“No, it was a last-minute decision. We spoke about it early this morning when I went for my walk on the beach. I was showing her the sunrise and she said she missed it, so I asked why she doesn’t come to visit.”
“That’s a great idea. Thanks, Mum. I miss her so much sometimes. I wish she’d move back here for good.”
Mum leaned closer to her phone. “This is your chance. I’m making a nice meal, we’ll put on some music, and bam, you offer her a job.”
Taya laughed. “Really?”
“Why not? Youarethe boss, after all.”
“Mum, when did you become so conniving? Or have you always been this way and I simply didn’t recognise it?”
Mum poked out her tongue. “I’m off to bowling, love. Toodle-oo!”
Taya hung up the phone as her flight was announced. She slung her purse strap and laptop case over her shoulders and set off through the concourse to her plane. Would Camden work for her? She wouldn’t answer directly to Taya, since she was a chef, she’d have to be in the kitchen of the Blue Shoal resort. But it would certainly mean Taya would see her more often. Still, she had a boyfriend and a life in Cairns. She might not want to leave all of that behind.
There was no harm in asking, though. If she said no, that was fine. Taya wouldn’t hold it against her. But there was something special about this business being a place of family, and Taya wanted more than anything for Camden to be part of it. Mum clearly did as well. With a resolute heart, she boarded the plane, feeling more hopeful and alive than she had in years.
Twenty-Five
The chickenin the frying pan spat and hissed. Beatrice wiped her hands on her apron and set the lid on the pan. She switched off the potatoes, then drained and mashed them with butter and sour cream. Finally, she put them back in the empty pot with the lid on to keep them warm.
Her phone rang, and she pressed it to her ear with her shoulder as she worked.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Bea, you’ll never guess what happened.” Taya’s voice was cheerful; it brought a smile to Bea’s face.
“Really? What is it? Did you finally figure out how to be in two places at once, so we never have to miss you?”
Taya groaned. “Oh wow, that was corny.”
“Okay, I’ll try to do better next time. What is it? What’s happened?”
“I offered Camden a job as sous chef at the resort here in Blue Shoal, and she said yes. She’s going to give notice at her job in Cairns and move here within the month.”
Bea pumped a fist in the air. “That’s fantastic news! I’m so happy for you. What about her boyfriend?”
“She and Michael are working towards marriage, she told me.”
“That sounds like an amazing plan. It’s great to hear they’re thinking about the future, unlike some.” Bea couldn’t help comparing Camden’s future with Dani’s. If things kept going the way they had been, Dani would end up spending the rest of her life with a man who didn’t seem to have any plans to settle down or start a family and whose idea of high-class living was to have his girlfriend work at a cafe to help pay the rent on his flat full of cushions.
“Don’t get down about the obnoxious professor, Bea. Dani is going to come to her senses. I know she will.”
Bea walked into the living room and sat in an armchair with a sigh. “I don’t know… I’ve always considered her sensible, responsible, mature. But these days, I feel like I don’t know her at all. How can she think it’s okay for her boyfriend to be almost twice her age and still he relies on her to pay half the rent on his flat. Where he lives, by the way, almost entirely without furniture or decor, other than his hookah. And Preston is no help at all, he and his new wife, seem to love Dani’s professor. They invite him to dinner, and play tennis together. I still can’t believe they live in our old neighbourhood and spend time with all our old friends.”
“You have to let her live her own life. And forget about Preston and that country club neighbourhood. You’re much better off.”
“I know you’re right, but maybe I have a responsibility to step in and tell Dani I don’t like Damien and that he’s not right for her.”
Taya hesitated. “Well, I think you should say something. But maybe not that. Not in those words exactly. Be gentle. You know how stubborn Dani can be if she thinks you’re overstepping.”
“That’s true,” Bea admitted. She ran a hand through her hair. “You’re right, I can’t say that. She’ll spend her life with him to prove me wrong. So, what should I say?”
“Maybe you can point out how unsuitable he is, without speaking the words.”
“That’s a good idea.” Bea thought about it for a moment. “I have no idea how to do that, but I’ll come up with something.” Her phone beeped. “Speaking of the devil, she’s on the other line. That’s such great news about Camden, honey. I’ll talk to you later. Okay?”
She hung up on Taya then answered Dani’s call with as warm a tone as she could manage. “How are you, sweetheart?”
