I can’t tell him. I’m never going to be able to tell him. I can’t find the words to hurt him and me even more than we are now.
Chapter Twenty-One
I thought things might be awkward when Jackson picks me up the next morning, but they’re not. We’re comfortable in each other’s company. It’s as if we fit together and have done forever.
‘I want to show you this. Milly sent it yesterday.’ Jackson hasn’t even waited until I’ve invited him in and there’s an enthusiasm in his voice which warms my soul.
He passes the phone to me. It’s an email which is short and to the point.
Hey dude,
Wait until you read the letter attached. And Surfbound got in touch. They want an interview and pictures for an article. Unreal!!!!!
When are you coming home? We all miss you. Hope things are OK and your mum is feeling better.
Love Mx
I click on the attachment. It’s a formal letter from theByron Bay Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the Local Tourism Association saying that the Jaffle Hut & Surf School has been shortlisted in the Entrepreneurial and Environmental Tourism category. There’s also an invitation to attend the awards three months on from now.
‘Surfbound are huge influencers. It’s incredibly hard to get them to mention you. I can’t believe they want to do an article on us. And I never thought the establishment would look at us for an award. They normally go to the big shiny business along the bay.’ His eyes are shining with excitement and then they dull a little with a frown. ‘Not that I’ll get back for it, with Mum and everything. Still, Milly can handle it.’
As well as being excited because he is, I’m filled with guilt that my overriding emotion is relief that he won’t be going back to Australia just yet. I know he’ll have to go back at some point, and I’m sceptical about long-distance relationships. Could we really make it work?
Jackson has borrowed Milo’s Mini to take us to the pub where we’re all meeting up.
‘Are you sure this is OK?’ I ask, getting out of the passenger side. Jackson’s tall frame is squashed into the driver’s seat, his knees almost touching the steering wheel.
‘Absolutely. Mum’s looking forward to seeing you. Aaron’s going to be there too so it’s not only family.’
My hand stutters as I tuck my hair behind my ear. Does that mean Reeni is coming too?
We get drinks and then head out to the beer garden. It’s quiet and we have our pick of where to sit.
‘Over here.’ Jackson nods towards a table on the perimeter. ‘Mum loves to be able to see the sea.’
We sit down, side by side, and I take a sip of my lemonade. He’s twisting his pint glass of orange round and round on the beer mat.
‘What are you worried about?’
‘I’m trying hard to understand why Mum wants to do this.’ He won’t look at me.
‘Surely it makes sense to go and visit somewhere first?’
‘No, not that. Why doesn’t she want to stay at home?’
I can make plenty of guesses as to why Sophie might have decided a hospice was what she wanted, but I’m not about to speak for her. ‘Have you asked her why?’
Jackson shakes his head, his lips in a pinched straight line. ‘I don’t want to say the wrong thing.’ His hand reaches out and takes mine as they rest on the table. ‘This is hard enough as it is without me putting my foot in it.’
‘Hello, you two,’ says Aaron, coming up behind us. ‘No Sophie yet?’
‘Milo’s bringing her. They should be here any time,’ says Jackson.
‘Do you want more drinks? Orange, and is that vodka and lemonade, Ellie?’
The word vodka spirals straight through me. It’s something I avoid at all costs. It’s stupid how the mention of the word sends my heart rate up a notch.
‘You know Ellie doesn’t drink.’ Reeni is standing next to her husband, looking at me with uncertainty in her eyes.
