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Ingrid drove past Palmerston House heading to River’s End Heights. This was the first of Bryce Montgomery’s development estates in the area. She snorted as she turned in through the stone entry walls. It was typical of so many developers to alienate the locals by creating a new suburb. The small town needed a massive upgrade and development so clever it would feel organic, which was the best way to get the nod from councils.
It took only a few moments to finish her inspection. About a hundred houses. No shops. No amenities apart from a tiny park in the middle. With only a handful of the houses occupied, it would be a while until the impact of a sudden population increase would filter to the village. One hundred families needing school placements, medical facilities and more shopping. How did Bryce think this would work?
She scanned the street, noting the boat trailers outside several homes. No boats on them, so there must be marina or harbour nearby. Interesting. Boats meant money and she was all about that.
Derek’s ring-tone interrupted her thoughts. “Phase one underway,” she answered.
“So, he’s agreed?”
“Do you doubt me?”
“When do you start?”
“Still to be decided. Anyway, I’m seeing this estate agent shortly, so have had a drive around Bryce Montgomery’s pathetic attempt at developing.”
“You’re keeping a low profile? Avoiding Chris? That would ruin—”
“For goodness’ sake, Derek. I wasn’t born yesterday.” She softened her tone. “I won’t let you down, but you need to trust me. Everything is meticulously planned.” She followed the street back to the main road.
“Fine. Just be careful, the town is very insular.”
“Insular or not, it is large enough for me to avoid exposure, as long as this John Jones character keeps his mouth shut.”
“Presumably money will take care of it.”
“I’ll call you after my meeting.”
“Good luck.”
Luck is for gamblers. Ingrid drove down the long hill that forked to either Martin’s house or the town. She glanced at Palmerston House. The Lotus was there. No sign of Christie Ryan, but she would need to be careful if the other woman was in town today.
***
After an impromptu morning tea at Palmerston House, Christie reluctantly drove home. Angus insisted she keep her plans, promising to have dinner with her that evening. Elizabeth made him welcome and he was most comfortable in his new surroundings.
An empty car was parked opposite the cottage and Christie hoped it wasn’t more property developers. The last time it was Bryce Montgomery and he was brazen enough to try to buy the place from under her. The older model sedan was not his style though, and she gave it no more attention.
Half an hour later, concentrating on shaping the roses along the front fence, Christie jumped and dropped her shears when a man walked into the driveway.
“Hey, I’m sorry!” Short and rather overweight, the man leaned down to retrieve the shears and handed them back. “I should have sung out.”
Christie took the shears. “I was miles away.”
“Beautiful garden.”
“Thanks. It will be, once I finish it.”
“I’m Rupert. How are you?” He offered his hand to shake. “I took a wrong turn and ran out of gas! At my age, one would think I’d know better.”
“Hmm. I’ve done that myself. Do you need me to call someone?”
“Oh, not at all. I walked down to the petrol station and just put some fuel in it.”
Christie realised he was sweating, and wore a suit. “Would you like a glass of water?”
Rupert shook his head, then smiled. “Actually, yes. As long as I’m not imposing. My wife will be upset I forgot to carry water on the trip.”
“Come around and I’ll get you one. Where are you heading?”
“On my way home now. Bit disappointing really. I went to Warrnambool for a job interview. I’m in sales. We want a sea change, Lucy and I, now that we’ve got a bubba on the way.”
They stepped onto the deck and Christie hesitated.
“Miss, I’m happy to wait here. Don’t want to traipse dirt over your floor.”
Christie broke into laughter. “Sorry to laugh. I’m renovating and the mess those tradies leave is more than you would imagine. Come in, please.”
Rupert followed her, leaving the door open behind himself. He gazed around. “Miss, if you don’t mind me saying, this is true old world charm.”
She offered a glass of water to Rupert. “Please, I’m Christie. The cottage is rather special, isn’t it? I’m looking forward to getting it back to its original beauty.” The smell of cigarette smoke clung to his clothes, so she took a discreet step back.
“Was it a stationmaster’s residence?” Rupert gulped his water. Christie took his glass and refilled it. “Thanks. Had no idea how thirsty I was. Long day.”
“You said it was disappointing?”
“They offered me a job. That’s the good bit, but I looked at the houses on the market and they just won’t do. Want a bit of room for a pony and we really like our privacy. Lucy longs to grow vegetables and stuff.”
“You should speak to the real estate agents in town here. They might know of something.”
Rupert finished the second glass, took it to the sink and rinsed it out. Turning it upside-down on the side, he smiled. “Thanks for that, Christie. Have to say I envy you. This is exactly the kind of place we’d love. Anyway, should let you get back to those roses.”
“No trouble at all. Go see John Jones. He has the place with the flower pots outside. Tell him I sent you.” Christie walked out of the cottage with Rupert and down the driveway.
“I think I will. Great little town. No sign of high rise buildings and shopping malls.”
“No. Those are things we’d like to keep out. Have a safe trip home.”
Christie watched him get into his car, do a U-turn and drive off down the road. His family sounded exactly the sort of people she would sell to. If she ever sold. Not that she planned to.
***
Christie missed the first call from Ashley. Her phone, along with a fresh glass of water, was perched on a post near the driveway. When it finally got her attention, she sprinted across the garden, almost knocking the glass off in her rush.
“Oh, you do answer phones!” Ashley laughed.
“Well, hello to you too!”
“Thought I’d have to drive there to get a reply.”
“And you would be most welcome! What’s up?” Christie reached for the glass. The day was warm, with the sun almost directly overhead.
“I had dinner with Carlo Palmero last night, and we got onto the subject of you.”
“I’ve not seen Carlo in ages. What was he doing in Melbourne?”
“Scouting locations. Some thriller he’s making next year. Most likely here at Docklands, but he asked about windswept beaches. Thought of your place.”
“It would be ideal actually, as long as he picks his timing with the weather. How exciting!” Christie plonked herself onto the grass in the shade.
“Fill him in personally. He has a job, if you’re interested.”
Christie closed her eyes for a second. Not Europe. Not the US. “Do tell.”
“Well, your name came up about the location and he asked where you are now. Told him you’ve turned into a country girl in a little seaside town and he just gave me that long, serious stare he does. Eventually he said, and I quote, ‘the countryside is already beautiful, it is the city that needs Christie to work her magic’. Unquote.”
Christie giggled. “You’re making that up. When and where?”
“Soonish. He starts shooting in a couple of days but won’t need you for a week, two at most from now. Auckland.”
“He leaves things late.”
“No, bella. He just wants...”
“What?”
“Let’s just say there is room for you in the crew, and he wants you there.”
“Is my reputation so bad, Ash? He’s just finding a spot for old time’s sake?”
“You’ve been in this industry long enough to know how fickle people are. Those who know you, love you. And Carlo does, so be good and say yes. It’s only a few weeks and then everyone will forget London and start throwing work at you again.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“No, give him a call and say yes. You can decide if you want to give up on your career afterwards.”
“How do you—”
“Christie. I’ve known you forever. Your heart is somewhere else and that’s wonderful. Just don’t give up because someone else messed things up. Yes?”
“Okay. Maybe. Thank you.”
“My pleasure. Ray sends his love.”
“Tell him I miss him. I miss you both.”
After hanging up, Christie lay back on the grass to stare at the sky. Soft clouds moved ever so slowly. The enormity of the universe washed over her, tension seeping into the ground below. It isn’t fair. Once, Christie struggled with too many contracts. Major film companies listed her, directors personally called. All it took was one manipulative man and a devious woman to damage her reputation.
Ashley was right. If she just gave up now, then Derek and Ingrid won. She would call Carlo and accept his gracious offer. Go to New Zealand and do the best work of her life. Then she would talk to Martin. Let him into her soul, past her defences. Perhaps he would see her commitment was to him and decide he needed to take things to another level. A level where their lives would be made one.