‘Will it be safe?’ A Hobnob hovered uncertainly in his fingers.
‘Only time will tell.’
He would keep everything crossed that it would be and that perhaps now might be the start of getting Beau back on the right track.
18
Nadia wasn’t sure but perhaps Archie had gone back to Switzerland. She hadn’t heard from him in a few days, not since he’d told her that the police had been in touch and that Monica had been located, and that as an adult, now that they had found her and were assured that she was okay, it was up to her to get in touch. The fact that she hadn’t shown up here since, given she would likely know by now where Nadia worked if the police had spoken with her, had Nadia thinking this was all another one of Monica’s stunts: a plea for attention. And that didn’t sit well at all. Nadia had been beating herself up about the way she’d been with her sister over the years, how she’d left and made herself untraceable, and now here was Monica causing trouble again. Except this time, Monica was older, she should be wiser and not only was she taking Nadia’s time and energy and giving her worries, she was doing it to her husband and her little boy.
And that was even worse than what she’d done before.
Nadia tried to focus on work instead of her sister. No more letting Monica take things from her; she couldn’t do it again. If Monica was going to be a drama queen and not put her own family’s minds at ease when she knew they’d be besidethemselves, then it reaffirmed that Nadia coming here had been the right thing to do all those years ago… At least that was the mantra she’d try to remember to repeat to herself.
The social worker had facilitated a meeting between Lena and her grandparents and let Hudson know. The Wallaces wanted to welcome their granddaughter into their home permanently but it would still be a process to ensure that it was the right decision. Nadia knew she wouldn’t get to be updated every step of the way but it was nice that they knew as much as they did. And she felt a certain sense of closure when it came to Lena; that the abandoned baby she’d held in her arms would face a much more stable future very soon.
When her office phone rang, she hesitated before picking it up. She wasn’t sure why, Archie didn’t have this number, but ever since she knew Monica had been found, she’d been waiting for contact. She supposed over the coming days and weeks that feeling would fade; she’d adjust and return to the way she’d been before.
She smiled when the caller introduced themselves. Frank had already hinted that Marianne might well get in touch, but he’d said the call had to come from her; he wouldn’t interfere. Marianne Mayhan hadn’t had an easy time over the years but had managed to get things back on track with her life and her relationship with her sons, and getting involved with the community was another step in the right direction.
‘Hello, Marianne, what can I do for you?’ Nadia wouldn’t let it be known that she’d been expecting the call.
‘I’m a bit nervous asking this.’ She paused. ‘You might not want me. I clean. That’s my normal job. But…’
‘Marianne, I get the feeling you’re calling about the voluntary positions we’ve advertised on our website?’
‘I… I am. Like I said, I clean. But I wanted to get involved. I want to be a part of it. A part of the good work you do there.’
‘That’s great. I’m sure we can work something out. There are plenty of roles.’
Marianne listened to Nadia elaborate and was keen to get involved with the next fundraising event: the car boot sale to be held next month in the supermarket car park.
‘Cars will be arriving any time from 6a.m.,’ said Nadia. ‘There’ll be a lot of movement with vehicles and people, cars will need to be off the road quickly and out of the way, at their allotted spaces, stalls will need setting up.’ She went on to give Marianne the date of the meeting to be held by the fundraising committee and ended the call.
Nadia had just emerged from her office when she saw Conrad climb out of his car in one of the parking bays beyond the glass doors.
She went back into her office, turned and leaned against the closed door, her heart thudding.
Was he here about Monica?
No, he couldn’t be. The police had already played their part and the rest was up to her sister. He was probably here to see Maya, or maybe Hudson. She’d heard that Hudson’s ex was dating the detective, although what she saw in him, Nadia had no idea. If it was between Conrad and Hudson, there really was no choice; they were like chalk and cheese. One was friendly and kind and loyal; the other was arrogant and full of an inflated sense of self.
She heard a call of hello from beyond her office door. He was in reception.
She went out to face whatever was about to come her way.
‘Nadia.’ Conrad nodded in acknowledgement before checking his watch. ‘Is Maya around?’
She felt able to breathe again. ‘We’ve just had a shift changeover. I’ll go and let her know you’re here.’
‘Appreciate it.’
She remembered Maya saying something about another family dinner. She bet Noah would love that, his girlfriend having to go out with her ex-husband yet again, although knowing Maya, she wouldn’t be loving it so much either. But she was a good mum; she’d want to make her son Isaac happy.
Nadia found Maya in the locker room, changing into a pair of jeans and chatting to Noah. ‘Conrad’s here for you.’
‘Thanks.’
‘If he gives you any trouble, let me know.’ But she grinned. ‘Not sure what I can do about it if he does.’
