Unexpected Delivery

by Leanne Lovegrove

  Laughing so much through lunch, Vivienne’s cheeks ached. Despite this, nothing could shift her smile. Observing the antics of those jam-packed around the table, made her heart swell.

  She hadn’t known these people, but they’d entered her life, and she theirs and she hoped, now, they were in it together. Joined by all nature of forces, it sure was a motley crew. But each cared deeply for the person sitting next to them or across or at the other end of the long, oak, dining table in the bright and joyous confines of Bunyatree.

  As heads of the table respectively, she and Daniel shared it with Ned and Ruby, Ruby’s sons Jackson and Harris; Daniel’s parents Robert and Priscilla; Bec and Todd; and of course, rascals Sarina, Colton, Tom, Riley and Gigi. To have her family celebrating with Daniel’s was the icing on the cake.

  Friendships formed immediately and intelligent conversation flowed. In number they formed a crowd but it was precious enough to be intimate. The taboo subjects of politics, sex and religion were all covered in the first ten minutes whilst children ripped open presents.

  Delighted, Vivienne rubbed her own bloated belly—it and her heart was full today. Daniel continued to munch on kale salad, only scraps remaining.

  She’d sweated on lunch. Firstly, she couldn’t cook and secondly, it had to be the first meal to prepare for Daniel’s family and loved ones. The pressure!

  Whilst the Beckett trio had warmly embraced her, she reminded herself everyday that she wasn’t Colton and Sarina’s mother and didn’t want to replace her, actually the opposite, she wanted Sarah’s memory to remain vivid.

  Planning lunch, she’d asked Sarina and Colton what dishes their mother had cooked for Christmas lunch.

  They’d looked at her dumbfounded.

  “I don’t know,” Colton shrugged. “Ham and chicken and bread and pudding, all the usual things,” he’d pleaded for Sarina’s help but she failed to aid his efforts.

  “Grandma makes the cake.”

  “Okay, yes, great. She can do that. A fruit cake?”

  Sarina nodded, pleased she’d helped after all.

  “Just make whatever you want,” Colton added like a typical man despite his six years.

  Daniel had been worse.

  In the end it was Priscilla, Daniel’s mother, who counselled her and prevented her sink into murky waters.

  Priscilla advised, dryly but not unkindly, that Sarah’s signature dish was roast chicken and pasta salad. She had to cook meat! The sensation of wanting to vomit as she basted the chicken had not subsided easily, but she’d done it.

  Bec told her to stop being silly, it was just food after all, and who really cared? That woman could be so annoying at times.

  Now, sated, she sat back recalling her stress and anxiety and almost laughed out loud. What a relief it had been to learn that everyone contributed a dish! Priscilla, on a health kick, bought along the kale salad and cold hams with all rind removed; Bec and Todd had mixed it up with a fried rice and fancy salmon terrine; Ruby Wallace, the potato salad (with no added bacon and veggie patties for her son who was, too, a vegetarian). Vivienne had welcomed his like—company amongst the devoted meat eaters. And, Ned had delivered a whole turkey, the mystery of its cooking not yet revealed.

  Knowing when she’d reached her culinary limit, Vivienne outsourced the desserts-excepting the famous Christmas fruitcake, of course—from a local bakery business who were ecstatic with the big order right before shutting for the holiday season.

  And what a spread it was! Christmas-themed pudding and cupcakes and biscuits and just for something different crème brulee and lemon meringues. She’d overdone it, they’d be eating leftover sweets into New Year.

  But, finally, Vivienne could relax. Everyone had been fed, drinks flowed freely and laughs abounded.

  This was the Christmas she’d dreamed of as a child.

  Caught unawares, memories of her own mother flooded to the surface and threatened to suffocate her. Rising, she flounced about, rushing to grab dirty plates and dishes to make a brief exit to the kitchen. Like any good mother and long-term housewife, Priscilla made to assist. So often, the work of one woman became the work of many.

  Keeping her head down, Vivienne scraped and cleaned and packed the dishwasher, alone in her thoughts. Priscilla travelled back and forth making the pile larger until the benches were covered.

  “Goodness! What a mess we’ve made. Always the sign of a good feast, I say.”

  Vivienne didn’t respond, nervous the wobble in her voice would give her away. She kept loading dirty dishes and wondering where Bec had gotten to as perhaps she could take over?

  A soft touch to her shoulder stopped Vivienne, a bowl crusty with meringue in her hand.

  Vivienne turned toward Priscilla. The tears she’d willed to stay hidden, ran freely.

  “What is it, dear?” the older woman asked in concern.

  Priscilla did not resemble her own mother. Where her mother had been short, Priscilla was taller. Henrietta had been rounder, Priscilla slim at the hips with short, edgy black hair, cut to the line of her ears. Large, gold hoops hung flamboyantly from her small ears, her dress and makeup impeccable.

  The stark difference caused Vivienne to cry harder. Why? Even she didn’t understand.

  Whilst her mother had looked aged and wore a craggy face like the outcrop of a cliff, Priscilla had smooth, clear skin. Looking at it, Vivienne longed to run her fingers over it, to stroke its suppleness.

  Shouts of hilarity rang loud from the dining room with voices raised in good cheer.

  Priscilla waited patiently, her face a patchwork of concern.

  Warmth radiated out of Priscilla so that Vivienne, usually so guarded and shut, felt compelled to open up.

  “I was just thinking about my mother . . ” Vivienne sobbed saying the words.

  “Where is she, honey, couldn’t she make it today?”

  “She’s dead. She died four years ago.”

  “I’m so sorry. I didn’t realise, come here.” Priscilla drew her into an enveloping embrace.

  Her mouth close to Vivienne’s ear, she kept talking. “I remember losing my mother too, not that long ago now. She was old, of course, very different but I was devastated. Despite having my own gorgeous family, I felt like an orphan, that I’d been cast adrift and left all alone. Do you have other family, other siblings?”

  Vivienne shook her head.

  “Only, Bec, here of course,” Priscilla murmured. “I thought my mother’s death was bad, but, oh dear, when I lost my poor Jessica, the world did come crashing down. I thought I would never recover . . .”

  Vivienne pulled back to face the woman.

  “Priscilla, I am so sorry.” Vivienne frantically wiped her face of tears. “Here I am blubbering on and you lost your daughter, nothing compares to that.”

  “No,” she said matter of fact. “Nothing does, but you don’t know and let’s hope you never experience that pain.” She offered a flashy smile, all sparkle and glamour. “And that doesn’t make your own pain any less real or hurt any less than mine.”

  “And, Daniel, too of course,” Vivienne said. “Losing wives and children doesn’t compare. I just got overwhelmed with the volume of people and family and friends and wished that she’d been here too.”

  “Of course, child, she would have loved it, been so proud of you. Would she have liked my Daniel?” she asked with a glint in her eye.

  “Yes, she would have. She would have appreciated his strength being used for good, for his skills at repairing objects and making things and for keeping me safe.”

  “Yes,” Priscilla agreed. “He’s all those things and more. I must confess when I saw you crying I worried, as mothers do I suppose, that you thought you didn’t fit in, perhaps we were all too overwhelming or you didn’t like us, fancy that. So, I’m sorry you are sad, but I’m relieved also that you don’t want to high-tail it out of here!” Priscilla chuckled and being infectious, Vivienne joined in.

  At that moment, Bec
entered.

  “What’s going on? What am I missing out on?”

  Priscilla pulled Bec into their tight circle. “Vivienne needs a large dose of family love and I think we are just the ones to deliver it.” Adopting a serious tone, she continued, “Vivienne, Daniel is a good man, loyal, stubborn, strong-willed but solid and trustworthy. He’s been dreadfully sad and lost since Sarah died, made all the worse because he blamed himself. He deserves to live again, to laugh and have fun. I’ve observed the way he looks at you with that intensity. He hasn’t shown interest in much for a long time. I think the two of you can be a fantastic, mature team and offer tremendous support to one another.”

  Vivienne interrupted. “Do you know the history of how we met?”

  Priscilla nodded. “None of that matters, it’s all for the good now.”

  “Priscilla, you are a good woman and as much as our Vivienne stands alone, soldiers on, she needs another strong woman, a surrogate mother if you will and,” pointing her finger at Priscilla’s chest, “you are it. You are a wonder. If my own mother wasn’t so great, I’d foster you too!” Bec always said it plain.

  “What? Different mothers? Goodness, your family is full of stories, I cannot wait to hear the malicious gossip!”

  Priscilla leaned in and kissed Bec’s cheek just as Ruby entered the kitchen.

  “Lovely, Ruby, put those plates down, come here,” Priscilla ordered.

  Ruby did as she was bid.

  “Something wonderful has just occurred to me. Look here, I lost my daughter but I’ve now gained another one,” she smiled warmly at Vivienne, “and together, the four of us can be strong and brave and wonderful to each other and help whenever it’s needed. Ruby, you are alone in Rosebrooke, you can be my daughter too, and Vivienne your friend. You are both bold, courageous, resilient and intelligent women, you have so much in common. And, you, Bec, everything is just perfect for you, so you can be the guiding light, the one we aspire to be, to give us counsel and support from a position of happiness and trust and love.”

  “I’ve just got a brilliant idea!” declared Vivienne, “let’s start our own book club,” and with that the four women disintegrated into snorting laughter.

  ***

  As a group of four, they wiped down benches, cleaned tables, stacked dishes and made a coffee production line. All offers of help from the men present was declined. They were having too much fun.

  Sitting back in the living area, all the young children gathered around a freshly produced board game, its wrapping left discarded. The older boys, Harris and Jackson sat on the fringe dictating instructions from the sheets in their hands.

  “Lads, if you can just help out the little kids with this game, then after my coffee we’ll see what toys old Daniel has in his shed. Last time I snuck around in there, he might have had a Kawasaki peewee.” The boys’ eyes lit up in anticipation and read the rules faster.

  Ruby smiled at Ned.

  Vivienne sat down opposite her and Ned, Daniel on one side. He talked to Todd, but she placed a hand on his thigh, enjoying the warmth of his body and soaked up his presence. It comforted her, settled her beating heart and slowed the blood flowing through her veins; grounded her and she loved that.

  “Ruby, what brings you to Rosebrooke?”

  Ned clasped Ruby’s hand, but let her answer.

  “Work. I’m the principal at the local primary school, I have been transferred from Brisbane, but from the outer suburbs, not inner-city.”

  Vivienne nodded amiably, encouraging her to go on. As she spoke, Vivienne watched the dynamics between the two of them. Miniature fireworks exploded each time one spoke or touched the other; the powerful glances exchanged, the look of tenderness Ned had when she spoke, nodding quietly, agreeing, listening.

  This wasn’t the Ned she knew. He had a caustic wit, sarcasm was his friend and usually his lanky body followed his words, his legs tripping over his feet as he towered above everyone. The Ned gazing at Ruby had gained a soft edge, a protective side if she wasn’t mistaken.

  Ruby was small to his tall, had long dark hair to his short locks and whilst he was slim for a man, Ruby was round and huggable. Across the table over lunch, she’d heard her belly laugh several times. She seemed like a fun girl.

  “I requested the transfer. We all needed a fresh start. I’ve been divorced a few years now, and initially I wanted to remain close, in proximity that is, to the boys’ father. It was important that they were all able to maintain a close relationship and keep in touch and spend time together.”

  In that moment, Vivienne knew that she and Ruby would get along just fine.

  Before continuing Ruby patted Ned’s hand and looked to him, almost for reassurance.

  “Unfortunately, the boy’s father commenced a new relationship. He had another baby with this lady, his previous secretary at his accountancy firm, but let’s not get bitter,” she laughed hollowly, “and then the boys didn’t see him as much, he didn’t take them for weekends and everyone became angry and upset. Anyway, I think we all needed a fresh start and the boys love the outdoors and I love horses and hiking and I just thought it might be worth a try.”

  “How long have you been up here?” Vivienne asked.

  “It’s been twelve months now and we love it. It took a while for the boys to settle into school, they are at high school, of course, and we’ve chosen that they’ll attend on the coast, so there’s travel involved but when they are back on the mountain, they are always outside. I don’t have any issue with kids on electronics, they’d prefer to be outdoors.”

  “And,” Vivienne offered a cheeky smile, “how long have you two known each other?”

  They exchanged sweet, secretive looks. Vivienne thought it adorable and she grasped Daniel’s thigh so tight he looked at her quizzically.

  Ned spoke this time. “We’ve known each other for about three months. . .”

  “Three months! You sly devil, Edward!” Vivienne used his full name at the surprise.

  “Yep.” Ruby nodded.

  “We’d met a few times, it is a small community, Vivienne,” he spoke to her seriously, “but it actually all fell into place on the trivia night.”

  “The trivia night, how funny. It was a night full of surprises, that’s for sure,” Vivienne interjected again.

  “And since then, we’ve been out a few times, but mainly as a family.”

  “Ned has been great. It is a bit different dating someone with children and he’s accepted us as a whole unit and understood that to be with me he had to develop a relationship with the boys.”

  “So, it’s exceptionally fortuitous that Ruby has two young men that enjoy dirt biking, canoeing, anything outside actually. That reminds me, I must speak with Daniel about the footy team, they might want to join up and, you know, be part of the community spirit and all that stuff. Great way to meet people too.”

  “You two! That is just great. We’ll all have to meet up for a hike or for BBQ’s etc. Ruby you are always welcome here, plus Ned basically lives here, so if you can’t ever find him, he’s probably here!”

  “Ned’s told me about how you and Daniel found one another. Now, that’s a story!”

  “Yeah, it is. I think I’m almost at the point that it is a funny tale, but it’s taken me some time to get there.”

  “What’s happening with your job?” Ned asked. “Any prospects?”

  “No, I’m just taking one day at a time. It’s been great to have time off with the move and allowing me to organise my life. But Daniel and I have spent stacks of time on the business. He’s finally viewing it as a business that needs to make money, not just a farm or a dairy. We’ve got about four or five new products. Want to try?”

  Both agreed excitedly. Ned said, “I think I may have nibbled a few pieces before. They just looked so good, I couldn’t resist. Plus, Daniel’s been keeping it a secret from me, me!” he said indignantly, poking his chest. “I’ll let you know, Vivienne, that I’ve been his sounding board for
ever, and now you’re here, he doesn’t seem to require my opinion anymore...” His words drifted away, his trademark sarcasm still fresh.

  Vivienne added, “Oh, and when Robert arrived he handed me a leaflet about the law firm in town being for sale.” She shrugged. “I don’t know anything about it yet, but it might be worth investigating. I could run it and the business. Maybe I’m crazy, not sure, but there’s opportunity.”

  Turning away quickly, she said to Daniel, “Honey, let’s get out the product range and find out what everyone thinks?”

  “Sure,” he agreed and together they jumped up to return with a platter and various containers of newly labelled products.

  Daniel shushed everyone as they gathered around to see the display.

  “Okay, we thought we’d take the opportunity to demonstrate and get you to taste the food ideas we want to sell in the New Year. You are all aware that we’ve manufactured a small range of goods so far, but with a newly appointed business manager on board, she’s moved to introduce a greater variety and of course, increase profit. I must say, it’s been the best appointment I’ve made!”

  All chuckled and smiled at Vivienne. Daniel had his arms around her as he spoke.

  “So, this is what we’ve come up with. Finally, I’ve been persuaded to make low fat, skim and lactose free milk. I remain firmly of the view that the full fat variety is the only one that people should be drinking, but the public at large and those that buy large quantities of coffee, don’t agree with me, so here we are. I’d appreciate if those that prefer this sort of milk, taste it and let me know, is it palatable, sweet enough, creamy?”

  Little cups of milk were passed around.

  “Daniel, I’ve never agreed with the full fat philosophy, way too rich for me, but this skim is simply perfect, and I’m not just saying that because you’re my son!” Priscilla squealed. “I will have to try it in my coffee, though.”

  “Thanks, Mum, if you can just make sure you go out and buy it in the New Year, that would be great.”

  “I’ll let Vivienne talk about the cheeses.”

  Vivienne launched into a sales pitch of the four new cheeses: two hard, two soft that they had spent hours trialling. Along with that came the butter; Daniel had his way with that one—only full and creamy, no diet versions. They’d gotten so excited, they’d nervously ventured into the market of yoghurt and ice cream. The kids loved trying those.