Page 54 of One More Time

Charlie shrugged. ‘I honestly don’t know.’ He drew in a breath. ‘I filled out my side of the paperwork then sent it to Grace to sign and file.’

Marty pondered this for a few lengthy moments. ‘Did you get anything back to say it was done?’

‘No, but I didn’t expect to, given that I was in prison.’ Charlie’s mind whirled with possibilities now.

‘So, if she never filed it … you could still lawfully be husband and wife?’ Marty’s eyes were as wide as their empty lunch plates.

‘Possibly.’ Charlie managed a deadpan expression even as excitement bubbled within.

‘Man, oh man.’ Marty’s brows rose to his receding hairline. ‘If that’s the case, it’s no wonder she said no.’

Charlie was at a loss for words.

‘And the plot thickens,’ Marty said, shaking his head.

Charlie nodded. ‘Indeed it does.’

‘Time’s a wasting.’ Marty slapped the table and stood. ‘Come on. Let’s get you home and settled, then you and Grace can work out when you can catch up with your kids.’

Nothing mattered more to Charlie than being able to look his children in the eyes, and tell them how sorry he was, and that he loved them, but he knew he had to follow Grace’s lead on when and where he could do that.

Later that day, after taking care of practicalities like withdrawing money and buying groceries – all while ignoring the hushed whispers around him – Charlie took a slow wander through the rooms of the homestead, opening every window to allow the freshness of the outside in. With a keen eye, he noted all the painting and cleaning and refurbishment to be done – the minimal furniture would do the trick until he had the time and money to get new things – and he felt grateful for the renewed sense of purpose breathing life back into the homestead would give him.

Charlie left the sanctuary of his childhood home and sought out the stone stairway hugging the steep cliffs at the highest point of Moonflower Acres. Having lost himself in the magic of this place that he’d taken for granted before being locked away, time was getting away from him, but before the day ended, he needed to hear the squeak of sand underfoot, and feel the ocean kissing his skin.

Passing the old chicken coop, overgrown with brambles, he made a mental note to tidy it up so he could buy some chickens and enjoy fresh eggs daily. Then he might look at getting a couple of cows and a goat, maybe even a few ducks – he loved the richness of their eggs for baking. A vegetable and herb garden were also on his list – he was going to be a busy man, and he liked the thought. His goal was to become as self-sufficient as possible, to make good use of the land his forefathers had spilt blood, sweat and tears over so he too could one day pass this land on to his children.

Coming to the end of the earthen track, he ducked beneath a canopy of flowering shrubs. The old metal gate groaned as he unlatched the lock and swung it open before he carefully made his way down each uneven step to the shoreline of the beach below.

With his trousers rolled up to his knees and the turquoise water lapping over his bare feet, he enjoyed the sensation of each wave sinking him deeper into the sand. He hadn’t realised quite how much he’d missed the pull and push of the ebbing and flowing sea, or the squawking of the seagulls soaring high above him as they hunted for their dinner. Other than a lone fisherman at the end of the pier with his line dangling in the water and a bucket at his feet, the beach was deserted. Blinking into the dazzling sunshine, Charlie admired the way the ocean appeared to kiss the far-reaching horizon. He’d gone from a three-by-three cell to his very own stretch of Sapphire Bay shoreline – there was so much vastness, so much freedom, and he was going to make sure he enjoyed every bit of it. What a blessed man he was, to call such a heavenly place his home.

Closing his eyes, he breathed the salty breeze in deeply, feeling it rekindling the fire deep down in his soul. His heart warmed and, little by little, his body unclenched. For the first time in years, he felt truly alive, as if he could finally breathe. Prison had taken so much from him, but it had also given him the time he’d needed to overcome his demons. Behind prison walls, there was nowhere to run, nowhere to hide; he’d had to face everything he’d tucked away or stupidly drowned with alcohol. Now, being able to plant himself firmly in the present moment, he could really feel the sun upon his skin, he could really appreciate the gentle breeze stirring his hair, and the taste of the salt upon his lips was delightful. From this day, he would focus on life’s simple pleasures.

The sun was beginning its descent behind the mountains as he traipsed up the twenty-eight stairs that led back to the homestead. With his pocket full of seashells and his heart full of Mother Nature’s breath, his soul was singing.

The cool early-evening breeze rustled the leaves in the canopy of trees above him, dappling the path in shadows as he moseyed along. A leisurely twenty-five-minute stroll across the lush green fields found him arriving back at the homestead to an unexpected visitor. Spotting her, he felt his heart explode from his chest, as if desperately trying to reach for the silhouette on his verandah, for it was one he knew like the back of his hand.

‘Grace.’ Her name carried from his lips and had her turning in his direction. The years had been kind to her, and her exquisiteness stole his breath.

She appeared dazed, but then she smiled ever so softly. ‘Charlie. Hi.’ With quiet intensity, she watched him taking steps to close the distance as she tugged her shawl in tighter. ‘I didn’t think you were home, so I was just about to go, but I got caught up in the views.’ She sighed, lifting her eyes to the panorama. ‘I’d forgotten just how beautiful this place is.’

‘Yes, it most certainly is gorgeous.’ Just like you. Charlie hadn’t forgotten Grace’s timeless beauty, but witnessing her in the flesh after almost six years of only seeing her in his memories and dreams was like seeing an exquisite piece of art for the very first time. ‘I wasn’t expecting to see you, so I’m sorry if I seem a little stunned.’ It was more than the fact that she had always had this mesmerising effect on him, but he wasn’t about to admit that. There was way too much water under the bridge for romantic sentiment.

‘I totally understand.’ She met him at the top of the steps. ‘I hope you don’t mind me popping in unannounced.’

‘No, of course I don’t.’ Not knowing what to do with his hands, he slipped both into his pockets, fighting the urge to sweep her into his arms. ‘It’s really good to see you.’ She smelt of strawberries and sunflowers and the wildest of honey.

‘You too, Charlie. I have to say, you’re looking really good.’ Her soft smile spread to the crinkly corners at her striking sea-green eyes. ‘Much better than I expected, given … well, everything.’

‘Thanks, Grace, and you’re looking well too.’

And beautiful and stunning and breathtaking.

‘Thank you, Charlie.’

So formal, so measured, so … odd were their replies to each other that Charlie had to put an end to it. ‘I’ve missed you, Grace.’

She pressed her lips together as if to stop telling him the same before nodding. Time seemed to stop and rewind as they held each other’s gazes as though reading one another’s souls. Then the magical moment was lost.