5 Peppermint Grove

by Jackson, Michelle

  She decided to make a cup of tea – it was a start and something Angela would have insisted upon if she were there. She missed her mother and felt terribly far away from her. Was this how it felt for her when she arrived in Perth, she wondered? She might even post a Shout Out on Facebook to see if there was anyone wanting to go out on a Monday night in Perth.

  She turned on her laptop after she’d made her tea and browsed. She went onto Skype but even Julia wasn’t online. However, Michael in Singapore was. She wondered if he had moments of loneliness like this – it was not an emotion that she had expected to feel so soon.

  She pressed call beside Michael’s picture and waited as it rang out.

  Suddenly a video picture popped up and Julia’s brother, attired in a blue shirt unbuttoned at the top, appeared.

  “Hey, Ruth – how are you doing?”

  “Hi, Michael – I’m in Perth now.”

  Michael smiled. “I can see that from the sunshine streaming behind you. Is it hot?”

  “Boiling – 34 degrees today and they say that this is nice – it can get up to forty regularly in February.”

  “It’s funny, isn’t it, when you live at home all you can think of is being in a sunnier place and then when you live somewhere hot you realise that all you want is to be in air-conditioned buildings!”

  Ruth giggled. “I’m still excited about the sunshine to be honest but I can see how difficult it must be to work in this heat.”

  “You get used to it! So when is Julia coming over?”

  “The second of February. She said that you might come down while she’s here – you’re very welcome. I’ve got a three-bedroomed house.”

  “Wow, lucky you – I thought they’d have put you up in an apartment?”

  “I’m very lucky. Sorry that I didn’t get to say goodbye before you went back. Christmas Day was lovely, wasn’t it?”

  “Julia always puts on a good show. She holds everything together in Dublin.”

  Michael spoke with such admiration for his sister that Ruth felt a twinge of sadness – she couldn’t imagine Niall or Kevin saying that about her.

  “I miss her terribly and it’s only been a couple of days,” she said.

  “I’ll look into flights – see what comes up as best value – I think I’ll probably only get about four days off but that will be enough – I don’t want to take up too much of your time with Julia!”

  “Actually it would be nice for Julia if you could be here while I’m at work – I don’t know what she’ll be doing while I’m in the office.”

  “I’ll have to come on a Saturday but I’ll make it late! Then you ladies can take me on the town – help me find an Aussie girl to heal my broken heart!”

  “Julia told me about Lydia – I hope that you don’t mind she did?”

  “Hell, not at this stage!”

  “So what do you miss most about home?”

  “Tayto crisps, Superquinn sausages and of course my family!”

  Ruth laughed. She hadn’t worked out yet how it truly felt to be an emigrant but she wondered if she too would be hankering after a bar of Cadbury’s Golden Crisp after a week or two?

  “I think Julia’s impending visit has me feeling good,” she said. “It’s when she goes that I’ll feel alone!”

  Michael grinned sadly. “I think you always feel alone in a small way when you leave your homeland. It’s only natural. A part of you wants to shout out to the world about the fabulous decision you made and how much better life is in your new country than it ever was in Ireland but the truth is that there’s no place like home.”

  “Hey there, Michael – or should I say Dorothy – don’t get all sentimental on me now!”

  “I guess that’s why I wanted to have Lydia back – I was never happier than when I lived with her and we had such a great social life in Dublin. I think that’s something you really miss when you go away – there is always something to do in Dublin – even on a rainy November night there’s a gig on in Whelan’s or a buzz on Grafton Street. Things that you take for granted that just aren’t available in every other city in the world.”

  “Oh God, you’re going to depress me now – I was going to shout out on Facebook to see if there was anyone in Perth who wanted to go out. Mind you, I’ve had a long lunch and a few glasses of wine so I’d probably be better sleeping it off!”

  “Hey, don’t listen to me! I’ve just had my heart flung back in my face – I’m looking forward to hooking up with you girls – going to book the flights now!”

  “You go and do that – I’ll go out and work on my tan in the garden!”

  “See you soon, Ruth, and call me any time – thank God for Skype!”

  “Take care, Michael.”

  Ruth closed the screen and felt better having spoken with someone familiar. She had never felt close to Michael in all the years that she was friends with Julia but now, by virtue of the fact that they were only a five-hour flight away from each other and two Irish people living abroad, he was as close as family.

  She smiled as she took out her suntan lotion and a towel and set off for the small but welcoming garden. The crow was still cawing in the uncomfortable tone that he had been using that morning but she was getting used to it!

  Chapter Twenty-four

  Julia was anxious but not sure why before going into the office on Monday. She had left Gillian to take a lift home from Dylan on Saturday night while she had taken a taxi with Odette earlier.

  Gillian was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed when Julia walked into the office.

  “Good morning, Julia – can I get you a coffee?” she gushed, jumping up to take Julia’s coat from her.

  “Thanks, Gillian – yes, that would be lovely.”

  “I had such a great night on Saturday – thank you so much for including me. I can’t believe we won the table quiz.”

  Julia couldn’t believe they had won either. And it was on the strength of all the useless knowledge that Gillian carried around. She kicked herself for having such unpleasant thoughts – Gillian had done nothing wrong. She felt unsettled after the evening but it wasn’t Gillian’s fault.

  Julia managed to get through the morning without answering any awkward questions about Dylan but it was clear Gillian was smitten and in the afternoon asked Julia if she had plans for the following weekend.

  “None this weekend, Gillian.”

  Julia had reverted to calling her Gillian but she could take it as long as she knew that there was a chance of seeing Dylan again.

  “I don’t suppose you’ll be seeing Dylan next weekend?”

  Julia shook her head. “I certainly hope not!” she said, then realising that she sounded a bit too abrupt she changed her tone and said lightly, “I’m hoping to get the last few bits for the holiday fair out of the way – you know how it is.”

  “Where does Dylan usually drink at weekends?”

  Julia shrugged. “I suppose Gibneys or Gilbert and Wrights – he lives in Malahide – or he could be in town and that could mean anywhere.”

  “Oh, right – I just thought you might know . . .”

  Julia felt bad for being unhelpful – after all, she didn’t want Dylan or any part of him so why shouldn’t she help Gillian? After all, it was what she had proposed to do last weekend.

  “If you like I can give him your number?”

  “Could you? He’s gorgeous,” Gillian giggled.

  “Alright!” Julia shrugged. “I’ll text it to him!”

  She would be in Perth soon and the days couldn’t go quickly enough.

  Ruth was settling well into her new work and she certainly could not complain about Steve’s efforts to make her feel welcome. Her Shout Out on Facebook had been successful and on the rare occasion that Steve was not taking her off to show her some new beauty spot, she would take a trip to Rosie O’Grady’s in the city centre and fulfil her need to chat to someone with an Irish blas.

  She was creating a new page for the website when Steve c
ame over to her desk.

  “Eh, Ruth, would you be available after work today?”

  Ruth looked up. He did look well – his shirt collar was open and his cheeky grin reminded her of Ian at times.

  “Of course.”

  “Great. I’m meeting some Japanese visitors and Ikuko can’t make it. We’ll leave in about an hour – okay?”

  Ruth went back to her work and the time flew by as she put the finishing touches to her page. She had managed to fit in an email to Julia before Steve reappeared from his office wearing a fresh shirt and smelling of expensive aftershave.

  He was chivalrous as always but the short walk to meet the visitors felt different – he was walking slowly and very closely to Ruth. She didn’t mind.

  “Where are we going to eat?” Ruth asked.

  “The C.”

  “The Sea?”

  “The letter C! It’s got a great view – you’ll see!” he said and they both laughed.

  They took the lift to the top of one of the tall buildings on George’s Terrace and Ruth was impressed. As the maitre d’ showed them over to a table for two, Ruth realised that there was something different about this meeting.

  “Are we not expecting visitors?” Ruth asked.

  Steve seemed a little anxious and didn’t respond as they sat down. He waited until the maitre d’ had left before he reached out and put his hand on hers.

  “I was hoping that we might have some time on our own together, Ruth – I know that I’d like that – am I being presumptuous or not?”

  Ruth was shaking inside. She was flattered but anxious about this new development in her relationship with her boss. Instead of answering she gave him a smile and he in turn leaned forward and kissed her firmly on the lips.

  Chapter Twenty-five

  Ruth looked at her watch. Julia should be through Arrivals in a few moments. Her heart pounded at the prospect of seeing her friend. She had so much to tell her about her new life – so much needed to be said that couldn’t be explained on Skype. She took a second look at the screen and suddenly Julia’s fine silhouetted legs appeared from behind the arrival doors.

  Ruth waved frantically and rushed over to her friend. The two hugged tightly for a few moments before making their way to the car park.

  “It’s so good to see you – how was your flight?”

  “Good – I can’t tell you how glad I am to be here.” Julia turned to her friend and, fixing her doe-like eyes on her, said, “Dublin is awful without you.”

  Ruth comforted her friend with a half-hug.

  “It’s beautiful here – we’re going to have a great time – I’ve so many things lined up and Steve is just fantastic. Wait until you meet him. We do so many interesting projects – work is fantastic. This town is great.”

  Julia was pleased to see how well Ruth had settled in.

  Ruth proudly showed off her new home to her friend and helped her put her luggage into her bedroom for the next two weeks.

  “I can’t believe they gave you this accommodation!” Julia remarked.

  “I know,” Ruth nodded. “It’s been a dream settling in here. Steve is just the best person to work for. We think the same – sometimes we don’t have to finish each other’s sentences.”

  Julia noted her friend’s glowing complexion. Her skin was sun-kissed and her strawberry-tinted hair was shining. The healthy lifestyle suited her well and she was relieved that she hadn’t heard Ian mentioned once all the way from the airport.

  “So where do you hang out when you aren’t at work?”

  “Most people barbie over here and everyone is so welcoming and friendly. Steve always includes me in his plans too.”

  Julia noticed a pattern in the way Ruth talked and she had a terrible feeling that her friend was obsessed with her new boss.

  Ruth went over to the fridge and took out a box of white wine. “Would you like a glass – or maybe a beer?”

  “Ruth Travers drinking beer – I can’t believe it!”

  “I don’t actually drink it but I like to have it in the fridge – most guys drink it over here. There’s a great gang of Irish people – I’ve met tons in Rosie O’Grady’s – most of them are country lads in football shirts and work on building sites but they are great fun!” She giggled and added, “But I am kept busy with Steve.”

  Julia was already disliking Steve intensely – his name had already been mentioned an unnatural number of times.

  “So any word from Ian?”

  Ruth threw her head back and laughed. “I haven’t had a chance to think about him. He won’t Skype me – I mean, he doesn’t even have an iPhone. Steve says that anyone who isn’t up to date with technology really should be back in the 20th Century and I have to agree with him. Ian thinks he’s some sort of superman but he really is limited in many ways.”

  “Wow – well, I’m glad that you’ve seen the light – does this mean Ian has been blown out?”

  “I haven’t told him yet but when he comes out I intend to – of course I should say if he comes out.”

  Julia found it difficult to believe that her friend was actually finished with the dreaded Ian, but she was willing to give her the benefit of the doubt. Suddenly she heard a noise at the front door and heavy footsteps on the wooden floorboards in the hall.

  “Hello?” a deep voice came bellowing into the kitchen.

  “Steve – we’re in here!” Ruth called. “Steve is taking us out tonight – I told him that you were coming over.”

  Steve walked over to Julia and held out his hand. “Lovely to meet you at last, Julia – Ruth’s told me loads of good things about you.”

  His handshake was firm and his smile warm but Julia felt a heaviness in her heart like a stone. She didn’t need to see much more – in five short weeks her ditsy friend had managed to go straight from the frying pan into the fire!

  Chapter Twenty-six

  The next morning Julia didn’t feel any more comfortable about her friend’s relationship with Steve.

  “Take my car if you like, after you drop me to work,” Ruth suggested. “The zoo is cool – you should go there – and then I can meet you for lunch. Unless you feel too jet-lagged and just want to relax?”

  “That’s probably the best idea.”

  Julia was extra quiet and Ruth was acting as if nothing was wrong. Should she ask her friend straight out or should she just go along with the charade? Julia usually knew what to do in awkward situations but she felt so cross with herself.

  She had watched Ruth and Steve carry on a double act of the mutual-appreciation society the night before. The smart Chinese restaurant was idyllically set at the heart of the CBD. They had looked out over the river and the lights of the skyscrapers lit up the city behind them but didn’t shine as brightly as the chemistry between her two dinner companions.

  Julia went over to the fridge and took out a carton of orange juice. She lifted a glass down from the shelf and started to pour. Her mouth was dry but the words that were choking her throat had to be said.

  “Ruth, are you sleeping with Steve?”

  Ruth looked blankly at Julia – her mouth agape. “Why do you say that?”

  “Because he was fawning over you all through dinner last night. And I’ve never known you to be cross with Ian and he has done some dreadful things that you’ve happily let him away with.”

  Ruth sat down at the table and put her head into her hands. She sighed heavily. “I’m not but it’s getting dangerously close. Steve makes me feel so good – he treats me so well. He has helped me to see what a fool I have been with Ian for all these years.”

  Julia sat down beside her friend and took her hand in hers.

  “But Ruth – Steve is a married man as well!”

  Ruth pursed her lips and shook her head. “Why do married men like me?”

  “I don’t know, Ruth, but you need to distance yourself from him – you’ve got too much to lose – I mean, you are working with him. Why don’t you use me as an ex
cuse – we could take time out this weekend away from here – you mentioned we could go to Margaret River?”

  Ruth nodded. Julia was too kind to reprimand her but Ruth knew that she had to do something. “I think we should go somewhere. I’d like to see Rotto – we can catch a ferry – I’ll look up accommodation and book the ferry today.”

  “What’s Rotto?”

  “Rottnest Island – it’s not far from Perth – twenty minutes on the ferry. Steve says . . .” She paused and grinned. “It’s meant to be really beautiful out there. I’m so glad that you came out to see me – what am I like?”

  Julia hugged her friend tightly. “You’re my pal, Ruth, and that’s the most important person in the world. Now, when are we going to check out your mother’s secret person?”

  Ruth grinned. “You know, I’d almost forgotten about Charles Walters! I haven’t even been to Peppermint Grove yet!”

  “Well, I must admit I’m dying to see if we can find anything out about this mystery man!”

  “I tell you what, you just take it easy for the morning and I’ll come back here at lunchtime – I can take a long lunch and we can go somewhere to eat and then check out Peppermint Grove. Okay?”

  “Perfect!”

  “Right. See you then.”

  “Take care of you!” Julia called as her friend went out the door. She wished that she could stay longer – two weeks wasn’t going to be enough and she could never have imagined this new scenario that Ruth had got herself into.

  Ruth was back at one thirty and Julia was having one of her floppy jet-lag moments lying in a half-sleep on the living-room couch.

  “I’m not going back to work today,” said Ruth. “I can make up for the time after you have gone home. And I’ve booked us accommodation for Friday night on Rotto – what time is Michael coming in on Saturday?”