The idea of being back inMelbourne became a little more appealing. She searched the net foravailable flights, and emailed Sam her answer.
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
Todd strode through the house, aman on a mission. He surveyed the newly fitted kitchen and tiledsplash back. In the eight weeks since Chloe had been gone,Patrick’s progress with the renovation had suitably impressed him.The major work in the kitchen and family area had been completed inrecord time, with very few hitches.
Carpenters had just finishedfitting the cedar bi-fold doors to the rear wall of the house, andhad begun to pack up their tools and equipment. The doors openedonto a wide Merbau deck, stained a rich russet brown, courtesy oftwo coats of decking oil.
Light from the floorto ceiling windows in the extension suffused the open-plan rooms,and gave the newly polished floorboards a honeyed hue. Thecolourful reflection from the tear drop crystals dangling from aTiffany lampshade in the hall, burst through the dust motes anddanced in the air. Todd strode purposely from room to room checkingoff the tasks which were outstanding, on his iPad. He made a noteto commend the site manager Patrick had chosen. Keeping thecontractors focused and completing the major works ahead ofschedule gave them more time to dress up the space.Only two days left. Twodays to get all the furniture in place before Chloe returned. Afully furnished kitchen and family room was the only outcome hewould consider, for her to fully appreciate hissurprise.
Samantha parked thecar in the multi-level car park at the airport and then hurriedtowards the terminal..
Family and friends ofthe travellers jostled with each other for prime position as thearrival hall struggled to contain the crowd. Three internationalflights had all arrived within minutes of each other. Samanthaeased her way towards the barrier, hoping to get a better view.Whole families surged forward to greet their nearest and dearestpouring out of the customs hall doors. Babies cooed and gurgled,parents cried and hugged as they manoeuvred the trolleys of theirloved ones, laden with suitcases and bags of duty freemerchandise. Theminutes ticked by as more and more friends and lovers, familymembers, and then staff, made their way down the walkway. But noChloe appeared. Samantha’s skin prickled. Maybe I missed her?
The long and very tiring flighthad taken its toll. With no spare seats on the plane, she had nochance to stretch out her legs and had only managed a few hourssleep. The thought of a hot shower and sinking into her owncomfortable bed had become so appealing it almost reduced her totears. She prayed that Samantha wouldn’t mind dropping her off andcatching up with her later, for the obligatory holiday catch-up and“happy snaps” viewing.
As she exited through the slidingdoors of customs hall, she spotted Samantha standing off to oneside of the walkway. You couldn’t miss her in the stylish creamjacket and black leather pants, which fitted her like a secondskin. Samantha skirted around an elderly couple, eagerly making herway forwards through the crowd. Chloe’s spirits rose when she wasenveloped in a warm, bone-crunching hug and the spicy notes of afamiliar Ralph Lauren perfume.
“Welcome home. It’s sogood to see you looking so well.” Samantha tucked Chloe’s arm inhers as they pushed her laden baggage cart towards the pedestriancrossing connecting the buildings.
“I don’t know how youcan say that because I must look a mess. I don’t think I slept morethan an hour at a time. The flight was packed.” Chloe fluffed upher hair with her free hand.
“Darling, you lookfabulous after such a long flight. I am simply ignoring the darksmudges under your eyes, and concentrating on your hint of a tanand your gorgeous smile.”
“You always make mesmile, Samantha. I know it is a cliché, but it’s good to be back.Although the last two weeks in the South of France were heaven on astick.”
“So tell me all yournews. Who did you see? What did you do? Did your friends take youout? But more importantly … what did you buy in Paris?” Samanthafired off question after question, without taking a breath, andmaking Chloe laugh.
Determined to distractChloe from asking any questions, Samantha kept up the chatter allthe way down the Tullamarine freeway into the city. Todd hadplanned something special, which he hadn’t even shared withher. Just get her home as soon aspossible.
As they turned onto Beach Road,Samantha spotted Todd’s car parked behind Patrick’s, a momentbefore Chloe registered their presence. Her whole body tensed andshe turned wordlessly towards Samantha, her green eyes huge andquestioning.
“Chloe, I know what itlooks like, but just give him a chance to talk to you. Everyone ishappy you’re home. We’ve missed you.”
Todd remained in thekitchen priming the coffee machine, and setting out cups and platesto keep his hands and mind occupied. She’ll probably be hungry. He removedthe light refreshments he had purchased from the sparkling newfridge, and laid them on the breakfast bar. Hoping to avoid anawkward moment for Chloe, he had asked Patrick to greet her at thedoor. His stomach clenched into a hard knot at the sound of hervoice as she walked down the hall. Get agrip. His first glimpse of her was like thesun coming out from behind a cloud. As the kitchen was indented offto her left, she couldn’t see him immediately.
“Oh my God, you havedone wonders Patrick! This was my vision of the room. How did youknow?” Chloe looked around, wide-eyed and smiling.
