Secrets in Pelican Crossing (Pelican Crossing #2)

Forty-seven

Finn was still feeling euphoric when he arrived home, the cheers of his staff still ringing in his ears. They’d acted as if it had been all due to him, but he’d quickly reminded them it was Joe who’d orchestrated the entire campaign. Then they’d toasted Joe with the champagne Finn had bought on his way back from lunch. He’d included several bottles of the non-alcoholic variety for those who didn’t drink and for himself. He’d had more than his usual quota at lunch, though, unlike Joe, he’d stopped at one glass of champagne after his beer.

‘You’re looking very pleased with yourself.’ Adele turned from the stove where she was stirring a pot of what was to become a Bolognese sauce, the spaghetti boiling away nearby.

‘I am. It’s over, Adele. We can rest easy. The paper is safe.’

‘Really?’ Her eyes widened in surprise, then she grinned in delight. ‘Oh, Dad, I’m so glad. So, no need for you to move. Sandy would have hated you to go. He loves his time with his Grandy.’

‘I bought some champagne for us to have with dinner.’ He held up a bottle, before placing another in the fridge. He planned to drop in on Liz with it later in the hope she might forgive him.

‘Lovely. This is almost ready. Can you fetch Sandy? He’s in the yard with Bluey.’

‘No problem.’ Finn went out to tell Sandy it was time for dinner and to ensure he washed his hands before the meal.

The dinner Adele had prepared was delicious, but Finn felt anything he ate tonight would taste good. He couldn’t remember when he had last felt so full of the joys of life. It only needed Liz to forgive him for life to be perfect.

Dinner over, Finn was eager to get away. He’d confided in Adele, and she encouraged him to see Liz as soon as he could. But for Sandy, tonight was no different from any other, and he insisted on Finn reading to him as usual before he went to sleep. The story he’d chosen seemed to go on for ever, but Finn forgot all his impatience when, as Sandy’s eyes were closing, the little boy said, ‘Love you, Grandy.’

‘I love you, too, champ,’ Finn said, kissing his grandson on the forehead and tucking his covers more firmly around him.

‘I’m off now.’ Finn popped his head into the living room where Adele was settled in front of the television watching some romantic movie.

‘I won’t wait up,’ Adele said with a grin, making Finn blush. ‘I hope it goes well.’

‘So do I,’ Finn said to himself. Although he had just eaten, he had an empty feeling in the pit of his stomach. He was as nervous as a teenager on his first date. He had no idea of the reception he might get.

The drive across town was over too soon. Finn lifted the bottle of champagne from the passenger seat and walked up to the apartment building, his heart in his mouth. Stopping outside Liz’s door, he took a deep breath and knocked.

*

Liz had had a busy day. The medical centre had been flat out with people arriving for flu vaccinations, as well as the usual run of regular patients. It had been so hectic, Liz had been called upon to provide reception duties and to assist in taking details of those there for vaccinations. Then, when she got home, Tilly was waiting for her to ask for help in talking Julie into letting her have a party for her birthday next month. By the time she’d managed to sit down to eat, her appetite had gone. Instead of the chicken casserole she’d planned, she ended up toasting a couple of slices of bread and topping them with tinned tuna.

She had just poured herself a well-deserved glass of wine and was surfing channels to decide what to watch when there was a knock at the door.

Silently cursing whoever had decided to disturb her during the first time she’d had to herself all day, she went to the door. On the way, she glanced in the hallway mirror and grimaced at her reflection. She hadn’t had time to pull a comb through her hair since morning and her makeup had worn off. Whoever was at the door would have to take her as she was. It would serve them right for disturbing her.

She opened the door and stared at the man standing there. She hadn’t expected to see Finn Hunter again, and certainly not at her door at this time on a Friday night.

For a moment neither of them spoke.

‘I’ve come to apologise. I have some good news.’ He held up a bottle of champagne.

Champagne? What was he thinking? Liz heard footsteps. ‘You’d better come in,’ she said. She didn’t want her neighbours to be privy to whatever he had to say.

Once inside, Finn stood awkwardly in the hallway.

Liz shivered. She couldn’t help remembering the previous times he’d been there, times when he’d taken her into his arms and carried her off to bed. Why was he here now? And why the champagne? Had he come to tell her he was finally leaving Pelican Crossing? Did he think it was a cause for celebration? She had no intention of drinking to his future, to a future which didn’t include her.

‘I…’ he said, hesitatingly. ‘I got good news today. It’s over, Liz. The paper is safe. I won’t be leaving.’

Liz felt her world turn upside down. Finn hadn’t come to tell her he was leaving; against all odds he and Joe had managed to save the paper.

‘Are you all right?’

She heard his voice as if it was coming from the end of a long tunnel.

‘Liz, are you all right?’ he asked again.

‘Yes, thanks.’ Her legs felt weak. ‘I just need to sit down.’

Finn helped her into the living room and onto the sofa. He took a seat opposite. It was as if they were strangers instead of two people who had enjoyed so many intimate moments together.

‘So you reached your target,’ Liz said when she felt able to speak again, annoyed with her weakness, annoyed, too, at her dishevelled appearance. She was at a distinct disadvantage. Finn looked as attractive as ever. It would be so easy to throw herself into his arms, to forget how he’d tried to mislead her.

‘We did. An anonymous donor, Joe said. I thought… I hoped… we could let bygones be bygones and go back to where we were before…’ He seemed to recognise the expression in her eyes, the indication he and Liz were not on the same page. ‘I know I stuffed up,’ he said, ‘but it was for the best of reasons. I didn’t want to end what we had. It’s been hell for me these past weeks, Liz, catching glimpses of you in the distance, wanting to speak to you, to hold you, but knowing what you’d said. Is it too late for us, Liz? Please say it’s not.’

‘I can’t do that, Finn, not easily. It’s been hard for me too, but I’ve tried to accept we can’t have a relationship. Now you turn up at my door with a bottle of champagne…’ she glanced at the offering with disgust, ‘… telling me everything’s changed and expect me to say all is forgiven and fall into your arms.’

She saw from his expression it was exactly what he had thought… or hoped.

‘I’m sorry, Finn. I can’t do it.’

Finn looked crushed, the lips she loved so much tightening into a thin line as if stifling a strong emotion. ‘Will you at least think about it?’ he asked.

Speechless, Liz nodded.

Finn rose and left, the front door slamming behind him.

Liz sat there, staring into space. What had she done? Had she just thrown away her last chance at love for the second time?