Tracing Invisible Threads

by C. Fonseca

  “Do you think there’s a chance you two are related?” Phyllis asked in a high-pitched tone.

  Turning sharply in Phyllis’s direction, Eleanor’s neck cracked. “No way.”

  “No way.” Alexa laughed, reaching for Eleanor again, giving her an exuberant hug.

  They both started giggling and couldn’t stop until Phyllis began noisily stuffing photocopies into the portfolio, snapping it shut with a loud twang.

  Eleanor’s head was reeling. She still had no idea why Helen had the glass plate negative slides, but for now it didn’t matter. She was just thrilled that, by some fluke of magic, Helen had played a role in unravelling the story of Alexa’s ancestry.

  “I’m sorry, Phyllis,” Alexa said as she let go of Eleanor.

  Eleanor reluctantly removed her arm from Alexa’s waist and turned her attention back to Phyllis.

  “Don’t be sorry, girls. It’s a lot of news to take in,” Phyllis said with a bright smile and handed the portfolio to Alexa.

  Alexa clutched it to her chest. “Thank you. This is gold.”

  Chapter 23

  Buried treasure

  “It would be funny if we’re related,” Alexa said, lowering her head to scrape her teeth over the sensitive peak of Eleanor’s breast. She watched in awe as Eleanor’s chest rose and fell with short breaths.

  Eleanor gave a husky chuckle. “Totally hilarious. Not that it matters; it was such a long, long time ago. Haven’t you heard of kissing cousins?”

  “Ah-ha.” Alexa flicked her thumbs across Eleanor’s nipples. Watching them harden into perfect pebbles sent pleasurable sensations through her body.

  “Please, you need to stop that. Give me a breather.” Eleanor held Alexa’s head gently in her hands. “You raced me back to the cottage and into your bedroom so fast, I didn’t even have time to take my socks off.”

  “Yeah, well it’s a wonder we got here alive. I could hardly concentrate on my driving, the way your hands were wandering over me. I could have driven us off the road.”

  Alexa had been giddy with excitement ever since she’d driven back to the cottage, when the slightest teasing touch of Eleanor’s hand on her knee had made her press harder on the accelerator.

  “Yes, and into the closest motel.” Eleanor laughed wickedly.

  “Ha. Lucky it’s such a short drive.”

  Eleanor trailed a finger down her back, across her ribs, and all the way down to her thigh.

  Alexa shivered. “Now you have to stop.” She lifted Eleanor’s hand and kissed the inside of her wrist, unable to control her silly grin. She gently traced her fingers over Eleanor’s brow and brushed her hair back off her face. “I love how your eyes change. Sometimes they’re a deep, earthy brown and sometimes bronzed and fiery.”

  It had been such an emotional day, with unexpected lows and astonishing highs. Eleanor’s patience, encouragement, and frequent gentle touches during their meeting with Phyllis had been a balm to Alexa’s soul. Apart from Gran and her mother, she’d never allowed herself to rely on someone else or put her trust in them, not like this.

  Eleanor raised her head from the pillow and kissed Alexa softly, lightly sliding her tongue across Alexa’s bottom lip. “Do we really have to put on clothes and drive back into Castlemaine? I’m not ready to face the world yet.” Her smile was playful, cheeky, and damn tempting.

  “It’s been quite a day, hasn’t it?” Alexa rolled onto her side facing Eleanor.

  Eleanor stretched out on her back, pulling up the sheet to cover herself. “That was a hell of a lot of information to absorb in one hit. Are you sure you’re okay?” she asked in a gentle tone.

  Alexa reached out and took Eleanor’s hand, wanting to maintain their close contact. “Uh-huh. It was a lot to take in.” What they’d learnt today was mind-boggling, even though it didn’t answer all the questions. Alexa was a mix of nerves and anticipation at the thought of discovering even more. “Phyllis was a really good sport, wasn’t she?” Alexa snuggled into Eleanor, relishing the last few minutes before she would force herself to get out of bed.

  “I don’t know what she thought about the pair of us, especially after your giggling fit.”

  “My giggling fit. I think that should be plural. We were both in shock.” Alexa poked Eleanor in the ribs. “Laughing lowers the body’s stress hormones.”

  “So does exercise, and sex.” Eleanor grinned. “Anyway, Phyllis seemed genuinely glad to help. You could tell she was getting a real kick out of parsing out the information in a tortoise-like trickle ’till she got to the punchline.”

  “True. She’s a sweetie.” Alexa made a note to herself to write Phyllis a letter of thanks, but tonight, keeping a promise to a friend was more important. Alexa was a woman who kept her word. “You don’t mind coming out with me this evening, do you? We’ll have the next two days to explore the district and each other.”

  “Yes, I’m in favour of a whole lot more exploring.” Eleanor gave her a crooked grin that made Alexa’s stomach flutter.

  “Me, too.”

  “Remind me again, who is this band? You said they are friends of yours.”

  “Yes. The Orbweavers. Marita and Stuart are playing at The Bridge Hotel tonight. I promised we’d be there. Louise, Kelly, and some of Kelly’s work mates from Parks Victoria are also going.” Alexa ducked her head to meet Eleanor’s gaze and was relieved to see she was still smiling. “I think you’ll enjoy their music.”

  Eleanor nodded. “Sure, okay.” She grabbed Alexa’s finger as she slowly circled Eleanor’s navel. “None of that, or we’ll never leave the cottage.” Her eyebrows rose as Alexa pulled the sheet away and hopped off the bed. “Hey, that’s not fair.”

  Alexa dodged Eleanor’s hands as she reached for her. “Time to get showered and dressed.” It took all of Alexa’s restraint not to dive right back into bed, especially with Eleanor, stretched out, gloriously, uncovered and so inviting—her lips begging to be kissed. Damn. Alexa couldn’t help herself. She leaned forward, capturing Eleanor’s lips one more time. “Until later.” Alexa sighed, breaking the kiss.

  Eleanor held up her finger, shaking it from side to side. She leapt out of bed. “I dib first shower,” she squealed, heading for the bedroom door.

  “Why waste the water when there’s plenty of room for two?” Alexa chased after her.

  They showered as quickly as possible, Alexa constantly reminding them both there was no time to linger, but even getting dressed was difficult, with Eleanor in such a frisky mood. Alexa would usually have been annoyed, but she couldn’t find it in her to be annoyed with Eleanor tonight. She enjoyed having such a sensuous, playful lover.

  Finally, they left the cottage, and Eleanor promised to behave and sit on her hands all the way to the pub while Alexa drove.

  When Alexa and Eleanor arrived, Kelly and the gang beckoned them over to the group of tables they’d commandeered. Even though Alexa introduced Eleanor as her friend, she wasn’t fooling anyone. They probably had ‘we’ve been having hot sex for hours’ written all over their flushed foreheads.

  Louise winked at Alexa. “You made it just in time,” she said as Marita stepped up to the microphone.

  After the band’s first set, Eleanor leaned forward until their shoulders touched. “You’re right, I love the Orbweavers.”

  Alexa couldn’t stop herself from nuzzling Eleanor’s ear as she whispered, “Told you so. I knew you’d appreciate their music.”

  Eleanor’s eyes darted towards the bar, as if she was suddenly shy. “It’s my shout. What can I get you?” she asked hurriedly.

  Alexa looked across the table and met Louise’s knowing gaze. She raised an eyebrow and shrugged.

  Ten minutes later, Eleanor was only halfway along a line of people queued at the bar. Why was that short woman with spiky blonde hair standing so close, staring up at Eleanor with wide eyes and a
toothy grin? She was blatantly appraising Eleanor, who was nodding her head and pointing at their table. Alexa’s stomach knotted. She didn’t like the idea of someone else being into Eleanor.

  The woman shoved her hands in her jean pockets, glared at Alexa across the room, then turned to speak to the person behind her.

  Alexa narrowed her eyes. What had Eleanor said to the woman?

  She swivelled sideways as someone walked in front of her, annoyingly blocking her view of Eleanor. When she caught sight of her again, Eleanor sent a big grin her way, and Alexa felt some of the tension in her muscles fade. She exhaled slowly and flopped back in her chair.

  “Eleanor’s having a good time.” Louise tapped Alexa on the forearm. “Everyone seems to like her.”

  “Yeah.” Alexa blinked and answered back quietly, “She’s a very likeable person.”

  Louise looked at Alexa intently, as if she was waiting for more information.

  Alexa pushed her empty glass back from the edge of the table. It was unnerving the way Louise stared at her, as if she could read her thoughts. As if she knew that Alexa’s fondness for Eleanor was growing.

  Kelly plonked down in the chair beside Alexa. “The joint is overflowing tonight. I’m really looking forward to the band’s second set.”

  The old styled pub was filled with a noisy, eclectic mix of patrons, from greenies with dreadlocks to fashionably dressed town folk.

  Alexa was relieved to see that Eleanor had finally reached the end of the queue and was waving to get the bartender’s attention. Her dark jeans hugged her slim hips and thighs, and the grey sweater stretching snugly accentuated her trim muscular build and perfect breasts. Alexa’s whole body vibrated at the sight of her. It was impossible to look away. And it was impossible to push away the images that rose up in her mind of the great sex they’d had this afternoon.

  Eleanor caught Alexa’s eye and flashed her another dazzling smile.

  Alexa drew a deep breath. Eleanor could make her heart skip a beat with just a smile.

  “There you are, Alexa.” She heard her name called over the racket and turned to find Marita, dressed all in black from top to toe, walking across the room to where she sat.

  Alexa jumped up to greet her. “So good to see you, Marita. The first set was sensational. All my favourites from your Deep Leads album.”

  “Thank you.” Marita’s clear dark eyes twinkled. “I’m so glad you and your friends could make it.” She nodded, acknowledging the rest of the group. “All of you. Thanks for coming.”

  “We’re looking forward to hearing your new single,” Louise said.

  Marita smiled sweetly. “Coming up straight after the break.”

  There was a murmur of interest from around the table, and Alexa smiled.

  “Yay.” Kelly held up her tall glass of beer. “I hope you’ll sing one of my favourites, ‘Spotswood.’ I grew up in Hudsons Road near the railway station back in the 80s.”

  “I know that area well, close to the West Gate Bridge.” Marita clasped her hands together. “I’m sure we can do that for you.”

  Marita glanced to her left, and Alexa turned to find Eleanor standing beside her. She resisted the urge to slip her arm around Eleanor’s waist.

  “I’m back.” She set two wine glasses down on the table. “Hi, I’m Eleanor.”

  Marita stepped forward, her hand extended. “Hello, Eleanor. It’s a pleasure to meet you. You’re the photographer who’s just returned to Melbourne. Alexa told me you’ve recently had a book released. Where can I see it?”

  “Nice to meet you, too, Marita,” Eleanor said. “The book hasn’t been distributed in Australia yet, but the publisher expects it to be here soon.”

  “If it doesn’t get here soon, I’ll be battering down the door of the publishing house.” Alexa smiled at Eleanor’s wide-eyed expression.

  “Looks like you’ve got yourself an agent, Eleanor.” Marita winked.

  Eleanor fished inside her jacket pocket, clearly embarrassed by the attention. She pulled out a CD. “I just bought Deep Leads. Maybe you and Stuart could sign it for me? I’m fascinated with your story of recording and producing the album near the Merri Creek. It’s not an area I’m very familiar with, but now I want to go there.”

  Alexa sat down and sipped on her Pinot Gris while Marita and Eleanor continued to chat about the album. Eleanor was bound to have a copy of her book, and Alexa was surprised she hadn’t offered to show it to her. She was also surprised at how much she suddenly wanted to see it.

  “It’s spine tingling. What is the song about?” Eleanor asked Marita, bringing Alexa’s focus back to their conversation.

  “Radium Girls,” Marita said, “is about American female factory workers in the 1920s and 1930s who were poisoned by the luminous radium paint they used on aircraft instrument panels and watch dials.”

  Eleanor’s eyes widened. “That’s terrible. What drew you to write the song?”

  “Well, I was as an inventory officer at Scienceworks Museum, and we were working on military and aircraft collections that contained some of the radium-painted dials,” Marita said. “Every day I would look at those dials and reflect about the women who painted them using the highly toxic, radioactive paint without knowing the dangers. Many of them died, Eleanor.” She shook her head slowly. “I was so moved by the story that one day, I came home, sat down, and wrote ‘Radium Girls.’”

  A few chords from Stuart’s guitar drew their attention. “I’m being summoned,” Marita said. A faint smile lined her cherry lips. “We’ll be happy to sign the CD for you after we finish. Will you both still be here?”

  “Yes, of course,” Alexa said. “Now, you’d better go and entertain us.”

  Alexa watched Marita smoothly glide through the crowd and back to the stage where she and Stuart prepared for the next set.

  “I imagine you already knew the story behind the song?” Eleanor asked.

  “I do, but it still makes me shiver.” Alexa, eagerly waiting for the music to begin, took her seat and patted the chair beside her.

  Eleanor sat down and inched her chair closer to Alexa’s. She turned the CD case over in her hands and smiled. “Really glad we came here tonight. I’m enjoying everything. And apart from being here with you and your friends, the music’s been the highlight of the evening.” She rested her cheek on her hand and sighed. “I love how they weave together history and nature, allowing us to imagine Melbourne’s past through their music.”

  Goosebumps pricked Alexa’s skin. Eleanor’s appreciation of her friends’ work sent a rush of pleasure through Alexa, and she was tempted to lean across and kiss her. She resisted, though, unsure if either of them was ready for public displays of affection yet.

  “Hey, you two,” Kelly called from across the table. “We’re all going back to Sue’s after. Want to come?”

  Alexa held Eleanor’s gaze. She was sure neither of them wanted to change the plans they had for the evening. “I think we’ll be ready to head back after the show, Kel. It’s been a long day.”

  Kelly huffed. “Oh, come on, Alexa. The night is but young…”

  “Leave it be, honey,” Louise said softly. She smiled at Alexa with a gleam in her eyes. “Maybe next time.”

  Alexa ducked her head, silently thanking Louise.

  As Marita’s delicate voice lilted through the strumming of Stuart’s guitar, Eleanor pressed against Alexa’s side. Alexa slid her hand stealthily across to Eleanor’s thigh, reaching for her hand and entwining their fingers together. Alexa exhaled a deep sigh while the haunting music swirled like a spinning silk thread around them.

  * * *

  “I thought you were pulling my leg about the hot-air balloon.” Eleanor peered over the side of the wicker basket that sat plonked in the middle of the Castlemaine Mill Market. She waved her arms in the air. “There’s room for two. Come and j
oin me.” Eleanor shook the basket, swaying dramatically from side to side. “This place is a treasure trove for lovers of the old and quirky. I can see why you spend so much time here.”

  Alexa put her hands on her hips and shook her head. “Lovers of old and quirky, eh? Enough clowning around. Come over to the clothes rack. I’ve found something perfect for you.”

  “Thanks. I don’t need clothes.” Eleanor clambered out of the basket, pointing to the other end of the shed. “I spotted some old camera gear and photo frames I’d be interested in—”

  Alexa studied her from top to bottom with an intensity that made Eleanor’s face flush.

  “Humour me, please.”

  When Alexa gave Eleanor that sultry look, there was no way Eleanor could refuse her. “Okay. Lead on.”

  Twenty minutes and several wardrobe changes later, Eleanor stood in front of a full-length mirror critically examining herself. Loose charcoal camel-hair trousers held up with a plain leather belt, white shirt with contrasting collar, and a narrow herringbone tie. Her outfit resembled something worn by the character Annie Hall in the Woody Allen film. She frowned. Definitely not what she would choose for herself. Alexa had insisted Eleanor complete the costume with patterned oxford shoes and a slim-fit black vest, which only made her look even sillier.

  Grinning at her reflection in the mirror, Eleanor clicked the heels of the shoes together. “It’s not bad, if I was performing on the stage, which I’m not.”

  Alexa rested her chin on Eleanor’s shoulder. “The outfit enhances your sexy tomboyish style. All we need to find is a Trilby hat…you know the felt one with a narrow brim, to complete the look.”

  Eleanor shook her head. Even in this crazy outfit, Alexa thinks I’m sexy. She cast Alexa a sideways glance. “Isn’t it nearly time to eat? I could smell fresh bread from that little bakery near the car park, and you promised me lunch at the Viennese café before we hunt for the old schoolhouse.”

  Alexa stared at Eleanor while tapping her finger against her chin. “Only if you let me buy you these first.”