Always With You

by Hannah Ellis

  “Come with me,” I said, pulling a relaxed Andrew off his sunlounger. He jumped again when a lizard shot across our path in front of the office.

  “It’s tiny,” I said. “How can you be scared of that?”

  “They’re so fast!” he said. “And they come out of nowhere. Creepy little things.”

  The office was quiet and I stood in front of the photo wall with Andrew. “That’s my mum,” I said, pointing.

  Andrew moved closer. “Who’s the guy?”

  “That’s Joe. Nice guy. Not my dad!”

  Andrew ignored my light-hearted tone and draped an arm around my shoulder. I leaned in, enjoying the feel of his toned chest.

  “You look like your mum,” Andrew remarked.

  The office phone rang and Kai appeared a moment later, prompting us to move back outside. I jumped into the pool, leading Andrew and Jakob to have a mock-serious conversation evaluating my diving form. I couldn’t help it; I always bombed into the water hugging my knees.

  Kai wandered over. “Joe and Cassie are having a barbecue at the Swim Beach. We’re all invited. You fit to drive, Jakob?”

  “Always,” he replied.

  “Good,” Kai said. “Grab a crate of beer from the back and I’ll pick up some meat and see you up there.”

  Skye and Ruby were doing cartwheels on the sand when we pulled up, and smoke wafted from Joe’s barbecue. Cassie stood to greet me with a big hug. Jakob knew everyone already and Sylvie and Andrew introduced themselves while I went to say hi to the girls. I swung Ruby around when she ran at me.

  Skye came close to me and whispered, “Mum said some hot guy turned up looking for you.”

  “That’s Andrew,” I said, nodding over to where he was chatting to Joe.

  “Nice!” Skye said.

  “Don’t embarrass me, will you?”

  “Me?” She grinned mischievously. “Never! I’m going to go say hi.”

  I followed her back up the beach with Ruby’s hand in mine. She climbed into my lap when I slumped into the camping chair beside Cassie.

  “We like him!” Cassie said out of the corner of her mouth.

  “You guys are going to embarrass me, aren’t you?”

  “Never!”

  “That’s just what Skye said.” I caught Andrew’s eye and he grinned at me as Skye chatted away to him.

  “He’s so sweet,” Cassie said. “Bringing your necklace back. So romantic.”

  I felt myself blush. “He’s just a friend.”

  “I don’t like boys,” Ruby announced. “They’re all yucky.”

  Andrew came over and handed me a beer, taking a seat beside Cassie.

  “Nice to see you again,” she said.

  “You too. Your daughter’s just interrogated me and told me my hair’s thinning!” He frowned and felt around at the top of his head.

  Cassie grinned. “Did she suggest you should wear a hat?”

  “Cowboy hat,” he said. “I’m twenty-four. I’m not really going bald, am I?”

  I grinned and shrugged.

  “Thanks!” he said.

  “I like your hair,” Ruby said, leaving me to sit in his lap instead. She ran a hand through his hair. “You’re not bald.”

  “Thank you!”

  She nestled into him with no sign of moving.

  “Traitor,” I said. “I thought all boys were yucky?”

  “He smells nice,” Ruby said flatly.

  Andrew looked thoroughly pleased with his new friend.

  “Who’s coming swimming?” Jakob called as he walked down the sand, closely followed by Sylvie. I shook my head while Andrew shuffled Ruby off his lap, pulling his T-shirt off as he stood.

  “You not coming?” he asked.

  “It’s full of crocs.”

  “Only freshwater crocs,” Cassie said. “You won’t get much more than a nip from them.”

  “Oh my God,” I said. “So there really are crocs in there?”

  “Probably,” she said. “They won’t come near with so many people splashing around though.”

  “Unless they fancy a snack!” Joe shouted over.

  “Can I go?” Ruby asked.

  Cassie sighed. “We only just got out of the water.”

  “He’ll look after me,” Ruby said, taking Andrew’s hand.

  “Do you mind?” Cassie asked.

  “Not at all. Sure you’re not coming?” he said to me.

  “No chance!”

  “Just stay near me,” he said. “The crocs won’t bother with you. I’m the one who smells good!”

  “Thanks, Ruby! He’s never going to shut up about that now.”

  They wandered off hand in hand.

  “She’s a good judge of character, that kid,” Cassie said.

  “He’s still got to get my seal of approval,” Joe shouted, bringing me a hot dog.

  “He’s just a friend,” I insisted again.

  “Good of him to bring your necklace,” Joe said. A strange look passed over his face, and I reached for my necklace when his eyes lingered on it. “Sentimental, is it?” he asked.

  “Mum gave it to me. I can’t believe I lost it.”

  “It found its way back to you,” he said with a smile.

  Cassie kept a beady eye on Ruby, but she looked to be in good hands with Andrew, Jakob and Sylvie, who splashed around with her. She climbed repeatedly onto Andrew’s shoulders to jump into the water.

  We stayed until long after the sun had set, eating, drinking and laughing. It was peaceful and relaxing.

  I felt like I’d known them all forever.

  Chapter 49

  LIBBY – August 2017

  “What shall we do today?” Andrew asked after breakfast. I liked the assumption that we’d do something together.

  “I don’t know. We can ask Kai to recommend something.”

  Kai was in the office and I didn’t even have time to say anything before he threw an envelope at me. “Boat trip round Lake Argyle,” he said as I opened the envelope to find two vouchers for just that. “Joe’s treat. He left you his ute for the day too.” He turned for the keys and handed them to me. “It’s out on the road.”

  I looked down at the car key with its worn fob in the shape of a pickup truck. “That’s so kind of him.”

  “Cassie did you a picnic,” he said, nodding at a cool box by the door. “Have fun!”

  “Kai!” I called as he began to walk away. “Where’s Lake Argyle?”

  “There’ll be a map in the ute. It’s easy though. Victoria Highway and then Lake Argyle Road.”

  We found the ute out on the road and climbed in. “It feels like ages since I’ve driven.”

  “D’you want me to?” Andrew asked.

  “Nope!”

  “Worth a try.”

  “Maybe on the way home,” I said. “If you’re good.”

  “If you decide you fancy a beer, more like!”

  Once we were out of town, the open road seemed to stretch on forever. The stark dry landscape was ruggedly beautiful. I could see why my mum had fallen in love with the place. We found the turn on to Lake Argyle Road and arrived at the lake half an hour before the boat tour was due to leave. To kill time, we walked along the lakeshore, skimming stones as we went.

  “How long do you think you’ll stay here?” Andrew asked. “Have you got any plans?”

  “I haven’t really thought about it. I was all set to do a runner when I found out Joe wasn’t my dad, but everyone’s been so lovely and I’m having such a good time.” And now that you’re here, I’ve no desire to leave at all. A thought occurred to me. “How long will you stay?” I asked. “You’ve got a flight home from Sydney, right?”

  “Yeah. My flight’s in two weeks so I can’t stay too long. Maybe a few more days. Simon’s in Cairns with Yvonne so I’ll go back and see them before I fly out.” He threw a stone and it skipped across the surface of the water, causing ripples as it went. I’d be sorry to see Andrew go but tried not to dwell on it.


  The tour guide on the boat was a larger-than-life character who talked us through the wildlife and the history of the dam and lake. At one point, he stopped to point out crocodiles lazing in the sun on the rocky shore.

  “I won’t be swimming then,” I whispered to Andrew.

  “Just stay by me, they won’t bother y—”

  I laughed. “Are you ever going to shut up about how good you smell?”

  “I’ve got to take the compliments where I can get them.”

  “From a five-year-old?”

  “That kid knows what she’s talking about.” He leaned into me, jutting out his chin, and I inhaled deeply. Heaven.

  I wrinkled my nose. “Not too bad, I suppose.”

  When the boat stopped for a while in the middle of the lake, the sun was directly overhead and the water was hard to resist, even for me.

  “Come on, then,” Andrew coaxed when we were the only ones left on the boat.

  “If I lose a limb, I’m blaming you,” I said as I lowered myself into the water ahead of him. I pushed myself away from the boat and Andrew followed. The water was so refreshing I completely forgot about crocodiles and floated happily on my back.

  Andrew disappeared under the water as he swam further away from the boat. I followed leisurely after him. It took longer than I expected for him to resurface, and when he did he was so close that my heart rate increased dramatically. The grin he gave me notched it up even more, and I was sure it would cause ripples in the water. I made the mistake of looking around.

  The lake was vast and intimidating, the murky water hiding whatever lurked beneath. Now that I was sufficiently cool, my mind wandered. Crocodiles, I thought. How many? Hundreds? Thousands? Could they smell fear or was that sharks? Maybe they’re circling my legs. I glanced at the boat, which was further away than I would have liked, and then down at the water. Any second now my leg will be ripped from me.

  “You okay?” Andrew asked, staring at me.

  “I need to get back to the boat,” I said, suddenly breathless. My legs kicked furiously below the surface – probably the last exercise they’d get before they were taken for a snack. Terror gripped me when Andrew’s leg bumped into mine. My throat constricted. Swim! Swim away! Get back to the boat. My body wouldn’t listen to me.

  “What’s wrong?” Andrew asked.

  “Crocs,” I whispered, as though they might hear me. Andrew laughed like I’d told a joke but stopped abruptly when I looked at him. I swallowed hard in an attempt to widen my airways. Breathing was an effort.

  “Think about something else,” Andrew said gently.

  Great advice. Idiot. How haven’t I noticed before what an idiot he is? And how did I have a crush on him? I’m about to lose a limb and he tells me to think of something else?

  His body bumped into mine and I was surprised by the feel of his soft lips on mine. My heart rate slowed. Inhale, I told myself as he pulled away. Exhale. And repeat. Our legs knocked together as they worked methodically below the surface. My heart rate settled to a more normal rhythm, and Andrew’s green eyes sparkled when he moved to kiss me again. There were no more crocs. There was no more anything. There was only Andrew. When my legs forgot to keep working, I slipped under the water and came up laughing.

  “Sorry,” Andrew said. “Promise I’m not trying to drown you.”

  The boat was suddenly beside us. How did that happen? Andrew raised an arm to hold the side of the boat and our legs slowed. I kept a hand on his bicep.

  His fingers lightly brushed my skin. “I thought you were going to have a panic attack,”

  “Sorry.” My face flushed and I moved away from him.

  “No worries,” he said with a deliberate Aussie twang. He held the rail of the ladder and waited while I climbed back up onto the boat.

  The rest of the tour went in a blur. Andrew took my hand in his and I found it difficult to concentrate on anything else. We saw wallabies and kangaroos hopping about on one shore and were back at the boat dock before I knew it. We set up the picnic on the lakeside and I found myself nervous in Andrew’s company. Without shade, it was too hot to stay long so we ate and then headed back to the car. I let Andrew drive back while I relaxed in the passenger seat. Gazing at his profile, I was aware of the fact he’d be leaving soon. I shouldn’t get too attached. My eyelids were heavy and were just starting to close when Andrew slowed the pickup to a stop.

  “Look at that.”

  I sat up and peered through the windscreen. A long snake meandered easily across the road and into the bush. I’d never seen a snake in the wild before, and I was mesmerised by its graceful movements. “This place is incredible, isn’t it? It feels like every day I see something new and amazing.”

  “This place suits you,” Andrew said, looking at me seriously.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I don’t know. You seem so at home here. I can imagine you staying here.”

  I laughed nervously. “No way. It’s stinking hot. And the crocs give me the creeps.”

  “You’re starting to sound like a local too!”

  “What? No way.”

  “Stinking hot!” he mimicked.

  Before I could reply, he moved over and kissed me again, sending my stomach into an elaborate gymnastics routine.

  Chapter 50

  LIBBY – August 2017

  There was a buzz about the town for the rodeo and I laughed when Andrew strutted out in his brand new Akubra. Skye would no doubt be getting her iPhone soon.

  “What do you think?” he asked.

  “Looks like I’ve got myself a cowboy,” I said, reaching up to kiss him. He was flying out the following day, but he’d been easily persuaded to stay for the rodeo. I wished he were staying longer. I felt so comfortable with him and we’d hardly been apart for the last week. Sometimes we’d sat and talked for hours. I felt like I could tell him anything. We’d become so close so quickly, and I was dreading saying goodbye to him. He promised we’d keep in touch and meet up once we were back in the UK. I kept reminding myself that was only a few weeks away.

  My time in Australia had flown by. Having Andrew back in the UK would make leaving much easier. I was also looking forward to seeing Aunt Mel and Uncle Rob and the boys. And Heidi, of course, who’d been bombarding me with messages and emails. She now had purple hair, she told me, but I knew that could change again before I saw her.

  Jakob drove us out to the rodeo and the atmosphere was magical as soon as we arrived. Cassie and the girls were sitting on picnic blankets spread along the fence line with a good view of the action. Real-life cowboys wandered with their dusty jeans and spurred boots. I loved the rodeo before it had even begun. It was like being on a film set.

  “We got you a present,” Joe said, dropping an Akubra onto my head.

  “I love it,” I said. “Thank you!”

  “You’re welcome,” Cassie said as I joined her on the blanket.

  “So, this is your first rodeo?” Leslie asked, pouring fizzy wine into a plastic cup for me.

  “Yes! It’s amazing,” I said, taking it all in with awe.

  “Cheers to that!” she said.

  Ruby wandered over behind Leslie. “I like your hair today, Mrs Cooper,” she said, twirling it round her finger.

  “Thank you, Ruby, but it’s Auntie Leslie when we’re not at kindy, isn’t it?”

  “Oh yeah,” Ruby said, giggling. “It’s very confusing.”

  “You teach?” I asked.

  Leslie nodded and ruffled Ruby’s hair. “And this is my star pupil.”

  Ruby beamed before her attention drifted somewhere over my shoulder and she took off at a run, darting past me.

  “Uncle Cam!” she squealed as she ran towards the guy walking casually over to us. His cap shielded his face, but I recognised him from Mum’s photos nonetheless. He threw Ruby up in the air and showered her with kisses until she wriggled to get away from him. He embraced Joe in a hug that lifted him off the ground before slapping Kai on the ba
ck and finally catching my eye.

  “You must be Evelyn’s kid?” he said, a nervous smile spreading across his face.

  “Libby,” I said, standing, unsure of how to greet him.

  His eyes searched my face. “Joe called and told me about you. Thought I better come and check you out for myself. It’s crazy!” He looked at Joe with a huge grin. “Evelyn’s kid!”

  “Look what the cat dragged in!” Cassie said, moving to hug him.

  “Nice to see you too,” he said with a laugh.

  Andrew moved over to me as the events of the rodeo began. Over the course of the evening we watched bull-riding and barrel-racing, calf-roping and bronc-riding and lots more. It fascinated me, and I was glued to the fence for every event, occasionally moving back quickly when the action got too close. The rodeo clowns were my favourite, jumping in with their bright clothing and putting themselves in harm’s way to make sure the competitors were safe after a fall.

  Between events, I mingled round our little group, chatting and laughing and hearing lots of stories about Mum. Some of them I refused to believe; surely my mum hadn’t really drank and partied as much as they were suggesting. For the first time, I found myself remembering her without getting upset. It was so much fun to hear new stories about her.

  I was standing by the fence at the edge of the group, enjoying watching everyone having such a good time, when a figure appeared beside me.

  “So you’re still in town?”

  I searched the face under the hat with a puzzled smile until I realised it was the guy from the hotel: Todd. “I decided to stay around for a while,” I told him. “I quite like the place.”

  “I thought you might come back to the hotel and look at the photos again. You’re welcome to take any that you’d like.”

  “Thanks, but I think I’ll leave them where they belong.”

  “It was weird how she left,” he said. “Without a word.”

  “I’m sure she had her reasons.” I didn’t want to think about it. Thankfully, Cam came over, scaring Todd off with a scowl and a nod of the head.

  “Was he bothering you?”

  “Not really,” I said. “I just find him a bit odd.”