Thirty
Jamie had just returned from a day out with a group of Rotarians from down the coast. They had been a pleasant bunch to spend time with and to his delight they had all managed to make a catch. He was tying up and looking forward to a beer and a hot shower, not necessarily in that order when his phone rang.
‘Hey,’ he said, seeing Joe’s number. ‘What can I do for you?’
‘You free for dinner? I won the raffle in the club last night and have a huge tray of steak Gill and I need help eating. Also, I have something I want to show you.’
‘Yeah?’ Jamie was curious, not so much about the steak which he guessed was a ruse, but what could Joe possibly have to show him?
‘Yeah,’ Joe said, clearly unwilling to give anything away. ‘So, are you free?’
‘Never let it be said I turned down a free feed, but you’ve sparked my interest. Any clues?’
‘Wait till you get here. Come when you’re ready.’ He ended the call.
Jamie stared at his phone for a moment, then shrugged. It wasn’t like Joe to be so secretive, but there was no sense in wondering what he was up to. He’d find out soon enough. He finished with the boat, went to the office to update the data on his computer, then walked home, enjoying the sight of a trio of pelicans crossing his path. These big birds were such a common sight here, and one he never tired of.
Once home, he headed for the shower, enjoying the jet of hot water cascading over his body as it washed away the detritus of the day, his mind going to the previous evening, to Erica and their kiss. He hadn’t planned it, but it was something he’d wanted to do ever since he saw her again. She’d been so upset, he couldn’t help himself, and she hadn’t resisted. After they’d pulled apart, she’d explained how being with Archie had made her miss her granddaughter even more. He’d hugged her then, and for a brief moment she’d leant into him for comfort, before pulling away and apologising. He’d never understand women.
Deciding there was no need to dress up for Joe, while wondering why his friend had chosen him to share his meat tray rather than one of his other friends, Jamie pulled on a pair of jeans and teamed them with one of his better tee-shirts before adding a checked overshirt. Then, pulling a six-pack out of the fridge, he set off. He glanced at Erica’s cottage as he passed, but there was no sign of her.
Jamie was whistling as he walked up to Joe’s open door to be greeted by Coco, who sniffed at his feet before heading back inside. He knocked and called, ‘Anyone home?’ then followed the dog into the house.
‘We’re out here,’ Joe called, and following the sound, Jamie went through the house and out into the yard where Joe and Gill were seated with… Erica.
Erica was laughing at something Gill had said. She looked up when Jamie walked in, her expression changing. It seemed she hadn’t been expecting to see him either. Jamie was immediately transported back to the previous evening, to the moment their lips met. He reddened and rubbed the back of his neck with his free hand. ‘Hey,’ he said, including all three in his greeting, and dropped the beer on the bench by the barbecue.
‘Thanks, mate,’ Joe said with a grin, clearly enjoying his embarrassment. Had Erica said something about…? ‘Erica was telling us how you called on her to help you out with the grandson.’
‘Oh! Yeah, she was a big help.’ He glanced at Erica who was blushing too. Maybe she hadn’t mentioned the kiss. Was she regretting it? Was that why she’d pulled away and left soon afterwards? ‘It’s a long time since my two were little… and Cindy was there to carry most of the load.’
‘Typical man!’ Gill said, but her smile belied her words.
‘How is the little fellow?’ Joe asked, handing Jamie a beer.
‘Thanks. He’s good, thriving, has a fine voice which he proved last night.’ He grimaced.
‘They’ll do that,’ Gill said with a grin. ‘It’s a long time since Freya was that age, but I remember. You were spared that joy, Joe.’
‘Sadly.’ It was Joe’s turn to grimace, and Jamie remembered how sad Joe and Barb had been that they never had children.
‘Sorry, honey.’ Gill patted Joe’s arm.
Joe sighed. ‘I didn’t have much to do with Kieren either,’ he said to Erica.
‘No, not my doing, it was Geoff who…’ She bit her lip. ‘But if I have anything to do with it, you’ll see more of Ava. Last night made me realise how much I’m missing her. Briony promised to visit me here. I need to get her to set a date.’
Jamie glanced across at Erica sympathetically, but she didn’t meet his eyes. He wondered why he was really here. Had Joe brought him here on false pretences? The meat tray was real enough. It was sitting by the barbecue – more meat than the four of them could possibly eat, but was there really anything Joe wanted to show him?
Jamie took a swallow of beer, then said, ‘What’s this all about, Joe? You said you had something to show me?’
‘Me too,’ Erica said, sounding annoyed. ‘Was it just a ploy to get us both here?’
‘Now, why would you think that?’ Joe asked. ‘I do have something, but all in good time. Let’s eat first.’
Gill rolled her eyes as Joe rose and went across to the barbecue, Coco following at the prospect of something to eat.
‘Need a hand?’ Jamie joined Joe at the barbecue. He had the distinct impression that Erica wasn’t pleased about his presence and he wanted to put as much distance between him and her as possible in this small backyard.
*
Erica couldn’t believe Joe had done it again. When Jamie walked in, her heartbeat throbbed in her ears and a surge of desire flared through her, followed by a spurt of annoyance at her brother. He’d got her here under false pretences. And it looked as if he’d pulled the same trick on Jamie. She wondered if Gill had been part of the plot, but she seemed as surprised to see Jamie as Erica was. She was tempted to finish her wine and go home, to leave Joe to explain to Jamie why he was here. But something stopped her.
‘Did you know?’ she murmured to Gill, gesturing to where Joe and Jamie were loading steaks onto the hot plate, a salivating Coco at their feet.
‘Not a whisper,’ Gill replied, ‘but it’s not a big deal, is it? You two are friends. He’s a good guy, and you’re both single. Joe’s just doing what a good brother does. He’s looking out for you. He wants you to be happy, especially now he and I…’
‘That’s the point,’ Erica broke in, not allowing Gill to finish. ‘They talk about women matchmaking, but they’ve got nothing on my big brother.’
‘Don’t you like Jamie? I think he’s rather hot.’
‘I…’ Erica felt her face warm. ‘I agree he’s a good guy… and attractive. But, Gill, you know what I’ve been through. How can I let another man into my life and how can I ever trust my own judgement again?’ She took a gulp of wine.
‘I understand. I see women like you every day, and my own history with men is nothing to boast about. But if you let your experiences with Geoff colour your view of every other man you meet, you’re allowing him to continue to control you. Do you really want to do that?’
‘Of course not! But…’
‘What are you two looking so serious about?’ Joe asked, when he and Jamie returned with a platter of enormous steaks.
‘Women-talk,’ Gill said with a smile, much to Erica’s relief. ‘I’ll just fetch a couple of salads from the fridge.’ She rose.
‘Need any help?’ Erica asked, reluctant to be left with the two men. Her mind was still reeling from what Gill had said. Was she still allowing Geoff to dominate her?
‘No, thanks. I won’t be a minute.’
Left alone with the two men and Coco, who was chewing on a piece of steak Joe had dropped into a bowl for him, Erica forced a smile to her face and took a sip of wine.
‘Let me top you up,’ Jamie said, picking up the bottle of wine.
Erica held out her glass, her eyes meeting Jamie’s which were filled with such affection, she felt a warm glow envelop her. ‘Thanks,’ she muttered trying to deny the pulsing knot that had formed in her stomach. She was glad when Gill returned with two bowls of salad. She took one from her and placed it on the table as her breathing returned to normal.
The steak was delicious, cooked to perfection, and Erica made a mental note to ask Gill for the recipe for one of the salads. To her relief, the conversation revolved around Joe’s latest project, and the fundraising activities the women proposed. Joe liked the idea of a ball, but it seemed to make Jamie uncomfortable.
‘I’m not one for dressing up in a fancy suit,’ he said with a frown.
Erica could remember him wearing one for the school formal. She could still picture him in the black tuxedo with satin lapels, a pale blue frilled shirt and black bow tie, his hair almost brushing his shoulders. She’d thought he looked so grownup and dashing.
‘What?’ he said, staring at her.
‘Nothing.’
‘Erica can probably remember we all got dressed up in dinner suits for our formal,’ Joe said with a grin. ‘We got together at our place for a few bevvies beforehand to give us Dutch courage. Those were the days.’
‘I think I might be glad I didn’t know you then,’ Gill laughed.
When the meal was finally over, and Gill had gone into the kitchen to make coffee, Coco following in the hope of more food, Joe said, ‘Let’s go inside.’
Erica and Jamie followed him into the living room. Erica was curious as to what was coming next and assumed Jamie was too. Knowing her brother’s old propensity for playing pranks and given his current tendency to push her and Jamie together, she was wary of what he wanted to show them.
Joe waited till Gill appeared with coffee and a tray of biscotti before launching into his explanation.
‘Now I’ve decided to put this place on the market, I’ve been doing a bit of clearing out,’ he said, ‘and in the process, I’ve come across some old school magazines I thought you might be interested in. I invited Cam and Poppy over too, but they had something else on. We’ll catch up another time.’
Erica felt more comfortable at the news Cam and Poppy had also been invited. Perhaps she had maligned Joe unfairly, but she still didn’t trust his motives. She had never been part of his peer group at school, so why was she here?
‘There are some of you too, Erica,’ Joe said, when he and Jamie were laughing over photos of them playing footy and dressed in weird outfits for Halloween and the school play. ‘Look!’ He opened one to show Erica a photo of her with Livvy and Rhana. The three girls were standing behind a stall, above which was a sign which read Help our Animals .
‘Oh, I remember that day,’ Erica said, laughing now too. ‘It was all Rhana’s doing. She was besotted with animals back then too. We made cakes and biscuits and brought them to school, sold them in aid of the RSPCA. As I recall, we did very well.’
‘I remember it too,’ Jamie said with a grin. He seemed about to say more but stopped.
Erica was glad. She remembered that day all too well. She and Jamie had only just started dating and after school, he had taken her out on his boat. He had received the Princess 18 monohull sailboat as an eighteenth birthday gift, and it was his pride and joy. It had been the first of many such trips, trips she’d always remember. She swallowed hard when Joe opened the next magazine because there, on the third page, was a photo of Jamie with his sailboat, along with Joe, Cam and Jack, who’d been Cam’s best friend and was Poppy’s late husband.
‘That was a cracker,’ Joe said, pointing to the boat. ‘You were always going to spend your life on the water, weren’t you?’
‘Couldn’t imagine doing anything else. Interestingly, I recently managed to locate a Princess 18, built in 1990, one of the last.’
‘You bought it?’
‘Of course.’ Jamie glanced across at Erica as he spoke.
She blushed.
‘Excuse my ignorance. Are we talking about a yacht or a motorboat, and what’s so special about it?’ Gill asked.
Jamie was quick to reply. ‘The Princess 18 is an eighteen-foot sailboat with a fibreglass hull. It’s beautifully designed, an award-winning yacht. There’s nothing quite like it… in my opinion anyway. I was lucky to find this one. And it brings back so many memories for me.’ He glanced across at Erica again.
‘Right.’ Gill appeared satisfied. ‘Any more coffee, anyone?’
Erica checked her watch. The time had flown. ‘I should be going,’ she said. ‘Thanks for dinner… and for this, Joe. What do you intend to do with them?’ she gestured to the pile of magazines.
‘I’m not sure. It seems a pity to toss them, but they’re not much use to anyone, unless…?’
‘I’d like the one with the photo of me with Livvy and Rhana. I’d love to show it to them.’
‘Sure, it’s all yours.’ He handed it to her. ‘Jamie?’
‘I’ll take the one with the Princess, thanks,’ Jamie said, reddening. Do what you like with the rest of them, after Cam and Poppy have a look.’
‘Will do.’
‘I should be going too,’ Jamie said. ‘Are you walking or driving, Erica?’
‘I’m driving. I came here straight from Poppy’s. You?’ she asked, without thinking.
‘I walked.’
There was a pause while his words sunk in. Joe was busy gathering the magazines together, and Gill was collecting the empty cups.
‘Would you like a ride?’ Erica wasn’t sure what prompted her to make the offer, perhaps the memories the photos had stirred up, perhaps Gill’s words about Geoff.
‘Thanks, that would be great.’ Jamie grinned, making Erica’s stomach churn. Now she was going to be stuck in her car with him. At least it would be a short trip.
No sooner were they in the car than Jamie said, ‘You remember the Princess, don’t you?’
‘Of course.’ How could she forget those summer days out on the water, the wind in her hair, the sun beating down on her and Jamie, his tanned arms, the way his muscles rippled as he trimmed the sails.
‘She was a beauty, but this new one is pretty good too. Want to come out on her sometime?’
Did she? Did she want to revive those memories she’d consigned to the back of her mind, the ones which kept re-emerging each time she saw Jamie? She remembered her decision, how she couldn’t trust men, couldn’t trust her own judgment. Then she remembered Gill’s words again. Was she going to allow Geoff to control her for the rest of her life? And this wasn’t just any man. This was Jamie. ‘I’d love to,’ she said.