by Cassie Hamer
Chloe and Ethan sat at nearby tables, chatting and stealing glances at their mum and dad. Every so often they’d shake their heads, feigning embarrassment to their friends. Oldies dancing, so lame! But there was also a glow in their eyes that spoke of comfort and reassurance. Their parents not only loved them, they loved each other. The heart of the family beat loud and strong.
The only people to have not received the memo about the party being in wind-down mode were Alex’s twins, who appeared quite drunk thanks to their current game of spinning on the dance floor for as long as possible before stopping and trying to stand on one foot. James was judge and referee, while Alex filmed the whole thing on her phone. At one point, Noah staggered sideways and nearly fell flat on his face, except that Alex caught him in the nick of time. She threw her head back and laughed, and James simultaneously scooped up Jasper before the pair wriggled out of their parents’ arms and demanded they do it all over again.
Cara would miss them terribly when they left, but Alex had promised that nothing would change. ‘You think I’m going to want to sit around all the time in whatever shitty new suburb we can afford? I’ll be back in Cuthbert Close every chance I get. And if you want to come and see how the other half live, you’re always more than welcome.’
She was exaggerating, of course. Alex would never settle for anything truly horrible, and the compromise would be worth it, in terms of the financial burden it would relieve. Part of Cara envied her. New home. Baby on the way. No mortgage to stress over. It was a new beginning and, watching Beth dancing with Max, she felt a similar sense of renewal. After twenty years of marriage, was it possible to venture into the next twenty years with more love and enthusiasm for your partner than you’d had on the day you married?
Cara felt a tap on her elbow.
‘Hi,’ said a familiar voice.
‘Hey, what are you doing here?’
Will Parry slid into the seat next to her and placed a large envelope on the table. ‘It’s the ownership agreement. I was in the area and just thought I’d drop it in your letterbox.’
‘Just passing? At 10 pm on a Saturday night?’
Will gave a sheepish grin. ‘If the lights were on, I was going to knock on the door. But then I saw Beth’s house lit up like a Christmas tree and I remembered you saying something about how you’d been cooking for their party, so I thought I’d drop in and say hi. You don’t mind, do you?’ His forehead was creased.
‘Not at all. In fact, I might get you to give me a hand getting this one back home. She’s too heavy for me to carry and I don’t want to wake her. Would you mind?’
‘Happy to help.’
Gently, Cara transferred Poppy into his arms, causing the little girl to rouse momentarily and say a sleepy Hi Will before crashing straight back to sleep with her head slumped on his shoulder.
Over the past few weeks, they’d both got to know him. The painting done, they’d made a list of the most pressing maintenance problems with the cottage and had begun working their way through them. He was easy company and though Cara was far more comfortable in an apron than overalls, she began to look forward to their weekly DIY sessions.
Cara set about saying her goodbyes.
‘Such a beautiful celebration. I’m so happy for you both.’ She kissed Max on the cheek and gave Beth a tight, fierce hug.
‘So am I,’ said Beth, her eyes shining. ‘And don’t think that just because, well, you know …’ She looked nervously at Max.
‘I think that’s my cue to leave and get a drink. Night, Cara, and thank you for all the terrific food. Those rice paper rolls were fantastic,’ said Max.
‘My pleasure, and thank you for a wonderful night. Congratulations.’
As Max departed for the bar, Beth pulled Cara aside. She frowned and Cara’s heart sank. She’s pulling out of Nourish. Now she knows Max wasn’t cheating, there’s no need for her to earn the money.
Beth leant in. ‘I was going to say that, you know, with Max, and what I thought … Well, just so you know, I still want to keep working on Nourish … with you. I love it.’
Cara exhaled. ‘I’m relieved to hear you say that.’
‘Because it’s more than just the money. It’s a new start, and I think Max probably realised before I did that we’d become too set in our ways. Things were changing, but we weren’t. We were living on past glories.’ She pulled her in more closely. ‘You know what they say – the past is a different country and you don’t want to live there. I have to believe there are just as many exciting and new challenges ahead of us as there are behind us. Who knows?’ She looked around the garden wistfully. ‘Maybe in a few years when the kids are older we might even move out of Cuthbert Close.’
Cara clutched her hand. ‘You and Alex can’t both leave me!’
Beth laughed. ‘You can take the women out of Cuthbert Close, but you can’t take the close out of the women. We’ll always be friends, don’t doubt that.’ She glanced over to where Will was holding Poppy. ‘You know there’s also a line from Strictly Ballroom, which I’d forgotten until Max whispered it to me a second ago.’ Beth spoke with urgency. ‘It’s something about living a life in fear is a life half-lived.’ She paused. ‘Pete … Your parents … they would want you to be happy, whatever that means.’
Cara kissed her on the cheek. ‘You’re a good friend, Beth Chandler.’
‘Always.’ She touched her shoulder and went back to her husband.
Cara, meanwhile, manoeuvred between the pinballing twins and managed to land a kiss on Alex’s cheek.
‘I’m off. Poppy’s crashed and Will’s giving me a hand to get her home.’
‘He’s turning out to be quite the handyman, isn’t he?’ remarked Alex, gazing in Will’s direction. ‘I wouldn’t mind seeing him in a tool belt.’
Cara gave her a gentle dig in the ribs. ‘You can’t say things like that.’
Stealing up behind them, James circled his arms around Alex’s rapidly growing waist. ‘Can’t say things like what?’
‘I just told Cara that I thought Will Parry would look hot in a tool belt,’ said Alex, with no hint of apology in her voice.
‘Don’t I look hot in a tool belt?’ protested James.
‘I never said you didn’t. All I said was—’
‘I know, I know.’ Admonished, James disentangled himself and started off towards the Chandlers’ garage.
‘Where are you going?’ called Alex.
‘I think Max has a tool belt here somewhere,’ said James over his shoulder. ‘Night, Cara.’
Alex rolled her eyes. ‘Idiot,’ she said affectionately.
‘Will’s brought the ownership agreement for me to sign,’ said Cara.
Alex nodded briskly, suddenly in lawyer mode. ‘Yes, I sent the final documents to his solicitor earlier in the week and there should be two copies. One for each of you. I recommend you keep it in a safe spot.’ Her face softened. ‘So, I guess it’s official. You and Will Parry are really doing this.’
‘I guess so.’ Cara tried to inject brightness into her voice.
Alex’s eyes narrowed on her. ‘You know, it’s okay to change your mind, at any stage. Look at me. For twelve years, I thought I wanted to be a partner at Macauley, but when I got the chance, I realised it wasn’t right at all.’
Cara laughed. ‘You and Beth must have both been drinking from the same philosophical punchbowl tonight because she’s been spouting lines from movies at me, and now you’re sounding more zen than a Buddhist monk.’
Alex clasped her hands in a praying pose and bowed. ‘Namaste, my child.’
‘That’s Hindu,’ laughed Cara, kissing her friend on the cheek. ‘Night, Alex.’
Side by side, Will and Cara made their way silently back to the cottage with nothing but the occasional flapping of bat wings to disturb the quiet of Cuthbert Close. Inside the cottage, Will trod carefully down the darkened hallway with a limp Poppy in his arms, and stood aside while Cara opened the door to the little girl’s b
edroom.
The covers pulled back, Cara motioned for Will to lay her down.
As they left the bedroom, he stopped at the door to look back at her, splayed like a star and snoring softly.
‘Such a lady,’ he whispered, and Cara playfully punched his arm.
‘That’s my daughter you’re talking about.’
Will rubbed his elbow, feigning injury. ‘Ow.’
Cara went to shut the door but he grabbed her hand. ‘Just another minute.’
She closed her fingers around his, and together they watched Poppy sleep, the rise and fall of her chest. Cara’s whole body tingled. Alive, as if the warmth from Will’s hand was transferring energy straight into her veins. With every pore, she was aware of him next to her. The heat off his body. His spicy, musky scent. In her other hand was the ownership agreement, stiff and cool in her grasp.
Eventually, Will shifted his weight and Cara let go, closing the door on her sleeping daughter. In the kitchen, she switched on an overhead light and placed the envelope on the table. Her future. Poppy’s future. It was right there on the table. Hers for the taking.
‘So I guess that’s it then.’ Will gestured to the agreement and took a seat. ‘Signed and sealed.’
‘I guess so.’
‘Is it okay if I move this stuff?’ He gestured to the cardboard box at his feet, the one that her father had brought over several weeks ago and she still hadn’t had time to go through.
‘I think it’s just old recipe books.’
He picked out a scrapbook and started leafing through it.
‘Looks like they’re really proud of you.’ He held up a page and turned over to the next. They were all cuttings of her work from magazines, each picture carefully clipped and glued in, along with a handwritten date and the name of the publication.
‘Must have been something Dad did.’ Cara stepped closer and Will laid the scrapbook on the table. She turned to the front page where there was a note, handwritten in hangul.
‘Can you read it?’
Cara held it up. ‘A little … Um … Let me see.’ She studied the shapely dashes and circles. ‘Dear Umma …’ she began. ‘I thought you might be … interested to see the work of your granddaughter, Cara … She is very successful here in Australia and makes beautiful photos for food magazines. Forgive me. Your daughter, Ji-yoo.’ On the final words, Cara’s voice cracked.
‘Hey, are you okay? I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have gone through your things.’
‘No.’ Cara swallowed the knot of tears in her throat. ‘No, I’m glad you did. That was … important.’
She is proud of me. Dad was right. She has never forgiven herself for falling in love.
‘Such a waste,’ Cara murmured to herself.
‘What’s a waste?’ Will’s face was a road map of worry lines.
‘Nothing.’ Cara took a breath and, fingers trembling, picked up the envelope. ‘Will, I need you to tell me the truth. Do you love this place?’
He shifted. ‘It’s complicated …’
‘Tell me honestly.’
‘Okay … okay.’ He looked her directly in the eye. ‘I like it when you and Poppy are here and the place is … alive. But when you’re not, no. I don’t like it. It just makes me think of the past.’
‘Okay.’ She nodded. ‘Okay.’
Holding the envelope in front of Will, she tore it in half, straight down the middle.
‘Cara, what are you doing?’ He sat up, taking in her stony expression. ‘What’s wrong? Don’t you want the cottage any more? Please, talk to me. It doesn’t matter that I don’t love this place, you do, and I want you to be happy.’
Slowly, she took two steps towards him and gingerly sat on his knee. Will’s eyes widened, confused. His hands wavered in the air with uncertainty.
‘I want the house,’ she said carefully. ‘But I want you more.’ She cupped his chin. ‘Will Parry, you are a kind and decent man, and I would be a fool to let you go.’
‘I don’t understand …You’re not letting me go. Whatever happens, this agreement gives you a secure future.’
Cara shook her head. ‘It ties us all to the past. I loved Pete, but I don’t have to live with his ghost around me to keep that alive. I need a fresh start. Somewhere new, with someone new.’ She took a breath. ‘I think it’s okay for me to be happy. The past is the past, and that’s where it must stay.’
‘But what about Poppy? She loves this place. Don’t you want her to have that stability?’ Will stroked a hair out of Cara’s eyes.
‘A home is about being surrounded by the people you care about, it’s not the bricks and mortar. They’re just what holds the love.’
‘Okay.’ Will nodded. ‘Okay.’ He took a breath. ‘That’s lucky,’ he said huskily. ‘Because I am falling so hard for you, Cara Pope, that I don’t know what to do.’
‘It’s easy.’ She smiled. ‘Kiss me.’
He took her face in his hands and met her lips with his. As the kiss deepened, Cara felt warmth spreading all over her body and she knew that, in Will Parry, she had found what she was looking for.
Home.
ThePrimalGuy.com.au
From: The Primal Guy
Subject: The End
To all my supporters,
As you may have read in the media, my business is in the process of being wound up, and as of next week will no longer exist.
I want to take this opportunity to thank you, my supporters, and also my family – my beautiful wife, Charlie, and my awesome daughter, Talia, who have both worked so hard behind the scenes to keep The Primal Guy going, while I dealt with some serious health issues.
First, to Charlie. The saying goes that behind every successful man is a woman. But imagine how much more amazing the world would be if it was the other way round? You were the brains and the inspiration. I’m sorry I let you down.
To Talia. How lucky am I to have a kid who’s already so much smarter than me! Those newsletters you wrote on my behalf while I was away were so, so good. You nailed it, kiddo. And you’re absolutely right – chaos can be the best! Sometimes we all need a butterfly to flap its wings and throw us a storm. ’Cause look, here we are, headed for calmer waters with a future so bright, I think I need sunglasses.
Peace out,
Ryan (formerly the Primal Guy)
PS If you’re still interested in food and nutrition, why don’t you check out Nourish.com.au. I hear their stuff is delicious, AND good for you, AND it’s real, just like our forebears used to eat.
Now, why didn’t I think of that.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Writing acknowledgements is a bit like staggering over the finish line at the end of a marathon. Your heart is full, your brain is so fried that you’re fresh out of words, but you’re so damn grateful because you know you could never have made it without the team behind you.
Therefore, to all the ‘shoulders’ who helped me and this book to reach the publication finish line, I offer my warmest hugs, lip-smacking kisses and victory salutes. We made it!
Special thanks to:
Jo Mackay – I could not ask for a more enthusiastic and supportive publisher. You are the ray of sunshine among the clouds of self-doubt. Thank you, thank you, thank you. And for the brilliant cover concept, thank you again.
Annabel Blay – a wise and witty editor, whose margin notes have the most delightful voice. Who knew that editing could be fun??! You are wonderful.
Sarah JH Fletcher – your attention to detail is extraordinary and I’m in genuine awe of your proofreading brain. Thank you for your close attention to every word in this book.
Natilka Palka, Johanna Baker and Adam Van Rooijen – what a crew! You are the experts at getting books into the hands of readers, and you are terrific fun to be around. What more could an author ask for?
Jenny Kremmer – you read this book in its first draft (you poor soul) and helped me to take it to the next level. Many thanks.
The Bundanon Trust – for the mo
st productive two weeks by the banks of the beautiful Shoalhaven River. Thank you for the gift of peace and quiet – albeit interrupted by the occasional wombat and kangaroo.
To all the bloggers, podcasters and authors who help to spread the word about my books and, of course, to the booksellers who provide that crucial link to readers – I’ve been blown away and humbled by the support. The community of readers and writers in this country is genuinely wonderful – a beacon of kindness in what can sometimes feel like a slightly brutal world.
To my friends and extended family – you have shown up for me, literally and metaphorically, time and again over the past year and, for a new author, that means everything.
To the Hamer/Davis crew, Sade, Muz, Tim, Jacks, Felic, Zoe, Elliot, Jess, Mims and Jack – our times together are always the best. But can we agree to freeze time so everyone can stop getting older? In particular, to Muz and Sade for enduring my author talks more times than most, and never once expressing anything other than positivity. And also to Jen, for your ongoing interest and support.
Mum and Dad – if you need or want a new career in book publicity, it’s yours! You have pushed my books into the hands of more people than I can count. When it comes to me and my writing, you are completely one hundred per cent biased, and I love it. Every child should know such love in their lives.
Ruby, Sasha and Lucy – this book is, rightly, dedicated to you. In the last book, I said I hoped you were proud of me. Now, I know for sure that you are and it is the best feeling in the world. I’m proud of you, too.
Sam – every night before we go to sleep I tell you I love you and in your dry way, with the humour that brought us together, you joke back, ‘No you don’t.’
But I do. A thousand times over I do. This whole caper could not, and would not, happen without you.
ISBN: 9781489257925
TITLE: THE END OF CUTHBERT CLOSE
First Australian Publication 2020
Copyright © 2020 Cassie Hamer
All rights reserved. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher: