“Enjoy the rest of your stay.”
“Come again another day.”
“So glad you enjoyed the cruise.”
Nate cheerfully wished the cruise passengers a goodbye and a terrific stay. With a smile plastered on his face, he was struggling to concentrate fully, hoping nobody noticed. He and Roberta were moving towards something, and that was living centre stage in his mind.
Halfway around the lake, he remembered his grandparents were coming for lunch at the teahouse. That he’d forgotten was a trigger. Not a good one.
It was his grandad’s eighty-ninth birthday next week. While this lake was once the mainstay of his grandfather’s life, these days, due to his age he rarely came, so each visit was special and treated as such. Nate’s parents would collect his grandparents on the way, and they would have a memorable morning. Stories shared—again, jokes told and delicious teahouse food consumed. His family were a close unit and always had a way of bolstering him when he needed it. A reminder that someone always had his back.
“Ah … Nate, the um … esky is ready.”
Nate switched his attention to Sophie who approached him on the gangplank.
“The last visitor disembarked a few moments ago. Everything okay?”
“Sorry, Sophe, thanks.” Heat rushed up his neck. Sophie had caught him daydreaming, but hopefully, nothing was noticeable past the stubbled cheeks he didn’t have time to shave that morning. “I’ve got it, thanks. See you up at the teahouse soon. The family is arriving for Grandad’s birthday. I better hurry.”
Lugging the esky up the hill to the back kitchen door, he set it down to a flurry of activity and noise from the staff, indicating good numbers in the teahouse. Nothing unusual.
Tash whipped past him. “Nate, Mum and Dad have arrived. Hope you’re feeling okay?”
“What do you mean?” Had Sophie said something?
“Not sure how it happened, but there’s a plus one out there with the fam.”
“But Brad was always coming with the kids. Didn’t you say you were taking them out of school for a couple of hours?”
“Yeah, they’re all here. It’s the other plus one no one warned us about. Not sure how it happened but good luck, Bro.”
Probably one of Grandad’s crusty old mates ready to cause a stir. Probably still thought he’d been a better skier back in the day. Rivalry, it seemed, hung around for years. Nate would have to intervene and go into damage control so Grandad enjoyed his family time.
“Where have you set up the table?”
“Usual spot with the best view. Don’t want Grandad to miss a single moment of his lake.” Tash’s compassion and generosity put a smile on his face, and he promptly forgot about the plus one.
Tash had already rushed off. There was plenty for her to do before she sat down and relaxed with the family. If at all.
As he rarely hung around the teahouse during the day—more likely to be completing the million and one maintenance chores that required his attention—he took a tumble in his stomach as a good sign. He’d be around Roberta. With any luck, she and Hannah would strike up a singing duo he could enjoy as an excuse to look at her and take his fill. Yep, this woman was worming her way into his heart even with the list of incompatibles between them longer than his arm.
But nothing could wipe the lazy grin beginning to be the norm whenever Roberta entered his thoughts, despite the concerns he had for her. He worried about the fallout from meeting her biological family. He didn’t understand dysfunctional families. Didn’t understand how grandparents rejecting a grandchild thought it was okay. He shook his head. Life certainly had a way of making him rethink many things.
Now to wash his hands before joining the family.
* * *
“Uncle Nate!” his niece and nephew bellowed in unison from across the teahouse.
Nate’s heart swelled. Being an uncle to these two monsters was the best part of coming home. He crouched down as Sammy and Chase barrelled into him, always fighting for more of his attention. Nate wrapped his arms around them, giving them a big squeeze until they squealed with delight. “How are my two munchkins this morning? Who gets to miss school for a couple of hours?”
“Me!” they chorused.
“Mum said that being with great-great-great grandad was important too.” Sammy, the older of the two at seven, piped up.
Nate smiled at the number of greats she added in. She was such a clone of Tash, with her cute freckles already a highlight of her facial features. Nate could only wish for a daughter as adorable. “As long as you always work hard at school, but yes, family is important too.” Nate was the fun uncle, but he was always aware every word he spoke to these two rascals was absorbed and stored somewhere, so every word had to count.
“What about you, Chase?” Nate ruffled the five-year-old’s darkish hair, an obvious trait from his dad, Brad.
“I wanna go on the boat with you, Unca Nate.”
Nate could already picture the robust young man Chase would become. It was uncanny, but his obvious joy every time he came for a ride was infectious. If this young fellow didn’t carry the Surrey family genes when it came to water and boats, then shoot him right there. He didn’t doubt one day it would be Chase doing his job when he no longer could.
“Hello, Nate.”
That voice. Nate jerked upright, almost sending Sammy and Chase across the floor. He stumbled, righting himself and the two children too. No one was harmed.
“Crystal?” he choked, his throat clamping tight.
“So wonderful to see you again.” She stepped in and wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him and leaving a lingering kiss on his cheek. “Ooh, that stubble. Always so rough on my skin. Did you forget to shave this morning?” She tutted quietly by his ear.
An image of Roberta flared up, and he nearly burst out laughing. Should he tell her whose fault it was? He checked his thoughts, biting his tongue.
“I dropped by your mum’s place this morning. She generously invited me here today.”
Nate looked past Crystal at his mum. Two tables were set behind him for their private use, overlooking the glorious lake. He didn’t miss the small shrug and the unspoken words all over her face. Crystal had a way that was difficult to refuse. He remembered it well. How easy it had been to fall under her spell when she took command of his weaknesses—his love for her and the protection of the environment.
Until the day he fully awoke, realising how toxic she was in so many ways. He would be extra cautious today. There would be no falling under her spell. She’d done it to him many times over. Until the day he couldn’t take it anymore and left.
“Sure,” he muttered under his breath, not wanting to cause a scene. He disentangled her arms from around his neck at the same time Roberta approached their table.
It happened quickly. Roberta hesitated for a fraction of time, her eyes opening marginally wider for a split second before the shutters came down and she plastered on a fake smile.
Nate wasn’t fooled by Roberta’s smile. With it went any good family vibes coming from him for his grandad’s birthday.
“Good morning, everyone. I believe we have a special birthday happening today,” Roberta announced, standing at Grandad’s side.
Grandad was a sucker for a pretty face and a wide smile. Roberta went overboard with her efforts to make Grandad comfortable. She opened his napkin, placed it on his lap and wished him a happy birthday. Then she began taking everyone’s tea or coffee orders and promised a table full of delicious food would follow shortly.
Nate watched with alarm when Crystal raised her hand and clicked her fingers. “Excuse me, waitress.”
Roberta stopped taking orders and rose to her full height. Nowhere near the willowy height Crystal carried, with her strawberry blonde hair and killer beautiful face. Or so he thought. What easily turned him on and captured his attention for so many years, the benefit of wisdom now showed an entirely different person.
He waited with bated breath, almost fearing for Crystal. Roberta was a rival in every single way. Crystal was unknowingly confronting Roberta with no idea of this.
“Yes, how can I help?”
To everyone else, Roberta was doing her job. To Nate, her tone was clipped, and her tight smile didn’t fool him.
“Could I possibly have a chai tea brewed from soya milk and topped with a dribble of your delicious local honey? I remember it well,” Crystal added, recalling fond memories from her infrequent visits to the north.
Nate didn’t miss the slight arch to Roberta’s brows.
‘Look at me,’ he wanted to shout at Roberta above the general babble of the family surrounding them. Crystal’s appearance from across the border didn’t seem to faze the family too much—except maybe his mum and Tash—even though Nate made it clear when he returned home that it was over between them.
Roberta refused to look his way. This mattered to him—a lot.
It was only when Crystal’s detailed order was taken, and everyone else’s too—including frothy, milky Milos for Sammy and Chase—that Roberta took a moment to write his order down without once meeting his eyes.
Nate willed her to look at him. He touched her thigh below table level, making it look like an accident should anyone notice. No one did. No one suspected anything between them, but the split-second look she shot his way was filled with disdain and contempt. Like he’d kept a secret from her. Was playing the field with two women.
Crystal’s arm shot up again, her fingers clicking once more. “Waitress, dear, could I please order a glass of water too?”
What followed was a torturous morning of Crystal talking over everyone. Describing her future plans, and how terrific they aligned with the philosophy Lake Barrine and their team instilled. How she had a perfect project she wanted Nate to help her with.
Roberta, in charge of their family gathering, walked back and forth from the kitchen, ensuring everything was smooth and everyone happy with her impeccable service.
Nate spoke very little. Not even Sammy and Chase could hold his attention.
As the lunchtime rush slowly subsided, he looked up to see Roberta—with her tiny black apron now removed—approach the piano. His body tensed. No one else was watching. Why would they? They were with friends or family, possibly on a long-awaited holiday. Everyone was too busy chatting and finishing their food and drinks.
The breeze wafting in from the open deck filled him with warmth and strong, moist rainforest, while the sunlight glinting on the water’s surface sent a quiver rustling along his skin. The weather was so damn perfect; Nate blinked back a tiny prick of moisture, reminding him of how special his home was. And with Roberta at the piano, why did he suspect the unexpected when no one else had any idea?
The first touch of a piano key had some heads turning. Not too many. Nate’s breath jammed in his throat. Instinct told him he should pay attention.
Roberta enclosed herself in her bubble, playing and singing the emotionally charged song ‘You Are The Reason’ by Calum Scott. He didn’t doubt every single word was sent in his direction, hitting him in the chest like you would with a dozen rocks. All her previous songs he’d had the fortune to hear were lighthearted and fun, played in the background to enliven the atmosphere at the teahouse. Guests would listen but still chatter and eat.
This was different, snagging something inside him. Her words twisted and coiled the sinewy muscles holding him together. When she sang the lines telling everyone she’d climb every mountain and swim every ocean, his heart squeezed so tight he feared he might not release the next breath. When she sang the line that her hands were shaking, he clamped his knee tighter to stop his own from shaking.
By the time she finished the last words in tacet, without any music, promising to fix what she’d broken, every face was turned towards her. For a couple of beats, not a single sound could be heard. Even Tash and her crew stood in the doorway leading to the kitchen.
Nate had no control over what happened next. He would look back one day and never understand it. He rose abruptly; at the same time, the teahouse erupted in applause. His chair screeched over the polished timber floor, but only those closest to him heard it, averting their stunned gazes from Roberta to him for an instant before looking back at Roberta to continue their applause.
He turned to Crystal beside him. She’d touched him frequently like she had the right to. She would’ve probably done a whole lot more if he hadn’t sat throughout the morning like a statue. His family would hear his words, but hopefully none of the patrons would over the cheering. “You need to leave now, Crystal,” he hissed between drawn lips. “You are no longer welcome here.”
“But, I was—”
“Now!” His tone brooked no argument while he controlled the urge to grab her by the arm and lead her out himself. He hoped his penetrating stare would be enough. She’d gatecrashed this party. God only knew what her agenda was. Their relationship was over. Thank goodness he was no longer paralysed by her beauty and manipulative ways. Relief washed over him knowing there was no risk he would fall for her wiles again.
He could finally hold his head up with a clear conscience. Over was over. He’d made it perfectly clear before they’d parted. Had explained his reasons. There was never any going back, no matter how many times he’d struggled with his decision.
Nate patiently waited until Crystal rose and made her goodbyes to his family. She approached Nate. He suspected she wanted to hug him goodbye or desperately whisper some last-minute plea in his ear. Before she was given the opportunity, he turned on his heel and walked out, leaving Crystal to make her way to the car park. There was no need for any further parting words. He’d said everything needing to be said. He even ignored Roberta, who, in his periphery, rose from the piano. She was getting congratulations from many of the visitors, demanding she play some more.
Her words kept ringing in his head. Around and around. He made for the walking track and his secret hidden path. It’d been a long while since he’d gone searching for it. It led to an ancient tree with gnarled tree roots that had cradled his teenage body from time to time. Whenever he needed to disappear and think things through, unwind, it was this place he visited.
That Crystal could turn up and continue to twist his insides, when they had been so spectacularly wrong together, gnawed at him. This was his issue. He and Crystal spent some memorable times together before her real guise infiltrated their relationship. To go there again with someone new had to, in his mind, be a forever kind of thing.
But nothing was forever. Right? He rubbed at his eyes, the overwhelming emotion that had filled him while Roberta sang washing over him all over again.
When did a person know if they’d found the forever thing?