The Pact

by Brenna Darcy

  Tears ran down Flic’s face. How could Lacey speak as though she was telling a story and not about her life coming to an end?

  “He said it’d be nice for me to look after Ellie for you,” Lacey whispered. “I’m not scared for me Flic, but Ty, it’s just not fair on him.” Tears rolled down her cheeks, but she didn’t bother to brush them away.

  Flic stood up and closed the distance between them and dropped to her knees in front of where Lacey sat. Flic wrapped her arms around her, as she cried.

  “Can I ask you a favour?” Lacey stopped crying.

  “Of course, anything.”

  “Would you look out for Ty, as I will Ellie on the other side?”

  “I’d like that.” Flic tried to smile, but couldn’t.

  “I wouldn’t want you to feel stuck here because of it, so only if you stick around. Of course I hope you and Dave live a long and happy life together.”

  “I hope you’re not putting that in the deal, because it’s too early to know if he’ll even be speaking to me in a week.”

  “He isn’t usually so contrary. Maybe it’s because I’m sick he’s so unpredictable. Honestly, I think he’s fallen for you in a way he never has for anyone, and isn’t sure how to handle it.”

  “You’ve been watching too many romantic movies, real life doesn’t work out like that. I’d go with your first suggestion.”

  Flic was pleased Dave chose that moment to walk in.

  “Do you want more time?”

  Flic stood up and went back to her own chair.

  “No, we’re good.” Lacey wiped her eyes and smiled at him.

  She looked so worn out. Flic wished she could do more to help. Maybe she could work extra shifts so Lacey could spend time with Ty. She’d suggest it when they were alone sometime, Lacey had to do what suited her and not what Dave thought to be a good idea.

  Dave had work to do so left Flic and Lacey to talk some more.

  “I presume he’s progressed past nice. Perhaps you do like him.”

  “It scares me so much and admitting it is even worse, but yeah I do, I mean what’s not to like?”

  “I think he’s great, but I have to. I don’t want you to get dragged into all this and feel you have to stick around just because I’m not here. You’ll only end up resenting him and me.”

  “That won’t happen. He fascinated me from the moment I saw him. That’s not altogether a bad thing is it?”

  “Not at all. I worry about him. He’s so concerned he won’t do a good enough job with Ty, and I guess I feel guilty because I won’t be here to help him if he needs it. I don’t want to dump it on you and expect you to stay with Dave for Ty because it wouldn’t work. I will admit that, if the two of you did stay together, I would be the happiest ghost sister you’d ever have.”

  “Ghost sister, really?”

  Lacey laughed. “What’s wrong with that? My little boy is still here, I’ll be dropping in on a daily basis I can assure you.”

  “As long as you give a little warning before you show yourself, I don’t mind.”

  “Okay deal, maybe tell Dave to install some chains.” Lacey was laughing, and Flic couldn’t help but join in.

  “This is really disturbing you know, who jokes about this stuff?”

  “Someone who has no other choice.”

  Too true, and although the laughter didn’t make her feel any better about losing her friend, it was something to do other than cry.

  Chapter Fifteen

  BEFORE HEADING BACK to the cottage Flic stopped at Mim’s to discuss working extra hours at the shop. Although she hadn’t asked Lacey yet, she thought it best to run it by Mim to ensure she supported the idea.

  “Hi Flic, what brings you here on your day off?”

  “I was having tea with Lacey earlier, and hoped I could speak with you about a few things, that is, if you’re not too busy.”

  “Not at all, come inside. Can I get you a drink, are you hungry?” Mim wouldn’t be Mim if she weren’t fussing.

  “No I’m fine thanks.” Flic followed her to their usual table and sat down.

  “So what’s up, your frowns the size of Dave’s.” She laughed, although Flic sensed she was aware of what caused his scowl.

  “Lacey.” She didn’t want to elaborate, testing the waters to see if Mim knew of her illness.

  “Dave tell you?”

  “Last night. He’s not coping so well.”

  “No he’s not. He feels responsible you know, like he did something wrong.”

  “That’s ridiculous, he didn’t cause this. I wish I could do something to help,” Flic sighed.

  “So do I. I’ve been thinking, if you want to cut back some hours here and pick up more at the shop, I’m sure Lacey would prefer to stay at home and spend the time with Ty.” Mim looked pleased with herself for thinking up the perfect solution.

  “I had the same thought, only without cutting back the hours here.” Flic didn’t want her decision to impact on Mim, knowing how crazy the restaurant could get, especially on the weekends.

  “Thanks, but a whisper blew in from the beach and told me you were kite surfing with Dave today.” Mim looked to her for confirmation, the smallest smile proof enough for her. “He needs that, normal things in his life, especially as it gets closer, so spend your spare time with him. I’m grateful he has you.”

  Flic wasn’t sure she was ready to have both Lacey and Mim counting on her where Dave was concerned. She’d sworn off getting heavily involved with a man again, and this definitely fell under the heading of heavy. In fact, it didn’t get heavier than this.

  “The thing is, Flic, as much as Lacey won’t admit it, she can’t work for much longer. Even if all she does is sit in the store for most of the day, she won’t be able to cope with more than that.”

  Flic hated to think of Lacey incapable of managing the things she loved to do, but knew that Mim was stating the facts. “I haven’t mentioned the extra hours to Lacey yet, I wanted your opinion first. Dave will have her out of the shop tomorrow if he knows I’m available and willing to work. She has to make the decision, not him.”

  “Wise move, but it’s only because he cares about her.”

  “I know.” Flic stood up, it was getting late and Dave would have a fit if he caught her walking the streets at dusk. “I’ll keep you informed.”

  “Thanks.”

  Flic didn’t hurry home, but strolled along the deserted pathway, enjoying the ambience of nature surrounding her. Her mind drifted to Dave, as it often did, how gorgeous and free he looked, despite having her wrapped around him tight as cling wrap, whilst skimming the ocean. How she had misjudged him. Nothing of her first impression was accurate, except the intriguing part.

  Now she understood why he always looked so distracted. Lacey was leaving him with a huge responsibility. Although he had reservations about whether he was capable, Flic knew he’d be a wonderful guardian to Ty.

  He was endearing, and increasingly so, as she got to know him. Why women ran from him she couldn’t understand. He was intelligent, yes, but kind, charming and incredibly sexy. Although he was more than capable, and completely independent, she wanted to help him. Be it, offering a shoulder to cry on, or a body to hold when he was in need of love and support. Love. An exaggeration if there was ever one.

  She had to stop thinking of him as anything more than a friend. Lacey was right, being trapped in a relationship out of guilt wouldn’t be good for any of them. She’d never turn her back on Dave, or Ty, so better to be around as a friend than caught up in a relationship that could very quickly become toxic, especially when most of what they shared was based on trauma. Harbouring pain and loss was definitely not a solid foundation to begin a relationship, or to build one upon. Companionship and support would be by far less complicated, and she could remain in both their lives for many years and hold up her end of the bargain with Lacey.

  She was finished with being the weak crumbling woman too caught up in her own problems to ac
knowledge anyone else. She loved Ty and wanted to be there for him. He’d taught her it was possible to care for another child without loving Ellie any less. In fact, it made her love and appreciate her even more, knowing that she would give her own life if it meant Ellie could live hers. Seeing Lacey so brave and strong for Ty and Dave inspired her to cut the strings to the problems still attached from her past, but out of her control.

  Letting go wasn’t easy, but it was time.

  Exhausted when she walked in the front door, Flic went straight to the bathroom and ran a much needed bubble bath. She knew she was going to be sore in the morning. Maintaining the koala position for such a long time, and using muscles she’d forgotten existed, Flic’s limbs were already beginning to stiffen. A long bath would hopefully be enough to keep the aches at bay.

  DAVE WAS MAKING A HABIT of late night visits. Ten to eleven a knock on the front door startled her, as she’d been watching The Bone Collector on television. It was the creepiest movie she’d ever seen. Having read the book didn’t think it’d scare her so much as it did.

  Opening the door she realised how much easier it was with Dave’s mood so clearly visible on his face and didn’t keep her guessing.

  “Hey, you’re still up.”

  Flic nodded, obviously, or she wouldn’t have answered the door, but although Dave was trying to sound casual she knew something was bothering him. “Come in, do you want tea, or hot chocolate, or something?”

  Dave smiled. “Do you have marshmallows?”

  “Of course, why do you think Ty always wants us to have tea at the cottage?”

  Dave’s frown deepened.

  “What’d I say?”

  He sighed, and began to pace. “You’ve known him how long? Two months at most, and even I didn’t know he liked marshmallows in his hot chocolate.”

  “Stop beating yourself up about everything, he’s four Dave, even he didn’t know he liked them until he tried it here. He’s too young to have experience in everything and you will learn with him what he does and doesn’t like, what resonates with him and what doesn’t. There are no hard and fast rules, all you can do is be aware and flexible enough to grow with him.” Flic didn’t want to give a lecture, but it was all she could think of to help.

  “Thanks. You must be sick of me stressing over this.”

  “It’s natural to want the best for those you love. You could be doing worse things.” Flic took two mugs and a pot from the cupboard. “So what’s up?”

  “It’s that obvious?”

  “Yeah, I guess.”

  “I got an email from my agent this afternoon, reminding me of my deadline next week.” He continued to pace, whilst Flic retrieved milk from the fridge, poured it into the pot and put it on the stove to heat.

  “How are you going with it?” She knew he’d been having trouble, but thought given the time he spent caged up inside, he’d managed to overcome it.

  “That’s just it, I’m not going with it at all.” Dragging his fingers through his hair, he stopped pacing. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. The ideas are all there, the outline, the outcome, everything. I’m not like some people who suffer writers block, or whatever else they like to call it. I’ve never had a problem finding the right words, it’s just I don’t have any desire to write them down.”

  Flic removed the pot from the heat before milk bubbled over the edge and burned on the stovetop she’d cleaned earlier. Pouring it over chocolate, she stirred the brew, added marshmallows and handed Dave his mug. Picking up her own, she led the way into the lounge room. Dave settled on the couch beside her as she warmed her hands around the hot mug, waiting for him to continue. It was obvious he was venting, something he didn’t seem to do very often. She was pleased he felt comfortable enough to talk to her.

  Setting his mug on the coffee table in front of him he raked his hands through his hair again before turning his head to face her. “If I can’t work, how am I supposed to bring up a child and give him everything he needs?”

  “Dave, look around, you have to admit Ty is never going to go without even if you never sell another book.” Flic sipped her hot chocolate. It wasn’t any of her business, Dave’s financial situation, but he was the one bringing it up and she was merely pointing out the obvious. “One little boy won’t be a huge financial burden, I assure you.”

  “You think I’m worried he’ll compromise my lifestyle?” The accusation implied, no matter how irrational.

  “That’s not what I meant, he doesn’t need much. Food in his stomach, a place to live, and all the love you can give.”

  Dave picked up his mug and sipped, melted marshmallow stuck to his upper lip. Flic disguised a smile as he tried to lick it away, in much the same way Ty had when he’d experienced it for the first time.

  “Why don’t you phone your agent and explain the situation, what’s the worst he can say? That he won’t represent you anymore? He’d be a fool not to. He knows you sell whether you make the deadline, or not. He’d have to be a complete jerk if he didn’t understand and cut you some slack.”

  Dave smiled. “He is actually a she, and she’s great. It’s me, I don’t like being unreliable.”

  “That’s understandable, but I bet if you told her and took some of the pressure off, you’ll work much better anyway. Besides she’ll respect you more when you hand over a kick arse manuscript and not the half-hearted rush job if a deadline is more important.”

  “I know you’re right, I just don’t seem to be able to think rationally at the moment. I’m so worried about Lacey and Ty. My work has never felt like work to me, and now that it does, I’m failing.”

  Flic leaned forward, placed her empty mug on the coffee table and turned her body to face his. Cupping his cheek with her hand, she turned his head so she could look into his eyes. “You are not failing, you’re grieving, and there’s nothing wrong with that. So what if your manuscript is on hold, it’ll wait for you. Talk to your agent, take some time out from work and only go back to it when you feel ready.” Leaning forward Flic brushed her lips gently over his, before wrapping her arms around him.

  Cradling her across his body, he hugged her back. “Thanks Flic, it means a lot to have someone I can talk to.”

  BEING AWARE OF LACEY’S illness, the small signs of deterioration didn’t go unnoticed. She’d been delighted by Flic’s offer to work more hours. With Ty in kindergarten it meant she could rest some and spend more quality time with him when he was home.

  He was such a well-behaved little boy. Never complaining of the many hours he spent occupying himself at the shop. Dave did what he could, taking him home to hang out by the pool, or play as four-year-old boys did.

  Dave was good to him, and Lacey too. The quaint little corner in the shop had been Dave’s idea. An area that complimented the décor where Lacey could rest between customers, which she did a lot more. Sipping tea from pretty teacups, leaning her head on the wing of her high back chair and closing her eyes, obviously exhausted. Even when stocking shelves, she’d close her eyes longer than usual as though trying to rejuvenate in that small window of time. She would smile and busy herself whilst customers where around, but when they left, the over exertion saw the tea corner being utilised.

  Speaking to her, Flic realised Lacey had no intention of staying at home to rest whilst Ty was at kindergarten, she was determined to remain at work until the end. Flic couldn’t help but wonder what would come of the shop afterward. With his job, there was no way Dave could manage it on his own. Not with Ty to take care of as well. Although she was curious, she didn’t dwell on it too much, and she was certain she’d find work elsewhere, maybe even at Mim’s, if Dave sold the store once Lacey was gone. It wouldn’t be the same working for someone else, their ideas and energy diluting Lacey’s. The shop was her. She could understand Lacey wanting to hold on to the tranquil environment she’d created for as long as she could. How Dave would bring himself to deal with selling the business was yet to be seen. It would be another
thing he’d have to let go of, to deal with, when he was emotionally attached and all it represented. There were no easy solutions to the many hurdles he was yet to experience, all Flic could do was be there to help ease him over them.

  “YOU CAN’T EXPECT IT to stay the same, that’s not fair, and if Flic doesn’t want to take over, I can deal with changes. If she decides to close it the week after I’m gone, how does that differ to if she hadn’t come along for me to consider passing it on in the first place.”

  “Yes, but I don’t want just anyone coming in and destroying it.”

  “Look Dave, you have to be grateful if she keeps the business running, she would be doing something hugely generous and you mustn’t hold it against her if she doesn’t cope.”

  “I know. I can’t help how I feel about it though.”

  “If this is something that could cause problems between you two later on, I’ll sell the store to an independent buyer whilst I still can. I know she’ll not only be good for the shop, she will also be good for you and for Ty—I see her as an aunt.”

  Dave glared at her. “You’re not going to leave that in your will I hope, because I can guarantee you that won’t be happening.”

  “Oh Dave for goodness sake, don’t be so uptight. I’ve seen the way the two of you look at each other, do you think I don’t people watch as well. I know you better than anyone, you can’t hide your feelings from me.”

  “She deserve someone more sensitive and compassionate than me. Besides, I’m too busy with my own life to worry about keeping a woman happy. My work makes me moody and I get caught up in my own world so much that anything extra is going to cramp my style.”

  Lacey didn’t speak. Dave knew she was thinking about Ty and how he will cramp his style more than any woman ever would. He was four years old and would get in the way, she already felt guilty about putting pressure on her brother, but what choice did she have?

  “Lace, I’m sorry I wasn’t referring to Ty, he doesn’t get in the way, I love having him around, and you know that.”