February Or Forever (11 page)

Kai and Sam talked nonstop on the drive back about what the best parts of the fair were, while Chrissie took in the surrounding properties again, taking an extra glance at Honeydew House. Something about it calmed her. Maybe it was the fruit trees lining up alongside the driveway, or the fancy lettering of the house's name on the sign out front, or maybe her mind was fixating on something for no particular reason in order to deflect from the beach house.

Minutes later, she pulled into the driveway of the McAdams residence and Sam cleared his throat. ‘Thank you, Mrs Chrissie, I had the best time ever and you are really nice.'

She turned in her seat to face the overly complimentary child and smiled. ‘Well, thank you. I enjoyed the day too, and you are really nice as well.' He grinned and looked at her hopefully. ‘And I'll let your mother know I think you deserve that extra ice-cream tonight.'

His face eased into a wider grin and he leaned back, pleased with himself. There was no point harping on about the toilet block incident; it was just one of Kai's cheeky tricks, and she was sure he'd learnt his lesson. Sam was just an innocent bystander.

They got out of the car and Sarah must have seen them coming because the door opened before they got to it.

‘Hi there! How was the fair?' She bent down to welcome Sam home.

‘It was extra cool, and I was extra good, so can I have — '

‘Extra ice-cream?' Sarah stood. ‘If Chrissie says you can, then yes.'

Chrissie nodded.

‘Yes!' Sam said. ‘Can I show Kai my toy car collection?' The kids were already in the doorway.

‘Um…' Chrissie scratched her head.

‘You're welcome to come in for a bit if you like, you probably need a seat after all that. Here.' Sarah led the way and pulled out a chair for Chrissie at the casual kitchen table setting.

‘Thanks, Sarah, we won't stay long.'

‘Cuppa?' Sarah raised her eyebrows. ‘Tea, coffee, hot chocolate…'

‘Yes thanks, do you have any herbal teas by any chance?'

‘I do. Peppermint, green tea, chamomile…'

‘Peppermint thanks.'

‘Coming right up.' She flicked the switch on the kettle and took two mugs from the high cupboards above the dishwasher.

‘Thanks again for taking the boys, it looks like they had a great time. Sam wasn't any trouble I hope?'

Chrissie flicked Sarah's concerns away with her hand. ‘No, he was great, and polite. Although he did get a whistle from the lucky dip, so I hope he doesn't make too much noise for you!'

‘Ah, no worries. I have a teenage daughter, she makes more noise than Sam.'

Phew.
Chrissie remembered when someone had given Kai an electronic toy drum set for his birthday. The cymbals it came with were so high-pitched and irritating she accidentally-on-purpose took the batteries out and told Kai it was broken. It was either that or throw the bloody thing out the window and hope it got crushed by a passing car.

‘So, ready for another week of lunch-making and school runs?'

‘Does it ever end? The weekends go by so fast.'

‘Oh, I know. Just when you've recovered from the previous week the next one creeps up on you. I really think school should be on weekends and weekdays should be free, don't you?'

‘Absolutely. A two-day week sounds much better.' Chrissie smiled, and Sarah placed the steaming tea in front of her and took a seat opposite.

‘So, how long have you been in this house for?' Chrissie scanned the room. It was well-lived in, but tidy.

‘Seven years. Moved in when I was pregnant with Sam. Liam, my husband, built it.'

‘Really?'

‘Yep. We'd not long been married when we bought the land. Liam was in his element working out the plans with the architect. It's great to have a place that's built with the way you live in mind.'

‘It's a great place. You're very lucky.'

‘I sure am. What about your place, where is it?'

‘Fairly close to Serendipity, and the beach.'

‘Wow, great spot. You must love it.' Sarah sipped her tea. ‘But you're going to sell, right?'

‘Yep.'

‘Let me know when you're househunting and I'll see if I can go with you. I love looking at houses.'

A sense of gratitude flooded Chrissie. Sarah was so nice, so accommodating. Maybe being away from Melinda wouldn't be too hard after all. ‘Actually, that'd be great. I could do with an objective eye.'

Sarah's eyes widened and she clicked her fingers. ‘Oh, I'm taking Sam to the aquatic centre tomorrow, Kai's welcome to join us if he likes. My way of paying you back for looking after Sam today.'

Crap. She always dreaded these types of invitations. How could she tell another mother that she'd never taken her own child to swimming lessons? She'd have to eventually, but not yet. There was still time. She just had to wait until she'd dealt with a few things first.

‘Oh, thanks, that's nice of you, but there's no need to pay me back. And Kai and I still have some boxes to sort through and unpack. I'd like him to help me, give him some extra responsibility to raise his self-esteem, you know?'

‘Of course, yes, he needs to be involved. I think it's a great idea. Boys love to be helpful and strong, lifting boxes and making decisions about where things go.'

Chrissie nodded.

‘But if you change your mind, let me know. We'll be going sometime late morning.'

‘Sure thing.'

The muffled sound of a guitar vibrated through the wall nearby.

Sarah glanced to the right. ‘Oh, that's my daughter. Been in her room all day.' She rolled her eyes.

‘Teenagers, huh?'

‘You just wait,' Sarah said with a mischievous grin, pointing her finger playfully. ‘Sometimes I think the whole changing nappies and night-feeding business is easier than this.'

‘Oh dear. I'm trying not to think about it yet. Must be challenging for you with both a child and a teenager.'

Sarah plumped her lips together and nodded. ‘I love ‘em but they know how to test me. And one minute they don't want to leave your side and the next, they can't wait to be away from you. The way my daughter talks, anyone would think I'd raised her in a prison or something. The girl can't wait to leave home, and unfortunately, in a few months time she'll legally be able to.'

‘That's tough. I'm sure you've taught her well though, she'll learn how much you've done for her once she's out on her own.'

‘I'm hoping. She's still my baby, I want her to stay here a little bit longer!' Sarah pinched her thumb and forefinger together and squinted.

The guitar strumming became louder, and a soft voice wafted through the walls. It kept stopping and starting, like she was practising something and trying to get it right before continuing, then she resumed. A rhythmic melody got Chrissie's foot tapping, and when the girl's voice sang along, perfectly in tune, and hitting a few notes Chrissie's voice would no doubt crack if she attempted, her hand flew to her chest.

‘Wow, your daughter is amazing.'

Sarah smiled, a pink glow emanating from her cheeks.

‘Really, really amazing.' Chrissie leaned forward on the table.

‘I know,' Sarah replied. ‘Takes after Uncle Drew.' Sarah's hand flew to cover her mouth as if she didn't mean to let that slip.

Uncle Drew?
Chrissie's foot stooped its tapping and her breath halted. ‘You don't mean
Drew
Williams
by any chance, do you?'

‘Oops.' Sarah sunk into her chair. ‘All the locals know I'm his sister but I try not to let the cat out of the bag too early with new friends.' She raised her palms up in an ‘oh well, too late' gesture.

‘Wow, he's really your brother?'

‘The one and only.'

‘Sorry, it's just such a coincidence, because…' Oh, she wasn't supposed to say anything to anyone. But she
was
his sister, surely she knew he was staying here? But what if she didn't and there was some kind of family feud going on, and by letting her know she was working with Drew she put her foot in it and made things worse?

‘Because what?' Sarah asked.

‘Oh nothing, it's just…' Surely Drew would have chosen to go somewhere else than Tarrin's Bay if he didn't want to see his family? No, they must know. They had to know. ‘I know him.'

‘You know him?' Sarah's eyes bulged.

‘I met him only recently.'

‘Recently…as in this month?'

‘Maybe.' Chrissie narrowed her eyes to suss out the situation. She wouldn't be breaking her contract by revealing what someone already knew.

Realisation dawned in Sarah's face and she leaned back in the chair. ‘You don't
work
at Serendipity do you?'

Relief flooded Chrissie's bloodstream. ‘Yes, I do!' She made a show of wiping her brow. ‘I didn't want to risk it getting out in case you weren't aware he was here, I'm under strict instructions to keep things quiet.'

‘So I hear, yes. Poor bro, not being able to walk down the street without being mobbed. So what do you do at the retreat?'

‘I'm a yoga instructor.'

‘Are you
his
instructor?'

Chrissie nodded and smiled.

‘He told me he was having private lessons, I had no idea it was you!' She shook her head. ‘Small world.'

‘It sure is.' Chrissie couldn't believe it. A week ago she didn't know these people, and now she was getting up close and personal with not only her favourite celebrity but his sister too? So much for this being a sleepy small town.

‘No surprise you're involved with something physical, I was going to ask you how you keep your figure looking so good. I'm totally jealous.' She winked.

‘Oh, stop it. I still have some lovely stretch marks courtesy of my son.'

‘Aren't they the worst?' Sarah scrunched her face up, and Chrissie smiled at the bond developing with this down to earth woman.

‘They are indeed. And nothing — nothing — gets rid of them, even those organic oils I've been told work wonders. Nup. Stuck with the damn things.' Chrissie said, and Sarah laughed.

‘Well if I knew you and my brother were pals I would have asked you over for dinner. He's coming over tonight.'

Chrissie gulped.

‘Would you like to stay? We're a friendly bunch, I'm sure he wouldn't mind, he mentioned how great his yoga teacher was.'

He did?

Dinner with Drew Williams? The thought was exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. Yoga was one thing, having conversation over a home-cooked meal was another.

‘Oh, no, I don't want to intrude. He's probably looking forward to catching up with you. I'll leave you to have some family time.'

‘You sure?'

Definitely. Absolutely.
This would be too much excitement for one day. ‘Yes, you enjoy the night with your brother. Kai's probably tired anyway, I'll try to get him to bed early so we can start the sorting at the break of dawn.'

That's if she'd be able to sleep tonight. This detour in her life was turning into movie-worthy material, and even though it made her nervous, she couldn't wait to see what the next scene had in store.

The sun glowed orange as it hung low behind the hills, outlining them in a long curved line, much like a heartbeat on an ECG. Drew could almost feel the beat of the landscape itself, the low, earthy hum he sensed as his eyes absorbed his surroundings. Nature had its own song. It wasn't audible, just a feeling, a knowing, and it inspired him.
No place like home
, he thought, remembering Dorothy's line from
The Wizard of Oz
.

He lifted off the seat of the bike as he pedalled uphill, blood pulsing through his veins and muscles heating up. Serendipity had provided use of these wheels, and he revelled in the freedom to move and get where he wanted to go without having to hire a cab or limo, and to zip through the streets in town without anyone recognising him. After cycling up into the hills, he stopped for a moment and took a swig of water, then adjusted his cap and sunglasses, gazing over the huge expanse of ocean. The water too, had its own rhythm, a constant ebb and flow of energy, pulsing in and out, under and over, and he could never tire of watching the waves roll in to shore.

He hopped back on the bike and turned around, waiting for a lull in the highway traffic to cross to the other side, conscious of needing to keep moving to avoid being noticed. It wasn't far to get from Serendipity to Sarah's house, but he'd wanted some time to just ride and feel free, get the wind in his face and be out in the open. He rode into town and swerved into the cul-de-sac where his sister lived, excitement at seeing his niece and nephew bubbling away inside.

He leaned the bike against the porch and stepped onto the welcome mat, tapping the door with his fist.

‘He's here!' Sam called from inside, followed by quick, muffled footsteps. ‘I'll open it!'

The door opened and Drew glanced down at his nephew. ‘Oh I'm sorry, I'm looking for Sam, but you're much older and bigger. Maybe I've got the wrong house.' He made a show of turning away.

‘No, silly! It's me, I'm Sam!'

‘Get outta here! Really?' Drew bent down and grasped him by the shoulders. ‘You're practically a man now.' He pulled his nephew in for a rough-and-tumble hug with lots of wriggling and back-patting.

‘I'm six and a half.'

‘So I hear.' He stood. ‘Great to see you, buddy. Where are your parents and sister?' Sam yanked him inside and Sarah walked in from out the back.

‘Hey, stranger, welcome to our humble abode!' She kissed his cheek and wrapped him in a hug.

‘Good to see you.' He pulled back and noticed the pink glow of her skin. ‘You're looking well.'