13. Ryan
CHAPTER 13
Ryan
G rocery and gift shopping have been an adventure, to say the least. Purchasing the non-perishables for the food hampers for doing-it-tough families on Lilac’s list is easy enough; I just grab all the things I wish I’d had on Christmas Day: pudding, custard, sugary cereal, chips and lollies. To the hampers, I add bags of pasta and rice, jars of pasta sauce and some tinned fruit and veggies. A bag of potatoes and some carrots will fill the boxes nicely.
But buying gifts for the kids is a challenge. Shopping in a small town means there isn’t a lot to choose from, but I manage to grab enough from the supermarket, chemist, Marge’s café and the newsagent.
With questioning stares from the locals, who must be wondering what’s gotten into me and why I’m stocking up, I load everything into the back of the wagon and head home with a spring in my step. I’m going to be helping local families, and I have a date and news to share.
As I pull into the driveway, a large white shopping bag with a hint of something red peeking out from the top catches my attention on the front step. Really? Am I being pranked right now?
Sure enough, when I take a look-see inside the bag, I’m greeted by the sight of a perfectly folded Santa suit, ready to be worn. My jaw clenches. The high I’m on after my shopping expedition crashes down with the click of my fingers. There’s a compelling urge to dump it in the wheelie bin and play innocent. It’s one thing to spread joy behind the scenes quietly, but to dress up as Santa takes it to a whole new level, and it’s one I’m not on board with. I rummage around in the bag for a note and find it pinned to the white beard:
Ryan, I’ve come down with what Marge has and don’t want to spread it. Thought you’d make a great Santa … You might just need some extra padding ?? Larry.
‘Why me? Surely there’s someone else,’ I mutter, pushing open the front door and dumping the bag in the spare room on the left. The rest of the gifts and hamper goodies can go in there too, out of the way. I’ll deal with them tomorrow after my shift.
As I pull the bedroom door shut, there’s a knock on the front screen door. Suddenly, I feel like a teenager again—sweaty palms, heart racing.
‘Hey.’ That seems to be all I can manage. My words have gone missing. I push the screen open and use my foot to wedge it there. Scarlett is holding the last of the shopping bags, including the one with the dinner food. And there’s not a Christmassy thing anywhere on her body. Instead of her trademark festive tee, she’s teamed her short shorts with a bright yellow tank, a delicate necklace and white Birks. She’s skipped the Santa hat and gone for a casual look with a messy bun, and it’s as sexy as all hell.
I reach out and stroke the back of my fingers down her cheek. ‘Where’s your glittery eyeshadow and Christmas attire?’
She takes my hand from her cheek and brings it to her lips, kissing my palm, leaving a trace of strawberry lip gloss. Movement stirs in my crotch. Another kiss. ‘I didn’t want to dress up and continually shove the season in your face. I know it upsets you, and to be honest, there are other things to chat about tonight other than Christmas, right?’
‘You did that for me?’
‘I know I can be a bit over the top when it comes to anything festive; I want this Christmas to be better for you.’
With a gentle tug, I bring her into my arms, our bodies fitting perfectly together, as I bury my face in her neck, savouring the intoxicating blend of cinnamon and salt. ‘You still smell like Christmas. Like those biscuits you were baking with your mum.’
‘Hmmm.’ Her fingers run through my hair, scratching my scalp.
‘Get a room, you two!’ A car rumbles past, and my eyes flick up to see Curly in his work ute.
‘That was your brother. Shall we take this inside?’ I ask.
‘Let’s.’
With the shopping bag in one hand and Scarlett’s hand in the other, I lead her through the dark house and into the open-plan living area. The power is still out, but thankfully, the cool sea breeze has blown up, so I open the sliding doors leading onto the back deck.
‘Nice digs.’ Scarlett releases my hand and gazes around the mostly tidy area. Even though I haven’t vacuumed for a while, I’ve folded and put away all my clothes and washed the dishes. She meanders through the room, past the suspended fireplace, her focus quickly shifting to the photos hanging on the wall. There are no family pictures whatsoever, but I have a keen eye for nature, and some of my favourite images are framed and displayed. ‘I recognise some of these spots.’ She points to one with a granite structure in front of a brilliant sunset. ‘This is Murphy’s Haystack.’
‘It sure is.’
‘And Turtle Rock near Wudinna. This one’s Locks Well and’—she shuffles along the wall, pointing at the photos as she goes—‘Winter Hill Lookout, and this last one is of the seals at Point Labatt.’
‘I’m impressed you know your local tourist landmarks.’
‘Well, I did grow up here, remember?’
‘True, true.’ I pull a paper-wrapped bundle from the shopping bag. ‘Now, because the power is out, I thought we’d just do a cold dinner. You okay with salad and crayfish?’
‘Um … yes.’ Scarlett laughs, returning to the kitchen, pulling out a stool and sliding onto it. ‘Only if it’s from Larry’s boat.’
‘You’re in luck.’
Scarlett doesn’t stay on the stool for long. As I deshell the crayfish, she gets out some plates, slices some lemon and chops tomatoes, cucumber and capsicum. We chat about nothing in particular but cover all the basics like previous jobs and relationships, travel destinations we’ve been to and want to visit, and our favourite AFL football teams … I can’t believe she’s a Collingwood supporter. Of all the teams to follow. Her reasoning is that the Point Perry football and netball clubs feature black-and-white stripes with a magpie emblem. She is black and white, through and through, and nothing is going to change her, apparently.
I’m eager to share my news, but strangely, her mood tapers the further the evening progresses. She’s gone unusually quiet as we relax on the lounges outside, enjoying a gin from Streaky Bay Distillers, and I can’t contain myself any longer.
‘Scarlett—’
‘Ryan—’
We can’t help but laugh, and I feel a mix of anticipation and awkwardness. Her cheeks flush and my heart flickers as I say, ‘You go first.’
‘Well.’ She sips her drink. Why is she drawing this out? It must be news I don’t want to hear. ‘I have to go back to Adelaide?—’
‘No. I don’t think you do.’ My stomach drops, and I set the glass on the table. Grabbing her hands, I shake my head. She tries to pull away, but I won’t budge. ‘Please hear me out.’
‘Ryan, there’s something?—’
‘Today at the hall, you were in your element. You were amazing with the kids. I can see how much you love being with them, and that got me thinking.’
Scarlett is shaking her head, a slight smirk creeping across her face, but she’s no longer trying to tug her hands away. Instead, she adjusts them so she’s holding mine. ‘Go on. What were you thinking?’
‘Well, Hanna Charlton, the movie star from Second Chance Love who came home last year for the premiere, left a significant donation to the community—five hundred grand, I think; anyway, there’s been no decision made as to what to do with it. So, when I ran into Mayor Hodgson, who showered me with thanks after looking after her son after a skateboarding accident, I tabled the idea of a childcare centre here in Point Perry. She was open and supportive of the idea, especially when I said … you might be willing to stay around and run it.’ I slump back in the lounge. With a deep exhale, I reluctantly pull my hands away, and a wave of nervousness washes over me. ‘But if you’re going back to Adelaide …’
I can’t read Scarlett’s expression. It’s impassive, and a frown burrows deeply between her brows. Her slight smile seems forced.
‘What’s going on? You don’t like that idea?’
Scarlett scoots forward on the lounge until our knees touch. She clears her throat. ‘I lied to you and told you everything was okay with the job I quit and the—’ she swallows hard—‘bullying. I know you’ve been hurt by liars in the past and bullies. I’m deeply sorry. I just want you to know everything before, well … if this’—she waves her hand between us—‘goes any further.’
I want ‘this’ to go further. I want her to say in Point Perry … But lies, bullies?
‘What happened? What has Stephanie done?’ My voice is too sharp.
Her eyes become glassy with tears, and her fingers are twisting anxiously in her lap. ‘It’s a long story.’ She takes a gulp of gin. ‘Stephanie became jealous of the relationships I had with the parents and caregivers and the other employees. They all saw me as a leader, empathetic, easy to get along with, someone they could confide in. The more this happened, the more often Stephanie did things to me, to make me look bad, intimidate me, to the point where I had to take sick leave and get some help.’
I shake my head, not wanting it to be true that someone had hurt Scarlett. My emotions are in turmoil as I grapple with anger towards Stephanie, a deep sense of compassion for Scarlett, and a feeling of hurt stemming from her lack of trust in not sharing her situation with me when I explicitly asked. That she lied to me.
‘Ryan, let me explain.’
When I hear the conviction in her voice, my heart wins out over any doubts or hesitation. Seeing her like this … I suck in a breath. ‘I’m listening.’
Scarlett swipes her tears away with the back of her hand.
‘Stephanie is a larger-than-life, extrovert, attention-seeking, empathy-lacking person who believes the world owes her, and she will exploit anyone around her to get what she wants, no matter the impact. It soon became clear she lacked compassion and had no boundaries. She tells anyone and everyone about how successful she is, how influential she is, how she’s the best in the industry … a leader and innovator.
‘Over time, this didn’t sit right with me. Her narcissistic behaviour was at odds with my work ethics and values, and when I started to question her decisions and motives, she turned on me. She’d yell at me in front of staff and parents, assign tasks below my qualifications or that had nothing to do with the centre or give me so much work there was no way I could get it all done … which she would then berate me for.
‘Without warning, she would change my roster, and she would often embarrass me by discussing my personal life in front of and with colleagues during lunch breaks. All bullying and intimidating behaviours.
‘Outside all of this, she stopped hiring casuals because it was too expensive and started lying to parents; we were over the required ratios, and she turned a blind eye, doing everything to cut costs. So many breaches. Every time I questioned her about them, she’d shoot me down, attack me with words or use my ideas and claim them as her own.
‘I need to go back to Adelaide to see this through and make sure the truth is heard. I also have another appointment with my psychologist … Stephanie really did a number on me. There are also more meetings with the department I need to attend.’ She locks eyes with me, and determination flickers through them. ‘But most importantly, now I’ve decided to stay in Point Perry, I needed you to know about this because I want everything to be out in the open for us.’
For us.
Relief hits me hard. She’s staying? But there are questions. So many questions. A sea breeze whips across the deck, cooling my face. I shuffle on the lounge, lick my dry lips. What brings a tightening to my chest is the realisation she was being used, her joy in a job she loves slowly being stripped away, feeling trapped in a situation she’d endured for far too long.
‘Why didn’t you quit sooner? Why stay all that time?’
Her nose scrunches, and she rubs it with a serviette. ‘The kids and families are always my priority. I needed to be there to make sure they were still getting the best care, even though shit was happening behind the scenes. It took time to gather all the evidence. Only once the department was involved and the families were aware did I feel it was okay to leave.’ She uses a serviette to wipe her tears and nose. ‘She had the power over me, Ryan. For so long, I ignored the red flags because I wanted to see the good in her and what she was trying to do for the centre. I wanted her to be the genuine person she was making out to be. I didn’t want to cause trouble. It was easier for me to go along with whatever she did as I hate conflict. But she eventually wore me down, and on top of the breaches, it all turned so toxic that I couldn’t stay for the sake of my health and wellbeing.’
Taking her hands gently into my own, I press my lips against her knuckles. ‘What a warrior you are for putting the clients ahead of yourself. For enduring it all this time. But also for recognising when it was too much and for seeking help. And thank you for opening up and telling me. Stephanie sounds like a real piece of work, and I hope she gets what she deserves.’
‘So do I.’ Scarlett briefly closes her eyes and sighs. ‘The investigation will highlight her behaviour, workplace relationships and business decisions. It’s up to the department to make a ruling and do what they need to do. But you are the one person I want to know the truth. I need you to understand the situation, the challenges I’m facing and the urgency for me to go back to the city.’
‘I do, Scarlett. I’m sorry you had to experience that.’
‘There is absolutely no need for you to apologise, as you have done nothing wrong. I just appreciate you giving me the time to explain and for listening.’
‘Always.’
Our hands unravel, and her fingertips brush against my bare thighs. A wave of warmth radiates up my leg. Awakens me. I try to move inconspicuously to hide my growing erection. All it takes is her touch now, and I’m a goner. Not even her work drama can dampen my admiration, my need to be close to her.
‘You kind of said before you were staying in Point Perry. So you’ve made that decision. What changed since I saw you earlier?’
‘As I was trying to say’—there’s that beautiful smile again—‘I have to go back to Adelaide’—she holds up her finger to stop me from butting in again—‘not only to deal with the work stuff but to pack up my things. I want to make Point Perry my home.’
All the breath I’ve been holding suddenly rushes out. A flood of hope courses through me, pooling in my heart. ‘Oh, thank God.’ Inching closer, aiming for her lips, I’m halted by her raised hand. What now? My heart can’t take any more.
‘ I also had the brilliant idea of using the donation to build a childcare centre. With Mum’s help this afternoon, my idea is gaining traction with the locals who might invest the remaining money. I can sell my unit in the city, too, if need be. The town will part-own the business with me—a community partnership. I’m willing to risk my own home to make this work, and I presented a rough business proposal to Councillor Giles.’ When her smile turns into a frown, my heart sinks. ‘Which he dismissed straight away, saying none of the sitting councillors would be on side with the idea. However, I can’t blame him, as I lobbed into his office when he was about to go on his holidays, and I showed him the proposal I had written in pencil in my notebook.
‘So, I’m going to do a proper proposal and business plan, get all my facts and figures, and tomorrow at the market and jetty lighting, I’m going to get as many signatures as possible on a petition. Get around and talk to as many families and councillors as I can. I tried to get it started today, but the power went out just as I was about to print them.’
‘But it could take a few years to build a centre, if it even gets approval. Or are you thinking of finding an established property and converting it? We can have a chat with Sebastian Conway—the local real estate agent. He might know of something available or coming available soon.’
The sparkle in her eyes returns, and she shuffles closer still. ‘We?’
As I gently rest my hands on her arms, a surge of anticipation fills my stomach. I’m buzzing with the endless possibilities. The future. Could it be with Scarlett?
‘Is it not clear I will do anything to keep you here? And if that means helping you get a childcare centre up and running, then I’m all in. If it means road tripping to Adelaide to sort out Stephanie, then I’m in the car with you. If it means holding you tight while you process your mental load, then I’m here with arms waiting to comfort you.’
The moment I finish speaking, her lips smack against mine. It’s not passionate or full of heat; instead, it’s a grateful, thank-you-for-being-on-my-side kiss. When she pulls back, she continues. ‘In the meantime, I’ll set up family day care. It’ll be a start at helping some parents in need. I’ll need to find somewhere to do that, too. I also need to get some public liability insurance and …’
Finally, she stops for a breath, but just as I’m about to speak, she starts up again. ‘And then this afternoon, when the choir was at Seaside Village, Marion asked if I’d be interested in working at the village on an entertainment program, likely one day a week or as needed. And I said yes!’
This time, when she stops talking, she fists her hands in the air and squeals with excitement. She is so bloody adorable and sexy. Her cheeks are flushed as she throws her arms around me.
‘And while you’re celebrating, I have more news for you.’ I can’t help but grin as she chews her bottom lip and sits on her hands. ‘And you don’t have to say yes or do it, and you might be too busy now with all your jobs, but … Lilac needs a helper. They want to move her into Seaside Village for a time until she recovers as she lives by herself, but she is dead-set against the idea. She can stay in hospital for another day or so, but then she needs to go into the village or see if she can stay with someone until after Christmas as she’s got no family. Is that something you might be keen on?’
Tears well in Scarlett’s eyes. She points to them. ‘These are happy tears, and yes! That would work perfectly.’
‘She will be thrilled. She’s such an independent soul, and we can work around all the other things you need to do. I’m sure others in the community can step in and help out, too.’
She lets out an enormous sigh and wipes her tears away. ‘My gosh, I can’t believe how everything has turned around in the space of today. I’m staying in Point Perry. Woohoo!’
My hands gently cradle her cheeks as our lips collide. This time, it’s urgent, hungry, our tongues dancing. She crawls forward and straddles my lap, and I groan as our hips crash together. The heat’s there, grinding and … something digging into my back … the lounge arm.
In one swift move, I stand. Scarlett wraps her legs around my waist, and I stride through the kitchen, where I grab the box of condoms from the shopping bag.
‘Presumptuous much?’ Scarlett’s breath is hot on my neck. ‘You know buying those from the IGA is only going to fuel the rumour mill.’
‘I’ll be happy to tell the world I’m with you.’