by Lily Harlem
“You’ll have to buy something to watch it on,” Evan said. “The homestead doesn’t have a DVD player, or at least not the last time I was there. My father wasn’t one for spending money on modern stuff.”
Harry shrugged. “That’s not a problem.”
The captain’s voice came over the tannoy giving them an update on local time and a weather forecast: hot. He also said the helicopter Riley had chartered for them was waiting and it would take a few moments for their bags to be stowed onto it.
“I can see it,” Darius said, jabbing his finger at the window. “The helicopter. It’s big and red.”
“Aye, that’ll be the one.” Mason pointed to Darius’s lap belt. “Can you undo that yourself?”
“Yes, I can.” He flicked it open and stood, his slim body wriggly as if he had energy to use up.
Within minutes they were all walking over the tarmac with an airport official. The sun beat down on them, and Olivia sipped from a bottle of sparkling water. The helicopter blades were still, which she was glad about.
Evan hesitated before he climbed onboard.
“Come on.” Olivia held his hand. “There’s no way any of us can cope with hours on the road, this is the best way to get there.”
“Aye, come on,” Mason said, whacking him on the shoulder. “It’ll be fun.”
“About as much fun as toe fungus,” Evan muttered, then allowed Olivia to tug him up the step.
The interior of the helicopter was functional. There were no luxury seats, drinks cabinet or movies to watch. But that didn’t matter. The children were incredibly excited as Mason, Lucas, and Raul helped strap them in with their three-point belts. Harry spoke to the pilot, confirming their destination. Evan fastened his own belt then ensured the door was securely shut.
“It will be okay, Evan.” Banna grinned and placed huge ear protectors on her head. “He looks like a very nice pilot.”
“Yeah.” Evan frowned at the cockpit. “Let’s hope he’s enjoying life and has everything to live for.”
“What?” Banna asked, pressing her hands over the big round globes protecting her ears. “What did you say?”
“Nothing.” Evan clasped his hands in his lap.
Soon they were lifting into the sky. The sensation was strange, different to the plane. The momentum pulled on Olivia’s back and limbs, and a thrill went through her. She, too, had never been on a helicopter.
The cockpit was sleek and modern, and she had a good view of it. Watching the two pilots control the huge machine was fascinating, and she wondered if she should start a to-do list of her own and put learning to fly at the top of it.
No, it would cost way too much.
She glanced at Harry. He was looking right at her, almost as if he could read her thoughts.
She smiled. Harry would pay for her to learn if she asked. But did she want to ask?
‘You just married one, which does actually make you a billionaire, too.’
Riley’s words came back to her. Would she ever feel rich? As if she could have anything she wanted? And that money was no object? Because it was true. Now she was with Harry, money wasn’t a problem and likely never would be again.
But she didn’t think she’d ever be complacent about it, and certainly not when it came to extravagance. Harry’s money was his and his family’s. They were lucky Dante was so generous when it came to donating to The Challenge, letting them use the Lear and providing other essentials. Paying for flying lessons was definitely a luxury.
Oh, but it would be nice. She could sail, sure, and ride a bike, but to fly? To be as free as a bird, in the sky, amongst the clouds, it would be pretty damn incredible.
Harry was no longer studying her. He was looking out of the window at something Banna had spotted.
Olivia peered to see.
It was a mob of kangaroo. Startled by the noise of the helicopter, they were bouncing to the east. Going at considerable speed, and with dust puffing up behind them.
Banna spun to Olivia. She was grinning and clearly thrilled to see such a sight.
They couldn’t talk, not over the noise and with the headphones, but that didn’t matter. The sights of the bush, as they’d left the city were a feast for the eyes.
Evan, however, wasn’t looking. He had his eyes closed as if willing the time to pass.
Riley had told them they’d be on the helicopter for over an hour, and for Evan’s sake she hoped it would go quickly.
Does he want it to go quickly because he doesn’t like being in the air, or is it because of the memories waiting for him?
She pulled in a deep breath as she turned back to the window. The red dusty earth was giving way to greener hills which undulated gently. Evan was going to need her support, everyone’s support. It worried her that he’d shown no emotion about losing his father other than anger. Oh, she knew he’d been a complete bastard, a bully, too. But surely him dying, Evan missing the funeral, would spark something, even if it was just tears of relief, or sorrow for the lack of a decent father in his life. Olivia knew she’d been lucky with her father who was gentle and caring and always encouraged her to be the best she could be and not be bound by conventional rules of what a girl should do, be like. And he’d certainly never lifted a hand to her or her mother, barely even raised his voice over the years.
She made a promise to herself to call them as soon as they got to the homestead. Now she had a phone she could plan what to say and let them know about the baby. She hoped they’d be thrilled at the thought of becoming grandparents.
She became lost in her thoughts of her old home and her new one as they continued their journey. Before long they began to descend.
The twins, Harry, and Raul wore expressions of anticipation as the ground grew closer. Amal was sucking on a straw slotted into a carton of orange juice and staring out of the window. Darius held Mason’s hand, and Banna hugged her coloring book and pencils to her chest.
Evan still had his eyes closed.
With a gentle bump, the helicopter touched down.
The rotor blades slowed, and the noise dropped to a low hum.
Evan opened his eyes. He stared straight ahead. “There is it. Home.”
Olivia looked between the pilots.
Before them sat a massive brick and wood house with a large porch. The westerly side was single storey with a massive decked area stretching out onto stilts owing to the slope of the land. The main body of the building was on two levels and had a sharply pitched roof and big windows. There didn’t seem to be a garden as such, it was just set onto the hillside. Though there was a big tree providing a neat circle of shade from the blistering sun, and to the right of that a barn with huge doors shut up tight. Beside that was an old blue car with a dent in the driver’s door.
“It’s bigger than I expected,” Harry said, removing his ear protectors. “The house, that is.”
“Yeah, it always felt massive for three of us.” Evan unclipped his belt. “Goodness knows what kind of state it’s in. Was always too big for my mother to keep on top of. The dust out here is a pain in the ass.”
“I’m sure it will be fine, and let’s face it, we can cope with dust.” Olivia shrugged out of the safety belt.
Evan said nothing as Lucas opened the helicopter door and jumped out.
Heat blasted in, reminding Olivia of California and Africa.
“Be careful,” Lucas said, holding out his hand to Olivia. “It’s a bit of a jump.”
Soon they’d all alighted, and one of the pilots was dragging their bags from a storage area.
“Hey, who’s that?” Mason said, pointing at the decking.
A woman stood there wearing a pale green dress, flat shoes, and a wide-brimmed hat. Beside her was a suitcase.
Evan looked over. “It’s my mother.” He jogged off at a fast pace, abandoning his luggage.
“Can you wait a minute, buddy?” Harry asked the pilot. “Just in case she needs a ride somewhere.”
“Sure.”
The pilot slammed the door shut.
“Do you think she will?” Olivia was surprised. “We’ve only just got here. Why would she leave straight away?”
“Seems to me she’s packed,” Mason said, scooping up Evan’s bag as well as his own.
“Aye, she is.” Lucas reached for Amal, who was making a beeline for the back rotor, and picked him up. “And she did sound keen to get to Perth.”
“Yeah, the helicopter can take her.” Harry slipped his hand around Olivia’s waist. “Come on, let’s get out of this heat. The house might be dusty, but it will have shade.”
“Good idea.”
They made their way to the decking. As they approached, Harry dropped his arm from around Olivia.
Evan was speaking to his mother, holding her hand as he did so.
Her face was in shade, owing to her large brimmed hat, and her expression unclear, but a few times she dabbed at her eyes.
As they stepped onto the wooden slats of the decking, several of which were loose, Evan turned.
“Ah, you’re here,” he said, reaching for Olivia. He tugged her close. “Mom, I’d like you to meet my wife. Olivia.”
“Your wife?” She pulled off her hat, and her eyes widened.
Olivia’s heart rate picked up. Mrs Tate’s eyes were so like Evan’s, the same ocean blue, it would be easy for Olivia to think she knew her, but of course she didn’t.
“Yeah,” Evan said, dropping a kiss on Olivia’s cheek. “We got married in Africa. I’m so happy.”
“Well if you’re happy then I’m pleased for you, even if it is a surprise.” She tilted her chin. “And I hope you’ll be a good husband, Evan.”
He tensed. “I had someone teach me how not to treat a wife.”
“Don’t speak ill of the dead.”
“I wish he’d died years ago. Then you and I could have gotten on with our lives long ago.”
She frowned and waggled her finger near Evan’s face. “I mean it, don’t speak ill of him.”
“And I also learned that raising a hand to a child is evil,” Evan said, gently wrapping his mother’s finger in his fist. “Which is why I will never do it, not to these children.” He nodded at Banna, Darius, and Amal. “And this one.” He released his mother’s finger and rested his palm on Olivia’s lower abdomen.
Olivia placed her hand over Evan’s.
“You’re…you’re pregnant?” Mrs Tate said.
Olivia nodded. “Yes.”
“And you’re going to bring the child up here?” She pointed at the three children standing between Mason and Raul. “And these ones?”
“You said you needed me to run the property,” Evan said.
“Well, yes, I do. But I didn’t know you were married with a baby on the way. You can sell it.”
“No. I won’t let him be the reason future generations lose out on living in this beautiful place.”
She turned and looked up at the building, then swept her gaze over the landscape. It was as if she was seeing it anew.
The softly rising and dipping hills were green and peppered with trees. The sky was blue, the breeze on the decking just enough to lift a few hairs from Olivia’s nape.
“Yes, I suppose it is beautiful,” she said, then sighed. “But I’m leaving now.” She picked up her suitcase.
“Now?” Evan frowned.
“Yes. I’ve been packed for days, hoping you’d arrive before the ranch hands left. And now I’m going. Geraldine is waiting for me.”
“Go tomorrow,” Evan said. “Stay and get to know Olivia, and my new friends.”
“No.” She placed her hat back on. “I’ve given this place too many years of my life. I don’t want to be here another moment.”
“It really would be nice to get to know you,” Olivia said, squeezing a little closer to Evan.
“It’s nothing personal,” she said. “And if my Evan likes you then I’m sure you’re a nice, wholesome girl.” She jabbed her thumb over her shoulder in the direction of the doors leading into what appeared to be a living area. “And good luck making this a happy home for you and your baby, you’re gonna need it.”
“Mom!” Evan said. “Please.”
“You know me, I say it how it is.” She leaned forward and gave Evan a quick, almost reluctant kiss on his cheek, then turned and strutted from the decking.
“Mrs Tate,” Harry called after her. “Use the helicopter. It’s going back to Perth.”
She stopped and glanced over her shoulder. “Thank you, but I’ll take the car.” She continued to walk away
“It will be much quicker, and it’s no problem,” Harry shouted.
“Don’t bother.” Evan put his hand on Harry’s arm. “You won’t change her mind.”
Chapter Sixteen
Olivia felt as though meeting Mrs Tate had been a dream, it had been so brief. But what she was left with was the sense Evan had grown up with very little love in his life. With a father who beat him and a mother who seemed to be emotionally barren, it was a wonder he was the easy-going, happy person he was…most of the time.
Amal and Darius wanted to watch the helicopter fade into the distance, so Raul waited with them on the decking as Olivia and the others went indoors.
Evan had been right. It was like stepping back in time. The furniture was old-fashioned, worn, and there wasn’t much of it. The sofa was threadbare, and a chair by an analogue TV had deep dents in the cushions, as if someone had spent years sitting in it. Olivia wondered if that was the chair Mr Tate had been sitting in when his son had put a knife to his throat.
“This way,” Evan said, reaching for her hand and jerking her from the macabre image in her mind. “I’ll show you the kitchen, but somehow I don’t think our top Barcelona chef is going to be very impressed.”
“Oh dear.” Harry pulled a face as he stepped in.
Olivia stared around the kitchen, Banna at her side.
It didn’t have any fitted cupboards, instead just a few sets of battered drawers pressed against the wall, each surface covered in flowery material. A small square table and two hard chairs stood in the middle of the room. The table held a vase of dead flowers. The cooker was electric with four elements on the hob, an overhead grill, and a small oven. It sat at an angle as though missing a foot. The refrigerator was tiny, and a loud humming noise emanated from it, as if it was complaining about the heat.
“It’s not bad,” Banna said. “I like it.”
“I’m glad you like it.” Olivia wrapped her arm around Banna’s shoulder. “But I think Raul will want some new things.”
“He told me he can cook delicious meals on a fire,” she said.
“He can, but if he’s going to live here, and cook here everyday, he’ll want something a bit more like the kitchen on the ship. Do you remember?”
“Yes, it was big.”
“Aye, and modern.” Mason stepped up to the refrigerator and knocked the top of it with his fist. The humming stopped.
“I think you might have just killed that.” Lucas huffed.
“It was already in the afterlife.” Evan shook his head. “It’s the only one they’ve ever had as far as I’m aware.”
“Ah, we’ll get another one. It’s too small anyway.” Harry shrugged. “We need one of those massive ones, with double doors. And there’s enough room, this is a big space.”
“What is big space, this, my kitchen, si?” Raul rushed into the room, the boys scampering along beside him.
“Yeah, sorry, mate. It’s not quite Regalo del Mer.” Evan bit on his bottom lip and shifted from one foot to the other.
“No, it is not.” Raul placed his hands on his hips and looked about. “Nothing like Regalo del Mer.”
“You can be honest and say it’s a bit shit.” Evan glanced at Darius and Amal. “Don’t repeat that, boys.”
“We won’t.” Darius grinned and grabbed an apple from a bowl. “Can I have this?”
“Best check it doesn’t have maggots first,” Evan said.
/> Darius spun it around, carefully checking the green skin. “I think it’s okay.” He bit into it.
“It will all be okay.” Harry strode to the wooden backdoor and pulled it open. “This is a stunning view, and the decking wraps around to here, so it’s perfect for barbeques. We can just wander from the kitchen with a beer into the sunshine. Cook, chill out, what more do we want?”
“Shade,” Mason said. “We’ve got Scottish skin, remember.”
“Sure. We’ll get some parasols and loungers. Perhaps even put a pool in down there. The kids would love that.”
“I can’t swim,” Banna said.
“I’ll teach you.” Harry spun around, his face alight. “I’ll teach all you kids to swim—it’s essential, non-negotiable.”
“Aye, it is.” Lucas nodded.
“And the living area could be spectacular,” Harry said, marching past everyone back the way they’d come.
They all followed him.
“It’s huge,” Harry said, “and we can soon get more sofas, big L-shaped ones, and a flat screen for Banna to watch Frozen on. It’ll be like the movies.” He grinned at Olivia. “We can get a designer in, all you have to do is choose a style and the rest will be done for you. You can spend as much or as little time thinking about it as you want.”
“I’m not sure,” she said. “I’ve never tried my hand at designing.” Engines perhaps, but not houses.
“A designer?” Evan laughed, but it was a brittle sound. “I can’t afford a designer or any of that fancy stuff. My bank account is on zero. I spent what I had getting my sailing qualifications in Melbourne.”
“Ah, forget the money.” Harry wafted his hand in the air. “It won’t take much to make this a twenty-first century home.”
“I can’t let you spend money on my house.” Evan shook his head. “And all that stuff will cost a lot.”
“Our house.” Harry frowned and slid his hands into his pockets. “You asked us to come here with you, to live here with you and help with the sheep.”
Evan said nothing.
“And now we’re here,” Mason said, setting his attention on Evan.
“Aye.” Lucas nodded. “We are.”
