That reminded her of Jordan and the threat. Maybe Sam could tell her something. “How’s everyone at the Ridge?”
“They’re great. They’ve got a few campers out there at the moment.”
“Good. I was a little worried. Amy looked tired the last time I saw her.”
Sam tilted his head slightly. “I think the situation with Arthur is stressing her out.”
Gretchen nodded. Of course it would, but Amy had been tired before that.
The marina gate clanged open as the passengers arrived along with the rest of the crew and it was all hands on deck while they got everyone suited up and Sam took them out of the marina. Arthur sat on the top level next to Sam. He wore long pants still, so it had to be warm up there, but he seemed more relaxed than he had spending all day in the cabin.
When they reached the snorkelling spot, it was her turn to stay on the boat and monitor the passengers in the water. When everyone was in, she spent her time making notes against the passengers’ names. The deck was clear, and Sam and Arthur were on the top deck still. Gretchen remembered what Sam had asked her. She went to the base of the ladder. “Arthur, are you going to jump in today?”
Silence. Then finally he said, “Maybe tomorrow.”
Satisfaction filled her at getting a response. He may not have made any promises, but at least he’d responded.
The rest of her day was filled with chatting to customers, helping them with their equipment, and preparing and cleaning up from the meals. It was simple work, and she enjoyed being outdoors, enjoyed helping people. It got a little rough as they were heading back in, and she handed out a few emesis bags, stumbling over the deck a little. Arthur still sat on the top deck, and he seemed content where he was. She’d even caught him talking to a passenger, though she hadn’t heard the conversation. It was far better than he’d been last week. She’d been worried his accident yesterday as they’d disembarked might have set him back.
After the passengers left, Gretchen spent some time cleaning the seating around the boat and then stretched. She was done for the day.
“I’m off,” she called to Sam, who was in the cabin with Arthur. “I’ve got to pick Jordan up from pony club.”
Arthur sat a little straighter. “Is that the one Faith runs?”
“Yeah. Lara will be there.” She checked her watch. “They’ve still got about half an hour, if you want to come.”
Arthur hesitated.
“Go on, mate,” Sam said. “I need to do a few things here. I’ll meet you back at the town house.”
He was still for a long moment, thinking things through. Finally, he nodded. “All right. Thanks.” He shifted to his feet, putting far more weight on his good leg than his prosthetic one. Lacking trust it would hold him. How regularly was he doing his exercises?
They walked to her car. For anyone else who was new in town, she’d ask how long they were staying, but it could be a loaded question. She wasn’t certain he was here by choice.
“Is Jordan your son?”
She jumped, not expecting him to talk. “Yes. He’s ten, like Lara.”
“His dad can’t pick him up?”
She shuddered. “I hope not.” Damn, that was the wrong thing to say.
Sure enough, Arthur asked, “Why not?”
“He’s not interested. He’s not seen Jordan in five years, so if he turned up now, it wouldn’t be a good thing.” She’d told no one he was in town. The only person who had seen him was Penelope at Dot’s birthday a few weeks ago, but Gretchen had told her he was a random guy asking her out.
“Do you have family up here?”
It would figure that he’d get chatty about the one subject she didn’t want to talk about. “It’s just Jordan and me. My parents live in Melbourne.” Time to turn the tables. “Do you and Amy have any other siblings?”
“No.” He turned to look out the window. “Are you friends with her?”
“Yeah. Georgie introduced us when Amy first moved to town.”
“How long ago was that?”
“Around the beginning of the year.” She hadn’t known then about Amy’s estranged relationship with her family, but she had recognised a kindred spirit wandering to find a place to belong. Amy had found her home here. Gretchen had thought Retribution Bay could be that for her and Jordan too, but Kurt might change that.
