The Summer Sisters

by Lilly Mirren

  The girls.

  His hands dropped to his sides and he stood with a grunt. Edie’s wails had subsided, now she sobbed into her pillow.

  “Edie, where are the girls?”

  “I don’t know,” she mumbled, her voice muffled. “Reeda’s in the hospital still… she’s okay but they wanted to keep her a while longer.”

  He bent to kiss her forehead. “We’ll get through this. We’re going to be okay, my love.”

  She shook her head, still buried in the pillow. “No, we won’t. I won’t.”

  “I’ll be back, but I have to check on the girls,” he said.

  He hurried from the room, leaving the door open so he could hear if she needed him. Taking the steps three at a time, he bounded up them, then stood in silence outside the door to the room where the family was staying. They always stayed in the same room Edie had told him as she cut fresh flowers to set in the vase there. It was the family room, big enough for all five of them, and she made sure it was vacant whenever they came to visit.

  He raised a fist to knock, hesitated a moment, then turned the doorknob. The two girls were huddled in centre of the king-sized bed. They were quiet and eyed him with curiosity when he pushed the door open.

  “G’day girls,” he said. “Do you mind if I come in?”

  Kate, the eldest one, shook her head. Bindi watched him, reddened eyes staring, bleary, unfocused.

  Kate faced him with her legs crossed. “Is Reeda okay?”

  He nodded. “She will be. She’s still in hospital for now though…”

  “What about Nan?” asked Kate.

  His throat constricted. She’d lost her parents and her first question was about her sister, her second about her grandmother. He pushed a smile onto his face. “Nan is going to be okay. She’s very sad, so it might take a while.”

  “We’re all sad,” spat Kate, then cried silently into her hands.

  Bindi rested a palm on Kate’s back, her own tears falling, punctuated by sobs.

  “I know you are, and I am too. I wanted you to know that I’m here. If you need anything, I’ll be downstairs with Nan. Just knock on her door and I’ll come right out. Okay?”

  Both girls nodded.

  “I’m so sorry,” he said. Tears choked him, preventing him from saying more.

  He backed out of the room, pulled it shut behind him. The first thing he’d thought of when he’d heard the news was his own pain, his own mourning, but that was nothing compared with what those girls were experiencing. He had to be strong for them, and for Edie. They had no one else now.

  When he returned to her room with a cup of tea, Edie hadn’t moved, only now her eyes were shut. He set the tea on the bedside table, kicked off his shoes and climbed into bed with her. He wrapped his arms around her, pulled her close so that his chin rested on top of her head. He kissed her hair, his grief threatening to overwhelm him.

  The girls had lost their parents. Edie had suffered another loss, after enduring so many in her lifetime. Mima wasn’t there, but she’d find out soon enough and he knew how hard the news would hit her, after all she’d been through. She loved the family as her own, had helped Edie raise Keith while they lived at the inn together.

  And now his son would never know him, never call him father. Never understand how much he loved him.

  Tears fell from his eyes. The first he’d cried in a very long time. He held Edie tight and cried in silence, careful not to shake her in case she was sleeping. He was grateful for two things: that he’d met his son and found him to be a wonderful man, a loving husband and father, and that he was able to be with Edie, to comfort her as they mourned the loss of their son.

  He squeezed his eyes shut, inhaled a long slow breath, and let memories dance across the screen in his head. Memories of times past, of the moments that’d shaped and driven the course of his life. A first kiss, a deepening love, the two of them skipping school to swim in a muddy river. Her agreeing to marry him as they lay on the shores of a creek, her face still streaked with tears at the idea that he’d be leaving. Him opening a letter and the photograph of her holding their son spilling out onto his lap.

  The moments were precious to him now, like jewels that couldn’t be stolen, reworked or damaged. He’d never have the chance to live through it all again, but he could remember it now in the midst of his pain and those memories brought a smile to his tear-streaked face.

  31

  April 1997

  Cabarita Beach

  It felt strange now, to read Charlie Jackson’s letters, knowing he was Jack. Bindi let the piece of paper flutter into her lap. She stared at it, her eyes losing focus on the dark script that ran in lines across the page. There were still so many things she wanted to know, but she’d decided after his revelation that perhaps she should ask him questions in person instead of continuing with the letters. So she’d put them away… until today. Something had compelled her to pull them out and browse through them again.

  With a grunt she clambered off the bed, straightened the quilt and folded the letter back into Nan’s box.

  Kate and Reeda were waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs. They were talking together, then smiled at her as she approached.

  “Where are you headed?” asked Reeda.

  “I’m looking for Jack… What’s going on?” asked Bindi.

  “They’re finished,” replied Kate, beaming.

  “Completely?”

  Reeda dipped her head. “Listen.”

  The chirp of morning birdsong, the distant crash of waves to shore. Her brow furrowed.

  “I don’t hear anything.”

  “Exactly,” replied Reeda, with a smug grin.

  Bindi waggled her eyebrows. “Well, let’s take a look at our new kitchen and restaurant then.”

  The three sisters linked arms and walked together into the kitchen. It was twice as big as it had been. The bench, cupboards and appliances sparkled and shone. Everything was white and stainless steel with hardwood floors.

  “Wow, it’s beautiful,” said Bindi, her eyes wide.

  “I know,” replied Kate. “I’m going to love cooking in here. And look, you go through this swinging door and here’s the restaurant.”

  She let go of Bindi and Reeda’s arms and pushed through the door, holding it open for them to walk through.

  Tears gathered in Bindi’s throat as she stepped into the restaurant. She’d seen it in progress many times throughout the build, but Kate hadn’t allowed them to look over the past week while the cleaners moved in, then the tables, chairs and light fixtures were set up. It looked like a real restaurant now. Everything clean, neat and in its place. Chandeliers hung overhead, sparkling in the sunlight that issued through the many long, rectangular windows.

  The view of the garden was spectacular. Coastal gums, pandanus, bushes and even Nan’s waratahs could be seen.

  “I love it,” said Bindi.

  “I can’t wait to see it filled with diners,” added Reeda.

  “Me too.” Kate surveyed it all with arms crossed over her chest.

  “Is it what you wanted?” asked Bindi.

  Kate nodded. “I always imagined I’d have my own restaurant one day. Then, when Nan died, I came back here and soon learned I didn’t want to leave, but I thought my dreams of being a chef with my own place were over. Now…” She waved an arm, her voice choked over the words. “It’s a dream come true.”

  The three sisters embraced. Bindi blinked back tears. Her stomach churned. This restaurant was amazing, but it was a huge responsibility. Would they be able to make it work?

  Footsteps sounded on the timber floor behind them. Bindi wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and cleared her throat before turning to see who it was.

  “Hi Bindi,” said Josh.

  She smiled. “Fancy seeing you here.” She hadn’t seen him since their argument two months earlier, and they’d only spoken on the phone a few times. She’d assumed he wasn’t coming back, yet there he was, looking ta
nned and fit, in a pair of board shorts and a T-shirt that stretched across his thick chest.

  The sight of him reminded her of how much she’d missed him, what he’d meant to her and how she hadn’t been able to voice her feelings. He’d gifted her strength through the hardest time of her life. Stood by her side when she needed him. He was kind, thoughtful, funny, and steady. Exactly the kind of man she wanted to share her life with. Why hadn’t she had the nerve to tell him so when it mattered?

  “This looks amazing. Hi Kate, Reeda — I can’t wait to eat here. Congratulations to all of you.”

  “Thanks Josh. Actually, I’m throwing a practice dinner for family and friends tonight, you’re welcome to join us if you’d like.”

  He nodded. “That sounds great, I’d love to. Thanks.”

  Bindi headed for the kitchen, and Josh followed her. They left Kate and Reeda folding napkins. Through the kitchen and out the back door, Bindi kept walking, running through in her mind what she’d say to him. Why was he there? To break up with her officially? To reconcile? Nerves teased her gut and she crossed her arms over her chest in a kind of embrace.

  She hesitated at the gate to the kitchen garden, rested her hands on it, and waited.

  “Bindi, stop…” said Josh behind her.

  She faced him with her head cocked to one side. “I thought you’d disappeared from the face of the earth.”

  He shook his head. “I’m sorry. I overreacted.”

  “Yes, you did.”

  “I pushed you away. After our last conversation, it seemed to me you didn’t feel the same way about me, as I did about you. I told you I loved you…”

  His nostrils flared.

  Bindi swallowed. “I know. I understand why you were upset. I just…wasn’t ready to say it back.”

  “But I’ve been thinking about it all, what we said, what we didn’t, how I feel…and I don’t care. If you’re not ready to take our relationship to the next level, that’s fine with me. I’m not going to push you away. If you want out, you’re going to have to say so.”

  “I don’t want out,” Bindi said quickly. “It’s been a difficult year, with my health and everything going on here at the inn. I was confused…”

  His blue eyes softened. “I love you, and when you’re ready to take the next step, I’ll be right here with you.”

  She stepped closer, stood on her tiptoes and pressed a kiss to his lips. His arms moved to surround her, pulling her close.

  She smiled, linking her hands around his neck. “I love you too.”

  He grinned. “You don’t have to—”

  “Shhh… I love you, you’re just going to have to accept it,” she interrupted.

  “I guess I can live with that.” His broad smile faded as he kissed her again.

  When she walked into the restaurant that night, her hand in Josh’s, Bindi gasped. The chandeliers sparkled, sending dancing light around the room. White tablecloths were offset by the dark timber of the floorboards. Artwork on the walls and vases filled with fresh flowers added splashes of colour.

  Kate waited for them by a long table, set with silverware and crystal stemware. She smiled with her hands linked in front of a white apron.

  “Good evening, everyone,” she said.

  “This looks fantastic, Kate,” replied Bindi, gazing around the restaurant.

  “Thank you. Please take a seat, the food will be out soon. In the meantime, enjoy a drink.”

  Josh pulled out Bindi’s chair and she sat. Reeda and Duncan followed them into the room. Then, Mima, Jack, and Alex strolled in behind them. Soon, the table was full, and everyone was talking, laughing, and enjoying themselves.

  A waiter filled their glasses with water, then took drink orders. Kate had returned to the kitchen, and Bindi’s stomach grumbled in anticipation of what was to come. She’d barely eaten a thing all day, hoping to save room for the feast.

  Mima sat beside Kate with a grunt, her silver curls tamed to frame her face instead of pulled back the way she usually wore them. She’d donned a soft blue dress that shimmered beneath the glow of the chandeliers.

  “You look lovely,” said Bindi, hugging Mima’s arm.

  Mima beamed. “Thank you, love. You’re adorable as always.”

  Mima greeted Josh, then returned her attention to Bindi. “How’re things going between the two of you,” she whispered, arching an eyebrow. “I thought he’d called things off…or was it you? I can’t keep up with you young folk.”

  Bindi chuckled. “I thought he’d ended things as well, but he showed up this morning and told me he loved me.”

  Mima grinned. “And what did you say to that?”

  “I told him I loved him as well.”

  Mima squeezed Bindi until all breath had been evacuated from her lungs. Bindi coughed, then laughed. “Mima, I can’t breathe!”

  Mima patted her on the back. “I’m so happy for you, my dear. He’s a wonderful young man. I think the two of you will be very happy together.”

  Bindi’s cheeks warmed. “We’re not getting married or anything, Mima. We love each other, that’s all.”

  “That’s all? Listen to me, my love, when two people love each other the way you do, it won’t be long before we hear those bells ringing.”

  “Which bells?” asked Bindi, her brow furrowed.

  Mima waved a hand in the air. “Oh, you know, the metaphorical church bells.”

  Bindi giggled. “We’ll see…”

  “Is that what you want?” asked Mima, still whispering.

  Bindi glanced at Josh, who was deep in conversation with Alex. She nodded at Mima. “I think so…how do you know?”

  “Know what?” asked Mima, before taking a sip of water.

  Bindi shrugged. “When you’ve found the one. I don’t want to make a mistake.”

  Mima hugged her. “No one wants to make a mistake, my love. But when you find the man you’re meant to spend the rest of your life with, you’ll just know it. It’ll be a calm kind of feeling, that sits down in your chest and doesn’t move. A certainty, that if you lived your lives apart, they would never be what they could be if you were together.”

  Bindi nodded. “Is that how it was for you?”

  Mima sighed. “Yes, love. That’s how it was the day I met Ollie. We didn’t take as long to figure it out as some people do. Of course, we didn’t have the kind of time together that most get. He was leaving for the pacific theatre as soon as he was well enough, and I knew I’d have to say goodbye. It helps you keep perspective, having that kind of time pressure. We didn’t want to waste a single moment, so we lived each moment as though it might be our last…and one of those moments was. When I got the letter from his family…I hadn’t heard from him in a while. I knew deep down something was wrong, but I kept telling myself it was because the mail system was too busy, or disrupted somehow, that he’d write soon. Of course you know how that ended.”

  Bindi squeezed Mima’s hand. “At least you made those moments count.”

  Mima nodded, her smile returning. “Yes, we sure did.”

  Kate pushed backwards through the kitchen’s swinging door, carrying a large platter. She smiled as she set it on the table.

  “Dinner is served,” she said. “Roast lamb with figs, radicchio and chicory.”

  With the platter firmly on the table, she took a bow as the table applauded, a grin on her face. “Thank you, thank you. Now, Alex will carve, and the staff will bring the rest of the meal. Fill your plates and enjoy the feast!”

  Alex stood to carve the roast, while the rest of the table exclaimed in delight over the dishes the waiters brought to the table. They set everything in matching white dishes and platters along the centre of the table. There was garlic and rosemary roasted vegetables, buffalo mozzarella and asparagus salad, buttered artichoke hearts, and potatoes au gratin. Bindi filled her plate to overflowing with the good food.

  As she ate, she couldn’t help smiling. The food smelled and tasted as good as it looked. The resta
urant was going to be a success, she could sense it. It looked amazing, the food was the best she’d ever eaten, and the group of people seated at the table were all determined to do whatever they could to help.

  “Everything good?” Kate stooped to ask Bindi once everyone had had a chance to taste the food.

  Bindi nodded, swallowed. “It’s fantastic. I love these potatoes, they’re my favourite.”

  Kate smiled. “I think this is going to work.”

  “I think so too.”

  Bindi embraced her sister, who feigned losing balance. She fixed her skewed chef’s hat back onto her head. “Careful, don’t injure the chef.”

  “I’m really proud of you,” said Bindi.

  Kate’s cheeks flushed pink. “Thanks.”

  “So am I,” added Reeda from across the table.

  “We all are,” piped up Jack. “Well done, Katie.”

  Kate bit down on her lip, her eyes glistening. “I couldn’t have done it without all your support.”

  Bindi watched as Kate returned to the kitchen, an extra bounce in her step. She smiled. The past eighteen months had dragged them through so much — grief, challenges, health issues, relationships stresses, and even had them questioning everything they knew about themselves and their family. It was time for some good things in her life, and she knew the Waratah Inn would be a big part of that.

  32

  September 1982

  Coolangatta

  Waves curled along the shoreline and crashed against the sand. The water hissed and bubbled, sending froth swirling around Charlie’s feet. He watched with interest. After an inland childhood, freezing his toes off, he didn’t think he could ever grow tired of the beach. It was as if a part of his soul was made complete by standing there, letting the water wash around him, stripping away anxieties, worries, concerns and anything else on his mind.

  Watching waves was a mindless activity. It helped him to focus, to forget, to simply be in the moment.