‘You’re welcome to sit up and watch TV,’ Simone said, ‘but I’m off to bed.’
‘Thanks, but I’m exhausted. What time is Jake coming for breakfast?’ Emily asked, as they made their way through the lounge room and into the hall.
‘I told him nine-ish, so that means he’ll be here right on the dot. Always punctual is our Jake. I’ll be up about seven. Maybe you’d like to go for a walk? I go most mornings. But no pressure, we can see how we feel in the morning.’
‘Sounds good. At home I don’t often sleep beyond six-thirty.’
They were now standing outside the door to Emily’s room.
‘Well, goodnight then,’ Simone said. ‘And, again, thanks so much for coming all this way; it really does mean a lot.’
‘It’s my pleasure. And thank you for everything.’ She thought about adding, ‘Jake’s so lucky to have you as a sister,’ but her throat contracted and she felt a wave of emotion overcome her. Her tiredness had caught up. ‘Good night then,’ she said, turning the handle and entering the room.
In her room, Emily put her light cotton shortie pyjamas on and pushed her feet between the tightly tucked crisp sheets. ‘Goodnight Gracie,’ she whispered into the dark room, and tried to ignore the slight feeling of homesickness and focus on snuggling down.
She had just got the thick feather pillows arranged perfectly when she realised she hadn’t cleaned her teeth. Too bad, she thought, running her tongue around in her mouth. She didn’t fancy traipsing back through the house now all the lights had been turned off. She just hoped she wouldn’t need a wee during the night and get disorientated.
That had happened once during a sleepover at a friend’s at high school; she had ended up stuck in their walk-in pantry unable to find the door out.
Her so-called friend had told everyone at school the next day and Emily had been bullied about it for a whole term. Ever since then, she’d felt uneasy when staying in unfamiliar houses. Not that it was something she had to deal with very often.
She heard footsteps outside her door followed by a gentle tapping. She lifted her head off the pillow.
‘Em, I’ve put night lights on in case you need to use the loo – there’s nothing worse than bumbling around disorientated in a strange house.’
‘Thanks very much,’ she called. She smiled, and settled back down. Now Simone had thought of everything.
Chapter Forty-six
Emily awoke from a deep sleep. She opened her eyes, looked about to get her bearings, and then stretched. God, the bed and pillows were comfortable. She checked her watch; a little after seven.
For a moment she was surprised she’d managed to sleep in half an hour past her usual wake-up time. Then she realised it was half an hour later there in Melbourne, which meant she’d actually gone to bed half an hour earlier than usual. She smiled at thinking that Grace would have been at her to be let out by now. If she were at home. But she wasn’t; she was in a big city far away.
A wave of homesickness swept through her, but she pushed it aside. She was here for Jake. And Simone was being lovely to her. Grace was fine being taken care of by Barbara and David. Pull yourself together. She reminded herself to phone her parents a little later. If she timed it right they’d be out at the funeral and she could just leave a message. Fingers crossed.
She threw back the covers, got up, and put on the bathrobe and slippers.
Simone was in the kitchen doing the dishes.
‘Good morning,’ Emily said.
‘Good morning. Did you sleep okay?’
‘Like a log. That is such a comfortable bed.’
‘That’s good to hear.’
‘I’ll help you with those,’ Emily said, ‘I just need to use the loo first.’
‘There were hardly any; they’re almost done.’
When she came out Simone was nowhere in sight so Emily went back to her room, dressed in the same clothes as last night, put on her runners, and draped her hoodie over her arm. She emerged to find Simone wearing track pants with a matching zip-up hoodie and a plain baseball cap.
‘You look like you’re keen for a walk. I was just coming to check.’
‘Yep, ready to go,’ Emily said. ‘I usually go in the mornings at home.’ She slipped her arms into her hoodie and then zipped it up.
‘Great. I want to pick up some croissants for breakfast. There’s a lovely little bakery-café around a ten-minute walk away.’
‘What a lovely street,’ Emily said, as they walked along the tree-lined pavement past row after row of single-storey terraces. ‘I can’t believe how close to the city you are,’ she added, gazing up with awe at the skyscrapers looming above them.
‘It really is the perfect spot; it only takes twenty minutes to walk right into the Bourke Street Mall. Not that I do all that often.’
‘Gorgeous old houses,’ Emily said.
‘Yes, hard to believe they were once workers’ cottages. I was lucky I got in when I did. Prices have skyrocketed in the past few years.’
They turned left at the end of the long street and approached a café where a mass of lycra-clad men and women sat around small tables sipping at cups. Groups of bicycles leant against walls, trees, or lay in jumbled piles on the ground barely off the footpath. This was something Emily had never seen outside the one bakery-café at home. She smiled and almost laughed out loud at picturing how the old biddies of Wattle Creek would react to such a scene.
They would stand about tut-tutting for a while before someone was dispatched to speak to the local police officer – being as it was outside of council office hours. Upon being informed it was not a criminal matter, they would then set up a committee to raise funds for a bike rack to deal with this dangerous blight on the street – all before the first latte was consumed inside. That was how things were done in a small town; everyone minding everyone else’s business.
They stepped inside onto the black and white chequered tiles and joined the end of the queue.
Emily’s mouth had been watering for a croissant since Simone had mentioned that’s what they were having for breakfast. Croissants were few and far between in Wattle Creek, and she hoped the bakery wouldn’t run out. While they waited, she glanced around the sea of French-style ornate wrought-iron tables and chairs. What she couldn’t believe was how many fit-looking people – dressed in proper bike riding gear – were tucking into big breakfasts.
I suppose they must burn it all off on the bikes.
Then Simone was turning away from the counter carrying a large paper bag with a few spots of grease already seeping through.
With all the constant small shuffles forward that she’d been making with everyone else, Emily hadn’t realised how close to the counter Simone had got. She’d wanted to pay for the croissants. That was what house guests did, right? Oh well, she pushed the thought aside. She made a mental note to mention the airfares later.
Outside, Emily breathed in the fresh air.
‘Phew,’ Simone said. ‘I’d forgotten just how busy it gets on a Saturday morning – I tend to come down here later if I do; usually just stay home to read the paper.’
‘Someone should tell them they’re undoing their exercise with all the bacon and eggs,’ Emily said, as they turned back into Simone’s street.
‘Yes, and how ridiculous do middle-aged men with pot bellies look in lycra?’
Emily laughed and shook her head.
As they got closer to Simone’s cottage, her heart began to flutter; soon she would see Jake.
Right on the dot of nine, there was a tap at the front door. Emily’s heart leapt into her mouth. She’d been sitting at the table reading the paper, constantly checking her watch and getting more anxious and excited as the hands moved closer to nine o’clock. And now he was here.
Simone put the tray of croissants in the oven and went to let Jake in. Emily stayed where she was, listening to their voices as they greeted each other. Jake sounded tired and flat, not at all like his usual jovial self.<
br />
At first he didn’t see her when he entered the room just behind Simone. God, he looks so thin, Emily thought, and pale and drawn. She stood up, and he stopped dead in his tracks, gaping.
‘Hi Jake,’ she said, her legs suddenly feeling weak. She dipped her head shyly.
‘Jake, darling, I think you know Emily,’ Simone said, giving him a gentle push forward. He strode towards Emily and then gathered her into his arms. His grip was not nearly as firm as she remembered; everything about him seemed wan.
‘What are you doing here? I didn’t know if I’d ever see you again,’ he whispered into her hair. Then he was silent and Emily could feel his chest shuddering. Was he crying?
‘It’s okay, Jake. It’s not your fault,’ she whispered. As she did, she realised how ambiguous her words were – though very apt. She felt her own eyes fill with tears, and her throat constrict. She took her hand from his back and stroked his hair. ‘Simone called and told me what happened. I wanted to be here for you.’
‘Oh God, I’ve been such a fool. Look at me, I’m a blubbering mess,’ Jake said, releasing her a little. He kissed her softly, and then held her by her shoulders at arm’s length, gazing at her.
Emily’s heart twisted painfully as she studied his eyes, which had none of the mischievous twinkle she’d been so taken with the first time they’d met. The pain and anguish of the past week had taken their toll.
‘Thank you for being here – it means a lot,’ he said, kissing her on the forehead and then releasing her. He dragged the sleeve of his navy blue light knitted jumper across his face.
‘And thank you, Sim,’ he said, offering his sister a wan smile and giving her a hug. ‘Can I help you with breakfast?’
‘No, it’s all sorted. You guys sit. Back in a sec.’ Simone winked at Emily before disappearing into the kitchen.
Jake and Emily sat, and he reached across the table and took hold of both of her hands.
‘You really are a sight for sore eyes, Em. I’m sorry I left so abruptly. I called that night, but I wasn’t sure what to say. And then it all got a bit… God knows what you must have thought.’
‘It’s okay, Jake. I behaved badly. I’m sorry I was so touchy about you asking about my life with John. It’s just that I want to make a fresh start and not dwell on it.’
‘I understand that. I was really just trying to understand you better so I’d know how to treat you…’
‘Just be yourself Jake. We all have a history. How we are together is what matters. So what’s been going on?’
He sat staring at the table and fiddling with the butter knife set in front of him.
‘Well I’m sure Simone filled you in on most of it – that one of our subcontractors was killed?’
Emily nodded.
‘Thankfully we weren’t at fault. I can’t imagine how the poor scaffolding people are feeling,’ he said, shaking his head. ‘But it is my fault he was there; he was working on one of our sites. I didn’t know him very well – had only met him a couple of times – but he seemed like a good guy. It seems to have hit me rather hard,’ he offered with a helpless shrug.
‘I wish I’d been here for you.’
‘I wish so too, but that’s my fault for not confiding in you. At least you’re here now.’
‘Thanks to Simone,’ Emily said. ‘She’s great; we’ve really hit it off.’
‘I’m so glad; she’s really very special to me,’ he said quietly, with a smile that was more of a grimace.
‘I can see why. You’re both so lucky to have each other.’
Jake didn’t say anything. He continued to stare at the table. Emily’s heart ached to bring him out of whatever it was; put the light back in his eyes again. But she didn’t have any idea how. Would it just take time?
‘Are you going to the funeral?’
‘I don’t think I can.’
‘Simone and I think it might be a good idea if you did – you know, for closure. It does help, you know.’
‘Hmm. I guess.’
‘You don’t have to talk to anyone. And it’ll be hard, but I think you’ll regret it if you don’t at least go and pay your respects.’
‘Will you come with me?’ he asked, looking back up at her, his face clouded. Emily’s heart wrenched; he looked like a sad, fearful little boy.
‘Of course, if you want me to.’
Just then Simone entered wearing an oven mitt and carrying a tray with three slightly browned croissants on it. In her other hand she held a large plunger of coffee.
‘Tuck in while they’re hot. There’s plenty more in the kitchen, so don’t hold back. There’s sliced cheese and ham and plenty of jam. None of Emily’s though, I’m afraid,’ she added.
‘How is the jam-making business, Em?’ Jake asked, putting a croissant on his plate. He unscrewed the lid from a jar of blackberry jam.
‘Not happening at all, actually. I did make a small batch after you left, but I’ve run out of fruit now and… Oh God, so much has happened. I’d completely forgotten you didn’t know.’
‘Know what? What’s been going on?’
‘Well, the house project is no longer, I’m afraid, after you went to all the trouble doing the lovely drawings. And I’ve moved back to the farm.’
Simone poured three mugs of coffee.
‘God, what happened?!’
‘The Baker brothers died suddenly last week – an accident on the farm – and they hadn’t changed their wills to reflect our arrangement. You remember that woman who turned up when you and Elizabeth were visiting that first time? Tara Wickham, the financial planner?’
‘Yes.’
‘Well, it turns out she’s their main beneficiary. She turfed me out – didn’t want a bar of selling the house and twenty acres.’
‘But you had a deal with them,’ Jake said.
‘With only their signatures on it. We had verbally agreed to going ahead with the actual sale after the subdivision had gone through. Yes, I was an idiot not to have it all done properly,’ she added with a helpless shrug. God, just how many times do I have to admit this out loud? Enough already. She almost rolled her eyes.
‘Ah, yes, I remember. But why did she make you leave so soon? Surely she would have wanted the rent while she was sorting things out.’
‘You’d think, wouldn’t you? But no, apparently not. And she wanted me out so soon because, and I quote, “I don’t like you.”’
Emily blushed slightly. It was embarrassing, even more so saying it out loud. She wished now she hadn’t said it. What must they think of me?
‘Really? That’s terrible. I don’t like the sound of her at all,’ Simone said.
‘God, Em, I’m so sorry. And it’s probably all my fault. Remember how I got into it that day with her? Oh, I feel terrible.’
‘Don’t. It was just a healthy debate, if I recall. And she probably doesn’t even remember it.’
‘Well, we don’t know what else is going on in her life,’ Jake said thoughtfully.
‘Whatever it is, there’s no need to take it out on Emily,’ Simone said. ‘So you just moved out, when she told you to? You’re more tolerant than me. I would have dug my heels in and said, “Make me!”’ She let out a little laugh.
‘I thought about it. But being in a small town… It’s a bit complicated, but she could have made my life a bit difficult, and I’ve been the focus of enough gossip lately. It’s a long story,’ she added wearily. ‘I’m disappointed, of course, because I really loved the place and was so looking forward to doing it up – with Jake’s help.’
‘Well, lucky you had the farm to move back to. So John’s parents were okay with all that in the end?’ Jake asked, looking a little sceptical.
‘Yes. I finally told them about the separation and everything. I fully expected them to contest the will or something. Which would be completely understandable given the circumstances. But they were amazing. Really supportive, actually.’
Simone looked puzzled.
‘My
estranged husband – Jake probably told you he died recently,’ Emily explained to Simone. ‘Well it turned out he hadn’t got around to telling his parents we’d split up, or changing his will. It was all looking a little messy there for a while,’ Emily explained.
‘Golly. And I thought living in the country was supposed to be the quiet life,’ Simone said, shaking her head with amazement. ‘Sounds like a lot more goes on out there than here in the big smoke!’
‘It does sound a bit melodramatic, doesn’t it? I think – well, I hope – things will settle down for me now.’
‘Yes, hear hear,’ Jake agreed.
Emily smiled at them. ‘Thanks.’
‘But oh, Em, I’m sorry that I haven’t been there for you either. But at least you had Barbara. Sim, Emily’s friend Barbara is an absolute brick; you’d love her, right Em?’
‘Er, yep,’ Emily said, trying to avoid eye contact.
‘What, has something happened to her? Are she and David okay?’
‘We just had a bit of a falling out, that’s all. It’s okay now, but…I behaved like an idiot there too, I’m afraid.’
‘Well, these things happen. As long as it’s all been sorted out now.’
Emily nodded. ‘Yes, actually, that’s where Grace is.’
‘And how is the lovely Grace?’ Jake brightened a little more at mention of the dog, and a smidgen more colour entered his cheeks.
‘She’s great,’ Emily said, smiling warmly. ‘Simone, you should have seen these two together; they got on like a house on fire,’ she said, ripping a piece from her croissant. She slathered jam on it and put it into her mouth.
Simone slapped her hands down on the table as if she’d suddenly had a good idea. ‘I know,’ she said, ‘why don’t you go back with Emily, Jake, recuperate in the fresh country air for a few weeks, play with the dog, do some photography? You’re not much use at work at the moment anyway,’ she added.
He looked sideways at Simone. ‘Thanks a lot.’
‘Seriously, you need some time away from everything. What do you say?’
‘I’d love to. But, um, I haven’t been invited,’ he said.
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