Chapter 2

Over a week passed and life carried on as normal … well as it can with a couple getting used to the idea of having baby in the future. Debbie started helping in the shop so Sara could rest. Sara's scan showed she was expecting a baby girl which pleased everyone though Hank rolled his eyes at the thought he'd hoped for a boy to even the odds and a change. The Shock Wave had had extra customers after all word had got around about 'the scene' but Joan and Hank had had a little talk and were working all right together.

Meg worked and had cooled down … a bit; she knew Peter had started their relationship because he liked her and not because Hank had suggested it. That night and break up had not been her fault it had been his. So she was not jinxed. But she could not forgive either of them for what happened. So she ignored Peter which was not hard to do as he seemed to be ignoring her. As for seeing her father, well, she didn't totally ignore him though she stayed silent around him; if in company she answered yes or no if need be and let the others do the talking. She didn't want to cut him off completely but then again she could not give in quickly, he had to understand her point of view - she'd grown up now.

Hank for his part accepted this attitude and was not going to push things. He'd been told and realised he'd over stepped the mark. He knew Meg would come to him and not the other way round. She needed time to build up trust again and if that meant leaving for a while he'd accept that. It wouldn't be forever he knew that, she was his daughter after all.

Oxoxoxo

While sitting in her lounge finishing her breakfast and jotting down new ideas for her trip Meg realised she needed to do something about the apartment just in case she stayed away for months rather than the fortnight.

The phone rang she picked it up and smiled as she recognized the voice on the other end. "Simon how's life."

Simon sighed, "Fine really … I mean the business is doing well but, George and I have to move out of our home by the end of next week. "

Her mind raced and unthinking Meg said. "That's a shame but useful, … oh sorry, did not mean it like that." She had heard Simon's sort of puzzled "Oh" and gave a gentle laugh as she explained. "I'm going on a week's trip more likely two and there's possibility of going to explore the rest of US if the mood takes me … so, if you want to you can move in and look after it for me."

A gentle laugh of relief mixed in with his first words. "Okay, I forgive you. So when could we move in and any restrictions … I take it George is welcome." He knew the answer before he asked but he wanted to make sure all the same.

Meg replied happily "Of course he is. I'll have to check with the boss about insurance etc and paying the rent if that's all right."

Simon chuckled as her slight hesitation at the end about the rent and reassured her "We would not expect to be in free of charge. Give me the details as soon as possible I know George will be thrilled though sad you will not be around. Don't worry about breakables we will make sure everything is in one piece and leave a room for you. To the main reason I called. What do you think of your accountant ours is retiring in a couple of months?" He sighed. "Talk about everything happening at once."

Meg laughed in sympathy. "Yes and you know things run in threes so watch out for the third one. He's very good and willing to listen as well as explain everything I knew him through Liberty Corp so yes I think you three will get on well. I'll email the details when I get to the shop if you like?"

"That will be great and give love to Sara. Oh you'd better warn Hank we will be in your apartment."

Meg sighed. "Yeah I'll tell Mum, Dad and I are not talking he started pushing his noise into my life big time."

"Oh sounds bad and private, good luck with him just remember he does love you. You take care now."

Meg chuckled "Yeah you too. Talk to you later Simon."

She put the phone down smiling remembering the months of freedom she had while Simon was around. She rang the landlord's office and explained everything to the secretary who would pass the information on, then tided up and got ready to go to the shop.

As she checked the room, memories of the first time she saw it and knew it would be her Casita came flooding back. She could almost hear Paul explaining that everything was provided because the owners had just pulled out of the sell to travel aboard. Her thoughts about finding something quick and cheap were totally forgotten, because she'd felt a special welcome as she looked across the large lounge dinning room, which was bathed in sunlight, as it came through the glass doors, which lead into the garden area.

She took the apartment then and there, gave Paul the deeds to the Casita as payment or part payment and returned to Surf Central to explain to Sara and Casey she was leaving and needed time on her own. That evening in her new Casita she curled up on the sofa listening to a CD and reading a book, unthinking she snuggled into the blanket, which had come from the other Casita and sometime drifted off into a comfortable sleep.

When she woke she knew what to do and unpacked the figurines from the old Casita and a photo of Ben and put them on the bookshelf next to her desk in the alcove, made by the stairs to the bedrooms. She was not going to hide from her memories of him or their time together they were part of her past to be added to.

She shook herself back into the present disturbed slightly that she had dropped into the past so easily. With that memory she knew that deep deep down when she had left Ben she would have been pleased if he had walked away from Maria and Benjy completely and disappeared with her. But she also knew they would not have survived it … guilt from both sides would have killed their dream. So, she had been right to leave him then just as she was right to leave her family now and move on. Her soulmate whoever that might be was in the future and not here, she grabbed the keys off the table and walked away hoping the shop would be busy.

oxoxo

Later at Sunset Sister Sara had popped out and Meg was serving at the till when she registered another couple of customer were in the doorway. She looked up hoping to see Sara had returned it seemed that all of Sunset Beach had suddenly decided to come in and brows or buy. Instead she saw Ben then Maria carrying her baby, she returned their smiles noting how well and happy they looked and carried on serving the customer but greeting them. "Hi Ben, Maria you both look well, baby not keeping you up at night then."

With a smile Ben came over and stood next to her and spoke before Maria could answer, "Not really. You're looking well and busy," he also acknowledged the next customer with a nod and smile, and while Meg carried on keying in the amount for the goods he carried on gently. "Maria was thinking of buying the vases in the corner for her mother. Sorry you can not come to Samantha's christening."

Meg smiled at the fact no one minded their chat as she served the customers, some of the women had gone as Sara used to say 'gooey' as soon as he came in. Some others had gone over to admire the baby and chat with Maria. But as he mentioned the baby's name she'd felt a shiver go through her, that would have been their daughter's name if things had been different and he knew that. She kept her voice level and acknowledged. "Nice name. Those are the last ones and the box is behind them. It's a business trip, Sara cannot make it … she should be back in a minute if you want to wait for her to help you."

Ben kept her gaze and then nodded and walked over to the vases.

Meg carried on with the customers glad for the distraction.

Then it was Ben's turn, and again he came up close to her, Maria was talking to another couple and did not notice. Meg managed to get the till between them but their hands brushed as he gave her the money having put the boxed vase and paper on the counter. She could feel his eyes on her as she rang it up and rolled the paper so he could do the proper wrapping later. She found she needed a bag from the side of the counter, he was there again his hand close to hers and she shivered as they touched.

This was so was unlike him he had kept his distance till now; as if he understood her thoughts and tension he moved away. But to her dismay it was only to nearer the till, so they would have to get close again she had to accept that. Silently she looked at him sternly only to see a hint of a smile and possibly a sparkle in his eyes. She didn't want a scene so she put the box in the bag and as she handed him the bag she raised her voice without a hint of annoyance. "May I see her Maria!"

She swore she could see the words 'spoil sport' across his expression as he immediately stepped back because Maria had stopped talking and was coming over to her.

Meg looked at the sleeping baby and said genuinely "She's beautiful … Benjy pleased with his new sister?"

Maria smiled warmly and answered. "Yes he is over the moon; of course he can't wait till she is old enough to play together, keeps hoping it will be tomorrow." She looked at her husband and said. "Come on Ben. Meg's got a few more customers." As she moved towards the exit she added. "Hope you enjoy your trip Meg."

Ben started to follow her and smiled at Meg and said softly "Thank you. Meg"

Turning to help another customer Meg tried to put the feeling he'd been playing with her out of her mind but found it difficult because his voice had an edge of tease in it … possibly a sexual tease in it.

oxoxo

Not long after Sara came back and the shop gradually quietened down and over cup of tea Meg casually mentioned what had happened feeling a need to get it out of her system in the open rather than have it churning round her mind.

Sara shook her head and smiled looking at her sister and said gently, "Sis its neglected husband syndrome. Maria's tied up with baby and Ben wants attention. Just as well you're going it would be like a moth to the light. He's the moth and you're the light."

Before Meg could say anything her, a messenger came into the shop with a letter for her. She opened it and scanned before sitting down on the seat heavily, her sister looked at her with concern.

"It's from Paul about the apartment." Meg re-read it, taking in that the apartment was hers; she paid for all the utilities. They on her behalf would sort out the rent for the new tenants and any profit would be sent onto her main account if they could have its number. It gave a list of how the rent would be made up.

She exclaimed in disbelief. "Those apartments are luxury ones Sara I thought it just covered the rent for a year not the whole thing. … It was fully furnished!"

Sara was surprised as she realised what her sister meant and exclaimed with a grin. "Hey don't knock it. You will have breathing space. If you get desperate Mum said she would get Dad to buy you out of the shop."

Meg looked at her sister realising those two had been having heart to hearts and said. "No I want to keep this as a fall back. Simon and George are renting the apartment."

Sara laughed and smiled then reassured her sister. "Dad's forgiven them and you over that." She looked at her sister and said seriously. "I'll make sure Dad knows after you have gone and Casey will drive you to the airport tomorrow afternoon. So it's all coming together the big move onwards."

"Yeah right." She sighed suddenly she feeling afraid as if she was stepping of a cliff into thin air and the ground was miles below.

Sara said gently. "Hey Sis you've done this before remember you will be fine." The door opened and she called out. "Hi Mum what can we do for you? Something expensive I hope!"

"No thanks just a quick quiet word."

"No problem Mum, I'll shut the door." Sara flicked the closed sign as she shut the door and came to join them on the corner seat.

Joan looked at their concerned expressions and said quickly "Nothing's wrong I just wanted to explain about your father's attitude towards Ben. I thought he got over it years ago but I was wrong I'm sorry."

"Mum got over what. You're scaring me!"

"Meg I'm sorry. Look it happened before your Dad and I married, do you remember I told you about the red sports car before you set out to marry Tim."

"Yes I thought you meant Dad and you just never made the trip because of the farm."

Sara didn't understand it but kept quiet as her mother went on to explain. "No it was your Dad's best friend Stan I loved him in the same way you loved Ben. Oh he was quite handsome and had style, enough to live on and a lot of girls liked him but he and I really hit it off. Unfortunately he died and in our grief your father and I found our love for each. What I did not realize is your father sometimes feels he was caught on the rebound. I've often told him how deeply I love him, but sometimes it's not enough. He thinks you have the same pain I had and with no one close to take care of you, you will do something bad on the rebound. I know you will not."

There was silence for a moment as the girls realized what their parents had been through.

Meg replied gently but with conviction she really felt. "Mum I know Ben and I are a thing of the past. He has his love in Maria, we both understood our love could not be without hurting the ones we love so we decided to leave it alone. I promise you I will not fall for the first handsome bloke I see, I know I need to settle first and I will e-mail Sara as often as I can. But I don't want Dad to know where I am, perhaps then he will come to terms with the fact I've grown up and will make my own mind up. I love him but his attitude is breaking that love and trust that Ben and I separated to keep."

Joan smiled understanding her wish completely and said. "Okay I know he has hurt you and at least through Sara I will know you are safe. Can we can ring you at the hotel for the first week though?"

"Yes Mum that will be fine. Tell Dad I love him."

"Oh I will and deep down he knows that." Joan said as she got up and walked with her daughters to the door then kissed them and said goodbye, knowing for one it would a while before she saw again.

"Well that explains a lot doesn't it?" Sara said as she flicked the sign to open and they walked back to the cash till ready for the next customer to come in.

Meg nodded adding. "I suppose so; anyway you can keep him happy for a while with all the baby news." Then she turned her best sister smile on and gently pleaded. "As it is quiet can I beg the afternoon off I need to pack a few things away so Simon and George can have some room."

Sara laughed and with a teasing smile added. "Been spreading to all the rooms, and there was me thinking it was too big for one! Yes go on … Emily's coming in later as she has an afternoon off College."