Tradition and history played a big part in the fabric of Lawson’s Bend and one of its cornerstones was The White Stag. The oldest surviving pub was a large stone two-storey building with a wide verandah that was draped with grapevines. It sported a bar, a restaurant and the best beer garden in the area.
Walking through the front door, Henny thought that the place still looked the same. She smiled as she remembered when her mum had taken her there for dinner a week after she’d turned eighteen. A huge painting of a white stag standing in a Scottish glen still hung on the wall above the fireplace, a nod not only to the name of the pub but also the family that had always run it. Rumour had it that the painting had been there ever since the place had opened and that it was bad luck to take it down.
The publican called out from behind the bar. ‘Hey, Stephen—if you’re looking for the others, they’re out the back in the garden.’
‘Thanks, Mark,’ Stephen said as he guided Henny through the packed bar. ‘Looks like a busy day.’
‘Sure does,’ he replied with a grin. ‘Just the way I like it. Glad you’re back, Henny.’
Henny gave him a grin and a wave before she and Stephen made their way to the French doors that opened off the restaurant and into the garden. They spotted their friends sitting at a long table beneath a metal canopy also covered in lush grapevines. Henny smiled as Charlie stood and waved at them with both hands. It was good that some things never changed, like Charlie’s exuberance.
‘Hey, what happened to you two?’ Dan called out with a not-so-subtle wink.
Stephen rolled his eyes as he pulled up a chair across the table. ‘Shut up, Dan. I’m not drinking today so I offered to drive Hen.’
‘What, not even one?’ Dan asked with disbelief.
‘Not even one—just don’t feel like it.’
Dan picked up his beer and took a mouthful. ‘Whatever—better you than me.’
Henny took a seat between Charlie and Stephen.
Charlie gave her another hug. ‘I’m so happy to see you again. I swear the place hasn’t been the same without you.’
‘I missed you too. I’m sorry I didn’t keep in contact—that was wrong.’
‘Don’t be silly, we’re friends and I understand. Besides, you’re here now and that’s all that counts,’ Charlie said with a smile. ‘So I hear from your aunt that you’re opening a gallery, is that right?’
‘Sure is. It’s in The Matchbox, so it’s going to be a very small gallery,’ Henny said with a laugh.
‘That’s great! You’ll be using your mum’s artwork, I suppose? She was such a talented artist. I’m really sorry about what happened, I should have said something earlier back at the memorial but . . .’
‘It’s alright, the last thing Mum would have wanted was for people to feel awkward and sad at the mention of her name. She wasn’t that sort of person and we have to remember that,’ Henny replied with a small smile. ‘But yes, I am using her work as a basis for the shop. She was prolific, so I’ll have a couple of her paintings for sale but most of the stock will be prints of her work and cards. I also want to stock some other small bits and pieces.’
‘Like what?’
‘I’m not totally sure yet but I was thinking about scarves, a little jewellery and perhaps some interesting pieces from overseas. I’d also like to source some locally made things. I was talking to Mia at the memorial and she seemed interested, so I’ll have to have another chat with her,’ Henny replied. ‘Hang on, I think I should get a drink—do you want anything?’
But before Henny had a chance to stand up, Stephen put his hand on her arm. ‘I’ll get it.’
Henny was a bit startled as she was under the impression that he was deep in conversation with Dan, Ethan and Leon and was surprised that he’d even heard her.
‘Are you sure?’
‘Of course, what do you want?’ Stephen asked.
‘Um, a white wine, thanks.’
‘How about you, Charlie?’
‘Thanks, Stephen, but I’m good,’ she said, cradling a glass in her hand.
‘Not a problem, back in a minute,’ he said, standing up and walking back inside.
Henny turned back to Charlie and was met with a look. ‘So what’s that all about?’ Charlie asked.
Henny shrugged. ‘What do you mean?’
‘Yeah, right.’
‘No seriously, I don’t know what you’re talking about,’ Henny protested.
Charlie gave her another look before continuing. ‘Some things have changed since you left, at times for the better, but occasionally you’ll find something that never budges, and I think Stephen’s like that.’
‘What?’ Henny said with a frown. ‘Seriously, Charlie, you’ve lost me.’
Charlie moved a little closer and dropped her voice so the others couldn’t hear. ‘Henny, he likes you—you know that, don’t you? He always has and still does. Stephen been hot for you for years.’
‘Oh, I don’t know—’
Charlie broke in. ‘Yeah, you do.’
‘Listen, I’ve just moved back and I’m not looking for anything—except for reconnecting with some old friends. It’s not the right time.’
‘If you say so, but he’s a good guy—you know, a decent one, and sometimes they’re hard to find. I mean, just look at Toby McGinty—I saved his life and he broke my heart. How is that even fair? We’ve all been hurt and not just by what happened up at the res but everything that came after it. We’ve had to muddle through as best we can. With Stephen at least you know there’s a solid foundation to begin with.’ Charlie paused for a moment and she looked a little sheepish. ‘Gosh, listen to me gossiping on like I’m in high school. I didn’t even ask if you already had someone in your life.’
Henny shook her head. ‘I haven’t, but like I said, I’m not really in a place to think about anything like that right now.’
‘Alright then, I’ll shut up and mind my own business,’ Charlie said with a grin. ‘But you know me, I’ve never been one to hold back.’
Henny let out a laugh and gave Charlie another hug. ‘Which is why I’ve always liked you.’
‘Good to hear. And now, changing the subject, you said that you were thinking of sourcing locally made products for your shop. Well, I might have something.’
‘Ooh, tell me everything. Just remember that whatever it is, it has to be little,’ Henny said as she held up her thumb and forefinger as a gauge.
‘Well, they’re a bit bigger than that but Gemma makes absolutely beautiful scented candles. Maybe that’s something you could think about as well?’
‘Gemma? Our Gemma?’ Henny asked, glancing to the other end of the table where Gemma Hart tucked a strand of shoulder-length straight brown hair behind her ear as she continued an animated conversation with Mikey Lawson.
‘Yes, that Gemma. She calls it her hobby-passion and I swear the candles are to die for.’
Henny had never really thought of a candle with that much passion but she was certainly intrigued enough to talk to Gemma. The more she thought about it, the more she imagined that they could be a good fit for her shop—if nothing else they’d make the place smell wonderful.
‘Thanks, Charlie, that’s an interesting idea.’
‘Speaking of interesting,’ Charlie said as she nudged her arm.
Henny looked up to see Stephen walking towards her with a couple of drinks in his hands. He had an easy gait and an air of being comfortable in his own skin. Stephen was handsome, she’d always known that, but it wasn’t in that sexy, menacing kind of way. Okay, maybe ‘menacing’ wasn’t the right word—‘intense’ was probably better. She doubted that Stephen could be menacing even if he wanted to. He’d grown up in the last ten years, just like they all had, but Henny could still see flashes of the sweet, shy guy from high school.
Stephen was safe and dependable, and not the type of guy that Henny needed. Ever since Ethan she hadn’t dated very often, but when she did she always went for the bad boys—the pretty ones who would make her laugh and feel alive, and were easy to walk away from without looking back. It was better that way—no strings attached, no feelings involved or hearts crushed.
‘Here you go,’ Stephen said as he handed her a glass.
‘Thanks,’ she said. She hoped that Charlie was wrong because she liked Stephen and the last thing she’d ever want to do is hurt him. She’d suspected that he’d had a crush on her at school but that was in the past—surely it wouldn’t be the case now. A frown lined her brow as she thought of how she’d let him take her hand and she told herself that she’d been swept up in the raw feeling of the memorial.
‘Is everything alright, Hen?’ Stephen said as he sat down next to her.
‘Oh yes, of course. I was just thinking of something I have to do for the shop,’ Henny lied as she took a sip of her white wine. ‘Charlie suggested that I ask Gemma about her candles.’
‘Great idea. So are you going to put any of your own paintings in the shop?’
Henny let out a self-conscious laugh. ‘Oh, I haven’t painted in years—that was Mum’s thing, not mine.’
‘But you were good—I remember.’
‘Thanks but . . .’
‘Maybe you should try it again. You’re starting afresh so why not add in all the things that you like or miss or tell yourself you don’t have time to do?’
‘That’s not a bad philosophy—do you practice what you preach?’
Stephen looked at her for a moment. ‘Sometimes.’
Henny couldn’t understand how his answer had the ability to make her cheeks flush. Maybe it was the way he looked at her or the tone of his voice, but whatever the hell it was she knew no good could come from it. Time to stop this before someone got hurt.
She leaned in closer and spoke softly so no one else could hear. ‘I like you, Stephen, I really do. I want us to be friends,’ she said, ‘but that’s all it can be right now.’
He’d bent his head down so he could catch her words.
‘I’m still trying to work through Mum’s death and I’m also flat out with the shop idea. I hope I haven’t got this all wrong but I just wanted you to know that I’m pretty sure I’m not the type you’re looking for.’
‘What am I looking for?’
‘Well, someone you can have a future with. I’m not that person right now—my relationships crash and burn, usually before they’ve even left the runway.’
‘Maybe you’re wrong.’
‘I’m not.’
Stephen was silent for a minute before he reached over and grabbed his lemon squash. He took a sip and set the glass back down before he said anything.
‘Alright, let’s say that you’re not wrong. If friendship is the only way I can have you in my life then I’m okay with that. When I said that I’m glad that you’ve finally come home I meant it.’
‘This won’t get awkward, will it?’ Henny asked.
‘We’re friends, why would it?’
She gave him a nudge. ‘Thanks, Stephen, that means a lot. So we’re good then?’
‘We’re good,’ he said with a nod.
Henny felt relieved. She thought about what he said about her being in his life and she felt the same way. What she needed right now were true friends and so far he had been there for her, just like that night at the res. If it wasn’t for Stephen there was a good chance that Henny would have drowned with the others. Because of that there would always be a bond of friendship between them, and that was great because she knew when it came to more intimate relationships, she was complete rubbish.
The afternoon gave way to the half-light of evening and still the friends talked, laughed and reminisced. More food and drinks were ordered as they reconnected. It made Henny happy to be sitting at the table and watching her old friends. The years seemed to melt away and she slipped into their company just like putting on a glove. Henny looked up at the fairy lights in the big oak tree as they twinkled against the now darkening night sky. She’d forgotten just how magical the stars were at Lawson’s Bend—at home.
Sometime after the food was done, Ethan materialised by her side. Henny took a breath before she turned and gave him a smile.
‘Hey, Henny, how have you been doing?’
‘Good. How about you?’
‘Yeah, yeah. Believe it or not, I’m a PE teacher at the high school.’
‘Oh really? And how are your parents?’
‘Still the same. Listen, I just wanted to say that if you want to hang out now that you’re back, I’m up for it.’
‘Um, right. You’re up for it?’
‘Always, Hen,’ he said with a wink.
‘Well, thanks, Ethan, that’s interesting,’ Henny replied with an arched eyebrow. Yep, still a jerk. ‘I’ll let you know about catching up.’
‘Sweet,’ he said, giving her a lopsided grin. ‘I’ll see you around then.’
Like that was going to happen, Henny thought as she watched him swagger off in Gemma’s direction. She turned her attention back to the table just in time to catch Stephen’s gaze. He gave her a wink of his own while he continued his conversation with Dan. Henny shook her head with a wry smile.
Dan tilted his head towards Ethan. ‘Having fun?’
‘I just realised that some people never change,’ Henny replied. ‘But as for the rest of the evening, it’s been great catching up. I didn’t realise how much I’d missed everyone until now.’
‘Yeah, it’s good to be together,’ Dan said. ‘Just wish we were all here.’
The three of them were silent for a moment as they reflected on the faces missing.
‘Hey, I was going to ask you guys about Harley,’ Henny finally said.
‘What about him?’ Dan replied. ‘There’s not a lot to know.’
‘Come on, Dan, it’s a fair enough question,’ Stephen said. ‘Henny hasn’t been around.’
Dan shrugged. ‘Harley never recovered from that night. Something in his mind has slipped—I don’t know, he’s just not the same as he was. We all keep an eye on him but generally he keeps to himself.’
‘What he really needs is professional help,’ Stephen added. ‘But he won’t take it.’
‘Is he a danger?’
‘Nah,’ Dan said. ‘Only to himself. Personally, I think he’s doing a bit better—ever since he got that dog he’s been a bit more grounded or something.’
‘Yeah, I think you’re right about the dog,’ Stephen agreed.
Dan rested his arms on the table. ‘The fact is that the drownings affected all of us, but some more than others. Anyway, I wouldn’t worry about Harley—he’s a bit off kilter but harmless enough.’
‘It’s such a shame,’ Henny said.
‘Yeah, it is,’ Dan replied as he ran a hand through his hair. ‘But there’s nothing that you can do, so you may as well stop worrying about it, Henny.’
After that the conversation turned lighter as tall stories from back in the day were shared. The reunion carried on until the bar closed and then continued into the early hours at Charlie’s place.