Ten weeks after the new arrangement had started, Clementine came home from university to an empty house. That was unusual. Sadie and Maggie were always waiting for her.
She checked the noticeboard. A note from Sadie said they’d gone walking and would be back by four p.m.
It was after five by the time they arrived at the front gate. Clementine was distraught. She’d been up and down the road and had already called the police, who hadn’t been helpful. ‘Where in God’s name have you been? I’ve been worried sick.’
‘We went for a walk. And she was so happy we kept walking, through town, down to the waterfront and then up to Battery Point. I stopped at the shop there.’
‘That’s miles away. What if something had happened?’
‘But it didn’t. We had a lovely stroll around and then we met a group of other mothers and got chatting to them.’
‘Other mothers?’
‘They meet every Thursday in that little park there. They were so friendly. I told them all about Maggie. One of them has trouble putting her daughter down in the afternoon as well. I said I’d found that singing to her helped.’
‘You’d found?’
Leo arrived home. ‘There you are, Sadie. I told Clementine you’d be fine, that she wasn’t to worry.’
‘You rang Dad? Don’t you trust me with Maggie?’
‘Yes, I trust you, but this wasn’t on.’
‘I’m trying not to stay at home. It’s good for both of us to be out and about. I just lost track of the time.’
‘Yes, sitting in a mothers’ group, talking as if Maggie was your daughter.’
Sadie’s cheeks reddened. ‘I meant to tell them she was my niece but then they all assumed she was my daughter so it was easier to go along with it.’
‘They thought she was your daughter because you didn’t tell them otherwise. Sadie, she’s my daughter.’
‘I know that. Settle down, Clementine. I’m sorry we worried you. If we’re ever late back again, I’ll ring and leave a message, I promise.’
‘There won’t be another time. I knew this wouldn’t work.’
Leo stepped in. ‘Clementine, please calm down. It’s all been going so well. I’ve been so proud to see you back studying again.’
‘I’m going to put my studies on hold. I should be looking after Maggie full time.’
‘What about your research? Your professor’s plans? You told me you thought there could be an international paper published about this if you keep it up.’
Clementine wavered.
‘Clem, I’m sorry,’ Sadie said. ‘I really didn’t mean to worry you.’ She watched as Clementine took Maggie out of the pram. She was fast asleep. ‘I thought it would be the best thing for her, lots of fresh air, and I really think she liked it.’
‘Then please don’t do that again. Stay away longer than you said. Or say you’re her mother.’
‘Of course she won’t,’ Leo answered for her. ‘It was just a little misunderstanding.’
Clementine moved Maggie to her other shoulder. The little girl shifted in her sleep, a hand coming up and clutching her mother’s chin. Clementine kissed it.
‘See, she knows who her mother is,’ Sadie said. ‘Of course she does.’
Clementine relaxed. ‘Sorry for overreacting. I was worried.’
‘Sorry for coming back late. I was only trying to help.’
Clementine collected Maggie’s blanket and bag of toys. ‘We’ll be in the living room if anyone’s looking for us.’
Leo waited until the door shut behind Clementine and Maggie. ‘Well done, Sadie. You handled that really well.’
‘Did I?’ Sadie glowed with the praise. ‘Thanks, Dad.’
CHAPTER EIGHT
As her third birthday approached, Maggie turned into a whirling dervish. She started spinning in a circle when she was excited. She talked non-stop. Not a lot of it made sense, but she talked nevertheless. She got cross if she didn’t get her own way but any temper tantrum would pass in seconds. She also liked to be in charge, being the first to open the front door when they all came home from somewhere; the one to change the TV channels; the one to ring the bell Juliet had bought to call everyone to dinner.
Clementine threw a small birthday party, inviting the family and three of their neighbours’ children as guests. One child for each year of her age. Sadie had read the tip in one of the magazines she often quoted. There were jelly cakes, swiss roll, chocolate crackles and ice-cream cake. The adults ate most of the food, except for Sadie. She was still on her diet. She had lost the weight she said she would and received her fifty dollars from Miranda. She and Miranda had made a further bet. Sadie had to keep the weight off for a year or she would have to pay it back to Miranda.
Sadie had secretly drafted in help from Eliza. ‘Think of me as one of your guinea pigs,’ she’d said. Eliza had drawn up a simple weekly exercise and nutrition plan for Sadie to follow. Combined with all the walking she did with Maggie, she was finding it easy. Especially with Eliza in the same house keeping an eye on her. All Eliza spoke about these days was exercise and fitness. Her own trainer Mark was doing brilliantly in Melbourne, she kept telling them.
‘Anyone would think you’re in love with Mark the way you talk about him all the time,’ Miranda said one day. Everyone was in the kitchen. Leo was in his seat at the end of the table, reading a newspaper.
‘I told you, he’s married,’ Eliza snapped. She hadn’t told them anything about Mark’s separation.
‘So, does that make him instantly repulsive?’ Miranda said.
‘You’re just jealous that Eliza has a man in her life and you don’t,’ Sadie said from the sink.
‘I don’t have a man in my life?’ Miranda’s tone was frosty. ‘And how are you so sure of that? Your remarkable network of spies might just be letting you down for once.’
Sadie turned, her gloved hands covered in bubbles. ‘Where is he, then?’
‘You seriously think I would bring a boyfriend home to meet all of you? Let me return the favour, dear Sadie. Where are all the boys beating a path to your door, may I ask?’
Sadie’s cheeks coloured. ‘It’s none of your business.’
Miranda snorted. ‘Oh, so you’ve got a boyfriend?’
Sadie lifted her chin. ‘Yes, I do as it happens.’
‘What’s his name?’
Sadie hesitated just for a moment. ‘Anthony.’
‘Anthony? And what does Anthony do?’
Another pause. ‘He’s a plumber.’
‘How fantastic. Handy with his hands and those hard to negotiate bends – so important in a man. And where did you meet this Anthony-the-Plumber?’
‘Here. He came to fix the shower.’
‘And fell in love with you on the spot?’ Miranda leaned back in her chair, folding her arms. ‘Then how come we haven’t seen him call for you?’
‘I meet him in town.’
‘Oh, how sweet. And what does he look like? Is he tall? Short? Thin? Fat?’
Leo was now listening.
‘He’s just regular,’ Sadie said, all her attention on the dishes.
Miranda laughed. ‘You’re a terrible liar, Sadie. You always have been.’
Sadie didn’t look at her. ‘Shut up, Miranda.’
‘Dad, did you hear that? That nanny Clementine hired to look after Maggie just told me to shut up.’
Leo shook his head, fighting a smile. ‘I second her motion. Shut up, Miranda. Leave your sister alone.’
‘Oh, you spoilsport,’ Miranda said, standing up and sweeping past him, ruffling his hair as she did so. As she passed Sadie, she pointed at a plate on the draining board. ‘You missed a spot, by the way.’
The week after Maggie’s birthday Miranda held a party for the pharmacy’s wholesalers and best customers. Six months earlier, she’d been promoted to head buyer. The new position suited her, for many different reasons. She got to travel interstate on buying trips twice a year. She’d also had a pay rise. Sh
e needed the extra money to pay for her increased social life. Since Tom, she’d decided not to mix work with pleasure. It helped that his company had sent a spotty twenty-two-year-old down to replace him. Not Miranda’s cup of tea at all.
She and Liz spent most of their nights out at the casino. It was the most glamorous place in the city. The bars were always filled with visiting businessmen. Miranda had enjoyed several dalliances, one with a visiting academic. He was a mathematician. Also married. She and Liz had sighed about it to themselves the next day when they met for a drink and report-sharing.
‘He’s lovely but there’s no future.’
‘No? Good.’
They’d both laughed.
‘Any presents?’
‘Dinner, very fine wine.’
‘And?’
‘And none of your business.’ Miranda needed to keep some things to herself. What had happened after dinner was nice sex in his hotel room. Something about hotel rooms excited her. Of course, what was the alternative? Bringing her lovers back to the family home? The mental picture of it made her laugh.
As the party got under way, Miranda glanced around the newly decorated shop, now filled with their best customers, crammed in against the displays of cosmetics and shampoos. She circulated. There was a combination of elderly customers who visited three times a week for their prescriptions and the chance of a chat, and the younger group who bought all their make-up and perfume at the pharmacy.
‘Miranda Faraday, as I live and breathe, are you still working here?’
‘Lynetta.’ Her friend, the flight attendant. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘I gatecrashed. My great-aunt’s one of your best customers so I hitched a ride with her. Get me some champagne, would you? I hope it’s real French stuff, not some appalling Australian version.’
As Miranda passed Lynetta a glass, she gave her the once-over. The other woman’s hair was glossy and expertly cut. She was trim, her clothes and make-up perfect, her shoes high. ‘You look amazing.’
‘Thanks,’ Lynetta said. She didn’t return the compliment.
Miranda straightened her spine that little bit more. ‘So, how’s life in the sky?’
‘Best thing I ever did. I’m in charge of the cabin now.’
Miranda didn’t ask what that meant. ‘You don’t get sick of being a glorified waitress?’
‘That’s such a cliché, Miranda. I thought you had more wit than that. The work is the least part of it. I’ve never done so much socialising in my life. Limousine rides to and from the airport, luxury hotels…’
‘Are you a flight attendant or a callgirl?’
‘Those are our normal working conditions. We’re the public face of the airline. Of course they have to look after us. We’re also in charge of safety. Dismiss it if you must, but it’s an extremely important job.’
‘I’d have thought the pilot’s job was a little more important.’
‘Don’t start me on the pilots.’ She assessed Miranda. ‘Seriously, you should think about it yourself. You have the looks, the height, the attitude.’
‘I’ve just been promoted here.’
Lynetta didn’t ask for details or say congratulations. She looked at her watch. ‘I better go. Mum and Dad are taking me out to dinner at the casino. Thanks for this. Bye for now.’ She put her glass on the counter and left.
‘Enjoy the flight home,’ Miranda said sourly. She took a sip of champagne. The bubbles had gone out of it.
‘Two more clients, Eliza. I’m on my way. We’re on our way, I should say.’
Eliza smiled into the phone. She was in the gym after hours, on her own, updating the membership records. Mark had rung her from the gym he worked in part-time. ‘Will I ring Fortune 500, or will you?’
‘I know, I’m getting carried away. But it’s a great start. How are you?’
Missing you, she wanted to say.
‘You’ll love it here in Melbourne, Eliza. There’s a different attitude. Everyone lives and breathes sport. If we could just get involved with one of the football clubs, we’d be set up.’
‘Don’t move too fast. I have to graduate first, remember.’
She waited for him to say he missed her. He didn’t. He was too busy talking about the latest program he’d developed. This type of personalised, multi-layered approach was the future, he was sure of it.
‘So when will you be down in Hobart next?’
‘Look, it could be a month or two. Especially now I’ve got these new clients. One of them wants weekend sessions, and I can’t just leave them in the lurch.’
‘But how will your kids get on without seeing you?’
He hesitated for a moment. ‘They’re not without me at the moment.’
‘Pardon?’
‘They’re here in Melbourne with me.’
‘But I thought you said your wife wouldn’t let them travel without her.’
‘She won’t.’ A pause. ‘Belinda’s here too.’
‘Your wife and your cousin and your children? It’s a bit crowded there, isn’t it?’
‘My cousin’s not here.’
Eliza needed to sit down. She moved the membership records off the desk and found a place. ‘Mark, what’s going on?’
‘We’re just spending a bit of time together, for the sake of the kids.’
‘And where is your wife sleeping, for the sake of the kids?’
‘Eliza, don’t be like this.’
‘Like what? Truthful? I’m working all hours every night to get a double degree so that you and I can set up a business and you’re over there having a reunion with your wife?’
‘It’s for the sake of the kids.’
‘You weren’t thinking about the kids six weeks ago.’
It was the last time he’d been in Hobart. She’d believed everything he’d said to her. That it was all over with his wife. That being in Melbourne was the fresh start to his life. His enthusiasm had been so infectious she had let her guard down.
After they had finished their business catch-up that day, she had calmly got up, walked across to the gym door and locked it.
‘You’re locking me in?’
She nodded. ‘I don’t want anyone to catch us.’
‘Catch us doing what?’
‘This.’ She kissed him.
He smiled slowly. The smile that got her every time. ‘What’s this all about?’
She had told him. That she was in love with him. That she’d been in love with him for years.
‘Wow,’ he’d said.
She laughed. ‘Wow what?’
‘Wow, that is fantastic news.’
Just that. That and his smile. It was all she needed. She put aside all her thoughts about waiting until he was divorced, waiting until she was in Melbourne. She was sick of waiting. She kissed him again, and this time he kissed her back.
They were soon doing more than kissing. Eliza had imagined this for years. What she hadn’t realised was how much better the real thing would be. He kissed her lips, her face, her neck, lower. He lifted off her top. She took off his T-shirt. There was no talking, just whispers and moans of pleasure. He hesitated once and she urged him on. She was ready for this. She had been ready for four years.
It was fast, hot love-making. It was so good they did it again, soon afterwards.
‘Would you say we’ve just christened our new business partnership?’ he asked her, smoothing back her hair, kissing her neck, touching her body again.
‘Something like that,’ she said, moving against him once more.
He went back to his parents’ house that night, ready for his youngest son’s birthday the next morning. When he called that afternoon from the airport he made no mention of what had happened between them. She guessed – and he confirmed it in a phone call the next day – that his parents, his children and his ex-wife Belinda were at the airport saying goodbye to him. He told her again that everyone was trying to keep the break-up as amicable as possible. It seemed he hadn’t b
een joking.
‘How long has this been going on, Mark?’
‘My cousin moved out of her place three months ago. Belinda’s been coming over to Melbourne every second weekend.’
‘And when you’ve been down here, you’ve been staying with her, not your parents, haven’t you?’ His silence gave her the answer. ‘So when were you going to tell me? When I’d packed up my whole life to come over to Melbourne to go into business with you?’
‘Look, Eliza, I didn’t know – I still don’t know – if it will last with Belinda and I. We’ve got lots of problems we need to work through.’
‘But what about me? About us?’
‘Eliza, you know what I think of you.’
She hung up on him. She cried, out of anger at first, and then the heartbreak took over. Nothing had prepared her for this. What did she do now? All her plans, all her thinking had been directed towards Mark, towards Melbourne, towards them being together. He had been her escape route, the thought that kept her going through all the suffocating times with her family. Now… nothing. It hurt, deep inside her. She prided herself on always being strong, staying determined, putting her best foot forward, but there was no one here to see her now. She let the tears flow, hugging herself into a ball.
It felt like hours had passed before they finally eased. She went into the changing room, washed her face, soaked tissues with cold water to try and fix her swollen eyes. She made herself go back to the desk, pushing down the hurt voice inside that wanted to start crying again. She wouldn’t cry for him. Not again tonight, not ever. A sticker on the side of her gym bag by the door caught her eye: Set your goals. Aim high. No one can do it but you.
She reached for a piece of paper. Gym letterhead. She did some scribbled calculations. She was midway through her university studies and had nearly completed a night-time accountancy course. She had some savings in the bank.
She would happily have given up everything for him. He had chosen his wife over her. But it didn’t mean her future plans had to be thrown away as well.
She’d do it anyway. Move to Melbourne and start her own business. As soon as she could. The minute Maggie started school.
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