Fifty-one
Jamie couldn’t believe Joe, when he told him Erica had gone to Perth. Had she already been gone when he was at her door? He thought not, but if she’d been home, why didn’t she answer? She hadn’t responded to his calls and texts either. Was she coming back? Joe had said a few days, but it had already been three days since she’d fled from Rory’s hospital room.
A lot had happened in those three days, the most important being Rory’s move into rehab where he was hoping, with the aid of the staff, to gain movement in his leg. Jamie sighed, aware it would be a long time before Rory was walking again.
Cindy had proved worse than useless, crying as if she was the one who’d been bitten by the shark, flirting with the doctors, and irritating the nursing staff who all regarded Rory as a hero. Thank goodness she’d gone now, after Rory, unable to bear her presence any longer, told her he didn’t need her crocodile tears and fake concern.
Jamie wished he could tell Erica she’d gone, that there was nothing between him and Cindy, hadn’t been for years, and she was the last person he wanted to see in Pelican Crossing. It had been bad enough when she came to Gary’s wedding, but this time with her snide remarks, her comments about Erica, she’d gone too far.
One good thing seemed to have come out of Rory’s attack. Seeing the news of the attack on the internet, one of Rory’s old school friends had come back to Pelican Crossing. Livvy’s son, Dylan, had been crewing on a yacht sailing around the Great Barrier Reef. By a weird stroke of luck, the yacht had just docked in Cairns when Dylan saw the post, and he had dropped everything to visit his old mate, moving into Rory’s apartment and visiting every day. Seeing the two together, Jamie wondered if this was the someone Rory had referred to, the one who’d moved away. He supposed time would tell but it was good to see his son more cheerful.
Glad he had a busy day ahead, Jamie welcomed his passengers aboard and set off to spend the day fishing, hoping the task of keeping the group happy would prevent him from thinking about Erica and worrying about her. But it was a faint hope, as being out in the bay where they had sailed together brought back memories of those special times with her, making him wonder if they would ever be together again.
*
Erica’s time in Perth was drawing to a close. She was due back at work on Friday, and planned to return the day before. She’d enjoyed the visit more than she expected. After her conversation with Kieren, she’d been able to relax in his company, pleased he’d finally seen through his father and confident in the knowledge he no longer had any desire to emulate him. Given the troubles the car yard was having, she’d planted the seed of the idea of their moving to Pelican Crossing and hoped it might bear fruit. Meantime, Kieren and Briony had promised to spend Christmas with her, so she had that to look forward to.
It would be a wrench to leave Ava again, but the knowledge she’d see her in a few months helped soften the parting, though it did nothing to help Erica prepare for seeing Jamie again when she got home. She knew there was no way she could avoid him… and Cindy, who she had persuaded herself would have moved in with him… instead of her. If only she hadn’t been so reluctant to take that next step, had agreed at once when Jamie had suggested it. But might that have been worse? If she and Jamie had been living together when Cindy returned, how would she have handled it?
Realising this way of thinking was self-destructive, Erica tried to put Jamie out of her mind and concentrate on the short time she had left with her family.
Wednesday morning was a confusion of hugs, kisses and promises to keep in touch, all with the prospect of seeing each other again in a few months’ time. Although she didn’t understand what was happening, Ava joined in the general melee. It was almost a relief to Erica to board the plane, but that was when her nightmare about Jamie and Cindy returned with a vengeance.
*
Pelican Crossing looked exactly the same when Erica drove into it the following morning. She was feeling weary, having been unable to get much sleep on the plane, the time difference having wrecked her internal clock. As soon as she got home, she intended to have a hot shower, fall into bed and hopefully sleep for the rest of the day.
It was a relief to open the door to the now familiar cottage and find nothing had changed. It felt like home, and she’d be sorry to leave it. But she’d be able to spend Christmas here with Kieren, Briony and Ava. And surely she’d be able to find somewhere else to live until she could afford a deposit for a home of her own.
She made herself a cup of the herbal tea she loved and was about to take it with her into the bedroom when her phone buzzed with a series of messages. She’d turned it on when she got off the plane in case the hospital tried to contact her. Checking the screen, she saw another message from Jamie – he was persistent, but she had no idea what he could have to say to her – one from Joe asking her if she was home and could she call, and one from Rhana to say Betsy’s pups were ready for adoption and would Erica like to come and choose one. Ignoring the text from Jamie, Erica called Rhana first, and feeling a sudden burst of energy at the thought of a dog of her own, made arrangements to visit later in the day. Then she called Joe.
‘Welcome back,’ Joe said.
‘Thanks. It’s good to be back.’
‘How was it?’
‘Good. Better than I expected. Ava’s such a delight. She’s growing so quickly. I had a long talk with Kieren, and I’m satisfied everything’s okay with him and Briony. He’s finally come to his senses and seen Geoff in his true colours. I’m sorry it’s tainted his memory of his dad, but it’s better all round. And they’re coming here for Christmas.’
‘That’s good news. And Jamie? Have you heard from him?’
Erica tensed, her lips tightening. ‘He’s been calling and messaging me,’ she said. She didn’t want to talk about Jamie.
‘You should call him.’
A burst of anger shot through Erica. Joe was treating her just as he had when they were growing up and he liked to tell her what to do. ‘And you should butt out of my life. I’m not a kid you can order around. I’m old enough to make my own decisions, Joe.’
‘I only want what’s best for you, Erica. You know that. Gill and I…’
So he and Gill had been discussing her. Erica fumed, all the joy in her homecoming disappearing in a flash. ‘That’s enough, Joe. When I want your opinion, I’ll ask for it.’ She ended the call, wishing it was an old-fashioned phone, and she could slam down the receiver.
Still raging at her brother, Erica drained her cup and headed for the shower where the warm water cascading over her went some way to help improve her mood. She knew Jamie was a mate of Joe’s, but for her brother to try to act as some sort of go-between when Jamie had… it was intolerable.
*
Erica was in a better frame of mind when she drove up to Rhana’s home, filled with the anticipation of choosing her very own pup. For once, there were no dogs swarming around Rhana’s ankles when she came out to greet Erica.
‘Hey, good to see you.’ Rhana greeted her with a hug. ‘Why don’t we have a cuppa first and you can fill me in on what you’ve been up to.’
Erica gave a forced smile. She was eager to see the pups, but it would be rude to refuse, and it was some time since she’d seen Rhana. She’d been too busy with Jamie, she realised. Well, no more. She’d have lots of time for her other friends in the future, starting right now.
‘You’ve been away?’ Rhana asked, when they were settled with cups of peppermint tea and slices of fruit loaf – Rhana had been baking again.
‘I had a few days between shifts, so I flew over to Perth to see my family there.’
‘Everything okay?’ Rhana appeared concerned, and Erica remembered confiding in her about Kieren.
‘It’s all good. I was worried about nothing. They’re going to join me for Christmas.’
‘Oh, I’m so pleased for you. Have you heard anything from Livvy?’
‘She’s going to spend Christmas over there and come back in the new year.’ Erica bit her lip, remembering she’d have to find somewhere else to live.
‘Where will you go?’
‘I’ll find somewhere,’ Erica said with more confidence than she felt. It had just occurred to her that not all landlords would be happy for her to have a dog.
‘And Jamie?’ Rhana raised an eyebrow.
Erica grimaced. She’d forgotten confiding in her friend about Jamie too.
‘That’s history.’
Rhana’s eyes widened. ‘But I thought…’
Erica’s assurance crumbled. Her eyes moistened. ‘I did too, Rhana, but… Cindy’s back. He has a family and now, with Rory’s injuries… There’s no place for me in his life.’
‘That’s not what I heard.’
Erica stared at her friend in surprise. Rhana rarely left her acreage. What did she know that Erica didn’t?
‘Cindy didn’t stay. It seems neither Jamie nor Rory wanted her here. She went back to the city where she belongs. So, Jamie…’ She gave Erica an encouraging look.
‘Oh!’ Erica didn’t know how she felt. Seeing Cindy at the hospital, she’d assumed… And she’d blamed Jamie for… She hadn’t answered his calls, hadn’t even read his texts, been so determined to move on with her life, a life without Jamie. She’d been a fool.
Seeming to sense her confusion, Rhana said, ‘Would you like to see the pups now?’
‘Yes, please.’ Erica pulled herself together. She’d figure out what to do about Jamie later.
A few minutes later, Erica was standing beside Rhana outside an enclosure, staring at the most appealing collection of small spaniel pups gambolling around, watched jealously by their mother. ‘Oh, Rhana, they’re gorgeous!’ Erica said, filled with a warm glow, her earlier turmoil forgotten.
‘Aren’t they? I’ve been breeding spaniels for years, but I never get over the miracle of these tiny creatures.’
Several of the puppies came over to the fence, curious to see who was watching them. One was black with a streak of white on its forehead. It was smaller than the others, who were pushing it out of the way.
Seeing Erica’s attention on that one, Rhana said, ‘He’s the runt of the litter. The poor creature has to fight for attention.’
‘That’s the one I want,’ Erica said, her heart going out to the tiny black puppy, with which she felt a sudden bond.
‘Are you sure? He doesn’t have the best conformation. Maybe one of the others?’
‘I’m sure. Look!’ As if understanding she’d chosen him, the little dog was gazing up at Erica with soulful eyes. ‘I have to work tomorrow, but can I pick him up on the weekend? I’ll need to buy food, a dog bed, toys… What else will I need?’
Rhana laughed. ‘I have a list,’ she said. ‘I learned pretty early on that most new owners haven’t a clue how to prepare for having a new pup in the house. You’re no different from anyone else.’
Erica grinned. She couldn’t wait to take her dog home, sure he’d be a wonderful companion. It was only when she was driving home, imagining the cottage with the little black dog in it, that the image of Jamie flashed before her eyes, and she recalled what Rhana had said. Cindy had gone. Jamie and she weren’t back together. What did that mean for Erica? Had she ruined her chances with him?