Twenty-three
Joe gazed around the room, surprised to see how many members of the community had chosen to attend the council meeting. Normally, there were only a few, usually retired individuals looking for a way to pass the time. But Finn’s front-page article, followed by the notice of the meeting agenda, had brought out all the local dog owners and animal lovers. The council chamber was filled, and many, unable to find seats, were standing at the back of the room. As a result of Joe’s bid for transparency of council proceedings, the meetings were also livestreamed, and there was no way of knowing how many others were watching and listening.
The first part of the meeting covered apologies, confirmation of minutes of the previous meeting and reports from the various committees. During these routine matters, Joe was conscious of many of their audience becoming restive. This wasn’t why they were here. Then the main item of business was announced, and Alan Coatts rose to move the motion that the dog beach be discontinued and dogs be restrained on all Pelican Crossing beaches.
He had barely finished speaking, when a loud muttering broke out among the audience, forcing Joe to call for silence. Then various councillors were invited to speak for and against the motion, the only other speaker in favour being Coatts’ mate, Bert Small, who reiterated his ally’s view that loose dogs were a danger to beachgoers.
Given it was such a contentious issue, Joe had decided to dispense with normal procedure and open the topic up to questions from the audience, and the questions came thick and fast. It was clear Alan and Bert were practically alone in wanting to change the status quo. Joe was about to call for a vote on the motion when one member of the audience rose to her feet.
‘We’re supposed to be a nation of dog lovers,’ Agnes said. ‘It appears two of our councillors have forgotten that dogs are man’s best friend… woman’s too.’
Everyone chuckled. But Agnes hadn’t finished.
‘I’d like to suggest councillors Coatts and Small consider how they’d like to have their freedom curtailed when they visit the beach on the weekend. Perhaps we can arrange for it to happen.’
There was more laughter, and both Alan and Bert’s faces turned red, whether from anger or embarrassment, Joe wasn’t sure. ‘I don’t think that will be necessary,’ he said, trying to hide his amusement. Old Agnes had done it again, just as she had at the meeting about the development. ‘It’s time for a vote on the motion.’ He read the motion again and called for a show of hands. Only two councillors voted in favour.
‘I think we can all agree the motion lost. Our dog beach is safe.’
There was loud applause as the meeting came to a close.
It was some time before Joe managed to get away, but when he left the council chambers, there were still groups of people standing around chatting. He saw Cam and Poppy with Finn and Liz. With them was Gill, looking much better than she had last time he saw her. He’d been intending to call to make good his promise to invite her to dinner but work and Erica had got in the way. As he’d predicted, his sister had been offered a position at the hospital, and had checked out the procedure for applying for an AVO, afraid Geoff might follow her to Pelican Crossing. It would also prevent him from contacting her by phone or text, though she had kept her phone turned off in case of that eventuality, sad that it meant Kieren was also unable to get in touch with her. She had mentioned she would need to see Gill again to have the application signed by her. She could go to a justice of the peace, but had said she felt more comfortable arranging to see Gill again. She’d also mentioned Gill hadn’t been swimming for the past week. Joe hadn’t told her about Gill’s procedure.
He was disappointed to see Gill leave the group just as he approached. He wanted to follow her, but Cam had already seen him and called out, ‘Hey, Joe. Good result. Well done.’
‘I didn’t do anything,’ he said. ‘But I agree it went well. I only hope that’s an end to it, and those two can accept the council – and the community – decision.’
‘Wasn’t Agnes wonderful again,’ Poppy said. ‘Every community needs someone like her who’s not afraid to speak their mind.’
They all chuckled.
Joe noticed Liz nudging Finn.
‘Oh, yeah,’ Finn said. ‘Now you’re here. As I think I told you, Liz has been bugging me to invite you and Erica to dinner. What are you doing on Saturday?’
‘I’m free, but I’ll have to check with Erica. Now she’s working, it’ll depend what shift she’s on. Can I let you know?’ Joe realised he’d forgotten to tell Erica about Finn’s earlier invitation.
‘Sure. We should be going now. Big day tomorrow. I intend to do a full report on the meeting for The Echo .’
‘I’ll look forward to it.’ Joe hoped Finn wouldn’t make too much of his part. He had only chaired the meeting. The decision about the dog beach wasn’t his responsibility, even though he was delighted about it. He grinned, knowing Coco would be too.
Erica was still awake when Joe arrived home and, after checking her roster, agreed to dinner with Finn and Liz on Saturday. ‘She didn’t grow up here, did she?’ she asked. ‘I don’t think I remember her.’
‘She came to Pelican Crossing and started at the high school in year ten, over thirty years ago,’ Joe said. ‘But some people would still regard her as an incomer. Finn only arrived in town just over a year ago to join his daughter. You wouldn’t know him either.’
‘Over thirty years and she’s still regarded as an incomer?’
‘You know Pelican Crossing,’ Joe replied. ‘She wasn’t born here. Whereas despite having lived in Western Australia for so long, you’ll always be native to Pelican Crossing.’ He chuckled. ‘It’s just how things are. I think you’ll like both Finn and Liz.’
‘I hope so. I’m looking forward to meeting them. Now, I’m heading to bed. I was just about to do so when you came in.’
It wouldn’t be long before Joe would be hitting the sack himself, but first, he thought, bending to rub Coco’s neck, a celebratory drink was in order.
Out on the deck with a tumbler of Highland Park in his hand and Coco lying at his side, Joe took a long sip and savoured not just the taste, but life itself. He enjoyed his job, his friends, and most of all his gorgeous dog, but his last thought as he drained the glass, was of Gill Dickson, the enigma in a scruffy old jacket with messy hair, buying frozen meals. The woman who he’d promised to take to dinner.
‘Life’s good, old girl,’ he said, reaching down to pat Coco’s head.
*
Saturday arrived without Joe making contact with Gill again, though Erica had met with her and was feeling more secure, having submitted the important AVO. She’d reported that a copy of her application would be forwarded to her husband who would be required to appear in court to answer it. Joe was glad of the distance separating them.
He was looking forward to the evening, to seeing Finn with Liz Phillips, with whom Joe had merely a passing acquaintance. He only knew her as a friend of Poppy’s… and Gill’s, reminding him of his promise to call her. He didn’t know why he hadn’t done so yet, putting it down to his concern she might still be recovering. But he knew it was more than that. He was trying to come to terms with the attraction he felt for her – an attraction he’d never expected to experience again – and the knowledge she was clearly only interested in him as a friend.
When they reached the door of Liz’s apartment, where Finn was now living, Joe was surprised to hear the sound of voices, more than would be made by two people. Finn hadn’t said anything about other guests.
Erica gave him a worried look.
Joe squeezed her hand. ‘It’ll be fine,’ he said, ‘probably people you know.’
He was right. When Finn opened the door, Joe recognised Poppy’s laugh – he would know it anywhere. He relaxed. It was only Cam and Poppy. It was good of Liz – he was sure it had been her idea – to think of inviting the couple Erica already knew. But when he and Erica joined the others, where they were enjoying wine on a wide deck almost covered with greenery, he was shocked to see Gill there too. It should have occurred to him. The three women were part of a group who lunched together on a regular basis; Poppy’s husband, Jack, used to call them the gang of four. Joe had an idea they’d all met when their children were babies, though those children were now all grown women.
‘You know Gill, don’t you?’ Finn said, once he had introduced Erica to Liz and had poured wine for Joe and his sister.
Joe nodded, while Erica smiled and said, ‘Good to see you again, Gill.’ He thought Gill looked a little uncomfortable. Was it seeing him here? Hadn’t she known he and Erica had been invited?
The conversation was all about the council meeting which, apart from Erica, they had all attended, and Poppy, as a dog owner, was full of praise for the council decision.
‘But it’s all down to you, Finn,’ she said. ‘Your article was amazing.’
Liz, clearly seeing Finn’s embarrassment, announced dinner was ready, and they all made their way inside.
During the meal of poached salmon with steamed vegetables, Joe frequently glanced across the table to where Gill was sitting. He had been pleased to hear her voice was back to normal, but noticed she was eating slowly and cutting her food into tiny pieces. He realised that although she was improving, she was still not completely recovered. He experienced an unexpected urge to give her a hug to comfort her.
When the meal was over and they had moved back onto the deck with coffee, Joe was pleased to note Erica seemed relaxed, asking Liz about the profusion of plants.
‘You must enjoy gardening,’ she said.
‘I missed my garden when I moved here,’ Liz replied. ‘Then I read a book called The Edible Balcony , about building a garden on a balcony. The deck is north-facing, so it’s perfect. Are you a gardener?’
‘I used to be.’ The colour drained from Erica’s face, then she seemed to recover. ‘And I will be again,’ she said, her voice firm. ‘Joe’s garden needs some TLC.’
Joe winced. The garden had been Barb’s province; he hadn’t been able to bring himself to do much other than keep the grass down since she passed. Maybe it would be a good project for Erica.
As the group reformed, he found himself seated next to Gill. ‘You feeling better?’ he asked in a low voice, so no one else could hear. He didn’t know if she’d shared her condition with the others.
‘Yes, thanks,’ she whispered. ‘Thanks for asking. It’ll take me a bit longer to get back to how I was, but I’m getting there.’
‘Well enough to have dinner with a friend?’
‘Perhaps.’ Gill smiled at him, and Joe felt his stomach lurch. As the conversation flowed around them, it was as if the pair were encased in their own little bubble. When it came time to leave, he had arranged for them to have dinner together the following Friday, though he sensed a hint of reticence behind Gill’s agreement.