Silver Lining

by Diana Simmonds

  As they left the car Malcolm was leapt upon by laughing, happy friends who slapped his back, hugged him and made rude remarks about every aspect of his life and person. Amanda tagged along behind as best she could and tried to appear relaxed and at ease, but it was tricky and she was relieved to get inside the hall and spy Clancy at the bar with a group of women. Clancy saw her and waved and beckoned. Her smile was friendly but neutral and Amanda returned her greeting in a similar fashion as she walked over to the group, quickly taking in the women as she did.

  “Amanda, come and meet some Sydney friends,” Clancy said, giving her a friendly peck on the cheek. “Merry Churcher has a house here.” Amanda shook hands with a round-faced, middle-aged woman who smiled warmly and looked somehow like her name. “Astrid and Valerie also have a place just outside the village on the north side and Margo Durham’s just bought the old pub in Bay Street.”

  Astrid and Valerie looked so alike Amanda could only imagine they had been together so long they had become mirror images of each other with their sharp as a razor haircuts and pressed black dress pants and shirts. They looked Amanda over with mild curiosity and murmured welcomes, then stood back as Margo insinuated herself between Amanda and the rest and somehow managed to cut them out.

  “I’ve heard a lot about you,” she said, and her dark eyes sparked fire as she devoured Amanda. She was as tall as Clancy and as dark as Clancy was blond. She took Amanda’s hand in both her own and didn’t let go. “I want to know all about you,” she said. And the intensity of her gaze made Amanda shiver with a weird mixture of fright and pleasure.

  “There’s not a lot to know,” Amanda said, wondering instantly why she’d said such a pathetic thing. She wondered too why Clancy was watching so closely and with that flinty expression on her face. Margo also saw the look, smiled at Clancy and asked, sweetly, “Will Jane be here tonight?”

  Clancy blushed and the animus that instantly flared between her and Margo should have set the School of Arts’ decorations alight.

  “No,” Clancy said crisply. “She doesn’t do this kind of thing.” And she turned away with great deliberation as Margo laughed.

  “No, I suppose not,” she said as the air crackled around Clancy. “How is the old girl anyway, Clancy?”

  Amanda watched Clancy’s shoulders and spine stiffen; she turned slowly back to face Margo and her gray eyes were a shade of arctic chill that Amanda already knew well; she shivered.

  “Jane is fine, I think. Although you’ve probably seen her since I have. She’s in Sydney I believe.” Clancy turned an unreadable gaze on Amanda who felt an inward flinch.

  “Would you like a drink Amanda?” The eyes flicked to Margo and back to Amanda. “Or are you taken care of?” Her smile was not sweet.

  Amanda was grateful that her intake of breath was inaudible as Margo and her friends broke into sniggers and giggles. She returned Clancy’s smile, it was like playing ping-pong with glass shards.

  “I’d love a drink, thank you, Clancy,” she said and was pleased that her voice was even and didn’t betray the tremor of fear that fluttered in her belly. “White wine would be great, or a beer if that’s easier.” Clancy turned back to the bar and the other women jumped to local gossip that meant little to Amanda. Her mind wandered off into pondering the fright and where it came from. Why do I want her approval? Why does she get under my skin so easily? Amanda heard no useful answer and she sighed. At that moment Margo’s arm slipped around her waist and squeezed.

  “Take no notice of Miss Snake Eyes,” she murmured into Amanda’s ear, soft breath tickling her neck. At that moment Clancy turned, a dripping longneck beer bottle in her hand, and Amanda pulled away from Margo’s encircling arm to take it. The expression in Clancy’s eyes was disconcerting as the bottle passed from her hand to Amanda’s and their fingers clasped on the cold glass for as long as it took to cause a fresh tingling flush to rise up Amanda’s cheeks. You are the most irritating woman I have ever met, and that’s a fact. She hoped her eyes were delivering the message, but as Clancy’s smile widened to a real, happy grin, despite herself, Amanda knew she was grinning back.

  “Thanks,” she said and Clancy finally surrendered the bottle.

  “A pleasure. Now you’ll have to excuse me while I go and check the buffet.” She turned her most beguiling expression on Margo and added, “You’ll look after our guest, won’t you, Margo?” And she was gone, threading her way through the gathering throng of Two Moon Bay’s finest. Amanda watched Clancy disappear and swallowed the mix of discomfiting feelings generated by the past few minutes. She turned to Margo and saw penetrating coffee berry dark eyes watching her and she forced a smile she did not entirely feel. Margo’s intensity was exciting and at the same time unnerving, but Amanda didn’t have time to think more about why that might be because the pint-sized but powerful Merry Churcher was in an organizing mood.

  “Come on, ladies,” she said to the group. “I’ve put my bag and jacket on a table but it won’t keep unless we grab it soon.” Without waiting for any response she began shooshing them before her toward open double doors leading onto a veranda that ran the length of the hall. It was pretty with strings of colored lights beneath the eaves and tea light candles flickering in glass jars on each table. Amanda spied Malcolm leaning against the railing, beer in hand laughing with two older men and a tall, bony-faced woman. He beckoned her over and she excused herself from Margo’s attentive arm and prepared to be introduced to yet more locals. At that moment there was a deafening crackle and whine of feedback from the PA and the hall was suddenly filled with the vibrating snarl of the opening bars of “Satisfaction.”

  “Oh lordy,” Malcolm groaned as he hugged Amanda. “That dopey Gary Sweetman is doing the music. It’ll be the Stones, Stones and more Stones. I hope you don’t mind moldy old rockers, Amanda!”

  She hugged him back and smiled at his friends who were giving her a friendly but expectant once-over. “You did promise me Abba,” she reminded him. “But as long as you don’t expect me to dance…”

  Malcolm grinned and shook his head. “No way. But look—I want you to meet Darren and Renee Martin; it’s their cattle you’ve been smooching all week. They’ve got Mountainview Farm, next to us. And this is Darren’s brother Jeff. He works with them.”

  Amanda held out her hand to Renee and it was gripped and shaken with vigor. “Nice ter meecha ’manda.” Renee’s blue eyes were sharp and twinkly in a weather-beaten face. “Glad yer brought ’im home.”

  The two men tipped their hat brims to her before engulfing her hand in their own vise-like paws, pumping her arm until she wondered whether it might result in a dislocated shoulder.

  “Let the poor girl go, Darren,” Renee said, chortling as she watched Amanda’s efforts to stay upright. “You’ll rattle her teeth clean out of ’er ’ead.” She patted Amanda’s back reassuringly. “Sit down with us for a bit, pet. I’d love ter hear all about that New York a’ yours. Wouldn’t you, lads?” The two men agreed in unison and Darren leapt creakily to pull out a chair for Amanda. His smile was gap-toothed and so eager she had no choice but to sit and submit to the friendly grilling from the trio. Then, when she managed to get a word in she threw questions back to the Martins. And she quickly discovered their experience of travel seemed to be an annual trip to Sydney for the Easter agricultural show. And that she had now met her first cheese-maker.

  “Darren has had some nice wins with his soft cheeses,” Renee told Amanda proudly. “His Two Moon Double Brie got written up in the Sydney Morning Herald. Although I preferred his blue, that was a corker.”

  “And I wish you were still making them,” said a familiar voice behind Amanda. She jumped as a hand descended on her shoulder and Clancy murmured close to her ear, “You okay? Need rescuing?”

  Amanda looked up and grinned, shaking her head as minimally as she could manage. “Come and join us,” she said, patting the chair next to her. “I’m learning all about what really happens in Two Moon Bay.” />
  “Oh boy!” Clancy laughed as she slid into the canvas chair and set her beer bottle on the table. “What have you been telling her? Malcolm?”

  Malcolm shrugged happily and swigged from his own bottle. “Just a bit of local history and some essential dairy cow information. You know—the usual stuff.”

  Clancy looked doubtful and still questioned Amanda with a raised eyebrow.

  “I’ve learned more about dairy cows in the last ten minutes than I could have dreamed of,” Amanda said, smiling at Clancy. “I had no idea how smart they are.”

  “Really?” Clancy’s eyebrow did its quirky thing again. “Smart isn’t the word I’d have used for a black and white moo.”

  “Well, you don’t know how wrong you are, Ms. Darling. I have new respect and interest in those girls. In fact, I’m going to help Renee with milking next week when Darren and Jeff go to the sales.”

  This time Clancy’s eyebrows shot toward her hairline in unison. “Really?” she said again. “You never fail to surprise me. You sure you won’t make the milk curdle or something?”

  Renee snorted into her long beer glass. “You wash your mouth out, young Clancy. You’re the one who tied their tails together and created blue murder for your poor uncle. Don’t think I’ve forgotten that!”

  The little group around the table chortled and clapped their hands and Amanda grinned happily at Clancy who wiggled her nose and groaned. “I was ten years old, Renee! What happens in the dairy stays in the dairy. Will you never let me live it down?”

  “We don’t plan to, big sis,” said Malcolm merrily. “You do the crime you pay—and pay—and pay!”

  Clancy got to her feet and picked up her bottle. “Well, I can’t stay here all evening and let you torture me, someone’s got to make sure this damn party stays on track.” She turned to Amanda. “Would you like to come and get something to eat?” Amanda rose eagerly and at that moment a strong arm twined around her waist and drew her close.

  “Just about to go check out the barbie,” said Margo. “Come with us, then Clancy can do her civic duty.” Clancy and Margo smiled at each other and Clancy stepped away from the table.

  “Good idea. Amanda—I’ll catch you later.” And she was gone, back to the hall, disappearing once more into the crowd of dancers. Amanda watched her, suppressing an urge to follow. Margo cocked her head to one side and grinned wolfishly. “Come on,” she said, her hand sliding warmly up Amanda’s back. “We’ll be able to talk and I want to know all about you.”

  Amanda turned to the Martins and Malcolm. They were watching the interchange with unreadable expressions and she felt instantly awkward. She shrugged away from Margo’s touch and smiled at the group. “Will you excuse me, I’ll be back in a while.” Renee nodded kindly although her sharp eyes flicked back and forth between Amanda and Margo. The Martin men looked at Margo and Amanda could see that although they were being polite, they were not pleased. Malcolm simply grinned up at her.

  “We’ll join you in a minute, kiddo,” he said and winked, stretched out his legs and sat back. “Go have fun.” Amanda ruffled his hair.

  “Okay, see ya,” she said then allowed Margo to lead her along the veranda, threading their way between tables of animated drinkers. They made their way to where the other women were waiting on the gravel path. It led to the torch-lit barbecue area where they joined a queue of people expectantly carrying paper plates and plastic cutlery; and Amanda prepared her smile for another round of introductions.

  By the time the evening tapered off into muffled laughter and quiet conversation among small groups at a few veranda tables, Amanda was exhausted and elated. She had met what felt like every adult and many of the children of Two Moon Bay. She had received invitations to go sailing, fishing, trail bike riding, horseback riding, bush walking and jogging; and to join a knitting bee, the choir and an art class. Then there was an invitation to a party in Sydney to be thrown in her honor by Margo Durham, who also offered to put her up overnight.

  “Go on,” said Merry Churcher, “say yes. She has the most fabulous penthouse. Why don’t you ever invite me to stay, Margo?” And she had fluttered her almost invisible eyelashes behind her spectacles and the friends laughed uproariously. As the wine and beer flowed Amanda had succumbed to a dozen blandishments to dance—even to the Stones—and finally Malcolm’s promise of vintage Abba came true. The two friends bopped like crazy things to “Waterloo” and almost fell over laughing. But then the mood slowed as the fabled Swedish voices soared into “Winner Takes It All” and Margo tapped Malcolm’s shoulder.

  “Ladies’ choice, Malcolm,” she said with a grin and he immediately backed away from Amanda with his usual grace; but he gave his friend an enigmatic, narrow-eyed stare as he did so.

  What? Amanda mouthed over Margo’s shoulder, but Malcolm merely shrugged as he disappeared through the crowd toward the veranda. Margo proved to be a good dancer and her sensuous and natural rhythm was appealing. Amanda relaxed into her hold and began to enjoy herself.

  “Come up to Sydney,” said Margo after a friendly silence. “I’d love to introduce you to some friends—great women—your type. I’ll throw a cocktail party to welcome our new American friend.”

  Amanda smiled down into the piercing blue eyes and made a question mark of her eyebrows. “My type?”

  “Professional women—investment bankers, stockbrokers, lawyers, businesswomen, go-getters; really fun women. You must have had enough of Two Moon, surely? I mean, it’s good for a relaxing few days, but the hayseeds drive you crazy after that.”

  The back of Amanda’s neck prickled as she thought of Renee, her “lads” and her genuine warmth. She shut her mouth on her immediate response, laughed and nodded. “I know what you mean. But the novelty hasn’t entirely worn off yet. I’ve been enjoying the change, after New York.”

  “Well, just say the word, I’d love you to come and stay. As Merry says, I’ve got a fabulous penthouse—and there’s a guest suite, so no strings.” Margo’s grin said otherwise and she continued, “Unless you feel like untying a bow or two, that is.”

  Amanda laughed again. “Loose strings sound like a good idea.” She gazed into Margo’s eyes, deliberately flirting, and felt the hand on her back tighten and the fingers splay and smooth over the swell of her hip. It was a good feeling and Amanda’s movements slowed and liquefied in response to the body that almost imperceptibly matched its tempo to hers. A shiver of anticipation shook her shoulders and Margo leaned back, amused concern in her eyes.

  “Not cold, surely?” Her expression delivered quite another message. At that moment a prickling sensation caused Amanda to shiver once again, but its cause was different. Instinctively she glanced about, feeling eyes upon her, and found herself looking straight at Clancy as she stood in the veranda doorway. Her glacial mien and frigid gray eyes were clearly visible, even across the dimly lit hall, and despite the arousal that still pulsed deep inside, Amanda drew away from Margo’s hands.

  “No, not cold,” she said, stepping back further from Margo’s outstretched hands and coquettish smile. “Just—you know.” She shrugged and tried to stop herself from glancing once again in Clancy’s direction, but Margo caught the flicker of her eyes and followed their direction to the doorway where Clancy still stood, observing them.

  “Ah,” said Margo softly. “So our Clancy is feeling a little proprietorial. Is that it?”

  “Not at all,” Amanda said sharply. “We are…” She paused, wondering momentarily what would be an honest description. She took a different tack. “She’s my best friend’s sister and my host.”

  Margo grinned wickedly. “And she’s giving you the evil eye. Or is it me?” She waved in Clancy’s direction, but it was too late. Clancy had already turned and was receding from view into the night.

  Amanda swallowed the vague feeling of nausea that welled up in her throat. “Excuse me,” she said to Margo and backed away from the mocking smile. “I really do have to consider my hosts.” She had no id
ea where that came from and it sounded piously Pollyanna and silly. “Lord,” she said, with a wrinkle-nosed grin, “I sound like a Jane Austen character.” Margo smiled but Amanda could see she wasn’t really amused; she backed away before Margo could remonstrate or tease her further and headed for the doors and the veranda. Renee and her family were still sitting at the table where she had left them and the sun-craggy face creased into a welcoming smile when she saw Amanda. Renee patted the chair beside her and Amanda sank into it, feeling instantly safe and at ease.

  “Enjoying yerself, love?” Renee’s blue eyes twinkled as she gave Amanda a sharp once-over.

  “Everyone is very friendly,” Amanda said, looking around for Clancy, to no avail.

  “Some’s more friendly’n others,” Renee observed. “Some’s idea of friendly can be on the tricky side; them Sydney girls are a bit too sharp for their own good, in my opinion.”

  Amanda thought of Margo’s smooth charm and laughed. “I’ll watch out for them, Renee, I reckon they could eat a li’l ol’ New Yorker like me for breakfast!”

  Renee joined her in a throaty chortle then patted Amanda’s hand. “Don’t you mind me, kiddo, I’m just a cranky old bitch who takes care of her own. Clancy and Malcolm are like kids to me and you’ve joined the family, whether you like it or not.”

  Amanda laid her hand over Renee’s and gripped it. “Thank you Renee that means a lot—” But before she could say more Malcolm loomed over her shoulder and said softly in her ear, “Go grab Clancy for a dance. She’s stuck with Alan and Joy Jones and that means they’ll be on at her to go to church more often.”

  Renee’s chortle was deafening. “More like the two of them are still trying to get into her knickers,” she guffawed at Amanda’s wide eyes. “They’re our local swingers. Watch out for them, Amanda, they’re always on the lookout for a threesome.”

  Amanda goggled at Renee and back at Malcolm. “You are joking…”