Secrets in Pelican Crossing (Pelican Crossing #2)

Three

It was Wednesday and the day for Liz’s lunch with her three friends, the gang of four as Poppy’s husband had called them before he met his untimely death. The four women – Liz, Poppy, Rachel and Gill – had first met at a mother-baby group when they were new mothers and had immediately bonded. Their friendship had continued over the years and, even though their babies were now almost thirty, they continued to meet for lunch on a monthly basis. Liz was lucky her job at the medical centre allowed her one day off each month; this is how she preferred to spend it.

All the women, except Rachel who ran a B it had won several awards and been mentioned in a number of magazines. It was only fitting that she and Jack’s best friend had finally got together.

‘Liz, good to see you. How are you?’ Poppy greeted her at the door, her little West Highland Terrier running around the two women and almost tripping Liz up in his excitement. ‘Sorry about Angus,’ she said, not waiting for Liz to reply. ‘He’s excited we have company.’ She led Liz through to the large airy kitchen which led out onto a wide deck. ‘Wine?’

‘Thanks.’ Liz was glad she was first to arrive. She knew once all four got together, the wine would flow as would the gossip. But whereas she was normally the one to provide the news about all the goings-on in Pelican Crossing, today she just wanted to sit quietly and listen. It had been three days. She still hadn’t decided what to do about the card hidden in her bedside drawer. And it was weighing on her mind.

Poppy had barely poured two glasses of white wine when Angus began to bark, there was the sound of knocking at the front door, and suddenly the kitchen seemed to be filled with people.

‘So, what’s new?’ Rachel asked looking around the group when they were all settled on Poppy’s deck. ‘I can see the new grandmother is glowing.’ She nudged Poppy who grinned.

‘Now Scarlett and Lachlan have moved back, and she and Megan are new mothers, I don’t seem to have any time to myself,’ she said.

I suppose it’s nothing to do with the fact Cam Mitchell has moved in with you?’ Rachel asked, winking.

Poppy blushed. ‘That too,’ she said. ‘I’m just getting used to having a man around again.’

There was an awkward silence. Liz shifted uneasily in her seat and glanced at Rachel and Gill who appeared to feel equally uncomfortable. For the past few years, they’d all been single, Poppy and Rachel widowed, Liz divorced and Gill undergoing a divorce which seemed to be taking for ever to settle. Although they were all pleased for her, it was as if Poppy had left the club.

Liz decided to fill the silence. ‘I have news,’ she said. ‘Tara and Mark are planning to spend Easter in Paris, and Mandy is going off on a diving trip with Gary Whittaker.’

Suddenly all eyes were on her .

Gill was the first to speak. ‘Springtime in Paris,’ she said. ‘Max took me there once. It’s a romantic city.’

The others stared at her in surprise. Gill rarely spoke of her husband other than to say how difficult he was being over their divorce. As a divorce lawyer herself she found it especially awkward that they didn’t seem able to reach an agreement.

‘Somewhere I always wanted to visit. Kirk and I planned to go there one day. There always seemed to be lots of time… then there wasn’t,’ Rachel said, referring to the fact her husband had died after a long illness.

‘It’s not too late,’ Poppy said.

‘For me, it is. I couldn’t go on my own. I’d always been thinking how Kirk should be there with me.’

All four were silent, Liz thinking how different it would have been if Tommy had died instead of running off with a barmaid. Would it have been better? She wasn’t sure. At least in her case, there were no more tears to shed.

‘I didn’t know Mandy had taken up diving,’ Poppy said. ‘When did she take lessons? I haven’t seen her around the dive school.’

Liz suddenly remembered how, when Poppy and Cam got together, she had taken diving lessons and they had gone diving together. ‘I don’t know,’ she said embarrassed. ‘She only mentioned it at the weekend, and I think… her and Gary…’

‘Oh, he’s a great guy, a real chip off the old block. He reminds me of what his dad was like at his age. Jamie, Cam and Jack were all at school together and kept in touch. You must be pleased.’

‘I think so, though she hasn’t had much success with relationships in the past. I guess that’s why she didn’t tell me about him before now. I just hope…’

‘It’s all we can do.’ Gill’s eyes took on a faraway look, making Liz remember that her daughter, Freya was living overseas and was still unmarried.

‘Do you hear from Freya?’ she asked.

Gill sighed. ‘She’s not the world’s best communicator. As you know she left Australia soon after Max and I separated. She was always her daddy’s girl, and I suspect she’s in touch with him. She doesn’t answer my calls, but I continue to try, and I text her regularly too. ’

‘I’m sorry.’ Rachel put a hand on Gill’s arm. ‘It must be difficult. I can’t imagine what it’s like not to know what’s going on in her life. I often feel that way about Alexander, though he does call me regularly,’ she said, referring to her son who also lived overseas.

‘I’ll just duck in and fetch lunch,’ Poppy said rising, her words changing the atmosphere which was beginning to become melancholy.

‘Can I help?’ Liz rose too and joined Poppy in the kitchen.

During the delicious lunch of poached salmon served with a couple of salads, the conversation became more general, and Liz began to tune out. It was lovely sitting here on Poppy’s deck, a gentle breeze wafting over them and the distant sound of the ocean. Now they were eating, Angus had settled under the table in the hope of some crumbs coming his way, and Liz could feel his soft furry coat at her feet. Although she wasn’t fond of dogs and preferred cats, it was comforting to feel him there as her mind wandered.

She was brought back to the present by something Rachel said. She’d missed the earlier part of the story, but now she heard her friend say, ‘It was so strange how they hadn’t met since she was a baby, but they felt as if they knew each other right away.’ Her ears pricked up, wishing she knew who or what Rachel was talking about, but she didn’t want to ask, to admit she had been daydreaming.

When lunch was over, the women began to take their leave, Gill reminding them it was her turn to host next time. It would be almost Easter by then, and while Liz was resigned to spending Easter weekend on her own, she determined to have a family dinner before her girls left town.

On her way home, Liz’s mind went back to Rachel’s words, to the person who’d reconnected with someone they’d only known as a baby. Could it really be that easy?

When she arrived home, she went straight to her bedroom and opened the drawer. The envelope was still there where she’d placed it. She opened it and took out the note, her eyes blurring with tears as she read again the words she’d committed to memory.

I believe you are my mother. My name is Julie Barton and I was born in Brisbane on January 3rd 1990. I’d like to meet you. You can reach me at the above address, email or phone number. I hope to hear from you. Julie