Chapters (50)
- Cover
- About the Book
- Dedication
- One
- Two
- Three
- Four
- Five
- Six
- Seven
- Eight
- Nine
- Ten
- Eleven
- Twelve
- Thirteen
- Fourteen
- Fifteen
- Sixteen
- Seventeen
- Eighteen
- Nineteen
- Twenty
- Twenty-one
- Twenty-two
- Twenty-three
- Twenty-four
- Twenty-five
- Twenty-six
- Twenty-seven
- Twenty-eight
- Twenty-nine
- Thirty
- Thirty-one
- Thirty-two
- Thirty-three
- Thirty-four
- Thirty-five
- Thirty-six
- Thirty-seven
- Thirty-eight
- Thirty-nine
- Acknowledgements
- About the Author
- Also by Sandie Docker
- Book Club Questions
- Welcome to the Kookaburra Creek Café
- Prologue
- One
- Sign up to Read More and discover new favourites
He closed the boatshed door behind him and trudged over the peninsula and through town.
Twenty-two
Nicole rocked back and forth on her bed, cradling Ivy’s box. Moonlight shone through the window, the only light she needed to escape into Ivy’s letters, to stop her tumbling thoughts.
10th July, 1957 … It would appear Fabricio was right about me trying sculpture. Even I can see we are a better fit. I may even produce something worth keeping before our time here in Italy is done. No laughing …
Nicole sighed.
If she fled again, could she take Ivy with her? Then again, it didn’t seem right to take her from her home.
She opened another letter.
30th July, 1957 … I caught Lucy kissing Fabricio behind the ruins today. I was looking for inspiration for my latest assignment, but this was not quite what I had in mind. I did not reveal myself and have not told Lucy I saw them. She will tell me if and when she is ready. Did I mention he is married? …
And another.
August 15th, 1957 … We leave fair Tuscany in a few days and I must say I am apprehensive to return home. I have felt so … so light since being here, and I fear the heaviness I left behind will reclaim me once we are back. Though, I do return with a new hobby, a new passion, perhaps, and maybe that will be enough to buoy my spirits.
Lucy is very sad. She and Fabricio seem to have become quite close, despite the years (and spouse) between them. At first I thought it was merely a harmless flirtation, but I believe it has grown into something more substantial …
And another.
17th October, 1957 … I have sold my first sculpture. It is an angel, standing serenely, looking to the sky. Mrs Hays bought her for her daughter Carole and she suggested I make more and sell them at the Christmas stall this year. I am flirting with the idea.
When I sculpt, I am at peace. I am returned to Italy. I am calm.
I shall not charge much, mind you. Just enough to cover the materials. Joan has voiced her disapproval …
‘Nicole? Are you home?’ Danny’s deep voice shattered the silence.
He couldn’t really be there. It was just her imagination.
‘Nicole?’ he shouted again.
She stood on wobbly legs and shuffled to the front door.
‘What are you doing here?’
Danny smiled. ‘Charlie was worried about you.’
‘Charlie?’
‘He asked me to come and see you. You look awful.’
With that, Nicole broke down and Danny caught her in his arms.
Nicole had no idea how much time had passed. All she knew was she’d sobbed into Danny’s shoulder endlessly and he didn’t budge. He didn’t complain. He didn’t force her to tell him what was wrong. He just held her until her tears subsided.
‘Is there anything I can do?’ Danny asked, leaning back.
‘It’s just …’