Return to Stringybark Creek

by Karly Lane

  Good riddance. She let out a long sigh as she tipped her head back on her pillow. Maybe it was a positive thing this was about to break. For the last few weeks it’d been like waiting for the other shoe to drop. The sooner it was out there the sooner everyone would lose interest in it and move on to the next unfolding drama.

  Hadley bit the inside of her lip as she sat at breakfast later that morning with her parents and grandmother. Just bring it up and get it over with. ‘I had a phone call from Mitch this morning,’ she said, reaching for a piece of toast she didn’t feel like eating.

  ‘What’d he want?’ her father asked, looking up from the rural report.

  ‘Apparently he’s decided to break the story about our divorce before someone else does. He gave a statement to the paper, so I guess we can expect the phone to start ringing any time now.’

  ‘Bloody reporters,’ her dad muttered, before glancing up at his daughter. ‘Not you, love,’ he added reluctantly.

  Hadley gave a wince. ‘Thanks, Dad.’

  ‘Did he say what was in the statement?’ Lavinia asked.

  ‘Not really, other than he’s explained that we decided that it wasn’t working out.’

  ‘It’s a bit bloody hard to work on a marriage when the bastard’s cheatin’ on you, isn’t it!’ Bob snarled.

  ‘Robert,’ Lavinia cautioned gently.

  ‘He’s not even man enough to stand up and take responsibility for his actions,’ Bob said, his brow creased in a way that reminded Hadley of his reaction when Griffin had taken his brand-new four-wheel drive for a joy ride with mates when they were fourteen. ‘I say we tell whoever calls the real reason behind it.’

  ‘No,’ Hadley said quickly. ‘There’s no point in doing that. All it’ll do is create an even bigger story. They’ll never let it go then. Please, Dad, if they call, just agree with Mitch’s version. Work commitments drove us apart or something, or, better yet, no comment,’ she said, trying to keep her tone casual. The last thing she needed now was her dad to get all protective and offended on her behalf and give the reporters ammunition to go digging around to uncover the truth.

  ‘I don’t understand why you’re happy to let the bastard off scot-free, after what he’s done.’

  ‘Because I don’t want the whole world knowing my business, Dad,’ she said and didn’t have to try for a hurt tone. It was the truth. She was hurt and she didn’t want to be exposed to public scrutiny when she felt so vulnerable.

  ‘Your father and I won’t say anything about it to anyone, darling. It’ll be okay,’ her mum said, patting her hand. ‘Right, Robert?’

  She saw her parents exchange a look that eventually changed her dad’s belligerent expression to one of resigned agreement. ‘Right.’

  ‘I just want to move on from all of this with as little fuss as possible.’

  ‘We understand,’ her mother said. ‘We’re just worried about you. We don’t want to see you get bulldozed into something because Mitch thinks it’s right. You’ve been hurt by all this and he’s trying to cover up his part in it. I just hope this other woman is worth it.’

  Hadley swallowed past the sick feeling that began to rise. Maybe at first she’d felt a small stab of vengeful satisfaction at her parents’ wrath against the unknown woman, but now it was starting to make her feel uncomfortable. It wasn’t fair on her parents to let them vent their anger against some nameless woman when, if they knew it was Harmony, they’d be reluctant to speak out against her so vehemently.

  It would be hard for her parents to be torn between two of their children. Unfortunately, it had gone on too long. How did she tell them it was Harmony now? Especially after hearing their opinions on the kind of woman who would do something like this. They were going to be utterly devastated. No. It was better not to say anything. She was fairly sure Harmony and Mitch had a plan in place. A way to spin the situation in their favour. She figured they’d say they met afterwards and realised they shared common interests, mainly themselves, and fell for each other.

  If they lasted that long. Hadley supposed there was always the possibility that the relationship wouldn’t survive once it became less of a novelty and more of a reality. Then again, Harmony was into all the lifestyle extras that went along with Mitch’s job: the parties and the functions, fundraising events and balls. Hadley hated that part of his career. In fact, she’d really only gone to a handful of events while they’d been married. She was usually away on assignment, for which she was grateful. Evening gowns and social chit-chat had never been her forte; it was, however, Harmony’s. So maybe they would survive. Mitch needed a partner who could handle that side of things and Harmony had always dreamed of being in the limelight.

  She managed half of her toast before taking the scraps to the kitchen and putting her plate in the dishwasher. She might be willing to go along with whatever fabrication Mitch wanted to spin for the media, but she knew that at some point she and Harmony needed to talk about it. Her parents were beginning to get worried about the fact that Harmony hadn’t been out in a while and seemed to be spending a lot of weekends away. It wouldn’t be long until they began to suspect she had a new man in her life, and once that happened her mother wouldn’t let up until she had all the details. There was no way Harmony was going to be able to keep this quiet once their mother started to suspect a secret boyfriend.

  Hadley parked out the front of her sister’s house and drummed her fingers on the steering wheel. The house itself was fairly old and had been rather outdated when Harmony bought it several years earlier, but it had an impressive front entrance and the gardens were beautiful. Hadley had to admit her sister had impeccable taste; the woman could seriously make a career out of interior decorating if she ever set her mind to it. She’d overseen the renovation of the house and it was nothing short of breathtaking.

  Hadley walked to the front door, taking a deep breath before knocking, and waited as she heard the click-clack of heels on the polished timber flooring inside.

  The large, somewhat overcompensating door opened to reveal her sister looking just as surprised as Hadley had imagined she’d look, since she hadn’t phoned ahead to tell her she would be dropping by. Part of her had hoped Harmony would be out. That way she could at least feel as though she’d made the effort, without enduring any of the confrontation. No such luck.

  ‘Hadley. I expected you to show up sooner or later,’ Harmony said quietly.

  ‘As opposed to you making the effort to come and see me,’ she said lightly, holding her sister’s wavering glance.

  ‘It was a little difficult, seeing as Mum and everyone would be there.’

  ‘I thought it was time we talked.’

  ‘I don’t have very long. There’s a luncheon I need to attend.’

  ‘It won’t take long,’ Hadley said, stepping into the open foyer. The polished timber floors and large leafy foliage of scattered pot plants gave the house a cool, summery feel. They bypassed the kitchen, which was done in white timber and elegant antique fixtures, in favour of a windowed sitting room, which opened up with expensive folding glass doors onto the back yard overlooking the swimming pool and gazebo.

  ‘Would you like coffee?’ Harmony asked politely.

  The thought of drinking or eating anything right now made her feel a little ill. ‘No, thanks.’

  Harmony surprised her by launching into the subject without preamble. ‘I want to thank you for not saying anything to Mum and Dad.’

  ‘I did it for them, not for you and Mitch,’ Hadley said stiffly, then sighed. She hated this—hated so much that she had a sister who clearly thought nothing about betraying her and was little more than a stranger to her. How had that happened? How had they managed to grow so distant?

  ‘I guess you heard that Mitch has spoken to the press,’ Harmony said, looking down at her fingernails.

  Hadley glanced down at her own short nails and realised she hadn’t been to a beautician since before her wedding. ‘Yes, he called this morning.’
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br />   ‘I know you have every right to be upset, but I really hope you can see past everything that’s happened and realise that anything you say will only hurt Mum and Dad.’

  Hadley closed her eyes briefly, praying for the strength not to jump across the table and strangle her older sister. ‘Do not,’ she articulated clearly, ‘use Mum and Dad as leverage in all this. If either one of you cared about Mum and Dad’s feelings, neither of you would have gone and done what you did, in the way you did it, so please spare me the lecture. What you really mean is don’t let Mum and Dad find out what you did, because you know damn well it’s going to break their hearts.’ She felt a moment of regret when she saw the flash of pain cross her sister’s face but she steeled herself against it. ‘I just hope you realise that while you might be genuinely worried about our parents, Mitch’s reasons for keeping me quiet are solely based on what it’ll do for his reputation and career.’

  ‘Well, of course he’s worried about that, Hadley. Look at everything he has to lose.’

  ‘Harmony, are you listening to yourself?’

  ‘What?’

  ‘It doesn’t concern you that his only regret about all this is that his career might take a hit? Really?’

  ‘He does have other concerns. He’s not the monster you’re making him out to be, but he is a man with ambition and drive. He’s worked hard to get where he is. Of course that would be a huge concern for him.’

  ‘And you’re okay with the fact he’s willing to lie about your relationship in order to protect his career?’

  ‘He’s not lying. It’s none of anyone else’s business.’

  ‘Of course not. Neither of you should feel the least bit guilty for anything you’ve done to anyone else.’

  ‘Hadley, I am sorry that we didn’t tell you before this got serious. I do feel bad about that, but you can’t tell me that you are devastated about this marriage being over. You did nothing to try to save it. All that working away from home—how often were you two even together? Neither of you was seriously committed to the relationship, so please don’t play the victim in this.’

  ‘Don’t play the victim?’ Hadley repeated, stunned by her sister’s words. ‘Play the victim?’ She demanded louder as her outrage gathered momentum. ‘You’re my sister, Harmony. What’s wrong with you?’

  Harmony’s gaze hardened at that. ‘I saw a chance to be happy. I found a man I could admire, someone I knew I would be happy with. You’re always so vocal about taking chances, following your dreams. Well, maybe I was taking your advice for once.’

  ‘Oh, please. You talk about me acting like a victim? Seriously?’

  ‘I don’t think we’re going to get anywhere here, do you?’

  ‘No, sadly, I don’t think we are,’ Hadley said after a moment of silence.

  Hadley hadn’t been sure what this visit would achieve; maybe she’d been stupid to think it would change things. She stood to turn away, but stopped, looking back at her sister. ‘Why are we like this?’

  At least Harmony didn’t bother pretending that she didn’t know what Hadley was asking. ‘We grew up and went in two very different directions. We’re different people.’

  ‘We’re still family. A man shouldn’t be what comes between us.’

  ‘I can’t help who I fell in love with. It just happened. It wasn’t planned. Mitch and I belong together. He’s who I’m meant to be with. You weren’t happy with him, so why should I throw away a chance at an amazing future with the man I love because you chose him first and got it wrong?’

  ‘You may not have deliberately gone after him, but you sure as hell knew at some point that what you were doing was wrong.’

  ‘I’m sorry for hurting you,’ she said again softly. ‘If I could go back and change how it all happened I would. The truth is, I was in a really bad place at the time. Mitch …’ She paused, giving a small smile. ‘He was the only person who seemed to see me. The real me, Hadley. The woman. He listened to me, really listened,’ she said, searching her sister’s eyes for some kind of understanding. ‘I thought with Don I’d have the life I’d been dreaming of, but he turned out to be … well, less of a man than I’d expected,’ she said darkly. ‘Mitch is everything Don isn’t. He is charming, and for the first time in years I feel as though I’m beautiful and that the things I have to say are important. I can’t even remember the last time I was asked my opinion or taken seriously about something. I’d never believed in soulmates before Mitch.’

  Hadley wanted to feel outraged, but the truth was, all she felt was deflated and empty. There was no way her sister could know that she wished for exactly the same thing. She wanted that magical soul connection with someone, and for a long time she’d lied to herself that it would happen with Mitch. It never had. Part of her was hurt far more by the death of that fantasy than by the fact her sister had had an affair with her husband. She was jealous. Harmony had found her soulmate in the man who Hadley had hoped would be hers.

  ‘I have to go,’ she said, stepping away from the table. Her heart felt heavy and sad. She’d come here so angry and wanting to unleash her righteous fury as the woman wronged, only deep down she knew that even though her sister and husband had hurt her, her cries of injustice weren’t coming from a broken heart. She felt like a fraud holding on to her anger. Yes, she had a right to be angry and feel betrayed, but knowing that she wasn’t really in love with Mitch and probably never had been, it felt wrong to accept her parents’ outrage and pity on her behalf.

  ‘One day I hope we can put this behind us, Hadley,’ Harmony said softly behind her.

  Hadley’s footsteps faltered slightly at the slight quiver in her sister’s tone, but she didn’t reply. She was hurting. Not over the loss of her marriage. Over the loss of her sister. Maybe one day they would find a way to start over, but it wouldn’t be today. Today it still hurt too much.

  Nine

  Ollie wiped his hands on a rag and fought the rush of nerves exploding inside him as he spotted Hadley walking towards the machinery shed. They hadn’t spoken since the wake. He’d wanted to call her but had had no idea what he would say.

  Diesel ran up to her, jumping on the spot to get her to pat him. He watched his dog look across at him with a big dopey grin on his face as she rubbed behind his ears and crooned at him lovingly. Yep, I know just how you feel, mate.

  ‘Hey,’ he said, tossing the rag on the workbench as she came to a stop in front of him. As he was wondering how to bring up the matter of the kiss, he caught the look on her face. ‘Are you okay?’ She looked tired and her eyes were red, like maybe she’d been crying.

  She shook her head and he saw tears begin to brim on her lower lashes. He didn’t think about it, he just pulled her close and held her tightly, feeling her shoulders shake. He was pretty sure this wasn’t about the kiss.

  For a long while they just stood there in the middle of the shed. Her tears subsided and he felt her take a few deep, calming breaths before she stepped out of his arms, wiping her fingers across her face and collecting herself.

  ‘I’m sorry about that. I don’t know why I came here, actually.’

  ‘Is everything okay?’ Clearly it wasn’t, but he had no idea what else to ask.

  ‘I just had a long-overdue heart-to-heart with Harmony. I’m sorry, I just … I don’t know, seeing you was all I felt like doing.’

  Inside, her words were making his ego do crazy high fives, until he realised what the conversation with Harmony must have been about, and the thought instantly doused his joy with anger. ‘I’m sorry. That must have been rough,’ he said gently.

  ‘It was, but not in the way I expected,’ she said, crossing to the bench and picking things up and putting them down again distractedly.

  ‘How do you mean?’

  ‘I just realised the thing that hurts the most isn’t losing Mitch. It’s that I miss my sister. Isn’t that weird?’

  ‘Not really,’ he said slowly.

  She turned to look at him and he swallowe
d over a painful lump in his throat as she gazed at him with big, solemn eyes. ‘I just wish it had been anyone else but her,’ she said and the pain in her voice broke his heart.

  He wanted to take all that pain away and make it better, but he knew he couldn’t.

  ‘There’s going to be an article in the paper tomorrow.’

  ‘About Mitch and Harmony?’

  ‘No. Just about the divorce. The official story will be work and long-distance commutes broke up our marriage.’

  ‘Official story,’ Ollie scoffed. ‘Yeah, right. You’re not going to let them get off that easy, are you?’

  Hadley shrugged listlessly. ‘It’s partly the truth. Things weren’t going great.’

  ‘Before or after he started bangin’ your sister?’ At her sharp glance, he let out a frustrated sigh. ‘Sorry.’

  ‘Truthfully? I don’t know. Maybe it took him meeting her for at least one of us to come to our senses and do something about it.’

  ‘He’s still a coward and a jerk in my book. The only reason you found out was because they got caught. He should have been man enough to tell you before things got that far.’

  ‘We can’t do anything about it now. I just want it over and done with, and to make sure Mum and Dad don’t have to hear about it.’

  ‘They’re going to hear about it anyway. At some point Harmony will have to tell them about him.’

  ‘Yeah, eventually. And I’m sure they’ll work it to their advantage somehow.’

  ‘I can’t imagine your parents accepting Harmony and Mitch even if they take another year to come clean.’

  ‘It won’t be pretty,’ Hadley agreed. ‘But at least it’s not as horrible as them finding out she was cheating with him while we were still married. That would crush them.’ She took a seat on a nearby box.

  Either way, he figured it would be pretty uncomfortable. It didn’t look like family gatherings were going to get any less awkward any time soon.

  ‘I guess we should talk about the other day,’ she said when silence fell between them.