Between the Vines

by Tricia Stringer

Pete held her gaze. If she felt nothing for Ed maybe she had room to think about him as more than her employer, more than a friend. They were less than a metre apart. Did she want him to cross that space? What would be her reaction if he reached for her?

  They both turned at the sound of footsteps.

  “Pete, I just need to say that my presentation today has been planned with both of you in mind. I don’t want you or Ed to think I’m favouring one or the other.”

  Pete opened his mouth to speak but the door to the back room opened and Taylor returned to the other side of the counter.

  “Come on, Edward.” Noelene’s voice carried into the cellar door.

  Pete steeled himself for whatever was coming. He picked up a tea towel that was covering some glasses. He needed to keep his hands busy.

  CHAPTER

  46

  Edward paused as he stepped in behind the counter at the cellar door. Noelene was just ahead of him. Taylor lifted her head from the papers she was spreading along the other side of the counter. She was hesitant as if waiting for a reaction. Peter was polishing glasses on Edward’s side, his jaw rigid.

  “We’re all ready,” Noelene said. “You boys come around here. I’ve brought some bar stools in so you can sit.”

  Edward gritted his teeth. He still objected to Noelene speaking as if they were school kids. He let Peter go ahead of him. They took their places on the stools.

  “You go round the other side of the counter.” Noelene put a guiding hand on Taylor’s back.

  Edward gave a wry smile. At least he and Peter weren’t the only ones getting Noelene’s mother hen treatment.

  “Now you make a start, Taylor. Don’t mind me. I’m going to make everyone a coffee.” She got as far as the door and turned back, her pointer finger raised in the air. “Remember you blokes both agreed to listen.” She left. They could hear her in the other room fiddling with the coffee machine.

  Taylor cleared her throat and shuffled her papers. She looked terrified.

  “You don’t have to do this,” Peter said.

  “No.” Edward gave Taylor a mocking smile. “I think she does. Noelene has spoken.”

  Peter’s glance showed his annoyance but he didn’t speak.

  “Go on, Taylor, please enlighten us with your vast knowledge of the wine business,” Edward said.

  “I can hear that sarcastic tone in your voice, Edward Starr.” Noelene called out.

  Edward slapped the bar. “Oh for f–”

  “Let’s get started.” Peter cut him off. “Taylor has done a lot for us and she’s gone to a lot of trouble getting this organised.” He turned to Edward. “The least we can do is listen.”

  Edward swallowed his simmering anger. He glanced from Peter to Taylor then he winked at her. “Please begin.”

  Taylor took a deep breath. She was wise to Ed’s game now. He was trying to put both her and Pete offside, covering up for his own shortcomings. She also took strength from Pete’s reaction to her declaration about her relationship, or lack of it, with Ed. Pete had looked like a man who’d been given a reprieve from the firing squad. She didn’t have time to explore that further. She’d wanted him to be clear that she was about to present an unbiased proposal and that meant she could show no favouritism to one brother or the other.

  “I want to preface this by saying this is not a business plan as such.”

  Ed’s breath whistled over his teeth.

  “As you would know, Edward.” She took care to use his full name. His look met hers. “A business plan needs to have input from the key players and so far you haven’t had that input.”

  “I already know where our money is and where it isn’t.”

  “I don’t,” Pete said.

  “Just like I don’t know where all our grapes have gone.”

  “That’s enough from both of you.” Noelene came back carrying cups of coffee. “We’re not here for you to go tit for tat. Just shut up and listen.”

  “I think that’s the problem.” Taylor got in quickly while Noelene handed around coffees. “A business plan isn’t just about money or wine production. It’s a tool for both of you to understand how your business is put together. A good business plan will help you monitor progress. It would make you both accountable and in control of your business’s fate. And if at some stage you do look for an investor it’s a useful tool.”

  “I’ve got all the facts and figures we need on paper,” Edward said.

  “Quiet, Edward.” Noelene took a big slurp of her coffee and nodded at Taylor. “Go on,” she said. “It’s making perfect sense so far.”

  Taylor glanced between the brothers. Ed’s blue eyes had deepened in colour. Pete’s were clear, full of concern. She went on. “I’m sure what you have is a good start, Edward, and I know you’ve got a plan for your grapes, Pete, but putting together a business plan forces you both to review everything from the value of your business, operations, marketing and finance to staffing. It helps you to spot connections you might otherwise miss. For example, Edward, if you were to buy the vineyard at Wrattonbully how will you manage that? What equipment will you need and if Pete is already busy here at Wriggly Creek who will oversee the vines in the new vineyard?”

  She paused.

  “Good point,” Noelene said and took another slurp of coffee. Ed glared at her.

  “Pete, I know you focus on quality and that’s very important but maybe you could up the yield of your entry-level wines. Give Edward more to sell to a bigger chain distributor. That might be a way to increase income without spending money.”

  Taylor stopped. Both brothers focused their gaze on her now.

  “I’ve been checking out your competitors,” she said. “You’ve got all the elements that the very successful wineries have. It’s not necessarily about needing more vines or money, Edward. And Pete, I know you want an icon wine but you also need more bread-and-butter wine. Both of you have got what it takes. You just need to work smarter. I think developing a strong business plan will help you.”

  Taylor stopped again. She was getting so little reaction from them she didn’t know where to go next.

  Noelene broke the silence with a clap of her hands. “You see,” she said. “I told you Taylor would come up with something useful.”

  “This is all about why we need a plan,” Ed snapped. “Not an actual plan.”

  Taylor tried to keep her face emotion-free but Ed wasn’t making it easy for her. “I didn’t have access to your information to mock up a plan and I don’t want to put ideas in your head without you having a go first but I am more than happy to help you go through the process.”

  She paused. Ed stared at her. She wasn’t sure which way he was going to go.

  “I’d like to try.” Pete gave her a quick smile but a troubled look stayed on his face.

  “I don’t see the point now,” Ed said.

  “Perhaps it would mean you don’t have to sell.” Taylor held his gaze. “Expansion at any cost isn’t necessarily the answer. But if you don’t expand, how could you generate more revenue?” Taylor warmed to her topic. “There may be things you already do that you could do better. Efficiency improvement doesn’t have to cost you anything.”

  Noelene stood up. “Edward, I can’t believe you won’t at least try.”

  All four of them stared at him. Finally he threw up his hands. “Okay, okay. I’ll give it some thought.”

  “No time like the present,” Noelene said. “Tell them your idea, Taylor.”

  “I’ve put some questions and suggestions on paper.” Taylor indicated the papers she’d set out on the bar. “If you’d both look at them, write what you can and I’ll collate them.”

  Ed gave a snort. “The old ‘where do you see yourself in five years’ time’ question.”

  “It’s the most important one on the page,” Taylor retaliated. Ed’s negativity was wearing thin. “No-one else can answer that one for you.”

  Ed squeezed his lips together.

  Sh
e picked up the picture of the men planting the vines and propped it against some wine bottles. “This might help. You’re a bit more than five years on from when it was taken but I thought it might help you remember.”

  Pete shut out Ed’s grumbles and tried to focus on the page in front of him. Noelene and Taylor had left them to it but it wasn’t the business plan he was thinking about, it was Taylor. Not just because everything she’d said had made sense but because of the way she’d said it. She’d been so professional, thorough and caring in her presentation. She’d obviously done her homework. He’d found himself studying her as she spoke. He loved the sound of her voice, the curve of her lips, the way she absentmindedly flicked stray hair from her eyes.

  He thought back to her determined words before the others came. There was no relationship between her and Ed. She didn’t love his brother. If she hadn’t gone on to explain why she was in the cellar door today, if Noelene and Ed hadn’t turned up when they did, he might have…

  “Bloody hell.” Ed’s explosion broke the silence.

  “What’s the matter?”

  “She might as well ask what colour our underwear is and what we ate for breakfast. This will take hours.”

  “Just do the first page so we can give it back to Taylor. The rest we’ll do later.” Pete studied Ed’s brooding face. “I think we need this if we’re to have any chance of making a future for Wriggly Creek – together.”

  “I’ve told you Zhu has made an offer.”

  “You don’t have to accept it.”

  “I need to make a change.”

  Pete still couldn’t believe Ed would sell out on him. “I thought Wriggly Creek was your dream, like it was Dad’s, and like it is mine, but I’m not going to stand in your way if leaving is what you really want.”

  Ed held his gaze a moment, his expression unreadable, then he looked back at the paperwork. “Let’s get this done. I’ve got other things I should be doing.”

  Pete studied his outline. Ed was proud, he acted tough but Pete was sure he was covering something. There was more than the Chinese offer at stake here. Hopefully this idea of Taylor’s might shake out whatever was really bothering Ed.

  CHAPTER

  47

  Taylor dropped the papers she’d been reading on the table and tugged the sleeves of her jumper over her hands. The sunshine wasn’t providing the warmth in the room like it used to. Ed and Pete had called in to collect their meal the night after the planning meeting. Both had left their first page with her and made garbled promises to deliver the rest soon. That had been Tuesday night, today was Thursday. She hadn’t crossed paths with them yesterday and in the evening they’d called in for their meal and left with it. There was little more than a quick smile from Pete and a half-nod and grunt of thanks from Ed.

  So much about what they’d written for where they imagined Wriggly Creek and themselves in five years’ time was the same. Of course Ed had prefaced his with the message that he was planning to sell but for the sake of the document he was ignoring that prospect and imagining staying on. Taylor shivered and tucked her hands between her knees. It worried her that Noelene was putting such store in her being able to get the brothers to see they both wanted the same outcome. That was the easy bit really. It was the how that differed and they were poles apart with that.

  She really needed them to give her the rest of the information, the facts and figures, projections, markets, production and equipment details before she could go any further and that wasn’t forthcoming yet.

  She glanced across at the meat thawing on the sink. She had plans for a chicken and veg casserole tonight, a meal she could easily create a vegetarian portion from before she added the chicken. She shook her head and berated herself under her breath. Antoine appreciated her food and she was happy to eat vegetarian. She knew she should leave the ungrateful Starr brothers to their own devices. She had an image of Cass saying more than that.

  She pushed back from the table and paced the room. Something kept her here. Even though she’d first come looking for Ed and that was over almost before it began, she’d stayed. Wriggly Creek had got under her skin and not only that, she had to be honest. It was Pete. His ruffled curls, his dreamy eyes, his ready smile. Taylor groaned. How could she trust herself? She’d got it so wrong with Ed.

  “Hello?”

  She sucked in a breath. Pete was at her door.

  She put a hand to her chest. “Calm, be calm,” she whispered.

  He knocked. “Taylor?”

  She stepped around the open wooden door and peered through the screen. “I’m here.”

  He pulled the screen open, his face a mask of worry.

  “Is something wrong?”

  “No, not exactly.” He turned his lips up in a smile. “I keep asking for your help. I’m sorry to do it again but Antoine and Ben are busy and Ed’s…I don’t know where he is.”

  “I’m on the payroll now. You know I’ll do whatever’s needed.” She smiled at him. “Unless it involves spiders.”

  He frowned again. “I’m sorry.”

  “I’m kidding.” She looked at his furrowed brow. “I know you wouldn’t intentionally put me in that position.”

  “No. There won’t be spiders.” He scratched at the curls on his neck. “Can you help Noelene in the cellar door? She’s very busy today. It’s looking like being another big Easter weekend.”

  “Of course. Where’s the week gone? It’s Good Friday tomorrow.” Taylor had forgotten all about the stash of chocolate eggs and hot cross buns she’d put away. If it was just her and Antoine they’d have a bit of eating to do. “I was going to head to the cellar door soon anyway. I love working over there with Noelene. I just have to stop by the lab and I’ll go straight over from there.”

  “Thanks, I really appreciate it.”

  Taylor was rewarded with a huge smile from Pete. She had to look away a moment. Her heart thumped in her chest. When he smiled it was as if the world lit up. He hovered a moment, then left. She put the meat in the fridge, collected her hat and jacket and set off. The sunshine was weak today. Scattered clouds left little room for any warmth to shine through. The chilly breeze ruffled the leaves of the vines, now mainly yellow with splashes of orange and red. She passed Pete’s cottage. Like the rows of vines behind her the leaves on the NS18 vines were also changing to the colours of autumn. She’d loved the green but the variation in colours now was more picturesque.

  She was humming as she approached the winery office. Not the weather, or even Frosty Felicity, was going to dampen her mood today. At the front corner of the building she paused. She could just see the back of a sleek black car parked close to the trees by the road rather than in the car park.

  Taylor pushed open the door to the office. A big man in a suit straightened up from leaning over Felicity’s desk. Felicity glanced past him to Taylor, a surprised look on her face.

  “Hello, Taylor.” Felicity’s voice was a little too loud. “Taylor’s been our extra help over vintage, Mr Archer.”

  The man flicked a look at Taylor. She could tell by his expression he discounted her as of no importance.

  “I’ll let Edward know you called.” Felicity spoke loudly as if for Taylor’s benefit rather than his.

  He gave a sharp grunt in response and made his way outside.

  Taylor watched him walk in the direction of the car. Black car, big man, bald head: was he the one who’d been looking over the fence at the NS18 grapes just before they were picked?

  “Who was that man?” She looked back to Felicity.

  “A business friend of Edward’s.” Felicity turned away, dismissing Taylor. She began to rearrange things on her desk. A sheaf of papers slipped from her fingers and fluttered across the floor.

  Taylor left her to it. A small grin turned up the corners of her mouth as she let herself through the lunchroom door into the lab behind. Flustered Felicity. She was compiling a good list of ‘F’ words for the office madam.

  Edward
entered the cellar door from the front. There were three groups at the bar and another couple standing off to the side looking at the photos on the wall. He made his way behind the counter to help Noelene and baulked at the large numbers of glasses waiting to be washed.

  “You’ve been busy,” he said as she finished explaining the cab sauv to the customers.

  “It’s been like this since I opened the door. Did Peter send you?”

  “I haven’t seen him today.”

  “Oh well, doesn’t matter. Do you want to wash dishes or serve customers?”

  “I’ll serve.”

  “Of course you will.” Noelene lifted a tray of glasses and smiled at the cab sauv drinkers. “Edward is one of the Starr brothers I was telling you about. He’ll help you with any wine purchases you’d like.”

  “Are you the winemaker?” one of the group asked.

  Edward pulled his face into a smile. “No, that’s my brother but we work closely together. It’s a family business.”

  The banter rolled easily off his tongue. The room was full of happy customers, he didn’t want to scare any off, besides, it was no hardship to smile here. He usually enjoyed the cellar door. This was where he felt most comfortable. He was good at talking to people. He mightn’t make the wine but he knew how to talk about it, how to sell it.

  When they left, the group had bought the equivalent of three dozen between them. He was happy with that. He wiped down the bar and checked the tasting stock. Noelene came in with a tray of clean glasses.

  “Thanks,” she said. “It’s good to have another pair of hands.”

  “Always a pleasure working with you, Noelene.” Edward turned one of his big smiles on her.

  She gave his shoulder a playful slap. “Save your charm for the customers. It’s wasted on me, Edward Starr.” She put the clean glasses away.

  He put more bottles in the remaining fridge. They still hadn’t got around to replacing the one that had died months ago. The whole counter area could do with a remodel but that was another expense.

  “How’s that business plan writing coming along?”