Thirty-four
Sunday had been good, better than good , Jamie thought as he headed out of the harbour with yet another group of Sydney businessmen, all raring for a fun-filled day of fishing.
He had collected Erica at seven as arranged, pleased to see she appeared relaxed and was smiling. As promised, she had packed an esky for their lunch. He picked it up, and they made their way to the wharf where Princess Two was waiting for them. He’d risen at the crack of dawn to prepare her, before going home to shower and change.
Once aboard, Erica seemed different. It was as if she’d cast off the doubts which had been plaguing her and decided to enjoy his company. The day had been perfect. There had been none of the distancing which had prevailed in some of their previous outings. He had felt an invisible web of attraction building between them, and when he pulled her in for a kiss at the end of the day, instead of drawing away, she had responded with the fervour he remembered, leading him to believe there was a chance for him.
Now, he couldn’t wait to see her again, but she was on night shift this week, and her daughter-in-law was due to arrive on Saturday, so he would have to wait. His one consolation was that he’d see her on Saturday at this welcome to the neighbourhood event Lou was arranging to introduce Erica to the other residents of the row of cottages along the shore. It would be good to catch up with everyone again. They used to hold these events on a regular basis, but it had been some time since the last one. Livvy had been the instigator, he realised, and with her gone, they had let them lapse. Maybe after this one, Lou would take over until Livvy returned.
A yell from one of his passengers forced Jamie to concentrate on the task at hand – ensuring he provided the best possible fishing experience for his clients, and for the remainder of the trip he focussed on them.
But as he walked home at the end of the day, and glanced at the darkened windows of Erica’s cottage, he wished she was there, that he could knock on her door, see her smiling face, and pull her into his warm embrace.
*
Erica hated working nights, and it meant she was on another twelve-hour shift of seven pm till seven am. Although it was usually a busy time, giving her little time for thinking about herself and her growing feelings for Jamie, it sent her internal time clock into disarray. At least it was only for one week this time she consoled herself, and she had the next week off to spend with Briony and little Ava. The thought of their reunion would help her get through the week.
She was also determined to make good her vow to talk with Rhana, and the opportunity came in the middle of the week when, on Wednesday, she wakened much earlier than usual. After a shower, she made a quick call to her friend to make sure she was home, then, gulping down a coffee she headed off.
‘Hello, stranger,’ Rhana greeted her, the inevitable swarm of dogs at her heels.
They hugged, the dogs managing to wind their way around Erica’s ankles.
‘Sorry. I’ve been meaning to get here, but…’
‘I know, I know, too many other things to do.’
Erica felt guilty. She really had no excuse. She must make the effort to visit Rhana more often. She was her old friend, the only one around, with Livvy still overseas.
‘Come in, anyway, and tell me what’s been happening to you.’
Erica followed Rhana inside. It was a good feeling to be with her old friend again, someone to whom she could talk without fear of being censured. As soon as Rhana had poured coffee and slid a plate of freshly baked date and walnut loaf across the table, she found herself confiding in her about her outings with Jamie, her growing feelings and her doubts.
‘Wow! That’s a lot,’ Rhana said when Erica had finished. ‘But I don’t see the problem. It sounds as if Jamie still has feelings for you… and you for him. You’re neither of you getting any younger so why not go for it?’
Erica bit her lip, took a sip of coffee and a bite of Rhana’s delicious loaf. It was so close to what Gill had said to her, but… ‘What if I’m wrong again?’ she said. ‘What if Jamie’s another mistake, just like Geoff was?’
‘Erica, this is Jamie we’re talking about. You’ve known him since you were sixteen. Okay,’ she put her hands up defensively as Erica opened her mouth to reply, ‘I know that was a long time ago, but Joe has known him since they were in kindergarten, and all through those years. Do you really think your brother would encourage you to form a relationship with him if he didn’t believe he was one of the good guys?’
‘Joe could be biased… for that very reason.’
‘Erica, listen to yourself. This is your brother you’re talking about. Mr integrity, Pelican Crossing’s mayor. He’s as honest as the day is long and has only ever wanted what is best for you.’
Erica knew Rhana was right. Joe had always looked out for her, even when she was making a nuisance of herself and trailing around after him and his mates. He’d never suggest anything that would cause her grief, or encourage her involvement with anyone he didn’t trust. She sighed. ‘You’re right, Rhana. I should have thought of that. I’ve been all sorts of a fool. It’s just…’ She sighed again.
‘It’s understandable after what you’ve been through, but you deserve some happiness, and if Jamie will make you happy…’ She peered at Erica as if she could read her mind. ‘Can he?’
‘Maybe.’ Erica felt the stirrings of hope. Maybe she could finally find peace in a relationship that worked, one in which she wasn’t always on edge wondering when things would go wrong. She knew Jamie would never treat her the way Geoff had, the way Kieren had tried to, so why did she feel the need to pull away each time she felt herself becoming closer to him? ‘Thanks, Rhana. Now, I didn’t come here to bare my soul about Jamie Whittaker. A couple of people have suggested I should get a dog, and I do like the idea of a furry companion – I love Joe’s Coco and missed her when I went back to Perth. So… I wanted to ask when your next litter’s due.’
‘Wow! I certainly didn’t expect that. But you’re right. There’s no better companion, and Betsy is due to give birth any day. These were Bonnie’s pups you saw in April.’ She laughed at Erica’s puzzled expression. ‘I have a regular nursery here.’
‘You’ll keep me one then, if Livvy agrees I can have a dog in the cottage?’
‘You can have the pick of the litter.’
‘Thanks. Now I should be going. I need to get ready for work. Thanks for the advice too. I’ll take it on board.’
‘I hope you’ll do more than that. Seriously, Jamie’s a catch, always was. I always thought you were a fool to let him get away.’
Erica gave her friend a piercing look. But no, she knew Rhana had never been interested in Jamie. Her interests had lain elsewhere, but she and Livvy had never been able to discover where that was.
As if to confirm Rhana’s view – or by a weird quirk of fate, Erica’s phone rang as soon as she stepped inside the cottage. Seeing Jamie’s number she pressed to accept his call, her heartbeat throbbing in her ears.