Forty-five
Rachel tried to relax as the plane took off, but the thought of what was waiting for her in Adelaide refused to go away. Last time she’d seen Becky, her sister had at least known her. Could she have gone downhill so quickly? But Andy had no reason to lie.
She turned her mind to Luke, and the previous evening when she’d invited him round. She had already dropped Verity off at Jess’s, the little girl full of the day she’d spent at the childcare centre and the activities she’d enjoyed there. She seemed to have forgotten her upset when Rachel told her she was leaving, but the tight arms around Rachel’s neck when she said goodbye told another story.
‘She’ll be fine,’ Jess had reassured her mother when they stood at the door. ‘The twins won’t give her time to miss you, and she’ll have Emily and Pelican Pals . It’ll go quickly, and you’ll be back in no time.’
‘I hope you’re right.’ Rachel sighed.
‘Give Aunt Becky a hug for me. I hope…’
‘I do too. I’ll keep in touch, and if there’s anything…’
‘I’ll be sure to let you know.’ Jess chuckled.
‘Sorry, I’m being silly.’
‘No, you’re being what you always are… a caring sister, mother and grandmother.’
Rachel felt a warm glow. She’d done something right for Jess to say this.
Being alone in the house with Luke, Rachel had felt on edge, only relaxing when, after they’d enjoyed dinner with a couple of glasses of wine, Luke pulled her into his arms and kissed her as if he never wanted to let her go. Making love afterwards was bitter-sweet, given her decision to end things between them. But despite her resolution, she couldn’t bring herself to say the words which hovered on her lips, and Luke had left, none the wiser. When she got back, she’d vowed.
The flight of two hours and twenty minutes was over before Rachel had time to gather her thoughts, and Andy was waiting for her in the airport, an older, more lined version of her brother-in-law. He was suffering too.
‘Thanks for coming,’ Andy said, hugging Rachel. ‘I told Becky you were coming to visit, but I’m not sure she understood.’
Rachel’s heart sank.
‘How about we go home for a bite to eat, then visit the nursing home? Becky’s sometimes brighter in the afternoon.’
‘Suits me.’ Andy led her to his car and they drove to the modern villa he and Becky had bought, planning to spend their retirement there, never imagining what was going to happen.
It was a few hours later, when Andy drove Rachel to the nursing home, a large blond brick building set in well-manicured grounds.
‘Ready?’ he asked when he had parked the car.
‘As ready as I’ll ever be.’ Rachel took a deep breath and got out of the car.
When they entered her sister’s room, Rachel tried to control her shock at the sight of Becky sitting in a wheelchair staring blankly out the window. Despite the heat outside, it was cool in here. She went across to kiss her sister on the cheek. Her cheek was cool too.
‘Hello, Becks. It’s me, Rach.’ She waited, but there was no response.
‘I’ll go and see if I can rustle up some tea,’ Andy said before disappearing. Rachel had an inkling of what it must be like for him coming here day after day, hoping for some sign of recognition.
She took a seat beside her sister who turned her gaze from the window to look at her. After a few moments Becky said, ‘Rach?’
‘Yes, Becks, it’s me.’ Rachel’s eyes moistened. She clasped her sister’s hand. Becky’s eyes were blank again. Not knowing what to do, she began to chat aimlessly, telling Becky about Alexander, Verity, then saying, ‘Oh, you’ll never guess who’s back in Pelican Crossing. Luke Findlay. He’s acting as locum for the local vet, so he’s my neighbour.’ There was no glimmer of understanding so, not clear why she did, Rachel added, ‘We’ve been seeing each other.’
This time there was a glimmer of something undefinable in Becky’s eyes. She tightened her grip on Rachel’s hand. ‘Luke’s hot. Go you!’ she said, before disappearing into herself again.
‘Here we are.’ Andy reappeared, accompanied by a staff member with a trolley containing three cups of tea and a plate of biscuits. ‘Anything?’ he asked, when the staff member had left.
Rachel was still in a state of shock at Becky’s outburst. Had she heard correctly? Was her sister telling her to… what? For that brief moment, she’d sounded like her old self, then it was as if a shutter had come down and she was gone again. ‘There was a moment… when she recognised me, seemed to understand what I was saying, then…’
‘It sometimes happens like that. I’d hoped… seeing you… Tea, Becky?’ he said, holding out a cup which Becky, letting go of Rachel’s hand, grasped in both of hers.
Rachel picked up one of the other cups, taking a gulp to hide her confusion. Had she heard Becky correctly? Was the real Becky inside the woman sitting there like a statue? Did she understand everything they were saying? Was she as frustrated as they were trying to get through to her? Rachel didn’t know how Andy could cope with coming here every day. He must love her so very much.
Rachel and Andy left soon after, planning to visit again next day. They spent the evening quietly, looking at photo albums of Becky in happier times and reminiscing about the woman who was now confined to a wheelchair in a nursing home. It didn’t seem fair.
*
Luke was missing Rachel more than he expected. She’d been gone barely twenty-four hours, but he was very aware of the empty house at the other end of the bluff. Molly was missing her too, wandering around and whining from time to time. It was lucky she had Nelson for company, and that Luke had the clinic to keep him occupied.
There had been no further news from Joe, but yesterday’s copy of The Echo had devoted the front page to an article about the poisonings, requesting anyone with information to come forward. It was a repeat of what Luke and Rachel had heard on the radio, but somehow had more impact in print. He hoped it would produce some results.
Luke had arranged to meet Joe and Finn at The Grand for a beer after work. He was glad he’d become friends with the two men and enjoyed their company. He would miss them when he left town – if he left. He was feeling more and more like he wanted to stay, but it would all depend on Rachel, and he wasn’t sure of her feelings. She had seemed cooler last time they were together, but it may have been the prospect of seeing Becky. He couldn’t imagine what that would be like.
And, while he still intended to visit Italy, when he had researched the trip he’d discovered it would be best to travel there in the Australian winter… and the Italian summer. He was in no hurry. Whatever was there would keep. It was enough that now he had a starting point.
After taking the dogs for a run on the beach, he took a quick shower, changed into fresh clothes, and checked his phone before leaving. To his disappointment, there was no message
from Rachel, but he assumed she might be too busy with her sister and brother-in-law to make time to call or text.
Luke was first to arrive at the hotel. He ordered his usual craft beer, an IPA he’d become fond of, and took a seat.
Joe and Finn arrived together, engrossed in conversation. They ordered and joined Luke. He could tell from Joe’s expression there was news.
‘I had an interesting visitor today,’ Joe said, after taking a swig of beer. ‘I was telling Finn about it on the way in. One of the councillors, Bert Small, came to see me. He’s one of the two who brought up the whole dog beach issue last year. It seems Finn’s article bore fruit.’
‘Yeah?’ Surely the man hadn’t come to Joe to confess?
‘He came to dob in his mate, the other guy, the other councillor, Alan Coatts. I always suspected he was the ringleader. He admitted to Small he had set the bait but hadn’t intended any animal to die. It had shaken him… enough for him to share with his mate.’
‘Who had the sense to speak to Joe,’ Finn said.
‘Wow!’
‘Yeah,’ Joe said. ‘It seems that while Small was willing to go along with banning loose dogs on the beach, he drew the line at poisoning them. We’re lucky there was only one death.’
‘So, what happens now?’ Luke asked. Was it enough this Coatts guy had confessed to his mate who, in turn, had told Joe?
‘It’s in police hands now. I contacted the local station, and they promised to follow it up. I guess it may not be their top priority, but given it made the front page of The Echo …’ he glanced at Finn, ‘… we should see some action. The challenge will be getting enough evidence to charge him. I doubt his mate’s word will be enough.’
But it was something. ‘I think that calls for another beer. My shout,’ Luke said.
‘To a successful arrest,’ Finn said, the three men raising their glasses.
‘And the freedom to reopen the dog beach,’ Joe added.
The sense of exhilaration Luke had been feeling faded. Of course the beach would have to remain closed until this Coatts guy was arrested and charged. It wasn’t over yet, but it was a start and, hopefully, once he was questioned, the guy would have the sense to confess.