Thirteen
Gill opened her computer, glad to be starting another busy day. She’d been awake half the night googling images of bumps on tongues and reading about tongue biopsies till she’d finally closed her iPad, disappointed with herself. Her GP had told her not to worry; it was a routine procedure and probably benign. But what if…?
She checked the calendar to see she had a new client coming in at nine. It was always interesting to meet another woman who had decided to leave her marriage. Now Gill was undergoing a divorce herself, she felt more akin to these women, many of whom came to her as a last resort, having tried everything they could think of to save their marriage. Others were fleeing abusive or faithless husbands, eager to be free of their clutches. She wondered which criteria this poor woman would fall under.
The woman who walked into Gill’s office looked vaguely familiar. She was tall with grey streaks in her dark hair and striking angular features. Gill checked the note on her desk, but she hadn’t met Erica Masters before.
‘Hello.’ Gill rose to shake hands. ‘Please take a seat.’ She moved from behind her desk to join the woman on one of the comfortable chairs which sat by a low coffee table. She always took pains to put her clients at ease. ‘Would you like coffee or tea?’
Seeming surprised, Erica gave a stiff smile. ‘Tea would be lovely, herbal if you have it.’
‘No problem.’
As if on cue, Gill’s PA appeared in the doorway. ‘Two lemon and ginger teas, please, Josie,’ she said.
‘Thanks.’ Erica seemed to relax, but she was still grasping her hands together tightly in her lap.
‘I’m Gill, and I’m here to help you in any way I can.’ Gill smiled encouragingly. She really felt more at home here, in her office with clients, than she did anywhere else.
Josie appeared again carrying two mugs of tea and a plate of chocolate and ginger biscuits which she placed on the coffee table.
‘Thanks, Josie.’
Josie left, closing the door behind her.
Gill picked up one of the mugs and took a sip.
Erica picked up the other and, her hands trembling, did the same.
‘Would you like to tell me why you’re here?’
‘It’s difficult… Poppy Taylor recommended you…’ Erica took another sip of tea.
‘You live in Pelican Crossing?’ If Poppy knew her, she must do, but Gill was sure she hadn’t seen her before.
‘I used to. I grew up here. I’ve recently returned. I… I left my husband. I’m staying with my brother, Joe Harris.’ The words came out in a rush.
Joe Harris’s sister. That was why she looked familiar. She had the same angular features as the mayor, the same, grey-streaked dark hair. She was a female version of the man who had been so kind to her when he found her in tears, the man whose jeep she’d almost bumped, she reminded herself. And she knew Poppy.
‘Poppy’s a good friend,’ Gill said. ‘It was kind of her to recommend me.’
‘I’m not sure how you can help me. My husband…’ Erica’s eyes began to fill.
Gill reached for the box of tissues she kept on the coffee table for this very purpose.
‘Thanks. I’m sorry.’ Erica wiped her eyes.
‘There’s nothing to be sorry about. Your husband… do you want to talk about it?’
‘Not… I don’t… He… We lived in Perth. I didn’t tell him I was leaving.’ She started to sob again.
Gill waited till the tears had stopped. ‘Poppy knew that I could advise you what steps you might take… if you want to.’
Erica raised her eyes to meet Gill’s, eyes the same shade of deep brown she remembered gazing into hers with such compassion. Her stomach fluttered. She stifled the memory.
‘I want to end my marriage,’ Erica said, her voice becoming stronger. ‘Geoff has become more and more controlling over the years, especially since Kieren married. My son,’ she said, clearly seeing the question in Gill’s eyes. ‘He and his dad…’ She held up two crossed fingers. ‘He started to hit me, only in places no one would see, and only when I annoyed him. I thought I could cope, that it was my fault. Then it got worse, it started to happen when things went bad at work. It happened once too often. I waited till he was out of town, then I packed a case and left.’
‘Has he tried to contact you?’
‘I don’t know. I turned off my phone. I didn’t want…’ She looked down.
‘It’s okay. I understand.’
‘I suppose you’ve heard it all before,’ Erica said bitterly. ‘I’m not the first woman to sit here in tears.’ She took another tissue from the box and wiped her eyes.
‘Women who are happy in their marriages have no need to see me,’ Gill said, ‘but everyone is different. Now, let me take down some details.’ She drew an A4 pad towards her. She always found it to be less inhibiting to her clients for her to write things down. She would set up the file on her computer later.
It was almost an hour later before Erica was ready to leave. By that time, Gill had provided her with information about the length of time she would need to wait before filing for divorce and suggested taking out an AVO – an Aggravated Violence Order – in case her husband decided to follow her to Pelican Crossing.
‘I’d also strongly recommend you make an appointment to talk with a therapist,’ she said, when Erica rose to leave. ‘We have a very good one attached to our local medical centre. I can vouch for Olivia’s professionalism.’
‘Oh, I know Livvy. We went to school together and were in the same crowd. We had lunch together yesterday. Do you think, because we’re friends…?’
‘It’s up to Olivia. I didn’t realise you were friends. She may recommend you see someone else.’
‘Thanks. I’ll speak with her. And thanks for your help. I feel much better about everything now. I plan to find work here. I was a nurse before Geoff decided he didn’t want me to work outside the home. I’ve applied for a position at the hospital.’
‘I’m sure they’ll be delighted to have you. It’s good to keep busy.’
‘Thanks. Joe said he knows you too.’
Gill caught her breath. He did ? She smiled. ‘Pelican Crossing is a small town. Everyone knows everyone else. You must remember that, growing up here.’
‘Of course. It was a long time ago. It’s easy to forget. But it’s good to be back. Thanks, again.’
When Erica had gone, Gill sat for a time, staring into space, the memory of Joe Harris filling her thoughts. What were the chances, she wondered, of his sister walking into her office, a sister who looked so like him that her presence conjured up memories of Gill’s own shortcomings and vulnerability, memories she’d rather forget.