by Kayte Nunn
As the beat changed she gazed up at him, squinting slightly to focus. He really does have the most incredible eyes, she thought hazily. Then, as the music slowed, she became aware of his hands stroking her back, his fingers slowly making their way down her spine, making her shudder with desire and giving her chills despite the heat of the nightclub. Charlie loosened his embrace and reached for the tip of her chin with his finger. The question in her eyes was answered as he lowered his mouth to hers.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Mattie was up early the following day, determinedly ignoring the stinking hangover that clouded her brain and thumped behind her eyes. She couldn’t remember exactly how she’d gotten home the night before. She’d woken up, fully clothed, her boots abandoned in the middle of the room as if she’d just kicked them off and collapsed like a felled tree onto the bed. To make things worse, she was completely out of painkillers. Her stomach roiled anxiously.
She peered into Cara’s room and saw her friend, face down and spark out. Mattie remembered the sight of her and Jake kissing outside the restaurant the previous evening. As she thought about seeing them entwined, the full force of what she’d done the night before came back to her. Oh Christ, how could she have been such an idiot? Was she ever going to be able to face Charlie again?
Throwing down a glass of water, she grabbed her camera and climbed into her car. She was due to take some shots at Trevelyn’s Pantry when it was set up for a wedding, and wanted to get there in plenty of time to capture details of the tables and flowers as well as the plated-up food before it was eaten.
She glanced at her watch. If she was quick she’d have time to take some early morning landscape shots before meeting Rose at the restaurant. There was a lookout at the far end of the valley that she’d been meaning to hike up to – she thought her leg could just about handle it, despite the previous night’s shenanigans – and the conditions were perfect. As she trundled along the Shingle Road, she was forced to slow down to let a stray cow cross the road, then, as she sped up again, her eye was caught by a flash of silver in the vineyards on the Tarrawenna property. On little more than a hunch, she yanked the car to the right and pulled into the lane that led up to the old winery buildings.
Killing the engine, she got out of the car, camera in hand. It was eerily quiet; even the birds seemed to have been silenced. Mattie felt a shiver of apprehension run through her, but told herself not to be silly and strode, undeterred, towards the vineyard. Coming around the side of the winery, she noticed the graffiti that Officer Doyd had been investigating but there was no sign of the dumped rubbish; she supposed it must have been cleared away. She was almost upon the vineyard, where she could still see the scrap of silver that had caught her attention. It was, incongruously, a shiny babydoll nightie, sewn with sparkly, tinselled thread, that had been draped over a vine trellis. Something to scare the birds perhaps? Cursing herself for having been taken in – in her befuddled state she’d thought it was Cara’s jumpsuit, though how it would have got there God only knew – she retreated a few metres and snapped a few shots. If nothing else it would make a good story to tell the others back at Kalkari. She was so absorbed in her task that she didn’t hear the footsteps behind her.
‘Just what do you think you’re doing here? This is private property, didn’t you see the sign?’
Mattie whirled around and saw a man towering over her. He was built like a brick shithouse and looked none too happy about her presence in the vineyard. Not the kind of person to argue with. She noticed the tag on his jacket. Security. Of course.
‘I’m sorry,’ she said. ‘Honestly. I’m not causing any trouble. I just —’ She didn’t get the chance to finish her sentence. A meaty hand came down on her camera with shocking swiftness. One minute she was holding it and the next it was torn from her grasp and in the dust. She cried out as his huge boot crushed it.
‘I’d get out of here pretty quick if I were you,’ he said, reaching for her. ‘Or there will really be trouble.’
Mattie was too fast for him, even with her bad leg. Ducking under his outstretched arm, she ran as fast as she could towards her car, throwing herself behind the wheel and gunning it down the drive.
She was approaching Trevelyn’s by the time her heart had begun to stop hammering. She was furious, and incredulous. Had that really just happened? In the Shingle Valley? Her poor camera …
‘Rose!’ she cried as she raced into the restaurant. ‘Rose, you won’t believe what just happened!’
‘You’re kidding?’ Rose was as incredulous as Mattie when she’d told her the story. ‘Oh, darling girl, you’re shaking.’
It was true; Mattie was quivering like a leaf. ‘Oh God. I can’t work without it,’ she said. ‘What am I going to do?’
‘Right,’ said Rose, a note of determination in her voice as she got out her phone. ‘I’m reporting this to the police.’
‘But I was technically trespassing,’ said Mattie.
‘Doesn’t matter. Didn’t give that goon the right to damage valuable property.’
Rose made the call and handed the phone over to Mattie, who relayed the rest of the story. Eventually she hung up, having been reassured that they would dispatch a car to Tarrawenna to investigate.
Rose looked sympathetically at her. ‘Coffee?’
‘Do I look that bad?’
Rose smiled. ‘I’ve seen worse, if that makes you feel any better. Come on, have a seat and I’ll make you a cup. I can spare a minute.’
‘I don’t suppose you’ve got any painkillers too?’ The effect of the adrenaline that had surged through her had worn off and Mattie’s hangover had come back with full force.
Rose brought two espressos, a glass of water and a blister pack of Panadol over to a table at the verandah at the back of the restaurant. Mattie swallowed two tablets and took a grateful sip of her coffee. She looked out over the small kitchen garden Rose had planted.
‘I know, they grow like weeds as soon as the weather warms up,’ Rose said, following Mattie’s gaze. ‘Not that the soil is that great around here. It works well for the vines but not so well for my greens and pumpkins. A lot of sweat, not to mention chicken manure, has gone into that patch, but it’s been worth it.’ Rose took a sip of her coffee and made a face. ‘Does this taste okay to you? God, I must be losing my touch, this is awful.’
‘It tastes fine to me,’ replied Mattie. ‘Why, what’s wrong with it?’
‘Not sure. Too bitter perhaps? Maybe it’s the new beans that Bevan sent over from Sacred Grounds? I’ll have to ask him next time I see him.’ Rose put her coffee cup down, distracted. ‘Anyway, I’d better get on, there’s still loads to prep.’
‘It looks gorgeous,’ said Mattie, noticing the snowy-clothed tables and massed bowls of roses adorning the room. Each bloom had been nurtured to the peak of perfection. ‘I’m so sorry I can’t get the shots I promised.’
‘Don’t be silly. There’ll be other weddings – we’ve got four more booked in already this spring. Anyway, we’ve only got about fifteen minutes before everyone’s due to start arriving.’
Mattie took the hint. ‘I’ll head off then. Good luck with it all today.’
‘No worries.’ Rose grinned at her. ‘You look after yourself – you’ve had a nasty shock. Take it easy, okay?’
*
Mattie returned to Kalkari and spent the afternoon holed up in the barn, retouching the shots she’d had the foresight to upload to her laptop the day before. She was trying to take her mind off that morning’s bizarre events, not to mention her actions of the previous night. She felt utterly shame-faced that she’d gone after Charlie so brazenly, especially as he was engaged to someone else. Cutting someone else’s lunch wasn’t her style. One thing was certain: she’d well and truly blown any chance they’d had of platonic friendship.
Several hours passed as she worked, absorbed in her task. Finally, as the sun was beginning to set, she closed the computer and went in search of her friend. The ce
llar door was probably her best bet. It had been a sunny Saturday, so she was sure Cara would have been kept busy.
Cara was wiping down the long slab of the oak counter, getting ready to close up, as Mattie walked through the door. ‘Dude, how’s it going?’ Cara asked, giving Mattie a tired smile. ‘What happened to you last night? Out dancing, so I heard?’
‘Um, er, yeah,’ said Mattie ruefully. ‘Probably not the best move after so much wine. Anyway, more importantly – what about you and Jake, hey? Cara Claythorne, are you actually blushing?’
‘Pah!’ Cara looked embarrassed despite her denial.
‘Come on.’ Mattie fixed her with a firm gaze. ‘Spill.’
‘It was only a kiss …’ Cara said. ‘And then we got a lift home with Mark and Rose, so that kind of put the brakes on anything else. Just as well though.’
Mattie was confused. ‘Why? I thought you liked him?’
‘That’s the problem. I do. Perhaps a bit too much.’ Cara held up her mobile phone. ‘And has the guy called today? Texted? Has he fuck!’ she exploded.
‘Calm your farm, Cars. Give him a day or so before you jump to conclusions.’ Cara’s phone began to peal. ‘See!’ cried Mattie. ‘It’s probably him!’
Cara, however, didn’t look quite as delighted as Mattie thought she should.
‘Movies?’ she was saying into the phone. ‘Sure, why not? Yep, I’m sure Mattie would love to come too. See you then.’
‘Was that Jake? You could have sounded more enthusiastic. And surely you don’t want to drag me along as well?’ Mattie was puzzled.
‘Nah, it wasn’t Jake. Seems Officer Doyd is keen to go on a double date.’
‘And you agreed?’ Mattie said, horrified.
‘Why not? It’s not as if I’m knocking back any other offers. Besides, there’s nothing like a bit of healthy competition.’
‘Yeah, well, in this valley the word’ll get out and back to Jake, that’s for sure. But do you really want me along too?’
‘He says he’s got a colleague who’s moved here recently and doesn’t know a soul. So we’ve got a night out with the boys in blue.’
‘Do we have to?’
‘Yes! It’s only the movies. Anyway, you really need to get out more. Though you were having a good time last night, by the looks of things. Where exactly did you get to with the delicious Charlie Drummond?’
Mattie shrugged. ‘A club.’
‘In Eumeralla?’
‘I know, right?’
They grinned at each other.
Mattie deliberately didn’t mention kissing Charlie in the nightclub; she was too embarrassed to admit to cracking onto a guy who was involved with someone else.
‘Now, about this date —’
‘Alright, if I have to,’ Mattie sighed. ‘When?’
‘Tomorrow,’ said Cara, her good humour restored. ‘Hey, there’s something I almost forgot to tell you. Earlier this afternoon a lady came in, said she’s from the new spa that’s opening up on the other side of Eumeralla – you know the one, where they’re going to get people to bathe in grape skins.’
‘Oh yeah, the one at Lilybells?’
‘That’s the one. Well, she’d heard about the makeover we’d given the cellar door and she came over to take a look for herself. Seems she wants some help with the interiors of the spa. Get this, it’s going to be called “Spa-kling”!’ Cara roared with laughter. ‘Can you believe it? Anyway, she loved what we did here so I reckon I might have a commission.’
‘Perhaps even a new career?’ Mattie pointed out.
‘I hadn’t thought of that – how cool would that be?’
‘Brilliant, mate. Brilliant. I reckon that calls for a drink.’
‘Of spa-kling?’
The two girls dissolved into fits of laughter, and woes, hangovers and heartache were temporarily erased.
*
Despite Mattie’s low expectations, or quite possibly because of them, the movie night turned out to be okay. Officer Doyd’s – Brock’s – colleague, who had the improbable name of Billy Bluestone, was easygoing company, and good-naturedly brushed off Cara’s suggestive teasing about truncheons and the back seat of paddy wagons. ‘You can’t help yourself, can you?’ Billy winked at her. ‘You’d better be careful or you could find yourself handcuffed to Brock. And I’ll have the keys.’
‘Did you have any luck with the security guard at Tarrawenna?’ Mattie asked Brock while they were waiting in the cinema queue.
‘What security guard?’ Cara asked.
‘The one who destroyed my camera yesterday morning,’ said Mattie.
‘Wait, what?’
‘Oh God, I forgot to tell you. I was just standing in the vineyards at Tarrawenna, minding my own business – well, I stopped because I thought I saw your jumpsuit, but that’s another story. Anyway, this oaf of a security guard came along and threatened me. The next thing I knew he’d knocked my camera out of my hand.’
‘What?’
Mattie could see the shock in Cara’s eyes. ‘Ground it under his boot for good measure too,’ she added.
‘I hope you’ll be pressing charges,’ said Cara, glancing at the officers they were with.
‘My colleague is managing the case,’ said Brock. ‘But I do know they went over and spoke to the guard and retrieved the camera.’ Mattie looked suddenly hopeful. Perhaps it was salvageable? ‘Though they’ll be holding onto that as evidence,’ he added.
‘Oh okay. I’ll follow it up on Monday,’ said Mattie.
‘I can’t believe you didn’t tell me,’ said Cara. ‘Are you sure you’re alright, mate?’
Mattie smiled wryly. ‘I’m fine – it’s the camera that’s probably not. It’d take more than a steroid-pumped rent-a-cop to scare me for long.’
The movie itself was forgettable, but they headed to the local Thai afterwards and ordered vast quantities of pad see ew and penang chicken, washed down with a couple of bottles of riesling that Mattie had brought along. As the door clanged shut and they stood on the street saying their goodbyes, Mattie noticed a familiar figure on the opposite side of the street, and nudged Cara. It was Jake. She couldn’t tell if he’d seen them or not. She went to raise her arm. ‘Don’t,’ urged Cara in a whisper. ‘I’ve got more pride than that. If he was going to call, he should have done it by now. He’s had all bloody weekend, for God’s sake!’
‘Okay, if you insist.’
Mattie, on the other hand, found herself fending off callers over the next few days. First, Billy, the policeman from the movie night, and then Charlie, had been in touch. Billy rang to say how much he had enjoyed meeting her and that perhaps they could do it again sometime soon. She managed a noncommittal response. Then, on Monday night, Charlie rang.
‘Fearless!’ he said when she picked up.
As she heard his voice, the memory of dancing with him surfaced again and she blushed beet-red. ‘Charlie,’ she said. ‘Listen, I’m really sorry. I don’t know what happened. All that wine …’ She wanted to get in before he could say anything. Anything at all about what had happened between them in the nightclub. She shook her head, but far from dispelling the memory, it became clearer – the heat of the club, people dancing wildly, surrounding them, pushing them closer, her fingers entangled in Charlie’s blond curls, pressing her body up against his then breaking away to dance in front of him, putting on a show, teasing him … the full force of what they’d done came rushing back to her. She remembered pulling him closer, her body moulded to his, hip to hip, chest to chest, their eyes locked, lips meeting, then drowning in the softness, the addictive sweetness of his kiss …
‘Don’t worry about it,’ Charlie said after a pause. ‘I reckon everyone’s entitled to tie one on every now and then. Do you remember our plans for next Sunday?’
Phew. He wasn’t going to make her sweat over it. Perhaps he was as shame-faced as she was. But then why did he want to see her again? ‘Plans?’ she asked, puzzled.
Charlie laughed at
her on the other end of the line. ‘Never mind. I’ll be there to pick you up at eleven, mate.’
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
‘Bloody hell, you cleaned the ute!’ Mattie exclaimed as Charlie showed up at Kalkari on Sunday morning. Sure enough, the car was free of its usual muddy spatter. ‘I hope that wasn’t on my account.’
‘Nah,’ said Charlie, looking sheepish. ‘It was long overdue. I don’t think the paintwork’s been that shiny since I bought it though. It was about time the old girl got a spruce up.’
‘So, where are we going?’ she said, hopping in the passenger seat.
‘I thought we’d take the valley road, drive up to the lookout on the other side of the hills, if you think you can manage the walk.’
Okay, a walk. Interesting.
‘I’ll be right. My leg aches sometimes, but even that will eventually disappear, according to the physio. She said the best thing for it is exercise.’
‘Good. By the way, I’m sorry about what happened. To your camera.’
‘News travels fast in the valley, huh? Yeah, it’s a total suck-fest,’ she said despondently.
‘You’ve had more than your fair share of bad luck, Mattie Cameron.’
‘I’m kind of partly to blame for this one though. I shouldn’t have been there.’
‘But the goon was completely out of order, by all accounts.’
‘Even so …’
The sun was high in the sky by the time they reached their destination, and Mattie was surprised by the heat as she stepped from the air-conditioned cool of the ute’s cab.
‘It’s not too far from here,’ said Charlie, reaching into the back and retrieving a small rucksack.
‘Okay,’ said Mattie, looking around. ‘God, I haven’t been up here for years.’
They were both out of breath by the time they reached the top of the escarpment, and Mattie had grass stains on the knees of her jeans where she’d stumbled on the way up. ‘It’s steeper than I remember,’ she gasped.
