‘That might be cutting it a bit fine,’ Emily said. The drive to Whyalla would take ninety minutes, and she hated rushing of any sort, especially when Jake’s professional standing relied on her getting back on time. ‘And, anyway, I need to do two loads of washing while the weather’s fine. They’re saying tomorrow is the only dry day for maybe the next week.’
‘Hmm,’ Jake said thoughtfully.
They were both silent for a few moments.
‘Right,’ Jake finally said. ‘I think I have a solution. You give me the account details and I’ll pop into town and bank the cheques. You can do the washing while I’m away, and then I’ll pick you up. How would that work?’
‘Perfect,’ she said, beaming at him.
‘It’s probably high time I was seen in town. People will be starting to think I don’t exist,’ he added with a chuckle.
‘We were in the pub the other night, remember? The whole town will know all about you by now. And what they won’t know they’ll make up. Are you sure you’re ready to start mixing with the wolves?’
‘What are you calling me, a chicken?’
‘Not at all, but don’t say you weren’t warned,’ Emily said, looking at him with a knowing expression.
‘Don’t worry. I’ve lived in a small town before, remember?’
They took the bottle of wine and went and sat on the concrete out under the verandah in the warm evening to watch the last of the lightning.
*
‘So, how was the village?’ Emily asked when they turned onto the bitumen main road the next day. She’d stayed silent until now, to let Jake concentrate on navigating the dirt road that was still wet and slippery from the rain.
‘Good. Pity I was in such a hurry, though.’
‘Really?’
‘You’re right about everyone knowing who I am – well, that I’m your friend. Lots of people wanted to stop and chat. I caught up with Nathan and he very briefly introduced me to Doris from Mitre 10. She seemed a good old stick, though I swear she was flirting with me. And she’s probably old enough to be my mother!’
‘I don’t mind, as long as she gets us a good deal on our hardware.’
‘Nathan apologised for not having had us over yet. He said that Sarah’s doing training in Adelaide for the next couple of weeks and he’s heading over to join her for the weekends. He asked me to tell you.’
‘So you didn’t get interrogated?’
‘No. Everyone was very friendly. I can understand your concerns – you’ve lived here for ages and been on the wrong end of gossip. But everyone I came across was lovely. And I don’t think you need to worry about them thinking you’ve moved on too quickly.’
‘Oh? Why do you say that?’
‘Two old ladies came up to me and one of them said they hoped I was sticking around because you deserved some happiness after, quote, “what that brute of a husband put you through,” end of quote.’
‘Oh. Wow. That’s nice of them.’
‘So maybe you’ve been judging the locals a little harshly?’
‘Hmm. Maybe.’ She still remembered how it had felt to have people whispering about her.
‘It’s understandable. You went through a lot. Perhaps you just heard what you were expecting to hear.’
‘I didn’t imagine some of the things that were said to me, Jake.’
‘No, but perhaps you interpreted what was said differently to what was intended. That’s easily done when your nerves are frayed.’
‘I didn’t imagine Steve and Grant snubbing me in Mitre 10 – they apologised for it the other day,’ she said a little huffily, feeling the need to defend herself.
‘Well, you can let it go now. It’s in the past. David said you’ve got a lot of friends around here, Em, so try to focus on that. It’ll sure help when you’re trying to get a business up and running.’
Emily felt a little stung, but she had too much respect for Jake to argue. He was certainly right about one thing. She’d seen businesses rise and fall depending on how people viewed the owners. Maybe she had been a bit oversensitive. She’d been through a tough time. But that was behind her now. Onwards and upwards. She’d stop being so standoffish and get back to being how she’d been before leaving John.
She used to love escaping the farm and heading into town. Even with just a few things on her list her trips had the capacity to stretch into hours when people stopped her to chat.
It was as if most people on the street didn’t have to do anything by a certain time. And, back then she hadn’t either. The town seemed to run at its own pace – sort of like what some people on holidays called ‘island time’. It was one of the things she’d always loved about Wattle Creek. That, and everyone waving and being friendly, even the policeman.
By retreating from society and then keeping to herself, she could see that in a way she’d as good as snubbed the whole town, just like Steve and Grant had done to her. Yes, she had been hurting, and embarrassed about people judging her – thanks to some sound conditioning by Enid – but she was free now. And happy. So blissfully happy with the man beside her. She looked across at him and smiled.
He smiled back. ‘What’s that look for?’
‘Just because I love you. And because you’re so wise.’
‘Right,’ he said a little quizzically. ‘And I love you too.’ He patted her leg. ‘I feel a little bad that I was in such a rush. Those two old dears in the bank clearly wanted to chat, but I had to be a little rude to get back home on time.’
‘What happened?’
‘They were asking where I was from, how long I was staying and what I did in Melbourne. I’m trying to leave the building, shifting on my feet like I’m desperate for the loo or something, and they just kept firing questions at me.’
‘So how did you escape?’
‘I said I’d love to stay and chat but was in rather a hurry, and excused myself. I might have even agreed to go and have afternoon tea with them sometime. And to bring you.’ He winced.
Oh. ‘Who were they?’
‘I have no idea,’ Jake said with a laugh. ‘One was on a walking frame and one had two walking sticks. They said they lived right across the road.’
‘That would be the old Carrington sisters. John used to call them the smiling assassins. They’re sweeties, but also the biggest gossips in town, even though they look like butter wouldn’t melt in their mouths. But they’ll be useful for getting the word out when the gallery is about to open. And they love nothing more than an outing. I can see we’re going to have to have a big launch and invite the whole district.’
‘Anyway, I hadn’t been able to park right out front so I was a couple of cars down. So there I was, striding down the street with two old ladies chasing me. And, boy, you should have seen that frame and those walking sticks move!’ Jake said with a laugh. ‘I practically leapt into the car and locked the doors. I half expected the one with the walking sticks to jump into the passenger’s side, or at least start banging on the window. It was a close call, I can tell you,’ he added, looking at Emily with wide eyes and a cheeky glint.
‘Thank God you made it out in one piece!’
They chuckled for a few moments.
‘So, I didn’t expect to have to queue up in the bank. Don’t they have the quick cheque-deposit system in South Australia?’ Jake suddenly said. ‘I couldn’t find it anywhere.’
Emily laughed. ‘Well, they do. In theory. It’s hidden behind the pot plant in the corner.’
‘Oh?’ Jake said.
‘Now, how would the gossip train be helped if people didn’t have to go up to the counter? All sorts of dots are connected through the most idle, seemingly benign, chatter. For instance,’ Emily continued, ‘it is now officially confirmed that the handsome guy seen in town on Saturday night with Emily, Barbara, and David is in fact living with Emily Oliphant, because: one, he was driving her car and two, he was doing her banking. And because you printed your name on the deposit slip, there’s probably a
whole gang of people around town typing your name into Google as we speak. Not to mention analysing your signature for indications of character flaws.’
‘Haha, too funny,’ Jake said.
‘Believe me, the CIA is not a patch on Wattle Creek residents when they put their minds to it,’ Emily said.
Chapter Seventeen
An hour and a quarter later the highway divided into two lanes each way to signal the outskirts of the city of Whyalla. They continued through to the city centre, Emily checking her watch repeatedly, despite there being ten minutes to spare. Jake found a park behind the Civic Centre and they both got out and stretched their legs. Jake got his briefcase out of the boot, handed Emily the keys, pecked her on the cheek, and then bolted off for his meeting.
‘Good luck,’ she called to his back before checking her watch again. Seeing that he would make it, she relaxed properly for the first time since he’d left for the bank that morning.
As Jake disappeared, she realised she was standing in front of his project. True to what she knew of his work, there was a great melding of old and new going on. The only hints of a new build were the cathedral-style windows high up in the new section, and the brighter, cleaner mortar amongst the stonework. Everything this end of Whyalla tended to have a bit of a red tinge thanks to dust from the nearby steelworks.
Standing before something that she knew to be Jake’s work, Emily felt a surge of pride so strong she clasped her hands to her chest. She was a little overwhelmed at the thought that with all the awards and huge projects he’d excelled at, he’d chosen to stay in little old Wattle Creek and build something as modest as her cottage.
When someone walked across the car park, called, ‘Hi,’ and got into their car, Emily realised how silly she must look standing there gazing about. People were probably sitting inside their offices wondering what the hell she was doing.
She walked out onto the street and looked around. She didn’t know this older part of the city at all. Her previous trips to Whyalla were always centred around the large shopping centre to the west. There the streets were mainly lined with plain brick semidetached houses dating back to the 1950s and 1960s. But here the buildings seemed to have more character. The two-storey hotel on the corner, especially, was quite lovely.
But she couldn’t stand here all day admiring the view and looking lost; there was shopping to do. She’d printed a map she’d found online, but was now struggling to see which way she had to go to find the lighting shop. She turned it around in her hands, searching for a landmark, but the harder she looked and the more she concentrated, the more disoriented she got. Finally she decided there looked to be more going on to her left. She’d wander in that direction and see what she found. She could have driven over to the shopping mall on the other side of town, but she was afraid she might not find the Civic Centre again. Anyway, she told herself, it might be nice to explore a different part of the city.
Just a few hundred metres down the street, Emily came to a small cluster of shops. She almost let out a whoop of joy at the sight of a window jam packed with lights in all different sizes, styles and colours. There was also a variety of desk lamps and floor lamps on display. Everything seemed so modern, though, and she was after something more classic in design. She took a deep breath, mentally crossed her fingers, and pushed the heavy glass door open.
A woman of about Emily’s age greeted her from behind a large counter. ‘Is there something specific I can help you with, or are you just browsing?’ she asked in a friendly tone.
‘Bit of both, actually,’ Emily said with a light laugh. ‘I’m looking for a floor lamp, but a bit more old world in style than what you have in the window. I’m not sure exactly what I want, just that I don’t want anything in chrome,’ she added apologetically.
‘Well, that’s a good start. Come with me. I have a feeling you might find just what you’re looking for out the back,’ the lady said, getting up. As she stood, Emily noticed the name Karen on her name tag.
Emily followed her down a short hall that opened into a room that was possibly even larger than where they’d come from. Emily’s mouth dropped open slightly as she took in the display of older style desk lamps and floor lamps. Above their heads, dozens of magnificent chandeliers, pendants, and glass light shades hung from the ceiling.
‘Wow,’ she said, looking around her.
‘Thanks,’ Karen said jovially, ‘I’ll take that as a compliment. I love the older styles.’
‘I’m struggling to take it all in, to be honest,’ Emily said, frowning.
‘You said you wanted a floor lamp,’ Karen said. ‘Do you want to create mood lighting in a corner or have it over an armchair to read by?’
‘Both,’ Emily said. ‘I’m putting a reading corner in my study.’
‘Sounds lovely,’ Karen said, as she made her way over to the far left corner where there were tall lamps lined up.
As Emily followed her, she began to see the method to the layout, which at first glance had just looked like everything in together. But now she could see banker-style desk lamps and an assortment of small, delicate lamps displayed on white melamine cubes of different heights in another corner.
She turned her attention first to the floor lamps. Some were just tall, straight sticks with shades and without, and some had hooks that the shades hung from. On a shelf, rows of glass shades were arranged by colour. There was also a selection of ruched and plain shades in all sorts of fabrics. They were all gorgeous; how was she going to choose?
‘Would you like me to leave you alone to have a good look, or would you like some help?’ Karen asked.
‘Oh, I would definitely like some help please,’ Emily said.
Karen beamed. ‘Great,’ she said, putting her hands together. ‘What colours do you have in your furniture and paintwork? That’s usually a good place to start. It’s often easier to begin by eliminating anything you don’t like at all, and any colours that won’t work,’ she explained.
‘I’ve got some photos on my phone,’ Emily said, fossicking in her handbag. She brought up the first of the photos she’d taken and leaned towards Karen to show her.
‘Oh, it’s gorgeous,’ Karen said. ‘That chair is divine. And is that carpet original? It looks like nineteen fifties or roundabouts.’
‘I think so.’
‘I love it.’
‘Thanks.’
‘Now, I’m sure I have the perfect lamp here. Just give me a sec to think it through,’ Karen said, putting a finger to her lip and tapping thoughtfully. After a few moments she silently grasped the base of a tall lamp and set it in an empty space.
‘I think you’d be better with this style. That one, as lovely as it is,’ she said, pointing to another, ‘won’t be high enough. And the gooseneck style might take up too much space. I’m guessing you don’t have a huge area to work with.’
‘It is a decent-sized room,’ Emily said, ‘but as you can see, it’s also got a bed and desk and chair in it. And, I’m hoping to put high bookshelves in when I find some I like.’
‘The bed is just across from your reading corner, isn’t it?’
‘Yes.’
‘Well, I think this would be perfect,’ Karen declared with her hand around the slender brass stem. ‘The base comes in a few different colours and finishes. This is solid brass, but it’s lacquered over so you’ll never need to polish it,’ she added.
That had been a question on the tip of Emily’s tongue. She ran her hand up the base, which had some engraved swirling detail.
‘They’re really well made. The base is nice and heavy so you won’t have a problem with it toppling over, no matter what shade you put on,’ Karen explained. ‘It also comes in a simple fluted design, which I can show you in the catalogue. But I personally like this one for a more feminine room. The fluted one is a bit heavier set and tends to be more masculine looking.’
‘Okay. I like it,’ Emily said. ‘What sort of shade would you suggest?’
&
nbsp; ‘Can I take another look at your colours again?’ Karen asked.
Emily found the photos again and handed the phone over. While Karen studied them, Emily took in the range on the shelves above them.
‘I think you’d be best off with a glass shade; they give a gorgeous ambient glow as well as the targeted light for reading.
‘Okay,’ Emily said, nodding.
‘You’d think the obvious choice is pink, which it would be if you want the lamp to blend in. But if you want it to be a bit of a feature, I’d be inclined to go with green. It would tie in very nicely with the carpet and the chair. Of course, it’s entirely up to you.’
‘I’m not sure,’ Emily said, frowning. ‘I did have my mind set on pink. But that might just be because it seems the obvious choice,’ she hastened to add. ‘I’m sure you’ve got a much better eye than me.’
‘Well, I have put together quite a few lamps over the years. Sometimes it’s what you almost dismiss that turns out to be the perfect choice. Anyway, if you take something and then get it home and don’t like it, you can always bring it back and change it,’ Karen said with a warm smile.
‘Oh, that’s great, but I live near Wattle Creek.’
‘That’s no problem. I’ve got plenty of customers from over your way. I’m forever popping things on the bus or in the post,’ Karen said with a dismissive wave of her hand. ‘How about I set up one with the green and one with the pink shade – they take on a totally different look when they’re on,’ she offered, already starting to take the navy-blue shade off another lamp in the same style.
Emily looked back and forth between the two lamps and then closed her eyes to imagine each lamp in her setting. After a few moments she opened them and looked at Karen. ‘You’re right. Definitely the green one,’ she said with a decisive nod.
‘I think so. But seriously, you are allowed to change your mind,’ Karen said.
‘Um, how much is it?’ Emily asked tentatively. She felt terrible asking, given how helpful Karen had been. If only she could just say, ‘I’ll take it!’ without even asking. But that just wasn’t in her nature.
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