A Daughter’s Choice
Page 20
‘I think I need one.’
Julian reached into a glass cabinet and took out a decanter and two heavy-bottomed whiskey glasses. He poured them both two fingers, then put the glasses on the coffee table before settling himself on the lounge again.
‘I’ve never been out of New South Wales. While most of the kids we went to school with were travelling, I worked my arse off establishing a business. I don’t regret it. I have the dyslexia to thank for that. I’ve come to realise it was a blessing. It forced me to work twice as hard to make something of myself. So, it’s time for me to live a little, and visit other places.’
‘But what about the depot and the ethanol plant?’
‘Chappy’s decided not to go back to the mill. He’s staying on to manage the business for me. I can work remotely, that’s not a problem. This is your career, Lynsey. Mindalby will always be here.’
She stared into the eyes of the man she loved, the man she would always love. Her life partner as her mother would have said. ‘You’d do that, for me?’
‘I’d do anything in this world for you.’
‘Oh, Julian.’ She flung her arms around his neck and his came around her waist. ‘I can’t believe it. Is this why you kept pushing me to get the visa? I thought you were pushing me away.’
‘Never. I’ve been sorting out a ninety-day holiday visa and how I can work from over there. I might have to come back every few months but that’s okay. I wanted to surprise you.’
‘It worked. And I don’t know whether to punch you or kiss you.’ She was shaking, overwhelmed with everything that was happening, with everything that was going to be hers.
‘You still want to go, don’t you?’ he asked gruffly.
‘Yes, of course. But I would have happily given it all up too—to come back here—to you. I’ve even whittled my life down to two suitcases I have in the back of my rental car.’
Julian’s mouth fell open and he stared at her in horror. ‘You drove here?’
She nodded.
‘My God.’ He let go of her hands, reached out and took a swig from his whiskey glass. ‘I’m glad you didn’t tell me that. I wouldn’t have been able to sleep.’
‘Hey, have a little faith in my driving.’ Lynsey picked up her whiskey and they smiled and clinked glasses. ‘I got here, didn’t I?’
They drank for a few moments in companionable silence. Outside, laughter rang out from Mindalby Park where the sausage sizzle was already underway.
‘One thing you said to me in the hospital.’ Julian swirled the amber spirit around and stared into the depths of his glass. ‘You said with the mill gone, you didn’t know who you were anymore, that you were lost.’
‘I’m not lost anymore, Julian.’
He looked up and met her eyes. ‘I’m glad to hear it, Lyns.’
Lynsey stood up and carried her glass over to the window, looking for her mother and Willow in the park. Smoke billowed from a portable barbecue and people were standing around in groups, chatting and having a drink. Women were busy buttering rolls on one of the picnic benches, and a few pre-school age children were on the swings inside the children’s playground.
‘I learned something about myself when I was away. It’s my grandfather’s legacy that’s important to me, not any family money associated with the mill. I was proud that it was my family who provided employment to the people of this town. Up until now, the Carter name had always been respected in the community.’
She looked around as Julian joined her at the window.
‘I think you and your mum have gone a long way to restoring your good name.’
‘I hope so. And you were right, my inheritance was always there, like a safety net, allowing me to live what I believed to be a socially responsible life. And I still believe in that. What I understand now is—that is the real me. Living a frugal life has enabled me to cope with what’s happened. I know I can live happily without the safety net of the mill. In some ways it’s been liberating, like the burden of choice has been taken away.’
‘You would have made a success of it, Lyns, if you’d been given the chance you deserved.’
‘Maybe.’ Lynsey continued watching as more cars pulled up outside and the numbers partying in the park swelled. ‘The people are the best ones to run the mill. I’m an agricultural scientist. All this has made me realise it really is my first love.’ She turned to face Julian. ‘Apart from you.’
He leaned over and Lynsey closed her eyes as he pressed his lips to her forehead. ‘I’ll drink to that.’
They finished their whiskey, and while Julian carried their glasses out to the kitchen, Lynsey continued to watch the townspeople who were toasting their own fresh start, their own new beginning. Just like her and Julian.
‘I think I do want to go over there after all,’ she said, hearing him come back into the room.
‘You don’t have to but I’m sure they’ll make you very welcome.’
‘No, I want to.’
Julian’s face broke into a broad grin. ‘I didn’t like to say anything but I’m starving. I can smell the sausages and onions from here.’
Lynsey laughed and reached for his hand. Moments later they were crossing the road to the park where only two months earlier she’d sat in Julian’s Land Cruiser and told him all about the things she’d discovered in her mother’s storage unit.
Now, they were going to America together. Not right now, but before the next semester was due to begin. And afterwards, she’d bring the skills she learned back here to Mindalby, so the people and the region could benefit from her knowledge. In the meantime, she’d be happy giving her mother a hand in the shop, and doing what she could to help the town get back on its feet.
‘I can’t promise I’ll eat a sausage anytime soon,’ she said, waving as Willow and Atlas came running over to meet them. ‘But I can hold my head up high around these parts from now on. After all, they built a town around the mill my grandfather built.’
Epilogue
Sydney Morning Herald
23 September
Donald Leslie Carter, former Managing Director of the Mindalby Cotton Company, was found guilty in the Bourke District Court on three charges relating to the operations of the Mindalby Cotton Company. Carter was sentenced to eight (8) years imprisonment with a non-parole period of six (6) years. Investigations are continuing into offshore accounts believed to be held by Donald Leslie Carter.
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ISBN: 9781489263636
Title: A Daughter’s Choice
Copyright © 2018 Lee Christine
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