like it, then?’ he asked finally, when she returned to stand, woolly-witted, in front of the French windows that opened onto a shaded deck.
‘It’s perfect!’
‘I told Terry you’d pick this one if you were any good at reading photographs.’
‘They didn’t do it justice.’
‘How about my descriptions?’
‘Oh, it was you who wrote those?’
‘I tried to be objective, but probably didn’t succeed. I’m incurably biased. Couldn’t imagine why anyone wouldn’t want to live along this stretch of beach.’
‘So where do you live?’
‘Five doors down.’
‘Right.’ She nodded, and looked quickly out at the ocean again before their eyes could meet. Five doors down. That had the potential to be very convenient. ‘Um, I like the interior, too, as well as the setting and the views,’ she added, speaking too fast.
The house wasn’t elaborate or huge. There was an open-plan lounge and dining room, a modern kitchen, a generous bathroom and two airy bedrooms, one furnished with twin beds, one with a queen-size. But with a whole world of sand and ocean and sky out there, she didn’t need interior space. The rooms were decorated in summery blues and yellows, with light, casual touches of good taste in the occasional piece of ceramic work or glassware.
Steve opened the French windows, and a sea breeze combed through the outer screens and puffed air into the full-length blue and yellow curtains, which were pulled back on their tracks to reveal the view. Candace went out onto the deck, willing him not to follow her. She could smell the fresh salt in the air at once.
Here on the deck, the outdoor furniture was made of cane. It didn’t normally appeal to her, but fitted in this setting. Yes, she would eat here at this little cane and glass table and watch the ocean, every chance she got…
‘I think Linda was planning to pick up some basic supplies for you,’ Steve said behind her, just inside. ‘Shall I check the fridge?’
‘Thanks.’
‘Then I ought to head off. I have appointments at my practice, starting at two.’
‘You’ve been terrific.’ She stepped back into the cool living room.
They were both being very neutral and polite with each other now.
‘Terry wants me to bring you into the hospital tomorrow morning, to meet everyone and get you orientated a little before you start in earnest on Monday. We’ve had to send a lot of our general surgery patients further north since before Christmas, when Dr Elphick retired. Quite a few people chose to postpone their operations, though, so you’ll be busy straight away.’
‘Yes, I was going to ask about all that. And about the other two hospitals I’m covering as well.’
‘Better talk to Terry. Is it all right if I pick you up at eight-thirty?’
‘I’ll be ready.’
She watched as he opened the fridge and the pantry. He confirmed, ‘Yes, Linda’s been here.’
‘Should I know about Linda?’
‘Linda Gardner, our local ob. You’re sharing professional rooms with her. Terry arranged it. With luck you’ll meet her tomorrow. Looks like she’s decided you’ll have eggs for dinner. Unless you phone out for take-away.’
‘The phone’s connected, then?’ She was pleased to hear it.
‘Yep. Of course, you’ll want to ring home, won’t you?’
Another odd word. Ring, instead of call. Quaint. Cute.
‘Um, where is it, I wonder? I can’t see it.’
‘Think I noticed it by the bed.’
‘Thanks. I won’t keep you.’
‘See you tomorrow, then.’
Seconds later, he was loping down the steps at the side of the house to his car.
Alone. Candace was alone, the way she had craved to be for months. Finding a plastic pitcher of iced water in the fridge, she poured herself a glass. Saw the eggs Steve had mentioned and decided that, yes, they’d be fine for her evening meal. If she lasted that long. The floor of the house was rocking up and down like the deck of a boat. Glass in hand, she went back through the French doors and onto the deck to watch the sea.
Just me, with the ocean for company.
It felt different to what she had expected. It was a happier, zestier feeling. She had more than half expected to zero right in on that comfortable-looking bed, covered in an intricately pieced patchwork quilt, and sob her eyes out.
In fact, she’d actually planned to indulge in the painfully luxurious release of being able to cry for hours, as stormily as she wanted to, without the possibility of interruption.
But, no, she didn’t want to cry now after all.
Mom was the one who had suggested this whole thing. Mom, the redoubtable, loving Elaine West.
‘Couldn’t you go away, darling?’ she had said five months ago, when Candace had gone to her with the blind pain of a wounded animal, freshly ripped apart by the news of Brittany’s pregnancy.
‘I don’t know if I can stand it, Mom,’ she had gasped, barely able to speak. ‘She’s radiant, while he’s…oh…already shopping for cigars. Not literally, but—’
‘I know what you mean, Candy.’
‘They had prenatal testing and they already know it’s a boy. Suddenly it turns out that Todd has “always wanted a son”. To me, he spent years arguing that one child was enough. Expensive enough. Sacrifice enough. Career-threatening enough. For his sake, I gave away the bassinet and the baby clothes. I told myself he was right. That Maddy was enough. But, oh, I wanted another baby! And now—’
‘Couldn’t you go away?’ Elaine said.
‘Away?’
‘Some kind of professional fellowship or exchange. Or a temporary position. In Alaska, or somewhere.’
‘Alaska?’
‘You don’t need them on your doorstep, Candy.’ Her mother was the only person in the world who was ever permitted to call her Candy, and even then only at times, when she needed to feel six years old again, nourishing her soul with a mother’s wisdom. ‘You don’t need to run into Brittany at the gym—’
‘Ha! As if I still go to the gym!’
Eighteen months ago, Todd had taken out a family membership, saying they both needed to get fitter. Brittany, aged twenty-five to Todd’s forty-four, taught aerobics there. Todd had quickly become very fit indeed. End of story. Candace felt personally insulted
