“You said it was disappointing?”
“They offered me a job. That’s the good bit, but I looked at the houses on the market and they just won’t do. Want a bit of room for a pony and we really like our privacy. Lucy longs to grow vegetables and stuff.”
“You should speak to the real estate agents in town here. They might know of something.”
Rupert finished the second glass, took it to the sink and rinsed it out. Turning it upside-down on the side, he smiled. “Thanks for that, Christie. Have to say I envy you. This is exactly the kind of place we’d love. Anyway, should let you get back to those roses.”
“No trouble at all. Go see John Jones. He has the place with the flower pots outside. Tell him I sent you.” Christie walked out of the cottage with Rupert and down the driveway.
“I think I will. Great little town. No sign of high rise buildings and shopping malls.”
“No. Those are things we’d like to keep out. Have a safe trip home.”
Christie watched him get into his car, do a U-turn and drive off down the road. His family sounded exactly the sort of people she would sell to. If she ever sold. Not that she planned to.
***
Christie missed the first call from Ashley. Her phone, along with a fresh glass of water, was perched on a post near the driveway. When it finally got her attention, she sprinted across the garden, almost knocking the glass off in her rush.
“Oh, you do answer phones!” Ashley laughed.
“Well, hello to you too!”
“Thought I’d have to drive there to get a reply.”
“And you would be most welcome! What’s up?” Christie reached for the glass. The day was warm, with the sun almost directly overhead.
“I had dinner with Carlo Palmero last night, and we got onto the subject of you.”
“I’ve not seen Carlo in ages. What was he doing in Melbourne?”
“Scouting locations. Some thriller he’s making next year. Most likely here at Docklands, but he asked about windswept beaches. Thought of your place.”
“It would be ideal actually, as long as he picks his timing with the weather. How exciting!” Christie plonked herself onto the grass in the shade.
“Fill him in personally. He has a job, if you’re interested.”
Christie closed her eyes for a second. Not Europe. Not the US. “Do tell.”
“Well, your name came up about the location and he asked where you are now. Told him you’ve turned into a country girl in a little seaside town and he just gave me that long, serious stare he does. Eventually he said, and I quote, ‘the countryside is already beautiful, it is the city that needs Christie to work her magic’. Unquote.”
Christie giggled. “You’re making that up. When and where?”
“Soonish. He starts shooting in a couple of days but won’t need you for a week, two at most from now. Auckland.”
“He leaves things late.”
“No, bella. He just wants...”
“What?”
“Let’s just say there is room for you in the crew, and he wants you there.”
“Is my reputation so bad, Ash? He’s just finding a spot for old time’s sake?”
“You’ve been in this industry long enough to know how fickle people are. Those who know you, love you. And Carlo does, so be good and say yes. It’s only a few weeks and then everyone will forget London and start throwing work at you again.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“No, give him a call and say yes. You can decide if you want to give up on your career afterwards.”
“How do you—”
“Christie. I’ve known you forever. Your heart is somewhere else and that’s wonderful. Just don’t give up because someone else messed things up. Yes?”
“Okay. Maybe. Thank you.”
“My pleasure. Ray sends his love.”
“Tell him I miss him. I miss you both.”
After hanging up, Christie lay back on the grass to stare at the sky. Soft clouds moved ever so slowly. The enormity of the universe washed over her, tension seeping into the ground below. It isn’t fair. Once, Christie struggled with too many contracts. Major film companies listed her, directors personally called. All it took was one manipulative man and a devious woman to damage her reputation.
Ashley was right. If she just gave up now, then Derek and Ingrid won. She would call Carlo and accept his gracious offer. Go to New Zealand and do the best work of her life. Then she would talk to Martin. Let him into her soul, past her defences. Perhaps he would see her commitment was to him and decide he needed to take things to another level. A level where their lives would be made one.
Chapter Sixteen
Martin was already at the bay when Christie arrived. He sat on the sand, sketching the boats. She watched him from the trees, drawn to his talent; his very being. These feelings he created in her were beyond her ability to put into words. Deep, profound, eternal.
“Are you planning on sailing today?”
How does he know? Christie dropped onto the sand. She leaned against him as he finished the sketch, following every quick stroke of the pencil as it formed seagulls and yachts and clouds on the paper. The heat from his body radiated into hers. She closed her eyes.
“Going to sleep there?” Martin kissed her forehead. “Shall we venture out of the bay?”
“We could stay here. I could sleep, here on the sand. With you.” Reluctant for the moment to pass, Christie snuggled into Martin. He closed the sketch book.
“Or, we could go sailing. Come on, sleepyhead.”
With a groan, Christie moved to allow him to get to his feet, then accepted his hand to pull her onto hers. “The sun is so nice.”
“Which is why we’re sailing today. Within a month there’ll be more rainy days than sunny. Autumn’s almost on us.” Martin tossed his sketch book and pencil into a backpack. “Did you bring water?”
Christie shook her head.
“If you’re sailing, plan ahead. Whilst I try to keep the galley stocked, it’s best to bring what you need for a trip every time. You never know if something might go wrong. Conditions can change fast. The motor might seize when there’s no wind.” He headed off to collect the dinghy.
“I need to learn so much.” She was right on his heels.
“Yup. That’s why you’ll be doing the sailing. I’m coming along for heavy labour and advice if you really get stuck.”
Together they dragged the dinghy into the shallows. “So I’m the boss,” Christie announced with a cheeky grin.
“Hop in. You can call yourself whatever you wish.”
The dinghy slid through the water easily under Martin’s guidance. This time, Christie had no flutters of fear as the water deepened. A few moments later, she was on Jasmine Sea, grinning like a small child with a new toy. Her yacht! Martin tied the dinghy to a buoy.
“Life jackets are under the seat there.”
Christie pulled two out. Martin checked she was secure, tightening one strap and kissing the tip of her nose. “You are as excited as a little kid in Disneyland. Take a deep breath and start thinking about procedures. You’ve been studying?”
“I have and I’m doing the test this week. Shall I raise the anchor? And what do I do if it won’t raise?”
“Under normal circumstances it will. We can practice.”
“But what if it really gets stuck?” Christie peered down along the narrow chain into the water.
“Bolt cutters.”
“Through that?”
“Through that. Now, you’re in charge. I’ll jump in if you miss a step.” Martin leaned against the railing, half smiling. Dark sunglasses added an air of mystery to his face.
“I love you.” Christie couldn’t help herself, slipping her arms around his neck and lifting herself onto her toes. For a long moment they kissed.
Then, Martin raised his head. “If you do that again, we won’t be going far.”
“Aye aye, Captain. Oh wait, I’
m Captain. Swab the decks!”
“You’re having too much fun with this.” There was a suggestion of warning in his tone. Christie grinned as she went to the winch. She thought Martin chuckled at her, but then again, perhaps it was the seagulls overhead.
***
Daphne stood outside her husband’s office, listening to his side of a phone call. The cup of tea she carried – complete with one of her homemade double chocolate cookies on the saucer – could wait a moment or two, as she didn’t wish to disturb what was clearly an important conversation. John was her high school sweetheart who had whisked her off her feet at the age of eighteen to be his wife. Some forty years later her heart still sped up when he smiled at her. Together they’d built up the finest real estate agency in the region and, now retirement loomed, John recently turned to something he’d always avoided: dealing with large scale developers.
“But of course it will be confidential. You can trust me completely.”
Whoever are you speaking with?
“If that is your preference. But, I can’t promise anything until we discuss this further.”
Interesting. Secrecy and intrigue, two of Daphne’s favourite things.
“Yes, I can be there at three. See you then.”
It was almost two-thirty according to the clock at the end of the hall. Still, he had time for his tea. Daphne popped her head around the corner.
“Tea time!”
“Oh, Daphne. Didn’t hear you coming.” John closed a notebook, but not before Daphne saw the words Green Bay Lookout.
Daphne frowned as she put the cup and saucer down. “Are you off somewhere?”
“Meeting a potential client. In half an hour actually.”
Daphne pulled out a chair and dropped into it with sigh. “That’s better. Feel like I’ve been on my feet all day. So, what sort of client is this?”
After a sip of tea, John picked up the biscuit. “Not sure, actually. All very hush-hush. Don’t want anyone to know they are looking in the area.”
“How peculiar.”
“I’m meeting them soon, so need to make a quick call and finish this tea.” He looked at Daphne. She smiled back. “So, I just need to make a call?” He prompted.
“Oh, of course. I have to go and box up the rest of those cookies for Christie. Thought I’d pop up after work and catch up.”
“Lovely idea. I’ll bring my cup out in a minute.”
“Well, I’ll let you make your call.” Whatever was going on?
***
Almost the moment Jasmine Sea nosed through the narrow gap between the cliffs, wind filled her sails. Christie kept her head, systematically shutting down the engine, raising the spinnaker with a bit of help from Martin, and steering with the breeze at their backs. The yacht responded effortlessly as they left the bay far behind. Soon the land to their left was hazy and distant.
“We’ll go up as far as Green Bay.” From the bow, Martin raised his voice to compete with the flapping of the mainsail. “We’ll be back before dark. Gives you a decent run.” He clambered back to join Christie, admiring her new confidence. She handled the wheel with a light touch, as if she and Jasmine Sea shared some connection. “Good work. You’re doing well.”
“I love it. Oh, Martin, this is amazing!”
Her eyes alight with joy, hair whipped back with the wind, she was a picture of happiness. God, I love you. Martin busied himself fetching bottles of water, just to control his urge to kiss her over and over.
He offered her a bottle, putting a hand on the wheel to let her drink. “On the way back, we’ll be closer to the coast. Look!” He pointed starboard.
“Oh. Are those dolphins?” Christie stepped over ropes and under the sail to see better, leaving Martin holding the wheel. “Come and see! They are incredible.”
“I would, but someone has to steer and I thought you were the captain?”
“Sorry!”
“I’m teasing you, sweetheart. Sit and watch for a while.”
Without hesitation, Christie dropped onto the deck, leaning over the side to watch the pod of dolphins. So clear was the water that their sleek bodies revealed every twist and turn.
After a while, the yacht slowed and Christie glanced at Martin. “Come on. Back to work.” He held a hand out. “Time to practice changing direction and see how close we can get to Green Bay.”
***
Green Bay Lookout was partway down a cliff, accessed by a narrow, winding dirt path. Surrounded by heavy bush, it was a protected, hidden spot attracting young lovers and tourists alike. Today there were no lovers or tourists, just Ingrid and John, sitting on the only bench in the small, railed space.
“So, you see why I insist on keeping this... between us.” Ingrid almost purred. An open laptop displayed an aerial shot of River’s End. “People get nervous about development. Suspicious. But I understand how to calm those concerns. Help show the key people the benefits.”
“Benefits? What exactly do you mean?” John was at the far end of the bench. He’d never met a woman like Ingrid. Flame red hair cropped short like a pop star. Eyelashes so long they could not be real. Even her... well, body, looked a bit unreal. Tight green dress with a tiny waist and so short, exposing perfect legs.
“My face is here, darling.”
“Um, yes.” His eyes shot back to hers. “The problem is I already have a client for much of this land.”
“Bryce Montgomery? You know, he’s such a sweetie but I went for a drive and there’s not one bit of forward planning in River’s End Heights. No shops or footpaths. Just great big houses with little backyards. Yet all this space.” She touched the screen. “Then, there’s the demographic to consider.”
“What demographic?”
“Think ahead, John. What kind of people do you want as neighbours? Who will bring community spirit? Money for the benefit of all home and business owners in your lovely town?” She closed the laptop and crossed her legs, leaning closer. “You need a mixture of wealthy retirees and weekenders.”
“But we don’t have any retirement villages and no plans for them here.”
“No need. I’m talking about early, self-funded retirees, cashed up and wanting a quality home in a peaceful town. They’ll bring their wisdom and friendship. As for the weekenders, well, that’s where the town really benefits. Schools won’t be impacted because most of the time they’ll only visit on weekends and school holidays. They’ll bring the real money. Spend up big and give your community a chance to grow enough to keep its current residents from leaving. Now, doesn’t that sound better than a mostly empty estate that nobody really wants to live in?”
John nodded. “I’ll need to have a look at what’s already signed and sealed. Then we can talk further.”
“Perfect. Not a word to Bryce. And not even a whisper to another soul.”
“Not even my wife? Daphne is my right hand in the business.”
Ingrid put a hand on John’s leg and squeezed it. “In my experience, wives don’t understand that sometimes their husbands have to do... things, without them.” She smiled and stood up in one elegant move. “I’m going to watch the sea for a while. Give me a call. Soon?”
John pushed himself to his feet. He extended his hand to shake but Ingrid had already turned away and stood, staring out at the calm sea. He dragged his eyes away from her and trudged back up the track.
***
Ingrid watched a yacht only a hundred metres or so out. Her eyesight was excellent and she immediately recognised Martin Blake doing something with a sail.
Such a good-looking man. Interesting. Intelligent. Christie once told her he had a logical mind. He did. Except, she decided, when it came to Christie, who now appeared from the lower deck carrying drinks of some sort. How much fun it was going to be taking his attention away from little Miss Christie. Nothing personal, dear. She blew Christie a kiss.
***
“I think that was the best afternoon of my life.” Christie leaned back against Martin,
his arms around her. They sat on the beach, much as they had earlier in the day. Tiredness weighed her down but her mind strayed to the dolphins and waves.
“You did well. A few more runs and I’ll feel confident handing over the keys.”
“Thank you. You were a great bosun. Don’t tickle me!”
“I was a great...?”
“Teacher!”
“Better. You need to practice rowing though.”
“That’s your job.” Christie only half joked. Her attempt at rowing back ended after Martin pointed out she was heading back to sea and took the oars again. “Captains don’t row.”
“I need to go collect Randall from Elizabeth.”
“I bet Angus made a fuss of him. Oh, I can’t wait for you to meet him. You’ll come to dinner tonight? Please?”
“I don’t wish to intrude.”
“Now, that is something you could never do.” Christie touched his face. “You are the two most important men in my life. I thought we’d just go to the pub. Let someone else cook.”
“I’ve exhausted you.”
“Not quite. So it’s yes?”
Martin answered with a long kiss.
“I could stay like this.” He finally admitted. “Here, with you in my arms.”
“I love my life. I’m so lucky.” Christie sighed in pleasure. “There’s little more I could want.”
“There must be more though. Work? More travel? Family, perhaps.”
Christie gazed into Martin’s eyes, searching for meaning behind the question. “There is a bit more I need to finish. Some work, and I’ll tell you about it once I have some details. But, I don’t want to be travelling all the time. Not now. This is my home. My family is here.”
What was he asking? About children, or whether she had other dreams to fulfil? She’d never seen him around children. Perhaps he didn’t want them, like Derek hadn’t.
That was a deal breaker with Derek, along with other things. But Martin was different. She loved him with all her heart and should he not want a family, then love might still be enough. But I want children. She wanted to ask him what he meant, but the moment had passed.
Martin was on his feet, backpack over his shoulder, hand outstretched. “Coming?” His expression was thoughtful. Or, maybe it was just the late afternoon light.
Jasmine Sea Page 8
