Page 88 of Obsession Under the Southern Stars

“I was just about to get on the plane,” Fraser says. “Do you still want me to fly up? I don’t mind.”

“No, of course not. We’re both fine. But thank you.” I’m touched that he would have done that for me.

“Where are you now?” Dad asks.

“On one of the islands. Luckily it had a DOC cabin, and we were able to spend the night there.”

“Nice,” Fraser says.

“Shut up.”

“I was just commenting on how lucky you were to find shelter.”

“Yeah, right.” Even though I’m twenty-eight, I’m still uncomfortable at discussing the fact that I spent the night with Zoe in front of my parents, so I say, “I’m guessing Elora doesn’t know?”

“No,” Fraser says, “she’s still on the cruise with Linc. I think they’re landing at Milford Sound tonight.”

“When’s he flying back?” I ask.

“Monday, I think.”

We’re all quiet for a moment. I can feel Dad’s disapproval and resentment all the way from Hanmer Springs.

Normally I wouldn’t interfere. I learned long ago that I’ll never change my father’s opinion of Linc, and he would never alter the way he thinks just because of something I said.

But Zoe and I have had a brush with our own mortality several times over the past few days, and it’s given me a sense of carpe diem I don’t usually have.

“Give him a break, Dad,” I say. “He has real feelings for Elora, and she for him.”

“I’m not interested,” Dad says abruptly. “If he hadn’t done what he did, Elora wouldn’t have gone to that party, and everything would be different.”

“You don’t know that,” I snap, tired of the old argument. “Zoe told me something this morning. She said that every day we come to forks in the road that force us to make decisions, and every one has the chance to end positively or negatively. She said that Elora made the decision to go to the party, and to drink the punch, just like I made the decision not to fly up and join her, and you made the decision not to drive up and pick her up. But she said that none of us was to blame for what happened. Saying that we’re to blame takes away Elora’s agency in a way. The only people responsible were the ones who hurt her. And it doesn’t come easily to me, but I think she’s right. We’ve both lived with this guilt for too long, Dad. It’s time we moved on.”

They’re all silent for a moment, maybe as surprised at the fact that I’ve spoken up as they are about what I’ve said.

Then Dad says, “Well, I’ve got work to do. I’m very glad you’re okay, son.”

It’s the best I’m going to get, and I stifle a sigh, hoping that once he’s prayed on it, he’ll come to realize I’m right. “Yeah, we’re all good. Look, don’t tell Elora, okay? Not yet. Maybe after Linc’s gone.”

“All right,” Dad says.

“Are you coming down soon?” Mum asks. “I’d like to see you.”

My heart softens. She’s been through hell so many times—first with Elora, then with her own health. Luckily she’s recovered well from her breast cancer, but it’s been a bumpy road, and I hate to think I’ve caused her such worry. Going to see her is the least I can do. “Yes, of course. I’ll fly down tomorrow.”

I glance across at Zoe, who’s still talking. When she looks at me, I blow her a kiss. She smiles but turns away, hiding her face from me.

I sigh. “Okay, well I’ll see you soon.”

Mum and Dad send their love, then end their call, leaving me with Fraser.

“Glad you’re okay,” he says. “How’s Zoe?”

“She’s okay. She’s had a tough few days.” I tell him about her regulator failing.

“Wow,” he says. “So you’ve saved her life twice.”

“Nah, not really, it wasn’t like that.”

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