Secrets in Pelican Crossing (Pelican Crossing #2)

Thirty

Finn had been worrying about the future of the newspaper all weekend but had managed to hide his concerns from Adele and Sandy. But now it was Monday morning, and he was back in the office, all his fears re-emerged.

It was strange to see everyone else going about their daily tasks, ignorant of the fact their livelihoods might be at risk. No, he wouldn’t let it happen. He was meeting with Joe again for lunch – in the mayor’s office this time – and Joe had promised to have figured out a plan.

The morning news conference had just come to a close when he saw he had two missed calls from Liz. His face broke into a smile and his heart leapt at the thought of the woman who had appeared so unexpectedly in his life and given him a new reason to live. As soon as he was back in his office, he called her back.

‘Finn!’

The way she said his name made his heart beat faster.

‘Liz, sorry I missed your calls. I was…’ He dragged a hand through his hair.

‘You were busy. I understand. The reason I called…’ she hesitated, and Finn could picture her twisting a lock of hair in her fingers, ‘… Julie and Tilly are tied up today, and I wondered if you were free for lunch.’

Damn! This had to be the day when he already had an arrangement, and he couldn’t postpone his meeting with Joe. ‘Oh, I’m sorry…’

‘That’s okay. I had hoped to be able to talk with you. ’

Finn could hear the disappointment in her voice. He wanted to see her, to hear what she had to say. ‘How about coffee?’ he asked. He looked at the unread emails on his computer and grimaced. They would keep. ‘I could slip out in an hour’s time. Books and Coffee ?’

‘I’d like that,’ Liz said sounding happier.

‘See you then.’ As he finished the call, Finn wondered if something had happened to make Liz want to talk to him. He hoped there had been no problems with her new-found family. Her other daughters were away, so there couldn’t be anything wrong there. That only left Liz herself or her mother. Well, he’d find out soon enough.

There was a spring in Finn’s step as he made his way to Books and Coffee , the prospect of seeing Liz again having brightened his morning and sent his worries to the back of his mind. Though he couldn’t dismiss them completely and knew he’d have to tell his staff sooner rather than later. But he wanted to meet with Joe again first and get the next issue of the paper out before he broke the bad news.

Finn arrived first. He ordered a macchiato for himself and the cappuccino he knew Liz liked, then, seeing a tray of blueberry muffins, ordered two of those too, before taking a seat at a corner table where they could talk privately.

Only a few moments later, Liz appeared, her dark curls tumbling around her face, the silver highlights sparkling in the morning light.

Finn rose to give her a hug, enjoying how familiar her body now felt in his arms.

‘It’s so good to see you,’ she said, smiling up at him.

‘Good to see you, too. I ordered.’

As he spoke, their coffees and muffins arrived.

‘Thanks. These look yummy.’ Liz took a seat and picked up her coffee.

‘I’ve been hoping for the opportunity to see you again,’ he said.

‘Me too.’

They smiled at each other. It was as if they were alone in the world.

‘You wanted to talk?’ he said.

‘Yes.’ Liz carefully placed her cup on the table. ‘I need to tell someone, and I thought you might understand. It’s Mandy…’

‘The cyclone. Is she all right?’

‘She’s back. ’

‘Oh!’ Finn thought what that could mean.

Liz played with her teaspoon. ‘She arrived back on Friday. I’m delighted she’s safe, but…’

‘Did she meet your other daughter?’

‘Not yet, but she saw Julie and Tilly leave. I had to tell her.’

‘I’m guessing it didn’t go down well.’

Liz shook her head. ‘She was furious I’d kept Julie secret from her, refused to meet her. She’s moved out.’

‘Wow! That’s a bit harsh. Where has she gone?’

‘It seems she and Gary have found a place together. I don’t mind. I’m happy for her, but I wish it hadn’t happened the way it did.’

‘Oh, my dear.’ The affectionate term fell from his lips without any thought. ‘I’m so sorry. Do you think she’ll come round before they leave?’

Liz gazed up at him, causing him to draw breath. She was so lovely, and so vulnerable when she was upset, the green of her eyes seeming deeper than usual. He wanted to pull her into his arms and tell her he’d make it all right. But he couldn’t, not this.

‘That’s the thing,’ she said, her expression changing from one of annoyance and turning into a smile. ‘They plan to move here, to Pelican Crossing, as soon as Julie can sort out everything in Brisbane. Tilly is starting school next week – at Pelican Crossing High. It’s what they’re doing today, enrolling Tilly in school, buying her uniform and looking for a place to rent, one they can move into in a few weeks’ time.’

‘Wow!’ Finn said again. ‘You said they were staying in a motel.’

‘Tilly will move into the apartment when Julie goes home. I had planned for her to sleep on the sofa, but now Mandy’s moved out… Oh, I wish she’d waited, talked to me, met Julie and Tilly. I know it was a shock to her. I didn’t intend for her to find out like this. But it is what it is. Mum thinks Mandy will come round.’

‘You don’t?’

‘Oh, eventually she will. It’s not in Mandy’s makeup to be upset with me for long, but I’ve never seen her quite this annoyed before.’

‘I guess you’ve never produced a new sister for her before.’

‘I guess not.’ Liz gave a little laugh. ‘But enough about my woes. What’s happening with you? You seem a little distracted.’

‘Sorry.’ Finn had been hoping it didn’t show. ‘I received a piece of bad news last week. The regional consortium that owns The Courier – and a lot of other regional papers – have decided to consolidate, close the offices and produce a digital newspaper.’

Liz’s mouth fell open. ‘But they can’t do that. The Crossing Courier ’s an institution in Pelican Crossing. We’d all be lost without it. You can’t let it happen.’

‘I don’t intend to. I’ve talked with our mayor about it and between us we’ve come up with a few ideas, one of which is to set up a fundraiser to buy The Courier if we can. It’s why I couldn’t meet you for lunch. I’m meeting with Joe to figure out our plan.’

‘Oh, I’m glad. Joe Harris is a good guy. He’s very community minded. He’s been a bit lost since Barb died but hasn’t stopped working for the good of the town and its residents. You’ll be right with him. If there’s anything I can do…’

‘Thanks.’ Finn dragged a hand through his hair. He hadn’t intended to share his worry with her. Until now, only he and Joe knew. ‘Please keep it to yourself. We don’t want anyone to know just yet. I need to tell my staff first, and I don’t want to do that until I can give them some hope.’

‘I understand. Of course I will. I’m good at keeping secrets,’ she said with a grimace, ‘though up till now, it hasn’t done me much good.’

As they rose to leave, Liz looked up at him with a naughty smile. ‘One good thing about Mandy moving out…’

Finn was puzzled.

‘… it means I’ll be alone in the apartment every night this week – after Julie and Tilly return to their motel.’

It took Finn barely a moment to realise what she was saying. ‘Is that an invitation?’

‘If you want it to be.’

‘Tonight?’

Liz smiled. ‘They usually leave around eight.’

When they parted, Finn watched Liz walk down the street before he headed back to the office. In addition to the strong attraction he felt for her, he admired her so much. She’d gone through a lot both when she was young, and in the past couple of weeks. He’d like to give Mandy a good shake and tell her to get over herself. But she was a grown woman and would have to do it in her own time.

Meantime, he had tonight to look forward to.