Before the Storm

by Morrissey, Di

  ‘Susan sounds a charmer,’ said Maggie snidely.

  ‘Poor Kathryn, that makes it seem like she’s under house arrest,’ said Patrick.

  ‘I’m sure Susan would pounce if we said one word off script. Has Meredith found out anything more yet?’ Ellie asked Patrick.

  ‘Nothing concrete, though it sounds like this group of councillors may have done the deal before anything formal is lodged and the council meets.’

  ‘It seems as if they’re trying to hammer through whatever it is with as little scrutiny as possible,’ said Ellie. ‘Makes you wonder what else has gone on in the past!’

  Patrick nodded. ‘It’s a worry,’ he said bleakly.

  ‘From what I know, there are ten councillors, some good people among them, plus the mayor, who vote together in a block,’ said Maggie. ‘But it sometimes seems like a closed club, with other councillors influenced by the O’Neills, the GM and directors, no doubt.’

  ‘I wouldn’t mind going to a council meeting with you, Poppy.’

  ‘Of course, and you might be inspired to stand yourself one day. Or be put off local politics completely,’ said Patrick dryly. ‘I like going, though. Watching all the body language. Seeing who slips out of the room when certain motions come up, which indicates they have a conflict of interest. And now they’re using mobile phones to text each other during meetings to influence the voting.’

  ‘Sounds intriguing.’

  ‘It is,’ said Patrick. ‘And this gallery opening could be, too. Maggie, please accept the invitation on behalf of Ellie and myself.’

  *

  Ellie’s mobile rang as she was finishing off a Facebook post linked to the latest edition. She smiled when she saw who it was.

  ‘Mike, it’s great to hear from you. How’re you going?’

  ‘I’m fine, but I haven’t heard from you for a while so I thought I’d ring.’

  ‘Thank you. I didn’t believe this could be possible, but time goes quickly here. Sorry I haven’t been in touch.’

  ‘That’s okay, Ell. How’s the Chronicle IT going? I visited the Facebook page this morning. It looks good. A few digs from the locals, though. Didn’t expect to find trolls down there.’

  ‘I wasn’t expecting them either, but I suppose trolls can be anywhere,’ Ellie reminded him. It had only been a few days, and she, Jon and Maggie had only published a handful of articles online, but they’d all received lots of comments, including a handful from trolls. Although they hadn’t mentioned the possible development at all, Ellie noticed that whenever Meredith came up in a story, she was often the subject of the more vitriolic posts.

  ‘Listen, I got a great deal on the laptops you wanted. They’re available now. You said you might come up. Do you still want to do that? I’m happy to bring them down one weekend, of course.’

  ‘Yes, you must come and visit down here soon. But I need to go back to my flat and pick up a few more things. I have an evening event at the art gallery here soon and I only have casual clothes.’

  ‘Don’t they have shops in Storm Harbour?’

  ‘They do! Some cute boutiques. But I need a bunch of other stuff too, so I’ll come up to the city. Plus I really want to see my parents.’

  ‘Of course. Can you squeeze in lunch or something?’

  ‘Perfect! Sounds great.’

  *

  Ellie turned slowly in a circle, arms outstretched as she looked around her Fitzroy flat.

  Compact. Cute. Central.

  Suffocating.

  This had once been a space she treasured because of its location.

  But now the walls seemed to lean in on her. Sounds of the street – a car braking, a horn blowing, traffic rumbling, once so familiar she never even heard them – now made her jump. When she opened the window, it was immediately louder and more intrusive. She slammed it closed.

  What had she used to do in here? Watch TV, read? Sometimes. Work? Yes. All the time.

  As she thought about the life she’d been living lately back in Storm Harbour, she wondered how she’d survived so happily here in Fitzroy.

  Ellie had seen her parents, gone to dinner in a noisy, crowded new café, called a couple of friends and made plans to catch up in the next day or so. All just as she’d done in her old life.

  So why did she feel like this? Why did she feel so . . . unsettled?

  It seemed to her that the great moving pendulum of her life had been caught on the downswing and jammed there for what had seemed an interminable time. But standing here now, she felt that something had changed. She didn’t feel like the same person anymore, and it rattled her.

  The apartment was starting to feel claustrophobic; she had to go out. Ellie wanted to talk to her mother alone, hug her and laugh together. Have her repeat again that this was all fine and she’d be okay.

  What’s wrong with me? Ellie fretted. She jabbed at her phone.

  Her mother’s voice was calm and cheerful, steady­ing. ‘Oh, honey,’ she soothed. ‘Maybe coming back to Melbourne has reminded you of everything you went through with your job. Let’s meet for dinner tonight, just you and me. Dad’s going bowling – can you believe he and his friend Martin have taken it up?’

  ‘What? Lawn bowls?’

  ‘No. Didn’t he tell you? He and Martin go tenpin bowling. It’s hilarious. Ask him about it when you come over,’ Sandy said, laughing. ‘So, I’ll meet you at Freddie’s at six after I close the clinic. Okay?’

  ‘Lovely, thanks, Mum.’

  Feeling better, Ellie went out. She found the lanes and streets, shops and cafés of the city village she’d inhabited the same, yet different. She walked slowly, considering whether she should buy food to cook at home, but then she realised she would be out for practically every meal anyway.

  Her phone rang and she saw it was Mike.

  ‘Hi, Ell. Welcome back.’

  ‘Hi, Mike. Thank you. How are things?’

  ‘Hectic but productive. I have those laptops for you. How long are you staying?’

  ‘Thanks heaps. I don’t know how long I’ll be here, but not long. There’s that art show I mentioned coming up and a few other things I need to do for the paper, so . . .’

  ‘Seems like you’re settling in down there. Which is good, so why do you sound like you’re standing in a bucket of cement?’

  ‘Do I? What does that sound like?’

  ‘Mmm, stuck. Down in the dumps. Are you free now, by any chance?’

  ‘Yes, actually. I’m meeting Mum for dinner later, but there’s heaps of time. I’m down near Scoop’n’Goop. Want to meet for an ice-cream?’

  ‘Sounds ideal,’ he said, laughing.

  They sat at an outdoor table, dipping into tubs of raisin-dotted ice-cream.

  ‘It’s great to see you, Ellie. Phone calls are fine but seeing you in person is so much better,’ said Mike. ‘So, tell me all. But first, how are you? Really? You sound so happy when I call you down there. Now I’m starting to worry about you again. I thought going to Storm Harbour would help you.’

  Ellie heard the concern in his voice.

  ‘Do I need help?’ she asked. ‘I was good down there. I don’t know, I just had the sudden feeling that maybe I was settling into a backwater that felt too comfortable – avoiding my problems, rather than dealing with them – and that scared me. I was worried that I was opting out of the real world. So I raced back here with the excuse of getting the laptops and now I’m desperate to leave again! My flat feels like it’s closing in on me, the city noises are too loud. I don’t know what’s happening to me, Mike . . .’ She gave him a despairing look.

  He reached over and held her hand. ‘Hey, hey. There’s nothing wrong with feeling comfortable in a place, and Storm Harbour doesn’t really sound like a backwater, from what you’ve told me. Actually, it sounds nice.’

  Ellie s
queezed his hand and sat up straight. ‘Perhaps you’re right. I have been wondering where home is for me these days. It’s a strange feeling.’

  ‘Tell me more about your life there. Has the paper uncovered any scoops?’

  ‘Well, there is a rumour about a development that the locals might not like. The mayor is trying to find out the details. She seems to attract a lot of public attention: the trolls seem to have it in for her. Anyway, we’re still trying to unravel it. The mayor is a friend of my grand­father’s and she thinks some councillors might be trying to slide through a potentially controversial deal. Obviously some people don’t want the mayor nosing around. But we’ll fight for the truth!’

  ‘So are you writing for the paper?’

  ‘I’m trying to get a story on the matriarch of the town, but she’s guarded by a dragon. It was her dog that attacked Sam!’

  He ate a spoonful of his ice-cream and smiled at her. ‘Look at yourself, Ellie.’

  ‘What do you mean, have I got ice-cream on my face?’ She wiped her mouth with her napkin.

  Mike leaned across the table. ‘No, I mean, listen to your enthusiasm, look at the sparkle in your eyes . . . Ellie, there’s nothing wrong with you!’

  ‘No, I’m not sick, but –’

  ‘But you’re not happy here, in your apartment, in the city. A minute ago you sounded so flat and worried. Now you’ve come alive with energy and passion. Ellie, you don’t want to be here, that’s all it is. You haven’t got a job, you feel suffocated. Down there you’re in a loving, peaceful environment with a role to play. That’s why you feel good being there. You’re not running away from reality – you’ve run to a better reality.’

  She blinked, considering this. ‘But I’m not really doing anything there. Certainly not earning anything. I’m worried that if I leave it too long to come back and get a job here, I just won’t be able to cope.’

  Mike shook his head good-naturedly. ‘Ellie, you’re super smart. Good at what you do. Interpret it how you want. But you were miserable here, bitter over a job and the arseholes who ripped you off, essentially. While down there you’re involved in something where you can make a difference.’

  Ellie took a breath. ‘And where there’s the sound of the ocean at night and I can walk on the beach at sunrise and sunset with the old dog. And I live with my feisty grandad who always has the kettle on or a sundowner at the ready.’

  ‘Sounds bloody good to me,’ said Mike.

  ‘So what are you telling me? I need to stay in a backwater, that’s my world now?’ She frowned.

  Mike sighed. ‘No. I’m not saying that. What I’m saying is, we should take the lessons of the last few years – all those bushfires and traumas – and change our ways when things aren’t working. Sounds to me like you’re lucky enough to have the opportunity to do just that.’

  Ellie nodded slowly. ‘You always seem to put things in perspective, Mike.’ She lifted her shoulders. ‘Okay. Leaving my job almost made me want to give up and wish I hadn’t bothered to stand up to them. I could’ve swallowed my pride and hung in there as “part of the team”. But I did what I felt was right.’ She gave a small smile. ‘And I’m going to keep doing that: I’m staying in this fight.’

  Mike grinned. ‘Good for you! You know, I am so proud to be your friend, Ellie. Let me know if I can help. Yell when you need a software developer for anything!’

  ‘You’ve helped already by getting the laptops for us at a trade price, seeing as I’m out of the industry for the moment. I really appreciate it.’

  ‘I’m just pleased you’re enthused again. And helping the town. It’s terrific.’

  ‘You really should come down and see it for yourself sometime, Mike.’

  ‘I will. Keep me posted, and I’ll “like” the Chronicle Facebook page too.’

  They stood to leave and Ellie hugged him goodbye. The security of close friends was something no one can take for granted, she thought.

  *

  The next morning, Ellie trailed behind her best friend as Julie went through every garment on the sale racks in the sportswear department of a favourite store in the mall.

  ‘Found anything?’ asked Ellie.

  ‘Sort of. What about you?’ Julie glanced over at her. ‘You’re not even looking!’

  ‘I’ve kinda got out of the habit of shopping,’ said Ellie. She could hear how lacklustre she sounded and felt bad.

  Julie stopped and turned to her. ‘Are you okay for money?’

  ‘Yes, thanks. Though I don’t like paying rent for my flat when I’m not there.’

  ‘Well, that’s easy! Move back so I can see you more,’ said Julie with a grin. ‘Wish I had room and you could move in with me. Or maybe you could let your place out short-term to some friends of mine?’

  ‘I couldn’t risk my landlord finding out.’

  ‘Move back in with your parents?’

  ‘Yes, I could do that. But I’m thirty-six. I really think I need to sort myself out now – and they need their own lives, too.’ She sighed.

  Julie looked at her, concern in her eyes. ‘You really do sound a bit down, Ells. C’mon, let’s go grab a coffee and chat.’

  ‘How about we just have a stroll? I’m missing my morning run and dog walk, and I’ve had enough coffees lately to keep me awake for a week.’

  ‘Sounds to me like you’re missing the coast,’ said Julie as they left the shop and began wandering down the footpath. ‘So tell me, what’s Storm Harbour got that Fitzroy doesn’t? Don’t tell me there’s a fella!’ She looked piercingly at Ellie. ‘Give me the details!’

  ‘Oh, I have a lot of fellas in my life, actually,’ Ellie said, laughing. ‘Starting with my grandad, and his old mate Roly, plus Sam the dog!’

  Julie chuckled. ‘Whoa! You’re spoiled for choice,’ she joked. ‘But seriously, what about people our age, who you can hang out with, you know ? Have fun with, spend time with, or more . . . I mean, what are you doing down there?’

  ‘I told you. Mainly I’m having a break to decide what I want to do next. But I’m also helping my grandfather with his newspaper. There’s an issue brewing and I’m helping him try to figure out who’s involved and why.’

  Julie stared at her. ‘So you’re a newspaper reporter, a spy? I mean, what are you doing for fun!’

  ‘Actually, I am having fun, but I really care about what’s happening. I haven’t engaged with something so much in ages. You know the feeling you get when you’re involved with something, doing something that you feel really strongly about?’

  ‘Yeah, I get it. But for me that always leads to a place where I just want to have it done and get on with life!’ said Julie with a lopsided grin. ‘What’s your life down there really, Ellie?’

  Ellie had to laugh. ‘Never mind, Jules. You have to be there, I guess.’

  ‘Okay, one of these days I’ll come down and see it for myself. Just as soon as I get things sorted with Gordon.’

  ‘Who’s Gordon?’ asked Ellie.

  Julie linked her arm through Ellie’s as they walked. ‘Oh, he’s gorgeous. But you know, he’s a bit strange, secretive. I’m still trying to figure him out.’

  ‘Is he married?’

  ‘Ell! Stop it!’ said Julie crossly. She was silent for a moment. ‘Actually, I hadn’t thought of that.’

  *

  Ellie found she was smiling. The breeze through the open window lifted her hair as she drove back up

  the hill to her grandad’s house. Sam crashed out the front door and loped over to her, clearly much improved after his injury, his tail doing near circles of excitement as she carried in the packages of food and flowers from her mother.

  ‘That you, Ellie? I came home for lunch,’ called Patrick. ‘Good grief, what masses are we feeding? Does Sandy think we starve down here?’

  They walked into the kitchen and E
llie put everything onto the table. ‘She’s given us goodies for dinner, plus some nice wine and exotic flowers from the markets. And a treat for Sam.’

  ‘We’ll have to get some friends in and share this. How is everyone?’ Patrick asked as he put the kettle on.

  ‘Mum and Dad are good. Dad’s started tenpin bowling, which he’s taking very seriously. It’s very funny, actually. Mum is busy, as always.’

  ‘I wish she could come down here more often and relax,’ said Patrick, ‘but I can’t see her doing that any time soon.’

  ‘Nope. She’s as driven as ever,’ agreed Ellie. ‘Oh, I picked up the laptops,’ she added, smiling. ‘You won’t know yourself once you start using them.’

  ‘Maggie and I are looking forward to joining the modern world. Though I still don’t think you can beat a phone and a notepad and pen,’ said Patrick. ‘I hope they weren’t wildly expensive.’

  ‘No, we got a good deal. My friend Mike bought them for me at a trade price and they’re my gift to the Chronicle. External storage, Dropbox and other things you pay for as needed.’

  ‘You don’t have to do that –’ he began.

  ‘I insist. It’s my investment in the family firm!’

  Patrick beamed at her as he handed her a mug of tea. ‘Thank you, love. That means a great deal to me.’

  ‘No worries,’ Ellie said, realising that she was starting to feel invested in the Chronicle team in more ways than one.

  ‘Did you enjoy being back in the big smoke?’ Patrick said as he pulled out a chair and sat opposite her at the table.

  ‘It was nice to see Mum and Dad and catch up with friends,’ Ellie answered, but didn’t say anything more.

  Patrick glanced at her. ‘Well, after our tea, we can finish unloading your gear. I’m going to make a toasted sandwich then I’m heading back to work. Want one?’

  ‘Sure. Thanks, Poppy. So, any big news?’

  ‘Not since I last checked. Don’t forget we have the exhibition opening at the art gallery tomorrow evening.’

  Ellie took a sip of tea. ‘That’s right. I’m looking forward to it.’

  Over toasted sandwiches they talked about Melbourne and family and tenpin bowling, and Ellie realised some of the tension she’d felt in Melbourne had already ebbed away.