Chapter 79
Chapter Seventy-Nine
C hris served prawns on a bed of lettuce and avocado for entrée, and they enjoyed a bottle of champagne, which he said was very expensive. ‘You know Evie, I mix with the higher echelon of the surfing business world and other entrepreneurs, both here and overseas. Everyone is rich and always trying to make more money. But honestly, I’m happiest when I’m here on the beach fishing or surfing with my mates. Money isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.’
She closed her eyes and enjoyed the flavour of the champagne. It tasted like the best thing she had ever drunk, and along with the fat tasty prawns that had a yummy dressing Chris had made drizzled over them, she felt like she had died and gone to heaven.
‘What’s wrong?’ he asked.
She quickly opened her eyes. ‘These flavours together are the best. And look at the view.’
In front of them, over the top of a row of low trees, was the sparkling Pacific Ocean. Fairy lights strung in a tree further down the slope flickered in the evening light, and a few other house lights peeped through the bush. But apart from that, there was nothing but the bush and ocean. She stretched her legs out and took another sip. ‘You might say money doesn’t bring happiness, but I can tell you, when you don’t have it, life isn’t easy.’
‘You sound like you know about that.’
‘We had money, but I had no control over it. I only have what I have, because I took it out of the till and hid it. I’ll never let anyone control me again. Ever.’
‘No one should control anyone. We’re all our own person. I’m surprised you fell into that sort of relationship. You were always so independent and strong-willed.’
‘I fell apart once we left Beaudesert. With Mum and Dad separating and …’ she twisted her mouth and sighed, ‘and leaving you, I hated the world and rebelled against everything I possibly could. I thought it was so cool to drink and do drugs, mix with older people and spend the night stoned, doing what everyone else was. I actually think I liked it when I was hurt, emotionally. It sort of justified the pain I was feeling.’
‘Those things were also part of that era. I know I went through some wild times also. Times I’d rather forget: drinking, marijuana and partying. It wasn’t all bad though. They were just different years; we were all trying to work out who we were, and where we fitted in a rapidly changing world.’
‘Well, I can tell you now, those times were all bad for me. There’s nothing good to look back on.’ A heavy feeling filled her and she sipped her champagne, the sweet taste and festive bubbles somehow overcoming the ugliness of years gone by.
They continued talking over dinner, and she asked him if he was interested in selling the Datsun. He laughed. ‘You can have it. I’d buy you a new car, but I know you wouldn’t let me.’
Frowning, she ate her vegetables, the skin on them crisp and tasty, the insides roasted to perfection. ‘I also need somewhere to rent. I can’t stay at The Magic Fish forever.’
Pushing his plate into the middle of the table, he rested his arms on the timber boards. Everything in this house seemed to be made of timber, jute, or other organic materials. The entire place was warm and inviting, and the cushion on the bamboo dining chair she sat on was plush and comfortable. Tea candles burned in coloured glass containers, and as the darkness set in, cicadas chirped noisily in the bushes nearby.
‘Why not?’ he asked as he got up to clear the table, holding up his hand when she went to help. ‘Sit, please. I’ve got ice cream and strawberries for dessert.’
When he returned, she was standing at the railing, looking up into the night sky. Stars flickered above and an owl hooted from a large tree next to the veranda. After putting the desserts on the table, he came and stood behind her. When his arms wrapped around her, she leaned back into his chest, her hands coming up to cover his.
Neither spoke. There was no need. The owl hooted again, as she turned and wrapped herself in his embrace. Warm hands caressed her back and when she pressed against him, she knew this time there was no running away from her feelings.
As he guided her into his bedroom and gently dimmed the lights, a sense of calm confidence enveloped her. She felt secure, cherished, and his tender touch ignited a rush of emotions, like electricity coursing through her body. No one else had ever made her feel the way he did.