I already knew in my heart what was in it. My hands trembled as I struggled to remove the lid. The white cardboard box had nothing distinguishable about it. Inside were three empty corners and then pooled in the last corner I looked at, was my necklace.
I lifted it out and ran my thumb over the pendant. The chain was new, but the pendant was definitely my grandmother’s. A choked sob escaped me, and I clutched it to my chest. That this would come back to me today was the greatest of miracles. A much-needed reminder she was always here, even if she wasn’t.
Kate rose to embrace me, wiping her own tears, as Ollie reached for my leg in comfort. They let me cry over the loss of my gran and Nick. Evelyn grabbed tissues and another bottle of wine.
Kate stood, took the pendant from me, and looped it around my neck before securing the clasp.
‘How did he …?’ I was struggling to speak.
‘He had those two kids that own the boat looking for it from the minute you lost it. He got them sorted out with scuba gear and a metal detector. Oh, and the promise of a boat upgrade. He had word from the resort that it had been found on the beach of the private island. He had Monica fly over to pick it up and bring it here.’
Jesus Christ, Nick.
I stood up and hugged Ollie and, in the absence of his brother, it was an enormous hug that went on a really, really unprofessional length of time.
I was so grateful to have met the two of them on the island. The love that I had for Nick was so very much more than anything I had ever experienced, but Ollie and the rest of Nick’s family were a gift I had never expected, either.
We had a late dinner of soup and homemade bread that Evelyn had magically produced from random things in my pantry, and then there was more wine and music and laughter and some tears.
It got to just after one and we were fading, the kids already asleep inside. I stood and began to collect glasses, mentally preparing a list of blankets and pillows needed for our unexpected house guests. I took the handful I had to the kitchen before coming back out for another lot. I leaned over Ollie to pick up his glass.
‘Abbey.’
His voice came from behind me, and I gave myself a moment before turning around to look at him.
Nick.
His frame filled the back door, and he stepped down to the yard. He looked cosy in a black cashmere jumper and black jeans. The look on his face was one I would never forget. He looked exhausted, yet somehow flushed with colour, as though he had run here.
I think my bottom lip fell, or trembled, or my face showed I was about to burst into tears, and he lifted his palms up to me in a plea to let him speak.
‘Abbey, I— Oh, hey.’ He noticed his brother, sister and Kate sitting around the fire. ‘Everyone’s here.’
‘Did you get my message, Nick?’ Ollie asked.
‘Message? I only landed twenty minutes ago. What are you guys all doing here?’
‘Shivah,’ Evelyn said. ‘For Iris.’
Nick’s hand flew to his chest. ‘Iris died?’
‘This morning,’ Kate said, brushing away tears.
‘Oh, Jesus. Abbey, Kate, I’m so sorry …’ He choked on a sob. ‘She was such a great lady and I’m’ – he sniffed – ‘I’m so glad I met her.’
‘Abbey,’ Kate whispered to me, because I had not moved to comfort him.
‘No, Kate. No.’ He shook his head, pushed away the tears for Iris. ‘It’s okay. Abbey is right to be wary. I have not given her very many reasons to trust me. I, uh, I have not given Abbey the one thing she offered me straight away. Honesty.’
I was taking deep, purposeful breaths.
‘If I were honest the first night I met Abbey, I would have told her I was completely captivated. Straight away. If I were honest, I would have told her that the first time she agreed to have dinner with me, my heart soared, and I was nervous as hell. I would have told her that I was completely intoxicated by the end of that holiday.
‘I should never have let my lawyers interview you. I knew you. I should have defended you, Abbey. I got that so wrong.
‘I should have danced with you at that party. I regret that. I will never, ever put my business needs above your needs ever again, I give you my word.’ He took a tentative step towards me.
‘I have fucked this up in so many ways. I can only profess complete and utter madness. I was in love with you before I got to Sydney and every single second I have spent beside you, Abs, has made me fall even further. I should have told you I loved you every single one of those days, Abbey. I should have fallen to my knees every day and begged for you to be mine. I know it may be too late …’ His voice broke, and I watched as his hand moved across his chest as if he was trying to stop his insides from falling out.
