“It’s charming here,” I said admiring the view of the ocean and surrounding areas. The house was set higher on a hill which gave an obstructed view of the shore. People paid a lot of money for a view like this.
“It’s all right,” Jess said with a smirk. “Let me show you around the house.”
After our tour of the house and a short nap for all of us, Chloe made fish and chips for dinner. The four of us sat on the back patio. The space was surrounded on three sides by a tall wooden fence to give us privacy from the closely nestled neighbors.
“Okay, can you make this for every meal for the rest of the trip?” I asked Chloe.
“You haven’t even tried Vegemite yet,” Jess said.
“What’s that?” Gina asked, wrinkling her nose.
“Something you don’t want to try,” Chloe said. “I’ve always hated the stuff.”
“Which is why you’re a terrible Aussie,” Jess teased.
“It’s true,” Chloe said. “But at least I didn’t move away and never return.”
Jess clamped her mouth shut.
Chloe didn’t look bothered by her remark, and the conversation ceased at that moment. This was the unapologetic woman who Jess rarely spoke of.
“Well, at least everyone is here now,” I said.
“Here, here,” Chloe said, lifting her glass of water.
Jess guzzled her beer and placed it on the table. Chloe looked at Jess funny but didn’t say anything else.
Gina happily munched on the remainder of her meal, completely oblivious to what had just happened.
Jess stood up and collected her plate and mine before heading inside.
Chloe looked over her shoulder but turned back to the table deep in thought.
“Gina, how about we help with dishes?” I asked her.
“No, no,” Chloe said. “Little Gina and I will take care of that. You two head down to the beach. It’s a ripper to see at dusk.”
“Are you sure?” I asked.
“Yes,” Chloe said.
I looked at Gina, and she nodded. “You and Jess have fun. I’m tired, Daddy.”
“I’ll see her off to bed soon,” Chloe said then hooked her thumb over her shoulder for me to go inside.
I did as she asked, desperate to escape the awkwardness between Jess and Chloe.
It didn’t take much convincing to get Jess down to the beach.
The air was much cooler as the sun went down. I was glad Jess advised me to bring a jacket.
I heard the crashing of the waves before I could see them.
“This has been such a great day,” I said. “Your home is lovely.”
“Too bad the person living in it is a monster,” she noted.
“Come on. I wouldn’t say she’s a monster.”