Times of Our Lives

by Jane Waterton

  As they wandered, Louise soon realised that Caro was gently, but deliberately, steering them towards the large sheds where the animals were sold. Knowing her lover’s inability to walk away from a homeless creature, she followed reluctantly.

  “You do know that we aren’t getting any more pets, don’t you? And we are certainly not getting an alpaca,” Louise declared, trying to deflect Caro’s obvious enthusiasm.

  Caro stopped and indicated the six large wire crates in front of her; each held half a dozen different breeds of hen

  “So, I was thinking,” Caro spoke quickly, before Louise could open her mouth again, “how sensible it would be to have some hens. I mean, just a couple of hens. Then we would have fresh eggs every day. There’s plenty of space for them to roam during the day. We already have that old chook house we can fix up, and they will eat all sorts of food scraps. Just think, darling, fresh eggs whenever you want and as an added bonus, we get to recycle all our food scraps. They are not even expensive; I mean, if we got four they would pay for themselves in eggs in about four months. What we don’t use ourselves, we can sell to the residents.”

  Louise glanced at Caro and then the hens. Despite herself, she could see the sense in Caro’s suggestion, but after over fifteen years together, she knew better than to give in too quickly.

  “At the beginning of the conversation it was two hens, and it is now four hens,” she noted, her lips curving into a smile despite her best efforts to remain serious.

  The owner of the hens wandered over to join them. “Well,” he said with a grin, “there is no point just having two hens, and you have to have an even number otherwise they fight. Four is good, six is better.”

  “Good grief, it’s a conspiracy.” Louise laughed. “All right, then, I surrender. But four, not six; there are only so many eggs even we can eat.”

  After selecting the hens and arranging with the owner to deliver them after the market closed, they wandered over to the produce stalls, Louise’s favourite part of the market. Their first stop was a stall run by renowned local cheese maker Amy Bowers.

  “Hello, Amy, what cheeses have you brought today?” Louise asked, inspecting the mouth-watering array.

  “Ah, just the people I needed to see,” Amy replied. “I’ve been experimenting with a new soft cheese, and I think I might have finally perfected it. I’d love your opinion.”

  Amy cut two small slivers of the cheese and placed them on wafer biscuits, then handed the morsels over and stood waiting for their response.

  Louise groaned as she savoured the offering. The piquant flavour was a wonderful contrast to the creamy softness of the cheese.

  “Oh that’s perfect,” exclaimed Caro. “Just enough bite to catch your attention, but a wonderful creamy consistency.”

  Amy was delighted. “Well, judging by the reaction from you and the rest of my clients here today, it looks like it might turn out to be my signature cheese. I already have more orders than I can handle, but I have a secret supply for my most favourite customers if you want some.”

  Caro and Louise promptly ordered as much as Amy could spare, along with some of her other homemade delicacies.

  “So how are things at OWL’s?” Amy asked, packing up their olives, honey and cheeses.

  “Flat out,” Louise replied, taking the proffered packages. “The tenth anniversary party is really gathering a head of steam. All the invitations have been sent; the Wollongong, Sydney and Canberra Gay and Lesbian Choirs are booked; local and national media will be there.”

  “And you have to promise that you will enjoy yourself and not just stay in the kitchen doing the food preparation. We want to show off our wonderful local food merchants to all those rich party types from Sydney!” Caro admonished, then lowered her voice. “You never know, you might meet Ms Right. There will be lots of eligible women attending.”

  Amy smiled. “The invitations are gorgeous and I got mine yesterday. I’ve been busy working on new recipes for the day, which I hope you’ll love.” Sighing, she shook her head at Caro. “And yes, I promise to mingle afterwards, though I’m not holding my breath for Ms Right to walk into my life.”

  “Wait till they’ve tasted your food. I can guarantee you will get swamped with offers.” Caro grinned. “I will personally introduce you to all the ones who won’t break your heart.”

  Waving them off with a laugh, Amy turned to serve other customers. Caro and Louise continued to wander around, visiting with friends and filling their baskets. While paying for some homemade verjuice from the local winegrower, they ran into Meg and Allie. The four agreed that they were all shopped out, so Caro and Louise suggested coffee and cake at one of the local tea shops.

  “I think this must be one of the best markets I’ve been to,” Meg commented, sitting down with a sigh of relief.

  “Much less scary than that market at Marrakesh. You and your great ideas,” Allie reminded her with a shudder.

  At Caro and Louise’s enquiring looks, Meg started to relate the story.

  “We were in Morocco and all our friends told us we had to visit the Berber Market at Marrakesh. We were just wandering around when we realised we were being followed by a man. He must have seen that we had spotted him, because he approached Allie and asked her a question in Arabic.”

  “He was tall, dark and rather scary,” Allie interjected. “He just kept asking me the same question. I had absolutely no idea what he was saying, but he was getting quite persistent. Then he pulled out this huge knife and brandished it about before suddenly grabbing a handful of my hair. I thought he was going to decapitate me.”

  “What on earth did he want?” Caro asked, fascinated, as their orders were delivered to the table.

  Meg poured herself and Allie cups of coffee while she waited for the waitress to finish and everyone to settle. She smiled. “It turned out that he quite literally wanted Allie’s hair. She had beautiful golden hair which was quite long at the time. I believe the story was that it was so unusual and rare that he would be able to trade it for ten camels or something.”

  “So what happened?” Louise asked, helping herself to a lemon tart.

  “Well, luckily there was a local in the crowd who spoke English and he was able to explain that while we were very honoured, we would rather him not cut Allie’s hair. Eventually, he got the message and left…”

  “…and we caught a taxi straight back to the hotel,” Allie finished. “We left Marrakesh the next day.”

  Meg looked affectionately at her friend and placed a reassuring hand on her arm. “You weren’t in danger, you know. It was all under control.”

  “I agree with Allie. I’d have panicked if some swarthy male had been waving a large knife at me too,” Caro sympathised.

  “Exactly how long have you two known each other?” Louise asked, sipping her Earl Grey tea.

  Allie smiled at Meg. “Over forty years. We met at a mutual friend’s party. I was the protected daughter of a suburban doctor, and I thought Meg was the most glamorous and exotic woman I had seen in my whole life.”

  “I had just gotten back from travelling around Europe,” Meg added, sharing her cake with Allie. “I struck up a conversation with this cute, golden haired young woman and something just clicked with us. We ended up sharing a house together while Allie finished her chef’s apprenticeship.”

  Allie shook her head. “Oh my goodness, those were some pretty wild times. I can’t remember the number of mornings we would stumble home from some party or other and I would have to jump in the shower and go straight to work. It’s a wonder I was allowed to finish my apprenticeship.”

  Meg waved her hand dismissively. “Well, the fact that you were a far better chef than your instructor may have had something to do with it.”

  “Anyway, we have been the closest of friends ever since,” Allie said.

  Louise thought she saw a flee
ting expression cross Meg’s face at Allie’s words, but she had no sooner noticed it than it vanished.

  “So, how are the preparations for the anniversary party coming along?” Meg asked.

  Louise smiled. “I’ve had the distinct pleasure of being able to tell several people who have rung me this week that the reason they don’t have an invitation is because they weren’t sent one.”

  Caro leant forward confidentially. “It took ten years, but boy, karma is sweet.”

  “Ahh, so that sound I hear is certain members of the cliterati gnashing their collective teeth?” Meg quipped.

  “Oh, Meg, that is such a perfect image,” Louise said through the laughter.

  Caro looked at her watch, then over at Meg and Allie. “Well, we had better start heading back home. We have some hens being delivered and I want to make sure that their accommodation is up to scratch, excuse the pun, before they arrive.”

  Walking out into the afternoon sunshine, the four women said their goodbyes. Caro watched as Meg and Allie walked away, arms linked, bodies leaning into one another.

  “Best friends, phooey,” she remarked to Louise. “Did you see the expression on Meg’s face when Allie announced they were the ‘closest of friends’? If they’re not lovers, then they damned well should be.”

  Laughing, Louise placed a soft kiss on the top of her head. “I’ve had a wonderful day. Thanks for prying me out of the office and insisting I come; it was just what I needed.”

  “We both needed the break, and the day, my darling, is not over yet. When we get home, I am going to put you in a hot bubble bath while I check the chicken house and get the new arrivals settled. Then we are turning off phones and computers and having a quiet, romantic picnic dinner.”

  Seeing the anticipation in her lover’s eyes, Caro pulled her close.

  Louise nestled in. “And after dinner?” she whispered seductively.

  Caro took Louise’s hand and kissed her palm. “There will be a very special, personalised dessert.”

  CHAPTER 14

  Allie stood and stretched, delighted to hear her back crack as she gently twisted her torso. She had been engrossed in a particularly good book and was surprised to find that it was already after midnight. As she reached over to close her curtains, her attention was caught by a blue flashing light across the road. Curious, she went to her front door and was confronted by the sight of several cars and an ambulance. It took a moment for her to register that they were parked outside of Meg’s cottage. Without thinking, Allie raced across the road, reaching the door just as they were lifting Meg onto a gurney.

  “Meg,” Allie shouted, running over to where her friend lay. Looking down, she was horrified to see Meg pale and unconscious, her face covered by an oxygen mask.

  “What is it? What’s happened to her?” she demanded.

  “Allie, it’s all right.” Jenny Wilcox, the on-call doctor, took hold of her arms. “The medical crew have got her and they are taking her to the hospital.”

  “But why? What’s happened?” As she spoke, the medical team began moving Meg out the door and to the ambulance. Allie tried to follow. “Where are they taking her? I…I need to go with her. I don’t want her to be alone.”

  Jenny put her arm around Allie’s shoulder and drew her back inside. “Allie, I know you are distressed, but the medical staff are doing all they can. Believe me, she won’t be alone.”

  Allie threw Jenny’s arm off her shoulders and ran out to the ambulance. All she could see was Meg’s face, pale and unresponsive.

  “Damn it, I knew there was something wrong with her. She kept denying it and telling me it was nothing. She even got angry with me when I pushed her for an answer…” She turned back to Jenny, desperate. “What is it? What’s happening?”

  “We think it’s a heart attack. Luckily she was able to get to the panic button on the wall of the cottage, but she was unconscious when we arrived.” Jenny acknowledged the paramedics as they closed the ambulance doors, then turned back to Allie. “Listen, we urgently need Meg’s medical power of attorney and the next of kin paperwork. Do you know where we could find it?”

  Allie watched the ambulance pull away, blue lights flashing. “Yes, I have copies of both.”

  “Excellent. If you can grab them now, I can take you with me to the hospital.”

  Glad to have something concrete to focus on, Allie rushed over to her unit. She and Meg had arranged the paperwork when they’d first arrived at OWL’s Haven. She grabbed the necessary documents from her desk drawer, then collected her phone, wallet and keys and hurried back outside. As she locked her door, Pat raced up.

  “I’ve just heard. Is there anything we can do?”

  Allie shook her head, aware of the panic threatening to overwhelm her.

  “I’m going to the hospital with Dr Wilcox. I have no idea how long I’ll be or…” Allie trailed off as tears filled her eyes.

  Pat gave her a quick hug. “You can’t go alone. I’ll come with you.”

  Allie shook her head. “No, really, I just need to go.”

  Pat looked concerned. “Let us know what’s happening. If you need anything, just call.”

  She gave Pat a quick hug, then hurried back to Jenny’s car; the motor was still running and as Allie got in, they pulled away.

  Caro and Louise rushed to the hospital when they heard what happened and learnt that Allie was there by herself. When she saw them walk into the waiting room, Allie rose, relieved, and gave them each a hug.

  Louise looked at Allie carefully, concerned by how exhausted she looked. “What’s happened? All we know is that Meg’s had a heart attack.”

  After Allie confirmed that was all she knew, Louise took her hand and said gently, “Meg’s in the best possible place. They will have her in ICU and will be monitoring her for everything. I know this feels really hard, but there’s not much we can do but sit and wait until they have something to tell us. Jenny won’t leave you waiting long.”

  Half an hour later, Caro brought in cups of takeaway coffee, water and muffins that she had managed to find for them all.

  Louise took a sip and couldn’t help but grimace when she tasted the coffee.

  “Sorry, love,” said Caro quietly. “It was all I could find. The cafeteria is closed, so vending machine coffee is as good as it gets. At least it will be marginally better than the tea.”

  Louise took Caro’s hand. “It’s OK, sweetheart. At least it gives us something to do.” She scanned the nursing post yet again. “I just wish we could get some news.”

  Caro unwrapped the muffin and broke a piece off to hand to her lover. “I know, honey.”

  Looking over at Allie, whose coffee sat untouched in front of her, Louise frowned. After their initial conversation, Allie had barely said two words. She sat in a chair, her tension almost palpable, staring fixedly at the ICU doors as if willing someone to come through and give them some news.

  “They can’t be too much longer,” Louise said. “They know we’re here and Jenny won’t keep Allie waiting unnecessarily.”

  At that moment, the swing doors opened and Jenny walked towards them. Acknowledging Caro and Louise with a nod, she went straight to Allie, giving a tired smile.

  “It was touch and go there for a while, but it looks like Meg is going to pull through. Luckily, getting to her as quickly as we did meant that we were able to minimise any permanent damage.”

  Allie closed her eyes and slumped back in her chair, her immense relief evident on her face. “Was it a heart attack?” she asked hoarsely.

  “Yes, and quite a severe one. She was incredibly lucky. Despite her heart, she is very fit for someone her age and that worked for her. She’s probably going to need surgery, but for now she’s stable. We will keep her in ICU for a few days and monitor her progress. Once we run some more tests we’ll have a better idea of what to do
next. The cardiologist will evaluate her more fully tomorrow.”

  Allie stood, and Louise and Caro joined her. “Can I see her, just for a moment? I really need to know she’s OK.”

  The doctor nodded. “OK, but just for a few minutes.” Jenny lightly touched her shoulder. “She’s still unconscious, so don’t be alarmed by all the equipment; it’s just to let us know what’s happening.”

  Allie turned to Caro and Louise.

  “Go see her. We’ll wait here until you’re finished,” Louise said softly.

  Allie walked slowly into ICU and stood outside the curtained cubicle. Taking a deep breath, she gently pulled the curtain aside.

  “Oh, Meg.”

  Despite having mentally prepared herself, Allie found herself gripping the bed rail. Meg lay unmoving, attached to a myriad of tubes and machines that beeped and whirred with every breath she took. Fighting back tears, Allie moved to Meg’s side and gently clasped her hand.

  “Meg Sullivan, I don’t know if you can hear me, but there is something I need to say.” Allie swallowed hard. “You are not going to die. You are going to get through this and wake up.” Running her fingers through Meg’s hair, Allie let the tears flow. “Please, Meg, please,” she whispered.

  Allie continued to talk to Meg quietly, hoping she could hear, hoping she might stir.

  “It’s good to do that.”

  Turning, she noticed a nurse standing by the foot of the bed.

  “I always believe they can hear you. I think it helps to keep them connected.”

  Allie gave a wan smile. “It’s about all I can do. I feel so damned helpless.”

  The nurse smiled kindly. “Well, if you want my professional opinion, what will probably really help is for you to go home and get some sleep. You look completely done in. She’s got me, another nurse and all this equipment looking after her. You know we’ll call you the minute anything changes.”