Secrets in Pelican Crossing (Pelican Crossing #2)

Forty-eight

When Liz walked into the living room next morning, the bottle of champagne was still there, sitting on the coffee table where Finn had placed it, a stark reminder of the previous evening. She was glad it was Saturday, and she didn’t need to go to work today. She didn’t think she could have faced everyone, put a smile on her face and acted as if nothing had happened. She’d lain awake most of the night alternately castigating herself for being a fool and congratulating herself on maintaining her position.

Her phone pinged with a text, reminding her of her promise to go baby shopping with Mandy. It was something she’d longed for, but today it was the last thing she felt like doing. She forced herself to drink a cup of coffee and took two bites of toast, before throwing the rest in the bin. Then, dressing in a pair of her favourite black pants and a pink and white shirt, and shrugging on a black jacket patterned with bright pink flamingos – another purchase from the boutique, Birds of a Feather, in Bellbird Bay, she set off.

Luckily for Liz, Mandy didn’t notice her mother’s sombre mood, her exuberance making up for both of them as they drove across town to Purdies where Mandy was determined to buy as much as she could for her baby.

As they moved around the store, Liz found her mood rise as Mandy’s excitement grew.

‘I never thought I’d be so excited to be pregnant, Mum,’ she said, when they stopped for lunch. ‘And I haven’t even had any morning sickness… not yet anyway. We’ve decided we like the names Lisa for a girl and Jesse for a boy. What do you think?’

‘Lisa… is that…’ Liz’s eyes moistened.

‘Sort of after you, and Jesse would be a nod to Gary’s dad, Jamie. I thought you’d be pleased.’

‘Oh, my darling. How lovely of you.’ Liz gave Mandy a hug. To think that only a few weeks ago, she’d almost given up hope of Mandy speaking to her again, and now here they were. ‘What do you want to do after lunch?’

‘I think I’m ready to go home. We should be able to get most of the smaller things in the car and they’ll send the rest. Gary will have fun putting the cot and change table together.’ She laughed.

Liz would be pleased to go home too. They’d had a busy morning, but at least it had taken her mind off Finn and the previous evening. She’d dumped the champagne in the bin, not wanting to be reminded of it every time she opened the fridge.

Back home, having helped Mandy carry the packages of toys and small baby garments into their apartment and hugged her goodbye, Liz found herself at a loose end, unable to settle to anything. Taking her hat off the peg by the door, she went out of the apartment and made her way down to the marina, intending to go for a walk along the beach.

She was about to step onto the sand when she heard her name being called. Looking round, she saw Rachel with her two granddaughters.

‘Hello, Rach,’ she said. ‘Looks like you’re doing grandma duty today.’

‘It won’t be long before you are too. I’m just about to hand these two back to Jess. Here she is now,’ she said, as a tall blonde woman came hurrying along the path.

‘Thanks, Mum,’ she said. ‘Sorry I’m late. Can’t stop.’ She hugged Rachel, clasped the two girls by their hands and rushed off in the direction of the car park, leaving Liz and Rachel staring after her.

‘They have their dance class this afternoon,’ Rachel said, ‘and Jess is always running late. Are you busy or have you time for a coffee? After spending a few hours with the two terrors, I need one.’

Liz suddenly realised coffee and the chance to chat with Rachel was exactly what she needed.

A few minutes later, they were seated in The Blue Dolphin Café with steaming cups of cappuccino and a plate of ginger scones with jam and cream which Rachel had insisted on ordering, despite Liz’s protests.

The coffee was good, and when, to be polite, Liz accepted one of the scones, she discovered she was hungry after all. She hadn’t had any breakfast and had only picked at the salad she’d ordered with Mandy.

‘Now, what’s up?’ Rachel asked. ‘And don’t say “Nothing”. I can tell when you’re upset.’

Liz picked up her spoon and stirred her coffee, reluctant to say anything. But this was Rachel, who she’d confided in before. She knew anything she told her would go no further. ‘Finn came round last night,’ she said.

‘What did he want?’

‘He wanted to tell me the paper has been saved. He won’t be leaving. He even brought champagne, thinking I’d welcome him with open arms.’

‘I’m guessing you didn’t?’

‘How could I, Rach… after what he did?’

Rachel looked at Liz intently. ‘What did he actually do, Liz? He tried to protect you from the fact he might be leaving town. That seems to me like a kind thing to do.’

‘He kept me in the dark, Rach, treated me as if I was a fool.’

‘And now you’re punishing him for his mistake… and punishing yourself too, I suspect.’ She raised one eyebrow.

‘I don’t see it that way.’

‘Forgive me for saying this, but you’re acting a tad like your daughter. I can see where Mandy gets her pig-headedness.’

‘I’m nothing like Mandy.’ But was she? Joan had often told Liz how like her Mandy was… and it wasn’t in looks, as both Tara and she took after their father. ‘Anyway, I gave him short shrift.’

‘You didn’t give the poor man a chance?’

‘He caught me unawares. I’ve been trying to put him out of my mind, to forget what we had together, then he suddenly appeared out of the blue with the news he wasn’t leaving after all. What was I supposed to do?’

‘Maybe listen to him, give him another chance?’ Rachel’s voice was gentle, but Liz could hear the disapproval in her tone.

‘I did say I’d think about it.’ Liz knew she must sound difficult. Maybe she was like Mandy .

‘And have you?’

‘I’ve thought of nothing else… except when I was helping Mandy choose baby things this morning. She didn’t allow me a moment to think about anything apart from the baby. If it’s a girl they plan to call her Lisa,’ Liz said, hoping to divert Rachel’s attention.

‘That’s lovely, Liz, but it doesn’t change the fact you may have made a huge mistake. Grandchildren are wonderful. I love mine to bits. And I know how much you enjoy Tilly and are looking forward to the new baby. But they’re no substitute for the companionship of a good man, and, to put it bluntly, they won’t keep you warm in bed at night.’

Liz stared at her friend, her eyes wide with disbelief. She’d never heard her speak like this before.

But Rachel hadn’t finished. ‘I know for a time there, our lunch group were all single, though I always suspected that, even without Mandy’s interference, you had a secret yearning to meet someone. Then Poppy surprised us all by getting together with Cam. Seeing them so happy must have reignited your desire to find love too. I know I felt a twinge of envy seeing them together. You met Finn, and everything seemed perfect – at least from where I stood. Then it was over, and you didn’t want to talk about it, but were obviously miserable. Now he’s giving you another chance and you’re throwing it back in his face. Men are just as vulnerable as we are. It must have taken a lot of courage to come round to see you like he did. How do you think he is feeling today?’

Liz flinched. She hadn’t given any thought to Finn’s feelings. She’d been too caught up in her own. Rachel was right. She was being selfish. But it didn’t change things… or did it?

*

Finn hadn’t slept. He’d tossed and turned as he remembered the reception he’d received from Liz. He hadn’t exactly expected her to fall into his arms – although it would have been wonderful if she had – but he had at least hoped for a conversation. Instead, she’d sounded almost bitter. True, he’d caught her unawares, but she’d looked as lovely as ever, her slightly mussed appearance setting him on fire with longing. Now what was he to do? She’d agreed to think about things, but he had the impression she’d only agreed to get him to leave .

‘I heard you come in last night. It was still early. What happened with Liz?’ Adele asked when he walked into the kitchen.

Finn could see Sandy and Bluey outside in the yard. They must already have had their breakfasts. ‘Don’t ask,’ he said, filling a mug with coffee and taking a long gulp.

‘Breakfast? I made scrambled eggs for Sandy and me. I can make more.’

‘Thanks, Adele, but I’m not hungry. I’ll make a slice of toast and vegemite. I think I’ll go into the office this morning. There’s a lot to organise now we know we can continue to run a newspaper. I need to talk with Joe about what we need to order, and figure out how the finances will work. We won’t be able to start right away but hopefully there won’t be too lengthy a delay.’ If his relationship with Liz was dead, he’d plough his energy into the new paper.

‘I’m guessing it didn’t go well with Liz last night, huh? You sound grumpy this morning.’

‘Grumpy? Me? Never.’ Finn gave a wry grin. He knew he should be on top of the world today, but getting the cold shoulder from Liz last night had sapped all his energy, leaving him filled with regret. The enthusiasm he’d felt at Joe’s announcement had disappeared, to be replaced by an empty sensation.

‘Hmm. Will you be back for lunch?’

‘I doubt it. Don’t worry about me. I’ll get something in town.’

‘Well, try to come back in a better mood. I know you must be disappointed about Liz, but it’s not the end of the world. I bet she comes round when she’s had time to think things through. You do sometimes go at things like a bull at a gate. We women need time to mull things over.’

‘Hmm.’ Finn drained his coffee, and taking a bite of toast, stuck the rest in his mouth and made his way to his car.

*

Finn decided to swing by the mayor’s office first, pretty sure he’d find Joe there. He was right. His friend was at his desk, Coco lying at his feet. The dog rose when Finn walked in, but after sniffing Finn’s feet, returned to her spot under Joe’s chair .

‘Welcome,’ Joe said. ‘I was hoping to catch up with you today. We have a lot to do if we’re to be ready by July first.’

‘You’re not wrong, but July first? That’s a bit of a stretch. I was thinking more like August or September.’

‘Mmm.’ Joe rubbed his chin. ‘You could be right. You’d be in a better position than me to judge. But we need to be prepared, let the town know The Courier – or its replacement – will be in their mailboxes before too long. Tell me what needs to be done.’

Finn scratched his head. ‘I was about to go into the office to do exactly that today. I need to check what pieces of equipment the consortium intend to remove, then make a list and budget for what we’re going to need to purchase. It may take some time to have everything delivered, then we need to set up the equipment, hire staff to replace those who’ve already left, and…’ He dragged a hand through his hair. This wasn’t going to be easy, but it could be fun. At least it might take his mind off Liz Phillips.