February Or Forever (15 page)

Drew arrived after one of the kitchen staff set the meals on the table, along with a fresh vase of flowers, a carafe of water, and even a floating candle in a bowl. Every detail was taken care of for V.I.P. guests, and even though she was just a staff member, for the next hour she'd get to see how the other half lived. Sort of.

‘Mmm, looks good.' Drew rubbed his hands together as he entered the dining room that opened up into the garden. Chrissie had opened the French doors, letting sunlight and fresh air into the room.

‘It sure does. And I think someone else thinks so too.' She pointed to the butterfly who had decided to pay a visit and was flapping its wings towards the table.

Drew approached the delicate creature. ‘C'mon, sweetie, not much for you to see in here. Out you go.' He tried to coax the butterfly from the room, but it evaded his encouraging hands.

‘Maybe you offended it,' Chrissie said.

‘How do you figure that?'

‘You called it sweetie. It might be male.'

‘Hmm, you could be right. Although how does one tell?' He tilted his head and tried to peer underneath the flying creature.

‘I have no idea,' Chrissie giggled. ‘But I think by doing that you're offending it more!'

Drew laughed. ‘Poor thing, calling it sweetie then examining it for genitalia. I've probably scarred him or her for life.'

‘Maybe not,' Chrissie said, pointing as the butterfly landed on Drew's head.

‘It's on my head?' he asked. ‘I hope it doesn't poop on me. Quick, take a picture, this'll be a good one to show Sam.' He pulled his phone from his pocket and handed it to Chrissie.

Before swiping the screen she noticed his screensaver, a painting of a sunset. It looked familiar. She snapped a picture and at the sound of the camera, the butterfly flew away.

‘Did you get it?' He sidled up to her and glanced at the screen, displaying a goofy image of him with eyes looking upwards and the multicoloured creature atop his head. ‘Cool, thanks.' Chrissie handed the phone back to Drew, and as the butterfly approached her, she held out her hand. It rested on her fingertip and she smiled softly at its beauty.

Click!
Drew took a photo, and the butterfly took flight again. ‘Oh, I wasn't ready!'

‘Exactly. Those “not ready” moments make the best photos. See?' He directed the screen towards her.

Her eyes weren't looking towards the camera, they were fixed on the butterfly, and a rare moment of peace had been captured. ‘True. If you'd said, “smile”, I probably would have tensed up and looked all weird and unnatural.'

‘I don't know about weird, but I know what you mean. I've been to so many photo shoots that I've become sick of them. I just tell photographers to follow me around and snap pictures whenever the moment strikes, otherwise they never look like the real me.'

‘So what about the one on your latest album?'

‘Okay, that was a little bit staged, but I really was singing during the shoot. And it was outdoors, none of that fake background and artificial lighting bizzo.'

Chrissie doubted that Drew could ever take a bad photo. She was sure he looked just as gorgeous first thing in the morning. And guys with short hair had it easy, they didn't get that morning hair mayhem when one's hair looks like it's been caught in a tornado.

Drew walked to the French doors where the butterfly flitted about as if it didn't know where was inside and where was outside. ‘Out you go, swee — er —
buddy
,' he slid a glance in Chrissie's direction as if to seek approval for his word choice, ‘this way.' His hand hovered next to the butterfly, until it flitted beyond the patio and into the blazing sunlight reflecting off the shrubs. ‘See? I have the magic touch.' He brushed his palms over each other as though dusting off sand.

‘It appears you do.' She smiled, impressed by the gentle way he handled the butterfly.

‘So, I think it's time to dig in.' He eyed the plates of chicken salad, crusty sourdough rolls still steaming from the oven, and a dainty jug of salad dressing on the side. ‘Here.' Drew pulled out a chair and motioned for Chrissie to sit.

The gesture took her by surprise. Victor had never pulled a chair out for her; not that it mattered, she was perfectly capable of pulling out her own chair, and for that matter could even lift said chair and hurl it across the room if a situation required it. She'd sure been tempted a number of times when Victor had been ignorant and disrespectful towards her. He wasn't a bad bloke, just a bit of an arse sometimes. He loved Kai to bits, but wasn't cut out for day-to-day care of a child's needs. Alternate weekends worked out much better for him, and although Kai missed his dad, she knew Kai was probably better off with only short periods of time spent with his father.

Chrissie took her seat and flashed an impressed smile in Drew's direction. ‘Why, thank you, Mr Williams,' she coated her words with sweetness.

‘It is my pleasure, Miss Burns.' He sat on his chair and lifted the carafe. ‘Would the lady care for a refreshing drink?' He embellished his words with an English accent.

‘The lady would be most appreciative.' She competed with her own best version of an English accent.

‘Then I shall oblige.' He poured the water into her glass.

Chrissie chuckled. ‘What is this,
Downton Abbey
?'

Drew laughed. ‘You know, I've never watched that show.'

‘You haven't? Oh, you're missing out.'

‘So I've heard. I never got around to watching it. My schedule doesn't always allow for regular TV viewing. And I'm not organised enough to record anything.'

‘You'll have to get the DVD's. Be warned, though, it's addictive.'

‘If a show isn't addictive it's not worth watching. Life's too short to waste time with substandard entertainment.'

Didn't she know it.

They delved into their gourmet salads, Chrissie pushing the olives to one side.

‘I'll have your olives if you don't want them,' Drew said, pointing his fork in the direction of her plate.

‘Go ahead.' She moved her plate closer to him. ‘I don't mind them, but I'm not their biggest fan.'
Although I am yours…

‘Can't let a perfectly good olive go to waste.' He poked his fork into the dusky green flesh and popped it into his mouth. He scooped up the remaining olives and rolled them onto his plate.

‘Hmm, I don't think they'd do that in
Downton Abbey
.'

‘Not ones for sharing, eh?'

‘I think it would be considered bad manners. But I agree, can't let good food go to waste. Would you like some extra avocado as well?' She pointed her fork towards the smooth green slices and raised her eyebrows.

Drew smiled. ‘Don't tempt me. What did I say before about men and food?' He winked, and Chrissie brought another mouthful of salad to her lips, her gaze not leaving Drew's. ‘I've gotta say, this really is delicious. And it looks pretty healthy too.'

Chrissie wanted to speak but her mouthful of food prevented it. She rotated her fork in the air, signalling she was about to speak, when Drew beat her to it.

‘It's healthious!' He grinned.

Chrissie swallowed. ‘Took the words right out of my mouth.'

‘Your son's a smart kid. I really must get onto those Oxford people.' He smiled.

Both the water and conversation flowed, and Chrissie almost forgot she was at work, almost forgot she was in Tarrin's Bay, and for all she knew she could have been having lunch on Mars and would be none the wiser. Drew was so
normal
, so easy to get along with, like he was a friend she'd known all her life. If this lunch ended four hours from now it would still be too early.

When Drew had finished he leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms up in a satisfied way. ‘Ah, that hit the spot. Now all I need is a little nap, and — '

‘No,' Chrissie said sternly. ‘No sleeping for you, Williams. Remember?'

‘Was hoping you'd forget. Maybe I could have just a teeny tiny power nap.' He inched two fingers close together.

‘Nope. You'll have to wait till night-time.' She put on her authoritative motherly voice.

‘Okay. I think I'll go for a walk instead, maybe take a dip in the ocean. Ah, yes, that would be perfect. Nothing like that salty water washing over your skin and the sun sparkling on the waves.' He threaded his hands behind his head.

Chrissie glanced at her plate.

‘You like swimming?' Drew asked. ‘What about Kai, I bet he's a little water baby now, living in a town that has beautiful beaches?'

Chrissie fiddled with her knife and fork, even though she'd finished eating. ‘Oh, um, not really.'

‘Not really? Who doesn't like the water? Nothin' like it.'

Exactly. Nothing like it
.
And no need to have anything to do with it.

‘I bet Kai likes splashing in the waves on the shore, though, right?'

Please stop.
A lump formed in Chrissie's throat and she pushed it down with a hard swallow, but it only resurfaced. ‘Um, he's not too keen on it, he's a bit scared, actually, he's — ' Chrissie reached for the water to deflect from the uncomfortable conversation but her hand shot out too hard and the glass toppled over. ‘Oh, damn.' She stood, the chair screeching underneath her. She grabbed a napkin and prodded the spill on the table, then noticing some had dripped onto the floor she bent down. ‘I'm so sorry.'

Drew came around to her side of the table. ‘It's nothing, don't worry about it.' He bent down too and took the napkin from her hand, pausing to look her in the eye. ‘Here, I've got this.' He dabbed at the water puddle, then returned to the table and mopped up what was left. ‘It's only water.'

Heat prickled Chrissie's spine and her breath was short and sharp.
Please, not here. Not here.
She turned away and placed a hand on her chest.

‘Chrissie? Are you okay?'

She raised her chin and turned back. ‘Yes, I'm fine. Just embarrassed by my klutziness is all.' She faked a lighthearted smile, but by the look on Drew's face he didn't buy it.

He dropped the napkin on the table and came closer. ‘I've said something that upset you, haven't I?'

‘No, no. Nothing. I'm fine.' She edged past him and walked to the daybed out on the patio, taking a seat. ‘Gee, the garden's looking nice isn't it?'

In a flash Drew was next to her, the side of his thigh touching hers. Although she was focused on the array of plants, she could feel his gaze on her. It tingled and tickled and urged her to look.

‘Talk to me. What's going on inside that mind of yours?'

She flicked a dismissive hand at his probing.

‘Oh man, I'm sorry if I brought up the past the other day, when I asked about your parents. Should have kept my big mouth shut.' He lowered his head.

‘No, it's not that. You haven't done anything wrong, it's just…'

‘Just what?'

‘It's just me.' She lowered her chin towards her chest. ‘It's silly, I shouldn't be so…' She struggled to find the words, then turned to face him. ‘So scared.'

‘What are you scared of, Chrissie?' His eyes held curiosity and concern, and part of her wanted to bare her heart and soul while the other part wanted to run and hide.

She swallowed that persistent lump in her throat. ‘Water,' she whispered.

‘Water?' Drew leaned closer, as though unsure he'd heard correctly.

She nodded. ‘See, it's silly. I should just snap out of it and — '

The warm touch of his hand on top of hers took her words away. ‘Tell me about it,' he said softly.

She released a slow breath. ‘I haven't been swimming in…in years. And I've never taken Kai to swimming lessons. I'm such a bad mother.' She buried her forehead in her free hand.

‘Hey, don't say that,' Drew replied.

‘If it wasn't for that…' she pointed her thumb over her shoulder in the direction of the beach, ‘…that ocean out there that everyone loves and adores so much, my sister would still be alive.'

Drew's hand pressed down firmly on hers.

‘Danielle drowned, right out there on that beach. She was only eleven years old.' The last three words faltered and she cleared her throat.

Drew's grip tightened, his fingers threaded between hers. He didn't speak, didn't have to. The simple touch of his hand told her he was here for here, he was listening, and he wanted her to continue.

‘I was out there with her, having fun. It was late afternoon, the sun was low, blazing like it is today, barely allowing us to see in front of ourselves.' Chrissie's mind replayed each moment, each precious last moment she had with her sister. ‘I told her I was going inside for a while, into Aunt Felicia's house, and said she should come out of the water with me.'

‘It's getting late, Dani, c'mon, let's go inside,' she'd said. ‘And I'm busting to go to the bathroom.'

‘Just go in here, Chrissie, no one will know,' Danielle had replied.

‘Ew, gross! No way, that's disgusting.'

‘Don't be such a princess. Princess Christina,' she'd said in a posh voice.

Chrissie had laughed it off, knowing her sister was teasing, and when Dani said she'd come in after a few more minutes, Chrissie had left her there in the water, alone.

‘When I came back outside, I couldn't see her. I thought maybe she was inside already and had gone upstairs or something, but there was no answer when I called out. Felicia came downstairs on hearing me call Danielle's name. We both went outside, but the sun was so bright on the horizon it was hard to see. Felicia called out along the beach while I went into the water, keeping an eye out for her head bobbing in the waves.' Heat filled Chrissie's eyes and the sting of unshed tears pinched at her eyelids. ‘I just couldn't find her. It was so frustrating, I'd been with her only moments before, and then she was gone.' She tipped her head back and rubbed at her eyes, desperate to keep the tears contained. Drew's thumb rubbed along her hand, and although it comforted her, it also exacerbated the well of emotion rising up inside. ‘Anyway, we called for help, and the surf lifesavers were onto the scene in seconds. All of a sudden, a heap of people were looking for her, in a boat, and then a helicopter. By the time the sun had lost its last rays that day, I'd learned I'd lost my sister. They found her. It was over. They said she may have got caught in a rip and panicked. I couldn't move from that shore. If I moved away, it would become real, and I wasn't ready for the truth.' Chrissie gulped and took a deep breath. ‘After that, I couldn't go back to the shore. Couldn't go near the water. It reminded me of her, of her death. It became easier to avoid it all together.'