February Or Forever

by Juliet Madison

This was one nosy celebrity, but Chrissie didn’t mind. In fact, talking to him eased her mind. It was comfortable. Nice. She could just as happily forget the yoga sessions and chat instead. ‘Yeah, every second weekend and half of each school holidays. Probably more often than when we were actually together.’ She snorted, then to distract from the fact she was probably sharing more than appropriate, she lit the candle on the small table underneath the mandala. The wick glowed to life, and the familiar scent relaxed her shoulders.

  ‘Well he has a great mum by the looks of things.’ Drew smiled.

  Chrissie flicked her hand. ‘I doubt he thinks that sometimes. I’m the mean mother who sends him to school and gives him healthy lunches he doesn’t eat,’ she mocked.

  ‘Ah yes, I had one of those. I mean, have. I still have one, but unfortunately she doesn’t make my lunches anymore!’

  Chrissie laughed.

  ‘He’ll realise what he’s got one day, don’t worry.’

  ‘I hope so.’ Chrissie withdrew a yoga mat from the storage shelf, then went to grab another but Drew beat her to it. They placed them on the floor, slightly closer than in the first two classes.

  ‘Have you thought about rewarding him for good behaviour?’

  For someone without kids, Drew seemed knowledgeable about family life. Unless he had a child somewhere in the world and she didn’t know because she’d boycotted the media in an effort to recover from her panic attacks.

  ‘Funny you should ask. I was talking to my friend on the phone yesterday and she said the same thing.’

  ‘Ahh.’ Drew glanced towards the ceiling for a moment as though he was remembering something. ‘Well your friend gives good advice. A bit of bribery never goes astray, especially with us weak-minded males. Dangle a carrot and we’ll do whatever we need to do to get it,’ he joked.

  ‘Good to know! Although I figured it would take more than a carrot to get him to be a good boy and go to school, so I opted for something a bit more enticing.’

  ‘Do tell.’ Drew crossed one foot over the other. By the sounds of it, Drew was more than happy to replace the yoga session with a chat session too.

  ‘I searched the internet for kids activities in the area, and turns out there’s a country fair on this Saturday at Tarrin’s Bay Hills.’

  ‘Ooh, I used to love those country fairs! Can I come too?’ He laughed. ‘Just kidding.’

  What must it be like, not to be able to go out in public without getting mobbed? Stardom was nice for the money and ability to do what you loved, but it did come at a price. She actually felt sympathy for Drew.

  ‘I remember they had pony rides, toffee apples, lucky dips, and — ’

  ‘A jumping castle, chocolate wheel, and baby animal farm,’ Chrissie chimed in.

  Drew grinned. ‘If I’m right, I think you’re as excited as Kai.’

  She tilted her head forward, then up again, her thumb and forefinger pinched together. ‘Just a tad.’

  ‘He’ll love it. If you go there in the afternoon, it won’t be as busy. Mornings were always packed, but a lot of the locals head off to watch the football in the afternoon.’

  ‘Thanks for the heads up.’ That would give her time to do the grocery shopping in the morning, and maybe sort through a box or two of Felicia’s belongings, before heading to the fair.

  ‘So Kai went off to school happily today, I take it?’

  ‘For the most part, yes. He started out with his usual grumbling and huffing, but as soon as I reminded him of his reward at the end of the week, he put all his effort into behaving. I had to hold back a few laughs as he volunteered to put his lunch in his schoolbag.’

  ‘Problem solved, then.’

  ‘Until next week. I have no idea what I’ll do for another reward!’

  ‘Take it one week at a time. One day at a time. Sort of like yoga, right?’

  ‘Exactly. You’re learning well.’ She smiled.

  ‘I have a good teacher.’ He held her gaze, and a feeling that everything would be okay washed over Chrissie. Yes, one day at a time. I can do this.

  ‘But maybe you’ll have to bribe me if I slacken off in class, huh?’ He playfully nudged at her arm. ‘A piece of chocolate for every correct pose?’

  ‘Hmm, that could work. Though I don’t think chocolate is allowed in here.’

  ‘You could smuggle some in. No one has to know.’ He winked.

  This man was an absolute delight. He was like the cheeky, cute Corey from high school all over again. Only more suave and with much less acne.

  ‘Actually, I do recall that the kitchen makes a delectable-looking dark chocolate, almond, and coconut mousse.’ She gave a brief, satisfied nod.

  ‘Oh yes, I think I’ve seen that on the menu. I’ll have to order one up. Or two, if you’d like to join me for a post-yoga indulgence.’ His lips practically twinkled with cheekiness, it was all she could do not to grab them with her own and eat them all up. This talk of food combined with Drew’s delicious appearance had her salivating, and she turned her lips inward to quench the moisture.

  She smiled and shrugged, as if saying, ‘maybe, one day.’ ‘Well, before I succumb to your offer in a moment of weakness, I think we’d better get started.’

  ‘Whatever you say, Burns, you’re the boss.’ He grinned. ‘Sorry, I often call my mates by their last names. Just a habit.’

  Did that mean he considered her a mate? Could they actually end this month as chummy friends who’d email each other and send Christmas cards?

  Chrissie twisted her lips to one side. Two can play that game. ‘In that case…on the mat now, Williams.’

  Drew quickly jumped onto the mat and eyed her with amusement. ‘I think February is going to be a very enjoyable month, Burns, whadd’ya reckon?’

  ‘I reckon you’re absolutely right,’ she replied, then raised her arms up to begin their salutes to the sun. If there was a yoga sequence for salutes to Drew, she’d opt for that instead.

  Chapter 8

  Well, she’d done it. One week done and dusted, and Kai going to school without so much as a whimper — no packets of chips required. Chrissie downed the rest of her glass of water and left it on the wash up tray to be collected by the kitchen staff this afternoon. That was another bonus of working at Serendipity; food was provided, and no taking turns with staff to wash everyone’s glasses and mugs.

  Damon entered the staff lounge and sunk into the sofa. ‘Ahh, that feels nice.’

  Chrissie stood in front of him. ‘Lisa, there’s something different about you. If I could only put my finger on it.’ Chrissie tapped her chin.

  ‘Haha, very funny.’ Damon put his feet up on the coffee table. ‘Lisa’s sick, so I’m taking her classes today. Double shift for me. Takes a bit of strength to do that, I tell ya.’

  ‘Oh, I’m sure. By the looks of things you’re handling it very well.’ Chrissie eyed him as her voice conveyed sarcasm.

  Damon shot up from the sofa. ‘Yes. I am. No problems at all here.’ He swung his arms back and forth. ‘The 3 p.m. slump’s got nothin’ on me, even if I have been up since four-thirty this morning.’

  ‘Ouch.’ Chrissie scrunched up her face. ‘And when do you clock off?’

  ‘Eight o’clock tonight.’

  ‘Double ouch.’

  ‘Meh, I can handle it. Mind over matter and all that.’

  ‘Well, good luck!’ Chrissie flung her bag over her shoulder and stepped towards the door.

  ‘Piece of cake.’ He waved her away. ‘An organic, gluten-free, fruit-filled cake, that is.’ He winked as she turned the door handle. ‘Ciao, bella.’

  Chrissie turned back. ‘Italian today, huh?’

  ‘Seems so.’ He grinned, his dark skin glistening with the sheen of an intense yoga class. ‘Though I’m nothin’ but Maori through-and-through.’ He gestured a hand down the length of his body. ‘I just like to challenge my vocabulary.’ A yawn stretched his mouth open wide. ‘And my body.’ He raised his eyebrows and chuckled.

&
nbsp; ‘Let’s hope Lisa is back on deck tomorrow. We can’t have you falling asleep in the middle of Parsvottanasana.’

  ‘Ha!’ Damon laughed. ‘No, definitely not. Padottanasana would be better, at least my head could rest on the floor for a few moments. My students might not even notice.’

  Chrissie laughed, imagining her colleague snoring in the pose where the body bends at the waist and hands reach through the legs to touch the floor. ‘True, true.’ Chrissie checked her watch. ‘Well, hope you get through the day, see you tomorrow.’

  ‘Ciao!’ Damon waved as she walked out the door, and she wouldn’t have been surprised if he fell asleep thirty seconds later.

  The school bell rang and two dozen children filtered out of the classroom, accompanied by many more from the adjacent classrooms, their sizes gradually increasing in height. Before she knew it, Kai would be one of those taller kids in Year Three, and before too long, Year Six, and heaven help her, Year Ten. If he was a challenge now, what would he be like as a teenager? The thought was enough to make her instantly sprout a thousand grey hairs.

  Kai approached with schoolbag perched high on his back, a triumphant and self-satisfied grin on his face. ‘So can we go to the fair tomorrow, Mum?’

  She ruffled his hair. ‘Yes, we can. Good work.’

  He grinned wider and they walked out of the building and towards the school gates. ‘Can I have a toffee apple at the fair, and ride a pony, and get a lucky dip?’ He had an even greater memory than her.

  ‘That’s the plan.’

  ‘Yippee!’ He ran the rest of the way to the gate, crashing into a mother on her way in.

  ‘Careful, Kai.’ Chrissie glanced at the woman. ‘Sorry,’ she mouthed.

  The mother flicked a dismissive hand. ‘It’s fine.’

  She helped Kai buckle into the car and got into the driver’s seat. ‘Right, home we go. You’ll have to get to bed early tonight so we can have lots of energy for tomorrow, okay?’

  ‘Okay.’

  Plus she wanted to curl up on the couch and watch a movie on her own, preferably one that wasn’t animated and didn’t have talking animals. And definitely one with a rating higher than PG.

  They drove down Seaview Road and after stopping off at the video store to pick up a DVD, turned left into Willow Street, which ran through the town centre. As she slowed at the roundabout, Kai said, ‘Mum, can we stop at the park for a while? I want a go on the playground.’

  Chrissie eyed the corner of Miracle Park, where people wandered in and out, and children climbed and swung and slid on the equipment. Would this be too much of a reward, the park and the fair? What the hell, it was the start of the weekend and right now she just wanted Kai to be happy. Plus it might tire him out and help him get to bed early. ‘Okay, then. Hang on till I find a parking spot.’

  ‘Yay!’

  Chrissie slowed and pulled into a spot opposite the historic terrace shops and next to the cute Willow Lane, like a step back in time with its unique gift and candy shops with decorative railings and awnings.

  Kai slammed the door shut with enthusiasm and dashed over to the playground in Miracle Park so fast Chrissie thought he might crash into it as he’d done to that poor mother. Chrissie jogged to catch up, then glanced across the main road. Café Lagoon stood out with its busy assortment of people and fancy swirling lettering. Her stomach grumbled. ‘Ah, Kai?’ Her son looked back as he was about to climb the slippery slide. ‘I want to go across the road and get a coffee first, come with me.’ Chrissie didn’t usually drink coffee, it was just an occasional treat. And right now, she decided, Kai wasn’t the only one who deserved a reward for getting through the week.

  ‘But Mum!’ He sighed.

  ‘No buts. C’mon. We’ll come straight back.’

  He trudged over, all joy drained from his face.

  ‘I’ll watch him if you like, you go,’ a woman’s voice said. Chrissie turned to the left to see the woman Kai had crashed into earlier.

  ‘Oh, that’s okay. Thanks.’

  ‘Seriously, it’s no problem. I’ve got to watch my own anyway.’ She pointed. ‘I’m Sam’s mum.’

  Chrissie looked at the dark-haired boy that she’d seen Kai chatting to at school drop off this morning.

  ‘Your son’s in my son’s class.’ The woman smiled, tucking a clump of sandy hair behind her ear as the breeze wafted it around.

  ‘Oh, hi.’ Chrissie smiled, then glanced at Kai.

  ‘Can I go back and play with Sam?’ Kai looked up at her with pleading eyes.

  Pleased that he’d appeared to have made a new friend, she patted him on the back with her blessing. ‘Well, thanks,’ she said to the woman. ‘I’ll only be a few minutes, I’ll just pop over to the café.’

  ‘No worries. I’m not going anywhere,’ she said.

  Chrissie turned to walk away then turned back. ‘Oh, can I get you anything? Coffee, tea, cake?’

  ‘I probably shouldn’t.’ She patted her stomach. The woman was curvy but by no means fat.

  ‘I’m happy to shout you something. It’s the least I can do after you watching my child, who so carelessly ran into you earlier!’

  She laughed. ‘Ah, it was nothing. But okay. That would be great, thanks. I’ll have a decaf skim cappuccino.’

  Chrissie nodded then dashed across the road. She entered the café and was greeted by a blast of cool air conditioning. Ahh…The décor matched the café’s name and cooled her even more; walls of swirly blues and greens, and a tree painted in the corner, like she was stepping into an actual lagoon. She studied the menu on the wall. Not that she was here for a meal, but her grumbling stomach piqued her curiosity.

  ‘What can I get you today?’ someone asked. She lowered her gaze from the blackboard to meet the hypnotic eyes of a strapping young man, maybe in his early twenties, his smooth hair swiped over the side of his face in an arc.

  ‘Um, I’ll get a decaf skim cappuccino to take away, and a regular cappuccino too.’ Forget decaf and skim. If she was going to treat herself she’d go all out.

  ‘Coming right up.’ He winked, and if Chrissie was fifteen years younger she’d probably giggle and twirl a strand of her hair.

  ‘You new in town or passing through?’ he asked while he automatically made the coffee, as though he was so used to it he could do it blindfolded.

  ‘I’m new.’ Chrissie smiled. Everyone was so friendly here. ‘Not sure if it’ll be for good, but I’m here for now.’

  ‘Ah, the bay will draw you in. Always does. It’s The Town of New Beginnings you know.’

  ‘So I’ve heard.’ Chrissie adjusted her bag strap on her shoulder. ‘And I certainly need one of those, so we’ll see what happens!’

  ‘Well I hope you’ll visit Café Lagoon again. We often have live music on Friday and Saturday nights if you’re interested. Depending on whether there’re any local musicians available we can round up.’

  ‘Oh, right.’ She cleared her throat. She could round up a musician, not that he’d be able to attend such a public place. ‘I’ve got a six-year-old son, so unfortunately I don’t get out a lot, but I’ll try and drop in on one of the nights he’s at his father’s.’

  ‘Sounds like a plan.’ He smiled, and tapped the cup on the counter twice then added a decorative smiley face to the froth. He did the same to the other one, put a lid on each, and placed them in a cardboard holder, handing them to Chrissie.

  ‘I hope you get your new beginning,’ he said.

  ‘Thank you…’ she eyed his name tag, ‘…Jonah.’

  ‘My pleasure. Enjoy your afternoon.’

  With service like that she should make a habit of having coffee more often. The guy was a total charmer; no wonder the place was busy. She sipped her coffee as she walked out. Mmm… Okay, the fantastic coffee probably played a role too.

  Chrissie looked along the length of the street, memories of old times rolling through her mind. Good memories; getting fish and chips from the takeaway shop, an ice-cream from the pa
rlour, and getting lost in the whole other world that was Mrs May’s Bookstore. It was great that it still existed, although she guessed Mrs May herself would be retired by now. Chrissie wondered if the puppet shows still ran in the store. That could be another future reward for Kai.

  Chrissie crossed the road and walked past the Wishing Fountain. She’d made a wish in it at one of the Wishing Festivals during summer holidays when she’d stayed with Aunt Felicia, but now, she couldn’t even remember what she’d wished for. Whatever it was it probably hadn’t come true.

  ‘Here you go,’ Chrissie said, handing the coffee to Sam’s mum.

  ‘Oh, thanks, that’s kind of you.’ She blew through the little mouth hole then took a slow sip. ‘I’m Sarah by the way.’ She held out her free hand and Chrissie shook it.

  ‘Chrissie. Chrissie Burns. Kai has a different last name, just so you know.’

  ‘Oh, right. I know all about that. Sam is my second child, we share my husband’s surname, but my teenage daughter has a different father and hence a different surname.’

  ‘Do you find people sometimes call you Mrs So-and-so, as in the wrong name?’

  ‘Yes, when Gemma was younger. It can get confusing with all these blended families!’

  ‘It sure can.’ The women sipped their coffees while the children climbed and slid down the slide repeatedly. Sarah waved at a couple of other parents walking past, and Chrissie noticed the beaded bracelet on her wrist. ‘That’s nice. I’ve never seen one like that before, it’s unique.’ She pointed at the multicoloured glossy beads interspersed with metallic shapes and dangling charms.

  ‘Oh, thanks.’ Sarah held it out and twisted her wrist. ‘Actually, I made it.’

  ‘Wow, you’re talented. I know who to go to for my jewellery needs then.’

  ‘Thanks. I often set up a stall at the local markets. I have a website too, but it’s more of a hobby. I just make what I can when I can. It’s something I’ve always enjoyed.’

  ‘I’ll have to come and check out your stall sometime.’

  ‘That’d be great,’ Sarah said. ‘So how long have you been in Tarrin’s Bay?’

  ‘Since the second week of January, so almost a month now. You?’