Page 29 of What Did I Miss?

Wearing a harness and leash, Piper propels her tiny but mighty legs forward, dragging her owner to the front door. The French bulldog scratches the timber, impatiently waiting for Makayla to find the tennis ball. They never leave the house without it.

‘Got it!’ Makayla holds the slobber-covered proof in the air. Piper wheezes with excitement.

According to the weather app, there’s not a cloud in the sky, which should give them a longer session at the dog park.

It’ll certainly help ease Makayla’s guilt about leaving Piper at a boarding kennel while she’s away on school camp next week.

There’s something so triggering about Piper’s eyebrows of disappointment when she drops her off.

Makayla swings the front door open, anticipating an invigorating hit of vitamin D, but a tall figure in leather pants blocks the sun.

‘Quinn?’

Her aunty jerks back in surprise, like she didn’t expect to see Makayla’s face, which is odd considering she’s the one who’s showed up unannounced. She pants a hello, clutching a bottle of gin. Dropping in with hard liquor isn’t unusual for Quinn. Bringing it over at 9 am on a Saturday is.

Makayla’s gaze dips to the fresh tattoo blistering across Quinn’s forearm. It’s an outline of Gertie and an obvious reminder of how much the car means to her. Makayla still hasn’t landed on a design for her own tattoo, which is why she’s been putting that item off.

‘This is for you. A little pressie.’ Quinn thrusts the alcohol forward and exhales like the gesture has cleared her of whatever guilt she’s carrying.

‘Thanks.’ Makayla stares at it. What’s brought this on? She places it on the ground because holding Piper back requires two hands. ‘I’d love to hang out, you know that, but this little terror’s not going to let up anytime soon.’

‘Sure, sure. I might tag along, if that’s cool?’

As if Makayla can say no. With Quinn scooting off in a couple of months, they should be spending more time together and doing things they’ve enjoyed in the past. Like Sunday sessions at the Goldbrooke Hotel, hogging the pool table.

Blaring ‘Dammit’ on repeat and never tiring of it.

Scrounging around op shops to unearth treasures such as a Beetlejuice- themed ashtray Makayla will never use, but had to have.

Those sorts of things. Since the start of the year, their weekly catch-ups have stretched to monthly, and now, with their contractual agreement in place, they’ve become non-existent.

The three of them set off down the street, Piper leading the charge.

The blinding sun has drawn neighbours with roaring lawnmowers into their front yards.

Freshly cut grass scratches Makayla’s throat, which is bone dry thanks to Quinn’s jittery presence.

Nervous energy bounces off her and attaches itself to Makayla, sending her mind into a tizz.

Beau and Makayla caught up for a drink last weekend.

Did someone see them? It wasn’t a date, just two colleagues having a cider and playing a round of darts.

Okay, a few rounds, because she was a bit rusty and wouldn’t stop until she beat him at least once.

They didn’t even hook up afterwards. Not in the back seat, front seat, or any seat.

There was no humping whatsoever! And it was the same when they went out for a mid-week dinner.

It’s not her fault Good Fortune had a two-for-one special on cashew chicken stir-fry.

Is it a crime to be financially savvy and love Chinese food?

Every time Quinn goes to speak, Piper sprints ahead, pulling Makayla along.

She’s eager to catch up with her furry friends who are heading in the same direction.

There’s a pug that breathes heavier than Darth Vader, a dachshund who struts with big dog energy and a beagle with shifty eyes.

But it’s a beefed-up staffy named Hercules that really gets her tail wagging.

They reach the fenced-off park and score the one and only bench seat. It comes with a startling view of a dog orgy that Makayla can’t look away from. Once the horny hounds have been pulled apart and leashed, Makayla releases Piper. Surprise, surprise, she bolts towards her four-legged boyfriend.

Quinn sucks on her vape, releasing a puff of air that smells like burnt caramel popcorn.

Vaping has become a huge problem at school – one that Jeffrey wasn’t bothered by when Makayla brought up the idea of an educational workshop.

‘Teens will be teens,’ he said, stuffing a sushi roll into his yap to end the discussion.

‘I thought you’d quit,’ Makayla says, trying not to sound judgemental; Quinn’s an adult, after all.

‘I did, but it helps take the edge off. I’ve got a lot on my mind.’

Quinn crosses and uncrosses her legs, unable to get comfortable.

It could have something to do with her leather pants, or it could mean she’s building up to a tough conversation.

Andersons are brilliant at avoiding conflict.

That’s where Makayla gets it from. But being on the receiving end, when you know it’s coming, is too much for her and the Motley Crüe T-shirt she’s sweating through.

‘Whatever it is you’ve come here to say, just spit it out already. I can’t take it anymore,’ Makayla blurts. She rounds her shoulders, preparing to argue the point that, as per their agreement, she is single, because, well, she is .

‘Okay, okay. I’ve been doing some thinking about Gertie.’

Makayla has a stomach-churning suspicion she won’t like what’s coming.

‘I hate to do this to you, but I don’t know if you’re the best person to give her to.’ Quinn leans away slightly, like she expects her niece to explode. Wise move.

‘Are you kidding me?’ Makayla starts off low and firm.

‘I watched all those YouTube videos you sent me about how to properly care for her.’ Her voice gets louder and she starts speaking rapidly.

‘I’ve also volunteered to be a booth bitch at the club’s next car show.

’ Danny guilted her into the position, but Quinn doesn’t need to know that. ‘What more do you want?’

Piper totters back to them, planting herself in front of Makayla and tilting her head in concern. A scratch under the chin reassures her everything’s fine, even though it’s absolutely not. Quinn can’t pull the rug out this late in the game. She’s six weeks away from beating Warren.

Makayla wiggles the tennis ball at Piper and throws it further than she usually can. If Warren’s involved in this backflip, heads are going to roll. Piper ignores the ball and paws at Makayla’s leg; she’s too precious to jump onto her lap. Makayla groans and picks her up.

‘Just this once, princess.’ Makayla pretends she doesn’t say it every time they come here.

‘I know you probably don’t want to hear this, MK, but Waz made a good point. You don’t know how to drive a manual—’

‘That’s not true,’ Makayla interjects without thinking. ‘I’m taking lessons. Yes, that’s what I’m doing. One of my mates is teaching me. Says I’m a natural. By the time my birthday comes around, I’ll be a pro.’ She grins with confidence, hoping Quinn buys the act.

‘Wow, I’m impressed. You’re taking all of this seriously, aren’t you?’

‘Why wouldn’t I? I know how much Gertie means to you and gran. Just the other week, Danny called and shared a bunch of stories about how Frances grew the club.’ Makayla couldn’t get him off the phone, but by five minutes in, she didn’t mind. ‘Granny was quite the go-getter.’

‘She really was.’ Quinn’s eyes flicker with pride. ‘Back in the day, she set up a covert operation to teach local women how to drive so they could flee their abusive husbands. Did I ever tell you that?’

‘Nooo.’ How is Makayla only just hearing this for the first time?

Initially, she wanted the car to piss Warren off, but now it’s more than just a revenge ploy; it’s her legacy.

She has to have it. Maybe do some good with it too, to honour her grandmother.

‘How about I take Gertie for a spin on my birthday so you can see that my driving skills are up to scratch?’ She’s willing to jump through all the hoops.

‘You also need to keep up your other end of the bargain. Y’know, being alone so you can work on yourself?’

Makayla laughs. ‘I’m not some old engine that needs repairing. I’m functioning perfectly fine.’

Piper’s bat ears point up straighter than ever before.

‘All right then.’ Quinn nudges Makayla. ‘Keep going with those lessons and if you can handle Gertie, she’s all yours.’

‘You’ve got nothing to worry about.’

Makayla racks her brain, trying to think which of her friends drives a manual car.

Only one name comes to mind.

‘Should we put L-plates on?’ Beau jokes as Makayla settles into the driver’s seat of his car. ‘To warn other drivers?’

‘Ha ha, very funny.’ An empty road stretches back for kilometres in the rearview mirror. ‘It’s not like I’m going to crash. I’ve been driving forever. The only difference is this has an extra pedal and a gear stick. Easy peasy.’

When Makayla asked Beau for a driving lesson, he said yes immediately, no questions asked.

It was a relief – the only other option in the area is Billy Henderson, owner of Goldbrooke Driving School.

Billy shouldn’t be behind a wheel and everyone knows it.

He’s pushing ninety and pokes clients with his walking stick to test their focus. Beau’s a much safer option.

‘Thanks for doing this for me, especially at such short notice.’

‘You know, Makayla’ – Beau fights a grin and so does she because she loves the sound of her name on his lips – ‘if you want to hang out with me on the weekend, you can just say that. There’s no need for these elaborate activities.’

‘If you think this is a scheme to get you in the back seat again, you’re severely mistaken. Sorry, Shepherd.’

Beau leans across to point out and explain things that seem important. His shower-fresh aroma settles into her lungs, and his wet hair drips onto her arm.

‘Did you get all that?’ he asks.

‘Uh-huh,’ she replies, hoping he has comprehensive car insurance.

‘How come you suddenly want to learn how to drive a manual?’

Makayla scrambles for an explanation. She can’t tell him about the agreement with her aunty. He might think she’s been playing games this whole time. ‘Just something that’s always been on my bucket list.’

‘Is there anything else on the list you need help with?’ His cheeky smile outshines the sun.

‘Nope. All good.’ He’s done plenty.

‘How come your ex-husband didn’t teach you? Isn’t he a mechanic? I assume he’s into cars.’

‘He is, but he’d never let me drive his ute. Waz was too precious about that hunk of metal. He cared about all the wrong things.’

‘The other week you said marriage is something you’d never do again. You were joking around and being, well … Makayla about it? True?’

She doesn’t like the way he says her name this time.

‘No. I was being serious. I don’t know why that would surprise you.

Do you think I want to be tied down again?

Until I got divorced I’d been married my entire adult life.

Who wants to get married these days? It’s a little arbitrary, don’t you think?

’ She can tell by his wide-eyed stare that he doesn’t.

‘I don’t know. There’s something special about choosing to make a life with someone and starting a family. People seem quick to jump ship without putting in any real effort. I’m not talking about you. Eleven years is impressive.’

‘Are you referring to your parents?’ Makayla treads lightly around the topic.

He nods. ‘Maybe if they’d been married, Dad would’ve stayed and worked on their relationship instead of bailing the minute things got hard. Who knows? They could have been happy.’

‘Or they could have been more miserable than ever,’ Makayla says with firsthand experience. She picks up on the subtle change in Beau’s posture and backpedals. ‘Sorry. I didn’t mean to say that. It’s cool you take the commitment stuff seriously. I hope you find someone who wants all that too.’

They look at each other without speaking for so long, it becomes a staring competition. She’d love to know what he’s thinking.

Beau breaks first. ‘What about your folks? Are they happily married?’

‘Married? Yes. Happily? I doubt it.’ Makayla’s mother uses the old ‘I’ve made my bed’ excuse to justify why she stays. ‘Successful relationships aren’t about longevity. They’re about loyalty and support.’ She pauses. Look at her being all wise.

‘How’d your parents react to your divorce? Big fans of what’s his name?’

Makayla laughs. Beau knows his bloody name.

‘Let’s just say Warren and Garry can’t be in the same room.’

‘Really?’

‘Warren taught me to stick up for myself and Garry didn’t like that. It meant he couldn’t control me anymore.’

Sharing this with Beau would have surprised Makayla a month ago.

Not now. She wants him to understand why she can be combative sometimes.

There’s also been a significant shift in their relationship since they hit the brakes on physical intimacy.

He’s become someone she didn’t know she needed – a friend.

‘Any more questions?’ she asks.

‘Just one. Did you and Warren ever want … never mind. Are you ready for your lesson?’

‘Go on, ask.’ She knows what’s coming. The second she got married, people started bringing it up all the time. It’s better to get this conversation out of the way.

‘Okay,’ he says, before drawing in a breath of courage. ‘Did you and Warren ever want kids? You were together for a long time. Not that I’m saying all women want to be mothers, and I also understand it’s a personal topic. If you tell me to pull my head in, I won’t be offended.’

The window is open for her to give an honest take on the topic. Part of her wants to; there’s something about the way Beau communicates that makes her believe he’ll listen without judgement. But what if the truth throws a spanner in the works? It’s safer to revert to the official party line.

‘There wasn’t any need for children when I was with Warren. He’s the biggest baby you’ll ever meet. Do you mind if we get started? I’ve got some errands to run.’

Ever patient, Beau triple explains how to get the car into first gear. Makayla’s confidence gets in the way and she releases the clutch too quickly, stalling on the first go.

‘How embarrassing.’ She cringes about her cocky remarks earlier.

‘Don’t worry about it. One false start doesn’t mean the rest of the drive can’t be smooth. Try again. You’ll get it, eventually. I know you will.’