by Maggie Brown
One thing she did know—this new Pandora was even more exciting.
She really rocked.
Winter punched the pillow, trying to stop the depressing thoughts. Why did she have to be so damn precious about her feelings? She’d acted like a prude and blown any chance she’d had with her. Me and my scruples. Why couldn’t she have Jessie’s attitude and just have sex because it felt good? Why the hell did she always expect it to mean something more than that? No one else seemed to think like that. Pandora certainly wouldn’t. She could have anyone she wanted and wouldn’t be used to knockbacks.
The sound of the text alert cut short her gloomy thoughts. Quickly, she rolled to the side to reach for the phone on the bedside table. When she opened the text, she sagged back with relief. Pandora.
I had great time tonight.
With a happy face, she tapped back.
Me too.
A few moments passed, then a reply came.
R we ok???
Yes, of course.
Can I see u again?
Winter hesitated for a sec, then took the plunge.
Want to come with me to a garden party Sunday arvo?
What’s it for?
Fundraiser—Children’s Hospital. I’m a board member.
Winter waited anxiously until the answer flashed onto the screen.
Love to. Pick you up?
She thought for a moment. A little late would be better if she was bringing a date. Like any closed community, the hospital fraternity loved gossip. They could just slip in unnoticed.
Meet me 2pm at front gate. Botanical gardens.
Dressy?
A bit.
Right. Sleep tight.
With a satisfied sigh, Winter settled under the covers. Asking Pandora to the garden party was a spur-of-the-moment thing and it felt just fine. But on second thoughts, she mused, maybe it wasn’t. She’d forgotten Jessie would be there, which would make the date awkward. She’d just have to make it clear Pandora was with her for the afternoon.
“Best of luck with that one,” she groaned. “Jessie will be straight on to her like a bear to a honeypot.”
* * *
The weather was perfect for an outdoor event—a barmy afternoon with a light breeze blowing under a clear blue sky. When she sighted Pandora waiting outside the gate Winter tidied her hair and straightened her top a little self-consciously. Yesterday, she’d bought a dress with a split up one side especially for the event. Usually her dressy outfits were on the conservative side—what her aunts would describe as “nice.” From Pandora’s appreciative look, she was pleased she’d splurged out.
Pandora was back in her lounge singer image, dressed in a three-quarter floral form-fitting dress. Her hair was swept up in a chic messy style that accentuated the graceful curve of her neck. She oozed class.
“Hi,” Winter said a little bashfully, but any lingering embarrassment faded when she was engulfed in a hug. She sighed happily as she breathed in the fragrant perfume mixed with the enticing essence that was distinctly Pandora.
“You look lovely,” Pandora murmured.
“Thank you.” Winter smiled, flattered. Yep, the expensive dress was worth every cent. She gestured toward the entrance. “Shall we?”
They followed the music to find the garden party in full swing. The air was filled with a sweet grassy bouquet, with a hint of flowers and warm earth. Brightly coloured bunting festooned the lawn which was dotted with tables and chairs under blue and white umbrellas. A marquee was set up with a buffet table laden with food, and a violinist was playing quietly in the background on a small podium. A bevy of young people in crisp black and white uniforms carried drink trays amongst the guests.
Winter swept her gaze around, recognizing most of the people talking in groups: hospital staff, city dignitaries, and sponsors who had donated to the building fund. As her firm was their financial and legal advisor, they had a place on the Board and she had been relegated the position. Not that she had particularly wanted it, but it came with the youngest partner’s territory.
Before they could get a drink, she was immediately claimed by the Chairman of the Board. Terrance Baker was an accountant of a city firm, a stooped ponderous man in his mid-sixties. Earnest and knowledgeable, he dominated any conversation. Or, as Winter’s mother would have said, he “liked the sound of his own voice.” Caught, she smiled resignedly and introduced Pandora. After a few minutes of listening to his lecture about the share market, Pandora excused herself to look for a drink. Winter looked longingly at her back as she wandered off, then forced herself to carry on with the conversation pleasantly. Or rather, made small observations when he paused for breath.
Eventually she was rescued by her good friend, Fay Cooper, an orthopaedic specialist. A lively woman in her late forties, Fay was a fellow Board member and a thorn in the side of the Chairman. “Winter. Just the person I want to see. You won’t mind if I whisk her away will you, Terrance?” Not waiting for his answer, Fay took her firmly by the arm and bustled her to a quiet spot out of his earshot.
Winter smiled at her with delight. “I owe you one.”
“He can be such a dreadful bore. He had me cornered for ages when I arrived,” Fay replied, with a twinkle.
“I always find it difficult getting away from him. He has such a thick skin,” Winter said, looking around idly. “There are the usual ‘who’s who’ here. Anyone new?”
“A few. The local pollie who won the by-election. Smooth type. That’s him over there in the grey suit with the polka dot tie. Then there’s the author who wrote that book about the drug trade…she’s that earnest-looking woman in the blue slacks and short blond hair at the buffet. And I believe the press will be here shortly to interview the hospital hierarchy about the proposed new wing. The rest are the same old ones.” She tilted her head, peeping at her with a distinct gleam in her eyes. “Now tell me what is going on with you. Who is that lovely lady you brought with you? Are you finally dating again?”
“She’s just a friend.”
“Ah…but a very good friend, I’d say. You look blooming. And that dress. Wow!”
“Oh, hush up, Fay. We haven’t known each other long, but we get on well. She’s smart and good company,” Winter said, then cast her eyes around to find Pandora. Her mood soured somewhat when she saw her chatting with Jessie and a group of the hospital staff by the side of the marquee. “Come and I’ll introduce you,” she said, inclining her head in their direction.
“Then let’s go,” said Fay with a chuckle. “I wouldn’t leave her too long with Jessie Drummond if I were you.”
Winter chose to ignore the comment, but silently agreed. Jessie was leaning into Pandora far too closely for comfort. Quashing the niggle of jealousy, she took a glass of wine from the waiter who appeared beside them, then walked off through the crowd. It was slow progress, saying the necessary quick hellos as they moved through the press of people. Nearly there, she could see one of the hospital’s most influential patrons, Ellen Jamieson-Ford, approaching directly toward her and quickly side-stepped behind a group sitting under an umbrella.
A chuckle from Fay echoed in her ear. “Skilfully done, my dear. You’ve perfected the art of avoidance.”
“She might be a big donor, but I don’t like the woman.”
“I don’t imagine you do,” replied Fay with a gleam of sympathy. “Not with her views on same-sex relationships. Though she has been quieter since her daughter Lindsey married a woman.”
“Couldn’t have happened to a better person. But let’s don’t waste any more time even discussing her. Bigots make their own bed to lie in,” Winter growled as she crossed over to Jessie’s group.
The look of tender warmth on Pandora’s face made Winter feel a little dizzy. She answered with a ghost of a smile before she waved a hand. “Hi everyone.”
“Hey. You too, Fay. You’re both looking very smart,” Jessie said, giving Winter’s low cleavage a raised eyebrow.
Fay gave a sof
t laugh. “Very smooth as always, Jessie.”
“Where’s your better half?”
“Alan took the boys to the footy. This isn’t his scene.”
“Right. Then let’s get you a drink,” announced Jessie, regarding the small woman with amusement. “It’s about time you let your hair down, Cooper.”
“Ha. You wish. But I will have a glass of that champagne,” she said drolly. Immediately Jessie signalled to one the waiters who was hovering nearby.
Winter cleared her throat. “Fay, I’d like you to meet a friend of mine. This is Pandora.”
“Hello,” Fay said, looking at her speculatively. Winter wrinkled her nose. Could she be any more obvious?
With a smile, Pandora raised her glass.
“Since we’re doing introductions, I’d like you to meet Veronica Randall, Winter,” Jessie interrupted. “She’s the anaesthetist I told you about.”
A curvy woman with jet black hair and olive skin that set off her green eyes, stepped forward with a smile. She looked of Mediterranean descent, with a wide mouth, small straight nose and full face—more intriguing than pretty. “Lovely to meet you, Winter. Jessie has been singing your praises,” she said, her voice low with a slight lilt.
“Jessie’s always inclined to exaggerate. You’ll learn, Veronica, she’s quite the bullshit artist,” said Winter dryly.
Fay gave a chuckle. “She’s got your measure, Jessie. Now what say we get something to eat and find some seats. I’d like to get off my feet.”
Low murmurs of agreement followed that proposal, and after commandeering a large table, they adjourned to the buffet. Winter wandered off to the toilet first, and when she arrived back with her plate, found the seat left for her was between Fay and Veronica. She flashed a glance at Pandora who gave her a shrug of apology. Fay, looking uncomfortable, muttered, “Sorry,” as she settled into the chair.
Winter fumed. Damn! She’d been outmanoeuvred by Jessie yet again.
She forced a pleasant smile and began to eat while the two women engaged her in lively conversation. Veronica turned out to be fun and Fay had a sharp wit. Every so often though, Winter couldn’t help flashing a quick glance at Pandora. Most of the time, she had her head down, intent on what Jessie was saying. But there were a couple of moments she caught her eye, which made her heart flip-flop. Maybe it was her imagination, but she looked just as wistful as Winter felt.
Then three male medical residents joined the party. One, a buff guy in a smart sports coat, spent the next half an hour trying to get Pandora’s attention away from Jessie. Pandora didn’t look fazed in the slightest, handling them both with ease and amusement. Winter stifled the pangs of jealousy, having to be content that Pandora threw her a fleeting smile every so often. But then as she watched, the truth set in with a jolt. What she was experiencing now wasn’t exactly jealousy, more possessiveness. When had her feelings taken this turn?
Shit! This had heartbreak written all over it.
She pulled herself together and concentrated on what Veronica was saying. Plenty of time later to obsess, worry, overthink.
As time passed and more champagne was consumed, jokes began to fly around the table. Winter sat back quietly, letting the comedians hold the floor. Fay was a natural. Her wisecrack about her mother-in-law elicited a wave of giggles, and when she went on to relate a story about her family at Christmas, the punchline brought roars of laughter around the table.
Winter chuckled. “You can pick your friends—”
“But not your relations,” someone behind her interrupted. “How is your mother, Winter?”
She froze at the voice. This can’t be happening!
But it was—she couldn’t mistake that perfume wafting over her shoulder. Her entire body began to clench in a combination of horror and embarrassment. The group fell into sudden silence. Conscious she had suddenly become the centre of attention, she couldn’t help flicking a glance round the table. All eyes were locked on her. Those who knew her story looked sympathetic, but Jessie was frowning angrily. Pandora had an odd look on her face that she couldn’t read.
Winter’s composure scattered like leaves in the wind. Her legs began to tremble and she pressed her hands down on the top of her thighs for control. Very slowly, she rose to her feet and turned to face the woman who stood watching her with hooded eyes.
“Hello, Chris. What on earth are you doing here?”
Chapter Eighteen
As usual, Christine Dumont looked elegant and self-assured, a woman completely in control. “We’re running a segment about the proposed new wing,” she said in her distinctive well-modulated accent. A voice that had made the TV presenter a household name. A voice that Winter had once admired, but now only grated.
Then Christine did something that surprised her. She began toying with a strand of hair. The gesture was all too familiar. It meant she was nervous. For a fleeting moment, Winter wondered why she should be, then wondered why she even cared. The woman meant nothing to her now. It was strange that she had always dreaded the moment she’d meet her again, but now she had, she felt absolutely nothing. A blank. Not even anger. It was as if any emotion she had ever felt for Christine had been expunged with a scrubbing brush.
“Ah…yes. I’d forgotten about that. The hospital will be pleased with the publicity. Sponsors are becoming harder to attract,” she said distractedly.
Christine made an impatient clicking sound with her tongue. “Always the money maker, Winter. That hasn’t changed. I didn’t come over to talk about fundraising, I came to say hello and see how you were going.” She swept her eyes around the table and gave an off-handed wave. “Hi, folks.” Then turned back to Winter with pursed lips. “Perhaps we should move somewhere else to continue this in private.”
Winter’s initial reaction was to tell her to get lost, that she wasn’t interested in talking, but she knew Christine wouldn’t take no for an answer. And she had no intention of becoming public gossip ever again. With a frown to make her irritation plain, she agreed. “Okay. There’s a bench over to the right under the trees.”
They moved off, Winter trailing a little behind as usual. Things hadn’t changed. When Christine sank down, she did so as always, with effortless grace. Watching her closely now though, it was evident that in the nearly three years, she had aged. Even her carefully applied makeup couldn’t disguise that. She looked—for a better word—a little used. Winter wondered if this came from the vodka bottle rather than time.
“Well, I have to say you look very well. You’ve clearly moved on with your life,” Christine said as she eyed her closely.
“I’m happy. And even after what you did, I hope you are too. It doesn’t do anyone any good to hold a grudge. I’ve learnt that for my peace of mind.”
Christine turned her body round to face her and peered at her intently. “Do you ever miss what we had together? There were a lot of good times.”
“Are you serious? We barely spoke to each other without fighting the last couple of years. And what happened in the bungalow can’t be undone…it wrecked whatever good memories we had. It took me a while, but I’ve moved on with my life. Now that’s all it is: the past. So…to answer your question…I don’t miss it, in fact I don’t even think about it anymore.”
“You wouldn’t want to give it another try?”
The way she was watching her like a lion ready to pounce, made the hairs on Winter’s neck twitch upright. Was the woman actually suggesting they get back together? “No. I definitely wouldn’t,” she muttered.
Christine spread her arm over the back of the seat and leaned in closer. “I’ve learnt my lesson, honey. I want you back. Why don’t we go out to dinner…see what happens? We won’t rush it.”
Winter stared at her. Unfuckingbelievable!
With a reflex action, she moved further forward until she could barely keep her balance on the bench. “I’m not interested. Haven’t you been listening to what I’ve been saying?”
Christine crowded
her head closer until she could feel her breath on her cheek. “Come on. All I’m asking for is a chance. One date. You name the place.”
Winter flinched. She knew full well that tone of voice—it always preceded an argument. Was Christine going to make a public scene? Surely not. She took a deep breath and forced herself to speak in a low calm voice. “No. Now I’m going back to my friends.”
Christine’s hand dropped onto Winter’s shoulder. “We should—”
“Hey, babe. They’re taking photos and they want one of us,” Pandora’s voice echoed above them.
Winter nearly wept with relief. It took all her willpower not to jump up and kiss her. She swelled with emotion and said huskily, “Hi, sweetheart. We’ve finished here, but before we go, meet my…um…ex, Christine Dumont.”
Christine sat stock still, staring at them incredulously.
Pandora edged down onto the seat. “We already met at the Silver Fox four months ago. Hello there, Christine,” she said pleasantly, then circled Winter’s waist and pulled her until their bodies were pressed together. The hand was hastily removed from the shoulder.
Taken aback, Winter exclaimed, “You know her?”
“I joined her party for drinks one night after I finished my act.”
“I was there with my crew after a shoot,” said Christine curtly. Winter wondered why she had paled.
“I hadn’t realized you’d met,” Winter said a little grumpily, feeling like she’d been broadsided.
“You know entertaining guests is my usual routine,” said Pandora soothingly. “Though I think I left earlier than I had planned to that night. Christine may remember why.”
