‘Yep. I can see the hair. Do you want a mirror?’
‘I don’t want to see it but Paul wants to.’
‘No worries. We’ll just angle it towards him and get on with it.’
Another midwife poked her head around the comer. She met Noni’s eyes and they both smiled. ‘Want me?’
‘Give Dr McCloud a ring and tell him now. Thanks.’ Noni’s voice was matter-of-fact, and Suzie and Paul relaxed at the lack of tension in the room.
The other girl nodded. ‘Will do. I’ll be back.’
‘Here comes another one.’ Suzie strained with her body’s urging and the circle of dark hair spread wider with each push.
Noni’s voice was calm and quiet. ‘You’re doing beautifully. Gently does it and lean back on Paul when it’s done.’
The muted sound of classical music and Suzie’s steady breathing were the first sounds the little ears heard as the head was born. Just then, the door opened and Iain came in quietly as the baby’s shoulders rotated and, with a gush the rest of the body arrived. Noni lowered the little boy onto the pillow between his mother’s feet and wiped the infant’s body with a warm towel. Then she gestured for Suzie to lift up her baby.
Suzie wrenched her gown over her head to bare her skin, reached down, and lifted her baby son to her chest. The baby mewled and Suzie hugged him to her breasts. ‘Our baby.’
Tears ran down Paul’s face as he reached around and cradled his family. ‘Darling, he’s beautiful.’
The cord could wait. Noni sat back. She looked up and caught Iain’s eyes on her, and suddenly she too felt like crying. It hit her then that she and this man could have shared a similar moment to this as parents. If only …
‘Could you pass me another one of those warm bunny rugs, please, Iain?’
When he handed it to her, Noni laid it over the baby’s back and around Suzie’s shoulders before sitting down again on the stool.
The umbilical cord ceased pulsation. Noni placed two clamps on either side of the area to be cut and offered the scissors. ‘Would you like to cut the cord, Paul?’
He swallowed once before shaking his head. ‘I would, but I think I need to take a few deep breaths at the moment.’
Iain caught Noni’s eye. ‘Perhaps, you had better do it, Sister.’
‘Maybe.’ Noni looked up at the mother. ‘What about you, Suzie? You’ve done everything else.’
Suzie flicked her hair out of her face and grinned at Noni. ‘Take a picture of this, someone.’ She shifted the baby to her left arm and took the scissors. The thick, rope-like connection between mother and child separated with a firm snip. She handed back the scissors.
Suzie frowned suddenly and groaned. ‘Hey, you said the pains would go away after I had the baby, and I’ve got another one.’
Noni smiled. ‘You needed one more, to finish the fabulous job you’ve done.’
A few seconds later it was over. Noni placed the dish on the bottom of the trolley and helped Suzie tidy herself.
Paul sighed quietly and closed his eyes.
Noni looked up. ‘Can I hold baby for a minute, Suzie?’ She wrapped the rest of the bunny rug around the baby and quickly stood up and out of the way. ‘Iain. Fainting father over here,’ she said as Paul slid sideways off the chair onto the beanbag beside it.
Iain raised his eyebrows.
‘Please.’
Iain gave her a crooked smile and then shrugged. He stepped over to the casualty.
‘Sometimes it’s just too much. Come on, old mate, I’ll get a wet washcloth for your face.’
Paul opened his eyes. ‘What happened?’
‘It’s time you went out for some fresh air. Bet you haven’t eaten all day.’ Iain helped him to his feet and smiled at Paul’s wife. ‘He’ll be back in a minute. He’ll be fine.’
Noni and Suzie watched Iain help Paul stagger out the door and both tried hard not to laugh.
‘Poor Paul,’ said Noni. They grinned at each other.
‘Let’s get you up on the bed and settled with this little man before he comes back.’
When Suzie was settled in bed with her baby nursing gently at her breast and the room returned to tidy, Noni let out a breath of relief.
‘I’ll slip out and see if I can find Paul.’
‘Before you go, Noni.’ Suzie hugged the little body to her. ‘Is Iain really leaving tomorrow?’
Noni stopped and met Suzie’s eyes. ‘Yes. Why?’
‘It’s sad. I thought you two might be good together.’
Noni had thought so, too. ‘Sometimes things don’t work out, but it’s not the end of the world.’ She forced a smile to her face and then turned towards the door. ‘I’ll go look for that husband of yours.’
Chapter Forty-six
Noni
Noni woke early on Saturday morning, strangely relieved that it would soon be over. She dressed and steeled herself for one more day of pretending all was right in her world, but when she opened her front door Iain stood on the verandah as if he’d been about to knock.
This hard-eyed stranger wasn’t the caring doctor she’d seen for the last fortnight at work. He’d gone. In his place stood a furious consultant ready to tear strips off her. She couldn’t think of anything she’d done wrong.
‘Iain? What’s wrong?’
‘You. You’re wrong. Not content with me missing the first seventeen years of Jacinta’s life, are you? So, how long have you two been cooking this up?’ His voice hissed out, colder than she’d ever heard it, and he examined her through narrowed eyes. She’d never seen him so angry and she didn’t like it.
Time out. Her eyes scanned the front yard for inspiration but found nothing that cleared the mystery. Jacinta wasn’t in the car, so she must still be at Dr Soams’s house. ‘Come in. I’m not doing this here. Come into the study.’
He stepped inside and then halted to gesture sarcastically for her to precede him down the hallway.
Once she’d entered the study, she sat sedately on the lounge trying to still her agitation. The dark cloud had certainly followed him in and the tension kept building. ‘Don’t tower over me.’ She gestured with her hand for him to sit, and waited.
He opened his mouth and then shut it again before he walked angrily around the room. Apparently too furious to speak. Good grief.
‘Cooking what up?’ she prompted him, keeping her voice even, despite the agitation that rose inside.
Win appeared, and Noni heaved a sigh of relief. Aunt Win would calm him down. Win looked from one to the other and her face turned grim. She sighed and crossed her arms over her ample bosom.
‘It’s my fault,’ Win said. ‘Jacinta just rang and asked me if she could stay here for a while with Olivia, instead of going back to Sydney with her father.’
Noni began to see the light. ‘And you said …?’
Win looked at Iain, lifting her chin. ‘The same as I said to you, Noni. Of course I said yes.’
Iain snorted. ‘Spare me. Do you think I’m going to believe she,’ he gestured to Noni, ‘knew nothing of this? You’re both in this together.’ He threw a cynical glance at Noni. ‘Well, I’m leaving today. That’s what you want, isn’t it? Without my daughter. My sympathy goes to Harley. He has to live with the scheming lot of you.’
Win glared at him. Noni sucked in a breath and held her tongue. From experience, she knew that when people were this angry they couldn’t hear you, anyway. And Iain was livid.
An hour later he arrived back, deposited a subdued Jacinta on the footpath, and refused to come in. Boy was he going to eat humble pie when the truth came out. Noni could admit to a degree of infuriation that she’d been blamed for the whole fiasco. But she would have said yes as well so it was a moot point.
It was a very sombre crew that watched the Lexus pull out of the driveway for the last time. As if on cue, Olivia began to cry and Noni felt like going out in sympathy. Not like this, she kept thinking. How had it ended like this?
Finally, she touched
Jacinta’s hand and squeezed it in question. ‘So, what is all this about, missy?’ Her voice emerged calm and quiet, in contrast to how she felt inside.
Jacinta shrugged, a little sheepish now, and Noni suspected the ulterior motive. ‘It wasn’t any fun with him in Sydney before and I’m not sure what I want to do. It is okay that I stayed, isn’t it?’
Noni half laughed. That was rich. ‘A bit late now but, yes, it’s fine. Can I ask: do you have a more detailed long-term plan for you and Olivia?’ She suspected that Jacinta had more going on behind those blue eyes than anybody guessed. She crossed her fingers behind her back that she was right.
Jacinta nodded and met Noni’s eyes with a glint of determination. ‘When Olivia’s older I’ll see about uni. I’m going to study medicine.’
Noni nodded, satisfied. She’d thought so. No grey shades there. And her father’s help would come into play because it would be crazy not to, and Jacinta was nothing if not practical. ‘Right, then. Let’s go and fix your room properly.’
Noni’s brain and her heart ached. Nice to know someone had a plan for the future. She and Harley had just had a wobble put into their worlds but she was happy for Jacinta.
She turned to her son, whose heartbreaking loss shone clear on his small, pinched face as he stared along the empty road. His hero had hastened away and her heart sank again. ‘Harley. Darling. Iain will visit.’ She hoped. ‘Try to remember the good times and how much you learned while Iain was here.’
‘You could have asked him to stay.’ Harley turned and stared accusingly at his mother. His eyes glinted with unshed tears and Noni felt stabs of that hurt twist her chest. Then he turned and ran into the house.
Noni rubbed her temples.
‘I’ll stay home this weekend,’ Win said. ‘We’ll all try to cheer Harley up.’ Noni had forgotten Aunt Win had been standing there through the whole fiasco. She didn’t need Noni’s dramas either and Noni decided she felt as miserable as Harley looked.
‘You sure? You’ll have much more fun away from the sad bunch here.’
Win nodded with her own resolve. ‘And I’d worry all weekend. No, I’ll stay. But I might go out tonight with Greg. He’s been trying to take me to tea for a couple of weeks now and tonight’s the night.’
Noni blinked. There was something in her aunt’s voice. ‘At least that’s a good change now that he’s retired.’ She glanced at her aunt. Saw her face soften with a wistful expression before it was bustled away from view.
What was that look? ‘Are you still having Sunday lunches?’ Noni had been so absorbed with all the Iain and Jacinta dramas she’d paid little attention to her aunt’s life. Selfish niece.
‘Yes.’ Another soft smile that seemed to light her aunt up from within. ‘I enjoy Greg’s company.’
Noni heard the subtle change. Had she thoughtlessly relied on Win to be there as always? What if Aunt Win was on the verge of change, too? What if Aunt Win was considering a huge change?
The thought brought a tinge of panic and she stuffed it down. She had no control over other people. Certainly not over Iain. Or Jacinta. Just herself, and Harley for the time being. She’d learned that from the dear woman in front of her. And more than anything she wanted Aunt Win to be happy.
Noni looked at her aunt and comprehension dawned. Her aunt’s life had been put on hold for hers. ‘And he obviously enjoys your company,’ she said softly.
‘Apparently.’ Her aunt actually blushed. Noni couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen that, and despite her distress for the way Iain had left, the sight made her mouth twitch.
Noni stepped back and looked at her aunt. ‘And apparently, there’s more afoot here than I’ve paid attention to.’ Her eyes narrowed and she studied her aunt from head to toe. She saw a magnificent woman, big bones, warm, soft eyes, a generous mouth and her long white plaits. And a blush. Her wonderful Aunt Win was in love. And she hadn’t noticed.
She shook her head slightly and smiled with a strangely bittersweet but very honest happiness. ‘When did this happen?’
‘What?’ Aunt Win pretended innocence.
‘You know what I mean. Dr Soams “connecting” on a more formal – or rampantly non-formal – basis.’
Win’s eyes twinkled. ‘Greg has always been my friend.’
Noni realised that was true. She’d rarely seen Dr Soams when he hadn’t asked after her aunt. More in the last two years since his wife had died, certainly. But before that, too. If she thought about it, he was a good-looking, eligible widower, who had always been her aunt’s friend. Though admittedly, he did have a stay-at-home daughter who had never been Win’s favourite. Noni suspected Penelope hadn’t hidden the fact that she looked down on Win’s niece. That wouldn’t go over well with Aunt Win.
She said gently, ‘Things have changed for you and I haven’t noticed. I’m sorry.’ This time she was the one who hugged her aunt with extra fervour.
‘Has he asked you to marry him?’ A horrible thought occurred to her. ‘You haven’t said no because of Harley and me?’
Chapter Forty-seven
Win
Win felt the tears prick her eyes. Dear Noni. She hadn’t said no to Greg, only because the chance hadn’t arisen, but she’d thought about it. Had thought she’d put him off tonight.
‘No.’ It didn’t come out sounding as definite as it should have.
Noni narrowed her eyes at her. ‘You said he’s been trying to take you out for a while. Do you suspect he’s carrying a ring?’ Her hand covered her mouth, but it kicked up at the corners. Then more seriously, she said, ‘You’re the one who said life owns its own directions, and we’re just here for the ride. Goodness. This is a chance for a whole new adventure you haven’t had!’
Win felt like crying, which wasn’t like her. But Noni saying all the things she knew to be true made her want to cry, and laugh. Her darling niece was being so brave and loving, but how could she leave while Noni’s heart lay bruised and battered? She could box that Iain McCloud’s ears for having a tantrum and blaming Noni. She had no doubt he’d see reason, but seriously? He needed a good woman to take him in hand. Noni would sort him out if she had the chance.
Win blew out a breath and brushed away her emotions. ‘There’s no rush. Let’s recover from all this tumult before I think about it.’
‘No.’ Noni kissed her cheek and stepped back. ‘Winsome Frost, go into that house and phone the man you love and arrange your dinner date. Then prepare yourself to say yes. Your wedding will be the perfect diversion to lift all our spirits. Maybe Harley could be in the wedding party.’
‘He could give me away.’ Win chewed her lip, but deep inside the tiny ripple of excitement gathered momentum, louder and faster, like approaching the rapids on the river in her kayak, being drawn towards the inevitable rush of splashing speed, the spice of danger and the balance needed to stay upright in her craft.
Could she do it?
She lifted her head. Maybe.
Was she being timid? Probably.
Did she love Greg? Had done for years.
Noni was right. She had to take the challenge. Risk it. She’d ring Greg and just maybe … She’d say yes, tonight.
That evening, Noni helped her dress. She wore a ruby-red skirt that fell to the floor and swirled with bands of deeper velvet; a white peasant blouse that Noni said made her look soft and feminine; and her cashmere wrap. Not that it was cold, but the wrap settled around her shoulders like protective angel wings – just there. Flat shoes – she only owned flat shoes – but for a fleeting moment she wished she’d had at least one pair of mid-heels she could have worn.
‘You look perfect,’ Noni said.
Jacinta nodded her head in agreement. ‘Bad.’
Win blinked. ‘Bad?’
Noni raised her eyes at Jacinta. ‘Bad means good. Doesn’t it, Jacinta?’
‘Absolutely. Awesome. Wicked.’
Win laughed. She didn’t mind looking wicked. Her outfit wasn’t conventional. She
hadn’t wanted to be something she wasn’t. But it was feminine and even trendy in a vintage way, and she hadn’t been on a proper date for centuries. At least it felt like it.
Tonight, Greg would come for her. And they wouldn’t rush home. She felt like a teen waiting to go to the school dance. Ridiculous.
‘I am very happy for you,’ Noni said softly. ‘Everything will work out perfectly.’
Win wasn’t so sure about that, but Noni had convinced her that two unhappy people did not make things better, which was very sensible. She should have seen that herself. Silly. Let alone Greg’s feelings in the matter. Her little stream of excitement burbled away underneath the veneer of a well-dressed woman. The grandmother clock began to chime in the dining room in a silvery benediction.
Someone knocked at the door and her heart bumped with an extra fillip of excitement. ‘I’ll go. I won’t have him come in. Goodnight, girls.’ She glanced back at her niece and blew her a kiss. ‘Thank you.’
When she opened the door, Greg’s beautiful eyes widened in admiration. There was no mistaking the pleasure in them. Then they darkened into something more delightfully disturbing that she didn’t expect. You devil. She smiled to herself, and then at him.
‘You look beautiful,’ he said.
‘Thank you, kind sir.’ She held out her arm and he tucked it into his own and escorted her to his car.
Chapter Forty-eight
Jacinta
Jacinta saw the shine of tears in Noni’s eyes as the door shut after Win.
This was all her fault. She’d thought her dad would just turn around when he cooled down but that hadn’t happened. How had she got it so wrong? She’d only been trying to keep them together. Had she made it worse?
This was ridiculous. She slipped out of the hallway and up the stairs to her room and shut the door. He would have to have calmed down by now. Surely. She stabbed his number in on the phone he’d given her.
He picked up on the first ring. ‘Iain.’
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