road and into a small side road towards the mountain range behind Fermosa Bay. Within minutes he parked in front of an impressive house with a view over the ocean. The front looked neat with only two bikes leaning against the garage. It seemed the house had been built recently, looking even more impressive with the exterior lattice wooden walls.
He turned off the engine and opened the door.
“I’ll wait here,” Jack said.
Connor nodded and walked towards the house. Pausing on the step of the front door, he turned to take in the scenery around the house and spectacular view across the town and sea. He startled when the front door opened. Before him stood a man about his age, about the same height. His hair was blond with dark roots, and the freckles on his face gave him a mischievous look. The blue eyes studied him, carefully and hesitant.
“You must be Niall,” he said as he stepped closer to the house, not able to hold back a smile.
There was an uncertain nod and all of a sudden Connor wasn’t so sure anymore. He’d heard about Niall’s guilt all these years, because he thought he’d been responsible for the fall. They’d been kids and in reverse Connor felt the guilt inside for this man, because he’d done nothing wrong.
“Good to see you, mate,” Niall finally said as he held out his hand.
Connor took his hand and relief washed through him. “Good to see you, too. Will you join us?”
“That was the idea, but only—”
Connor shook his head. “No. Great idea.”
Ethan came down the hallway, packed with a few things under his arm.
“Got some space left in the car?”
Connor laughed. “Most certainly.”
As they packed another chair and a few more other extras, Connor felt a rush of excitement and warmth, and again the regret that he’d probably missed out on many barbeques with these guys.
Ethan and Niall said their hellos to Jack, made some comments about the weather before they drove up the road and into the forest to a little waterfall, hidden away from the tourist route.
Connor looked around, stepped into the shade of the forest, and subconsciously took in a deep breath of the clean, crisp air. He loved the spot already and allowed for his senses to take everything in. To his side, he heard the sudden sound of birds chirping, and a soft breeze gently rustled the leaves of trees. With the roar of the waterfalls in the distance, they descended through the ancient rainforest to a small spot near the basin. Small droplets of water touched his skin as Connor explored the area.
He stopped, listened, and asked the others. “What’s that sound?”
“A koala.”
Turning, he met his father’s gaze, checking whether he was serious, before he looked up the trees in search for the animal.
Jack came closer and placed his hand on Connor’s shoulder. “Don’t despair. You’ll see heaps of them around the house. Noisy buggers they are.”
Connor chuckled at his father’s expression.
It was such a contrast to his life in England. So different, and yet, he was so much more at ease here than he’d ever been on the other side of the world. Pinching the bridge of his nose with his thumb and finger, he let out a long breath.
At that moment, he knew Australia was a big part of him.
Jack coughed.
“Jack?”
The old man held up his hand. “Don’t. I am okay.” He ran his finger under his nose, wiping it across his upper lip. “I’ve got my boys with me. I’ve been waiting for this for over twenty years. I’m not letting some silly cough take it away from me.”
They sat and started eating their sandwiches.
“Yum,” Connor commented.
“Jacqui does the best sandwiches,” Niall said.
“Jacqui is Emily’s mother,” Jack explained.
“Is there a father?” Connor asked.
Jack nodded. “Miles. Works on one of the fishing boats.”
For a long moment, they ate in silence before Connor asked, “So, Niall, Ethan runs the hotels, what’s your part in the business?”
Niall
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