The Candidate by Juliet Francis Read Free Book Online Page B

nodded.
    ‘But that’s horrible,’ Ginny said softly. ‘Terrifying.’
    ‘I know.’ Jen was touched by Ginny’s concern. She’d been right to tell her. Mac needed a few more people who cared about him in on this little secret. At some stage he’d need help to edge back into a more normal life. ‘We’re scared too, his dad and I, but he’s made his decision. It was a shock finding out, especially for Andrew. It took him some time to accept that what he wants for his son isn’t what Mac wants. Or what’s right for him, either. But, clearly, Mac is following his dream, and we’re proud of that.’
    Later, as Ginny was leaving, she handed her business card to Jen. ‘If it isn’t too much to ask, when you hear from him again, can you tell him I’m sorry? Obviously it’s up to him if he wants to get in touch — but I would really appreciate knowing he’s okay. From time to time …’
    ‘Of course. I’ll let him know you dropped by, and I’ll keep you posted.’
     
    Jen kept her word. She stayed in touch with Ginny, even emailing her after Ginny left for London, and was surprised when a sort of camaraderie developed between them. She let Ginny know as soon as they heard from Mac — either that he was home safely or, the odd time they had advance warning, that he was leaving.
    She refrained from telling Ginny how furious Mac had been when Jen confessed she’d told Ginny he was NZSAS. He had raged at her: Ginny had made it very clear he wasn’t wanted in her life and his stepmother had no right to involve her. Jen had raged back. She knew Mac, and he was a proud man, and whatever had happened with Ginny, or hadn’t happened, had injured that pride. Even so, she told him to get over it and stop being so childish. Just because Ginny didn’t want him in her life exactly the way he wanted didn’t give him the excuse to walk away and leave her without an explanation.
    He hadn’t liked what his stepmother had to say but Jen was matter-of-fact. MacNamara men had shocking tempers but they calmed down. Eventually.
     
    She’d been right. Mac had calmed down. Back in Auckland a few months after Ginny’s return from London, he sheepishly asked his stepmother for Ginny’s new number. More than a little nervous, he called her straight away and sighed in relief when she agreed immediately to his suggestion they catch up.
    They met in the neutral territory of a café. When Ginny threw her arms around him in greeting, he was momentarily breathless.
    Laughing, he pulled back and looked at her. ‘God, it’s good to see you.’
    ‘You too, Mac.’ She hugged him again.
    ‘How long are you in town for?’ Ginny asked as they settled in.
    He leant forward, crossing his arms on the table. ‘Just a couple of days. I’ve been down at Gibson’s, doing a bit of work.’
    ‘Jen told me about that. It sounds great, what you’re doing down there.’
    Mac raised an eyebrow. ‘I heard you two were … friends.’
    Ginny laughed at his expression, and the sound was like a favourite song to him.
    ‘Well, I wouldn’t say we’re drinking buddies but she kept in touch while I was away, and took me out for coffee when I got the business loan.’
    ‘I heard about that, too. It’s great Ginny, what you’re doing for yourself. I’m really proud of you.’ He saw the blush of pleasure in her cheeks and thought how curious is was that his stepmother had been the intermediary between them. He owed Jen his sincere thanks.
    He reached over, flicked her fringe. ‘This is new. Looks good.’
    Their coffee arrived and they caught up. The conversation stayed well away from his work; he was both unwilling and unable to say much about how he had spent the intervening years. He could tell her, though, what he was doing to the bach.
    ‘I’ve found a brilliant builder down there — a young guy just starting out on his own. He’s got a bit of draughting experience, so he picked my brains and came up with some plans. He gets me