Forty-nine
Gill went swimming alone next morning. When she peeked into the spare room, Erica was asleep, though from the way the covers were tangled, it was obvious she’d had a restless night.
As always, it was good to be out in the fresh air, to feel the water on her skin, to greet the new dawn. It always felt like a new beginning to spend time in the ocean at this time of day, when most of Pelican Crossing was still asleep.
As she floated on her back, Gill relived her encounter with Geoff the previous day. She dreaded to think what might have happened if he hadn’t collapsed. He was a big man, strong too. She’d have been no match for him if he’d decided to use his fists. Even though Josie was there, she’d have found it difficult to be of any help. Gill had been really scared, realising exactly what had prompted Erica to leave him. And now she wanted to visit him in hospital, to see the man who’d been physically abusive to her. The least Gill could do was accompany her and hope he didn’t regain consciousness while they were there.
When she came out of the water, Gill was surprised to see Joe and Coco waiting for her on the beach. Coco immediately ran up to her. ‘Good morning, Coco,’ she said ruffling the dog’s ears, and looking up at Joe questioningly. Why was he here? Had there been a development with Geoff’s condition?
‘Hey.’ Joe pulled her into a hug, despite her protest she was all wet.
‘No worries,’ he said, handing her the towel at her feet.
While she dried herself, and Coco stayed close, Joe filled her in.
‘I called the hospital early this morning and managed to have a word with the cardiac surgeon. I know him from a couple of committees we’re both on. It seems Geoff is scheduled for surgery this morning, but Erica will be able to see him before he goes to theatre. I still don’t think it’s a good idea, but she seemed determined and I know from growing up together that once she gets an idea into her head, she won’t be swayed.’
‘I’ll be with her, and I’ll try to make sure she’s okay, though if Geoff’s conscious…’
‘He’ll know she’s here, and that I lied to him. But what can we do?’ He shrugged.
‘Do you want to come back for breakfast? Luckily, I only had a couple of meetings arranged, and I contacted Josie last night to reschedule them. If Geoff’s having surgery this morning, we should get there early.’
‘Good idea, and breakfast sounds good.’
‘Woof,’ said Coco, obviously recognising the word.
‘She’s already been fed,’ Joe said, ‘but she’s always alert to any mention of food.’
Gill pulled on her clothes, and they set off back to her apartment.
When they arrived there, Erica was in the kitchen, looking as if she had just got up, the dark circles under her eyes evidence she hadn’t slept well. ‘Sorry I didn’t get up in time to go swimming, Gill,’ she said. ‘I must have been awake half the night, thinking about Geoff. No matter how I feel about him, what he’s done, he doesn’t deserve this. Any word from Kieren?’ she asked Joe.
‘Not yet, but I did hear Geoff’s having surgery this morning.’
The colour drained from Erica’s face. ‘Oh, no!’ she said, putting a hand up to her mouth. ‘So I won’t be able to see him?’
‘If we get there early, we should make it. You’re still of the same mind?’
‘Of course. He’s still my husband, despite…’
‘Let’s eat, then,’ Gill said.
‘Why don’t I rustle up some eggs while you two shower and dress. It’ll save time. You stay here, Coco,’ Joe said to the dog who looked undecided which of the women she was going to follow. At Joe’s words, she slunk under the table.
Less than an hour later, they were on their way to the hospital.
*
Leaving Joe and Coco in one of the landscaped courtyards which formed part of the hospital surrounds, Gill and Erica hurried inside and made their way to the cardiac unit where they were greeted by one of the nurses on duty.
As soon as they said they were here to see Geoff Masters and that Erica was his wife, they were admitted to a side ward where Geoff was lying very still, a number of tubes attached to him.
‘Geoff!’ Erica said in a tremulous voice, moving close to the bed. Gill remained by the door.
At the sound of his wife’s voice, Geoff opened his eyes.
Gill flinched. They shouldn’t have come. She and Joe should have persuaded Erica to stay away. But it was too late now.
‘Erica? You are here. That damned brother of yours lied to me. I should have known. Where else would you run to? You’re too…’ He seemed to lose track of what he was saying then, ‘Well, now you’ve made your point, when I get out of here, you can come back home to Perth. Your place is with me, with your family, not with that milksop of a brother of yours.’
Gill was desperate to say something but knew she had to remain quiet. She doubted Geoff had even noticed she was there; his attention was fixed on his wife. Surely Erica wouldn’t agree?
But before Erica could speak, several staff members in blue scrubs pushed past Gill. ‘Sorry, you need to leave now. We need to prepare Mr Masters for theatre.’
‘How long…?’ Erica asked in a broken voice.
‘Difficult to say,’ one of the nurses replied, giving Erica a sympathetic smile, ‘Cases like this can take up to six hours. It’s best if you can go home. We’ll give you a call when your husband’s in recovery.’
Erica seemed reluctant to leave, so Gill took her by the arm. ‘There’s nothing we can do here, Erica. Let’s join Joe and Coco and find something to do till the hospital rings.’
‘They don’t have my number,’ she said.
They stopped by the nursing station where Erica gave the nurse in charge her new number, the one which was meant to keep her safe from Geoff. Then they took the lift down to meet Joe.
Joe and Coco were sitting near the doorway. He rose when they saw Erica and Gill. ‘How is he?’ he asked.
‘He’s going to surgery now,’ Erica said. ‘They promised to call when we can see him again. I need my phone back.’
Joe raised an eyebrow in Gill’s direction. She shrugged. She had no idea what Erica was thinking. This was the man who’d exerted coercive control over her for years, who’d physically abused her. He was her husband, but… Gill tried to imagine how she would feel if it was Max lying there, but there was no comparison, Max had another woman who’d be the one at his bedside.
‘Why don’t we go back to my place,’ Joe suggested. ‘Your phone’s there. Coco can be in the yard, and we can have some tea. You didn’t eat much at breakfast, Erica. Maybe you’ll feel more like something now?’
‘I don’t know, Joe. I’m not really hungry.’
They piled into Joe’s car, Coco leaping into the front passenger seat before anyone else could and making them all laugh… even Erica. ‘Sorry,’ Joe said, ‘s he thinks it’s her spot.’
By the time they reached Joe’s house, Gill was pleased to see Erica had a little more colour in her cheeks. This was the first time she’d been in Joe’s home since Barb had passed away, and it felt strange. When Joe’s wife was alive, the book club had often met there and, glancing around, Gill could see little had changed. It gave her a weird feeling to be here, knowing the woman who had lived in this house was no longer alive to enjoy it.
‘Let’s have some tea,’ Joe said, clearly unaware of Gill’s feelings. ‘And how about a boiled egg with toast and vegemite. That’s what we used to have as children when we were under the weather.’
‘Maybe,’ Erica said, sounding a little more cheerful. ‘I think I could manage that.’
‘Gill?’
‘Just toast for me.’ Gill had eaten breakfast, but toast and vegemite sounded good.
Coco seemed to think it sounded good too, as she followed Joe around the kitchen.
They took the food out into the yard to sit at the wooden table there, while Coco could have more freedom, but the dog, seeming to sense all was not well, chose to stay close to her master.
Erica drank her tea and managed to eat a boiled egg and a slice of toast. She didn’t join in the conversation when Joe asked Gill when Freya was returning from Sydney and they shared their experiences in the harbour city.
Then, out of the blue, Erica began to speak, her eyes downcast. ‘I’m sorry I’ve caused everyone so much trouble,’ she said. ‘And now Geoff’s in hospital. It’s all my fault.’ She began to cry, loud, gulping sobs.
Clearly surprised by her outburst, Coco rose and padded over to put her head on Erica’s lap. As if in a dream, Erica dropped her hand to the dog’s head.
‘It’s not your fault,’ Joe said. ‘None of it’s your fault. Geoff brought this on himself, all of it.’
‘You don’t understand,’ Erica said. ‘If I hadn’t left, I’d maybe have been able to make sure he took more care of himself, cooked him proper meals, tried to…’ Her voice trailed off.
‘No, Erica,’ Gill said in a gentle voice. ‘Joe’s right. You did the right thing, the right thing for you. You’ve nothing to blame yourself for.’
But Erica didn’t appear to hear her.
‘I need to go back to Perth,’ Erica said. ‘As soon as Geoff gets out of hospital. He’ll need someone to look after him. And there’s Kieren, and Briony and… did I tell you she’s having a girl? My granddaughter. I want to be there to see her grow up.’
Behind Erica’s back, Gill met Joe’s eyes and shook her head. Now wasn’t the time to argue with his sister. Her guilt was fuelled by grief, by the shock of Geoff’s heart attack. Hopefully, given time, she’d be able to think more clearly and realise a return to Perth, to Geoff, was a crazy idea. But for now, it was best to go along with her.
Joe nodded. ‘Why don’t you have a rest?’ he suggested to Erica. ‘It’s not likely we’ll hear from the hospital for hours yet. You’ll want to be fresh when they call. I got a text from Kieren, and I said I’d pick him and Briony up.’
To Gill’s relief, Erica nodded, rose and headed to her bedroom. Coco followed her, seemingly unwilling to let her out of her sight.
‘She didn’t mean it,’ Gill said, when she and Joe were alone. ‘She’s still in shock.’
‘I’m not so sure,’ Joe said. ‘Erica can be pretty pigheaded, and if she’s got it into her head it was all her fault, there’s no telling what she might do. But I hope you’re right. I’d hate to see her back in the thrall of that bastard.’
‘We’ll just have to do what we can to ensure she doesn’t.’ Gill hugged Joe tightly. ‘You’re a good man, Joe Harris,’ she said, with a break in her voice.