Maxine Morrey - Coming Home to Wishington Bay

‘Did you come from somewhere else in the country, or straight over from Australia?’

‘Straight from Sydney.’

‘Gosh. That’s quite a leap, isn’t it? I mean from living in a busy city in Australia to a quiet little English seaside village?’

He grinned and I tried not to notice. At least not in all the places my body was trying to get me to notice.

‘It was kind of a culture shock, that’s for sure. I stayed with a mate for a few weeks when I got here and had been looking at places in the city when I heard from one of the guys I’d been surfing with that there was a place for rent right on the beach. I wasn’t sure if that might be a bit quiet for me, but the thought of waking up and hearing the sea each morning did kind of have an appeal. Anyway, I decided I could take a look and then at least I’d know.’

‘And now, here you are!’ Carrie smiled.

‘Here I am. Gigi was one hell of a real estate agent.’

‘Are you pleased you took a look, even though it wasn’t where you’d considered living?’

‘Definitely. And with Gigi next door … well, to be honest, I’d been wondering if I’d done the right thing coming over here. I’d left my family and friends behind, and although I knew a couple of people over here and was gradually getting to know people through work, honestly? I was pretty damn homesick. Meeting Gigi that day … it was kind of … well, it just took all that away. Suddenly I felt right at home.’

‘She always did have a great talent for making people feel welcome.’ Carrie smiled, covering Ned’s hand with her own.

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak for a moment or two, instead pouring myself another coffee that, surprisingly, I didn’t really want, just to have something to do with my hands.

‘So, you said you were in paediatrics?’

Gabe smiled. ‘I did.’

‘And we’re all still waiting to hear what you thought about that,’ Ned kindly reminded everyone. ‘You stopped mid sentence.’

I shook my head. ‘I’m still convinced they brought the wrong baby home from the hospital when they got him.’

Ned grinned at me. I might have been more convinced of this if we didn’t look quite so alike. Same ebony hair, same deep blue eyes that showed gold flecks when the sun shone and same wide smile that on Ned looked like a film star, but on me, I’d always considered a little too … well, for want of a better word – gobby. Either way, I was pretty sure he really was my brother and despite his habitual lack of tact, I wouldn’t swap him for anything. Not that I’d tell him that, of course. Though, somehow, I think he was already clued in. He’d got a lot smarter since meeting Carrie.

‘OK,’ I said looking at Gabe, feeling slightly braver now, which may have had something to do with that second glass of wine.

‘I was going to say that paediatrics must be very rewarding – but I can also imagine how … challenging it might be at times.’

‘You’re right,’ Gabe agreed, thankfully taking the spotlight off me. ‘I love what I do. I’ve wanted to be a doctor since I was little. I think, initially, I was attracted by the toys. My grandad was a doctor in a small town and he’d always have his kit on him. Obviously most of it was out of bounds for me, but it fascinated me that there was this bag full of magic things to help people feel better.’ His gaze flicked up to my face. ‘Stupid, huh?’

‘Totally,’ Ned answered.

I gave him a glare and Gabe chuckled.

‘Not at all. I think it’s a lovely story,’ I said, looking pointedly at my brother. ‘Go on.’

‘Well, he did let me play with his stethoscope. I’d just go around trying to listen to everyone’s heartbeat and every time I heard one, it kind of blew my mind. I think the seed for training as a doctor was planted the first time I ever used that. And then, of course, I found out about the Royal Flying Doctor Service and that sounded like the perfect combination of adventure and helping people.’

‘That’s such a lovely story.’

‘Thanks.’ He smiled.

Ned made a retching sound and got a kick from Carrie for his troubles.

‘What?’ he asked, rubbing his shin.

‘You!’ she said, calmly. ‘You’re being rude.’

‘I’m not. Gabe knows I’m just kidding.’

By the look of the grin on Gabe’s face, it appeared my brother was right.

‘I’m just not sure how I feel about him practising his smooth chat-up spiel on my sister.’

I did my best to stop the mouthful of coffee I’d just taken from coming out of my nose and forced it to take its usual path down my throat. Carrie gave me a concerned look and patted me on the back as I swallowed and gave a cough. Ned got a kick on the other shin.

‘You all right?’ Gabe asked.

I nodded. ‘Yes, just went down the wrong way.’

Ned opened his mouth.

‘You say one more thing and I’m not going to do any of your finances for the next five years!’

Ned closed his mouth.

‘Well, I think I’d better start heading back. All this sea air is making me a bit tired.’

‘And perhaps your workaholic lifestyle’s catching up with you a little?’

‘This from the woman who worked day and night, literally, to get a restaurant up and running,’ I said, grabbing the wrap I’d brought with me and draping it around my shoulders.

‘That is true. But if I remember, you’d also taken time off to come and help us out and the difference is that we’ve now found a balance and make sure we have days off and time away. You, my dear one, have not.’

I faffed with my wrap a bit as I tried to extricate myself from the conversation that had just turned round and bitten me on the bum.

‘I don’t think a workaholic just takes the whole summer off, which is what I’m now doing,’ I said, pleased with my return.

‘No.’ Ned came to stand beside his wife. ‘A workaholic is forced to take the whole summer off because she collapses in her boss’s office and is on the verge of being carted off to A & E.’

‘Ugh! You two are so dramatic. Good job I love you. Thank you for the food and I’ll see you soon.’

The strength of Ned’s hug told me that, despite all the teasing, he was worried about me, and I felt a shot of guilt sear through me. He had enough to think about with running his own business and his first child on the way.

‘I’m fine. Honestly,’ I said, trying to put as much reassurance into my voice as possible.

Ned gave me a nod but I could tell he wasn’t anywhere near convinced.

‘Night, Carrie,’ I said, giving her a hug. ‘Night, Bump. Sleep well and don’t keep your mum up with your fidgeting.’

‘Do you mind if I walk with you?’ Gabe asked.

‘No, of course not, but please don’t feel you have to leave early because of me.’

‘No, I need to get Bryan home and get some rest too. I’ve got a double shift tomorrow.’

I screwed up my nose.

‘Yeah, I know,’ he replied. ‘I just need to grab Bryan and his stuff.’

Two minutes later, we were all ready to go. Gabe had shrugged on a light jacket and zipped it up, before tucking Bryan in the front. Ned handed him the squashy dog bed and gave me Petey the Prawn.

Ned and Carrie lived along the crescent of the bay from Gigi’s house but you could walk all the way there and back along the beach, rather than through the village if you wanted, which was what Gabe and I chose to do tonight. The moon was half full and bright, easily giving off enough light to see where we were going as it shone down and reflected in the expanse of dark water to our right. Even when the tide was in, Wishington Bay’s beach was wide and sandy. After a few steps, I bent and quickly removed my sandals, hooking the straps over the fingers of my free hand.