‘Or it might be a wonderful, magical, joyous decision. It might make them both blissfully happy,’ said Vanessa.
She supposed her aunt might be right, but Claire simply couldn’t quash her doubts about the match. She thought back to her day of dress shopping with Nina, when the bride-to-be had seemed so unfussed about the wedding. She was sure she hadn’t imagined it. And, obviously, Scotty kissing Claire last night wasn’t normal behaviour for a loved-up groom, even one who insisted his wedding would go ahead no matter what. They both had reservations, she was certain of it.
Just because somebody could ignore their gut instinct, it didn’t mean they should. Having the ability to drown out the little voice in their head whispering ‘this isn’t a good idea’ wasn’t necessarily a good thing. Charging ahead with a plan when all evidence pointed to going back to the drawing board wasn’t always a sign of strength.
Claire knew all too well that it was often a bright-red flag that signalled weakness.
In an instant, Claire’s thoughts swung a hundred and eighty degrees. She couldn’t give up trying to save Scotty and Nina from themselves. If Scotty wouldn’t listen to reason, she would take her case to the High Court of Nina. She had to tell her about the kiss. It was the right thing to do, Claire was almost certain of it.
And if it wasn’t . . . well, what was one more bad decision?
Claire still couldn’t quite believe Bindallarah had its own yoga studio. Growing up, the CWA had held a weekly class, run by an ancient hippy couple who lived in an actual treehouse outside Alison Bay.
But Yoga by Nina was the real deal – even if technically it was Alex’s business and not Nina’s. Claire emerged from the staircase that led up from the kids’ clothing store and peeked through the studio door into a tranquil oasis of plush cream carpet, leafy green pot plants and a wall of floor-to-ceiling mirrors.
It still had the unique aroma of cloying incense and sweaty sneakers that all yoga studios seemed to share, however, so she was pleased to see that Bindy hadn’t grown too big for its boots just yet.
A schedule tacked to the door advertised more class styles than Claire knew existed running six days a week. A quick glance at the Saturday column told her that the next class wasn’t until later in the afternoon. She went inside and found Nina alone, sitting barefoot and cross-legged on the floor with her back to the mirror. Her eyes were closed and she appeared to be meditating.
The thick carpet absorbed Claire’s footsteps and Nina didn’t hear her come in. She waited awkwardly for a few moments, hoping Nina would sense her presence, but she seemed to be in a deep trance.
Claire didn’t want to just start talking – Nina would likely have a heart attack. Eventually she settled for quietly clearing her throat.
Nina didn’t startle. Instead she exhaled through her nose and calmly opened her eyes, as if she’d been expecting company and Claire was right on time.
‘Claire! How lovely to see you,’ Nina said warmly. She stretched out her legs and stood up.
Claire was taken aback. This wasn’t the greeting she’d expected from the fiancée of a man she’d passionately kissed the night before. She wasn’t sure whether to feel relieved or disappointed. She had come to confess, but there was a part of her that hoped Scotty had already done it.
Claire had meant it when she told Vanessa that she thought Nina was lovely. She didn’t relish the prospect of hurting her, but she had to believe that a little pain now would spare both Scotty and Nina a lifetime of agony.
‘Have you come for a class?’ Nina went on. ‘The next one isn’t until four, but I’d be happy to book you in. Your first class here is free.’ She crossed the studio to a small desk in the corner and picked up what looked like an enrolment form.
‘Uh, no. Yoga isn’t really my thing.’ All that deep breathing, contemplation and being at one with the universe made Claire feel itchy. ‘I came to see you.’
‘Oh, you’re so sweet,’ Nina said, smiling brightly. ‘I was going to call you today, actually. I just talked to Scotty.’
Uh-oh.
‘You did?’
‘Yeah. We decided that we can’t possibly get married —’
‘What?’
‘— without having bachelor and bachelorette parties. Although apparently you call them bucks’ and hens’ nights here? Which is one more thing I don’t get about Australia, but that’s fine. So will you come?’
Claire’s head was swimming. ‘Um, Nina, I need to —’
‘It’s super casual. No strippers or anything awful like that,’ she said, wrinkling her nose. ‘We’re breaking with tradition and having a joint party. You know, since the wedding is only a week away.’
‘When is it?’ Claire asked in a reedy voice.
‘Thursday night, seven-thirty, on the beach. We were going to have it at Cape Ashe, but all the horses are in isolation so we can’t do it.’
Autumn. Claire really needed to get back up to Cape Ashe Stud to see how the mare was coping and show Chris how to clean the trach tube. Under normal circumstances she would have headed back there first thing, but last night had been anything but normal. Claire’s mind definitely hadn’t been on the job all day.
‘I know,’ she said absently.
‘Oh, that’s right! Scotty told me you were up there last night,’ Nina said. She swiped at the air as if amazed at her own forgetfulness.
‘He did?’ Claire studied Nina’s face for any hint that she knew what had happened. ‘Did he say anything else?’
‘Only that you were amazing.’
Well, that was certainly open for interpretation.
‘God,’ Nina said, perching on the edge of the desk. ‘I can’t tell you how much I miss working as a vet. I was actually a bit jealous when Scotty told
