Stardust stood on the verandah, her arms and apron covered with flour and her hair pinned back with flower-covered clasps. ‘Welcome. I’ve just finished kneading the bread. Izzy’s inside working on something new. Come on in.’
As Stardust washed her hands and arms at the enormous sink they’d bought at a clearance sale, Izzy explained what she was doing. ‘We try to use every part of the apple but sometimes we’re left with so many cores and peel even the chickens can’t eat it all. So—’ She picked up a large jar with a piece of muslin tied around the top. Catherine peered at what appeared to be apple scraps floating in water. ‘Apple cider vinegar,’ Izzy said with a crow of triumph. ‘I’m amazed we didn’t think of it sooner.’
Catherine was amazed they’d thought of it at all. ‘Apple cider I understand. But vinegar?’
‘The health benefits are amazing, and of course ours is biodynamic. We’ve already got a stack of people who want to buy it. Money from scraps. I love it.’
Stardust dried her hands and came over to kiss Izzy lightly on the cheek. ‘My lover’s a genius.’
‘But there’s more, and that’s why we wanted to talk with you.’
‘Please, sit down.’ Stardust pulled out one of the mismatched chairs clustered around the old door Izzy had fashioned into a table. She poured cups of tea from the pot, which was always filled with herbs and leaves in various combinations. Catherine sniffed at her mug – a blend of mint and something else she couldn’t identify.
‘Ooh, wait.’ Izzy jumped up. ‘Stardust has been experimenting with a new recipe. Muesli and apple slice. It’ll go down a treat at the market.’ She served slabs of the dense-looking slice onto plates.
‘Mark tells us you’ve had a good season,’ Stardust said, sipping delicately at her tea.
‘It’s astounding. Pulling those trees was the best decision I’ve ever made. Apart from letting you two come and live here.’ Catherine smiled at them with genuine warmth.
Izzy lifted her mug in a toast. ‘I’ll drink to that.’
‘I’ve gone from ten acres of good apples to five acres of the best quality apples I’ve ever had. We’re making more money now than we have for years.’
‘We’re very happy for you.’ Stardust smiled. ‘We’ve had a good year too with our baking and my homespun knitting.’
‘So good that we actually need a bit of help around the place.’ Izzy leant forward. ‘Have you heard of Wwoofers?’
‘You’re getting a dog?’
Stardust laughed gently. ‘No. Wwoofers. Willing workers on organic farms. It began in England and is spreading through the world.’
‘We give them somewhere to stay and feed them, and they work in the orchard,’ Izzy added.
‘What? You don’t pay them?’ Catherine shook her head in disbelief. Who would work for free?
‘Nope. They want to experience living on the land and we let them do just that. Plus they get to live in heaven and eat amazing food.’
‘But how do they survive without money?’
Izzy shrugged. ‘Some might be on the dole, but they won’t be bludging, that’s for sure. Others are from overseas, backpacking around the place. We’ve met a couple of young travellers at the market who are keen. We don’t have the space for them to stay with us.’ Izzy indicated their house which was little more than one big room. Their double mattress was in one corner on a platform of old apple boxes and covered with multicoloured quilts and blankets. ‘We were hoping they could stay in the cottage. We’d pay you rent, of course.’
‘They’re beautiful people,’ Stardust said. ‘Old souls.’
‘Right,’ Catherine said slowly, trying to keep up with the conversation.
‘And there’s more.’ Izzy glanced at Stardust. ‘Stardust needs the sheep for their wool, but they’ve developed a little too much of an appetite for the trees.’
Stardust nodded. ‘I talk to them and they agree to leave the trees alone, but then they forget. It’s not their fault. They have very short memories.’
‘Uh huh.’ Catherine took another bite of the slice rather than comment.
‘I think if we rotated them out of the orchard, bring them in only after the season is over, they’d be more useful,’ Izzy said as she picked up the few remaining crumbs on her plate with her fingers. ‘So, we were wondering if we could lease your five acres, now there are no trees on it.’
‘We need more sheep,’ Stardust said. ‘I’m having to buy fleeces at the moment.’
Izzy looked at Catherine eagerly. ‘What do you say?’
Catherine took a slow breath in. The cottage wasn’t being used at the moment. Her mother, when she came to visit and see Charlie, never stayed the night. The idea of a few sheep grazing on the fallow land was appealing. No need to slash the paddock for a start. She’d toyed with the idea of getting a few head of cattle to run on the five acres, but Mark wasn’t keen. Stardust and Izzy, in their own offbeat way, were offering her money for two assets she wasn’t using. ‘That’s a yes to both,’ she said. ‘As long as the sheep don’t get into my orchard.’
‘I’ll make sure the fence is sheep-proof,’ Izzy said. ‘Thanks for this. You won’t regret it.’
‘Now drink some more tea.’ Stardust pushed the pot towards Catherine. ‘It’s good for you and you know who.’
Catherine touched her stomach. ‘You know who?’ How could Stardust possibly know?
Stardust smiled. ‘Your aura is glowing with the light of two.’
‘Oh, um.’ Catherine stumbled to find the right words and then gave up.
‘Have you told Mark?’
Catherine shook her head. She wasn’t sure what he’d think. Neither of them had planned for this. They’d never even talked about the possibility, but now nature had decided for her.
‘He’ll be thrilled. A baby girl is something he’s always longed for.’
Catherine gasped at the fluttery feeling in her belly. ‘How can you possibly know it’s a girl?’
Izzy took hold of Stardust’s hand. ‘Stardust is amazing in every single way.’
Back home, Catherine rifled through the top drawer of her dressing table. In among the old pots of make-up she never wore, the hair slides she never used and the bottles of scent she always forgot about, she found the small blue velvet box and flipped it open. The ring gleamed back at her, as beautiful as the first time she’d seen it, with the tiny blue sapphires encircling the diamond. That had been four years ago, before Lara’s return had created chaos in their lives. Mark had been patient. He’d never asked her again. If she was happy with their current arrangement for the rest of their lives she knew he would be too. But now? With a baby on the way? She slipped the ring on and watched as the diamond sparkled when she moved her hand. It felt right, nestled on her finger, as if it was always supposed to be there. And there was a sky-blue dress she’d never worn, still hanging in her wardrobe. She’d expected some kind of hesitancy or fear but there was none, just a sense of rightness.
She took off the ring and placed it back in the box. Charlie was having a sleepover with Scott and Greg tonight. She and Mark were supposed to be going to a meeting in Huonville about the proposed new fruit marketing system and the freight equalisation scheme. There was no way they were going to make it, not after she told him her news. A baby girl. She was certain Stardust was right. In some ways Stardust had a knowledge that defied understanding. A baby girl Mark could hold and treasure without any fear, secrets or resentment. At first he’d been angry at Annie for making a deal with her mother and using Angela as the collateral, but eventually he’d come to accept that the decision was for the best. Angela was an extraordinary girl with a talent for music that amazed even Mark. Her ability on the piano was breathtaking from the first. In Hobart she had every opportunity to foster her talent and discover where her gift could take her. And he still got to see her every Sunday afternoon when they drove her back to Hobart, and during the school holidays when Angela would come over and they’d play music t
ogether. Catherine knew their daughter could never take Angela’s place, but in so many ways it felt as though they were being given another chance.
A quick look through the fridge assured her she had all the ingredients for Mark’s favourite dinner. He was up in Hobart today buying a new pump for the lower dam. Catherine busied herself in the kitchen, preparing the lamb for roasting, slicing the vegetables, and getting the potatoes on to parboil for the special crunchy roast potatoes Mark loved so much. She’d make dessert as well – a steamed pudding with custard or a roly-poly made with the last of her homemade raspberry jam. In the lounge room she put her favourite album on the turntable. From the very first note of ‘I Feel the Earth Move’ Catherine was dancing and singing along with Carole King.
As the dinner cooked and the music swirled, Catherine set the table using her grandmother’s finest silver, adding three of the candles they kept for power outages in a small candelabra she’d found tucked away in a cupboard. Lastly she put the blue velvet ring box on Mark’s plate. He’d proposed to her all those years ago, but a lot had changed since then. She laid her hands gently on her belly. ‘Tonight, my darling girl, we’ll tell your daddy all about you and I’ll ask him to marry me. We’ll become a family, along with your brother Charlie.’
The sound of car wheels on the driveway made her heart skip. She waited in the kitchen for his familiar call.
‘Hi, honey, I’m home.’
‘I’m in the kitchen.’
He came in, his handsome face wreathed in a grin. ‘Something smells good.’
She held him close, feeling the chill from the cold winter’s evening clinging to his skin and clothes. ‘Something is good,’ she whispered in his ear.
52
February 1985
Angela’s eighteenth birthday
Annie
Annie and Dave waved the boys and their families goodbye. Michael and Eric tooted their horns, spinning their wheels in the gravel for show.
Dave shook his head and chuckled. ‘Grown men with children of their own and still acting like kids.’ Both sons had delighted them by becoming parents, Michael three times and Eric once with another one on the way. Annie loved having a house full of children again after so many years, and equally loved waving them goodbye when they left.
Angela stood beside them on the verandah as the cars disappeared and the last of the dust settled. She gave Annie a hug. ‘Thanks, Mum. That was the best birthday lunch ever.’
Annie smiled, a little smugly, but deservedly so. Angela had enjoyed an indulgent eighteenth birthday party at the Sandy Bay house, with expensive presents, all the right guests and pricey catering, but still her daughter had preferred a humble family get-together, with a home-cooked roast and her favourite chocolate cake.
It was wonderful to have a day off with all her children and grandchildren, even if it had been a busy one for her. There were still several weeks left of the picking season and life had been hectic, as usual. At first she’d found it hard to adjust to the harvest ending almost at the same time as the apple picking season would’ve begun but now it was second nature to her. The decision to get into cherries nine years ago had been difficult initially – the outgoings were enormous. The cherry orchard was finally profitable, but they still owed money to her mother. She and Dave had done the sums though, and were now in a position to obtain a loan from the bank to pay her out. The timing couldn’t be better. More than ever it was crucial to be free of any hold Cynthia might have on their family.
Angela was an adult now and their boys all grown. Michael was a successful mechanic in Hobart with his own business. Eric had followed in his footsteps and worked alongside his older brother. Annie was pleased to see that the rivalry between them had mellowed over the years. Paul and Greg were living in the house on the property Dave had bought from the Fletchers. Paul was twenty-four now and keen to take over the running of the orchard when the time came. She and Dave were grateful for how hard they worked in the orchard, but hoped they’d stop partying just as hard one day. Much to their surprise, their youngest son Scott had taken advantage of a free tertiary education and was studying to become a lawyer. Perhaps it was Annie’s family’s genes that had prompted him to pursue a career so different from his brothers. Dave and Annie were proud of all their children, but there would always be a place in Annie’s heart devoted only to Angela.
Her daughter had graduated from the Collegiate School at the end of last year, top of her class in many subjects including English Literature and French, but it was her skill at the piano that attracted attention. Angela had a natural aptitude that, coupled with hours of practice, had seen her become a stunning pianist. She also possessed a beautiful singing voice and had begun writing her own songs at the age of thirteen. The Conservatorium of Music would be a natural next step for her, her grandmother was sure of it, but Angela was more drawn to the Victorian College of the Arts jazz program where her piano and vocal skills would meld more easily. Cynthia would prefer her to stay in Hobart, living under her roof. Angela had grown into a beautiful, elegant and celebrated young woman. Her grandmother loved to bask in the glory while claiming credit for passing on her genetic ability. That mightn’t be possible after today.
Annie’s heart was racing. The world was about to become an uncertain place once more. Would Angela hate her for what she’d done? Would she denounce her and run off to Lara and her glamorous life in Europe? And what would happen once she knew Mark was her father? Annie knew this had to be done, but dreaded it.
She called Angela into the lounge room. The box with the golden snake bracelet sat on the table beside her chair. Dave joined them, sitting beside his wife in their armchairs while Angela perched on the old couch.
‘We have one last present for you, my darling girl.’ Annie tried to control the tremble in her voice.
Angela smiled. ‘You’ve already given me so much, I feel thoroughly spoilt.’
‘You’re an adult now,’ Dave said. ‘Soon you’ll be leaving Tasmania to study in Melbourne. The world is opening up for you, and you need to know the truth.’
‘Goodness, that sounds rather dramatic.’
Annie folded her hands in her lap, trying to disguise her nervousness. ‘It is. There’s something we need to tell you. We both love you very much. Very much indeed.’
‘I know. I realise it was hard for you when I went to live with Grandmother. Mind you, it was no picnic for me either.’
Annie raised a knowing eyebrow. ‘Yes, we all know what a force of nature she can be. But this isn’t about her. It’s about a night many years ago. Eighteen years ago to be precise.’
‘When I was born?’
‘Yes.’
‘What do you mean?’
Now it was time to say the words, she didn’t know if she could. Her devotion to her daughter had been all-encompassing for so many years. The ties had been stretched while Angela lived with her grandmother, but they were as strong as spiderweb, holding firm through the years and the distance. What she was about to do could sever them forever, leaving her drifting helplessly in the wind. Annie glanced at her husband for support. Dave nodded, his face gentle but firm. She picked up the box and handed it to Angela. ‘Do you remember this?’
Angela looked puzzled as she opened the lid then her face lit up with surprise as she saw the golden snake bracelet with the emerald eyes. ‘I remember a big black car, a tall woman with amazing eyes, and this. She was wearing it.’
‘You remember her eyes?’
‘Like a tiger’s. Brown and gold.’
‘Like yours.’
Angela nodded. ‘I guess. Is she a relative?’
‘Yes. And she sent you this bracelet many years ago. It’s time for you to have it.’
‘It’s beautiful.’ Angela slipped the bracelet onto her wrist, admiring it briefly before turning back to her parents. ‘How is she related to me?’
Annie hesitated. Was it best to come right out with it or lead up to the critical fact
? ‘Eighteen years ago she was staying here at the orchard. I was … unwell.’ The pain of that time was still very real but she pressed on. ‘You see, I’d just lost a baby. A girl.’
Angela frowned. ‘Really? I didn’t know that.’
‘She was premature,’ Dave said gently. ‘Stillborn.’
‘Oh, Mum. I’m so sorry.’
‘I was inconsolable. I loved your brothers, but I longed for a girl. The woman who owned that bracelet was pregnant as well. Our due dates were only a month apart. She’d had a boy but hadn’t taken to motherhood and was afraid she couldn’t raise one child, let alone two.’
‘Mum? Dad?’ Angela looked at them both with concern.
‘It’s okay,’ Dave said. ‘Let your mother continue.’
‘She came to me one night with her newborn baby in her arms. Told me straight out that she couldn’t look after her. She said the baby was always meant to be mine. Then she disappeared. Years later we found out she was dead.’
‘Oh my God.’ Angela covered her mouth with her hands.
‘We honestly thought we’d be looking after her baby for a few days, a week at most,’ Dave said. ‘But she never came back.’
‘Until the day when she turned up in the big black car.’ Annie spoke slowly, letting Angela take it in.
‘But I thought you said she’d died.’
‘It was a mistake. There’d been a car accident and the body wasn’t found for some time. The police thought it was her, but it wasn’t.’
‘That’s dreadful.’ Angela’s eyes were huge.
‘I know. It was a shock, for all of us.’
Angela touched the golden snake. ‘So, who is she to me?’
Annie took a breath. ‘She’s your birth mother.’
‘Oh.’ Angela nibbled on her thumbnail, an old habit when she was upset. ‘I’m adopted?’
‘In a way. After she disappeared your birth was registered with your dad and I as your parents. It was what she wanted. Legally you’ve always been our child.’ Annie looked at her hands still folded in her lap, unable to meet either Dave’s or Angela’s eyes. She’d always felt it was the right thing, but it seemed different, explaining it now.
The Last of the Apple Blossom Page 36