Head for the Hills, page 13
“Thanks for the ride, Dennis,” Roslyn said, oblivious to the tension. “I haven’t had a good look at the new car.”
“What do you think?”
“Very nice. But how did you end up with an Audi?”
Margot’s head shot up. She hadn’t even noticed it wasn’t a Renault.
Roslyn closed her door and the light faded.
“Just testing it,” he said. He manoeuvred the car out onto the road.
Margot stared at him but his focus was on driving.
“I thought perhaps Pedrick Motors was branching out.” Roslyn chuckled.
“Would you like to drive on the way home? Margot’s impressed with it. I think you might like it better than your Mercedes.”
“Really?” Roslyn’s response held a hint of disbelief.
“And here we are already,” Dennis said. “Look at all the cars.”
Margot swallowed her annoyance as they cruised past the Lutheran church and hall, where not a space remained within cooee, and turned down a side street.
Dennis pulled in. “This might be the closest we’ll get.”
Still smarting from his earlier harsh words, she remained silent as she gathered her bag and notebook and got out of the car. She was anxious about the meeting and Dennis had only unsettled her more.
“Do you know much about what’s happening tonight?” Roslyn asked.
“Several of us have planned questions to ask,” Margot said brusquely and jabbed one of the slips towards Roslyn. “This one’s for you.”
Roslyn frowned at it. “I’ve come more to listen.”
“Surely you can ask a question about traffic. It will affect you, being right on the corner.”
Roslyn gave a vague nod and pushed the paper into the pocket of her wallet. They walked together up the hill towards the hall. Roslyn was being very slow.
“Is that leg still bothering you?” Margot asked.
“A bit. You two go on ahead. I’ll be fine.”
“Don’t be silly – the meeting’s not due to start for ten minutes,” Dennis said. “We don’t need to rush.”
Margot swallowed her agitation and tried not to allow her footsteps to quicken. In her hand she clutched the list of carefully prepared questions they’d set out Monday night at the pub. It had been a small gathering – Fred, Dennis and Margot, of course, then only Kevin and Martin had turned up. They’d worked on the questions and taken some to hand to others. “Looks better if a cross-section of people ask,” Fred had said. “Rather than the same few.”
Inside, the hall was almost full, buzzing with voices and expectant energy and, as Margot had worried, the only vacant chairs were in the front row. Geraldine smiled and waved from her seat near the back. At the front of the hall a small podium had been set up with chairs and a microphone, and a large banner with the artist’s impression of the proposed hotel stood as a backdrop.
They continued on down the central aisle, speaking to people as they went. Margot had a sudden recollection of Emily’s wedding and being mother of the bride, but instead of walking alone this time she had Roslyn and Dennis with her. Or at least she had. By the time they got to the front row, Dennis had disappeared. She glanced around and finally spied him to one side talking to another man who owned a business near their dealership in Mount Barker. Seated in front of him were the Teakles.
The sale of their supermarket was still the talk of the town. No-one had thought it would happen. Evidently they’d got a good price from a company that wanted to keep the footprint but renovate and make it a seven-day-a-week business. Everyone agreed that had to be good for Jesserton. She’d also seen Kath in the crowd and Helen from book club – that had heightened her anxiety – and a few others she recognised who didn’t live in Jesserton. There were certainly people from all over and she was glad to see one of their local councillors as well. That helped settle her nerves as she and Roslyn took their seats.
The presentation was slick. A man and a woman from Meyer and Brightman introduced themselves as Max and Carlene and took turns to present the outline of the proposal. It was similar to what had already been reported in the paper but with more explanation about the uniqueness of the rooms and that the venue would be suited to small weddings, corporate events, romantic getaways and general visitors to the region. There were also plans for some kind of food prep space for caterers and breakfast provisions would be provided on request, but they didn’t intend to have a fully functioning restaurant.
That brought a murmur from the crowd.
Max held up his hands. “Research conducted by the South Australian Tourism Commission has confirmed a real need in this region for the kind of accommodation we’re offering.”
He went on to say he believed the hotel would enhance the local community and finished with a spiel about employment opportunities then asked for questions from the floor.
“Where do you expect all these visitors to eat if you’re not having a restaurant?” Fred called from somewhere behind.
It wasn’t quite the wording from the list of questions they’d planned but it would do.
“A good question, sir.” Max opened his hands in a welcome gesture. “May I ask anyone with a question to state your name first, please? It would be helpful for us all.”
“Everyone here knows me. I’m Fred and I own Friedrich’s Gasthaus just down the road. Been in my family for four generations.”
“That’s good to know.” Max smiled magnanimously while Carlene scribbled in a notebook. “We’d like to work closely with you.” Once more Max opened his arms wide. “And any food and catering business who’d be interested.”
Kev leaped to his feet. “My name’s Kevin and I own the butcher shop. I can’t see how a hotel without a kitchen will help my business.”
Margot frowned. Kev lived not far from the other side of the proposed development. He was supposed to ask about noise from people and music and traffic and so on.
“The rooms will have basic cooking facilities,” Carlene said. “We’ve some ideas for self-catering we’d like to talk to you about.” Her smile radiated charm. “But we’re probably getting a bit ahead of ourselves.” She glanced towards the side of the hall. Margot had noticed her do that a few times. She turned to follow her gaze and noted a man in a smart jacket, arms folded, leaning against the wall. Margot didn’t recognise him as a local.
“The hotel is still in the planning stage,” Carlene continued. “We were hoping to answer any questions more directly related to its design and function. We want to know what you think.”
“It’ll be an eyesore towering over the town.”
“Hello, ma’am.” Carlene’s smile remained stuck across her face. “May I have your name, please?”
“Thelma Schmidt. I’ve lived in Jesserton all my life. It’s a beautiful town and a huge hotel will spoil it.”
More murmurs and grumbles followed. Thelma hadn’t been at Monday night’s meeting but her comment was similar to one of the questions Margot had said she’d ask. She took a breath and rose on trembling legs. The voices went quiet.
“My name’s Margot Pedrick. Like Thelma, I’ve lived here most of my life. I run The General Providore in town with my friend Kath.” She glanced back and Kath smiled and nodded. Margot lifted her chin and stared directly at Carlene. “My husband and I actually live right next door to your proposed development and we want to know how you plan to maintain our privacy and that of the other people’s properties that your hotel rooms will look over.”
Behind her there were mumbles of support as she sat back in her chair with a small whoomph.
“Thank you, Margot.” Carlene nodded, the smile still in place. “Each room and balcony will be partitioned to prevent overlooking each other and everything else but the gardens and valley in front.”
“What about those top rooms?” Thelma called.
“The final height of the hotel is still to be determined,” Max said then waved a hand towards the back. “You have a question, sir?”
“My name’s Martin Threadgold. My wife and I have several holiday rentals which we’ve run here for many years. I’m sure you’re aware of the difficulties we have with water supply in this area and then waste water disposal. How will a big structure like yours, catering for a large number of people, manage that?”
At least Martin was sticking to the question list.
“A great question, thank you, Martin,” Max said and moved closer to the large poster. “There is an existing and well-maintained turkey nest dam, and also part of the hotel build would incorporate water catchment and storage.” He pointed to the sketch. “You can’t see it here but storage tanks will be built into the hill underneath the hotel, a tank for each level of rooms but with interconnectivity. In the same way we’re also dealing with grey water, which will be used in the extensive gardens surrounding the hotel. Which, by the way, we hope to have open to the local community most of the time. A place for a picnic or to walk your dog.” Once again his smile stretched wide with his open hands.
Dennis asked the prepared question about the traffic that would go past their place on the unsealed road that had been discussed at length at their planning meeting, and Fred asked about a liquor licence, another question not on their list. People Margot didn’t know asked more questions and each time Max or Carlene had a smooth answer.
“You have a question, sir?” Max nodded to a man across the hall from Margot.
“Good evening. I live in Jesserton and work in the city. Like everyone else here I enjoy the lifestyle.” He glanced around and Margot recognised him as one of the Prov’s regular weekend customers. “What would be the benefits for our community to have your hotel here?”
“Thank you – an excellent question. There will be employment opportunities, of course, both during the build and once the hotel is complete. We’re also committed to work with local businesses who we hope will benefit greatly from the experience and—”
“Hope is all well and good.” Fred’s voice boomed around the hall. “But council have been very quiet about something that will have such a huge impact on our community. Why is that, Councillor Moss?”
Voices of support for Fred’s question echoed around the hall and Max put his hands up for silence. Margot turned as the councillor rose to his feet. He glanced from side to side, waiting for the final rumbles and mumbles to cease. He was about the same age as her kids and while he didn’t seem fazed by the hostility in the air, Margot did feel a little sorry for him.
“Good evening. I’m Brett Moss. I don’t live in Jesserton but I do live in Brunville across the freeway and—”
“Speak up, man,” called a voice from the back.
The councillor stood taller, turned as if he was looking for the interjector then continued in a louder voice. “While I am a councillor I have no influence on this decision.”
“What’s the good of you then?” someone interjected and there were a few chuckles.
“From what I understand, this project is in the consultation phase,” Brett said.
“From what you understand!” The interjector’s voice rose a notch.
“A proposal of this scale goes to—”
“Speak up,” the voice called again.
Brett cleared his throat. “There’s plenty of time for discussion once we have more facts but approval is not—”
“What about our approval?” a voice shouted.
“We want more than smooth placations,” called another.
“When’s the next council meeting?” Kevin shouted over the growing rumble of voices. “We should all be there.”
It took a while for Max to restore order, and when he did he asked people to take a brochure and direct further questions via the company website. He closed the meeting and he and Carlene began to pack up their things as once more pockets of loud conversation broke out around the hall.
Roslyn rose to her feet. “I think it’s time to go.”
Margot looked around for Dennis but she couldn’t see him. The councillor who’d been howled down was pushing his way ahead to the door.
“We’ll find Dennis outside,” Roslyn said.
Margot followed a pace behind her but Kevin stepped in her path. “Good job organising us to have the questions ready, Margot.”
“Oh, it wasn’t just—”
Thelma grabbed her arm. “Well done for organising this, Margot.”
“I didn’t organise this—”
“You’ve done a great job.” Fred beamed at her.
“Well, thank you.” Their praise spread over her like a warm blanket. “But we all did our bit.”
“When’s the next meeting?” Fred asked.
Margot frowned. She hadn’t thought past tonight. Somehow she’d imagined everything would go back to normal after the meeting. The proposed hotel would be stopped and simply go away. Instead it felt as if nothing had been resolved.
“We should get together to be ready for when council discusses this next.” Kev’s fervent gaze fixed on her.
“Okay…yes…I’ll find out and be in touch.”
Thelma clapped her hands excitedly. “We could have one of those Facebook group thingos to share ideas and keep everyone up to date. Like we do for our craft group.”
“An online group’s a good idea,” Fred said. “Shall I organise that?”
Those gathered agreed and Margot’s flagging spirits lifted.
“Come on, Margot.” There was a hint of irritation in Roslyn’s voice. Margot wasn’t sure why she should be annoyed other than she didn’t use social media. Roslyn hadn’t even asked the question Margot had given her about the extra traffic that would be turning off the main road, which was a designated eighty kilometres zone, onto their narrower gravel road.
They made their way outside with Margot receiving more praise for her proactive stance. Groups of people stood around talking. To one side Dennis was deep in conversation with the man who’d been standing at the side of the crowd in the hall. As they approached, the two shook hands and the man moved away.
“Who was he?” Margot asked.
“Xavier Zamon – he’s the project manager for the hotel.”
Margot studied the suave-looking man, who was now chatting to Fred. “Why wasn’t he up the front speaking and taking questions?”
“That’s what Max and Carlene were for. He said he likes to get a feel for the community—”
“Humph! Why didn’t he do that earlier?”
“He’s been in the region several times before this.”
“What was he talking to you about?”
Dennis broke into a grin. “Cars, of all things. He’s in the market for a new EV like mine.”
“Yours?” Margot frowned. “I thought it was a demo.”
“It is.” Dennis put up a hand. “You two wait here. I’ll go and get the car and come back for you. That leg seems to be really troubling you tonight, Roslyn.” He shot Margot a smile and then he was gone. Margot stared after him a moment. She was glad he’d lost his earlier churlishness but she still couldn’t forget his harsh words as they’d been waiting for Roslyn.
She turned her focus back to her sister.
“That leg does seem to be bothering you. Perhaps we’d better have the next Sunday dinner our way after all. If it’s a nice day we could always take the children over for a swim at yours afterwards.”
“That’s still several days away and I’m perfectly well enough to host dinner.”
They lapsed into silence and Roslyn shifted her weight from one foot to the other.
“Have you seen anyone about it?” Margot asked.
“About what?”
“Your leg.”
“I’ve seen a doctor.”
“And what did the doctor say.” Margot shook her head. “Honestly, Roslyn, it’s like pulling hen’s teeth.”
“There’s no need for a fuss. I’ll probably need a hip replacement, that’s all.”
“That’s all.” Margot gaped at her sister. “When did you find out about that?”
“I haven’t yet for sure. I had some tests yesterday and I’m seeing a specialist next week.”
“Goodness, that’s quick. We’ll have to make a plan for when it happens. You’ll need home care, or perhaps you can stay with us for a while until…oh.” Margot tapped a finger to her lips. “But that would depend on when. If I’m at work I won’t be much help to you. We might need to employ someone.”
“Take a breath, Margot. I haven’t even seen the specialist yet. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.” Roslyn edged towards the kerb. “Here comes Dennis.”
fifteen
Margot was in the shop kitchen humming to herself as she stirred the baked beans she was cooking for the weekend breakfasts. They’d been extra busy for a Friday, which was to be expected with only two-and-a-half weeks to Christmas. People were holding festive end-of-year events and it was good weather for tourists. Unfortunately they’d had to send their casual girl home again. Poor thing suffered terribly from migraines. Between Margot, Kath and Lani they’d managed and with the rush now over Margot had set to work on the baked beans.
There’d been no time to do anything about stopping the hotel but it was never far from her thoughts. She wouldn’t get a chance until her day off on Monday, when she planned to do a lot more research and rally the locals to continue their campaign to halt its progress.
She turned off the gas and transferred the pot to a trivet to cool. In the brief silence Thelma’s voice carried from the shop. She was banging on about the scandal with the mayor again.
“And I hear Cameron is going to stand for mayor in the by-election,” Thelma announced.
Margot hurried out and glanced around the shop. Thankfully all the other current customers had been served and were seated. Lani was clearing plates outside. The only person standing on the other side of the counter was Thelma. Margot moved up beside Kath and leaned over slightly, keeping her voice low.
“Actually, Thelma,” she said, “Cameron’s not standing for mayor.”
“Oh, that’s not what I heard,” Thelma huffed. “And I believe he’s in favour of the proposed hotel.”
