'No!' He looked alarmed. 'No, Ais. You don't want to get too close to those dudes. Now that I think about it, I wouldn't want you to come to one of these parties. What was I thinking! Just stay here, okay. It's fine.' He let go of her and backed away. 'I want to go, alright.'
She watched helplessly as he walked away, feeling like she had with Willa, all over again. Drew was dying in a different way, is all. The sound of the car door closing as he climbed in broke her paralysis and she darted across the veranda, down the steps and into the glare of the headlights. Unmindful of the sharp gravel cutting into the soles of her bare feet she ran towards the car and then stopped, putting up a hand to shield her eyes.
'Drew!' she cried as the car started to reverse.
'Hey babe.' Someone else in the car was calling out to her. 'You're more than welcome to come along. Room on my lap.'
'We'll be here, Drew,' Aisley yelled. 'You can come back whenever you want to, okay? Don't forget that!'
She stepped back to avoid the spray of grit and stones as the car skidded backwards onto the road, hoots and whistles and invitations of sex issuing from guys she couldn't see within, and then the car was thrown into gear and gone, as the driver floored it.
She stood and watched until the tail-lights disappeared and then she went back inside.
Spellbound
It was three in the morning and Stewart's party was winding down. Most people had left and those who remained would probably just crash on his lounge room floor.
Stewart himself had flaked on the couch with Neve curled in the crook of his elbow, her long hair fanned out across his arm.
Aisley and Chandra had wandered down to the beach, hand in hand, while she told him about Drew. They had no secrets from each other. It was all out there, just as they had decided it had to be the year before after Bliss tried to break them apart.
Archie wasn't well. When Cate found him, he was bundled up in the foetal position on Stewart's bed wishing that he was dead, or at least in a coma.
She went to fetch him a glass of water and a wet hand-towel. The water she forced down his throat. The towel she folded and gently laid across his forehead as he struggled to keep the water down.
'Kill me now,' he moaned.
'Were you drinking ouzo all night?'
'Ew! Don't say that word!'
'Night?'
'No! Ouzo.' He clutched Stewart's pillow like a life-preserver. 'I never want to see it, drink it or smell it again as long as I live.'
'You won't be living long anyway, if you want me to kill you now,' Cate said, sitting down beside him. Her weight made the mattress dip and he rolled towards her. She poked him in the side.
'Shove over then,' she said. 'And stop hogging the pillow.'
'I can't move. I'm sick.'
She pushed at him until he shifted a few inches and then she lay down beside him and gazed into his miserable face.
'Just my luck,' Archie muttered. 'I finally get to share a bed with you and all I want to do is spew.'
'You're so romantic, Arch. Don't ever change.'
He tried to smile and gagged instead, and she held up a warning hand.
'If you vomit on me,' she said. 'I will never speak to you again, do you understand?'
He nodded meekly and they lay in companionable silence until Cate reached out and ruffled his curls. 'Hey Archibald?'
'Hm?' He was half asleep.
'I've been doing a lot of thinking lately,' she said. 'And it occurs to me that you've kind of been there at every stage for me. You were so decent when the whole Drew business went bad and you never judged. I was really grateful for that, even though I never told you.'
'Hey,' he shrugged. 'No need. What are friends for, huh?'
'I still should've told you.' She twisted one of his curls around her finger. 'You were there when Willa died, of course. You were there for me when I told my parents I wasn't going to uni, and I think if you hadn't been there, they would have been a lot tougher about it. As it was, they caved under your logic.'
He snorted. 'Archie Evans is logical. Who knew?'
She smiled. 'So, I've decided that you're quite right. We should be together, and if you still want to be after all the times I've rejected you, well then … Arch? Would you go out with me?'
He opened one eye. 'What's the punchline?'
'There isn't one, because I'm not joking.'
He frowned. 'I don't get it.'
'There's nothing to get. Like I said, it's no joke.'
'Don't be playing with my head, woman.'
'I'm not.'
He clutched the wet towel against his forehead and stared at her for the longest time. 'Wow, Cate.'
She moved a teeny bit closer. 'So, what's your answer? Yes or no?'
'Yes like you would not believe.'
'Good.' Her expression was gentle.
'I really wanna kiss you now,' he admitted. 'But I've been drinking all night and …'
She planted her mouth firmly against his and kissed him hard. When she drew back, he was very pale.
'Archie?' she asked. 'Are you okay?'
He held up one hand so she waited and gradually the colour came back into his face. He took a deep breath and sighed it out. 'That was a close call,' he said. 'I thought I was going to chuck.'
'Well, gee thanks! My kisses make you sick.'
'No!'
'Yes!'
They glared at each other and then they both chuckled.
'Ugh.' Archie pulled a face. 'I've never felt so happy and so nauseous at the same time in my entire life.'
'Roll over,' she ordered and when he obediently turned his back to her she draped her arm across him.
'Cate Costa is spooning with me,' he mumbled. 'I must be hallucinating.'
'Shh. Go to sleep.'
'But I want to cuddle.'
It's taken us this long,' she said. 'I think we can safely leave the cuddles until tomorrow or the next day, or whenever you're feeling better, okay?'
'Okay. You promise you won't leave?'
'I promise.'
His eyes were slipping shut now, a look of profound joy on his face. 'Hey, Cate?'
'Mm?'
'Did I ever tell you about our three kids?'
Christmas Day
Four weeks later
'It's sincerely cool,' Chandra said. He laughed at the expression on Aisley's face when she glanced nervously back at him. 'Stop worrying. It's not like I'm going to ask you to stand up.'
'I'm not doing that even if you ask nicely!' She was sitting astride his surfboard, gripping the edges for dear life.
He was sitting right behind her. She could feel his chest at her back, his legs against hers, and having him so close should've put her at ease, but it really didn't because the water was just too damn deep below their dangling legs.
She hadn't expected to see him until Boxing Day but he'd turned up at Sheldon's Seat this evening wearing only board-shorts, his surfboard under his arm.
'Go put your bathers on,' he begged her. 'I want to show you something really special and it can't wait.'
Intrigued, she went upstairs to change and then they walked down Loch Hill and along the track to the surf beach. The summer evening was hot and the ocean was dead calm as they waded into the shallows.
'On you get.' Chandra held the long board steady for her.
She stared at him. 'Are you kidding?'
'Nope.'
'I don't do surfboards. You know that.'
'Come on,' he replied, ignoring her protest.
'It'll flip up!'
'No it won't,' he said. 'I've got hold of it and I know where its sweet spot is.'
She screwed up her nose. 'It's what?'
He rolled his eyes. 'Just get on, woman!'
So she got on, feeling quite unsure of herself. The nose of the board rose slightly higher than the tail, but true to his word, Chandra had it under control. He jumped on behind her, causing it to sink a little deeper in the water but it stayed
perfectly balanced. Using his hands, he paddled them lazily out to sea and the board skimmed across the water, silent and effortless.
'What if a shark comes?' she asked nervously.
'Aw, Ais,' he said. 'The sharks have already had their Christmas dinner. They're not hungry anymore.' He chuckled at the thought.
She was not amused. 'What if we get tipped off?'
'We won't. I'm in control of the board, not the other way around, so just relax. It's better if you do.'
Aisley tried to take his advice, bravely releasing her death grip.
'That's the way,' he said softly, his mouth close to her ear. 'Close your eyes.'
She did, leaning back against his warm skin as the moments ticked by.
'Now open them,' he whispered. 'And tell me what you see.'
She opened her eyes and was spellbound. The ocean shone like glass and the setting sun made it sparkle like a million tiny diamonds. She could see the curve of the coastline. Seamere beach was a white sandy strip in the distance as it snaked away towards the east. To their left, the cliffs shielded the secret Cariad Lili Bay and then carried on westward. There was not a soul to be seen. It was as if they were the only two people on earth.
'Oh wow,' she breathed. 'It's spectacular.'
'It is, isn't it? I really wanted to share it with you.'
'I'm so glad you did.'
'A year ago today,' he told her. 'I was sitting on my board, exactly like this, in Costa Rica. The view was just as awesome but I could hardly see it because I was so lonely for you.'
He rested his chin on her shoulder and picked up the jade heart lying against her throat. 'Out here watching the world turn I was always at my best, but not anymore, because that was before you and now things are different. When we're together it doesn't matter where I am. Now I'm at my best when I'm with you … and Ais?'
'Yes?'
'That's never going to change. People might say we're too young to know about forever but it's just not true. I know beyond a doubt that I don't want to be anywhere you're not, ever again. For my whole life.'
She hardly knew what to say. She had a ridiculous lump in her throat. So in the end she settled for actions rather than words, and kissed him. After that, he held her while their legs trailed in the calm ocean, and the sun sank towards the horizon.
'Merry Christmas, Ais,' he said softly. 'I love you.'
'Merry Christmas, Chandra,' she replied, taking both of his hands in hers and linking their fingers together. 'I love you too.'
Epilogue
Eight years later
Spring time
The sun streamed in through the giant picture window that took up one entire wall of the Sarin's lounge. Dappled by the evergreen trees in the garden, it made the light patterns that fell across the floor interesting and beautiful.
Chandra stood on the rug, his hands in the pockets of his suit as he watched the view and let his thoughts wander. After six years as an under-graduate at med school and another year as an intern in a city hospital, it felt good to not have to think of anything in particular. The journey wasn't over but he'd earned the right to put the title of doctor before his name, and the light at the end of the tunnel was burning bright.
Pippin's loud purring caught his attention and he turned to smile at the fat, old tortoiseshell lying on the couch. 'You sound as good as I feel,' he told the cat. Pippin regarded him through slitted green eyes and stretched his front legs out luxuriously. He was eighteen and still going strong. Chandra wouldn't be surprised if he lived to be one hundred.
The sound of feet stomping down the hall ended the serenity and Archie marched into the room. 'Honestly!' he cried. 'Whoever invented these things should be shot! Seriously! I mean … damn!'
Chandra watched Archie trying in vain to tie his bowtie. It refused to respond to his fumbling fingers and he threw his hands up in despair. He jabbed his finger at Chandra. 'How'd you get yours done?' he demanded.
'Mum.'
Archie turned to the door. 'Mum!' he bellowed at the top of his voice.
Ela Sarin hurried into the room, certain a disaster had occurred. She had one earring dangling from her ear and the other in her hand. 'What's wrong?' she gasped.
'This!' Archie lamented, gesturing at his bowtie. 'It's broken.'
Chandra laughed and Archie threw him a scathing look. 'Your compassion overwhelms me,' he growled. 'Show some sympathy or I'll lose the ring.'
Ela gasped again, her eyes wide. 'Don't say such things!' she scolded Archie. She grabbed both ends of his bow tie and knotted them efficiently. 'It could be bad luck.'
'Don't stress, mum,' said Chandra. He sat down next to Pippin.
'I'm not stressing,' Ela replied, looking stressed. 'There.' She stood back and eyed Archie's tie for straightness. 'Perfect.'
Ravi Sarin put his head around the door. 'Are we ready?' he asked. 'It's the bride who's supposed to be late, not the groom.'
Chandra winked at him. 'You're stressing too,' he said. 'Just relax. It's all good.'
His father gave him a look. 'Five minutes,' he said, and disappeared.
Ela bustled after him, attaching her other earring as she went. She glanced back at the door. 'Archie?'
'Yeah?'
'You haven't really lost the ring, have you?'
Archie patted his breast pocket. 'Right here.' He gave her his most innocent smile.
She beamed. 'Good boy.' She went down the hall to fetch her clutch bag.
Archie wandered over to the mirrored doors on Ela's crystal cabinet and checked himself out. 'Hey,' he said, pulling at his jacket. 'I make this look pretty good.'
Chandra joined him. 'Meh. You look good, but I look amazing!'
'You wish, Sarin.'
'I know, Evans.'
'Married with two kids and I still look hot,' Archie grinned.
'Keep living the dream, bro.'
'Oh I do.'
'Nuh uh, that's my line today.'
'I guess it is.' Archie wiggled his eyebrows at him. 'Ready to do this thing then?'
Chandra gave his jacket one more tweak. 'Yep.'
'Okay.'
'Right.'
'Good o'.'
They stared at each other and then fell into a bear-hug. Chandra buried his face in Archie's shoulder for a moment, letting his feelings wash over him. 'Love you man,' he muttered.
'Love you too.' Archie poked him in the chest. 'Now let's go, or we're going to prove your dad right and Ais will get there before us.'
On the beach at Cariad Lili Bay, Lucan introduced his partner to Neve and Stewart. 'This is Toby,' he said shyly. They'd met three months before in Mt Isa in Queensland, where Lucan was living and working as an engineer in a mining company.
Toby, a young man with cropped blonde hair and a friendly smile, shook hands all round.
'Ahah,' Stewart said. 'Toby the teacher, if I'm not mistaken?'
'I mentioned you were a teacher,' Lucan explained to Toby. 'Stewart is too.'
Toby grinned. 'What's your life sentence?' he asked Stewart. 'Mine's maths.'
'Humanities,' Stewart said. 'Right here in Seamere.'
'Stewart teaches at the school he and Lucan went to,' Neve said.
'That's convenient,' Toby remarked.
'Oh it took us a while to get back here,' she said. 'He had to grab the transfers whenever they came up which wasn't often.'
Stewart laughed. 'We've sort of hopped back from Melbourne over the last few years,' he said. 'My first teaching job was in the suburbs, then I transferred to Gippsland, and finally back home. I don't plan on moving again if I can help it. I always wanted to come home and teach at my old school.'
'Freya never did,' Lucan said. 'She's in her element teaching art and drama in the city.'
'I've spent enough time in the city to last me a lifetime,' said Stewart. 'It suits Freya, but I'm a small town boy at heart. I never want to leave Seamere again.'
Lucan smiled. 'They even bought a house to prove it,' he told Toby.<
br />
Toby nodded at Neve's huge belly. 'And just in time, I'd say. When's D-Day?'
'Two weeks,' Neve grimaced. 'So, anytime really. Can't come soon enough.'
'Oh well,' said Toby. 'If he or she decides to come early and be born today, at least you'll have a doctor on hand. I understand the groom is one?'
Stewart nodded, his hand straying to Neve's tummy. 'Although, we know what to expect,' he told Toby. 'We already did this once before.' He nodded towards a little girl playing with other children nearby. 'That's our Lily. She's almost three.'
'She's beautiful,' said Toby watching Lily jumping about, her auburn curls bouncing. 'Got your hair,' he said to Stewart.
'My colour,' Stewart said. 'Her mother's curls.'
Toby grinned. He looked up at the cliffs surrounding them. 'This is an incredible place,' he remarked. 'There's almost a spiritual energy here, isn't there?'
'Oh yes,' said Neve, taking Stewart's hand and exchanging an intense look with him. 'There certainly is.'
A short distance away Brice stood chatting to several others and one of them was Drew … a much calmer and in-control Drew than he had been at seventeen. He'd seen the light at age twenty four, waking up one morning feeling like death after an all-nighter and finding himself in the drunk-tank at the police-station.
It wasn't his first time in the cells but it was the first time he remembered nothing about the circumstances that had put him there. That scared him badly.
'We've tried your brother,' the officer told him. 'He's not answering his phone. Neither are any of these other numbers you've given us. What about your parents?'
'They're … out of touch.' And they always had been really if he was honest.
'Okay. Anybody else we can call who cares enough to come and take you home, mate?'
Brice Daly picked up on the second ring and was there in twenty minutes. Much to his shame, Drew leaked at the eyes all the way back to Brice's place. Brice didn't say a word. He just made up the spare bed and Drew slept for three days, waking only to eat and use the bathroom. After that he'd straightened up and flown right.
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