THE LOST SUMMERS OF DRIFTWOOD
Bruised from the aftermath of a failed relationship and still heartbroken over the death of her sister the year before, Phoebe retreats to her family’s holiday cottage in coastal NSW. As she tries to unlock secrets from the past and reconcile the reasons for Karin’s death, she crosses paths with a former love and begins to reassess her life.
Phoebe opened her car door but didn’t get out. The night was thick with the smell of high summer. Her sister’s home was Lit with fairy lights, strung from the white-painted eaves and woven through the fragrant frangipani trees. From the elegant Federation architecture to the white Audi in the drive and the handsome investment banker husband, Camilla had it all. Phoebe shoved her heels onto her feet and located her handbag in the nest of empty water bottles on the passenger seat. She examined her face in the visor mirror, reapplied her lipstick, and stepped out of the car.
She pressed the doorbell and felt her stomach tighten. The music that had been playing inside stopped abruptly and Phoebe felt the hairs on the back of her neck rise. Something was off. She wasn’t sure what, but something didn’t seem quite right. For a start, her niece and nephew were usually the first to the door, tumbling down the hall towards her, breathless and sweet.
“Phee Phee,” Camilla swung open the door. She was wearing the equivalent of a white ball gown but had somehow managed to make this look completely fine for a family dinner. Phoebe ran her damp palms down the flimsy fabric of her dress and kissed her sister’s perfumed cheek.
“Where’s that handsome fiancé got to? Run off already?” Camilla laughed and Phoebe fought against the lump in her throat to speak. It was now or never.
She squared her shoulders. “Camilla, it’s off.”
“What is?” “Nathaniel and me. It’s over.” She grasped Phoebe’s arm. “What? No!” She lowered her voice. “No.”
“I know. I’m reeling.” Phoebe rubbed her temples. “I mean, it was all so sudden and I thought of calling you but I just thought it would be better … in person. I don’t know.”
“What? I mean, how?”
“He just didn’t …” “Propose?”
“Yeah. Said he just couldn’t.” “Where is he now?”
“I have no idea. We went our separate ways at the airport the night before last. I think I’m still in shock.” She gave a hollowsounding laugh.
Camilla’s face seemed to take on a crimson brighter than her lips. “Oh, I’m so sorry, hon. You see …” She leaned in close and Phoebe caught a hint of vanilla and coconut. Her sister always smelled like a Caribbean holiday. “I’ve kind of … organised something.”
Phoebe’s hand shot to her mouth. “No! You haven’t.”
Camilla’s lips lifted into a hopeful smile.
“A surprise thing? For our … engagement. Oh my God. The whole family? Everyone?”
Camilla nodded, and Phoebe felt sick. She eyed the front door and thought about running. “Oh my God. I can’t.”
Camilla patted her arm and lowered her voice to a whisper. “They’re all waiting right there in the dark, ready to shout ‘surprise’.” The Lost Summers of Driftwood by Vanessa Mccausland (Harpercollins Australia), out now, RRP $29.99.