Poet's Cottage

by Josephine Pennicott

  Before setting out from Poet’s Cottage, Sadie had consulted a road map, but there had really been no need as most of the town seemed to be heading in the same direction. She listened to Betty sparring with Jack over the name of an actor in the film they’d watched the night before and smiled to herself: some things never changed. As close as Jack and Betty were, they could argue black was white for the sheer joy of hearing their own voices. Unaware of the family tradition, Jackie was attempting to play peacemaker. It was a relief to hear Betty being her usual argumentative, happy self. Sadie had been surprised over the past week by how much Betty was looking forward to the dance; she had put a lot of thought into the jade-green evening dress she was wearing. Jackie had also dressed up for the occasion in a white satin dress that clung to her full figure. Sadie, panicky about Maria’s threat to play matchmaker, had dressed down. She wore a cocktail-style black velvet dress with a beaded black wrap and a simple pair of drop pearl earrings that Marguerite had given her.

  ‘Oh, Mum!’ Betty had wailed. ‘You look like a black widow spider! Can’t you make a bit of an effort? And your hair looks awful!’

  To pacify her, Sadie had added a dash of red lipstick but had refused to play up the glamour any more by changing into the beaded mauve number that Betty begged her to wear. She was in mourning for her mother and husband and there was no way she was going to dress up for Maria’s friend. Besides, the last thing in the world she needed right now was an affair.

  Unused to driving at night in the countryside with few streetlights or traffic signs to guide her, Sadie was relieved when the stream of cars began turning into the long driveway leading to the mansion.

  ‘It’s damn creepy, isn’t it?’ Jack said from the back seat as Sadie looked for a place to park. ‘A haunted convict-built mansion straight from central casting.’

  ‘So much tragedy has happened here,’ Jackie piped up in an ethereal voice; she had spent the day diligently poring over tourist brochures. Betty squashed her leg against Sadie’s and Sadie had to resist a fit of giggles.

  ‘Well, don’t go attempting any space clearings here, love,’ Jack said. ‘You might break your neck.’

  Sadie finally found a park in a crowded paddock and they clambered out, all exclaiming over the brilliance of the stars. Sadie thought about the original woman of the household who had arrived here at a young age from England. What a culture shock it must have been to live in this alien land so far from her family and loved ones. Somehow she had endured – although her remaining letters often spoke of her dislike of the colonies and her homesickness for England.

  ‘Sadie!’ Maria waved to them as soon as they entered the shearing shed after buying their raffle tickets. She came swooping towards them, even more glamorous than usual in a turquoise-blue halterneck dress, holding the hand of a bald-headed man who she introduced as her husband, Allister. ‘You’re just in time. The band’s about to start. Don’t you all look beautiful!’ Her eyes flickered to Sadie. ‘That haircut is different, isn’t it? It makes you look even more like your grandmother. Now, do you know the Pride of Erin?’ Even though they all said they didn’t, Maria installed them in the circle of locals, assuring them they would learn it in no time.

  As she attempted the steps, Sadie had to admit she was having fun. It felt good to be focusing on something other than Webweaver for a change. Betty giggled as she danced with a local fisherman and Jack was swirling a laughing elderly woman. The mood was infectious. Nobody cared if you missed a step – any mistakes added to the atmosphere.

  ‘Hello, pretty lady!’ Her partner was now Gary Karilla, his perfectly bleached teeth gleaming. Sadie returned the smile before she saw Kristie, dressed to kill in a red low-cut gown, scowling at her from the other side of the circle. ‘I didn’t think this would be your scene.’

  ‘I wouldn’t have thought so either but it’s a pretty fun way to spend an evening,’ Sadie said.

  ‘I was wondering . . .’ Whatever Gary was about to say was lost as the music changed again and Sadie had to leave him with a wave and a smile. She spun straight into the arms of a grim-faced Simon Parish.

  ‘Oh hello!’ Sadie said. ‘Fancy running into you again!’ She winced inwardly as she remembered their previous meeting.

  ‘I see you’ve wasted no time getting to know the locals,’ Simon said tersely, confirming Sadie’s first impressions of him. It was just as she thought: he clearly disapproved of her and everything she represented. Simon said nothing else to her as they danced the few steps and it was with relief that she twirled around to say hello to her next partner.

  After the dance, Sadie rejoined Betty, who was standing talking to a girl her own age.

  ‘Mum? This is Melissa, a friend from school.’ Sadie shook hands with the smiling teenager. Melissa was obviously the ‘larger girl’ Betty had described. She had wavy blonde hair and a curvaceous figure proudly displayed in a black satin dress and a ton of sparkly costume jewellery including a red tiara. She was obviously not short of confidence and Sadie felt a twinge of hope that it would rub off on her daughter.

  ‘Melissa’s elder brother Dylan is a fisherman on one of the boats we’ve seen docked near Poet’s Cottage,’ Betty continued, pointing towards a group of young men on the other side of the shed. ‘He’s the tall blond good-looking one.’

  Melissa pouted. ‘He’s dying to ask Betty to dance but he’s too shy. Come on, Betty! Let’s go and get those boys moving!’ She half dragged Betty over to them and Sadie smiled to herself, watching the young man’s nervous face as he chatted to Betty. Her daughter might never admit it, but Pencubitt was doing her a world of good.

  Scanning the room, Sadie saw Birdie sitting next to a couple of elderly men. The old woman waved and Sadie crossed the floor to say hello. As she approached she was again struck by how pretty Birdie looked for her age. She wore a musk-rose silk dress with a white crocheted shawl and her hair was pinned up and adorned with a flower. When she was a young woman she must have been a knock-out.

  ‘I didn’t expect to see you here. I thought you preferred early nights?’ Sadie teased gently.

  ‘I won’t stay much longer,’ Birdie said. ‘I’ve attended these dances every year since I was a young girl. You have no idea how much the town used to look forward to them, back in those days before TV. We would hire evening frocks from Launceston and the men wore top hats and smart suits. I have so many happy memories from those dances. Maxwell used to love to dance and I can still feel him here.’ Her tone was one of yearning. She indicated Betty, now dancing with Melissa’s brother. ‘They make a fine-looking young couple, don’t they?’ she said.

  Sadie nodded and smiled. ‘It’s lovely to see Betty enjoying herself.’

  Birdie hesitated. ‘When I first saw you tonight, it gave me a shock. You’ve cut your hair. I thought for a second you were Pearl. Something so similar in the way you moved. It gave me quite a turn.’

  ‘Really!’ Sadie said. ‘That’s interesting. I don’t see any real resemblance but I’m very flattered.’

  ‘I don’t think you have her nature,’ Birdie said in her forthright way. ‘She delighted in her own cruelty. You’re a lot softer. You must have inherited Marguerite’s gentleness.’

  ‘Did Pearl ever go to any of these dances?’

  ‘Only one,’ Birdie said. ‘Naturally she thought it all beneath her; she didn’t want to dance the old-fashioned dances and she scandalised the locals by sneaking outside with Teddy. Then she loudly mocked the homemade and borrowed dresses the local women wore. She set a lot of the town against her that night and Maxwell was crushed. I don’t think she stayed for the entire night, and the next year she was dead.’

  She gazed again at Sadie. ‘I really did think she had returned,’ she said, and shivered. ‘Ghosts walking on my grave – or rather, dancing on my grave. With every dance, I wonder if I’ll still be here the following year. You watch the dancers and see familiar people gradually dropping out. Sometimes they’re too stiff and old to keep
dancing, and other times they’re taken from us. I expect death around every corner, but Pearl – she was so young and beautiful. She would have had no idea her time on this earth was so limited. Nor did Teddy. And I never would have thought my time would be so long. It is fortunate we cannot see our own futures.’

  She stood up. ‘I see my ride home has arrived. A great relief. I think it’s time to leave the dancing to the young people. I’m becoming maudlin and boring and sounding like the worn-out old woman I am.’ She kissed Sadie on both cheeks and Sadie caught the whiff of some familiar perfume. What was it? She was searching her memory when she heard Maria’s voice over the music.

  ‘Oh, there you are! I have a friend I want you to meet.’ She gave Sadie a meaningful look. Refusing to listen to Sadie’s protests, she took her by the hand and led her towards a small group of people. ‘Now, I just know you two will get along famously!’ she cried. ‘Sadie, this is my very good friend, the local headmaster Simon.’

  With dismay, Sadie stared into the scowling face of Simon Parish. Maria beamed happily beside her.

  ‘Hello,’ he said, mimicking her reaction when she had danced the Pride of Erin with him. ‘Fancy running into you again!’

  ‘I don’t get it,’ Maria said as they applied their lipstick in the fifties-influenced pale-pink powder room, which Maria explained had been renovated by Gracie in her usual over-the-top style. ‘He’s a gorgeous bloke. Can’t you give him a chance?’

  ‘It’s not me,’ Sadie protested. ‘He’s been rude to me ever since we met.’

  ‘That’s not the Simon I know.’ Maria was silent for a moment as she checked her teeth for lipstick smudges. ‘He’s had a pretty rough trot the last few years,’ she said. ‘His wife Clare died after battling breast cancer. It hasn’t been easy for Simon or for Liam.’

  ‘That’s terrible,’ Sadie said, shocked. She couldn’t help being moved when she thought of everything the small family must have been through, though she quickly reminded herself that it didn’t excuse his rudeness.

  ‘Clare used to be a mate of mine as well,’ Maria said. ‘It was hellish actually.’ She seemed to be about to confide more but was interrupted as the door opened and a group of women came in.

  As they returned to the dance hall Maria burst out laughing. ‘Check out Gracie.’ She nudged Sadie. ‘I wondered where she had got to, she was so late! She must have been getting ready. Have you ever seen such a sight?’

  Sadie could truthfully say she hadn’t.

  Gracie was resplendent in an elaborate red ballgown that looked straight from the wardrobe department of Gone with the Wind. She had a large red bow in her hair and wore so much jewellery it was a miracle she could walk, let alone dance. But dancing she was with Gary Karilla, her head thrown back with a blissful smile, eyes closed in ecstasy. It was probably fortunate that she couldn’t see the pained expression on Gary’s face as they waltzed around the ballroom.

  ‘She’s got the hots bad for him!’ Maria laughed.

  Smiling, Sadie turned to watch Betty waltzing with Dylan. She wondered where her daughter had learnt the steps. It was always surprising when she discovered something about Betty she hadn’t known. She liked to believe she knew her daughter better than herself.

  Gary finally managed to extract himself from a disappointed Gracie, who stood watching as he crossed the floor, offering his hand to Sadie.

  The dance began. Sadie felt self-conscious under the combined attention of Gracie, Kristie and the other locals. As they passed Simon and Maria, Gary whispered flirtatiously in Sadie’s ear. What a shame he was attached, she found herself thinking. After a year of self-inflicted solitude and celibacy it was a pleasant change to have a man show an interest in her. Gary might be a little vain, but there was no denying he was attractive. As they danced, Sadie noticed that Simon kept glancing over at them with his stern expression. His evident disapproval goaded her into becoming more animated in Gary’s arms, laughing uproariously at his jokes.

  ‘That was fun.’ Gracie joined Sadie and Maria at the bar, fanning herself with her hand after a spirited quick-step. ‘I’ve worked up a right sweat. Sadie, I don’t think she liked you dancing with Gary.’ Gracie nodded at Kristie, who had spent the last two dances with her arms wrapped firmly around Gary’s neck. Although Gracie spoke lightly, Sadie had caught the resentful look she had cast in Sadie’s direction. Now Gracie gazed longingly at Gary. Was it human nature to always covet the unattainable? Sadie wondered, looking at Gracie’s yearning face. Despite her size, Gracie was very pretty in a flamboyant way and there must be any number of local men happy to form a relationship with her.

  As the night went on, a melancholy feeling stole over Sadie. She watched the busy crowd of people socialising, drinking and dancing, noting Jack and Jackie arguing in a corner and Betty smiling as she talked and laughed with Dylan. She couldn’t help thinking that if she vanished into the air nobody would notice. They were all so caught up in their own lives, their own dramas. How she would love to be able to call her mother tonight and chat over every detail of the dance with her. Marguerite had always had such a practical ability to see all sides of a problem. She had been invaluable when Betty went through the bullying and anorexia.

  Another song ended and the couples applauded. The pianist began the next tune even as the supper tables were being set up, piled with huge plates of sandwiches and homemade cakes as well as pots of tea and coffee.

  Sadie walked outside to get some fresh air. There were a few younger people drinking and smoking but the majority had drifted inside for supper. The moon was luminous. It hovered over the paddock and beneath it she could see the beautiful silhouette of Blackness House and, beyond that, the sea crashing over the rocks.

  ‘Are you alright?’ Gary came to stand beside her, holding a plastic cup. ‘I’m hiding from Gracie before she makes me dance another bloody waltz.’ They stood looking at Blackness House together.

  ‘They say it’s haunted. I believe it,’ Sadie said, shivering. ‘I don’t know how Gracie stays there.’

  ‘She doesn’t, half the time, does she? Flits from one house to another depending on her mood,’ Gary said. ‘You think old Mrs Bydrenbaugh haunts it, grieving for her daughter?’

  ‘Why? What do you mean?’ Sadie said.

  ‘After the fire,’ he began, only to stop abruptly when Maria called out to them.

  ‘Oh, there you are!’ Sadie turned to see Maria and Simon Parish standing in the doorway, Maria holding out a plate of sandwiches. ‘We’ve been looking everywhere for you. I didn’t want you to miss the supper.’

  ‘I think your girlfriend is looking for you,’ Simon said to Gary in a cold voice.

  ‘Gary? I’ve been looking for you everywhere!’ As if on cue Kristie rushed towards them. Standing there beside Gary, Sadie began to get an idea of how Pearl must have felt, the scarlet woman surrounded by outraged locals.

  ‘He’s been entertaining this older woman. It must be the haircut attracting him.’ Sadie couldn’t resist the jibe.

  Kristie’s eyes narrowed and Gary stepped forward to hug her. ‘Relax, can’t you? I’m just being friendly to a newcomer, babe,’ he said.

  ‘You never learn your lesson, do you, you smug bastard?’ Simon moved towards Gary.

  ‘Simon! Don’t lower yourself!’ Maria snapped.

  What on earth was going on? Sadie felt disoriented, as if everyone else was speaking from a well-rehearsed script of which she was ignorant.

  ‘Mum? What are you doing? Dad’s been waiting to leave for ages. You haven’t been snogging out here, have you?’

  ‘For heaven’s sake, Betty! Give it a break. Don’t nag me. I’m the mother, remember?’

  The entire group turned to face Sadie. Kristie gave a horrified gasp. ‘Gary, how could you? She’s old!’ Muttering apologies to Sadie, Gary dragged his protesting girlfriend away.

  Sadie’s humiliation was complete. She followed her daughter’s disapproving back to the car and got in. Jack and J
ackie trailed silently behind them. She fumbled for the ignition, attempting to ignore Jack’s astonishment when Betty began filling him in.

  ‘Have you been drinking?’ he asked. ‘Maybe you shouldn’t drive. Flirting with the town dentist in the dark? Are you out of your mind? With Betty present?’

  ‘I don’t know who’s worse, you or Betty! Can you please calm down? Betty was not present, and do I have to keep reminding you, we are not married!’

  ‘Don’t worry about Big Bear,’ Jackie piped up. ‘He’s been in a stinker of a mood because I told him his aura was a lovely shade of violet and he thought that was a load of rubbish.’

  Big Bear? Sadie and Betty glanced at each other in mutual shock. Suddenly a tap on the window made Sadie jump. Simon Parish stood there holding out her beaded evening wrap. ‘I think this must belong to you,’ he said in his usual cool tone. His gaze seemed to soften when he took in her flushed face. ‘A word of advice, although I’m sure you don’t want or need it: be careful who you trust in this town. Not everybody is what they seem.’

  ‘What a lovely man,’ Jackie cooed when he’d left. ‘And so caring. It sounded as if the universe was channelling through him to give you that warning. I bet his aura is a beautiful colour.’

  ‘Oh, shut up, Jackie!’ Jack and Sadie snapped in unison.

  Market day

  A lawnmower woke Sadie early the next morning. Annoyed, she got out of bed. Who was mowing at this hour on a Saturday? Peering out the window, she saw Jeremy Flannery mowing the front lawn of the art deco-style brick house next door. Gracie was supervising him, wearing lurid orange pants, a lime-green floral top and orange sunhat. How many houses did Gracie own? wondered Sadie. Was that another one? As if she sensed Sadie’s scrutiny, Gracie glanced up and met her eyes.