Wife for Hire

by Dianne Blacklock

  Liz and Michael had arrived soon after Max, closely followed by Hal. Of course that created a stir with Liz, who kept cornering Sam when Hal was out of earshot and grilling her about what was going on with the tall, handsome American.

  Nothing, Sam had tried to insist.

  Yeah right, Liz had smirked, winking at Max.

  And Hal only made it worse. He was relentlessly charming, unfailingly polite. He worked like the proverbial trooper, moving heavy furniture around with Michael as though it was fun, climbing ladders, hanging pictures, connecting the TV and video, and reinstalling the computer so it was working better than it did before.

  And he was funny. Very funny. He made everyone laugh, often at his own expense. Liz was very impressed. She kept nudging Sam and winking. Sometimes Sam would look up and see that Hal was watching the winks and nudges with a satisfied smile, and next thing those damned antlers would appear on his head.

  When Hal brought up the subject of the reunion, of course everyone agreed Sam should go with him. And unless she wanted to make a really huge deal of refusing, she had to concede.

  But it was a mistake to get involved with Hal Buchanan. Sam knew it, she just wished everyone else would get it as well. Couldn’t they see heartbreak in his broad shoulders and his square jaw and his green eyes and that satisfied smile? Max had been right in the first place. Hal was out of her league. The only reason he could possibly be interested in a seen-better-days thirtysomething mother of three was to fill in time while he was in Australia. And despite the girls’ ideas about Sam just having a fling, it was way more . . . complicated than that. She couldn’t explain why, it just was.

  Sam glanced at the bedside clock. The kids would be here soon, she just needed to lie down for a little while. She couldn’t remember ever feeling this exhausted, but at least everything was done. Their rooms were all ready, she’d left only the heavily taped boxes marked DO NOT OPEN!!! for Josh and Jess to unpack themselves. Dinner was in the oven and Sam was crossing her fingers for a pleasant, perhaps even celebratory meal together. She knew it was probably wishful thinking, but if only the kids could be a little happy, a little content this first night together in the house, maybe they could reinvent themselves here as the family they were now. Circumstances might have made them a different family, but Sam didn’t want that to be a second-rate family.

  She had just dozed off when she heard the knock at the door, and she felt groggy as she hurried out to let them in. Ellie’s beaming face was the first thing she saw as her little daughter jumped into her arms and hugged her. Sam held her tightly, looking past her to where Jeff was huddled with Josh and Jess. Their heads were downcast and he had a hand on their shoulders. He was giving them a pep talk, she realised. She felt tears pricking her eyes. She didn’t know whether she was grateful to Jeff, or annoyed that he had to.

  ‘Hi Mummy! Is all our things here now?’

  ‘Yes honey.’

  ‘Can I see?’

  ‘Of course.’

  Sam set Ellie down and she ran off down the hall. Josh and Jess were approaching, their father between them, still holding each firmly by the shoulder.

  ‘Hi Sam,’ said Jeff brightly. ‘How did everything go?’

  ‘Alright. We had a slight hiccup with the electricity. I’m going to need a new power board and some of the wiring will have to be replaced. But it’s doable.’

  ‘Oh.’ He looked concerned. ‘That’s bad luck.’

  Sam didn’t know why she had started on a negative. Josh and Jess hadn’t even looked at her.

  ‘But kids,’ she tried again, brighter this time, ‘your rooms are all set up, just how you wanted. Why don’t you go and take a look?’

  They sauntered off down the hall. Jeff stepped inside.

  ‘It’s a nice little place, Sam,’ he offered encouragingly.

  ‘Mm,’ she nodded.

  ‘I think you’ll like being closer to the city. It only took us twenty minutes to get here. I told the kids we might be able to have a night through the week together, now and then.’

  Sam didn’t say anything, she just gave him a wan smile.

  Jeff was watching her closely. ‘That’s only if it’s okay with you.’

  She roused. ‘Of course it is. Don’t mind me, I’m just being vague.’

  ‘You look tired, Sam. I could have kept the kids another night, you know. They are on holidays.’

  She shook her head. ‘No, it’s okay, they had to face it sometime. Life goes on.’

  Jeff went to say goodbye to the kids and then he left. Sam could hear arguing from the girls’ room. She took a deep breath and walked down the hallway.

  ‘What’s going on?’ she asked, standing at the door.

  ‘I told Ellie she has to move some of her stuff out of the way,’ said Jessica. ‘This room is so much smaller with furniture in it, Mum.’

  ‘Why does Ellie have to move her things?’

  ‘Because I’m the eldest,’ Jess explained airily. ‘I should have twice the room she has.’

  ‘That’s not fair!’ Ellie protested.

  ‘It certainly isn’t,’ Sam agreed. ‘Jess, you’re sharing the room. Have you got any appreciation of the concept?’

  ‘Why is the computer out in the living room?’ Josh asked, appearing in the doorway.

  ‘Because there’s nowhere else to put it.’

  ‘Well, why can’t it go in my room?’

  ‘Hey!’ Jess interrupted. ‘That’s not fair! As if anyone else would get near it.’

  ‘There’s your answer, Josh,’ said Sam.

  ‘How am I supposed to do homework and stuff without any privacy?’

  ‘Well –’

  ‘And stuff!’ Jess taunted. ‘Like talking to your friends on ICQ all night?’

  ‘Shut up, retard.’

  ‘Josh –’

  ‘I don’t know why you’re complaining,’ Jess pouted. ‘At least you get a room to yourself.’

  ‘Suck eggs,’ he smirked.

  ‘It’s not fair, Mum!’

  ‘Cut it out!’ Sam shouted over the top of them. She was surprised by the volume of her own voice. The kids just stared at her.

  ‘Listen to yourselves!’ she continued, lowering her tone. ‘I’m sick to death of your whingeing and whining. You’re turning into spoilt, rotten kids. Do you know how lucky you are to even have a house? There’s like . . .’ What had Hal said? ‘. . . ten per cent of people in the whole world who own houses.’ She noticed Jess rolling her eyes.

  ‘Do you think I purposely set out to make life harder for you? Is that what you’re thinking? Because let me tell you, I’m doing the best I can to make the most of a bad situation. I’ve worked so hard to try to make things look nice around here. But I don’t know why I bothered. Because no matter what I do, you always find something to complain about. And that is what’s not fair!’

  Her words were echoing around the room. Josh stared at his feet, Jess was gobsmacked, poor Ellie just looked bewildered.

  Sam sighed heavily. ‘It would just be nice for a change if someone would say “Thanks Mum, for all the trouble you went to”.’

  She crossed the hall to her room, slammed the door behind her and threw herself on the bed.

  Well, that was an all-time-low parenting moment. She’d brought herself right down to the level of a spoilt teenager and ended up sounding as petty and self-absorbed as they did.

  She heard low voices for a while, before they moved down the hall and out to the kitchen. A soft knock sounded on the door.

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘It’s Ellie, Mummy.’

  ‘Come in.’

  Sam turned over on the bed as the door opened and Ellie appeared on the other side, solemn and wide-eyed.

  ‘Come here, sweetheart,’ said Sam, patting the mattress.

  She walked over to the bed and climbed up next to her mother.

  ‘Are you okay, Mummy?’

  ‘Yes, honey. I just lost my temper because I’m so tired after
all the moving. I shouldn’t have yelled at you like that.’

  ‘Joshy and Jessie shouldn’t yell either,’ said Ellie.

  ‘That’s true.’

  ‘What does spoilt mean, Mummy?’ Ellie asked after a while.

  ‘It means . . . Well, you’re not spoilt, Ellie, so you don’t have to worry about it.’

  ‘Are Jessie and Josh spoilt?’

  ‘Sometimes they act a little spoilt. They get a lot given to them, and a lot done for them, and they’re not always very grateful.’

  They were quiet for a moment.

  ‘I like my room, Mummy,’ Ellie said eventually.

  Sam kissed her on the top of the head. ‘You’re a good girl, Ellie.’

  There was a tap on the door. Jessica peered in tentatively. ‘Do you want to have dinner, Mum? I set the table.’

  Sam didn’t really feel like eating but she had to be the adult now. ‘Sure.’

  They walked out to the living area. Jess had indeed set the table, she’d even found a decent tablecloth. Josh was lifting the baking dish out of the oven. Sam’s immediate impulse was to go and take over, but she looked at the size of him and realised he was perfectly capable. And if he wasn’t, he’d soon learn.

  So she sat down at the table instead. Josh carried the dish over and set it carefully on a placemat. Jess followed him with the salad.

  ‘Do you want me to try and serve this up?’ asked Josh, eyeing the lasagne uncertainly.

  ‘You could give it a go,’ Sam suggested.

  ‘I’ll get the server,’ offered Jess.

  Sam knew this change of heart was at best temporary and she’d be lucky if it lasted till tomorrow morning. But it was a start at least.

  October 5

  Dear Samantha

  I had hoped to see you again, but every time I’ve flown up to Sydney lately I’ve been in meetings all day, before returning to Melbourne in the evening.

  I trust the move to the new house proceeded without misadventure. Enclosed is a cheque to help defray some of your expenses. Use it for whatever you see fit, perhaps even spend a little on yourself.

  Please give my regards to the children. I look forward to seeing you all at Christmas.

  I want you to know I am very proud of you.

  Your sister,

  Alex

  A week later

  Max arrived at six-thirty to babysit, and so she could help Sam with her hair before Hal came to take her to the reunion.

  ‘It’s quiet in here,’ Max commented, glancing around the empty living room. ‘You didn’t have to bind and gag the kids on my account.’

  Sam smiled. ‘Josh and Jess are both in their rooms and Ellie’s next door.’

  ‘So how are things going?’ Max asked, following Sam into the bathroom.

  ‘Well, it’s been pretty much like this all week. Ever since my dummy spit, the kids have been subdued to say the least. I feel a little guilty, but I can’t say I’m not enjoying the peace.’ She sat down on a stool in the bathroom and handed Max a comb.

  ‘They had it coming, Sam,’ said Max, starting on her hair. ‘You know I love them to death, but I think they were taking advantage of the situation. They had to get over feeling sorry for themselves sooner or later.’

  Sam looked at her sister’s reflection in the mirror. ‘How did you get so smart without even having kids?’

  ‘Ha! Maybe it’s because I haven’t had any, did you ever think of it that way?’ she said, twisting and pulling at Sam’s hair.

  ‘Ow. You sure do hair like a mother.’

  Max grinned. ‘So, how long before school starts back?’

  ‘They have another week. I’m mentally battening down the hatches. I’m sure the truce will be over then and the next round of assaults will begin.’

  ‘You think it’s going to be that bad?’

  Sam shrugged. ‘They’re not saying much, they’re probably not game. I’m not worried about Ellie, but I do feel sorry for Josh and Jess – it’ll be hard being the new kid at their age. At least they’ll be occupied next week – Jess is going to Emma’s for a couple of nights and Josh has an end-of-season camping trip with his football team. So it’ll be just me and Ellie.’

  ‘And she’s made a friend next door?’

  Sam nodded. ‘Carlos. She says she’s going to marry him.’

  ‘So, she’ll be a child bride like her mother then?’

  ‘Heaven forbid,’ Sam rolled her eyes. ‘She’s such a sweetheart, that little girl. She keeps me sane.’ She stared into the mirror. ‘Jess used to be like her when she was the same age, you know. What happened to her?’

  ‘She’s got PMT.’

  ‘No, she hasn’t started her periods yet.’

  ‘Exactly. She’s got never-ending PMT. She’s a bundle of hormones with no place to go. Don’t you remember what Alex was like? She grew fangs. And I think Mum was pre-menopausal at the same time. Talk about your Axis of Evil. It’s a wonder you and I survived.’

  Max finished her hair and Sam stood up off the stool.

  ‘Nice threads, Sherl.’

  ‘Mm,’ said Sam, checking herself in the mirror. ‘It’s another Vanessa outfit.’

  It was a simple, fine jersey slipdress with a matching cardigan, in a shade of bronze which was quite striking against Sam’s colouring. Vanessa had claimed it did nothing for her.

  ‘She’s certainly keeping you in style these days,’ Max remarked.

  ‘Well, I’ve given up arguing with her. Every time I see her she’s got another two or three outfits that she insists she’ll throw in the charity bin if I don’t take them.’

  ‘Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth, girlie, as Aunty Gwen would say.’

  ‘Do you think it’s too slinky though?’ said Sam, adjusting the cardigan. ‘I don’t want to seem like a try-hard. And I’m wearing my stomach flatteners but I think there’s still a bulge.’

  Max groaned. ‘How do you expect to get any sex when you’re wearing steel-belted undies?’

  Sam glared at her. ‘I don’t expect to get any sex!’

  ‘Well at least you won’t be disappointed.’ Max considered her in the mirror. ‘You need to push your boobs up a bit.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘You know, give them a hoick, they’re looking a bit saggy.’

  ‘That’s because they are a bit saggy, Max,’ Sam frowned. ‘They’re like half-deflated balloons. One of the legacies of having children.’

  Max ignored her. ‘Lean over and let them fall up.’

  Sam couldn’t be bothered arguing and did as Max ordered. When she stood up, Max tightened the bra straps over her shoulders. ‘There, you’ve got a cleavage now.’

  Sam looked in the mirror. ‘I don’t know,’ she muttered, trying to readjust herself.

  ‘Leave them alone.’ Max held her firmly by the shoulders from behind, leaning forward so their faces were next to each other. ‘You’re that gorgeous, Sherl,’ she said to Sam’s reflection. ‘You barely look as though you’ve left high school.’

  Sam screwed up her face, peering closer into the mirror. ‘Yeah, until you get a load of all these wrinkles.’

  ‘Ellie would have wrinkles if she screwed her face up like that,’ Max declared. ‘You’ve never realised how pretty you are, have you?’

  Sam stared at her, she didn’t know what to say.

  ‘Remember, I was always dragging along behind you on the way home from school, I saw the heads turn. You could have had any boy, but once Jeff came along, you stuck to him like a shag on a rock.’ She paused. ‘Apparently you let him take your self-esteem when he left. But I tell you something, Sam, he didn’t leave you because you weren’t pretty enough.’

  Sam’s eyes went glassy. ‘Thanks,’ she said quietly to Max.

  ‘Now, go and have a good time and knock the socks off all those guys who are still probably holding a torch for you.’

  They walked back up the hall and Sam tapped lightly on Jess’s door before opening it.


  ‘Could you go next door and get your sister, please?’

  ‘What?’ said Jess loudly, removing her earphones. She was lying in the middle of the floor with her feet up on the bed. ‘Oh, hi Max!’ She swung her legs down and jumped onto her knees. ‘Hey Max, can we get Head Over Heels to watch tonight?’

  ‘What will Josh have to say about that?’

  ‘He won’t care if he’s allowed to go on the internet.’

  Max looked at Sam and she shrugged. ‘Whatever gets you through the night, Max. You do realise there’ll be no one over thirty in that movie?’

  ‘Well thank God for that!’ she winked at Jess.

  ‘Run in next door and get Ellie, please,’ Sam asked her again.

  ‘Okay,’ she chirped, skipping past them up the hall.

  ‘Gee,’ Max remarked. ‘Without so much as a protest? Things really have changed around here.’

  Sam walked across the living room into the kitchen. ‘Oh no, that’s because of Carlos’s older brother, who, I’ve been told, bears a striking resemblance to Freddie Prinze Jr. Do you want a drink?’

  ‘Okay,’ said Max. She gazed at the noticeboard while Sam took a bottle of wine out of the fridge. ‘So is Jeff going to the reunion?’

  Sam swung around. ‘What?’

  ‘Is Jeff going?’ she repeated.

  ‘Why would Jeff be going?’

  ‘Because it says here,’ she read off the invitation, ‘“To be incorporated with Flinders High Twenty Year Reunion celebration”.’

  ‘What?’ Sam said in a high-pitched voice. ‘Where does it say that?’

  Max pointed to the line as Sam scanned the page. ‘My God, they put it in fine print. What were they trying to hide? Why would they do this? Why didn’t they make it clear? What am I going to do?’ Her voice kept getting higher and higher with every sentence.

  ‘Crikey Sam. The dogs in the street are going to start howling in a minute,’ said Max, holding her ears.

  Sam took a breath. ‘I just don’t know why they would do this!’