06

The waves crashed gently against the shore as she pulled back up at the house and took everything inside, putting it all away in the empty cupboards. Leaving the cleaning supplies out, she found her laptop in the messy pile of belongings and turned it on. If she was going to clean, music might help to make the time go by.

Scrolling through the music library, she finally settled on The Ramones and got started as ‘Sheena is a Punk Rocker’, blared through the small speakers. The afternoon passed quickly as she opened up the house, dusting, scrubbing and wiping the house from top to bottom. She stripped the bed and washed the linen, and the curtains too which smelt old and stale. Every wooden surface was polished and soon the house began to smell fresh. Cleaning had always calmed her whenever she grew stressed. Those ugly feelings were scrubbed away and her stress over Daniel and the man from the grocery store faded with the dirt in the house.

The sun was beginning to set as she finished wiping down the bathtub which was now a gleaming white. She spent the next hour unpacking her belongings and putting everything away. Once she had put the last of her linen away, she walked out to the kitchen to close the front door and stopped at the sight. Stepping down the steps and onto the sand, she walked down to the water and stared. An orange glow was cast over the sky, tinged with pink dotted clouds, fading into the horizon. The waves sparkled in the setting light and the wind had quietened, blowing her hair softly against her face and she brushed the brown strands aside. Her body ached from cleaning but she felt peaceful.

Maybe it won’t be so bad here, she thought. A fresh start could be just what I need.

The sound of a wolf howling floated on the wind and she looked up at the cliffs. She thought she saw a tail disappear into the trees but she was probably seeing things. They hadn’t mentioned any wolves in the area. She would have to ask Olivia tomorrow when she got her coffee. She would worry about the furniture tomorrow too. Right now, she was content to simply watch the waves, enjoying a peace she hadn’t felt in some time.

The drive into town the next day was faster now that she had her bearings. It only took her a few minutes and she thought about walking from now on to keep fit. She needed the car today for furniture but after that it would be better to cut down on costs.

She didn’t have to worry about money since her father had passed, he had left her and Adam a considerable sum each. Adam had blown through his in a few months, but not Norah. She put it all away, collecting interest and adding to it when she worked for Ray over the summers. Alice had always made him employ her to be what he affectionately called, a ‘paper bitch’, and Norah realised, as she pulled up in front of the café, that this would be her first summer in four years that she hadn’t worked at Ray’s company. A pang twisted in her chest and she walked into the shop, thinking it was a weird thing to be sad about.

Olivia came over from the far window, empty china in her right hand and she surprised Norah with a quick one armed hug. “Hey, how are you settling in ?”

“All right, I spent yesterday cleaning so at least the house is looking better. Now I just need some furniture.”

Olivia went behind the counter and putting the cups down, she started preparing Norah’s coffee, remembering what she had ordered the day before. “How much did Jack burn this time ?”

Norah raised an eyebrow. “Does everyone just turn a blind eye to his pyro habits ?”

“Pretty much. He’s actually a decent guy, he’s been good to my brother, Luke over the years, when he isn’t completely tanked. Also it’s fun to watch sometimes, he really knows how to start a fire.”

“Weird,” Norah muttered, before raising her voice. “Can you make the coffee to go ? I want to go and check out this second hand place.”

“Sure, it’s just up the road by the way. Across the street from Brad’s mechanics. You know, Brad,” she teased, “the guy who was flirting with you yesterday ?”

Olivia handed her a cardboard cup and she wrapped her fingers around its warmth. “You were watching ?”

“Hells yeah, not much else to do around here, except gossip and snoop into other people’s business.”

Norah didn’t like the sound of that. She’d prefer they knew as little about her problems as possible.

“He was all over you,” Olivia continued. She looked Norah up and down. “He doesn’t seem like your type.”

She laughed. “You’ve known me less than two days, Olivia, for all you know my type is scrawny, balding, middle aged men.”

Olivia held up her hand. “Okay, first of all – gross. Second of all, you are just like me ; you like them well defined, with a rock hard –“

“Don’t finish that sentence, Olivia !” Gail called out. “Or I’ll be telling your brother.”

Norah guessed her brother was the over protective type as Olivia rolled her eyes. “I was going to say, personality !”

“Sure,” Gail muttered and Olivia grinned. The door opened and more customers walked in.

Saying goodbye, Norah got back in her car, taking a long swig of coffee before she started the engine and headed up another block, pulling up in the small lot beside the second hand furniture shop. Having everything so close together was quite convenient. Grabbing the cup and her bag, she headed inside.

A short stocky man stood near the front counter, clip board in hand and looked up as she approached. “How are you doing ma’am ? What can I help you with today ?”

She glanced around at the array of oddly organised furniture. The smell of dust and moth balls was strong and she wondered if he ever opened the windows. “Hi, I’m just looking for some new furniture, a couch and maybe a coffee table ?”

Realisation dawned and the man broke into a smile. “Ah, you must be the little lady renting Jack’s place down on the beach. So, he destroyed the couch this time, huh ?”

“I guess so.” She decided to just go along with it. If everyone didn’t care what he did to the furniture, then she would have to learn to go along with it too.

He touched her arm briefly. “My names, Frank. Feel free to look around and let me know what catches your eye. I’ll give you a good deal, just make sure you pick the wooden pieces so it’s easier for Jack later on !”

Frank laughed at his own joke and Norah laughed awkwardly under her breath as she turned away. Savouring her coffee, she made her way down the disorganised aisles trying to find a decent looking couch and coffee table. The sound of a motorcycle drifted through her ears as she tested out a brown leather couch. It still had a good seat and seemed to be in good condition for a two seater. The leather had faded on one of the cushions but she would probably put a blanket over the seat so it was more comfortable. It was too big for her car, but maybe Frank could deliver it for her.