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‘We’ll deal with that when it happens,’ Jason decreed. ‘If that’s okay with you, Laura.’
It was more than okay. They were a team and they were both fighting in Megan’s corner.
* * *
Laura’s new hairstyle was also more than okay. She was delighted when she walked out of the salon. She was even more delighted when she saw Jason’s expression.
‘Nice’ was the only word of approbation, but his eyes were saying a great deal more and Laura tucked her impressions away with all the other things that seemed to be coated with fairy dust.
‘Your turn now,’ Laura told Jason. ‘You get to have the afternoon off to do whatever you like.’
‘How ’bout a drive somewhere? We could take Megan to the beach. I’ll bet she’s never seen a beach.’
‘I haven’t seen one myself for a while.’ Laura also tucked away the fact that Jason had given up an afternoon’s reprieve in order to spend time with her and Megan.
As usual they took Laura’s hatchback car, because Jason still hadn’t cleaned out his own vehicle and she had declared it a health hazard for babies the first time they had taken Megan home. She wasn’t about to suggest he spend his free afternoon catching up with that task, though, not when the prospect of a family-type outing was in the offing for the first time.
And it was great.
They drove out of the city, taking the coastal road to the wide expanses of Paraparaumu beach. The warm spring afternoon held all the promise of a hot summer to come, and while the water was still far too cold to contemplate even a paddle, Jason eyed the gentle surf longingly.
‘Do you remember summer holidays when you were a kid?’
‘My family had a bach at Waihi. Corrugated iron walls, outside loo, no electricity. Must have been hell for Mum but we loved it. We’d spend the whole of January there some years.’
‘Good surf?’
Laura laughed. ‘Don’t tell me you really are an ex-surfer?’
‘What does she mean?’ Jason directed the question to the baby he was holding as they walked along the firm, damp sand just out of reach of the waves. ‘Look, Peanut…’
He turned his daughter and held her face outwards to the view. ‘This is a New Zealand beach,’ he said proudly. ‘It’s where most of us live for the summer holidays. We swim and build sandcastles and have picnics and barbecues. And surf,’ he added firmly. ‘There’s nothing better than catching a wave, kid. When you’re big enough I’ll get you a boogie board and teach you how to use it.’
Except that Megan would probably be spending her Januarys in a cold, grey city on the other side of the world, but neither of them mentioned that.
They sat for a while amongst the tussock-covered sand dunes and Jason was the one who fed Megan. He laughed at the baby’s expression on tasting her milk.
‘Yeah, I know it’s cold. Food always tastes different at the beach. Better,’ he added wistfully. He glanced up at Laura. ‘Look at that – she’s not bothered that it’s cold. She’s a little trouper, isn’t she?’
‘She’s great,’ Laura said quietly.
Jason broke the short silence that fell a minute or two later. ‘Talking about food at the beach… I’m starving.’
‘I’m not surprised. It’s three o’clock and we haven’t had lunch. Did you see that fish-and-chip shop we passed just down the road?’
‘Let’s go.’ Jason put Megan upright against his shoulder and was rubbing her back with what seemed like an automatic gesture. She obliged by burping loudly only seconds later, and then Jason was on his feet. ‘She’s going to need a nap by the time we’ve had our lunch.’
‘She’ll sleep in the car.’
‘We could take a longer route home. I’ll drive this time, if you like. Let’s go over the hills and back through the Hutt Valley. I haven’t been out that way for years.’
* * *
‘I never knew there was an animal park out here.’ Laura was turning her head to read the sign. ‘Look, it says it has deer and donkeys and goats and you’re allowed to feed them all. Be great fun for kids.’
‘We’ll bring Megan sometime when she’s awake.’
‘She might be a bit young to appreciate it.’
