Page 101 of Possession Under the Southern Stars

I blush again. “That’s a nice thing to say.”

“You are a real treasure, Hallie, a young woman with a huge heart. Look, can you give me the weekend to think about it? I’ll call Whina soon and let her know my decision.”

“Of course. I appreciate that you were kind enough to see me.”

She smiles. “Why don’t we finish our lunch, and then maybe I’ll take you on a tour of the garden, if you’re not in a rush to get back?”

“My flight isn’t until four.”

“Come on then, and you can tell me all about Mr. Bell and just why you light up like a Christmas tree every time you say his name.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

Fraser

I fly back to Wellington on Sunday and spend the afternoon in the museum. I finish off some paperwork for a couple of new grants we’re applying for, and then I take a walk through the museum. It’s quiet today, as even though it’s the height of summer, it’s close to the kids going back to school, and families who’ve come to visit the capital will be heading home to buy books and stationery and uniforms, and get their children ready for the next school year.

I wander through the cool rooms, not really looking at the exhibits, but just letting the peace and quiet and the history seep into my bones.

I love being surrounded by these fragments of the past. The clothing, tools, and jewelry of those long gone. I know some people feel sad in museums, but I don’t usually feel melancholy. Today I am, though, a little. I still haven’t been able to figure out what to do, and I’m conscious of Monday approaching at a rate of knots.

I toy with the idea of calling Hallie, maybe even asking her to come around, but Joel’s flying back to Wellington today. He has an important interview tomorrow, and he’s asked me to help him prepare for it. So I let her be, giving us both time to think.

When I get home, I cook dinner, and then I pretend to interview Joel, asking him the kind of questions I think they might challenge him with. Eventually, he insists he’s ready, and so we watch a movie, then go to bed.

I rise on Monday feeling anxious, although I’m not sure if it’s to do with Joel having his interview, or seeing Whina. Maybe both. Joel goes straight to his office, and I go to the museum, conscious of an oppressive feeling hanging over me like a storm.Or the sword of Damocles. I try to shake the notion out of my head. There’s no reason to think any of this is going to end badly. But it’s impossible for me to believe I’m going to end the day with both a job and Hallie, and I might well end up with neither.

I call in and see Zoe and give her a big hug and tell her how relieved I am to see her. And I have a quick chat to Hallie, but we can’t say much with Zoe there, so I soon leave.

I keep myself busy for the rest of the morning. Joel’s interview is supposed to end at twelve and, knowing that Zoe and Hallie are both going to be as nervous as I am, I go out and buy some takeaway coffees and then take them to the conservation room.

I’ve just walked in with the coffees, when who should appear in the doorway but Joel.

We all stare at him. He’s still dressed in his smart suit. I scan his face, half-expecting to see defeat written on it, suggesting they’ve already told him he hasn’t got it. But his eyes are blazing as he looks at Zoe.

“Is your interview over?” I ask. “Is everything okay?”

“Everything’s fine,” he says. Still looking at Zoe, he gestures with his hand toward the door. “Can I talk to you for a minute? There’s a bench over by the Missionary Exhibit.”

“Between the Cowgirl and Doggy Style Exhibits,” I say, nerves getting the best of me.

Zoe burst into giggles, Joel grins, and Hallie turns the color of a tomato. She glares at me, and I give her a mischievous smile.

“Come on,” Joel says with amusement, and he leads Zoe out of the room.

We watch them go, and then I turn to Hallie. “Sorry about that.”

“So you should be.” Her lips curve up, though.

I check the clock on the wall. It’s 11:45. “Still forty-five minutes until Whina’s supposed to show up,” I say.

“Mm, yeah, about that… She texted me and asked if I would come to your meeting.”

I stare at her. “Really?”

“Yeah. She said she had some news.”

“What about?”

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