by Kayte Nunn
With the preparations for Mattie’s exhibition and Mark spending his evenings working on the proposal, Rose felt like she’d hardly seen him for more than a snatched few minutes in weeks – it was almost as bad as vintage. There never seemed to be the right moment to broach the news and she was becoming increasingly worried about what he might say, given his throwaway comments about the horror of the toddler years. They Skyped Leo and Luisa every few days, and it seemed as though both kids had settled into life in a new country. Luisa had a new pony and Leo had found some of the local boys to play soccer with. He was struggling with the language, but proudly showed off a new phrase or words every time they spoke. She could tell Mark was finding it hard without them around, and was working longer and longer hours at the winery to compensate for the quiet around the house. Rose found that by the end of each day she was completely knackered, and was forced to take herself to bed early. ‘We’re two ships passing in the night,’ she’d complained one morning as Mark grabbed a piece of toast on his way out the door.
‘Sorry, babe. I’ll make it up to you soon, I promise,’ he said, stopping for a quick kiss before he left for the winery.
She had barely given a thought to the fact that it was her birthday the following week. With so much going on at the winery and at Trevelyn’s, not to mention the secret she was carrying around, it hardly seemed important.
Rose felt another twinge of pain, and rolled over to one side to see if that would ease it. She had been surreptitiously reading up on pregnancy symptoms in quiet moments at Trevelyn’s, but she didn’t think back pain was supposed to start so early – everything she’d read said it was only really bad in the third trimester. As she moved, she felt wetness between her legs. She reached down and found that her pyjama bottoms were damp and sticky. As she brought her hand up over the covers, she saw that it was covered in bright red blood.
That was not good. Her heart started beating wildly as her brain scrambled to make sense of it. She suddenly didn’t want to move, didn’t want to do anything to make the bleeding worse. She looked across and saw her phone. She knew Mark was already in the city, so she tried Mattie’s number instead. There was a chance she might not have left yet. No answer. Next she tried Cara, who – thank God – answered on the second ring.
‘Cara, are you by any chance able to come over to the house?’ Her voice shook.
‘Yeah, sure. Is everything okay? You sound worried.’
Rose couldn’t hold back. ‘Oh Cara, I think I’m losing the baby!’ she cried, admitting her worst fears.
‘Don’t move a muscle, I’ll be there faster than a scalded cockroach.’
Two minutes later, panting and out of breath, Cara was in the room. She took one look at Rose’s pale, frightened face and took charge. ‘It’s alright, Rose, don’t panic. I don’t think we should move you without getting help. I’m going to call an ambulance.’
Rose’s eyes widened. ‘Are you sure that’s necessary?’
‘Better to be safe than sorry,’ Cara said. ‘Don’t stress, babe. They’ll know what to do. It might only be a bleed. The same thing happened to my auntie, and now her son is fifteen and eating down the house. Never laid eyes on a healthier boy.’
Rose knew Cara was trying to reassure her, but she couldn’t help thinking the worst. She hadn’t even had time to tell Mark yet and it might all be too late.
It seemed an interminable wait until Rose heard the distinctive siren growing louder and closer, an age until Cara went downstairs to let them in.
Two paramedics entered the bedroom and began talking to her calmly and slowly, with Cara looking on anxiously. There was a loud knocking from downstairs.
‘I’ll get that,’ said Cara, hurrying down the stairs.
‘Oh, it’s you,’ Rose dimly heard Cara say. ‘Are you back already? I’m so sorry about your father.’
‘Drove through the night. Got back an hour ago. Was looking for you, actually. What’s going on? I heard the sirens and saw the ambulance coming up the drive. Are you okay?’ Jake’s voice floated up the stairs.
‘I’m fine, it’s Rose who’s in a bit of a bind.’
‘Why? What’s the matter?’
‘Just a bit of bleeding, probably nothing to worry about.’
‘Just a bit of bleeding?’ Rose heard him say.
After that there was only whispering and Rose turned her attention back to the paramedic, who was taking her blood pressure.
Cara returned upstairs. ‘That was Jake. He’s going to get hold of Mark. Don’t worry, he’ll be here soon.’
‘No,’ Rose protested. ‘He’s got the meeting this morning. He can’t miss it. Don’t disturb him, I’m sure I’ll be fine.’ She grimaced and clutched her stomach.
‘I think this is a little more important,’ said Cara firmly.
‘We’re going to take her in,’ said the paramedic. ‘Do you want to follow us there?’
‘Of course,’ Cara replied. ‘Which hospital?’
‘New Bridgeton Base. There’s only one in the area, love.’
‘Oh, right. It’ll all be okay, Rose. I’ll be there as soon as I can. You’re in the best possible hands now.’
The paramedics lifted Rose carefully onto a stretcher and carried her down the stairs and out to the waiting ambulance. She couldn’t help but notice a single magpie perched on a power line that ran to the house. She closed her eyes. She was determined not to see it as a bad sign; it was a time for a mother-to-be’s instinct, not random superstition. She tried not to worry as they sped towards New Bridgeton. Once at the hospital, she was admitted and wheeled to a ward on the first floor. Curtains were pulled around her bed and a nurse explained that as soon as they were able, they’d take her down to the ultrasound suite. She closed her eyes and prayed with every ounce of faith she had that the baby would be safe. She couldn’t lose it, she just couldn’t.
Cara, who’d arrived a few minutes after the ambulance, sat beside her and held her hand. ‘Mark will get here as soon as he can. Jake spoke to him and he’s on his way back from the city,’ she reassured Rose.
She nodded. ‘Alright. I wish I’d had a chance to tell him before all this. It’s not exactly the way I planned on breaking the news.’ She choked back a sob, trying but failing not to think of the worst. ‘And he’s going to miss the meeting.’
‘I know, babe, I know.’ Cara soothed. ‘But Mattie and Charlie will have it all under control. I’ve seen her in a pitch – she’s a pro. There’s no one who can do a better job.’
Cara sat with Rose as nurses came and went, taking her blood pressure and temperature and reassuring them that a doctor would see them just as soon as one was free.
Nearly two hours passed and Cara looked as though she was just about to get up and demand for Rose to be seen, when there was a voice outside the curtain.
‘Here, you say?’ It was Mark.
He twitched the curtain to peek through, and, seeing her, rushed to her side. ‘Oh, Rose, darling, what’s happened? Jake told me to get back here as quickly as possible. I’ve driven like fury; luckily the highway was clear. What’s going on? What’s happened?’ He took her hands in his.
Cara got to her feet. ‘I’ll go and grab a coffee. Call me if you need me.’
‘Thanks, Cara,’ said Mark, not taking his eyes off Rose. He stroked her face. ‘What is it, darling girl?’
‘Oh, Mark,’ said Rose and burst into tears. She couldn’t get the words out.
Just then the curtains were whipped aside by a nurse, who bustled into the space with an orderly. ‘Right, then, let’s get you down to ultrasound.’
Mark watched as they began to wheel the bed towards the door.
‘Come on, then,’ said Rose, getting her tears under control. ‘You can come too.’
He looked momentarily stunned. ‘Yes, of course.’
The gel on her stomach was cold and Rose shivered. She’d been here before, when Astrid was pregnant. If she wasn’t mistaken, it was even the same techni
cian.
‘Okay now,’ the woman said. ‘Let’s have a look. How many weeks did you say you were?’
Mark looked from the technician to Rose and back again, his eyes round with unspoken questions.
‘Um, about ten or eleven, I think,’ she replied. ‘I’m not entirely sure. I’ve only just found out.’ She looked pleadingly at Mark.
As the technician pressed the sensor down hard on her belly a whooshing noise like the sound of horses’ hooves filled the air. Rose gasped. She remembered that sound from her previous visit.
‘I’m not supposed to give it away, but that’s definitely a heartbeat, love. Nice and strong, too.’
A huge smile spread over Rose’s face. ‘Oh, thank God,’ she breathed. She turned to Mark. ‘I’m so sorry. This is not exactly how I meant to tell you. I was waiting until there was a good time to break the news.’
Mark looked at her incredulously.
‘Oh, wait a minute,’ said the technician, running the probe over her stomach again. ‘Yes. I thought so. There’s more than one.’
Rose was confused. ‘More than one?’
‘Yep, there are definitely two heartbeats. Congratulations, love, it looks like you’re carrying twins.’
‘Bloody hell, are you sure?’
‘Yes, love. Here, have a look.’ The technician turned the screen around and, sure enough, there were two pulsating jellybean-like shadows on the screen.
They both gazed at the two blips on the swirling screen. For a moment, neither spoke, then a grin spread across Mark’s face. ‘Double the trouble, hey?’
It took Rose a moment to register his comment. ‘Oh, Mark! Are you sure you’re okay with this? You said you didn’t want to go through it all again. I’m perfectly prepared to do it all on my own if I have to – even twins.’ She gulped at the thought.
‘Did I really say that? If I did, I’m sure I didn’t mean it. I’m absolutely delighted, Rose, how could I be otherwise? I love you, and I already love them.’
They were silent as their thoughts turned to the two children that were so far away.
‘They’ll be back before you know it,’ Rose said, putting a reassuring hand on his, knowing what he was thinking. ‘And hopefully they’ll be thrilled to hear that they’re getting two new brothers or sisters.’
He squeezed her hand. ‘I know they will.’
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
Mattie arrived back at Kalkari late that afternoon, having driven back from the city with Charlie. She felt like a wrung-out rag, all her energy used up in the presentation. She and Charlie had talked it over in the car on the way home, and although they both agreed that they’d done all they could, they had no way of knowing what the outcome might be. They’d worked so well as a team, better than she’d even expected. She’d made the main points, and he had been there to back her up and reiterate their message. As they’d walked along the harbourfront, it had been all she could do to keep from giving her real feelings away. Trust her bloody bad luck that he was in love with someone else. The offer from Jamie Soames couldn’t have come at a better time – she could put herself far from temptation.
She went over to the cellar door, finding Cara cleaning up.
‘Hey there. How’s Rose? I tried to call her, and Mark, but couldn’t get through to either of them. Mark said something had happened to her, and that was why he didn’t make the meeting.’
‘Oh, Mats. Rose had some bleeding, quite bad in fact, and she was rushed to hospital in New Bridgeton. I had to call an ambulance, I was so worried for her.’
‘Oh God!’ said Mattie. ‘Is she okay? What happened?’
‘She’s fine now. Apparently it can happen sometimes in early pregnancy. A sub-chorionic haemorrhage, the doctor said it was called. They’re keeping her in for a few days to rest. But that’s not all.’
‘What?’
‘She’s having twins.’
‘Heavens! That’s even more exciting. I’m going to be an auntie all over again! Twice!’ Mattie was delighted. ‘And what was Mark’s reaction?’
‘Yeah, what a way to find out, huh? Rose said he’s thrilled.’
‘I knew he would be. I told Rose she was worrying for nothing. Wow,’ said Mattie as the news sank in. ‘I should go and see her.’
‘Visiting hours are most likely over for today, but I’m sure she’d love it if you popped over tomorrow. Jake came to the hospital too, he’d just got back from Adelaide, and we finally had a talk …’
‘And?’ Mattie had wanted her friend to sort it out with Jake for ages; it was as obvious as tits on a bull that they were well suited.
‘He’s taking me out. Finally!’
‘What’s changed?’
‘We talked about his dad, and he told me it had been a bit of a wake-up call. That he realised the importance of building something, creating and sharing a life with someone you love. That he’d seen what his parents had and felt envious of them, probably for the first time in his life.’
‘That’s a bit heavy for Mr Slippery Salmon,’ said Mattie.
‘I know, right?’
‘So?’
‘So he said he’s going to do things a bit differently from now on. Starting with asking me on a date – a proper date.’
Mattie raised her eyebrows. ‘Well, thank Christ for that. I’m very glad to hear that you two are sorting your shit out,’ she said.
‘About bloody time, huh?’ Cara replied. ‘We’ll see what happens. I do kinda like him though.’
‘Can’t say I noticed,’ Mattie said, smiling at her friend. ‘Hey, guess what? I had an email yesterday. From Jamie Soames. You know, DeVere & Soames? He’s offered me a job – creative director. Complete control.’
Cara looked astonished. ‘Holy crap, Mattie. That’s an incredible offer. Are you going to accept it?’
Mattie hesitated. ‘I’d be stupid not to.’
‘Mattie!’ Mark called out to his sister as she went into the house later that evening.
‘How’s Rose?’
‘She’s doing okay. Tired, but so relieved that it wasn’t anything serious. They’re keeping her in for a few days, to make sure she gets some rest as much as anything, I think.’
‘Oh, good. I’ll pop over to see her tomorrow.’
‘So tell me how it all went – the presentation. I’m sorry for leaving you and Charlie in the lurch.’
‘Don’t be ridiculous. Rose’s health is far more important. And anyway, we had it completely under control.’
‘Go on, then – what was their reaction?’
‘It’s hard to say. They listened, asked lots of questions, and then said they’d let us know their preliminary findings in due course.’
‘Whatever that means.’
‘I know,’ she sighed.
‘Now, Rose is worrying about Trevelyn’s,’ Mark said. ‘About the wedding that’s booked for next weekend. But I’ve spoken to her sous chef and she’s fine to take everything over, so do make sure you tell her we’ve got it all under control here and that she’s not to worry.’
‘Okay, will do. Oh, I forgot to congratulate you! How does it feel?’
He choked up. ‘Oh, Mats, I’m thrilled. I couldn’t be happier. She’s an amazing woman.’
‘I’m glad you realise that – sometimes I think you take her for granted.’
Mark looked surprised. ‘Me? No.’
‘Yes, you,’ Mattie said firmly. ‘She took on a lot, looking after Leo and Luisa like they were her own, you know, as well as everything else. I’m sure it hasn’t always been easy, not that she’d ever complain – that’s not her style.’
‘God, we miss them both so much,’ he said. ‘Christmas seems so far away. It’s been too bloody quiet around here without them.’
‘I know, but it’ll be December before you know it,’ said Mattie. ‘Actually, there’s something else that’ll be here even sooner – Rose’s birthday. It’s next week.’
‘Yes – how have you got on with the label des
ign? The one for the rosé?’
Mattie’s hand flew to her mouth. ‘Oh! I’d completely forgotten, what with the exhibition and the rezoning meeting. I’ll get onto it straightaway, I promise. I’ve got an idea in mind, and I know somewhere that we can get a few samples printed up. I’ll have something organised in time, don’t worry.’
‘Okay, good. Now what else should we do?’
‘Well, Rose does love a good party.’
Mark smiled. ‘I remember Rose’s dancing at a party a few years ago, the one we had after Kalkari won the Jimmy Watson. It was probably the night I first realised that I was in love with her.’
‘Aww,’ said Mattie with saccharine sweetness. ‘Ain’t love grand?’
‘Hey, that’s enough cheek from you, Tilly Cameron! She won’t be dancing the house down for a while, but I reckon a small party, just a few friends over, would be a great idea. The docs say that other than taking it easy for a few days, she’ll be right as rain.’
‘Well, if you think she’ll be up to it, can you let Cara and me organise it? I know you’ve got a lot on. Please, Mark? I’d love to do something for her – she’s made me so welcome here.’
‘Done,’ he agreed. ‘Where should we have it?’
‘I think in the garden at Trevelyn’s. It’s warm enough to hold it outside. We can set up on the verandah. Let me know who you’d like to invite.’
‘That’s easily done. And speak to the butcher in Eumeralla – he owes me a favour. We can spit-roast something, get people to bring a few desserts, keep it simple. I don’t want Rose worrying about anything. Perhaps we should make it a surprise party. That way she won’t be able to stress at all.’
‘Leave it with me,’ she assured him.
Mark headed off to the winery, and Mattie got out her laptop. Several hours later, she had a design for the label that she was pleased with. She just needed Mark’s approval. A square photograph of a single pale rose. In flowing script underneath were the words ‘by any other name’. It was simple, elegant and beautiful, much like Rose herself.
