Fifty-two
Jamie continued to go about his daily tasks, running his charter business and visiting Rory who was beginning to make progress. Dylan was often there too, and it was a delight to see the two young men together and to listen to them chatting. Dylan was filling in for Rory with Cam at Pelican Marine , but had assured his friend that it was only temporary, and he’d find something else when Rory was back on his feet. They’d both laughed at that, much to Jamie’s distress, but he supposed it was good they could joke about what was to him a dreadful tragedy.
But despite his routine, Jamie couldn’t put thoughts of Erica out of his mind. He wondered what she was doing in Perth, if her suspicions about her son’s marriage were justified and if so, what she was doing about it. He also wondered when she intended to return and how he could contact her when she did.
When Joe told Jamie Erica had returned, he wanted to rush over there to talk to her, to explain about Cindy, to reassure her nothing had changed. But Joe advised that wouldn’t be the wisest move, describing Erica’s anger on the phone. ‘Give her a few days to settle down,’ he said. ‘There’s no point in aggravating her when she’s in this mood. I remember what she was like as a child. When something upset her, she found it hard to forgive. Let her cool down before you try to speak with her.’
Although it was hard, Jamie decided to take Joe’s advice, realising he knew his sister better than anyone, better even than Jamie.
Jamie had been cooling his heels for a week, hoping for a glimpse of Erica when he walked past Livvy’s cottage on his way to or from work. But there had been no sign of her. He’d even contemplated joining the group of wild swimmers on the other beach, sure she’d be there every morning at dawn. But so far, he hadn’t dared, knowing Gill would be there too and would report back to Joe. He respected Joe and knew his advice was sound, but it was so hard to do nothing when he ached to be back on good terms with the woman he loved.
He sighed when he returned from the charter group he’d led that day. Another lonely Saturday evening stretched ahead of him, and still no sign of Erica. Unable to face another solitary evening, he walked back to the harbour, in the hope of finding one of his friends in The Grand and joining them for a drink. But although the bar was filled with people, none of his mates were there. Feeling dejected, he left and headed for the beach. The sound of the waves and the scent of the sea always helped his mood. His dad used to tell him he had been born with the sea in his veins.
Jamie was wandering along aimlessly at the edge of the water lost in thought, when a dog ran up to him and shook itself, spraying water on him.
‘Lady!’ a voice called.
The dog stopped in its tracks as old Agnes appeared to grasp it by the collar. ‘I’m so sorry,’ she said. ‘Lady doesn’t normally do that. She must have…’ She peered at Jamie, seeming to suddenly recognise him. ‘What are you doing here on your own? Where’s that lovely lady of yours?’
Jamie stared at her in surprise. How did Agnes know about him and Erica? But their relationship hadn’t been a secret, not after they’d appeared together at the fundraising walk. Agnes might have seen them there or on some other occasion. ‘She’s not mine, not anymore,’ he said despondently.
‘Why not? You make a good couple.’
Jamie kicked the sand underfoot. He thought so too.
‘I seem to remember you were a couple before, when you were in your teens. You let her go then. Are you going to let her go again?’
Jamie kicked the sand again. ‘Her brother said…’
‘Poof, what does Joe Harris know about relationships? I saw that he and Gill Dickson were made for each other long before he did. I may never have married, but I do know a thing or two about what makes people tick, and you and Erica Harris were made for each other. You need to talk to her, tell her how you feel.’
Jamie was about to reply he’d done that, and she’d said she loved him too. But that was before… But Agnes and her dog had moved on. For a few moments he stared at their figures disappearing in the distance, Agnes’s long, white hair flying behind her, her long skirt flapping in the breeze. Then he straightened his shoulders. Old Agnes was right. What did Joe know? It was up to Jamie to decide what to do, and what he wanted to do right now was speak to Erica.
*
Erica was exhausted. Although it was Saturday and she wasn’t officially rostered on, an outbreak of sickness among Emergency staff meant she’d been called in to work. She perked up when as soon as she walked into the cottage, she was greeted by Bandit, the black spaniel she’d picked up from Rhana only a week earlier and who had already made himself at home in the cottage.
‘It’s good to see you too,’ she said, crouching down to cuddle the puppy. She was so glad she’d chosen to get a dog, though he did create more work. She eyed the path of destruction he’d managed to create across the living room floor, his toys scattered everywhere and what looked like yesterday’s copy of The Echo torn to shreds. She must have left it where Bandit could reach it. ‘You little devil,’ she said affectionately. ‘You missed me too, didn’t you?’ She picked her pet up and let him nuzzle her face. She still missed Jamie, but it was hard to remain sad with this little ball of fluff to take care of and love. ‘I’ll just have a shower then we’ll go for a walk,’ she said, wondering if all dog owners spoke to their dogs as if they were human.
After a hot shower which helped her feel more energised, Erica pulled on a pair of jeans and a lightweight sweater. She was about to take Bandit’s lead from its hook when there was a knock at the door. Expecting it to be Joe who had still to meet her new furry companion and had promised to bring Coco along to make friends, she opened it with a smile, which faded when she saw Jamie standing there looking sheepish.
Wracked with conflicting emotions, Erica stared at him, speechless.
‘Don’t close the door on me,’ Jamie said. ‘I know what you must think of me, but it wasn’t how it looked. We need to talk. Can I come in?’
Slowly, Erica opened the door wider to allow him to enter, then led him into the living room. They both remained standing. Erica folded her arms, determined to keep her cool no matter what he had to say. She remembered what Rhana had told her, but what if she’d been wrong?
Jamie seemed awkward, standing there without speaking. Finally, he said, ‘How about we sit down, and could you make some tea?’
Swallowing hard, her heart racing, her stomach churning, Erica went to the kitchen where Bandit was wondering what had happened. Weren’t they about to go for a walk?
‘It’s okay, Bandit,’ Erica said. ‘We’ll go for our walk later. As soon as Jamie leaves.’ She filled Bandit’s bowl with water which he lapped up noisily, then turned on the kettle and made two cups of tea – camomile to hopefully help calm her – and the English Breakfast she’d bought for Jamie when they were seeing each other regularly, though he often preferred coffee. She’d been home for over a week. Why had he waited till now to come to see her? And why at this time on a Saturday evening?
When she returned to the living room, Jamie stood up to take the cup of tea from her then sat down again, seeming to be more relaxed than earlier. He took a gulp of tea, put the cup down and began to speak.
‘I need to explain, Erica. I know what you saw, what it must have looked like. But I had no idea Cindy was in Pelican Crossing. It was all Gary’s doing. He thought…’ Jamie scratched his head. ‘I don’t know what he thought. He’d been in contact with his mother about Rory’s accident and she’d suddenly taken it into her head to visit. I suspect it might have had something to do with an argument with the creep she brought to Gary’s wedding. I left soon after you did to follow you. I thought you might have gone home, but the cottage was in darkness. I realised you must have gone to your book club, so maybe weren’t too upset after all. But I needed to talk with you to make sure we were good. When next morning, you didn’t answer your door, then Joe told me you’d gone to Perth… I couldn’t believe it.’ He drew his hand through his hair making it stand up in a way Erica had always found endearing.
She swallowed, but didn’t speak. She wanted to believe him, but was he speaking the truth? She needed to hear what else he had to say.
‘Well, that’s it, I guess. I didn’t want Cindy here. I made it clear to her. Rory didn’t want her either, so she finally left. Then Joe told me you were back, but he said you were angry and advised me to let you cool off before I approached you. That’s why… Anyway, I’m here now because I couldn’t stay away any longer. I need to know you forgive me. I love you, Erica. My life is nothing without you. I lost you once. I can’t bear to lose you again. Please say you forgive me.’ He gazed at Erica, his eyes filled with pleading.
Erica thought irrelevantly that Bandit often had the same soulful and pleading look in his eyes, before finding her resolution weakening and her eyes misting. She had a sudden urge to feel his arms around her. ‘Oh, Jamie,’ she said. She started to rise.
Jamie did too. They met, their tea forgotten as he reclaimed her lips and crushed her to him. Erica trembled, an ache of desire welling up and filling her with longing. It was as if she’d come home, as if they’d never been apart.
Suddenly, a tiny black furry bundle tumbled between them, tail wagging furiously.
They both laughed as they drew away from each other. ‘This is Bandit,’ Erica said, still laughing, ‘The latest addition to my family. I promised him a walk.’
‘Hello, Bandit.’ Jamie crouched down to ruffle the dog’s ears. ‘I’ve always wanted a dog. Why don’t we walk him together?’
It was romantic, walking along the beach with Bandit in the moonlight to the sound of the gentle lapping of the waves on the shore, stopping from time to time to kiss, to remind themselves they were together again. Erica had already forgotten her annoyance, her anger, her suspicions, her doubts. Now she knew the truth, she couldn’t believe how stupid she’d been to be fooled by appearances, by Cindy. She knew she had to trust Jamie, trust herself, and listen to her heart.
When they left the beach and Jamie said, ‘My place?’ with a raised eyebrow, Erica happily agreed. She couldn’t wait to be alone with him, to be in his arms again.
When they stopped to allow Jamie to unlock the door, Erica looked up. Above the door was a plaque which read Safe Harbour . She hadn’t noticed it before, and now it seemed significant.
As soon as they were inside, Bandit, seemingly feeling at home, immediately ran to a spot by the back door, turned around a few times, then settled down, his head on his paws.
‘He’s making himself at home already,’ Jamie said with a grin. ‘You are going to move in, aren’t you?’ Without waiting for a reply, he pulled Erica towards him, his arms encircling her. Her body tingled from the contact. She could feel his uneven breathing on her cheek as he held her close. Then his lips slowly descended to meet hers. Erica felt her knees weaken. Her emotions whirled and skidded. This is what she’d been waiting for all her life. She’d found her own safe harbour.