Page 13 of The Me I Left Behind (Tuckaway Bay #4)

Seven

Lilly Colling rushed out of her bathroom, plucked her earrings off the dresser, and paused briefly, looking out over the bay while poking the studs in her earlobes.

The morning sun struck the crystal blue waters just right, sending up diamonds of sparkling light off the gentle waves.

She savored the moment, then turned away and grabbed her heels.

Running a little behind.

Poppy is late, too.

She was due to show a house to a couple over on Karragarra Island at ten that morning, in roughly forty-five minutes.

If she left in five, she’d have time to drive to the ferry, cross over to Karragarra, and meet the couple at the designated time.

Since everything was within walking distance, she’d asked them to meet her at the ferry slip so they could stroll to the property together.

That was her usual M.O. when showing on the islands. A casual walk for a few blocks worked perfectly to set up the sale by the time they arrived at the property.

This home could go for a million plus, which, if she played her cards right and made the sale, would set her up nicely for the month. It could happen quickly, and she hoped it would.

While she hated rushing and feeling two-steps behind, she was going to cut herself some slack today. Some things just couldn’t be helped. Sleeping in this morning was one of those things.

Sleep when the baby sleeps , they say. Advice heeded.

Slipping into her heels, she glanced once more at the quiet scene just off the deck and smiled. Tomorrow. Tomorrow morning she’d have a cuppa, the view, and a peaceful start to her day.

“Breathe, Lilly. Just breathe.”

She took in a cleansing breath, then let it out slowly.

The rapid knock came on the door in the next instant, and before she answered it, she rushed across the hall to Leo’s room, smiling down on the chubby, sleeping baby.

“You little sausage,” she whispered. “Daddy will be so proud of you for sleeping in your own bed, in your own room.”

She stepped back just as the knock came again, glancing toward the sound. She had to get moving.

Heels clicking the wooden steps, she navigated the stairs and opened the door at the downstairs entry.

Poppy stood on the other side, waiting.

She smiled and waved her inside. “Hi, Poppy. I’m running a bit slow this morning.”

“G’day, Lilly. No worries.” Poppy entered, grinning widely. The woman was always happy. “You had brekkie? I brought a couple of scones from the bakery.”

Lilly eyed the pastries. What she wouldn’t love right now was savoring one of those with tea sitting on the deck.

But no. Not today.

“Ah, no thanks, Poppy. I’m watching the carbs these days.”

“Suit yourself.” Poppy headed up the stairs to the main level. She took the stairs slowly, huffing a little. “I wish my knees were better,” she said. “But no worries, I can chase after your little one when he gets moving.”

“I’m not worried, Poppy.” Lilly followed her, glancing at her watch. She could spare another minute or two.

“How’s the bub this morning?” Poppy asked.

“Sleeping, thankfully.”

“His nappy changed?”

“When he last fed at six o’clock, earlier. He’s probably due, but I didn’t want to wake him.”

Poppy nodded, setting her bag on the countertop and smoothing her gray hair back with her palms. “Ah. Good.” She read over the list of instructions Lilly had attached to the refrigerator with a fancy shell magnet last night.

“And he slept in his room, too. Victory!”

“Good news.” Poppy swiped at her forehead and turned. “It’s too hot for this early.”

“Stinker of a day. Thank God for the coolers.”

“Right-o.”

Lilly gave her a smile and a few last comments. “Short day today. I’ll be home late afternoon. I have two showings and need to spend some time in the office downtown.”

“Are you stopping for lunch? You look thinner.”

Lilly glanced down at herself. “Baby weight. It’s still coming off.”

Poppy simply nodded. Lilly didn’t think she believed her. “Freya’s in town and I’m taking lunch with her, so no worries. She always makes me eat.”

“Hmpht.” Poppy turned back to the refrigerator and opened the door. “Haven’t seen that girl in no telling how long. She still over at Min Min Station?”

Lilly shook her head. “No. She and her husband run a cattle station not far out-of-town now, about a hundred kilometers. Big operation, though. She’s in town on business.”

“Ah. Say hello for me.”

“Will do, Poppy.

“I can make dinner tonight for you and the Mister.”

“Oh, no need.” You’re the nanny, not the housekeeper and cook, Poppy.

She really should have a talk with her about doing too much.

If she was going to cook and clean, in addition to caring for Leo, she needed to pay her more.

The plump nanny was always thinking about food—but she knew there was a reason for that.

“Mr. Oliver is in the states for a bit, so it’s just me.

I’ll grab a salad or something on my way home. ”

Poppy eyed her again, up and down. “Oh? I thought he was going end of the month.”

Lilly nodded. “Yes. Well, plans changed. Just a quick trip.”

Again, Poppy gave her the once over, her gaze probing. Lilly knew what she was thinking. Quick trip? How do you take a quick trip to the states? Finally, Lilly glanced away.

“I’ll leave a scone for you. For dessert,” Poppy said.

“That would be lovely. Thanks.” No use arguing. She glanced at the time. “I really have to go.”

“Then shoo!” Poppy waved her arms. “I’m good here.”

“I’ll leave you to it.”

“Well, if you aren’t a sight for sore eyes.”

Lilly looked up from her menu to see her childhood friend, Freya O’Brien, standing on the other side of the table, smiling widely. Instantly, she jumped up and tugged her friend into a giggly, girlie bear hug.

“You look so… Brisbane!” Freya exclaimed. “Relaxed and laid back.”

Lilly laughed, putting Freya at arm’s length. “Then you don’t know my life. And you look as lovely as ever. I can’t believe it’s been two years.”

It was true. Freya had kept that youthful look she’d always had—fresh-faced and freckled—which had always served her well, and even more so now that they were in their twenties. Lilly guessed all that sunshine and physical work were good for her.

They settled into their seats at the small table. “Well, work on the station never stops, and it’s difficult to get away sometimes.” Grinning, Freya reached for her hand across the table. “But I had some business in the city, so here I am. And here you are!”

“Yes!” Lilly squeezed her hand. “I hope you like the food here. This café is one of my favorites. I come here often.”

Freya glanced about. “Sort of fancy for this bush girl, but I’m good at adapting.”

Lilly laughed. “True. We both became experts in that at boarding school.”

Her words sparked a flash of memory, the two of them as children playing in front of the sheep shearers’ quarters at Min Min Station near Boulia where they grew up.

They were very young then, and their families were poor as dirt.

Her memory had them drawing lines in the dry sandy earth, playing hopscotch, a few years before their parents sent them off to boarding school.

Those were happy times back then. Both their fathers were farmhands working at the station, shearing sheep, mustering cattle, and whatever else needed to be done.

But after she’d gone to boarding school, she never saw her father again.

To this day, she could see his face as he waved from below, the bus carrying her and Freya away.

She’d learned later that he’d gone to prison and died there.

Her mother wouldn’t talk about it.

“What are you thinking about?”

Lilly blinked and looked at her friend. Before speaking, she let go of a sigh. She guessed seeing Freya had stirred up the past. “The day we headed out to boarding school.”

“Ah.” Freya still held her hand and wove her fingers tighter around Lilly’s. “That was a long time ago.”

“I never really knew why we had to go.”

“Or who paid for it,” Freya said.

Lilly met her gaze. “I’ve wondered that over the years. When I was a kid, I didn’t think about it. Just did what I was told. What was expected of me. But now…?”

“Now, there are a lot of questions.” Freya held her gaze.

“You, too?”

She nodded. “So many questions.”

Lilly drew her hand away and opened her menu. She stared at the selections, seeing the words, but not really.

Her thoughts drifted….

“You’ll love your new school, Lilly,” her mum had said. “There will be lots of girls and you’ll make new friends and have so many adventures.”

“But I have Freya. I don’t need new friends. And I have adventures here.”

Her mum stared down at her. “You don’t know yet what you’ll be missing, so keep your mind open. It will be good for you.”

“But I want to stay here, with you and dad and Poppy.”

She neatly folded her new school uniform and placed it in her backpack. “Poppy is moving to the city. She found work there.”

“But you and Dad….”

“Me and your dad have work here. You’re older now, Lilly. Boarding school will help you for later, so you won’t have to struggle like your dad and me.”

“But I love it here!”

“You have to go. I’m sorry. Freya is going, too.”

She started to turn and run.

Her mum grabbed her arm and shook her. “Girl! Go and get out of this place. Make a better life for yourself. Forget us, me and your dad, and go.”

The horror of her words had stayed with Lilly for years. In fact, she wasn’t sure she had shaken them to this day. She wanted me to go. She didn’t want me there.

Had Mum ever wanted me?

Freya’s words penetrated her musing. “I think I’m going for a small bowl of wonton soup, then the Massaman Chicken Curry with coconut rice. And did you see they have milkshakes? Hand-dipped. I’ll go for chocolate, myself. What about you?”

Lilly looked up. “What?”

Freya caught her gaze. “You were lost there for a moment.”

“I know.” She shook herself, trying to chase the memory away. “We’ll talk later. Let’s eat. What are you having?”