Isabelle hated the sarcasm in her voice, but Alison’s face only held a look of compassion. She pulled her shoulders back and continued. ‘The other reason I’m not sleeping is the mice. We have mice in our roof and they keep me awake at night. Once I’m awake, it’s impossible to fall back to sleep.’
‘You should have said something earlier.’
‘I was too embarrassed.’ She felt her face heating up.
‘Don’t be, no one wants mice running around their roof.’
‘I was starting to wonder if I wasn’t up to country living.’
‘I’ll get Matt onto it tomorrow for you. He can lay some poison.’
‘Matt?’
‘Of course. He’d love to help you out. He’s that kind of guy.’
Isabelle raised her eyebrows but didn’t reply.
‘I hear you had a lovely dinner with him the other night, and that he’s going to take Fletcher and some of the other boys out mountain biking,’ Alison continued.
Isabelle blinked. ‘There’s that small town grapevine again. It must be working overtime since I arrived.’
‘Oh they’re not only talking about you, sweetie. There’s been lots of chatter going on since all the Peppercorn newcomers arrived in town. That’s only natural.’
Isabelle’s ears pricked up. If there was gossip about the other families, it might deflect attention away from her. Other than saying hello to the mothers in the school playground, Isabelle had yet to meet the families properly. She wasn’t deliberately being antisocial, but if she didn’t get involved in the community soon they’d think she was a snob. Worse, they might revoke her lease and send her packing. She understood the conditions of the lease as well as everyone else. She might get cheap rent, but she still needed to do her bit to fit into the community. Whatever her ‘bit’ was.
‘What sort of gossip?’ she asked.
‘Oh there’s been some murmuring about drugs.’
Isabelle frowned. ‘What do you mean? Like marijuana?’
‘More like methamphetamines, if you believe Matt. Apparently the ice plague is bigger than the problem we had with mice.’
‘It was a huge issue back in Geelong,’ Isabelle said. ‘I’ve never personally seen anyone affected, but the stories are horrific. It was always in the news.’
‘Then let’s hope the rumours aren’t true,’ Alison said.
‘Are people suggesting one of the new families are doing drugs?’
‘As I said, it’s the rumour mill working overtime. You know what people are like, Isabelle. It’s human nature to make up stories that sound better than the truth.’
Isabelle sighed. ‘But in my case, the truth is worse than anything anyone could make up.’
Alison leaned forward and patted Isabelle on the knee. ‘It will get easier, I promise you. So tell me, are you going to work now you’ve settled in and the kids are back at school?’
Isabelle hesitated. ‘I guess so, but to be honest I haven’t given it any thought.’
‘Well, I’m going to put this right here on the table,’ Alison said. ‘I’m getting older and I’m ready to retire. Geoff wants to buy a caravan and travel – you know, do the grey nomad thing and trek around Australia before he gets much older. He thinks it might be a good thing for his blood pressure.’ She laughed. ‘Mind you, I’m not sure what my blood pressure will be like having to put up with Geoff twenty four hours a day! I can’t imagine how he’ll go once he’s fully retired from the force.’
‘When does he retire?’
‘Any time. He’s waiting for me. Matt’s more than ready to take on the senior reins at the station. Although,’ she grimaced, ‘I don’t imagine it will be easy to entice another young bloke up to the country to take over Matt’s position once he steps up.’ Alison ran her fingers through her short hair. ‘I’m still not sure what brought Matt up here in the first place. He never talks about it. Anyway,’ she continued. ‘I want you to consider coming to work with me here in the clinic so I can go part time and plan my retirement.’
Isabelle drew her breath in sharply. ‘Oh Alison, I can’t.’
‘Give me one perfectly good reason why not.’
Isabelle sighed. ‘I’m not cut out to be a nurse anymore.’
‘Why not?’
Isabelle looked down at her lap and picked at a loose thread on her sundress. She crossed and uncrossed her bare legs before replying. ‘Daniel died because of me. He had a heart attack and I couldn’t save him. I did CPR, but he still died.’
‘Issie, sweetie. I had no idea. Do you want to talk about it?’
It all came out in a rush. Isabelle told Alison everything. She replayed the whole scene in her head and let the words spill out of her mouth, as the tears she kept locked up inside poured down her cheeks. She hadn’t cried properly in months – not since the day after the funeral. Her father had suggested she see a psychologist but she’d recoiled at the idea. She’d gone along to a grief support group once or twice, but had come away feeling more alone than ever.
‘I feel hollow inside,’ Isabelle said, wiping away her tears with a balled-up tissue she’d scrounged from the bottom of her handbag. ‘Like a part of me was washed away in the ocean with Dan. I feel like such a sham. As if I’m smiling on the outside, but inside I’m still screaming. Like Fletcher was screaming at me to save his dad.’ Isabelle blew her nose loudly on a fresh tissue Alison handed her. ‘It’s worse at night. I’m so alone. I try to pull myself back into the moment, but some nights I’m lost. If feel like I’m the one who’s having a heart attack.’
Alison nodded but remained silent, allowing her to continue. Isabelle was grateful.
‘And now there are times I forget Dan’s face. I can’t remember what his laugh sounds like.’ She drew in a ragged breath and a tiny sob escaped.
‘That’s normal, sweetie.’
‘But since I moved here there are flashes of light and colour, and I’m not sure I’m ready for it.’
Alison raised her eyebrows. ‘What do you mean?’
Isabelle was reminded again of how Matt’s hug in the doorway had made her feel. Like there was finally hope – hope and light at the end of a very long, dark tunnel. ‘The best way I can describe it is, it’s like I’ve been living in black and white since Dan died. Since I’ve come here, little cracks have opened up inside me and new life is trying to burst out. Or in. I can’t work it out.’
Alison smiled. ‘It sounds to me like the timing of this move has been perfect.’
‘But am I ready to nurse again?’ Isabelle shook her head. ‘I don’t think so.’
There was heavy silence between the two women and another question surfaced in Isabelle’s mind. Am I ready to love again?
Where had that come from?
‘I disagree,’ Alison said.
Disagree with what? Isabelle tried to clear her head. What had they been talking about?
‘This job isn’t stressful, and it would be perfect for you. Honestly, you’ll get to immunize kids, do basic wound dressings, and assist the doctors on the days they’re here. You’ll get kids with asthma, and the odd chest pain, which usually turns out to be heartburn. Then it’s basic things like helping the doctors syringe ears and do pap smears. Anything more serious and you send them to Booleroo. Simple.’
‘Don’t try to make it sound too glamorous,’ Isabelle said with a small chuckle.
‘Will you at least consider it? All I’m asking is you work two days a week to start with, and if you enjoy it and it fits in with the kids, we could maybe extend it to three days a week, with the view of you taking over from me fulltime when I retire. Of course you only have to work school hours, and only while the doctors are here.’
‘Can I think about it?’
‘What about you do a trial run for a couple of weeks and see how it goes? Give me your answer after that.’
‘Okay. I’ll do it.’ The words were out of Isabelle’s mouth before she realised.
‘That’s the spirit,�
� said Alison. ‘Now, let’s do those blood tests.’
Ten minutes later Isabelle was walking out of the clinic, holding the necessary paperwork to fill in before starting work the following Monday. It happened so fast there was no time to dwell on her decision.
She turned to Alison. ‘Promise me, please, you won’t breathe a word of this to anyone? Only Leah knows the whole story about Dan and how he died, and until I’m ready, I’d rather no one else knew the details.’
‘You have my word, I promise.’
Isabelle walked slowly home, wishing she could talk to Dan about her new job. But when she tried to conjure up his face, it was a different face that appeared.
Chapter 22
Matt was about to knock and enter when he remembered Isabelle’s door would be locked. He rang the bell, and within seconds footsteps scurried across the timber floorboards. The door opened, and Mietta stood there, beaming up at him. Warmth spread through him. She was the sweetest little girl.
‘Hi, Matt.’ Her head bobbed up and down, looking him over. ‘Why aren’t you wearing your policeman’s clothes?’
‘I don’t wear them every day.’ He put down the cardboard box he was carrying and squatted to Mietta’s eye level. ‘I didn’t wear them when I came over for dinner the other night, did I?’
‘Noooo,’ she drawled, ‘but I like it when you wear your policeman’s clothes.’
‘Perhaps I’ll wear them next time I come to visit,’ he said, standing up again. He was unsure whether to invite himself inside or not. There was no sign of Isabelle.
‘Do you sleep with your gun?’ Mietta whispered.
‘Noooo, I don’t,’ he mimicked, smiling when she giggled at him.
‘But what if the robbers come? Then you’ll need your gun.’
Matt chuckled. ‘We don’t have any robbers here in Stony Creek.’
‘Then if you’re not a robber, you can come in.’ She opened the door wider.
‘Why, thank you.’
He stepped inside the front door and closed it behind him, leaving his box forgotten on the front step.
‘You’re big,’ she said, staring up at him.
He smiled. ‘Yes, I guess I am.’
‘Like the Beast from Beauty and the Beast.’
He laughed heartily. ‘Yes, like the Beast. But I hope I’m not as mean as him.’
‘Oh, he wasn’t mean,’ she replied seriously. ‘He just didn’t know how to show his love to Belle.’
‘You’re right, sweetheart. The Beast loved Belle, but he didn’t know how to tell her.’
‘They lived happily ever after though, and that’s the main thing.’
‘That’s true,’ he agreed.
‘My daddy wasn’t as big as you. He was wiry.’
Wow, where had that come from? ‘Wiry?’ he asked. What an unusual word for a child.
‘That’s how Mummy describes him. Wiry.’ She repeated the word.
From behind the bathroom door, Isabelle called out. ‘Who was it, Mietta? Who was at the door?’
‘Is your mum in the bathroom?’ he whispered.
‘Yep! She’s taking a shower.’
Matt listened. Yes, indeed, Isabelle was taking a shower. He had a very pleasant mental image of her standing naked under the running water and he fought hard to control his thoughts, his emotions, his body.
‘Do you want to let Mummy know I’m here?’
Mietta bounded to the bathroom and burst in, swinging the door wide open. ‘Mummy! Matt’s here!’
The water shut off instantly. ‘Close the door, Mietta,’ Isabelle hissed, ‘and pass me my towel.’
There was no point pretending he wasn’t there. ‘Don’t rush, Issie. Enjoy your shower. I’ll go and put the kettle on and make myself at home.’
‘Okay,’ she yelled back.
Oh, how he wished he could see the look on her face. Seconds later, the shower started again. She probably still had soap or shampoo to rinse off. Again, the mental image was not one he needed right now, but he was a male after all. It was just as well Mietta was here.
‘Where’s Fletch?’ he asked her as she followed him out to the kitchen.
‘I think he’s still at school.’
Matt frowned. ‘He’s not in detention again, is he?’ He didn’t think Rachel was that strict she’d hold a detention on a Friday afternoon.
Mietta shook her head. ‘No, he’s playing basketball with some of his friends.’ She scrunched up her face. ‘I wanted to play, but they told me I was too little.’
Matt ruffled her hair. ‘You won’t always be little, I promise.’
He was filling the kettle when he was startled by a voice behind him.
‘What’s in the box at the front door?’
Matt turned to see Fletcher had appeared silently in the kitchen. ‘You were quiet. I didn’t hear you come in.’
He laughed. ‘I saw the police car parked out the front and I thought I’d see how good of a detective you were. I snuck in as quietly as I could.’
Matt slapped Fletcher on the back. ‘Might have to sign you up for the force when you’re old enough.’
‘That’d be cool.’
‘What box?’ Mietta asked.
‘I’ll go and grab it,’ Matt said. ‘It’s a special surprise.’
‘Ooh, I love surprises.’ Mietta jumped up and down.
Matt caught the look of unbridled curiosity as it crossed Fletcher’s face; it was clear he was as desperate to know as Mietta was. He returned with the cardboard box tucked under one arm.
‘Can I open it?’ Mietta asked impatiently.
‘No, you’ll have to wait for your mum.’
‘Wait for me for what?’
Matt smelled Isabelle first. A waft of fruity fragrance invaded his senses and then she was standing beside him, barefoot and tiny, her hair hanging in long wet tendrils down her back. She tipped her head to one side as she dried her hair with a towel. Instantaneous desire coursed through Matt’s body. It had been a long time since a woman had that kind of immediate effect on him.
‘What’s in the box?’ she asked, not bothering to greet him properly.
‘Aren’t you all a curious lot?’ Matt said. ‘Maybe it’s another leg of lamb. Nothing exciting.’
‘Then why can I hear scratching sounds?’
Isabelle’s brow crinkled and Matt had a moment of worry. Was he about to overstep the mark? If so, it was too late now. He picked up the box, placed it on the kitchen table, and opened the lid. From inside, he withdrew two tiny balls of ginger – one in each hand.
‘Kittens!’ Mietta squealed.
‘Shh,’ Matt said. ‘Don’t frighten them. Sit down and I’ll hand you one.’
Mietta plonked down on the floor in the middle of the kitchen and he gently placed one of the bundles of orange fluff in her hands. The kitten curled itself in a tight ball in her lap and began to purr. The look on Mietta’s face was one of pure adoration.
Matt held the other kitten close to his chest and looked at Fletcher. ‘And this little one is for you.’
He handed it to Fletcher and noticed the way the boy gingerly held it, drawing it close, up under his chin. He heard the kitten purr as it snuggled into the crook of his neck.
Fletcher looked up at Isabelle. ‘Can we keep them?’ He didn’t look confident, but his eyes held a spark of hope.
Matt hadn’t considered Isabelle might not say yes. Perhaps she was allergic to cats. He hadn’t thought twice about getting the kittens after hearing about her mouse problem from Alison.
‘Are these from Leah’s cat?’ Isabelle asked.
He nodded. ‘They’re still young, so they’re going to need a fair bit of love and attention.’
Mietta sat on the floor in silence, staring up at her mother, her blue eyes pleading her unspoken question. Matt suppressed a grin. If these were his kids, he’d have a hard time saying no to them.
‘Maybe …’ Isabelle drawled.
Fletcher sighed and his sho
ulders drooped. ‘Maybe always means no.’ He handed the kitten back to Matt. ‘Thanks anyway, Matt.’
Fletcher was about to leave the room when Isabelle’s voice stopped him. ‘I was going to say maybe we should let Matt help pick names for these two.’
Mietta squealed again and Fletcher grinned and hugged his mum. Matt handed the kitten back to him.
‘When I first saw them I thought they looked like little lions,’ Matt said. ‘What about you call them Simba and Nala?’
‘Corny, but I think it’s a good choice,’ Isabelle said. ‘The Lion King is one of my favourite movies.’
‘Ah yes, a great movie,’ Matt agreed. ‘Although Beauty and the Beast happens to be my favourite.’ He winked at Mietta and she grinned at him in delight as they shared a special secret.
Half an hour later, the kittens had lapped up all the milk the kids had poured into saucers. They had washed their tiny faces with their paws and finally fallen asleep again. Matt ended up staying for dinner. Isabelle apologised for the simple fare of tacos, but he wasn’t concerned with what he ate. He was just happy to be included in their family.
Neither Fletcher nor Mietta ate much, as they were in such a rush to get back to playing with the kittens. Eventually Matt pulled the cats off them so they could get ready for bed. He sat watching television with the balls of fluff curled together in his lap. A little while later Mietta came out from the bathroom in her pyjamas, her long hair wet and bedraggled. She handed Matt a comb and plonked herself at his feet. Not knowing what else to do, he ran the comb carefully through her knots.
‘You’re much better than Mum,’ Mietta announced when he had finished. ‘You should come over every night and comb my hair. Mummy is always in a rush. Daddy was like you. Slow and gentle.’
‘Bedtime, Mietta,’ Isabelle called out from the hallway. ‘Say goodnight to Matt.’
The Peppercorn Project Page 16