He jogs back down the stairs and stands before Mary. Mary is taller than Pia and Luca is half-a-metre taller than Mary, not to mention much broader. “I can do a temporary fix right now, so it’s safe until we start the renovations in here. This staircase will be quite a big job. There are a few structural issues that need to be fixed. ”
“That’s fine. No good leaving it at the expense of someone falling and breaking their neck.”
Pia stops her imminent eye-roll. Nan can be such a pessimist.
But ever the professional, Luca doesn’t react in the slightest. He smiles warmly. “Absolutely agree. The safety of you ladies,” his eyes meet Pia’s as he says this, “is my number-one priority. So give me a moment while I duck out and grab my tools, and I’ll make a start.”
As soon as he is out of earshot, Pia opens her mouth to speak but Nan cuts her off with her glare. “I see what’s happening between you two out there giggling like smitten teenagers.”
The eye-roll comes in full force now along with an exasperated huff. “Nan, I’m a grown woman. Seriously, I do not need you interfering with my … friendships.”
Nan’s brows arch high. “I’ve told you already that this renovation is of utmost importance. If you want to start something with him afterwards, you have my blessing. But while he’s working for us, there will be no funny business.”
“There is nothing between us.”
“Too right there isn’t because I’ll be stopping it before it has a chance to start.”
A cough comes from behind them.
Luca is standing there. “Mrs Rivers?”
Nan waves his politeness away with some impatience. “Please, it’s Mary.”
Luca places his tools on the ground and stands tall again. “Mary, this renovation will be completed efficiently and professionally with no distractions.”
Pia’s nose wrinkles with distaste. A distraction? She has been called many names in her lifetime, but a distraction is new. It sits in her belly like a tumbling stone.
But mostly, she feels like an idiot. Here she is dressing up for him and flirting when all this time he is seeing her as a distraction. All at once, she is a school kid again crushing on the cute boy who, once he knows, mocks and diminishes her until she is but a stray prickle stuck in the sole of his shoe.
“Well excuse me. I wouldn’t want to hang around here any longer distracting anyone. I’m heading out for a walk.”
She doesn’t wait for a response, shoulders past him and marches towards the front door.
“See, that’s exactly what I’m talking about,” Nan says to Pia’s back. But Pia doesn’t slow; instead, she opens the door and steps outside, shutting it hard behind her.
A bloody distraction? He can shove his distraction up his arse.
She sighs as she rushes down the front path and through the line of tall pines.
Nan can butt out. If she thinks because Pia is now living here that she can meddle in her love-life, then she can think again. Pia signed on to run a bed and breakfast, not be treated like a child.
She links her hands behind her head, elbows out wide, and looks up at the sky. She needs to calm down. Her hormones are going crazy. It’s as though everything is amplified including her reactions.
Besides, who is she kidding anyway? She’s pregnant. It’s not like anything could ever become of her and Luca. Though, he could have chosen a better turn of phrase than distraction.
She heads to the local café for a fruit smoothie—hoping to soothe the fire of resentment inside her—and sips it slowly as she wanders back to the manor.
Sheep graze in broad fenced paddocks beyond Main Street. Birdsong carols from leafy trees. The sun overheads gleams. So subdued, peaceful and a world of difference to the cities she has lived. Imagining her mother spending her childhood in a place like this is difficult. She has such an enormous personality. This town would stifle someone like Mum. No wonder she escaped as soon as she could.
For Pia, though, the relaxed pace, space and peace of Campbell Town has filled her with a lightness she has never experienced before. She runs a hand along her stomach and smiles. It seems a nice place to raise a child.
But after Nan’s outburst this morning, Pia’s questioning if she can tolerate living with her family again. Maybe once the renovations are completed and she has her own apartment, there will be more privacy.
Her phone vibrates in her pocket. She hesitates, wanting her short-lived solitude to continue, but when her Dad’s name flashes on the screen, she answers.
“Hello, Dad. How are you?” she says as exuberantly as she can.
“Hi, darling girl. I’m doing okay. How are you? Coping with all those crazy women?”
She giggles. “They’re not crazy. Perhaps a little eccentric. And somewhat stubborn.”
“Ah, Mary Rivers, the most stubborn woman I know. Apart from your mother, that is. How is your dear mother going?” He asks this last question without veiling his disdain.
“No need to be mean. But, she’s doing fine. Better than I thought to tell you the truth. It’s actually nice having her around.”
“We’ll see how long it lasts. She’s never been one to be able to stay still for too long.”
“Can you please be nice for my sake?”
“You should talk to your mother about that. She’s the one who started all this mess.”
Pia is so over all this in-fighting. All she wants is to go back to the days where she didn’t have to hear one parent badmouthing the other.
It creates such tension all through her body. She may be twenty-five, but they are still her parents and she loves them as a unit more than she loves them individually. They are meant to stay together, not go off and have affairs and then bicker for the rest of their lives.
Her chest aches and tears sting her eyes as much as this frustrates her. But she may as well get used to the intensified emotions for the long months ahead; it doesn’t look like they’re going away.
“I know it’s hard …” her voice is breathless and cracks, so she takes a moment to compose herself, but the more she tries, the more the emotions invade. “But can you please try and be civil.”
“Are you crying?”
She hiccups a sob. “Maybe.”
“What’s the matter? In the last week alone, you’ve cried twice. Before then, I can’t even remember the last time I heard you cry.”
She blows out a long, shaky breath. “I’m pregnant.”
Silence.
“Dad?”
Silence.
“Are you there?” she asks again.
“You’re pregnant?” There is a smile in his voice. “That’s the most amazing news.”
“It is?”
“Yes, it is. I’m going to be a grandfather. I’m … over the moon. Fantastic news. You’ve made my day. Congratulations my darling girl.”
“Thanks?” she doesn’t mean for the questioning inflexion but at this stage, she still hasn’t decided if this is a situation worthy of celebration. She rounds the driveway at the bottom of Viewtree House and stops, looking up at the beautiful old manor.
Now that Luca has enlightened her with the architectural genre, she can distinctly see the Victorian Gothic features—obviously used more for their beauty than practicality.
The manor sprawls over two levels, the external made of earth-toned brick. The steeply pitched roof, covered in more recent Colourbond, possesses many gables facing both the front, the back and the sides of the house. Under each gable is a tall narrow window with checkerboard framework.
“Are you there?”
She shakes her head and focuses on her father. “Yes, I’m here. I’m easily distracted at the moment.”
Dad chuckles. “Of course. Many many changes are happening in your body. I hope you’ve organised a good doctor.”
“I’ve only seen the local doctor as of yet.”
“Let me put my feelers out and see if I can set you up with someone. I want you to be taken care of
.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
“Now all I want to do is come home and see you. But I’ll be here for another six weeks. I’ll fly down to Tasmania once I’m back in Australia, though.”
“I’d really like that.”
“And what about Ben? Is he going to move over here too? I’m sure it has come as quite a shock.”
Pia drags the toe of her shoe along the gravel driveway. “Um … I haven’t told him yet.”
“Right. You’re waiting to tell him face to face. That’s fair enough.”
“No, Dad. I’m … not going to tell him. I’m going to have this baby on my own.”
“Why would you do that?”
She switches the phone to her other ear and squeezes her eyes closed. “Ben and I broke up. I don’t respect him as a partner. It would be better for me and the baby if Ben doesn’t get involved.”
“You don’t respect him? Why? I thought you two were happy?”
She frowns. “He wants a polygamous relationship. I will not take part in such a thing.”
“You and me both,” Dad says with a sigh. “That doesn’t sound like Ben, though.”
“Well, believe it. He had paperwork and everything.”
A moment of silence. “Okay, I can understand why you wouldn’t want to be in a relationship with him. But he is the father. He has a right to know.”
Her insides cramp. “I get that. But I’m not telling him. End of story.”
“I think you should reconsider—”
Her jaw clenches, neck muscles tighten. “Dad, sorry, but I’m going to have to go. Nan needs me to help her with something.”
“Call me later when you have time, so we can discuss this further.”
“Sure. Thanks for ringing. Bye.”
“Bye, darling.”
She hangs up and shoves the phone back in her pocket. With her head arched back, she growls at the sky.
Dad has taken on the male perspective on this matter, and that’s understandable. Pia can see his point of view. But she does not want to bring Ben back into her life. Any way she looks at it, it doesn’t feel like the right decision. It will be overly complicated, especially with him living in San Francisco. It will mean shared Christmases between countries.
Call her selfish, but she doesn’t want to share this child with a man like Ben. Not now that he has shown his true colours. She wasn’t enough for him by herself. She isn’t going to risk a son or daughter feeling that same way.
As the day approaches midday, the sun beats down with bite. Her skin is flushed and that tight sensation that accompanies sunburn prickles her skin.
She quickens her stride up to the house. Before she is about to push through the front door, Luca appears. He pulls gently on her arm, and she follows him around the side of the house out of sight from potential meddling eyes.
“Hi,” he says, looking somewhat sheepish. And so he should after the comment he made, but the last thing she wants to do is prove Nan right by actually causing tension.
“Hi,” she manages back with a tight smile.
“Did you have a nice walk?”
She nods.
He leans in closer, his eyes filled with warmth. “You look like you’ve been crying.” His words are gentle, apologetic. “I didn’t mean to upset—”
She shakes her head. “These tears aren’t because of you.”
He appraises her for a moment before speaking. “I see.”
“It’s nothing. Really. I’m just a bit overwhelmed at the moment.”
His posture sags as he sighs. “Look, I want to apologise for what I said back there to Mary. You’re not a distraction at all, and, if you were one, you’d be the most beautiful wanted distraction. I had to say something that would reassure Mary that this renovation wouldn’t be compromised.”
She stares, lips slightly parted, her attention stuck on the point where he said ‘the most beautiful wanted distraction’. Hot tingles fan over her cheeks. She swallows, then whispers, “I accept your apology.”
His expression softens as he smiles. His gaze drops to her mouth and lingers for long enough for her to receive his silent communication. “Mary’s right, though.”
“About?” The word catches in her throat because of the intensity of his stare and the deep huskiness of his voice.
He reaches for her hand and takes it in his. “I am attracted to you very much.”
“Oh?”
“But I’ve got my business to run. And you’re my employer, so it’s best if I don’t overstep my boundaries.”
She runs her tongue over her bottom lip, gazes down at their entwined fingers. Warmth. Gentle strength. Breathless. “Yes, best not to … overstep …”
“Unless you want me to.”
Oh god. Her insides are tugging. Her heart is thumping like a fist against her ribs. She aches to lean in and kiss him.
But she is pregnant. And Mary will kill her. With all her discipline, she says, “Best not to.”
He nods as though he expected that answer. “Then we keep it strictly professional.” His hand falls away from hers.
“Yes. Professional.” But boy oh boy, now that she knows for sure his feelings, keeping it professional will be the hardest thing in the world to do.
“It was good to catch up and talk about this. I best get back to work.” He smiles. “Wouldn’t want my boss whipping me.”
“Now you’re teasing me.”
He laughs but ensures it’s quiet. “A little. I’ll see you around, Pia.”
As he strides off towards the back of the property, she leans against the wall, her legs barely capable of keeping her upright. What a tempting, provocative specimen that one is.
Chapter 21
Mary
Mary manages a moment alone in her library. She is in the middle of a novel by a wonderful Australian author who writes mystery well. And her books are long, which she loves because it means she can leave everyone and everything behind and live within the pages of fiction for hours on end.
Mary has lost pieces of herself over the years, but her love for literature has never waned. During her most difficult times, books have been her saviour of sorts.
Time is lost to words as she reads about an old manor in the midst of World War II and the lengths taken to protect it during the air raids.
But then June is standing before her. Deep disappointment resonates within her bones to be interrupted. She places the novel on the couch and looks up at her sister.
June’s features are pinched. “What was with the trip down memory lane earlier?”
Mary sighs. “I realised I hadn’t put any pictures of Robert back up since cleaning them, which is a bit dismissive seen as Lily-Rose is living here now. I thought it a nice gesture to get everyone involved as a family.”
June smiles. “It was nice. It’s been so long since I thought about that time in our lives.”
Mary maintains the smile on her face despite the dissonance sitting in her chest. “Yes, me too. It was lovely to reminisce.”
June steps closer and sits down beside Mary. She leans in and lowers her voice. “Everything is … secure, safe, though?”
So this is the real reason for June’s visit today. Mary has wondered when she and June would venture down this unkempt path leading back to their past. A past they buried years ago. Only a matter of time considering their present company at the manor. “Safe as houses. But, be careful of idle chit-chat. We have eyes and ears now. Best we don’t speak of this again.”
June nods as she pushes to her feet “I was making sure. If it were ever to come out … I’m not sure this happy family will be so happy anymore.”
“Safe as houses,” Mary says again, driving the point home that this conversation is over, and this particular dirty laundry will never be aired if she has anything to do with it. “Oh, and June?” she adds when June moves to leave. “When you’re doing card readings, best to close the door.”
“You know about …”
“I had my suspicions she is pregnant.”
June narrows her eyes. “That’s why you’re being so hard on her where Luca is concerned?”
She chooses her next words carefully. “Some men aren’t rational when it comes to women and babies. And this child isn’t his. We can’t predict how he’ll react. He seems like a gentleman, and I doubt he has a violent bone in his body, but I won’t be taking any risks. And neither should Pia. This baby is a blessing for this family. A blessing. And I will do everything to protect it.”
June stares defiantly. “I can understand why you would have such particular concerns. But I don’t believe there’ll be any danger from Luca. He’s a wonderful young man. And I think you’re putting your nose in where it doesn’t belong.”
“Then we’ll have to agree to disagree. It’s not the first time.”
June places her hands on her hips. “Let them be, Mary. I can see the possibility of something good for Pia.” Then she shrugs. “Maybe. The universe is unclear still. But I certainly don’t see any problems from Luca. I think it’s the other man, Ben, we need to worry about.”
“If she’s not telling him, he shouldn’t be a concern. Not from halfway across the other side of the world.”
“Perhaps. Unless she decides that he should know. Who are we to stop her?”
“Well, we best convince her to do otherwise,” Mary says. “I take it Lily-Rose doesn’t know yet?”
June shakes her head.
“Okay, then we keep it to ourselves until Pia is ready to share the good news.”
“In the meantime, please leave Pia and Luca alone.”
Mary waves a dismissive hand. “You know what young lovers are like, if they want it to happen, it will happen regardless of what I do or say. I’ve given them a warning. Besides, I can’t see it working out. Is any man going to take on a woman holding another man’s child?”
June shrugs. “Attitudes are much different from when we were younger.”
“Yes, true, but I have my doubts.”
The Secrets Mothers Keep Page 11