by Kayte Nunn
As Rose wheeled the cake out to a chorus of ‘aahs’ from the guests, a voice rang out, loud enough to stop traffic – or at least the hubbub of conversation in the room. ‘What’s with the freakin’ penguins?’
Gabriella had got stuck into the champagne, alright.
Susan’s eyes widened at Rose and she frantically shook her head.
Uh-oh. Rose did a swift about-turn with the trolley, returned to the kitchen and pulled the offending sea birds off the top of the cake. Perhaps they hadn’t met in Antarctica after all.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Eight weeks, three days, nine hours and thirty-odd minutes.
That was how long it had been since the avalanche that had turned her life on its head. Mattie sat on the verandah, drinking a cup of strong coffee and slowly raising and straightening her leg, obeying the physio’s instructions. She cared about the look of her leg far more than the scar on her face, and hated its weak, withered state. Gin and Tonic lay curled up on the seat beside her, basking in a patch of sunlight, and the day stretched ahead of her as a vast expanse of nothing, as empty as the cloudless sky overhead. Not unlike so many of the days at Kalkari. Autumn was in full swing in the valley and had turned the vine leaves russet and crimson. Mornings were cool and misty before the sun burned through. It had always been one of her favourite times of the year, with the beauty of the valley at its peak.
But sometimes even the most beautiful place could be a prison, she thought wretchedly. There was nothing for her to do, nothing to take her mind off what might have been if they hadn’t chosen to take that last run. If they hadn’t gone quite so far along the ridge … well, she’d be back in London, at work, laughing with Cara, stressing about whatever impossible task Bianca had set, and looking forward to dinner out in the evening, most likely with Johnny. She cringed as she remembered his reaction to her battered face and the cowardly way he’d left her on her own. Well, at least one good thing had come out of the accident – he’d shown his true colours and she was well out of it. It didn’t stop her thinking about him though, and wondering how her judgement could have been so far off the mark. She wasn’t used to getting things so badly wrong.
Wishing she’d done just one thing different that day also wouldn’t change the fact that here she was, virtually marooned on a remote vineyard on the other side of the world from her old life. A life that she wasn’t certain existed for her any longer.
A few days earlier, she’d emailed Bianca, asking if there was any chance of her job back. She’d received a brief and breezy reply: Sooo glad to hear you’re on the mend, babe. We’re all jealous of you sunning yourself downunder. Unfortunately, business is a bit slow at the moment. Not sure if we could find anything for you – Annabel, your replacement, has turned out to be such a gem. I can’t do her out of a job.
Mattie was incensed. And then despondent. And then incensed again. She had been so easily replaced. She had thought Bianca relied on her, couldn’t manage without her. Well, that turned out to be another lie. She felt a physical ache when she thought of life in London – riding on the top of a double-decker bus, picnics and concerts on Hampstead Heath, walking with Cara through Hyde Park on a lazy Sunday, nights out with the Three Bees crew, laughing till tears ran down their faces … Now the world seemed stripped of anything exciting. There was no longer any need for her to leap out of bed in the morning, to greet the day with enthusiasm.
‘Hey there, Mattie, how are you doing?’ Rose was at the screen door. ‘Oh!’ she cried, seeing the bleak look on Mattie’s face. ‘Sweetheart, you poor thing. What’s up?’
‘Nothing much.’ She was determined not to be caught feeling sorry for herself. ‘It hits me every now and then. I sometimes feel like I’m reliving that day over and over.’ She tried to laugh it off. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll be okay.’ She was too proud to admit to Rose that she’d asked for her old job back and been rejected.
‘You’ve got to take it easy on yourself.’ Rose came to sit next to her. ‘It’s still only been a couple of months. You’re bound to be a bit traumatised by it. I know I would be. Especially with things not working out with Johnny.’
‘Yeah, that.’
Rose looked thoughtful. ‘When was his birthday?’
‘His birthday? Why on earth is that important?’
Rose stared at her, not backing down.
‘Um, October, I think – yes, the end of October, just before Halloween.’
‘Your birthday is February the third, right?’
‘Uh-huh.’
‘There you have it – Scorpio and Aquarius. Two of the least compatible signs of the zodiac. It would never have worked out.’
‘Rose,’ said Mattie seriously. ‘You know that’s a load of complete crap, don’t you?’
‘Don’t be too ready to write it off. Now, take Charlie for instance …’ She looked slyly at Mattie, judging her response.
‘For instance?’
‘I happen to know that Charlie’s a Sagittarius —’
‘And?’
‘Match made in heaven.’ Rose grinned.
Mattie rolled her eyes. ‘Give me a break!’
‘Come on, he’s single, and he seems pretty keen on you, from what I’ve heard.’
‘What exactly have you heard?’
Rose tapped the side of her nose. ‘You know how Astrid likes to chat … Apparently Charlie told Thommo that he was really happy to see you back in the valley.’
Mattie instantly dismissed it. ‘That could mean anything. Anyway, I’m not interested. My focus is on getting better so that I can get on with my life again.’
They sat in silence, contemplating the chickens scratching at the end of the yard. ‘I’m sorry that this awful thing brought you to Kalkari, but we’re all so happy you’re here,’ said Rose, taking her hand. ‘Including Charlie.’ She winked. ‘The kids love having their auntie nearby, and Mark’s thrilled too. I know how close you are. He’s been so pleased to be able to show off everything he’s been doing.’
Mattie knew Rose was doing her best to cheer her up and was thankful for it. She was right – it was good be around family for a change, even if they were busy with their own lives. ‘He took me over to the winery yesterday for some barrel sampling,’ Mattie said. ‘He’s done amazing things. I knew he was good, but I had no idea he was quite so talented.’
‘Clearly it runs in the family – Gabriella was really pleased with the menus. And I heard that Bellbirds are looking to update their logo and signage. I had a chat with Amanda Davis when I saw her the other day and suggested you might be the person for the job. Not that I think you should be rushing back into work, you’re here to rest and recover, but I thought I’d pass it on in case you’re interested.’
Mattie brightened. She had loved doing logo and branding work, understanding the essence of a client’s business and encapsulating that into a perfect image and design. ‘Actually, that sounds as though it might be interesting. God knows I could do with something to take my mind off things.’
‘Oh good. I’ve got to go over to Trevelyn’s for a few hours, but how about we head to Eumeralla this afternoon? Amanda’s up from Sydney at the moment – she spends most weeks down there – so we can pop into Bellbirds on the way home, if you like.’
‘That would be great,’ Mattie said. As Rose went back inside, she found herself wondering just what Charlie had meant by being happy that she was back. Was it merely a passing comment, or should she read more into it? She was almost afraid to find out.
‘Oh, darling, I heard about your dreadful misfortune.’ The immaculately groomed blonde’s tone was patronising and Mattie could see she was trying not to wince as she took note of the scar on her face.
‘Amanda. I didn’t realise it was you,’ Mattie replied. ‘Rose said Amanda Davis …’ She and Amanda had been in the same year at primary school.
‘Oh yes,’ Amanda trilled, holding a sparkling diamond in front of Mattie’s face.
At least two car
ats, Mattie thought, remembering her lesson from Jamie Soames.
‘Three years now. Jonathan and I live in Sydney. He’s in banking, you know.’ The smugness in her voice set Mattie’s teeth on edge, but she tried to smile at Amanda pleasantly. Mattie wanted the work, no matter how far beneath her experience it was. ‘But we try to get up here as often as we can.’ Amanda’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. ‘Darling, you must look us up next time you’re in town. We’ve got a gorgeous little place in Bellevue Hill, and I run my own PR firm. The Davis Agency. You might have heard of us?’
Mattie gave a slight shake of her head.
‘Well, anyway, let’s get on, shall we? I’d be so pleased if I can find someone local to do the job – support the community, you know? Rose tells me you’re quite the design whizz these days. This is our current logo.’ Amanda held a brochure in one perfectly manicured hand. ‘It hasn’t changed since Mum and Dad started the business thirty years ago, so it’s long overdue for an overhaul, if you see what I mean.’
Mattie did indeed. The brochure showed some very dated, dark photography together with a curlicued font and cream background. It was a world apart from the charming old brick farmhouse that sat at the foothills of the Shingle Hills, with its stripped-back beams, white walls and lush gardens planted with flowering shrubs and delicate maples. Amanda showed them through the house, and Mattie popped her head into a bedroom. Waffle-weave towels, plump pillows and a linen-upholstered bedhead spoke of a much more contemporary, but still charmingly rustic, look.
‘We’ve just about finished with the interiors – the repainting’s done and we’ve replaced all the bedding and put in new furniture. This is much more what people expect these days.’
Mattie nodded. She could already see a new logo and layout forming in her mind. ‘You’re right. The current brochure doesn’t reflect this at all. How about something a lot cleaner and simpler?’ Mattie looked around at the room. ‘And for the logo, well, I was thinking something like this …’ She sketched as she spoke. ‘It’s very rough, and I’m not quite sure of the colour palette yet, but you see where I’m going …’
‘Mmm,’ said Amanda, considering it. ‘Yes, I think that might do.’
She wasn’t exactly raving, but Mattie decided to push for more while she was there. She had nothing to lose. ‘Why don’t I take a look at your website at the same time? Overhaul the whole brand?’
‘Oh yes, I suppose that would be a good idea. I’ve been meaning to get one of my girls onto it, but we’ve just been so busy. I’ve won more accounts than ever this year.’ Mattie gritted her teeth at the self-satisfied tone in Amanda’s voice.
‘Okay,’ said Mattie. ‘How about I start with some preliminary ideas and get back to you in a week or so?’
‘If you could make it next week, that would work. You don’t exactly have much on at the moment, do you?’
Ouch. ‘You’re right.’ Mattie smiled saccharine-sweetly. ‘I can give this my full attention.’
They spoke briefly about payment and then Rose and Mattie headed back to the car.
‘I’m sorry she was so patronising,’ said Rose. ‘I’ve only spoken to her a few times and I had no idea —’
‘Don’t even worry about it,’ said Mattie. ‘I’ve dealt with far trickier clients than her, believe me.’
As they drove back, she looked out of the window at the patchwork of vines that stretched to the horizon, noticing sprays of water coming up from the dams. She spied a group of horses in a paddock lazily flicking their tails at flies, saw signs pointing invitingly towards cellar doors and country restaurants. As the shadows lengthened, she saw it all afresh and a sense of peace crept over her. How could she have so easily left all this behind? Was it the prospect of some work, regardless of how simple it might be, that was responsible? Or could the valley be stealing its way back into her heart?
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Mattie’s body was healing well, and the physio from New Bridgeton was very pleased with her patient. ‘I don’t think you’ll need to see me much longer,’ she said, watching Mattie walk up and down. ‘Wear a surgical boot on longer walks, but you can take it off now and let those muscles get stronger on their own. You’re making great progress. And if you do the exercises I’ve given you the limp should disappear eventually.’
‘When will I be able to drive?’ Mattie had been starting to get antsy, being stuck at Kalkari, miles from anywhere and completely reliant on Rose or Mark to give her lifts.
‘I reckon you’re fine to drive now, when you’re not wearing a boot.’
‘That’s the best news I’ve heard in ages!’ Mattie nearly hugged her. If she could have skipped out of the clinic she would have, but as it was she had to make do with a hobble.
‘You look happy,’ said Rose as she came to collect her. ‘What did she say?’
‘She’s cleared me to drive, and I only need to wear this boot occasionally. All I need now is to sort out some wheels and you won’t have to keep ferrying me around.’
‘That’s great, Mattie. But I haven’t minded it, you know.’
In the few months that she had been staying with them, Mattie had come to realise what a sweetheart Rose was. She couldn’t have been more different than Isabella. Mattie hoped her brother understood what a good thing he had.
‘I know,’ Mattie replied, ‘and you’ve been amazing. But like I said, I’m not used to being dependent on anyone.’
It was Charlie who came to Mattie’s aid. She’d mentioned she was on the lookout for a cheap runabout to Rose. Even if she was only going to be staying for another six months or so, a car would mean she was free to come and go as she pleased, not having to rely on Rose and Mark for lifts. Rose had mentioned it to Astrid, who’d mentioned it to Thommo, who’d mentioned it to his brother … That was the way things worked in the valley – news and gossip travelled like wildfire, whether you liked it or not. Charlie rang her one morning, just as she was getting out of the shower.
‘Fearless!’ he cried. ‘Heard you’re in need of some wheels? I’ve got a mate, Crash, who’s getting rid of an old Corolla. Not sure what sort of state it’s in, but I’ll give him a bell and find out. Leave it with me.’
‘Seriously? You want me to buy a car off a bloke called Crash?’
‘Should I tell you how he got his nickname?’
‘Probably best not to.’
One lunchtime later that week, he gave her a lift over to the other side of Eumeralla to have a look at the car. Sitting beside him, she felt unnervingly close, his denim-clad thighs mere inches from hers. His hands were steady and sure on the steering wheel, his forearms strongly muscled. And when he looked at her Mattie felt something inside her melt clean away. She shifted uneasily in her seat and stared out of the window. She wasn’t looking for any kind of romantic relationship anytime in, ooh … the next decade at least.
Charlie didn’t appear to have noticed the rising tension in the car, and effortlessly swung the vehicle onto the Eumeralla Road. ‘So,’ he said, breaking the silence, ‘how does it feel to be back in the valley, now you’ve been here a few months? Think you’ll stick around for a bit longer? ’Specially once you’ve got a set of wheels?’
She turned to look at him, noticing again his strong profile, square chin and the unruly golden hair that curled into the collar of his shirt … the broad shoulders and lean hips, the legs so close to hers … he radiated virile good health and try as she might, she couldn’t help being attracted to him. She wondered what it would feel like to kiss him, to press her lips to his, to feel his strong arms around her … She lost herself in the fantasy.
‘Mattie? Are you with me?’
She dragged her mind back to his question. ‘Sorry, miles away.’ She swallowed and tried to refocus. Hooking up with Charlie would be a terrible idea. ‘Um, well – Mark’s been very kind to let me stay as long as I want, but I do have to go back to London at some point.’
‘Really? Why? Don’t you think you could make
a life here? It might not be the bright lights of the city, but it’s not a bad place to call home.’
‘I know that,’ she said. ‘I’m just not sure if it’s really where I belong.’
‘You could,’ he said, turning to smile at her. ‘You just have to want to. It’s as simple and as hard as that. I should know.’
‘Don’t take this the wrong way,’ she said. ‘But I feel like I’ve failed. Returning here in this state’ – she indicated her face, where the scar was still raised on her cheek – ‘with very little to show for all my time away … A few successful ad campaigns don’t really add up to much, do they? If you must know, I feel like a big fat loser.’ She bit her lip and turned her face to look out of the window.
Mattie felt the ute slow down and there was a scrunch of gravel as Charlie pulled the car onto the side of the road. She turned to look at him, surprised that he had stopped in the middle of nowhere.
‘Now listen here, Matilda Cameron. There is no way that anyone thinks you’re a loser, just because you’ve come home and need some time to get well again, so get that straight. It isn’t as if you stayed here and never left, never did anything with yourself. You’ll always carry those years with you, no matter where you are in the world. Anyway, a girl who could face one of the gnarliest cross-country courses I’ve ever seen and finish with a smile on her face isn’t a loser. Not in my book, not in anyone else’s, okay?’
She gave him a weak smile. ‘Okay.’
‘I learnt a valuable lesson once, when I was in France. We’d gone out sailing for the day, with Marie-Claire’s family.’ Mattie tried not to wince as she heard the name. ‘As we were sailing back to port, a huge storm blew up. I was at the helm, and pretty keen to impress her father. I battled away for a good half an hour, getting absolutely nowhere. Eventually, when I could see that we’d never make it back to the mooring before dark, I turned the yacht nor’east and made for land further up the coast where we stopped in a sweet little port until the storm had passed.’
