‘I’m glad you told me.’
‘I can’t stop thinking about what you said.’ When his eyes begged the question she added, ‘That you might consider leaving this all behind.’
He looked about to say something, but instead of addressing the issue suggested she come inside. ‘I just put the kettle on – stay for a cup of tea.’
‘Better not, it’s late and I just had a second cup as I tried to get up the nerve to come over. I’ll be peeing all night if I have any more.’
He leaned against the door frame. ‘You were that scared to see me?’
‘Not scared, worried.’ And she hated that he might think she was blasé about the sale of the cabin. She supposed she had been at first when she’d come here to do the place up, she’d thought it would be going through the motions, a matter of formalities. She hadn’t foreseen quite how much she’d enjoy being here around the bay again, and more than that she hadn’t thought she’d ever feel such a connection so quickly after all this time, and such distress at the thought of him giving up something he loved so much.
‘Just come inside, Nina.’ He didn’t wait for an answer before grabbing her hand and gently coaxing her inside.
He headed over to the kitchenette while she hung up her jacket and accepted his offer of tea before choosingthe armchair to sit in, the oversized squishy armchair that made her smile when she sat down because it was as if it swallowed her up a little and its edges kept her there.
When Leo brought over the tea she admitted, ‘Whatever we decide, someone will be unhappy. If Grandad takes the money he’s sorted for life, but he and I both know what it will do to you, whether you stay or go. And we also know we might not get another offer. So if we turn it down the worry about that continues on.’
‘I can see it’s a tough decision.’ He held her gaze then. ‘Does it feel good that soon you could draw a line under Stepping Stone Bay once and for all?’
‘That’s exactly the way I was looking at it before I got here.’ She breathed in, always able to smell the sea even when the air was filled with so much more. ‘I thought I’d come here, do the place up, sell it for Grandad, no more thinking about the bay or the cabins.’
‘Or me.’
It wasn’t a question and she didn’t answer. Because what he’d said was true.
‘How do you feel about it now, leaving the bay I mean?’ he persisted.
‘I see the beauty I’d forgotten about, I see the escape down here, I see how happy you are, your boathouse. It’s wonderful down here, Leo. If it was practical for me I could possibly buy it myself, but as I explained it’s not.’
‘And would your grandad mind the lesser price if it went to someone who offered something reasonable rather than crazy?’
She smiled. ‘It’s a ridiculous offer isn’t it? If it hadn’t been, this wouldn’t be an issue, I’d tell him to go away andnot bother us or you ever again.’ She thought about it. ‘To keep it in the family I think Grandad would take the sum and be happy with it and it probably would be enough. And if I was down this way that’s a whole worry off his mind. I think sometimes he feels he might have to do this all himself, no matter how much I tell him he won’t. I’d be closer if I get the transfer, which I don’t see as a problem at all.’
He set down his mug and sat forwards on the sofa, forearms resting on his thighs. ‘I’ve been thinking about your cabin a lot since you told me about the buyer.’
‘I know you have. You’ve been thinking about leaving.’
He ran a hand across his chin. ‘I actually did. For the first time ever I wondered what it would be like for me to escape here, the memories, everything.’ He smiled at her. ‘I can’t do it. You’re right, this place is me. It might solve issues short term but long term I know it wouldn’t, it would make an even bigger mess.’
‘I’m so happy to hear you say that.’ She’d never felt such relief, because the way he’d looked when he’d suggested he might leave the bay behind had told her he was serious and it also told her how much it would break her heart if he went through with it.
‘I’ve been thinking about your cabin in a different way,’ he said.
She sat forwards, intrigued.
‘I took out loans for the boathouse, so financially I’m not in a great position, but I could talk to the bank, see what I can do about raising the money myself.’
‘You mean you’d be interested in buying the cabin?’
‘You never know until you try,’ he shrugged. ‘And I really don’t want Walt to turn down the offer because ofme and have to wait for ages for another buyer to come along. He’ll have all that stress and it isn’t fair.’
‘I don’t know what to say … I mean, it’s an obvious solution when you think about it. If it works.’
‘I can’t offer the same as the other buyer but I can see the bank and try to get to the asking price.’
Nina didn’t know what to say other than, ‘Grandad will go for it, I know he will.’
‘Even though it’ll be less money?’
