Most of the time, her introversion was a warm, comfortable blanket she could curl up inside, protected from the world. But not tonight. Tonight it had let her down, and the frustration she felt made her stomach churn.
She meandered over to join the group around the table just as Evie announced it was time to eat. She peered between shoulders to see various salads and rolls with sandwich meats and cheese on several large platters. She took a plate, then filled a bread roll with ham and piled salad on the side.
Once her plate was full, she returned to her seat. The other ladies were back with plates of their own, and they all chatted amicably together while they ate. Evie joined them after a while, and Bea, Penny, and Taya all quizzed her about her sister. But she didn’t say much—only that Emily was visiting for a little while because it’d been too long since they’d seen one another. Charmaine could tell that there was more to the story, but Evie wasn’t going to divulge it while there were so many ears nearby straining to hear her words.
“Who’s the man over by the door?” Taya asked. “Does anyone know?”
Evie pushed salad around with her fork. “That’s David. He’s the new principal at the primary school.”
“Really? He’s handsome,” Penny said around a mouthful of bread roll.
“I hadn’t noticed, but I suppose he is,” Evie replied.
“Sureyou didn’t.”
“I didn’t.” Evie shook her head. “Stop it.”
“I’m not doing anything,” Taya replied innocently.
Bea laughed. “It’s nice to have someone new in town. This place gets a bit stale otherwise.”
“Stale?” Taya frowned. “I don’t think so. It’s lovely the way nothing changes around here. Coral Island is the same as it was when we were kids, and it’ll be the same when we’re grandparents. There’s something so reassuring about that.”
“I suppose you’re right,” Bea said. “I’d be upset if it changed.”
“Speaking of which, has anyone seen our favourite murderer out on bail yet?” Penny asked.
Bea’s eyes widened. “That’s some segue, Penelope.”
Penny shrugged. “I’m curious. No one is talking about the fact that Buck is out on bail.”
“I’m trying not to think about it,” Bea replied. “But no, I haven’t seen him. He’s probably laying low. I doubt anyone is happy he’s out—other than himself and Betsy, of course. Betsy is still so sure that he’s innocent. I’m starting to wonder if we got it wrong as well.”
Penny sighed. “I hope we’re wrong. I really do.”
Taya wound an arm around Penny’s shoulders. “We all do, for your sake.”
“Rowan doesn’t want to talk about it,” Penny continued. “I try to bring it up because sometimes there are things I want to get out in the open. Buck is his stepfather and my biological father, and he most likely killed my grandmother. That’s a lot to process. But whenever I try to talk about it, Rowan changes the subject or uses some excuse to get angry with me and storm off.”
“I’m sorry, sweetie,” Taya said. “That’s hard. But you can always talk to us if you need to.”
“Definitely,” Bea added.
“Absolutely,” Charmaine agreed with a quick bob of the head.
“Thanks,” Penny replied, her eyes glistening. “I know I can always count on you. Rowan and Buck have such a tortured relationship, it’s hard for him to open up about it. I thought he was past all that, but then Buck got arrested. Now that he’s out on bail, it’s as though Rowan’s in complete denial about the whole thing.”
Once they finished eating, the book discussion began. Charmaine engaged in an easy back-and-forth with various members of the group and enjoyed herself far more than she’d thought possible when she first walked into the room. It was relaxed and lighthearted. There were some conflicts over which characters were the favourites and why, but it was all in fun. By the time it was over, she was excited about their next meeting.
When she stepped outside and waved goodbye to Bea, Penny, and Taya, she peered up at the moon for a few moments. The sky was dark and the moon was high in the sky — only a sliver. The crescent shone down on the inky water marking a trail.
“Beautiful night for a walk,” Bradford said as he stepped outside.
“It’s spectacular,” she replied. “I love the smell of the ocean.”
“Me too. There’s something pretty special about it. Would you care to join me for a stroll around the dock?”
She looked at him in surprise. “Um… yes, okay.”
