Page 28 of The Beach Cottage
“You said he still lives on the island?”
“That was the last I heard. He was living in a cabin on the other side of Blue Shoal. There are a few houses around Amity Point, and his is one of them. He’s a bit of a hermit these days and lives off his fishing and garden, I believe. But I have no desire to see him again. He ruined our lives for so many years. When he left, that was it for me. I haven’t seen him in a long time.”
“Totally understandable,” Penny replied, her heart aching for what Rowan and his mother went through. It was hard for her to believe that had been his life when she’d known him all those years ago. He’d always seemed so upbeat and fun. She’d mistakenly believed he had everything going for him — he was clever, an athlete, he loved to surf and was good at it, plus he was handsome in a very typical way. He’d joked with his peers and built a reputation as one of the popular boys. Yet he’d hidden so much pain and personal strife from the world around him.
“So, if you want me to make copies of the photos, I can. Not this one, of course.” She pushed aside the photo with his stepfather in it. “But these other ones are really nice.”
“That would be great. Thanks. You’re always so thoughtful.”
Suddenly it felt awkward again. The room small, his presence so large in it. “Happy to help.”
“Speaking of help, I came by to see if you still need help with the government grant application. Anything else you need to do?”
“Not right now. I haven’t heard back. But if I get the grant, I’ll have a lot of paperwork to complete.”
“Give me a call and I’ll come over.”
She was pleasantly surprised by his enthusiasm. But the truth was, she’d need all the help she could get. If the grant didn’t come through, she had no idea what she’d do to keep the refuge running. There was no point in worrying about something she couldn’t control, but she’d need to come up with a plan soon if she was going to make it work.
Thirteen
It was a beautiful day. Autumn had arrived and with it, some slightly cooler weather. Bea loved autumn and winter on the island. The sun wasn’t as relentless, there was a slight chill in the air overnight, and the ocean had a more deeply blue tint rather than the glaring brilliance of summer.
She climbed out of bed with a smile on her face, pushed her feet into her slippers and padded into the kitchen to make herself a fruit salad with yoghurt for breakfast, along with a giant mug of cappuccino from the lovely espresso machine Aidan had bought her.
Not only was it autumn, but it was the first Sunday of the university break, and she expected both of her children on the afternoon ferry. It was the first time the two of them would visit her cottage together, and she was more excited than she’d thought possible. She couldn’t stop smiling as she made coffee, then carried everything out onto the back verandah to sit looking out across the beach as she ate.
She spent the day getting chores done around the cottage. After a full week in the café, she was exhausted, but happy. She’d had customers every single day, and some were becoming regulars. She’d found a couple of high school students to help after school and on weekends, which was how she was able to take the day off to prepare for her children to visit. She did the laundry and tidied, cleaned and scrubbed. She even took an hour to lie in the bathtub with a mud mask on her face and a pillow under her neck while she listened to an audiobook.
Finally, it was time to collect them from the ferry. She hurried to the car and picked up Dad on the way there. He must’ve been excited, but didn’t show it. His entire face was passive. Only his grey moustache twitched as though he wanted to laugh or smile, but was holding it in.
“You looking forward to seeing them?” Bea asked.
“Can’t wait.”
She smiled to herself. He’d always been stoic, but she could read his emotions after years of practice. The way he folded his hands in his lap as she drove showed he was tense. He stared out the car window at the landscape and didn’t speak — that meant he was thinking, anticipating seeing the kids again. She wondered if he’d heard anything back about his medical tests yet. He might not tell any of them if the news was bad. She’d have to ask him if he didn’t say something soon, although she knew how much he hated anyone to prod for information.
“There they are.” She pulled into the parking lot to see the ferry already docked. Harry and Danita walked across the tarmac with bags slung over their shoulders. Dani waved a hand at the old station wagon as Bea parked.
Danita’s blonde hair shone brilliant under the heat of the sun, her fedora tipped forwards over dark sunglasses. Harry’s peaked cap had a mass of brown curls protruding beneath it and his lanky frame ambled towards her, shoulders slightly hunched.
She climbed out and ran to throw her arms around first Dani and then Harry, who lagged behind. She kissed his cheek.
“Finally! You’re on the island. I can’t wait to show you around.”
He smiled through a grimace. “I’ve been here before, Mum.”
“I know, but I was visiting then. Now it’s home and you haven’t seen the renovated cottage.”
“It’s good to see you, Mum,” Dani piped up as she threw her bag into the boot of the car. “I feel like I’m home as well.”
Her words warmed Bea’s heart. She’d been afraid the children wouldn’t cope with her selling their childhood home in Sydney. That spending holidays on the island or with their father in Melbourne would make them feel ill at ease, as though they had no roots. But so far, they seemed relaxed about the change in their family’s circumstances.
As she drove back to her father’s house, Dani and Harry took turns talking. They chattered about everything going on in their lives, at university, with their friends. Harry had joined the university soccer team. Dani was loving her new area of study. She’d made friends with a large group of girls who socialised together on the weekends. Plus, she’d found a job at a local café and was keen to use her newfound skills to help Bea over the holidays.
“I can’t believe you have your own business, Mum.” Harry studied her reflection in the rearview mirror. “And you’re so tanned and fit. It’s like you’re a whole different person.”
“I had my own business in Sydney, if you recall.” Sometimes she wondered how much attention her children had paid to the life she lived when they were young.
