Page 24 of Wedding Bells By the Creek

Ed walked through into the lounge. It was empty. The doorway that led to the pub’s kitchen swung open, releasing a waft of delicious smells and a boy of about twelve carrying a plate of food.

‘Hi, Mr Collins.’

‘Hi, Harry. That your dad’s breakfast?’

‘Yep. Mum’s cooking. You want some?’

Jack’s wife Ellen was known as the best cook in town. The pub was always extra busy when she took over from Trish in the kitchen.

‘I’m fine,’ Ed said. ‘There are a couple of guests here at the pub. Is either of them having breakfast?’

‘Haven’t seen them.’ Harry vanished in the direction of the bar to deliver Jack’s breakfast.

Ed hesitated. Totally unsure of what to do. He could hardly go upstairs and knock on Helen’s door.

‘Hello, Ed.’ Ellen appeared from the kitchen. ‘Are you looking for Helen?’

Ed nodded.

‘She didn’t sleep here last night.’

‘Where …?’ It was a stupid question and Ellen didn’t answer. Of course Helen must have spent the night with Tia and Max. That was perfectly understandable. She must have wanted to get as far away from Steph – and from him – as she could.

‘Thanks.’ Ed turned to leave and as he did, Stephanie appeared on the stairs. She looked as if she too had spent a sleepless night.

‘Ed.’ Her tired face broke into a welcoming smile. Ed recognised that smile. Steph had smiled just like that when they were young and in love. His heart gave a small kick at the memory.

‘I talked to Scott last night,’ he said quickly. ‘On the internet. He wants to talk to you.’

‘Oh …’ Steph’s face lit up. ‘That’s wonderful. When? How?’

Ed hadn’t thought about that. There was really only one answer. The pub had Wi-Fi, but it also had a lot of prying eyes. And he had no idea if Steph had a computer with her. They would have to do it on his computer. In his home.

‘Come over to the house tonight. After dinner. About eight o’clock.’

‘I will. Thank you, Ed. You don’t know what it means to me to be able to talk to him after all these years.’

Steph was wrong. Ed knew very well how hard it was to reconnect with a distant child. He had done it just a year ago. Helen was doing it right now. It occurred to him that the three of them had so much in common, they should be friends. He looked at Steph closely. There were lines around her eyes, and her hair wasn’t blonde any more. But she was still an attractive woman. At times, he could see the girl he had fallen in love with standing there and he didn’t know how to handle that.

‘All right. I’ll see you then.’

He abruptly turned and walked out of the pub.

He didn’t even think about going back to the garage. It could look after itself for a few more minutes. He turned instead towards the small town square, the police station and the house behind it.

Halfway across the square he saw Max emerge from the police station, and he walked over to him.

‘Did Helen spend the night with you and Tia?’ he asked as he stepped onto the station veranda.

‘Yes.’

Ed nodded. ‘We had … I had … Well, it’s a bit …’

‘Yes, it is,’ Max said. He didn’t sound angry, but nor did he sound entirely sympathetic.

‘I thought … if I could talk to Helen.’

‘She’s not here,’ Max said. ‘She and Tia left very early this morning.’

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