The Reef (28 page)

Vi shook her head. ‘I wouldn't worry about that. She doesn't like the idea of going over there at all. What are you going to do? She might be able to get a refund on the apartment if someone else takes the place over.'

‘Who's going to make her move?' asked Don. ‘We talked till we were blue in the face.'

‘I wish I'd known she was really going to do this. You know how she talks and never follows through. Anyway, you'll have your home back, just the two of you, after all these years.' Jennifer choked up, thinking how good they were. How they'd opened their home and their hearts to her and her mother and never complained.

‘Family, luv. What can you do? We always said you have a home here. You will bring the little one to visit?' asked Vi, looking teary.

‘You bet, you can have her all to yourself too. But we'll bring you up to stay. You'll love the island.'

‘And what does Blair think . . . about your mum moving there?'

He sees it as my problem.
‘He doesn't know too much. He has enough on his plate, I didn't want to worry him,' said Jennifer.

‘Well, maybe it won't be so bad. You can go over and see your mum, have lunch and things when you see the doctor,' said Don, reaching for another beer.

‘While I'm here let's do just that. Found anywhere new to eat, Vi?'

‘She's planning on doing a lot more fancy cooking,' said Don. ‘You know your mum didn't like anything a bit, you know, foreign.'

‘Then we'll lash out, try a few places, and I'll go back earlier than planned. She is naughty, though, running off without waiting to discuss it with me,' said Jennifer.

‘You know your mum, luv.'

‘I do indeed, Vi. That's the trouble.'
Being away from Christina makes me realise how much easier and happier life can be.
‘Anyway, my other big news is I'm doing a uni course. Maybe some writing for them, and planning to study. Over dinner I'll tell you all about these great people and what they're doing. I'll go and freshen up first.'

‘You do that, luv.' Vi and Don looked at each other as Jennifer left the room. ‘Poor darling. Tina's not going to give her or that baby a minute's peace.'

The drive back to Headland Bay passed in a blur. Jennifer ran through a dozen scenarios in her mind, till she was just too exhausted to think further. She played a John Butler CD and pulled into a motel for the night. She drove away early the next morning and by lunchtime was in Headland Bay. She unloaded a couple of boxes and bags at the wharf, asking Vera to get her on the cat.

Vera gave her a surprised look. ‘You're back early, aren't you?'

‘Yep.' Jennifer smiled. ‘Can't wait to get back.'

‘Do they know?' Vera busied herself with the reservation list.

‘I'm my own boss, Vera. I'll just return the car to storage.'

While waiting to board the cat, Jennifer ordered a coffee and looked at the happy faces of visitors waiting to go to the island. She kept
wondering if she'd spot her mother. Somewhere in the sprawl of units and holiday rentals along the sea front Christina was settling in to her new home.

You didn't call me. I'm not calling you,
thought Jennifer and joined the passengers getting on the catamaran.

Once the safety spiel had finished and the video of the reef was playing, Vera came over to Jennifer. ‘Congratulations, by the way. How are you feeling?'

‘I never thought I'd say this, but I'm looking forward to getting back to Branch.' She patted her tummy. ‘And now I've a lot more to keep me occupied.'

Doyley was on the wharf with Rosie, greeting and directing the new arrivals.

‘Hey, there's Jennifer! You're back early.' Doyley leaned over to speak to Rosie.

‘Should've let us know you were coming back early.' Rosie took Jennifer's bag from her. ‘Come and have a coffee and tell me how it went.'

‘I'll go back to the unit first . . .'

‘Nah, come on. I'm anxious to hear. Doyley, can you take Jennifer's stuff over to her place?' Rosie looked at Doyley, who took the bag. Both looked a bit grim.

‘Any other stuff?'

‘Heaps. Went baby shopping. You know what I mean, got a few essentials and non-essentials too.' Jennifer laughed.

Rosie took her arm and steered her past the tourists.

‘What's up? You look tense,' said Jennifer.

‘Few problems. Anyway, I'll fill you in on our news. Let's see, that journo Tony is back. Plus, I've got a new staff kid who's arrived from England. No one is supposed to know but he's someone's son. I feel like I'm being spied on.'

‘You do seem frazzled, Rosie.'

‘Never mind me. What's your news?'

Jennifer blurted out her news about her mother moving to Headland.

‘So you haven't confronted her? When are you doing that?'

‘When I feel strong enough. I just couldn't wait to get back here. There's something to be said for getting away from it all on a small island.'

Rosie turned away. ‘Look, I have to deal with something a bit urgent. Meet me over at reception. There's, er, some mail and stuff for you. I'll be there in a minute.'

Jennifer shrugged as Rosie hurried off and caught Doyley's arm and spoke to him. Passing two of the housekeeping staff, who cleaned Jennifer and Blair's cabin, she smiled and nodded to them.

The girls stopped, mumbled a greeting, looked at each other, then said a hurried goodbye and raced away.

Jennifer passed the boutique and remembered she wanted toothpaste.

‘Hi, Lesley –' Before she could say anything, the girl behind the counter gave her a strange look.

‘I thought you were away!'

‘I decided to come back early. Why? What's going on around here?'

‘Oh, nothing. Just the usual.' Lesley put the toothpaste on the counter with what Jennifer thought was a forced smile. ‘Anything else?'

Jennifer walked from the shop and found Rosie waiting for her.

‘Um, your mail has been sent over. Not to worry.'

‘Rosie, what the hell is going on? Everyone is being really odd, cagey kind of. Is Blair all right? Where is he?'

‘Working. He's around. He wasn't expecting you back today. Come over to my place and have a coffee.' Rosie asked Jennifer about Sydney, shopping, trivial stuff, as she made the coffee.

Jennifer could tell she wasn't interested in what she was saying. ‘Rosie, tell me what's going on? What's happened?'

‘We're friends, right? And I'm Blair's boss. There's something you should know and I think it's best I tell you. It's hard to keep secrets in a small community.' She placed their coffee mugs on the small table and sat down. Jennifer just looked at her, faint puzzlement in her clear blue eyes.

‘Damn Blair, this is hard.' Rosie took a breath. ‘Blair has been having a bit of a fling. I'm sure it's nothing serious, but he was stupid and he's been caught out. Probably normal for a man with a pregnant wife, feeling trapped a bit . . . Oh shit.'

‘What!' Rosie's words didn't make sense.

Rosie winced. ‘Jenny, I know this is hard . . .'

‘What do you mean – a fling?' Jennifer's voice was a whisper. ‘Do you mean seeing someone, or . . . sleeping with someone? Who? Oh God, don't tell me. That Susie. Right? Right?' Her voice rose.

Rosie nodded miserably. ‘Yes. He was over on Sooty and they came back together, nothing wrong with that. We had a meeting. But two mornings later one of the housekeeping staff came and told me.'

‘He had her in our place? In our
bed?
' Jennifer thought she was going to throw up. Tears sprang from her eyes. ‘The bitch. I'm having his
baby!
'

Rosie touched Jennifer's hand. ‘Blair is just as much to blame in my book. I'm sorry, Jenny. I spoke to him and she's gone back to Sooty. I hate to tell you this, but everyone knows. It's between the two of you now.'

‘Oh God, how could he?' She dropped her face in her hands. ‘Why? Why Rosie? What've I done? I've never been mean or horrible to him. We didn't fight before I went away . . . Is it because I'm pregnant? How could he?'

‘Jenny, stop blaming yourself.' Rosie would have hit Blair if he'd appeared at that instant. ‘That Susie is a devil, she eats blokes, I reckon. Blair was stupid.'

‘I can't go back and sleep there. Not now.'

‘You can stay here, there are a couple of empty suites.'

Jennifer couldn't stop the tears. She jumped to her feet, pacing around the room. ‘It's so cruel.
How could he hurt me like this? Upset me? What about the baby?' she almost shouted at Rosie. ‘And everybody knows! I feel awful. What am I going to do?'

‘Jenny, don't get hysterical. Calm down. Listen to what he has to say.'

‘Yeah, what
can
he say? Sorry? That's not enough, Rosie.'

Rosie was inclined to agree. ‘Much as I'd like to, I can't get rid of Susie easily, she's on a contract . . .'

‘I hope I never set eyes on her. How could she? She knows I'm pregnant, she knows everyone would find out. It's like she, they, did it deliberately to hurt me. Why?'

‘I don't think they planned this, Jenny. It just . . . happened. Thrown together in a romantic place too much . . .'

‘Well, I can't stay here, that's for sure. I feel such a fool. Everyone must be laughing at me.'

‘No, they're not at all. Blair is very silly. This is going to undermine his authority with the staff. He's made things very difficult for himself.'

Jennifer turned her tear-stained face to Rosie. ‘No, the staffies won't give a shit really. They all sleep around, have their fights and
flings
. . . If only my blasted mother wasn't over there I could move to Headland and commute here.'

‘Give him a chance, Jenny, what with the baby coming. Don't let him be the one to push you out of your home. He can stay in one of the staff quarters.'

‘I'm starting my marine biology course. See, every time I go to do something, get a life, Blair gets in the way.'

Rosie had been trying to be placatory and comforting. Personally she had little time for Blair other than as an employee. ‘Leave him then.'

Jennifer didn't answer and looked away.

‘Sorry. I shouldn't have said that. Listen, ride it out for a bit, keep your distance, don't do anything rash. You have to decide if, and how much, you love this guy. And don't let the baby influence that decision,' Rosie said firmly.

‘That's easy to say.' Jennifer was in tears. She picked up her coffee and sipped but had trouble swallowing and put it down.

Rosie leaned over and wiped the milk from Jennifer's top lip with a napkin. ‘You do what you feel is best for you. Not Blair, not the baby. We're all here for you. Isobel too. Now are you ready to see Blair now or later? He doesn't know you're back.'

‘I'll go for a walk. Think about things for a bit. Does Isobel, Mac, Gideon know? Of course they must.' Jennifer stood up, her knees wobbly. ‘I feel like I've walked into a brick wall. You know what's the most terrible thing at the moment? My mother. She's going to say, “I told you so.” And she's going to say, “Men, you can't trust them.” And she'll want me to move in with her. And she'll be so god damned smug!'

Rosie tried not to smile. ‘Leave your mother to Isobel and me. Just take it day by day. Go and see
Mac and Gideon and everyone at the research station. I'll have your things sent to suite twenty-five. What will I tell Blair?'

‘I suppose he's hiding out with that Susie somewhere, doesn't want to see me,' said Jennifer.
How could he do this to me? And
. . .
why am I not really so surprised?

‘And dinner? Want to eat in here with me? I'll have something sent in.'

‘Rosie, as the whole thing is public knowledge, I'm not going to run away and hide, like I've done something wrong. Could you ask Doyley to reserve a table in the middle of the dining room for Blair and me, please? And tell Blair I'll meet him there at eight p.m.'

Rosie blinked. ‘You sure?'

‘Don't worry, Rosie, there won't be any ugly scenes.' Jennifer opened the door.

‘Pity, could've provided a bit of dinner entertainment for the guests,' joked Rosie. Her eyes were soft and sympathetic. ‘Good for you, Jenny.'

‘Thanks, Rosie. You're a pal.'

‘You betcha. See you.'

The afternoon sun was losing its heat. People were straggling back to their rooms before the ritual of sunset drinks. Jennifer walked and walked, her mind whirling. She stopped, wondering where she was, and had no memory of how she got there.
This is ridiculous. I'm walking in my sleep. Isobel told me to walk with my eyes open.
She was on top of Coral Point, at the very edge of the small wind swept peak with the great view across the
ocean. The sweep of little Boomerang Cove was to one side, the beach leading back to the resort behind. One path led into the trees and across the island to Gideon's side, another branched off to the research station. The beach track went back to the resort. Somewhere there was a small track down to Boomerang Cove.

‘You all right, mm . . . miss?'

She spun around to see old Patch standing behind her, hands in his pockets, one eye covered by his trademark black patch, the other eye popped out like an old poached egg. ‘What do you want?'

‘You're nnnnot going to jump, are you?' He stuttered, and took a step forward.

‘Why would I do that?' she demanded. ‘You stay back there. In fact, just go away. Leave me alone. Follow someone else,' Jennifer shouted.

‘I jest want ttto help them. Young girls, they get inta trouble.' He had a whiney voice compounded with his stutter.

‘Hello there!' Another man sauntered up the track from the trees.