Written in the Stars (13 page)

‘I think you’re a great guy, Steve, I really do. It’s a pity you were born a pakeha.’

Without another word, she walked from the room. Moments later they heard the car start up and drive away from the house. It was a long time before anyone spoke, but finally Norah broke the silence.

‘I need a drink. A stiff one.’

Chapter Fifteen

The next few weeks seemed excessively long. Every time the family sat down for a meal, their eyes would automatically turn to the empty place opposite Steve. Norah was more philosophical than the two men, reasoning that Kirsty would have left sooner or later, anyway.

‘As long as she’s happy, that’s all that really matters.’

‘I don’t know how you can be so… so blasé about it,’ Vince declared sharply. ‘We’ve lost her, don’t you realise that? We may never see her again.’

‘Why don’t you think about all the years that we had with her? You could try thinking about the happy times we had together and how much pleasure she gave us.’

In an effort to put an end to the conversation, Steve asked his father whether he intended to go ahead with the idea of closing the factory over the Christmas to New Year period. In the past they had made sure someone was there to handle emergency calls while the rest of the staff took their annual holidays, but it had not really warranted the expense. Once again, Norah was instrumental in the final decision.

‘Let’s go away this year,’ she suggested. ‘Book into a hotel somewhere and do something different. We’ve done the same thing for the past twenty odd years, and it’s high time we changed our habits.’

‘That’s a good idea,’ Steve agreed. He had not been looking forward to celebrating Christmas in the normal manner. It wouldn’t be the same without Kirsty. Vince readily agreed and began to check out various sites on the Internet. There was very little available, but a late cancellation at a top hotel in the Bay of Plenty solved their problem. Vince dug out all his old fishing gear, Norah bought herself some exotic beachwear and Steve invested in some new scuba diving equipment.

*

Kirsty only stayed with Hepora long enough for Joey to find them a place of their own. Friends and relatives provided just about everything they needed to set up home, and within a couple of weeks she felt as if they had been together for years. Joey found work on a building site while he waited for the promised driver’s job, so there was no shortage of money. She had not gone back to her old job for obvious reasons and had not made much effort to find another.

‘It was all meant to be,’ she said softly, as they lay cocooned in each other’s arms one night. ‘Everything has fallen into our laps; the flat, the job, the lot. Like I said to Hepora, it’s all meant to be. We’re fulfilling our destiny.’

‘Yeah?’ Joey sounded a little unsure, but he did not argue with her and changed the subject. ‘Bobby says the van will be ready next week,’ he said, planting a kiss on her forehead, ‘but having you is the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me, and I’ll make sure you’ll never regret giving up everything just to be with me.’

‘I didn’t give anything up, Joey. I just walked away from a life that wasn’t mine.’ Although she would never admit to it, she still felt guilty about leaving so abruptly, and felt tempted to ring and say hello, just to tell them she was okay. But she kept putting it off, deciding instead to write a note and pop it in a Christmas card to let them know she was okay.

*

Suzi set the alarm and switched off the lights of The Stow Restaurant with a sigh of relief; it had been a hectic day. She glanced at the time; five o’clock—plenty of time for a long soak in the bath before getting dressed to go to Charlize’s New Year’s eve party. As she drove home she thought about Mark’s determination to keep The Stow open; he had argued that their customers expected it, but Charlize had finally rounded on him and told him in no uncertain terms that Suzi needed a break. Then, to his surprise, she invited him to her party.

When Suzi arrived at Charlize’s flat, Mark was already there. He made an effort to mingle with the other guests, but it was quite obvious he felt out of place because they were all friends of Charlize. However he loosened up after a few drinks and even began to mix more freely.

At midnight they all linked hands, sang Auld Lang Syne, and kissed each other with seasonal enthusiasm, but it was just then that Suzi had the distinct impression that Mark would have preferred to be alone with her instead of standing in a stranger’s house surrounded by people he barely knew. As she returned his kiss she noticed how misty eyed he looked, and wondered why; was it seasonal emotions affecting his feelings, or something deeper?

They both left fairly early and said goodbye as they stood beside their respective cars. Mark had wanted to pick her up, but Suzi had refused his offer because she wanted to be in control of things. If he had driven her home he would have expected her to invite him in for a nightcap or coffee, and maybe he’d have tried to push his luck. She had already decided that if they ever went to bed together, it would be only if she wanted to, at a time she chose, and certainly not when he was feeling horny because of booze.

They opened as usual on New Year’s Day, but the number of diners was below expectations so they closed reasonably early. Gary came by to wish them well for the coming year, and as Suzi shook his hand, she thanked him profusely. ‘Thanks, Gary for all your help. And remember, there’s always a welcome here for you. Drop in at any time you please.’

He gave Mark a folder containing papers covered in names and figures.

‘Okay, you’re on your own now,’ he said, grinning broadly. ‘I’m off to New York the day after tomorrow for a well-earned holiday.’ He patted his hip pocket. ‘The bookies are paying all my expenses.’

Suzi waited until the following Monday before she phoned Mr Duncan, who was polite, but of little assistance. He had not received any further correspondence from Steve Pardoe’s solicitors in Auckland, so there was little he could do to help. As she put down the phone, she decided to write to Steve herself. She spent hours drafting and redrafting the letter, and then sighed deeply as she realised it contained too much of her feelings about him, and very little about the house.

This is ridiculous
, she thought;
why should I still be so affected by a brief encounter
? We were two strangers passing in the night; we met, we touched, we separated again, and nothing more. And yet in the depths of her heart she knew differently. Without thinking, she dug out the ring he had pressed into her hand the morning after their night of love, and watched as it glinted in the wintry morning sunlight. ‘I must put him out of my mind,’ she muttered, placing it back in the drawer. ‘He’s got someone else to think about, and I’ve got Mark.’

Even as she thought about her business partner, Suzi knew she could never love him in the same way. Their relationship had not deepened over the past few months, she found it hard to return his passionate kisses, and had avoided any further intimacy. It had crossed her mind that their close association made it impossible to engender the strong feelings of love she wanted to share with a man, but then she reminded herself that other people loved each other in similar situations.

She and Mark worked well together and complemented each other’s skills, and The Stow Restaurant was proof of their success. But there were times when she regretted the involvement, the long hours, the constant pressure of dealing with the public and the ceaseless worry of attracting and holding good staff. When those thoughts filled her mind, she had to remind herself that very few people had the opportunity to realise their dreams.

In an effort to lighten her mood, Suzi went shopping, but it didn’t have the desired effect. On the way home she turned off the main road and headed towards Caxton Manor. The grey winter’s day seemed to cast a shadow over the old building, making it appear dark and unfriendly. The neglected garden reflected her feelings—everything was overgrown and choked with weeds. A few snowdrops were the only things to brighten an otherwise dismal scene. ‘I’ll take one with me,’ she murmured, and then changed her mind before snapping it off. ‘No, that will only make me feel worse.’

Unwilling to face the coldness of the unheated house, Suzi resisted the desire to go inside, so she walked around the outside of the building just to satisfy herself that everything was all right. She peered into the large glass conservatory, and in her mind’s eyes saw herself serving morning and afternoon teas, or holding wine tasting parties. A sudden gust of wind tugged at her coat and made her draw it tightly around her throat. She gave an involuntary shudder and made her way back to the car.

‘I’m really going to appreciate that sunny Queensland weather,’ she murmured, turning up the car heater another notch.

Mark was busy chopping up vegetables when she walked into the kitchen half an hour later. He put down the knife and turned to face her.

‘What have you been up to? Your cheeks are rosy red.’

‘I stopped off at Caxton Manor, and walked around the place, just checking to see that everything’s all right.’

‘Pity we don’t have enough money to buy that New Zealand fellow’s share.’ Mark picked up the knife again and tested the blade. ‘Maybe you could see if he would let you take out a mortgage…’ He stopped as Suzi shook her head.

‘No way would that be possible. Forget it. Our only hope is to win the Lottery, I’m afraid.’

‘Or back a few winners.’ Mark was about to continue when the phone rang. He reached over and plucked it off the wall. When he recognized Charlize’s voice he handed it to Suzi. ‘It’s for you.’

Charlize’s excited words seem to leap out of earpiece. ‘I’ve received a letter from the organisers of the trip. Everything’s been approved… airline reservations, hotel bookings, excursion passes, the lot. All we have to do is get on the plane and go. Let’s get together soon and work out the finer details, okay?’

‘Okay.’ Suzi hung up and turned to Mark. ‘Well that’s it. All systems go, or whatever it is they say.’

He muttered something unintelligible and resumed his task of cutting up vegetables. She was about to remind him, yet again, that Narelle was quite capable of handling things for a couple of weeks, but then she stopped. She knew he was aware she would be away at the quietest time of the year, that there were no big parties to cater for and only one luncheon party to organise. There was no reason for him to expect her to give up the holiday, none at all.

*

After the last guest had gone, Mark spread the contents of the folder Gary had given him out on a table. His amiable friend had made it sound so easy. He tried to remember all the various factors that pinpointed a winner, but it was more complicated than he could have imagined. Besides he had never been very good at mathematics.

‘I’ll go over the figures,’ he murmured. If he could make them tally up with the strong possibilities that Gary had tipped, then he was on the right track. All he had to do was apply the principle that he had been shown. He wiped a hand across his brow. Fortunately, he had more time to spare now that things were quieter. ‘I’ll get the hang of it before long,’ he muttered, as he straightened up and stretched.

Then he thought about how Suzi continued to rebuff his advances, even though she had made it clear she was willing to consider a more intimate relationship. However, there were times when his physical longing for her was more than he was willing to admit. Sometimes he wondered whether she was naturally cold or whether her excuses were a means of discouraging him. Maybe she’d had a bad experience and was frightened of getting sexually involved with anyone.

Like so many men, Mark had accepted the idea that all attractive women were sexually inclined; that if a woman was beautiful she would be even more sexually motivated. And although Suzi was beautiful, she did not seem to fit that pattern. Maybe it’s me, he thought, and then dismissed the idea because he had bedded plenty of women in the past.

‘If I could raise the money to buy out that fellow’s share in Caxton Manor, things might be different,’ he said, half aloud. He looked at the figures again. They were his key to success; all he had to do was emulate Gary’s track record at picking winners and all his problems could be solved.

Chapter Sixteen

Once Steve had pulled his luggage out of the boot of Vince’s car he clasped the older man’s hand. ‘I’ll give you a ring,’ he said, ‘If not tonight, then first thing in the morning.’

Vince patted his son on the shoulder.

‘Now don’t overdo it; take some time off. You might never get the chance to see that part of the world again, so make the most of it.’

‘Okay, I hear you.’ Steve said, and walked into the Auckland airport terminal. He was dealt with quickly, then the man wished him a pleasant journey and handed him a boarding pass.

As he settled back into the seat, he thought about their recent holiday in the Bay of Plenty. They had all enjoyed the break, but he knew it had not stopped any of them thinking about Kirsty. On more than one occasion he had found Norah weeping softly, and Vince would often start to say something and then hesitate. He wondered what would have happened if she came back home and wanted to resume their relationship, but it was out of the question now; she was where she wanted to be, and that had to be a good thing—for her, if not for the rest of them. And for that he was thankful.

Steve’s thoughts turned to Jenny McTavish. She had enclosed a long letter with her Christmas card, and reaffirmed her desire to see him when she moved to Auckland in the New Year. I could do a lot worse, Steve thought, as he recalled the fiery redhead’s effect on him, but a lasting relationship with her was the last thing he wanted. In fact he wondered if he really wanted to see her again.

And of course the memory of Suzi Lysle Spencer was never far away; she popped back into his mind often, and at the oddest of times. As he thought about the time they had spent together, he wondered again if it was feasible to think of sharing Caxton Manor. But the thought of living in that old house was unacceptable. Even though Wales was the land of his fathers, he had no desire to live there. As far as he was concerned, New Zealand was home, and the only place he wanted to live.

His solicitor had advised him to reject Suzi’s suggestion to share the property and allow her to operate the place as a restaurant and venue for receptions. The man argued against any involvement with a third party, and suggested the manor should be sold, and the money divided between them. But Steve continued to procrastinate, so a great deal of time was wasted without anything being settled.

I’ll have to give them an answer one way or the other, as it’s not fair to leave everything up in the air. I’ll do it as soon as I return from Queensland,
he promised himself.

The announcement to fasten seat belts cut into his thoughts as the plane began its descent to Brisbane airport. Steve glanced at his watch and calculated how long he had before catching the connecting flight to Townsville. There was plenty of time.