Prelude to Love

by Anne Barwell

  He’d chosen his partner over his family, and look where it had left him. Alone, despite his efforts to be there for Garth.

  Marcus felt a pang of guilt. Family was important, and Ella was his only sibling. It wouldn’t have hurt him to make the trip to Wellington more often. First he’d used Garth as a pretext, and after he no longer had that to fall back on, he’d tired himself out with his job in an attempt to forget his ex.

  Isabel hooked her arm through Marcus’s. “Come on. We need to pick up your bags from the luggage area before it gets really busy.”

  Darin laughed. “Remind you of anyone?” he said.

  “Oh, yes,” Marcus said, ignoring Isabel’s scowl. “Just like her mum at that age.”

  “Only at that age?” Darin put on a hangdog expression that Marcus didn’t buy for an instant. “See what I have to put up with? It will be great to have another guy in the house for a while.”

  “Uh-huh.” Marcus could read between the lines. Someone to run interference and commiserate with, although it was obvious Darin enjoyed every minute of it. He loved his girls, and it showed.

  “I’m here and I can hear you, you know.” Isabel gave a dramatic sigh and tossed her hair back over her shoulders, yet the twinkle in her eyes belied the action.

  “Of course you can.” Darin rolled his eyes and ruffled his daughter’s hair, which earned him an identical reaction.

  Marcus chuckled. The two of them made a great double act. It was going to be an interesting few months until he found a place of his own. Definitely the distraction he needed.

  He glanced at them and caught their twin looks of concern, although they both hid their expressions quickly. How much had Ella told them?

  Luckily his suitcase was one of the first through the conveyor belt, and it wasn’t long before they were on the Hutt Valley motorway, heading toward Petone and to what was now home.

  Marcus leaned back in his seat, ignoring the chatter between Isabel and her father. He stared out at the harbor, watching the waves crashing against the shore, and let his mind wander. He’d done the right thing relocating here, hadn’t he? His parents hadn’t been happy about both their children now living in another part of the country, but they understood why he’d had to get away and try to make a fresh start.

  He loved Hokitika and had lived there all his life, but like all smaller towns, everyone knew everyone else’s business. Not only that, it was impossible to avoid Garth. He’d felt his face flame several times at the whispers and sympathetic looks. The locals didn’t judge and continued to be as friendly toward them as they always had, but in a way that was worse. He’d never move forward with his life until he lived somewhere where no one knew him and he could avoid reminders of his life with Garth.

  Ella had suggested the move to Wellington. A friend of a friend planned to retire from his lawn-mowing business within the next two years or so and would be more than happy to take on someone who could take over when he was ready to do so. Marcus had provided the service in his hometown for years and had no problems getting the references he needed. Not only that, but he’d also built up his business to include gardening, odd jobs, and the like. He’d spoken to Brendan on the phone a few times, and the older man sounded keen about the idea of diversifying. With the weather derailing his lawn-mowing jobs several days at a time during the year, it would give the business a more steady income in the down periods. While Wellington had a mild climate compared to other parts of the country, it also had a tendency to rain a lot, and not only in the winter.

  “Another ten minutes and we’ll be home.” Darin moved into the left lane and exited the motorway. “We’ve done a bit of decorating since you were here last. Ella’s in a decluttering mood, so watch where you put anything, as it will disappear before you can blink. She’s been reading that book.” He turned to Isabel. “What was it called again?”

  “Spark Joy. It’s about tidying up,” Isabel said. “I think it’s great.”

  “I’ve already told her she’s not allowed near my garage,” Darin muttered. He cleared his throat. “Yeah, it’s great.”

  Marcus was impressed by the way Darin managed to make his comment sound almost sincere.

  “I haven’t heard of it.” Marcus had the latest Lee Child novel in his carry-on. He’d planned to read it on the way to distract himself from the trip, but by the time the air hostess had served tea and Anzac biscuits, it wasn’t long before they were getting ready to land. “Probably not my thing anyway.”

  “Good plan.”

  About five minutes later, Darin turned left onto Cuba Street and then took a right, before pulling up the driveway of the older bungalow-style house.

  “You’ve cleaned up the garden, and the lawns look great,” Marcus said. He always noticed that about a house first. A side effect of his job, he figured.

  The backyard was much bigger than he remembered, but the last time he’d visited, the front of the house had been overgrown, with a random selection of shrubbery and an overbearing smell of lavender.

  The lavender was still there but pruned back into submission. Roses adorned one side of the driveway, a mix of miniature and climbing along the fence line in an assortment of colors. The lawns were neatly mowed, and there wasn’t a weed in sight.

  “It’s taken all our time to get this part of the section looking good.” Darin opened the boot to retrieve Marcus’s suitcase, but Marcus grabbed it first. “The back still looks like a jungle.”

  “I’d like to help you with that, if that’s okay,” Marcus said.

  “I was hoping you’d say that!” Ella came up behind them.

  Marcus turned and pulled his sister into an embrace. “Ella! It’s good to see you.” They’d always been close, and there was only a year between them in age.

  “Let me look at you, baby brother.” Ella looked smug when Marcus’s face crinkled up into an expression of disgust.

  “Less of the baby, big sister,” he muttered. “You’re looking good, Ella.”

  Ella nodded, distracted. “Hmm,” she said. “You’ve lost weight, and you have bags under your eyes. We’ll have to do something about that.”

  “You’ve given me a place to stay until I find somewhere of my own,” Marcus protested, as much for his own protection than anything else. He knew that look in her eye. She already had a plan in place. He glanced around, ready to ask Darin for support, but he and Isabel had already conveniently disappeared into the house.

  “That’s what families do,” Ella said. She lowered her voice. “Don’t worry, I haven’t told them too much. None of the details, just that you’ve come up here for a fresh start. We’re here for you, Marcus. You’re not alone in this.”

  “I know, and thanks.”

  His parents had been supportive too, but they’d always liked Garth, so Marcus didn’t want to sour the relationship they had with him. The dairy farm Garth worked with his brother had been in the Kenway family for two generations, so he wasn’t leaving the area anytime soon. Marcus decided it made sense for him to be the one to move away—he couldn’t expect Garth to give up everything he and his family had built while Marcus could do what he loved anywhere.

  Except be with the person he’d once loved and who he’d once thought loved him back.

  To make matters worse, Garth seemed keen to continue to be in Marcus’s life, if not as a lover, then as a friend. He’d told Garth he needed to put some distance between them first, but Garth didn’t seem to understand. Marcus had tried to explain, but he sucked at that kind of thing, so it was easier just to put it all behind him and ignore Garth’s attempts to contact him. At least for now.

  “You’re thinking about it again.” Ella ushered him inside. “I’m thinking a bit of distraction is just what you need.”

  Darin met them at the door. “I’ll get Marcus settled,” he suggested. “I’ve checked dinner, and it still has about another ten minutes to go, so I’ve put the kettle on. Marcus, you still as addicted to coffee as ever?”

/>   “Some things never change.” Marcus sniffed the air. “Hmm, that chilli smells wonderful. Anything I can do to help?”

  “Don’t worry,” Ella said. “You’re going to earn your keep getting my garden into shape. The back section’s so big I can’t keep up with it.” She winked at him, although he knew she was only teasing. He fully intended to help out where he could, and her garden would be just the distraction he needed.

  “I’ll show you to your room, Uncle Marcus, and then Daddy can show you around. I’m learning piano now.” Isabel led Marcus down the hallway, barely catching her breath before continuing. “I really love it, and Uncle Joel’s a good teacher.”

  “Joel? As in your dad’s best man?” Marcus asked. The weekend of the wedding had been a bit of a blur, and he’d got very drunk that night. They’d known each other for years or something like that. Cute guy, but Marcus hadn’t paid him much attention after Garth had inserted himself into the conversation and cut it off as soon as it had begun. When Marcus had come up to Wellington, he’d met Joel again a few times and enjoyed his company over family dinners. Joel had struck him as very open and passionate about life. After Marcus found himself upgrading his initial impression of him from cute to hot, he’d taken a quick emotional step back with a reminder that he loved Garth and their relationship was important to him.

  “Yes, that’s right. He still comes around for dinner every Friday, so you’ll meet him again soon anyway.” Isabel opened the door at the end of the hallway, and Marcus peered inside. “Or maybe even sooner, if you’d take me to my lesson tomorrow night. Mum’s got some work to do for a PTA meeting, and Daddy has a job he needs to finish, so he’ll be working late.”

  “Hmm,” Marcus said distractedly, taking in the room that would be his for a good few months. He wanted to be very sure he’d made the right decision moving up here, and that this new business would work out before he committed himself to finding a home.

  The last time he’d visited, this had been Ella’s sewing and craft room, with piles of material layered on top of one another and a sewing machine in the corner. Pink rainbows and unicorns had adorned the walls, left over from the previous owners of the house, who had used it as a nursery.

  Now it was tastefully decorated with cream-painted walls and a couple of canvas prints of what he presumed were local scenery. He looked closer and recognized the view of the harbor, the Settlers Museum peeking into the photo from the right. The room felt very peaceful, and he couldn’t help but sigh aloud and nod to himself. He put his bag down in the corner next to the bed. He could imagine himself here. This would do nicely.

  “Oh, good,” Isabel said. “That’s settled, then. Thanks, Uncle Marcus. I knew you’d say yes!”

  “Uh, what?” Marcus swore he hadn’t agreed to anything.

  Isabel smiled at him, and he knew he’d totally missed something. “I’d better practice tonight. After all, I’d be terribly embarrassed if I didn’t play well at my lesson tomorrow, as you’re going to be there.” She hugged him tightly. “Thanks, Uncle Marcus!”

  Marcus scratched his head as he watched her go, unsure whether he should be amused or terrified by how easily she’d played him. A little too much like her mother, that was for sure.

  He shrugged and headed to the kitchen and the welcome smell of coffee. It wouldn’t do any harm to take his niece to her music lesson. With everything she and her parents were doing for him, it was the least he could do.

  Chapter Two

  “TURN left here, Uncle Marcus,” Isabel said, “and then right into that grove just there. Uncle Joel lives almost at the end of the street on the left.” They’d dropped Ella off on the way, and she’d planned to get a ride home with a friend later.

  Marcus followed Isabel’s directions and pulled up in front of the house she’d indicated. Although Darin had called it a town house, the house was a single story, its garage sharing a common wall with the one next to it. Gray-and-white birds cooed outside, busying themselves finding food in the grass under the large pōhutukawa trees lining the street. Despite it being mid-February, the distinctive spray-like red blooms usually associated with Christmas still covered many of them. The house looked tidy and well cared for, although the lawn needed a trim.

  By the time he’d got out of the car, Isabel had already walked up the short path to the front door. She waited until Marcus caught up and then rang the bell.

  The man who answered was a fraction taller than Marcus’s six foot. He had dark hair cut short at the sides and left to grow long on top so his fringe flopped forward on one side. Marcus stepped forward to introduce himself and stared into striking blue eyes.

  Wow. Joel was everything he remembered, and more.

  “I don’t know if you remember me,” Marcus said, his voice coming out hoarser than he intended. “I’m Marcus, Isabel’s uncle. Her parents are busy, so you’re stuck with me today. It’s nice to see you again, Joel. It’s been a couple of years at least.”

  “Nice to see you again too, Marcus.” Joel shook Marcus’s hand. Joel’s grip was firm, although his palm felt a little damp. “Come on in. The lesson before Isabel’s canceled, so we can get started straight away.”

  “Thanks.” Marcus let go of Joel’s hand and moved aside to let Isabel enter the house first.

  “Darin told me you’d moved up this way,” Joel chatted as he followed Isabel down the hallway to what Marcus presumed must be the music room. “Wellington’s not bad once you get used to the wind, although I don’t really know any difference, as I’ve always lived here.”

  Joel paused as though coming up for air. Marcus opened his mouth to remind him he’d experienced Wellington’s weather before, but before he could, Joel continued speaking.

  “There’s a sofa in the music room for parents to sit on. I won’t be a moment, need to refill my water. Do you want any?”

  “No, I’m fine, thanks.”

  “Okay.” Joel disappeared through the doorway at the opposite side of the hallway.

  Isabel grinned and settled herself on the piano stool. “Wow. I don’t think I’ve ever heard Uncle Joel talk that much and so fast.” She retrieved her music from her bag and placed it on the piano. “I think you guys are going to get on really, really well.”

  “Is that right?” Marcus murmured, but if Isabel heard him, she chose not to reply.

  Instead she began playing, a succession of notes up and down the piano, first with one hand, and then the other, picking up speed as she went.

  “You’ve been practicing your scales, I see.” Joel gave Marcus a nod before sitting down on the chair next to the piano. He seemed a little calmer than before he’d left the room, although still nervous about something. “As you’ve already played your scales, could you play me the exercise I set you last week?” Joel scribbled something in a notebook on the table next to the piano. “Do you have your theory book? I’ll mark it while I listen.”

  Isabel handed Joel a book and then began to play.

  Marcus had no clue about what he was listening to, but he soon found himself tapping his foot along with the music. He’d always enjoyed listening to music, despite knowing next to nothing about the technical side of it. He vaguely remembered learning how to read music when he was at school, although he’d never paid much attention to the lessons. He preferred peace and quiet when he worked, unlike some he knew who always wore headphones and sang along loudly and usually out of tune with what they were listening to.

  “Very good, Isabel. You’ve definitely been practicing a lot this week. You’ve got the hang of the new time signature in your theory too.” Joel leaned over, still holding a pencil. “There’s just one thing with the grouping of the notes you haven’t got quite right, though.”

  Isabel looked at whatever he showed her and nodded. “Oh, I see what I did. I forgot it’s compound time, so the notes need to be grouped in threes, not twos.”

  “That’s right.” Joel smiled, the side of his mouth crinkling. Although the comment w
asn’t directed at him, Marcus couldn’t help but smile in return. “Now let’s look at the next page in the book. It’s back to the circle of keys this week.”

  Marcus listened for a moment but felt himself zone out as soon as Joel began talking about enharmonic equivalents—whatever that meant. Joel moved in closer to Isabel as he spoke so they could both see the book. He spoke slowly enough to ensure she could follow what he was saying, yet was careful to pause in places to give her the opportunity to ask questions. He must have taught the subject many times before, yet he still sounded enthusiastic. Although Marcus had given up trying to understand what Joel was talking about, he found himself listening to the timbre of his voice. He leaned back on the sofa and closed his eyes. He still felt tired after the upheaval of the past few days.

  He opened his eyes with a start when he realized Joel had stopped talking, and immediately felt bad that he’d felt relaxed enough to drift off. He was supposed to be listening to the lesson and Isabel’s playing. After all, that was the reason she’d asked him to bring her, right?

  Isabel stood to pack her bag. She turned to Joel, frowning. “Shouldn’t your next pupil be here by now, Uncle Joel?”

  “Joseph’s coming on Fridays now,” Joel explained. “He’s playing water polo on Tuesdays, so his mum asked if he could swap days.” He shrugged. “I was happy to change things around for him. Tonight is my lesson prep night, so it gives me more time for that.”

  “Darin said you teach at the local high school too?” Marcus found himself curious to know more about Joel. Surely he wasn’t making ends meet just by teaching a few kids after school? He wracked his memory, but couldn’t remember if that had come up in conversation during those family dinners. Even if it had, Joel’s situation could have changed since then.

  A large ginger cat wandered into the room and made a beeline for Isabel. She bent to pat the cat, which started purring loudly. “Can I take Nannerl out to the kitchen and give her some treats, Uncle Joel?”