Birds of a Feather, page 13
“It’s not that I don’t want to work, it’s—”
“You don’t want to be a burden to my parents, I know. Let’s not go over old ground. We’re so close to our goal now. This job pays extra and then I can kiss the fly-in, fly-out life goodbye.”
It seemed hard to comprehend. They’d been living this life for six years now. They’d stuck to their plan, except Lucy going back to work to pay for the Thermomix and the dryer. Alex had no idea what a disaster that had been, and by the time he’d been allowed to come home to them it had all been over.
Lucy thought of Noah. The sunshine left him when Alec wasn’t home. “Five months feels like a long stretch.”
“I won’t stay away all that time. We’ll work something out. Maybe I can just come back once every six weeks.”
“Six weeks!”
“We’ve done longer than that in the past.”
Lucy pulled back her hands and lurched up straight. “Don’t talk about it.” It was still painful to recall what they went through the year before. Between Alec being trapped interstate and her … Lucy’s stomach churned. She reached for the tea and took a calming sip.
“When do you have to let them know?” she asked.
“I’ve said I’ll go.”
She studied him over her mug. “We always discuss your job offers first.”
“They weren’t giving me a choice of jobs, Lucy. It was that or none at all.”
“But you could get something with someone else?”
“Probably, but they really made this worth my while.”
He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “It’s only a few months in the scheme of things. We can do it and then we won’t ever have to live like this again.”
She stared into his dark brown eyes, begging her to trust him. He’d never purposely let them down but sometimes circumstances happened beyond their control. She’d never meant to let her kids down either. “Five months only. You promise.”
“You know I can’t, Lou. Sometimes these things don’t go to plan. It could stretch out to six or seven. But I can promise I’ll do my very best to make it as short as I can. Deal?”
She held his gaze a moment. The thought that he’d be permanently home with them in the near future was tantalising. She put her hand over his. “Deal,” she said.
thirteen
Eve was pleased to hear Lucy call through the screen door at eight thirty the next morning.
“Come in.” She turned down the radio then returned to making a list. She’d had a restless night between her aching shoulder and thinking of all the things that needed to be done and then of the surgery itself. She’d been looking forward to Lucy’s arrival. Already Eve realised how lucky she’d been to find someone like Lucy. The young woman was sensible and practical and her presence reassuring. Eve didn’t want to give herself over to the control of the medical profession but as she had no choice, she was glad to have Lucy in her corner.
“Hello.” Lucy strode into the kitchen, a bright smile on her face. She hooked her small shoulder bag on the back of a chair and plugged her phone into the spare charger she kept on the now clear-from-clutter bench. “I hope I’m not too early. Alec dropped me here first. He’ll take the kids to school and come back for me when I’m ready.”
“You should have brought them in. I’d like to meet your family.”
“Perhaps another time.” Lucy gave her an appraising look. “How are you this morning? I bet you didn’t sleep well last night.”
“You win the bet.”
“Did you try the pillow behind you?”
“Yes. It helped.”
“Good. What about a shower?”
“I’m skipping today. I took some meat from the freezer last night. I thought I’d get you to make something in the slow cooker and perhaps change the sheets and towels while you’re here.”
“Right, I’ll get the sheets going first.”
“Then I’ve started to make a list of what needs to be done before I go and what I still have to organise.”
“Okay. Won’t be long.”
Eve had shown Lucy her bedroom, bathroom and the laundry on her first day and, true to her word, the young woman was back in no time at all. Eve hadn’t moved from her place at the table, still pondering over her list.
“You’re sure you’re okay to take me to Adelaide and bring me back?” She tapped her pen on her notebook. “It’s an overnight stay.”
“Of course. Try not to worry about anything. I’ll be your gofer. You just concentrate on a positive attitude. And once you’ve had the op you’ll feel so much better in the long run.”
“I’ve never had surgery before.”
“Never?” Lucy had her head in the fridge but she turned back to look at Eve. “That’s pretty amazing.”
“The beef’s on a plate, middle shelf.” Eve twirled the pen in her fingers. “My only stay in hospital was when I had my babies. And back then they made you stay for several days. Not like now when they kick you out the minute the baby’s born. I’ve been to hospital plenty of times with Rex or my boys over the years and Rex’s parents when they were alive but I’ve managed to avoid any need for a stay myself.”
“As you say, they’re pretty slick these days. Unless you’re very unwell the best place to recover is in your own home.”
Lucy busied herself in the kitchen preparing the food, carefully explaining what Eve could expect from her admission, surgery prep and recovery. By the time she had the slow cooker on and left to hang out the sheets, Eve was feeling less anxious about the coming surgery and recovery. At least Lucy was confident in the kitchen. Eve would need help getting the meals ready for the boat crew. She always sent enough meals out to last them the first few days. She glanced at the list of cooking that needed to be done and hoped Lucy wouldn’t mind.
It was already after ten when once more Julia drove into Eve’s yard. By the time she’d checked into her motel room the previous night, she’d been tired from travelling all day and had fallen eagerly into the soft bed. She’d slept deeply, only waking to the sound of a car roaring past outside. She was surprised to see bright daylight streaming around the blind and had discovered she only had time for a quick shower before check-out. She’d called in at one of the many cafes that now dotted the main street and bought herself a takeaway coffee then headed back to Eve’s.
A stiff south-westerly tossed everything in its path, kept the air chilly and twirled the sheets on Eve’s clothesline as Julia pulled up at the back gate. She stepped out of the car and paused to take in a lungful of fresh salty air, then let herself in the gate with an eye out for Eve’s dog, Merc, until she remembered he’d died. It was nearly two years since she’d last been here. Besides the dog dying, a few things had changed, if the fresh paint on the woodwork, the tidy garden and the neatly mowed patch of lawn were anything to go by. Maybe Eve employed a handyperson these days.
Julia opened the screen door, gave a light rat-a-tat on the wooden door and let herself in. “Hello? Eve?”
The delicious savoury smell of meat cooking wafted in the air. The washing machine rattled and whirred from the laundry. Music was playing somewhere; Eve was always one to have the radio on. The sound of chatty voices drifted from deeper in the house.
“Hello, Eve!” she called again.
“Did you hear someone?” It wasn’t a voice Julia recognised. Too young for Eve. A head poked into the passage from the kitchen. A young woman stepped out, her arms folded across her chest. “Who are you?”
“A friend of Eve’s. Who are you?”
“Oh my giddy aunt, is that Julia?” Eve appeared in the passage behind the woman guarding the space. “It is Julia! Where did you spring from?” Eve stepped around the young guard, who relaxed her stance a little.
“I thought I’d surprise you.” Julia hurried forward then stopped as she took in the sling around Eve’s arm. “What have you done to yourself?”
“Shoulder. Long story.” Eve held out the arm that wasn’t tied up. “It’s so good to see you.”
Julia stepped into her embrace, careful to hold her coffee out and not bump Eve. She inhaled the fresh citrusy smell of the clothes freshener Eve must still add to her washing and felt like she’d come home. That was until she saw the displeased look from the woman behind Eve. She stepped back, meeting the woman’s stare with an equally assessing look.
“This is Lucy,” Eve said. “She’s been such a help to me, I can’t begin to tell you how much. Lucy, this is my goddaughter, Julia.” Eve flapped a hand at her. “But what are you doing here? Can you stay for a while?”
Julia nodded in the home help’s direction then slipped her arm through Eve’s. “I’m here for two weeks, if you have a bed?”
“If I have a bed!” Eve turned to Lucy and laughed. “She’s a real joker, this one.” She nudged Julia. “You know how many bedrooms there are here. You can take your pick.” Eve laughed. It was a sound Julia loved and realised she’d missed for a long time.
“Where have you come from?” Lucy hadn’t moved from her position at the door.
“Melbourne.” Julia frowned. Lucy stared at her as if she was a bug to be got rid of. “We are allowed to cross the border without isolating these days,” Julia said.
“You’re just in time.” Eve was oblivious to the tension. “Lucy’s almost finished the washing and we were going to have a cuppa. Where are your bags?”
“In the car. I’ll get them later.”
“Can you put the kettle on please, Lucy?” Eve tugged Julia towards the kitchen. “Let’s get you a cup and you can put your coffee in it and join us.”
“Take it easy, Eve,” Lucy said. “You don’t want to stir up that shoulder.”
Julia turned her back on Lucy, having taken an instant dislike to the young bossy-britches, and let Eve guide her into the kitchen.
“Why didn’t you warn me you were coming?” Eve said.
“I decided to surprise you.”
“What about Heath? Have you been to the farm?”
“Not yet. I wanted to see you first. Find out all the goss.”
“You know I don’t listen to gossip.”
“I wish you weren’t so goody-two-shoes.”
They both laughed.
Lucy had followed them but hung in the doorway, still glaring at Julia.
“Can you take out one of those floral mugs from the back of the cupboard, please, Lucy. They’re the ones Julia likes.”
“And you’ve got frog cakes.” Julia ignored the stiff-faced young woman and focused on the table instead. Her mouth watered at the sight of the green treats. “I haven’t had one of them for years.”
“Lucy bought them yesterday but we didn’t feel like them then.” Eve smiled at her. “We’ve only got two though. You can have mine.”
“Oh no. You two eat them.” Lucy flicked the switch on the kettle. “Alec cooked me a huge breakfast this morning and I’m not in the slightest bit hungry.”
“Come and sit down, Eve.” Julia sat and patted the chair next to her. “I want to hear all about this arm. What have you done?”
Lucy slipped away as soon as she’d poured Eve’s tea. The load of towels she’d put in the machine would be finished by now. The two women were talking so intently they probably wouldn’t even notice she was gone. Their effusive tones followed her down the passage, a joyful reunion she wasn’t a part of.
The ridiculous anger she’d first felt at Julia for simply turning up from across the border had been replaced by a pang of envy. Making friends had never been easy for Lucy. Not that she’d call Eve a friend, but they were already familiar with each other. Even though Lucy had sworn she’d never get too close to a client again, Eve at least made her feel as if she was a helpful visitor rather than someone paid to provide support. Julia’s arrival was a timely reminder that Lucy was Eve’s employee, not her friend.
She hefted Eve’s large cane basket to her hip and carried it out to the line. It was heavy on its own without the burden of the few wet towels. It was no wonder Eve had shoulder trouble if she lugged things like this about. Lucy mentally added plastic washing basket to the shopping list they’d started this morning. There were a few things to organise and purchase before Eve’s op.
The surgeon had said she’d need to stay in hospital overnight. Lucy wondered if Julia would want to go with Eve instead. She’d be disappointed not to make the trip now that she’d organised it. Alec would still be home and could stay with the kids. She didn’t like giving up any time she had with him but she’d allowed herself to imagine some time alone in Adelaide. Perhaps she’d do a bit of shopping, wander in bookshops and maybe even visit the art gallery. There was an exhibition she’d seen advertised – the paintings and films of the Marek brothers. Alec would hate it. It was surrealism, not the kind of art she usually enjoyed either but the advertising for it had been intriguing and it was something she’d normally never do.
She hung the towels then untwisted the sheets, which had already blown dry, and bundled them into the basket. Not in a rush to go back inside, she dawdled around the backyard. It wasn’t much of a garden considering the grandeur of the house. Eve was obviously not a green thumb. It was basic, almost barren but tidy except for the roses along the fence where several large weeds flourished. She squatted and began to pull them out. There was something quite therapeutic about pulling weeds. She had no garden at the beach shack. Her only bit of greenery was Zig, her fiddle-leaf fig. Alec had given it to her last birthday. It was her companion when he wasn’t there.
“Are you the one who’s been doing Eve’s garden?”
Lucy jumped up as Julia marched along the path towards the back gate.
“I thought she must have had someone in. She’s never been a gardener before. The backyard was always a jungle of weeds.”
Lucy opened her mouth to say she wasn’t responsible but Julia kept talking.
“Eve wondered where you’d got to. She’s worried you haven’t had your cup of tea yet. I told her workers did that on their own time, not hers, but she insists you go in and have it.”
Julia strode on. From behind, Lucy noticed a slight roll to her stride as if one leg was shorter than the other. Julia opened the boot of her car. Lucy turned away and lugged the heavy basket inside. In the laundry she stopped to fold the sheets and put them back in the huge linen press that ran almost the length of one wall. One corner of the room, behind the door, was taken up by a large chest freezer and there was a washing machine under the window beside a stand of cement troughs. Like the rest of the house, or at least as much as she’d seen, the laundry had been given a more modern makeover and included a second toilet and shower.
By the time Lucy had finished, Julia was back inside and towing a case into the bedroom opposite Eve’s. Lucy hoped the other woman might stop in there to unpack, give Lucy time to make her excuses to Eve and leave.
Eve was at the slow cooker, stirring the contents. “Luckily there’s enough here for a few meals. There’ll be plenty to share with Julia. I’m so glad she’s here. I feel better about the operation already.”
“So Julia will take you to Adelaide?”
Eve put down the spoon she’d been using to stir the meat and turned a puzzled expression to Lucy. “I don’t presume so. I mean she might want to come but—”
“Of course I can take you.” Julia was back.
“You can come with us if you like, Julia, but Lucy will be my carer.”
“You don’t need her now that I’m here.”
Lucy felt as if she were the net in a tennis match.
“Yes, I do. I realise it must seem as if Lucy is here in a home-help capacity but she’s far more than that. She’s a nurse. She understands the gibberish that doctors speak sometimes, she knows about medications and … well, medical stuff. It would be lovely to have your support too, Julia, but I want Lucy to be with me when I have the operation and for as long afterwards as she has time to spare.” Eve looked from Julia to Lucy, the determination on her face just as it had been the first day Lucy visited her. “As per our agreement.”
“Of course,” Lucy said, feeling the full brunt of Eve’s piercing look and that of Julia’s just to the edge of her vision.
“I think you’ve done as much as I need today though,” Eve said. “And with Julia here I can manage over the weekend, but I do have a large amount of cooking to do for the trawler crews.”
“You’re not still doing their meals,” Julia said. “I thought Spiro and Mary took that over.”
“We share it. I make lasagnes and curries and slabs of savoury slices. It’s a big job, feeding everyone.” Eve’s tone was defensive.
Julia shook her head.
“Could you come out Sunday or Monday to help me with the cooking, Lucy?”
“Yes, of course. I’ll see what plans Alec has and let you know which day suits.”
“Good,” Eve said. “You get to have a bit more family time with that lovely man of yours and I’ll have Julia to keep me company. Unless you have other plans, Julia?”
“Of course not,” Julia said. “I’ll catch Heath and Verity at some stage but I came back to visit you, and I’ll be staying while you need help.” She folded her arms across her chest and glared at Lucy.
“Well, aren’t I lucky.” Eve smiled. “Last week I could find no help and now I have two guardian angels.”
Lucy nodded, avoiding Julia’s penetrating look. Perhaps angel wasn’t quite the right word but she was reassured Eve wanted her to stay.
Later that evening, Julia dropped her phone back to the couch, her ear warm from the long conversation she’d just had with her brother.
Eve stuck her head into the lounge. “Do you want a cup of tea?”
