The Model Wife

by Tricia Stringer

  Natalie rose from the bed. She knew what she had to do. If she was to move forward, in whatever form that may take, she had to face up to the past and counteract it just like she had with the book. She wasn’t a hundred per cent sure what that would entail but she was certain of one thing – she had to go home.

  Thirty

  The grey of the last few days had lifted and although the air was still cold, the streets sparkled in the weak winter sunshine as the King family drove into town for their mid-morning meeting with the lawyer. Well, four of the King family anyway. Bree still wasn’t sure if they shouldn’t wait until their mum came home before they had this meeting but Milt and Kate had both been convinced it should be sorted as soon as possible.

  Milt turned off the main street and pulled up in front of a grand old house with a neat garden and ivy trailing along its wide verandahs. A simple sign on the fence announced Clarke Lawyers.

  Bree glanced at her dad. “What are we doing here?”

  “Couldn’t get an appointment till next week at Burrows and Burrows.”

  “And it’s a good idea not to go to the same people Granny does,” Kate said from the back seat.

  “You haven’t used Clarkes before.” Bree gave her dad a sceptical look.

  Milt sat back in his seat and looked at her. “It’s time for change.” Bree had the feeling he meant more than just changing the law firm where they conducted their business. “If we’re making fresh plans for our future I thought it was time for a new lawyer as well.”

  “Fair enough,” Bree said and as she followed the others into the building she felt a surge of anticipation. The only time she’d felt that way lately was with Owen. A smiling young receptionist greeted them and then Phoebe Clarke stepped into the waiting area with her hand extended. “Hello, Mr King.”

  “Call me Milt, please.”

  She smiled and shook his hand then Kate’s and Laura’s and finally Bree’s. Her grip was warm and firm. “I haven’t seen you all for years. You’re living on Eyre Peninsula, aren’t you, Kate, and I think you were still at school last time I saw you, Laura. You’ve moved away too, haven’t you?”

  Laura looked down at the floor. “I’ve come home for a while.”

  “Which is just as well at the moment.” Milt gave her an encouraging smile.

  “Would you like tea or coffee?” Phoebe turned to her receptionist. “I can recommend Kelsey’s skills as a barista.”

  “The coffee kind of barrister, not the law kind.” Kelsey grinned. “I have trouble with those words.”

  Phoebe chuckled too and Bree relaxed a little more at the thought of the discussions ahead.

  They followed Phoebe through to a comfortably furnished office. Kelsey brought their drinks and finally they all settled around Phoebe’s desk with an air of expectancy. She had a manila folder in front of her and Bree could see King in bold letters on the front but Phoebe didn’t open it. Instead she clasped her hands on top and smiled at Milt.

  “I must say, Mr King…Milt, your affairs are in far better shape than some I’ve seen. You’ve got a succession plan mapped out and although it needs a few details filled in it’s a sensible start.” She glanced at Bree. “It seems you’re the one keen to take over the property in the future but you’ve been given some time to make a decision. Is that why you’ve come today?”

  “Not exactly,” Bree said.

  “It’s more about protecting any assets we have from my sister,” Milt said, then he looked at each of his daughters. “But it might be an opportunity to talk about the future in more detail while all three of my girls are here.”

  “And your wife doesn’t want to be included?”

  “She’s away,” Laura and Kate said quickly in unison.

  Milt clasped his hands and turned back to Phoebe. “I know my wife and I are on the same page when it comes to our succession plan but this is only a discussion. Nothing would be finalised until she has the opportunity to look it over.”

  Bree wondered if her sisters detected the slip of confidence in his voice that she had.

  He cleared his throat. “Natalie has given us the go-ahead to sort this issue about my sister.”

  Phoebe didn’t miss a beat. “Certainly. From reading your father’s will it appears your sister has been provided for already. Can you elaborate?”

  Milt began to talk and Bree felt relaxed enough now to take a sip of the coffee Kelsey had made. It was good. She continued to drink. Her sisters did the same, listening to their dad’s explanation of Connie’s deceit, as he called it, peppered with the odd question from Phoebe, who made notes as he spoke.

  Phoebe was matter-of-fact and efficient. Less than an hour later they’d said their goodbyes and were out on the footpath again with a plan in place to make sure Connie got no more than she was entitled to and a better strategy for Bree to take on the property in the future.

  Milt unlocked the vehicle.

  “Have I got time to whip to the chemist before we go home?” Kate asked.

  “There’s something I’d like to do too if we’ve got a few minutes,” Laura said.

  “We’ve got to get back to the seeding.” Milt frowned then his face relaxed. “You’ve got ten minutes.”

  Bree climbed into the front beside him.

  “Haven’t you got something you need to do?” he asked.

  “No.”

  He nodded and picked up a council newsletter that had been between them in the console. He flicked through it but Bree could see he wasn’t really reading it.

  “You think Phoebe’s suggestions for a succession plan are sound?” she asked.

  He looked up, a frown on his face. “Yes, I thought you did too when we were discussing it inside.”

  “I’m happy; I just wonder if Laura and Kate might change their minds and we end up with a situation like Connie’s creating.”

  “That’s fixed now, and we’ll make things very transparent so there can’t be any surprises for you or your sisters.”

  Bree pondered that. “People can change.”

  “Don’t let your judgement be coloured by Connie. Laura and Kate are quite clear on what they’re entitled to if you take over the property. It can never be equal but I think they understand that.”

  “Phoebe’s scenario helped.”

  Milt chuckled and glanced back towards the office they’d just vacated. “She’s got a sound head on her shoulders.”

  After they’d sorted the Connie thing, Phoebe had moved on to the succession plan. She’d listed off the remuneration the girls had already received and what Milt had put aside for Laura either as a start for a house or a business. Bree had raised her eyebrows at that but Kate had simply nodded. Laura had said she’d tell Bree about it later and Phoebe had moved on. If Milt and Natalie decided to leave the property and buy a house they would use a combination of Natalie’s super and farm collateral to purchase it. In the event of their deaths the house would go to Laura and Kate and any money or shares belonging to Natalie would also be theirs. Phoebe had paused then and looked at each of them sagely. “The farm would be worth much more of course but that could never be realised unless Bree sold it,” she’d said.

  Laura’s eyes had widened at that point. “That would make her an instant millionaire,” she said. “Shouldn’t there be some proviso that gives Kate and me a share if she sells?”

  Phoebe clasped her hands together and looked directly at Laura. “Should Bree sell at some future date, whatever she realises from that sale would be from her own work which, and I’m assuming here, you have no interest in and would not have contributed to.”

  Laura pursed her lips. Bree imagined dollar signs flashing before her little sister’s eyes but there would only be money if Bree sold and, for the moment, anyway, she couldn’t picture that in her future.

  “What about the business you’re considering, Laura?” Phoebe went on. “The one that will be given a start with money from your family property. I don’t know what you’re planning b
ut let’s say whatever it is becomes very successful.” She paused and smiled. “I hope it does. Anyway, perhaps some time in the future you decide to sell this highly successful business. Will you be giving Bree and Kate a share of that?”

  Laura frowned and Phoebe went on. “We have to draw a line in the sand somewhere when it comes to properties and your parents are being as fair as they can be from what I can see. You have to be prepared to accept that if Bree goes ahead and takes over the property it becomes hers in its entirety and it’s not without its encumbrances. She has to continue to pay your grandmother’s allowance while she’s alive and pay for your parents during their lifetime. This would not be something you would be expected to do, nor Kate.”

  Laura had shifted in her chair. “I was just wondering,” she’d squeaked and Phoebe had smiled and moved on.

  Bree studied her dad now as he flicked the pages of the newsletter again.

  “Thanks, Dad.”

  He looked up, surprised. “What for?”

  “For trusting me with the place.”

  “It’s not yours yet.”

  “I know.”

  “There’s still time to change your mind.”

  “I know.”

  He scratched his chin. “Do you think you might?”

  She thought about that a moment then looked him in the eye. “No.”

  “This trip with Owen—”

  “It’s only temporary. We’ve done a lot of talking since he’s been in Marla. We think our future’s here even if his business is in town.”

  “It’s not easy running a property alone.”

  “I’ll have to employ someone when I need help.” She gave him a tentative smile. “But I hope you’ll be around for a while yet.”

  “I didn’t think you liked working with me.”

  “I don’t mind working with you, it’s the for you that’s tough.”

  Milt gave her a sharp look. “When I’m sixty-five it’s all yours.” Then his gaze softened, and he looked almost contrite. “I hope we can continue to work together and even after you take over the property. We both want beneficial outcomes for the place.”

  She nodded.

  “You understand the property, managing stock…” He swallowed. “And you have some good ideas. I’m proud of the way you work, Bree, the things you achieve…you’ve got a sensible head on your shoulders.”

  Bree was speechless a moment. “You’ve never said…I thought you were looking for help elsewhere.”

  A puzzled look crossed his face.

  “You spend a lot of time with Jack.”

  “Hell’s teeth, not you too.”

  “What do you mean, me too?”

  He shook his head. “Nothing. Look, I’m helping Jack out because he’s interested in a couple of things we do differently but you’re the future of our property, not Jack.”

  “Thanks, Dad.”

  He reached for her hand, gave it a squeeze. “I know I can be a bit short when we’re working together.”

  “You think?” She raised an eyebrow.

  “I really am going to try to do better.”

  His look was earnest but she knew it still wouldn’t be easy. “It’s not a one-way street. I know I can be a bit prickly too.”

  “You think?” he mimicked and they both laughed.

  “You two sound happy.” Kate climbed into the back seat. “What’s happened?”

  “Nothing much,’ Bree said. “Just chewing the fat.”

  “What’s Laura been up to?” Kate said.

  Bree and Milt both turned to look back as Laura clambered in beside Kate carrying a large paper bag.

  “What have you been buying now?” Bree said.

  “Something I’ve had my eye on,” Laura said as she stowed the bag at her feet.

  Milt started the car.

  “What is it?” Kate prodded.

  “Boots.”

  “If there was something you didn’t need it was more footwear,” Bree said. “Have you seen how many pairs she has, Kate?”

  “They were on sale at that new place,” Laura said before her sister could answer. “Dad said we should shop locally.”

  “Hell, Laura,” Bree said.

  There was silence from the back seat then a chuckle from Kate.

  “What?” Bree said, turning to look at her sister.

  “You and Dad are peas in a pod.”

  Bree turned back, bristling at the suggestion, but she caught a glimpse of her dad’s face as he checked the rear-view mirror and she relaxed against her seat. He was smiling and she realised suddenly that she could do far worse in life than to be like her dad.

  The aquamarine water of the Indian Ocean rolled onto the long wide curve of beach, edging forward then slipping away. The late-afternoon tide was low, exposing shells and small clumps of weed that wobbled and swayed with each gentle wash of water. Natalie sat in the shade of the only shelter, a rustic structure of wooden posts partly thatched with ragged palm leaves, as she had done after every swim, but today her visit was tinged with sadness. Even though she’d made up her mind to go home, she was finding it hard to leave this patch of paradise and the friends she’d made.

  She shifted on her towel and adjusted her sunglasses. The heat pressed on her and the breeze caressed her skin with the blessing of cool air. At home it would be freezing but at home was the life she’d abandoned and now knew she had to return to. She’d been sorely tested, come to another crisis point in her marriage and this time Clem was not here to offer her a choice. Her girls were grown up, she had no-one depending on her, but she did have a husband, a marriage that she’d invested so much of herself in. She felt stronger now. Today she’d faced up to the fact that she could stay or she could walk away but she couldn’t make that decision until she’d talked to Milt one more time. Her faith had been shaken by the obvious likeness between Milt and Jack. She needed something more tangible than a simple no to the question that had haunted her for so many years. Was Jack his son?

  She dug in her bag for her water bottle and her fingers brushed the soft cover of The Model Wife. She’d brought it with her to the beach with the intention of holding a ritual dispersal before she went home and she’d almost forgotten. She tugged it from her bag and gripped the cover, ready to rip it off, but her fingers brushed the smooth face of a photo. Under her fingers her girls gazed back at her along with Milt’s proud smile. Her hold loosened and the book fell to her lap. Looking on their trusting gazes she knew that the book, like her children, her post-natal depression, Olive, her parents, the challenges of her marriage and the many other moments documented in it, were all part of her life. She flipped the pages idly with one finger then closed it gently and stared at the faded red cover. She couldn’t destroy it.

  At the sound of a distant vehicle she looked up and shifted her gaze left, searching. A four-wheel drive ploughed over the sand but it was white, not the dark green vehicle she’d wished for. She berated herself. Gabe was gone. She’d been beguiled by the idea of him but thankfully that was all. It embarrassed her now to think that if he’d…she might have…

  “Natalie!”

  The vehicle had come to a halt further along the deserted beach and Charlie was waving to her from the driver’s window.

  She waved back. The other doors flew open and the happy sound of children chatting and laughing drifted on the slight breeze as they made their way to the water. Charlie trailed along behind them. He’d said he’d pick her up when he brought the kids for a swim.

  Back at camp her bags were packed, even though her ride to Broome wasn’t till tomorrow. One of the families had a spare seat for her to travel with them. She’d booked a room at a place in the town and flights for the following day and would arrive in Adelaide late Saturday night. She hadn’t let her own family know about her plans yet. Perhaps she’d ring them from Broome, or maybe Perth or maybe she’d just surprise them. She hadn’t decided yet but she was ready to go.

  She ran her fingers over the so
ft cover of the book and gave a rueful but happy thought to her morning spent cleaning and tidying her cabin. Perhaps there were some parts of her that wouldn’t change, that she didn’t want to change even, but she was working on the rest.

  Squeals of delight drifted up from the water. She stood and slipped off her sarong. She had time for one last swim before she began her journey home.

  Thirty-One

  On the King property, rain had been bucketing down again from the big dark clouds gathered overhead. The ground was too boggy and Bree had stopped seeding. She pulled her ute up near the dog pens and took a deep breath. More rain was forecast, which might mean no paddock work for a day or so. The last few days had been crazy between seeding, keeping on with the tennis court – she didn’t want to let that go now her dad had started it – and visiting the lawyer the day before. It had been a relief when her dad had finally driven off to Adelaide after lunch but it had meant extra work for her. Now it was late on Friday afternoon and she was looking forward to sitting back with a beer and phoning Owen in Marla. She hoped he might have knocked off a bit earlier too.

  She unleashed the two kelpies from the back and fed them a bone each from the old fridge in the shed.

  “We can all put our feet up for the afternoon,” she said as she shut their pens.

  “Bree!”

  She looked across the yard towards the house. Laura was waving at her from the front gate. Bree waved back and climbed into the ute, drove over and lowered her window.