Secrets in Pelican Crossing (Pelican Crossing #2)

Twelve

Finn had spent the last few evenings helping Sandy with his school project which proved more difficult than he’d expected.

When he’d allowed himself to be dragged off by his grandson earlier in the week, he’d been relieved to avoid a difficult conversation with Adele, but on discovering the topic of the project was My Family, and Sandy wanted to find photographs of all his relations, he wondered if dealing with Adele talking about Liz might have been preferable.

First, there had been the search for old photographs, resulting in finding ones which featured Tim looking tanned and happy. Adele had appeared as they were choosing which to include, and her shocked silence and the way the colour had drained from her face had put the project on hold.

He had spent the best part of an hour comforting her, only to be asked by Sandy why he didn’t have any brothers or sisters.

Then it was Finn’s turn, when Sandy insisted they search for a photo of Grandma too, and place it next to Finn’s on the large piece of cardboard. After the divorce, Finn had tried to erase everything to do with Karen from his memory, though he knew Adele still kept in touch with her mother. But Karen had never been one for family reunions, so they probably hadn’t seen each other since the funeral. If they had, it had been when Finn was at work, and Adele had kept quiet about it.

The rest was easy, with Sandy laughing at the old-fashioned clothes in the old photos of Finn’s parents, and Tim’s parents and grandparents, all now passed away, and who Sandy had never known. To him they were diving the fictional characters he read about or watched in movies.

But while Finn was consoling Adele, comforting Sandy and becoming sticky with glue as he tried to stick the photographs in the exact spots demanded by Sandy before labelling them, he’d come up with an idea.

‘You’ve had a busy week,’ he said to Adele over breakfast on Saturday, ‘why don’t you take some time to yourself, go to the beach, have a coffee. I can take Sandy to his appointment.’

‘Are you sure?’ Adele beamed. Finn knew she was aware he hadn’t been convinced about Sandy seeing the counsellor.

‘Yeah. It does seem to be helping.’ Sandy’s nightmares had almost ceased, though Finn did wonder if it was the prospect of getting a puppy of his own, rather than his sessions with the counsellor that had effected the change. But he wasn’t game to venture his opinion to his daughter.

‘If you’re sure. One of the teachers at school invited me to a jewellery party she’s having. It sounded like fun, but I thought I’d have to take Sandy to the clinic.’

‘I’m sure. You go to your party. It’s time you had some fun.’

Adele’s eyes clouded over. Finn could have kicked himself. The last time she’d had fun would have been with Tim.

‘Thanks.’

‘No problem.’ Finn gave a sigh of relief. Now he’d found a reason to visit the medical centre, he couldn’t wait. Until he came up with this one, he’d thought he might have to pretend to be sick.

He couldn’t think of any other way to see Liz Phillips again. It was surprising that in a town the size of Pelican Crossing, they hadn’t crossed paths before now, but fate was a strange thing. He didn’t know her habits, where she went when she wasn’t working. What he did know was that he had to see her again, and when he did… well, he’d fly by the seat of his pants.

*

Sandy was delighted his grandfather was to accompany him, chattering away in Finn’s ear all the way to the medical centre about how he was so pleased with the way his family project had turned out and sure it would be the best in the class. Finn didn’t think it was a competition but let the little boy babble on. He was too intent on working out how he was going to approach Liz to correct him.

It was a long time since he’d felt attracted to a woman, since he’d allowed one to get under his skin. Even longer since he’d invited one on a date, not since he and Karen first met. What sort of wimp did that make him? He was aware lots of people of his age took to online dating to find a partner – The Courier had even published an article about it, the advantages and pitfalls – but it wasn’t for him. He’d been happy with the single life… until now.

But when they reached the medical centre, there was no sign of Liz.

Finn took a seat in the waiting room while Sandy headed for a small area at the side where there was a selection of toys. It was obviously something he did on each visit. When his name was called, Finn accompanied Sandy, somewhat stunned to realise he had to remain outside the room and observe what was happening through a two-way mirror. Had Adele mentioned this? He couldn’t remember.

However, he was impressed by the appearance of the counsellor, who looked like everyone’s favourite aunt or grandmother and with how comfortable Sandy seemed with her. Maybe Adele was right, and it was working. He hoped Adele was enjoying herself. He hoped she didn’t grieve for ever. She deserved to have some pleasure in her life, to find love again, and Sandy deserved to have someone to call dad, not an old fogey like him. But he knew these things took time. This morning was only the start.

He wondered where Liz was. As practice manager, did she have an office to herself? Last time, she’d been walking through the waiting room. He’d assumed she was one of the receptionists.

He waited till Sandy emerged from the room carrying a chocolate bar from which he was peeling the foil. He was accompanied by the counsellor.

‘Hello. Sandy tells me you’re his grandad and the editor of our local paper. He’s very proud of you. I’m Olivia. It’s good to meet you.’

‘Finn,’ he said. ‘He speaks well of you too.’

‘Thanks.’ She smiled. ‘I’m thinking we may not need many more of these sessions,’ she said to Finn in a low voice. ‘Sandy appears to be overcoming the trauma I could sense in him when we first met.’ In a louder voice she said, ‘Sandy tells me he’s getting a puppy for his birthday.’

‘He certainly is. A blue roan spaniel.’

‘Bluey,’ Sandy said, through a mouthful of chocolate.

Finn and Olivia laughed.

‘See you next week, Sandy,’ Olivia said. ‘Will you…?’ she asked Finn.

‘His mother will probably be with him again.’

‘Right. Good to have met you,’ she said.

Once back in the waiting room, Finn glanced around, but there was still no sign of Liz. As he was settling the bill he casually asked, ‘Is the practice manager around today?’

The receptionist looked surprised. ‘Oh, Liz doesn’t work on the weekend. I think she’s helping her daughter move in with her today. Rather her than me,’ the middle-aged receptionist laughed. ‘Once they move out, they’re on their own. That’s what I told my lot. They haven’t dared come back.’ She chuckled.

It doesn’t always work that way , Finn thought as he pushed open the heavy glass door, Sandy running out ahead of him. Look at what happened to him and Adele. He was glad he’d been there for her, there in a way her mother had never been. But that was another story, another life.

Now he had to find a different way to meet Liz again.

Over lunch, he repeated what Olivia had said to Adele, who was relieved to hear how much Sandy had improved. ‘Though he hasn’t had a really bad nightmare since we went to see the pups,’ she said, confirming Finn’s opinion.

‘How was your party?’ he asked.

‘Not really a party as such,’ Adele said, ‘a lady showing pieces of jewellery which we were then expected to buy.’

‘Did you?’ Finn was curious. He knew nothing of such events.

‘Not me, but several of the others did. The jewellery was nice, but I don’t wear any these days other than my rings.’ She twisted her wedding and engagement rings on her finger. They were looser than they used to be.

‘Maybe you should. You always used to wear earrings. I remember when you pleaded with Mum to have your ears pierced. And there’s all Mum’s jewellery. I’m sure she’d want you to wear it.’

‘Maybe, but it doesn’t seem right to get all dolled up when Tim’s not here to see it. And I never go anywhere.’

Finn was conscious of having said the wrong thing again. Before he could wonder if he was about to make matters worse, he said, ‘Why don’t we change that and go out to dinner – all three of us? I’ve heard the yacht club is good.’

Adele didn’t reply immediately, and Finn was beginning to regret his words, when she said, ‘Thanks, Dad. What a nice idea. The yacht club is good. Let’s do it.’