‘Oh. Us? Oh, well, we’re um, er,’ David stammered, looking at Barbara.
‘We’re actually here celebrating the anniversary of the day we met,’ Barbara cut in.
‘Yes,’ David said, taking a slug of water.
‘Silly, really,’ Barbara added, looking down at the table.
‘Not at all,’ Jake said.
‘I don’t think we do nearly enough celebrating,’ Emily said emphatically, trying to cover up the slight unease that seemed to be hanging over them all. Something just wasn’t quite right. Not actually between David and Barbara; they were as close as ever. Just as she had the thought, they exchanged another doe-eyed look.
‘Right, who’s for one of these wood-fired pizzas?’ David said, picking up the stiff, laminated menu cards from the end of the table. He handed them each a copy.
Emily reluctantly dragged her mind back from her misgivings, accepted the card with a thank you, and tried to focus on the long list of pizzas on offer.
It took them ten minutes to decide they would share one large pizza – half gourmet meat for the guys and half barbeque chicken and roast capsicum for the girls.
After they ordered, Jake raised the topic of moving Emily’s unfinished hayshed.
‘Good idea,’ David agreed, ‘but I’m busy rolling stubble for the next few days – if the forecast of hot weather turns out to be accurate. I’m happy to look into it after that.’
‘What’s rolling stubble?’ Jake asked.
‘After harvest, we roll the stubble flat so it breaks down quicker for the next season – just like putting down a layer of mulch in a garden, really. We used to heap it up and burn it, but it’s all about putting it back into the soil now. But you need the weather to be hot enough for the stalks to snap and stay lying on the ground. Otherwise they just spring back up and you’ve just wasted your time and fuel.’
‘Can I go with you and watch?’ Jake asked.
‘Sure. Though it’s not very exciting; it’s just going round and round on a tractor.’
‘Well, since I’ve never done that, it might be quite interesting to a city boy like me.’
‘In that case, you’re on. I’m working at Emily’s tomorrow, so I’ll drop in and pick you up on the way past. Depending on how quickly it heats up, it probably won’t be until around lunchtime. You’ll want to pack a sandwich and a water bottle – in case you don’t get bored after the first two laps,’ David added with a laugh. ‘I won’t stop until evening when it comes in cooler.’
‘Cool, I’m going to play farmer for a day,’ Jake said.
‘Mate, I wouldn’t get too excited,’ David said. ‘Tractor driving can be as boring as bat shit.’
While David and Jake discussed the various tractor-driving jobs involved in life on the land, Emily and Barbara quietly swapped the latest gossip they’d heard in town. It turned out they’d both been in that day without the other knowing.
Barbara seemed a little quieter than usual, and looking harder at her friend, Emily thought she also looked a little pale. Hopefully she wasn’t coming down with something. Though, didn’t they say people often got sick when they slowed down after a busy time? David and Barbara had just had David’s father’s death and funeral, and a houseful of guests to deal with.
With Jake off with David, tomorrow would be a perfect opportunity for the two of them to spend some quiet time together. If it was going to be hot, they wouldn’t want to be out and about. It was better to hibernate in that sort of weather.
‘Hey, Barb,’ Emily said, suddenly. ‘Do you fancy hanging out tomorrow and watching a DVD or two while the boys are off?’
‘Sounds very indulgent. Probably just what we both need after the last few months. I’ve got a couple of recent chick flicks.’
‘Perfect.’ The only DVDs she had were action movies of John’s.
‘Well, how do you like that? We menfolk will be hard at work and you’ll be inside with your feet up,’ David teased.
‘We’ll be sure to pine for you. Will that help ease your burden?’ Barbara replied, batting her eyelashes.
‘It certainly will.’
Finally their pizza arrived with an apology for the delay. They oohed and aahed over it, and set about devouring the meal with little conversation.
Afterwards, the men went up to the counter to settle the bill and then the four of them made their way outside.
They spent a few moments admiring the bright orange and pink sunset before hugging and getting into their separate cars.
‘Well, that was nice. Thank you,’ Emily said as they drove out of the car park.
‘You’re welcome. But I guess it means we still haven’t officially had our first date. I don’t think a double date counts,’ Jake added with a laugh.
‘I don’t mind. It wasn’t like you knew they’d be here.’
‘No, but I still owe you one.’
‘You saved me from my mother, remember? I think we can call it square.’ She smiled at him.
‘I saved myself from your mother,’ Jake said.
‘Hey, did you notice how cagey they got when you asked why they were there?’ Emily asked, deliberately changing the subject.
‘I did. Something’s up that they clearly don’t want to share.’
‘I hope they’re okay,’ Emily said.
‘Well, they seemed happy with each other – more affectionate than usual, I reckon. If we’re meant to know, we’ll find out,’ Jake added, patting Emily’s thigh. ‘Just leave it be.’
‘Yeah, you’re right. It’s just that after all they’ve done for me, I’d like to return the favour if I can.’
‘You’ll get your chance, if and when you’re meant to.’
‘I hope so.’ Emily leaned back into the seat and tried to put the nag of concern out of her mind.
‘I’m excited about going out with David tomorrow,’ Jake said, after a few minutes of silence.
Emily smiled at his boyish enthusiasm; he sounded like a kid about to enter a candy shop.
‘That’s great, you’ll have fun,’ she said, beaming at him. ‘But make sure you don’t overdo it. You’re here to recuperate, remember?’
They entered the house to find the red light on the answering machine blinking in the dark kitchen. Emily turned on the overhead fluoro light, dumped her handbag beside Grace, who was snoozing in her bed, and pressed the button to play new messages.
‘Oh! Des, it’s the damned answering machine,’ Enid’s voice rang out. ‘Emily, it’s your mother here. We’re outside. Where are you? I told you we would be stopping in. We’ve been sitting here in the car for ten minutes. Call me back when you get this.’
‘Unbelievable,’ Jake muttered.
Emily shook her head slowly and sighed. Just hearing her mother’s voice made her feel very tired. Thankfully, it was almost too late to phone back – well that would be her excuse. Enid didn’t take calls after nine p.m. Actually, no, I’ll get it over with now, she thought, grabbing the phone and plastering a smile on her face, as she’d once been taught in an office skills course. ‘A smile makes for a friendly sounding voice,’ she’d learnt during training.
Enid picked up straight away. ‘Enid Oliphant speaking.’
‘Hi Mum. We’ve just got home and got your message.’
‘Where were you?’
‘I told you we were going out. It’s not my fault you chose not to listen.’
‘Oh, Emily, don’t get all high and mighty with me.’
‘Was there something you wanted?’
‘Yes, actually. We’d like to meet this young man you have staying.’
‘It’s Jake, Mum, and you’ve already met him. At dinner with Liz.’
‘Well, as it now seems he’s your boyfriend, we’d like to meet him properly. I need to have you both for dinner, but all my evenings are booked for the next two weeks.’
‘That’s all right, we’ve got a lot on too.’
‘What could you possibly have on? You’re a lady of lei
sure, and Jake’s on holidays, isn’t he?’
‘Sort of. Mum, you don’t need to go to the bother of dinner. We’ll just drop in for a cuppa soon. Okay?’
‘Well, then, please give some warning so I’m definitely here.’
Emily smiled wryly and shook her head slowly. As if you won’t be there. She was starting to see the funny side of Enid.
As she hung up and deleted the message, she wondered why her mother hadn’t just called her mobile in the first place. Why bother leaving an answering-machine message Emily might not get for hours? Maybe Enid thought she and Jake had been hiding inside.
Chapter Four
At eleven the next morning, David’s ute pulled up outside. They went out, Jake swinging John’s blue lunchbox-sized esky and a small matching water bottle filled with ice cubes that rattled when he walked. Emily stopped short of the gate at the end of the concrete path and wrapped her arms around him.
‘Are you sure you’re up to heading out?’
‘I’m tired, but I’m fine. I promise I’ll call you to come and get me if I’m not up to it.’
‘Okay. I don’t mean to nag, I’m just concerned. And you don’t seem to be taking it easy at all.’
‘I am. Just changing environments is a huge help, I think. And not having to make business decisions. I’ll check in tomorrow. But I’m sure all is well in Melbourne.’
‘Well, okay, if you’re sure. Take care,’ she said, stretching up and nuzzling his neck.
‘See ya,’ Jake said, giving her a final firm kiss. He walked around to the passenger’s side of the ute, where Barbara was stepping out.
Emily returned his wave as the ute drove away and Barbara leaned into her embrace.
‘I come bearing chick flicks, microwave popcorn, and soft drink,’ Barbara said, holding up a green eco shopping bag.
Her friend didn’t look nearly as bright and cheery as she sounded. But Emily shook her doubts aside. Jake was right; if something was up, Barbara would tell her if and when she wanted to.
‘It’s going to be a hot one, so let’s get inside and batten down the hatches,’ she said, leading the way back up the path. Thanks to the thick stone walls and their layer of concrete render, the house usually managed to stay cool through three days of full-on South Australian heat if kept closed up. Two more days and it would start to get stuffy.
Emily idly wondered what it would cost to put in ducted air conditioning. She’d probably be able to afford it. But was it a luxury that should wait, or be done at all? In her three and a half years with John she could only remember a handful of nights when they had been unable to sleep due to the heat. Winter wasn’t too bad either. They’d tended to shut off most of the house and just live in the kitchen, bedroom, and lounge – all of which were clustered at one end of the house and could be heated with small electric heaters. The lounge had an open fire, which she would have liked to use more, except her husband had refused to cut wood himself or get any delivered.
‘Coffee?’ Emily asked as Barbara sat heavily onto a chair in the darkened kitchen.
‘Actually, I’d prefer a tea. I seem to have suddenly gone off coffee,’ Barbara said.
‘Are you okay? You look a little pale.’
‘Just a bit queasy. Must have picked up a virus or something. If I could just throw up, I’m sure I’d feel better.’
‘God, you poor thing. You should’ve cancelled.’
‘It comes and goes.’
‘Well, I’m sure a nice cup of tea will help.’
‘Thanks. Yes,’ Barbara said. But suddenly she was leaping up with a hand to her mouth and disappearing from the room.
Emily had just consulted her watch and decided to give Barbara one more minute, when she returned looking even paler.
‘False alarm,’ Barbara said. It was clear she was trying to sound bright.
‘Have you seen a doctor?’ Emily asked. She frowned as Barbara sat down, nodding.
‘I’ve booked. But of course I couldn’t get in until next week,’ she said, rolling her eyes.
‘Well, you could always go to emergency at the hospital.’
‘I’m not that bad. And I am feeling a bit better.’
‘If you need me to do anything, you only have to ask.’
‘Thanks. I know.’
Emily was stirring sugar into Barbara’s tea when it finally dawned on her. ‘Um, tell me to back off, but would you by any chance be pregnant?’
Barbara looked up sharply. She was on the verge of tears.
‘What is it?’ Emily asked.
‘Yes. I’m pregnant,’ she said.
Gosh! Emily wasn’t sure how she felt, other than stunned and, if she was completely honest, a little nervous at the prospect of losing her best friend to a baby.
God, could I possibly be a worse friend? After everything Barbara’s done for me…
There had been so much upheaval in recent months, she really just wanted things to be settled for a while, not change. But she put her concerns aside with the stern reminder: It’s not about me.
‘So what’s wrong? Isn’t this a good thing? You guys want kids, don’t you?’ She placed the two mugs on the table and sat down on the end around the corner from Barbara.
Barbara nodded. ‘I’m just so scared,’ she said, and began sobbing. ‘I’m a mess.’
‘Is it the hormones?’
‘No. I wish.’
‘Is there a problem with the baby?’
Barbara fiddled with the handle on the mug and then without looking up said, ‘I’ve had two miscarriages in the year since we’ve been married. I’m so scared of going through it again. But not enough to stop trying,’ she added with a wan smile.
‘Oh Barbara, I’m so sorry.’ Emily put her arm around her friend’s shoulder again, this time loosely. ‘Why didn’t you tell me?’
‘Because I wanted to be positive, put it all behind me – us.’
‘Well, let’s hope it will be third time lucky,’ Emily said softly, giving her a gentle squeeze.
‘Hmm.’
‘So how far along are you? When does morning sickness set in?’
‘I’m only a couple of weeks. It should be too early for morning sickness. I think my problem is the stress and anxiety.’ She took a tentative sip of her tea and then sat with her hands wrapped around it for a few moments.
Emily waited her out.
Barbara finally looked up. Her forehead was creased with concern. ‘I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, but we didn’t want anyone to know until three months was up and we were in the safe period. Although that’s a bit of a misnomer; I lost Isabella at four months. She was the second one. They were both before I knew you.’
‘I’m so sorry,’ she said, hugging Barbara again.
‘The doctors haven’t been able to find anything wrong,’ Barbara said with a shrug, answering the question on the tip of Emily’s tongue. ‘Just bad luck, not meant to be, and all that,’ she said with a resigned shrug of her shoulders.
‘God, I feel so helpless,’ Emily said. ‘I can’t even begin to imagine how you must be feeling.’ She wondered why Isabella had a name but not the first baby. But she wasn’t about to ask.
‘We’re just trying to be as normal as possible and try not to jinx things. We know you guys didn’t buy our non-drinking story last night,’ she said, smiling weakly. ‘We discussed it on the way home. David’s going to tell Jake today too.’
‘Well, you tell us if there’s anything we can do for you – both of you – no matter what it is, or what time of the day or night. Promise me you’ll call if there’s anything at all – big or small,’ Emily said.
‘I promise. Thanks, Em, that means a lot.’
‘God, Barbara, after all you guys have done for me…’
They hugged briefly.
‘Now, should we start our totally indulgent and lazy day while the men folk are out toiling the fields?’ Barbara asked.
‘Yes! And let’s pop the corn! It can be lunch,’ Emily d
eclared.
‘I was hoping you’d say that,’ Barbara said, grinning. ‘I seem to be craving popcorn at the moment.’
Halfway through the movie – the new Julia Roberts – Emily’s phone began to ring. Barbara paused the DVD as Emily picked it up from the coffee table.
‘Sorry, I’d better get this,’ she said, looking at the screen. ‘It’s Simone, Jake’s sister,’ she added, and answered. ‘Hi Simone.’
‘Hi Em, how is everything?’
‘I’m good, but what you really mean is, how’s Jake, right?’
Simone laughed. ‘Yes, I guess I do.’
‘He’s doing well, a lot more relaxed than he was in Melbourne. And he told me about his suspected adrenal fatigue. Right now he’s out with my friend David on the tractor. I’m a little concerned he’s overdoing it, but he’s assured me he will take care. Perhaps the fresh air and change of scenery is the answer,’ Emily added.
‘I hope you’re right,’ Simone said. ‘Oh, well, he’s a big boy, he’s seen a doctor, so we can only really be here for him.’
‘And how are things with you?’ Emily asked.
‘Great. Your lovely comments about my paintings have got me all inspired. I’m painting like a demon every chance I get.’
‘That’s great. I can’t wait to see more of your work.’
‘So, are you making any more jam?’ Simone asked. ‘It’s just that Billy emailed me and…’
‘To be honest, Simone, I haven’t had much chance to think about it. And it’s really a bad time for fruit at the moment – everything has finished. I should have access to figs in a few months and then oranges over winter for marmalade. I was going to see if the blackberries are still running rampant at the back of the farm, but I haven’t had a chance to get up there. I’m really sorry.’
‘Don’t be, you can’t help when fruit is ripe,’ Simone said with a laugh. ‘And, anyway, you’ve probably got your hands full looking after Jake. It’s not a problem; Billy just wanted to know for certain where it all stood. Look, I’d better go. I just wanted to know Jake was okay. I’ll give him a call.’
‘It was lovely to speak to you, Simone. Thanks for calling.’ Emily hung up. ‘Simone was checking up on her brother. Isn’t that nice?’
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