A Southern Star by Forest Anya

Author:Forest, Anya [Forest, Anya]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Anya Forest
Published: 2015-01-28T08:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Twenty minutes later, after dropping Mel at her flat, Blake pulled into a long curving driveway on the edge of Clyde, shaded by magnificent established trees. Christie looked out the side window, seeing a huge copper coloured dog coming out to bark ferociously at the car.

“He’s a teddy bear, really,” Scott said with a laugh, jumping out of the car, grabbing the dog with rough affection, smiling as the dog growled softly as if in greeting. Ignoring Blake’s automatic caution, Christie got out of the car, fascinated by the dog—another thing Paul didn’t like, she thought suddenly—realising it was now sitting obediently by Scott, its tail thumping the gravel in greeting.

Christie approached, asking Scott about the dog, reaching out to pat it, noticing its amber coloured eyes watching her, the alert expression, the soft growl changing in tone but not in the least threatening. Scott’s parents came out of the house, greeted her pleasantly.

The day was already baking hot; suddenly feeling faint, Christie returned to the car for her water bottle, realised Blake had come around to talk to Scott’s parents, unloaded Scott’s bag. Seeing her get the bottled water, Scott immediately suggested they stay for a drink; Christie was aware of Blake’s stillness, his hesitation. She looked at him out of the corner of her eye, recognised the tenseness in his body.

Blake spoke before she could, saying they needed to be on the road, to get back for his work commitments. Christie frowned, unable to fathom the undercurrent in Blake’s response to all of Scott’s suggestions. Half annoyed, half relieved, wanting to be back in Arrowtown so she could rest, Christie turned to Scott and his parents. “I would just like to go for a quick walk, stretch my legs, before we go,” she said, asking if she could wander round the garden.

The dog bounded to join her, his copper coloured coat glowing in the sun, the colours of the summer garden brilliant. Being out in the fresh air relaxed Christie after the turmoil of the journey back from Dunedin; she knew it was now only about an hour’s drive back to Arrowtown. Still noticing the heat, she sipped at her water, seeing a wooden seat in the shade, walking in that direction. She had read how pregnancy could affect body temperature, was acutely aware of the hot day, the sun on her face.

Christie settled onto the seat, automatically patting the dog as it stayed close to her, pleased to be in the shade, thinking about Blake’s reaction to Scott’s invitation. It was clear to her Blake did not in fact trust her, was overreacting to everything Scott said, no matter how innocuous. And now Blake was upset she had refused to help him with his house… She sighed softly, her eyes reflective as she tried to think of a way to extricate herself from Blake’s assumption she would help.

Christie had been embarrassed when Blake had asked whether she would help Lisa or Scott, had not known how to respond, uncomfortably aware he was right.

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