Love or Money Page 12

  After his Friday lunch, Todd left his Sydney office for Luna Bay, checking that the gigantic bunch of roses he’d had delivered was safe on the back seat of his car. He looked forward to giving the Porsche a run on the open road — blow the cobwebs out of its fancy engine, and burn off a few other sporty cars in the process. As he neared Luna Bay, he’d stop off at one of the cute little resort towns and book a table at a decent restaurant. He pictured his arrival at Erin’s place. He’d pull into the driveway of the decrepit cottage, give a couple of happy toots on the horn. When Erin came out to see what the noise was about, he’d give her a serious kiss, then pull the flowers from behind his back and put them into her astonished hands.

  ‘So glad you’ve come back to me, darling,’ she’d whisper, and slip an arm round his waist. ‘I’ve missed you so. Would you like a glass of something? On the balcony?’ Graciously, he’d accept, then fetch a bottle of decent white from the car fridge — a subtle way of communicating that his latest Porsche was fully equipped for romantic weekends away. Then, the dinner…

  He turned the music up loud and sped down the beckoning open road. On the long straits, he let the beast have its head. Dollars to donuts, there wouldn’t be any cops out in broad daylight on a clear stretch of highway. It was a risk worth taking. An hour before Luna Bay he detoured into a beachside town and found an acceptable restaurant at a resort hotel. He booked a table and the honeymoon suite, then rolled on down the highway.

  Around five he pulled up outside the cottage and honked the horn — two cheery blasts. Then he slipped out of the car, collected the roses, and tucked them behind his back. A long minute later, the door opened. Erin came out, golden hair tied in a loose bun, wearing a stained blue T-shirt, jeans and bare feet. More remarkably, she carried a small boy on one hip.

  ‘Todd!’ Her mouth dropped open. ‘What on earth —’

  ‘What’s that…child doing here?’ He hadn’t expected a child.

  ‘Todd, meet Dwayne. Dwayne, this is Todd,’ she said, still reeling. The man who stood close to her, staring, puzzled, was the guy she’d long ago consigned to the imaginary garbage bin labelled ‘Exes.’ She braced herself for the stoush to come. ‘Why are you here, Todd?’

  ‘Because I…want to kiss and make up,’ he ventured, eyeing Dwayne. ‘Didn’t your mother tell you? It was her idea. Visit you on your home turf, she said. Make a fresh start.’

  ‘My mother? I spoke to her a couple of days ago. She said nothing about a visit from you.’

  ‘Sorry. I thought you knew I was coming.’ It was only a modest lie, and it might help turn the tide for him. If there was a post-mortem, Helen would support him all the way.

  ‘Really?’ Erin said. ‘I thought after our last time together, you’d finally got the message we’d broken up. Until the universe turns to dust — all that.’

  ‘No, darling,’ he said. For once, he felt lost for words. He marshalled his self-control and flicked the obscene bunch of roses out from behind his back. Erin eased Dwayne to the ground and took the roses.

  ‘Thank you,’ she said. ‘Now what?’

  ‘I thought…perhaps a nice dinner? Soonish? Then —’

  ‘Todd.’ She spoke slowly, as if she were taking a backward child through a reading lesson. ‘We have broken up. We have called it a day. I suggested you look for someone else.’

  ‘I — Eri — there are things to talk about. Your lovely mother and I, we —’

  ‘Better come in, then.’ The ghost of a smile flashed across her lips. As she scooped Dwayne up, he saw the little arms tighten round her neck.

  ‘Er…Dwayne. Does he have a mother? So we could…er…you could —’

  ‘No, since you ask.’

  ‘He doesn’t have a mother?’ A tumult of too-awful questions cascaded through Todd’s brain. ‘You’re not…you’re not —’

  ‘Todd, we were together — if that’s the right word — for six years. And I assure you, I didn’t produce a secret love child on the side during those six fun-packed years.’ She watched his face as he tried to solve the conundrum she’d put on the table. ‘Dwayne’s mother died recently. A traffic accident. And I’m minding him until his father gets back to his office — a bit of emergency babysitting.’

  She led Todd out to the veranda. ‘I’m due to take Dwayne back about now. Wait here for me. I accept your kind dinner invitation.’ Accepting was the least she could do for her mother’s peace of mind. ‘And that’s all I accept.’ The resigned look on his face showed her words had sunk in. ‘You’ll probably find a beer in the fridge. Some wine maybe. Take a drink on the veranda. Relax.’ Still carrying Dwayne, she found a vase for the roses, scooped up her car keys, and left the house. Todd, still struggling to regain his cool, headed for the fridge.

  ‘And how was Dwayne?’ Hamish hugged his son as Erin handed him over.

  ‘An absolute angel. I’m going to miss him.’

  ‘I’m so glad to hear it.’

  ‘Do let me know if he needs a sitter again,’ Erin said. Now she could admit that the little boy had won her heart — the chrome steel heart of a woman who a few months before had told Todd she could never have his babies. ‘I can hardly wait,’ she said sincerely.

  ‘Thank you. We’ll take you up on that.’ Hamish looked at her, then at his watch. ‘I just had one of those great original ideas, straight from outer space. How about the three of us head for the Golden Dragon?’

  ‘I’d love to. But…prior arrangements.’ After their night at the beach, she couldn’t bring herself to tell him she’d agreed to a dinner with her ex. A blush flooded into her cheeks. She felt them burn, imagined the way they’d look to Hamish. She watched him react to the bucket of cold water she’d just thrown over him.

  ‘Good for you!’ He applied a plastic grin that didn’t hide the hurt in his eyes. ‘I didn’t realise you’d organised a social life in Luna Bay already. Is he anyone I know?’

  ‘Um…have to run.’ She skipped through the office doorway and into her car, cheeks still on fire.

  As Hamish watched Erin drive away, the pain struck home. Erin Spenser. Erin Spenser. Why did he mouth her name so often — now, as well as in the mornings, in the sleepless small hours? He knew he’d been falling in love with her — slowly, irrevocably, since the moment she’d stepped into his office. It must be love, because he felt the hurt — deep, insistent — of knowing she’d just left him to be with another man. Well then, he’d just turn his back on her and get over it. They’d known each other for a measly few weeks. Love took longer than that to settle into place. Yet again, he’d fallen in love with the wrong woman. Felicity Hayward in his first year at university, then Megan Smythe — both cold, prickly females. Then Honey. Their years together had been a saga of pain that would take a lifetime to heal. The more he’d loved Honey, the more he’d suffered. Now Honey was gone. And Erin — a polar opposite to Honey — had filled the vacuum in his heart. He’d get over her, but it could take a while.

  As he drove from his office with Dwayne in his baby seat, he found himself taking a detour past her cottage. He reached the gate, saw the Porsche parked outside, then turned and headed for home. So Erin would entertain a man that night. He’d have driven from Sydney, an old boyfriend, probably. Wait — Todd Archer! He remembered the growl of the Porsche from a few weeks before — the time Erin had introduced him to Todd. He’d promptly forgotten the name, of course.

  So Mr Todd Porsche was the lucky guy. Naturally, he’d pay the occasional weekend visit. And she’d visit him in Sydney. The wonder was that they got together so rarely. He drove home kicking himself for his gullibility. A woman as attractive as Erin Spenser would have an army of guys chasing her. From now on, he’d be sure to keep his distance. The closer he came to her, the more he’d suffer. When he’d bathed Dwayne and put him to bed, he’d have a beer. Maybe two.

  After dropping Dwayne off, Erin stopped at the store for a few essentials, then headed for home. Back at the cottage, she parked beside the Pors
che, stepped inside and walked out to the veranda. Todd sat with a glass of wine in one hand, the bottle in the other. A second glass stood on the table beside him. As he saw her, he jumped up.

  ‘Eri!’ He held her close, aimed a kiss at her lips. She turned aside and the kiss landed on her ear. He read the message, sat down. ‘Can I pour you a glass?’ She nodded. ‘French. A nice little fumé blanc from Alsace. Brought it with me. A hundred dollars a bottle.’

  ‘Okay.’ She took a seat at the table and watched him pour the wine. When he’d finished, he retrieved his glass and raised it.

  ‘To…repairing a bridge that’s taken a little battering,’ he said. ‘I really have missed you, Eri.’ She took a sip from her glass.

  ‘I’m not sure about any bridge reconstruction antics,’ she said.

  In a minute, he’d tell her he’d booked a dinner at Beacon Head, a nearby town that boasted a resort hotel, with a restaurant that would pass his exacting standards. Then, depending on…things, he’d tell her he’d booked a room for afterwards. The last time he’d stayed at the cottage, he’d complained long and loud about the lumpy sofa.

  ‘Darling,’ he beamed. ‘A suggestion. If I may.’ He paused, watched her face. She allowed herself a thin smile. ‘If you’d like to come, I’ve booked us a lovely dinner. A nice hotel at Beacon Head. Only an hour away. And — a surprise afterwards.’

  ‘Okay. I need a shower first,’ she said, voice flat. ‘But let me make one thing clear, Mr Romeo. There won’t be any surprise afterwards. I will be sleeping right here in my creaky old bed, and you will be sleeping, no doubt five-star, somewhere else.’

  ‘Fine. Take your time in the shower, darling. I’ll sit out here and enjoy the beautiful evening. You do have a lovely place here.’ He topped up his glass and smiled as she headed for the bathroom.

  Too many times, she’d dressed the way Todd wanted. Like wearing flat shoes that wouldn’t have her towering above him. Todd stood a centimetre short of her height, and he didn’t like her heels exaggerating that difference. Half an hour later she stepped onto the veranda wearing a body-hugging dark red number. Her heirloom pearls sparkled against her bare neckline. And she’d selected the highest heels she could find in her wardrobe. She smiled at Todd’s gasp as he looked up from his drink.

  ‘Sorry to keep you waiting,’ she said. ‘I’m ready.’ She watched him spring out of his chair. She played along as he escorted her to the Porsche.

  The dinner was, if nothing else, a pleasant change from the Golden Dragon. White tablecloths, fancy cutlery, and attentive waiters did make a difference, Erin conceded. If only the person opposite was Hamish Bourke.

  ‘And now for my big news, darling. I’ve signed up for a fat new consulting contract with Asaka. The fee will really put us in clover.’ Erin would hold back for a moment from correcting him for his use of the ‘us’ word. ‘We’ll be able to set up the penthouse like it was Buckingham Palace,’ he continued, now an unstoppable express train. ‘Maybe even do a luxury trip or two. Ever wanted to go to Vegas?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Fine. Somewhere else, then? You name it. There’s just one little thing I’ll get you to do for me.’ Erin sighed.

  ‘For the thousandth time, Todd. We have split up. Gone our separate ways. Never in a million years will I live in your penthouse, go on trips with you. I’m having dinner with you out of old-fashioned politeness. And because I don’t want to upset my mother. She likes you, and you’ve been sweet to her. I owe you for that. But that’s all.’ Todd looked away, glass in hand. He stayed silent for a long minute. Then he leaned forward.

  ‘Fine, darling…er…Ms Spenser. Actually, there’s something else we need to discuss.’ She frowned, ready to remind him yet again about their split. ‘A business proposition for you — strictly business. I’ll pay you a weekly retainer — say ten thousand. For, mmm, let’s say the next three months. Okay?’

  Erin reeled. The fee was astronomical. With money like that she could — her brain crashed into overdrive. Maybe she could take care of her mother without having to sell the cottage. ‘What are you asking me to do, Todd?’ she queried.

  ‘Just be my contact in this part of the world. Keep an eye on things. Infiltrate.’

  ‘What on earth do you mean?’ Erin suspected the worst. She began to wish she’d slammed the door on Todd the second he’d arrived.

  ‘Let’s take an example,’ he continued. ‘The local council will have to process my development application. I submitted it last week. Chartered a plane for the day and brought it down myself. Nothing like meeting face-to-face with important people.’ Erin mentally thanked him for not dropping by while he was in the vicinity. ‘I talked it through with the mayor. He said it would go through due process. I figured that meant a string of meetings, little old ladies saying their piece, Greenies jumping up and down, demonstrations — all that hoopla.’

  ‘And?’

  ‘So, like I said. Infiltrate, Eri. Go to those meetings. Listen in. People always fall in love with you — fall for your charm. I’ve seen it play out a hundred times. So I’m asking you. Get close to the real action. Week by week, meeting by meeting, keep me posted. You’re my eyes and ears. Get it?’ He hacked off a huge slice of his sirloin forestiere and forked it into his mouth. Erin put down her knife, not believing what she’d heard.

  ‘You want me to…be your spy?’

  ‘Well, I wouldn’t call it that, but…’

  She looked into his face, saw his grin widen. ‘But why?’

  ‘Simple. If anyone starts creating problems, tell me and I’ll sort it out with them.’

  ‘What? You’d resort to —’

  ‘No, Eri. We’d just sweeten them up a little. With money — always the best sweetener.’ A wave of utter disgust welled up in Erin. She remembered Hamish’s passion for Landcare. At huge cost to his career, his lifestyle and his relationships, he’d dedicated his life to preserving the beautiful natural environment in their little corner of the planet. Now, sitting opposite her, scoffing down his expensive dinner, was a man — a man she’d once believed she loved — digging into a position on the opposite side of the battleground. A man who was at that moment trying to destroy the very forests that had created this earthly paradise. The hills that ringed the horizon would be shorn, then left scarred and bleeding, if the woodchip project succeeded. Suddenly, with total clarity, she knew which side she was on. She pushed back her chair and stood.

  ‘I have to leave, Todd.’

  ‘What are you —’

  ‘I don’t want to spend another second near you. Ever again.’ She pushed her chair back.

  ‘Wait!’ The vintage Todd was back. His fists pounded the table, his voice barked his commands. ‘We haven’t finished!’ His face reddened. Paralysed by the inertia of years, Erin stayed frozen as he talked.

  ‘Eri. A few weeks ago, I wasted a precious weekend visiting that pile of rotting timber you call your cottage. I told you exactly what to do. Have you organised the bulldozer yet?’

  ‘No.’ She watched him sigh.

  ‘Eri. I do not like to waste time. Time is money. I thought you understood that by now.’

  ‘I’m not interested in your —’

  ‘Shut up and listen!’ She saw his long slow intake of breath.

  ‘One. You will order the bulldozer in as soon as possible. Then you won’t need to spend any more time in that God-forsaken hole. Two. You will move to the town of Pembroke while we’re working on the project. It’ll help you to do your job better. Get closer to the people. Become one of them. Three. After we’ve put the woodchip project to bed, we’ll marry and live happily ever after. In my Pacific Towers penthouse. In case you’ve forgotten, Eri, I fancy you a bit. Been missing you. So next Friday, eight o’clock at Alfredo’s, okay? And this time, don’t be late.’

  Those words clinched Erin’s decision. She picked up her bag and walked briskly out of the restaurant, heart pounding, while he sat at the table, open-mouthed. As she reached
the lobby, she expected to shed a tear or two. None came. All she felt was a tightening of her jaw. Her mind was made up.

  ‘How can I get back to Luna Bay?’ she asked the receptionist, shaking inside, but emotions in firm control.

  ‘Now?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘But it’s…’ The receptionist glanced at her watch. ‘Nine-thirty.’

  ‘I know.’

  ‘Sorry, madam. There’s a bus at ten tomorrow morning. Might I suggest you take a room tonight, and —’

  ‘I’ll hitch.’ Erin stalked across the carpeted foyer, along the sweeping drive, and onto the highway, heart thumping. Seconds later, she heard the rumble of a truck. As she watched, its headlights came into view. She stepped onto the road, waving her handbag frantically. A hundred metres away, the driver hit the brakes. She heard the tyres protest, the engine roar as the driver changed down through the gears. As he drew abreast, the truck stopped. She ran round to the driver’s side as the window wound down.

  ‘I have to get to Luna Bay. Urgently. Can you give me a lift?’

  ‘Luna Bay? At this time of night?’ The driver looked down at her. She was glad to see that he was grey, fiftyish, clean shaven, with a neat haircut — hopefully not a serial rapist. ‘Some sort of emergency is it, Miss?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Hop in then. We’ll be at the Bay in around an hour.’

  The driver turned out to be a man of few words. He concentrated on changing gear for most of the trip — all the way up through the gears as he chugged up each hill, then all the way down again as he sailed down the other side. Erin used the silence to think through what she’d done. When Todd had first demeaned her, cut her down to size, laughed at her, she’d recoiled, then told herself he didn’t mean it. Over the years, the million little needlings, putdowns, had grown into a mountain. It was a mountain she didn’t want to climb. So she wouldn’t. Now that she’d made her choice, she felt her heart lift. Todd’s rudeness in turning up to Luna Bay unannounced was a final nail in the coffin. She almost smiled at the thought that there wouldn’t be a city penthouse in her future. But another question now surfaced. What would there be in that future?