My shout.’
Sophie gave her a grateful smile.
‘G’day, Barb!’the waitress said.‘Anywhere you like.’
The kids went to a table while Sophie and Barb ordered at the counter.
‘Mum!’Charlie exclaimed.
Sophie swung around to see him holding up a copy of theCourier-Mail, an image of Geoff Marshall on the cover.Then she realised Charlie was pointing to a smaller photo of Ryan.The headline read, NEWDEVELOPMENTS INCOLDCASEDEATH OFMP’SDAUGHTER.
She grabbed the paper from his hands, her eyes skittering across the text.New charges … Carrinya real estate agent … cold case … perjury … perverting the course of justice … refused bail …
Sophie felt eyes on her and looked up.
‘Someone you know?’Barb said gently.
Chapter 66
When Nel arrived back at Cath’s, Lauren was stacking the fridge.
‘Leftovers,’ she said, putting the last Tupperware container in the fridge and closing the door.Her eyes travelled down to Nel’s shirt and jeans, then she looked back up and raised an eyebrow.‘Good night?’
‘Not a word,’ Nel said, biting her lip to stop herself from smiling.She felt like a giddy teenager.
Cath was hand-sewing the edge of a quilt in the lounge room.Daybreakwas on the TV.
‘Morning, Mum,’ Nel said.
Cath looked up and gave her a knowing smile.‘Morning, darling.Nice night?’
Nel nodded.God, how embarrassing.This was why you weren’t meant to live with your mother at this age.On the screen a reporter, Scott someone, was beachside, surrounded by people holding election placards.
‘Is he here in town?’Nel asked, recognising the Art Deco facade of the Carrinya surf club.
Cath nodded as Geoff Marshall appeared in the shot.
‘I’m here with National Party Leader Geoff Marshall at the Carrinya Surf Life Saving Club,’ Scott said.Behind him, campaignersheld up the VOTE 1 GEOFF MARSHALL placards that had lined the shop windows on Manning Street for weeks.
Lauren wandered in.‘So do you think Geoff will be the Deputy PM by the end of the day?’
Cath was about to answer when they heard Maddie’s name.They looked back at the screen.
‘I appreciate this is a very difficult matter,’ Scott was saying in a sombre tone, ‘but I wanted to extend our sympathy to you and your wife Faye, in light of the events of the last few days.I imagine it must have come as quite a shock after so many years.What would you like to say about these developments?’
Geoff nodded, his face grave.‘All Faye and I want, all we’ve ever wanted, is for our beautiful girl to be able to rest in peace.’He swallowed visibly and cleared his throat.‘That’s the only comment I’ll make on this matter.Today is about the people of Australia exercising their democratic right to vote …’
Cath clicked her tongue.‘It must be such a relief to have some answers after all this time.’
Lauren had tears in her eyes.‘After what happened to Poppy this week …’
‘Now back to Leah and the team in the studio.’
‘Thanks, Scott,’ the presenter said, her tone appropriately solemn.‘There will be full coverage of developments in the case of Madeline Marshall in our next news bulletin.Back with more on the election after the break.’
Chapter 67
The smell of democracy sausages filled the air at Carrinya Public School as Nel looked around for Jimmy, but she couldn’t see him anywhere.She’d been having flashbacks all morning.Flashes of his touch.His warm body.His strong hands on hers.Everything felt strangely sensual.It felt almost indecent to be walking around in public having such erotic thoughts.
