Four
‘I’ve left him!’
Joe’s sister’s broken voice resounded in his ears. It was two years since he’d seen Erica, not since Barb’s funeral, when she and her husband had left abruptly immediately after the service. Since then, he’d hardly heard from her and their calls had been brief with her sounding guarded and not her usual self, often ending the call suddenly.
He’d never taken to Geoff, always felt there was something odd about him, despite his success as the owner of what appeared to be a thriving car dealership. Now this!
‘Calm down, Erica, and tell me what’s happened,’ he said, as his sister burst into tears, making anything she said inaudible.
‘Sorry, Joe. I just couldn’t take it any longer. I didn’t know who else to call.’
‘That’s okay.’ Joe was reminded of how, when they were growing up, his little sister always brought her worries to him. He would pat her on the back and give her a cuddle to make it all better. If only she were here in Pelican Crossing, he’d do that now. ‘Where are you?’
‘I’m still in Perth,’ she sobbed. ‘I don’t know what to do. Geoff’s at a motor show. I didn’t want to be there when he got back. I’ve booked into a hotel, but I can’t…’
Joe thought quickly. He had no doubt Geoff would be furious when he realised Erica had left him. He’d seen his temper years ago when he and Barb had visited the couple in Western Australia. The two couples had gone out for a meal and the steak hadn’t been cooked to Geoff’s satisfaction. Joe had been embarrassed and managed to calm his brother-in-law down before it turned into a nasty incident. He’d wondered then if everything was okay in his sister’s marriage, but Barb had told him to leave it, that it was Erica’s life, and her choice.
Coco padded over to nudge Joe, as if telling him what to do. ‘Why don’t you come here?’ he said, the words bursting out before he could stop them. But as soon as he’d said them, he knew it was a good idea.
‘You mean… to Pelican Crossing?’
‘Of course. I have plenty of room here. There’s just me and Coco. I’ve been rattling around in this big house since Barb’s been gone.’ It would be good to have some company, he thought, and he was the only family Erica had.
‘Coco?’
‘My dog. After Barb… It was lonely, so I got myself a chocolate labrador for company. You’ll love her too.’ Joe remembered how much Erica had loved the mutt they’d rescued when he was only ten and she six. She’d spent hours with that dog, even dressing it up in her doll’s clothes. ‘How are you for money? Can you afford the fare?’ It suddenly occurred to him Geoff might have kept control of the purse strings. He wouldn’t be surprised to learn Erica had no money of her own.
‘No, I’m fine. I had a little put away and I have some jewellery I can sell. Geoff was always very generous like that,’ she said bitterly.
They chatted a little more, ending with Erica promising to text Joe details of her flight. Then Joe sat, his hand on Coco’s head – the dog sensing his mood, remained still – thinking about what Erica hadn’t said. She hadn’t explained exactly why she had made the decision to leave Geoff after twenty years of marriage, and why now.
*
Joe was still thinking about Erica next morning when he walked into the office, Coco at his heels. He’d fallen into the habit of taking her to work with him, knowing how she fretted when left at home on her own. It was something Joe understood. He often felt lonely too. The dog was good company, but their conversations were very one-sided. He sighed, wondering what it would be like to share his home with his sister.
As children they had got along, often arguing as siblings did. But they’d never lived together as adults. He expected it would take a bit of getting used to, and she’d given no indication of how long she might stay.
The day started with a series of meetings, each one more tedious than the last. Then there was the usual assortment of emails, many of which he was able to pass on to his PA. Debbie was a godsend, a middle-aged woman he’d inherited from the previous mayor. She had been with the council since she left school and was au fait with all the nuances of running the council. She had quickly become Joe’s right-hand person, and he would be lost without her. She knew more about the workings of the council than he did and had steered him right on many occasions. She also loved Coco which was a big plus in Joe’s books. Although the dog spent her day lying under Joe’s desk, she was not averse to the treats Debbie offered her.
Joe was glad when lunchtime came around. Coco, sensing it was time for her walk, rose to her feet and stretched, uttering a gentle ‘Woof’ when Joe attached her leash. He was meeting Finn for lunch in The Grand . The old hotel was an institution in Pelican Crossing and had managed to retain both its original frontage and its name despite several changes in ownership. It was a favourite with Joe who had recently become a devotee of the craft beers from a local brewery set up by two enterprising young men.
Joe found it was good to stretch his legs after sitting all morning, and Coco enjoyed it too. She was well-behaved, only pulling on her leash when they walked past the marina, and she was distracted by the sight of two pelicans coming in to land.
Finn was already seated at an outside table when Joe and Coco arrived. After making a fuss of the dog, he asked, ‘Your usual?’
Joe nodded. Finn knew his taste in beer, and they both enjoyed the hotel’s pie and chips. ‘Thanks.’
Coco settled at her master’s feet, her nose almost touching a bowl of water supplied by the hotel. Joe’s phone pinged with a text.
Booked my flight. Arriving 2.15 tomorrow. Can you meet me? E
Although he’d been expecting it, Joe was still stunned Erica was arriving so soon. He visualised the meagre offerings in his fridge and pantry. He lived on frozen meals, sandwiches, fruit and yoghurt these days, with no inclination to cook for himself; he missed Barb’s home cooking and knew he couldn’t compete. He’d need to do some grocery shopping and make up the bed in the spare room. He typed a brief reply.
Will be there .
‘Problem?’ As Finn placed two frothing glasses beaded with moisture on the table, Joe realised he was still staring at his phone and must be frowning.
‘Not really. It’s my sister. She’s coming to stay. She’s left her husband.’
‘Oh! Are you close… you and her?’
Joe rubbed his chin. ‘She’s my little sister. We were close growing up, grew apart in our teens, then she married Geoff.’ He grimaced. ‘I could never understand what she saw in him, nor could Barb. We didn’t see much of them and when we did, it always seemed to end with us disagreeing. I haven’t seen Erica since Barb passed. I hadn’t realised she was unhappy, unhappy enough to leave him.’
‘You don’t like your brother-in-law?’
‘How can you tell?’ Joe grimaced. ‘He’s done well for himself, owns a big car yard in Perth, but I never trusted him.’ He sighed. ‘But he was Erica’s choice. I thought she was happy.’
‘Children?’
‘A boy, married now. I haven’t seen Kieren for years, not since his wedding when Barb and I flew over to Perth. He seemed a good kid but took after his dad. I wonder how he’ll feel about Erica leaving Geoff, leaving Perth too.’ Joe shook his head. Erica’s decision was going to impact a few lives.
Their meals arrived, and the conversation moved on to how Finn was managing with the newspaper. Joe was keen to know when they might expect the first issue of The Crossing Echo to appear, but Finn was being cautious.
‘There’s no sense in rushing it,’ he said. ‘I want our first issue to reflect the new ownership, for the community to feel it’s their paper. I’ve been thinking of a colour supplement for some time and have been working on several pieces – one featuring old Agnes and her pelican rescue centre. Seems the time might be right to launch it with one of the first issues of The Echo . What do you think, Joe?’
‘I think it sounds bloody marvellous. You never cease to amaze me, Finn. But don’t leave it too long. A lot of people worked hard to make this happen and they want to see a result. We need our paper.’
‘I know, I know. But even I can’t put a new paper together overnight. We’ve had to replace much of the equipment, and the staff we lost when they thought we were going to close.’
Joe nodded. He was aware Finn had almost left too. If it hadn’t been for a very generous last-minute donation, there would be no local paper in Pelican Crossing, and the town would be forced to access news online or on the television. ‘I’ll try to be patient. Just don’t leave it too long.’
‘I won’t. Now, another beer?’
‘My shout.’ Joe rose and picked up their empty glasses, before heading inside to the bar. Finn was a good guy. Although he wouldn’t admit it, it was mostly thanks to him they still had a local newspaper. Another editor might have jumped at the opportunity of a production position with a regional television station, but Finn had stuck by Pelican Crossing. Though his friendship with local woman, Liz Phillips, might have had something to do with it, Joe mused.
Joe was glad he’d been lucky. He and Barb had enjoyed thirty years of married life before she’d been taken from him. Not many could boast of that, and while he was happy to see his friend finding a second chance at love, he knew it wasn’t for him. He’d never find a woman to replace what he’d had with Barb, even if he did sometimes get lonely and wish Coco could talk.