Eighteen
It was late when Joe got home from dropping Gill off, and Erica was already in bed. He poured himself a glass of the Highland Park malt he’d received for Christmas from the council, which he kept for special occasions, and took it out onto the deck. Coco, who had awakened when she heard him come in, padded after him and lay down at his feet when he dropped into the old wicker chair he should probably have thrown out years ago. Barb had always nagged him about it, but it was comfortable, and he liked to sit there and think.
Tonight, as he gazed up at the stars, his thoughts were about the woman he’d spent the evening with. Gill Dickson was a strange one, a bag of contradictions. On the one hand she was attractive, intelligent, interesting and good company, on the other she was quick to take offence, easily embarrassed, and as tightly wound as the spring of the old grandfather clock which had belonged to his parents and sat in his hallway. Joe had felt her almost physical withdrawal when Cleo assumed they were a couple. He wondered what had happened in her marriage to make her this way, or if it was the result of seeing so many other marriages fall apart. He knew he and Barb had been lucky to have had over thirty happy years together. But he was a firm believer you made your own luck, and that marriage was something to work at. He and Barb had hugged a lot, had said they loved each other every day, and had rarely disagreed.
When the car had stopped outside her apartment block, she’d thanked Joe for inviting her, said she’d enjoyed the evening, and he’d thanked her for coming and said he’d enjoyed it too. He’d meant what he said, but had she been honest with him, or was she only being polite? He got the impression she was good at that, at hiding her feelings under a layer of politeness. He supposed it came with the job.
Joe sighed and took a sip of the Scotch, savouring the peaty flavour on his tongue. ‘What do you think, Coco?’ he asked the dog, whose ears shot up at the sound of her name. ‘Should I invite Gill Dickson out again, or leave her alone?’
*
Erica was sitting on the deck with Coco at her feet when Joe emerged next morning. ‘How was the dinner?’ she asked, one hand ruffling Coco’s ears. ‘I didn’t hear you come in.’
‘I was late, then Coco and I sat outside for a bit. The dinner was good.’
‘And…?’
‘There’s no “and”. It was the usual sort of do, good food, good company. They seemed to like what I had to say.’
‘And Gill?’
‘She said she enjoyed it too. Turned out she knew a couple of the women. One who owns a dress shop and one who’s the director of the women’s centre.’
‘I’ve heard of it. There’s a women’s refuge too. It’s the sort of place I might have ended up in, if I didn’t have such a kind big brother.’ Erica attempted a laugh but didn’t quite succeed. Joe could see she meant it.
‘Just as well you did, then. And it being Sunday, why doesn’t your kind brother take you out to breakfast?’
‘You don’t have to.’
‘I’d like to. Cam is always telling me I should go to The Blue Dolphin Café for Sunday breakfast. He and Poppy have been going there for years, since Poppy’s kids were little, and they’re all grown now.’
‘Okay, you’ve twisted my arm. But I expect you to tell me more about how you and my solicitor got on last night,’ she chuckled.
‘Nothing to tell. We enjoyed each other’s company and decided we could both do with a new friend.’
‘Hmm.’ Erica didn’t pursue it, but Joe felt he wasn’t off the hook, that she’d come back to it later. He hoped when she did, he’d be able to fend her off again.
As soon as they were in sight of the café, Joe could see Cam and Poppy. They were seated at one of the outside tables in a patch of sunlight.
‘Hey there. Isn’t it a glorious morning. Why don’t you join us?’ Poppy said, when they reached them.
‘Good to see you again,’ Poppy said to Erica when they had all hugged. ‘I hope you took my advice.’
‘I did. Gill was very helpful.’ She seemed about to say more when to Joe’s relief, the waitress arrived to take their orders.
The next few minutes were taken up with Poppy recommending the eggs benedict, and Cam the big breakfast, the couple laughing as they revealed it was what they’d eaten for Sunday breakfast for years. Erica decided to follow Poppy’s recommendation, while Joe accepted Cam’s. Joe ordered a macchiato, and Erica a peppermint tea.
By the time they’d placed their orders, there had been no further mention of Gill. Joe and Cam started to discuss an issue which had cropped up at the marina, while he could hear Erica and Poppy chatting about Poppy’s grandchildren. Joe wondered if the talk about grandchildren might be upsetting for Erica, given her estrangement from her son and daughter-in-law, but there was nothing he could do about it.
Erica was very quiet on the drive home. Glancing across at her, Joe said, ‘I’m sorry Poppy chose to rattle on about her grandchildren. Being a grandmother is a pretty new experience for her and she does tend to want to talk about it. It must have struck a chord.’
‘She couldn’t have known,’ Erica said. ‘When I spoke with Gill, I suggested contacting Kieren and Briony, but she advised me against it.’ She sighed. ‘She’s right, of course. Kieren would tell Geoff, and…’ She fell silent again.
Joe shot her another glance, wondering how long it would be before Geoff worked out where Erica was, and how long it would take him to follow her to Pelican Crossing.
Erica must have been thinking the same thing. ‘I should go ahead with organising the AVO Gill recommended,’ she said, ‘in case…’
‘Good idea,’ Joe said, unsure how he would cope if his brother-in-law appeared at his door.
Back home, they were greeted by Coco, who was excited at their return and eager for a walk.
‘Want to join us?’ Joe asked, worried at how quiet Erica had become on the drive home.
‘Not this time,’ Erica said. ‘I’m okay,’ she added, clearly seeing Joe’s concerned expression. ‘I want to check out what I need to do if I go ahead with an AVO. You take Coco on your walk. I’ll be fine. I’ll have lunch waiting for you.’
Joe was about to protest, the big breakfast he’d eaten still weighing heavy on him. But he knew she was just trying to be helpful.
‘You sure you won’t come?’ Joe was loath to leave her.
‘I’m sure.’
‘Okay. Here, Coco,’ he said to the dog who was waiting patiently by the door.
He and Coco headed to the beach where he unfastened the dog’s leash to allow her to run. She immediately raced off to join a couple of other dogs which were diving into the waves. Nearby, walking in the shallows, were old Agnes, the pelican lady, and a small boy Joe recognised as Finn’s grandson.
‘Joe!’
Turning, Joe saw Finn coming towards him. ‘Hey, Finn. Doing grandfather duty today?’
‘Liz and Adele are busy cooking lunch, and I’ve been banished from the kitchen,’ he said. ‘What about you?’
‘I left Erica resting, but she’s promised to have lunch ready too. Young Sandy looks happy.’ He gestured to where the boy was laughing with Agnes.
‘He’s a different child from what he was. Having the pup has helped, along with Agnes’s encouragement. We were beginning to think he’d never go near the ocean again, but I reckon we’ll have him swimming by summer.’
‘I’m glad.’ Joe knew how seeing his father drown had been traumatic for the little boy, resulting in him being afraid of the water. He knew Olivia had helped his recovery too, and hoped the counsellor she’d recommended could do the same for Erica. He hated to see his sister so unhappy and cursed his brother-in-law for how he’d treated her. She had her interview at the hospital next week. Hopefully, if she was offered a nursing position, it would help her make a fresh start.
He chatted to Finn, while they watched Sandy and the dogs, then his friend checked his watch. ‘Time to go,’ he said, and called to his grandson who raced back with his dog. Coco joined them, making Joe realise that perhaps it was time for him to go home too.
On his way home, Joe reflected how his friend had changed in the past few months… ever since he’d got together with Liz. It was amazing what the companionship of a good woman could do, he thought, wondering if he would ever enjoy that again himself. His thoughts turned to the woman he’d spent the previous evening with. Gill Dickson was a bit of an enigma. It had been a good evening. They’d got along well. He’d begun to wonder if maybe he was ready for another relationship. Then she’d seemed to withdraw, and they’d agreed to be friends. Well, he consoled himself, friendship was a good start.