Beach Walker – Chapter 22
In Deep
‘What’s wrong, Grace?’ asked Melissa quietly. ‘You’re not your usual self at all.’
I attempted a smile, but it died on my lips. ‘Had some bad news about a friend,’ I muttered, pushing the cold lamb chop around my plate. ‘I’m worried for him.’
‘Oh. Is that who you’ve been trying to phone, over and over?’
I nodded. I thought I’d been discreet.
‘Come on. Give me a hand with Billy.’
Gratefully I got up and followed Melissa indoors. I could hear Josh’s voice booming at the other end of the table, telling some anecdote about an obstinate client to his farming audience. Rarely have I been so glad to tackle a stinky nappy.
‘Wow,’ she said a few minutes later, handing my phone back to me, ‘they make him sound like a real career criminal. He, ah, … ?’
‘No, he isn’t,’ I responded firmly. ‘He’s a lovely, gentle man who made a mistake when he was very young, and paid the price. Now he’s just trying to live his life in peace, and I … I’ve brought all this down on him.’
‘Well, yes.’
‘Sorry?’
‘Yes, you have, a bit.’ The mother of my grandson frowned, following a line of thought. ‘But you didn’t mean to.’
‘No. Of course not.’
‘What’s the best thing to do now, do you think? What will help Leonard?’
‘I don’t know. That’s why I want to speak to him.’
‘Right. What do you imagine is going on there – in Ocean Grove?’
‘Probably a media scrum, reporters hanging around outside his property, phoning him, texting him, emailing. Badgering him for an interview. Bothering his neighbours. Looking for a scoop, a photo opportunity.’
‘That’s what always happens in movies, dramas, on TV, isn’t it? Reporters pushing microphones in your face, paparazzi hiding behind bushes with telephoto lenses …’
‘Well, yes. Yes, it is.’
‘But have you ever experienced that in real life, with your clients, when you were working for the Office of Corrections?’
‘No, not really. Only in really high-profile cases.’
‘And there’s no substance to this story, right?’
‘That’s right.’
As far as you know, Grace.
‘Then the chances are, there’s nothing much going on at all. Maybe a reporter or two making enquiries, but they won’t find anything newsworthy, because there’s nothing to find. Their editors won’t put up with them wasting days on a wild goose chase.’
‘Then why isn’t Leonard answering his phone?’
‘Does he always pick up straight away?’
‘No. If he’s working the horses, or out on his boat, or immersed in his research and doesn’t want to be bothered …’
‘So there’s nothing to be worried about, yet. Is there? In fact, you don’t even know that he’s seen the article, do you?’
‘No.’
‘Right then. If you ask me,’ she said with conviction, ‘all you can do right now is relax, enjoy Easter, and later on try to catch Leonard, have a quiet word. Don’t get him worked up: find out what he knows, what the situation is down there, what he wants you to do. Then make a calm and rational decision.’
‘Sounds like a plan.’
‘Come on, let’s get this bub put down for his nap. Then Dad’ll grill you a fresh chop.’ She gave me a gentle pat on the arm and scooped up Billy, who was happily burbling away to himself, blowing spit bubbles.
It can be quite lovely to be mothered by your daughter-in-law.
Next week in Beach Walker:
Chapter 23: Caught in the Rip
Grace fends off enquiries from her family. Meanwhile, back at home, events come to a head.
Disclaimer: The people and events described in this story are entirely the product of the author’s imagination; they bear no intentional resemblance to real-life people and events. The locations are authentic.