Font Size:  

She took a sip of the wine she’d been holding before replying. ‘I had a visitor at the café. Just as I was getting ready to leave.’

‘A visitor? Not…?’

Cleo shivered at the concern in his voice. ‘No, not your nemesis. Kerri-Ann Randall. The woman from California. Stan’s other daughter. That’s her name.’ It felt strange to call this stranger Stan’s daughter, but it was who she was.

‘Oh, my dear. What did she want?’

‘She wants to meet Han.’ Cleo felt numb, remembering their conversation yet again. ‘Will, what am I going to do?’

‘Do you want me to come over?’

Cleo thought of how comforting it would be to feel Will’s arms around her, to be able to curl into his warm body, to lose herself in his embrace. But it wouldn’t change things. Kerri-Ann would still be here. Hannah would still refuse to meet her. And Cleo would still be caught in the middle.

‘Thanks, but no. I’ll be fine. It helps to share it.’ She took a sip of wine.

‘If you’re sure.’

Cleo wasn’t but didn’t want to appear needy. ‘Why did you call?’ she asked. They had already made plans to meet for lunch next day.

‘Did you hear the news?’

‘About the girls? I did. I’m glad they’ve been found safe and well.’

‘I thought it would put your mind at rest I know you were worried about the possibility of a killer at large.’

‘Thanks.’

‘Well. I hope you manage to resolve this business with the American girl. If you need to talk any more, you know I’m here.’

‘Thanks,’ she said again.

‘See you tomorrow?’

‘I’m looking forward to it.’ They weren’t going anywhere special, only toThe Bay Bistroon the esplanade for lunch, but by now, any time spent with Will was a bonus.

‘Me, too. Sleep well.’

Cleo finished the call and sat staring into space. Just talking with Will had set her mind at rest. He really was a lovely man.

Hannah hadn’t called. Cleo hadn’t needed to figure out what to say to her.

She decided to put Kerri-Ann Randall out of her mind and concentrate on thinking about seeing Will tomorrow for lunch.

Thirty

Will poured his morning coffee and took it out into the backyard to sit on the bench which had been there for as long as he could remember. He gazed at the tall gum which now overhung the fence, remembering how the young Owen used to enjoy collecting the gumnuts and swinging from its branches – and the time he fell from it and broke his arm. This place held so many memories. He sighed. Was it time to make new ones – with Cleo?

It had been good to talk with her last night. He’d picked up the phone as soon as he heard the news, knowing how worried she’d been, wanting to be sure she knew the girls were safe. Then to hear her news – the girl from California was in town and had turned up at the café. What a shock it must have been for Cleo. His immediate reaction had been to comfort her. Even thinking of it now, he could imagine his arms around her, her soft hair under his chin, her lips lifting to meet his.

Hell, any more of this and he’d need a cold shower. He gulped down his coffee and took his empty mug indoors before heading off for an early morning surf.

On a whim, Will eschewed his usual venue and drove out to Dolphin Beach. The waves might not be as high there, but the place held a special spot in his heart, and he needed to remind himself what was at stake if the developers won.

This morning, the beach looked glorious, the ocean glistening in the early morning light. There was only one other surfer enjoying the first specks of daylight as they hit the water making it sparkle like a string of diamonds. It was an idyllic scene. Will took his board out of the van and ran down and into the sea, the heady scent of the ocean and the pounding surf sending all other thoughts from his mind.

‘Great day, Will.’ Will shook the water from his hair as he came out of the water to identify the other surfer as Ted Crawford. The older man was an example of how surfing could keep the body healthy. He must be over sixty by now and still surfed every day.

‘Morning, Ted. Surprised to see you here. Thought you normally surfed close to home.’ Will knew Ted lived right on the beach in one of the renovated shacks on the boardwalk – in a home Will wished he could afford.

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
Articles you may like