Something in the Air (Skylarks #3)

Chapter 18

18

Nadia wasn’t sure but perhaps Archie had gone back to Switzerland. She hadn’t heard from him in a few days, not since he’d told her that the police had been in touch and that Monica had been located, and that as an adult, now that they had found her and were assured that she was okay, it was up to her to get in touch. The fact that she hadn’t shown up here since, given she would likely know by now where Nadia worked if the police had spoken with her, had Nadia thinking this was all another one of Monica’s stunts: a plea for attention. And that didn’t sit well at all. Nadia had been beating herself up about the way she’d been with her sister over the years, how she’d left and made herself untraceable, and now here was Monica causing trouble again. Except this time, Monica was older, she should be wiser and not only was she taking Nadia’s time and energy and giving her worries, she was doing it to her husband and her little boy.

And that was even worse than what she’d done before.

Nadia tried to focus on work instead of her sister. No more letting Monica take things from her; she couldn’t do it again. If Monica was going to be a drama queen and not put her own family’s minds at ease when she knew they’d be beside themselves, then it reaffirmed that Nadia coming here had been the right thing to do all those years ago… At least that was the mantra she’d try to remember to repeat to herself.

The social worker had facilitated a meeting between Lena and her grandparents and let Hudson know. The Wallaces wanted to welcome their granddaughter into their home permanently but it would still be a process to ensure that it was the right decision. Nadia knew she wouldn’t get to be updated every step of the way but it was nice that they knew as much as they did. And she felt a certain sense of closure when it came to Lena; that the abandoned baby she’d held in her arms would face a much more stable future very soon.

When her office phone rang, she hesitated before picking it up. She wasn’t sure why, Archie didn’t have this number, but ever since she knew Monica had been found, she’d been waiting for contact. She supposed over the coming days and weeks that feeling would fade; she’d adjust and return to the way she’d been before.

She smiled when the caller introduced themselves. Frank had already hinted that Marianne might well get in touch, but he’d said the call had to come from her; he wouldn’t interfere. Marianne Mayhan hadn’t had an easy time over the years but had managed to get things back on track with her life and her relationship with her sons, and getting involved with the community was another step in the right direction.

‘Hello, Marianne, what can I do for you?’ Nadia wouldn’t let it be known that she’d been expecting the call.

‘I’m a bit nervous asking this.’ She paused. ‘You might not want me. I clean. That’s my normal job. But…’

‘Marianne, I get the feeling you’re calling about the voluntary positions we’ve advertised on our website?’

‘I… I am. Like I said, I clean. But I wanted to get involved. I want to be a part of it. A part of the good work you do there.’

‘That’s great. I’m sure we can work something out. There are plenty of roles.’

Marianne listened to Nadia elaborate and was keen to get involved with the next fundraising event: the car boot sale to be held next month in the supermarket car park.

‘Cars will be arriving any time from 6a.m.,’ said Nadia. ‘There’ll be a lot of movement with vehicles and people, cars will need to be off the road quickly and out of the way, at their allotted spaces, stalls will need setting up.’ She went on to give Marianne the date of the meeting to be held by the fundraising committee and ended the call.

Nadia had just emerged from her office when she saw Conrad climb out of his car in one of the parking bays beyond the glass doors.

She went back into her office, turned and leaned against the closed door, her heart thudding.

Was he here about Monica?

No, he couldn’t be. The police had already played their part and the rest was up to her sister. He was probably here to see Maya, or maybe Hudson. She’d heard that Hudson’s ex was dating the detective, although what she saw in him, Nadia had no idea. If it was between Conrad and Hudson, there really was no choice; they were like chalk and cheese. One was friendly and kind and loyal; the other was arrogant and full of an inflated sense of self.

She heard a call of hello from beyond her office door. He was in reception.

She went out to face whatever was about to come her way.

‘Nadia.’ Conrad nodded in acknowledgement before checking his watch. ‘Is Maya around?’

She felt able to breathe again. ‘We’ve just had a shift changeover. I’ll go and let her know you’re here.’

‘Appreciate it.’

She remembered Maya saying something about another family dinner. She bet Noah would love that, his girlfriend having to go out with her ex-husband yet again, although knowing Maya, she wouldn’t be loving it so much either. But she was a good mum; she’d want to make her son Isaac happy.

Nadia found Maya in the locker room, changing into a pair of jeans and chatting to Noah. ‘Conrad’s here for you.’

‘Thanks.’

‘If he gives you any trouble, let me know.’ But she grinned. ‘Not sure what I can do about it if he does.’

‘He won’t, he knows his place, but I appreciate you looking out for me.’

Noah pulled a pair of trainers from his locker. ‘I heard Hudson’s ex is seeing him.’

‘Apparently so,’ said Nadia.

‘Does that worry Hudson?’

‘Only with regards to the kids.’

‘For all his faults,’ said Maya, ‘I’m sure he won’t make their lives bad in any way. He thinks a lot of himself, but if Lucinda is new and he wants to keep her, he’ll go out of his way to make things smooth sailing for them.’

‘Wow, sticking up for him,’ teased Noah. ‘Should I be worried?’

Maya grabbed his hand and pulled him in for a kiss. ‘Never. Now, how do I look?’

‘You look wonderful,’ said Nadia with Noah in full agreement.

‘I’m a bit nervous. Isaac just called to say he’s bringing a date to dinner this time. I want to make a good impression. He’s never brought a girl home before.’

And with another kiss for Noah, who hung back so he didn’t have to bump into his other half’s ex – never a pleasant experience – Maya left the locker room with Nadia.

After Maya went on her way, Hudson came into reception and handed Nadia a form. ‘This is the interfacility transfer request for Brian Henshaw.’

She briefly perused it. ‘Thanks, all looks good for tomorrow afternoon.’ Mr Henshaw would be transferred from one hospital to another via the air ambulance, his health needs too great for the facility he was at now and transportation being time critical enough to require the involvement of the helicopter.

‘Was that Conrad’s voice I heard earlier?’

She grinned. ‘Can’t mistake it, can you? Maya has a dinner with him as Isaac is home and has brought a date.’

Hudson groaned. ‘This is the problem with splitting up when you’ve got kids: you’re forever linked. I shouldn’t moan about it, Lucinda isn’t a bad mum, it’s just that…’

‘You’d rather move forwards than feel like you’re in limbo.’

‘Exactly. And imagine if one of the kids gets married some day – if Conrad is still with Lucinda, I’ll have to play happy families.’

‘I think you’re getting a little ahead of yourself given one of yours is only a teenager and the other isn’t even at school.’

‘You’ve got a point.’ He stopped her before she walked back to her office. ‘Nadia, I’m about to press send with an email attachment and I’m terrified what this will mean.’

‘Ok-ay… not sure where this is going. Should I worry? Oh gosh, you’re not resigning, are you?’

‘No, of course not. Although once you and the team read the email, you might well want me to.’

When Noah emerged from the locker room, Hudson went over to talk to him about something and Nadia took the form to her office, wondering what it was that Hudson had in an email that could be so terrible, he looked as though sending it was going to have major repercussions.

She’d only just started to scan in the transfer form for Mr Henshaw to all necessary parties when her phone buzzed. It was Archie.

It wasn’t anything new – he asked whether she’d heard anything from Monica, whether the police had been in touch. She typed out the beginnings of a reply, deleted it, typed some more, deleted it again.

And before she had a chance to reply, when he’d probably seen three dots appear, disappear, reappear, disappear again, another text came through from him.

What will you do if she turns up? Because I need to know.

Nadia left her phone in her office and went into the kitchen to make a coffee. How could she reply to the direct question of what she would do when she had absolutely no idea? What would she do if her sister were to knock on the front door right now? If Monica were to be standing the other side of the glass looking at her after all these years, would she and could she turn her back?

In the office once again, her fingers hovered uncertainly over the phone keys.

Eventually, she typed:

I don’t honestly know.

And to that, Archie said nothing.

But then Hudson’s email landed and her head was in an entirely different space.

Beau had been responsible for the hoax last summer? Or at least partly responsible? She read and re-read the apology letter from him to the entire crew. He hadn’t given up any names but was working here voluntarily to learn and hopefully make up for what he’d been a part of.

Nadia went to the kitchen where she found Hudson who’d just finished talking to Brad after he came back to base from a job. They’d clearly been talking about the same thing.

‘Well?’ Hudson asked as Brad disappeared to the bathrooms.

‘I’m shocked, I admit, but he sounds really sorry. And he did call it in to say it was a prank.’

Hudson’s shoulders sagged. ‘I think he really does regret being involved. I’d be livid if he didn’t. What I need to know… and I can’t tell you and the rest of the team what to do, but I need to know whether you’re going to take this further. Conrad said it was up to you guys, that he didn’t have to make it official unless we… or rather you… all wanted to.’

‘What did Noah say?’ She knew Noah had a history with hoax calls affecting emergencies, one very close to home, so this wouldn’t sit well.

‘He was the one I was really worried about. But he’s spent a bit of time with Beau, he said he could tell he regretted what he’d done, he said he’d go with what everyone else wanted to do, but to him, Beau was learning his lesson. He suggested I get Beau involved even after he’s finished his punishment.’

‘What do you think to that?’

‘If people give him a chance, I think it’s a good idea. The air ambulance is vital to the community both nearby and far away and for Beau to really see that for himself can only be a good thing.’

‘I’ll talk with the team.’

‘Thanks for understanding.’

‘Of course.’ Her brow creased. ‘Wait a minute, is this why you’re not freaking out about Conrad and Lucinda?’

He let go of some of the tension he’d been holding. ‘Yeah, I suppose so. The guy did right by Beau so even though I don’t particularly like him, he’s gone up a bit in my estimations. Not sure he’ll stay there but…’

‘Stranger things have happened,’ said Nadia.

Nadia stayed at the airbase long after Hudson had left for the day and she was still there when Maya came in through the front entrance.

‘What on earth are you doing back here?’

‘I could ask you the same question,’ said Maya. ‘It’s after nine.’

‘Admin. Might as well get it done.’

‘I left my running trainers in my locker and I really need them to get out tomorrow morning. I’m training for the half marathon fundraiser in a few months and I have to make sure I fit the practice sessions in.’

‘How was dinner?’ Nadia asked.

On a deep sigh, she admitted, ‘Bearable. Conrad was on his best behaviour to impress Sofie, Isaac’s girlfriend.’

‘Glad to hear it. What’s she like?’

‘She’s adorable. She was more nervous than I was, the poor thing. I like to think I’m not that terrifying.’

‘You’re not at all; don’t be daft.’

Maya came around to Nadia’s side of the desk. She seemed hesitant before she admitted, ‘In the car on the way to the restaurant, Conrad told me something. About your sister.’

Nadia’s insides dropped. She’d kept the fact she had a sister quiet from all of them for years, and miraculously, the crew hadn’t cottoned on to Giles being related to her because they often got kids coming to visit the airbase. Vik must have kept anything he had heard that day quiet and anyone else who’d been around had probably been too busy to think about who Giles might or might not be related to.

‘Why didn’t you tell anyone you had a sibling?’ Maya said softly.

‘It’s a really, really long story, not one I really like to share.’

‘I apologise.’

‘No, please don’t. It’s nice that you care.’

‘I get it, though; families can be a nightmare.’

‘Something like that.’

‘She hasn’t been in touch?’

Nadia shook her head. ‘It makes me think this is a game to her, that she wanted drama. Without going into the details, it was the way she was for years before I moved over here. I had to get away in the end.’

‘It sounds hard.’ Maya paused. ‘How are you holding up?’

‘It’s all been a shock. I think I just need to get back to normal.’

‘I’m always here if you need to talk. Maybe we’ll have a night out, just the two of us, soon.’

‘I’d really like that.’

Maya went to fetch her trainers from the locker room and when she returned, talk changed to Beau and the hoax and how the crew felt about it all.

And as Nadia locked up when she left, she felt a sense of calm. This was her place, right here in Whistlestop River with The Skylarks, and nobody could take that away from her.