Forty-four
Having spent most of the weekend with Gill, Joe was feeling good when Monday morning came around. On Saturday, they’d taken a picnic and gone for a drive in the hinterland, while on Sunday, they’d joined Cam and Poppy on a dive trip. Gill had managed to gain her certification as a diver a week earlier so there was no need for Gary to accompany them.
The previous evening, over dinner at Gill’s, Freya had let slip the fact she was off to Sydney for a job interview this week, so Gill would be alone. Joe tried to hide the anticipation which flooded him at her news, knowing nothing had really changed. Gill was still determined to keep their relationship on the same footing, regardless how much they might both yearn for more intimacy.
Since Joe had no meetings today, the morning passed slowly. He was about to take Coco for a walk when his phone rang. He was surprised to see Erica’s number. She wasn’t rostered on at the hospital today so at breakfast had told him she planned a lazy day. A date had finally been set for her to speak to a group at the Bellbird Women’s Centre and she intended to put together some notes for her talk. She’d been researching coercive control, shocked to discover it was what she’d suffered for most of her married life.
‘Hi, Erica, what’s up?’ he asked.
‘Joe,’ Erica sounded distraught, ‘I need to talk to you. Kieren just called and…’ Her voice broke.
Joe’s heart sank. Was this what he’d been dreading ? Had Geoff discovered Erica had been in touch with Briony ? If so, it might only be a short time before he worked out where she was. He hoped he was wrong. ‘Steady on, sis. Look, I was about to leave the office to walk Coco and get some lunch. I could come home. How would that be? We can talk then.’
‘Oh, Joe, would you?’
‘I’ll see you soon.’ Joe picked up his keys and Coco’s leash. ‘Sorry, Coco, no walk today. Erica needs us.’ On the way out he stopped by Debbie’s desk. ‘I’m heading home. Family problem. Don’t worry if I’m not back today. You can contact me by phone if anything urgent comes up. Otherwise, I’ll see you tomorrow.’ By which time Joe hoped he’d have this sorted, and Erica would be on a more even keel.
When they reached the car, Coco leapt into the passenger seat and waited till Joe opened the window so she could stick her head out as she always did. Joe wasn’t sure why she liked it so much, maybe it was the feeling of the wind on her face, though he’d read somewhere it was to do with the dog’s sense of smell, or so they could check out their surroundings. Whatever the reason, Joe knew Coco loved it, her tongue hanging out to show her delight. He turned on the engine and headed for home.
Erica was seated at the kitchen table twisting her fingers, an untouched cup of tea on the table, when Joe and Coco walked in. Seeming to sense her distress, Coco went straight up to her and pushed her nose into her lap. Erica’s hand immediately fell onto the dog’s head. ‘Oh, Joe, thanks for coming. I don’t know what to do.’
‘What exactly did Kieren say?’ Joe asked, taking a seat next to his sister and clasping her free hand. He could feel her tremble, and her eyes were red. She’d been crying.
‘He… Briony told him I’d called,’ Erica began, gulping back the tears. ‘He wanted to know why I’d left Geoff, where I was. I didn’t tell him, but I think he may have guessed. He knows how close we were. He didn’t say he’d told Geoff, but…’
‘You think he would?’
‘They’re close. He’d want to keep his dad informed about… Oh, Joe, what am I going to do?’
‘I thought you’d called Briony from a silent number.’
‘I did… but then, she wanted to send me the photo of the ultrasound…’ Erica’s voice trailed off as she clearly realised what she’d done.
Joe thought quickly, but he didn’t have a solution, unless… ‘What about the women’s refuge in Bellbird Bay, the one Gill has talked about, the one that Ali woman runs. You were planning to give a talk down there.’
‘But not as one of the women who seek refuge.’ Erica seemed stunned Joe would mention it. ‘Anyway, I suspect they don’t have room. Places like that often have a waiting list. I know from my research there’s been a rise in the demand for crisis housing. I probably wouldn’t qualify because I have you.’ She pulled her hand away from Joe’s to wipe her eyes.
‘Let’s make you a cup of tea. It looks like yours has gone cold.’ He gestured to the cup sitting on the table which was still full. ‘Have you eaten?’ he asked, as he was filling the electric jug.
‘I couldn’t face anything.’
‘Well, troubles always seem better when you have something in your stomach, as Mum used to say.’
Erica managed a teary smile at this reminder of their mother who’d had a wealth of such sayings which she trotted out regularly when they were growing up, much to their annoyance.
Joe opened the pantry and, finding a can of vegetable soup, emptied it into a pot, before taking a packet of muffins from the fridge, splitting two and dropping them into the toaster. He was hungry, even if Erica wasn’t and he always thought better on a full stomach. Mother hadn’t been too far off the mark.
By the time the soup was ready and he’d added slices of cheese to the toasted muffins, Coco had left Erica and was sniffing around Joe’s feet. ‘Not for you, Coco,’ he said. Then he took pity on the dog and gave her a dog biscuit from the box Coco knew Joe kept in the pantry.
Joe was pleased to see Erica managed to have some of the soup and took a few bites out of the muffin before laying down her cutlery and saying, ‘I can’t eat any more.’ But she had drunk the camomile tea Joe had prepared, thankful Erica had bought in supplies of the herbal teas she liked. He seemed to remember camomile was calming. He hoped it worked.
‘Do you need to go back to the office?’ Erica asked, when Joe was clearing the dishes.
He had intended to, but seeing his sister’s expression, Joe decided to stay home. ‘Not today,’ he said. ‘Coco and I can stay home and keep you company.’
But his words failed to comfort Erica who was trembling again. ‘What should I do?’ she asked Joe again, ‘What if…’ Her eyes widened with fear.
Joe felt helpless. What should they do? Now Kieren had been in touch, there was a strong possibility he’d tell Geoff and…
Erica’s phone rang.
Before Joe could warn her to be careful, she picked it up and answered it. Then she dropped it on the floor as if she’d been stung.
‘What…?’ Joe began as a familiar voice emanated from the phone. Although he couldn’t distinguish the words, he recognised the voice.
‘It’s Geoff,’ Erica said in a tremulous voice
Joe picked up the phone on which he could still hear Geoff’s voice. He ended the call and turned off the phone. The silence was deafening. Even Coco was silent, and had wandered off to lie under the table, her head on her paws.
‘Sorry,’ Erica said.
Joe pulled his sister into a warm hug. She’d been foolish, but it was done now, and they had to think about what to do. After a few minutes he thought of Gill. As Erica’s solicitor, she might have a solution. ‘We should contact Gill,’ he said.
*
Gill gazed at the tearful woman sitting beside Joe in her living room. When he’d called her at the office, she’d had back-to-back appointments so had suggested they come around to the apartment after she got home. Freya was in her bedroom packing for her trip to Sydney, so it was just the three of them. Joe had left Coco at home.
Joe had just finished explaining Erica’s predicament, and Gill had poured glasses of wine in the hope of making it feel like an ordinary evening, though she knew it was anything but. She had bitten her lip to stop her from calling Erica all sorts of a fool for giving Briony her number. But perhaps she’d have done the same, given the prospect of seeing an ultrasound of her first grandchild. Who knew how they would react in a similar situation?
‘Maybe we’re worrying unnecessarily,’ Joe said, in a clear attempt to reduce the tension in the room. ‘Perhaps Geoff won’t figure out where Erica is.’
But Gill was doubtful. ‘You’re Erica’s only other relative, Joe. Where else would she go? The wonder is that he hasn’t worked it out before now, even given your attempt to mislead him.’
‘I wondered about the women’s refuge you talked about,’ he said. ‘But Erica wasn’t optimistic they’d have a vacancy.’
‘She’s right. Ali said they were chock-a-block.’
Just then, Freya popped her head around the door. ‘I’m off now, Mum. Rory’s giving me a ride to the airport. I’ll see you later in the week. I may stay down for a few days to look around.’
‘Excuse me,’ Gill said to Joe and Erica, an idea forming in her mind as she accompanied her daughter to the door. ‘Good luck with the interview, darling. I hope it goes well if it’s what you want. And take your time in Sydney. It’s a lovely city. I think you’d enjoy living there.’
‘Thanks, Mum. You’re the best. No word from Dad?’
Gill shook her head. She didn’t expect to hear from Max. They’d said all they had to say to each other long ago. In recent years all their communication had been through their solicitors.
There was the sound of a car horn.
‘That’s Rory now. Bye, Mum.’
Gill hugged her daughter. ‘Safe trip and let me know how it goes.’
‘I will, Mum. Bye,’ she said again and she was off, running out to where Rory was waiting for her.
With a sigh, Gill closed the door and returned to the living room where Erica was sobbing, her head on Joe’s shoulder. At the sight of Gill, she made an effort to pull herself together, wiping her eyes with a tissue. Gill refilled their glasses, then said, ‘I think I have a solution. Freya will be gone to Sydney for a few days. Why don’t you move into her room here, Erica? It will give you some breathing space, and if your husband does arrive in Pelican Crossing, he’ll never think of looking for you here.’
Both Erica and Joe stared at Gill. ‘Do you mean it?’ Erica said, the relief in her voice unmistakable.
‘Of course. I wouldn’t offer, otherwise.’ Although it went against all her rules to offer accommodation to a client, Erica was Joe’s sister, a friend.
‘It’s very kind of you,’ Joe said, ‘and you’re right, Geoff wouldn’t find her here. What do you think, Erica?’
‘I think it sounds like the perfect solution,’ Erica said. ‘If you’re sure, Gill.’
‘I’m sure.’ It would also ensure she and Joe wouldn’t be tempted to take advantage of her being alone in the apartment, Gill thought, before dismissing the thought as unworthy. ‘I’ll give you a key and you can move in anytime.’
‘Thanks.’ Erica rose, and to Gill’s embarrassment, gave her a hug. ‘You won’t regret it.’
Gill hoped she was right. But what possible harm could there be in providing Erica with a safe place to live?