Secrets in Pelican Crossing (Pelican Crossing #2)

Thirty-five

Liz was barely awake next morning when her phone rang. Stifling a sigh at the sight of Tara’s number on the screen, she pressed to accept the call.

‘How did I not know you were still seeing him?’ Tara asked as soon as Liz answered. ‘My mother and the editor of the local newspaper. Am I last to find out?’

‘There’s nothing to find out,’ Liz lied. ‘We’ve become friends, that’s all. You and your sister have been encouraging me to live a little. I’ve only taken your advice.’

‘How long has it been going on? We’ve only been gone two weeks, and we come back to find…’

‘Not long, and it’s nothing to make a fuss about. He’s a nice man. We’re both single but we both have family obligations so it’s unlikely to amount to anything. But he’s good company…’ Liz’s voice trailed off and she felt herself grow warm as she remembered exactly the sort of good company Finn was.

‘I suppose Gran knows, too.’

‘Yes.’

‘Well!’

Liz almost burst out laughing. It was as if Tara was the parent and she the child. ‘I take it you approve?’

‘Of course. Mark knows him better than I do. He says he’s been such an asset to the town since he arrived. It’s so sad about Adele. Mark knew her husband too. They were at school together. He says it was amazing of Finn to move to Pelican Crossing to support her and Sandy when Tim drowned. I’m just surprised…’

‘If that’s the only reason you called, I need to go. Tilly starts at Pelican Crossing High this morning, and I want to make sure she has a good breakfast and gets a good start.’

‘Of course… and I wanted to let you know I plan to catch up with Mandy today. I don’t start work till tomorrow, so will try to see her for lunch. I don’t suppose…’

‘No, I can’t get away, and it’s best you talk to her yourself. I’m still persona non grata with your sister.’

‘Hmm. I’ll let you know how it goes. Bye, Mum. Love you.’

‘Love you too, sweetheart.’

By this time, Liz was wide awake so, although it was still early, she headed to the shower, then dressed in her usual work attire of white shirt and navy pants, before going to the kitchen and turning on the coffee maker.

‘Morning, Liz.’ Tilly appeared in the kitchen looking too wide-awake for this time in the morning. ‘I’m so excited I couldn’t sleep,’ she said, her eyes bright with excitement.

‘You look very smart,’ Liz said, as Tilly twirled around to show off her new uniform. The blue and green striped dress with white collar and cuffs suited her perfectly.

‘It’s a lot nicer than the uniform from my old school,’ Tilly said. ‘And the blazer’s not too bad, either,’ she added, pointing to the green blazer on the back of one of the chairs.

‘It’s changed a bit since my time there.’ Liz remembered the old uniform skirt and blouse which all the girls tried to alter into something more fashionable. ‘You looking forward to today?’ She was aware how daunting starting a new school could be.

‘Yes and no. But I know it can’t be worse than my old school. I just hope the other girls are friendly and the boys aren’t…’ Her eyes clouded over, clearly remembering…

‘Come here.’ Liz pulled her into a warm hug, still thrilled by the knowledge this teenager was her granddaughter. ‘You’ll be fine.’

‘Thanks, Liz.’ Tilly was silent for a few minutes then asked, ‘Would it be all right to call you Gran? It feels strange to call you Liz when you’re my grandmother. It’s different with Joan, but… I liked it when I had a grandmother… before my Gran Miller died. ’

‘Oh, sweetheart, I’d love it.’ Liz felt her eyes moisten. She hadn’t dared hope Tilly would call her Gran. Now she felt like a real grandmother.

‘How about we have banana pancakes for breakfast since it’s a special day?’ Liz asked, remembering the last time she’d cooked them had been for Mandy. That breakfast hadn’t gone well.

‘Yum! I’ve never had banana pancakes. Can I help?’

‘Sure. You can mash the banana and cut up strawberries to put on top.’

The pair worked happily together, and the pancakes were a big hit with Tilly saying, ‘I must tell Mum about these when she gets back. She called me this morning to wish me luck, and I told her about meeting Tara. She’s looking forward to meeting her too.’

‘That’s good. We’ll organise a get-together when your Mum’s here.’ Maybe by then Mandy will have come round too.

An hour later, Liz dropped Tilly off at school, watching nervously as the girl walked confidently through the gate. It reminded her of Tara and Mandy’s first days at school, though then she’d taken them into the classroom. But Tilly was too old to be accompanied. Liz could only hope she’d settle in well and make friends as she had done.

*

Although the medical centre was busy, for Liz the day seemed to drag. Her mind wasn’t on the job; it flitted between wondering how Tilly was getting on at school and if Tara had spoken to Mandy. It was a relief when the day was over, and she could head for home, though she was disappointed she hadn’t heard from Tara.

Tilly had insisted on making her own way back, making it easier for Liz who would have found it difficult to get away; the hours between end of school and the medical centre closing tended to be particularly busy.

As a result, Tilly was already in the apartment when Liz arrived home. It seemed strange to open the door to the sound of music instead of the silence which usually greeted her.

Tilly was in the living room, her legs lying over the arm of the sofa, lost in her own little world, oblivious to Liz’s arrival .

For a moment, Liz stood in the doorway enjoying the sight of this young girl who was part of her, part of the daughter she’d thought never to see again. Then she cleared her throat, and Tilly pulled out her earbuds, dropped her legs and leapt up.

‘Sorry, Gran. I didn’t hear you come in.’

The word, Gran , was music to Liz’s ears. ‘How was your day?’ she asked, dropping into a chair.

‘It was good. The kids are different here, more laid back. A couple of girls asked me to join them for lunch. They go surfing and play netball and there’s a drama group and a school magazine. They’ve invited me to go cycling with them on the weekend. Is there somewhere I can borrow a bike?’

‘Wow! Sounds like you settled in quickly. We should get you a bike. It would help you find your way around. There’s a bike shop in Bellbird Bay. Let me think on it. Maybe we can borrow one for next weekend. I’ll ask at work.’

‘Thanks. It was real cool, and the teachers are awesome. The boys don’t seem too bad either.’

‘I’m glad.’ It was good to see Tilly so enthusiastic. Liz knew Mandy had a bike but wasn’t game to ask her to lend it to Tilly. She checked her phone. Still nothing from Tara. She bit her lip. ‘I don’t expect you have any homework tonight. Why don’t we go for a walk along the beach and buy fish and chips for dinner? We can eat them on one of the benches there.’

‘Awesome!’ Tilly closed the phone she’d been clutching and on which she’d been listening to music. ‘I’ll change out of my school uniform first.’ She disappeared in the direction of her bedroom.

Liz gave a sigh of relief that one of her problems was solved. Now there was only Mandy to worry about. It was a good idea to change, she decided and made her way to her own bedroom where she pulled off her work outfit to replace it with a pair of jeans and a tee-shirt. Slipping her feet into a pair of canvas shoes, she called out, ‘Ready, Tilly?’

A smiling Tilly. wearing jeans, tee-shirt and trainers all of which Julie had purchased before she left, appeared. ‘All ready, Gran,’ she said.

They were sitting by the beach, gazing out at the ocean, eating fish and chips, when Liz’s phone rang. Tilly had been describing the peculiar mannerisms of one of her teachers and Liz had been laughing at the way she mimicked him, but the sight of Tara’s number on the screen wiped the laughter from her face.

‘Sorry, Tilly, I need to take this.’ Getting up and moving a little way away from the table to avoid being heard, she answered the call.

‘Tara,’ she said, her heart in her mouth, ‘did you see Mandy?’

‘Yes, Mum, but…’

Liz’s heart sank.

‘It was no good. She wouldn’t listen. She accused me of selling out, of being too willing to accept what she called your other family . I couldn’t get through to her. It was typical Mandy. Once she started, it was as if she couldn’t stop. I don’t know what to do next. I’m sorry, Mum. I’d hoped I could make her see sense.’

‘It’s okay, Tara. Thanks for trying. She hasn’t turned against you too, has she? I’d hate to think I was to blame for causing a rift between you.’ Liz knew how close the two sisters had always been, often teaming up to oppose her.

‘No way. It would take more than that. But I’ve never seen Mandy so determined, Mum. I’m sorry,’ she repeated.

Liz sighed loudly. ‘It is what it is. I’ll give her a few days and try again. I’m not going to let this spoil our relationship for long. She’s still with Gary?’

‘Oh yes, full of praise for him.’

‘That’s good. He’s a nice boy. I’m pleased she’s with him. Maybe he can help change her mind.’

‘Was that the newspaper editor?’ Tilly asked, when Liz returned to find the remains of her fish and chips had gone cold.

‘No, your Aunt Tara.’

‘Oh, I love having two aunts. Did she have news of my Aunt Mandy?’

‘Still no change there,’ Liz said, ‘but not to worry. I remembered Tara might still have her old bike and I was right. She’s going to look it out and we can pick it up for you tomorrow after I finish work. She’s suggested we stay for dinner too.’

‘Awesome!’

Liz gazed at the young girl who had quickly become so precious to her, amazed how her life had changed in the past few weeks. Although she was upset about Mandy’s reaction, Tara had welcomed the new members of the family, and there was Julie’s return to look forward to. Things could be worse.