A Kiss For Carter

by Davina Stone

  The man’s gaze flashed obvious appreciation. “At your service. It was a pleasure to spend the flight with you—Rowena.” He inclined his head before striding off into the crowd.

  Rowena stood for a moment gazing wistfully after him. When she joined them, two dots of colour rode high on her cheeks. “What an absolute gentleman. Don’t you just love the British?”

  “Maybe you should have stayed there,” Aaron remarked, lips twitching.

  Rowena flapped a ring-covered hand at him. “Rude boy. And to think I have to put up with you as a son-in-law.”

  Then she spied Carts and, with a delighted exclamation, pitched towards him in a flurry of silk. “Carter!” She held him at arm’s length. “Let me look at you. Goodness, I do believe you’ve grown.”

  “Haha. Funny—not.” Grinning, Carts took Rowena by the elbow and led her over to Judith. “Rowena, I’d like to introduce you to my girlfriend, Judith.”

  “Lovely to meet you, Judith.” Rowena appraised her with obvious admiration. “Where did you get such beautiful colour hair?”

  “Oh, thank you.” Judith pulled at a golden strand, not quite sure what to say. “I was born with it.”

  A moment later Dan barrelled like a missile into the midst of them and skidded to a halt, puffing from his sprint across the arrivals area. “Jesus Christ, the info board said the flight landed half an hour ago. Was it early?”

  “No.” Aaron laughed. “But Rowena got stuck in customs. Good to see you mate.”

  There followed more vigorous back slapping.

  The warm glow around Judith’s heart spread to the rest of her as she watched the exchange. How had it taken her until twenty-nine to find this wonderful group of people? Somehow they’d all inhabited the same city, walked the same streets, visited the same bookshop and never gotten to meet.

  Gratitude filled her as Carts came and stood beside her.

  “Happy?” he asked.

  “Beyond happy,” she said as she nestled her head onto his shoulder.

  “Okay,” said Aaron, like he was rallying the troops. “Forget the jetlag, let’s all go to the Shamrock for a cleansing pint of Aussie Guinness. I’ve had enough of the Irish version. Anyone would think they invented it.”

  “I second that,” said Dan.

  “I third that,” said Carts.

  Carts’ arms circled Judith’s waist. As they walked towards the exit he bent his head and whispered in her ear, “The Shamrock, where it all began for you and me. Kind of fitting, isn’t it? Like things have come full circle.”

  “Yes,” she said as her gaze fell into his. “Like it was always meant to be.” And it struck her that she was no longer that quiet, awkward, tall girl on the outside of the circle, looking in.

  And Carts wasn’t that quiet, awkward tall guy anymore, either.

  They belonged right here, in the midst of their friends. And with each other.

  A perfect circle of love.

  Epilogue

  One year later

  * * *

  Their party took up the whole of the second row of the St Catherine’s College Auditorium.

  Carts was seated on the aisle, because he knew his head was going to be in the way and it was quite feasible that someone would ask him to move. He had no problem with that, it was one of those facts of life.

  Next to him sat Judith, then his mum and dad, Pippa and Shaz, then Kirsty and Luke, and finally, Judith’s mum and dad. He looked around and saw Aaron, Alice, Polly and Solo in the row behind. Squeezing in late, of course, and disturbing everyone in the row, came Dan, muttering apologies.

  Above the podium, big bubble cut-out shapes that could represent anything from hearts, to flowers, to abstract genitalia, hung on invisible threads.

  NO NEVER MEANS YES.

  MORE LOVE, LESS HATE.

  MY BODY, MY RIGHT.

  LOVE HAS NO GENDER.

  And above them hung a huge rainbow with the words “THE RESPECT CONVENTION” arching across it.

  A moment later Avery bounded onto the stage, a shiny saxophone in her hand. Her long legs were encased in black leggings and black patent lace-up boots below a short red kilt. A black beret was stuck at a jaunty angle over her dark hair.

  Carts’ heart swelled with pride.

  She looked so confident, so stylish. So uniquely Avery.

  With a little bow, she brought the saxophone to her lips. The opening bars of John Lennon’s “Imagine” plunged the audience into rapt silence. Avery made that instrument weep as she swayed with the rhythm of the music.

  She’d only been learning the sax for the past six months. How the heck did it seem like her and the instrument were one?

  She was an amazing young woman, his sister.

  When everyone applauded madly, Avery gave another bow in all directions, and then walked up to the microphone.

  “As the Head Girl of St Catherine’s College, it’s my pleasure to open our first ever Respect Convention today. An afternoon of workshops for the pupils and families of St Catherine’s College. We’re here to celebrate our sexual diversity; to respect one another’s differences, our similarities, and above all, our uniqueness.”

  Carts watched her draw in a breath before she continued, her dark eyes under her straight fringe scanning the audience.

  “Last year I went to a party and got into a situation where a guy went further than I wanted him to. I said no. He didn’t hear it as no. I froze in fear and if it hadn’t been for my brother and his friend breaking that door down, it could have ended very differently. For a while there, I lost my way. I think I was trying to live up to some ideal of being ‘accepted’ and ‘cool’. It took me a while to find my path back. As you can see, music is my passion, but so is equality. I’m still learning, still growing. I come from super tall genes so you know, I could end up 6 foot 6 like my brother… Where are you, Carts?”

  She squinted into the lights. “Oh, yes, there he is, hard to miss.” To Carts’ dismay, suddenly the spotlight was in his eyes. “Hi folks.” He waved awkwardly, to another little ripple of applause.

  “And yeah, once I was terrified of being tall, but now, hey I’m proud of the fact. Can’t miss me, right?” An affirmative laugh from the audience.“Later on, you’ll hear from students who are straight, gay, transgender and non-binary, sharing their experiences openly and honestly. We’ll hear from girls who’ve sent selfies of their naked bodies to boys and how it affected them when those posts went viral. We’ll hear from boys who didn’t know what they were supposed to do or say or how to behave on their first date. We’re all here to learn, to understand and to respect one another’s experiences. This is our time to be heard at our convention, put on by the year 11 and 12 students at St Catherine’s College and supported by parents and staff.” She stepped back, gave a funny little wriggle of her shoulders, and there for one second was the other Avery, the Avery who sometimes slept with her thumb in her mouth and Mutsy snuggled close.

  There was room for both, Carts realised. Strength and vulnerability.

  “So yeah,” Avery cracked a huge grin, “Here we all are. Let the inaugural Respect Convention begin.”

  Thundering applause and statements of “Oh wow!” and “She’s incredible” flew around the auditorium.

  Judith squeezed his arm tightly, and he could see Mum wiping away a tear.

  Pippa leaned forward from her seat and said, very loudly, “I want to be like Avery when I grow up.”

  Much later that afternoon, Carts and Judith sat in their special spot down by the river. They’d come here often over the past few months after work, to chat and to watch the boats and just… be.

  “That was the most incredible day,” Judith said in awe. “Avery is a force to be reckoned with.”

  Carts laughed. “Did I mention she’s decided to be prime minister one day? Jacinda Ardern has fired her up to go for the top job in Australia.”

  “Yay, Avery Wells for PM. She’d play the flute instead of making an inaugural speec
h and have the whole parliament in tears.”

  “The world needs more music. It would solve a lot of problems, I reckon,” Carts said.

  His phone beeped with a message. He looked at it and jumped up.

  “I have to go.”

  Judith glanced up at him, confused. “What’s happened?”

  “Bit of an issue.”

  “Is everything okay? Nobody’s hurt?”

  “Everything’s fine. But I have a job to do.”

  “But… but… I thought we were going to watch the sunset and then go for dinner with your family?”

  “I’ll be straight back. Promise.” He bent down “I love you, by the way. Have I told you that today?” and kissed her.

  She tried to grab his arm, but he slipped free and strode off. Perplexed, she watched his departing figure and then rubbed the little crease between her brows. She tried not to worry these days, but Carts was behaving strangely enough to make a girl concerned.

  The next thing she knew, Polly and Alice had plonked down on either side of her on the bench.

  “Hullo,” said Polly. “Fancy finding you here.”

  “We thought we’d come and keep you company,” said Alice, “until Carts gets back.”

  Judith looked from one to the other. “Oh, hi—so, you know where he’s gone?”

  Alice’s face turned wooden. “Nope.”

  “Yes we do.” Polly leaned forward and gave Alice a definite look. “There was an issue at work, wasn’t there.”

  Judith looked from one to the other in disbelief. “It’s Saturday.”

  “Well, you know, now Carts is officially the boss… always on call,” Polly replied airily.

  “No.” Judith shook her head. “You’re wrong. Carts believes in work/life balance. No-one in his team ever goes into the office on the weekend.”

  “Extenuating circumstances,” Polly said with authority. Alice sniggered.

  Judith fixed Polly with a hard stare. But Polly just kept gazing out to the horizon with a secretive little smile on her face. Next, Alice took out a bag of snacks and a bottle of champagne from the picnic bag at her side.

  “You two are weirding me out.” Judith shook her head. “Come on. Tell the truth!”

  “Could you open this, Poll?” Alice passed the champagne across Judith. “You know I hate popping corks.”

  Judith caught sight of the label. “Veuve!”

  Alice handed over a champagne flute. The cork made a satisfying pop and bubbles spilled into the glass.

  “Are we celebrating something?” Judith asked as Polly handed her one and started pouring another. She tried to work out what might be going on. But Polly and Solo had got engaged six weeks ago and Alice and Aaron were going to be married next month, so unless it was a baby… but no, they wouldn’t be quaffing champagne if that was the case, they’d be handing out mineral water.

  “Diversity,” Polly said with emphasis. “We’re celebrating diversity.”

  “And respect,” said Alice.

  “And love,” said Polly, and then, cocking her head to one side, she added, “Oh wait, Munchkin, can you hear music?”

  “Probably a party boat.” Alice sipped her champagne.

  Polly gave a shrug. “Yeah, probably.”

  “Right, that’s it.” Judith attempted to get up. “I’ve had enough of this, French champagne or not. I’m going to find Carts.”

  A hand landed on her knee. “No!” This from Polly.

  Another on her arm. “No!” echoed Alice. “Stay here.”

  Judith huffed and then her ears pricked. She knew that song, didn’t she? The hauntingly beautiful lyrics floated across the water, making her goosebump all over.

  Fields of Gold.

  Pulse racing, Judith’s gaze scanned the river. And then she saw it. Tacking at speed around the bend of the river—a streamlined yacht. Standing at the helm was a super tall guy. Her super tall guy. As it drew closer, she realised there were two other figures hauling up the third sail.

  Aaron.

  And Dan.

  Only when that sail was fully unsheathed did Judith’s mouth fall open and tears well up in her eyes. Words were scrolled in blue on the white sailcloth.

  JUDITH, WILL YOU MARRY ME?

  “Ohmygodohmygod!” She was cry laughing, her hands covering her mouth.

  She looked from Polly to Alice, who were cry laughing too, and they both jumped up and down and then the three of them were squealing a whole heap of delighted jibberish.

  As the vessel got closer to shore it was clear it was going to moor on the jetty.

  Judith ran like she had the wind beneath her feet.

  Carts stood on deck and pointed at his chest, and then at her hopping from foot to foot on the quay. He mouthed, “You? and Me?”

  And she nodded and laughed until her head felt like it was going to fall off her shoulders.

  As Aaron and Dan tied the ropes to the jetty posts, a crowd gathered. Carts jumped nimbly ashore and stood before her, all glorious six foot six and a half of him.

  He went down on one bended knee. “Judith Mellors, will you marry me?”

  “Yes, oh yes. Of course, I will,” she managed between happy sobs.

  A cheer went up from the assembled crowd.

  The next moment more champagne was popping and, as if from nowhere, there were the rest of their friends and family. Pippa was suddenly hugging her fit to burst, then Shaz.

  And behind them Judith saw the rest of her family and Carts’ parents and Avery all smiling, laughing, crying too.

  Carts’ arms were around her waist. “I haven’t bought the rings yet. I want us to choose them together.”

  She nodded, and then had to ask, “The boat… sailing….?”

  “I’ve been taking lessons. With Dad.”

  She frowned. “So when you said you were playing squash…?”

  “Yeah. Sorry. I know it was a little white lie, but for a really important cause.”

  “I forgive you.”

  “I thought maybe after we’re married we could sail round the world. Just me and you,” Carts said after she’d kissed him again.

  Judith pulled a face. “I was thinking more of replanting the front yard. Maybe painting the front door.”

  “Nah, I figure a small six-foot catamaran, just room for two. And when it’s stormy, we’ll lock down in the hold, just me and you and…” Her face must have shown her horror, because he relented with a big grin. “Joke, my darling angel girl. This is the only place I want to be.” One arm tightened around her and the other waved a hand at the little group marching towards them with purpose and beaming smiles. “With these friends. And most importantly, with you. This is my field of gold. I don’t need wild adventures. You are my adventure.”

  “And you are mine,” she murmured, her head resting against his shoulder.

  Forget sailing the high seas, forget bungee jumping, forget navigating the South Pole on a husky-led sleigh.

  This, here, with her handsome, big-hearted man by her side, was an adventure that would take the rest of her life to explore.

  She was ready.

  The Felicity Theory (Available early 2022)

  When Oliver Blake’s fiancé leaves him at the altar, his perfect world crumbles. So the very last thing Oliver needs at his brother’s wedding three months later is a bubbly, red-headed bridesmaid plunging his life into more chaos.

  Felicity Green has a theory—life is what you make it, and she’s determined to make her trip to Australia one hell of an adventure.

  Somehow Oliver finds himself heading across Australia with Felicity in an old combi van, and before long it’s obvious they’re both carrying excess baggage. As they share confined travel arrangements and starry outback nights, secrets from their pasts emerge.

  Soon things are heating up, and it has very little to do with the Australian sun!

  On reaching Sydney it seems Oliver and Felicity have found something strangely perfect, until a hurdle arises that
just might be too big for either of them to overcome.

  Will Felicity and Oliver find a way through this, or has their journey into love reached the end of an outback road?

  About the Author

  Davina Stone writes romances about flawed but lovable characters who get it horribly wrong before they finally get it right. They also kiss a fair bit on the way to happily ever after.

  Davina is a proud Anglo-Aussie having lived half her life in both countries. When not writing she can be found chasing kangaroos off her veggie patch, dodging snakes and even staring down the odd crocodile. But despite her many adventures, in her heart, she still believes that a nice cup of tea fixes most problems—and of course, that true love conquers all.

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