Three
It had been over a week since Alexander’s text and there had been no more word from him, despite Rachel’s texts and the messages she’d left on his voicemail. To her annoyance, no matter how she tried to arrange her calls at times when she assumed he’d be home, he never answered.
Today was the monthly lunch with her three friends and she’d be able to share her frustration with them. The four women had met as young mothers, and their friendship had continued over the years, now having evolved into lunch once a month with them taking turns to host, although Rachel often met a couple of them individually in between times.
Today they were meeting at Gill’s, and Rachel was looking forward to seeing her again and to hearing her news. Rumour had it that Gill had finally decided to form a relationship with their local mayor, and Rachel was eager to discover if it was true. She’d seen Gill’s embarrassment the previous month when Liz tried to quiz her about it and had no intention of distressing her. But the town rumour mill was working overtime – Joe was a popular mayor – so Rachel wanted to hear it from Gill herself.
It was strange, Rachel thought, as she walked Molly on the beach, her feet sinking into the wet sand at the water’s edge, Molly running back and forth in and out of the waves, how only a year ago, all four of the women were single. Now Poppy and Cam were a couple, Liz had recently paired up with Finn, the editor of the local newspaper, and it looked as if Gill was finally going to settle down with their local mayor, Joe Harris. Only Rachel was still single and likely to remain so. She had no desire – or room – for a man in her life. Her memories of Kirk were still so strong, and her life was full with her B&B guests and her grandchildren.
Back home, Rachel wiped the sand off her feet and dried Molly off. There was just time to shower and change before she set off for Gill’s.
After a welcome shower, she pulled on a pair of elastic-waisted pants and one of the loose shirts she’d bought as her weight ballooned after Kirk’s death. They said grief made you lose weight. It had the opposite effect on her, though the extra kilos might also be the result of the snacks she shared with her granddaughters who loved Grandma’s cookies, and the large breakfasts she cooked for her guests – and ate herself. As she examined herself in the mirror, she made a vow to lose weight.
Telling Molly to behave while she was gone, Rachel checked her phone to see a text from Steph. Alexander??? She closed the phone, deciding to reply later. Steph and her partner had been visiting Tasmania for the past week, so she’d no doubt only read Alexander’s message when they returned.
It always came as a shock to Rachel to walk into Gill’s home. The sparsely furnished apartment, with its white walls and minimalist decor was so different from her own cluttered house, it was almost like visiting another planet. But it suited Gill who was the most private member of the group and who’d lived there alone since her husband left, until her daughter returned home a few months earlier.
Poppy and Liz were already there when Rachel arrived, seated on Gill’s balcony with glasses of white wine.
‘We didn’t wait for you, so you’ll need to catch up,’ Liz said, holding up her glass, even though it was obvious she’d barely touched the wine.
‘Hush, Liz,’ Gill said, but she quickly poured a glass for Rachel, who took a seat by the others. ‘Busy morning, Rach?’ she asked.
‘One elderly couple and a family of three for breakfast, then I took Molly for a walk,’ she said, before taking a welcome sip of wine.
‘I don’t know how you do it,’ Gill said, ‘having strangers in your home.’ She shivered as if the thought scared her.
‘It’s company. The house felt so empty after Kirk… And the money helps, of course. We don’t all have a lucrative law practice, Gill.’
Gill had the grace to look embarrassed, making Rachel wish she had been more tactful. It was rare for anyone in the group to mention money.
‘Anyway,’ Poppy said, ‘what news of you and the mayor, Gill? Rumour has it that…’
Gill didn’t allow her to finish. ‘I don’t know what you’ve heard,’ she said, two red spots appearing on her cheeks, ‘but, yes, we have become… more than friends. And that’s all I’m prepared to say at the moment. As you may also have heard, we had a pretty hairy time with Joe’s brother-in-law appearing in town then dying suddenly. His sister has gone back to Perth to be with her son and his wife and await the birth of her granddaughter. Now, can we talk about something else?’
‘Freya?’ Rachel asked, aware Gill’s daughter had applied for a position at Sydney University after spending the past few years teaching in a university in California.
Gill smiled, more relaxed now the focus was off her and Joe. ‘It’s good news. She’s been offered the position in Sydney. She starts there in January.’
‘Oh, congratulations. You must be so pleased,’ Rachel said.
‘I’m relieved she’s staying in Australia,’ Gill said, accepting the congratulations of the others too. ‘My worst fear was she’d decide to return to the States.’
Rachel nodded. She knew what it was like to have a child living overseas.
As if reading her mind, Poppy asked, ‘Any news from Alexander, Rachel? I know you were disappointed he didn’t stay long last time.’
Rachel took a deep breath. ‘I heard from him last week. He’s coming home for Christmas and bringing a surprise.’
‘Ooh!’ Liz said. ‘Has he met someone?’
‘Your guess is as good as mine,’ Rachel replied, ‘but it’s a distinct possibility.’
‘What else could it be?’ Poppy said. ‘I’d lay bets on him having finally found someone. I’m so pleased for you, Rach. I know how good it feels to have all your chicks settled down.’
‘I agree with Poppy, Rach,’ Gill said. ‘It sounds as if he’s bringing someone home to introduce her to you.’
‘I hope you’re right.’
Once Gill served lunch which was a variety of salads with slices of rare roast beef, the conversation became more general. They all found it difficult to believe their next lunch would be their December one. It hardly seemed to have been any time since the previous Christmas, but so much had happened since then. They parted, with Liz reminding them it was her turn to host their December lunch and suggesting they have Secret Santa again. They all groaned, but Rachel knew they’d go along with it. It had been fun last time, and it was always difficult to dampen Liz’s enthusiasm.
Rachel was already in bed when she heard her guests return that evening. It was like when the children were teenagers, she thought. She could never settle till she knew they were home. Now she turned over and closed her eyes, thoughts of who Alexander might be bringing home swirling through her head till she finally fell asleep.