The Secrets We Keep

CHAPTER FOUR

 The knowledge that Valentina was on her way back to Spain had both Mason and Izzy buzzing with relief and happiness and Hunter couldn’t recall when he’d seen them as light and happy. School was ready to start and that also meant harvest time was bearing down on him. Hunter’s preparations were well in hand and he was grateful for a good team of experienced grape pickers as well as enthusiastic senior school students and university students, a combination that made harvest time not so stressful. Of course, there were times when the universe managed to conspire against a stress-free harvest. His thoughts drifted to Leo Wainwright and his perfectly pruned vines. Mason would be helping with the harvest and Hunter wondered if Olivia would be willing to let Leo take part. He knew Olivia, Marron and a friend had spent a weekend in Auckland, leaving Xavier looking after Lucas and Leo. As it turned out, Xavier asked Mason and Izzy to join them and by extension Hunter.

With all the activity going on around them, there had been little opportunity to talk to Olivia. Hunter leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes only to have images of Olivia dancing in front of him.

“Hey, Dad, do you think we could invite Leo and Lucas to have pizza with us on Friday?” Mason stood in the doorway of Hunter’s study and he silently thanked his son for getting him off the Olivia Wainwright treadmill. Pizza Friday was eagerly awaited by the kids and during harvest it extended to any of the pickers who stayed back at the end of the day. For Hunter it was relief from having to think of what to make for dinner; for Mason and Izzy it was relief from Hunter’s inept cooking skills. His mother arrived frequently arrived with meals to freeze, her nod to her grandchildren that their father might be a master winemaker, but chef he was not. The assistance his parents had given him over the past fifteen years was immeasurable. They had supported him emotionally, were wonderful grandparents to Mason and Izzy and remained an important part of their lives. They had poured as much love into Izzy as they had Mason, the fact she was not their biological grandchild did not matter to them.

“Dad?”

“Sorry, mate. Sure, I don’t see why not but you’ll need to clear it with their parents.”

“Sweet. Marron usually picks Leo and Lucas up from school, so I’ll ask her tomorrow.”

“You’ll still need to speak to Ms Porter.”

“Yep.”

“Everything okay at school?”

“Yeah. I kind of like it. Teachers seem okay. I’m trying out for the rugby team on Thursday.”

“I thought you were sticking with soccer?”

Mason shrugged, “Rugby was always first, Dad. I mean soccer was fine in Spain because who doesn’t play soccer there?”

Hunter smiled, “Okay. Are the try outs after school?”

“Yeah.”

He hesitated. Would Mason appreciate his presence? Probably not.

“Where’s Izzy?”

“In the kitchen. She’s baking.”

“Baking?”

“Yeah. Cookies. It’s Oli – I mean Ms Wainwright’s recipe.”

“Mason -,” he began then checked himself. Over the past week he’d been concerned the kids were becoming too familiar with Olivia, especially Izzy who had latched onto her like a drowning man in a storm. He didn’t want to rain on their parade but there were rules and regulations, and he was aware of Olivia being a little remote since the weekend in Auckland.

“Dad?”

Blake pushed a hand through his hair and studied his son’s face. How had he not noticed that Mason’s face was no longer that of a boy but evolving to that of a young man. His strong jaw, straight nose, and ready smile. He looked a lot like Leo Wainwright, or should that be the other way round, Leo looked an awful lot like Mason. How he wished his parents were here on Waiheke instead of helping Uncle Chris at his Hawke’s Bay winery. His mother would know what to do. What if his mother knew something about Leo? That Leo was her grandchild? Surely, she would have said something to him.

“Dad?” Mason prompted a second time.

“Sorry, mate, I was miles, away wasn’t I?”

“Sure were. Is something wrong?”

“Just remember that Ms Wainwright is your school principal, no calling her by her first name. Okay?

Mason gave a short laugh, “I believe you’ve already had that conversation with me and with Izzy.”

“I have?”

“Yep.” He turned to leave then faced him, “Don’t suppose you want to come to the try outs? Leo, Lucas and Jack will be there.”

“Jack?”

“Jack Winchester. Remember he and his dad came to St Lucia last weekend.”

Hunter remembered, the weekend had been fun for everyone, even Izzy who was the only girl present. He liked both Xavier Weston and Blake Winchester who was in the process of restoring a nearby island, with a view to creating an Eco-tourism business.

“I remember. I’d love to be there, Mason.”

His son nodded, mumbled the word “cool” and ambled off in the direction of his room.

 Hunter found Izzy in the kitchen, humming a tune and with flour on her nose and forehead.

“Hey kiddo, what’s happening here?”

“Oh, hi Dad! I’m baking cookies. I’ve done choc-chip, and now I’ve just put a tray of Afghans in the oven.”

“Wow, so much work. And not too much mess.”

She shrugged, “Oli – Ms Wainwright told me it’s best to clean up as you go, that way you don’t go “ugh!” when the cookies are ready, but you’re faced with cleaning up.”

He nodded, smiling at her. The moment she’d been placed in his arms, she’d wriggled her way into his heart, despite not being his child. He recalled the feeling of elation when he found the positive pregnancy test in the rubbish, but the elation had soon turned sour when Nina plunged a knife into his heart, casually explaining the baby wasn’t his. Once he’d had a chance to gather himself together, he knew there was no possibility the baby could be his. There had been no intimacy since the birth of Mason and he, thinking she needed time and space, never questioned there could be someone else. Until that moment. Reeling from her confession, he’d sought out the one person who had always brought balance to his life. Olivia. Of course, he’d ruined it because he was a total ass to her, blaming her for the situation he was now in. Yeah, he was a total ass. That situation was solely down to his own stupidity. He was the one who allowed Nina to play on every insecurity he had. He, Hunter Lewis, had a lot of work to do before Olivia Wainwright would trust him or even bloody like him!

The school year was up and running and Olivia was pleased with the way in which the new teachers had worked their way into the community. She learned a couple of them were talented painters and she was able to introduce them to the vibrant community of artists who made the island their home. The students were…Well they were the students. Mostly good kids, a few that already showed signs of potential trouble including a group of three girls. Whispers around the school and comments from a few of their teachers had Olivia on alert. In a school with five hundred students, it was just easy enough to fly under the radar in terms of subtle questionable behavior, the most common being bullying. Not overt bullying, but more insidious and since taking over the role of Principal, Olivia took pride in knowing bullying was taken seriously and dealt with quickly. That had been one of the first platforms she’d created, and she made sure every teacher, parent and student understood the importance of working together to ensure each child felt safe and secure at school.

Leo, Lucas, Mason Lewis, and Jack Winchester had all made the first fifteen rugby team and Blake Winchester had taken the boys sailing to Motutawa Island where he was building an Eco-tourism business. From all accounts they had a wonderful time and Leo was full of enthusiasm for buying an island and doing the same. Her pockets were never going to be as deep as Blake Winchester’s. Yes, they were comfortable but if her grandmother hadn’t already had this house, she would never have been able to buy a property on Waiheke.

“Hey, Mum.”

Leo popped his head around the door of her study and when she glanced at her watch, she realised he was probably hungry, although lately he’d been eating his way through the contents of the fridge and the pantry as though he never saw food.

“Let me guess, it’s time for me to get some food happening?”

He laughed and plonked himself in one of the armchairs opposite her desk,

“I feel like I’m having an interview when you’re behind your desk and I’m in one of these chairs.”

“Do you? Maybe we can practice your interview techniques?”

“Nah, I’m good. I would like some food, but I want to tell you something, but first you have to promise not to say anything to Hunter.”

Olivia’s heart plummeted. The conversation she planned on having with Hunter never happened and she hoped like hell Leo hadn’t picked up on gossip.

“Leo, if this is a school matter, you need to speak to your year level coordinator.”

“I know but I thought seeing as you know Izzy you could sort of help out.”

“Izzy?”

“Yeah. There’s these girls and Izzy’s having a hard time. Well, it’s more than that.”

Olivia moved away from her desk and sat next to Leo,

“How bad?”

“They said nobody would talk to her unless she stole something from a shop in Oneroa.”

“Shoplifting?”

“Yeah. She didn’t do it, but at lunch and recess she’s in the library nearly every day because they’re closing her out.”

This was just what she feared. One of the girls had been at the school last year but the other two were new, their parents having moved to the island for a lifestyle change.

“We’re talking about Tabitha Collins and her friends?”

“Yep. She’s such a freaking cow.”

Olivia smiled, oh yes indeed, that was a good description of Tabitha and Olivia wondered what was going on at home.

“How about I speak to your coordinator tomorrow and sort something out. I don’t want to get too heavy handed because I should be the last resort. Your coordinator is trained to deal with these issues. Okay?”

He nodded, “Please don’t say anything to Hunter. Izzy doesn’t want him to get all stroppy.”

“Stroppy?”

“Yeah, you know, like you said, heavy handed.”

“Mm, well, I can only keep it from him for so long because if word gets back to him, he’ll probably be knocking at our door.”

“Can we eat now, I’m starving.

A week after Leo raised his concerns, the year level coordinator, Louise, stopped her in the corridor outside her office.

“Do you have a moment, Liv?”

She’d known Louise McKenzie since primary school, trusted her instincts as a coordinator and knew she was more than capable of dealing with a multitude of issues young teens experienced.

“Of course, come in. Is this a shut the door chat?”

“Yeah.”

Louise’s expression set off alarm bells. This was a woman who had raised four boys and whose husband was the local police sergeant.

“We have a situation,” Louise began, “And I don’t like it because it’s escalating.”

“Escalating?”

“Leo approached me and explained the situation with Izzy Lewis, so I decided to observe the group in question. I’ve made a few queries and the consensus is the group in is isolating Izzy until she proves herself worthy of belonging.”

Olivia groaned; it was just as Leo had said.

“Tabitha Collins?”

Louise nodded, “This was brewing last year and now with a few new students in the school she’s in her element.”

“What’s your gut instinct, Lou.”

“She’s trouble. Maybe something is going on at home, I can’t be sure. Anyway, I’ve decided to have a chat with Tabitha and then each of her friends, individually,” she paused giving Olivia a wry smile, “Problem is, I don’t want her threatening the others, so I’ll speak to them first. I doubt they’ll tell Tabitha because I expect they’re as terrified of her as Izzy Lewis is.”

“Excellent plan. You know I’ll back you up whatever you decide to do.”

“Thank you. Now, just one other small matter doing the rounds. Gossip mainly but as it involves you on a personal level, I need to be frank.”

“Of course.” Olivia’s heart rate kicked up a notch.

“There is a rumour, and only a rumour mind you, that you and Hunter Lewis had a relationship years ago. Okay, so we were at school together and your relationship with Hunter is old news but now the rumour has grown. Now what’s circulating is that Leo is his.”

Olivia blinked and her mouth went dry. This is what happens when you don’t deal with matters when they arise. The horse had bolted for sure.

“Between you and me, Lou. It’s true but I have to stress that Hunter doesn’t know and I’m not going into specifics here.”

“Sorry, Liv. It’s none of anyone’s business to be honest and it will go no further. If you need to talk, you know where I am,” she moved toward the door, “And that includes weekends. Okay?”

“Thanks, Lou.”

“Want me to close the door?”

“Please.”

Olivia sat back in her chair and closed her eyes. The potential for fall out was huge and she was left with no choice but to speak to Hunter, to Leo and hope that her son understood and wasn’t completely disappointed in her. Reaching for her phone she pressed Hunter’s number only to be directed to his voice mail. She left a message asking him to call her and, taking a deep breath, packed up for the day and headed home where she found Hunter sitting his car waiting for her. She pushed her door open and wearily walked towards the house. Hunter was out of his car and striding in the same direction, an unreadable expression on his face and Olivia hoped that somewhere inside the man he was now, still lurked the boy she had loved with all her heart fifteen years ago.

“Did you get my message?” she asked.

“No. Well yes. I did. We need to talk, I take it?”

“We certainly do. Where are your kids?”

“Swimming, with the usual gang.”

“Right. Come on then, best get this over, don’t you think?”

He shrugged and followed her into the house.

“Coffee or something stronger?”

“Coffee is fine.”

He stood in the same place as he had the day of the barbecue, a happy day, a day she thought he was beginning to put whatever demons inhabited his mind o rest. Olivia kicked off her shoes and padded into the kitchen, aware of Hunter following her. Finding herself on a forced auto pilot of sorts, she went through the motions of making coffee.

“Is instant alright?” she asked, not that she genuinely cared if it suited him or not, only that it gave her some time to think. She could feel him tracking her with his gaze fixed on her every movement. When he didn’t answer she went ahead with instant because right now she certainly wasn’t going to the bother of making real coffee. Shifting to face him, she was surprised to find he was still standing.

“Jesus, Hunter, at least sit down, you’re a whole lot of intimidating standing there with an expression to rival Heathcliff’s.”

Olivia placed a coffee mug in front of him, then milk and sugar then slid onto a chair opposite him.

“Is he mine?” he asked.

“He is.”

“All this time and you never said a word.”

“Never said a word?  Maybe we need to revisit the conversation we had the night you came to me, one minute crying, the next full of angry words, all because Nina had cheated on you,” she sipped her coffee and set the mug on the table, “Every single cruel word you uttered that night hit me like a bullet, Hunter.”

“I was angry. Confused. The life I thought I had turned out to be a complete lie and I didn’t know what to do.”

“She played you. Not once, not twice but over and over and you let her do it,” she put her hands up, “You know what, I’m not bringing Nina into this house, into this discussion. Yes, Leo is your son, I’m telling you now, what you do about it is up to you.”

Hunter was shaking his head, “That night, I found a pregnancy test in the bathroom and I knew the baby couldn’t be mine. I confronted her and she laughed in my face.”

“So, you came to me.”

Nodding, he said, “You were always able to make sense out of things and I sure as hell needed to make sense of things.”

“You didn’t tell me she was pregnant, you only told me about the affair.”

“Would it have made any difference?”

“I wouldn’t have let you take advantage of me the way you did. I wanted to comfort you because you were hurting. Had I known there was a baby, I would have sat and held your hand and then sent you home.”

“Are you saying I forced you?” There was no escaping the pain in his voice.

“Of course not! What happened was consensual, I knew what I was doing.”

“It was wrong of me, to do what I did, to take advantage of my best friend. If it’s any consolation, karma has not let me forget my behaviour.”

“What did your parents have to say about it all?”

“Dad was totally pissed off, told me to come home with Mason, tell her to bugger off back to her boyfriend.”

Despite the tension charged air, she did find herself smiling at the memory of Kevin Lewis and her own father discussing the best course of action. As Hunter said, Kevin was all for getting Hunter and Mason back home.

“How are your parents, by the way?”

“Good. Down in Hawke’s Bay for the next week or so. Uncle Chris had a fall, so Dad went down to help with the harvest.”  He leaned back in his chair and she sensed he had locked so much away, the pain, the betrayal, all of it. Leo was born four weeks early and in the NICU for much of that time, he was her sole focus, the reason for getting out of bed each day, she found the strength to push through the pain of Hunter’s betrayal, the pain of having her heart shredded when, in the early days of her pregnancy she often wondered whether her heart would ever be whole again.

Olivia scanned Hunter’s face, looking for anything to gauge what he was thinking or feeling, and there it was, just the briefest glimpse of uncertainty.

“Does Izzy know she’s not your child?”

Hunter’s gaze locked with hers, tears filling his eyes, “No,” he choked out, “And I don’t think I have it in me to tell her.”

Olivia debated whether to bring up the issue of Izzy being bullied but decided one headache at a time was more than enough.

“I understand. It’s hard not to feel for her, never knowing a mother’s love although I sure your mum has more than made up for it.”

“Oh, she has. They’ve never treated Izzy any differently, as far as they’re concerned, she’s their granddaughter and they love her to bits.”

“I’m glad,” her own voice broke and Hunter reached across the table and placed one of hands on hers.

“Does Leo know about me?”

Olivia shook her head, “I’ve lost count of the times I wanted to sit him down and tell him. Mum and Dad said I’d know when the time was right, but he’s going to be fifteen and now I can’t help but feel guilty.”

Tears rolled down her cheeks and she brushed them away.

“Does he ask about a father? I mean, he must have questions.”

“He asks, I’m guilty of not using those moments to tell him the truth.”

“Perhaps I ought to be here when you tell him?”

“That’s up to you, Hunter. I mean how do you see this playing out because I can tell you there’s already a rumour circulating around the school that you’re Leo’s father.”

For the first time since he’d followed her into the house, his mouth curved into an unexpected smile, reminding her of the boy she knew all those years ago.

“Then I guess it’s past time, don’t you?”

She nodded and, pulling his hand back he got to his feet, picked up his coffee mug and placed it in the sink. When he placed his hands on her shoulders she jumped, at the unexpected touch.

“Relax, Liv. We can do this. We’ll hold a family meeting as soon as the kids get back from swimming,” he glanced at his watch, “Which should be now?”

Olivia got to her feet and placed her own coffee mug in the sink, “You’re sure about this?”

“I am. There are too many secrets, it’s time we put at least one of them to bed.”

“Ms Wainwright!”

Judging from Mason’s tone of voice, something had happened, and Olivia rushed to the wooden deck and found Mason doubled over, breathing hard,

“You need to come quick, it’s Leo, he’s hurt!”

Heart in her mouth, she ran down the stairs and followed Mason down the pathway to the bay below with Hunter close behind and all Olivia could think of was that her beautiful boy was in trouble.