Page 60 of Autumn at the Willow River Guesthouse
‘The worst bad of all?’
Lily nodded. ‘That’s the one.’
Michael’s smile dropped. ‘This will hurt. Just before I say anything, I want to tell you that I really like you, Lily. I mean, maybe you don’t remember but when we were kids I had this weird crush on you, and it’s never really gone away. Then when you got in touch with me, it was like a lightning bolt out of nowhere. I never thought I’d ever see you again, but even if I did, there’d be nothing there, I could put my crush back in the cupboard and forget about it, but then I came here and saw you again, and—’
His hand had slipped down her arm and without realising it, Lily found her hand in his. It felt warm, comforting. Natural.
‘Just tell the bad thing,’ she said.
Michael took a deep breath. ‘I’m in a Nickelback covers band,’ he said.
Lily almost choked with laughter. ‘What? You mean, at university?’
Michael gave a solemn shake of the head. ‘No, I mean right now. It’s with some other journalists I’ve known for a while. I play bass.’
Lily took a deep breath. ‘So … at least you’re not the singer.’
‘I was, but we found a better guy.’
Lily nodded. ‘And you have … all of their CDs?’
‘Digital,’ Michael said. ‘I can’t carry CDs on the bike. But I have an iPod.’
‘I’m not sure if we can work past this,’ Lily said trying not to smile. ‘But maybe we can find you a support group or something?’
‘I know it’s a deal breaker,’ Michael said, ‘But I really like them.’
‘Uncle Gus will love you,’ Lily said quietly. ‘Dad too. Mum only listens to opera and new age stuff. Forest sounds, that kind of thing.’
‘Are we talking about parents already?’
Lily found herself blushing. ‘Oh, I didn’t mean—’
Michael squeezed her hand. ‘Talking of which … I need to go and see mine.’
Lily gave a little shake of her head. ‘I almost forgot. Okay, the plan is, you wait out here. I’ll try and bring her down. Stay out of sight until I give a signal.’
‘Which will be?’
‘I don’t know … I’ll wave or something.’
‘Sounds good.’
‘We need to get her outside. That way she can’t just lock her door. Right, wait here.’
She reluctantly let go of Michael’s hand and took the hamper over to the picnic bench where she had sat with Victoria before. Then, giving Michael a thumbs’ up, she headed into the annexe and up the stairs to Victoria’s room.
Unable to hide her nervousness, her first knock barely scrapped the wood, so Lily tried again, this time overdoing it and hurting her knuckles. Worried Victoria might think there was some kind of weirdo standing outside her door, she leaned forward and called, ‘Victoria? It’s just me. Lil … ah, the breakfast girl.’
She waited for a few seconds, but no answer came. She knocked again, but when she still received no answer, she tried the handle and, surprised to find it unlocked, gently opened the door.
Something was off about Victoria’s suite. The hallway felt a little different to usual, but it wasn’t until Lily crept up to the door to the main room and pushed it open that she really understood.
It was tidy.
Spotless from top to bottom, all the chairs in place, even the bed visible through an adjoining door was neatly made.
And more, it looked as though Victoria had packed to leave. Three large suitcases stood by the door, and remaining in the room were just a few personal items yet to be put away.
