The political ramifications were significant.Geoff’s resignation meant a bi-election would be held for the seat of Wells and a very real possibility the Nationals would lose the seat, given the public’s distaste for what he’d done.
For a few weeks after Geoff’s shocking confession, the town had buzzed with feverish excitement.Nel could see it in the too-bright eyes of the locals as they huddled in the street and the aisles ofthe mini-mart, their voices vibrant, their words tumbling out too quickly.Carrinya was the talk of the country.Their little town was famous and it was as though the locals felt like celebrities by association.
Trent had written a long article forThe Timeswith the headline,A FRIEND’S FIGHT FOR JUSTICE: HOW TRUTH PREVAILED IN THE CASE OF MADELINE MARSHALL.As Nel read the article, a lightness had come over her and by the time she got to the end, her cheeks were wet with tears.After all those years it was finally over.She was exonerated.
Ryan was still on her mind, but less than he had been.He’d been granted bail on the assault charges on the condition that he stayed away from Nel and Poppy.So far he had.He was due to face Mount Clare court next month.Jimmy was confident he’d be given a decent sentence, given how high profile the case was, and the fact that Poppy was just fifteen.According to Lauren, Ryan had resigned from Warner Property as requested by his father, who was apparently furious about the reputational damage—it had been the main topic of conversation at Lauren’s bootcamps.So maybe Ryan was planning to leave Carrinya for good.What would he have to come back to, after all?
Her thoughts shifted to her conversation with Faye a few weeks before.Nel had avoided her after Geoff’s election night confession, but after tossing and turning for a week, she’d decided enough was enough and arranged to meet her at The Larder.
‘I’m so sorry, Faye,’ Nel had said, bracing herself for Faye’s response.‘About everything.’
But she wasn’t bitter or angry.She’d taken Nel’s hands in hers.‘I’m the one who needs to apologise, Nel.And Geoff, although I wouldn’t hold your breath for that.He watched on while you were questioned by the police, knowing the whole time that you knewnothing.By the time I found out the truth, you’d already left town, so I told myself it didn’t matter.But it did matter.I’m so sorry.’
Nel had cried at that.
‘Thank you for fighting for Maddie,’ Faye added.‘You’re the only one who did.’
‘I thought you’d be angry,’ Nel said.‘I ruined Geoff’s career.’
But Faye shook her head.‘He ruined it himself when he made that dreadful decision.You freed us.If it wasn’t for you bringing the truth to light, I’d still be hiding in my studio painting my anger, my shame.’She smiled then.‘Instead, I’m excited about the future for the first time in so long.’
Nel pictured Cath and Faye travelling along an outback road, a silver-haired Thelma and Louise.They’d bought a second-hand motorhome and planned to head west to Alice Springs, then across to Perth and up the west coast to Broome.Cath had been talking about exotic places like Kings Canyon, where they would trek, and Monkey Mia, where they would swim with dolphins.
When Cass and Fran had heard about Cath’s plans, they asked if they could rent her house.They were moving in the following week.Cath was pleased that a family would be living there, and the rental income would cover her living expenses while she and Faye were on the road.
Nel let herself drift into sleep.She dreamed of Cath and Faye in a convertible with the top down, wind blowing their hair as they sped down a dead straight road, red desert on either side as far as the eye could see.
‘Nel?’
She sat up, disoriented.The room was darker now.Her mum stood beside the bed.
‘You’ve been asleep for a couple of hours,’ Cath said.‘I thought you must need it so I let you go, but it’s after four o’clock now.’
Nel rubbed her eyes, trying to shake off the groggy feeling.
‘This came in the mail for you.’Cath held out a postcard, a puzzled look on her face.
Nel glanced at the picture.Greetings from the Top End!it said cheerfully.She turned it over, but the only writing was her name and Cath’s address.
She frowned.‘It’s blank.’
‘Yes, it’s strange,’ Cath said with a shrug.‘Do you know anyone who’s visiting Darwin?’
Nel shook her head slowly.
‘I need to get these boxes ready for the boys,’ Cath said, gesturing out into the hallway.‘Can you give me a hand?’
‘Sure.’Nel was still looking at the postcard.She flipped it over again and studied the montage of pictures on the front.A fiery orange sun setting over water.Shoppers at Mindil Beach Markets.A young couple embracing under a waterfall.
Sophie, she thought.It must be from Sophie.
Chapter 76
The next morning, Nel tossed her suitcase into the boot and slammed it shut, then turned to face the others who stood on the kerb.Her preferred exit strategy would have been to slink away unannounced then send an apologetic text message from a rest stop halfway to Sydney, but Cath had invited the whole family around for breakfast and a prolonged farewell.
‘Well …’ she said, ‘I guess this is it.’
She looked from Cath to Lauren to Poppy, who stood next to Jack, his arm loosely draped over her shoulder.They’d just been for a run and both looked rosy-cheeked and impossibly youthful.
