Mara's Choice

by Anna Jacobs

  But nothing she said, none of her careful reasoning seemed to get through to him. All he did was wave one hand in a dismissive gesture and repeat his latest orders to her. He wanted that house and no other.

  Today he was looking tired and suddenly seemed to run out of steam, telling her abruptly that he’d see her later. She was glad to get away, but worried that on top of everything else, he wasn’t looking well.

  On the way home she detoured to drive past the poet’s house, but it looked no more appealing than it had last time. She didn’t intend to try to speak to the poet’s son again as Enrico was urging her to do. Kendrell had been very definite about his refusal to sell, especially to her.

  The trouble was Enrico had recently bought a share in the business where she worked. He was now treating her like his personal servant there, which the manager said she’d just have to put up with.

  Enrico had made his money from imports and exports. What did he know about the nitty-gritty of selling property? Nothing, that’s what.

  If it went on like this, she might have to look round for a job in Perth and move away from Mandurah and Enrico. The trouble was, she’d become an expert on luxury canal residences in this particular town and was making a lot of money from selling them. She’d hate to waste all that effort.

  No, the best thing to do would be to contact one of his sons. Did she dare?

  She nodded and picked up the phone. No choice about it. Maybe they could persuade him to see sense. The elder of the two was rather like his mother. Perhaps that would soften Enrico’s heart?

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Mike was furious that he hadn’t been able to get Peggy away from those idiots at the hospital. Why had she not done as he’d told her this time when she’d been so easily tamed previously? Women were usually susceptible to romantic words and gestures, the idiots, and some even liked you to order them around.

  He’d have to tread more carefully next time he broke up with someone, though. Apart from other considerations, it irked him that those fools at the hospital were undoing all his good work and would make Peggy fat again.

  Worst of all, they’d encourage her to keep the baby and he was still determined to prevent her from having it. There were far too many people in the world already. No one needed to create more hungry mouths. And on a personal level, he didn’t need to be slapped with a compulsory child support order that would drain his finances for years to come.

  He had to find a way to get her on her own for a while. He’d pretend to be still in love with her so that she would become malleable again. That was the other key to women: they were hungry for love.

  She hadn’t answered his pleas to get in touch and might have changed her phone number and email address, so he decided to hack into her parents’ email accounts. He was both disgusted and delighted by how careless they were with their online security.

  He got Peggy’s new email address almost immediately, then found out that her father was over east in Melbourne because her mother was emailing her husband a couple of times a day with updates on their daughter’s progress. Their exchanges might provide some helpful information. He’d keep an eye on them.

  He was just about to sign off for the time being when another email clicked into place from her mother to her father, telling him that the hospital had arranged for Peggy to go and stay in a special unit for people who’d had eating disorders but were on the mend. Well-Away, it was called, of all the naff names.

  And she was not anorexic; she was now a slender, attractive and healthy young woman, thanks to him.

  That sent him searching for information about the unit. It took all his skills to find out anything at all and it was impossible to hack into its managerial systems. It was located in the south-west, near Margaret River. Hmm. Might be a better chance of getting at her there. He could hire a holiday cottage for a ‘romantic getaway’. She’d really fall for that. He sniggered at the thought.

  He’d have to be careful how he set about this. He couldn’t even study the facilities and layout at this unit, they were all so carefully protected. Visitors were asked to telephone directly to a number that gave no information about who would be dealing with the calls.

  Hmm. He doubted he’d be able to catch Peggy before she went down to Margaret River, because she was leaving Mandurah the next day, her mother said, so he needed to hire a cottage ASAP.

  Once there, he reckoned his best hope would be to reconnoitre the grounds at this place and see how closely the buildings were guarded. He’d have to find some way of getting in, but one that he could exit by quickly if she caused a fuss – no, surely he’d be able to coax her into talking to him and reconsidering her options?

  Of course, it’d mean taking her back to live with him for a while but she was good in bed so there would be advantages to that. There was still time for her to agree to an abortion and her body wouldn’t be getting fat yet, surely? How slim could someone remain as they got into a pregnancy anyway? That was an interesting thought.

  No, it’d be too risky to let things drag on for long. If anything went wrong, she might run away and carry the child to term. He definitely wasn’t going to put on the shackles of fatherhood, not for anyone.

  He was going to find such a challenge stimulating. He always did enjoy the intricacies of coaxing a woman into working on her body. He considered that his mission in life and one of his major skills.

  He went to study himself in the mirror, admiring what he saw. Lean and toned were magic words these days. He’d achieved that in spades, both for himself and for others. He was providing a health service to society, really.

  Yes, he’d get Peggy back and cope with the challenge of persuading her to get rid of the little invader once he had her on her own. He always found ways to get what he wanted from women.

  The head of Well-Away’s IT section noticed that someone was trying to hack into their system and watched carefully. They had to be particularly wary of such invasions because some of their clients’ former acquaintances tried to persuade them to leave and go back to their old ways of eating – or not eating.

  This hacker seemed to be focusing on a patient who was coming to join them the following day. Why was he trying to find out about the unit before she even got here? Surely he could have contacted Peggy Buchanan directly if he was a genuine friend?

  That looked distinctly suspicious and after further observation, he contacted the director. ‘You might want to alert the patient to this when she arrives.’

  Janice frowned. ‘I will. You know what? The man’s name looks familiar.’ She mouthed it a couple of times then snapped her fingers as she realised who he was. ‘That’s the man whose influence caused Tessa to stop eating properly over a year ago. Just a sec. Let me check her records. We have to be sure of it before we do anything.’

  She brought up the information. ‘Aha! He is the one. Look, we’ve even got a photo of them together. Does he make a habit of stopping young women eating? I bet he doesn’t know we’ll have two of his victims here at the same time.’

  ‘Are you going to make them aware that he’s taking an interest?’

  ‘Definitely. They have to learn to cope with the outside world again. Pity it’s so soon for Peggy.’

  ‘Sarisha said the baby has given Peggy something to eat for.’

  ‘And she’s usually right. It took Tessa a lot longer to get to this stage, but she’s nearly ready to live normally now.’

  ‘I’ve heard Tessa say she’d like to get her own back on him, so perhaps you’d better not tell her.’

  ‘I didn’t hear you say that.’ Janice winked at him and walked away.

  Hal and Mara enjoyed a leisurely breakfast then took it in turns to shower while the other kept watch. Not that they really believed anyone would be prowling around in daylight.

  ‘Cloak and dagger stuff,’ he said cheerfully when she came down to join him smelling of soap and newly washed skin. He plonked a kiss on her cheek, glad she didn’t we
ar make-up, glad she was here with him.

  ‘Better safe than sorry, eh?’

  ‘Better together than apart as well. I’m still enjoying your company.’

  ‘I’m still enjoying yours, too, Hal.’

  ‘Can you spend the whole day with me?’

  ‘I hope so. You’re going to need help for a day or two. But I’ll have to nip back and check that Emma’s OK with that.’

  ‘Do it now.’

  ‘OK. I think I caught a glimpse of her a few minutes ago.’

  But before she could do anything, Emma came out of the next house and waved cheerfully to them before clambering over the wall to join them.

  Mara opened the sliding door and pulled the flyscreen across it after Emma had come inside, smiling as she realised that she was now doing that automatically. Very Australian. ‘Cup of coffee?’

  ‘Love one. I’ve just had a phone call from Aaron. He sends his love and he’ll be flying home tomorrow.’ She beamed at them as she added, ‘We’re going to have a big celebration in a few days’ time, because the sale of his business has gone through. We shall soon be free to travel or do anything else we please when we please.’

  Once they were seated with their coffee, Emma got to the point of her visit. ‘I also came to tell you that I’ll not be visiting the hospital today, or asking you to, because Peggy is travelling down to the recovery unit near Margaret River.’

  ‘She seemed a lot more cheerful when we last saw her.’

  ‘Yes. Isn’t that wonderful? And she’s even put on a little weight. Not much, but it’s a start. She’s so concerned for her baby’s health, you see.’

  ‘That’s wonderful. You must be so pleased.’

  ‘Yes. Who’d have thought an unborn baby would be our biggest ally in helping her?’ Her excitement faded for a moment. ‘I could see that she was forcing food down, though. She didn’t want to eat anything.’

  ‘Then thank goodness for the baby. She was absolutely glowing with happiness when she talked to me about becoming a mother.’ Mara had felt rather envious of that.

  Emma brightened up again. ‘Wasn’t she? I had a call from Rufus yesterday evening as well. He’s been asked to stay on here in the west for an extra month to help with a special project, and he’ll be staying at Jenn’s flat. So they must be getting on well, don’t you think?’

  ‘He seems very taken with her.’ Mara couldn’t help glancing at Hal as she said that. She was rather taken with this man, too.

  She tensed when Emma asked straight out, ‘Are you two a couple now?’

  Hal reached out and grabbed Mara’s hand while she was still trying to think what to say. ‘Yes. We’ve got our L plates on, but we’re ticking along nicely.’

  ‘I can’t do anything until I’ve seen that Dad is OK.’ Sadness washed through Mara as it did every now and then. ‘And there’s Mum. We don’t know how long it’ll be but her brain scans show she’s declining by the day. She’s definitely not going to recover.’

  Emma looked at her in dismay. ‘Are they sure of that?’

  Mara could only nod and blink the tears from her eyes, then before she knew it, Hal had managed to stand up, using the sofa to help him balance. He pulled her into a hug and she let him, resting her head against his shoulder, drawing on his strength.

  When she looked up, Emma had gone.

  ‘She understands,’ he said softly. ‘She blew me a kiss as she left.’

  ‘She’s nice, isn’t she?’

  ‘Very nice. But not nearly as nice as you.’

  Peggy was delighted when she found out she wouldn’t be making the journey to Margaret River in an ambulance. She hoped she’d never have to get into one of those horrible vehicles again. She’d felt so helpless and at risk shut into a big tin box.

  It had been a bit of an effort to finish her breakfast today, but Sarisha said that was only to be expected, because it took time to change habits. But the baby had to have a share now, so she had to do it.

  Sarisha had also talked about what to expect during the next stage of recovery and she’d had some very practical hints to share. Finally she gave Peggy a present, a book of names and their meanings.

  ‘Since you’re not with Mike any longer, it’ll be up to you to choose a suitable name. When you’ve nothing better to do and you need to distract yourself from your worries, you can go through the names and see if any take your fancy. Make a shortlist, then see which stays with you.’

  Peggy flicked the book open at random and read a few names. Sarisha was right. It was fascinating to find out their meanings and histories. She slipped it into her shoulder bag, smiling. ‘What a delightful present! Thank you.’

  The journey down to Margaret River was a pleasure because the scenery was so much prettier further south of Perth. She was alone with the fatherly, white-haired driver, so sat in the front.

  When he found out she was expecting, he chatted about his grandchildren and also his children, telling her what they’d been like as babies and how their offspring resembled them. ‘Little rascals they are!’ he kept saying fondly.

  It was lovely to hear him talk about them. He sounded to be very much a hands-on father and grandfather. She couldn’t imagine Mike doing any of this sort of thing. In fact, he’d make a terrible father. He didn’t even like to touch small children or for them to touch him – not that they willingly went near him. They seemed to sense the way he felt.

  How had she let herself be taken in by him? That absolutely baffled her now. And it puzzled her too how abruptly the disenchantment with him had happened.

  When they were getting closer to the unit, they passed several vineyards. It had been ages since she’d been down in the south-west wine-growing area, ages since she’d enjoyed a glass of wine as well. Mike had said it was sheer poison, but if so, some of it had been very nice-tasting poison. The sign outside one big vineyard reminded her of how good the wines were from their label. One of the best reds she’d ever tasted had come from those very vines.

  Not that she’d be drinking alcohol now, but she could look forward to having it again after the baby had been born and weaned.

  Mike might decree it to be a major poison, but she enjoyed the odd glass, as did many people.

  As she pulled a tissue out of her bag to blow her nose, one of the bootees her mother had given her fell out with it. She’d slept with the soft little things under her pillow. They seemed to give her such comfort, as well as making her wonder about the little person who would be wearing them one day. She’d tell her mother how meaningful they had become and thank her properly the next time she saw her. She felt guilty now at how unkind she’d been to her mother.

  The driver slowed down and took a left turn. ‘We’re almost there. Lovely place they’ve got here and lovely people who run it. I’ve brought a few lasses down to stay and taken them back to Perth looking so much better. You’re too thin, my lass.’

  ‘Yes. I know that now.’ She knew it in her mind, but it still didn’t mean it was easy to eat more generously.

  The leaflet Peggy had been given said that the unit was based at an old colonial farmhouse that had been remodelled and extended. The brochure gave no details about where it was exactly, let alone providing a site map. The unit wasn’t available online either – well, not that she’d been able to find.

  As she got out of the car, she was surprised at how tired she felt, tired but also positive about what she was doing. Sarisha had explained that there would be a registration process and orientation to be got through on arrival, then the people running the unit would trust the patients to behave sensibly.

  Sensible? Was it sensible to long for a baby like she did? Who knew.

  But she’d come here to change her way of eating and give her baby its best chance of a healthy start in life, and she’d put all her efforts into that from now on. That’s what a good mother did.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Peggy was surprised at how impressed she was by the head of the uni
t. The woman was about her mother’s age and had a lovely smile. Best of all, she treated Peggy like an intelligent younger woman, not a juvenile idiot.

  Janice Meyman didn’t look like any doctor Peggy had met before. She was downright glamorous, with curves in all the right places, curves which somehow made Peggy stare down at her scrawny arms and legs, and wish her own body wasn’t quite so angular. Even her boobs had shrunk in size. She also wished the skin on her face was slightly rosy with health, like the doctor’s, and not so pale.

  Once the entry forms were filled in, Dr Meyman stood up. ‘Well, that’s all the red tape for now. Let’s go and find Tessa, who’s going to be your buddy, well, she will be if you get on OK with her. If not, we’ll find you someone else. No one should go through what you’re going through alone. You need a support team and that’s what we’ll provide.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  ‘Tessa has the next room to yours and she’ll answer all the questions you don’t quite like to ask me.’

  ‘I didn’t – there aren’t—’

  There was a positive grin on the doctor’s face. ‘If there aren’t any now, you’ll find them cropping up from now on. Your peers can sometimes give more meaningful answers to such questions than the staff. Oh, and by the way, I prefer people to call me Janice. It’s more friendly, don’t you think?’

  ‘Oh. Well yes, it is. Thank you, um, Janice.’

  Peggy hoped she’d like this ‘buddy’ person. It was a stupid, old-fashioned term for an old-fashioned concept if you asked her. But never mind. Someone who had the same problems as her would make a nice change from medical staff and parents, especially parents, even the most well-meaning ones.