He waited.

He pulled her closer and his lips hovered close above hers.

Nicole’s heart began to beat faster and her stomach tightened. Desire coursed through her and she put her hand on his strong chest, felt his heart pounding against her fingers.

But then fear seized her and she swallowed hard. ‘I … I’m sorry.’ She pushed him away gently. ‘I can’t.’

‘Whoever he was he really hurt you, didn’t he?’

Nicole nodded.

‘Maybe if you let me in, Nicole …’ Danny’s eyes pleaded. ‘Whatever he did, I’m not him.’

‘No. You’re not. And it scares me. When you’re close to me, when you touch me …’

‘I frighten you?’ He frowned.

‘No. Not you. The feelings you stir in me.’

‘Isn’t that a good thing?’ He smiled.

Nicole ran her fingers through her hair. How could he possibly understand? She had to make him see.

‘Breathe, Nicole. Just talk to me. It’s just you and me.’ He took her hand in his.

She sucked in a deep breath. It wasn’t just the two of them, though. Mark was there, always there, and now he had her number. She could not face him, dredge up all those wretched emotions, and relive the past. But if she stayed here he’d find her and she’d have to.

Danny took a deep breath. ‘Whenever you’re ready, I’m here to listen. But can you promise me one thing?’ He looked at the suitcase at the door. ‘Don’t do anything rash. Not until you’ve talked to someone. It doesn’t have to be me. Mandy is there. Anyone. Please just stay, Nicole. Not for me. For you. This is your home now.’

He held her tightly. How could she leave?

Twenty-three

The gums were completely stripped bare of their flaking skins, revealing a smooth, pale grey layer that shone in the sunlight. Scores of them stretched before Nicole like ghostly statues left scattered, uncared for. Their spindly branches reached out in all directions grasping for intangible love. The green leaves, like elongated tear drops, swayed ever so slightly in the gentle breeze. She could hear rosellas tweeting to each other from the foliage, and caught glimpses of bright red and blue and green darting from tree to tree. The sound of the ocean crashing in the distance reached her ears in waves and the smell of grass filled her nose.

As Nicole walked to the boatshed, she breathed deeply. In and out.

When she arrived, the small collapsible table and chairs were set up with the Scrabble board in place. She sat down and pushed and trailed the tiles across the board while she waited.

‘Wasn’t sure you were still around,’ Charlie grumbled as he emerged from the boatshed.

Nicole looked at him and smiled.