Twenty-nine
When she awoke next morning, Erica was glad she didn’t have to go to work. It had been late when she got back home, still trying to process that kiss. Although she’d harboured warmer feelings towards Jamie after Joe’s meeting, even contemplated forming a closer friendship, kissing hadn’t been part of her plan. He’d caught her at a weak moment, she decided, when she was missing Ava. But that didn’t excuse her response and the way her heart raced, the surge of excitement she felt as their lips met. It had been like coming home.
Now, in the cold light of day, she wondered how she could have allowed her emotions to take over. But she couldn’t suppress the memory of Jamie’s lips on hers, his arms around her, the familiar scent of his cologne. It was as if they’d never been apart, as if all those years with Geoff had never happened, and she and Jamie were teenagers again. Erica blinked to dismiss the image of Jamie which filled her mind, and leapt out of bed. An early morning swim was what she needed to bring her back to her senses.
When Erica arrived at the beach, she was glad Gill wasn’t there. She didn’t want to face her while she was still trying to work out why she had responded to Jamie’s kiss. She ran into the ocean, flinching as the cold water hit her skin, and swam out through the waves, the need to keep moving sending everything else from her mind. But when she turned to float on her back, as she always did, and looked up at the changing colours of the sky, it all came back to her – Jamie, the kiss, the way she’d felt. She didn’t know how long she lay there, trying to forget his strength, his warmth, the dizzying current of emotion which had raced through her, reminding her… It was time to go back to the shore.
Gill was already there, standing next to Erica’s towel, waiting for her.
‘You were out there a long time,’ she said. ‘A lot on your mind?’
Erica gave her a puzzled look. How did she know?
‘I used to do that when I felt confused,’ Gill said. ‘There’s something about the ocean and the morning sky that helps you get things in perspective.’
‘Hmm.’ It hadn’t done Erica much good this morning, and she hoped Gill wouldn’t pursue her line of thought.
She didn’t. ‘I hear you were at Joe’s meeting on Thursday,’ Gill said instead. ‘I don’t know why he invited you to join that one. The women are meeting separately. Unless…’ She raised one eyebrow. ‘Was Jamie Whittaker there?’
Erica stared at her in amazement. She couldn’t mean…? Joe wouldn’t be so devious, would he? Of course he would , she thought. Once her big brother got an idea in his head, he’d do whatever it took to make it happen. ‘Yes,’ she said abruptly, vowing to take Joe to task next time she saw him, to tell him to butt out of her love life. She was so incensed, it was a few minutes before she realised the words she had used in her head. She wasn’t in love with Jamie Whittaker. She didn’t intend to fall in love with anyone ever again.
‘We’re meeting today for lunch. Why don’t you join us?’ Gill asked.
‘You and Joe?’ Erica didn’t know if she could face her brother just yet, if he had knowingly pushed her into Jamie’s company, hoping… and she’d fallen right into his plan. Though not last night, she reminded herself. Helping Jamie out with little Archie… and that kiss… had nothing to do with her brother.
‘No,’ Gill laughed, as she rubbed her hair with a towel, ‘the group of women who are working on Joe’s project. We’ve decided to meet separately as we don’t want to be bothered by all the building issues the others will be discussing. I think you know everyone. Besides me, there’s Poppy, Liz, who’s practice manager at the medical centre, and Rachel. They were all at the barbecue. The four of us have known each other since our eldest were babies and we’ve continued to meet for lunch every month. Now we’ve decided to become involved in Joe’s latest project, we’ve added some extra meetings. We’ve invited Kate too, though she will probably also be involved with the other group, given her role as town planner. We’re meeting at Poppy’s today at twelve.’
*
Still fuming at the way Joe had managed to manipulate her into meeting up with Jamie again, even though everything that had happened after the meeting was all her own doing, Erica prepared to attend this other meeting. She pulled on a pair of grey tailored pants and a pale blue cashmere sweater which always made her feel good and applied a touch of makeup.
Erica knew the way to Poppy’s home on the clifftop, having been there with Joe on her previous visit. Growing up in Pelican Crossing, Erica had always admired Poppy, wishing to emulate the older girl’s elegance and style. She remembered hearing how Poppy and her husband had built this house and brought up their three daughters there before he drowned in a freak accident. It happened just as they were about to open their restaurant, which was now Crossings . It had been Poppy who recommended Gill to Erica as her solicitor, the woman who had become her close friend and Joe’s partner.
She was looking forward to seeing the other women too. She’d met Liz and liked the outspoken woman, but the thought that she was now Jamie’s son’s mother-in-law did give her pause for thought. It seemed that, wherever she went in this town there was some link to, or reminder of Jamie. At least she didn’t believe there were any connections between him and the other two woman who’d be at the lunch meeting, though Rachel and Kate had both been at the barbecue at Joe’s where she’d met Jamie and… Her stomach churned at the memory of how he’d appeared behind her in the kitchen and sent her emotions swirling.
Taking a deep breath, she got out of the car and made her way to the house. As soon as she knocked on the door, there was the sound of barking. Erica had forgotten about Poppy’s dog, a cute little West Highland Terrier.
‘Angus!’ Poppy said, when she opened the door, and the little ball of white jumped up on Erica.
‘He’s fine,’ Erica said, ruffling the dog’s ears. ‘I’m used to Joe’s Coco, and she’s more than twice Angus’s size. I love dogs.’
‘Maybe you should get one of your own. Angus proved to be wonderful company for me after Jack died. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to…’ Poppy reddened.
‘There’s no need.’ Erica brushed away Poppy’s apology. She wasn’t sorry about Geoff’s death. ‘You may be right about a dog.’ It occurred to her that a dog would be good company, and Rhana would be sure to have a litter available sometime soon. Maybe she should ask Livvy if she’d be okay with Erica having a dog in the cottage.
‘We’re on the deck.’ Poppy led the way through the house and out onto the wide deck overlooking the ocean, where three women were seated with glasses of wine at a table on which were several platters of cold meats, cheeses and breads. It looked more like a party than a business meeting.
‘Kate wasn’t able to make it,’ Poppy said. ‘I think you know everyone here.’
‘I saw you at your brother’s barbecue, but we haven’t been introduced. I’m Rachel,’ said one of the women. She looked older than the others and was wearing a loose shirt. Erica wondered if she was self-conscious about her size. The others were all slim. Having often felt self-conscious herself, due to Geoff’s treatment of her, Erica immediately felt a connection with her.
‘I saw you at the barbecue. It’s lovely to meet you properly,’ Erica said.
‘Now we’re all here, why don’t we get started,’ Poppy said, handing Erica a glass of wine. ‘Erica was fortunate – or unfortunate – enough to be at the meeting the men held on Thursday. Maybe you can fill us in on what was discussed, Erica? Meanwhile, everyone, feel free to help yourselves to food.’
Stunned to be placed in the spotlight, Erica hesitated for a few moments. Then, seeing the interested expressions on the faces around the table, she began to speak, outlining what she could remember of the meeting and ending with, ‘and there was a lot of medical jargon spouted by Malcolm Brown who was the token doctor.’ It suddenly occurred to her she had perhaps been the token nurse, as she was in this group.
‘Thanks, Erica.’ It was Rachel who spoke first. ‘What a wonderful gesture from this benefactor who wishes to remain anonymous. I wonder who it can be.’ She gazed around the group, but everyone shook their heads. ‘You’ve given us a clearer picture of what Joe plans. What we need to do, ladies, is make sure we raise sufficient funds to make it happen.’
There was a murmur of agreement, then Poppy took charge. ‘Well, so far, we’ve agreed on a winter fair. Any other ideas?’
‘How about we make it a Christmas in July fair?’ Liz suggested, evoking a burst of laughter from the others.
Erica was puzzled.
‘Liz always insists we have a Secret Santa at our July lunch,’ Poppy explained, ‘but it’s a good idea. Thanks, Liz.’
Liz beamed.
‘Anything else?’
‘There was mention of a walk,’ Liz said. ‘I’m sure Mandy would be prepared to organise that, and it would be good to get the younger generation involved.’
‘Good plan,’ Poppy said, making notes on a notepad. She was the leader of the group , Erica thought. It wasn’t a surprise. She’d always been a leader at school.
While hesitant to make a suggestion, Erica said, ‘What about a ball? When I was a student nurse in Sydney, before I married, the hospital held a ball to raise funds for a new wing. I believe it was very successful.’
‘Sounds like something you could organise, Poppy,’ Gill said. ‘Thanks, Erica.’
Erica sat back, pleased to have contributed, happy now to listen as the others bandied about some other suggestions.
Finally, the meeting came to an end, with Erica feeling more a part of the group than she’d expected when she arrived. She was preparing to leave, and the others were saying their farewells, when Poppy pulled her aside.
‘I’m glad to hear you and Jamie are seeing each other,’ she said. ‘He’s been lonely for a long time and needs someone to care for him.’
‘I’m not…’ Erica began, while wondering how Poppy knew, but she was interrupted by Gill saying, ‘Why don’t you come back with me? Joe has something he wants to show you.’
Erica hesitated, wondering if this was a ploy of her brother’s to quiz her about Jamie. She couldn’t bear to spend an evening being interrogated about their friendship, because that was all it was, for now anyway. But this was Joe who had been so good to her, who had provided her with refuge – twice – when she had nowhere else to go. ‘Okay,’ she said, hoping she wasn’t making a huge mistake.