One
As the carpulled into the circular driveway of her home, Beatrice Whitlock yawned. She covered her mouth then smiled at Aidan, who sat in the driver’s seat.
“Glad to be home?” he asked.
She nodded. “We’ve had a fantastic six months abroad, but I’m grateful to be back on Coral Island. I’m ready to put my feet up and relax for a bit. Travelling is tiring.”
Aidan laughed as the garage door rolled up and then accelerated gently into the garage. “What are you going to do first?”
“I have a few phone calls to make.”
“Dani and Harry?”
“You know me well.” Both her children were studying in Sydney, and she hadn’t seen either one of them in three months since they both flew to Paris to spend a week with her and Aidan during their summer break.
Fudge, her adorable chocolate-coloured pug, and Nelly, Aidan’s golden retriever, both bounded out of the vehicle. They’d stayed with Evie for the past six months, and she’d been teary when Bea and Aidan had arrived from the ferry to pick them up. Bea was glad to see the dogs after so long away. She’d worried Fudge wouldn’t remember her, but he was overjoyed to see her, licking all over her face. He’d slowed down somewhat, and there were some grey hairs around his face that hadn’t been there when she left. It was a stark reminder that he was getting older and wouldn’t be with them forever.
She and Aidan lugged their bags into the house, then up the stairs to their large master suite. Beatrice left everything outside the walk-in closet. She filled the dogs’ bowls with water and food, then left them happily eating in the kitchen and headed for the shower. One entire wall of their bathroom was a large, glass panel that looked across the ocean. The shower wall shared the same view. As she took a shower, she watched seagulls diving and waves curling to shore along the empty beach.
The past six months had been a whirlwind of flights, hotels, walking trails, tourist destinations, and delicious food. She and Aidan had stopped in Hong Kong on the way to Europe, where they’d toured around much of the continent, then back via Phuket for a final two weeks at a beach resort before landing in Brisbane that morning.
They were both exhausted from the travel, but the entire trip had been the jaunt of a lifetime for them both. Bea had never felt so relaxed and happy. She and Aidan had spent almost every moment together and they’d enjoyed each other’s company, tried new food, hiked various trails, and seen more sights than she could possibly remember. It was the kind of adventure she’d dreamed of having for so many years, and she’d finally been able to do it.
They’d sat in an olive grove to watch the sun set over Florence while sipping Chianti. They’d stood in line for hours to admire Michelangelo’sDavid. They’d trekked part of the Camino de Santiago and eaten tapas at a small streetside café still bathed in sweat. They’d hiked the base of the Alps and gotten a tan on a beach in Nice. They’d eaten chocolate and dessert every single day. It’d been like a dream, and she’d shared it all with her one true love.
It was still surprising for her to believe that she’d ended up marrying her high school sweetheart, and that he was the down-to-earth, humble, and fun boy at heart she remembered him being even after so many years as a professional footballer. She had to pinch herself sometimes to remember it wasn’t a fantasy but her reality.
Beatrice pulled on a velour strapless dress that felt more like a bathrobe than clothing and wandered into the kitchen to fix them both a snack. Aidan had brought in the two bags of groceries they’d purchased on the way home, and set them on the kitchen bench. She poured two glasses of cold iced tea and sliced cheese to sit on top of crackers alongside a handful of olives. Then she took everything out onto the deck to wait for Aidan.
With her feet up on another chair, she leaned back and relaxed, taking in the view. It was good to be home. Even though this house had been Aidan’s before they were married, he hadn’t lived there long, so she’d been able to make it theirs in the short time they’d spent before their trip away. Sometimes she missed the cottage, but now that Charmaine had moved in, she could visit whenever she liked without disturbing the tenant. She was grateful to be able to help her friend get more settled on the island after everything that had happened with Charmaine’s brother.
Even thinking about Sean set her nerves jangling. She hoped he never came back. Perhaps the police had found him, although she was sure her friends would’ve mentioned that in one of the dozens of emails they’d sent her while she was away.
She picked up her phone and dialled Harry’s number. He answered right before she hung up, sounding sleepy.
“Are you napping in the middle of the day?” she asked with a laugh.
He grunted. “Mum?”
“I’m back on Coral Island.”
“That’s great, Mum. I’m glad you’re back. I can’t wait to see you.” He sounded tired, but happy.
“It’s been a long time. I’m looking forward to one of your hugs.”
He laughed. “Will you come to Sydney?”
“I have no desire to set foot on a plane for a while, but maybe you can come here during your next break. Or over a weekend.”
“Okay, that’s fine. If you’re paying, I’ll come next week. I miss you.”
“That’s wonderful—I’m so excited. I’ll pay, and I’ll even throw in a few home-cooked meals. How are your classes going?”
He sighed. “Medicine is harder than I thought it’d be. There’s so much to learn.”
She imagined him running his long, agile fingers through the dark curls that flopped across his forehead again the moment he let them go. “It’s difficult, but I know you can do it. You’ve always been able to tackle anything you wanted.”
“Thanks, Mum, but that doesn’t make me feel better. It puts more pressure on me. I can’t handle any more pressure.”
