Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
Lucy dragged herself through the following few days like a robot.
It seemed to her that the colour had gone out of life.
She reorganised things so she could spend her days in the kitchen rather than out front in the café and, as soon as staffing permitted, she took a week’s holiday.
Then she didn’t have to emerge. She just stayed in bed, watching the sun rise and fall through the windows while she reflected on what a fool she’d been.
She’d ignored phone calls and messages. Just sent one to her mother asking to be left alone for a while.
It seemed her family’s interpretation of ‘a while’ wasn’t the same as hers because the phone calls started up again all too soon.
But no one had actually come hammering on the door until now. And this was harder to ignore.
‘Lucy MacLeod!’
Lucy rolled over in her bed, barely registering Ellie’s voice.
And usually Ellie’s voice couldn’t be missed.
But this afternoon Lucy just lay on her back, looking at the shifting shadows on her ceiling.
She didn’t remember having seen the sunlight playing on her ceiling like this.
But then, she didn’t ever remember lying in bed before at two in the afternoon.
‘I know you’re in there!’ called Ellie again.
Lucy sighed grumpily and fleetingly wondered why she’d been so happy that Ellie hadn’t immediately returned to Hong Kong after their mother’s birthday.
She sat up and rubbed her eyes in the bright sunlight which streamed in through the un-curtained windows.
She got up and walked through to the kitchen and ran a glass of water, leaned back against the bench and took a sip.
‘And if you don’t answer, I’ll just have to get our local fireman to heave in the door.’ She paused, waiting for a reply. ‘You know I’ll ask Sam to do it. And you know he would.’
Lucy sighed and tipped out the rest of the water.
‘Go away, Ellie.’
‘I heard that!’ Then Ellie must have turned away from the door to speak to someone else. ‘She’s there. She’s definitely there,’ she told someone. ‘Open up, Lucy! Because unless you do, I’ll bloody kill you.’
She sighed. ‘How can you kill me, if I don’t open up?’ She went to the door and opened it. ‘You always were better with numbers weren’t you?’ She looked over Ellie’s angry face to see another, more concerned one. ‘Jen! So Ellie brought you here, too, on a wild goose chase.’
‘Lucy, we were worried,’ said Jen, coming up to her and giving her a hug.
‘Let me past,’ said Ellie, barging past anyway, and looking around as if she expected to see someone else here, helping to incarcerate Lucy.
‘Do I have a choice?’ asked Lucy wearily as Ellie marched over to her bedroom, flung open the door, inspected it, and then looked through all the other rooms.
‘So, you’re alone then.’ It was more of a statement than a question.
‘Of course I am. Who did you think I’d have here? Huh? And, if I had been so lucky, do you really think I’d have opened the door to you?’
‘She has a point,’ said Jen.
‘Hm,’ Ellie seemed a little disappointed.
‘Who the hell do you think I’d have locked up here with me, anyway?’
Ellie shrugged. ‘I don’t know. Just thought it might be that Oliver I keep hearing about.’
‘Yeah, right. After what he did?’
‘Yeah, but he sounded kind of sexy, too.’
‘Ellie! I’ll give you his phone number if you like. Yes, he’s sexy. But he’s a total snake.’
‘I don’t want your cast offs.’
‘He’s not my cast off. I never cast him on in the first place!’
‘Hey guys,’ said Jen, looking troubled by the raised voices.
‘Sorry, Jen,’ said Lucy, shaking her head. ‘How about you take a seat and I’ll make us a coffee?’
Jen smiled gratefully while Ellie pulled a face.
‘Bugger that,’ said Ellie, searching through the cupboards. ‘I want something stronger.’
Lucy opened the fridge and brought out a bottle of champagne.
She looked at it before offering it to Ellie.
‘It seems a little too celebratory when I don’t have anything to celebrate, but it is expensive.
It was in that hamper Oliver brought to Mum’s the other day.
’ She sighed. ‘We may as well drink it.’
Ellie took it, studied the label, and gave it an approving nod, before she unpeeled the foil and twisted off the top with surprising ease considering there was so little to her. Jen produced glasses just in time before it sprayed all over the kitchen floor.
‘OK,’ said Lucy, ‘so what are we drinking to?’
‘That bastard never turning up in MacLeod’s Cove again, and you leaving your apartment.’ She turned to Lucy. ‘We’ll give you the rest of today and then you’d better be back at work.’
‘Or else?’ said Lucy, sitting down, suddenly feeling tired.
‘Or else… I’m going to drag you out whether you like it or not.’
‘Jeez, you are one mean sister.’
‘I’m a caring sister. I told Jen it won’t do you any good to mope. It’s not good for anyone.’
‘I quite like it,’ said Lucy, beginning to feel better. ‘I’m not sure I’ve moped before.’
‘No. That way lies insanity so I decided to come here and kick you into touch.’ With that Ellie jumped up and looked out the window. ‘Cool view.’
While Ellie was busy, Jen reached over and gripped Lucy’s hand sympathetically. ‘I thought I’d better come in case Ellie went too far.’
Lucy coughed into her drink.
‘We could be out there in the sunshine,’ Ellie said, almost accusingly.
‘Don’t let me stop you. I don’t know why you’re here anyway. Haven’t you got a job to go to?’
Ellie ignored her question. ‘We came to make sure you were alive and kicking.’
‘Oh come on, of course I am.’
‘There’s no “of course” about it, Luce,’ said Jen. ‘We were worried. I didn’t dare tell mum that you weren’t at the café again. Although, no doubt she’ll get to hear about it.’
‘Come on, let’s at least drink this in the other room. I’ll open up the doors and let some sea breeze in.’
They went onto the tiny balcony and Ellie looked around it with a critical eye. ‘Why you have to choose such a tiny place with such a tiny balcony is beyond me. In Hong Kong I have a huge balcony. I could get your whole apartment onto it.’
‘Then why are you here?’
For the first time since Ellie had arrived on the doorstep, she was silent. She took a sip of her wine and looked fixedly out to sea.
Jen and Lucy exchanged glances. It was a question they’d all been asking themselves since Ellie had turned up four months ago after Jen and her son, Liam, had returned home from England.
At the time, they’d assumed she’d only returned for a holiday to catch up with family.
But to their continuing astonishment Ellie had stayed. But none of them had dared ask her why.
‘So…’ said Ellie.
Jen and Lucy leaned in, wondering if this was the moment when the family’s answers about Ellie’s life were about to be answered.
Ellie took another sip and turned to Lucy. ‘So, what the hell happened between you and Oliver Perry-Warnes?’
Lucy and Jen both sat back in their chairs with a sigh. Looked like they’d have to wait for any explanation.
‘He won, I lost. Simple.’
‘Then tell me this. Why hasn’t he begun work yet? Why is that old pile of godforsaken rubbish of a building still standing?’
‘Dunno.’ She took another sip of her wine. ‘And, at this moment, I don’t care. I’ve had it with both the building and Oliver.’
‘Perhaps he has to wait for builders. They’re all pretty busy at the moment,’ Jen suggested.
Ellie turned her laser-like glare onto Jen who visibly blanched.
‘People like Oliver don’t have to wait for anything or anybody.
No,’ she said, blinking and looking up to the ceiling as if she’d receive a better answer from the air around her than from either of her sisters.
‘I think something else is going on. I’ve seen no machinery, and I’ve seen no sign of demolition men.
Only chaps in suits who look suspiciously like architects and not the usual kind, if you know what I mean. ’
Lucy certainly didn’t know what Ellie meant and nor did Jen, if the way taking another big gulp and ending up coughing, was anything to go by. Lucy suspected that her eldest sister might be regretting having come along with Ellie.
‘I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about, Ellie,’ said Lucy. ‘You need to talk to us as if you’re talking to your staff. In words of fewer than two syllables preferably.’
Ellie swore again. Lucy didn’t know anyone who swore as much as Ellie. It must be driving their mother crazy.
‘The fact Oliver has got architects of any kind in the place suggests he’s gone back to basics. And the fact that he’s got architects from Heritage NZ in, suggests he’s re-thinking things.’
This made Lucy sit up. ‘How do you know that?’
‘I went into the hotel when I saw them on their own and asked them.’
‘Oh, that kind of confirms it,’ said Jen with an amused cough.
‘I suggest you get out of your PJs.’ Ellie looked them up and down before leaning over and rubbing the material between her thumb and forefinger. ‘Actually they’re good quality.’
Lucy rolled her eyes.
‘Get dressed,’ Ellie continued. ‘But have a shower before you do that. You smell sweaty.’
Lucy sniffed her armpit and had to agree.
‘Stop feeling sorry for yourself, and go and sort this all out with Oliver.’ Ellie rose, poured herself another glass of champagne, and took a slug. Either Ellie was going through a phase or she’d really learnt how to drink in Hong Kong.
‘What you seem to fail to understand,’ said Lucy, ‘is that this has already been sorted out with Oliver. I told you. He won. The small sliver of community who he had to persuade supported his idea to create this super-duper complex which would house all their ukulele groups, whist drives, writing retreats and artist exhibitions in conditions which weren’t leaky, drafty or well, decrepit. ’
‘And I for one can’t blame them,’ said Ellie.
‘I can,’ said Jen. ‘I’m with Lucy on this. The Old Colonial is a beautiful building.’
‘Was a beautiful building,’ corrected Ellie. ‘But the question is, if Oliver has the support of the community to create this new building, what the hell is he doing with architects crawling over the site?’
Lucy had to admit that was an excellent question. But hell would have to freeze over before she admitted it to Ellie. Instead, she finished her drink. ‘You girls do what you like — stay or go — but I’m going to have a shower and get dressed.’
‘Hallelujah!’ said Ellie. ‘Now where’s another bottle of wine.’
‘And I’m only doing it because I was going to anyway.’ Lucy turned away before either of her sisters detected her lie. By the laughter which followed her, she knew she’d failed.
‘You didn’t take long,’ said Ellie who, Lucy was surprised to see, was drinking tea instead of wine — guided by Jen, no doubt. ‘But I have to say I thought you’d wear something sexier to see your Oliver, to make him see what he’s missing.’
Lucy shot her a dark look, and buckled her jeans belt a bit tighter, slipping on a white linen shirt over her t-shirt. ‘First, he’s not my Oliver, and second I’m not going to see him.’
Ellie exchanged a shake of the head with Jen. Lucy sighed and grabbed her bag. ‘Right, I think I’m ready.’
Ellie tapped Jen on the arm. ‘Right you are. Jen, drink up.’
‘You’re not coming with me,’ said Lucy.
Ellie and Jen both turned to her with surprised looks on their faces to look at her.
‘Why not?’ demanded Ellie, while Jen just nodded.
‘Because I’m only going to the café.’
‘And she doesn’t want Oliver to see us with her,’ said Jen. ‘And, more to the point, she doesn’t need us.’
Lucy shot her a gratified look. She’d only got to know Jen well recently since she’d returned home after years away but Lucy was liking her big sister more each day.
‘Why?’ asked Ellie, looking at Jen this time.
‘Because, Ellie,’ said Jen with a little bit of impatience, ‘she values her independence and doesn’t want us trailing after her to make sure she’s all right.’ She looked at Lucy. ‘Right?’
‘Right,’ confirmed Lucy.
‘And, if you need our support, you know where to find us. OK?’ This time Jen came up to Lucy, gently brushed her hair off her face and asked again. ‘OK?’ Lucy’s heart warmed to see her big sister’s kindness and love shining in her eyes.
She smiled and nodded. ‘Definitely OK,’ she said, kissing Jen on the cheek.
‘Right then, Ellie, let’s go,’ said Jen. She turned at the door. ‘Ellie?’
But Ellie hadn’t moved. She had a complex look on her face and for a moment Lucy wondered if the bolshiest of her siblings had felt a little left out by this demonstration of affection.
Ellie bit her lip and nodded. ‘I’m coming.’ She stopped in front of Lucy. ‘You know I’m proud of you, sis, right? And I’ll be here if you need me. Because I’m not going anywhere.’
Lucy nodded, but wondered what Ellie meant.
But before she could question her, Ellie had grabbed Jen and they’d exited the apartment, leaving Lucy wondering what was going on.
She’d find out later. She had her own battles to fight first. Because, despite what she thought, it seemed they weren’t yet over.