“I have been doing freelance work, Dad.”
“I’ve been working on something that I think will be a pleasant surprise for you.”
Paula looked anxiously at her father. Not another surprise.
Diane turned back with a bottle in her hand and passed it to her husband. “Someone gave you this for your birthday. I don’t know what it’s like.”
“It will be fine. Are you two coming back? I can’t tell you any more about my little surprise, Paula, but I’m sure you’ll be happy with the result.” He went back to the lounge, whistling as he walked.
Paula remembered her father’s last bombshell and looked at her mother in despair.
“Don’t ask me, I don’t know what he’s up to,” she said.
“He always interferes, Mum. I can’t take any more of his meddling. That financial agreement he organised back at the farm was so embarrassing. I cast a look over it the other day. He wanted us to sign a document saying neither of us would lay claim to whatever finances and investments we had as individuals before we were married. How could he treat Dan and me so badly?”
“Darling, don’t get upset. He thought he was helping.”
“Well, he’s not. Don’t make coffee for me. It’s getting late and I think I’ll go to bed. Say goodnight to the others for me.” Paula ignored the worried look on her mother’s face and strode to her room. She was on an emotional roller-coaster and she didn’t know which way to roll.
She lay in bed, awake, long after she’d heard her sisters leave and her parents go to bed. She was tired but she couldn’t sleep. Reflected light from outside crept around the curtains. She’d got used to the total dark of night at the farm.
Dan’s phone call had reminded her that she was really only on holiday. Sooner or later, she would have to go back to the farm. She didn’t know if she could face it without clearing the air between them. Dan had said they needed to talk. But when it came down to it, Paula was afraid. Afraid of what he might say and fearful of how she would deal with it. Did she love him enough or had she been in love with a fairy tale?
In the early hours of the morning she finally fell asleep.
* * *
“What are you going to do today?”
Diane was fussing around in the kitchen while Paula picked at a late breakfast. After a restless night Paula had slept in and now she felt washed out.
“I don’t know. Perhaps I’ll go for a walk down to the bay.” The Crawford house was only a few blocks away from the beach but Paula hadn’t been there since she’d come home.
“I’ll be out most of the day. I’ve got a hair appointment then a card afternoon at Marcia Hann’s. I’m sure we could fit another one in, if you wanted to come.”
“No thanks, Mum. I’ll be fine.” Paula forced a smile. “How about I cook dinner?”
“That’d be lovely, darling. There’s all sorts in the fridge. Sorry to leave you.”
“Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine. You have a good day.”
Paula waved her mother off and the phone rang in the hall behind her.
“Hello.”
“Paula?” Dara’s voice floated over the airwaves. “I’m glad I’ve got you. I’ve been trying your mobile number with no luck. Rowena gave me your parents’ number as well.”
Paula glanced around. “My phone’s in the bedroom. I didn’t hear it. How are you?”
“Wonderful. I wanted to let you know we’ve taken several bookings for the B & B and Chris has managed to transform the shop already and he’s only been at it for a few days. We want to have an official opening but we want you to be here. Rowena wasn’t sure when you were coming back and I can’t reach Dan, he’s never home. I hope you won’t be away too long. He needs someone to make him stop and smell the roses.” Dara’s light laugh tinkled from the phone.
“Tell me about the shop, Dara. What’s Chris done?”
“He’s extended the counter into a large L shape with room for a food display case. We’ve rearranged the whole shop floor and set the furniture at different angles so it looks more like a home than a cafe. I can’t wait for you to see it. When will you be back so we can organise the party?”
“I’m not sure, I’m only just starting to feel better.” Paula picked up a pen and twiddled it in her fingers.
“Oh, you poor thing. That flu has knocked lots of people for six already this winter.”
“Have you planned a menu?”
“Yes, but I’ll need to buy crockery, glassware and cutlery. Most of my customers have taken their food away in the past. I’m not stocked for dining in.”
“I’m sure I included that in the initial set-up costs.”
“You did, but I haven’t had a chance to get to the city and there’s still so much to do here.”
Paula thought of the contacts she had in Sydney. “Would you like me to look for you? I could send you some pictures and prices.”
“Would you? Paula, that would be great. You know the kind of thing that would suit. And you know my budget.” Once again Dara’s laugh tinkled in Paula’s ear.
“I’d love to. Give me a couple of days and I’ll get back to you.”
“I’d better go.”
“Bye, Dara.” Paula felt better than she had for weeks. Maybe her father was right; she did need something to exercise her brain. She picked up the pad from the side table and began to write.
* * *
By the end of the week her initial excitement at helping Dara had faded. She’d visited a couple of places she knew stocked the kind of equipment Dara needed but she couldn’t shake the bouts of queasiness and lethargy that would sweep over her.
She’d tried to deny it but she was beginning to feel the same way she had after her breakup with Marco. She wasn’t sleeping well and she had no appetite. Her nightly phone conversations with Dan were brief and unsatisfying and only left her feeling more miserable. Paula was desperate not to sink as low as she had in the past. She decided to take her mother’s advice and visit the doctor.
Dr Belinda Markham had been their family doctor for as long as Paula could remember. She had a light and airy office a few streets away in an old house. The consulting room was more like a small living room with comfortable chairs and paintings on the wall instead of medical posters. The examination room was separate, through another door. Paula always felt it was like visiting her at home.
It was Belinda who had helped her through the dark days after Marco. Another doctor would have given her a script for antidepressants and sent her home but not Belinda. She preferred to try more natural approaches first and the meditation and relaxation techniques along with exercise had certainly worked for Paula back then.
Belinda welcomed Paula and listened carefully to her. She was well into her sixties and a few extra lines etched her face but her sharp gaze missed nothing. When Paula had finished she sat back in the soft leather chair and felt as if a weight had lifted from her shoulders.
Belinda studied her over the top of her purple-framed reading glasses for a moment before she spoke.
“I haven’t met your husband but from what you’ve told me, he’s not like Marco. You went through a tough time back then and I can understand your fear that this relationship may fail, but it’s not the same. By the sound of it, Dan’s communication skills could do with some improvement. In a strong relationship, that’s usually a two-way street.” Belinda took her glasses off and looked searchingly at Paula. “There isn’t a pill I can give you for that.”
Paula shifted in her seat but remained silent. Belinda picked up her glasses, replaced them on her nose and glanced at the computer screen where she’d entered some notes. “I’m more concerned with your physical symptoms. You’ve been unwell on and off for over a month now. I want to examine you and do some tests and we’ll see what that reveals.”
Paula followed Belinda into the examination room. She was sure there was nothing wrong with her body. The flu and pneumonia had long gone. Belinda was barking up the w
rong tree this time.
CHAPTER
28
Paula’s mobile rang for a long time. Dan waited anxiously listening to the tone echoing down the line and prayed that she would answer. He didn’t want to use her parents’ landline and run the risk of talking to anyone else until he had spoken to her. Then the rest of her family could tear him to shreds if they wanted. As long as he straightened things out with Paula, he didn’t care.
She had been gone over two weeks. It was time she came home and they sorted things out between them.
“Hello.” A smooth male voice answered. “This is Paula’s phone, Marco speaking.”
Dan hesitated. Marco? That was the name of Paula’s old boyfriend.
“Hello? You’ve got Paula’s phone,” Marco repeated.
“I’d like to speak to Paula, please.”
“May I say who’s calling?”
“Dan.” He paused for a moment. “I’m her husband.”
“Just a moment.” Marco didn’t miss a beat and Dan heard the crackle as he covered the mouthpiece. Why would he be with Paula? Dan hadn’t imagined there would be any major obstacles preventing his wife from coming home. Once he explained everything he felt sure she would understand what a fool he’d been and forgive him. If only he’d been honest with her, right from the start.
“Are you there, Dan?” Marco’s oiled tones oozed to Dan’s ear.
“Yes.”
“She’s not available at the moment. Can I take a message?”
Dan hadn’t planned what he’d do if Paula didn’t answer. At this time of the day he had hoped it would only be her or Diane at home. Perhaps Paula was there but she wouldn’t take his call. Another male voice murmured in the background.
“Are you still there, Dan?” Marco asked. “Rex would like to speak with you.”
Dan hung up the phone.
* * *
Paula walked up the path between beautifully manicured shrubs to her parents’ front door then stopped. She’d noticed her father’s car was in the drive. She didn’t know how she was going to cope with the bombshell Belinda had just delivered and she didn’t want to face him right now.
Rex opened the door immediately as if he’d been watching for her. “Good, you’re home. I’ve got to get back to work. Your mother’s over at Susan’s, some crisis or other with Rupert. There’s a visitor here to see you.”
“Who is it?”
“I’m running late.” Rex pushed past her. “Can you tell your mother I’ll be late home tonight?”
“Dad?”
He gave her a mysterious smile and a wave, got into his car and backed down the drive.
“Damn,” Paula muttered under her breath. She didn’t want to see anyone. Who could it be?
She walked down the hall to the lounge room. A man stood with his back to her, looking out the huge picture window taking in the view out to the harbour. Paula froze in the doorway as he turned.
“Hello, Paula darling.” Marco’s smooth smile changed to a look of alarm as Paula slumped against the doorframe. He rushed to her side and took her arm. “I always knew I had the power to make women faint but I thought I’d lost my touch with you.”
“I’m not going to faint, Marco.” Paula pulled her arm from his grip. “I was surprised. You were the last person I expected to see.”
“I’m here at your father’s request.” Marco stood back, now with the ruthless look that Paula had learned always lurked just beneath his smile.
“Whatever my father has cooked up with you, I don’t want to know about it.”
“I wouldn’t exactly say I’m happy about it either but your father drives a hard bargain. Let’s say he made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.”
“I don’t want anything to do with it, whatever it is.”
“I think you will.” The smooth smile was back. He pulled an envelope from his jacket pocket and waved it at her. “I’ve recently sold the apartment that we so happily shared.”
“Good for you.” Paula lifted her chin and glared at him. “But if you’ve come here to gloat on the money you cheated me out of, forget it. I’ve long since gotten over it…and you.”
“Darling, you are tense. I must say your farmer sounded a bit that way too.”
Paula frowned. “You’ve spoken to Dan?”
“Only briefly. Your phone was ringing and ringing so I answered it.”
Paula patted her pocket then remembered she’d gone off and left it on the charger.
“He didn’t leave a message. Don’t tell me all is not well on the land.”
“My life is of no concern to you.”
“Too true, my darling. You had your chance with me and you blew it.” He threw up his hands, the envelope gripped tightly. “As I tried to tell you, your father has convinced me to share my profits. Although the apartment was mine, I guess I do owe you something for services rendered.” He thrust the envelope at her. “Enjoy.”
Paula didn’t move until his footsteps faded and the front door closed. In the silence that followed she slowly opened the envelope. She blinked and looked again at the bank cheque she held in her trembling fingers. She knew the apartment had been a good investment but had never imagined she would see any money from it, certainly not a sum that large. She slumped down into a chair and closed her eyes. Two shocks in one day, she didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
* * *
Paula heard the distant knocking on the door and in her sleepy state thought it must be her father coming home. Then she heard it again, followed by the low murmur of her father’s voice and the more anxious tones of her mother. She glanced at her bedside clock. It was nearly midnight. She’d gone to bed soon after dinner and she must have fallen into a deep sleep. She hadn’t heard her father come home. Who would be calling at this hour?
There was more distant murmuring of voices, then her mother was tapping on her door. “Paula, are you awake? Dan’s here.”
Paula sat up and snapped on the lamp. “What’s happened?”
Diane peered at her from the doorway. “Nothing, he’s come to see you. Didn’t you know he was flying in? What a lovely surprise!”
In the harsh light of the kitchen, Dan gave Paula a brief hug and for the sake of her watching parents she let him but she remained stiff in his arms and his kiss only brushed her cheek. Rex ushered his wife back to bed and left them alone. Paula turned her back on her mother’s worried glances and looked at Dan. His hair was shorter but still tousled and he had a dark shadow of stubble around his chin. Her heart thumped at the sight of him. He was wearing the navy jumper her sisters had given him. It deepened the blue of his eyes which were now watching her guardedly.
There was an awkward silence then he stepped towards her, reaching out his hand. “Paula.”
She took a tiny step back and turned away towards the bench where her mother kept her kettle. “Would you like a tea or coffee?”
“Coffee, please.”
Paula kept her back to him but she could sense he hadn’t moved. If she let him hold her again it would be her undoing.
Seeing him standing in her parents’ kitchen had been a shock and her first reaction had been to want to throw herself into his arms. She longed for his kisses and his reassurance and ached for his body. She knew clearly in her mind that she loved him.
The jolt of Marco’s visit had reminded her why she had ended that relationship. The love she and Dan had was different but there were too many hidden secrets between them, and now she had another. She didn’t know how Dan would cope with the news Belinda had given her today. Paula was preparing herself for the fact that she may have to face the uncertain future alone.
They sat opposite each other at the small kitchen table. The last time they had sat here had been the day before their wedding. She recalled the excitement she felt that day, the anticipation of their future together, and now it had come to this. Paula took a sip of her tea and watched Dan realign the table runner.
She broke the silen
ce. “How’s Rowena?”
“Good, she sent you her love.” He shifted the runner again.
“How’s Bruce getting on?”
“Doing too much too soon according to Jane but he’s okay.” Dan shifted the little vase of flowers that sat in the middle of the runner.
“How’s everything on the farm?”
“Okay, better if we had a decent rain. We’ve only had a bit.”
Bloody hell, thought Paula, next he’ll be telling me how many points, or was it mils, there had been.
“We’ve only had five mils since you left —”
Dan stopped as Paula clapped a hand over her mouth.
He frowned. “Are you feeling okay?”
“Dan, I’m sure you haven’t come all this way to tell me the rainfall. It’s late. Why have you come?” She knew she was being harsh but she was sick of talking in circles.
He looked at her as if she’d slapped him. “Bloody hell, Paula. I’ve come because I love you and I want you to come home with me. We can’t sort out the differences between us if we’re half a continent apart.” He dragged his fingers through his hair. “I don’t know how to start. There are things I should have told you before we were married. They didn’t seem important then and I thought I could deal with them and they wouldn’t matter to our relationship but Rowena has made me realise that’s not fair.”
He picked up his coffee cup and put it down again without drinking from it then he moved the runner again. Paula didn’t speak. He’d come this far and she didn’t want to stop him. Even if the truth was hard to bear she wanted to hear it rather than continue with the versions she had conjured up.
“I’m so sorry about Tarzan.”
Paula bit her lip.
“It was an accident. I wouldn’t intentionally hurt any creature, Paula.”
Tears welled in her eyes. This was not the topic she’d expected him to start with.
“You must think I’m a monster —”
“I don’t.” She cut him off. “It was a shock and I wasn’t well and…with everything else, it was the last straw.”
A Chance of Stormy Weather Page 32