Almost Perfect (23 page)

‘Who wants to look?'

A flock of little hands fluttered in front of Georgie, accompanied by a chorus of ‘
Me! Me! I do!
'

Georgie's eyes widened. ‘Are you sure?'

‘
Yes!
'

‘But what if the dragon's on the next page?' she said, feigning fear.

The hands were clapping now, the squeals a mixture of excitement and giddy trepidation.

Georgie gingerly took the top corner of the page between her finger and thumb. ‘No, I can't do it,' she cried, flinching. ‘Somebody very brave, much braver than me, is going to have to come up here and turn the page, because I'm sure the dragon's going to be right there, right on the other side.'

The hands were frenzied now, the voices rising
in a crescendo. Georgie scanned the eager faces, bursting to be the chosen one. They had quite a crowd for the week between Christmas and New Year. Tourists mostly. The rain had brought them into the bookshop in droves, though the flyers Adam had left at the surf clubs and kiosks would have helped. It was likely to clear up this afternoon, as it had yesterday, but the morning storytelling session had been packed out both days.

‘I'm looking for someone very brave . . .' Georgie went on, teasing, scrutinising every face, until her eyes were drawn to the cluster of parents at the back and to one face in particular, a face she hadn't expected to see, a face so dear to her she almost cried out. Liam was standing there, smiling broadly at her. She smiled back, her heart pounding so hard against her ribcage it was echoing in her ears. And then she realised that was the only sound she was hearing. The children had gone quiet, they were all turned around to see what had so captured the storyteller's attention.

Georgie cleared her throat. ‘I'm so frightened,' she said, dragging them back, ‘that I can't even finish the story!'

A cry of protest rose up from the rabble.

‘But I know someone who can,' she went on, getting to her feet, ‘in fact, he's the only person brave enough in the whole land, and he's right . . . over . . .' Georgie flung her arm out, pointing directly at Adam, who was oblivious, perched on a stool at the coffee counter, reading a newspaper, ‘. . . there!'

The children cheered loudly as Adam slowly
lifted his head, feeling the penetrating glare of dozens of little eyes all trained directly on him.

‘Did you know,' Georgie continued, crossing the room towards him, ‘that Adam is an actual, really truly, live dragon-slayer?'

He was shaking his head at Georgie, his eyes narrowed threateningly.

‘In fact, he is Sir Adam of Narrabeen, slayer of the famous, terrifying Pittwater dragon!'

‘What Pittwater dragon?' Adam sneered. ‘I've never heard of a dragon around here, have you, kids?'

A wavering ‘No' rippled through the audience, punctuated by an uncertain ‘Yes' here and there. They were swinging voters, Georgie had a chance to win their hearts and minds with a little more spin.

‘Of course you've never heard of it! Sir Adam has already slain the Pittwater dragon!' Georgie exclaimed, rallying the children. ‘He is the bravest man in the whole land, and who do we want to finish the story?'

The children's cheers rose to fever pitch. ‘Sir Adam,' Georgie said loudly, ‘who will you choose from all the boys and girls to help you find the dragon?' She presented the book to him as though it was a sacred tome.

Adam breathed out heavily. ‘Boy, do you owe me,' he muttered under his breath as he got to his feet.

Georgie winked, smiling up at him before she ducked around him, leaving him to his new disciples. Liam had made his way around the shop to the door of the office. She skittered over, grabbing his hand as they disappeared inside.

Liam pulled her into his arms, holding her close. ‘I wanted to hear the rest of the story,' he said.

‘Oh, did you just?'

‘No, not really.' His lips came down onto hers and they kissed for what was probably quite a long time, though it didn't seem long at all. Georgie had never felt this way before. Despite all her fantasising, all her ideas of a dream man, she had never imagined such a powerful connection. It was as though Liam had become part of her. He hadn't even been gone a week and she'd felt like she'd lost a limb.

Louise appeared in the doorway, not that either of them noticed.

‘Oh, Liam, you're back already,' she said. There was no response so she continued the conversation on her own. ‘Yes, I am, Louise. Hi, how are you?'

‘Hi Louise,' Liam murmured, his lips barely leaving Georgie's.

‘You two really should get yourselves a room.'

‘This one'll do fine,' Georgie breathed. ‘If you could just close the door on your way out?'

Louise muttered something about trying to run a business and walked out, closing the door as requested. And they were alone again.

‘You are back early,' Georgie remarked, leaning back to look at him.

‘That's because you've ruined me. You're looking at a ruined man.'

‘Oh, how's that?'

‘I reckon I can handle two days, tops.'

‘Two days of what?'

‘Being away from you. After that I get all
miserable and bad-tempered and I'm no fun to be around at all.'

‘Ooh,' Georgie crooned. ‘I missed you too. But you had a nice time with your family, didn't you?'

‘Let's not talk about that right now,' he said, taking hold of both her hands. ‘I have a surprise for you. How would you like to go away for a whole weekend, maybe even stretch it out to a long weekend?'

Georgie's eyes widened. ‘Are you serious?'

Liam nodded, smiling at her.

‘When?'

‘Tomorrow, and the next day, and the day after that . . .'

Georgie was biting her lip.

‘Is there a problem?' Liam asked.

‘Oh, just that I'm rostered on this weekend.'

‘I'll pay for casuals to replace you.'

‘You don't have to do that,' Georgie scoffed. ‘Listen, I'm an owner. If I can't take a few days off when I like, then what's the point?'

‘That's the spirit.'

‘So where are we going?'

‘Anywhere you like. Where do you want to go, the mountains or the sea? North or south? Upmarket or downmarket?'

‘I don't care.' Georgie laughed. ‘What brought all this on? Not that I'm complaining, but why so sudden, why the urgency?'

He looked at her, his expression serious. ‘I missed you, and I told you I wanted to make it up to you, start behaving like a proper boyfriend. Things are going to be different from now on, I promise you.'

‘But I like the way things are.'

‘Well, it's only going to get better,' he assured her. ‘Starting this weekend.' He took a deep breath. ‘I've got something important I want to discuss with you.'

Georgie felt shy all of a sudden. ‘Okay.'

‘So leave it to me, I'll organise everything.' He kissed her lightly on the lips. ‘I better go.'

She pulled a face. ‘Do you have to?'

‘If we're leaving tomorrow, I've got a few things I need to get out of the way first.'

‘Will I see you later on?'

Liam smiled. ‘Can't you wait till tomorrow?'

‘I guess you've ruined me too.'

He held her face and kissed her again. ‘I'll call you, okay?'

Georgie stood leaning against the doorjamb, watching him as he made his way through the shop to the door. He waved at her through the front window and Georgie smiled, waving back as he walked out of view. He looked happy, she was sure he looked happier than the day he'd first walked into the shop. She hoped it had something to do with her.

Louise wandered over. ‘He didn't stay long.'

‘No, he just came in to ask me away this weekend.'

‘Oh? Aren't you rostered on?'

Georgie nodded vaguely. Louise frowned at her. ‘What?'

She stepped back into the office and Louise followed her. Georgie leaned against the desk, hugging her arms around herself. She looked directly at
Louise. ‘He told me he has something important he wants to discuss with me.'

Louise stared at her. ‘Oh . . . my . . . God.' She said each word distinctly, calmly, in a monotone. Then a smile broke across her face. ‘Oh my
God
!' she gasped it this time.

‘Louise, if you're thinking what I think you're thinking, then stop thinking like that.'

‘You think?'

‘It's too soon, we've only been together a couple of months.'

‘But what else could it be?'

‘It could be anything.'

‘No, it could not be
anything
,' Louise scoffed. ‘Maybe it's not an actual marriage proposal but–'

‘Don't!'

‘What's wrong? You don't want him to ask you?'

‘Louise, I haven't even thought that far.'

‘That's not like you.'

‘I know!' she declared. ‘I'm finally being mature and sensible in a relationship and he's going to turn around and be crazy and romantic and impulsive.'

Louise looked wistful. ‘What's wrong with that?'

‘It's too soon . . . isn't it?'

‘You really love him, don't you?'

Georgie nodded. ‘More than I thought I could love anyone.'

‘Then what is the problem?' said Louise. ‘You're both over thirty, you're not children. I would think you'd know what you wanted by now.'

‘I can't believe you're standing up for him.'

‘What do you mean?'

‘Well, you haven't always liked him–'

‘I told you before that wasn't true,' Louise countered flatly. ‘I had my reservations. But I can see how much you love him, and how happy he makes you. And he's obviously going to be a part of the family now so–'

‘Louise, don't!'

‘Okay, I won't say another word. Except have a good weekend!'

‘I'd better start ringing through the casuals list.'

‘Start with Amber, she was harping the other day about Christmas sending her broke.' Louise backed through the doorway. ‘But don't worry, if you can't find anyone, we'll cover for you one way or the other.'

‘Oh thanks, are you sure?'

‘I'm not about to stand in the way of true love.'

Mac was heading home early. He couldn't help feeling relieved that Anna had gone away, that when he walked into the house he would have it to himself. No tension, no recriminations. After last night, it would be a welcome respite.

Anna had not been able to leave yesterday with her parents as all the flights were fully booked; she'd had to wait until today. Mac wished now he had
gone into work after they took Bernard and Caroline to the airport. Hindsight. It wasn't until they were home alone that he realised how awkward it was between them. He'd thought they would leave further discussion until Anna returned from Noosa. But she couldn't leave it alone. She followed him around, making loaded comments, urging him to react. When he didn't, she started drinking which only made her more strident. She was baiting him, she wanted a fight. Mac didn't want to get into it then, but she was relentless. And before he knew it he was shouting, and she was crying and then he was trying to calm her. And then they were having sex.

He'd lain there afterwards, wide awake, Anna curled around him, sleeping soundly. He knew that one spontaneous physical act would have wiped away, if not all her fears and doubts, then a fair whack of them. And he knew for him it was only sex. He'd been trying to comfort her, and before he knew it . . . she was an attractive woman, she was beautiful in fact, and he still loved her on some level. And he was a man, a weak, contemptible man with no self-control. And lying there he knew she thought everything would be all right, while he was never more sure that it could never be right again.

But for the moment, a temporary reprieve. A chance to breathe easy, to offload the burden of the past few months, even years, and feel what it was like to be free for a while. He virtually threw open the front door. There was no maudlin music playing, no soulful, accusing face confronting him as he walked into the kitchen and took a beer from the fridge. He
checked his watch. He still had some calls to make, but it was hot, he could use a shower. He leaped up the stairs, two at a time, carrying his beer. The bedroom was in darkness, the blinds still drawn. He had got up and left at the crack of dawn this morning to avoid an awkward scene, but Anna would normally have opened the blinds before she left. He crossed to the window and pulled on the cord, allowing the afternoon light to spill into the room. And then he saw her. She was just sitting in an armchair in the corner.

‘Anna? What are you doing still here?'

She didn't say anything, she didn't move.

‘Anna,' he repeated, walking towards her. ‘What's the matter, is everything all right?'

‘No, everything's far from all right.' Her voice had a peculiar tone.

‘Did something happen, is it your parents?' He crouched in front of her. Her expression was blank, though her eyes were red and swollen. She was frightening him. ‘What is it? Tell me what's wrong.'

She almost looked as if she was in a trance. ‘I was packing,' she began, not making eye contact with Mac. ‘I decided because I was on my own I wouldn't need the largest suitcase, I'd take a smaller one and the overnight bag the one you always use on your business trips interstate. I took it out of the wardrobe and opened it.' She was speaking very slowly, very deliberately. ‘You left a tie inside. It was dark, navy, you probably didn't see it in the bottom of the bag. So then I checked all the pockets.' She raised one clenched hand and opened it in front of his face. ‘And that's when I found these.'

Mac stared at the small sealed packets. He stood, taking a couple of steps back.

She glared at him. Her expression wasn't blank now, her eyes were blazing. ‘Say something, Mac!'

‘What do you want me to say?'

‘I think these warrant an explanation, don't you? We haven't used contraceptives for nearly a decade. We don't need them! What the fuck are you doing with condoms?'

Her voice was echoing around the room. She sat there, breathing heavily, watching Mac. He turned and looked out of the window.

‘How many women have there been, Mac? Is there one in every city you visit on your so-called business trips, a port in every storm as they say?'

‘It's not like that.'

An admission. Anna felt sicker, if that was possible, than she had all day. ‘So what is it like, Mac? Screwing around while you tell me you're unhappy and it's all my fault–'

‘I never said it was all your fault.'

‘Christ, Mac! You may as well have. I was obsessed with having a baby, we weren't connected. Fuck you, you cheating, lying, fucking bastard.' She was shaking, her eyes filling.

‘Anna–'

‘Don't!' she almost shrieked. ‘Just tell me, how many, how often, how long you've been doing this.'

‘There's only one woman!' he said loudly above her ranting.

Anna looked up at him. That was worse. Far worse. She swallowed. ‘Who is she? Is it Stella?'

‘No, it's not Stella.'

‘Is it someone we know?'

He shook his head. ‘Of course not.'

‘Why not? It's much more likely to be someone you know, from work, wherever.'

‘Well, I don't work with her. I didn't meet her at work.'

‘Does the slut have a name?'

‘Anna, call me names if you want, but you don't even know her.'

‘I know she'd happily sleep with a married man.'

‘She doesn't know I'm married.'

‘Oh, come off it, of course she does!' Anna started to laugh, shaking her head. ‘My God, she's got you suckered, hasn't she? William MacMullen, bigtime corporate lawyer, duped by some little bimbo,' she taunted.

‘Anna, leave her out of this,' he said in a low voice.

‘How can we leave her out of this? She's the whole cause of it.'

‘Is she?' he said plainly, meeting her gaze.

Anna stood up. ‘Of course, what was I thinking? She's not to blame. And neither are you. It's all my fault, isn't it? All my fault because I can't give you a child.'

‘That has nothing to do with it!' he said angrily. ‘You were the one who wanted a child so badly. I told you I would have been happy, just the two of us.'

‘Ha! So that was a lie too, wasn't it?' Anna stood there, glaring at him. He had no comeback. ‘Where did you meet her?' she asked again.

Mac sighed, thrusting his hands deep into his pockets, looking down at the floor. ‘In a shop, she owns a bookstore.'

‘What were you doing in a bookstore?'

He looked up at her. ‘I went in to buy something for you.'

‘Oh, the irony of it,' Anna said sarcastically, folding her arms. ‘What's her name?'

‘Why do you want to know that?'

‘What's her name?' she repeated.