A Simple Mistake (25 page)

Insides churning, she watched him on the screen. She had a horrible feeling she’d been really, really stupid. She didn’t know why he’d said what he’d said, but deep down, she knew there would be an explanation. Everyone was right. He wouldn’t do that to her.

She slumped down further in her seat. By not letting him talk and giving him the brush off, she’d thrown it all back in his face.

And she had thought
he
had trust issues.

The heat rose up and smacked him as Nick stepped off the plane and onto the tarmac. It was only a little cooler in the hangar that also served as a terminal. He managed to persuade the woman at the counter to peel her eyes away from her crossword long enough to phone for a taxi. It was there in minutes and he climbed gratefully into the air conditioned interior, tossing his overnight bag on the seat behind him.

The driver looked him over as he gave the address. ‘Have you been out here before? You look familiar.’

‘No, first time. Have you lived out here for long?’

‘Yep. All my life. Ask me anything about this town and I’ll tell you. What I don’t know, my missus will.’

Nick smiled at the contradiction. ‘Do you know the Morrisons?’

‘Sure do. Henry owns the only decent hardware shop for miles around. He’s a good man, Henry. He’d do anything for anyone. Are you a friend or a relative?’

‘Friend.’ At least, he hoped he would be.

They chatted about the usual things – the weather, how hot it was, the cricket test against England – before pulling up at a tidy, grey-painted wooden house. Nick’s heartbeat increased when he saw Lainey’s car parked outside.

‘Doesn’t look like they’re home, mate. That car isn’t usually here and it’s from interstate, goin’ by the plates. Are they expecting you?’

‘I thought they were.’

‘Just try the door then. If they know you’re coming, it’ll be unlocked. It’s still that kind of town. Do you want me to wait just in case?’

‘No, I’ll be right, thanks.’ He handed over the fare and gave him a wave before walking down the driveway and up the short flight of steps to the front door. Sure enough, when he tried the handle, it opened.

He stepped inside, and let his eyes adjust after the harsh sunlight. It was dead quiet except for the loud tick of a clock echoing over the timber floors. He made his way down the hall and into the kitchen. On the table was a note, next to a set of keys.

Dear Nick, We were invited to lunch after church and Lainey wanted to come so it would’ve looked silly if I’d tried to persuade her otherwise. I found her keys so bring her car on over. Janet.

The map she had drawn was easy to follow and he was there in fifteen minutes. Three other cars were parked outside and there was laughter and splashing sounds from the pool. Not quite the private setting he’d hoped for.

Again, the front door was unlocked. Cautiously, he made his way down the hall and into the large kitchen. The pool looked inviting despite the fact it had about ten kids in it, all playing ‘Marco Polo’. He smiled – he and Lainey had played it hundreds of times.

Outside under a verandah, there was a long table with several adults sitting around it. The barbecue smelled good and he was glad they were still eating. Despite his apprehension he was hungry.

He craned his neck a little further and there she was, her hair clipped up, sitting next to a younger, dark-haired girl. To all appearances, Lainey seemed quite relaxed but her fingers were toying with a serviette and the food on her plate looked almost untouched. As he watched, she picked up her mobile phone, frowned at it and then put it down again.

Nick grinned and pulled his own phone out of his pocket. He keyed in her number, let it ring twice, then disconnected. Lainey snatched hers up then scowled when it stopped. He was about to ring her again when a small, dripping wet body came crashing through the door. The child hurtled down the hallway, followed by a woman who stopped and stared.

‘Hello,’ he said, ‘I’m looking for Lainey but I see she’s outside.’

‘I’m Helen. Do I know you? You look familiar.’

‘No, we haven’t met.’

‘Well, go on out. I’ll check on Sasha. You know what kids and water are like. The minute they get in the pool they need the toilet. Excuse me.’

He was about to move when someone else came in. ‘Nick. You’re here.’ The lady smiled and held out her hand. ‘Janet.’

‘Good to meet you.’ She had an easy going manner and a pretty smile, just as Lainey had described her.

‘She still doesn’t know. I had to pretend I’d left something behind so I could go back in and sneak her keys and leave you the note. I hope she’ll be okay about it.’

‘Me too.’ Nick’s agreement was heartfelt. He was pretty sure he knew how Lainey felt about him but she could get feisty when thrown off guard. ‘It’s alright. I’ve got her keys and she doesn’t have any more relatives she can run to.’

Janet laughed and retrieved the bottle of tomato sauce she’d come in for. ‘Let’s go. Ready?’

‘Ready,’ he said, sounding much more confident than he felt, and followed her outside.

* * *

Lainey checked her phone five times in as many minutes. When it finally rang, it stopped before she could answer it. Infuriatingly, it had been Nick’s number. Perhaps there was a problem with reception out here. Why hadn’t she thought to check that?

‘Everyone, I’ve found another guest.’ Janet’s voice held an odd note and Lainey looked up.
She went hot then cold and goosebumps zipped up her legs and down her arms which was ridiculous, given the air temperature.

‘Hello, Nick, nice to meet you.’ Henry got up and shook his hand and then started the introductions.

Helen had just come back outside and looked very confused. ‘I’m sorry, but I’ve missed the connection. It’s wonderful to meet you, an honour really, but you’re here because …’

‘I’m here to see Lainey.’ The full force of his gaze made her glad she was sitting down.

There was silence and intrigued faces then Julia jumped up and handed him a plate. ‘Here, help yourself. You must be hungry.’

‘Thanks.’ Nick smiled at a blushing Grace as she scooted out of the way. He deposited some car keys on the table and Lainey realised they were hers. How had he managed to get those?

General conversation began again but Lainey couldn’t join in on any of it. Nick’s shoulder was touching hers and she had to cross her legs or else her bare knee would come into contact with his. It had been bad enough anticipating a phone conversation but this had all her senses going crazy.

‘Hello.’ He smiled into her eyes and her bone marrow dissolved.

She drew a shaky breath. ‘Hi. How did you get here?’

‘I chartered a plane.’

Of course he had. ‘Lifestyles of the rich and famous.’

‘It has its perks.’

‘I presume you talked to my mother.’

‘Hm-hm.’ He swallowed his mouthful. ‘And Lara.’

So he knew what she’d been thinking. They would’ve told him in a blink of an eye. He could be very persuasive.

‘And Janet and Henry. They left me a note and your car keys.’

Lainey closed her eyes. ‘Is there anyone who
doesn’t
know you’re here?’

‘Nope. Mum put it in the church bulletin.’ He gave her a quick smile. ‘I’m joking.’ He gestured toward her plate. ‘Not hungry?’

‘No, funnily enough.’

He put down his knife and fork and made small circles on her hand with just the tip of his little finger, the funny, crooked one. ‘I had to see you, Lainey. Talking on the phone wasn’t going to cut it for me.’

She nodded as the currents flew up her arm, conscious of everyone around them. They were chatting amongst themselves, but eyes constantly darted in their direction.

‘I think I’ve been a bit silly.’

‘Yep, you have.’ Nick picked up his cutlery and resumed eating.

She dared to look at him. ‘I’m glad you came.’

He gave her a long look and then put his mouth to her ear. ‘We’ll stay for awhile and then let’s go somewhere by ourselves. And the reason I’m talking in your ear like this is because this is the closest I’ve been to you in a very long time and you’re driving me crazy because you look beautiful and you smell beautiful and you also need to know that this is as close as we’re going to get until we’ve had our chat, okay?’

Lainey gulped, momentarily bereft of speech. ‘Do that again, Cusack,’ she said, when she had recovered, ‘and I’ll start playing footsie with you.’

He grinned his fabulous, lazy grin. ‘Is that a promise?’

She smacked his hand as he reached for her bread roll. ‘Get your own.’ Her appetite had returned.

Nick socialised effortlessly, answering questions he must have been asked hundreds of times. It was a gift, Lainey decided, being able to talk to strangers so easily. He made them feel like they’d known him forever.

Everyone was disappointed when they said they were leaving but she didn’t care. Lainey wanted him to herself.

She knew where she would take him. It had been her favourite place, a haven when she’d needed time on her own. Amongst the trees, a little creek gurgled and babbled over rocks and pebbles on its way towards the river. Further over, grasses and boulders dotted the rise up towards a rocky outcrop.

Nick unfolded himself out of the car and closed the door. ‘I can see why you would come here.’ He took a long breath and held it before he let it out. Maybe he was more nervous than he appeared.

An old table resided under the branches of a large gum, the timber silvered and grooved from being out in the weather. Nick sat on one side, leaning on his folded arms and she sat opposite him.

‘Why did you run away, Lainey?’ The question was direct and she had expected it. He had every right to ask.

‘A few different reasons,’ she said, ‘but mainly because I panicked.’

‘Because you overheard me talking about Elke.’

‘Yes.’ No point in asking who had told him. That didn’t matter now. ‘Who is she, Nick?’

‘Elke is my forty-five year old personal assistant who has been married for twenty years to a very scary giant of a man. He’s even taller than I am and looks like the Incredible Hulk without the green bit.’ That made her smile. ‘They came from Sweden many years ago, have two sons, and go to your old church. They moved up from Melbourne only recently.’

‘And she’s very good at organising you and is very understanding.’

‘That’s her. We get on really well. She’s funny and smart, but you should hear her sometimes.’ He whistled. ‘She doesn’t suffer fools gladly.’

‘So she wouldn’t put up with me then?’

‘I think she’d tell you to get your act together and trust me.’

That hit home, but she needed to ask a few more questions. They had all afternoon, although clouds were gathering and the air hung thick and heavy. Even the cicadas and other insects had stopped their chorus. A storm was on its way.

‘So does she know about me?’

‘Yeah, she does. Not everything, but enough. She knows I’m here.’

‘Why did you take so long in coming back?’

‘You knew about the delays in the movie?’ At her nod he went on. ‘Well, that took me into December. I couldn’t help that. Then I had a bit of a battle between me and God over you. I had to give you up. It took awhile.’

It wasn’t what she’d expected but she understood. She’d had to do the same. Her fingers twitched, longing to reach out and touch him, but she would wait.

‘After that I had to have the final say for my new assistant. I was asked to speak at your old church, then there were a few things that needed doing at my house that I couldn’t leave Angelo to fix by himself right on Christmas. Stuff just kept happening. Also, I still didn’t know what to say to you. I was nervous too, Lainey.’

She made a face. ‘I thought you were too scared to tell me we were over. I didn’t understand why you were so distant on Christmas Day. You hugged everyone but me, you didn’t seem to want to talk to me – I didn’t know what else to think especially after what I’d heard.’

‘I knew I’d upset you but it was a matter of self-preservation. I don’t think I’d have made a good impression if I’d done what I really wanted to at church.’

‘What was that?’ Lainey saw the glint in his eye and needed to know.

‘Crash tackle you onto the floor and kiss you.’

Her heart flipped over. ‘I wish you had.’

‘It was a close call.’ He grinned then became serious. ‘All through lunch I was wondering what I was going to say to you when the most amazing thing happened.’

‘Ah. Jim Miller. I saw that. What happened?’

Nick told her about their conversation. ‘I’m finding out that God works in all sorts of ways. I really wanted to talk to you that night, but it just didn’t happen, and then Lara had Jamie and you took off and now we’re here.’

There was no recrimination in his words, just a statement of the facts.

It was Lainey’s turn. She didn’t think she could look at him without faltering, so she picked at some of the splinters on the table as she talked.

‘I’m really, really sorry for running away, Nick. Like I said, I panicked. I saw you with Jamie and I fell apart. I watched you get upset and have an understanding of what I’d gone through and I thought it was all for nothing, that you had someone else. I couldn’t bear the thought of you telling me we were finished after what we’d just shared in that room and I should have listened to what you had to say but I needed some time. I know I always need time. It must drive you nuts.’

Lainey came up for air to find Nick watching her intently. She looked straight back at the table – she had to finish.

‘Janet, Mum and Lara all asked if I had it right.’ She flashed him a smile then looked away. ‘Grace said you must like me if you kept phoning all the time, then I saw you in your movie that we watched and I remembered all the things you’d said to me back in August on Liam’s birthday and I realised what an idiot I was being.’

When she looked again, the acceptance on his face gave her the courage she needed. ‘I’m very, very sorry I didn’t trust you. I should have and I can’t believe I’ve run like this. I feel like I’ve thrown everything back in your face at the first sign of doubt. Please forgive me, Nick. I really have been a fool.’

‘Never a fool, Lainey, just a bit of a goose.’ He reached over and took both her hands in his. ‘Of course I forgive you. But if we’re going to be together, you
have
to trust me. Sometimes the media will cut and paste photos of me with different women and make up all sorts of stuff. But I will never be unfaithful to you or do anything to compromise our relationship. I love you far too much.’