Angel's Share

by Kayte Nunn

  Rose’s stomach rumbled at the mention of breakfast. She’d been fortunate not to suffer from morning sickness, but the flipside was that she was always starving. ‘Er, I don’t suppose you’d like some toast?’

  Isabella gave her a look of disbelief. Yes, thought Rose, you don’t look like you eat carbs. Ever.

  ‘I know that you have taken care of my children in the past. Very good care. I am ashamed to admit that I have not always been the nicest person to you and I am sorry for that.’

  Rose nearly fell off her chair. Wonders would never cease. ‘Thank you,’ Rose said graciously. ‘You’re right, it hasn’t always been easy; for either of us. It’s good of you to recognise that.’

  Isabella took a sip of her coffee, winced, and put it down. Rose pretended not to notice. ‘I have too much to do at my family’s company. My father needs help, and my mother … pah! She has no clue. I must be there to run the business, but I cannot do that and look after Leo and Luisa. It is a hard thing to say, but I think their place is here.’

  ‘Golly, I can imagine that was a difficult decision to make.’

  Isabella inclined her head. ‘I must do what is right for my family. For all of my family.’

  Rose got up and stuck two thick slices of bread in the toaster. Her hunger couldn’t wait a moment longer. When the toast popped up, she slathered on butter and a dollop of strawberry jam and piled it onto a plate, putting it in the centre of the table. She could see Isabella looking hungrily at it, and got out a second plate. ‘Go on, help yourself. It’s Mrs B’s prize-winning jam. The ladies of the CWA are never wrong.’

  CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

  ‘Are you okay, dude?’ said Cara as Mattie eased herself horizontally onto the sofa in the barn. She’d just arrived back from her day out with Charlie and was dusty and saddle-sore.

  ‘I’m not sure I’ll be able to walk for a week, but yes, I’m okay.’ She beamed at Cara.

  ‘Oooh, what have you been up to? Did it have anything to do with a certain blond-haired, blue-eyed, drop-dead-gorgeous winemaker?’

  ‘It might have.’ Mattie was coy.

  ‘Go on then, spill …’

  ‘We took the horses for a ride, only it was quite a lot further than I planned. We stopped for a picnic at Carroll’s Springs …’ She lost herself in the memory of Charlie’s lips on hers, the way his arms wrapped around her, the feel of his lean body against hers … Mattie wanted to hug the memory of that day to herself. She didn’t know if there would be others.

  ‘And the job?’

  Mattie looked at her guiltily. ‘I’ve asked for another week to make my decision. But what about you?’ she said, changing the subject.

  Cara gave her a Cheshire cat smile. ‘You mean Jake?’ she asked innocently.

  ‘Yes, I mean Jake!’

  ‘Pretty good,’ she said. ‘I reckon I can keep him on his toes.’

  ‘Is that right?’ asked Mattie, seeing through her friend’s deliberate flippancy. ‘You’re not mucking around there, are you?’

  ‘We’ll see. Now, have you remembered that it’s Rose’s party tomorrow?’

  Mattie groaned. ‘I knew there was something I was supposed to do today – go to the post office in Eumeralla and pick up the labels. Christ, Mark’s going to kill me!’

  ‘Will you be able to get there first thing in the morning?’

  ‘I guess I’ll have to. What else do we need to do?’

  ‘I’ve got the rest of it under control. The butcher’s sending someone to help set up the suckling pig and spit-roast, everyone’s bringing a salad or a dessert, we’ve got to pick up some bread tomorrow, and Mark’s in charge of the wine – when you get the labels to him, that is.’

  There was a loud knock at the door of the barn, a scuffle and some giggles.

  ‘Expecting anyone?’ said Cara.

  Before Mattie had a chance to reply, the door flew open and two dark-haired children burst into the living room.

  ‘What the …?’ said Mattie, completely taken aback.

  ‘Auntie Mattie! We’re back!’ cried Leo. ‘Hola. Como estas?’ he said triumphantly.

  ‘Hola, Auntie Mattie!’ said Luisa, throwing her arms around her.

  ‘Oh my goodness, let me look at you two. I swear you’ve each grown at least half a metre! What have you been eating over there?’ Mattie laughed with them. ‘What are you doing back? I thought you were staying in Spain until Christmas?’

  ‘Mama said it was better for us all to come back to Australia,’ said Leo. ‘Spain was good, but I really missed my friends. And you and Dad and Rose, of course,’ he added quickly.

  ‘Well, you’ve certainly given us the surprise of our lives. I bet your dad is pleased! And I’m so happy to see you both. Come here, both of you,’ she said, reaching for them. ‘We’ve got plenty of cuddles to make up for.’

  Leo looked embarrassed, but succumbed to Mattie’s embrace. Luisa had no such qualms and clung to her like a limpet.

  ‘Auntie Mattie, did you know I’m going to have two little brothers or sisters?’ Luisa’s eyes were wide with excitement.

  Rose and Mark must have told them the news.

  ‘I know, isn’t that wonderful?’ She grinned at them. ‘You’re going to be such a good big sister.’

  Luisa nodded solemnly.

  ‘I hope they’re boys,’ said Leo with a shy grin.

  ‘No, girls!’ insisted Luisa.

  ‘Well, we won’t know for a while – perhaps it’ll be one of each? Now, we’d better get you two scamps back to the house. Come on.’

  Mark was opening a bottle of wine when they trooped into the kitchen, and Mattie noticed a look of joy and relief on his face that had been absent for months.

  ‘Well, this is rather unexpected, isn’t it?’ she said.

  ‘Out of the blue,’ Mark replied. ‘And cause for celebration, I’d say.’ He handed Mattie and Cara each a glass of wine. ‘Let’s take these out onto the verandah.’

  They went outside and Leo and Luisa began to chase Barnsie about the yard. Mattie felt Gin curl around her legs and then settle herself on her lap. Rose followed them out, carrying a plate of antipasti and a soda for herself. The sun was putting on a glorious show, colouring the sky with streaks of rose pink and orange. Mattie glanced over to the yard, where Leo and Luisa were trying to get Barnsie to play fetch. They’d reached a fever pitch of excitement at being home, but she could tell that they’d collapse with exhaustion before too long. She looked up and saw the flock of cockatoos coming in to roost, their shrieks shattering the evening peace. Once again, she was struck by how stunningly beautiful the valley was. How could she have taken it for granted for all those years?

  Cara and Mattie sprang into action the next day. After an early morning trip to the post office to pick up the labels and then delivering them to Mark, the two girls snuck over to Trevelyn’s to set up for Rose’s surprise birthday party.

  ‘Where do you want these, love?’ The deliveryman pointed to the back of his van, which was open to reveal stacked boxes of Chinese paper lanterns, pink bunting and pompoms. Cara had ordered them online and Mattie heaved a sigh of relief that they had arrived in the nick of time.

  ‘Cara, do you think you can give me a hand here?’ Mattie called into the restaurant. ‘These boxes need shifting into the dining room.’

  ‘Yep, I’m on it,’ Cara replied, putting down the stack of plates she’d been carrying and heading out to the van. As she was helping to unload the decorations, Mark drove up in his ute, the back of which contained several wine cartons.

  ‘Got the labels on. Whaddya think?’ he said, diving into one of the cartons and pulling out a bottle.

  ‘Ohhh, they’ve come up brilliantly!’ said Cara.

  ‘She’s going to love it,’ agreed Mattie.

  ‘Alright then, let’s get these into the fridges and chilled down. What time is the spit-roast coming?’

  ‘Later this arvo. We’ll have this all decked out by then. And Mrs B is maki
ng one of her famous sponges – with rose-pink icing, of course.’

  Mark raised an eyebrow. ‘I’m sensing a theme here.’

  The two girls grinned at him.

  ‘Does she have any idea?’ asked Mattie.

  ‘Not a clue. I told her to take it easy today, and that we might head over to the pub for dinner with the kids later. Oh, Mattie,’ he added, ‘guess what?’

  ‘Hmm?’ Mattie was inspecting the wine labels.

  ‘You had a parcel delivered by courier today. They came round to the winery.’ He dug out a cardboard box.

  ‘I didn’t order anything else for Rose’s party,’ she said. ‘I wonder what it is?’

  ‘Been doing some internet shopping?’ asked Cara with a wink.

  ‘Hardly!’

  ‘Come on then, open it,’ said Cara.

  Mattie peeled off the tape from the package and lifted a flap. ‘Oh my goodness.’ She pulled out a note and began to read. ‘Dear Miss Cameron. Please accept our apologies for the unfortunate incident you suffered recently. We trust that this will prove a suitable replacement …’ She pulled out a camera, lenses, and a bag from the box. ‘It’s from Tin Pei Resources. I’m not sure I can accept this.’

  ‘What? Don’t be an idiot!’ exclaimed Cara. ‘It was their fault. You weren’t doing anything wrong.’

  ‘Absolutely,’ said Mark. ‘I think it’s the least they can do. Anyway, it’s a drop in the ocean as far as they’re concerned.’

  ‘But it’s worth so much more than mine,’ protested Mattie even as she marvelled at its beauty. ‘And it feels like blood money.’

  Mark scoffed. ‘Don’t be ridiculous.’

  The camera felt so right, balanced between the base of her thumb and her fingers. Solid, comforting. She held it up to one eye, closing the other, and gazed through the aperture. She hadn’t realised how lost she’d felt without her own way to look at the world, to interpret it, to create beauty.

  CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

  ‘I thought we’d leave at about six. That okay with you?’ Mark said to Rose that evening.

  ‘How about we stay here instead?’ she pleaded. ‘I’m still a little tired, and the kids are both knackered too …’ She’d been feeling down all day, not least because no one apart from Mark – who’d given her a quick birthday kiss that morning – had mentioned her birthday. Were they so caught up in themselves that they’d all completely forgotten about it?

  Mark gave her a concerned look. ‘I’d really like for us all to go out. It is your birthday after all, darling.’

  She sighed.

  ‘And I promised Thommo and Astrid that we’d have a drink with them – Astrid’s dying to see the kids again. We won’t be late, I promise.’

  ‘Okay,’ said Rose. ‘I’d better go and have a shower then. I’m filthy after being down at the stables with Luisa and Buttons this afternoon.’

  ‘Good. You’ll feel better after that,’ he reassured her. ‘Why don’t you wear your new dress too? The pink one?’

  Rose looked at him, surprised. ‘Isn’t it a little dressy for the pub?’

  ‘Not at all,’ Mark replied swiftly. ‘And besides, you look gorgeous in it.’

  ‘Aw, thanks. I hope it still fits. My boobs have exploded.’

  ‘Don’t think I haven’t noticed,’ he said with a wicked grin. ‘In fact, come here, my lovely girl. I haven’t kissed you since at least this morning. How are my two little fishes doing in there?’

  Rose showered and put on the dress – a pale pink silk wraparound frock with a deep vee that showed off her enhanced cleavage and skimmed the curve of her belly. She let her long dark hair hang loose down her back, and dusted her tawny skin with blush. A touch of mascara lengthened her eyelashes and a raspberry-pink stain on her lips completed the look.

  ‘Yum, you look good enough to eat,’ said Mark as she came downstairs.

  ‘I’m famished myself,’ replied Rose. ‘God only knows what this pregnancy is going to do to me – I’ll end up the size of a whale. But you were right, I do feel much better.’

  ‘Good. Now, come on, birthday girl, let’s get going. Leo, Luisa, you too!’ The two kids jostled each other to see who could get out the front door first.

  *

  ‘This isn’t the way to the pub,’ said Rose, confused. Mark had turned the car right out of the Kalkari drive, not left towards Eumeralla.

  ‘Oh, I wanted to stop by Trevelyn’s on the way. Something got dropped off there for me by mistake.’

  ‘But it’s not really on the way. And I’m starving!’ protested Rose. ‘Can’t it wait?’

  ‘It’ll only take five minutes.’

  Rose knew something was up when they drove up to the restaurant and saw that the carpark was almost completely full, but it was only when she recognised Thommo’s ute – with the numberplate CORK – that she twigged.

  Mark pulled over outside Trevelyn’s, beeped the horn, and the front door opened. People began to flood out. Thommo, Astrid and Max, Deano, Charlie, Angie, Jake holding hands with Cara, Dan, Bob, Mrs B, Officer Doyd and more, until about forty people were standing in the drive.

  Rose gasped and looked at Mark. ‘Really?’

  ‘Uh-huh. We couldn’t let you celebrate your birthday quietly, I’m afraid, darling,’ he said, a note of triumph in his voice.

  They scrambled out of the car, and Rose was swept up in a sea of hugs before being propelled into the dining room. Pink paper lanterns lit up the white walls, strings of pompoms hung from the ceiling and urns of roses gave off a sweet perfume. As she went out onto the verandah, she saw huge platters of cheese, salami and prosciutto, olives and dried fruits that had been placed at intervals on tables, together with salads, bread and bowls of fresh strawberries, raspberries and thick yellow cream. In pride of place was a large pink cake.

  ‘Oh, I don’t know what to say. How beautiful it all looks!’ Rose was touched that they had gone to so much trouble for her. ‘Was this you, Mattie?’

  ‘Actually it was mainly Cara. I just helped out a bit.’

  ‘Now Mattie’s being far too modest. She designed this – what do you think?’ Mark said with a flourish as he showed her the newly labelled rosé.

  Rose gasped with pleasure. ‘A wine, named after me? How gorgeous! Thank you, both – I love it! What a brilliant present.’

  ‘Here, have a tiny sip,’ said Mattie, handing her a glass.

  Rose looked around the room and saw so many of her dear friends gathered there. She felt quite choked up. ‘I’m so lucky to have such lovely people in my life. Thank you all for surprising me so thoroughly and completely. I can’t believe I didn’t have a clue!’

  ‘I just heard,’ Amanda stood in front of Mattie and Mark. ‘Your proposal – the rezoning.’

  Mark nodded. ‘I only found out myself this morning, how on earth did you know?’

  ‘Know what?’ asked Thommo, who had been standing nearby.

  Mark reached over for a knife and began to clink it against the glass he was holding, calling for silence. ‘For those of you who haven’t yet heard on the ever-efficient Shingle Valley grapevine, it would appear that our proposal to have the southern end of the valley rezoned for tourism use has passed its first hurdle. Jeremy Bell phoned me this morning to say that the wheels are in motion for a moratorium on any drilling or excavation in the valley while the rezoning is being considered.’

  A loud cheer went up from the crowd.

  ‘And we have your and Charlie’s hard work to thank for it,’ said Amanda.

  More cheers.

  Mark signalled for quiet. ‘Thank you, Amanda, and yours too. But there’s one more person to thank – someone who helped us pull together the proposal and, with her beautiful photographs, was instrumental in helping our case. She also stepped in at the last minute and helped to present the proposal to the committee. Mattie, come here.’ Mattie moved to her brother’s side, beaming at him. ‘My sister, Matilda. I’m so proud of you and I know the rest of the valley is
too.

  ‘But I also wanted to share with you all some news of our own.’ Mark looked over at Rose, as she beamed with joy. ‘Rose and I are going to be parents – and of twins, no less!’

  The guests erupted into cheers and claps again, but Mark tapped on his glass. ‘I also have a question to ask Rose today, and I can think of no better way to do it than in the presence of our closest friends. Rose, darling …’ He took her hand. ‘You have no idea how much you mean to me. You’ve become such a part of my life that I never want to live without you. Will you do me the honour of marrying me, my darling Rose?’

  He looked at her with such love and tenderness that Rose felt her stomach flip-flop with delight. Everything seemed to be happening at once, and her head spun with it all. Was he really asking her, here, in front of everyone? There was only one possible answer.

  ‘Yes,’ she cried, spluttering. ‘Of course!’

  CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

  ‘So whaddya think? Or are you too scared?’

  Mattie and Charlie were saddling up for an early morning ride, the day after Rose’s birthday party. It was only Mattie’s second time on horseback since her accident. ‘Not scared, not scared at all,’ she replied with false bravado. This was a test. She didn’t want to fail it, didn’t want her nerve to falter.

  ‘Come on then, what are you waiting for?’ Charlie said.

  She took a deep breath and mounted Shakira. Together they trotted out of the stables. ‘Let’s go over towards Bob’s Run – there’s a track between the two vineyards that goes up to the top of the hill.’

  ‘I think I know the one,’ said Mattie as a memory surfaced of riding that way once with her brother, years before.

  ‘Follow me then,’ said Charlie, giving his horse a hefty kick to get it moving. He set off at a canter.

  ‘Oh, Christ!’ said Mattie. There was nothing for it but to follow him. The track was wide and dry and Shakira broke into a canter too, racing to catch Charlie’s horse. They thundered along, scaring a flock of magpies sitting on a fenceline ahead of them. Mattie felt something within her release and she gave a great whoop of excitement. In that moment she was free, free of all cares, simply enjoying the ride. She wasn’t scared any more. Not of this, not of anything. She let go of her nerves, discarding them like an old coat that no longer fitted her, and spurred Shakira on faster, ever faster. They reached an open paddock and Shakira began to gallop, Mattie holding onto the reins for dear life, not worrying that she might fall and hurt herself again, just loving every minute. She soon passed Charlie.