Six
It had taken two days of driving, and Luke was exhausted when he finally saw the sign for Pelican Crossing. For a moment, he wondered if he’d made a mistake, if it was wrong to go back, to try to recapture his youth. But that wasn’t why he was here, and it was too late to change his mind now. Bob had changed his plans. He intended to leave next morning and there were animals who needed a vet’s care. The grateful email he’d received with details of the practice had listed three animals in the hospital section of the clinic, and a full schedule of appointments.
As he drove into town along the main street, Luke recognised several of the buildings, but many had obviously had a facelift since he was last here. He passed a café and gelato shop, and the marina located at the end of the street had grown in size and now boasted a lowset building named Pelican Marine . Similarly, the harbour now housed a variety of craft and there was a large sign advertising a dive school. Things had changed, and with Christmas approaching, many of the shops were sporting Christmas displays, the poinciana trees were in bloom and tinsel garlands had been strung from the lamp posts. Everything looked very festive.
From his vantage point in the back seat, Nelson peered eagerly out the window as Luke followed Bob’s instructions to a bluff on the outskirts of town, to stop in front of a modern building with the sign which indicated it was Pelican Crossing Vet Clinic . Next to the clinic was an equally modern house with large glass windows looking out to the ocean. So, this was where he was to spend the next few months. As if reading his mind, Nelson gave a loud bark. Luke killed the engine and got out of the car before leaning into the back to release Nelson who immediately put his mark on the low wall outside the clinic.
‘Hey! Glad you made it.’ Bob appeared in the doorway of the house, his hand outstretched. ‘Come on in. You too,’ he said to the dog who was sniffing at his feet as Luke and he shook hands. ‘I didn’t open the clinic today. I’ve had another change of plans and have to leave later today. Thought we could have a quick handover before I go. You have my number, but you shouldn’t have any problems. It’s all pretty basic, and it’s a good community. Well, you know that, you grew up here. My receptionist, Wendy, has been with me for years. She’ll be able to steer you right.’
Luke might have grown up here, but from what he’d seen already, the Pelican Crossing of today was very different to the one he’d left. But perhaps the people hadn’t changed much. He guessed he’d find out. It would certainly be different to his city practice and to living in Sydney.
He and Nelson followed Bob into the clinic where the vet took him through to where two cats and a dog were in cages, each in different stages of recuperation from surgery, then into the clinic itself which impressed Luke with the display of modern instruments and the state-of-the-art equipment. The vet’s own office was both comfortable and practical. It would be a pleasure to work here.
‘Guess you feel like a beer and a bite to eat after your long drive,’ Bob said.
‘Sounds good, but what about Nelson?’ he gestured to where his dog was standing, tongue hanging out.
‘We can go to The Grand . They have tables outside and they’ll provide a bowl of water for your dog.’
‘It’s still there?’ Luke asked in surprise. The Grand Hotel had been where he and his mates enjoyed their first beers, where he’d spent many a Saturday night till they were ejected at closing time, where he’d taken his first girlfriend and tried to impress her by ordering white wine when they were both underage.
‘It sure is. It’s undergone a few changes of owner and renovations, now serves craft beer from a local brewery, but the place hasn’t really changed much. It’ll always be The Grand .’
Sure enough, when they reached the hotel, Luke easily recognised it. The facade hadn’t changed in the past forty years, though it had clearly been repainted a few times.
Bob chose a table on the outside and brushed off Luke’s offer to pay. ‘Pie and chips do for you?’ he asked.
Luke nodded and took a seat, Nelson choosing to lie at his feet and stare around at the new setting, his nose in the air sniffing up the different scents.
Before long, Bob reappeared carrying two beers, a waiter accompanying him with a bowl of water for Nelson which the dog lapped up eagerly.
‘Thanks,’ Luke said. ‘Cheers.’ He raised his glass and took a long draught, the icy liquid going down a treat.
‘Cheers,’ Bob responded. ‘Here’s to a successful few months.’
‘I’ll drink to that,’ Luke said, already beginning to feel at home.
When they returned to the clinic, Bob gave Luke a quick tour of the house, before heading off and leaving Luke and Nelson to settle in. Once he’d carried their gear into the house, Luke took a more leisurely look around, Nelson padding at his heels. The house was bigger than he’d expected, knowing Bob lived there alone. It comprised four bedrooms, the master with a magnificent view of the ocean, as did the open-plan living/dining/kitchen area. The entire place was tiled, making it cool underfoot in summer and easy to clean, and it opened out onto a courtyard shaded by a tall poinciana tree.
Seeing Nelson was restless, and knowing the dog would be in need of a walk after the long trip, Luke popped on his hat and led the dog to where he could see steps leading down to what appeared to be a secluded stretch of beach. Once there, Nelson immediately rushed off to investigate this strange new world, undeterred by the unfamiliar feel of the sand underfoot, while Luke followed at a more leisurely pace. The smell of the sea and the roar of the waves brought back memories of a time Luke had almost forgotten, and he began to relax, already confident he’d made the right decision in coming here. According to Bob, the vet practice was rarely busy. He’d have time to relax and enjoy life away from the buzz of the city, maybe time to catch up on his reading, even to start the research on his family history he’d been meaning to do for ages, but never seemed to find time for.
Gazing up at the bluff above the beach, he could only see one other house besides Bob’s. There was a set of steps leading down to the beach from it too, then further along, yet another set of steps and what appeared to be a car park with a couple of vehicles. He supposed they belonged to the surfers he could see riding in on a wave. It had been years since he surfed, not since he left Pelican Crossing. He could still remember the feeling when you caught that wave and glided in to shore. Was it too late to have another go? Was he too old? Being back here, where he’d grown up, where he’d learned to swim, to surf, where he’d had his first beer, his first kiss… it was like going back in time. But he had to remember, he wasn’t eighteen anymore, and at sixty-two he was no longer in the first flush of youth.