Birds of a Feather, page 18
“The government was handing out grants for renovations and new homes. We decided to make the most of it. Did these renos and built the house for Oliver.”
“Great.” Julia forced a smile. As if Heath needed a grant to do renovations, but no doubt he’d made it work in his favour. He always did.
“Why don’t you take Julia on a tour while I finish the vegetables,” Verity said. “Then we can all sit down and relax with a wine.”
Heath took the lead and strode around explaining features, opening doors, pointing out fittings and new artwork. Walls had been knocked down, extensions added, wet areas remodelled. Her old bedroom was now a glitzy bathroom with a waterfall shower and a free-standing bath. By the time they got back to the kitchen Julia realised there was little left of the home she’d grown up in.
“What do you think?” Verity handed her a glass of chardonnay and Heath a glass of cab sauv.
Julia would have preferred the red. “It’s amazing.”
Heath took a seat in the padded cream carver chair at the head of the table. Julia couldn’t imagine he’d be allowed to sit there if he was in his work clothes. There was another smaller table in the corner of the kitchen with modular chairs. No doubt that was their day-to-day eating area.
“It was the unprecedented times that started us off.”
She nearly choked on the sip of wine she’d just taken. “Unprecedented times” had been bandied about every time a politician or a reporter opened their mouths during the early stages of the pandemic. She never wanted to hear those words again. It made Heath sound pompous. He seemed oblivious as she dabbed at the wine on her chin with a tissue.
“We had a family discussion,” he said. “About where we’d all live when the boys get married.”
“They’re getting married!” Julia was horrified. Her nephews were still young – Oliver was twenty-one and Hamish only nineteen.
“Well, not yet, of course, but in the future,” Verity said.
“Last year, during the height of the …”
Julia braced herself.
“Difficult times.”
She blew out a breath.
“We were looking to pivot.”
Julia swallowed her groan with a sip of wine.
“We decided it was a good opportunity to revisit our succession plan. Verity and I agree we’re so close to town we want to continue living here for as long as we can.”
“We don’t want to move out if both the boys marry.”
“Oliver’s moved into the new house,” Heath said. “It’s a simple modern design. You’ll have to come back another day and have a look.”
“Hamish is still with us when he’s not at uni.” Verity directed Julia to a seat at the table then sat opposite.
Julia thought about the grand house Heath had just shown her and tried to imagine just Heath and Verity and sometimes Hamish in it. They’d rattle around like Eve did in her place.
“Heath said you’ve got a new apartment in Melbourne. Hopefully we can see it later in the year. He’s got some business meetings in Victoria and we thought we’d come on to Melbourne and visit you.”
“Oh … yes … my place is only one bedroom though.”
“I thought you said you moved because you had more room and a view,” Heath said.
“I did. It is bigger than my previous one-bedroom.” Her whole apartment would fit into this kitchen and dining space. “I’m right on the edge of the city overlooking a park. You could stay close. There’re some lovely hotels nearby.” Julia took a swig of the wine. Why was it her brother always made her feel as if she wasn’t quite up to scratch?
“And we’d love to meet Glen,” Verity said.
“Hope he’s better than the last bloke,” Heath said. “We only met Tim a couple of times but we could see he was sponging off you and it’s not as if you earn a fortune.”
“Heath, that’s not kind. Julia went through enough without you making her feel worse.”
“Sorry, Jules.” Heath went all floppy like a giant teddy bear. “I just want you to be looked after.”
“I don’t need looking after.” Thank goodness she’d never told Heath how much Tim had ended up with after their break-up. Somehow it had been far more in his favour than hers. Heath would have urged her to fight back but she simply wanted to cut all ties before Tim found out what she’d inherited from her mother.
“Mum worried for you.”
“Why?”
Heath looked positively hangdog now. “She didn’t like Tim either.”
Their mother had never said. Julia sucked in a breath. Hell, had she been the only one who hadn’t been able to see him for the deceitful, money-grubbing bastard he was?
“That’s all in the past now.” Verity smiled sympathetically.
“I don’t know why you don’t sell the unit in Adelaide and buy yourself a place in Melbourne,” Heath said. “It would make much better sense.”
“I don’t like to have all my eggs in one basket.” When their mum had died, Heath got the farm and Julia her mum’s super and the unit in Adelaide that her parents had bought when Heath had started uni. These days she had a long-term tenant who looked after it well and always paid on time. “You know the Melbourne market isn’t the same.”
“But it seems crazy to me that you pay rent,” Heath huffed.
“And what’s your new job?” Verity skilfully changed the subject. “The research you were doing sounded so fascinating. Such important work saving the world from that wretched virus.”
“Something similar.” Julia kept her response vague. All she needed now was for Heath to discover she had no new job and he’d bang on about it all night. “How are my nephews?”
Bringing up Oliver and Hamish was always a good tactic. Julia heard all about how well Oliver had done at uni and how happy he was back on the farm. Hamish was also doing well with his studies and wanted to go on and do a management course. Then they got on to Heath’s commitments beyond the farm – he was chair or a member of so many committees it all became a blur to Julia. Especially after the third glass of wine. She’d planned to stick to two but she’d needed the buffer. There was still Verity’s dessert to go. Julia was sure she’d be fine by the time she could escape and drive back to Eve’s.
“You should have brought your things and stayed the night while Eve’s away,” Verity said, as if she’d read Julia’s mind. “I could lend you pyjamas. It’s so lovely catching up. I feel as if we haven’t had a good talk for ages.”
“I need to go back. I’ve got a few jobs to do for Eve first thing in the morning.” Julia preferred Eve’s cavernous spare bedroom to the sterile guest wing that had been added at the farmhouse.
Verity collected their plates. “Well, if you’re staying in Wallaby Bay a while perhaps you can come another time. The boys would love to see you.”
“I will, of course, but it depends on how much Eve needs me,” Julia said quickly. “I don’t think she realises what a tricky recovery she’ll have.”
To Julia’s surprise, Heath reached across and gave her hand a squeeze. “It’s good you’re here for her, Jules. And we’re glad to see you too.”
Julia smiled and jumped up to help Verity. She wasn’t used to sentimentality from her brother.
nineteen
Eve opened her eyes and blinked against the bright light shining through the window. Morning at last. She felt as if she’d hardly slept and yet she must have because the last time the nurses had given her medication it had been dark. There was movement on her left side. Lucy was stirring in the chair beside her.
“Have you been here all night?” She had vague recollections of the young woman’s reassuring murmurs each time she woke.
Lucy yawned, sat forward and stretched. “Not all of it. I came back at seven.”
“What time is it now?”
“Eight thirty. You were sleeping very peacefully. Do you feel a bit better?”
“Looking forward to going home.”
“They’ll be back in soon. The nurse said she’d wait until you either woke or your meds were due before she gave you a wash.”
“Is it that grumpy woman from yesterday?”
“She wasn’t grumpy, just …”
“Disagreeable.”
“I was going to say efficient. Anyway, I didn’t see her when I arrived so you might be safe.”
Eve thought the woman more a little Hitler than just “disagreeable”. Usually she’d give back as good as she got but the pain and lack of sleep were wearing her down. “Do you think I’ll get out of here before lunch? They don’t feed you in here.”
“You weren’t up to eating yesterday but your breakfast tray’s here.” Lucy wheeled the trolley forward from the end of the bed.
Eve glared at it. “What’s in there?”
Lucy lifted lids on toast and eggs; there was cereal and tea and fruit. She went ahead and poured the tea. Eve’s stomach roiled at the thought of the stone-cold food. She closed her eyes as the pain built again in her shoulder but opened them at the sound of bright voices. Two nurses entered, both carrying flowers. One was a young man and the other an older woman, neither of them the dictator nurse from yesterday.
“Hello, Eve. I’m Trudy and this is Kyle. You’re looking a lot brighter. How’s the pain level?”
“Rising.”
“We’ll get you some meds for that. These beautiful flowers are a nice distraction.”
The nurses sat the flowers on a shelf opposite Eve’s bed.
“Who are they from?” Eve asked.
“A good-looking admirer, I reckon,” Trudy chuckled. “Now some meds for you before we do anything else.”
Lucy removed the cards and Eve waved her hand at them.
“What do they say?” she asked.
“The bright oranges and purples are from Zac and the pretty pinks are from Arlo.” Lucy slipped the cards back into their envelopes. “There’s a message on each. I’ll put them with your things to read later.”
“We’ll give you a wash next,” Trudy said. “That always makes you feel a bit better.”
“Do I have to? I just want to get out of here.”
“Don’t you like us?” Kyle quipped.
“Nothing personal,” Eve muttered.
“The physio and the doctor will be here soon. You won’t be going anywhere before they say so,” Trudy said. “Let’s get you freshened up.”
“I’ll go and get a coffee,” Lucy said. “Back in a while.”
“Can you bring me something decent to eat?”
“We can organise that for you,” Trudy said. “What would you like?”
Eve sagged back against the pillows. The ache in her shoulder was becoming all-consuming and her empty stomach churned. She didn’t know what she wanted.
“How about a toasted sandwich?” Lucy suggested. “Cheese and tomato?”
Eve did her best to smile. “And a hot cup of tea?”
“We’ll get on to it as soon as we’ve finished here,” Trudy said.
Lucy gave a wave and a smile and let herself out. Eve’s small bit of optimism went with her. She told herself she was being ridiculous, but she felt like she was a child being left alone with strangers. Kind strangers who were doing their very best but inflicting a world of pain nonetheless. If she could just get out of their clutches and go home she knew she’d feel better.
Julia had whipped round the house to make sure everything was ready for Eve’s return. Not that there was much to do. Eve’s place used to be messy but there was little out of place these days. Lucy encouraged clear spaces. With everything done, she decided to pop into town for a coffee, much preferring the cafe coffee to Eve’s instant.
The man behind the counter at the Cinnamon Bark was very chatty as she placed her order. When he realised she was connected to Eve, he introduced himself as Dale and asked after her.
“Eve’s such a stalwart of Wallaby Bay. After all she’s done for this town, some people should be more grateful.”
Julia was about to ask him who when her phone vibrated in her pocket. Eve’s name lit up the screen. Julia moved away from the counter.
“We’re on our way,” Eve said as soon as Julia answered.
“You sound brighter.”
Lucy’s voice rumbled in the background. “I know,” Eve muttered. Then, louder, “Julia, we can’t leave until we’ve got my medication from the pharmacy. They promised by two o’clock so they should be here any minute.”
“So you’re still at the hospital?”
“Yes.”
Julia checked the time. It was almost two thirty. “I’ll be waiting for you. I bought a chicken pie from Lenore yesterday when I collected the cake. Thought we’d have that for dinner if you’re up for it.”
“I will be. I’m paying all this money to stay in this fancy hospital and they’ve hardly fed me. I finally got some food at lunchtime that was palatable.”
“Look forward to seeing you soon.” She ended the call before Eve could make any more complaints. She didn’t envy Lucy right now.
Julia had just settled in a corner of the cafe when her phone rang again. It was Glen. Feeling a little guilty, she accepted his call. Julia had sent a text to say she’d arrived safely and another about Eve having her op but they hadn’t spoken since she’d arrived.
“Hi, honey,” he crooned. “I was beginning to wonder if you’d dropped off the planet.”
She ignored his dig at her lack of communication. Even though they didn’t see each other every day back in Melbourne, he often rang her as he was going to bed. Sometimes she answered, sometimes she didn’t. “Eve’s had her op. It went well, I gather, and she’s on her way home.”
“Aren’t you with her?”
“She’s hired a young woman as nurse and home help.”
“So you won’t need to stay on for too long.”
“Lucy’s hired help. Eve won’t keep her on once she’s recovered from the surgery but she’ll still need help.”
“Oh.”
“How come you’re calling at this time of day? Aren’t you working?”
“I’ve been in meetings all day. Just grabbing a late lunch and thought I’d ring to see how you are.” There was a pause. “I miss you.”
A few more seconds passed before she answered. “I miss you too.” Once again she felt guilty. She didn’t really miss him but it didn’t seem fair to say it. “Have you heard any more from the girls? When are they coming to stay?”
“That’s been put on hold.”
“Why?”
“Their mother has organised a surprise party for her partner the weekend we’d planned.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
“I’ve got work in Sydney in a month or so. I’ll see them then.”
He sounded so glum Julia felt her heart break for him. His daughters were his Achilles heel and his ex knew how to use that to her advantage.
“Any word on work offers for you?” he asked.
“Not yet.” Julia had actually spent the morning scrolling through possibilities but nothing had intrigued her enough to ask for more information.
Glen started telling her about the latest project he was working on. She sat back with her phone propped to her ear, soaking in the warmth coming through the glass and sipping her coffee. Wallaby Bay was such a relaxing world away from Melbourne. She wasn’t ready to face reality just yet.
Lucy made sure Eve was as comfortable as possible before she carefully closed the door and climbed into the car beside her.
“Ready?” She smiled at the older woman, who was staring resolutely ahead.
“I thought they’d never let me go. Drive quick before they change their minds.”
Eve was silent while Lucy navigated through the late-afternoon traffic and onto the highway away from the city. Finally they passed a huge sign listing the destinations along the highway and the tension in Lucy’s shoulders eased a little.
Eve made a soft groaning sound.
Lucy glanced across. Eve’s eyes were closed. “Are you okay? Do you want to stop?”
“Good heavens, no.” Eve pulled her weary face into a smile. “I’m just glad it’s over and I’m going home.”
“You let me know if you need a break. We can stop any time.”
They drove on in silence. Lucy thought Eve had gone to sleep so it startled her when she spoke.
“Thank you, Lucy,” she said. “I don’t know how I would have done this without you.”
“I’m glad I could help but you would have managed. You have Julia—”
Eve made a scoffing sound. “I love Julia dearly but she’s not nursing material. She’s never been good with vomit. If anyone puked she’d disappear quick smart or she’d start heaving too. And then after her accident … well, she’s not too good with blood either.”
Lucy was surprised. She’d imagined nothing would faze Julia.
“You’ve the right temperament for nursing. Is it something you always wanted to do?”
“Since I was twelve.”
Eve was silent for a moment but Lucy could feel her piercing gaze.
“Was there someone who influenced you then?”
“My mum, or at least my foster mum, Rita. She had cancer and had home nursing towards the end. There was one woman in particular who was wonderful.” Lucy could picture Mrs Redmond’s face more clearly than she could Rita’s these days. “I’d already been doing lots for Rita and one of the visiting nurses, Mrs Redmond, always encouraged me to help when she was there. The others shooed me away as if I was a nuisance but not Mrs Redmond.”
“That must have been a comfort to you and Rita.”
Lucy nodded. “It was.” She’d found some solace in at least being able to help with Rita’s care. It had given her purpose, and in some way she felt she was repaying the love that Rita and Burt had given her. Dear Burt with his crooked smile and his sparkling eyes. He’d not been much help at all but he’d loved them both and that had been enough.
“Had you been in their care long?”
Eve’s question pulled Lucy from her thoughts.
“Rita had been in her fifties and Burt in his sixties when they took me in. They’d fostered before but had decided not to take in any more kids. Someone persuaded them.” Lucy smiled. “I was only a baby. Rita always said she thanked her lucky stars the day they put me in her arms.”
