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That afternoon, Bea and Dani walked down to the cottage with a notepad and pen, a measuring tape and stepladder, and got to work. They examined the entire structure from top to bottom the best they could without injuring themselves by falling through the rotting floorboards and noted the measurements of each room. They jotted down what was needed, which was basically everything.
Dani even wondered out loud if they should price a bulldozer and entire rebuild just to compare it to the refurbishment costs. But Bea couldn’t stomach the thought of her childhood home being demolished, so they pushed that idea aside for the moment and focused on how they could improve the place.
They’d need to replace the entire deck that wrapped around the outside of the cottage. The structure of the building seemed to be sound, but they’d have to get an inspection done by a contractor before they could say for certain. They’d decided to have a contractor do the bulk of the work while Bea and Dani made the decisions and supervised since the renovation needed was more extensive than any of them had realised. It would make the whole project much quicker and easier, and since the cottage was so small, Bea didn’t think the costs would be prohibitive.
The roof and floor needed to be replaced, and everything would have to be painted. The kitchen was in terrible shape and completely dated, so that would have to go. Along with the bathroom. Bea thought they should extend the master bedroom and turn it into a suite. So they added that as an optional extra, if her father’s budget could take it.
Once they were done, each covered in cobwebs and coated in dust, they sat on a rock at the edge of the beach and stared at the cottage.
“So much work,” Dani said.
“But I really think it’ll be worth it. This position is unbelievable. So close to the beach, with only a bit of shrubbery and the dunes in the way.”
“I can definitely imagine myself living here. Although what would I do to make a living? I’ve got to get a job before I run out of money. I can’t expect Pa to take care of me forever.”
“I bet you could find something on the island without too much trouble,” Bea replied, swatting at a fly.
“What about you? Are you going to look for work?”
Bea shrugged. “I suppose so. I’m taking a break first. I need to clear my head and think through some things. I’m feeling off kilter.”
“Of course you are.” Dani laced an arm around Bea’s shoulders. “I hope Dad comes around.”
“What?”
Dani faced her. “Isn’t that what you want? Him to change his mind and take you back?”
Bea stared at the sand by her feet. Was that what she wanted? After everything he’d done, would she be able to love him again the way she had before? She didn’t think she could.
“No, honey, I don’t think that is what I want. I wish this whole thing had never happened. But I’m glad not to be in the dark any longer about it. I know this isn’t what you want to hear, and I’m sorry that you’re caught in the middle of it, but I’m ready to be out on my own. It’s hard and I’m scared. I don’t know what to do with myself, really. My whole life has been wrapped up in you and your brother and father. I gave every part of myself to being a wife and mother. Without that to keep me going, I have no idea how to get up each morning.” She shook her head, her voice sounding hollow to her ears.
“But you do get up each morning.”
“That’s true, I do. I suppose I’ll keep going the same way — simply get up and go on with my life. But it might take me a while to find peace with that.”
“That makes sense,” Dani murmured. “I don’t really know what I’m going to do either. Although my problem is different to yours — I have so many doors open to me, I have no idea which one to walk through. What should I do, Mum?”
Bea hugged her tight, kissing her cheek. “I can’t answer that for you, honey. But perhaps together we’ll figure it out.”
Nine
A scratchingsound woke Bea late the next morning. She’d overslept and wouldn’t have time for her morning walk. The scratching happened again, and she climbed out of bed to investigate. After opening the window, she looked outside to see a magpie walking across the roof of the back deck.
“Shoo!”
The bird looked at her with one black beady eye, moving its head up and down.
“Are you chasing birds now?” Dad asked, peering in through her open bedroom door.
“It woke me up.” She pouted.
He laughed. “Time to get up anyway, I think. Besides, we have a visitor. So get dressed and come down for breakfast.”
“Who’s the visitor?” she shouted after him. But he didn’t reply.
With a sigh, she padded into the closet to find some clothes to change into. Who would call at this time of morning unannounced? It was a bit rude. Unless something bad had happened. What if Harry was hurt? She hadn’t spoken to him in a couple of days. When he was little, he’d clung to her as though he’d never let go, and now he never even called. When she spoke to him, it was because she picked up the phone and dialled his number, never the other way around.
She ran a brush through her blonde hair, noting the existence of a few more greys and that her hair was past her shoulder blades now. She’d have to find a hairdresser and get it cut soon. There must be one on the island, although she hadn’t seen one lately.
