Page 59 of The Summer That Changed Us

‘No, please don’t,’ Grace said quickly. ‘I don’t want to be on my own. Just in case.’

She squeezed back onto the sofa and propped the iPad on the coffee table in front of them. The three of them waited as the iPad made its connection and then a man appeared on screen.

‘Hi Ned,’ said Grace over-brightly.

‘Grace! I got your message. How are you, my darling girl?’ Ned had the sort of smile which lit up his whole face and probably everyone else’s within his orbit. Even Robyn found herself beaming back at him.

‘Great!’ she replied with a shake to her voice. ‘Meet my new Merle Bay friends, Katie and Robyn.’

‘Hello ladies, that sofa looks a lot more interesting than I remember it,’ Ned laughed, his eyes hinting at mischief. ‘So, what’s up, everything all right with the house?’

‘The house is perfect,’ said Grace.

‘Ha! I knew you’d like it!’ Ned grinned. ‘You can stay as long as you like, remember.’

‘Thanks.’ Grace cleared her throat. ‘Ned, there’s something I need to ask you. Remember the funeral you went to with Myles last summer?’

He looked startled at the change of direction. ‘Yes, what about it?’

Grace swallowed so loud that Robyn heard the gulp. ‘Did Myles seem out of character to you?’

Ned gave a harsh laugh. ‘He got blind drunk, Gracie, so yes, that was pretty out of character.’

‘Yes, I know, but did he tell you anything odd?’ she pressed him further.

‘Um.’ He looked at his hands. ‘Can’t say I remember.’

Ned was a terrible liar, thought Robyn, casting a sideways glance at Katie, who raised an eyebrow knowingly.

‘Are you sure?’ Grace asked. ‘Because Julia called me to say that at that funeral, he confessed to her that he’d had an affair. She said that other people heard too. She’s probably just trying to cause trouble.’ Grace gave a humourless laugh. ‘So, I’m hoping you’ll be able to tell me she’s lying.’

Robyn stared at the iPad, willing Ned to put her out of her misery. Yes or no. Preferably no.

‘Ned?’ Grace pushed him to reply.

He lifted his head and stared at her for a few seconds. ‘Oh Grace. Don’t do this to me.’

Robyn’s heart broke for Grace as she felt the hope escape from her in one shuddering breath.

‘Oh no.’ Grace pressed a hand to her mouth.

‘I’m so sorry.’ Ned raked a hand through his hair. ‘Bloody Julia. She’s always been a troublemaker.’

‘So it’s true?’ she said, her voice barely audible.

Ned held his hands out in a gesture of helplessness. ‘He wasn’t making a lot of sense at the time, but I got the impression it was just a one-off, not a full-blown affair.’

‘Once is enough.’ Grace’s whole body heaved with a sob.

‘He hated himself for it, Gracie,’ Ned insisted. The easy smile had gone now, and Robyn felt quite sorry for him. ‘That was why he got so drunk that day.’

‘Who?’ she croaked. ‘Who was it?’

He shook his head, looking increasingly uncomfortable. ‘He didn’t say. I promise, I don’t know, I’m sorry.’

Grace wiped her eyes and the two old friends stared at each other for a long moment. ‘Thanks for being honest,’ she said, mustering up a wobbly smile. ‘Goodnight.’

‘Wait!’ Ned put up a hand as Grace leaned towards the iPad to end the call. ‘I’m due in Merle Bay over the next week or so, can I come and visit?’