Secrets in Pelican Crossing (Pelican Crossing #2)

Twenty-nine

‘Let’s get you inside first,’ Liz said, ‘Gary?’

‘Thanks, but I need to get back, Mrs P. Let Dad know I’m safe. Catch you tomorrow, babe,’ he said to Mandy, pulling her rucksack from the cabin of the ute and handing it to her, while kissing her on the cheek.

Once inside, Mandy dumped her rucksack in the hallway.

Liz hugged her again. ‘I was so worried about you,’ she said. ‘I was following the news of the cyclone and thinking about you up there.’

‘It got a bit hairy. There was no point in staying on when we couldn’t dive. So, we decided to come home. Glad we did. We got out just before they closed the airport.’

‘Oh, my darling!’

To stem more questions about Julie and Tilly, and seeing Mandy was beginning to wilt, Liz said, ‘You must be exhausted. Why don’t you have a hot bath while I fix something to eat?’

Mandy gave her a strange look but nodded and disappeared in the direction of the bathroom.

When she had gone, Liz drew in a deep breath. She was racked with guilt. She should have told Mandy and Tara about Julie before this. Now it might be too late. While Mandy was in the bath, she quickly put together a meal of pasta with a sauce made from a packet of mushrooms she had in the fridge and a tin of tomatoes, and poured two glasses of wine. She’d need hers for the explanation she still had to figure out .

Mandy looked refreshed when she appeared in the kitchen, dressed in a long tee-shirt and with a towel around her wet hair.

‘Better?’ Liz asked.

‘Mmm. Thanks, Mum,’ she said as Liz handed her a glass of wine and set the bowl of pasta on the table.

‘Now,’ Mandy said, after taking a sip of wine, ‘who were those two women you were hugging? I didn’t recognise them.’

Liz took a sip of wine too. ‘It’s a long story,’ she said. ‘I should have told you before now, but… anyway, I want you to listen till I finish.’

‘Okay.’ Looking puzzled, Mandy took a forkful of pasta and another sip of wine.

‘It all happened long before you and Tara were born,’ Liz began, ‘when I was only fifteen…’

‘And that’s who you were hugging?’ Mandy asked, when Liz had finished.

‘Yes.’ Liz drank the rest of her wine, trying to gauge Mandy’s reaction.

‘You had a baby, a daughter we didn’t know about. Did Dad know?’

Liz shook her head. ‘No one knew… apart from my parents.’

‘Gran knew… and didn’t tell us?’

‘It was a shameful thing back then… for a teenager to have a child. In our family, anyway. It was hushed up. As I said, the baby was adopted, we moved here and started a new life. I never expected to find her again.’

As soon as she’d spoken, Liz knew she’d said the wrong thing.

‘Find her? You wanted to find her? Weren’t we enough for you?’

‘It’s not a matter of enough, Mandy. Love isn’t like that. It can’t be parcelled up. I love all of you… all three of you.’

‘And her daughter… is your granddaughter?’

‘Of course. Tilly’s Julie’s daughter.’ Liz peered at Mandy, but her expression didn’t give anything away.

‘I’m going to bed now.’ Mandy rose and left the kitchen without saying goodnight properly. Liz heard the bedroom door slam.

That went well… not , she thought, wondering how she could have improved on her explanation. She still hadn’t mentioned anything about them moving to Pelican Crossing or about Tilly staying with Liz. Time enough for that tomorrow, she thought, before remembering she was taking Julie, Tilly and her mother to lunch at Crossings next day. Maybe Mandy could be persuaded to come too, though Liz wouldn’t hold her breath.

*

Next morning, after a restless night of tossing and turning, Liz was making breakfast when Mandy appeared in the kitchen. ‘Morning, sweetheart,’ she said, to be rewarded by a surly expression. ‘Coffee?’ she asked, fixing a cup for Mandy before she could reply.

‘Thanks.’ Mandy slid into a chair and picked up her cup, clasping it in both hands. ‘What I don’t understand,’ she said, carrying on the conversation of the previous evening, ‘is why you couldn’t tell us about this woman. Lots of women have babies and get them adopted. It’s the secrecy… Wait till Tara finds out.’

‘I did intend to tell you both. I wanted to pick my time.’

‘I bet.’

Liz busied herself cooking the banana pancakes she’d decided on for breakfast. They were Mandy’s favourite and she’d hoped to mollify her daughter by making them.

‘How long will they be in Pelican Crossing?’

The question Liz had been dreading.

‘They’ve booked into the motel for two weeks.’ Liz knew she was evading the question but wasn’t ready to tell Mandy everything just yet. ‘We’re having lunch with your gran at Crossings . Why don’t you join us? You can meet Julie and Tilly then.’ Liz held her breath.

‘I don’t think so.’

Mandy’s phone buzzed with a text. She looked at the screen. ‘It’s Gary. He’s picking me up in an hour. Can’t make lunch.’

‘The pancakes are ready.’ Liz took the plate of pancakes to the table along with the strawberries she’d cut up earlier, a tub of yoghurt and the bottle of maple syrup.

‘How is Gran?’ Mandy asked, indicating the conversation about Julie and Tilly was closed.

‘She’s well, as feisty as ever, and you’ll never guess.’

‘What?’ Mandy paused, fork halfway to her mouth .

‘She has a male friend, someone who’s recently moved into the village. I think he’s one of the Vietnam vets The Courier is interviewing for ANZAC day.’ Liz bit her lip again, wishing she hadn’t mentioned The Courier .

‘About that. Still seeing the editor of our local newspaper?’

‘Finn and I are still friends, yes.’

‘Hmm. Well, don’t let yourself get distracted by these new people. Gotta go,’ she said as her phone buzzed again. She gobbled up the last piece of pancake on her plate, took a gulp of coffee and was off without the kiss or hug she normally gave her mother.

Liz stared after her. She knew Mandy could be difficult but had at least expected some discussion about Julie and Tilly’s sudden appearance in her life, some interest in the younger Liz. She sighed as she cleared away the dirty breakfast dishes, determined not to allow Mandy’s behaviour to affect her. But as she fixed her hair and makeup, Liz wondered how she was going to arrange the meeting between Mandy and Julie that she knew had to happen.

*

Liz’s mind was full of thoughts about Mandy as she drove to The Haven to pick up her mother. Although she tried to hide her worries, Joan was astute enough to notice.

‘What’s happened?’ she asked as soon as she settled herself in the passenger seat. ‘I thought we were going out to lunch to celebrate.’

‘We were… we are.’ Liz glanced at her mother out of the corner of her eye. ‘Mandy’s home.’

‘Oh! Did she meet Julie and Tilly?’

‘No, they were leaving just as she arrived, but…’ Liz bit her lip, ‘she wanted to know who they were. I had to tell her.’

‘And I can imagine how she reacted.’

‘You know Mandy. Everything’s fine as long as it’s going her way. The news she has another sister, one she knew nothing about, didn’t go down well. I invited her along today to meet them, but…’ Liz shook her head.

‘Give her time. It was a shock. She needs to adjust. She’ll be fine. Mandy’s more resilient than you sometimes give her credit for. ’

‘You think?’ Liz wasn’t so sure. She knew how pigheaded her youngest daughter could be. She could only hope her mother was right.

They drew into the motel car park to see Julie and Tilly waiting for them, wide smiles on their faces. It was such a relief for Liz to see them looking so happy. She felt her own mood lift.

‘Good morning, Liz, Joan,’ Julie and Tilly chorused as they took their seats in the back of the car. ‘Isn’t it a glorious day?’

‘It certainly is,’ Joan replied.

‘Where are we having lunch?’ Tilly asked. ‘You said something about a special restaurant, Liz.’

‘Yes. Crossings . It belongs to a friend of mine. Poppy’s parents owned it, then she and her husband took it over and renovated it. Sadly, Jack died before the grand opening, but Poppy has done wonders with the place. She’s won several awards and been featured on television, on Weekender .’

‘You watch that, Mum,’ Tilly said to Julie.

‘I probably saw it there, but I don’t remember.’

‘I remember the restaurant when Poppy’s parents had it,’ Joan said. ‘Your dad and I used to go there for special celebrations, Liz.’

‘Tommy and I went there a few times too, before Poppy and Jack took over. It has quite a different atmosphere now.’

As soon as they walked in, a curvy, blonde woman around the same age as Liz came forward to greet them. ‘I saw your name in the book, Liz,’ she said, greeting her friend with a hug, and smiling a welcome to the others. ‘Good to see you again, Mrs Ellis,’ she said to Joan, then, ‘And who is this?’ She gazed at Julie and Tilly.

Liz squirmed. None of her friends knew about her teenage pregnancy, and she wasn’t ready to share it just yet. ‘Julie and Tilly,’ she said. ‘They’re visiting Pelican Crossing.’

‘Welcome,’ Poppy said with a smile. ‘And welcome to Crossings . I hope you enjoy your meal.’

‘Thanks,’ Julie returned her smile.

‘This is lovely,’ Julie said, when they were seated at a table from where they were able to see the entire room. ‘And what a wonderful welcome. Your friend is an excellent hostess.’

‘Isn’t she? I didn’t expect to see her here today. She has wound back her time in the restaurant recently. ’

‘I heard she and Cam Mitchell from the marina are a couple now,’ Joan said. ‘Time you got yourself a man too, Liz.’

Liz blushed. ‘Time enough for that, Mum,’ she said, seeing Tilly’s eyes widen. Did the girl think she was too old to attract a man? Then a sudden thought occurred to Liz – did her mother know about her and Finn? She snuck a glance at Joan, but the older woman didn’t appear to have any hidden agenda for her remark. Liz was being paranoid. And what did it matter if her mother did know? Finn Hunter was a perfectly respectable choice of partner. Is that what he was?

‘Can I have the fish and chips?’ Tilly’s voice interrupted Liz’s musings.

‘You can have anything you want,’ Liz said, picking up a menu as she realised the others were already choosing their meals.

After a discussion about whether to choose something they wouldn’t cook at home or opting for a favourite meal, Joan chose to order a rib fillet and salad, while Liz and Julie elected to share the seafood experience for two. They were about to order a bottle of wine and a lemon, lime and soda for Tilly, when a waitress appeared at their table with an opened bottle of Squealing Pig pinot gris, courtesy of Poppy.

‘So, you haven’t met Liz’s other daughters yet?’ Joan asked, when the meals had been served.

‘They’re on holiday,’ Julie said, then appeared to catch a glance between Liz and her mother. ‘What?’

Liz sighed. ‘Mandy got back last night. They left Magnetic Island because of the cyclone. She saw you leave and asked who you were.’

‘You told her?’ Julie asked, putting down her knife and fork.

‘I did, and she wasn’t well pleased. It’s my fault. I should have told her and Tara before now. I suggested she join us here, but…’ She shrugged.

‘Don’t worry,’ Joan said. ‘Mandy can be unpredictable. Once she gets used to the idea, I’m sure she’ll agree to meet you.’

Julie didn’t look confident. ‘I don’t want to cause trouble,’ she said. ‘Maybe…’

‘It’s not you,’ Liz said, putting her hand on Julie’s shoulder. ‘She’s annoyed I kept a secret from her. Mum’s right. Once she’s had time to think, she’ll come round.’

‘Did you know we’re moving to Pelican Crossing, Joan?’ Tilly said, effectively changing the subject, ‘and I’m going to be going to Pelican Crossing High next term.’

Joan threw Liz a surprised glance. ‘Really?’ she said. ‘When did you decide this?’

‘Yesterday,’ Tilly said, her voice filled with excitement. ‘Isn’t it great? We’ll be living here, close to Liz and you.’

For a few moments no one spoke, then Joan said, ‘It’ll be a big change. Won’t you miss your friends?’

Tilly’s face clouded over. ‘Not really. I hate my old school. Liz told me how she moved here and started a new life. It’s what I want to do too.’

At the expression on her mother’s face, Liz was quick to add, ‘Tilly’s been bullied, Mum. We’ve talked about this and it’s a good solution. There’s nothing to keep Julie and Tilly in Brisbane.’

‘Where will you live?’ Joan asked Julie.

It was Tilly who answered. ‘I’m going to stay with Liz when school starts, then Mum will move up once she finds somewhere for us to live.’

‘I need to give notice to our landlord and to my employer,’ Julie said, seeing Joan’s surprise. ‘Liz seems to think it won’t be a problem for us to find somewhere to live and for me to find work. I can look around in the coming week, before I go back home.’

‘Well! I didn’t expect this.’ Joan took a gulp of wine. ‘But it’ll be good to see more of you. What sort of work do you do, Julie?’

‘I’ve been doing casual work at our local library, but I can do any sort of admin work.’ She shifted uncomfortably in her seat. ‘We won’t be a burden to Liz or you.’

‘You could never be a burden, Julie.’ Liz felt her eyes moisten.

A waitress appeared to take their plates and they ordered coffee, but Liz couldn’t stop worrying about Julie and her concerns. There was Mandy too, and her sudden departure. She still had to tell her about Julie’s decision to move to Pelican Crossing… and that Tilly would be staying in the apartment temporarily.

After she’d dropped her mother off, with a promise to call in the following week, Liz, Julie and Tilly went for a walk along the beach. As usual, the fresh air, the scent of the ocean and the sound of the waves lapping on the shore helped dispel her worries about both Julie and Mandy .

But when she returned home, it was to find Mandy packing her belongings into boxes and large black garbage bags.

‘What are you doing?’

‘I’m moving out. There will be plenty of space for your new daughter and her kid.’

‘Mandy! Theres no need for you to go. Julie and Tilly…’

‘You should have told me. I can’t believe you kept something like this from Tara and me. If they hadn’t come here, if I hadn’t seen them, would you ever have told us?’

‘I…’ Liz knew that if Julie hadn’t made contact, her existence would have remained a secret. There would have been no need for Mandy and Tara to ever know. Her silence spoke volumes.

‘I knew it! Well, you won’t have to worry about me.’

‘Where will you go?’

Mandy stopped stuffing clothes into a bag. ‘I’m moving in with Gary. We’ve found a place to rent. It’s bigger than where he was. We decided when we were up north, but I didn’t expect to have to move out of here so quickly.’

‘You don’t need to.’

‘I spoke to Gran. She told me they’re moving to Pelican Crossing, and that the girl plans to start school next week and stay here.’

‘She what?’ Liz silently cursed her mother. How could she have been so tactless as to tell Mandy Julie and Tilly’s plans? She supposed, in her mind, Joan had thought it might help Mandy come to terms with them. How wrong she had been.