There would be a next time and many more after that, he was certain. He hadn’t used everything yet to win her over. He had his own reserves. Establishing her desire for him was the most important step but he hadn’t expected that success so early. It made the rest of the campaign much easier.
‘Are we visiting someone?’ she asked.
‘Sort of.’
She looked at the street sign. ‘I think we used to live somewhere around here when we first moved from Melbourne.’
‘You did and it was just around the corner.’
‘You found the house we lived in? Why?’
‘A hunch,’ he said.
Understanding lit her face. ‘Really? Is it the house?’
‘Yes. Number 47. It’s not far.’
Her hold on his hand tightened as they passed the neighbouring houses, free standing, well-kept family homes with modest gardens. Number 47 had been beautifully cared for. The garden was immaculate and a brick path led to steps and a red brick porch with white-painted wooden decoration around the top of the entrance. Arlo opened the gate.
‘It’s not quite the same as the dream,’ she said. ‘I don’t really remember the house. I think it’s been changed a bit. The window frames weren’t polished wood, they were painted white.’
He let her go first to the front door but she stopped when she reached the top step.
‘That’s it,’ she said hoarsely. ‘That’s what I see in the dream. I know it is. It’s in both versions.’
Even in daylight the stained glass glowed in an intricate floral pattern of yellows, reds, greens and blues—a vine with large flowers and buds winding to the top of the design.
‘That looks original from when the house was built,’ Arlo said. ‘It’s fantastic.’
‘Who lives here?’ Mia asked. ‘Should we knock?’
‘I got in touch with the owners. They’re away for the weekend but they said by all means come and have a look. They said they fell in love with the stained glass when they saw the house and made sure to show it off when they renovated the place.’
‘It’s wonderful. And we used to live here.’
‘You did but not for very long. A year or maybe two.’
‘But it was a happy home. I remember that. Mum and Dad were so loving to me and each other. After she died Dad did his best to give me the same happy home but he couldn’t, of course. He was trying to cope with the tragedy as well.’
‘That’s probably why it came up in your dream. This window was such a feature it stayed in your mind as a symbol of happiness when you’d lost first your mother and then your dad in such a horrible, inexplicable way.’
‘I remember it now. I was fascinated by it. The colours are like jewels. I didn’t remember the pattern in detail, though. Just the colours and the flowers. Now I know this was it.’
On the way back to the car, she said. ‘Thank you, Arlo. I think maybe that will be the end of the dream now I understand the appearance of the window. It makes sense. How did you find it?’
‘I investigated. That’s what I do,’ he said casually and she laughed.
‘How long are you staying in Sydney?’
‘That depends,’ he said. ‘On a few things. One of them is you.’ He stopped walking to steal a kiss. ‘But I have my answer to that question.’
‘What was the question?’
‘If you feel the same way about me as I do about you.’
She nodded. No argument there. ‘And the other things?’
‘If I move here will it make a difference to us? Can I find a place to live that won’t bankrupt me while I re-establish myself as a journalist? Get a job, basically.’
‘Move here? Seriously?’
He couldn’t tell if that was delight or alarm. She looked as though he’d told her he was taking up ballet with an aim to joining the Bolshoi company.
‘What about Round the Bend?’
‘Georgia will run it. She’s more than competent and very excited.’
‘I … I don’t know what to say.’
‘Clearly.’ He started walking again, clenching his jaw against the disappointment. Love wasn’t enough. He’d hoped, when she’d told him about the new version of the dream, that he could have been a cause of that sense of loss.
‘Arlo, stop.’
She darted in front of him, put her hand on his chest. He couldn’t speak.
‘Your answers are yes, yes and yes.’
‘What were the questions?’ He’d forgotten the order he’d rolled them out, nerves and despair fogging his brain.
‘Yes, it will make a difference to us. A good one. The best. Yes, you can easily find a place to live, you already have. With me. And yes, you’ll find a job easily. You’ll have an exclusive story for starters. And I’ll have different dreams now.’
He lifted her off the footpath and swung her around as she clung on, laughing and crying at the same time.
Epilogue
In the fierce heat of January, Arlo, Mia and Riley returned to Taylor’s Bend at the invitation of the Mayor, to attend a memorial gathering for Tony and Glenda. The Arts Centre was bursting at the seams with people standing outside in any patch of shade they could find.
‘The whole town’s here,’ said Arlo as they were led in by a beaming Vincent and seated on the stage.
Mia gazed out across the crowded room. ‘It’s extraordinary. I’ve never felt so welcome in a place in my life yet I hated it while I was here.’
Vincent introduced himself and proceeded to talk about the injustice done to the memory of Tony, outlined his contribution to the town, and how the townsfolk had a collective responsibility to offer their apologies to Mia, his loving daughter who never wavered in her faith that he was innocent.
‘As it turns out we made a bad mistake and Mia suffered. For that, Mia, on behalf of the residents of Taylor’s Bend, I offer you our apologies and hope you will return to visit us in the future.’
While the applause lingered on Mia rose and walked to the microphone.
‘Thank you, Mr Mayor. Vincent. Apology accepted.’ Cheers greeted that remark. ‘The longer I stayed in Taylor’s Bend the more I realised that some people here were as supportive of my father and as unbelieving of the suicide verdict as I was. I want to thank Hannah, Rupe and Shannon, Georgia, Gina, Vicki, Betty and Douglas, Stuey, Carl from Willoughby real estate and of course Laurie and Dot who kept me supplied with chocolate when things got a bit overwhelming. I’ll never forget your kindness.’
More cheers and laughter.
Arlo stood then and joined her at the mike, his arm around her waist.
‘It’s too hot to sit here listening to us talk but there’s one more thing I’d like to say before we get the party started. Despite all the terrible things that happened last year one wonderful thing did happen. Mia and I met and we fell in love. We’ve decided to tell you today that we’re getting married in May, and we want to do it here where Tony married Glenda. We may not live in Taylor’s Bend anymore but this town has a special place in our hearts. For bringing us together—and sometimes almost forcing us together—in our quest for the truth, we forgive you everything.’
Thanks for reading A Light in the Dark. I hope you enjoyed it.
If you liked this book, here are my other books set in Taylor’s Bend: The Secrets That Lie Within, and Where There Is Smoke. My other books are: The House At Flynn’s Crossing, Find Her, Empty Heart, Evidence of Love, Mango Kisses, E for England and The Ripple Effect.
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ISBN: 9781867206774
Title: A Light In The Dark
Copyright © 2020 by Elisabeth Rose
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