The next morning Anna got up with the sun and had a welcome shower, relishing the hot water and Kurt’s body wash. It smelt like him, woody with a hint of bourbon. He’d left her a pair of sweats that she rolled at the top and a navy sweatshirt that hung down over her hands. She would definitely need to go back to Rizzo for clothes before she headed to the bakery. Especially since she had no underwear on, which made her feel surprisingly sexy in his clothes.
Kurt was up, despite the early hour, and was leaning against the kitchen counter drinking a protein shake, dressed in running shorts and a long-sleeved, tight compression shirt.
“Hungry?” he asked, and she had to look up from where she was ogling his thighs.
“What? No, I was just …” He gave her an odd look.
“I’m just going to jump in the shower. If you want coffee or anything, help yourself. Then I’ll give you a ride back to the garage, yeah?”
Do not imagine him in the shower — naked, Anna thought with a gulp. It felt unseasonably warm all of a sudden, and all she could do was nod. ‘Get a grip,’ she told herself. ‘You’re not bloody sixteen.’
Even so, she snooped around his house like a teenager while he got ready. It was comfy, lived in, with the lingering smell of orange wood polish. The lounge had two sofas, a thick rug and a coffee table as well as a beautiful sideboard. Framed pictures covered the surface. There was one of a very young and handsome Cliff outside a church with his bride, a family shot with the two of them and two small boys, one of Mike and Cliff outside the garage, and one of a younger Kurt at what looked like his police graduation, his arm around another smiling guy with large ears and a ginger buzz-cut. No sign of his wedding photo, she noted.
Out the back door was a large newish deck, with a barbecue, table and chairs and pots of herbs. Behind it was a long expanse of lawn and beautiful established gardens. A long row of camellias lined the end where a beehive sat. It was gorgeous and Anna slipped out and wandered barefoot on the dewy lawn to take a better look. Her feet went numb almost instantly, but it was like a little oasis, tranquil and fragrant with two swallows flitting from the eaves of the house. Anna let out a contented sigh.
“It was my mum’s garden,” Kurt said from behind her, making her jump a little. “Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you.”
“It’s beautiful,” Anna told him.
“After she died, Dad took over, bit of a labour of love really. He’s out here most days, pottering round.”
“How long ago did she die?”
“Twenty-four years now. I was a teenager.”
“Oh that must have been rough, for all of you.”
“Yeah. Anyway, we’d better go.” He gave her an apologetic smile. “I need to get to work.”
“Oh sorry, yeah, me too.” Anna followed him inside. Kurt gave her a curious look.
“What do you do for work?”
“Oh, I’m just helping Mary in the cafe,” Anna told him. “Just this week probably, while the van gets fixed. She’s hurt her back.” He had a strange look on his face, like he was studying her and she felt a bit flustered. “I’m not a plumber, I can’t even change a washer. I flooded the tyre shop trying to …” she trailed off when he started to laugh. It was a nice laugh, she thought, nothing like Greg’s booming guffaw. They looked at each other for a beat, that weird sort of frisson between them, and then a truck rattled past and the moment was gone.
The garage was quiet when Kurt pulled up. A pigeon cooed softly in the stillness and someone slammed a door. The stretch of grass at the kerb was frosty. A tween-aged boy slunk along the footpath, head down, newspaper bag weighing down one shoulder. He gave Kurt an eyebrow raise and a grunt in reply to his greeting.
“Why don’t you put your stuff in the back of my car for now,” Kurt suggested. “I can take it home after my shift. Do you mind if I have a quick look in the van? See if I can find anything?”
“Okay, yeah, sure. Just give me a minute to change,” Anna agreed, and made a quick visit to the bathroom, toothbrush in hand. The shower looked like it had never been used, or cleaned. Cobwebs hung across the sliding door and something musty grew by the drain. Anna was glad she didn’t have to use it after all. She had to resort to the supermarket undies, and wondered vaguely if Kurt would be okay with her using his machine to do a wash. She was ready in five minutes and she laughed to herself at how long it normally took her, with all her skincare routines and makeup. It was nice not to feel like she had to put on a face for a change.
When she came out, Kurt was looking under the seats with a penlight, and Anna spent far too long looking at his arse before she gathered up her things from the back.
“Nothing unusual that I can see,” Kurt declared, and then looked at her overnight bag. “Is that all you’ve got?” He looked incredulous.
“Well, I didn’t plan to be away long,” Anna said. “I’ll tell you about it tonight?” That felt weird, she thought, like they were a couple or something. “Anyway, I’d better get going.”
“Okay, do you need me to pick you up?” He sounded awkward too, she thought.
“No, no, I can walk.”
He fiddled with his keyring and took off a key. “For the back door,” he told her. “I won’t be back till about six. I have training.”
Anna took the key and slid it onto the casino keyring along with Rizzo’s.
“Right, thanks. Umm, shall I cook dinner?” God, it was like they were newly married, she thought, all nervous and excited.
“Oh well, sure, if you want? I mean, I can pick up takeaways …”
“No, no, I’d like to, really. To thank you for letting me stay.”
“Sure, okay, thanks. Let me give you my number in case …”
“Right, yes.” Anna took out her phone, and they exchanged information. He picked up her bag and they stood awkwardly.
“Okay, so, see you later then?” Anna said, and then scuttled off down the street, giving him a weird little wave like the Queen.
She spent the morning making scones and muffins and over-thinking what she should make Kurt for dinner.
“Darling,” Mary asked as they set up the counter food, “where are you staying? At Paradise? Because I have a spare room if you need it. It’s a bit poky, but you’re welcome to it if need be.”
“Oh, thanks, Mary, but I’m actually at Kurt and his dad’s.”
“Oh, he didn’t say. Oh, well, that’s wonderful. So much nicer than a hotel. Not that Bev isn’t lovely, but it’s so much nicer to be in a real house, isn’t it?”
Anna thought of all the five-star hotels she’d been in, and of the lumpy bed in Rizzo, and then of the feeling of being at Kurt’s and had to agree.
At about ten she got a call from Faith so she made a coffee and took a break to chat to her.
“I just got a call from Cliff,” Faith told her. “The part he went to pick up is for a Toyota Hilux, not a Hiace, or something like that.”
“Oh shit.”
“Yeah, but he’s found another part in Christchurch and they’re going to courier it to Mike so he can get it in and the van up and going as soon as possible.”
“Oh, well, that’s good,” Anna said, but she felt weirdly disappointed at the thought of leaving. She watched Mary serving a customer and felt bad leaving her to cope alone when she was gone.
“How are things there?” Faith asked, so Anna gave her a rundown on the events of last night.
“Do you think it was that Gary guy?” Faith asked.
“Was that his name? Yeah, I think so. No idea why though.” She made a mental note to tell Kurt the name. “Anyway, tell me all about the Palace?”
They talked for a bit about Isaac and Keith. He’d loved the sculpture Red had made and had hung it up immediately. Faith gave her a rundown about her dad and his illness.
“For some stupid reason I’m contemplating going to see him,” Faith said. “I must be mad.”
“Well, he is still your father,” Anna said. “No matter what. Greg hasn’t been the best at parenting, and God knows I did the lion’s share of the work, but the kids still love him, and that’s how it should be. You don’t want to have regrets.”
“Hmm, maybe. Anyway, sorry, but I have to run. I’m catching up with an old school friend.”
“All right, talk soon.” Anna ended the call and sat finishing her coffee, which had gone a bit cold. Mary was chatting with a customer and the sun was shining onto the glass cabinet. I could get used to this life, Anna thought. Simple. Real. The oven timer beeped and she got up to retrieve the quiches out of the oven with a smile.
That afternoon, after picking up some groceries, Anna walked back to Kurt’s and through the backyard to the back door. The garden was in full sun so she put the food away and then took a glass of water and sat out on the deck for a bit. She would need to get some more shoes, she thought. All she’d packed were a pair of heels and her boots and her feet were sore. She had so many pairs of shoes at home it was a bit embarrassing, but all she really missed were her Allbirds.
The herb garden smelt amazing. The basil was going mad and the bees were loving the tops that had started to flower. She’d decided to do a lamb rack so she was glad to see there was a heap of rosemary too.
It was peaceful here, and she hadn’t had a lot of time lately to just sit and think. She was going to have to get on to a lawyer. One of her Zumba friends had gone through a messy divorce a year or so back, so she sent her a quick message asking who she’d used. What else? She really needed to talk to the kids. But she wanted to make a plan.
What would she do for work? She couldn’t stand the thought of going back to office work. She was really enjoying being back in a commercial kitchen, but her CV wouldn’t have any recent experience and the money she would make as a low-level kitchenhand would never cover living in a city like Auckland.
There would be enough eventually to buy a house but did she want to go back to Auckland? She had a few friends there, but no one she was super-close to. And none of the kids would be there. Should she move closer to them? She contemplated moving back with her parents for all of about three seconds. Maybe Raglan, to be near Josh? A small town would be nice for a change of pace. A place like Bode where everyone knew you and no one cared what you drove.
Could she stay here? She could keep working for Mary, rent a room maybe until she sorted out things with Greg money-wise. Would that be crazy? One of the swallows landed on the chair opposite and sat looking at her, its head tilted in a quizzical expression. It chirped loudly. “I wish I knew,” Anna told it before she got up to sort out some washing.
After she’d prepped Hasselback potatoes and made a glaze for the baby carrots, Anna decided to have a quick vacuum and a clean of the bathroom. Kurt and his dad were pretty tidy, but she wanted to do her bit to thank Kurt for letting her stay. She set the table and prepped the lamb and forced herself not to go into Kurt’s room and smell his sheets or anything weird like. It did occur to her that if she stayed in Bode, she might be able to ask him out. Bloody hell, just the thought made her squirm. Did people even date any more? She so did not want to have to use any online dating apps.
It was after six so she opened the bottle of Pinot Noir she’d picked up and poured a glass. Then she sat on the couch and sent off a few texts to the kids and to Faith.
“Bloody hell, it smells fantastic in here,” Kurt said as he came through the door. Anna got up and waggled the wine bottle at him in a silent question. “Yeah, that looks good, thanks.” She poured him a glass and topped up her own. Kurt had showered and the ends of his hair were still damp against his collar. He smelt faintly of liniment.
“How was your day?” he asked. “Any sign of that Mazda or the guy in it?”
“Faith tells me he said his name was Gary,” she told him, “but no, no sign of him. Hopefully he’s given up after being chased by you.”
“Hmmm, maybe. I’ve sent out a request for info on the plates in any case. Might hear back tomorrow depending how busy they are.”
“I hope you don’t mind but I used your washing machine. I was getting dangerously low on clothes.”
“Ah, that explains why you’re back in my sweats,” he said.
“Yeah, it was that or the Baywatch T-shirt. Although I noticed you used to be a fan.” Kurt did a weird cough and took a large gulp of his wine. Was he blushing? God, he was cute.
“The poster, I mean,” Anna clarified. “In what I’m guessing was your room?”
“My room, yeah, right.” His eyes had moved to her chest and he looked up at her a little guiltily.
The oven timer dinged and Anna pulled out the lamb to rest for a bit while she glazed the carrots.
“I hope your dad won’t mind that I raided his garden?” she said, adding some thyme to the pan.
“No, he’d love it. He’s forever giving things away to the neighbours and to Mike and Wayne.”
They sat and ate, with Kurt complimenting everything and having seconds.
“This is bloody good. I haven’t had such a good meal since my mum was around.”
“Did your wife not cook then?” Anna asked. Kurt’s eyebrow raised and Anna flushed. “Gina might have mentioned you were divorced,” she said.
“Did she now?” Kurt said with a little grin. “Yeah, high school sweethearts. Didn’t work out. We’ve stayed friends though. Her new husband is a good mate actually. They live just out of Balclutha. But no, she wasn’t much of a cook — don’t tell her I said that though.” Anna laughed. “So, how about you? You said ‘ex-husband’ yesterday?”
“Oh, yes. Well, very recently separated. But a long time coming, you know? He’s not taking it well, but it’s very definitely over. We hadn’t been happy for years. I stayed far too long for the kids’ sake, which was a bit silly really.” She was rambling. “Do you have any? Kids?”
“No, Jules wasn’t keen, and I didn’t really care either way to be honest. How many do you have?”
“Three. Two boys and a girl. The older two are twins.” She told him a bit about them and that led to how she and Faith had met, and the events leading up to them landing in Bode. By the time she got to the drama at the bank he was roaring with laughter. She really did like his laugh.
They did the dishes together, her loading the dishwasher while Kurt scrubbed the baking dish.
“I made custard tarts at Mary’s today, so if you’re still hungry, there’s a few in the fridge.”
“Maybe later,” he said. “I’m stuffed.” There was a bit of an awkward pause. It was still only eight o’clock and a bit early to go to bed.
“I guess I’ll go fold the …”
“Would you like to watch …”
They both spoke at once, then laughed.
“I was going to ask if you wanted to watch a movie?” Kurt said.
“Oh, well, okay, yeah, that sounds good.”
They went into the lounge and sat on separate couches. Kurt fiddled around with the remotes and brought up Netflix.
“Any requests?” he asked.
“Oh, how about Baywatch?” Anna said, just to see him blush again.
They chose The Inception with Benedict Cumberbatch and Anna leant back to get comfy, resting her head against the back of the couch where a crochet rug was draped. It was lovely and soft and she pulled it down over her lap.
“This is gorgeous,” she said, admiring the blue and green pattern. “Where did you get it?”
Kurt looked a little awkward. “Did your mum make it?” she asked carefully.
“No, actually, I did.”
Anna looked at his face to see if he was kidding, but he looked sheepish, a bit embarrassed.
“Really?”
“Yeah, my nana taught me when I was a kid and I just do it sometimes when I’m bored. Stuck in the car or at night, you know? To kill time.” He sounded a bit defensive. Anna guessed it wasn’t the usual hobby for such a — manly — sort of guy.
“So how many have you made?” she asked.
“I dunno, a couple of dozen maybe?”
Anna cast a furtive glance around the room looking to see if she had missed a large pile of crochet blankets somewhere.
“Where are they all?”
“Some I’ve given to people when they have kids, but I usually take them down to the retirement village and give them to the oldies.” He looked firmly at the TV as he spoke. “They get cold knees,” he added a bit grumpily, as if she was about to argue with him. Anna watched him, resolutely watching the movie.
“Well, I think that’s lovely,” she said quietly. “You’re very talented.” He shrugged, looked over at her briefly before standing up.
“I might just have one of those tarts,” he said. “Can I get you one? Or tea? Coffee?”
She wanted to tell him not to be embarrassed, but instead she just nodded.
“Tea would be perfect, thanks.”