Don't Let Me Go (5 page)

‘So how does it feel to be the chosen one?’ she teased playfully as Grant and Polly came to join her.

With a waggle of his eyebrows, Grant said, ‘The last time it happened I got myself a wife. I think this time’s going to come with a lot less strings.’

‘Will you listen to him?’ Polly groaned. ‘Don’t you just want to smack him?’

‘Assaulting an officer of the law could get you into trouble,’ he warned.

Polly looked at Charlotte, rolling her eyes.

‘She’s after me putting her in handcuffs, that’s what’s really going on here,’ he informed Charlotte.

‘Shall we just ignore him?’ Polly suggested, linking Charlotte’s arm and turning her away. ‘We’re taking Bevan to the Pear Tree on the edge of town for lunch if you and Chloe would like to join us,’ she offered.

‘That’s lovely of you,’ Charlotte replied, ‘but I’ve arranged to meet Shelley in town at the Fishbone . . .’

‘Then let’s call her and see if she fancies the Pear Tree instead.’

‘Katie’s joining us too.’

Polly stopped reaching for her mobile. ‘I see. Well, love her as I do, I know Katie’s not mad about kids so maybe we’ll leave things as they are.’

‘Thanks for asking,’ Charlotte said. ‘I’m sure Chloe would have loved it . . .’

‘Why don’t we take her anyway? You know she’ll be perfectly safe with us, and she and Bevan get along really well. We’ll have her home by three, or later if you think you won’t be back by then.’

Feeling torn between the need to keep Chloe in her sight at all times, and the urge to encourage her independence, Charlotte said, ‘Why don’t we ask her? If she wants to go, then that would be lovely.’

To Charlotte’s amazement it turned out Chloe was all for it, until she realised Charlotte wasn’t going to be there too, and just to cap it Grant made the big mistake of stooping down to her level and saying, ‘If you’re very good, you and Bev, I’ll take you for a ride in my police car after.’

Immediately Chloe shrank back against Charlotte, turning her face away.

With a reassuring hand on her head, Charlotte said, ‘Sweetheart, everything will be all right. Polly’s going to be there, and Bevan’s mum and Bevan would . . .’

‘Want to stay with you,’ Chloe muttered, turning her face up to Charlotte.

Feeling both regretful and protective, Charlotte said to Grant, ‘I’m sorry, it was a lovely thought . . .’

‘No, it’s me who should be sorry,’ Grant insisted, standing up again. ‘I totally forgot I wasn’t supposed to do that.’ Though Grant wasn’t aware of Chloe’s full history, Anna and Bob had told their closest friends enough to make them aware of the problem so they wouldn’t take any rejection from Chloe personally. ‘Hey!’ Grant laughed as Bevan leapt on him from behind. ‘Is that my jump-off buddy?’ he cried, tipping Bevan over his shoulder and dangling him upside down.

As Chloe giggled, Polly put a hand on Charlotte’s arm and turned her aside.

‘When you’re ready for her to talk to someone,’ Polly said, ‘I’ll be happy to make a recommendation.’

Swallowing, Charlotte said, ‘That’s really kind of you, thank you.’

Polly smiled. ‘You’re welcome. Just don’t leave it too long, eh?’

The centre of Kerikeri was a colourful, bustling stretch of a palm-lined thoroughfare with a jaunty little one-way system that looped around Mitre 10, the DIY store, and various other furniture and kiddicare shops. Along the main street an assortment of fashion boutiques, florists, delis and cafés spilled out over the wide pavements, lending an air of conviviality and sophistication to the historic town, while the inevitable banks, estate agents and pharmacies provided a more commonplace tone. It was as easy to park a car as it was to find a seat in one of the eateries, though on a hot February day like today the tables with shade sails soon filled up.

As Charlotte drove in through the speckled sunshine, passing the newly opened police station on the right with its arty Maori columns outside and the supermarket on the left, she was enjoying waving out to familiar faces. They might not all be friends, exactly, but for the Kiwis in this town recognition was enough to lead to a greeting, or sometimes even to stopping and passing the time of day. And no trip into town was complete for Chloe without a visit to Paper Plus, who always carried an excellent stock of books to suit both their tastes.

After making it their first stop and delighting Chloe as much with the earning of more Fly Buy points as with the purchase of another Hairy Maclary adventure, they popped the parcel back to the car and skipped along to the Fishbone, where Katie was already waiting at one of the outside tables.

‘Hi,’ she cried effusively as Charlotte and Chloe reached her. ‘It’s so lovely to see you and I love that top, Charlotte. Did you get it here?’

Dutifully air-kissing both her cheeks and not taking the compliment seriously, since her top was a simple coral-coloured polo shirt, Charlotte quipped, ‘Oh this old thing.’

‘And look at you, sweetie,’ Katie gushed over Chloe. ‘You’re such a pretty little girl. Have you had a lovely morning at the Centre?’

Chloe regarded her uncertainly. Clearly she felt no more at ease with Katie than Charlotte did.

Sitting Chloe down on a chair next to her own, Charlotte was about to ask Katie how her morning had gone when Katie dug in her bag saying, ‘I have a little surprise for you, sweetie,’ and pulling out a pink, heart-shaped box she presented it to Chloe.

Chloe glanced at Charlotte, seeming unsure of what to do.

Smiling at Katie as she took the box, Charlotte put it in front of Chloe. ‘Shall I open it for you?’ she offered.

Chloe’s hands immediately came up to do it herself.

‘You’re going to like what’s inside,’ Katie told her, seeming quite excited. ‘A rep brought it into the salon earlier,’ she explained to Charlotte, ‘and as soon as I opened it I thought, I know who would like this. So there you are, sweetie, they’re all for you.’

As Chloe tipped up the box a fountain of feathery clips and hairbands tumbled on to the table, and Charlotte gave a cry of surprise. This, she reminded herself, was the side of Katie that made everyone love her. ‘What do you say, Chloe?’ she prompted, as Chloe held up a purple scrunchie for her to see.

‘Thank you,’ Chloe said to Katie in her whispery voice.

‘They’re lovely,’ Charlotte said warmly. ‘Are you sure, Katie? There’s so much here.’

‘Of course I’m sure,’ and reaching for a daisy-chain bandeau she slipped it around Chloe’s head and fluffed out her hair. ‘Oh, you look so adorable,’ she exclaimed, clasping her hands to her chest. ‘Doesn’t she, Charlotte?’ she insisted.

Charlotte had to agree, but then Chloe always looked adorable to her.

‘Here, I have a mirror in my bag,’ Katie declared, and whisking it out she opened it up for Chloe to view her reflection.

Apparently pleased with what she saw, Chloe gave a breathy little laugh and punched out her hands. ‘And Boots,’ she cried, reaching for a butterfly clip and attaching it to one of her tatty bear’s ears.

‘Are these all yours?’ a waitress gasped, stopping at the table to take their order.

Chloe looked up at her anxiously, as though afraid it was all about to be swept away.

‘Her Auntie Katie’s just given them to her,’ Charlotte jumped in. ‘Isn’t she a lucky girl?’

‘I’ll say,’ the waitress agreed. ‘I wish I’d had something like that when I was little.’

Immediately Chloe picked up a yellow rose slide and offered it to her.

‘Oh, bless your heart,’ the waitress laughed, clearly touched. ‘You’re an angel, but it’ll look much nicer on you.’

Chloe inspected it, and tried to capture a few strands of her hair, while the waitress pulled out her pad.

‘Should we wait for Shelley?’ Charlotte suggested, as Katie picked up the menu.

‘She said not to,’ Katie replied. ‘She’s had to take the dog home, so she’s going to be late.’

Deciding this was a perfect opportunity to try and establish a better rapport with Katie, Charlotte said, ‘In that case I’ll have a feijoa and apple juice.’

‘Nothing stronger?’ Katie prompted.

‘I have to drive,’ Charlotte reminded her.

‘Don’t we all, and remember the limit’s a lot higher here than it is in England, so one glass won’t do any harm.’

Though she didn’t much fancy a glass, having had too much the night before, Charlotte wanted to appear friendly so she changed her order to a Sauvignon Blanc, which Katie promptly dittoed before deciding they should go for a bottle since Shelley would be sure to want some too.

‘And for you, little angel?’ the waitress asked Chloe.

With her fingers bound up in her new treasures, Chloe said, ‘Please can I have a fluffy?’

Making a note, the waitress said, ‘A fluffy it is – and maybe you’d like a little dab of ice cream with it?’

Charlotte almost felt Chloe’s mouth water as she whispered, ‘Yes please.’

‘Remind me what a fluffy is again,’ Katie said, as the waitress went on her way.

‘It’s frothy milk that’s supposed to look like a cappuccino,’ Charlotte explained, glancing at Katie’s mobile as it started to ring.

‘Rick,’ Katie declared happily. ‘I’d better take it. Won’t be long,’ and clicking on the line she got up from the table saying, ‘Hey you, did you get my message?’

As she moved out of earshot, Charlotte found herself wondering, not for the first time, just how strong her relationship with Rick actually was. For an engaged couple they didn’t seem to see much of each other, with Rick being away all week, and even when he came home at weekends – which certainly wasn’t every weekend – Charlotte rarely saw them together. This didn’t mean they weren’t together, obviously, since she was hardly party to their every move, but there had been a couple of occasions lately when Charlotte had wondered if Rick had spent more time with her and Chloe at the bach than he had with Katie. Of course, she’d never ask; apart from anything else it was none of her business.

Deciding not to concern herself with it now, Charlotte sighed luxuriously and stretched out her bare legs as she let her head fall back from the shade of the umbrella. The sun on her face felt blissfully soothing, and suddenly the prospect of a glass of wine followed by an afternoon with her mother going over plans for next week’s shoot felt decidedly good. She must try not to say anything to spoil it for Anna, as some demon inside her often seemed overly compelled to do.

How lovely it was getting to know her mother, but it was difficult and complicated too. One minute she felt closer to her than she had to anyone else in her life; the next she was pushing her away as though she were a stranger. She knew Anna wasn’t finding it any easier, but at least she, unlike Charlotte, was willing to seek therapy to help them, and delving back into the past was going to prove far more difficult for her than it could ever be for Charlotte.

Perhaps it was best just left. After all, Anna often admitted that they couldn’t change what had happened, so what was the point in making her suffer the memory of it all over again? Instead of this, Charlotte decided, she herself must try harder.

‘Hey Charlotte, hey Chloe,’ a voice called out, and looking up Charlotte spotted one of the childcare assistants pedalling by on her bike and gave her a wave.

‘That was Cindy,’ Chloe told her.

Charlotte smiled and dropped a kiss on her head. ‘You’ve got lots of pretty things there,’ she commented, poking around in the assortment of accessories. ‘Maybe you could share some of them with Danni.’

Chloe turned to her as though this was the best idea she’d ever heard. ‘Danni likes hair things,’ she said earnestly.

Suspecting that Chloe and Danni had never even had the conversation, Charlotte laughed to herself and cleared a space on the table for their drinks.

‘Sorry about that,’ Katie sighed, sinking back into her seat and putting down her phone. ‘It was about the house we’re supposed to be viewing on Saturday.’

Charlotte’s eyebrows rose with interest. ‘Where is it?’ she asked, glad to know that Rick was planning to come for the weekend.

‘Opito Bay,’ Katie answered. ‘Bob put us on to it – you know how he always gets first wind of what’s coming on to the market. Apparently he was interested in buying it himself, but then it occurred to him that it might work for us. So we’re going on Saturday. Chloe, careful you don’t spill your drink, sweetie.’

Turning to check on her, Charlotte moved the fluffy out of harm’s way and picked up her wine. ‘Here’s to the house being a dream home,’ she declared warmly, raising her glass.

As Katie smiled her eyes sparkled with happiness. ‘Thank you,’ she replied. ‘I must admit I have high hopes for it, considering who’s recommending it, especially when I’m sure Bob would rather see us settled out on the peninsula close to him and Anna.’ She sipped her drink and gave a playful roll of her eyes. ‘He’s got so much land out there . . . You know he’s offered to give us five acres as a wedding present
and
to help us build a house.’

Since Bob’s generosity knew few bounds, and not only where his family was concerned, Charlotte said, ‘I’m amazed you’re not taking him up on it. Or does it feel too close?’

Katie nodded. ‘A bit, I guess, but it’s more of a problem for Rick than for me. He gets on with his dad brilliantly, but he’s keen to make it on his own – and the way things are going with the agency he’s doing a pretty good job of that.’

‘So I hear,’ Charlotte responded. She smiled and nodded to one of the other mums from the Centre as she sat at the next table, and said, ‘So have you set a date for the wedding yet?’

Katie sighed as she gazed down at her wine. ‘We’re supposed to be talking about it this weekend, but with things being so crazy in Auckland, you know, possible buy-outs and new clients coming on board . . . I don’t see anything being decided until it’s all settled down there.’ Her eyes turned suddenly anxious, even angry. ‘If that Hamish Sinclair gets his way we’ll end up never setting a date.’

Having sensed Katie’s dislike of Rick’s business partner on previous occasions, Charlotte asked, ‘Why do you say that?’

Katie’s face tightened. ‘Don’t get me started on that man. I mean, he’s so . . . I don’t know,
jealous
is what I want to say, or possessive. Honestly, it’s like he wants Rick all to himself, and what I want to know is why he doesn’t just go out and get himself a life? He’s totally sad, doesn’t think about anything except that agency, and if he had his way Rick would never come back here at weekends at all. It would be nothing but work, work, work and we know what that did to Jack, whoever the bloody hell Jack is. Anyway,’ she ran on, waving a hand as though to brush the irritation away, ‘that’s enough about me.’ She staged a quick smile. ‘I’m so excited to be having this little chat with you. Honestly, I feel terrible I haven’t been able to give you more time since you got here, you know, help you settle in and everything, but we’ve been so busy at the salon. And then I’m flying down to Auckland the weekends Rick isn’t here . . . It’s all go, go, go, it never stops. But now tell me, how are you liking Kerikeri so far? You seem to have settled in really well, and don’t you just love the bach? Rick and I weren’t together when he was living there, but I went to some of the parties and I can tell you they were pretty full on, if you get my drift.’ She frowned. ‘No, Chloe, you mustn’t interrupt when grown-ups are speaking.’