Page 20 of Learning to Love

“You don't have to say yes."

I figure I have nothing to lose by accepting. It could offer me another glimpse into the Sam enigma. "Happy to come with you. We'll talk about preparations later." Hope I’ve put him at ease.

He nods and puts the phone back to his ear. "We're coming together. Yes, we can stay in my old room. Don't want to be any bother. We'll talk later. Don't worry, it's all fine.” As soon as he's ended the call, he relaxes. I don't know what sort of relationship he has with his parents, but it looks like waters run deep.

I rest my head on his shoulder, and we start kissing again in the afternoon sun. Tui birds call outside, disturbing Daisy from her rest.

***

Sam

Idon’t take girls to my parents' home as a rule. There’s always an exception to the rule, and that was Laura, but we were already engaged when I mustered the courage to take her back home to O’Neills Bay. We stayed in an Airbnb, went to my parents’ for lunch, and that was that.

My mum and dad seemed to genuinely like her, but after we broke up three years ago mum had some choice words for me. “You’re wasting your life, Sam. Why can’t you find a nice girl like your brother Tom did? One with an actual job? Settle down and stop gallivanting around the world. You’re pushing 30. I want grandchildren.”

She was being deeply unfair to Laura, who’s an Olympic rowing champion. That’s definitely ajob.

But Mum also doesn’t think what I do is a job. She’s right on one account. It’s more than a job. It’s a passion. Nobody gets to Olympic level without hard graft, but the secret ingredient is passion.

Laura and I didn’t work out, but mum kept the bee in her bonnet about me abandoning sailing and racing and settling down in a “real job”. This is why I don’t visit her and dad as often as I should. The last thing I need is to get an earful about how dangerous it is, about how it can all disappear in an instant.

She called today because the daughter of one of the other nurses at the children’s hospital in O’Neill’s Bay told her mum, who in turn toldmy mumthere’s a girl on my Instagram. Typical, small town grapevine. I never post truly personal stuff, so it was a like posting a neon sign over my head.

The news has likely already gone round the supermarket, the boat club, the Crab Shack café, and the local bank branch. I’d be surprised if the carers in the nursing home haven’t told my Nana about it yet. My dad, who’s oblivious to most things, will have been told on some building site or another. Tom may be Mum’s golden boy, but I feel golden with Ellie by my side. I’m ready to show her off, and what better way than at Christmas.

“About Christmas. I know it’s also your birthday, but you kept that one quiet.” Her words bring me back to reality with a thud the next day. I run my hand through my hair.

“I don’t really celebrate. How did you find out?” I’m starting to feel uneasy. What else has she found out? Like a dog with a bone, my mum rang straight away to push to meet Ellie. One of the first things she asked me was whether Ellie knows about Thea.

She laughs. “I Googled you after we met.”

I try to keep a neutral tone, but I’m nervous. “And what did you find out?”

“Nothing to scare me off. Yet.” She thinks she’s hilarious.

I haven’t talked to anyone apart from Corey and Jay about what happened. It’s something that will stay with me forever. I’m scared that once Ellie finds out, she’ll see me in a different light … and leave. “Good.” I kiss her forehead and pull her closer. She must have read about Laura and decided it wasn’t a big deal. Perfect. It wasn’t.

“Tayla is away at Christmas. I’ll take Daisy to my parents’ place in Matakana for the holidays, then on Christmas morning we can go to yours.”

Is she inviting me to meet her parents? I can’t tell. “If you want me to meet your parents before you meet mine, that’s fine.”

She nods, a little smile tugging at her lips. “How about we drive Miss Daisy there on Christmas Eve, have dinner with my parents, exchange presents, then on Christmas morning make our way to O’Neill’s Bay?”

This approach makes more sense to me. I’m intrigued to meet her parents and learn what makes her tick. “Driving Miss Daisy, eh?” I like her goofy sense of humor. “We could take her to O’Neill’s Bay, but it’s a long drive. If your parents are happy to have her for a couple of nights, we can fetch her back on the 27th.”

She relaxes against me, her muscles turning to liquid with each pull of my fingers against her scalp. But I can’t relax. I stay as tense as the rope connecting an anchor to a boat. I’ll get to show her off at Christmas, but what will she learn about me? About Thea? And more importantly, how will she react when she finds out?

Chapter 10

Ellie

Christmas Eve

I stare at a picture of a purple cat with mile-long whiskers wearing a princess crown, but I think of Sam. The kids run around the room, impossibly excited at the coming Christmas holiday. Their cries and songs and requests blur together, and I think of Sam. There’s probably a dreamy smile on my face, too.

Someone pulls at my shirt. “Ellie, can we read The Very Merry Pony again, please?” Oscar’s tiny voice cuts through my thoughts. I’ve been daydreaming of Sam again, something I do frequently. Too frequently for my liking.

I pick up the colorful book again for the fifth time today.

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