by Mandy Magro
Nearing the homestead, a massive clap of thunder startled her and Maxwell, and the world around her rapidly darkened. Just as she reached the canopy of the shed and skidded into park sideways, the blue-black clouds that were swallowing up the sky once again bellowed and burst, the heavy drops thunderous on the tin roof – to the point she couldn’t even hear herself think. Then the wind swiftly picked up and tossed leaves across the driveway. Beneath the jacaranda tree, her chooks huddled together, sticking close to the massive tree trunk so as to not be blown away. Bursts of lightning shot through the sky, and thunder boomed. The scent of wet dog wafted from where Maxwell was sat upon her boots, pressed up against her so there wasn’t an inch between them. She huddled beneath the dripping awning, shivering from head to toe. His anxious gaze to the sky, Maxwell whined, shaking. She knelt down and cuddled him to her – after the comfort and protection he’d provided her with these past few weeks, it was her turn to repay the favour.
It took a good five minutes for the worst of the storm to pass, and only then did Nina unfurl her arms from around Maxwell’s neck, leaving virtually half of his coat stuck to her wet skin. ‘Come on then, boy, let’s go get you dry and warm, huh, and out of this horrible weather.’
Keen as mustard to do just that, Maxwell raced towards the safety of the verandah, flew up the steps, skidded to a slippery stop near the back door, and watched her like a hawk as she neared him. Nina’s heart melted – she was falling more and more for this loveable pooch every day. Just how she was going to leave him behind when she went back to Brisbane was beyond her. Her feet squelched in her boots as she crossed the back lawn and trudged up the stairs, drops of water rolling down her cheeks from her hair. Flopping down on the settee, she grumbled and groaned as she tried with all her might to tug a wet boot from her sock-sodden feet. It took her rolling backwards, her leg at an awkward angle, and a heck of a lot of grunts, to finally reef it free. Losing her grip, it hightailed across the verandah and knocked one of the pot plants over. Dirt went everywhere. Dang it, she’d clean it up later. For now, she was faced with the challenge of getting the other boot off. With a few deep breaths, she grit her teeth and rose to the challenge.
‘Argh, for Christ’s sake,’ she mumbled, as it finally freed itself and followed the same path as the matching boot, this time landing somewhere in the garden. She went to retrieve it when the pitter-patter of paws had her turning to see Digger racing up the back steps, drenched to the bone, and looking even more terrified than Maxwell – if that was even possible.
Rushing over to him, she welcomed Logan’s dog to her, and lifting him up, she gave him a cuddle – he was shivering like crazy. ‘Why are you out and about in this weather, mister? You should be old enough and wise enough to know better,’ she mumbled into his muddy coat. Maxwell, now at her side, looked up and pawed at his friend. Nina glanced down at him. ‘He’s okay, boy. Let’s get you both inside to dry off, and then I’ll call Logan and let him know you’re here, hey, Digger?’
They made their way inside, and Nina grabbed a couple of old towels from the laundry cupboard. Sitting down on the floor, both dogs feeling safer, the pooches sensed a new kind of adventure as each of them bit and tugged at the corners of the towels as she tried to dry them off. By the end of the ordeal, she was laughing her heart out, and both dogs had forgotten why they were even wet in the first place – the storm the furthest thing from their minds as they tore around the laundry, down the hallway, and back again. Nina let them run off their excitement at being with each other and then took them into the kitchen, where she grabbed her mobile from the bench, dialled Logan’s number, and then squished the phone between her ear and her shoulder as she opened and divided a can of dog food between the pair.
She plonked the bowls of dog food down just as the call went to voicemail. The sound of Logan’s deep husky voice, although prerecorded, sent a flutter of butterflies throughout her stomach. ‘Hey, it’s me, if you’re looking for Digger, don’t worry, I’ve got him here. I think he decided to wander over for a visit. Give me a call back when you can.’ Ending the call, she turned to see both bowls licked clean and the pair of them curled up in a ball on Maxwell’s blanket in a food coma, almost asleep. ‘Far out, you two munchkins, talk about inhaling your food.’ She chuckled softly as she flicked the kettle on, admiring the view out the kitchen window of the glistening landscape now the rain had passed over.
Even though she’d been kept busy tidying up the gardens, and catching up on some much-needed TLC around the place, she found it hard to believe that two weeks had now passed. Only two more weeks and she’d be heading back to Brisbane, where she could eventually pretend none of this ever really happened. She was still to catch up with Cassie – they’d chatted on the phone a couple of times but that was it. She totally understood Cassie had her hands full, working full-time at the hairdresser’s and being a single mum. Hopefully they’d be able to go to the upcoming bush race day together – it was always a great excuse for a catch-up with mates.
The hum of a car approaching pulled her attention back to the kitchen window, and she smiled broadly when she spotted William pull up and hop out, a brown paper bag in hand. He caught her gazing at him and offered a warm smile and a wave. She returned the gesture before racing to the back door to welcome him in.
‘Hey, William, great timing, I was just about to make myself a cuppa.’
‘Hey, Nina, too right it is, I haven’t had a chance to have one yet today, been too busy running errands.’ He climbed the steps – his limp more pronounced today. ‘And I brought us a piece of lemon tart each. A little birdy told me you liked it.’
‘It’s only my all-time favourite dessert.’ Nina’s mouth watered just thinking about tucking into a piece. ‘Was the little birdy Bea, by any chance?’
‘Yes, it was Bea who told me.’ He paused at the top of the steps and rubbed his hip, groaning.
Nina took a step forwards. ‘You okay?’
‘Yes, fine, it’s just an old injury, topped off with the beginnings of arthritis. This damn wet weather makes it hurt more than usual for some reason.’
‘Yeah, I’ve heard the drop in air pressure can cause arthritis to flare up, because the joints swell more.’
‘Is that so?’ William looked mighty impressed. ‘Makes a lot of sense, I suppose.’
She offered him a kind smile. ‘Apparently taking turmeric tablets helps with the inflammation.’
‘Gee whizz, you’re a mine of information. I might have to give it a go.’ He neared her and gave her a peck on the cheek. ‘It’s really nice to see you again.’
‘You too.’ Nina stepped aside. ‘Come on in.’
He took off his shoes as she closed the door behind him. He looked at the locket around her neck. ‘It’s really lovely to see you wearing it.’ His smile was filled with kind affection.
She softly rested her hand against it. ‘I never want to take it off. Thanks again for being so thoughtful.’
‘My pleasure, Nina.’
Nina glanced to where she’d placed Bea’s urn atop a mantelpiece in the lounge room as they both wandered towards the kitchen. ‘You know, it’s really great to know I have an uncle.’ She looked over her shoulder at William and smiled. ‘I thought Bea was the only family I had.’
William cleared his throat. ‘That’s very sweet of you to say.’
Nina grinned a little cheekily. ‘I can be sweet, when you catch me on a good day.’ She couldn’t be sure, but it looked like he blinked back a tear as he nodded. ‘Are you okay?’
‘I’m fine. You and Bea are my only family, Nina, so it means a lot, knowing you care as much as you do about me, that’s all.’
‘Oh, William, I know exactly what that feels like, having no relatives, so let’s stick together now that Bea’s gone, hey? We’ll have to make sure to keep in touch when I go back to Brisbane.’ She offered him a considerate smile. ‘Maybe you could even come and visit me there for Christmas this year?’
Wil
liam straightened as if a small weight had been lifted from his broad shoulders. ‘I’d really like that, Nina, thank you for the invitation.’
Nina sensed his loneliness, it hung like a cloud over him, and her heart reached out to him as she wished he lived closer to Riverstone Ridge so she could spend more time with him and get to know him a little better before she went back to her life in the city. ‘Would you like coffee or tea today?’
‘Whatever you’re having is fine with me.’
‘I think I’m going to have a peppermint tea.’
‘Great, one of my favourites, the other is ginger and lemon.’
‘Oh my god, me too. How uncanny, hey?’
‘Yes, isn’t it just.’ He wandered over to where Maxwell and Digger were still fast asleep. ‘I miss having this crazy boy at home, but I bet he’s loving being back here?’ he added quietly.
‘He’s my right-hand man, I have to say.’ The kettle boiled, and she popped a teabag in each cup and poured in the steaming water, followed by a splash of cold water so they didn’t burn the roof of their mouths to a crisp – a lover of herbal teas, Nina had done that too many times to count. ‘I know I’ve already thanked you, but thanks again for the gorgeous flowers you left last time, too. How did you know sunflowers are my favourites?’
‘Bea told me lots about you.’
‘All good I hope?’ She flashed him a smile over her shoulder.
‘Yes, of course, she praised you like the flowers praise the sunshine.’
Nina’s heart squeezed and tears sprang to her eyes. She sniffled and blinked them back. ‘Aw, that’s a lovely way to put it.’ Padding over to the dining table, she placed the cups down on coasters. ‘Would you like some cream to go with the lemon tart?’
‘It would be a sin if I said no to that.’ He grinned like a naughty child as he pulled up a chair and sat down, and after quickly grabbing the cream from the fridge and a couple of plates and spoons, so did Nina.
They busied themselves slipping a slice of tart each on a plate, and then Nina poured a mountain of cream over the top of both. They took an eager bite and groaned in unison.
Nina licked a few tasty morsels from her lips, feeling as if she’d died and gone to foodie heaven. ‘Oh my goodness, William, this is amazing!’ She greedily shoved in another mouthful.
‘Isn’t it?’ William nodded before placing a much more sophisticated forkful in his mouth.
Nina liked the way he was quietly graceful – a man of the old world.
‘So how have things been going here?’ William asked, his cup to his lips. He blew it a little, a puff of steam rising, before taking a sip.
‘Yeah, plodding along nicely. Bert is a wonderful bloke – he comes and goes, does his own thing – and Logan has been popping in too to offer a hand and alleviate his holiday boredom.’
‘Has he now? That’s very thoughtful of him.’ William held a poker face, but she could hear the lilt in his voice and could see a tiny hint of a smirk being fought off. It made her blush to think he might have an inkling of the undercurrent of her and Logan’s seemingly platonic relationship.
Feeling like a deer in headlights, she avoided responding altogether, and instead turned the focus back to William. ‘So is anything exciting happening in Port Douglas this weekend?’
‘Not really. Other than the ebb and flow of the tourists, it’s a sleepy little town – there’s not even a McDonald’s or a KFC, can you believe it?’ He looked chuffed with the fact. ‘Not that I ever eat any of that junk – I’d rather eat flavoured cardboard, to be honest.’
‘Totally agree with you there, all that stuff gives me a belly ache, and I love that they’ve tried to keep the big wigs out of there.’
‘Me too, the lack of fast food and chain shops is one of the main reasons I chose to retire there. It just feels more, well, wholesome, like the good old days.’
‘It sounds really lovely, William, I’ll have to put a visit there on my bucket list.’
‘Most certainly, and you always have a place to stay with me, for as long as you’d like.’
‘Thanks, and likewise.’ Nina slowly placed the last mouthful of tart on her fork, and made sure to delight in it completely. As she did, she thought about how it was always when something was almost gone that a person stopped to really appreciate it. Logan’s face flashed through her mind, but she shoved it back to wherever it had appeared from. She couldn’t humour the thought of him, of them ever being more than friends. ‘Do you miss the buzz of the big smoke?’ Her voice sounded a little squeaky, and she coughed to clear it.
His lemon tart finished, William carefully placed his fork on the plate and pushed it to the side. ‘Not one little bit.’
Nina tried to do the same, but her fork clattered, rolled off the plate and to the floor. She bent to pick it up. ‘Really? There’s nothing?’
‘Maybe the little Portuguese tarts I used to get from my corner bakery, but other than that, nothing at all.’
‘Funny, the things we miss, isn’t it?’ Nina chuckled softly. ‘It’s good to hear you’re happy with where you’re at in your life now.’
William tipped his head to the side as his grey brows furrowed a little. ‘I wouldn’t say I’m completely happy, or at total peace, but in time, I hope that will come.’
‘We are always a work in progress, hey?’ Nina said softly.
‘Too right, Nina.’ William smiled, nodding. ‘A very wise woman used to always say that to me.’
Nina’s heart fluttered with memories. ‘Yes, Bea always had a way with words, didn’t she?’
‘She sure did.’ He looked into his peppermint tea and sucked in a sharp breath. ‘I really miss her, so much.’
‘Yeah …’ Nina bit her bottom lip to stop from crying. ‘Me too.’
They both sat in quiet contemplation, the ticking of the clock above the stove and the call of the birds outside the only sounds.
‘So, do you feel like telling me a little about your wife and kids, now we’re having a bit of a chit-chat?’
William paused. His Adam’s apple bounced up and down, as though he was fighting off raw emotions. ‘I was with my soulmate for thirty-eight years, and we’d planned to retire in Port Douglas, and had dreams of travelling the world on cruise ships, but I’m afraid cancer had other plans.’
‘Oh my god, you lost her, and Bea, to cancer?’ Nina grabbed his hand across the table and gave it a squeeze. ‘I’m so sorry, William.’
‘Cancer has taken a lot of my friends along the way.’
Nina’s mouth tightened into a thin line as she nodded. ‘I wish they’d hurry up and find a cure. It’s a damn rotten disease.’
William’s desolate expression was the epitome of sadness. ‘It sure is.’
Her uncle having the same warmth and kindness as Bea, Nina felt herself bond with him on a level she never thought possible, especially after only a few times spent getting to know each other. ‘So how long have you been on your own?’
‘About two and a half years.’
‘It must be hard, after being with your wife for so long, having to learn to live without her.’
‘Oh, we weren’t ever married, but yes, it has been a very tough road.’ He shrugged. ‘But bit by bit, I’m slowly getting there.’
‘That’s really good to hear.’ Blinking back tears, Nina gave his hand another loving squeeze. ‘I’m here, anytime, okay?’
‘Thank you, Nina.’ William sniffled and wiped a stray tear from beneath his eye. ‘You don’t know how much that means to me.’
‘Like I said, we’re going to stick together.’ She forced a broad smile. ‘I just wish I’d met you years ago.’
‘Me too, but then things always work out how they’re meant to.’ He smiled. ‘Anyway, I best be off before it gets too dark. I’ve really enjoyed chatting and getting to know you a little more.’
‘Yes, me too, let’s do it again soon.’
‘For sure. I’ll be back in a week, so how about we have that lu
nch we spoke of then?’
‘Yes, great, I’ll look forward to it.’
William gathered the plates and cups and placed them in the sink. ‘Would you like me to wash up?’
‘Oh, no, thank you – that’s what the dishwasher is for.’
Nina walked him to the door, and he pulled an envelope from his back pocket. ‘Here you go.’
‘Thank you. Time has certainly flown. I still can’t believe I’ve been here a little over two weeks now.’
‘You know, they say that only happens when you’re having fun, Nina.’ He arched a silvery brow. ‘Just some food for thought.’ He graced her with a meaningful smile before taking both her shoulders and giving her a kiss on the cheek. ‘Bye, love, see you next week.’
With William’s show of warmth, Nina was suddenly overwhelmed with emotion and had to fight to stop from bursting into tears. ‘Yup, catch you then, William.’ Feeling cherished by a man she could call her uncle was a nice feeling. She leant on the railing of the verandah and watched him climb into his flashy four-wheel drive, waving him off as he drove away.
Ducking back inside, Nina went straight to the table, sat down, and tore the envelope open. She couldn’t wait to find out what Bea had in store for her this time round.
To my darling Nina-Jane,
I won’t jabber on too much in this letter, as what I’m about to lead you to will speak a thousand words. As I always said, talk is cheap and actions mean everything. I know you hate going into the attic, but in this instance, you must. Over on the left-hand side of the room, beneath a pile of curtains and old sheets, is a box my beloved father made me when I was just a wee girl. Inside it are snippets of my life, parts of which will help you to understand why I never had a child of my own flesh and blood to raise. I never spoke of what happened to me because doing so would make me relive the horror I went through all over again. Instead, I locked it all away, deep down in the crevices of my heart and soul. As the years rolled on, my ignorance helped me to forget, most of the time, but never would I rid my heart of the pain, nor did I ever want to. I never pressured you into coming back here because, believe it or not, you and I are so alike, my sweet Nina. I ran from my past too, in a different way to you, but still, I did. So I totally understand why you chose to do what you did, but believe me, when you come to the end of your life, and you have no time left to resolve regrets, you may wish you had a second chance. I know I sure do – and this is what I am hoping to give you.