Chapter 6
Chapter Six
On Sunday, after church, Joanna returned home for lunch and a rest. Then she and Chris headed to the Bowls Club to meet Debbie, Caleb and Gwen to play a round of lawn bowls. Joanna had never played before, and she didn’t consider herself to be the type of woman who would don an all-white outfit to slide a black ball down a green causeway. But she’d agreed to do it for a bit of fun with her friends, and she was looking forward to it with a mixture of dread and excitement.
Chris was with her when Debbie called and invited her to play for a bit of a laugh, since she and Caleb were staying in their beach house in Sunshine for the weekend. So, she’d asked Chris if he wanted to join them, and he said he’d be delighted.
She’d found a lovely pair of white slacks to wear and a white silk singlet top. Then she’d slathered herself with suncream and added a wide-brimmed hat plus a pair of oversized sunglasses to complete the ensemble. Chris was dressed for the part, since he played regularly in a team.
They drove together in his car. He had a comfortable Volkswagen he’d purchased a few weeks earlier. It still had the new-car smell, along with leather seats and a very impressive-looking touch screen that Joanna wasn’t game to use.
“You can put on music if you like,” Chris said.
She studied the controls warily. “I wouldn’t know where to start. Why is the screen so big?”
“It’s supposed to be helpful.”
“Well, I’m not sure I can deal with all that right now.”
“That’s fine. We can talk instead.”
She laughed. “That sounds good to me. Let’s make sure we’re on the same team today.”
He smiled. “Fine by me. I’m glad you want to join the winning team.”
“You’re a bowler. It’s not really a secret that I like to win. So, I’m hardly going to be on the opposing team. Besides, this way you can teach me how it all works. I’ve never bowled—not on a lawn, anyway. I’ve done ten-pin bowling, but I have a feeling that’s somewhat different.”
“It’s very different,” he replied. “And I’d be happy to show you a few tricks. It’s really not complicated, although it is fun. I never considered myself the bowling type, but I always loved sports. And when you get to my age, bowling is one of the few sports you can continue to play without injuring yourself.” He chuckled. “It gives my competitive side some satisfaction without the drama.”
“That’s a good way to put it.”
“Who will be there?”
“Debbie and Caleb, as well as Gwen.”
“It must be strange not to have Duncan involved in your group outings anymore.”
She sighed. “It’s very strange. We’ve all been friends forever, and Duncan has been a part of that. I’ve known him for decades. We’ve been on holidays together, parties, New Year’s Eve, Christmas, birthdays—all of the major celebrations and milestones have included him. And now suddenly he’s not around any longer. Obviously, it’s harder for Gwen, but we all have to deal with the separation. I’m sure he’s struggling a little too. Although, maybe not. I think his girlfriend probably keeps him well occupied.”
Chris grunted. “I find it hard to imagine dating someone so much younger than me. What on earth do they talk about?”
She shrugged. “Maybe they don’t do much talking.”
“Fair enough. So, we should be sensitive to Gwen today, I suppose.”
“Yes, I think we should. And yet, it’s okay to talk about Duncan. As I said, he’s been a big part of all of our lives, and I know she doesn’t want us to pretend he never existed. I’m simply confused as to how I should react if I see him in public. I mean, we live in a very small town. I’m sure he’ll be around and I’ll run into him sometime. What then? Do I shun him? Shout at him? Turn my back on him? Slap him across the cheek?” She frowned. “I want to be a good friend, but I’m not sure of the protocol.”
Chris laughed. “I think you should avoid physical violence. But anything else is okay.”
She grinned. “I can get on board with that.”
The first game was a fun one. None of them, besides Chris, knew what they were doing, so there was a lot of laughter and mistakes made. Debbie bought the first round of drinks, and Joanna sipped on a grapefruit-based cocktail with a large paper umbrella poking out the top of it while she watched Chris bowl a perfect hand.
She set down her cocktail and picked up her ball then aimed it down the green. The ball only made it halfway. She’d have to throw harder next time. But she hadn’t wanted to overthrow and had held back too much.
“Try turning your wrist this way,” Chris said beside her. He reached for her arm and turned it slightly.
“Okay, thanks,” she said.
He smiled. “You’re welcome. You’re doing fine. It’ll take a little while to get used to the feel of the ball and the way it moves on the grass.”
“Yes, it moves more quickly than I expected, so that’s why I slowed it down this time.”
“It’s very fast.”
Joanna went to join Debbie and Gwen, who were seated at a round table, under cover, with their cocktails in hand.
“You and Chris look very close,” Gwen said. “What’s going on there?”
“Nothing, really. We’re neighbours and friends. I’m feeling a bit lonely now that my house is so empty, and he’s in the same boat. We like to spend time together. But he doesn’t have those kinds of feelings for me.”
“What about you?” Debbie asked. “Do you have those kinds of feelings for him?”
“I don’t think so. I’ve often considered it. We had a moment once, or so I thought. But I realised I was imagining things. He’s a lovely man, but he has never shown an interest in me other than as a kind and thoughtful neighbour and friend. And I don’t want to ruin that. I’m happy to keep things as they are. Besides, I’m not sure I want to head down that road all over again.” She laughed.
“I know what you mean,” Gwen replied. “It’s a whole can of worms. Although it would be nice to be loved and held again, even if it opens us up to hurt and heartbreak.”
“How are things going in your divorce?” Debbie asked Gwen.
Gwen shrugged as she took a sip. “It’s fine, I suppose. I’m still feeling sad about the whole thing.”
“Of course you are,” Joanna said. “That’s going to be true for a while.”
“And I keep seeing him around town with his girlfriend. Now that things are out in the open, they hold hands when they walk. Can you believe it? And she wears these little crop tops with her yoga pants all the time. Doesn’t she own anything else?”
Joanna huffed. “That’s awful. I’m sorry. He doesn’t have to rub your face in it like that.”
“I suppose he doesn’t think about it. Not really. He never was particularly thoughtful. But still, I would expect better from my children. They held a family dinner to meet the girlfriend. A family dinner? Without me! I could cry. But I’m trying to be mature and hold it all together.”
“I’m so sorry, honey,” Debbie said. “That was very hurtful of them.”
“I get it, though,” Gwen replied. “I understand. They want their father to be happy. And I do too. Of course I do. But he betrayed me. Betrayed all of us, really. We were a family, and he broke that.”
“You’re right, he did,” Joanna replied. “But I know you’ll get through this. You’re strong and you’re capable. And I think this inn project of yours is just what you need to help you focus on something else, something creative and positive.”
Gwen’s face brightened. “You’re right. It does make me feel better thinking about it and planning it. I’ve already called the agent to request a walk-through. And I’ve enquired with my bank about the process involved in purchasing a property. I put my cash into a term deposit, so I’m waiting for that to expire before I withdraw it to make the purchase.”
“It sounds like you’ve got it all figured out,” Debbie replied. “But make sure you get an inspection from a professional before you make an offer to see whether or not it’s a viable building and something worth renovating.”
“Good idea. Thanks,” Gwen replied. “I’ll get on that this week.”