by Lilly Mirren
He smiled. “I wish I’d come to see him… but we can’t change the past unfortunately. If we could…” He shook his head. “Anyway, it’s good to see you.”
He turned to walk away, but Diana caught him by the arm. “Andy, wait…”
“Yes?”
“Can I speak to you outside for a moment please?”
He shrugged. “Okay.”
“Please come with us, Ben.”
Ben swallowed a mouthful of pie, set his plate on the table. “Uh, sure.”
She strode for the back door and stood with her hands on the back of a wrought iron chair, waiting for her thoughts to clear. How would she say it? How to break the news? She could wait for another day, but it would be strange for her to pass up this opportunity for Ben to know his father.
She spun to face them. “Andy, I want you to know that I appreciate you and value you. The reason I’m talking to you today is because I care about you and think it’s best for you to know the truth.”
His eyes narrowed. “Um… okay.”
“You’re my friend…”
“And you’re mine,” he replied, cocking his head to one side.
“Andy… this is Ben.”
Andrew turned towards Ben in surprise, shook his hand. “Pleased to meet you, Ben.”
Ben nodded.
“Ben is your son.”
Both men gaped at the same time. Andrew’s face paled, and Ben’s eyes widened.
“What? What do you mean?” asked Andrew, his gaze flitting between her and Ben.
“The affair we had as teenagers…”
Andrew’s face turned from pale to sheet white. “Yes.”
“I was pregnant. I didn’t tell you at the time because my parents wouldn’t let me tell anyone. I went away that summer… I don’t know if you remember.”
“Of course, I remember… I tried to call you over and over, but your parents wouldn’t tell me where you’d gone.”
Diana hadn’t known that. A lump rose in her throat. “I didn’t realise… anyway, they sent me away to have the baby, Ben, and I gave him up for adoption. He came to see me a few weeks ago.”
Her breath caught in her throat as Andrew looked Ben up and down. How would he react? She had no idea. It wasn’t ideal to make the introductions at a funeral, but she was finished with secrets. She’d kept this one from everyone for so long, including Rupert, she wanted to spit it out and never keep another secret for the rest of her life.
When Andrew opened his arms and Ben embraced him, she swallowed hard to hold back the tears and left them alone to get acquainted. Inside the house, she found Cindy watching through the window by the back door. She met Diana’s gaze with tears glistening in her eyes.
“You told him.”
Diana nodded. “I couldn’t keep it a secret any longer.”
Cindy threw her arms around Diana and held her close. “I understand. It was brave of you. And for all Andy’s flaws, he’s a loving father. I’m sure he and Ben will have a good relationship.”
“I hope so. Only, I wish Rupert had been here to see it…” Tears clogged her throat. “He would’ve loved it — he was a sucker for a happy ending.”
Cindy chuckled, looping an arm through Diana’s to walk with her towards the living room. “Yes, for sure, he would’ve loved it.”
Chapter 35
Rebecca
“So, what’s your last name again?” asked Franklin. “Your real last name?”
“De Vries,” replied Rebecca with a shy smile. “Rebecca De Vries.”
“At least you kept your first name the same,” he retorted with a sniff. “I don’t think I could refer to you as anything other than Bec. It would be too weird.”
“Do you mean, besides Proby?”
He laughed. “Yeah, well besides that.”
“Thanks for doing this,” said Rebecca. “You know, filling out all of the paperwork for me.”
She held her bandaged hand in the air.
He shook his head. “Well, it’s not like we had much of a choice since you broke your hand on that scumbag’s chin. How’s it going, by the way?”
“Painful,” she replied with a grimace.
“I’ll bet. Now, what was your address… before?”
“Do you think they’ll let me stay… you know, here at the station. Let me keep working here as a police officer?”
He leaned back in his chair, one eyebrow arched. “That depends, do you want to stay? I mean you could head back to Sydney now. Jake is behind bars and he won’t be getting out anytime soon thanks to our testimony against him. You could return to your old life if that’s what you wanted to do.”
Rebecca shook her head with a sigh. “No, I don’t want to go backwards. Don’t get me wrong, I miss the people who were in my life back then, but I’ve moved on and so have they.”
“What about your family?”
She shrugged. “Mum and Beth are coming to visit next week. They’re going to love it here. I know they are dying to meet you…” She swallowed. “And the rest of the crew here.”
He chuckled. “I’m looking forward to meeting them as well. Got to see where you got all that spunk from, I’m guessing it was probably your mother.”
She grinned. “Definitely.”
They completed the rest of the paperwork with so many questions Rebecca’s head throbbed with the pain of it by the time they were finally done. She knew that wouldn’t be the end of it. There’d be interviews, meetings, discussions with her contact in the head office. But for now, she could forget all about it be a cop for the rest of the day.
It was frustrating to have a broken hand — there were so many normal, everyday things she needed help with now. It was one of the reasons her mother was coming to visit next week. She intended to stay the full six weeks it was likely to take her to recover from her injuries. Still, she couldn’t help feeling proud every time she looked at her hand.
For years she’d endured pain, cowered at Jake’s feet when he chased her down and beat her up. She’d suffered bruises, broken bones, and cuts at his hands. She’d spent time in emergency rooms, physiotherapy centres, and doctor’s offices. She’d hidden away, skulked in the shadows, given up relationships with family, friends, quit jobs, and applied for new ones in other locations. There’d been so much of her life impacted by a chance encounter with a handsome and charming boy when she was seventeen years old. Things she’d never have considered, never have known about, had happened to her in the years since.
And now, she’d used her own strength, her will, her fortitude to take him down. She didn’t have to be afraid again. Even if he got out of prison, she wasn’t scared of him any longer. She knew she could hold her own against him, and the realisation filled her with a sense of awe, pride and joy that was hard to contain.
She’d been walking in the shadows, living a half-life for so long, happiness felt almost alien. It was difficult to process the waves of it that washed over her whenever she remembered that he was locked up, she was free, and she could now enjoy the life she’d built with no more secrets.
When Franklin set a cup of coffee on her desk later, muttering under his breath about suddenly becoming a personal assistant to a Proby, she couldn’t help laughing.
“Thanks, boss, you’re the best.”
His cheeks coloured. “Yeah… well, don’t get used to it.”
She wondered what it would be like to love someone like him. A man who was good, kind, gruff but gentle. How would it feel to be completely free with someone, to have no fear around them but to know that they loved every part of you?
She decided then and there she’d like to find out.
“Well, come on then. Are you coming to the team meeting or not?” he asked.
“On my way, boss.”
She followed him into the boardroom and took a seat next to Steph, who offered her a wide grin.
“You look particularly nice today,” she whispered as Franklin started the meeting.
�
�Do you think so?”
Steph nodded. “You’re glowing, like you’re happy or something.”
“I am,” replied Rebecca.
She leaned back in her chair, sipped her coffee awkwardly from her left hand, and scanned the room. Every face in there represented someone who’d become important in her life, someone who cared about her and who she cared for in a way she’d never thought possible when she began work there not so long ago.
Jake had stolen so much from her, but he hadn’t been able to destroy her. The future was hers, and she now knew she could make whatever she liked of it.
Chapter 36
Sarah
Mick’s arms around her tightened as his lips found hers. He deepened the kiss, his hair falling across his eyes in a way that Sarah found irresistible. She pulled back with a laugh, fighting the urge to stay in bed.
The sheets lay rumpled and scattered around the bedroom. Clothing lined the floor. She’d dressed to go out but had a feeling that wouldn’t last long if they didn’t get out of the cottage soon.
“We have to go. I called a family meeting to tell everyone that we’re married, so we can’t be late and with all the drama lately… all of us getting a new brother and Dad a new son… I don’t want our marriage to be another family secret.”
Mick grumbled as he kissed the base of her neck. “Fine, but let’s tell them tomorrow.”
She extricated herself from his arms. “We can’t do that; Adele is flying home tomorrow morning. She’s only here for the funeral and then stayed another week. But I really want her to be in the room when we tell them as well. Which means, we have to go now… mister!”
Mick groaned. “Let’s go then.”
She took him by the hand and picked up her purse, then led him from the cottage to where his truck was parked. “Come on, Oscar!”
Oscar hurried after them. His leg had healed but he still ran with a little hop. He jumped into the back seat and settled with his head out the lowered window.
The drive into town was balmy. Spring had arrived in the Cove and Sarah found herself wearing shorts and a t-shirt most days now. She couldn’t have imagined she’d be dressing so casually on a daily basis a year ago, but now she generally pulled her hair into a ponytail and spent her days either walking along the beach thinking through plot points for the book she was working on, or writing on her laptop on the back deck overlooking the sparkling, deep blue ocean.
She’d decided that if she was ever going to write a book, now was her chance. She’d saved a little nest egg, enough to live off for a year or so. She owned the cottage outright, and she’d quit her job. If she didn’t write now, she’d never do it. And besides, Mick had encouraged her to write. She had no excuses left.
Flowers bloomed all along her childhood street. As they pulled into the driveway, she glanced next door to see that the Manor’s gardens were a study in deep green, pinks, reds, and yellows. The garden had always been spectacular, and it looked as though Ethan and Emily were keeping up with Diana’s hard work in that department.
“So, how are we going to do this?” asked Mick as he parked the truck and let Oscar out to bound through the yard to the front door.
“Quick and painless, like removing a band aid,” mumbled Sarah, feeling the tension building across her shoulders and up one side of her neck. “Oh, and let me do it, please.”
“Of course.” He looped an arm around her shoulders and squeezed. “Don’t stress, they’re going to be happy. It’s good news.”
“I know. Only, they’ll be upset they couldn’t be there.”
“But we agreed to offer a party. Remember?”
“Yes, I’ll make sure to bring that up at the same time.”
Sarah opened the front door and Oscar barrelled inside, tail wagging. He and Petal found each other, the small white dog keening as she wagged herself in a circle around the much larger, darker Oscar.
Then, the two canines ran off in the direction of the back yard. Sarah watched them go with a smile. Oscar turned into a different animal when he was with Petal — younger, more vibrant, excited about every little thing.
Sarah found the rest of the family on the back deck. Mum had made a bowl of her famous punch, with passionfruit pulp — Sarah’s favourite. There was also a large antipasto platter with olives, prosciutto, cheeses, crackers, and dips.
Mick went straight for the food as Sarah did the rounds. She embraced her mother, said hello to Athol, the town doctor who seemed to be attending most family functions these days — he’d also been her father’s best friend for years, although they’d had a falling out when her dad left her mother for a younger woman a few months earlier. Diana was there too, fussing around the food, making sure there was enough of everything to go around.
She kissed Adele on the cheek, hugged Ben, then embraced Ethan and Emily. She hadn’t realised the two of them were dating, but Ethan definitely had his arm around her waist. She made a mental note to grill him about it later. She couldn’t help being happy for him, from what she remembered of Emily from their childhood years, she was a sweet, if somewhat earnest, child who’d always carried a flame for Ethan, though of course he’d never noticed it.
When Mick joined her, she shot him a worried look. He squeezed her arm. She clapped her hands together. “Hi, everyone, thanks for coming. Can I get your attention over here please?”
Another clap, and the group all looked in her direction. Just then, Dad came through the door. He smiled and waved to everyone, in that charming way that only he could do — all ease and white teeth, even though they’d hardly seen him in months.
“Hi, everyone, sorry I’m late,” he said.
Sarah had invited him but hadn’t expected him to show up. Her gaze flitted to her mother’s face as Sarah embraced her father, but mum seemed fine with their visitor. So, she continued.
“Welcome, Dad. I’m so glad all of you could be here for this family meeting.” She laced her fingers through Mick’s. “Mick and I wanted to talk to you about something and even though we were brought together by sad circumstances, it’s the perfect time to share some news with you.”
She smiled at Mick and the depth of love in his eyes encouraged her on. “As you know, Mick and I have been seeing each other for a while now. We’re in love, and we decided we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together… so we got married.”
Mum’s mouth fell open. Her announcement was greeting by a moment of silence, followed by shouts of congratulations as one by one the group hurried over to dole out hugs, kisses and salutations.
Tears filled Sarah’s eyes as the family surrounded them. She’d been so worried what their response would be, but they were happy for her and Mick.
Finally, it was Mum’s turn. “I’m sorry you couldn’t be there,” said Sarah as she wiped the tears from her eyes.
Mum smiled, her own eyes red-rimmed. “I understand. You wanted to get married and there was a lot going on around here…”
“That’s true, but it wasn’t for any reason other than our own,” replied Sarah. “But don’t worry, we’ll have a big party to celebrate.”
“Good,” replied Mum with a chuckle. “Because I don’t think you’ll be able to stop me from celebrating my first child’s wedding.”
“I’ll even wear the dress for you,” replied Sarah.
“Could you say some vows?” asked Mum, her arm around Sarah’s waist.
Sarah laughed. “Of course, we could definitely do that, Mum. And thanks for understanding.”
Mum kissed her cheek. “I wish I could’ve been there, but all I want is for you to be happy. I’m glad you found Mick and I’m so excited to welcome him into the family.”
After the excitement of their announcement had died down, Sarah watched as Ben and Diana strolled around the back garden, admiring Mum’s flowers and laughing together. She smiled at the sight, her heart heavy for Diana’s loss, then went inside to sit down for a few minutes. Adele, Ethan, and Emily were seated with Mick in t
he living room talking politics. So Sarah sat with them, her thoughts drifting to the book she was writing, family dynamics and how many strange twists and turns her life had taken since she moved back to Emerald Cove.
When she remembered the tense, uptight, and stressed woman she’d been back in Sydney, it was hard to recognise herself. She’d changed so much since then. Looking back she could see that deep inside something had been crying out for that change for a long time, only she’d ignored it and kept going — pushing forward with her career, an engagement that no longer made sense, and a level of busyness that wasn’t good for her health long-term.
She was so grateful for mum needing her help and prompting her to make the life adjustments that she’d so desperately needed but might not otherwise have done.
Dad squeezed her shoulder with a smile. “I’m proud of you, Pumpkin.”
She grinned, reached for his hand. “Thanks, Dad.”
“Congratulations. I hope you two will be very happy together. Like your mum and I were…”
She’d let that slide. It was a happy day today and she had no desire to start an argument with her father. Besides, from his perspective perhaps they had been happy. Or maybe it was only hindsight that could give us the rose-coloured glasses that kept us moving, one foot in front of the other, into the future.
He left her there and wandered back out on the porch. Sarah rose and followed him, then stopped by the open back door. Only mum was out there now. The sun had set and rays of pink and orange shot through a purple sky from the horizon towards them. Long shadows hid the garden in their inky depths. In the distance a crow cawed.
“It’s nice to see you here today, Andrew,” said Mum with a formal tone to her soft voice.
“Thanks, Cindy,” replied Dad. “I was in town, and I couldn’t say no to our daughter.”
“No, you never could when it came to Sarah.” There was a smile in Mum’s voice, although Sarah couldn’t see her face.
She felt bad for a moment listening in on their conversation but wasn’t able to walk away. She had a horrible feeling that they’d fight, and Mum would end up crying and she couldn’t stand for that to happen today. She tensed, ready to jump in if she was needed, to stand by Mum’s side.
