Birds of a Feather, page 21
Poppy reached out and picked up the toy dog. Immediately they were illuminated in its welcome blue glow.
Lucy took tentative steps towards the door. Her torch highlighted slices of the chaos beyond. More of the ceiling had pulled away over the kitchen, and beyond it there was no roof. She shone the torch on the table area and gasped. The window was smashed and a branch from the pine tree was covering the bench seat and part of the table. Glass and debris were spread across the room. They’d been lucky it hadn’t happened earlier when they’d been eating their dinner. Or that the branch hadn’t come down a few metres further along the verandah and crashed through the children’s bedroom window.
The wind wailed through the jagged empty spaces and beyond it the sound of the ocean was like a roaring wild animal. Something wet slapped Lucy’s face. She batted at it and stepped back into the relative safety of the bedroom. She had no idea what to do but she knew they couldn’t stay here.
“Mummy!” Poppy cried again.
“We’re going to leave,” she said.
“Where will we go?” Noah was still trying to be brave but she could hear the fear in his voice.
“Put on your dressing gowns.” Lucy thought about the glass-strewn living room. “And your sneakers.”
Poppy sobbed. “I’ll help you, Popsicle, don’t worry. Mummy’s here.” Lucy shoved her daughter’s warm feet into her shoes. “You hang onto Bluey.”
“Where’s Bingo!”
Lucy searched the bed for the stuffed toy. “Here,” she said. “Now switch on Bluey’s torch.” She wrapped the doona around Poppy. “I’m going to carry you and you’re going to be the light to show us the way.”
“Like a lighthouse?” Poppy had been fascinated by lighthouses since Alec had explained what they were when they’d visited the local museum. Last time he’d been home they’d taken a drive one night after dark to see the light that flashed further down the coast.
“Yes, strong and bright like a lighthouse. Ready, Noah?”
“Yes.” His wide eyes searched her face in the glow of Poppy’s torch. He slid his hand into hers.
They stepped out into the living room. And then everything went black.
“What are you doing, Poppy?” Lucy snapped.
“I’m being a lighthouse. Daddy said you count to three between flashes.”
Lucy took a breath. “I need you to be a stay-on lighthouse to get us to the car. No more flashing, okay?”
“Okay.”
“Now shine your torch towards the laundry.”
Lucy was relieved to see the back part of the house looked intact.
“I have to get my bag, Noah. You hold my jumper.” Lucy took her bag and keys from the washing machine and reached for the door handle. “We’re going to run for the car as soon as I open the door, okay?”
“Yes,” they replied, their little voices barely more than whispers.
“Poppy, you keep the torch shining on the car.”
Lucy took a deep breath. She hoped she was doing the right thing. Behind her came the screeching sound of metal.
“Let’s go.” She opened the door and a huge whoosh of air swept them outside. They hurried towards the dark shape of the car. Poppy’s torch illuminated the seaweed and leaves splattered across the bonnet and roof. Lucy was relieved to see it was all small stuff. She bundled the children inside, jumped into the driver’s seat and started the car.
She glanced behind her. Poppy was crying, Noah silently wide-eyed beside his sister.
“It’s all right, Popsicle,” Lucy said and forced herself to smile. “We’re okay.”
She drove out onto the road and caught her breath as she glimpsed the dark shape of the branch that had come down. It filled the space between the road and the house. She turned the car and drove away from the chaos.
“Where are we going, Mum?” Noah asked.
“We’ll be fine, Noah.” Lucy’s response was a little sharp but now that they’d escaped the house, she had no idea where to go.
Along the street there were branches down and anything loose flapped. A cardboard box blew across the road in front of her. She kept driving, wanting to get further inland but the tree-lined road was littered with branches.
“Let’s go to Papou’s,” Noah said.
Lucy’s spirits lifted then tumbled again. “They’re not home.” She didn’t have a key to their house, which they kept locked up tight.
She stopped at the T-junction. Bits of bush and paper blew along the road. Perhaps parking in Kon and Helen’s driveway surrounded by big solid homes might be a better option than simply driving around. Then in the morning she would work out what to do.
“I’m thirsty,” Poppy whined.
Lucy put a hand to her head. She’d brought no water or food with her. She hadn’t been thinking about what would happen when they left the house, just that they had to leave before it fell down around them. What should she do? Who else did she know well enough to lob at their house in the middle of the night? Eve? Lucy abandoned that idea as soon as she’d thought it.
“I want Daddy,” Poppy said in a wavering voice.
“Don’t worry, Poppy, Mummy will keep us safe.”
The certainty in Noah’s voice compelled Lucy into action. She’d run out of options. Instead of turning towards town she took the road up the hill towards Eve’s place.
“Where are we going?” Noah asked.
“On an adventure.”
As she drove, Lucy convinced herself Eve’s house was her best option. They’d be safe until morning. She knew where the spare key was kept. Eve and Julia’s bedrooms were in the middle of the house. Lucy could sneak the children into the playroom without disturbing the two women and there was a bathroom opposite if they needed.
A few minutes later Lucy didn’t know whether to laugh or cry as she turned into Eve’s yard. There were lights shining from several windows and over the back door. Not sure what was going on, she told the children to wait in the car. Poppy immediately burst into big loud tears, so it was the three of them bundled together who arrived at Eve’s back door. Even though the house was exposed on the hill, the wind didn’t seem as bad here and it was immediately calmer under the verandah.
“Who lives here?” Noah asked.
“The lady I’ve been helping. Her name’s Mrs Monk.”
“With the hurting shoulder?” Poppy said.
“Yes. And she has a friend staying. Julia’s not used to children so be on your best behaviour.” Lucy hugged Poppy to her hip and opened the screen door. “Be very quiet and do as I ask. Remember Eve is old and she’s not feeling the best.” Lucy didn’t mention Julia again. Goodness knows what she’d say when she saw them.
The light over the back door went out just as Lucy knocked.
“Who the hell’s that?” a voice bellowed and the light flicked back on.
“Um!” Poppy said. “The lady swore.”
“Shh!” Lucy’s spirits sagged further. She hadn’t expected Eve would be the one to let them in but she’d hoped. “It’s Lucy,” she called.
The door opened a crack. “What?” The door opened further. “What are you doing here?” Julia’s gaze swept down to the children. “What’s happened?”
“Our roof … it’s blowing off.” Suddenly all the adrenaline that had got Lucy through the events of the night and as far as Eve’s door left her. “I couldn’t think where else to go.” A giant sob hiccupped from deep in her chest. Noah squeezed her hand tightly and Poppy buried her head into Lucy’s neck.
“What’re you doing, Julia?” Eve called from the other end of the house.
Julia stepped back. “Come in, come in.”
“Julia?”
Lucy shepherded the children inside.
“It’s Lucy,” Julia called as she shut the door behind them and for a brief moment there was peace.
“Who?”
“Go up to the kitchen.” Julia shooed them forward. “The power’s been off here. It’s just come back on and we’ve got the aircon going to warm the place up. I was going around switching off lights that were left on when the power went out.”
“Lucy!” Eve met them at the kitchen door. “And these are your children. What on earth’s happened?”
The concern on Eve’s face was Lucy’s final undoing. She began to cry and then Poppy started again.
“Come and sit down,” Eve said. Julia pushed a chair in close for each of the children so they could sit by Lucy.
Noah sat on one but Poppy couldn’t be persuaded to the chair. She remained clamped like a limpet to Lucy’s chest as Lucy told the two women what had happened.
“I’m glad you thought to come here,” Eve said after Lucy had finished her story and dried her tears.
“I can’t see how someone could rent a place out that was so flimsy,” Julia said.
“Some of those old shacks have been there a long time,” Eve said. “And sometimes we’ve had mini cyclones that tear through leaving a trail of destruction, no matter how strong the structure.” Eve sat on the chair Julia had pushed close for Poppy. She patted Lucy’s hand. “There’s nothing more you can do tonight and we’ve got plenty of beds.”
“Thank you,” Lucy said.
“Mummy, I’m still thirsty,” Poppy whispered in Lucy’s ear.
“Julia and I were just about to have a hot chocolate,” Eve said. “Would you like to have one too?”
Poppy peeled herself back far enough to stare at Eve. She nodded.
“Manners, Poppy,” Lucy murmured.
“Yes, please,” Poppy whispered then tucked her face back to Lucy’s chest.
“Hot chocolate all round then,” Julia said, and got busy in the kitchen.
twenty-two
Lucy woke to pitch-black. Her brain reeled as she tried to work out where she was and then it all came flooding back. She was in one of the spare rooms at Eve’s house. After they’d had their hot chocolate and the sounds of the storm had abated, they’d all gone to bed. It turned out the two doors that opened off the playroom were bedrooms. One had twin single beds in it and the other a queen. The children wouldn’t sleep alone so the three of them had snuggled into the queen bed together. The room had no window. Julia had explained there was a skylight but the cover was closed.
Lucy felt around the bed but she was alone now. She sat up and reached for her phone. Her heart thumped as she realised there was barely any charge and that it was already nine o’clock. She flicked on the bedside light and pulled on the outer layer of clothes she’d taken off before she’d climbed into the bed.
Bright morning sunlight almost blinded her as she opened the door onto the playroom.
“Mummy! Look at all these toys.” Poppy sat at a small table surrounded by dolls and teddys with her own soft Bingo toy among them. A tea set was arranged on the table and at Poppy’s feet there were several small tubs of toys upended on the floor.
“You shouldn’t get so much out all at once.” Lucy bent to toss some blocks back in a tub.
“I told you, Poppy.” Noah was at the other end of the playroom with a box of toys she couldn’t make out. He lifted one into the air. “Look at this Transformer, Mum.”
“Wow!” Lucy put the lid on the tub of blocks and started putting an assortment of small dolls into a basket. “How long have you two been up?”
“A while,” Noah said.
“Noah said we had to be quiet and let you sleep.” Poppy got up from her chair. “But I’m hungry.”
“I’ll get you something to eat. First I have to ring the man who owns the shack.”
It was a quick conversation. Mr Flavel had already had a call and was on his way to the property to assess the damage. He hadn’t asked where Lucy was but had been relieved to hear she and the children were okay. She said she’d come once they’d had some breakfast.
“Can we eat now, Mummy?” Poppy moaned.
Lucy stuck her head out into the passage. At first she thought all was quiet but then she heard the faint sound of a radio coming from deeper in the house. She hoped that meant Eve was at least awake, if not out of bed. Lucy took a child in each hand and walked them quietly up the passage. Eve was at the table reading a book. She looked up and her weary face changed to a smile.
“You’re awake. Come in. Oh, and the children too. I hope you all managed to get some sleep after your terrible night.”
“We did, thank you, Eve.”
“We’re hungry,” Poppy said.
“Well, your mum knows where everything is here.” Once more Eve smiled. “Please treat this like home, Lucy.”
Lucy made scrambled eggs and was happy that Eve also ate some of it. Her appetite hadn’t picked up much since her op. Eve had an easy manner with Poppy and Noah and they were soon all chatting like good friends.
They’d finished eating and had started discussing what Lucy was going to do about her house when Julia stuck her head round the kitchen door.
“What’s that smell?” She lifted her nose in the air. “Have you had eggs?”
“Mummy made eggs scramble,” Poppy said. “It’s our favourite.”
“Ugh! I can’t abide eggs.”
Poppy’s bright smile evaporated.
“She doesn’t know what she’s missing, does she?” Eve winked at Poppy.
“Did anyone sleep at all last night?” Julia sank to a chair and put her head in her hands. “I feel like the morning after a boozy night.”
“Would you like a coffee?” Lucy gathered the plates and took them to the sink.
“Yes.” Julia got up. “I’ll get it though. I’m sure you’re anxious to get back to your house.”
“We were just talking about that,” Eve said. “I’ve suggested the children stay here while Lucy goes to assess the damage.”
Julia paused, the mug she’d been about to place on the bench suspended mid-air. “Who’s going to look after them?”
It would have been easier not to take them with her but Lucy could see Julia’s attitude had unsettled them. Poppy’s lip wobbled and Noah’s eyes were getting rounder by the minute. “It was kind of you to offer, Eve, but I’ll take them with me.”
“There’s the playroom and a TV and a huge yard to explore,” Eve said. “I’m sure they can amuse themselves with an adult nearby.”
“Yes, but what if they need something?” Julia persisted.
“Come on, kids,” Lucy said. She’d had quite enough of Julia’s negativity. “We’ll go back to the house together.”
“I don’t want to,” Poppy whimpered. “It’s all broken.”
“Come on, Poppy.” Noah was already standing beside Lucy at the door. “We have to help Mum.”
“Poppy can stay here with me,” Eve said. She smiled at the little girl. “I can sit in that comfy chair in the playroom and keep you company while your mum’s away. You too, Noah, if you’d like.”
“I’ll go with Mum.”
A short while later Julia was scowling over a cup of coffee in the kitchen and Lucy had settled Poppy and Eve in the playroom with strict instructions to Poppy not to ask Eve for anything. Noah sat silently in the car beside Lucy as they drove back to town. She wondered if they’d find anything left of their little beachside house.
Eve leaned back in the recliner chair and closed her eyes, delighting in the sound of Poppy playing an imaginary game with the toys around the little table she sat at. It had been a long time since her grandchildren had been in this room. While she’d been laid up with this wretched arm she’d thought about her family a lot and how much she missed them. Gert had been wrong when she’d said Eve didn’t need her family close. She wished with all her heart they weren’t so far apart, but this was the way life had worked out.
She hadn’t driven her sons away as Gert had suggested. She’d set them free. They’d grown up in a town where their father’s infidelity was common knowledge. They’d both been marked by it. Arlo had fought his way through the taunts and teasing, and Zac had become so withdrawn. If it wasn’t for Julia making him join in with life, Eve would have considered counselling for him.
When Arlo got into uni, Zac had wanted to join the fishing crew. Eve let him when it didn’t interfere with his schoolwork, but he fought her on staying at school. He’d never been one for books, instead he was always hands-on. Finally, Eve had said he could leave school if he worked for someone else in the fishing industry for a while. He’d got a job on a boat out of Darwin. It was his calling. In the six months between when he left home and Eve went up to visit him he’d changed from a sullen teenager into a confident young man. He met his future wife up there and eventually there’d come the chance to buy in to the business. Eve had loaned him the money, rather than needing a bank, and he’d long since paid it back. In the meantime, Arlo had done well in finance, working his way up the ladder of international banking. He and his wife lived in Singapore with their two kids and it was unlikely he’d come back to Australia to live any time soon.
Eve did miss her sons but they were both happy and living good lives, and she couldn’t ask for any more for them.
“You don’t look old.”
Her eyes flew open. Poppy stood right in front of her, inspecting her closely.
“I’m glad.”
“Mummy said you were old and you’re not feeling well.”
“Did she?” In Eve’s head she was still forty, but to a thirtysomething like Lucy she supposed she was old.
“Is your shoulder hurting?”
“Only a little bit.” While Eve had been daydreaming in the old recliner, she’d actually felt quite comfortable.
“You were frowning?”
“I was thinking.”
“That you were hungry?” The little girl’s smile was both hopeful and beguiling.
“No.” Eve smiled. “Are you hungry, Poppy?”
“A little bit.”
“I see you’ve got morning tea ready for the toys. Perhaps we could have some too.”
“I like sweet things for morning tea.”
“Do you? I’m sure we’ve got some biscuits somewhere.”
“What kind of biscuits?”
Eve tilted the chair forward and braced herself for the pain that usually accompanied getting up out of chairs. Once she’d regained her composure and her balance, she offered her left hand to Poppy. “Shall we go and see what’s in the kitchen?”
