by Di Morrissey
Her office had been converted from the small dining room. Bookshelves lined one wall, and there was a large filing cabinet and neat piles of what appeared to be manuscripts on her desk. Another wall was covered with framed photos. One in particular jumped out at Chris.
‘The old house! Jean Hay’s place. What a great shot.’ He leaned forward to examine the muted pink print of the sitting room in the old house. It was full of colour from the light as it shone through the rose glass panes in the windows. ‘This is the sort of picture you want to walk into so you can look at every little thing in the room. It’s beautiful, Georgia. You certainly do have an excellent eye for photography.’
‘I’d love to go back and spend more time there,’ she sighed.
‘Any time. We’d all be very pleased to see you up in Neverend again.’
Georgia went over to her desk, pulled an envelope from the top drawer and handed it to Chris. ‘Congratulations.’
‘What’s this?’ He opened it and pulled out several sheets of paper. He glanced quickly at the top page, and then realised what he was reading. ‘Oh, is it for real . . . ?’
Georgia stood in front of him, her eyes dancing with pleasure. ‘Yep. It’s your contract. An advance will follow once you sign on the dotted line. It’s not a big advance, because the publishing company is only a small outfit. They publish mainly Australian non-fiction and they liked the sample chapters that I gave them and are willing to back you.’
Chris felt overwhelmed. In his excitement, he swept Georgia into his arms and kissed her. But his quick kiss of joyful delight suddenly turned into something more. His mouth lingered on hers. He dropped the pages of the contract onto the desk and wrapped both his arms around her and kissed her longingly.
Georgia returned his kiss, holding his head close to hers before lightly pulling away and saying breathlessly, ‘Ah, you’d better sign the last page of the contract and initial the others before we get too sidetracked.’
Chris leaned over the desk, picked up a pen and quickly signed the contract.
Georgia laughed. ‘You didn’t read it!’
‘I trust you. You’re my agent.’ He reached for her again. It felt so good to hold her close.
Finally Georgia drew away from his arms. ‘I’d better check the dinner. Unless you want curry for breakfast.’ She grinned playfully at him and kissed him quickly once more.
‘Sounds perfectly fine to me,’ Chris returned, but he followed Georgia into the kitchen and watched as she fussed at the stove.
When she had put the lid back on the saucepan, Chris stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her as Georgia leaned into his embrace.
‘Was that a genuine invitation?’ Chris murmured. ‘Are you sure you know what you’re getting into? I’m not just a dinner and breakfast kind of guy.’
‘I know that,’ she said calmly, and turned to face him. ‘Stick around as long as you want.’
‘I might just do that.’ He kissed her more gently this time. ‘I’m going to make a couple of calls. I won’t be long. Why don’t you refill our glasses?’
Chris went into the lounge room and called Megan’s mobile.
‘Hi, Megs. How’re things at Toby’s place?’
‘Hi, Dad. Fun, we’re all playing Scrabble and we can’t stop laughing. I think that Toby’s father cheats. He puts down words I don’t think are proper words and he won’t let us use a dictionary. How’s it going in Sydney?’
‘Really, really well. I’ll pick up Bunny at about nine in the morning, so we’ll be home around mid-afternoon. I’ll give you a ring when we’re back, but if you want you can let yourself in and wait for us.’
‘So where are you, Dad? Where’s Bunny?’
‘Bunny is with her friends Mark and Lorraine at Pymble. I’m having dinner at Georgia’s place. I’ll tell you my exciting news when I get back.’
‘Oh, really! You’re with Georgia. Is that your exciting news?’ Megan teased.
‘No. Oh, all right then, I have a book contract. Now I’ll really have to work hard!’
‘Congrats, Dad! I knew Georgia would pull it off. Say hi for me. Gotta go – I’m being called. It’s my turn.’
Chris then quickly rang his mother to make his apologies to Mark and Lorraine and told Susan that he would pick her up in the morning to drive back to Neverend. His mother made no comment other than to say that she would be waiting. Chris rang off and then returned to the kitchen to find Georgia waiting with two full glasses of wine. He smiled at her and watched as a broad grin spread across her face too.
*
The next day, it wasn’t until the car was well out of the city heading north on the Pacific Highway that Chris asked, ‘So how was your evening last night, Mum?’
‘Very interesting. I told Mark and Lorraine about what Norma had said. Lorraine was furious. As she pointed out, it could just have easily been Mark who was killed that night. Mark was very subdued. He said that nothing could change what had happened, but I know that he was very unimpressed by what Alan had done. I don’t know if he will continue their relationship now that he’s learnt what really happened that night, but I would be surprised if he did.’ Speaking to her friends about the events surrounding Jimmy’s death seemed to have helped Susan. Chris could see her steadiness had returned. ‘How was your evening?’ she asked him.
‘Lovely. Do you want to see the book contract? It’s real.’
‘No. I believe you, and it’s brilliant news, but what I really want to know about is you and Georgia. Is this becoming serious?’
‘Okay, Mum, while we’re on this subject, how serious are you and David?’ he countered.
Susan’s mouth twitched as she suppressed a smile. ‘Don’t be cheeky. I’m your mother.’
Chris softened and shook his head slightly. ‘It’s been a long time since I’ve felt like this about someone. I’m scared to think where it might go. I’m nervous and I hope that she feels the way I do.’
‘That’s nice to hear, Chris,’ said Susan. Then she hesitated. ‘Georgia is a lovely woman, but is it wise to mix business and pleasure like this? She’s your agent and you’re her client, after all.’
‘I know what you mean, Mum, but I’m not sure that it’s actually going to go anywhere,’ said Chris. ‘I mean, I can’t offer Georgia anything. I’m struggling to find meaningful employment, living with my mother hours away from Sydney and I have a teenage daughter to boot.’
‘You’re a challenge all right, but Georgia obviously has enormous faith in you and your abilities. Speaking as a mother, I see a kind, loving, generous man who gave up a selfish lifestyle to do the right thing by his daughter, and that makes you pretty special in my book. I bet Georgia sees the same things.’
Chris took in these comforting words. He was also remembering how exciting and wonderful it had been to make love to Georgia the previous night. It had been a long time since he’d felt the depth of emotions he felt for Georgia. His mother was right, he had to stop doubting himself. Still, he couldn’t help but wonder what was next. The advance from the book contract was very small, so there would be no big change in his lifestyle anytime soon, but it was a step in the right direction.
He decided to change tack and said, ‘Now that we’ve discussed my relationship with Georgia, what about you and David? Where’s that going?’
‘It’s not going anywhere. It just is. We’re happy as we are. Leading our own lives, chatting on the phone and spending time together when we want to. A connected past is a great bond.’
‘But it’s not much of a history. Do you think he had the hots for you back then?’
‘Don’t be vulgar, we didn’t use such expressions as “the hots”.’ She smiled. ‘Well, not publicly.’
They both laughed.
‘I’m glad you’re happy, Mum. I made a terrible mistake about you and David. I should not have interfered. It’s your life, after all, and David is a great guy. I really do understand that having had a wonderful relationship with Dad
doesn’t preclude you from having another one with someone else now. Dad would not have wanted you to be living alone and unhappy if there was a better alternative, and I don’t either.’
‘Thank you, Chris, and you’re right. My relationship with David is my business, but I’m pleased that you understand it and you approve.’
‘You seem to be able to form such loving relationships, Mum. I always saw you and Dad as the perfect couple.’ Chris sighed. ‘I assumed my marriage would be like that too, but it fell apart. I seem to have messed up a lot in my life, including not being around for Megan when I should have been. I wonder if I’ll keep on making these mistakes.’
Susan shook her head. ‘Rubbish. It’s never too late to get onto the right path. You’ve done the right thing by Megan now. She’s a very different girl from the one she was only a few months ago; she’s considerate, interested in doing things and not just in buying things. She’s made a lot of worthwhile friends and seeing you two together makes my heart burst with happiness. Maybe you’ll both go on to lead your own lives in other places, but I think this time here in Neverend has been good for both of you.’
‘Thanks to you, Mum.’ Chris smiled at her.
‘It’s more than just me. It’s being in Neverend.’
‘I guess we all need that sense of belonging,’ said Chris, thoughtfully. ‘I’ve lived in so many places and yet never really felt settled. I put that down to my job. But after my divorce, I never felt comfortable getting into another relationship, either. Maybe I didn’t want to commit to someone in a place where I felt I didn’t belong.’
‘I see what you mean,’ said Susan. ‘What a good thing Georgia loves Neverend,’ she added brightly.
‘Mum, she’s only been to Neverend once!’ said Chris.
‘You never know, she might come again,’ said Susan. She patted his knee. ‘In the meantime, concentrate on your book.’
‘I intend to. So what do you make of Norma’s news?’
Susan was thoughtful. ‘It shocked and saddened me. It’s hard to believe that Alan’s actions, or inactions, created the circumstances in which Jimmy died.’
‘I’d like to front up to him about it.’
‘You know he would probably just threaten to sue you,’ said Susan.
‘True, and if there is nothing to back up the story except hearsay, then he would win.’
‘You know what I’m thinking? I’d like to contact Jimmy’s brother Thomas and tell him what happened. I expect that Jimmy’s parents would probably be dead by now, but Thomas is still very much alive. I’m sure he would be very interested in what we found out.’
‘That is a good idea, Mum,’ said Chris. ‘And I think I might be able to help you with that. I know someone in Washington who went to work for Thomas in a pretty senior position. Why don’t I email him and find out how to contact Thomas’s PA directly? That way your email should get to him.’
*
Megan bounced out to meet them as the car drove up the driveway of Susan’s house. Chris waved his book contract at her as he and Susan got out of the car.
‘I’m going to make this book happen . . . and sell heaps and heaps of copies!’ he told her as she raced down the steps to meet them.
‘Good on you, Dad.’ Megan hugged them both.
‘Thanks, sweetie. So everything was okay while we were away? Biddi got fed and you stayed at Toby’s last night? I must call his parents and thank them.’
‘They’re really nice. A bit nerdy. I mean, they’re really smart. They hardly watch TV or anything. But it was okay.’
‘Who won the Scrabble?’
‘Toby’s dad. But I didn’t do too bad.’
‘Badly,’ Chris corrected. ‘Well, maybe we could have a game one night with Bunny. I bet your grandmother would win.’
Susan laughed and started towards the house with her bag.
‘Dad, since you’re home well before dark, could you drive me over to Mollie’s?’ Megan asked. ‘I’ll have time for a ride if you do.’
Chris hesitated. He was tired after the six-hour drive and didn’t really want to go out again that day, but there was something about Megan’s demeanour that suggested she wanted to have a private talk with him.
‘Sure. Throw your gear into the car.’
As they headed along View Street, Chris asked again about Megan’s weekend, but when he turned onto the road heading out of town along the river, Megan suddenly pointed out the window, catching her breath.
‘Look, Dad. That car. See it?’
‘What about it?’ A dark blue car with tinted windows was parked under the heavy foliage of an old tree. The car suddenly looked familiar. Chris went cold.
‘That car was in our street yesterday and I am sure it followed me when I rode my bike to Toby’s.’
‘Was it there this morning?’
‘I didn’t come home till this afternoon. Not long before you arrived.’
Chris decided to make a rapid U-turn so that he didn’t have to go past the car, and headed back into town. But a few seconds later, Megan cried out, ‘Dad, it’s following us.’
Chris looked in his rear-vision mirror and saw the car immediately behind him. He put his foot down and headed towards the main street, busy with locals and tourists.
Looking over her shoulder, Megan squealed as she saw the blue car rocket up the main street close behind them. Then suddenly it made a hard right turn onto one of the side streets and disappeared from view.
Chris pulled over to the side of the road.
‘Do you think he was following us, or just being an idiot, Dad?’
Chris evaded her question. ‘Let’s not worry about some hothead. You still right to go to Mollie’s?’
‘Yes, please,’ said Megan, firmly.
‘Great. Let’s go. Squire will be waiting for his carrot,’ said Chris, trying to sound cheerful. But as he pulled back onto the road he was silently considering whether or not to mention his concerns to the local police. He had no doubt that the blue car was the same one he’d seen outside their house a couple of evenings ago, but why on earth would someone be watching their home?
In the sparkling light of Monday morning, as he looked from the lounge room windows across the valley to the bush of the distant plateau, Chris’s fears from the previous evening seemed irrational. His mother had picked some of her winter crop of tomatoes and was roasting them in fresh basil and garlic, and their glorious tang drifted out to him from the kitchen. He could hear Megan singing along to a favourite Harry Styles song as she got dressed for school. A willy wagtail landed on the verandah railing and sang cheerfully.
Morning in Neverend rolled along at its usual peaceful pace.
Chris headed into the study to do some work on his book. After a fruitless few minutes, he pushed his laptop to one side and decided to tidy the cluttered papers, folders and notes on the desk. Perhaps by creating order he’d be able to focus his scrambled thoughts. He stacked his reference materials, transcribed notes from interviews and scribbled jottings into neat piles. He looked at the screen of his laptop, which was also smothered with files and folders. Maybe the first thing he’d do when he got his advance would be to buy a decent computer. This one had been dragged around the world and was probably nearing its use-by date. He glanced at the time, closed down the computer and went out to say goodbye to Megan and get ready for work.
‘See ya, Dad.’
‘You off too? Bye, Chris,’ Susan called to him.
‘Yes, see you later, Mum. Anything on your agenda today?’
‘I’ve got a Red Cross meeting, lunch with my friend Valerie, then I thought I might go into Coffs to look at some material. Pasta all right for dinner?’
‘Sounds good. I’m heading to the plateau, so would you like me to get anything from the foodie place up there?’
‘No thanks, all good. See you this evening. How’s Shaun, by the way?’
‘Not bad. Still hobbling a bit and missing his golf.’
As
Chris drove towards the plateau, his mind sifted through the various aspects of his book. Norma’s story about Alan painted a picture of a single-minded, even cruel man, and it seemed to Chris, based on the limited knowledge he had of Alan’s business dealings, that Alan had carried these traits into his corporate life. But where to go from here, Chris wondered. Without corroboration from Alan, he couldn’t use the information he’d been given by Norma, and Carla’s friend could not supply him with any evidence of wrongdoing at Alan’s Victorian development either. All Chris could say for certain was that Alan was shrewd and used his powerful position to his advantage, and there was nothing unique about that.
Such intense musings helped the time pass and soon Chris had arrived on the plateau with its rolling pastures, still surprisingly green even in these early winter months. He made his deliveries, pausing to talk only briefly with his regulars, then stopped for a quick sandwich and coffee at one of the little cafés in the main street. It was still early afternoon, but rain clouds had begun to heap on the horizon. Chris was pleased that he could begin the winding journey back down the mountain on the hazardous road before any rain started.
There seemed to be little traffic using the road and he hoped the quarry trucks had finished for the day. He switched his news station to the classical music one so he could fully concentrate on the road, although he admitted to himself that he was far more confident about the drive than he had been when he started the job.
About five minutes later, as he rounded the first of the road’s notorious hairpin bends, he caught a glimpse in his rear-vision mirror of a car behind him.
‘Sorry, mate,’ he said aloud. ‘Nowhere for you to get past me for quite a while. You’ll just have to be patient.’
A light misting of rain blew across the windscreen. Chris turned on the wipers, only to find they wouldn’t work. The rain wasn’t heavy, but he didn’t need such a malfunction right now. Around and down, around and down, the van twisted its way towards Neverend. The thick foliage that covered the hillside on the opposite side of the road and the densely wooded ravine beside him were becoming wetter as the rain increased. The road was greasy and as he slowed to round the next bend, he was relieved to feel the van’s brakes grab the wet bitumen without any trouble.
