Between the Vines

by Tricia Stringer

  Before she could think about her decision her phone rang. Once more Gino’s voice rattled off instructions. New customer and urgent were repeated several times.

  “Okay, okay,” she said. “It’s a bit of a drive but I should make it.”

  Taylor put the address into her phone and followed the instructions. Traffic was heavy but the car park at the back of the office was almost empty when she got there. Something about that didn’t feel right. She made her way down the lane to the front door. A sign was stuck inside the glass saying the company had moved. The new address was back the way she’d come, not that far from her gran’s.

  “Damn!”

  She glanced at her watch. They wanted a parcel delivered to the airport and she was running out of time. She rang the number on the sign, confirmed the address and ran back to her van. Once more she negotiated the heavy traffic and just as she got close to her goal she was stopped by roadworks. Taylor tapped one hand on her knee and gripped the wheel tighter. She was in gridlock with only one lane to take the huge volume of traffic.

  “Come on, come on,” she growled under her breath.

  Finally she was through and moving along the road glancing at buildings for numbers. As she approached another intersection the voice from her phone told her she’d reached her destination. Taylor cursed. She’d missed the turn off into the driveway. She pulled into the left-hand turn lane. A horn tooted at her from behind. She ignored it and pulled slowly around the corner peering at the building. There were several different company names but not the one she was looking for. Once more there was a toot from behind. She’d have to go around the block, pull in and try to find the office on foot.

  The block was huge. Several dead ends prevented her cutting through. When she finally made it back to the set of offices the tiny car park was full. Once more she cursed, venting her frustration. A woman with a small child walked across in front of the van and opened a car door. Taylor backed up. She watched with increasing frustration as the woman spent an age buckling the child in the back of the car. Finally she was done and her car edged out of the parking space.

  Taylor manoeuvred into the tiny park and squeezed out of her van. She scanned the signs on the building. None of the names was what she was looking for. She walked round the corner. Once more the names were not the one she sought. A paper flapped on a glass door in a recessed entrance. Taylor ran up to it and with relief burst through the door. This was it. She followed the passage to a brightly lit reception area.

  “I’ve come to collect a package for the airport.”

  The woman behind the counter looked down her nose at Taylor then at the large clock on the wall. “You’re too late. The boss has taken it himself. He certainly won’t be dealing with your company again.”

  “I was given your old address.”

  The woman gave her a condescending glare. “Not my problem.”

  “Your office has no signage.”

  “We only moved last week.”

  “And there’s no parking.”

  “We have a back-lane access.”

  The woman’s patronising tone was getting under Taylor’s skin and the throbbing pain in her head had deepened.

  “Once again, no signage,” she snapped.

  The woman drew herself up, pursed her lips and glared at Taylor.

  “Please do not make excuses for your lack of efficiency. Not only will your company not get any further work from us but I will be informing your boss about your rudeness.” With a sharp nod of her head the woman turned her back and paraded into a back area, closing the door firmly behind her.

  Taylor sucked in a breath. Anger surged through her as she spun on her heel and retraced her steps to her van. Once inside she rested her head on her hands gripping the steering wheel. Hot tears rolled down her cheeks.

  CHAPTER

  9

  “Damn it Gino, it wasn’t my fault.”

  Taylor stood in her driveway. After her melt down in the car park she’d pulled herself together and driven home. She held her new phone away from her ear as Gino’s diatribe reverberated from it.

  “Will you let me finish?” She tried to get a word in. “The shopfront wasn’t clearly marked and…”

  His sharp words cut her off.

  “What?”

  She couldn’t believe her ears. Had he actually, finally, fired her? He repeated it with a few foul adjectives thrown in. Yes, he had.

  “Well, the same to you,” she blazed into the phone. She pushed end and stared at the screen until it went blank, then she tossed it on the front seat of her van and folded her arms. She’d busted her gut for Gino and where had it got her?

  She kicked at her tyre with the toe of her shoe. “Damn, damn, damn!”

  “What’s up?”

  Taylor turned. Cass was walking towards her with a sixpack under her arm.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “Hair of the dog?” Cass tapped the top of the pack.

  “I reckon.” Taylor retrieved her phone and keys from her van and led the way inside her flat.

  “Felt a bit worn out after the big wedding,” Cass said. “Assumed you’d be the same but looks like you’ve got more than that on your mind.”

  “Bloody Gino’s just sacked me.”

  “Doesn’t surprise me.”

  “Why not?”

  “He’s a slave driver and a loose cannon.” Cass had gone with Taylor to the staff Christmas party. She’d seen Gino in action. After a few drinks he was even more volatile. “What did he sack you for?”

  Taylor thought back over the last two weeks.

  “I was late collecting a group from the airport one day. But I made it up and the people were fine about it. Then I lost my phone and he couldn’t call me till I got my new one. I did mess up another delivery late last week but today’s wasn’t my fault.”

  Cass expertly flipped the tops off two beers and handed one to Taylor.

  “It was a shit job anyway. He’s always treated you badly. You should come and work for me.”

  “I don’t think so. Don’t want to ruin a beautiful friendship.”

  “What do you mean?” Cass opened her mouth in mock surprise.

  “You’re a slave driver.”

  “You’re a good worker.”

  “Let’s leave it at that.” They tapped the necks of their beers together.

  “To the bride and groom,” Taylor said.

  “Rosie and Matt,” Cass said then groaned. “How many toasts did we drink on Saturday night?”

  “Too many.”

  “They certainly are happy.”

  “Yep.” Taylor recalled the love in Rosie’s look that was reciprocated in Matt’s, the gentle touches, the secret smiles, the glances across the room when they were separated. They were true soulmates.

  Taylor and Cass both took a long draught from their bottles. Cass wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. “I needed that.”

  They flopped onto Taylor’s couch.

  “It was a beautiful wedding.” Taylor sighed.

  “Thank goodness there’s someone left to have drinks with.” Cass gave her a nudge.

  Taylor paused, her beer halfway to her mouth. She’d told her gran she was going bush but she’d only half meant it. She’d kept the idea of visiting Ed at bay until after the wedding. Well, the wedding was over. And now she no longer had a job to stay for. There was nothing to tie her down, in fact her life was going nowhere.

  She sat up straight. “Not for long.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “I’m going to head off for a while.”

  “Where?”

  “To the South East.”

  Cass stared at her. “You’re not going to see Ed?”

  “Why not?”

  “You don’t know him.” Cass shook her head.

  “There’s chemistry between us.”

  “Lust!” Cass wiggled her shoulders and her ample breasts wobbled. “Hell, even I wouldn’t mind shaggin
g him.”

  “Bloody hell, Cass.”

  “He’s fair game looking like that.”

  “It’s more than good looks.” Taylor lifted her chin and looked Cass straight in the eye. “I just know it.”

  “Like you did with Larry and Foster?”

  Taylor felt herself stiffen. She couldn’t believe her best friend was being so cruel.

  “I’m sorry, Tales.” Cass gave her a remorseful look. “I shouldn’t have said that but–”

  “It’s my decision.” Taylor put down her half-finished beer.

  She’d thought Cass would support her. All their friends had partners. It didn’t seem to bother Cass but Taylor wanted a relationship. Ed had hardly been out of her thoughts no matter how hard she’d tried to put him aside, his gaze, his touch, his kisses had been playing over in her mind for two weeks. She’d messed up another delivery last week and taken a group via some wrong turns to their venue. She had to admit she’d been distracted. Gino didn’t know about those, not that it mattered now.

  “You’re frowning again.”

  Taylor looked at Cass. “Bloody Gino.”

  “Perhaps a trip would be good for you. I’d come too but we’ve got a big job on at work.”

  Taylor stood up. “I could be gone a while.”

  “How long?”

  “If it works out with Ed I might stay.”

  “What’s Ed say about that?”

  Taylor looked away.

  “He does know you’re coming?”

  “I didn’t have a backup and lost most of my contacts and old messages when I lost my phone so I couldn’t reply to his text.”

  “Why not call him at the winery? It would be easy enough to get the business number.” Cass pulled out her phone. “I’ll google it.”

  “No Cass.” Taylor put a hand on her friend’s arm. “I tried once. A woman answered and I got cold feet. I’ve decided to wing it.”

  “Damn Taylor, you can’t just turn up.”

  “Why not?”

  Cass opened and closed her mouth then took another swig of her beer. “I don’t think this is a good idea,” she muttered.

  “Rosie and Matt are so happy and so in love. I want what they’ve got. I want a partner. A man in my life. What’s wrong with that?”

  “Nothing.” Cass peered at her over the bottle. “As long as he’s the right one.”

  Taylor grabbed her hand and pulled her friend to her feet. “I’m not having negativity,” she said. “I’ve got lots to do.”

  Cass’s look was contrite. “Don’t be like that. I’m sorry. I’ll help.”

  “No.” Taylor’s response was firm. “I’d rather be on my own. I’ll text you when I get there.” She edged Cass out the door and closed it firmly in her friend’s worried face.

  Taylor needed to make a change. If she couldn’t go overseas she could spend time in another part of Australia. There was certainly no reason now not to go and visit Ed.

  CHAPTER

  10

  Taylor pulled into the car park outside the Wriggly Creek cellar door. There was no ‘Open’ sign out the front and no other vehicles in the park. She sat back against the seat and lowered her window. The outside air was still hot.

  She’d woken early and straight away been hit by nerves. Perhaps she was being hasty. She’d taken a deep breath, banished negative thoughts and set off full of eager anticipation but the further she travelled south the slower she went. Her aircon struggled in the heat again. It was late February and summer was still exerting a hold. Today was supposed to be thirty degrees. She’d stopped for iced coffee at Coonalpyn, toilet break at Tintinara and lunch in Keith. She’d idled through Naracoorte, stopped for more coffee and now finally she’d made it to Wriggly Creek Wines only to find no-one here. She closed her eyes and let out a deep breath. Now what?

  Cass’s words replayed in her head. “You can’t just turn up.”

  Well she had. Taylor got out of her van, stretched and felt her t-shirt pull away from her damp skin. She walked to the door of the wine tasting room. Then she noticed the sandwich board declaring ‘Wriggly Creek Cellar Door Open’ through the glass just inside. She lifted her gaze to the sign stuck on the door. ‘Opening hours 11am till 6pm Thursday to Monday.’ Today was Wednesday.

  Taylor’s shoulders began to droop. Immediately she shrugged them. One small setback. She stepped off the verandah and walked to the end of the brown brick building. The land was flat in every direction and about one hundred metres away across the rows of vines she could see a stone cottage and further in the distance on the only slight rise, she could make out the grey tiled roof and cream brick of a house. It was a big house with picture windows. Edward’s house. She recalled the night she’d spent there. She suspected the furnishings were much the same as when his parents had first built the house. It didn’t have the look of a bachelor pad; more a family home without the family. The thought of knocking on his door sent a surge of panic through her already tight chest. Suddenly her casual, ‘Hi, I’ve come back’ sounded silly, needy. She took a deep calming breath. Further along the road from the cellar door was a group of large sheds. Maybe that was the place to look.

  She went back to her van, climbed in and pulled her new phone from the console. If only she had Ed’s number. She sighed and looked around. What should she do? Drive around looking for him or head into town, book herself a room and suss out the situation? The last of her waning anticipation left her.

  She had her small nest egg of money. Enough to get her by for a while but she’d need to find work soon. All her worldly possessions were stashed in the body of the van behind her. After her wardrobe clean-out she had managed to squeeze her remaining clothes into a bag and a case. She had a garbage bag full of sheets and towels, a quilt, a box and esky with her kitchen supplies, and her little pod coffee machine. She had some paintings and assorted souvenirs she’d brought back from her travels, a few family photographs, a few books including her favourite cookbooks, and that was it. A couple of boxes was all she’d needed. Not much to show for her twenty-seven years. Gran owned most of the furniture and household goods in the flat. Her UK visitors were welcome to them.

  In hindsight it would have made more sense for Taylor to leave her personal items in her bedroom at home. She glanced back at the stuff she’d piled into the van. Once again she’d acted before thinking it through. Gran and Cass would be laughing if they could see her now. Well, Gran wouldn’t be laughing but she would say ‘I told you so’. Cass wouldn’t say it but Taylor would be able to see it in her look.

  “Damn!” Taylor thumped the steering wheel with her hand. She didn’t want them to be right. It only strengthened her resolve to make the best of it. Ed was around somewhere. She’d just have to find him. Once more she leaned back in the seat and closed her eyes.

  Pete peered through the cellar door window. He’d noticed someone walking around in the car park, assumed they were checking to see if the place was open and would leave. Ten minutes later the van was still out the front and the driver appeared to be sleeping. He hesitated. Should he go and check? Maybe they were just resting.

  He went to the table used as a desk in the back room and shuffled through the pile of papers once more. He still couldn’t find the delivery note he was looking for. It had been a last resort to try the cellar door.

  He sank to the chair ran his fingers through his hair and looked up. A large photograph hung there. His parents were planting the vines, Ed a toddler and Pete still the bulge under his mother’s shirt. He loved the photo, his parents both laughing at the camera, Ed covered in the beautiful red terra rossa soil. Next to it was a more recent picture, this time he was in it with Ed and his father and they were planting the new cabernet clone that they’d named NS18. None of them looked at the camera. Their mother had taken the photo. She had captured them intent on their work. He stood up feeling a swell of pride that this vintage would see the first viable crop from those vines.

  He stuck his h
ead into the front room. The van was still there. It was getting late. He decided to investigate. He didn’t want someone camping in their car park.

  Pete tapped on the window of the van. The woman inside jumped and lowered the window.

  “Is there a problem?” he said then paused. She looked familiar.

  “Peter, isn’t it?” she asked. Her lips turned up in a shy smile.

  “Yes.” He stepped back as she opened her door.

  “I’m Taylor,” she said. “We met at…I was at Ed’s. You came by as he was driving me back to town.”

  “Oh, yes.” Now he remembered. She was the attractive blonde who’d been at Ed’s a couple of weeks back.

  “I don’t suppose…” Once more her voice faltered. “Do you know where Ed is at the moment?”

  “Melbourne.”

  “Oh.”

  Pete resisted the urge to pat her arm. She looked crestfallen. “He should be back in a week. I’m hoping less. It’s the worst time for him to be away.”

  “Oh,” she said again.

  She looked exhausted. What was a girl like her doing chasing Ed? She appeared far too sensible to be one of his flings but then Pete had almost given up on being a good judge of female character.

  “I can give you his number.”

  “That would be good, thanks. I had it but I lost my phone.”

  Pete hesitated. Maybe Ed hadn’t actually given her his number in the first place. She glanced up from her phone. The gleam of her pale-blue eyes and soft curve of her lips gave away no deception. She punched in the number as he dictated.

  “Have you driven far?” he asked.

  “Only from Adelaide.”

  She turned back to her van. “I’ll get going.”

  “Where will you go?”

  “Into town.”

  Once more Pete wavered. She closed the van door and he rested his hand on it.

  “Was Ed expecting you? He didn’t say anything.” Pete recalled Ed’s indignant snort when he’d suggested his brother was going to spend time with this woman.