by Annie Seaton
The smile that crossed Sally’s face was almost evil. ‘I heard.’
Sonia’s head flew up and she frowned. ‘What did you hear?’
‘I heard Dave telling Sol that he was taking you out, and how hot you looked in your swimmers down at the beach. He didn’t know I was in the kitchen when they were walking in. You’ve sure made an impression on him.’ Sally put her head to the side. ‘I didn’t think you were taking the kids for a swim, and what swimmers was he talking about anyway?’
‘We got hot on the bike ride, and I found a pair of Aggie’s swimmers up in the attic. She told me about them.’ Sonia smiled. ‘Well, at least she was banging about as she does when she wants to get our attention and I thought of them.’
Sally pushed the pile of clothes aside and flopped on the bed. She leaned against the head board. ‘So what do you think of Dave? He’s different to your usual type. You do know, he’s not gay, don’t you?’
Sonia burred up. ‘My usual type? What’s that? And yes, I knew that. When Mitch was checking him out I picked up the vibes. He’s straight.’
Sally waved a dismissive hand. ‘You know what I mean. Your usual. The ones who pose no threat to your solitary lifestyle. Honestly, Son, I do worry about you.’
Sonia pushed herself to her feet.’ And now you’ve found yourself a man, you’re an expert on what I need.’ She picked up her pink converse sneakers—her favourites—and put them near the door.
‘No. I worry about you. I worry about what’s going to happen when—’ Sally put her hand to her mouth. ‘Forget I said that.’
‘When what?’ Sonia narrowed her eyes and walked over to the bed. ‘What do you mean, what’s going to happen?’
Sally sighed. ‘Taj and Rosie want to talk to us all tonight after you get home. They’re thinking about selling the house.’
Dismay rushed through Sonia, so strong it hurt. ‘They can’t do that! What about Aggie? We can’t leave her here by herself.’
‘I know. But it’s an expensive place to run, and when they go back to Hawaii, and I move out to Peat’s Ridge with Sol, it’s going to leave you here by yourself. It’s not fair on them financially, and it’s not fair to expect you to look after the old place by yourself. That’s what they went to see Mr Pepper about today.’
‘Oh shit.’ Sonia dropped her head in her hands. “I understand where they’re coming from, but I hate the idea.’ She flopped onto the bed next to her sister. ‘I hate change, Sal.’
‘I know. I knew you’d be upset.’
‘I wish I could afford to buy the house.’
‘Me too. But an old house like this right on Bondi Beach? It’ll go for millions. It’ll be snapped up by a developer and demolished. You watch a block of high rise apartments go up.’
Tears ached in Sonia’s throat. ‘Sal, we can’t leave Aggie here by herself.’
‘Come on, sweetie, we have to be realistic. We’ve made up a lot of stuff about a few bangs and creaks because we hated the thought of letting Aunt Aggie go. It’s time to move on.’ Sally put her arm around her.
Sonia rested her head on her sister’s shoulder and stifled a sob. ‘I knew this was coming when I read Rosie’s leaves this morning. I’ve just blocked it all day. It’s been the strangest day.’
‘And now it’s going to end nicely with a dinner out for you with a nice guy. And he is a nice guy.’ Sally got up off the bed and held her hand out. ‘I’ve got a feeling about this. Come on, let’s find you something spectacular to wear. I guess that’s what all this is about?’ She gestured to the clothes littering the room.
Sonia laughed. ‘It is. What does one wear out to a fish and chip walk with a fashion designer? And I’m the one who gets the feelings, not you.’
‘I can feel too. You didn’t get all the psychic ability, you know. You forget we shared a womb. Now come on, let’s go knock his socks off.’
Sonia pursed her lips. ‘I don’t know if I want to.’ All she could think of was the pink sexual aura that had surrounded Dave this morning.
She knew she was in trouble.
THE AFTERNOON SUN WAS low, and a soft silvery sheen hovered over the still water. The wind and swell had dropped and the waves had all but disappeared; the ocean was like a calm lake.
‘Just as well I didn’t plan to surf tomorrow,’ Taj said.
Dave was sitting on the front porch having a beer with Taj and Sol, looking out over Bondi Beach. They’d offered him a bed for the night to save driving back to Peat’s Ridge after dinner. He’d called Uncle Mac at the local garage and organised for him to check on Otis and feed him. Sitting there with the guys had added to his relaxed state, until Sol asked him how he’d gone today.
Dave shook his head. ‘I had a shocker, mate. Unless the police come good with catching up with my PA, and all my money, I’m pretty well stuffed.’
‘What a bastard.’ Sol shook his head. ‘All that hard work, all gone.’
Taj was following the conversation with interest. ‘So there’s nothing you can do?’
‘Not unless we find Ms Mitzi Renaldo, or whatever her real name is. I’m not the only one she conned; that’s my only hope. She’s scammed a few big companies and the police said a couple of them are determined to get her. Pulling out all the stops and they’ve hired a private investigation firm. They asked me if I wanted to go in with them, but I had to say no. She cleaned me out. All my money and my reputation along with it.’
Taj looked at Dave and tapped a finger on the beer bottle. ‘So you’re looking for a job?’
‘I am. I’ll start with the papers and the agencies tomorrow.’
‘You might not have to. I’ll be back in a minute. Don’t go anywhere.’ Taj put his beer on the low brick wall and went inside. Sol looked at Dave, and Dave looked back at Sol, and shrugged.
A minute later Taj came back and held up his hand for a high five. ‘Dave, the company that does my surf gear is looking for a designer for a new range. My mate said he’d be happy to interview you. I think you’d have a great chance. I’ll put in a good word for you too.’
Dave almost gawked. ‘Are you for real?’
Taj nodded.
‘I’d be really keen.’ A glimmer of hope fired in Dave. ‘When can I meet him?
‘That’s the hard part. You’d have to go to Honolulu.’
‘Okay. Let me see what I can organise.’
‘I’ll give you Mark’s card.’ Taj dug into his wallet and passed Dave a glossy business card. ‘Give him a call and let him know when you can get over there.’
‘Thanks. Will do.’
Taj lifted his beer bottle and clinked it against Dave’s. ‘I hope it works out. Be an honour to have the famous Dave Walker designing our comp gear.’
Dave bit back the groan that threatened and forced a grin to his face.
A job right up his alley, and no chance of getting to the interview.
He didn’t mention that because he didn’t want Taj to think he wasn’t keen.
Dave was keen.
Super keen. He just had to find a way to pay for a return flight to Honolulu. He was deep in thought when the front door opened. Sonia stood in the doorway, and looked around at the three guys.
‘You all look settled for the night. ‘If you want to stay in, Dave, don’t worry about a walk and dinner. It’s cool,’ she said.
Before he could answer, Taj and Sol stood and headed for the door.
‘All good, Sonia. We’ve got plans with the kids.’ Taj said.
‘We have plans too. Enjoy your night.’ Sol actually winked at Dave on the way past him.
Dave turned to Sonia with a smile. ‘I’m looking forward to it. It’s a great night to eat outdoors.’
She lifted her chin and stared at him. ‘Are you sure you want to go out?’
‘Yeah. I am.’ He stared back. ‘You got cold feet?’
‘Why would I have cold feet?’
He shrugged. ‘You haven’t seemed comfortable around me since this morning.’
‘I’m fine.’ She wriggled and hitched her skirt down a bit and he lowered his gaze. A grin crossed Dave’s face as he took in the hooped skirt that sat just below her knees at the front and was longer at the back. For once Sonia had shed the tent dress in all the primary colours. She’d teamed the white broderie anglaise skirt with a loose pink T-shirt that had a big white heart on the front. Her pink converse sneakers matched the pink of the shirt.
‘You look . . . fabulous,’ he said.
‘Don’t think I need a bowl of fruit?’ Her mouth quirked in a little smile.
‘A wedding veil would finish your outfit perfectly.’ Dave shook his head. ‘Have you ever thought about going into the fashion industry?’
She nodded. ‘I did for a while. I went to design college in Ultimo before we started the Divine Soul Sisters. I was two years into my degree when I left.’
‘You certainly have the knack. That certain je ne sais quoi.’
‘That’s high praise indeed from someone who’s made the big time. Thank you.’ Her cheeks flushed a pretty pink that matched the shoes and shirt.
Dave held out one arm. ‘Ready to go for a stroll?’
Sonia hesitated for a moment and then slipped her arm through his. ‘Where to?
He tipped his head to the side. ‘How about a bit of a progressive dinner and drink?’
Her laugh was as pretty as her skirt. ‘Like a pub crawl?’
‘Not exactly, but if that’s what you want—’
She shook her head. ‘Something quiet would be nice.’
Her arm stayed tucked into the crook of his elbow as they walked to the front gate. Dusk was falling quickly and the sea held a deep purple hue. On the eastern horizon, the high clouds were picking up the last rays of sun from the west and were bathed in a soft golden light. The walk was filled with noisy young people as they headed out for a night at the beach pubs. The lazy chatter of the groups walking past them mixed with the crashing of the waves. A southerly buster had blown in mid-afternoon as they’d left the beach, and the swell was picking up quickly. A lone surfer hung behind the break waiting to pick up a wave. The other surfers, tanned and sun bleached, were heading home along the sand, their boards under their arms.
‘I’ll miss this,’ she said softy.
Dave turned to her with a frown ‘Where are you going?’
Her answer was a shrug. ‘I’m not supposed to know yet, but Taj and Rosie are selling the beach house.’
‘That’s a shame.’
‘Life changes and we have to adjust.’
‘Ain’t that the truth?’ Dave tried to keep the bitterness out of his voice.
Chapter 10
Dave was quiet as they strolled down the hill to the restaurant precinct opposite the beach, and Sonia tried to think of something to fill the awkward silence, but Dave spoke before she could make an inane comment about the weather.
‘When you read my cup this morning . . .’ he began.
‘Yes?’ she said cautiously.
‘Do you really believe that, or do you just come out with a few stock lines?’
She pulled her arm out of his and stopped walking. ‘Are you accusing me of being a fraud?’
‘No. Not at all. My mother would have loved you. I’ve had a lot of alternative stuff in my life. I guess I’ve just got a bit more cynical lately.’ He stood and they were almost eye to eye. He was a fraction taller than Sonia’s just under six feet. Another thing she hated about the way she looked. Sally was petite and Sonia grown into the big gawky ugly sister in her early teens.
Twins? How many times had she heard the disbelief in people’s voices when they heard that she and Sally were twins? After a while they stopped saying it, because Sonia got so upset by the looks and the disbelieving comments.
Dave crossed the path and rested his hands on the fence as he looked out over the ocean. ‘I’m in a bit of a situation, and I’ve got to find a way out of it. Like you, I have to find somewhere to live.’ He shook his head and looked down as Sonia’s hands rested next to his. Her fingernails were long, and each was painted a different shade of pink. ‘And I have to find a job. Soon.’
His voice was clipped and when she looked up at him his expression was set. ‘How hard will that be? You’re so well known. I’d already heard about you a couple of years ago. You set the fashion world on fire.’ She laughed. ‘I just couldn’t afford to buy your label. But why do you need to find a job?’
‘That treachery you mentioned today? You were spot on.’
Sonia’s eyes widened as Dave outlined how he’d been fleeced by his assistant.
‘So the bottom line is I’ve lost my contract and I’ve got a warehouse full of clothes that I can’t afford to pay the rent on. And then to top it all off, Taj told me about an opportunity for a great job designing for his company, but I can’t afford the airfare to go for the interview in Honolulu.’
Sonia thought back to his reading. ‘But remember what else I said?’
‘I do. Word for word.’ A strange feeling gripped her as he held her gaze. ‘The treachery hasn’t left me. And I’m going to have a new friendship and that will help me get what I want.’ He pushed away from the fence and started walking again and she caught up to him. ‘All that sounds well and good, but I’ve lost my career and my last hope to keep any of my credibility was with the second big show that I had all ready to go in Japan.’
‘So what happens to the clothes that are in the warehouse? How would you normally sell them to stores? By having a show here?’ Sonia put her arm through Dave’s again and kept pace with him.
‘Yep, that’s how it works.’
‘So what’s stopping you having a local show and getting your garments into Sydney stores? You’ve got a big name, Dave. That would set you on your feet again, surely?’
‘Because I’m stony broke. I can’t afford to hire a venue, I can’t afford to pay the models, and I can’t afford—’
‘Oh for goodness sake, stop wallowing. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, that no matter how bad you feel, you have to be positive. If you put across a negative persona, the world will believe it. So no matter how crappy or pissed off you feel, rise above it. Smile. Beam at the world.’
He stood still and looked at her without saying a word.
Her voice was a bit softer now and her cheeks were very pink. ‘What if someone was to organise it for you and it didn’t cost anything to put on?’
‘That’s not going to happen. Shows cost thousands to put on. And who would organise it for me anyway?’
‘I could,’ she said quietly. Ever since this morning, she knew that she had met Dave for a reason. And now she knew what it was. It didn’t have anything to do with that sexual aura, thank God. She’d been put there to help him out.
The look on his face was comical. ‘I don’t mean to be rude but how—’
‘Trust me,’ she said simply.
He shook his head slowly. ‘I’m sorry, Sonia. I can’t. That’s what got me into the situation I’m in. Misplaced trust.’
‘Dave. I want to help. I have to help. That’s what’s brought us together.’
He screwed his face up. ‘Are you for real? You think we’ve been brought together by some psychic force so you can help me organise a fashion show?’
‘Yes. I do.’ Sonia fought back the hurt that stuck in her throat. She lifted her chin and jutted her chin out stubbornly. ‘So what have you got to lose? Nothing from what you told me, and everything to gain.’
He shook his head. ‘Come on, let’s go and find that fish and chip shop that Sol’s been raving about.
‘You don’t want to listen to my idea?’
‘No.’ He shook his head mulishly. ‘I don’t want to listen to your idea.’
Sonia muttered under her breath as she strode ahead. The hurt had been replaced by temper. Why did she bother? Sometimes it was easier to just be the big fat bimbo.
If she’d been a svelte looking businesswoman in a sexy suit, he wou
ld have snapped up her offer to help. She would have had some credibility.
Well then, Dave Bloody Walker could take a flying leap. She didn’t care what the leaves said.
For a moment, she considered turning around and marching back up the hill to the house, but she refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing that he’d upset her.
Beam at the world, she’d told him. Well, her eyes were on high beam and the smile on her face was about to blind him.
‘Okay, McDuff. I’m starving. Lead me to the chips.’
Chapter 11
Dave felt bad at being so dismissive of Sonia’s offer but it hadn’t seemed to bother her. Her smile was wide and she hadn’t stopped chatting the whole time they’d stood in the queue at the fish and chip shop. Or since they’d found a vacant square metre of grass above the beach. A couple of buskers were strumming guitars, and she finally stopped talking and listened to the music as they ate their takeaway meal.
Dave looked past Sonia to the busy street, and the nonstop traffic and blaring of horns reminded him of Tokyo.
How could he have been so stupid to let everything be taken from him? He turned back to Sonia. Her eyes were wide as she watched the two guitarists.
‘So. . .’ He was about to swallow his pride here. ‘Were you serious before?’
Her eyes lit up, and this time her words seemed more genuine than the casual conversation they’d been having since he’d knocked back her offer.
‘About organising the show?’ Her expression was still wary though. ‘Of course I was. I have no doubt I can do it for you. All you’d have to do would be put together a list of boutiques and buyers to invite. I’ve still got heaps of contacts from the college. We’ve all stayed in touch.’
‘And a venue?’
She shook her head. ‘I’ve got some ideas, but I won’t say until I check them out. So does this mean you might let me suss it for you?’
Despite his original doubt, Dave nodded. ‘Do a bit of research, and when I can afford to pay you back, I will.’
She jumped to her feet and the hooped skirt swung perilously close to his head. ‘I don’t expect to be paid. It will be enough to see you out of your troubles. One day, you can pay me back when I need a favour.’