Page 85 of Somewhere Only We Know

‘Jono, please.’ I gripped the side of the truck. ‘Go easy on Daisy. The only reason she didn’t tell you about this trip is because she didn’t want to upset you. She’s protective of your feelings, and trying to keep everyone happy.’

Before he could reply, his phone rang and connected to the car’s Bluetooth.

‘It’s Daisy,’ he said curtly, stabbing at a button on his steering wheel.

‘Hey, Dad,’ came a small voice.

‘Sweetheart, where are you?’

‘At the train station, I get into Cessnock in forty minutes. Are you mad at me?’

I stepped away from the truck as Jono turned off the engine.

‘I’m annoyed that no one told me where you were going.’

His eyes slid to mine, his anger clearly aimed at me. I shrank away, wracked with guilt.

‘But I’m glad you’re safe. Do you want me to collect you?’

‘Jono,’ said an older female voice. ‘It’s me.’

‘Andrea.’ He gave a harsh laugh. ‘I would say, how could you act so irresponsibly? But then I remembered who I was talking to. The woman who was shagging my manager behind my back and then buggered off without a single thought for her own child. Nothing you do can surprise me now. My expectations are already rock bottom where you’re concerned.’

‘Come on, let’s talk about this like adults,’ she replied.

‘Adults? Are you kidding me?’ Jono thrust himself back against his seat, his arms outstretched in disbelief. ‘I’m the only adult left in this broken marriage. You behaved like a teenage girl with a crush last year and you have the nerve to suggest I’m not being adult about this. I can’t do this.’

‘Tough shit,’ came the response. ‘We have to because our daughter needs us to.’

I suddenly realised I was eavesdropping on their private conversation – frozen to the spot, my pulse thrumming to a guilty rhythm. I should have told him sooner, let him know that Daisy had been missing her mum and had considered this to be her only option. She’d grasped at the chance to see Andrea again, regardless of the consequences.

I forced myself to move away from what was turning into a bitter row between Jono and his ex-wife, and I stumbled back to Creek Cottage feeling terrible about being a part of it.

Thank goodness tonight was my last night. There would be no more talk about me staying longer, I was sure about that. Tomorrow couldn’t come soon enough.

Chapter 30

Australia

It was dark when I heard a light knock on the door of Creek Cottage later that evening.

I’d seen Daisy getting out of Jono’s truck earlier. He must have been to collect her from the station. I’d stayed out of their way. If either of them wanted to talk to me, they’d know where to find me. Until then, I guessed they needed space to talk.

I opened the door and there he was, a respectful distance from the doorway.

‘Jono?’ My breath caught as my mouth formed his name.

‘I hope I’m not disturbing you?’ His voice was gravelly and gentle and I felt a flush of hope that he was no longer angry with me.

‘You’re not. I’m packing.’ I nodded towards the bed, where my suitcase was open, neat piles of clothes waiting to go in.

‘Ah.’

We smiled at each other. His handsome face was lit by the porchlight, hands slung low on his hips, toe scuffing the dust of the path. I had an urge to put my arms around his neck, press my body to his and kiss him like I’d done before. Did he feel it too? Had the moment passed us by?

‘You got caught in the crossfire today and I’m sorry.’ He shifted his stance, dipping his head, but still holding my eye. ‘I had no right to talk to you the way I did. And I’m sorry Daisy put you in a difficult position. None of it was your fault.’

‘It’s fine, I promise.’ I dismissed his apology. ‘I should have done better. You asked me how I’d feel if it had been my daughter. The answer is, I’d have been hurt too.’