‘When Isaac was almost ten, Conrad began to bring up both incidents more often. I was progressing with my training, on my way to a career, a part of life that wouldn’t include him. And I think he was insecure. He knew I wasn’t happy in the marriage and I think he realised that I’d see my unhappiness even morewhen I carved out time for myself away from our relationship and out in the real world. He wanted to make me uneasy, fearful. He didn’t want to lose me. The irony was that he forgot marriage meant he was supposed to stop sleeping around.’
‘He cheated on you?’
‘Multiple times. And I always knew. He’s a good police officer – you’d think he’d know more about covering his tracks, but he never did. I used to think he wanted out of the marriage as well, but during a blazing row one night when the word divorce was mentioned, he said that if I ever left him then the whole town would know the details of what I’d done at the pub, at the airbase. He told me people were more likely to believe him than me. And even though that wouldn’t necessarily be the case, I couldn’t take the risk because he said that if I was prosecuted for what I’d done, I’d lose Isaac. I couldn’t bear the thought of losing my son. And so I stayed.’
‘But you pursued your career.’
‘I did. But he didn’t support it. He saw, and referred to it, asMaya’s little hobbywhen I first started studying. He never saw it as real, not until I got my first job flying helicopters for tourists once I’d completed all my training, the theory and the practice, and Isaac started high school. Even then, he thought I’d lose interest and go back to being a stay-at-home wife soon enough. But I didn’t. The more I flew, the more I wanted to keep doing it and I was determined to go all the way, become a HEMS pilot. He hated it when I joined The Skylarks. I expected him to threaten to tell them what I did if I joined the crew, but he didn’t. Perhaps he realised it was local for him, he’d be able to keep a partial eye on me if I was there.’
Nigel took such a deep breath his shoulders rose. He did it when he was thinking deeply. And now the way he was looking at her reminded her so much of the times as a little girl when he’d run to her side and protected her.
‘That man, what he did to you.’ His own eyes filled with tears. ‘You were trapped in a marriage and couldn’t get out.’
Maya thought about the time another kid had pushed her off the seesaw in the playground and she’d fallen to the ground. Her dad had come running and given the young boy a piece of his mind. Conrad would want to watch his back in the street from now on if he was to bump into Nigel because the look on Nigel’s face was similar to that day. And it made Maya feel safe. She’d forgotten her dad ever had the ability to make her feel that way.
‘My biggest worry with the secret became Isaac finding out what his mother had done. I never wanted that. But it also became about my reputation in Whistlestop River as I settled into the town more and more. I didn’t want to be judged and lose the respect of people I’d come to know, to admire. I was scared I’d lose my job.’
Her dad pushed away his cup of tea. ‘I wish I’d been there for you more.’
‘You were there, Dad. But you and I didn’t understand each other.’
‘We didn’t. And that’s my fault.’
‘No, Dad. It’s both of our faults. It’s circumstance, it’s life, and events all rolled into one.’
‘I’m glad I know everything now.’
‘Me too.’
A knock at the window from the outside made them both jump.
Maya had been in their little bubble in here, the open day carrying on around them.
She went over to the window and waved down at the little boy who must have jumped up to make the knock. He pointed at the helicopter and Maya gave him a thumbs up.
‘I’d better get outside, Dad.’
He stood, brought both mugs over to the sink and looked at the crowds beyond the windows, the crew buzzing about. ‘I came here today to see the work you do. I wanted to understand you more.’ He turned to face her. ‘I couldn’t be more proud. Of the woman you are, your honesty, the mother you’ve become, the sister, the daughter you have always been. And for all of this here, doing so much good in a town that should feel lucky to have you.’
‘You’re proud of me?’ She said it as though trying it on for size.
‘Very much so.’
And for the first time in forever, he opened up his arms. And Maya didn’t need telling twice. She stepped into a hug from her dad after all these years.
40
Noah found a place to park at the airfield, although it was a challenge with both crews here today plus visitors.
He scooped Eva into his arms. ‘Come on, you.’
Eva’s soft hair tickled his chin as she snuggled up against him, tired after her trip to the children’s farm where, according to Geraldine, she’d cried when a goat came too close and laughed at the noise of the chickens. Noah had told Geraldine everything. He’d had to; it was obvious something had gone on. But it had allowed him to tell her why he’d needed the money he borrowed. It also helped her understand his absolute need to take Eva with him now rather than leave her with anyone else.
This little girl had landed in his life out of nowhere; he’d become an overnight dad with no warning. But despite all the dramas, he wouldn’t have it any other way. He couldn’t imagine his life now without Eva in it. His house would be quiet, his home empty, and his heart the same.
‘Shall we find Maya?’ he whispered as he went around the back of the airbase to where the open day was in full swing. He zoned in on the helicopter in the hangar, the place she was most likely to be and, sure enough, there she was talking to a group ofhalf a dozen boys who were firing questions left, right and centre about aviation and in particular helicopters.
Maya spotted him and he could tell she was doing her best to get away, but he was quite happy to watch her for a while. Outside the hangar, he pulled Eva’s sunhat from his back pocket and put it on her head, hoping it would stay put.
