Saving Grace

by Fiona McCallum

She silently cleared her throat as she listened to Jake’s message. She was surprised at how calm her voice was when it came to leaving her own.

  ‘Hi Jake, it’s Emily. I’ve just received your parcel. Thank you so much. I can’t believe how much you got for the jam. Please thank your sister for everything she did. And you. And thank you so much for the jar. I can’t believe you found one. Thank you. It’s perfect. Anyway, I’ll stop now. Thanks again, Jake. Bye.’

  She hung up and went back over what she’d said, looking for any peculiarities, idiocy or rambling, until she told herself to stop it. The message was fine, and it was too bad if it wasn’t; it was done.

  As she put the kettle on, Emily was nagged with wondering if she should have added her surname. She hoped Jake didn’t know too many women named Emily. Though, she reminded herself, there wouldn’t be too many Emilys he’d sent a glass jar to.

  ‘Idiot,’ she muttered and shook her head while tapping a teaspoon on the bench and waiting for the kettle to boil.

  Chapter Fifty-eight

  Emily was startled when Grace sat up to attention and gave a single bark. A moment later she heard a voice.

  ‘Hello, anyone home?’

  Emily stiffened slightly as she tried to place the voice coming from her front door. Male, old, raspy. Ah, one of the landlords.

  ‘Wait Grace. You stay here,’ she told the dog, who had crossed the kitchen and was at the doorway into the hall. ‘Coming!’ she called as she bundled the cash and note up, stuffed them back into the jar, and quickly screwed the lid on. She shoved it into the cupboard below the sink behind the fly spray, bottle of cream cleanser and dishwashing detergent. ‘Hello,’ she said from halfway down the hallway.

  ‘I hope we’re not interrupting you at dinnertime.’

  ‘Not at all. Come in. I’ve actually just put the kettle on if you’d like a cuppa,’ she said to the two men standing outside the wide open door.

  ‘Lovely, thank you,’ Donald said.

  ‘That would be very nice, thank you,’ Trevor said.

  They looked a little awkward, but that might have been because they were unaccustomed to wearing suits and ties. She hadn’t seen them there earlier, but they looked like they were on their way home from the funeral.

  ‘You should keep the door closed,’ Donald said, entering the hall.

  ‘Yes, it’s not safe for a girl living on her own,’ Trevor added.

  ‘You’re probably right,’ Emily said, knowing they were. ‘But I like the fresh air in the house while it’s cool.’ She’d always thought she’d hear any vehicles crunching on the gravel as the pulled up, but she hadn’t heard their ute today, nor Tara’s car the other day.

  Emily wondered how much a second-hand screen door would cost – maybe that would be a good use for the wad of cash under the sink. She’d look into it, she decided, following the two men as they clomped heavily on the wooden floorboards.

  ‘Hello there,’ Donald said to Grace, who was curled up in the corner of the kitchen. The small dog flapped her tail in response. ‘Very well-behaved.’

  For a moment Emily couldn’t remember if she was allowed to have a dog in the house or not. Oh well, too late now.

  ‘Tea?’ Emily asked.

  ‘Yes thanks, white with one,’ both men said at once.

  The two men sat on chairs pushed back from the table and fiddled with their stiff Akubras before placing them on the floor beside them. As Emily made the tea, they exchanged small talk about the weather and long-range forecast, a wrap-up of the recent harvest, and speculation over the next season’s outcome.

  There was a pause in the conversation as Emily put the mugs on the table.

  ‘You seem more settled since we were here last,’ Donald suddenly said, looking around him.

  ‘Yes, I love it here. I’m really so grateful to you both,’ she added, suddenly feeling the need to defend her position. God, please don’t be here to turf me out now I’m finally finding my feet. The brothers exchanged a glance and her stomach knotted.

  ‘We, er, have a proposition to put to you,’ Donald said, breaking the silence that had become awkward.

  Emily swallowed back the dryness in her throat. ‘Yes?’

  ‘We’re thinking of selling,’ Donald said.

  Oh God. Tara has spoken to them, then. Just when I’m settled, I’m being kicked out. Her worst fear was coming true.

  ‘And wanted to give you the first right of refusal,’ Trevor said.

  ‘Oh!’ A wave of relief washed over her, but it was short-lived. ‘Well, that’s very good of you, but I’m not really in a position to buy a farm.’

  ‘Not the whole farm. We mean the house and a few acres with it,’ Donald said.

  A lump formed in her throat. A few acres? The house? It was everything she wanted. It was so close, but she’d never afford it. She shook her head as she spoke, her voice a croak.

  ‘I’m sorry. I really do love the place, but I …’

  ‘Please, hear us out,’ Donald said, holding up a silencing hand.

  She stayed silent with her hands wrapped around her mug, shifting her gaze back and forth between the men as they took turns speaking.

  ‘You’d probably be aware we’re on the pension,’ Trevor said. ‘And with it comes certain … rules … one must adhere to.’

  ‘Well, the pension isn’t exactly – how shall I put it? – generous, and with the recent droughts we’re in need of a bit of supplementary income,’ Donald added. The fact the term was new to Donald was obvious given how carefully he uttered the words.

  ‘We want to take a trip to Ireland before we’re too old. You know, see the family heartland while we’re young enough to make the trip,’ Trevor said, sounding quite excited. ‘There’s a family reunion planned for this time next year.’

  ‘Right. That sounds exciting,’ Emily said, wishing they would get to the point. She took a sip.

  ‘So we’ve come up with an idea that might help all of us out.’

  ‘We heard that husband of yours took you for a ride,’ Donald said.

  Emily snorted with surprise, her mouth still full of tea.

  ‘Donald, the poor lass isn’t interested in your gossip,’ Trevor chided.

  Oh, yes I am. Emily dabbed at her nose and looked down at her mug. Was she hearing right, that a pair of farmers was sympathetic towards the estranged wife of one of their fellows, another of this ‘protected species’?

  ‘Right, yes. Well, anyway, we were thinking that we could strike some kind of rent-to-own type deal …’

  ‘With a small down payment …’

  ‘To get us to Ireland and back.’

  ‘Oh, right.’

  ‘So this is what we’ve come up with,’ Trevor said, pulling a small folded wad of paper from his inside pocket and pushing it across the table to Emily.

  ‘We’ll leave you to read it at your leisure,’ Donald said.

  ‘But we’d appreciate an answer by the end of next week, if that’s possible,’ Trevor added.

  ‘All right. Okay. Thanks very much.’ Emily thought she was lucky to get that many coherent words out. She was completely gobsmacked.

  ‘Well, we’d better keep going,’ Donald said. ‘A couple of troughs to check and clean while we’re out this way.’

  They pushed their chairs back, put their hats on their heads – each shook Emily’s hand – and clomped back down the hall.

  Out on the verandah, Emily thanked them for dropping by and for thinking of her regarding the house. They thanked her for the tea, and suddenly their leaving was awkward and formal. Not that she knew them very well, but they’d been a lot more relaxed last time. They got in their battered old blue ute, with its rusty, creaking doors, and waved from the open windows as they departed.

  Emily turned and walked back down the hall with her heart thudding against her ribs. Part of her was dying to see what the terms were, but part of her didn’t want to know. They’d have to be even better than too-good-to-be-true for it t
o be at all possible. She was broke. Well, she had John’s forty grand, but that might have to last her a while if nothing came up on the job front.

  Where there’s life, there’s hope, she found herself thinking – another of Gran’s favourite sayings. And it was sort of true. While she didn’t know the specifics, and that they were absolutely beyond her reach, there was still a chance.

  She turned the small wad of paper over and over in her hands for a few minutes before putting it back down unread. Then she headed outside for another walk in the cooling evening air.

  Chapter Fifty-nine

  An hour later she walked back inside to find Barbara sitting at the kitchen table, fiddling with the still-folded wad of paper. Grace ran up to Barbara with her tail wagging furiously.

  ‘Jesus! You scared the shit out of me!’ Emily cried.

  ‘Sorry. I had to escape for a bit. I’m a bit peopled out.’

  ‘I’m not surprised, you poor thing. I was going to phone later and check on you.’

  ‘David and co. are still finishing up tea at the pub. It’s a bit naughty, but I pretended to have a slight migraine coming on. Now how many times have I told you to keep the house locked,’ Barbara said, grinning up at her friend.

  ‘You’re the second – actually, third – person to say that just today.’

  ‘Oh?’

  ‘I had Trevor and Donald Baker visit earlier.’

  ‘I hope they haven’t changed their minds about your peppercorn rent now you’ve done the place up.’

  ‘No. They’re thinking of selling …’

  ‘Oh, Em, I’m sorry. And just when you’ve got settled.’

  ‘… the house and a few acres. To me.’

  ‘Wow, that’s brilliant! It’s just what you want.’

  ‘Well, it would be if I had any money. I’m almost broke, remember?’

  ‘Ah details, schmetails,’ Barbara said, flapping a hand about. ‘So how much are they asking?’

  ‘I’m not sure. It’s all in those pieces of paper you’re fiddling with.’

  ‘What, you haven’t read them yet?!’ Barbara cried, dropping the wad of paper like it was red hot.

  ‘No, I wanted to savour the dream for a bit before having to let it go.’

  ‘You never know, it might be doable.’

  ‘Doubtful. They’d have to be practically giving it away.’

  ‘Maybe they are. Aren’t they on the pension? Large lump sums would wreak havoc with that.’

  ‘Hmm.’

  ‘Well, I can’t stand not knowing!’ Barbara said.

  ‘Open it, then,’ Emily said.

  ‘Oh, I couldn’t. Anyway, stop being a wimp. Whatever terms are in there, I’m sure they can be negotiated on. And you know David and I will help if you need it.’

  Emily shook her head at her friend. ‘Thanks Barbara, but you know I could never borrow money from you.’

  ‘Well, you mightn’t need to. Just open the damn thing.’

  Taking a deep breath, Emily unfolded the wad to reveal three pieces of lined A4 paper that had been torn from a pad and stapled together in the top left-hand corner. The handwriting was a scrawl of straight lines that she found difficult to decipher. Gradually her expression went from close attention to astonishment and disbelief.

  ‘Wow!’

  ‘What?’

  ‘They only want ten thousand up front. Five to each of them.’

  ‘That’s pretty good.’

  ‘Yes, but it’s a quarter of my entire life savings. It’s a big risk.’

  ‘Life’s a big risk, Em. These opportunities don’t come up very often, if ever. When did the last person offer you a house and land for a ten-thousand-dollar down payment? Think about that. What are the other conditions?’

  ‘After that, five thousand to each of them per year for twenty years – that’s, what, two hundred and ten thousand all up?’

  ‘Yep. So what exactly are you buying?’

  ‘Hang on, it’s hard to read this handwriting,’ Emily said, frowning. ‘Okay, it’s around twenty acres, including the house, the stand of gums and the creek with the fruit trees. Oh, and the shearing shed and the small plant shed next to it. What would I do with a smelly, run-down old shearing shed?’

  ‘It doesn’t matter. It sounds like a bloody good deal to me. Are there any catches?’

  ‘Um. Yep,’ Emily said after a few moments’ silent reading.

  ‘Well?!’

  ‘I have to pay for all the costs associated with subdividing. How much do you reckon that would be?’

  ‘No idea, but I’m sure the council will. And if they’re sticking to the current fence lines, you won’t be up for anything there. It’s a great deal, Em.’

  ‘It would be if I could afford it.’

  ‘But you can. You only need to come up with ten thousand now and you’ve got twelve months before the next payment.’

  ‘And however much it’s going to cost to subdivide.’

  ‘And that. It’s good to be cautious, Em, but not if it means knocking back a damn good offer. I say bite the bullet. You’ll have your own home.’

  ‘As run-down as it is.’

  ‘What? Last week you would have done anything for an offer like this. You’re just looking for the negatives because you’re scared. Which is fine, as long as you don’t let it paralyse you. Forget the state of the place. You wouldn’t have moved in if you didn’t think it was safe and sound for the foreseeable future.’

  ‘I suppose you’re right. Ooh, and Mum would have kittens if I bought it,’ Emily added, grinning naughtily at Barbara.

  ‘Emily Oliphant, that is not a good enough reason to buy a house!’ Barbara said in a warning tone while struggling to hide her grin.

  ‘No, but the look on her face would be priceless.’

  ‘Yes, that it would be. Hey, speaking of priceless, thanks again for all your help with the food. I couldn’t have done it without you.’

  ‘Any time. So have you got an absolute houseful?’

  ‘Yes. And I’m exhausted.’

  ‘If this place was in better nick, I could have helped share the burden of guests,’ Emily said.

  ‘I know. I’d say, “hopefully next time”, but I hope there won’t be another funeral for a very long time.’

  ‘I did really enjoy our cooking day, though. See how pathetic my life has become? I so need a job!’

  ‘Still nothing?’

  ‘Nope.’

  ‘You just have to trust everything will work out. Feeling hard done by and getting depressed won’t help. Apply for the dole; you’ve always paid your taxes, and you’re genuinely looking for a job.’

  ‘The thought makes me physically queasy. Anyway, I did actually make enquiries,’ Emily said, colouring slightly. ‘Apparently I have too much money in the bank. Anything over five thousand and they make you wait. You have to use up all your savings before they’ll help.’

  ‘What a bummer.’

  ‘Yeah. It’s fair enough, but bloody frustrating. I had psyched myself up, got over the stigma, and was all set to apply.’

  ‘Well, I’m glad to hear you’re not letting pride get in the way of common sense. Apply and then just wait it out – then it’s done. That’s what I’d do.’

  ‘Yeah, you’re probably right. I’ll call them back.’

  ‘Wouldn’t it be good if you didn’t need it by the time you became eligible for payment,’ Barbara said wistfully. ‘I wonder how else you can make money around here?’

  ‘Oh, that reminds me. Jake sent the proceeds of the jam – the first lot. Can you believe they sold it for ten dollars a jar?’

  ‘Yes, I can – it’s some of the best apricot jam I’ve ever had.’

  ‘You’re way too kind.’

  ‘No, I’m not; it’s the truth. What you need to do is make jam all year round.’

  ‘Well, I suppose that’s what the cellar was originally for, but I used all the fruit in one hit – there wasn’t any left to put in storage.’<
br />
  ‘No, silly, I mean following the seasons. What’s up there in the creek other than apricots? Figs, quinces, citrus?’

  ‘There are a few nectarines, but not many, and I’ve never made nectarine jam before. Other than that, I’m not sure. I can’t tell what trees are what until they have fruit on them.’

  ‘I wouldn’t mind betting it’s like the orchard David’s parents had. Old Beth made jam and preserves all year round.’

  ‘You’ll have to show me what’s what. Pity it’s too late now.’

  ‘And I’m not exactly dressed for traipsing.’ Barbara sighed heavily. ‘Actually, I’d better get going,’ she said, getting up slowly. ‘It’ll be embarrassing if everyone beats me back home!’

  ‘Is there anything at all I can do to help?’ Emily asked, following her friend down the hall.

  ‘No, just being here to whinge to is enough. I feel so much better. Anyway, everyone is leaving tomorrow. Thank God they haven’t decided to stay on for Christmas.’

  ‘Well, you would have just told them they can’t; you have other plans. With me!’

  ‘I know. Thanks so much for that. I think we would have been quite lost with the house suddenly empty. Thanks for rescuing us for Christmas day.’

  ‘My pleasure, but I am warning you that it will be very low-key.’

  ‘Oh, no you don’t; you’re not getting out of it that easy. There’s far too much to be joyous about this year.’

  ‘Okay, but no presents.’

  ‘No presents. But I’m bringing tinsel, crackers with appalling jokes, champagne, and plenty of good cheer. Maybe I’ll pop in a cheesy Christmas CD or two as well, just to irk the Oliphants who don’t do Christmas,’ Barbara said, laughing and giving Emily a nudge.

  Emily was about to reply, but Barbara held a hand up to silence her.

  ‘Seriously, Em, this year we are going to celebrate. No arguments. You’re halfway to being a professional jam maker, you’ve finally left that awful husband behind, you’ve got a beautiful, beautiful puppy, and you’ve just received the best Christmas present ever – this offer,’ Barbara said, giving her a hug at the front door.

  ‘Yeah, I suppose it’s not bad for someone who doesn’t do Christmas or presents,’ Emily said, grinning.