By the time she reached the marina, she wished she’d brought a bottle of water with her. The sun was hotter than she’d expected and sweat dripped down the back of her shirt. A big removal truck was parked out the front of one townhouse and two large men were hauling a bed frame inside. Someone new was in town. Would they be a permanent resident, or was this a holiday place for some rich city person?
It was then the blue hair of a woman coming out of the house caught her attention. Georgie. She hadn’t mentioned she was moving.
Penelope raised her hand in a wave. “Georgie!”
Georgie spotted her and grinned. “Hey, Pen. What brings you here?”
Penelope smiled at the casual nickname. No one had ever shortened Penelope. Her mother wouldn’t have stood for it when she was a child, and she’d got into the habit of automatically correcting people.
“I was going to ask you the same thing. You didn’t mention you were moving.”
Georgie laughed. “Not me. Matt and I can’t afford a place like this yet. It’s for a friend, Sam. I mentioned he’d bought Rob’s tour boat, right?”
“Yeah.” She recalled the conversation about Georgie’s brother’s best friend moving up and taking over Faith’s father’s whale shark tour business. She was still getting used to the idea that everybody knew or was related to everybody in this town.
“You look hot,” Georgie said. “Want a drink?”
Penelope glanced behind Georgie. “I don’t want to interrupt.”
Georgie grinned. “Please, interrupt. I’ve been hauling boxes all morning.”
Penelope laughed. “Well, as long as no one minds, I could do with a drink.”
“Take this.” Georgie handed her a box from the truck and then grabbed another one. “This way.” The town house was modern and bright, with pale tiles and light walls. From upstairs, the sounds of grunts and curses could be heard. Georgie laughed as she placed her box on the pile against one side of the main living area. “They’re dealing with the bed.”
Penelope placed her box next to it. “Is Matt with you?”
“No, he had work on the farm. Brandon and Sam are up there and Amy’s around here somewhere.”
At that moment Brandon’s wife, Amy, came in from one of the downstairs rooms. Penelope had met her at the girls’ night. “I thought I heard voices. Nice to see you again, Pen.”
Penelope smiled. “Likewise. I was walking past and saw Georgie.”
“Don’t stay long unless you want to get roped in,” Amy said.
Penelope glanced around. “I’m happy to help if you need it.” It would give her something to do. She’d enjoyed unpacking from her move and making sure everything had its place.
Georgie took a glass from the box on the bench and filled it with water, then handed it to Penelope. “We’re almost done, and I’m sure you’ve got better things to do with your day than helping to unpack.”
Penelope took a sip of water so she didn’t respond in the negative. How sad was it that she had nothing better to do?
Footsteps thumped down the stairs and two large men entered the room. Penelope hadn’t met Brandon, but she’d seen a photo at Georgie’s place, so she recognised the dark-haired man immediately. The other man though… Her hand clenched around the glass as she stared at him. He was slightly taller than Brandon and wore a tank top and board shorts, topping the beach look with a pair of thongs. Who wore thongs when moving furniture? The thought was fleeting as her gaze moved up his muscled body to his face. His short strawberry blond hair was mussed as if he’d just run his hand through it, and his eyes were a blue that reminded her of the clear ocean on the reef.
The man glanced at Georgie. “You inviting people to my house already?” The smile followed a beat too long after the words.
Penelope took a step back, mortified. What was she doing here? She placed the glass on the bench, debating whether she should wash it, and decided it would be better just to get out of there. “My apologies. I didn’t mean to intrude.” She moved towards the door. “Georgie was kind enough to offer me a drink. It’s hot today.” With her cheeks burning, she rushed out of the town house, ignoring Georgie’s call for her to come back. She never would have entered someone’s house without an invitation from the owner in Perth. She should have known not everybody was as welcoming as Georgie.
“Pen, wait up.” Georgie grabbed her arm as she reached the road.
Penelope slowed, but she didn’t stop.
“Sam was joking,” Georgie said.
She doubted it, but she forced a smile. “I know. I needed to go anyway, things to do.” Yeah right. If only. Then she realised she’d offered to help unpack, so Georgie knew it was a lie. At least she didn’t call Penelope on it.
“Do you want to do brunch tomorrow?” Georgie asked.
Penelope frowned. “With you and Matt?”
