Forty-five
When Gill arrived home from the office next day, Erica was already there. She looked different, dressed in her nurse’s uniform, less distressed, more confident.
‘Thanks so much for this, Gill,’ Erica said. ‘I feel a lot better, knowing Geoff can’t find me. Do you really think he’ll come looking for me in Pelican Crossing?’
‘Probably.’ Gill had enough experience of men like Erica’s husband to understand something of their thought processes. She’d seen it all before, the difference being, this was the first time she’d offered sanctuary to one of her clients. She wasn’t sure how her partners would view her action, but she couldn’t have allowed Joe’s sister to be in danger, as she could have been if she’d remained with Joe. She tried to ignore the shiver which ran down her spine at the thought Joe might still be in danger, though what benefit would there be to Erica’s husband in harming Joe?
‘I feel safe here,’ Erica continued, ‘and at the hospital. He’d never think of looking for me there. He hated it when I was working. As long as I’m either at the hospital or here, everything should be fine, until we know…’
‘I’ve alerted the local police, but there’s nothing they can do unless he arrives here and tries to breach the AVO. Hopefully, if he does come and finds you’re not with Joe, he’ll go back to Perth and all will be well.’ Gill tried to sound upbeat, more upbeat than she was feeling. If, as she suspected, Erica’s husband was one of those men who beat, then took things to the extreme and murdered their wives, he wouldn’t stop if he didn’t find her at Joe’s. But there was no point in making Erica more afraid than she was already. And Erica was right, he couldn’t guess she was here. So why did Gill feel uneasy?
‘Why don’t you have a shower and change?’ Gill said. ‘I talked with Joe earlier and he’s joining us for dinner. You haven’t used that phone again, have you?’ she asked with the sudden fear Erica might have taken it into her head to contact Briony again.
‘No,’ Erica shook her head. ‘Joe has it. He turned it off after Geoff’s call and wouldn’t let me have it again. I feel naked without it, and the hospital can’t contact me.’
For a moment, Gill considered suggesting Erica give the hospital her number, then thought better of it. Best no one but Joe knew where Erica was staying. ‘Hopefully, it won’t be for long,’ she said, ‘and your husband will give up looking for you.’
Gill could see from her expression, Erica didn’t believe her, but she went off to change anyway.
By the time Joe arrived, the apartment was filled with the aroma of cooking. This time Joe was accompanied by Coco at Gill’s request. She thought the dog’s presence might help calm Erica so was willing to make an exception to her no animals in the apartment rule for once, and Joe had assured her he’d give Coco a firm talking to first, to ensure the dog behaved herself. In recognition of Erica’s first night in the apartment, and that this was the first time she’d cooked a meal for Joe, Gill had pulled out all stops. She hoped the roast leg of lamb with accompanying vegetables would tempt Erica’s tastebuds and prove to Joe she could cook when the occasion demanded it.
‘Wow,’ he said when he walked in, ‘something smells good.’
Coco evidently thought so too, immediately making her way to the kitchen and positioning herself by the stove.
‘Sorry,’ Joe said. ‘She doesn’t often get the opportunity to smell roast lamb.’
‘It’s okay. There’s plenty for her to have some too, if it’s okay with you.’
‘She’ll love you for ever.’
‘Joe!’ Erica joined them, looking refreshed after her shower and dressed in a casual outfit. She hugged Joe, and Coco left her position by the stove to greet her. ‘Hello, Coco,’ Erica said, ruffling the dog’s ears. ‘I’m glad you brought her,’ she said to Joe.
‘Wine?’ Gill asked, taking a bottle from the fridge.
‘Let me do it.’ Joe took the bottle from Gill and poured three glasses. ‘To a fast resolution,’ he said, holding up his glass.
‘I’ll drink to that.’ Gill took a sip of wine.
But Erica held her glass without drinking. ‘Do you think it’s possible?’ she asked, sounding worried again.
‘We have to believe it,’ Joe said. ‘We’re doing all we can. If Geoff comes, he comes, and there’s nothing we can do to stop him. But if he does breach the AVO, the police can arrest him. That’s right, Gill, isn’t it?’ He turned to Gill for confirmation.
‘It is, Joe. So, you see, Erica, you can relax.’
‘I don’t think I’ll ever be able to relax until I know he’s safely in Perth… or locked up. But that would mean…’ She shivered and took a gulp of wine.
To Gill’s relief, the lamb was cooked to perfection. Joe carved the joint, dropping a few slices into a bowl for Coco along with a bit of veg, much to the dog’s delight, then carried the meat out to the balcony where Gill had set the table.
It was a cool night, but not too cool to sit outside, and the view was amazing, the lights of the marina twinkling and reflecting in the ocean, a match for the stars above. Having satisfied her hunger, Coco took her place under the table, ready to rescue any food which was dropped.
Gill was pleased Joe steered the conversation away from Erica’s husband, instead focussing on sharing amusing anecdotes about the exploits of him and Erica growing up here in Pelican Crossing, even managing to make his sister laugh and, hopefully, forget her troubles for a time.
They had just finished the individual cups of H?agen-Dazs ice cream Gill had found in the freezer – something Freya must have purchased – when Erica yawned and said, ‘I think I’ll turn in. I didn’t get much sleep last night, and I have to work again tomorrow. Thanks again for having me stay, Gill, and thanks for this lovely meal. I don’t expect this every night. I’m happy to cook for you. I’d enjoy it.’ Giving Joe a hug, and Gill a peck on the cheek, she disappeared. Coco rose to follow her, but a stern look from Joe stopped her in her tracks and she lay down again.
‘Coffee?’ Gill asked. ‘Don’t worry about the dishes, I’ll do them later,’ she said, when she saw him start to collect them.
‘If you’re sure?’
‘I’m sure.’
Now Erica had gone to bed and she was alone with Joe again, the butterflies which had been dormant all evening made their presence felt.
When Gill carried the coffee into the living room, Joe was seated on the sofa, Coco at his feet. She placed the two mugs on the coffee table and joined him, his arm immediately snaking around her shoulders. ‘Thanks,’ he said. ‘I know Erica has already thanked you, but I needed to. I suspect this is way above what you normally do for your clients.’
‘Erica’s more than another client,’ Gill said, as Joe put one finger under her chin and lifted her face to meet his. As their lips met in a deep kiss, and before she was lost to all sense of time and place, Gill reflected it was lucky Erica was in the next room… and Coco was snoring at their feet. Otherwise, all of her good intentions might have flown out the window, as Joe’s closeness made Gill yearn for an intimacy she’d never imagined she’d ever want again.