Page 66 of Return to the Waratah Inn

“So many memories,” Mima replied sadly.

“So many ghosts,” he agreed. “I visited your parents, like you asked.”

“Thanks,” Mima said. “I’ll have to go and see them again soon. They’re getting older, but they still have their wits about them.”

“They were sharp as a tack. Your mother was playing mahjong with the neighbour when I arrived. She gave me sponge cake with jam and cream with a cup of hot tea so piping, it burned my tongue.”

Mima chortled. “That sounds about right. She’s still playing that blasted game with the same group of ladies she played with in the 1950s. I can’t believe she finds it so interesting, but she swears they have a great time. She’s always been a creature of habit, unlike me.”

“Your mother couldn’t be less like you if she tried. Your life motto is rules are for fools, and she’s a rule follower from way back.” Jack’s eyes flashed. “She asked me about you. Asked if you were still getting into trouble. I told her you’ve never stopped, and it’s one of the things I like most about you. She wasn’t sure what to reply to that.”

Mima rolled her eyes. “She can’t accept that I’ve been an upstanding citizen for decades now. In her mind, I’m still the wayward teen who left Bathurst alone to work at a hospital in the war, not to mention how I lived afterwards. It was the height of indecency, to her way of thinking. Imagine what people would say? That was her favourite catchphrase.”

“It was good for you to get out of town and find your own way, Mima. You’re too much of a free spirit to plant yourself in that kind of soil.” Jack exhaled slowly. “If the war hadn’t happened, we might’ve stayed there forever. But life has a way of shaking things up. Did you get to all your appointments while I was gone? And how about the inn? Any news?”

“Everything’s fine, I’m fine, the inn is great, and the girls are doing well. Reeda and Duncan’s foster children are giving them a run for their money, but I’m sure you heard all about that.”

Jack nodded. “I called the inn a few days ago and got the update. They have their hands full.”

“Other than that, you didn’t miss a thing.” Mima hesitated. She wanted to tell Jack what had been going on in her own life, to get his input, his perspective on her situation. But she couldn’t bring herself to say the words. Where would she start? And the truth was, she didn’t know for sure what would happen. She was going on a TV show, but what was it about? Why had they contacted her? They’d given her a story about a baby, but she’d never had children. None that lived, anyway. Anxiety tickled the pit of her stomach every time she thought about it. She’d almost called a hundred times to cancel. Why should she do it? She wouldn’t gain anything from it but more pain, would she?

She glanced across the seat at Jack. He would understand. He could give her advice. But she didn’t know how to tell him the things she’d kept to herself for so long that they were stuck in the base of her throat. Edie would know what to do, but Edie wasn’t here.

“I met someone in Bathurst, a man I’ve never seen before. He seemed to know you—wanted to know where he could find you.”

Mima frowned. “Did he give you his name?”

“I think he said it was Allen something. He was a mysterious kind of guy. A businessman, very dapper. Thin face, dark hair. I didn’t tell him anything about you—just said I knew you. I asked what he wanted to contact you for, and he said never mind. He’d talk to you himself.”

“Allen? Hmmm… doesn’t ring a bell. Did he look like a TV reporter?”

“Huh?” Jack frowned at her. “A reporter? I don’t know. Maybe. Why would a reporter want to talk to you?”

Mima shrugged. “No reason I can think of.”

Chapter Thirty-Five

February 1998

Kingscliff

The sun shone, and the sky was blue and clear. Kate strode along the street, happy but a little anxious. She’d left the house without the baby. It was the first time they’d been apart since he was born a month earlier, and she felt as though she’d been set free. What should she do first? She only had three hours until he’d need to be fed again, so she should probably head right to the hairdresser in case she ran out of time. Then, if she could manage it, she might do some shopping, stop for a coffee, or go to the library.

The hairdresser was on Seaview Street, right before the roundabout. Tammy’s Style Centre was one of Kate’s favourite places in the entire world. She hadn’t been for months and was looking forward to some pampering.

At first, she was completely relaxed. As Tammy washed and trimmed her long brown hair, Kate chattered away, oblivious to the passage of time. They talked about life, relationships, family and the inn. Tina updated her on the gossip from around Kingscliff. Apparently, a local family were splitting up and the husband was moving to Sydney after a very public altercation in the main street. Everyone was talking about it.

“I never see things like that,” Kate complained. “I miss all the drama.”

“I had to call the police,” Tammy said. “But it was over before they arrived.”

Next, she learned that one of her favourite boutiques was closing down after a small fire even though the whole community had gotten together to fundraise for the owner. Apparently, it was a bit of a scandal, and people around town were offended that the money was being used to help pay for moving expenses instead of rebuilding.

Kate loved catching up on the happenings around Kingscliff and Cabarita. However, before long she began to look at her watch every five minutes. She became more and more uncomfortable with being away from the baby for so long. She’d planned to get her nails done but had to leave after the blow-dry instead, waving goodbye to Tammy and the others as she hurried out of the shop.

Back at home, she found Alex in the nursery doing his best to calm Noah, but the baby was having none of it. He screamed at the top of his little lungs while Alex bounced and shushed. When Alex saw Kate coming, he let out a breath of relief.

“You’re home. Great—he won’t stop crying, and I’ve tried everything.”