AllFreeNovel
Share Us
‘And that’s bad?’
‘Yes… no…Oh, Bev…’
‘Do you want to tell me about it?’
Cleo hesitated. She’d kept it to herself for so long, determined not to spoil Hannah’s memories of her dad, but it would be a relief to share it with someone, and Bev would keep her confidence.
‘I was in my early twenties when Stan and I met. I had recently managed to buy my own café and was so proud of my achievement. But when he walked in, all my good sense went out the window. He was so handsome, with his blond hair, Californian tan and American drawl. He was so different from anyone I’d ever met. I fell head over heels and would have followed him to the end of the earth.’ She took a sip of coffee and gazed into space, picturing the handsome hunk who had stolen her heart.
Bev listened without comment.
‘He wanted to live in the hinterland, join a community he’d heard about, live off the land. It sounded idyllic and, if I sold my café, we could live on the proceeds while we got set up. So that’s what I did. And at first, it was all he’d said it would be. It was tough but we were happy. But Stan didn’t have any experience in farming, and the idea of subsistence living depended on at least some knowledge. We didn’t do well, the money ran out, Stan had to take odd jobs to make ends meet. Hannah was born, making it difficult for me to find work. Fortunately, we’d used some of the money from the sale of my shop to buy the house we were living in, so we did have some degree of security. But…’ she bit her lip, ‘…the glow soon wore off our relationship. If Stan hadn’t died when he did… I don’t know... But I never allowed Hannah to see my dissatisfaction. As far as she knows, we had a happy and loving marriage.’
‘Oh, Cleo. I’m so sorry.’
‘So, you see, Bev. When I look at Will Rankin with his sun-bleached long hair, his penchant for surfing and his laid-back attitude, I see another Stan. That’s why I’m wary of having anything to do with him – even if it’s only pretend.’
‘I can see that, Cleo. But I’ve known Will all my life. He and Martin have been best mates since they were in primary school. We all grew up together. And, believe me, Will’s not at all like your husband. Sure, he looks as if he hasn’t a care in the world. But he’s been through some tough times, too. First, he lost his older son in a surfing accident, then his wife developed cancer and died. He’s had to be both a father and mother to Owen these past six years and he’s done a damned good job of it. He built his surf school business up from scratch and, as I think I already said, he supports several local charities, notably surf lifesaving and breast cancer research. He’s devoted his life to his family and this town. Sorry,’ she paused, ‘I sound like a bloody commercial for Will Rankin. But I’d hate you to get the wrong impression of him.’ She exhaled.
‘Wow! You really do sound as if you’re trying to sell him to me. I guess Ailsa knows all this, too.’
‘So, you’ll rethink?’
‘Maybe.’ Cleo still wasn’t sure. It still seemed like a crazy plan, but maybe… if it would help. ‘What would I have to do?’
‘You’re asking the wrong person. If it’s Ailsa’s idea, she’s the one you need to speak with.’
‘Right.’ But it wasn’t right, was it? It didn’t change the fact that, if she agreed, she’d have to spend time with Will Rankin, be seen with him, let people think they were a couple. It wouldn’t only be this woman who’d see them together, it would be the whole town. And there was Hannah to consider. What would she think if her mother was seen with her housemate’s father? This was a small town. There were no secrets. The news would spread like wildfire.
‘I need to think more about it, and I will talk with Ailsa,’ Cleo said, pushing away her half-eaten meal. 'Sorry to have spent our lunch unloading on you, Bev.’
‘That’s okay, any time. I’m always happy to listen, though I may not always be able to offer advice.’
Cleo wondered again what Bev’s story was, why she was still single. She was an attractive woman, though very independent and, as far as Cleo knew, had lived here all her life.
Cleo was still thinking about what Bev had said as she drove home, then, switching on the car radio, she heard the tail end of an announcement. There was no further news about the missing girl. Cleo was reminded of the case when she’d been living in Byron Bay. Three young girls had gone missing, but neither them nor their bodies had never been found. What if this was the same person, all those years later? She shivered, all thoughts of Will Rankin fading from her mind as she reflected on the possible danger to Hannah.
Eleven
Will couldn’t get Ailsa’s suggestion out of his mind. It was crazy, so crazy it might work. But what did Cleo think about it? He hadn’t been able to read her expression, but it hadn’t looked good. Was it such an unattractive proposition? Was he such an unattractive man? Joy Taylor didn’t think so. His gut shrivelled at the thought of the woman who’d become hisbête noir.
Yesterday, for the first time, he’d taken proper notice of Cleo Johansen. She was an attractive woman, several years younger than him, and there was something about her – an underlying sadness he recognised – that made him want to protect her. He shook his head. What on earth was he thinking? This suggestion of Ailsa’s had influenced him more than he imagined. She was only suggesting theypretendto be a couple, not that they actually became one.
It was being on his own, he decided. Since Owen had moved out, he had too much time to think. He needed to find something to occupy his time. The Easter surf carnival was coming up. He’d volunteer to take on more of the organising this year. And there was the council meeting tonight. Maybe he should even stand for council. It had been suggested to him a few times over the years, but he’d always dismissed the idea. He wasn’t cut out for all the posturing that went on at council meetings. But maybe he could make a difference. It was worth considering.
Remembering he’d promised to get together with a few of the old surfing fraternity before the council meeting to discuss the carnival, Will fixed himself an early dinner from a few leftovers in the fridge. He’d become slack since Owen left, finding it wasn’t much fun to cook for one. Most nights he opened a tin, reheated one of the frozen meals he’d stocked up on or picked up a takeaway. Tonight, his meal comprised the leftovers from a Chinese takeaway he’d bought earlier in the week. He thought about the delicious food Cleo had provided after the working bee. The woman could certainly cook.
Deciding he should look respectable for the council meeting, Will dressed more carefully than usual in a pair of khaki chinos and a white short-sleeved shirt, and he made sure his hair was tightly tied back in a bun. Surveying himself in the mirror, he was pleased with the result. He should do this more often. But what would be the point? He rarely went out, and when he did it was usually to meet Coop or one of his other surfing buddies in the club. There was no reason to get all dressed up for that. But it did make him feel good.
The meeting about the surf carnival was to be held in a small room in the council chambers, since most of the group would be attending the council meeting afterwards. As he made his way from the car to the large brick building, Will glanced round, pleased there was no sign of Owen and his friends or any protest. Hopefully, they’d thought better of it.
Once inside, and after greeting the others, Will took his seat next to Ted Crawford. John Baldwin, who had chaired the group for almost as long as Will could remember, called the meeting to order and it began with the usual recap of the previous year’s carnival and congratulations to Will on Owen’s performance. It occurred to Will it wouldn’t be long before Owen himself would be part of this group – one of the organisers rather than a participant in the carnival. It made him feel old to think of his son taking his place in the community, but it was the natural way of things.
The meeting progressed with no surprises. But when the main items of business had been dealt with and John asked if there was any other business, Will spoke. ‘This proposal about the eco resort on Dolphin Beach,’ he said. ‘It would be a disaster for the whole community, but especially for the carnival and the triathlon. Apart from the participants, we rely on the spectators who swell the town’s coffers, not least of them our own when they buy all the items bearing our logo. And they don’t want to come here to have high-rise buildings spoiling the view.’
Some heated discussion followed. Only one person – Mick Roberts who owned the whale watching cruises – was in favour of the development, stating how it would bring business to the community. A few of the younger members of the group suggested strong action while the older ones counselled a more cautious approach, beginning with questions at the forthcoming meeting of council. This was in line with Will’s thinking, so he was pleased when this view prevailed. But he was surprised when, as the meeting was about to close, John Baldwin called for order and cleared his throat.
‘I have one more item of business,’ he said. ‘I’ve held this position now for more years than I care to count, and I believe it’s time for someone else to take over.’
