“So, it’s an active choice?” Karen asked, clearly struggling to let go of her vision for Alice.
“It is.” Alice thought about tonight and twirling with her nieces. “And now I know I can’t have babies, I want to be close to Lucy and Indi and share their childhood. And if you still need proof this is where I belong, it’s this: even in the middle of all this turmoil, I’ve experienced moments of joy. Isn’t that what you’ve always wanted for me?”
“She’s right, Kaz,” Peter said.
Alice threw him a grateful smile. “And now I’ve fully committed to the bay, it’s time I moved into my own place.”
“You don’t have to,” Karen said.
“Yeah, Mom, I do. I love you to bits, but we drive each other nuts.”
“If you were just a little tidier …”
Alice laughed. “If you were just a little messier.”
“We’re always here.”
“I know. I’ve always known, but today when I was twirling with the kids, I came to truly understand how incredibly lucky I am to have you both.”
The three of them sat, lost in their own thoughts, and then Alice broke the silence.
“Mom, I didn’t lose the newborn baby photos of Libby and me, did I?”
Karen sighed. “No. But I wasn’t lying when I said film was expensive. We had a couple of hospital photos of Libby, but I destroyed them so there was no chance either of you would find them.”
“How long was I in the hospital?”
“Eight weeks. The moment you were discharged, we moved down here. Two weeks later, I took you both to the studio for that photo you love so much.”
“And the Anne of Green Gables book?”
“It was in the plastic bag of Lisa’s possessions at the hospital. I couldn’t believe she’d kept it or that our father never found it and burned it. It doesn’t make a lot of sense, but I hope it gave her some strength when she needed it.” Karen shifted forward. “Would you like to see Lisa’s box?”
“Was it the one I saw you with a while ago?”
“Yes. There’s photos and some letters.”
“Maybe another time.” Or maybe never.
“I understand. Ask when you’re ready.” Karen sat back. “Are you heading back to Burrunan tonight or staying here?”
“About that. Things are a little tense over there. Jess is in the hospital—”
“Hospital?” Karen sat up straight. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know, maybe appendicitis? Whatever it is, Ramesh thought she needed to go to Bairnsdale. The thing is, Jess put Nick down as next of kin, so you can imagine the state Libby’s in.”
“Leo.” Karen sighed, her face twisting in despair. “Please don’t tell me Libby’s being difficult over Leo.”
“I want to, but I can’t. Nick’s taken the kids to sleep on Freedom.”
“And who’s with Jess?”
“I have no idea.”
Karen lurched to her feet. “This nonsense has gone on long enough. I’m calling the hospital and then I’m talking to your sister. It’s time she understands exactly what she’s risking.”
Alice couldn’t face any more drama tonight so she texted Dan.
Any chance I can come over, just be a friend and get some help with a Dear Alice?
The porch light’s on.
Alice made herself a cup of tea and sat opposite Dan, who was reading on the couch.
“I’ve left this one, because I don’t know how to answer it.”
“Hit me with it.”
“‘Dear Alice, I’m single and I run a small business. Recently, I’ve developed feelings for my employee. I think she’s single, but how do I tell if she’s interested in me as a person or if she’s just being a friendly employee? I don’t want to jeopardize our working relationship, but if she feels the same way as I do, I’d hate to let the opportunity pass us by. Awkward.’”
Of Alice’s many and varied dating disasters, none involved an office romance. She’d gone to work for the Cahills after she’d met Lawrence. The romantic in her wanted to say, “Ask her out,” but the feminist in her knew the power imbalance could put the woman in a difficult situation.
“Any suggestions?”
“I’ve asked a woman out who I worked with.”
“But were you her boss?”
“No. And this dude’s right about awkward. One ski season, when I was working at Mount Hotham, this woman and I had amazing chemistry. Eventually, we acted on it. The next day I rocked up to work and she was a completely different person. Either my lust had camouflaged her crazy or sex activated her neediness. It made for a long and difficult three months.”
“So your advice is don’t do it?”
“If he was in the big smoke I’d say that, but let’s face it, this is the bay and choices are limited.” He winked at her. “With a bit of planning, it’s easy enough to run into people.”
She laughed. “That’s your modus operandi, is it?”
“It worked with you.”
“I was at work.”
“Yeah, but thankfully I wasn’t. It’s been a great few months.”
Summer was fast approaching. Dan’s surf school would be gearing up to full strength and their arrangement would finish. Although she’d miss the benefits, she hoped the friendship would continue, because he’d become one of a few unexpected rocks in her life.
“How’s this then for a reply?” She started reading. “‘Dear Awkward, This is tricky! So often we can confuse friendliness and a conscientious and enthusiastic employee with something else. During your week, do you ever see her socially? Away from the office might be the best place to cautiously gauge her interest. Good luck and I hope it works out. Alice.’”
“Sounds fair to me. It’s a shame there are so many small businesses in the district. I’d love to know who the poor bloke is.”
Alice laughed. “You say that every time.”
“And so does the rest of the bay.”
