Back on Track, page 38
“I am,” Lacey said. “If you like it.”
“Like it! I love it!” Birgit held her arms out and spun around. “This room’s nearly as big as the whole flat I’ve been sharing with my cousins.” She grabbed Beau’s hand. “It’s brilliant, isn’t it?”
“It’s a great room,” Beau said and kissed her cheek. “This whole house is a good one.”
“You think?” Lacey winced.
“It might be a bit run-down but it has good bones.” Beau tapped a wall with his knuckles.
Birgit went to the window and looked out. “My dad would enjoy getting his green thumbs working in your garden if you’d like.”
“Jungle, you mean.” Lacey laughed. “I’m glad you like the room. I was thinking about the lack of nice curtains…” She glanced at Beau then back to Birgit. “I think you should ask for your curtains and stuff back from…” Once more Lacey glanced at Beau.
“Don’t worry.” Birgit slipped an arm through his. “Beau knows about the gobshite.”
“You could easily adapt the curtains, and the couch would fit,” Lacey said.
“I don’t know…” Birgit lost her bravado.
“Why should he have the benefit of your hard work?” Lacey said.
“I agree.” Beau gave Birgit a gentle nudge. “I’ve got a friend with a van. I can help you move in.”
Lacey heard the sound of a key in the front door. She left Birgit and Beau to chat and stepped out into the passage.
“Hello, Dad.”
The man who smiled back at her seemed a younger version of the one who’d left several weeks prior.
“Hello, love.”
They hugged and Lacey felt the new strength of his muscles under his shirt.
“You’re looking good,” she said.
“I’m feeling it, Lace. Good honest hard work in the fresh air. I only drink on weekends and,” he shrugged, “I’m working on giving up the fags.”
Birgit’s laugh echoed from the bedroom.
“I told you I’m renting a room to my workmate,” Lacey said.
He nodded then patted his pocket. “I’ve got some cash for you too, love. I’m sorry it’s taken me so long but I’ve put aside what I owe you for the car and a bit more.”
“Thanks, Dad.” Lacey smiled. “Come and meet Birgit and her friend.”
Judith knocked on Dean’s door. She’d only seen him once briefly since she’d returned from her holiday. She knew he and Lacey had been communicating via phone but they were taking things slowly and hadn’t met face to face again yet.
The door swung open. “Hey, Jude. Come in.”
She was pleased to see his smile was genuine and warm.
“Have you come to help me pack some boxes?”
She followed him inside. His apartment was in disarray, partly packed boxes stacked around and cupboards hanging open, their contents in jumbled piles.
“I’d be happy to.”
“Nah, just kidding. It’s a good chance to have a clean-out.”
“When do you move out?”
“Next week. But the place I’ve found isn’t that far from here and it’s newer.” He grinned. “Has an aircon in good working order too. Have you got anything yet?”
“No, but I’ve a few people looking as well as me so I’m hopeful something will turn up soon.”
“I’ll invite you over for a drink once I’m settled in my new digs.”
“Thanks.” Judith smiled. “I’d like us to keep in touch.”
“I’d ask you to stay now but I’ve got to keep moving. Need to tidy up a bit. I’ve a visitor coming later.”
“Oh?”
“Isn’t that why you’re here? To quiz me about Lacey?”
“No.”
“Come on, Jude.”
“I’m glad to hear you’re seeing each other again.”
“Not exactly seeing each other but we’ve been talking, and meeting up again seemed to be the right next step.”
“I think you’re a good match.”
“Is that so?” Dean frowned at her.
“I’m sorry. It was wrong of me to say those…those harsh things about Lacey when you were feeling unsure about the relationship. I got to know her better on the train and I realised how much I’d misjudged her. I added to your angst about her and I realised I needed to try to fix that.”
“I was going to tell you off for interfering.”
“I didn’t interfere.”
He broke into a grin. “I think you did, Jude, but I’m glad it worked out.”
“I’ll leave you to it then. I’m heading over to Ketty’s later for dinner.”
“Say hello for me.”
“I will.”
Judith let herself out and paused. It was a relief to know she hadn’t ruined her friendship with Dean. It was important to her and even more so if he and Lacey kept seeing each other.
Returning upstairs she wandered the rooms. She’d been doing a bit of cleaning out herself. Not that she had a new place yet but she’d started going through cupboards and culling a few things. Somehow between the train journey, the flurry of work this last week and accepting Ketty’s dinner invitation, she’d lost some of her nostalgia for her apartment.
She hadn’t baulked when Ketty had said Klaus would also be joining them, and Carlos, of course, but thinking of Klaus had reminded her of Erik. She’d done a google search and found a short news item. He was in custody pending charges and the man who’d been injured was making a good recovery. She hoped Erik might get some help and move on but he would have to make that choice.
Just as Judith was making a choice to let go of her old home and think positively about a new one. She’d also decided to try to do better with Carlos. She hadn’t seen him since Ketty had returned from Adelaide but she knew he was still staying at Ketty’s. Work had been busy and Ketty hadn’t mentioned him or what his plans were.
Judith picked up the brown-paper bag she’d sat out to take with her to dinner. It contained the scarf she’d purchased at Nitmiluk. She planned to quietly give it to Carlos, an olive branch of sorts.
forty-seven
Six months later – Paddington, Sydney
The sun lowered in the sky above Sydney and once more the fairy lights blinked and sparkled to life under the pergola at the back of Ketty Clift Couture. Ketty was too busy to pause to take them in. She’d gathered a large group of friends and colleagues for an early Christmas celebration and she was making sure everyone had something to eat and drink. She’d added swatches of flowers, and her favourite jazz playlist gave some carefree background sound.
Judith was helping, of course, as she always did. Currently she was assisting Klaus. He was making fruit punch that she’d warned Ketty had some extra ‘punch’ to it. Judith had started seeing Klaus after she’d moved out of her old apartment and Ketty thought his influence had softened her sometimes caustic manner. Klaus had blossomed too. Judith fussed over him and he lapped it up. Even his clothing had become more contemporary. Today he looked smart in some chinos and a linen shirt, which Ketty assumed was Judith’s influence. They often spent a weekend exploring a part of Sydney they hadn’t been to before. The previous weekend they’d visited Glebe and had come across a wine bar that specialised in fruity punches from the nineties. Klaus had decided he’d recreate one for Ketty’s party.
Judith hurried in Ketty’s direction.
“Where are you rushing off to?”
“I’ve left the special bottle of champagne Klaus bought in the fridge upstairs and he’s panicking there’s not enough fruit.” They both looked to Klaus, who was spilling the contents of a strawberry punnet across the table. “For a man who does such delicate woodwork and mends clocks he’s all fingers and thumbs when it comes to the kitchen.”
“You stay and help Klaus. I’ll get the champagne.” Ketty hesitated. “That’s if you don’t mind me going upstairs.”
“Of course not.” Judith waved a hand at her. “It’s your place.”
“Not any more. You must think of it as your home now.”
Judith smiled then spun away when they heard a muttered curse from Klaus.
Ketty went upstairs to what was now Judith’s apartment. Everything had fallen into place when Ketty’s long-term tenants had bought a property of their own. She’d moved back to her small house two doors the other side of Maurice and Lee’s. Part of her succession plan idea had been that she would move out of her apartment and it was perfect that Judith needed somewhere to go.
Judith was Ketty’s main beneficiary when it came to the business. If something were to happen to Ketty, Judith would continue Ketty Clift Couture. Ketty had set up a trust for her nephew, Greg, who would be the recipient of any personal assets. Judith could buy him out of Ketty Clift Couture or pay him a regular sum. They could work that out. Ketty knew the future of her business was in good hands all round.
She glanced around the living area as she shut the door on the fridge. Judith had already made her mark with her own furniture and artwork. And Ketty had found herself enjoying making her old house into a fresh space for her and Carlos. At least while he was there. His visa was running out and she’d miss him terribly when he left for Spain the following week. She drew herself up, tugged gently at the side seams of the full-skirted coffee-coloured shantung frock she’d made especially for today. She was determined not to have any regrets.
She’d just delivered the champagne to Klaus and Judith when Maurice waved a plate under her nose, forcing her to pay him attention.
“You must try one of my arancini balls.” He’d been pestering her to try them since he’d arrived. Now she stopped and took one from the plate. The tasty morsel dissolved in her mouth, releasing a surprise of salty melted cheese in the middle.
“Delicious, Maurice,” she murmured.
“I told you they were good,” he said. “I suspect young Dean and Lacey will like them as well. He’s a good eater.” Maurice drifted off to where Lacey and Dean sat talking with Ketty’s nephew and his wife.
“I’m so glad you encouraged him to take those cooking lessons, Ketty.” Lee glanced over at her husband, who was laughing at something Dean had said.
“I was inspired by Warren who we met on the train. Val says he cooks a Thai banquet for the family nearly every weekend since he’s been taking lessons. I remembered Maurice had said something about Italian cooking.”
“He cooks for us most nights now.” Lee smiled. “He’s been along to the ‘come and try’ croquet sessions and says he may take that up. And he’s been asked to be a board member of a not-for-profit. It’s making so much difference to both our lives, I can tell you. Oh, there’s Ning. I was hoping to catch her today. Now that things have settled a little with the new baby, she’s offered to do some embroidery for me.”
“First you’ll have to look at several photos of the baby,” Ketty said.
“I won’t mind that. She’s the cutest little thing.”
“She certainly is.” Ketty smiled. Ning worked four days a week and looked after her granddaughter for one. Each day she had a new lot of photos to show. Ketty was more than happy to share her joy.
“Look, Ketty, look.”
She lowered her gaze to her two great-nieces who held a bunch of flowers each. She’d given them a box full of fresh stems and asked them to make posies. There were no other children at the party so she’d lined up a few activities for them.
“They’re beautiful, girls. You’ve done a lovely job. Don’t they look pretty against your dresses?”
“That liberty print is gorgeous,” Lacey said as she joined them. “Did you make them, Ketty?”
“Yes, to go with their opal necklaces.” Ketty smiled.
The little girls giggled and ran off to show their chaotic posies to their grandparents.
“They’re such sweet little girls,” Lacey said.
“They certainly are.”
“I came to see if I could help you with anything?”
“I think everyone has a drink now.”
“It’s a lovely party, as always.”
“And you’ve got some extra sparkle.” Lacey’s dress shimmered under the pergola lights and so did her eyes. “I’m so glad you and Dean were able to work out your differences.”
Lacey glanced shyly in Dean’s direction. “It was easy in the end, once we both opened up about our concerns. He thought I was avoiding dinners and wine bars because I didn’t want to be seen with him.”
“Which is so far from the truth. You two make a lovely couple.”
Lacey’s cheeks glowed pink.
“And have you heard from your dad lately?”
“Yes. He’s so much happier. Loving his job and made new friends. He’s going to come back to Sydney for Christmas. Judith has invited us here.”
“I’m glad she’s going to continue the Christmas Day luncheon. It’s become a bit of a tradition.”
“Let me offer those canapés around.” Lacey held out her hands to take the platter Ketty had picked up.
“Thank you.”
Virginia stepped into the space Lacey vacated. “Look at those two.” She nodded towards Beau and Birgit, who were listening earnestly to Tien no doubt filling them in on the happenings of her latest reality TV show. “I’m so glad they met, I can tell you. That young woman has changed Beau’s life.”
“I think it’s been mutual. Beau’s been a settling influence on her. Now that women can bring back a Ketty Clift outfit for us to resell I’ve put her in charge of that. She’s so good with alterations.”
“It was a great idea of Lacey’s.”
“Yes. Judith and I both took a bit of convincing, I must admit, but we only take items in perfect condition. It’s brought in a few customers who wouldn’t normally visit a couture dressmaker, and if the item sells we give the previous owner a discount on their next purchase so it’s a win-win.”
“And I love the sketches and swatches Lacey showed me for next year’s autumn/winter collection.”
“She and Judith have become quite a team. I’ve recently put them in charge of our ready-made collection, and with my restructure everyone’s had a small pay rise and we were able to offer top rates to our two new seamstresses.” Ketty sighed. “I still find it hard to believe how much my business has expanded.”
“I’m glad to have been a small part of it. It was wonderful to model some of your new collection and I’ve had more offers of work since then. And my friends are glad I introduced them to your services, especially Marguerite. She and her husband are always attending gala events.”
“Did you see the dress we made for her last charity ball?”
“It was absolutely exquisite.”
“It truly was a team effort. Lacey and I designed it, Judith drafted the pattern, Tien cut it out and helped Birgit sew it, and Ning stitched all those crystals on by hand.”
“And this dress you’re wearing is rather divine too.”
“Do you like it?” Ketty swished from side to side. “I wanted something special for this party.”
“You’ve achieved that.” Virginia eyed her appraisingly. “Are you still planning to meet Carlos in Spain for Christmas?”
“Yes, that’s why I’m having this get-together now. Once Carlos leaves we’ll be flat out with our festive-season orders and then I’ll be getting on a plane two days before Christmas. I enjoy these special occasions.”
“Where is Carlos?”
“He went around to Felix and Anna’s to pick up the sweet pastries they made for me. I suspect he’s stopped there talking or at one of the several places between here and there.”
“He’s made a lot of friends in the area.”
“He has.”
Virginia slid an arm through hers. “God, Ketty, you’re going to miss him.”
Ketty’s breath hitched. Carlos came through the side gate carrying a large white box followed by a smartly dressed woman.
Ketty’s heart began to thud in her chest.
“Who’s this he’s brought with him?” Virginia asked. “Another of his friends?”
Ketty didn’t reply but crossed the courtyard to where Carlos and the woman were chatting quietly beneath an arch of fairy lights and flowers.
The woman picked up a small microphone they’d put there earlier in the day.
“Hello, friends and family,” the woman said. “My name is Flora and I’ve been invited here today by Ketty and Carlos to let you know a few things.”
A murmur rumbled around the group as expectant faces turned their way.
“They want you all to know that Carlos’s visa has been approved and he will be back to stay in the new year.”
The crowd erupted into cheers and Maurice slapped Carlos on the back. “Welcome to Oz, my man.”
“Thank you, everyone,” Flora continued, and once more all eyes turned her way. “There’s another reason Ketty and Carlos wanted you to celebrate with them today.”
Carlos took Ketty’s right hand and below the edge of his sleeve she caught a glimpse of his gold watch. She’d been so relieved he’d been able to get it back.
“Ketty?” His whisper raised her eyes to his.
He was gazing at her, his face lit in a wonderful smile and his eyebrows slightly raised. Ketty smiled back, squeezed his hand and nodded.
“They wanted you all to be here to witness their marriage vows.”
Just for a brief moment there was silence except for the soft tones of Peggy Lee singing ‘Till There Was You’ and then once more the chorus of cheers and happy voices drowned out the music. Carlos leaned in and kissed Ketty.
More cheers followed accompanied by wolf whistles that Ketty suspected came from Dean and Birgit. Flora gave the crowd a moment to settle, and butterflies briefly fluttered in Ketty’s chest until another squeeze of Carlos’s hand and the warmth of his smile reminded her how much she loved him.
“Shall we begin?” Flora said.
“Yes, please.” Ketty and Carlos spoke as one.
acknowledgements
This book is dedicated to Joy and Andrew Hilder. We’ve had many holidays and writing retreats on their station in the Flinders Ranges and they’ve helped me out with writing support on many occasions. Joy and Andrew have also been with us on research trips, we’ve shared many adventures, and they were fellow travellers when Daryl and I took a trip on The Ghan. Thanks for all the great journeys we’ve had together. And here’s cheers to many more.
