Twenty-five
For the past two days, Rachel had been walking on air, the memory of the kiss in Luke’s car and the promise it contained, sending her stomach into freefall. She was unaware of smiling all the time, till Jess asked her the reason. Rachel brushed it off by saying she was looking forward to Alexander’s arrival, but she knew it was more than that.
Alexander was arriving today, and she banished all thoughts of Luke to concentrate on the joy of seeing her son again. It had been too long since Alexander visited Pelican Crossing. It seemed he was happy to make his life on the other side of the world, away from her and his sisters.
Rachel intended to make sure this Christmas was the best ever. She’d welcome Alexander’s partner as one of the family, just as she had done with Paul when Jess first brought him home, and Chloe, even before Steph revealed they were partners. Maybe, she thought, his new lady would like Queensland so much, she’d persuade him to return home. Surely he could develop his computer games just as well here as in London? But she knew he loved the life there. Moving back home wasn’t an option.
The day seemed to drag. Rachel had everything prepared. The brightly wrapped gifts were sitting under the tree and, so far, she had managed to prevent Molly from destroying them. The fridge was filled to the brim with food for the holiday, and the pantry groaned with more food than they could possibly eat. Kirk used to tell her that she overdid it, but Rachel hated to think she might run out of something so continued to shop madly at this time of year.
She’d taken Greta’s advice and bought herself several pieces of shapewear, astonished at the difference they made. She had even managed to fit into two pairs of three-quarter pants which had been relegated to the back of the wardrobe. She was wearing a pair now, with a loose shirt, and decided to take Molly for a walk on the beach.
As they made their way down the steps, Rachel could see several people were already there and a game of beach cricket was in progress. She knew if she went close to the game, Molly would want to run after the ball, so headed in the opposite direction. She was wandering along in the shallow water, Molly bounding along beside her, when she saw a tall figure and a dog coming towards her. Her heart leapt. She hadn’t expected to see Luke again till the festivities were over.
The two dogs met first, sniffing each other before their tails wagged and they ran into the sea together.
‘Well, that’s one problem solved,’ Luke said, joining Rachel. ‘Nelson can be tricky where other dogs are concerned. He’s fine in the clinic, but elsewhere…’ He pulled on his beard. ‘How have you been? I’ve been thinking about you.’
‘I’ve been good. I’ve been thinking about you too.’ Rachel’s stomach was churning. She hoped her expression didn’t reveal what she had been thinking, some of which had been X-rated. She was glad she was wearing the pants over the shapewear which made her look slimmer. Luke was as attractive as ever, wearing a pair of khaki shorts and a white tee-shirt with the logo of a brand she didn’t recognise. Like her, he was barefoot and carrying his sandals.
‘Molly seems to be fully recovered,’ Luke said, his eyes following the two dogs gambolling in the ocean.
‘Yes.’ Rachel felt tongue-tied. This was ridiculous. But meeting Luke like this was so unexpected – though she didn’t know why. They shared this beach. It shouldn’t have been a surprise to see him here. ‘Not working today?’ she asked.
‘Taking a short break. The clinic has been pretty quiet today. I think everyone’s getting ready for Christmas – and they haven’t started feeding their animals chocolate and other sugary treats yet.’
Rachel nodded. She could remember Bob complaining about the influx of sick animals after Christmas when their owners had allowed them to indulge in the wrong sort of treats. As soon as they were old enough to understand, she’d warned the twins about sharing their own treats with Molly who would eat anything she was given.
‘Your son not here yet?’
Rachel shook her head. Alexander was due to arrive late afternoon. Since next day and on Christmas Day they would be having a big meal, she was planning to serve something lighter tonight. They’d probably be tired after the long flight and wouldn’t feel like a heavy meal. Yesterday, she’d cooked her special honey glazed ham. It would form part of the Christmas meal, but she’d cut a few slices for tonight’s dinner and serve it with a potato and green salad. ‘He’ll be here around four,’ she said. ‘ Your son?’
‘Tomorrow. I need to finish food shopping. Maybe you could advise me. Ness always cooked a turkey on Christmas Day, but I’m not sure… I seem to remember it took all day to cook.’
Rachel chuckled. It wasn’t like Luke to sound helpless. ‘Why don’t you buy one of those rolled turkey breasts from the supermarket? It should be enough for the three of you and will only take an hour to cook. You can serve it with salads.’
‘Good idea. I’m okay with steak, salads, and can turn my hand to a few pasta dishes, but I’ve never had to master a roast.’
Rachel chuckled again, then the mention of pasta dishes reminded her. ‘Your mother had an Italian background, didn’t she?’
‘That’s right. I’ve actually been trying to find out more about that side of the family while I’m here. I’ve discovered some Italian immigrants came to Queensland to work on the cane fields but don’t know if my grandfather was one of those. Troy suggested I talk to old Agnes.’
‘Of course. She’d be one of the oldest people around, apart from some of the residents of The Haven . It’s a retirement village and has an aged care home which some residents graduate to when they require more care.’
‘Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.’
‘I hope you find what you’re looking for.’ Rachel wondered what it would be like to have no real knowledge of your background. Her family – both her mother’s and her father’s – had all been born and spent their lives right here in Pelican Crossing. Both grandfathers had been fishermen in the days when Pelican Crossing had been a fishing village. She’d grown up with a strong sense of identity, imagining everyone else did the same.
‘Thanks.’ He dragged a hand through his hair. ‘Guess I should be getting back. Nelson!’ he called to his dog, who came running along with a very wet Molly.
‘I should too,’ Rachel said, suddenly realising how the time had flown while they were talking.
‘I…’ Luke seemed loath to leave. He moved closer, till Rachel could see the crow’s feet beside his eyes. ‘I wish…’
He didn’t need to say any more. ‘I do too,’ she said.
He put his hands on her shoulders, and she glanced around. The cricket group had gone the beach was deserted. When Luke pulled her into his arms, she didn’t resist, revelling in his closeness, in the now familiar musky scent of him – and became lost in his embrace.
Luke pulled away. ‘Now, I really have to go. I’ll try to call you…’
‘If you’re at the carol singing tomorrow evening, we might see each other there.’
‘Good idea.’ He grinned.
But it wouldn’t be the same, surrounded by family and most of the other residents of Pelican Crossing.
Then he was gone, loping off, his dog at his heels.
‘Let’s go home, Molly,’ Rachel said. ‘Alexander will be here soon. You’ll like that, won’t you?’ Molly gave a short bark. She loved Alexander who always spoiled her.
Back home, Rachel fed Molly and filled her water bowl. She just had time to shower and change before Alexander arrived with his surprise . Rachel wondered what she would be like. She hadn’t met any of his more recent girlfriends, but as a teenager he’d always chosen slim blonde girls. She tried to picture the one who would arrive with him, probably a sophisticated blonde, tall, slim, elegant, and hoped she’d fit in with everyone else.
Rachel had decided to wear a pair of her new pants and one of the brightly coloured tunics tonight, keeping one of the new dresses for Christmas Day. It was almost four o’clock when she walked into the living room. She turned on the Christmas tree lights and the sound system – not such a sophisticated one as Bob’s – to the Christmas carols she’d been listening to. She had butterflies in her stomach at the thought of meeting whoever Alexander was bringing home to meet his family. They must be serious about each other if she was coming all this way, leaving her own family at Christmas. Rachel wondered if the wedding would be here or in London. It was customary to marry from the bride’s home. Would she be travelling across the world sometime in the next year to see her son marry?
Four o’clock passed, four-fifteen, four-thirty. Her stomach churning, Rachel checked her phone, but there were no missed calls or messages. Then, at almost five o’clock, Molly, who had been lying by the tree, got up and ran to the door barking loudly. At the same time, there was the sound of a car stopping, then a car door opening and closing.
Her heart in her mouth, Rachel opened the door.
Alexander was standing there holding the hand of a small child who was clinging to his leg, a little girl with fiery red curls, exactly like Rachel’s used to be. ‘Hi, Mum’ he said. ‘This is Verity.’