The Island, page 10
“And do you love it?”
“I love almost everything about it. Paying the bills is hard, but I do a few jobs on the side here and there to keep the lights on. Cake?” She held up the plate, and Bea took a slice.
“This looks delicious.”
“Thanks, I hope it is. I enjoy baking, but it’s not my strong suit. I had a café attached to the bookshop, but I had to close it for lack of help. I couldn’t keep the place running along with the bookshop and everything else. It didn’t do very well.”
“That’s a shame. It’s such a lovely venue.”
“Don’t know anyone who would be willing to run the place, do you?” Evie laughed, then took a sip of tea.
Bea’s mind raced. She needed work—what better way to settle into life on the island than to open a café? She could bake everything they needed and put in a real coffee machine so she could finally get the coffee she loved. Besides, with the offerings available in Kellyville from the cafe down the road, she knew there would be plenty of people happy to see some competition in town.
“Actually… I’d love to do it.”
“Really?” Evie’s eyes widened. “Don’t you live in Sydney?”
“I’ve moved back home,” Bea replied, loving the way those words sounded. Home. It was a good feeling, coming back to the place she felt most like herself in all the world.
“Wow, that’s a big decision. And how does your husband feel about that?”
“He’s moved to Melbourne…with his girlfriend. I mean, fiancée. I keep forgetting to call her that—it feels so strange. Silly me.” Bea bit off a piece of cake. “Mmmm… Yum.”
Evie leaned back in her chair. “Wow, I’m sorry. I put my foot in that.”
“No, you didn’t. It’s fine. The sooner people find out, the better. I’ve hardly had a chance to work through it myself, so I probably should talk about it. They say avoidance is bad, right?”
Evie chuckled. “Apparently, although I find it works wonders for me.”
“If you’re open to the idea, I’d like to look around the café, and we can see if we’d be a good fit for each other. I ran a small catering business in Sydney, and I’ve organised plenty of events and functions over the years. I know I have the experience to run a café, and I’d love to try.”
“I think it’s marvellous,” Evie said, beaming. “I can’t imagine a better person to run it. I remember even in high school, you were a good cook. You used to make cakes and biscuits and bring them to school to share.”
“Really? I’d forgotten all about that.”
“Yes, plus you were great when we all tried to start that landscaping company — you organised us all and kept the accounts. We mowed people’s lawns for an entire summer before folding because of squabbles over splitting the revenue. Our very own workers’ revolt.”
“Those were good times,” Bea said. “Thanks for reminding me. My husband tells me I’m an airhead.”
“I hate to be rude, but your husband sounds like a jerk.”
Bea laughed. “It turns out, he actually is.”
Evie laughed along with her. “I’m not going to push because this is a big decision, but I think we’d be great business partners. If you took it on, the café would be yours and you could pay me rent. Other than that, it would be up to you to manage the place and make it work. I won’t have any input into the business. I have all I can take with the bookshop and my photography.”
Bea sighed. It sounded perfect. Exactly the kind of thing she was looking for. “I’ll get started on it as soon as we finalise the paperwork. I’m so excited.”
“Me too. In fact, we should all have a get-together to celebrate.”
“All?” Bea asked.
“All the girls from high school. Taya Eldridge and Penny St James live on the island too. Taya has an inn on the other side of the island. And Penny runs a wildlife rescue down the road from Taya’s. We all catch up whenever we get the chance.”
“I had no idea the entire gang was back on Coral Island. I’ve missed so much.”
“You kind of drifted away and lost touch,” Evie said, her eyes warm.
“I’m sorry,” Bea said. “I should’ve made more of an effort.”
“It’s okay—life happens. Anyway, they’ll be thrilled to see you. We’re having dinner together on Tuesday night. You should come.”
“I’d love to.”
“Perfect. I’ll let them know.”
“I’m looking forward to it. Actually, I came down here to talk to you about something in particular.” Bea reached for her handbag and pulled out the film canister, setting it on the table between them.
Evie picked it up and turned it over, her brow furrowed. “Where did you find this?”
“Inside a wall at the old beach cottage my dad owns. We’re renovating it, my daughter and I, and this was sealed up in a fabric bag inside the wall cavity.”
Evie’s brows arched high. “Really? Well, isn’t that an interesting little mystery?”
“I know. I can’t help being intrigued. Why would someone put a roll of unprocessed film into a wall?”
“Your family has owned the building for a long time, right?”
“Yes, but it was built by someone else. Dad bought it from a man around the time I was born.”
“That would make this film…” Evie rolled it around in her hands, examining the wording on the outside. “At least forty-five years old.”
“Maybe fifty.” Even as she said the words, Bea found it difficult to believe them. It was a long time for a roll of film to be encased in a closed space.
“Wow.”
“I saw online that you do some photography. I was wondering if perhaps you would be able to process this, and we could see what’s on it.”
Evie smiled. “Well, you came to the right place.”
Twelve
Bradford’s truck was in the driveway the next day when Bea came home from a full day’s work at the beach cottage. She sighed as she pulled the station wagon into the barn and turned off the ignition. She was exhausted, covered in paint dust.
All she really wanted was to climb into the enormous claw-footed bathtub in the ensuite off her old bedroom with a giant glass of red wine and look out the portrait window over the beach while she soaked and felt sorry for herself.
She was supposed to be going out to dinner with the girls from high school as soon as she’d showered and changed, but she wasn’t sure how to get to the Blue Shoal Inn. She’d only ever been there with her parents as a child and vaguely recalled a narrow, winding track somewhere through the centre of the island. She’d have to ask Dad for directions. Hopefully, the old station wagon would manage the trip.
Dani was still unwell and had been tucked beneath the covers with a fever when Bea left that morning. She’d called to check on her at lunchtime, and Dad said he was feeding her chicken broth while she watched a movie in the living room. At least she’d managed to emerge from the bedroom. And so far, none of them had caught the flu from her. Bea assumed that’s what it was, since she had all the symptoms.
It often seemed that when a person slowed down after a period of stress, they managed to catch something. She was only now beginning to realise just how stressed and overwhelmed her daughter had been while studying at university. All this time, she’d believed her to be fine and completely in control. But apparently that’d all been an act.
She trudged up the stairs and kicked off her muddy boots outside the door, then stepped into the warm interior. Dad had been reading a newspaper in his favourite armchair. He’d fallen asleep with it open between his two hands, his light snoring filled the silence. Dani lay asleep on the couch, with the television screen stuck on a frozen image.
When Bea sat down, he opened his eyes and licked his dry lips. “There you are.”
She smiled. “You were really out to it. How’s the back?”
He grimaced. “A little better, I think. The medicine helps. But I’m struggling to turn my head much from side to side.”
“That’s hard, I know.”
“How did it go at the cottage today?”
She shrugged. “Good, I think. It’s slow going and hard work. I’m aching all over. But I’m loving it at the same time.”
“I’ve been thinking about that roll of film you found in the wall yesterday.”
“Oh?”
“The family who sold it to us was related to that woman who runs the local café — June Clements.”
“Really? I always thought you bought it from someone on the mainland.”
“I’m not sure where he ended up, but he was linked to June in some way. I can’t recall how exactly. And the funny thing is, we only found out about the place because your mother and June were friends. But soon after we moved in, they stopped talking over some argument they had. I still don’t know what it was about. Your mum wouldn’t say.”
“Interesting… I wonder what it was over.”
Dad shook his head. “I don’t know. But I wonder if those photos belong to the fellow who sold us the house. And if they do, we could probably ask June to get in contact with him. She might know where he is now.”
“Good idea,” Bea replied. “Thanks, Dad.”
“You know, I’m proud of you,” he said suddenly.
Bea blinked. She hadn’t expected the kind words, and they brought a rush of emotion. “Thanks, Dad. What for?”
“You’re strong, and you handle whatever life throws your way. You don’t let it get you down or bury you. Your mother was a wonderful woman, but she didn’t know how to deal with her emotions, or with hardship or stress, the way that you do. I’m glad you’re here.”
Bea reached out a hand to squeeze her father’s. “That means a lot to me, Dad.”
“And the offer still stands — I can take out that Preston fellow anytime. You just say the word.” His winked.
“Even with your bad back?”
“A bit of anti-inflammatory medicine and I’m good to go.”
She shook her head, laughing even as the tears welled. “That’s good to know, Dad. I’ll keep it in mind.”
“You and Dani can stay as long as you like. Family sticks together through the hard times.” He offered her a half smile. “This is your home.”
“I’m grateful. I honestly don’t know where I’d have gone if it wasn’t for you. Coral Island feels more like home to me than any other place has. I’m only realising it now. I wish I’d understood that years ago.”
“It wouldn’t have changed anything,” he said. “You’re a loving and loyal woman. You’d have stayed with him even if you’d known.”
“Perhaps you’re right,” she replied, knowing deep down that he was. Even if she’d had the foresight to see where her marriage would end up, she’d have stayed to do whatever she could to save it. And maybe Dad was right—nothing would’ve been different than it was now.
Dad stood with a groan and straightened his back. “I’m going to take a hot shower and see if it helps ease a bit of the muscle pain.” He shuffled towards the master suite.
Bea flicked off the television and pulled a small throw rug up over Dani’s legs. With a yawn, she wandered into the kitchen and put the kettle on to boil. While she was fixing herself a cup of instant coffee, hoping it would taste better than it had the day before, she noticed Bradford sitting out on the deck, talking on his phone.
His tall, gangly frame didn’t quite fit in the slouching Adirondack-style chair with its bleached timber frame. A beer bottle stood on the table beside him. She pushed open the back sliding door and stepped outside. The wind whistled around the eaves. The hum of the ocean filled the air, and the sweet scent of salt filled her nostrils.
He told the caller goodbye and put down his phone, glancing at her from where he sat. “Hi, sis. Did you have a good day on the tools?”
She took a seat next to him. “It was fine. We got a lot achieved.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“You still angry at me?”
He shrugged. “I guess so. But I won’t hold it against you.”
She chuckled. “Thanks for that.”
“You’re welcome. I see Dani isn’t feeling well. Anything serious?”
“Just the flu.”
“Well, I’d better steer clear. You know how sick I get when I catch anything.”
“Man flu, I know. It’s truly tragic.” She rolled her eyes and took a sip of coffee.
The sound of a vehicle pulling into the driveway caught her ear. Soon after, there was a knock at the door.
“I’ll get that,” Bradford said.
“Thanks. I’m not sure I can stand.” Her legs were stiff, and her back ached. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d done so much physical work. She’d spent the day sanding and knocking down walls, digging holes in the garden and mixing concrete.
She knew she should leave the hard work for the labourers she’d hired, but there was something so satisfying about getting out there and putting her own strength to the test. She had to work out some of the frustrations that’d been building inside her in recent weeks, and this seemed like the perfect way. Although now she was paying for it.
Bradford poked his head out the door. “I’m going to town to pick up dinner, but you have a visitor.”
When Aidan stepped through the doorway and onto the deck in a pair of dark jeans and a freshly ironed button-down shirt with an open jacket, his hair neatly combed back from his face, she startled. She was a complete mess. The embarrassment at being caught in her work clothes and covered in dirt, dust and grime from head to toe washed over her. She hated to think what her hair looked like. And the overalls she’d sported all day weren’t exactly flattering.
“Oh, hi,” she said, her cheeks flushing.
He bent to kiss her cheek, and she found herself stammering. “I wasn’t expecting you. Was I? Did we have plans? I must’ve forgotten.”
He laughed. “No, we don’t have any plans. But I ran into Evie, and she said you were driving over to the Blue Shoal Inn for dinner with Taya and Penny. So, I thought I’d offer to take you. The road is pretty bad. We’ve had some rain recently, and they haven’t fixed it yet. We can take my four-wheel drive, if you like.”
Her heart skipped a beat. “Wow, that’s so kind of you. Yes, I’d love that. I haven’t bought myself a car yet, so that would be great. Thank you for thinking of me.”
“Good. I’m glad to help.”
“I wish I could ask you to stay for a meal, but I’m afraid it’s not up to me. Taya and Evie organised it between the two of them.”
“Not a problem. I have a meeting over that way, so I couldn’t eat with you anyway.”
“Oh?”
“I’m investing in a new property they’re building nearby. Something small, only a half dozen units, but I need to meet with the developer.”
“Wow, that sounds like an amazing project. Just a little bigger than my beach cottage.”
He laughed. “I guess so, although I’m impressed with what you’re doing. The cottage will be amazing after you’re done, if you manage everything you’ve told me you’re planning.”
“So far, so good,” she replied. “Can I get you a beer?”
“Thanks. That would be great.”
She tried to stand and fell back into her chair with a grimace. “Give me a minute. I’m a little stiff after today.”
He jumped to his feet. “Stay where you are. I can find the fridge.”
He was back in a moment with a cold beer in one hand and a bowl of pretzels in the other. “I found these in the cupboard, too. I hope that’s okay.”
She grabbed a handful as he set it on the table and ate them ravenously. “That’s perfect. I’m starving. I forgot to pack myself a lunch with everything else that’s been going on. At the rate I’m going, I’ll lose ten kilograms before this renovation is over.”
He laughed. “You certainly don’t need to.”
She cocked her head to one side. “Now, that’s dishonest. But seriously — there’s a decided lack of food in this house, and I’m spending all day working physically. I’ve never really done that before. Unless you count chasing after toddlers all day and doing housework. Still, the busiest time of my life was almost two decades ago now. I rarely do anything more difficult than a day in the garden or a workout at the gym. It’s embarrassing to admit.” She gulped a mouthful of coffee to wash down the pretzels.
“I know what you mean. I used to be so fit, playing football and training every day. Now, I spend far too much time on my computer or making phone calls. My life is very different these days.”
She wondered how buff he must’ve been before. She couldn’t imagine how much more chiselled he could be.
“How long will you stay with your dad?” he asked, munching on a pretzel.
“I don’t know. As soon as the cottage is habitable, I’ll move down there. I can’t wait, actually. It’s going to be gorgeous. And I’ll be close enough to see Dad whenever I like. We’re thinking of getting some two-way radios.”
“You know they have these amazing things these days called mobile phones that let you call people?”
“You’re hilarious. I know we could use our phones, but I thought it might be fun to use radios. Dad will love it. He’s always talking about going backpacking and hunting for his food and building shelters and things like that. He misses his old adventures with his mates, I think.”
He drank a mouthful of beer. “I think we all pine for a little adventure at times.”
“You’re right. All these years, I thought I was happy. That there was nothing missing from my life. But I’m beginning to realise I was settling for what I thought was best for everyone else in my life. I put aside what I wanted and instead focused on my husband and children. Now that they’re gone, I have no idea how to be me anymore.” She laughed, but inside she felt emptied out, and there was a dull pain in her chest.
“You’re still in there. You haven’t really changed,” Aidan said softly.
