“Why do you put upwith me? What on earth do you see in me? I’ve been nothing buttrouble to you ever since you met me.” A slow trickle of tearscontinued to fall. “And before you answer that, I know I am feelingsorry for myself.”
Todd leaned in towards her. “Isee a strong, beautiful, talented woman, who just needs to be shownthat the right man in her life could offer all sorts ofpossibilities. I see a future for us, if only you will open up tothe fact that I want to take care of you, not take away yourindependence. I love you. I think you love me too; you’re just alittle scared to admit it. One day I hope to be down on bended kneewhen I say that.”
Chloe’s heartstuttered in her chest. On bended knee? Hewants to propose? She brushed away thetears, ducked her head and sipped the coffee while her mind triedto grasp the possibility. He wants tomarry me! At any other time in her life shewould have tried to run away from this scenario. The overwhelminganxiety she had experienced in the past did not flood her body, didnot bring on the sharp pains in her stomach. This was a newfeeling. Anxious? Excited? Yes, she was anxious but alittle excited by the fact that someone actually wanted to marryher. She took a few minutes to consder the idea of marrying Todd.She blushed.
“Are you going to saysomething? Or have I shocked you into silence?”
“I’m a little shocked,yes. I’m running the idea through my mind. Processing it. In thepast I would have run from such a statement.”
“But now …” Toddreached out and took her hand.“Tell me how you feelnow.”
“I’m thrown a littleoff balance by this to tell you the truth. I had no idea you feltthis way. But a little excited too.” Chloe squeezed his hand.“That’s a start, isn’t it?”
“Yes. That isdefinitely a start. What do you think caused the change ofheart?”
“When you stood up toPaul, I didn’t feel so afraid or so alone any more. And now thathe’s gone, I don’t feel as overwhelmed by my past.”
“And that’s a goodthing, Maybe now you can start to let go of all the bad memories.Lock them up tight and throw away the key. A newbeginning?”
“I really hope so. Andwhile we’re on the subject of Paul. I can’t remember if I have togo and identify the body? “
“No. I will take careof that for you, if you’ll let me.” Todd pulled her into his armsfor a quick hug. He kissed the top of her head. “I’d better getready for work. I’ll have to switch some things around this morningif I’m going to the police station. I’ll call you when I know thetime, and pick you up. You can’t get out of making a statement, I’mafraid.”
Todd picked up theempty coffee mugs and disappeared inside, sliding the balcony doorclosed behind him. Chloe drew up her legs and clasped her armsaround her knees, hugging them to her chest. The thought of thetrip to the police station and answering endless questions made herwant to disappear into herself. It frightened her to talk aboutPaul, but she had Todd now, and very soon it would all be over. Hesaid he would be there with her; he wouldn’t let her do this on herown. She realised how lucky she was. For the first time in a verylong time, someone cared enough about her. He even wants to marry me.
However, the million dollarquestion running around in her brain was did she want to marryTodd?
The visit to the police stationhad been easier than she imagined it would be. After some routinequestions, Todd disappeared to identify the body in the morguewhile she had a cup of coffee with Detective Blake. They were backin the car in a little under an hour, and heading for the PortMelbourne office.
As they entered, Daniel andSamantha stopped their conversation mid-sentence, their eyes fullof concern and sympathy. Samantha approached Chloe and gave her ahug. Daniel headed for the kitchen muttering something about makingcoffee, but obviously happy to be leaving an uncomfortableemotional situation, and the possibility of weepingwomen.
“You poor thing. Howawful for you. I couldn’t believe it when Todd called to tell me.Neither could Malcolm.” Samantha held Chloe at arm’s length,scrutinising her face, trying to determine how much damage had beendone. “You should have called me. I would have come straightover.”
“Thanks Sam. There wasnothing you could’ve done. Nothing anyone could’ve done. It wasnearly all gone by the time we got back to Port Melbourne.” Chloesqueezed Sam’s hand.
“So there’s nothingleft? You couldn’t save anything?”
Chloe shook her headwordlessly.
“How about I take youclothes shopping this afternoon. You’ll need some basic outfits toget you started. Daniel can look after the office for a couple ofhours. What do you think, Todd?”
“That’s a great idea,Sam. I was going to go with her, but I think you would be bettersuited to the task.” Todd removed his Amex card from his wallet andgave it to Samantha. “I know Chloe will try to refuse, but I trustyou know how to spend a man’s money, Sam. Buy something pretty fromme. Enjoy.”
“You know me well.”Sam tucked the credit card into her pocket.
“You can go now if youlike. I’ll be here. Daniel and I can hold down thefort.”
“You heard the man.Let’s go. I have a credit card that’s dying for a full workout.That’s what you meant, wasn’t it?” Samantha asked. She winkedcheekily at Todd.
“I trust you won’tbankrupt me.” Todd turned towards the door as a distinguishedelderly gentleman entered. He offered the man a seat in his office,and gave Chloe and Samantha a thumbs-up sign as they prepared toleave.
“I’m thinking of going back toParis.”
“Why? And before youanswer that, does Todd know you are thinking of leaving again?”Samantha pulled up at the traffic lights, and stared at Chloe. “Idon’t understand. You have been getting back on track with Todd. Icould see
