Looking out of the window through the open curtains to the west, I can see Scorpius in the sky, its long tail and stinger stars sinking toward the horizon. Jack was a Scorpio, and somehow it feels as if he’s giving us his blessing.
Miss you, I mouth, sending a imaginary, wistful kiss up to the heavens.
Then I close my eyes, a small smile on my lips, and fall asleep.
Chapter Sixteen
New Year’s Eve
Isla
“Can I have a quick word?” Nix asks.
We’re in Noah’s house, and he’s throwing a New Year’s Eve party. Everyone’s here—all the staff from the Ark, as well as lots of his family and friends. Music’s blaring, tables are filled with food, and there’s a temporary bar out on the deck with a member of the catering staff making any cocktail you could imagine. And everywhere you look, there are dogs, from Cullen’s Ghost to Noah’s German Shepherds to Leon’s four crazy hounds to Hal’s beautiful and gentle rescue dog, Miss Daisy.
I was talking to Beth, Jude, and a couple of others, but I let Nix lead me out onto the deck that overlooks the garden. The sun is setting, but Max is still out there, smothered in insect repellant, playing with a few other kids who are here tonight and some of the dogs. His face has caught the sun, and his cheeks are rosy, while his eyes are bright and full of happiness. I don’t think he’ll be able to stay up until midnight, but Abby has said the kids are welcome to crash out in one of the spare bedrooms if they want to. I like that it’s a child-friendly place. Lots of the couples here have babies, and nobody minds if one starts crying, or if a toddler has a tantrum—everyone either helps or looks the other way.
Tearing my gaze away from Max, I look back at Nix and smile.
“Sorry to drag you away from the party,” she says. “I just wondered how your meeting with Gavin went.” She’d organized an appointment for me yesterday at two p.m.
“Thank you so much for doing that,” I tell her. “It went very well.” I look at the cocktail glass in my hand.
“I’m sorry if it was tough,” she says softly.
I blow out a long breath. “It was super hard. We completed the forms for a Protection Order, and he took a sworn statement of the incidents of violence. Apparently a new faster divorce pathway has just come into effect if family violence is involved. It’s nicknamed Ashley’s Law, and it means I won’t have to wait two years.”
“Well that’s good news.”
“Yes it is. As hard as it is to talk about the end of your marriage, I want it over with as soon as possible.”
“So what happens next?”
“Once the Protection Order is through, Gavin will apply for a divorce. He asked if I wanted a Property Order to grant possession of the family home and furniture, but I don’t want to go back to Auckland. I just want to sell the house. He’s going to help with all that. The only other thing to sort out is the care arrangement for Max. The court can order supervised contact for the violent parent. Gavin suggested returning to Auckland once a fortnight, and maybe dropping Max off with my parents, and Rob could go and visit him there.”
“And your parents are okay with that?”
“Yes, they’re prepared to supervise. My dad will be very strict with him. He won’t leave him alone for a minute with Max.”
“How does Max feel about it?”
“He hasn’t said much. I think he’s conflicted, but he’s too young to sort out his feelings. I’m trying not to poison his mind against Rob. He is Max’s father, after all. And I don’t think he meant to hurt Max. I’m not trying to make excuses for him. I hate him a little for what he did. I just think that deep down, he’s not a bad man. I’m conscious of painting him like a mobster who throws a right hook at everyone in his path. I don’t want to put Max in therapy for the rest of his life, you know?”
“I understand. Just remember that Rob’s lawyer will put his interests first. He’s not your responsibility anymore. I think it’s great that you don’t want to poison Max against him, but equally you need to do what’s best for you and Max now.”
“Yes, that’s true. I will try to keep that in mind.”
She smiles and rubs my arm. “You’re such a lovely person. It would be so easy to be vindictive toward a spouse who harmed you, and I wouldn’t blame you at all.”
“It doesn’t come easy,” I admit. “I have to fight against negative feelings. I don’t want my life or Max’s to be full of hate and fear.”
“Of course, and I think you’re right to try to find the positives in all this. Hopefully it means you’ll both come out of it in one piece and looking forward to the future.”
“I am.” I look across the room to where Cullen is standing talking to Archer, Albie King, and his father, Charlie.
“Yes… I heard about you two,” she teases. “How’s it going?”
I look back at her, my face flushing. “Very well, actually. I’m trying to take it nice and slow, but it’s hard when he’s so lovely. He’s so good with Max, and Max adores him.”
