by C. Fonseca
“No problem,” Alex said. “I heard from Haley this morning. She promised she’d be back by the time we opened.”
“That’s good news, but it’s disappointing she won’t be here for the staff party.”
“Did you know she broke up with Grace? According to Haley, they had a huge disagreement on the first day of their cycling trip in South Australia.”
Lili rolled her eyes. “So, she’s single again.”
“I don’t imagine that will last long.” Alex smirked. “You know Haley: she’s young, and in the end her number-one priority in a relationship is to have fun. I honestly don’t think she gets serious about any of her girlfriends. Anyway, how do you think the meeting went?” She sat down beside Lili on the garden bench. “You were great.”
“Yeah, thanks. No point worrying everyone.” Lili pushed her hand through her newly cropped hair. She was still getting used to the short, layered haircut. She’d needed a change, and her hairdresser convinced her the new look would be a confidence booster. As a chef, wash and wear was unquestionably a sensible choice.
Alex blew the heat from the top of her cup, releasing the spicy aromas of star anise, cinnamon, and ginger into the air. “Hmm…this is an excellent blend. It goes well with the new organic honey you brought in.”
“It does. It’s beautifully silky and toffee flavoured.” Lili sipped the soothing tea, glad of the change of subject. “I have an idea for a bush honey panna cotta accompanied with star anise-infused fruit or berries. It came from Mei’s mum, Huan. She told me she’s been making a Chinese egg-custard tart flavoured with star anise. I thought the aniseed flavour would add a delicate layer to the dessert.”
“I’m all for it. Sounds amazing,” Alex said. “It’s a bugger about the money you owed Ben. I guess you owe it to his sister now.”
“The agreement was made between friends. Ben was so generous and never put a time limit on repaying him. He believed the restaurant would be a success and he’d eventually get his money back.”
“He had great faith in you.”
Lili sighed. “There’s no way I can pay it in a lump sum.”
“Have you spoken to the bank?”
“Not yet.” Lili put down her empty cup and angled herself over the raised garden bed to thin out the weeds that threatened to suffocate the horseradish plants’ young, crinkled leaves. “I have a big enough mortgage already.”
“Let’s hope you can come to an agreement with Ben’s sister. You’ve worked so hard, and things are on the up.” Alex knelt beside Lili, picked up a short-handled cultivator hoe, and broke clumps of rich, dark soil with steady movements. “I’m sorry I can’t help. I would if I could. We are still so tied down with Tash’s student loans, and we’d like to buy a house in the next few years.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I would never expect you to lend me the money.” Lili nudged Alex in the ribs. “But thanks.”
Alex put down the hand tool. “How are you doing?”
“I’m okay.”
“I mean it, Lili. How are you doing, really?”
“There’s a huge gap in all our lives that nothing will replace.” Lili rolled her shoulders as if to shrug off her sorrow. “Even though lately he spent less time here and more time travelling, it’s hard to imagine never seeing him again. Ben was a part of our lives.”
“I miss him too,” Alex said. “Damn it, I miss that cheeky grin and his offbeat humour.” She wrapped her arms around Lili tightly and then released her. “Is Ru still asking a lot of questions?”
“Not so much. The service helped, though. Sometimes, she picks up the memorial card and stares at his picture. But I don’t know if she understands the finality…of death.” The informal gathering on the beach had been simple yet significant, and had given Lili, her daughter, and Ben’s friends a tangible way to express their grief.
“Will you tell her about Ben’s sister—that she has an aunt?”
“She’s only four years old. I guess with me being an only child, she’s never known a real aunt or uncle,” Lili said. “If Jessica Harris is only here for a short time—if she just breezes in and out of Ru’s life—Ru won’t understand. I’ve decided to wait until I’ve met Jessica, and then I’ll figure out how to tell her. There’s been so much to deal with, so much to do.”
Lili took a deep breath and was energised by the earthiness and the hint of salt in the air. She dusted soil from her hands. She never tired of being in the edible oasis that Ben and her mother had helped her establish. “I have a few more things to take care of in the office before I go. Why don’t you head home now?”
Alex nodded. “I’ll go soon. When do you expect her to arrive?”
Lili shrugged her shoulders. “I got a call from Ben’s lawyer. She should get here either today or tomorrow.”
“Are you okay with her staying at your place?”
“I don’t think I have a choice. Mum and Dad don’t have the space at the cottage.” Lili tossed the bunch of weeds to the side. “Mum’s a darling. She’s already prepared the guest room. Anyhow, this way I can keep an eye on her.”
“Do you think that’s necessary?” Alex grabbed her jacket from the back of the bench. “You’ll be sharing the house until who knows when with someone you don’t know.”
“It will be fine,” Lili said, trying to convince herself more than Alex. “I just hope she doesn’t stay long. The lawyer thought she’d want to take care of things quickly and return to London in a week or two.”
Alex fished into her pockets, searching for her car keys. “So, how much do you know about her?”
“Not much. Although I did Google her.”
Alex raised an eyebrow. “And?” She glanced down at her watch. “Oh damn, I have to rush home. Ring me later.” She headed for the gate. “Tash has to attend some function at the hospital, and I’m going to be late—once again.” She blew Lili a kiss. “Good luck!” she called as she disappeared through the courtyard gate.
“Thanks, bye.” Lili waved, picked up the hand trowel, and dug it into the ground with force. “I need it.”
Ben’s sister had made the front-page news before and after her accident. Maybe the tabloids had painted a distorted view about the cyclist in describing her grand lifestyle. But what if some of it was true? Lili leaned forward to yank a bunch of nettle weed from the pebbled path.
“Ben,” she said to the sky, “I have a feeling your sister is going to be as much of a challenge for me as she was for you.”
Chapter 3
“What the hell?” Jess’s small yellow rental car jerked to a squelchy stop on the muddy road. “Well, this is just bloody marvellous.”
She turned her head and looked back to where she’d come from. The incline gave her a panoramic view of the ocean and the rolling hills in the distance. But she sure as hell wasn’t going anywhere.
She’d followed the GPS directions, hadn’t she? Jess was one hundred per cent sure that the instructions were to turn left. There’d been no sign on the roadside, so she’d relied on the car’s fancy electronic device. That was a mistake: the gravel road had turned into a dirt track. She never had much luck with the bloody things.
The rental, a Mini Cooper convertible, was a lot of fun to drive. The car yard had even delivered on their promise to make available an ingenious rear-mounted bike carrier, on which she had secured her newly purchased carbon bike. With the top down, the wind in her hair, and the warmth of the sun on her skin, it had been all systems go.
Until this happened. Jess pushed open the door and stepped outside the car. Her right foot sank into thick sludge. All systems stop.
Jess groaned and kicked what was visible of the front wheel. She should have opted for a four-wheel drive. Looking down at her shoes, she was thankful that her black leather boots were only partially immersed in the sticky brown goo. She scanned the paddocks around her. There w
as not a human to be seen, just a few cows grazing in a distant field.
She crouched low, checked the half-submerged black rubber tyre, and thumped the side of the car with her fist. Her boot slipped as she lost her balance. Using the exterior mirror, she worked herself into an upright position, only to have her boot slip out from beneath her again. She fell back against the side of the car. Her once-pristine white knee-length Bermuda shorts were streaked with brown clay.
“Fuck,” she yelled, kicking the tyre. “Honestly.” She kicked harder. “Ouch!”
“Darling, I really don’t think that’s going to solve your problem,” a voice called out.
Jess snapped her head up and turned. She hadn’t heard anyone approach.
The new arrival scratched his ginger hair, dismounted his horse, and stood a few feet away from her. A medium-sized black-and-white dog ran between them, stopped beside the man, and sat at attention.
“Good girl, Rhona. Stay.” He tipped his hat to Jess and placed it back on his head. “G’day.” The large hat shielded his eyes from the sun, partially hiding them.
Jess shaded her face with her hand and tilted her head to see under the wide brim. “Hello.” She wiped her muddy hands on her ruined shorts.
“Got yourself in a bit of a mess, eh?” He slowly circled the car, a bemused expression on his face. “You are bogged.” The dog followed close behind him.
Jess looked on in surprise. Well, that was stating the obvious.
The rugged giant hunched over to inspect the tyre. “Oh, she’s stuck, all right.” He stood up to his full height and laughed. “Not to worry, love. We’ll be able to get her out for you.” He pointed to her bicycle on the back of the car. “Nice wheels.”
“Thank you. That’s really kind of you.” Jess reached into the car for her map. Rhona barked, approached her, and nuzzled her hand.
“Rhona, come,” he called, and the dog immediately returned to his side.
“I’m lost,” she said. “If you could just point me in the right direction?” She felt a gentle nudge at her back. Now what?
The horse nudged Jess’s shoulder and whickered softly. She couldn’t help but reach out and stroke its beautiful grey coat.
Her rescuer chuckled as the horse pushed into her shoulder again. He grabbed the reins. “Leave the lady alone, Dora.”
Jess pulled her mobile phone out of her pocket. “I do have an address,” she said. “I’m looking for Faodail.” She pronounced the property’s name phonetically and glanced at the farmer.
He smiled. “Scott McAllister at your service. You have arrived at your destination, Faodail Farm.”
Jess met his gaze. “I have?”
“You are Jessica Harris, Ben’s sister?”
“Yes, I am.”
The mare nuzzled her hip. Jess frowned. “Did you say Scott McAllister? Are you related to Lillian McAllister?”
“That’s right, love. I am her father, Scott. And these two scruffy creatures are Dora and Rhona. This is Faodail Farm,” he repeated, and gestured widely across the rolling paddocks.
She detected pride in his voice, edged with a touch of sadness.
Scott turned back to Jess. “I’m so sorry about your brother. Ben was a good man. We all miss him a lot.” He touched his hand to the rim of his hat in what appeared to be a sign of respect. “You look like him,” he said. “Mind you, he didn’t have your proper British accent.”
She cast her eyes to the ground. The painful knowledge that this farmer, a stranger, knew her brother better than she did, cut through her like a knife.
Jess must have appeared uncomfortable, because when she looked up, Scott had turned his attention to the car.
“It’s unlikely that anyone will come by, but just in case, I’d lock up. I’ll get you to the house first and come back for the car.” He pointed to her bicycle. “I guess we’d better take that fancy bike of yours.”
She couldn’t see any sign of a farmhouse. “Is it far?” She passed him the map. “Can you show me here where I went wrong? I shouldn’t have relied on the GPS.”
He chuckled. “Useless things. Ah, I see what you’ve done. You’ve come off the main road and onto the old stock road. It’s a common mistake.” He pointed on the map. “We are here. Our cottage is near the main entrance, off McAllister Lane, the road you should have taken. You’ll be staying here.” He indicated to a spot further up the lane.
“Won’t I be staying at the farm?”
“Yes, you will. My wife Helen and I live in the cottage. Helen thought you’d be more comfortable staying at the hilltop with Lili.”
“The hilltop? That’s very kind, but I don’t want to cause her any trouble,” she said.
“No trouble. Lili’s place is modern and spread out. There’s loads of room for a visitor, with great views over the bay. Helen’s set up the guest wing for you. We thought you would appreciate a bit of privacy.”
“What about Ben’s house? Can I stay there?”
“Ahh…” He looked sheepish. “Your brother loved to do three things. One was to cook, which he was bloody good at—excuse the language.” He squinted in the bright sunlight and adjusted his hat. “Two, he loved to travel, and he did every chance he could. And three, he was a keen surfer. Ben shared the house with a mate near 13th Beach, about a half hour’s drive away. It’s not really a place you’d want to stay, though.” He raised his eyebrows. “There’s not much room.”
“Oh, okay.” Lillian’s house did seem the better option. If it got awkward, she would take herself to a hotel.
“I think I’d better get you to Lili’s. She won’t be back for a bit, but Helen should be there.” He peered at her boots. “You can have a shower, change out of those clothes.”
Jess glanced at the disabled car. She didn’t like to leave it there in the mud.
“Don’t worry, it will be fine. I’ll come back with some help and bring the car to you.”
“Thank you. If you set me in the right direction, I’ll walk the bicycle—”
Scott laughed and slapped at his knees, while Rhona barked excitedly and ran around in circles.
“What did I say?”
He gently seized hold of Dora’s shiny mane and held her steady. “The house is a half-kilometre trek across the paddock.” He pointed to Jess’s shoes. “We don’t want you falling down a rabbit hole or into a pile of cow dung, do we? Are you accustomed to horses?”
“What are you suggesting?” She pushed the sunglasses onto her head to hold back her windswept hair. It had been a long time since she’d been on a horse, but Dora looked like a Clydesdale—thankfully sturdy, and hopefully a reasonably comfortable mount. “I have ridden, years ago.”
“Okay, then. I’ll adjust the stirrups for you,” he said. “Do you need a hand up? Dora’s slightly taller than an average horse.”
“No, I’ll be fine, thank you. What about my bicycle?”
“No problem. I’ll walk it to the house.” He loosened the fastenings on the back of the car and lifted the carbon bicycle high into the air with one hand. “It’s as light as a feather.”
She stepped towards the horse, put her foot in the stirrup, and hoisted herself onto Dora’s back. The mare shifted under her, and Jess repositioned herself in the saddle. She gritted her teeth, careful to hide her discomfort. Dora was at least sixteen hands tall, maybe more, and rather wide to sit astride comfortably.
As if in sympathy, Dora lifted her head and neighed gently.
“Steady, girl,” Scott said.
“Yes, steady girl,” Jess murmured. She never imagined she would arrive at the farm on the back of a draught horse.
Dora trotted along, and Jess began to enjoy the gentle rhythmic sway from her elevated perch. Scott walked beside her with the bicycle resting easily on his shoulder. Rhona trotted ahead, leading the way. Jess was content to listen to Sc
ott chatter about Faodail Farm and his family.
“Ru’s going to wonder whose flash bicycle this is. She’s been pestering her mother for a bike since her last birthday,” he said cheerily. “If she doesn’t try to get onto it herself—she’s only four, you know—we’ll be right. Although Ru is plucky…she may try.”
Did she miss something? Who was Ru? Jess looked down at Scott, who spoke so fast his accent made the ends of his words sometimes indistinguishable. It had been a long time since she’d been back to Australia. She’d have to pay better attention.
It was a good thing there wasn’t another soul in sight. Jess imagined she looked ridiculous, sitting perched on top of this large creature, wearing filthy Bermuda shorts and ankle boots, being transported across the paddock. They passed under the welcoming wrought iron Faodail sign and through the gate, and followed a red dirt road flanked by a white post and rail fence. An English-styled garden bordered a picturesque timber home painted green, with a wide front veranda.
“That’s our cottage,” Scott said.
They continued along the road that curved around a stand of tall eucalyptus trees and then climbed gradually upwards before levelling at the top of the rise.
“That’s where you’ll be staying.” He pointed to the crescent-shaped, single-storey timber house that seemed to float on the hilltop.
“It’s very modern,” Jess said, surprised.
“Lili helped with the design,” he said in a proud manner. They stopped near a slate-tiled carport at the bottom of a flight of stairs that led up to the house. He held on to Dora, and Jess dismounted carefully but misjudged the distance and winced as her leg took her full weight.
“Are you okay, Jessica?”
“Yes, thank you.” She stretched her back. “It’s been a while.”
“Since you’ve been on a draught horse?”
“Since I was on a horse of any kind.” She stroked the gentle mare and gazed up at the black timber-clad house. “It’s quite unique…and the views must be lovely from up here.”
