Food for Love

by C. Fonseca

  “Okay, let’s sit you up,” Andrew said, placing his arm carefully around Jess’s back and easing her into a sitting position. He lifted a small penlight from his breast pocket. “I’m just going to examine your pupils. Look straight ahead.”

  After a few seconds staring at the light, Jess blinked, her eyes sore and gritty. “Can I please have some water now?”

  “I’ll grab some,” Scott said. “Hang on, Jess.”

  “You’re wheezing. Do you suffer from asthma?” Andrew asked.

  “No, none.”

  Andrew stood up and turned to Lili. “It may be a good idea to take Jess to the local clinic for a check-up, just in case. And you need to have that cut on your arm attended to.”

  “I’ll give the locum a call,” Lili said.

  Jess noticed the bloodied bandage around Lili’s forearm and gasped. “You’re hurt.”

  “It’s just a superficial wound,” Lili said. “I’ll clean and dress it when we get home.”

  “All the same, get it checked,” Andrew said. “You cut it on some rusty metal, didn’t you?”

  Lili lowered her head. “Yeah, I tripped and fell on the old hose reel. I was in a hurry to get the hose unwound. Stupid mistake. It’s just a graze.”

  “More than a graze. It’s bleeding and the cloth you’ve wrapped around it is dirty,” he said. “I’d better go and see what’s left to be done, if you two are okay.” He looked from Lili to Jess, and back again to Lili.

  Scott appeared, water bottle in hand, with Rhona trotting beside him. He removed the lid and passed the bottle to Jess. “Thanks for putting her in the Jeep,” he said. “She took off like a rocket when she smelled the smoke. I couldn’t stop her.”

  “She was corralling the Jeep. Insisted I follow her.” Jess sipped the cool liquid. “Oh, that’s good.” She took a large gulp and spluttered.

  “Just sip it. Take it easy,” Scott said.

  She stood the bottle on the grass beside her and attempted to stand. As she wobbled unsteadily, Scott grasped her elbow.

  “Thank you.”

  He wiped his hand across his forehead. “I’m just so grateful you’re both safe,” Scott said, slipping his phone into his pocket. “Your mother is frantic. I told her I’m sending you and Jess straight home.”

  Andrew returned, picked up the stretcher board, and tucked it under his arm. “Lili, you may need a tetanus shot,” he said, then looked directly at Jess. “I don’t know what you were thinking, running towards a burning building. I know you were worried about your friends, but it could have ended a lot worse had you been any closer when that cylinder went off. Luck’s been on your side today, ladies.” He tipped his yellow helmet, smiled, and strode off towards the fire truck with Rhona at his heel.

  “Rhona, get in behind,” Scott called, pointing to the ground next to his boot.

  Rhona scurried back obediently and sat down beside Scott.

  “Must be the uniform,” Scott said with a shrug.

  “Thanks, Andrew,” Lili shouted to the fireman’s retreating figure. She turned to her father. “Dad, I need to stay,” she said. “If you take Jess back to the house and tell Mum I’m all right, I’ll talk to the fire crew and make sure everything’s secure.”

  “I’m not leaving you,” Jess said. Their gazes locked for a second, and her heart skipped a beat. “I’m so sorry, Lili. The storeroom is gone.”

  Lili leaned forward and brushed Jess’s lips with the tips of her fingers. “Shush,” she said, circling Jess’s waist with her arm. “We’re safe. That’s all that counts.”

  Scott placed his hand on the top of Rhona’s head. “I’ve told Helen, you are both on your way. She insisted you go straight to the cottage for showers and she’ll sort out a change of clothes. I will stay here with Rhona and make sure everything is secure,” he said with finality. “The fire chief says the storeroom—what’s left of it—is a forbidden zone. The fumes are toxic. Their photographer will be here sometime tomorrow.”

  Lili looked like she was about to protest, but Scott held up his hand. “Darling, take Jess home. You can’t do any more here today. I’ll see you both later. And I’ll lock up.” He shook his head. “Not much of a birthday, Lillian, but…” Scott shrugged.

  “It could have been so much worse, Dad,” she said, pulling Jess closer to her side with her uninjured arm. “Thanks. Be careful, and we’ll see you at home.”

  Jess sent a reassuring smile Scott’s way. “Thank you, Scott. We’ll be fine now.”

  With Scott out of sight, Jess leaned into Lili’s side and gently took hold of her bandaged arm. “How is it? Will you need a tetanus shot?”

  Lili rested her head against Jess’s shoulder. “No, it doesn’t hurt much, and I had my booster just over a year ago.”

  “Usha will examine and redress it. She should be at the cottage by now.”

  Lili tilted her head back and met Jess’s gaze. “Right, but only after she checks you out,” she said. “Come on, let’s get going, or Mum will bring everyone here, and I don’t want Ru to see the mess.” She took Jess’s hand and gently tugged her towards their cars. “Although she would love to see the fire trucks and the crew in their gear.”

  They stopped between the Subaru and the Jeep. “Can we please take the Jeep?” Jess asked.

  She saw the questioning look on Lili’s face. “There are things inside it I need.” Jess turned away, hoping Lili hadn’t seen her blush.

  Lili peered into the back seat of the Jeep, smiled coyly, and opened the passenger door for Jess. “No problem. Get in.”

  “Are you sure? What about your arm?” Jess climbed into the passenger seat knowing full well she was in no state to drive.

  Lili leaned across Jess, grabbed the seatbelt, and clicked it into place. “It smells a lot better in here. Let’s get going.” Lili smiled and placed her hand on Jess’s thigh.

  Jess looked down where Lili’s hand rested. “It’s your birthday. I haven’t even had a chance to wish you—” Before she could finish her sentence, Lili’s lips captured hers, and Jess’s parted instinctively. They kissed gently for a few seconds, simply enjoying the heat that simmered between them, before Lili pulled away.

  “Well, that takes care of that.” Lili patted Jess’s thigh, backed out of the car, and pressed Jess’s door closed. She raced around to the driver’s side, opened the door, and jumped in. “It is my birthday,” she said, turning the key in the ignition. “I get to do whatever I want.”

  Jess stared at her, a little breathless. “I guess you do. Happy birthday, Lili,” she whispered.

  Chapter 30

  Lili crunched into first gear and slowly released her foot from the clutch. “Sorry, about that,” she said as the Jeep bunny-hopped a few metres, then sped forward. At the end of the drive, she pulled over to allow one of departing fire trucks to get ahead. The driver waved and tooted the horn. Lili called out, “Thanks, guys.” They watched the fire truck amble down the dirt road.

  “I’m so glad I didn’t leave with Alex,” Lili said, resting her head on the steering wheel. She sat up and turned to Jess. “I was in the car, ready to go, when I suddenly remembered the wine I had to take to Mum’s. If I hadn’t gone back, I wouldn’t have smelt the smoke. Just think what may have happened if I hadn’t called the fire brigade.” Her stomach knotted at the thought.

  She drove out onto the farm road, and soon after took the lane that branched to her parents’ cottage. Lili slowed the four-wheel drive and peered into the rear-vision mirror, where the back seat held the massive flower arrangement she’d seen earlier. “Beautiful flowers,” she said, inhaling the blend of fragrances. “Jess, why did you come to Ailie this afternoon? How did you know I was there? I didn’t expect to see you until tonight.”

  Lili parked the Jeep beside Usha’s small white Honda hybrid and turned fully to face Jess, who still hadn’t responded t
o her questions. Jess’s hands were tucked under her knees, and even with a dust streaked face and her hair dishevelled—the usually neat braid was now tangled over her shoulders—to Lili, she was the most heavenly sight.

  She rested her hand on Jess’s shoulder, just wanting to connect. “You could have been badly hurt.” Lili slid her hand to the back of Jess’s neck and massaged gently. “You rushed towards the burning storeroom like a superhero.”

  Jess gazed at Lili through puffy eyes. She looked down at her knees. “I had to find you,” she said with a gravelly voice, and coughed. “I thought you were in the storeroom.” When she looked up again, her eyes were wet with tears. “I didn’t have time to think. I had to find you.”

  “But you could have been burnt.” She stroked Jess’s tear-streaked cheek with her fingers.

  “I love you, Lili,” she said, removing Lili’s hand from her face to turn it over and kiss her palm. “I know this complicates things. This may not be what you want. But I am here. My indecision wasn’t because of how I feel about you. I’ve been alone for so long, and I’m not used to sharing what I’m thinking, or how I’m feeling. I came to Ailie this afternoon to tell you I love you.” She searched Lili’s eyes. “If you are willing, we can make this work. I’d like to give it a try.”

  Lili was stunned. She gazed down at their joined hands. Her heart pounded in her chest. Jess was giving her the reassurance she needed, and yet she was paralysed. It was so unexpected. She leaned back against the headrest and closed her eyes, giving herself a moment to think. Jess had just declared her love, and there was no doubt in Lili’s mind it was true after the way she had acted today.

  “Am I too late?” Jess squeezed Lili’s hand.

  She opened her eyes wide and saw a flicker of fear on Jess’s face.

  “Wait,” Jess said, and reached into the back of the Jeep.

  Lili’s first thought was that Jess would give her the flowers, but instead she held a colourfully wrapped parcel in her hand.

  “I was going to give you this later tonight, but…I think you should have it now,” she said.

  Lili accepted the package, turned it over, and removed the sticky tape carefully. “What can it be?” It was the size and shape of a small hardcover book.

  “A pair of socks?” Jess gave her a half-smile.

  “Wonderful.” She tore at the package and revealed a book, as expected. But not just any book. On the cover was a photograph of Aruishi on her shiny lavender bike, with Jess crouched behind her, and Lili in the background looking at them with a silly grin on her face. “I remember that day, but how on earth did you get that photo?” she asked. “I love it.”

  “Magical hands,” Jess said with a smirk.

  Lili knew her cheeks were rosy red. She prodded Jess’s shoulder with her finger. “Oh, you.”

  “Come on, there’s more.”

  Opening the book, she slowly began to leaf through the pages. Aruishi on the deck, in her pyjamas and her favourite slippers, pointing to a flock of birds in mid-flight. Lili holding Aruishi aloft as she reached for a mandarin from a tree in the orchard. Helen and Scott dozing in matching wicker chairs on the front porch of their cottage. And there was the view from Ailie’s terrace, with Jess’s bicycle propped against the newly installed metal weathervane she’d purchased at the farmers’ market.

  “Jess, I don’t how you took all these without us knowing.” The photos were visible proof that Jess was truly invested in her, Ru, and the family. She’d taken the time to organise them into this wonderful book. Lili sucked in a calming breath and put her hand out to turn Jess’s face towards her. “You’re not too late. I love you too.”

  A loud tapping on the Jeep window startled them both, and they drew apart. There was Helen. Lili looked back at Jess and mouthed Sorry as Helen prised the driver’s door open.

  “Thank goodness,” Helen said, almost throwing herself into the car. She pulled Lili into a fierce hug that threatened to squeeze the air out of her lungs.

  Lili winced. “Mum,” she said. “I’m okay, you can let me go now.”

  “I’m so sorry.” Helen released her and stepped back out of the car. “Oh, darling, you’re bleeding. What have you done to your arm?”

  “It’s not serious. Really, Mum.”

  “Well, it’s a good thing Usha is here. She’s anxious to look you both over.”

  Tash rushed down the path, opened Jess’s door, and helped her from the Jeep. “Your eyes look really bloodshot, Jess.”

  “Just a bit of soot,” Jess replied. “I expect I need a shower.”

  Lili turned to her mother. “Where’s Ru?”

  “In the kitchen with Alex. She heard the sirens. Tash and Alex arrived in the nick of time. She’s demanding to see you and Jess, but Alex is keeping her distracted, decorating the cake.”

  “I hope they’re not attempting to put all thirty-seven candles on it.” She raised her eyebrows. “We’ve seen enough smoke and fire to last us a long, long time.”

  “I couldn’t agree more,” Jess said as she and Tash joined Lili and Helen on the front porch.

  “Okay. Let’s get you two inside,” Helen said. “We’ll sneak in. It would be better if Ru didn’t see you until after you’ve both cleaned up.”

  “You’re absolutely right, Mum.”

  “Come on, girls,” Tash said. “Scott’s left me in charge of his wood-fired slow-cooked lamb. But I couldn’t concentrate until you got here. Not much of a birthday surprise, eh, Lili?”

  They quietly followed the others into the house. Lili ran her hand through her hair. Jess must think they were crazy, wanting to get on with the evening and celebrate her birthday. Sure, she’d lost the storeroom, equipment, and stock. But they were all safe. And Jess loved her.

  “Hey, now that your mum is out of earshot,” Tash said. “Tell me: is everything okay?”

  Lili smiled and leaned against her friend. “Count me hopeful. Things look promising.”

  A light breeze filtered into the room through the open French doors, moving the colourful balloons that hung in twos and threes around the sunroom. The enormous bouquet of flowers from Jess, placed artfully on Helen’s antique dresser, made an amazing backdrop for the already cheerfully decorated room, and the air was perfumed with the fragrant flowers and aromatic herbs. The anxiety of this afternoon was already fading from Lili’s memory.

  Aruishi had no doubt orchestrated the birthday preparations while Helen did the work. Lili caressed the superfine merino scarf she wore draped around her shoulders. It was handmade and illustrated with a delicate design of roses and vines. Although the gift and the accompanying crayon drawn card were from Aruishi, she knew for certain that Pinkie Piggy bank would not have yielded enough coins for this luxurious present.

  With Tash’s help, Scott had managed to produce a melt-in-the-mouth roast lamb shoulder with crispy garlic potatoes and honeyed carrots. The near disaster seemed to only increase their appetites, and every morsel was soon gone. A sweet smell of ginger-caramel custard lingered along with the buttery scent of Helen’s freshly baked rhubarb crumble—two of Lili’s favourite dishes.

  “Well, it’s been a rather eventful day, and a birthday you won’t forget.” Helen held up her glass of bubbly to Lili in salute and plonked down in the overstuffed floral armchair beside her, nearly spilling the contents of her glass over them both. “It’s nice to get off my feet,” Helen said, placing the glass on a side table.

  “Thanks for everything, Mum. Dinner was delicious.”

  “You’re welcome. After this afternoon, I’m so glad we could still celebrate your birthday.”

  Lili had barely taken her eyes off Jess all evening. Her long hair curled at the tips and was pinned to one side with a silver comb. She wore the lightweight pale-indigo pullover and loose-fitting grey trousers Helen had selected for her.

  Jess looked up, as i
f sensing Lili’s gaze upon her. Her eyes lit up and her lips curved gently in a hesitant smile.

  She smiled back at Jess, her heart skipping a beat.

  Her mother nudged her in the ribs. “Would you like us to keep Ru overnight?”

  “Err…no. I don’t think that’s a good idea,” she replied, surprised by Helen’s question. “She’s unsettled and it’s better if she sleeps in her own bed.” She turned to her mother and raised an eyebrow. “Why do you ask?”

  Helen frowned and gave a slight shake of her head. “You’ve hardly taken your eyes off Jess all evening, and I see her giving you clandestine looks.” She smiled. “You two can’t hide a thing. I’m so happy for you, Lili.”

  “You’re very observant,” Lili said, nudging Helen in the ribs. “Thank you, but I’d rather have Ru with us.”

  “Of course.” She patted Lili’s uninjured arm.

  They continued their observation of Usha and Jess seated on the sofa, diagonally across from them, with Aruishi perched on Jess’s knee.

  “I wonder what Jess and Ben’s mother, Aruishi, was like,” Helen mused. “I’ve seen photos of their parents. No wonder Benjamin Harris Senior was bowled over by her beauty. She had that quintessential classic Indian elegance, just like a film star.”

  “Who’s like a film star?” Alex asked. She crouched on the floor beside Lili and leaned her arm on the chair. “I presume you mean Jess?”

  “She could easily be a film star.” Scott perched on the armrest next to Helen and draped his arm over her shoulder. “Do you remember how we used to tease Ben, that if he got tired of working as a chef, he should try out for a role as the first surfing, dancing Bollywood star?”

  “Surfing, definitely.” Lili smiled sadly. She felt a sharp pang of sorrow as she watched Jess wipe Aruishi’s fingers with a paper towel, then lift her onto Usha’s lap. “Not so much the dancing part. Ben had two left feet on the dance floor.”

  Alex squeezed Lili’s arm. “Gosh, wouldn’t he have loved to be here with us. To see Jess and Ru together.”