Home Truths

by Louise Forster

  ‘Evening, Cal.’ Bruce gave a slight nod. He had a perpetual puppy face that made women want to mother him.

  ‘Hey, Bruce, how’s married life?’

  ‘Bloody brilliant, mate. Bloody brilliant. Mum’s come around; she’s knitting a layette, whatever that is.’ Bruce extended his left hand. ‘You got a moment?’

  ‘What’s all this?’ Calum nodded towards Bruce’s leftie handshake.

  Bruce brought his right hand out from behind his back, and held up a middle finger firmly wrapped in white bandages. ‘I squashed it in the extendable ladder, dislocated the last knuckle.’

  ‘Shit, Bruce, that would’ve hurt.’

  ‘Shit yeah!’ Bruce sucked air in through his teeth.

  ‘When’d you do a stupid thing like that?’

  ‘This arvo during a drill. The fire chief wanted to make sure we were ready for the wine festival.’

  A thought crossed Calum’s mind. He knew what was coming and looked steadfastly at Bruce.

  ‘Definitely not. No way!’

  ‘But Cal, there isn’t anyone else. You have to.’

  ‘No, I don’t,’ Calum pointed out emphatically. ‘And anyway, last time I practised the cattle freaked.’

  ‘Jeez, Cal, it’s not so much for me, but what about the rest of the town? Our reputation will be shot.’

  ‘You can’t use guilt tactics, Bruce. You’re hopeless at it.’ The desperate look on Bruce’s face was another thing. ‘Christ!’ Calum sighed. ‘You owe me, big time. Fuck, I don’t believe I’ve agreed to this — shit!’

  ‘You’ll be fine.’ Bruce laid his good hand on Calum’s shoulder. ‘I have bucket-loads of confidence in you.’

  ‘You’ll need more than that. You’d better talk to the universal dudes. Or whoever thinks this is some sort of perverse payback for leaving.’ Calum turned to go.

  ‘There’s something else.’ Bruce said. ‘The heritage committee wants to know if you’ve got extinguishers in the restaurant kitchen. It’s not mandatory, but it probably wouldn’t hurt to have one upstairs as well.’

  ‘Yep, there’s two in the restaurant and one in the pantry upstairs. Might not be a bad idea to come by and show Jen how they work.’

  ‘I can do that.’ Bruce’s face wrinkled up. He seemed full of misgivings as he scratched his head.

  ‘Now what?’ Calum asked.

  ‘Well, I kinda scared the pants off her — hey, not literally. Jeez that came out all wrong.’ Calum smiled, admiring the big man. ‘Yeah, no wonder Jennifer squealed when you took her down the ladder the day she threw the toaster out the window. What’ve you been eating?’

  ‘Nothin’,’ Bruce said with wide-eyed innocence. He peered down at his ample belly. ‘Free doughnuts at the station, and Kathleen’s an amazing cook.’

  ‘Listen mate, Jennifer has never mentioned that she was scared.’ Calum stated with a grin. ‘I think she’s very proud of herself. But for her sake and her guests’, you’d better give her instructions on how to use extinguishers. While you’re at it, tell her anything else she needs to know — like what to do with a full restaurant in case of fire.’

  ‘Okay, will do. Hey, I didn’t interrupt anything earlier? Those two blokes you were talkin’ to left in an awful hurry.’

  ‘No, it’s good. Hope Brock catches up with them. A couple of speeding tickets would be good, say a thousand dollars worth.’

  ‘Yep, that’d hurt,’ Bruce said. ‘Not friends then?’

  ‘No. I’ll tell you all about it one day.’ Calum turned to go back inside. ‘Don’t forget Jen and her fire drills.’

  ‘I won’t. I’ll drop by soon as I can. And don’t forget to practise.’

  ‘Yeah right, wonder where I’m going to do that.’ Calum felt a grin coming on and said, ‘I know. I’ll come to your place.’ He left Bruce, standing on the footpath, mouth open.

  *

  Upstairs, Jennifer paced the hall and every time she passed the kitchen door, Bret looked up from twisting a piece of cotton he’d plucked from his hoodie. She was angry, yet her heart went out to him.

  At last, familiar footsteps sounded on the stairs. Seconds later, Calum strode towards her.

  ‘What kept you?’ she asked, relieved to see him unharmed. ‘I saw them take off.’

  ‘Got to chatting with Bruce.’

  ‘What did he want? Did Bruce see anything — did anyone?’ Damn, Jennifer thought, I sound like my mother.

  ‘Yeah, he asked. I told him they weren’t friends and hoped Brock would book them for speeding.’ Calum studied her face.

  ‘What were you doing over by your car?’

  Calum cocked an eyebrow and gave her a knowing look. ‘Let’s get Bret. Then I don’t have to repeat myself.’

  ‘Don’t go getting all — thingy on me,’ Jennifer protested, and instantly regretted her uppity tone.

  ‘Thingy?’ Calum couldn’t hide his amusement.

  ‘The hero who looks after the little woman and is taking control — thingy, like you did outside.’

  ‘Wait a minute, I get it. You were worried about me.’ He gave her one of his quirky half-smiles and put a hand on his chest. ‘I’m touched.’

  Jennifer strode off down the hall. Calum followed close behind, his amusement almost like a feathery tickle up her back.

  ‘You’re a farmer from a country town. They’re nasties from the city. And now you’re involved in my brother’s dodgy affairs.’ And probably the whole town is as well — bloody hell.

  ‘Hey, I can look after myself. I’ve got brawn.’ His eyes smouldered, and then he whispered in her ear, ‘And I can make you pant and scream for more.’

  Jennifer couldn’t deny it. ‘And that makes everything okay?’

  ‘Lots of things should make it okay.’ He leant in and kissed her cheek.

  Jennifer thumped his shoulder. ‘Bret’s in the kitchen.’ She glared at the grin he tried to hide.

  Bret looked up from the table. Worry lines etched his tired face.

  ‘Let’s talk.’ Calum swung a chair around, straddled it, and rested his arms on the back.

  Bret rubbed a hand over his face. The light of the hanging lamp made the dark circles under his eyes stand out. ‘Are they gone?’

  ‘Yep,’ Calum replied.

  ‘I think it’s time you were responsible for your actions.’ Jennifer told her brother. ‘Get a job like a normal person. Learn a trade. I’ll show you how to julienne carrots.’

  Bret’s face screwed up in distaste. ‘No thanks. I’d rather do something outdoors.’

  ‘You what?’ Jennifer slammed her hands on the table in front of him and leaning forward closed in on his face. ‘Listen, you don’t have a say anymore, got that?’ She straightened and clipped him up the side of his head.

  Calum cut in. ‘You can help on the farm. Since the renovations here, I’ve got a truckload of chores.’

  ‘Um…’ Bret mumbled, worried eyes flitting from one to the other.

  Jennifer was ready to throttle both of them — one for hesitating at a wonderful opportunity, the other for giving it.

  ‘Wait just a minute, Calum. My brother is a schemer. He uses people, even his own sisters.’

  ‘Fair go, sis.’

  ‘It’s true. You’re constantly looking at ways to make a quick buck to impress Mother and Father, and on the way you leave a path of destruction. The goons won’t give up, they’ll be…’ A thought occurred to Jennifer. She swung around to face Calum. ‘Just what did happen out there? Don’t tell me they took a cheque?’

  ‘I paid six grand to save Bret’s legs. To my way of thinking, he can work it off on the farm, one leg at a time.’

  It took a moment for Calum’s bombshell to register. ‘You what!’ Jennifer yelled.

  ‘Six?’ Bret asked. ‘I’ve just been sweating over ten for nothing! How?’

  ‘I negotiated,’ Calum replied with a smile.

  He was enjoying this family feud; Jennifer could see it in his eyes. She glanced at he
r brother. He gazed in wonder at his saviour.

  ‘I knew I’d made a mistake the minute you talked to me about — blood, and I listened. What makes you think they won’t come back for the rest?’

  Calum eyed her as if to say, give me some credit. ‘They won’t be back. Asking for ten was a tactic they hoped would work. What better way to make another five grand — which you would have given them unnecessarily.’

  ‘You heard him, sis.’ Bret looked at Calum in awe.

  ‘Who says I would’ve? Don’t assume you know everything about me, because you do not.’ Jennifer clenched her fists, trying to contain herself. ‘This is our affair — we could’ve sorted it out. But oh no, Mr Hero had to stick his nose in, and now you’ve probably endangered yourself, your gran and your sister. Crap follows my brother, and anyone near will get sucked into his dodgy, fucked-up life!’ She paused for breath, then added, ‘I’ll go to the bank Monday morning and you’ll have the money back.’

  Calum pursed his lips against a smile. ‘I don’t want it.’

  ‘Well, you’re getting it. And what’s so funny?’ she demanded.

  ‘You look hot when you’re angry, and it makes me want to laugh — I can’t help that. You’re gorgeous, I love to see you fiery. If Bret weren’t here, I’d —’

  ‘Oh really?’ Jennifer said, chin up, but melting inside.

  ‘Anyway, despite all your objections, this is between Bret and me, man to man.’ Calum’s tone was final.

  ‘Man to man? Now I’ve heard it all. You think treating him like an adult will make a difference? He’s twenty-two and behaves like an irresponsible teenager! When it suits him, he’ll just walk off — disappear.’ And gossip would race through town. You know that girl who’s opening a restaurant? Well her brother…Jennifer cringed inside.

  Calum said to Bret, ‘Do I have your word that you’ll stay and work off your debt?’ Hand extended, Calum waited for Bret to shake on it.

  Bret’s eyes were everywhere except on Calum. ‘I don’t know anything about farming.’

  ‘You see?’ Jennifer said. ‘He’s already making excuses. He’s allergic to hard work.’

  Calum glanced her way with a cut-the-crap expression.

  ‘Don’t you dare give me that look.’ She glared back. ‘I’ve seen worse and they had knives.’

  Calum turned back to Bret, eyebrows raised in question.

  ‘Chefs,’ Bret explained. ‘Big ones — big knives.’

  Calum grinned. ‘You’re one hell of a woman.’

  ‘You can say that again.’ Jennifer stepped closer, her body tense, determined. ‘This is not funny. You are interfering. Everyone will learn that I have a brother who brings thugs to their town. How will that look — I’m about to open a classy restaurant. Some townspeople will thank you for giving them juicy gossip, all because you stuck your nose into something that doesn’t concern you. You wanted to play the big man, the hero.’ Her statement rang in her ears. She regretted every word the moment it popped out of her mouth, but it was too late. Not only did she sound like her mother, she sounded ungrateful. Oh God, what had she done? Jennifer wanted a hole in the floor to swallow her up then spit her out somewhere far away. Maybe she’d land back in the past so she could start anew. She felt embarrassment burn her face.

  All humour left Calum’s eyes. ‘I’ll be back for Bret in the morning.’ Without another word, he turned and walked out the door.

  Jennifer could almost feel her heart crack. She stood in the ruins of the evening, blinking back her emotions as the door closed quietly. Like a heavy cloak, utter silence settled around her.

  She glanced back at Bret and saw the same sad expression she’d seen on his face so many times over the years. Every time their mother had berated him for yet another stuff-up, and now she’d done it to him as well. She’d also lost Calum and his respect. Damn, she’d been such an idiot.

  She knew exactly why her mouth trembled.

  Chapter 15

  After Bret had eaten a ham and cheese sandwich, Jennifer ushered him into their uncle’s bedroom. He could barely keep his eyes open.

  ‘Night, sis,’ he said wearily. He flopped fully clothed onto the bed. ‘Gee, it’s good to see you again.’ He gave her a sad smile. ‘Even if you do growl a lot.’

  Remorse burned inside Jennifer. She knew why Bret behaved the way he did. There was no way she could justify what she’d said. She wiped the tears from her face and pulled off his shoes. She covered him with a blanket, and kissed his forehead.

  ‘You deserve an apology for what I said earlier.’ So he wouldn’t look away, she held his chin with her thumb and forefinger. ‘Yes, you’re a little shit, and you need to change the way you live for your own sake, and for those who love you. And so far I haven’t shown you that I love you. I’ve done a lot of complaining, but not much else. What I said was horrible. It’s what Mother did all the time. It won’t happen again, Bret, I promise. Sofie, Claudia and I, we all love you.’

  Bret nodded. ‘Calum’s a good bloke, you can trust him.’

  ‘Go to sleep.’ She kissed him again and headed back to the kitchen, where she made a cup of tea and rang her sister. Sofie sounded strained when she answered.

  ‘Just ignore my tone,’ she said. ‘And the background commentary of our menopausal mother, who’s given up waxing and taken up yoga.’

  ‘Hi Sofe,’ Jennifer said through sniffles. ‘About Mother, you are kidding, right?’

  ‘What’s wrong?’ Sofie asked.

  ‘I’ve just alienated the best man I’ve ever known, that’s all,’ Jennifer answered. ‘Bret turned up —’

  ‘Thank goodness,’ Sofie sighed.

  Jennifer could almost picture her sister’s relieved slump.

  ‘Hang on a sec,’ Sofie added. ‘He’s not in hospital with broken legs?’

  ‘No, he turned up at the restaurant door, scared and exhausted, but otherwise fine. He’s asleep in Bob’s bed.’ A lump thickened in Jennifer’s throat. She fell silent.

  ‘Hey Jen, where does Calum come into this? Why are you blubbering — are you all right? Did they do something to you? Did something happen to Calum? Talk to me, Jen, I’m hyperventilating here.’

  ‘I’m fine, not a scratch.’

  Sofie gasped. ‘You met the thugs — did they break in?’

  Jennifer wished she could reach down the line and grab her sister by the hair. She took a deep breath. ‘Calum gave them six thousand dollars.’

  ‘But that’s great! When probate comes through we can pay him back, not a problem. What a lovely man.’

  ‘Yes…probably. He won’t take the money though. He’s done a deal with Bret, on a handshake. I more or less said this mess with the goons will blow through town faster than a blink and reflect on us, we’ll be tarred with the same brush. I cared more about my image, and how it would affect my life, than our brother’s well-being.’ Jennifer wedged the phone to her ear while she blew her nose.

  ‘I don’t believe that for a minute,’ Sofie insisted.

  ‘All my life I’ve striven not to be like our parents, then when it matters most, it all comes out like sour vomit, bluuugh!’

  ‘Eeewh, Jen! That’s gross. Are you purged now?’ Sofie giggled.

  ‘Is that our Jen?’ Their mother cut in. Her shrill voice could’ve shattered glass.

  ‘She doesn’t give me a moment’s peace,’ Sofie whispered.

  ‘I live in hope — but you were kidding about the waxing and yoga?’

  ‘Yes, of course. Can you imagine Mum with a hair somewhere it shouldn’t be?’

  ‘She’s just trying to ingratiate herself so she can get her hands on some of Uncle Bob’s money. For our uncle’s sake, we can’t let that happen. Don’t let her get to you, Sofe.’ Jennifer poured boiling water into a mug and jiggled the tea bag.

  ‘Who are you talking to, Sofie luv?’ their mother called out in the background.

  ‘Don’t tell Mother it’s me,’ Jennifer whispered.

  ‘It�
��s another teacher,’ Sofie yelled without bothering to cover the mouthpiece.

  ‘If you’re going to keep interrupting, Gran,’ Claudia hollered, ‘Mum’s going outside!’

  Give me strength, Jennifer thought, heaping an extra spoon of sugar into her mug.

  ‘So, when are you seeing Calum again?’ Sofie sounded out of breath.

  ‘What’s wrong with you? You sound weird,’ Jennifer asked.

  ‘I’m walking outside and talking to an idiot at the same time,’ Sofie said.

  ‘Okay, but listen, there’s so much I should’ve done…’ Jennifer trailed off.

  ‘What’re you talking about now? Come on, give.’

  Jennifer did her best to keep her emotions in check. ‘I’m feeling horrible because I should’ve been there for Bret. If I’d taken up the reins after Gran died, he mightn’t have resorted to this kind of life. And I should’ve been there for you and Claudia —’

  ‘Hang on a minute there,’ Sofie cut in.

  ‘Shut up, Sofe, this is my moment. I’m making a huge leap forward with a confession. Don’t interrupt. I should’ve been there for you both when whatsisname Jett took off with Ms Wannabe and had twins. Offering you a trip to Italy was just a cop-out. I’m so sorry, Sofie. I hope you can forgive me.’

  ‘Stop it,’ Sofie cried out. ‘I love you. I mean, jeez, you had a career to think about. I understand, I really do. Honestly, Jen — is that all?’

  ‘I think so,’ Jennifer muttered miserably.

  ‘If Calum loves you, Jen, you’ll work it out. So what happens now?’

  ‘Calum’s taking Bret to his farm early tomorrow morning to work off his debt.’

  ‘Brilliant, ingenious. Maybe Bret will learn something.’

  ‘I’ll have another word to Calum when he drops by.’

  ‘The only word you should use is “sorry”.’

  ‘I will. Night, sis.’ Jennifer shut her phone and crawled into bed.

  *

  Jennifer gazed out of the upstairs kitchen window, her mind wrestling with her conscience. She lost herself in the beautiful vine-covered slopes rich with autumn colours. Behind her, the espresso coffee maker bubbled on the gas burner, signalling it was ready. She turned away from the tranquil scene and was pouring herself a cup of coffee when she heard the back door open. She strode to the landing and peered over the rail. Calum looked up, freshly showered and shaved. She could almost smell the soap.