“The usual?” he asked, leaning across the counter and into my personal space. Danny had a theory that Tom had a crush on me. I figured Danny may be right. Either that or Tom was blind, as with my black dress and green tinged complexion I looked anything but good.
“No thanks. I mean, thanks. For the compliment. But no to the drink. I’m just here to check out some signage.” The scent of coffee surrounded me and my blood pressure dropped. “Actually, I will have that coffee after all.” I smiled.
Tom grinned back, grabbing a paper cup and scribbling my order on it. “What kind of signage?” he asked, chatting as he worked.
“Oh, I just wondered if the signs for the triathlon were out yet? But I can’t see any, so I guess they’re not.” My mood pepped up with the knowledge that at least the photo had been taken before Matt met me. Who was messing with me was a whole other concern.
“Are you referring to the banners that sit out front on the boardwalk?”
I nodded.
“We had a sudden windstorm yesterday and they took them down in fear of them blowing away and hurting someone.”
My stomach dropped to my feet.
“Are these the same banners?” I asked, finding the message and showing the photo to Tom.
He leaned towards me simultaneously pushing a silver canister of milk under the steamer. “Yeah, that’s them. This year they’ve gone with a different design. If you ask me it’s just a huge waste of money as there was nothing wrong with the banners they’ve used for the last few years.”
“Do you know when they first put them up?”
“Yeah, they were put up on Monday.” Which meant that the photo couldn’t have been taken before Matt left for New York. “Any specific reason you are asking?”
My voice shook as I hurriedly brought him up to date.
“Oh geez, that’s rough. Do you need to sit down?” he asked, his kind grey eyes filled with concern, yet I was sure I detected a hint of a smile tilt the corners of his lips. If Matt messed up, Tom was standing on the side-lines waiting for me. I wondered how fast he would run when he found out about my condition.
“No. I’m fine.” Fake it till you make it, right? “Have you seen Matt around here in the last few days?”
“No, but I’ve only just got back from Byron Bay. Had a week off with my mates.”
“Oh okay,” I replied, leaning heavily on the counter.
“Who do you think sent the message?” Tom asked, filling the cup with heated milk. He sprinkled the froth with chocolate powder and clipped on a lid, then handed it to me.
“It was from a blocked number.”
He nodded but his attention strayed as two teenage girls ran into the shop, laughing. They saw Tom and a blush started at their ears.
His hand reached across to cover mine and he gave me a small smile. “I’m sorry Molly. But if I see him, I’ll let you know.”
“Thanks Tom,” I replied, gently pulling my hand from his. It was just way too friendly and even though Matt wasn’t completely honest with me, it felt like I was betraying him.
****
Brooke had set the venue in Alexandra Park, high on the hill that overlooked the ocean. The view was a spectacular backdrop to any photo as the water stretched to the horizon, the sun sparkled on the waves below the cliff, and the breeze rippled the palm fronds that offered much needed shade.
I parked the car, wound my windows down, and took a moment to enjoy the last of the (decaf) cappuccino that Tom had insisted on making me, and enjoyed the peaceful sound of the ocean. To be honest I could have just stayed here all day. I never knew if it was the lulling sound of the waves hitting the shore, the warmth from the sun, or the smell of the salt that filled the air, but something about the ocean had a calming effect on my nerves, and was the perfect tonic to my not so good start on the day.
Even though I’d made a pit stop, I was still early as I had wanted to scope the area out for the best angle. I’d photographed here on many occasions, but every event was different depending on the set up the couple had chosen.
All too soon my alarm dinged alerting me to the fact that the bride and groom would be on their way, so I grabbed my camera gear and made my way to the spot that Brooke had chosen.
I was expecting the event planners to be setting up the chairs for the guests to sit on, so I was surprised to find I was the only one here. Fine by me. It gave me more time to snap a few shots of my own.
However, the closer it got to eleven a.m., the more antsy I started to get. So far no one had turned up and I was doubting my memory as to where the ceremony was going to be.
I hurriedly opened my online diary and checked the notes. It definitely read it was to be here, at exactly eleven. So, where was she?
Dialing her number, I waited for the call to connect, but a recorded voice alerted me that this number was no longer in use. I double checked the number she had given me.
Yep, that was right. I scrolled back through my call list to ensure that the number in my diary was the same number she had called me on a few days prior. Yep. So why was it now disconnected? Had she cancelled the event and forgotten to cancel the photographer?
This had never happened to me before. I had never once made a mistake with a booking. As much as I hated to call Lizzie, I needed to verify that Brooke hadn’t called her to change the venue.
“Hello,” she answered on the first ring.
“Morning gorgeous,” I sang, attempting to keep my voice light and upbeat. “I’m so sorry to bother you about this, but I’m stuck.”
“It’s okay. I’m just sitting here at the hospital with Riley.” Her voice sounded fatigued and I figured she hadn’t had much sleep.
“How are you both?”
“I’m fine. Riley’s fine. We’re both fine.” Then why didn’t she sound fine?
“I’m glad to hear that. Is it okay if I visit this morning? You’re probably inundated with people and want some quiet time.” I bit my thumbnail, suddenly doubting everything.
“No. Well, yes. We’ve had a lot of visitors, but that’s a good thing. It stops me from thinking too much.”
“In that case I don’t feel as bad about calling with a question about work.”
“Works great. Definitely will keep my mind from going over everything that has happened. What do you need?”
“I agreed to take some photos for a vow renewal this morning.”
“Yeah, that’s for Brooke, right?”
“Yes! Only with the whole pregnancy thing I think my brain has turned to mush.”
“Why? What’s happened?”
“The diary says that she wanted to have it in Alexandra park at eleven. Only no one is here.”
“That’s right. I checked the booking a couple of days ago.”
“Did you confirm it by calling her?”
“Ahuh. Maybe she’s just been held up.”
“Possibly. Only no one is here. No planners, no celebrant, no guests. Just me.”
“Oh. Then maybe the time changed. Have you tried calling her?”
“Yes. Her number is disconnected.”
“Well that’s weird. Give me a minute and I’ll try to call her.”
“No! You have enough to do. I just thought I’d double check that she hadn’t changed it and I’d missed the memo.”