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‘So,’ Will said to Martin Cooper, when the pair had settled on the deck of the surf club and had taken their first sip of beer, ‘How’s life treating you, now you’re no longer a free agent?’
Martin laughed. ‘If I’d known it would be this good, I’d have done it long ago. I just had to find the right woman. You had the right idea marrying young.’
‘Yeah.’ Will took another drink, remembering how he and Dee had rushed into marriage without considering the ramifications. Things had been tough for the first few years while he was getting the surf school going, and Dee had picked up casual work where she could. But he didn’t regret one minute of it. Then, when Evan was born, followed by Owen several years later, their life was complete. It was a cruel quirk of fate that had taken both Evan and Dee from them.
‘Now what’s this magazine thing all about?’ he asked, determined not to let the past encroach on the present. Since Dee died, he’d determined to live life one day at a time and, so far, it had worked, allowing him to present a cheerful countenance to everyone and earn the reputation of being someone to turn to for a good deed or a cheery word. Only Owen knew of the times when Will was overcome by grief, when he shut himself away with his memories. But those times were becoming fewer and fewer. Time was a great healer.
‘Right.Destination, the rag that’s been running my surfing shots, is planning a special edition on surfing through the ages to coincide with some surfing event in California. They plan to feature former surfing champions from across the world and asked me to shoot some local stuff. I thought I’d look at Ted Crawford, you and maybe young Owen. What do you think?’
‘Owen? I thought you were focussing on former champions.’
‘That was the idea, but I got to thinking, why not include the younger generation, too. It was actually Ailsa’s idea,’ he confessed. ‘She thought it might attract more interest... appeal to the younger set if it wasn’t all old has-beens.’
‘Who are you calling a has-been?’ But Will chuckled. ‘Owen will be stoked. He loved those shots you did of him for the fundraiser. Said it raised his cred no end.’
‘How is he? I thought I saw him in the club when I walked through. He and a girl were chatting to Nate at the bar.’
‘Mmm. Must be the girl the pair of them plan to share a house with. Her mother works for your sister.’
‘Yeah, Ailsa mentioned Nate was getting tired of living in the caravan park. We told him he was welcome to live with us, but he wanted his own place.’
‘Young kids, eh?’
Will’s phone vibrated in his pocket. He slid it out, glanced at it, grimaced and slid it back in.
Martin raised an eyebrow.
‘It’s nothing important. I’ll check it later.’ Will had recognised the number. Why wouldn’t the woman leave him alone? It had started out simply enough – a booking for a surf lesson.
She wasn’t the usual type of tourist, said she was looking to move here if the conditions were right – and had tapped the side of her nose suggestively. Will had ignored her, all business, treated her as he would any other client. But when she returned day after day, called him at all hours, it had got beyond a joke. It had to stop, but he had no idea what to do about it. Maybe… ‘Coop, you’ve got experience with cloying women?’
His friend laughed. ‘Got one chasing you? Never used to bother you.’
‘I’m serious, mate. This woman booked a surf lesson a few weeks ago and she won’t leave me alone. Christ knows what she sees in me, but it’s doing my head in. I can’t get rid of her.’
Martin’s grin faded. ‘Sorry, Will. But you’ve been on your own for a while. Are you sure she’s not just being friendly? You’re a good-looking guy – or would be if you took the trouble to take more care of yourself.’ He chuckled. ‘Now Owen’s moving out, maybe it’s time to think about…’
Will didn’t let Martin finish. ‘Absolutely not! I know you’re happy with Ailsa and I’m pleased for you, but there will never be another woman for me.’
Martin raised his hands defensively. ‘Okay, okay. Well, perhaps you just need to tell this one exactly that.’
Will considered, then said, ‘It’s not so easy. If I say I’m not interested in anything with her, it might suggest I’ve thought about it. I don’t want to give her any ideas. But I’ll take that on board. Thanks.’
‘Back to business. Thought we could go to the stretch of beach on the other side of the headland, maybe next Monday. Would that work for you?’
‘Sure would.’ He frowned. Mention of the beach where he and Martin had spent most of their teenage years reminded Will of an article he’d read inThe Bellbird Buglewhen he was having breakfast – before Owen announced his news and sent everything else out of his mind. It had been hidden on page five, but the headline had caught his eye. ‘Did you see the article inThe Bugle? Have you heard about this eco resort proposal?’ he asked.
‘An eco resort? On this stretch of the coast? Surely not. Didn’t see the paper today. Went for an early surf then Ailsa and I got caught up.’ He reddened. ‘What did it say?’
‘Not a lot, but seems some big conglomerate is looking at building some monstrosity round at Dolphin Beach. It’ll ruin the place, if they go in there with earth-moving equipment. As if there hasn’t been enough loss from erosion given the storms we’ve been experiencing.’
‘Hell! Look, leave it with me. I might be able to find out a bit more – and Ted Crawford is always good for researching stuff like that. I’d imagine the TurtleCare folk would be worried about it, too.’
‘Thanks, mate.’
Their meals arrived, two plates of the burger and chips for which the club was famous, and their conversation ceased as they ate their fill. They had just finished when Owen appeared, accompanied by an attractive, tall, blonde girl wearing a broad grin.
‘Dad, Martin, this is Han.’
