He chuckled. ‘Must look like Hicksville after London, but yeah, this is where I grew up.’
‘When do you head to Melbourne?’
‘Early next week. Rehearsals don’t start for another fortnight. Show opens early March.’
‘Can’t be much keeping you here.’
‘Actually, there is.’ He grabbed her hands. ‘I’ve met someone, Riles, and I want you to meet her. It’s serious. I think she might be the one.’
A shadow passed across Riley’s face, but it was quickly replaced by a smile that looked genuine.
‘Her name’s Edwina. Eddie. I think you’ll like her.’ He looked around, trying to spot her. ‘She’s here somewhere.’ He turned back to Riley. ‘How long are you here for?’ he asked. ‘Where are you staying?’
‘In a B&B outside of Beechworth. I’m heading home Monday morning.’
‘Home?’
‘Back to Sydney.’
‘Not London?’
Her hands fluttered to her throat. ‘I’ve finished the season over there.’
Harry frowned. ‘I thought you had months left on your contract.’
‘They released me. Long story.’
‘Let’s have brekky tomorrow and you can tell me all about it.’
‘Breakfast sounds perfect.’ She had that funny look on her face again.
‘Are you going to introduce me to your friend?’ Eddie asked.
Harry jumped in surprise, turned to Eddie and smiled. ‘There you are.’ He looped an arm around her waist. ‘Of course. Eddie, this is Riley. Riley and I have been friends since we did the opera course together.’
‘Lovely to meet you, Eddie,’ Riley said. ‘You must be the someone special keeping Harrison here in Yallambah.’
Eddie glanced at Harry with a strange look. ‘Nice to meet you too,’ she said, but the smile didn’t reach her eyes. What was going on?
Harry summoned a waiter. ‘Riles, what would you like to drink?’
‘Just water, thanks.’
‘Eddie?’
‘Nothing for me.’
Harry wasn’t sure if it was his imagination, but Eddie seemed upset with him. ‘Everything okay?’ he murmured.
‘Fine.’
The waiter handed Riley a glass of sparkling water from his tray.
‘Riley’s been playing Glinda in Wicked on West End,’ Harry explained. ‘We haven’t seen each other in months.’
Eddie smiled faintly and nodded.
He stroked Eddie’s cheek and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. She tensed and he frowned. What was wrong? ‘What are our plans for this weekend, Eddie?’
Eddie blinked at him. ‘We haven’t made any plans.’
‘Would it be okay with you if I caught up with Riley tomorrow?’
She hesitated. ‘Sure. That’s fine. I expected you’d want to catch up with your friends this weekend. But what about your dad? I thought you were going to visit him in the hospital tomorrow.’
He’d forgotten all about that. ‘Oh yeah, of course.’ He turned to Riley. ‘Can we do brunch instead? Say eleven?’
‘Fine with me,’ she said. ‘What do you do, Eddie?’
‘I’m a nurse.’
‘Wow. I could never do that. All that blood.’ She shuddered and pulled a face.
‘And I could never do what you do.’ Eddie gave a tiny smile. ‘Harry’s heard me sing.’
He chuckled. ‘I hate to agree, but she’s right.’
Riley smiled too.
‘I bet you’ve enjoyed catching up with everyone tonight,’ Harry said.
‘Almost everyone. Except good old Ashleigh. I’ve managed to avoid her so far.’
Harry turned to Eddie. ‘Ashleigh and Riles are usually up for the same roles.’
‘No love lost between us,’ Riley added with a laugh. ‘Have you met her yet, Eddie?’
‘I have.’
Riley burst out laughing. ‘Say no more. I can see by your face that you and I are on the same team. Harrison was right. He said I’d like you.’
This time when Eddie smiled, it seemed more genuine.
As they chatted about the concert, Harry made every attempt to draw Eddie into the conversation, but he sensed something was wrong. He’d find out later when they were alone.
‘I should let you two go,’ Riley said finally. ‘I’m sure you have lots more people to chat to, and we can catch up properly tomorrow.’ She turned to Eddie. ‘You’re so lucky to live in such a pretty part of the world. It must be stunning up here in autumn when all the trees change colour.’
Eddie nodded. ‘It is.’
Riley smiled. ‘Perhaps I’ll get a chance to come back again one day.’ She gave Eddie a quick hug. ‘It was lovely meeting you. Take good care of Harrison for me. I’m sure we’ll see each other again soon.’
‘See you tomorrow,’ Harry said, embracing her in another bear hug.
‘Riley seems nice,’ Eddie said when she’d gone.
‘She is. I’m a bit worried about her though. She looked tired.’
‘Pregnancy will do that.’
What? Pregnant? He stared at Eddie. ‘Riley’s not pregnant.’
‘I beg to differ. Didn’t you see the bump she was hiding under that loose top? As soon as she hugged me I felt it.’
Harry’s heart skipped a beat. ‘You’re sure?’
‘One hundred per cent. Probably four months or so, I’d say.’
‘Four months,’ he repeated.
He ran a hand through his hair, trying to slow his ragged breathing. If Riley was four months pregnant that meant the baby could possibly be his. Had Eddie guessed there was more to their relationship than friendship? His face felt like it was on fire and he tried to swallow. He didn’t love Riley and she didn’t love him, not in a romantic way, but if she was carrying his child he would do the right thing and stand by her. Despite his blossoming feelings for Eddie, he would have to let her go.
*
‘Are you pregnant?’ Harry blurted out the next day, not long after sitting down at the table opposite Riley in the small cafe.
By the shocked look on her face, for a moment he wondered if he had it all wrong. Then she nodded.
He tried to swallow. ‘Is it mine?’
‘No.’
He exhaled loudly and Riley laughed. ‘No need to act so relieved.’
‘I thought –’
‘I know. You thought it was yours and you were worried how you were going to tell Eddie.’
He nodded. ‘I didn’t realise you were seeing someone. You never said anything.’
‘Just as I didn’t know about you and Eddie until last night.’
He reached and touched her hand. ‘Sorry. I was going to tell you.’
‘Nothing to be sorry about. We were never exclusive. That’s what made what we had work.’
‘I’m happy for you, Riles, but you didn’t waste any time. Who’s the father? Anyone I know?’
‘Yes. Tony Wallace.’
‘Really?’ Tony was another Aussie making a name for himself in the industry as an up and coming director.
‘Yeah. I know it seems fast, but we’ve known each other for years and when I got to London we hooked up straight away. When I fell pregnant it all just seemed like it was meant to be.’ She moved her hand in a circular motion over her belly.
‘How far along are you?’
‘Nearly five months.’
‘That’s awesome. Congratulations.’ And Harry genuinely meant it.
‘I’m glad he’s in the industry,’ Riley said. ‘It’s not easy being in a relationship with someone who doesn’t understand what we do, don’t you agree?’ She took a sip of her drink and looked thoughtfully at him. ‘How are you and Eddie going to make things work?’
He shrugged. He hadn’t stopped to think through the logistics, but he’d already convinced himself he would make it work, whatever it took. ‘It’s early days for us and we haven’t talked about it.’
‘Does she realise what
it’s going to take? That your career has to come first?’
‘Like I said, we haven’t talked about it.’
‘You have to, Harrison. She needs to know about the late nights, the long rehearsals, the insecurity. It’s not an easy industry.’ Riley fiddled with a sugar sachet. ‘What if you end up in New York or London like you’ve always dreamed? She strikes me as the kind of girl who would be more happy living in a place like this, not in a city.’
He hadn’t thought of that. Would Eddie want to move overseas? ‘I don’t know.’
‘You love her, don’t you?’
He met Riley’s gaze. ‘I do.’
‘Then you have to lay all this on the line and get it out in the open. Talk to her and make sure she understands. It’s a whole different world from hers and she has a right to know what she’s getting herself into.’ Riley smiled and put her hand on his. ‘For your sake, I hope she says yes. She seems really lovely and there’s clearly an energy between you too.’
‘You think?’
She nodded. ‘Although I have to say I’m surprised. As long as I’ve known you, you’ve never expressed any desire to settle down.’
He smiled. ‘Until I met Eddie.’
‘Then what are you doing here talking to me? Go and find her and tell her how you feel.’
Chapter 23
The next morning Eddie stepped into the back yard, stretched her arms behind her back and released a lungful of air. The previous night’s storm had washed the ground clean and she took a moment to inhale the rich earthy smell. A red-breasted lorikeet swooped past, followed by its mate, before disappearing in a flash of colour into the gum trees. Clouds passed overhead, threatening more rain.
She’d slept poorly, tossing and turning all night. After seeing Harry with Riley the day before, Eddie had convinced herself there was something between them. They were clearly close and obviously knew each other well. Very well. Eddie had been prepared to take things to the next step with Harry, but now she was having second thoughts.
But it wasn’t just the thunderstorms and worrying about Riley that had kept her awake. That worry was pushed away by another. All night she’d replayed the overheard conversation between Ashleigh and Britt. Perhaps it was worth taking a step back and reassessing things before she got hurt again.
Sinking down onto the back step, she put her chin in her hands and stared out across the misty valley. The dogs joined her and she rubbed their ears absentmindedly. She was no supermodel and usually didn’t get caught up worrying about her looks, but overhearing someone describe her as plain and dowdy had wounded her. And Ashleigh’s comments about how she could never fit into Harry’s life? She sighed. As much as it hurt to consider it, there was truth to what Ashleigh had said. The width of the chasm that separated their lives was huge, and bridging the gap would take more than a few steamy kisses and amazing chemistry. Like Ashleigh said, their lives were poles apart.
Eddie could confidently insert IVs, help plaster broken bones, assist with suturing wounds and perform perfect CPR, but when it came to Harry’s world and people like Ashleigh and Britt and Riley, she was clueless. She plucked at a blade of grass and released it, watching the wind pick it up and carry it away. Harry was no different from Jarrod, in a way. Both had big dreams and visions for the future that didn’t involve hanging around in Yallambah, so what was the point in pursuing a relationship with another man whose hopes and dreams were vastly different from hers?
Chased inside by an unseasonal cold wind, Eddie headed back into the house. Daisy was in the kitchen at the stove.
‘Here, let me do that,’ Eddie said, taking the carton of eggs from Nan’s gnarled hands. ‘You’re supposed to be taking it easy.’
‘I’ve done enough of that for the past six weeks,’ Daisy replied. ‘I feel like a wet rag. Totally useless and old.’
Still protesting, she flopped into the chair Eddie pulled out for her. Moments later, lured by the smell of sizzling bacon, Frank appeared, still in his pyjamas. He knotted an old leather belt around his woollen tartan dressing gown and planted a kiss on Eddie’s forehead. He crossed over to the fridge, took out a bottle of orange juice, poured a glass for himself and Daisy before pulling out a seat at the kitchen table beside her. Daisy smiled her thanks and picked up the glass slowly, holding it gingerly between her wrists. Her fingers were more curled than usual but Eddie knew better than to offer to help. The cooler weather always caused a flare-up of her arthritis.
‘What did you think of the concert last night?’ Daisy asked.
‘Loved it,’ Eddie replied. ‘Really loved it.’ She popped slices of bread into the toaster.
‘What did you think of Harrison Baxter? The man who played Marius?’ Daisy asked.
Eddie felt her face warm but blamed it on the heat from the hotplates. ‘He was good.’
‘Good? He was bloody brilliant,’ Frank exclaimed. ‘Local boy from out near Stanley way. Did you know that? Although he hasn’t lived here in years.’
Eddie served their breakfast, and while they ate they chatted about the concert. The conversation kept coming back to Harry, and Eddie wondered if they’d heard anything. She was about to come clean when Daisy put her knife and fork down and gave a little cough. Eddie stilled, sensing it was something serious. And that it had nothing to do with Harry.
‘Sweetheart, your grandad and I want to talk to you about something.’
‘There’s no easy way of saying this,’ Frank began, ‘but we’ve decided to move into the retirement village in town.’
The last mouthful of eggs and toast lodged themselves somewhere down Eddie’s oesophagus. What?
‘It’s time for you to spread your wings, and it’s not easy for you having to be responsible for us. We think it’s about time you put yourself first. After all these years looking after us, you deserve it,’ Daisy said.
Were they joking? ‘But . . . But . . .’ she stammered.
‘It will be better for you this way, love,’ Frank said.
‘But you never wanted to move into a nursing home. And I promised I’d look after you.’
‘You have looked after us, but it’s time we all moved on,’ he said.
Hurt flooded in. ‘Are you saying you don’t need me anymore?’
‘No, sweetheart,’ Daisy said, pushing herself back from the table and slowly standing up. She squeezed Eddie’s shoulders. ‘We do need you. But more than that, we need to know you’re going to be happy.’
‘I am happy.’
‘We know how awkward it was with you and Jarrod,’ Frank said. ‘It can’t have been easy having a relationship practically under our noses. Maybe that’s why things didn’t work out.’
‘My break-up with Jarrod had nothing to do with where I live,’ she protested.
‘Sweetheart, Grandad and I had a lot of time to talk while I was in hospital, and we think you’re wasting your life here in Yallambah.’
For a moment, the room spun out of focus. Wasting her life?
‘There’s a whole world waiting out there for you and you’ve hardly gone further than Melbourne,’ Frank added.
‘Who said I want to?’ Eddie blinked back tears. To say she was shocked was an understatement. How could they do this to her? All her life she’d promised to care for them and now they were telling her she wasn’t needed any more. She knew she was being selfish, but it didn’t stop the hurt from biting hard.
Daisy touched her shoulder again. ‘Sweetheart, we don’t want to be a burden on you. If we were going to stay living out here on the farm much longer, we’d need to make some major modifications to the house and it’s not worth it. Moving into a retirement village is a much better option. It’s brand new. It won’t be too cold in winter or too hot in summer. And it’s right next door to the nursing home for when that times comes.’
Eddie worked hard to swallow past the lump in her throat. The idea of her grandparents getting older was hard enough to deal with, but thinking of them in a nursing home was too
much.
‘We don’t want you to get five years down the track and be still living at home caring for your elderly grandparents.’
Eddie let out a long slow breath.
‘Of course we’ll need to get the property ready to sell first –’
‘Sell?’ Eddie interrupted, her voice rising. ‘Why do you have to sell Glenview?’ It was the only home she’d ever known. She loved the main house and her little cottage out the back.
‘We’ll need the money to move into the retirement village.’
‘But where will I live?’
Frank and Daisy exchanged another look. ‘We thought from the proceeds of the house we could give you money for one of those round-the-world tickets and still have enough left aside for a deposit on a place of your own.’
Eddie stood and paced around the small kitchen. ‘Don’t you get it? I don’t want to travel around the world. This is home. This house. This town. I don’t want to leave you or Yallambah. I don’t want to leave my job, my friends. This is what I know.’ She collapsed into the chair again. ‘I know I sound like a selfish child but it feels like you’re kicking me out.’
‘We’re not.’
‘I thought you wanted to stay at home as long as possible.’ She was grappling for excuses, reasons to convince them to stay.
‘We did,’ Daisy said.
‘But we’ve changed our minds,’ Frank added.
Eddie’s phone buzzed, vibrating against the timber table. She glanced at it. It was Harry. She gave her grandparents an apologetic look. She wanted to finish this conversation, but she also needed to talk to Harry. ‘Can I take this?’
‘Of course.’ Daisy gathered their empty plates and took them over to the sink. Frank disappeared into the other room.
Eddie sucked in a deep breath before answering. ‘Hey,’ she said, hoping her tone was upbeat and cheerful. ‘How’s your dad?’
‘He’s okay. They’re still keeping him in hospital. They’ve got him on a drip and are giving him antibiotics.’
‘And Riley? Did you have a good catch-up with her?’
‘I did.’ He coughed. ‘Actually, Eddie, that’s why I’m calling. Can I pop over later today and see you? We need to talk.’
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