by Suzy Shearer
“It is, and it gets better. Anyway, apparently Judy was under the thumb of my grandfather as were her parents. Judith and Arthur did everything he told them to and Judy wouldn’t even breathe unless Grandfather told her to. When you were born Richard was thirty-seven and his sister thirty-two. Richard didn’t get on with his family and especially grandfather, but Judy, as I said, was in deep with them. She’d never married and when grandfather said she had to adopt you she agreed. Mum was sent back to Canberra to deliver you, and Judy went with her as well as a couple of other relatives to make sure Mum didn’t escape their clutches with you or contact your father. As soon as you were born, Judy took you and they whisked Mum back to Paris.
“Not exactly sure why they wanted you to be born in Australia, but anyway Judy became your mother. Our grandfather paid the rent on her place and provided her with just enough money for food, clothing and stuff. She reported back to him continually as you grew.”
Laura could feel her anger rise as she almost shouted, “I can’t believe it! All the time I was growing up, asking her about my father, about family, whether we had relations anywhere, she always said no. It was a lie, all a bloody fucking lie!”
Tobias pulled her close as she started to cry.
“Why?” she sobbed into his chest. “Why did they do that to me?”
“Hush, sweetheart, it was long ago and long gone.”
Gino had rushed to her side and now knelt in front of her.
“Don’t cry, Laura, they’re not worth it, not one of them.”
She nodded, knowing he was right but it still hurt. Eventually she stopped crying and gave him a watery smile.
“You’ll be pleased to know Richard told them all off. When I spoke to him today he said he told his parents and grandfather they were, and I quote, a bunch of fucking morons who ruined lives just to prove they could.”
“Oh, wow.”
“Now you understand why I keep in contact with him. Not that I knew about this, but I knew he hated them all and wasn’t afraid to tell them. I actually thought it was because he never married. I think he’s gay, but he’s never said anything and I don’t like to ask.”
Tobias nodded, then said to Laura, “You can’t alter what’s happened, instead you can embrace the fact you have a brother and a cousin.”
Laura sat up straighter. Holding on to Tobias’s hand, she looked at each person in turn.
“You’re right. I’m putting it all behind me and grabbing onto what I have now. I can’t change the past, but I damn well am going to enjoy the future with you three and my cousin.”
“That’s the way, sis!”
“And I want to meet Richard, too.”
“Great idea! I know how much he’d love to meet you. We could take a couple of days off over Christmas, couldn’t we, Adam? We can fly up and see him.”
“Don’t see why not, we all shut down over the Christmas break,” Adam answered.
“Where in Queensland is he, Gino?” Tobias asked.
“He’s in a lovely nursing home on the outskirts of Hervey Bay in Toogoom. Adam and I try to get up there a couple of times a year, especially now he’s so frail.”
“How perfect!” Tobias exclaimed. “I own a house in Woodgate, take about an hour to drive between there and Toogoom. We could stay in my house.”
“Can we go, Toby? I really want to see him.”
“Of course. Gino can you and Adam give me dates and I’ll arrange flights and order a hire car for us to use.”
“Give me a minute,” Adam said and left the room.
They could hear him talking to someone on the phone.
“What about you, Gino?”
“Yeah, easily, Toby. We actually close down on the twenty-fourth and then reopen on the sixteenth.”
Adam came back in. “All arranged. I spoke with one of the partners and she’s not doing anything special over the break, and will handle any emergencies. Usually they are referred to a local after-hours clinic, but occasionally something comes up where one of us is needed. The surgery is closed between Christmas eve and January fourth.”
“Well, in that case, how about I book a flight for Wednesday the twenty-eighth with return on the Sunday?”
Everyone agreed with Tobias’s suggestion. Laura could feel her excitement build. This was the perfect end to the year—Christmas with what was now her family. She and Tobias stayed until around eight. Adam ordered Chinese and they sat talking about their lives, their hopes and dreams. Tobias drove back to her house and Laura felt as if she’d turned some sort of mental corner.
All her life she’d wondered why her ‘mother’ had treated her so coldly, now she had an answer. She was determined to make up for lost time and be the best sister she could be to Gino and Adam.
The following week Laura went a little crazy.
Knowing how many and who was coming, she bought presents for everyone, she’d already bought an antique Mah-jong set for Tobias, but wanted to ensure everyone received something. Never having had children she wasn’t too sure what to buy Tobias’s grandchildren, but a very helpful woman in one of the stores guided her along the right path. She now had vouchers for music and games for them both.
She bought decorations and an enormous Christmas tree. When Tobias came over for a few hours on Tuesday, she enlisted his aid in decorating the family room, breakfast area, and kitchen, then made him go out and buy more decorations so she could deck everything outside. He kept teasing her over her excitement.
“I can’t help it, Toby. I’ve never done this before. I feel like a kid. I used to wonder what all the excitement was. I mean, I knew but never really got it. Now I really understand. It’s about family and sharing the day.”
He wrapped his arms around her. “It is. I’ve never realised how lucky I’ve been to have family around for Christmas. I’m glad you can finally experience it.”
“Thank you. Now you have to help me decorate the tree.”
He kissed her, then together they covered the tree in baubles and tinsel. Laura couldn’t believe how she felt, with each passing hour she became more excited. She’d asked Toby and his father to spend the night on Christmas Eve, wanting to share some of her joy. They both agreed.
On the day before Christmas Eve, Laura went shopping again, this time for food. Tobias had told her it would be too hot to cook roasts, so she agreed to have a cold spread. She also picked up a couple of cheesecakes for dessert as well as a large tub of ice cream. She enlisted him to get prawns from the fish market on his way over Christmas Eve, as well as fish they could cook on the barbecue.
By Christmas Eve she was so hyperactive that when Tobias and Conall arrived around six o’clock she felt she was leaping out of her skin. Tobias dropped everything he’d bought on the kitchen bench then got the dogs out of the car.
“Did you get the fish?”
“Yes.”
“What about prawns? Did you buy enough?”
“Yes, Laura, relax.”
“Were the markets busy?”
“Very, that’s why we’re so late, but I got everything. Bought a few lobsters as well.”
Laura gave him a peck on the cheek as he opened the refrigerator door.
“Did I buy a big enough ham?” she asked worriedly.
Tobias was trying to find space in the fridge for the seafood, he turned back to her.
“Laura, you only have fifteen people to feed, not fifty.”
“I don’t want anyone to go hungry.”
Conall had been peering over his son’s shoulder and laughed when she said this.
“Laura, I doubt even fifty people would go hungry with all this.”
“Sweetheart, I can’t fit everything in the fridge,” Tobias complained.
“Use the one in the garage, it’s empty. I switched it on and cleaned it yesterday in case. The one in the barbecue thingy is full of drinks.”
“We’ll be eating Christmas leftovers for months,” he muttered as he walked off carrying the seaf
ood.
“I heard that!”
“You really do have a lot of food, Laura.”
“I guess so, Conall, but I’ve never had so many people over before and anyway, it’s Christmas.”
She made Conall a cup of tea and a coffee for her, and Tobias and the three of them sat outside with the two dogs racing madly around the yard.
“Stinky and Cally really love coming here, so much room for them to run and play. They just don’t get enough exercise at home. Dad and I take them for walks, but this, this is perfect.”
“I’m glad you brought them. I love having them here. Thanks for getting that doggy door put in.”
“They can stay outside you know. I told you that the other week,” Tobias reminded her.
“I know, but I can’t help it, I want them to come inside, too. I’m so glad you gave me the name of that fence guy. Now I don’t have to worry about them getting out and it doesn’t look too noticeable.”
“Why don’t you grow vines over it Laura? The part between the guest house and the boundary fence, the rest is fine. The bit between the guest house and the main house is behind those shrubs and the other side is against the garage.”
“That’s a good idea, Conall. I have no idea what will grow, but I’ll see if I can find out from Andy.”
“I picked up some bread rolls, figured we could throw a few sausages on the barbecue for dinner tonight. I checked with the baker and they’ll be open in the morning, so I ordered rolls for tomorrow.”
“Oh, thank you, Toby, I completely forgot about bread for tomorrow.”
An hour and a half later the three were sitting relaxing with a glass of wine each after eating. The sun had set, the dogs fed, the kitchen cleared—nothing to do but put their feet up. By ten, Laura had driven both men so crazy Tobias suggested they go to bed. Laura had set up one of the upstairs bedrooms for Conall, so the three made their way upstairs. Cally and Stinky investigated, obviously trying to decide which room they’d choose to sleep in.
“Goodnight, Laura, Toby, sleep tight.”
“Thanks, Conall, you, too.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
When Laura woke on Christmas morning, she felt like a kid. Christmas had always been just another day. Her mother had never really believed in it, they’d exchange a gift, but there was nothing really special about the day. But today—today was the start of a new tradition as far as Laura was concerned.
She shook Tobias awake. “It’s Christmas.”
He yawned and looked at her sleepily. “Are you sure?”
“Silly, of course. Come on, you have to get up.”
He pulled her into his arms and kissed her passionately. “You always get me up.”
She smacked his chest. “Very funny. Come on, everyone will be here and you’ll still be in bed.”
“What time is it?”
“Just gone seven.”
He stared at her, groaned, and shook his head. “Laura, no one will be here till about ten or eleven.”
“I don’t care. Anyway, your dad’s here.”
He finally laughed and kissed the top of her head as he got out of bed. Laura was almost jumping out of her skin. She felt this was what she’d been missing every Christmas, this feeling of excitement and anticipation. While Tobias shaved she showered and dressed then bounced downstairs. The dogs must have heard her because they came racing inside and she dropped to her knees to greet them. Two minutes later Tobias’s father walked in.
“Merry Christmas, Laura.”
She stood and kissed him then hugged him.
“Merry Christmas, Conall. You want coffee or tea?”
“Tea, please. Where’s Toby?”
“In the shower.”
“What would you like for breakfast, Conall? I’ve got oodles of things.”
“If you don’t mind, Laura, I think I’ll just stick with the cup of tea. Knowing what’s in those fridges I’m going to save myself.”
“Save yourself from what?” Tobias asked as he walked into the kitchen.
“From eating too much until lunch time.”
“Sounds like a good plan. Think I’ll just have a coffee, knowing you, Laura I bet you’re too nervous to eat.”
She laughed and hung her arms around his neck. “How did you guess?”
He kissed her then set about making coffee. When they’d finished drinking, Tobias drove down to the village and picked up the bread. When he returned, Laura was trying to coax Stinky into wearing tinsel on his collar. Cally was already decorated but Stinky was proving a handful. Conall was sitting back laughing at her antics when Tobias walked into the yard.
“She’s like a little kid.”
“I know, Dad, I’ve never seen anyone so excited over Christmas at our age.”
Laura heard him and asked, “Hey what’s this ‘our age’ business?”
“Sorry, sweetheart, it’s just most of us are a little jaded about the season when we get older.”
“We’ll I’m just starting so put up with it.”
“You do realise that next year she’ll be worse, don’t you, Toby? She’ll figure out what she did wrong or what she forgot and next year will be bigger again.”
“Oh, don’t remind me!”
“Oy, you two, I can hear.”
Tobias took the tinsel off her and sat pulling her down onto his lap. “We love you that’s all.”
“I know I’m being a little crazy, but I can’t help it.”
“You have fun, Laura. In fact, I’m rather looking forward to the day your excitement rubs off,” Conall said with a smile.
She wriggled a little so she could face Tobias. “What about you? Think I’m nuts?”
“Most definitely, but like Dad, it’s catching.”
“Ha!”
The three watched as Stinky proceeded to tear off Cally’s tinsel and race around the yard with it hanging from his mouth. Laura couldn’t stop laughing as he would come close to Cally, drop it then when she went to pick it up he would grab it and run off again. After ten minutes he was exhausted and flopped at Conall’s feet so Cally picked up the tinsel and lay on top of it.
Time seemed to alternatively speed up and slow down for Laura, but at last she heard the beeping of car horns and leaped up, racing inside. Conall and Tobias followed more sedately.
Opening the front door, they greeted Julian and his parents—Albert, called Bert by everyone, and Joyce, and introduced Laura to them. Behind them was Peter Bailey and his wife, Conall’s sister Maeve. Maeve handed over a large platter to Laura.
“I made you a fruit platter, thought it might help.”
“Thank you so much, Maeve. I didn’t think of that.”
Conall whispered in his sister’s ear loud enough for everyone to hear, “Probably the only thing she didn’t think of.”
Laura showed her guests where they could put their belongings then led everyone outside. Tobias made sure everyone had a drink after they sat. A few minutes later Gino and Adam arrived with a very attractive woman who was Adam’s sister Rachel. Laura knew she was fifty-two, but she certainly didn’t look it. Around Laura’s height of five foot eight, she had shoulder-length sandy-blonde hair like her brother, cut in a swinging soft bob. She also had the same dark blue eyes.
Adam was carrying a large container, and when they reached the kitchen he opened the refrigerator door but gave a cry of dismay.
“Damn, Laura, did you buy the supermarket out?”
“Dad and I are positive she did, but don’t worry, there’s a little room in the garage fridge, Adam,” Tobias told him.
“It’s only for the cream and fruit. Gino made a Pavlova.”
“Pavlova. Oh, my goodness I love pav!” Laura exclaimed.
“How funny is that, so does Gino.”
“What do I do?”
“Love Pavlova.”
“Hell yeah, I could eat it every day.”
Laura tucked her hand under Gino’s arm and they all walked out to meet and greet the o
thers. Laura noticed Julian do a double take when he met Rachel, and she could have sworn Rachel blushed as they shook hands. Ten minutes later the last of their guests arrived.
Laura had been nervous about meeting Tobias’s daughter and her family, after all if she and Tobias stayed together they would be her stepchildren. Tobias had told her not to worry, but she couldn’t help herself. When they arrived there was no mistaking she was Tobias’s daughter. She had the same golden brown eyes and was tall for a woman, maybe almost six feet. She smiled at Laura then enveloped her in a hug.
“I’m so happy to finally meet you. Dad’s done nothing but talk about you since he tried pushing you down the stairs. I’m so glad things worked out between you.”
“Thank you, Melanie, it’s lovely to meet you, too.”
Tobias introduced Darren and the grandchildren, who immediately ran off to play with the dogs after saying hello to everyone. From then on things just got better and better as far as Laura was concerned. When it came time to eat Rachel and Melanie insisted on helping. Joyce and Maeve wanted to as well so Laura got them cutting up salad things. They set the food on one of the long kitchen benches so people could serve themselves.
Looking back Laura realised this was how her life should have been, lots of friends, family and laughter. She felt a little sad until Tobias came in looking for paper plates. He noticed her sober expression and enfolded her in his arms. Not caring who was watching he gave her the biggest, most passionate kiss. Laura could hear Melanie and Rachel hooting and cheering as he finally released her.
“Way to go, Dad!”
“This is your day, my dearest, and all your future days,” he whispered in her ear.
“Thank you. I do love you.”
“Come on, let’s all go eat.”
With Conall given the job of carving the ham and Tobias breaking open lobsters, everyone helped themselves to food, then made their way into the dining room. Laura sent a message of thanks to her father for buying the huge dining table. She’d bought crackers and before long everyone was wearing a paper hat and laughing at the corny jokes that the two grandchildren took turns in reading out.
Lunch turned into a long drawn out delicious affair. Finally, around three-thirty when people had pushed themselves back from the table, Laura suggested they settle in the family room and make Conall play Santa Claus. Good naturedly he agreed and even allowed her to put a Santa hat on his head. With his two great grandchildren, he handed out gifts. Laura was surprised to find everyone had bought her gifts so she was swamped with presents, it overwhelmed her for a moment and she hid her face against Tobias at one point and tried not to cry.