Twenty-four
Rachel had spent the day in the garden, with Molly happily lying in the shade close by. The little dog was clearly glad to be back to normal and able to run around when she felt like it. But today, the heat was proving too much for her. It was almost too much for Rachel too, but she was determined to get everything looking good for Christmas. And the effort of gardening prevented her from thinking too much about dinner with Luke, and what Poppy had said.
It had been different for Poppy, Rachel reasoned to herself, when she finally finished in the garden and went inside for lunch which consisted of an apple and a piece of cheese. Despite what everyone seemed determined to say about her curves, she did want to lose weight and it would be hard to cut back over the festive period. Maybe if she starved herself for a couple of days, it wouldn’t matter if she over-indulged on Christmas treats.
By the end of the afternoon, she was pleased with what she had achieved. There was just time for a relaxing bath to soothe her aching limbs before dressing for dinner. But as she lay in the bath, scented with the fragrant lavender and bergamot oil which had been a gift from Steph and Chloe, her mind returned to Luke Findlay and to how she couldn’t understand why he was bothering with her. Several of his old school friends still lived in Pelican Crossing. Surely he’d prefer to spend time with them, rather than an overweight woman whose life centred around her grandchildren and the guests who stayed at her B&B?
Whatever the reason, Rachel had butterflies in her stomach at the prospect of seeing him again, at having dinner with him at Crossings . She hadn’t told Poppy where they were dining. Perhaps she should have. She knew Poppy and Cam often went there themselves. Although Poppy had cut back on her time at the restaurant, she still often ate there, saying she was only making sure everything was going well.
The water was turning cold by the time Rachel stepped out of the bath to dry herself on a fluffy towel. She took the blue dress she’d purchased at Birds of a Feather out of the wardrobe and held it up against her. It was unlike anything else in her wardrobe, and she loved it. Slipping it over her head, she felt transformed, no longer the drab grandmother, the B&B landlady. She felt like Cinderella going to the ball. She chuckled at the comparison, at comparing Luke to the prince. It was what he’d been to her all those years ago. Now she was older and wiser, but it still gave her a thrill to know they were meeting again that evening.
*
The restaurant was decorated for Christmas. There was a large Christmas tree in one corner, its lights twinkling merrily, and garlands of red, green and silver festooned the walls. Christmas carols were playing quietly in the background, almost drowned out by the sound of voices. At first glance, it appeared every table was filled, but Rachel and Luke were unerringly led to a vacant spot in the far corner of the restaurant. There was no sign of Poppy.
‘This is lovely. Very different to my last visit.’
‘The fundraising?’ Rachel smiled, remembering how Luke had made an effort to speak to her that night. ‘It can be very adaptable,’ she said. ‘You should see how Poppy decks it out for the Melbourne Cup Lunch.’ She bit her lip, remembering Luke wouldn’t be here next November to see it.
‘I’d like to see that,’ he said. ‘I remember this place when her parents owned it. It was a fish and chip shop. They made the best fish and chips.’
‘I remember that too.’
A waiter approached with menus and handed Luke a wine list. ‘How about champagne since it’s almost Christmas?’ he asked.
‘That would be lovely.’ The evening was already promising to be memorable. Luke’s expression when she opened the door to him had been priceless. It had been a full minute before he said, ‘You look lovely, Red.’ She hadn’t corrected him. There was something appealing about his use of her old nickname.
Besides the regular menu, there were a number of seasonal options. Both Rachel and Luke chose the baked salmon served with crispy potatoes, roasted cauliflower with herb crust, and green beans, followed by creamy eggnog ice cream with raspberries.
‘That was delicious. Thank you for inviting me,’ Rachel said at the end of their meal. She looked up to see Luke watching her. A shiver ran down her spine. What was he thinking ?
‘It was my pleasure,’ he said. ‘It’s good to meet a woman who enjoys her food.’
‘Oh!’ Rachel blushed. Had she seemed too greedy ?
‘I mean it. Since Ness, I haven’t dated much, but when I did, I discovered women who were afraid to admit they like to eat. After a few experiences like that, I stopped dating. It all seemed too hard.’
‘Oh!’ Rachel said again, unsure how to respond. ‘Tell me about your wife.’
‘Ness?’ Luke gazed into space. ‘She was the love of my life, my soulmate. We met at uni, set up the practice together. She was the driving force behind it. I’d probably have been happy to work for someone else.’ He sighed, then glanced across the table at Rachel. ‘She wasn’t unlike you in some ways. I sense you have that same drive to succeed. But she’s been gone a long time now. I’ve grown used to living alone, to my own company – and Nelson’s, become a grumpy old man. I guess that’s why I found it so difficult to adapt to Josh and Abby moving in.’
Drive to succeed? Did she really have one, Rachel wondered. She’d only turned her home into a B&B because she couldn’t bear to leave it, but she supposed it said something about her determination. ‘How are you finding being back in Pelican Crossing?’ she asked to cover her confusion.
‘Different to what I expected.’
‘Different how?’
‘Pelican Crossing is different. Many of the people I knew back then have left and those who’ve stayed have changed. I guess I’ve changed too.’
‘We all have. We’re older for a start.’
‘Yeah, but it’s not only that. I don’t know what I expected exactly. Take you, for instance. When I left, you were a young teenager full of the usual teenage longings. And now…
Rachel held her breath.
‘… now you’ve grown up into this desirable woman who frankly scares me.’
Rachel gasped. What did he mean ?
‘Sorry, that came out wrong. What I meant was…’ he pulled on his beard, ‘… hell, I’m out of practice at this sort of thing. I like you, Red. I like you a lot, but I’m well aware I’m only filling in till Bob gets back. It wouldn’t be fair to start something that can’t go anywhere.’
Rachel knew he was right. It was what she’d been thinking too, what she’d said to Poppy. So why did his words make her feel discouraged?
‘That said, I have something for you.’ Luke fished in his pocket and took out a small packet wrapped in Christmas paper. ‘Merry Christmas!’
‘Oh! Thank you!’ Rachel was overcome. She hadn’t expected a gift. ‘I’m sorry. I don’t have anything for you. I didn’t think…’
‘No worries. I didn’t expect anything. Open it.’
Rachel fumbled with the wrapping, to reveal a small box which, when opened, contained a pair of drop earrings in gold and blue, the blue almost the exact colour of her dress. ‘Oh, thank you,’ she said again, holding them up to let them swing in the light. They were different from what she normally wore, but in keeping with the new image she wanted to project.
‘I thought of you when I saw them,’ Luke said with a smile.
Rachel’s heart skipped a beat. She took out the small pearl studs she was wearing and replaced them with the new earrings. She moved her head from side to side, loving the way they swung against her neck. ‘I love them,’ she said, beaming.
‘They look good on you… with that dress. You’re a lovely woman, Red.’
Rachel blushed. How she wished Luke was here to stay. He was such a lovely man, and he seemed to like her too. Life could be so unkind.
‘Coffee?’ he asked.
‘Yes please.’ So, there was to be no coffee at her place or his tonight? One part of her was glad, while another was filled with disappointment. Despite what Luke had said about not wanting to be unfair to her, was three months of happiness better than nothing?
Driving home, they chatted about their dogs, discovering that both liked to wrap up some treats or toys for their furry friends to open on Christmas Day. Rachel sighed to herself as he stopped the car outside her house. He was such a nice man. If only…Then they turned to face each other.
‘Red…’ Luke said, that one word sending a flood of warmth through her. Then he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. This was no gently brush of the lips, but a kiss that seemed to go on for ever, a kiss that sent Rachel’s senses reeling and made her forget everything but the man holding her.