Almost perfect, p.24
Almost Perfect, page 24
Anna pulled up at traffic lights and turned to look at Mac. ‘Why are you so interested?’
‘No reason, just making conversation.’
‘It’s hardly your kind of conversation.’
‘You brought it up.’
She shrugged. ‘Well, whatever went on between them, apparently they all get on like a house on fire now.’
‘Who?’
‘Jeff and Jodi, his ex-wife and her partner,’ she explained. ‘They celebrate the kids’ birthdays together, that kind of thing. It sounded very chummy, if a little weird.’
‘Why is it weird? Would it be better to be warring parties forever?’
‘No, I just don’t know if I could socialise with . . . ugh,’ she groaned, shaking her head. ‘Why are we even having this conversation? Do you remember if we’re out of milk? We should stop and pick up some before we get home.’
Monday
Mac pulled over in a side street in Mascot. He’d dropped Anna off at the domestic terminal so she could find her parents and collect their luggage. When they were ready, Anna would signal him by ringing once on the mobile and then he’d pick them up directly in front of the terminal. They had perfected the system over the years, it was more efficient, not to mention the fact it avoided the extortion of the parking station.
He didn’t know how he was going to get through this week. Having Bernard and Caroline around would mean keeping up appearances, pretending everything was all right, when everything was far from all right. Mac was not sure he could keep the cracks from showing, and Bernard and Caroline were not stupid.
He hadn’t told Anna yet, but he definitely wouldn’t be going to Noosa. And not only that, he intended to suggest she go without him. He suspected she wouldn’t take it all that well. He thought he’d try her trick and bring it up in front of Bernard and Caroline so she couldn’t argue. Of course, it could backfire on him just as it had on Anna, but he had a feeling this would be different.
The mobile phone rang once and stopped, so Mac headed back to the domestic terminal. Anna and her parents were waiting in the passenger pickup bay and in less than two minutes their luggage was loaded into the boot, everyone was in the car and they were on their way again. Bernard sat up front with Mac and they engaged in typical small talk about the flight, the traffic, the Boxing Day cricket test. Mac was feeling the strain already.
‘So, what have you two decided about Noosa?’ Caroline asked when they had joined the expressway that would take them north to the Bridge.
‘I won’t be able to get away from work, Caroline,’ Mac said plainly. He could feel Anna glaring at him from the back seat. ‘But I think Anna should still go with you. She needs a holiday.’
‘Mac–’
‘That’s a wonderful idea,’ said Caroline.
‘It’s a shame, Mac, I’ll miss my golfing partner,’ said Bernard. He looked over his shoulder at Anna. ‘Perhaps I can talk my only daughter into playing a round with her dad.’
Anna smiled weakly. ‘I don’t know, Dad, I don’t think I should go really.’
‘Why not?’ said Caroline.
‘Well, if Mac can’t get away–’
‘Caroline, talk her into it,’ said Mac. ‘She could really use the break. We both could actually, but just because I can’t go doesn’t mean she should miss out.’
‘He’s right, Anna,’ Caroline insisted. ‘We’ll have a lovely time. You can have a proper rest.’
‘And I’ll teach you to play golf – what more could you want?’ Bernard joked.
‘That was underhanded, Mac,’ said Anna later that night when they were getting ready for bed. ‘If I back out now, Mum and Dad will be offended.’
‘Why would you want to back out?’ said Mac, sitting on the end of the bed to take off his shoes. ‘Why don’t you go and enjoy yourself? You’re not missing out on anything around here.’
‘No, I’m not, am I,’ she said flatly.
Mac looked up at her. She was standing there, her arms folded, glaring at him.
‘When you suggested a break from the IVF, it was more than that, wasn’t it?’
He didn’t say anything.
‘You wanted a break from me.’
Mac sighed. He dropped his head in his hands, staring down at the carpet.
‘That’s what you wanted, isn’t it?’ she persisted.
He sighed loudly. ‘No, that’s not what I wanted,’ he said, slowly raising his head to look at her. ‘Quite the opposite. I wanted to reconnect with you, I told you that. I thought our problems were because of IVF.’ He paused. ‘Now I’m not so sure . . . or maybe we just left it too late.’
Anna felt as though she’d been punched in the stomach. ‘What are you saying?’ she said, swallowing hard.
He thought for a moment. ‘Maybe we should have some time apart.’ He heard the words. He must have said them out loud. There was no taking them back now.
Anna started pacing around the room. ‘A couple of weeks isn’t going to do it,’ she retorted. ‘It’s not nearly enough, is it, Mac?’
‘I just thought–’
‘I tell you what,’ she said, speaking over the top of him, ‘you could always pack your bags and leave before I get home. Then you can have all the break you need.’
‘Anna . . .’
‘What, Mac, what do you want to say?’
He met her gaze, but there was nothing else to say.
Anna covered her face with her hands as tears sprung out of nowhere. She felt . . . embarrassed. Out of everything she could have felt at that moment, embarrassment was possibly the most pointless emotion. But that’s what she was feeling, embarrassed that she was crying, embarrassed that she was showing her cards while Mac was being so cool. Embarrassed that he might feel pity for her. She turned her back on him, but after a moment she felt his hands on her shoulders, turning her around again. He placed his arms around her, but he wasn’t really holding her. She could sense his detachment even now.
‘What are we going to do?’ her voice muffled against his chest. ‘Mum and Dad are here, it’s Christmas . . .’
‘We’re going to have Christmas together,’ he said calmly. ‘And we’re going to make it nice for your parents. And then you’ll go away for a couple of weeks, okay? Let’s just take it a step at a time.’
The Reading Rooms
‘Who wants to look?’
A flock of little hands fluttered in front of Georgie, accompanied by a chorus of ‘Me! Me! I do!’
Georgie’s eyes widened. ‘Are you sure?’
‘Yes!’
‘But what if the dragon’s on the next page?’ she said, feigning fear.
The hands were clapping now, the squeals a mixture of excitement and giddy trepidation.
Georgie gingerly took the top corner of the page between her finger and thumb. ‘No, I can’t do it,’ she cried, flinching. ‘Somebody very brave, much braver than me, is going to have to come up here and turn the page, because I’m sure the dragon’s going to be right there, right on the other side.’
The hands were frenzied now, the voices rising in a crescendo. Georgie scanned the eager faces, bursting to be the chosen one. They had quite a crowd for the week between Christmas and New Year. Tourists mostly. The rain had brought them into the bookshop in droves, though the flyers Adam had left at the surf clubs and kiosks would have helped. It was likely to clear up this afternoon, as it had yesterday, but the morning storytelling session had been packed out both days.
‘I’m looking for someone very brave . . .’ Georgie went on, teasing, scrutinising every face, until her eyes were drawn to the cluster of parents at the back and to one face in particular, a face she hadn’t expected to see, a face so dear to her she almost cried out. Liam was standing there, smiling broadly at her. She smiled back, her heart pounding so hard against her ribcage it was echoing in her ears. And then she realised that was the only sound she was hearing. The children had gone quiet, they were all turned around to see what had so captured the storyteller’s attention.
Georgie cleared her throat. ‘I’m so frightened,’ she said, dragging them back, ‘that I can’t even finish the story!’
A cry of protest rose up from the rabble.
‘But I know someone who can,’ she went on, getting to her feet, ‘in fact, he’s the only person brave enough in the whole land, and he’s right . . . over . . .’ Georgie flung her arm out, pointing directly at Adam, who was oblivious, perched on a stool at the coffee counter, reading a newspaper, ‘. . . there!’
The children cheered loudly as Adam slowly lifted his head, feeling the penetrating glare of dozens of little eyes all trained directly on him.
‘Did you know,’ Georgie continued, crossing the room towards him, ‘that Adam is an actual, really truly, live dragon-slayer?’
He was shaking his head at Georgie, his eyes narrowed threateningly.
‘In fact, he is Sir Adam of Narrabeen, slayer of the famous, terrifying Pittwater dragon!’
‘What Pittwater dragon?’ Adam sneered. ‘I’ve never heard of a dragon around here, have you, kids?’
A wavering ‘No’ rippled through the audience, punctuated by an uncertain ‘Yes’ here and there. They were swinging voters, Georgie had a chance to win their hearts and minds with a little more spin.
‘Of course you’ve never heard of it! Sir Adam has already slain the Pittwater dragon!’ Georgie exclaimed, rallying the children. ‘He is the bravest man in the whole land, and who do we want to finish the story?’
The children’s cheers rose to fever pitch. ‘Sir Adam,’ Georgie said loudly, ‘who will you choose from all the boys and girls to help you find the dragon?’ She presented the book to him as though it was a sacred tome.
Adam breathed out heavily. ‘Boy, do you owe me,’ he muttered under his breath as he got to his feet.
Georgie winked, smiling up at him before she ducked around him, leaving him to his new disciples. Liam had made his way around the shop to the door of the office. She skittered over, grabbing his hand as they disappeared inside.
Liam pulled her into his arms, holding her close. ‘I wanted to hear the rest of the story,’ he said.
‘Oh, did you just?’
‘No, not really.’ His lips came down onto hers and they kissed for what was probably quite a long time, though it didn’t seem long at all. Georgie had never felt this way before. Despite all her fantasising, all her ideas of a dream man, she had never imagined such a powerful connection. It was as though Liam had become part of her. He hadn’t even been gone a week and she’d felt like she’d lost a limb.
Louise appeared in the doorway, not that either of them noticed.
‘Oh, Liam, you’re back already,’ she said. There was no response so she continued the conversation on her own. ‘Yes, I am, Louise. Hi, how are you?’
‘Hi Louise,’ Liam murmured, his lips barely leaving Georgie’s.
‘You two really should get yourselves a room.’
‘This one’ll do fine,’ Georgie breathed. ‘If you could just close the door on your way out?’
Louise muttered something about trying to run a business and walked out, closing the door as requested. And they were alone again.
‘You are back early,’ Georgie remarked, leaning back to look at him.
‘That’s because you’ve ruined me. You’re looking at a ruined man.’
‘Oh, how’s that?’
‘I reckon I can handle two days, tops.’
‘Two days of what?’
‘Being away from you. After that I get all miserable and bad-tempered and I’m no fun to be around at all.’
‘Ooh,’ Georgie crooned. ‘I missed you too. But you had a nice time with your family, didn’t you?’
‘Let’s not talk about that right now,’ he said, taking hold of both her hands. ‘I have a surprise for you. How would you like to go away for a whole weekend, maybe even stretch it out to a long weekend?’
Georgie’s eyes widened. ‘Are you serious?’
Liam nodded, smiling at her.
‘When?’
‘Tomorrow, and the next day, and the day after that . . .’
Georgie was biting her lip.
‘Is there a problem?’ Liam asked.
‘Oh, just that I’m rostered on this weekend.’
‘I’ll pay for casuals to replace you.’
‘You don’t have to do that,’ Georgie scoffed. ‘Listen, I’m an owner. If I can’t take a few days off when I like, then what’s the point?’
‘That’s the spirit.’
‘So where are we going?’
‘Anywhere you like. Where do you want to go, the mountains or the sea? North or south? Upmarket or downmarket?’
‘I don’t care.’ Georgie laughed. ‘What brought all this on? Not that I’m complaining, but why so sudden, why the urgency?’
He looked at her, his expression serious. ‘I missed you, and I told you I wanted to make it up to you, start behaving like a proper boyfriend. Things are going to be different from now on, I promise you.’
‘But I like the way things are.’
‘Well, it’s only going to get better,’ he assured her. ‘Starting this weekend.’ He took a deep breath. ‘I’ve got something important I want to discuss with you.’
Georgie felt shy all of a sudden. ‘Okay.’
‘So leave it to me, I’ll organise everything.’ He kissed her lightly on the lips. ‘I better go.’
She pulled a face. ‘Do you have to?’
‘If we’re leaving tomorrow, I’ve got a few things I need to get out of the way first.’
‘Will I see you later on?’
Liam smiled. ‘Can’t you wait till tomorrow?’
‘I guess you’ve ruined me too.’
He held her face and kissed her again. ‘I’ll call you, okay?’
Georgie stood leaning against the doorjamb, watching him as he made his way through the shop to the door. He waved at her through the front window and Georgie smiled, waving back as he walked out of view. He looked happy, she was sure he looked happier than the day he’d first walked into the shop. She hoped it had something to do with her.
Louise wandered over. ‘He didn’t stay long.’
‘No, he just came in to ask me away this weekend.’
‘Oh? Aren’t you rostered on?’
Georgie nodded vaguely. Louise frowned at her. ‘What?’
She stepped back into the office and Louise followed her. Georgie leaned against the desk, hugging her arms around herself. She looked directly at Louise. ‘He told me he has something important he wants to discuss with me.’
Louise stared at her. ‘Oh . . . my . . . God.’ She said each word distinctly, calmly, in a monotone. Then a smile broke across her face. ‘Oh my God!’ she gasped it this time.
‘Louise, if you’re thinking what I think you’re thinking, then stop thinking like that.’
‘You think?’
‘It’s too soon, we’ve only been together a couple of months.’
‘But what else could it be?’
‘It could be anything.’
‘No, it could not be anything,’ Louise scoffed. ‘Maybe it’s not an actual marriage proposal but–’
‘Don’t!’
‘What’s wrong? You don’t want him to ask you?’
‘Louise, I haven’t even thought that far.’
‘That’s not like you.’
‘I know!’ she declared. ‘I’m finally being mature and sensible in a relationship and he’s going to turn around and be crazy and romantic and impulsive.’
Louise looked wistful. ‘What’s wrong with that?’
‘It’s too soon . . . isn’t it?’
‘You really love him, don’t you?’
Georgie nodded. ‘More than I thought I could love anyone.’
‘Then what is the problem?’ said Louise. ‘You’re both over thirty, you’re not children. I would think you’d know what you wanted by now.’
‘I can’t believe you’re standing up for him.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Well, you haven’t always liked him–’
‘I told you before that wasn’t true,’ Louise countered flatly. ‘I had my reservations. But I can see how much you love him, and how happy he makes you. And he’s obviously going to be a part of the family now so–’
‘Louise, don’t!’
‘Okay, I won’t say another word. Except have a good weekend!’
‘I’d better start ringing through the casuals list.’
‘Start with Amber, she was harping the other day about Christmas sending her broke.’ Louise backed through the doorway. ‘But don’t worry, if you can’t find anyone, we’ll cover for you one way or the other.’
‘Oh thanks, are you sure?’
‘I’m not about to stand in the way of true love.’
Mosman
Mac was heading home early. He couldn’t help feeling relieved that Anna had gone away, that when he walked into the house he would have it to himself. No tension, no recriminations. After last night, it would be a welcome respite.
Anna had not been able to leave yesterday with her parents as all the flights were fully booked; she’d had to wait until today. Mac wished now he had gone into work after they took Bernard and Caroline to the airport. Hindsight. It wasn’t until they were home alone that he realised how awkward it was between them. He’d thought they would leave further discussion until Anna returned from Noosa. But she couldn’t leave it alone. She followed him around, making loaded comments, urging him to react. When he didn’t, she started drinking which only made her more strident. She was baiting him, she wanted a fight. Mac didn’t want to get into it then, but she was relentless. And before he knew it he was shouting, and she was crying and then he was trying to calm her. And then they were having sex.
He’d lain there afterwards, wide awake, Anna curled around him, sleeping soundly. He knew that one spontaneous physical act would have wiped away, if not all her fears and doubts, then a fair whack of them. And he knew for him it was only sex. He’d been trying to comfort her, and before he knew it . . . she was an attractive woman, she was beautiful in fact, and he still loved her on some level. And he was a man, a weak, contemptible man with no self-control. And lying there he knew she thought everything would be all right, while he was never more sure that it could never be right again.
