Page 29 of Learning to Love

"You won't tell anyone, will you?" She looks at me imploringly.

"Joan, being neurodivergent is nothing to be ashamed of. He's an accomplished man, he's achieved so much in life and he's only thirty-two. Plus, I love him to bits. I wouldneverdo anything to harm him in any way."

She seems more at ease and changes the topic. "Thank you. Sophie will come by soon. She's dying to show you the finest of what O'Neill's Bay has to offer."

We both laugh at that. I'm glad Joan has a good sense of humor.

"I really like you, Ellie,” she says, “I hope my son finally decides to settle.” She smiles at me, and the doorbell rings.

Joan goes to answer, and I admire the photos on the wall in the lounge. A couple strike me in particular. They feature what looks like Tom, Sam, and another child, could be a little girl. They definitely look related, freckles and auburn hair glistening from water drops. I puzzle over this. Could it be a cousin they’re close to? I wonder why Sam never mentioned her before.

Before I could form another coherent thought, Joan enters the room with Sophie, looking fantastic in the morning sun.

Sophie takes my arm and starts strolling confidently towards the door. “Hey babe, I’ve been home to drop off the presents, but now I’m ready to go shopping.”

I gather my handbag, wave goodbye to Joan, and get ready for some fun at the markets. We go on foot through O’Neill’s Bay, towards the town center. We walk on narrow streets lined with Pohutukawa in bloom, and Sophie stops to say “Hi” here and there. Some people throw curious looks my way. They must wonder who I am.

In some ways I miss living somewhere small like this, where everyone knows everyone. In other ways, I don't, because everyone's up in everyone else's business.

Sophie and I chat about everything under the sun, about my job at the daycare, my parents' winery, her job at the hospital, and she even confesses she and Tom are trying for a baby.

"Go you,” I say, “very happy for you guys. Fingers crossed it happens soon. At least in the meantime you can have fun trying." I wink.

Sophie bursts out laughing at my tongue in cheek comment.

"What about you and Sam? Do you think you'll do the marriage, baby thing?"

Her question throws me off. In my heart of hearts, I do imagine Sam getting down on one knee at some point. Does he want kids though? He hasn't said anything about it, and I feel this is something we should be on the same page about. He hasn’t even told me he loves me yet.

"We've only been seeing each other for a few months now, so it's yet to be seen." I keep my tone nice and light.

"Oh, come on, you must know by now he never brought girls home. Laura was more like a friend than a fiancée." Sophie enters the first shop, a local deli. "Let's get some snacks for lunch, to have while the boys prepare the seafood."

As Sophie shops, I offer to pay for half and choose some treats to take back home to Tayla.

"Tell me more about Laura." My jealousy is getting the better of me. From the photos I saw a while ago, she's a tall, leggy blonde. Very sporty and very suited to Sam.

Sophie brushes my concerns away. "Nothing for you to be worried about. I don't think she was a bad person, but she was a bit pushy, a bit too ambitious. Not good for our Sam, who needs to learn to take it easy."

Interesting. Sounds like a very driven woman. I admire that, but I'm more of a soft touch, due to the nature of my job, I guess.

Sophie and I taste some cherries and Manuka honey. "Sold. Delicious, let's buy some."

We go onto the next shop, already laden with bags. This time it's a Wellness shop, lots of beauty, skincare, crystals, and yoga mats. I sigh and buy a rose quartz for Tayla and, impulsively, grab a box of kawakawa balm for Corey. We may not be great friends, but as a sailor he can definitely use it on his hands.

As we make our way back towards the house, I remember the photos on the lounge wall. "A bit of an odd question. Who's that little girl in those childhood photos by the beach of Sam and Tom? She looks a lot like them."

I'm walking for a short while, before I realize Sophie has stopped on the street, mouth agape.

A feeling of dread pools in my stomach. "Did I say something wrong?"

"You don't know? Sam hasn't told you?"

Her words send me further into panic. "No. Is there anything I should know?" My voice is faint.

"I … don't think it's my story to tell. Let's go back home."

As we walk together in silence, carrying heavy shopping bags, my heart beats faster. When we get to the door, everything is crystal clear.

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