Three
Once she had decided, Erica lost no time in making plans. She would be sad to leave Perth, but the For Sale sign which had appeared on her front lawn was all the incentive she needed. Within a week she had packed all she’d require for the next few months and booked her flight.
‘I wish you would stay, Mum,’ Briony whispered as they said goodbye, after she’d spent her final evening with her and Kieren and given little Ava one last hug.
‘I’ll come to visit, and you can visit me in Pelican Crossing.’
Briony’s face brightened. ‘I’ll do that,’ she said. ‘I’m going to miss you.’
‘I’ll miss you too.’ Erica hugged her and for a moment wondered if she was doing the right thing. But one glance at her son’s expression confirmed her decision. It was so like his father’s. She hoped Briony would never know the torment she’d experienced with Geoff, that she was the only victim of Kieren’s controlling behaviour. But she couldn’t be sure, and her subtle questioning of her daughter-in-law elicited only a vague response. Maybe, if Briony did keep her promise to visit Erica in Pelican Crossing, she could find out more.
With one last look at the house she’d called home for so many years, Erica got into the taxi and was whisked off to the airport. Then, a day later, after spending a night in Sydney where she enjoyed the peace and quiet, as well as the many exciting thoughts of what her future might hold, she walked into another airport terminal to see Joe waiting for her.
It was strange being back here again. But this homecoming was different from her last one when she was fleeing from Geoff. This time she wasn’t beset with fear. Instead, she was filled with enthusiasm about new possibilities. She’d already been in contact with the local hospital, who’d responded that they’d be delighted to have her back. Her previous employment there had been so brief, and she’d left so suddenly, she’d been unsure of her welcome.
‘Welcome back, sis.’ Joe gave Erica a warm hug. ‘Good to see you again. You’re looking so much better.’
‘Thanks.’ He was referring to the last time he’d picked her up here. Then, she’d been a shadow of her former self, worn down by Geoff’s continual criticism and her futile attempts to please him, her body broken and bruised from his attacks. ‘You’re looking good too. Things going well with Gill?’ she asked, aware of his relationship with the local divorce and family law solicitor who had helped protect her from Geoff. The relationship had been in its early stages when she’d returned to Perth.
‘Very well. In fact…’ Joe blushed, ‘… we’re thinking of moving in together. The only challenge is that she feels uncomfortable about moving into my place with its memories of Barb, and her apartment is too small for Coco.’ Joe’s chocolate labrador, Coco, had been his sole companion after his wife died, until first Erica, then Gill, came on the scene. ‘We’ve been looking around for something to buy,’ he added. ‘But don’t worry. There’s no rush, and I may not sell the old place.’
‘Wow!’ Things had certainly moved fast. Erica had only been gone a few months.
Joe blushed again. ‘We’re neither of us getting any younger and we’ve both been on our own for some time. When you know, you know.’ He grinned, looking like he had in his teens when he’d won a game of cards.
‘I’m pleased for you, Joe. You deserve to be happy. And Gill’s a great lady.’
‘Yeah. Thanks. Coco likes her too,’ Joe said as if this was the final accolade. Perhaps it was.
Back at the house, Coco gave Erica a rapturous welcome. It was good to be back, but she was very conscious that this was Joe’s house.
Joe took Coco for a walk while Erica unpacked and had a shower. Changing from her travel outfit into a pair of white pants and a multicoloured top she felt like a new person.
‘If you’re not too tired, do you fancy going out to dinner to celebrate your return?’ Joe asked when he returned and had fed Coco and filled her water bowl. ‘I can check if we can get a table at Crossings ,’ he added, naming Pelican Crossing’s premier restaurant.
‘I’d love that and I’m not too tired. The air here seems to have energised me already.’ Erica laughed, feeling a sense of freedom she hadn’t anticipated. ‘ Crossings would be wonderful.’ Erica remembered eating there on her previous visit. The restaurant, which had begun life as a fish and chip shop before becoming a fish restaurant, then being transformed into its current incarnation by Poppy Taylor and her late husband. Now it brought tourists to Pelican Crossing from all over Australia, thanks to its having being promoted in magazines and on television.
When they walked into the restaurant, Erica was assailed by a sense of familiarity. Although she had only been here once with Joe, there was something about the atmosphere that made her feel welcome, as if now she’d really come home. Glancing around, she caught sight of Poppy on the other side of the room, but didn’t think she’d seen them. There would be time enough to catch up with the woman who’d been kind to her and had recommended a solicitor to her – the solicitor who was now her brother’s partner.
After studying the extensive menu, they decided to share a dozen oysters followed by nasi goreng for Erica and chilli crab spaghettini for Joe, all accompanied by a bottle of prosecco because – as Joe said – they were celebrating.
‘You’re spoiling me, Joe,’ Erica said, when the waiter had filled their glasses, and they toasted each other and the future, which now looked rosier than ever to Erica.
‘I want to get my own place,’ Erica said, while they were waiting for their meals.
‘There’s no need.’
‘I know, but I’ll feel better if I do. I’m here to stay this time and I want somewhere to call my own. I have a bit of money I managed to squirrel away and I’ll be earning a good salary. Something small would suit me. Perhaps one of those apartments overlooking the marina. I’ll rent until I can afford to buy.’
‘It’s a relief to see the old Erica back again. I was worried she had disappeared for good. It must have been a wrench to leave your granddaughter.’
‘Yes, it was.’ Erica gazed into space, remembering the feel of Ava’s warm body, her soft skin, the scent of milk and baby powder. ‘But Briony has promised to visit. It will do her good to get away for a bit. I’m worried about her.’
Joe raised an eyebrow. ‘Kieren’s not…?’
‘Not as far as I can tell, and Briony isn’t giving anything away. But he’s so like Geoff, Joe. It worries me. I can only hope he’s treating her well… And now there’s the baby…’
‘He wouldn’t hurt his own child.’ Joe sounded shocked.
‘No, but Ava’s a girl. It’s not like it was with Kieren. Geoff always treated him like a mate, someone he could mould in his own image. It’ll be different for Kieren with Ava. I hope I’m wrong.’
*
Next morning, when Joe had gone to work, Erica took Coco to the beach. It was wonderful to feel the sand beneath her feet and to smell the scent of the ocean again. She hadn’t realised how much she’d missed this. She was looking forward to getting back into the water. Last time she’d been here, she had joined a group of wild swimmers, mostly women, who braved the ocean at the crack of dawn. It was amazing to be out there just as the sun was rising. She couldn’t wait to do it again.
Erica had been so lost in thought, she hadn’t noticed that Coco had run off to join another dog at the edge of the water. The spaniel was accompanied by a woman Erica recognised. Old Agnes was an institution in Pelican Crossing. Erica had met her on her previous visit, though didn’t remember her from when she was growing up there. She was of indeterminate age and with her wild mane of white hair and long skirt trailing in the water, looked like an aging hippie. Erica knew she managed a pelican rescue centre by the river, and had heard that she was renowned for her words of wisdom, but hadn’t had much to do with her herself.
‘It’s Erica, isn’t it?’ Agnes said, when Erica drew close. ‘You’re Joe Harris’s sister. Good to see you back. The city didn’t agree with you?’
‘Not exactly.’ Erica was unsure how to reply. She didn’t want to reveal her reasons for leaving Perth, even though she had the distinct impression Agnes would understand, maybe even offer advice. Erica wasn’t ready for advice.
‘Then you’re in the best place,’ the old woman said with a smile, bending down to ruffle Coco’s ears. ‘You have a great day,’ she added, before calling her dog and walking away.
‘Thanks, you too,’ Erica called after her.
On the way back to Joe’s, she stopped off to gaze in the window of the local real estate office, disappointed to see few available rentals which would suit her needs. Most were large homes and beyond her budget. With a sigh, she returned to Joe’s.
Erica ensured Coco had water and gave the dog a treat, before making herself a cup of lemon and ginger tea, glad Joe still had some of the teabags she’d bought when she was here before. Then she took her tea and phone out to the yard and called Briony.
It felt strange to be talking to her daughter-in-law while she was sitting here in Joe’s back yard, Coco snuffling around the edge of the garden, difficult to believe that only a few days ago, she was in Perth, cuddling her granddaughter. It was as if she was in another world.