The Bay (19 page)

‘Bit hard in The Bay where everyone thinks they know everyone else's business,' he said quietly. ‘But you could have a lot of support and good friends if you wanted it.'

Amber spoke in a low voice. ‘I grew up here but Mum left for Sydney after my dad died. I went to uni and she tried to make a new life for herself. But it didn't work out, she got really depressed and I only saw her for quick visits, it was too difficult. So I didn't know until she was hospitalised that she'd become addicted to painkillers and a stack of prescribed medicines. She was a chemist junkie . . . had accounts and doctors all over the city. I brought her back here to our old farm to try and get her better. She kept trying to suicide and she's recovering from breast cancer. She is always so depressed. It makes me feel the same to be with her. And that makes me feel guilty.'

‘Jesus, Amber, that's tragic.' It explained a lot to Eddie. How sometimes she had seemed far older than her years, her drive to succeed in her business, her insistence on natural healthy products without chemicals, her caring attitude towards others. ‘No other family?'

‘Mum's sister is interstate. Dad didn't have much family. They were in the timber business here and moved away when forestry started losing money. They all blamed the greenies. They moved down the south coast.'

‘And where do you stand on the logging issue? You were scarcely born when the fight to save the Big Scrub started.'

She almost smiled. ‘It wasn't easy being the timbercutter's daughter. I stayed in Sydney till I couldn't stand it any more and figured it'd be better for Mum up here, and that I could get my business going here rather than in the city.'

‘Yeah, there's a lot more awareness and sympathy to eco-health and holistic beauty up here. Amber, you're pretty special. I think you'll win out and be a big success,' said Eddie kindly.

‘Oh, I intend to be.' Amber spoke resolutely, without hesitation.

Mitchell took off his hat, ran his fingers through his hair and went to wash his hands as Holly poured them cold drinks. They had settled into a routine of lunching together on the verandah, and while it was a simple meal Holly found herself putting a lot of thought into it. Mitch sometimes brought fresh crabs or fish a mate had caught or unusual fruit and vegetables from another friend's bush food garden. Holly had become very keen on finger limes and planted one in the garden.

The renovations were still at what she called the messy stage, but she could see that Mitch and the boys had things under control. Over lunch they caught up on everything from world events to Bay gossip and eventual dreams. They didn't talk about their private lives – not that they avoided it, but their respective families didn't seem part of this small world of the old house, the garden and the view from Tiny Bay out to sea.

Holly passed the bread and cheese as Mitchell turned his head. ‘That sounded like a car. The others went for a surf, are you expecting anyone?'

‘No. Could be Lynn or Stolle. Nola was sending someone up with paint colours – specially blended.' Holly rose and went into the house as a figure came through the open front door.

‘Andrew! What a surprise. Oh darling, how lovely!' Her reaction was instantly tempered by faint annoyance. ‘Why didn't you tell me you were coming? I could have picked you up.' She lifted her cheek for his perfunctory kiss. ‘You're just in time for lunch. Come and meet Mitchell.'

‘Let me change and get comfortable.' Andrew headed for the annexe glancing out at the verandah. ‘My, that looks cosy. Keeping the hired help happy?'

‘Andrew, he's the builder and . . .' She hesitated to say ‘designer' to her esteemed architect husband. ‘And he and his workers are doing a fantastic job. I'll show you around and you can see for yourself. Here, I'll set you a place.'

‘Don't worry, I've eaten. I had a meeting on the Gold Coast and drove down. Any wine?'

‘No. But I can chill some.'

‘Don't bother. I'll have coffee.'

Andrew and Mitchell shook hands and Holly fled to make the coffee. When she returned Andrew was sitting forward listening intently to Mitchell. They were discussing some land. Andrew leaned back in his chair and glanced at Holly, seeming to change the subject. ‘Anyway, I have my hands full with my Asia project. I'll let Holly be the first in the family to experiment with property development in The Bay.'

‘Richmond House is scarcely development. It's restoration. Development is the last thing we want. Seems quite enough going on from what I hear.' Holly spoke lightly.

‘Really. You're keeping up with local issues?' asked Andrew.

‘I am. I've become really involved in the local community. I've made some lovely friends. And I told you about Nola Florens. She's being so kind.'

‘God, she must be a hundred years old. You're not using any of the old leftovers she offered, are you?'

Mitchell shifted uncomfortably. ‘Some of the stuff I saw is pretty classic; suits this place.'

‘Well, Holly always had a penchant for the olde-worlde. My taste tends to minimalist. Contemporary. I suppose old fashioned suits the B & B ethos,' Andrew said. ‘I believe the appeal of The Bay will be for modern, up-market design. Folksy has had its day here, I'd say.'

Mitchell spoke quietly but his voice was tense. ‘You mean massive resort complexes like you're building in Asia? Five star, Gold Coast style?'

‘I'm relaxed about all of that,' said Andrew easily. ‘The Gold Coast criticism is passé. When you look at what has been built in Bali, Gulf of Thailand, Mauritius, the Caribbean, The Bay will be begging for the same.'

Mitchell glanced at Holly who kept her eyes down, refilling coffee cups, not wanting to take sides. He decided to plunge ahead. ‘As individual structures, stylistically, those resorts are spectacular, in stunning locations. Unfortunately, our infrastructure won't support such large developments here. And we fought very hard to overturn a council hell-bent on high rise. Three storeys is our limit. The Bay can't swallow too many people. Water, sewerage, power; not up to it. This is a small country town –'

Andrew cut in. ‘Yeah, well I've heard that before. Ask the people of Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Ubud, what they think of all the new jobs, new money where there were once so few opportunities –'

‘Goodness me, how did we get onto this?' broke in Holly with a tight smile. ‘The Bay isn't going to allow a huge resort complex, I hope.' She gathered up the plates, signalling the end of lunch.

Andrew pushed his cup away. ‘Nothing stays the way it was, dear heart. Isn't that right, Mitchell? As a builder you should know – things get torn down and replaced. There is always a thirst for the new. Only the old appreciate the old; the money goes where the new, the clean, the flash, the plush, the fun is. And the big demand is from the baby boomers.' Andrew rose. ‘Nice to meet you. I'm going for a swim. Then I have to meet a couple of business people downtown. Make a reservation somewhere for dinner, Holly.'

‘Am I invited?' She was smiling but her eyes were icy.

‘Certainly. Ask one of your new girlfriends along if you like. I'll be talking business.' He nodded at Mitchell and went indoors.

‘Sounds like a fun night. I'd better get back to work.' Mitchell left more hurriedly than normal. Their companionship of clearing the dishes was abandoned. He decided to go and collect some window fittings rather than stay at the house. He thought Andrew was arrogant, superficial, and money oriented.

Andrew walked down to the beach, deciding Mitchell was homespun, unsophisticated, idealistic and impractical.

Holly was irritated at Andrew and also confused about Mitchell's low-key hostility. What different men they were. They were both operating in a similar world – that of construction, deconstruction, design and creating personal space. Yet both were looking at that world from totally different viewpoints.

Although the telephone conversations with Andrew had become shorter and shorter as their daily interests diverged, Holly was now surprised and confused at the complexity of her feelings towards him. It was as if the unexpected visit and the awkward lunch had been a catalyst, bringing to the sharp edge of her consciousness feelings that had been buried for a long time. She had always agreed with her husband on practically everything of any consequence. He made the decisions, she endorsed them. He expressed the opinions, she adopted them. It was comfortable, until recently.

They had both realised that buying into The Bay was the beginning of a new chapter in their relationship. Holly was certainly surprised at how it was turning out. After lunch, she sat down, looked out to sea and quietly analysed the confusion of her emotions. She was now comfortable disagreeing with what Andrew said, and if necessary, saying so in front of him. It was a new feeling of freedom and power; a very heady feeling.

After his swim Andrew drove into town for his meeting. Holly thought it might be nice to drive in together but Andrew had left before she could suggest it. She made a reservation at Vincent's, an expensive restaurant overlooking Mighty Beach. Then she tried to think who she could invite. Lynn and Stolle wouldn't work, Mitchell and his wife were out after the experience at lunch. Billy was charming, though she hadn't met his wife; might be hard for them to get a babysitter at short notice. Nola rarely went out in the evenings and, despite Andrew's disparaging remarks, she was entertaining. A dose of the Grand Dame could be fun. And maybe someone else. Handsome and charming Eddie; he'd fit in anywhere. Holly decided to ask Nola and Eddie.

‘Sounds fine. I have invited two local businessmen and they're bringing two friends along. Did you book somewhere?' Andrew poured himself a Scotch and soda.

‘Yes, Vincent's at eight.'

Andrew sipped his drink as he wandered around the house eyeing Mitchell's work. He made no comment but went through every room and ended up on the widow's walk to watch the sunset.

Holly took a leisurely shower, and spent time putting on her make-up and fixing her hair. It was getting late and she wondered where Andrew was as he hadn't dressed. She turned off the radio in the bedroom and went through to the sitting room expecting to find him in front of the TV watching the early news. She turned on some lights and stepped outside.

‘Holly, is that you? Get the hell up here!'

Curly began barking and Holly went into the garden and looked up. Andrew was on the widow's walk. ‘What's the problem?'

‘I'm locked out, I can't get down. Come and open the infernal door.'

Holly rushed inside and up to the attic. She paused in the little bedroom. There was that feeling again. She glanced around. An old lace curtain fluttered at the small dormer window. Funny, she thought it was closed. Andrew must have opened it. The narrow bed was rumpled, cushions that had been stacked on an old box were scattered on the floor. She took all this in quickly, at the same time noticing that a photo in an old-fashioned walnut frame hanging on the wall was tilted. Without thinking she reached out and straightened it. The stern-faced man and his bride in her large bonnet stared back at her.

‘Come on, Holly, where are you?' The doorknob rattled.

She went to the door and looked at the brass key in the lock. She turned it and Andrew hurried angrily into the room. ‘Get the builder to change that lock first thing tomorrow!' He strode from the room without a backward glance.

Holly stared at the lock then gave a puzzled look around the room. ‘Why did you do that?' she asked softly.

Andrew and Holly were the first to arrive at the restaurant. Ray, the owner, came immediately to their table. Holly was surprised he seemed to know Andrew but then he turned to her. ‘I'm told Nola Florens is coming tonight, that's great.'

‘Oh, how do you know?' she asked. She hadn't mentioned names when she made the reservation.

‘She rang to find out what we were serving tonight, if we had her favourite wine and a comfortable chair.' He pointed at the chair with arms and a cushion at one end of the table.

Holly laughed, Andrew looked annoyed and then every one arrived at once.

Holly was grateful at the fuss Nola created as she was escorted through the restaurant, where it seemed most of the other guests smiled and nodded at her. She made her stately way across the room as Andrew's two business friends came to the table and were introduced to Holly, who was stunned to see they were accompanied by Letitia, the solicitor, and Laura.

Nola swiftly summed up the situation and announced to all, ‘Darling Eddie is parking the Daimler. Laura, how lovely that you and your former husband can be sociable. So very civilised, don't you think?' She beamed around the table as Ray settled her in her chair.

Holly threw Laura an apologetic look but she gave a small airy wave of her fingertips and glanced at the man beside her with a slight lift of the eyebrow. Holly relaxed but then excused herself and rushed to the entrance to warn Eddie.

He bounded up the steps and she gave him a quick kiss, explaining that Laura was in their party.

‘Oh, God. Never mind, at least there are a few of us. I'll tell them all about my experiences last night at the doof. Is she with the Gold Coast zillionaire?'

‘He looks it, though I thought Andrew said he was a local.' She linked her arm through his as they walked through the restaurant, causing Laura and Andrew to give them a hard look which pleased Holly.

Nola Florens was in fine form – name dropping, witty, shamelessly flirting, causing much hilarity with her outrageous anecdotes. Holly could see Andrew was entranced with her. For her part, Holly had been politely attentive to the two men Andrew had introduced as ‘management consultants' but quickly lost interest. Next to her Laura was pouring out her confusion over her daughter Alice.

‘I just don't know whether to uproot her and take her with me to Surfers Paradise, or leave her with Eddie. I mean, even though he's not her biological father, he is wonderful with her. And Alice is saying she wants to stay up at the farm. She couldn't wait to move to the beach when I suggested it, however.'