by Lilly Mirren
“Why are you sitting out here and not doing…I don’t know…makeup or something with your sisters?”
“You have no idea what we’re going to be doing all day today, do you?”
He shook his head and droplets of water fell from the dark hair slicked against his scalp. “I don’t know…girly things, I guess.”
“We’re picking up the flowers, taking them to Mima’s house, then we’ll collect the cake and take it to the reception venue, where we’ll check on the catering. After that we’ll go to a cafe for brunch, then the hairdressers and finally we’ll get our makeup done before the photographer arrives.”
“Great…have fun.” His eyebrows arched in disbelief.
“What about you and the boys? What are you up to?”
“We’ll play a round of golf, shower and then show up on the beach in our suits, I guess.”
She shook her head. “You definitely have the easy part.”
He shrugged. “We can’t help our natural beauty. Don’t be jealous.”
She slapped his arm playfully.
When she sighed, he arched an eyebrow. “What’s up sweetheart?” He caressed her arm with one hand.
“I’m worried about Bindi.”
He nodded. “Right. Me too.”
“You are?”
“Of course. She’s looking a bit thin and more pale than usual, don’t you think?”
Kate’s heart skipped a beat and her stomach tightened. She hated to admit it. Part of her wanted to stay upbeat, to only think positive thoughts. Not to let the worry, the anxiety, the dread seep in. She couldn’t do it, had to be strong — for Bindi’s sake. She was the big sister, Bindi had no one else to lean on but her, Reeda and Mima.
With their parents gone, Kate felt the weight of parental responsibility landed in large part on her shoulders. Since Bindi told them about her illness, Reeda had retreated into herself, the way she always did with anything emotional or confronting. Mima didn’t live at the inn, and had other things occupying her time and attention. It was Kate who watched Bindi suffering, drove her to treatments at the hospital, and held her hair back when she threw up her breakfast.
She shivered, set her coffee mug on the floor, and embraced herself. Blinded by tears, she whispered. “I’m not ready to lose her.”
Alex squatted beside her, took her hands in his and squeezed them. “You’re not going to lose her. And whatever happens, I’m here for you. We’ll get through this together.”
She nodded and her throat was tight. “I know this must be hard for you, seeing it happen again…”
His jaw clenched. “I hate it.” His eyes flashed.
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. This isn’t the same thing as what happened with Anna. She had a different type of cancer and she didn’t have a chance. Doctor Ash says that Bindi’s going to make it through this, that they’ve caught it early, it’s not aggressive, she’ll be okay.”
She nodded, sniffled. “You’re right. I was thinking about you, about how you lost your wife, and it reminded me of Bindi…”
He smiled. “You can’t think about this today, honey. This is our wedding day. I’m so excited to marry you and start our lives together. This thing with Bindi will pass, she’ll recover, and we’ll all live a long time together. You and Bindi will take after Edie and Mima, puttering around in the garden, riding horses along the beach, arguing, and getting up to mischief together for many, long years to come.”
She laughed, her throat aching. “I hope so.”
He kissed her forehead.
“Did you have a nice surf?”
He nodded. “It’s perfect out there. The waves are a little small but curling nicely. You should head out — if you have time between all the flowers and cakes and stuff.”
Her eyes narrowed. “I remember a time when you said you didn’t surf, but you’ve been going out a lot more lately.”
“Yeah, I stopped surfing for a while after Anna died. It was something we used to do together all the time. How we met, actually, out beyond the break down off the main beach. When she died, I couldn’t face going out into the surf alone. It hurt too much. But now, since I met you… I can face it. And not only that, I’ve begun to enjoy surfing again. It’s something I look forward to, and that’s all because of you.”
Kate stroked the side of his face, cupped his cheek in her hand and moved closer to kiss his soft lips. “Today is a day for new beginnings.”
He smiled, filling her heart with joy. “New beginnings.”
The scent of floral perfume drifted out of the bathroom into Kate’s suite at the inn. She smiled as she pulled on her wedding dress. It was a simple sheath dress, that almost reached the floor. It featured a plunging neckline with an even deeper plunge in the back, with capped sleeves and a matching veil that the hairdresser had fixed into her hair with pins alongside several fresh, pink rosebuds.
She studied her reflection in the full-length mirror as Reeda zipped up the side of her dress. Reeda squeezed Kate, with a smile aimed over her shoulder at the mirror. “You look stunning.”
Kate smiled, working hard not to cry. She couldn’t believe it was all coming together so well. They’d picked up and delivered everything, had a delicious brunch together with some of her friends, and were only waiting on the photographer to arrive before they headed to Coolangatta. She and Alex had decided to get married at Rainbow Bay, on the beach. The weather was perfect, the sun shone, there was a hint of a breeze, and no sign of rain. And in two hours’ time, she’d be Mrs. Cannon.
Bindi joined them in the bedroom, her sandy blonde hair piled into a bun on top of her head, with strands woven together and held in place by more pink rosebuds. The pink contrasted with the green of her eyes. Her blush highlighted the rise of her cheeks.
“Bindi, you’re beautiful.” Kate reached for her sisters’ hands and held them between her own, as a lump formed in her throat. “And you too, Reeda. Wow. I’m so grateful for both of you. Thank you for being here. You’ve helped to make this the most special day of my life.”
Bindi nodded, her eyes gleaming. “I love you, sis.”
“You too,” replied Kate.
Reeda sighed. “Well, I guess I’d better say it too… I love you, Katie. You know I do.”
“Did that hurt?” asked Kate.
“A little bit.” Reeda’s eyes narrowed. “Moving on, let’s get this veil sorted, and I’ll find your shoes.” Reeda was the sister least comfortable with expressing her emotions, but it was clear to Kate how much her sister cared about her. She’d never doubt that again. After so many years estranged from each other, her heart overflowed with love for the two women she’d spent so much time running from. They’d all suffered when they lost their parents and their relationships had never really recovered. Not until Nan brought them back together by bequeathing them the Waratah Inn.
There was a knock at the door, and Mima poked her head inside.
“Well, look at the three of you.” She wiped a stray tear from one eye. “Just letting you know the photographer is here, and ready to start snapping photos.”
The three of them gathered their shoes and purses and headed outside to pose in the gardens surrounding the inn while the photographer took snapshots. Kate’s heart raced, as the time on her watch ticked by.
When they were done, they wandered out to the front of the inn to wait for the limousine that would take them all to Coolangatta. Mima was seated on a chair in the shade by the driveway, knitting in her lap, needles clacking. She wore a lilac coloured dress, with a cream wrap around her arms and matching cream pumps. Jack was there as well, standing beside her, his hands clenched together in front of his grey suit. His silver hair was combed neatly against his scalp and his tie knotted tight beneath his chin. He looked uncomfortable and handsome all at the same time.
“Jack, you look amazing,” declared Bindi, standing on tiptoe to kiss his cheek.
His face flushed red and he mumbled something about b
eing unable to breathe in this thing.
Kate kissed his cheek next. “Thank you for all your help in putting this together,” she said. “And for giving me away at the wedding.”
He smiled, his eyes gleaming. “It’s one of the greatest honours of my life, sweetheart.” He embraced her, and her chest ached with memories of Nan, Mum, and Dad, who couldn’t be there with her and who she wished with all her heart could see her marry Alex, and how happy he made her.
As if he could read her thoughts, Jack said. “Edie would be really proud of you, today.”
Kate smiled, unable to reply. Reeda embraced Jack as well, just as the long, white limousine pulled into the driveway, tyres crackling on the gravel as it circled around to where they were waiting.
They climbed in, and Kate peered out at the inn, its pale-yellow walls and white trim gleaming in the bright, spring sunshine.
“I can’t believe you’re not going to live here anymore,” whispered Bindi.
Kate squeezed her hand. “I know, me too.”
“I’m going to miss having you around at night. It’ll just be me…that’s so strange.”
“You and two dozen guests, plus a night manager.”
Bindi shrugged. “True, I guess I won’t really be alone. Not while I’m living at the Waratah.”
“And besides, I’m only a few minutes away if you ever need me. I still want to drink those hot chocolates together, sitting on the verandah, and don’t forget our sunset walks on the beach.”
“Good,” replied Bindi, leaning her head on Kate’s shoulder. “Just as long as you don’t forget about me.”
“That could never happen.” Kate stroked Bindi’s hair.
The wind picked up and cooled the film of sweat that coated Kate’s body. She stared down at the beach, through the sea grass and undulating dunes. Guests sat in white chairs or stood, talking together. She inhaled a sharp breath. This was it. She was getting married. She’d begun to wonder if this day would ever come. Her engagement to Davis had dragged on for months without them ever setting a date, and she’d been fine with that. When she and Alex became engaged though, she couldn’t wait to mark the day in the calendar when she’d become his wife.
Kate glanced down at her dress, smoothed it against her legs. She held a bouquet of pink roses in one hand. Ahead of her, in a line of sorts, stood Reeda and Bindi. They wore pale pink sheath dresses and held white roses in bouquets accented with sprigs of baby’s breath. She shot them a smile. Reeda reached out a hand to squeeze her arm.
“Show time,” she whispered with a smile.
Kate nodded, blinked once, then again. Her stomach squeezed as nerves fluttered. Bindi blew her a kiss.
She smiled at Jack who stepped forwards and offered her his arm. She took it. It comforted her to feel his warmth and strength beside her. The breeze riffled his grey hair.
He grinned. “You look beautiful, love.”
“Thanks, Jack.”
“I guess this is it.” He patted her hand.
“I guess so.”
“You know, I was married.” His sentence hung in the air between them.
Kate’s brow furrowed. She couldn’t imagine Jack married, or with a family. But of course, it made sense. She’d never thought of Jack as a man with a past. He was Jack. Always there, in the background, quiet and solitary.
“You were?”
He nodded. “Twice, actually.”
“Really? Wow. How is it possible I didn’t know this about you?”
He chuckled. “I don’t talk about it much.”
“Understatement of the century,” she mumbled.
“It’s wonderful,” he continued, ignoring her gripe. “This thing you’re doing, it’s good. Alex is right for you, and I know the two of you will build a great life together.”
“Any tips?” she asked, as nerves battled in her stomach.
“Don’t stay angry, always apologise, and never say anything you’ll regret because you can say sorry, but you can’t ever take back those words.”
She considered his statement. “Thanks, Jack, that’s good advice.”
“Oh, and remember — when you love each other, sometimes things can feel extra dramatic, you’ll have high highs and low lows, and it might seem as though it’s the end of the world, but there’s always a new day, a chance to start again.”
He studied her, a smile tickling the corner of his mouth, the wrinkles around his eyes deepening. “And a kiss makes everything better.”
“I’ll remember that.” She stood on tiptoe and kissed his weathered cheek. “I’m glad you’re here.”
Her throat tightened. It should’ve been Dad giving her away at her wedding. He and Mum had missed so many of the important events in her life — her graduation from high school, the cap and gown at the end of university, and now her wedding.
As though he could read her thoughts, Jack sighed. “I know your Dad would’ve loved this, kiddo.”
She nodded, her eyes blurring with tears.
He leaned closer, cupped her cheek with his free hand. “But don’t get caught up in that now, because this is a good day. We’re celebrating, and your parents would want you to be happy today.”
She blinked the tears away, inhaled a slow breath. “You’re right. It’s a happy day. Mum always loved weddings.”
They began the slow walk together down the path that led through the dunes to the beach, following in the hollows in the sand left by Reeda and Bindi’s feet.
“I wish you were here,” Kate whispered, as images of her parents, smiling, laughing, and teasing her flashed through her mind. “I love you.”
The lump in her throat swelled. She swallowed it down, shook her head and gazed at the wedding party ahead of them. When she saw Alex, the lump shrank away. His smile lit her up from the inside. He wore a white button-down shirt and charcoal pants with bare feet. His tanned skin contrasted with the white of the sand, and his curls blew free in the breeze.
The sound of music swelled from a cassette tape on a nearby table. Bindi reached the end of the makeshift aisle and stood to one side, her hands clasping her bouquet, eyes glistening. Reeda soon joined her. Then, Kate was there. Alex stood in front of her, his eyes fixed on hers.
“You’re beautiful,” he said.
She smiled, her heart full. This was where she was meant to be — standing beside Alex. She couldn’t imagine living her life without him. He was the smile in her day, the warmth in the night, and the one she wanted to tell all her news. Excitement buzzed in her gut.
Jack shook Alex’s hand, then passed her hand to him. Alex nodded in response. Kate fought back the urge to cry. She slid her hand into Alex’s and squeezed. Then they faced the pastor together as a flock of gulls cawed overhead, and soon became husband and wife.
11
June 1944
Abruzzi Apennines, Italy
Charlie splashed a handful of water onto his face and swallowed a mouthful with a smile. The mountain stream tasted fresh, still cold as ice, even in summer. He cupped his hands again beneath the flow, watching them fill quickly with the clear liquid, then drank his fill and scrubbed his empty hands over his face. As his fingers combed his damp hair, he leaned back and rested on his haunches to look out across the valley below.
The mountain was covered in shoots of green grasses. Soft purple soapwort, navy blue helmets of the grape hyacinth, buttercups and forget-me-nots were scattered throughout the brilliant deep grasses. Pops of colour sprung up amidst the green, nestling beneath rocky outcroppings and shouldering the edges of the winding stream as it made its way over rocks and around hillocks towards the base of the mountain.
Kestrels and snow finches called and chirruped as they soared and dived overhead, snapping up insects and revelling in the beauty of the warm, summer’s day. The sky was so blue Charlie wondered if it might reach down to envelope him in its depths.
With a grunt, he stood, wiped his face with the back of his sleeve and headed for the cabin. He’d
been counting the months by making marks in the dirt floor beside his bed. Footprints had blurred some of the lines, but he figured he’d been living with Maria and Bruno for at least seven months now, maybe longer.
His stride lengthened and he clipped along at a steady pace, his lungs welcoming the exertion. After so many months of herding the sheep on the mountainside, his strength had built, along with his stamina. He no longer puffed after a brisk walk along one of the many trails that meandered away from the farm towards the valley, or through the peaks. His wound was nothing more than a vague memory and a red spot on his side, with spider web tracks that ran away from it in several places.
The sheep were already locked in their pen for the night. A few bleated, most were already nodding. Behind the cottage, Maria stood by a sagging clothesline, pegging wet clothes to one end. Beyond her, a flourishing vegetable garden crawled up the incline. She’d taken to wearing men’s pants in recent months, instead of the full skirts she’d donned each day when he’d first arrived, and Charlie thought it suited her. Her hair billowed around her head, brown lengths escaping her bun.
He broke into a jog, careful not to let his footfalls make a sound, threw his arms around her, and lifted her into the air. She squealed with delight, her arms flapping, until he spun her to face him. Her brown eyes flashed, her lips curling into a grin.
“Charlie…” she began.
He shushed her with a kiss, pressing his warm lips to hers, his eyes drifting shut as the familiar taste of her washed over him, wakening his body all the way to the soles of his feet.
When his eyes blinked open, she smiled at him. No longer shy, her face reflected a boldness that stole away his breath.
“You are finished early,” she said, her words awash in a thick accent.
He’d been teaching her English, and she was picking it up more quickly than he’d believed possible. She’d helped him learn Italian when he’d first had the idea to reciprocate. Why not each learn the other’s language? She’d been excited, explained in simple Italian that she’d never had the chance to finish high school, since when her mother died, she’d had to return to the mountains to help her father run the farm.