Secrets of Silvergum

by Mandy Magro

  ‘Don’t thank me yet, Mum, you haven’t tasted it.’ She offered a playful smile.

  Emma matched it. ‘True that.’ She winked. ‘I’m sure it’s going to be beautiful.’

  ‘Let’s hope.’ Riley glanced towards the toaster. ‘Can you do the buttering duties, I’ve got my hands full here.’

  Emma’s grin widened as the chasm between them all but disappeared. ‘Yes, love, of course.’ She took out two plates from the dishwasher and got down to business. ‘You want me to make us both a cuppa too?’

  ‘Yes, please. I’ll have a tea though, instead of a coffee, please.’ Holding the frypan, Riley glanced over her shoulder. ‘One or two bum nuts, Mum?’

  ‘Just one for me thanks, love.’ She rubbed the place on her belly wishing she could scare away the carbs she loved to eat. ‘I want to try and get nice and fit for your deb ball, so I can wear my favourite dress.’

  ‘Isn’t it more like your only dress, Mum?’ Riley smiled cheekily.

  ‘Yes, smarty bum, it is.’ Grabbing the tea towel, Emma flicked it in Riley’s direction. ‘And who are you to talk, Miss I-only-wear-shorts-or-jeans? We’re more alike than you care to admit.’

  ‘Uh-huh, I can’t argue with any of that.’ Switching off the gas hob, Riley grabbed the oven mitt and then carried the hot cast-iron pan over to the plates. ‘I didn’t think I was hungry, but now I’m looking at that bacon and those perfectly cooked eggs, I’m starving!’

  Emma placed a piece of toast on each of the plates just in time to be loaded up. ‘Bacon and eggs are my weakness too. How anyone can become a vegetarian, or god forbid, a vegan, is beyond me.’

  ‘Me too, I’d end up biting the butt of some poor unsuspecting cow if I even tried.’

  Emma chuckled. ‘I love your way with words, Riley Wolfe, always straight to the point.’

  ‘I wonder where I get that trait from, Mum.’

  Emma played dumb. ‘Hmmm, I wonder.’

  They sat down at the table, and Emma groaned in pleasure after the first bite. ‘Holy heck, this is mighty good, Riley. You should cook brekkie more often, little Miss Masterchef.’ She pointed her fork at Riley, who was busy chewing her massive mouthful. ‘In fact, I think I might go on kitchen strike and leave all the cooking to you from now on.’

  ‘Don’t push your luck, Mum,’ she said, grinning.

  Chuckling, Emma shook her head. ‘Oh well, I thought it was worth a shot.’

  Clutching her cup of tea, Riley took a sip and then proceeded to dip her bacon in her runny egg yolk. ‘I really want to apologise for yesterday, Mum.’

  Emma almost choked on her food. ‘You do?’

  ‘Yes, shock horror … I do.’ Riley’s smile faded as she chewed her bottom lip, her eyes filling with tears. Sniffling, she straightened her shoulders and blinked them away. ‘I know I’ve been angry at the world since Dad left, and I know you’re only trying to do what’s best for me now you’re on your own. It’s just, sometimes, you have to try and give me space to make my own mistakes.’ Her brows creased in thought. ‘We all make them, you know.’

  ‘Yes, we do.’ Emma stared into eyes that reminded her so much of Zane’s, and her heart ached. ‘I know I’m over-protective at times, love. I suppose I just don’t want to see you hurt or make the same mistakes that I have made in my life.’

  ‘Isn’t being hurt all part of the learning process?’

  ‘Well, yes, it is.’ Her breakfast finished, Emma sat back with her coffee cradled in her hands. ‘Where’s this change of heart coming from?’

  Riley shrugged. ‘Aunty Rennie explained things in a way that made me look at them differently, that’s all.’ She paused momentarily and shook her head ever so slightly, blinking fast. ‘She made me see I’m pushing away the only person in my life that has ever made me feel loved unconditionally.’ She blinked wet lashes. ‘You, Mum.’

  ‘Oh, sweetheart, that’s a mother’s job, to love no matter what.’ Hot tears stung Emma’s eyes. ‘And trust me, you’re very easy to love, even when you are being a right handful and I want to throttle you.’

  Riley had a little giggle, along with Emma. ‘Thanks, Mum, but shouldn’t it be a father’s job, too, to love unconditionally?’

  ‘Yes, it should, but when it comes to Michael, well, he’s …’ Emma ached to tell Riley about Zane, but knew it would be a huge mistake to say anything just when they were coming so close again.

  ‘Selfish and big-headed, just like Grandad was.’

  ‘I was trying to find a nicer way to put it, but yes.’ She offered a kind smile. ‘You see a lot more than you let on, don’t you?’

  Riley nodded gently. ‘I’m a big girl now, believe it or not, and I’m beginning to see things for what they are, not how people want me to see them.’

  Emma reached across the table and gave Riley’s hand a squeeze, noticing how small it still felt within her own. ‘It has nothing to do with you, Riley, how your dad is, and all to do with the way he was raised by your grandfather. He doesn’t understand that family should come before work.’

  ‘It’s hard to make myself believe it’s not my fault, even though deep down I know it’s not. Sometimes …’ She sat in silence for a few moments. ‘Sometimes, I wish he wasn’t my dad, because all he seems to do is hurt me over and over.’

  ‘Oh, sweetheart, you don’t really mean that.’ Emma wondered if this was the universe’s way of giving her the stage, but then quickly shrugged off the idea.

  ‘Yes, actually, I really do mean it.’ Riley sniffled.

  ‘I’m sorry you feel like that, I truly am.’ Emotion lodged in Emma’s throat. ‘Things will get better, I promise,’ she choked out.

  ‘I hope you’re right, Mum.’

  ‘I’ll make sure of it.’ Desperate to change the subject, before she blurted everything out, Emma said, ‘So, tell me, are you going to stay away from Whatshisname now you’ve seen what a horrible person he is?’

  Riley cracked a smile. ‘You mean Ben?’

  ‘Yeah, him.’

  ‘After the way he grabbed me yesterday, I’m staying well away from him from now on.’ She sighed. ‘Is this where I’m meant to say you were right, Mum?’

  ‘No, love, just take it as one of those lessons learnt.’

  Riley leant forwards, her elbows resting on the table and her chin in her hands. ‘Aunty Rennie helped me to see I was acting out, trying to make you and Dad pay for hurting me, by dating the rebel of the town.’

  Emma owed Renee for this, big time – she’d be making sure to shout her a few drinks tonight. ‘You’re a clever girl, Riley, wiser than I give you credit for sometimes.’

  ‘Yup, but I can be a silly bugger sometimes too.’

  ‘I’m not going to argue with that.’

  Riley poked her tongue out, and then giggled.

  Standing, her smile now from ear to ear, Emma gathered the empty plates. ‘So does this mean you’re going to accept James’s offer for him to escort you to the deb?’

  Riley joined her in clearing the table. ‘Yeah, I suppose so.’

  ‘Good, I like James.’

  ‘I know you do, Mum, but honestly, he’s such a dork.’

  Emma turned on the tap and began rinsing the dishes, piling them on the sink for later, once they’d had time to unpack the dishwasher. ‘Well, a dork is much better than a dick, don’t you think?’

  Riley gasped. ‘Mum, language.’ She gave her a playful shove.

  Emma flicked some water in Riley’s direction. ‘I’m just speaking the truth, telling it how it is.’

  A pile of clean plates gathered from the dishwasher and now cradled in her arms, Riley began stacking them in the cupboard. ‘Did you know that you’re the bestest mum in the world?’

  ‘Aw thanks, love, and do you know you’re the bestest daughter in the whole entire universe?’ Emma smiled warmly. The fact she and Riley still said this to each other, after all these years, moved her beyond words. She kissed her on the forehead. ‘Right, let’s get crackin
g, and get the jobs done, so we can head into town for some much needed girly time.’

  Riley clapped her hands together. ‘Sounds like a plan to me.’

  * * *

  It was just after eleven o’clock when Emma and Riley piled into the cab of the Land Rover, both of them now showered, dressed and smelling as fresh as daisies. Tiny danced around in the back tray, tripping over his chain. An eager beaver, as always, for the trip into town, where he would scare the bejesus out of unsuspecting passers-by if they came too close to the four-wheel drive. His bark was way worse than his bite – he was likely to lick someone to death if given half the chance.

  Heading down the dirt drive, Emma caught sight of Kat in the horse paddock – one of the feline’s favourite spots was on Bundy’s back. Bundy loved the company and the massage Kat would sometimes give him as she pawed him. ‘Thanks for helping me this morning, love, it got the jobs done so much faster.’

  ‘You’re welcome. As much as I hate picking up horse poo, it was kinda nice to hang out with you.’ She offered a smile.

  ‘Just kinda nice, huh?’ Reaching over, Emma playfully poked her in the ribs.

  Riley laughed and slapped her hand away. ‘Yeah, kinda sorta.’ She grinned again before shoving her earphones in, her face now buried in her phone as she flicked through her Spotify list.

  Emma had come to accept the teenage ways, and besides, she and Riley had vastly different tastes in music. Riley loved the new-style country rock, which Emma didn’t think even warranted being classed as country, whereas give her the old-style country boys like Johnny, Waylon, Willie and Hank, or good old-fashioned seventies tunes, like Led Zeppelin or Pink Floyd, any day.

  Turning onto the highway, she grabbed her sunglasses from her head, rolling her eyes at the fact she’d been squinting into the blinding sun for the past five minutes. The wisps of clouds were like painter’s strokes across the azure sky; it was a stunning summer’s day. Plucking a CD from the binder on the dash, she popped her favourite Creedence Clearwater Revival compilation into the stereo, turned it up a little and then wound her window down. The wind whipping her loose hair into a frenzy, she sung the lyrics to ‘Lookin’ Out My Back Door’ out loud, while getting amused sideways looks from Riley. She grinned, enjoying the light mood between them and making the most of it, never knowing how long it would last before their next heated bout.

  Fifteen minutes later and they’d reached the one and only roundabout in Silvergum. As they passed the bakers, the rich buttery scent of their famous pies wafted out. Next was the newsagency, with a line out the door, followed by the chemist, doctor’s surgery and the Chinese takeaway. Almost at the dress shop, Emma started looking for a spot to pull into. The main street was much busier than usual, so she ducked in behind the IGA, cheering when she nabbed the last park there.

  Riley unplugged her ears and wound the earphones around her iPhone.

  Pulling the keys from the ignition, Emma turned to her. ‘You excited?’

  Riley groaned playfully. ‘Oh yeah, because you know how much I just love shopping for dresses.’ She offered a feeble smile before climbing out.

  ‘I’m hearing you loud and clear. But it’s just gotta be done, I’m afraid.’ Emma grabbed her handbag from the floor. ‘You can’t turn up to a ball wearing jeans and a polo top.’ She gave Tiny orders to be nice to anyone who walked by, and joined Riley on the footpath.

  Wandering past the only regional movie theatre left in the wider area, the slap of air-conditioning hit them as the sliding doors of IGA flung open. Janine from the post office shuffled out, grocery bags hanging from both arms. As much as Emma hadn’t forgiven the woman for passing on confidential mail all those years ago, she still offered a smile and a wave. Janine wasn’t to know what mayhem she’d caused that day. Her hands full, Janine smiled and said a quick hello in passing. Emma thanked the powers that be for the weight of the grocery bags in her hands, because the woman could seriously talk under water, and she didn’t feel like being cornered for half an hour as she heard all about who said what to who, and oh my god have you heard about so and so.

  They’d reached the front of Granny May’s dress shop, which from the outside seemed no bigger than a hole in the wall. The bell dangling from the door tinkled as they stepped inside. The boutique was a hive of activity, the fifty percent off sale drawing people from far and wide, especially with the debutante ball fast approaching. With Cairns an hour’s drive down the coast, Renee’s granny had struck gold when she’d opened the shop’s doors eight years ago. It was something to throw her heart into when her husband had passed, and she’d never missed a day in here since – the place was her pride and joy. Filled with both new and vintage clothing, unique quirky accessories, and peculiar bric-a-brac gift ideas, it was a treasure trove for young and old.

  ‘Emma, Riley, helloooo, my darlings.’ Granny May stopped what she was doing at the counter and ran to embrace the pair of them, her ankle-length boho dress making her look as if she were floating on air. ‘It’s so good to see you both.’ She stepped back and clapped her hands, her cluster of silver bangles jingling. ‘And I hear we’re hanging out tonight, Riley.’

  Riley’s face lit up. ‘We sure are, Granny May.’

  ‘How does a pizza and movie night sound?’

  ‘Perfect.’

  Emma gave Granny May’s arm a squeeze. ‘Thanks so much for having her over … no matter how hard I tried to get out of it, Renee was determined to take me out.’

  Granny May smiled so warmly Emma got goosebumps from the depth of love she felt from this woman, who’d known her since she was in nappies. ‘It will do you good, Em, to get out for a night. Go and enjoy yourself.’ She cupped Riley’s cheek. ‘This gorgeous girl and I will have a groovy girls’ night in, with plenty of cookies and cream ice-cream.’

  ‘Oh, yay, I’m so looking forward to it.’ Riley clasped her hands together and grinned.

  ‘Goodo …’ Granny May looked over her shoulder at the two ladies now waiting at the counter. ‘I best get back to it and let you two get shopping. Give me a shout if you need any help, okay?’

  ‘Will do,’ Emma said with a smile.

  Sorting through the racks while pulling faces at anything Emma held up, Riley paused and held up a slinky emerald number. ‘Oh my god, Mum, this would look stunning on you.’

  Eyes wide, Emma pulled the hem out, revealing a low-cut back that had her wondering if her preferred comfy cotton knickers would be on show. ‘Oh, I don’t think so, sweetheart, I’m getting a bit old for this kind of thing.’ She eyed the diamanté spaghetti straps, and as Riley spun it around, the plunging neckline. Good god, it wouldn’t leave anything to the imagination. ‘And besides, this trip is about finding you a dress, Riley, not me. I’ve already got one. Remember?’

  ‘That dress is as old as I am, Mum.’

  ‘Oh, it is not,’ Emma said, sounding horrified.

  ‘You wore it to my confirmation, when I was eight, Mum. Need I say more?’

  Emma sucked in a sharp breath. ‘Oh my god, I did too, didn’t I?’

  ‘Uh-huh.’ Riley’s eyes were comically wide.

  Touching the soft fabric that slipped across her fingertips, Emma had to admit she loved the striking colour. ‘I don’t know. I don’t want to look like mutton dressed up as lamb.’

  ‘Oh, come on, Mum, you won’t … just try it on.’ Riley scowled playfully. ‘If you don’t, then I refuse to try on anything.’

  Emma laughed. ‘You little terror.’ She took the coat hanger from Riley’s outstretched hand. ‘I’ll try it on, but that doesn’t mean I’m buying it.’

  ‘We’ll see about that.’

  Half an hour later, and after being told in no uncertain terms that Riley didn’t want a dress in any colour that was part of a salad – eggplant, avocado, or peach – they’d picked out four possible dresses for her. Standing in line, they waited for a change room to become available. A curtain flung open and a girl stomped out, her scowl so deep it was
actually hilarious, a pile of dresses tossed over her arm. Her mother flashed Emma a lord-help-me grin. Emma smiled back. No words were needed.

  Riley gestured towards the empty change room. ‘Let’s just share, Mum, or we’ll be waiting here forever. I’m so starving I’m about to chew my own arm off.’

  ‘Well, we don’t want that.’ Emma followed Riley in, and they stripped down to their underwear, the lack of room sending them into fits of giggles as they tried to pull on their dresses.

  After awkwardly zipping up her dress, and then helping Riley do hers, Emma blinked back a rush of tears. She’d promised herself on the drive into town that she wasn’t going to become a blubbering mess. But seeing Riley in the formal dress threw all promises aside. It hugged Riley in all the right places – this was the very first time Emma had really seen her little girl for the young woman she was becoming, way too fast for her liking. She realised she needed to accept it and embrace it. ‘Oh, sweetheart, it looks absolutely amazing on you.’

  Riley stared into the mirror, her expression one of utter shock. Emma stood behind her, not wanting to take this moment from Riley. ‘I really don’t think you need to try on the others – this is the one!’

  ‘You think?’

  Emma nodded. ‘I know.’

  Riley turned around and gasped. ‘Holy shitballs, Mum, you look smoking hot.’ She stepped aside, giving Emma full view of the mirror.

  ‘Oh, my good lord.’ Emma smoothed her hands down her hips, feeling very sexy indeed, but terrified at the same time to see her reflection. Not used to getting dolled up, this was a sight she wasn’t familiar with at all. ‘You don’t think it’s too much?’ She turned from side to side, her concerns about her comfortable undies showing now very real.

  Riley shook her head. ‘No way, Mum, it looks amazing.’ She looked down at the outline of Emma’s Bridget Jones style knickers. ‘But you might want to get yourself some different undies, or go commando.’

  ‘Not sure about going knicker free, but yes, new undies are definitely on the shopping list.’

  ‘So does that mean you’re getting it?’