Chapter Eleven
The next morning Dan was returning from a walk to fetch the newspaper his mother still insisted on when he spotted Augi before she saw him.
She was riding along the road that edged MacLeod’s Cottage, hair pulled back, head down, legs pumping steadily as she climbed the slight rise before reaching the house. She looked utterly at home on the bike — balanced and unhurried.
He lifted a hand in greeting. ‘Augustini.’
She braked smoothly and put a foot down, breathless but smiling. ‘Daniel.’
‘You’re out early,’ he said.
‘I like to ride before the wind picks up.’ She tipped her head back, scanning the sky. ‘Though today it looks more like rain. So it won’t be a long ride.’
He followed her gaze. Clouds were gathering inland, dense and low, but the air still felt light and unthreatening.
‘You heading anywhere in particular?’ he asked.
She shrugged. ‘Around the park. I was thinking of riding the inland track.’
Something clicked. ‘The memorial?’
‘Yes.’ Her eyes sharpened. ‘You know the Marine we were talking about. The one connected to the cottage.’
‘John Kowalski,’ he said.
She nodded. ‘There are panels there. Names, units. Sometimes extra material if you know where to look.’
‘I guess I should have looked online,’ he said.
She tilted her head, considering him. ‘I have already, but I thought I’d like to see it for myself.’
‘I haven’t been on a bike since I was a kid,’ he said.
She shrugged again. ‘I love cycling.’ She glanced around at the trees, their leaves whispering in the breeze, and when she looked back her eyes were bright, cheeks flushed. ‘It makes me feel free.’
She shot him a wide, unguarded smile and he knew he wasn’t going to get done any of the jobs Kate had asked him to do.
‘Do you mind if I join you?’ he asked.
She blinked, surprised but not dismayed. ‘Do you have a bike?’
‘Are you kidding?’ He pointed toward the shed beside the house. ‘We have loads. Question is, do they still work?’
‘Mine will,’ said Kate, stepping out onto the verandah. ‘I thought I heard voices.’
She leaned against the rail, taking in the scene with a knowing glint in her eye.
‘Where are you off to?’
‘The Marine’s Memorial,’ said Augi.
‘Just need to see if there’s a bike in the shed that won’t kill me.’
‘Mine works OK,’ Kate said. ‘And I think your dad’s old one still functions.’
Her phone rang. She waved them off. ‘Have fun.’
The rain began just as they reached the edge of Queen Elizabeth Park. At first it was only a mist, but as they rode further inland, the mist turned to drizzle. But they continued along the track which wound through rolling sand dune ridges covered in scrub and flax. From time to time a curve in the track brought sudden, breathtaking views of the sea and Kapiti Island framed against a darkening sky.
