‘Oh, wow,’ Barbara said, beside her. ‘God, I think I’m going to cry.’
Emily felt Barbara’s hand grasp hers and her father’s hand squeeze her shoulder. She turned to them in turn, wanting to speak, or at least smile. Acknowledge them somehow. Here were the three people who had given her the most support during the hardest time of her life. Where would she be without them? All she could do was bite down on her lip and try to keep the tears at bay. This stone was the official line in the sand. Everything would be better now.
She turned her tear-filled eyes to Jake. ‘Thank you. Thank you. You don’t know how much this means…’
‘Oh, come here,’ he said, kissing her and pulling her into his chest.
Chapter Twenty-four
March passed. Once the walls started going up, the building progressed very quickly. Each day Emily looked out her bedroom window and saw the piles of cleaned stone getting smaller, and the walls growing higher. It was looking more and more like a bigger version of her old, beloved cottage.
They’d had a very dry period with mild weather and hadn’t suffered any down time on the building project, but in early April, clouds began to gather. Ten weeks into the project and around seven weeks after the Melbourne stonemasons had turned up, Emily was well-entrenched in her new routine. Thursday morning dawned overcast, just like the weather bureau had been forecasting.
Around town the farmers had been getting antsy about the lack of rain. David hadn’t really commented beyond sticking with the Bureau’s original prediction of a break in the season around the twentieth of April. That date was still a week away.
He was philosophical like Barbara usually was. He would often shrug and say that no amount of worry and complaining would help.
While they were eating lunch the sky darkened and rain began to fall, beating down heavily on the iron roof.
‘So, when do we start on the tractors?’ Jake asked.
‘At this rate we’ll have enough to get started tomorrow, but I’d like to give it a couple of days to soak in and for the weeds to poke their heads up. That way when we go over it, we’ll deal with them at the same time.’
‘That makes sense,’ Jake said. ‘I’m looking forward to doing my bit.’ Jake had told Emily a number of times how keen he was to see how another part of farming worked.
‘You okay to leave the cottage project?’
‘Yep, no worries. The guys know what they’re doing. It won’t be long until they’re done and the local roofers can start. I’ll only be a phone call away. It should be fine.’
Emily would miss the guys when they headed back to Melbourne. They were nice, cheerful, respectful fellows who really livened up the place. She would miss the banter around the huge kitchen table. The attention they’d given her, being the only woman amongst so many men, had been nice too, not that there had been any flirting or innuendo. Or even dirty jokes, for that matter. They’d kept things very clean in her presence – she hadn’t even heard the ‘f’ word uttered.
Even though she was around the same age as the younger guys, it was as if they considered her more like their mother and like a younger sister to Bill and Stan, such was their treatment of her and their effusive praise of her cooking. It had been fun, but she certainly wouldn’t miss all the extra work involved in having them staying. At least the roofers, and other trades that would be following them, would bring their own lunch and thermoses.
She would still take over cake and batches of scones – knowing that the way to a man’s heart really was through his stomach. If the builders were happy, they’d turn up each day until their work was done and not disappear and leave the project behind schedule. It had worked so far, anyway.
Jake was in regular contact with Simone, and Emily often chatted to her of an evening after he had finished updating her regarding the project and discussing business matters. On a couple of occasions, Simone had said she was keen to come over and see it all firsthand. Emily had always suspected it was one of those throwaway lines, so she was surprised when Simone phoned a week before Easter and asked if she could impose on them for the long weekend. Despite it being so late in the year, Easter had snuck up on them all.
Only a week or so ago she’d realised she and Jake had completely forgotten Valentine’s Day – months ago now. She couldn’t recall now what had reminded her, but she was glad Jake had forgotten too. She’d always considered it a ridiculously commercial event. And she’d had enough trouble thinking up a birthday gift for him! At least with Easter the gifts were obvious.
Emily was thrilled that Jake would have his sister there for his birthday, not that they were planning a huge celebration. Jake, like Emily, wasn’t one for giving birthdays much acknowledgement.
She told Simone an emphatic yes, but warned her that Jake might not be around much due to them hopefully getting stuck into sowing the crops. It was a pity Jake would be busy helping David on the farm, but it would have been the same if the holiday had occurred earlier; only then it would have been the building project keeping him occupied.
Emily was really looking forward to getting to know Jake’s sister better in person. It would also be the perfect opportunity to discuss the subject of her exhibiting, which she hadn’t actually mentioned to her as yet. She’d been telling herself she was putting it off in case she changed her mind about the building becoming a gallery, but really she was concerned that, like Jake had, Simone would decline the opportunity to have her art hung in public for sale. That she chattered on the phone excitedly about getting back into painting did bode well, but Emily didn’t want to rush things and scare her off. The weekend would prove the perfect opportunity to have that particular conversation, and to pick Simone’s brain for decorating ideas.
The stonemasonry team was working hard to get back to Melbourne in time for Easter. Bill and Stan were keen to get back to their families and do the Easter egg hunt they did every year. Aaron, Ben, and Toby wanted to watch Collingwood play live at the MCG on the Saturday.
‘No wonder they all get on so well,’ Jake had said one night after he’d found out they all supported the same team. Emily wasn’t into AFL – or any sport, for that matter – but she knew of people so passionate they even came to blows with opposing supporters. She imagined it was rare to get so many Melbourne people in one room who supported the one team – Bill and Stan were also Collingwood supporters, but not quite as ardent as the younger fellows. Their project really did seem to be blessed. Emily hoped for their sake they would be finished by Easter.
Simone would be staying in Emily’s office. Although it had been empty since the men had moved down to the shearing shed, she hadn’t had a chance to look for bookshelves to complete her reading nook. In fact, she was a little ashamed to admit, she had barely stepped foot in it since adding the pieces of furniture.
She and Jake tended to sit at the kitchen table or in bed with his laptop working on the budgets and going over things. The non-cottage paperwork was still piled up and unfiled in the other room. When she thought about it, the amount of stuff she had to do was quite overwhelming. And when she started the business, there would probably never be an opportunity to sit and read for pleasure.
All she hoped was that Jake and David would be able to spare at least a few hours off the tractors for them to spend all together. A barbeque at one of the picturesque spots on her farm or David and Barbara’s would be great to give Simone a real rural experience.
As Jake had done all those months ago when he’d visited Emily, Simone was going to fly to Whyalla, collect a hire car, and drive herself to Wattle Creek. She was planning to arrive mid-afternoon on Good Friday – the twenty-second.
Chapter Twenty-five
Two days before the Easter long weekend, the stonemasons finally completed their work on the building across the way. Emily was very chuffed when they called her over before putting the final stone in place. Then she, Jake, David and the guys all left their mark by carefully carving their initials in the m
ortar. It was a wonderful permanent reminder of their contribution.
Now when she threw open the bedroom curtains, she was greeted by nice straight stone walls standing tall. And she was truly a part of it. Soon the building would look less naked and exposed when the roofers did their work, and the joiners put in doors and windows. Everything seemed to be slotting into place perfectly.
They had a farewell dinner for the guys on Wednesday night. Jake had offered them a choice between a night out at the pub or a roast dinner at home, and to Emily’s surprise they’d gone with lamb roast. She couldn’t believe they’d want something so stock standard, especially when she’d already cooked them numerous roasts. But the weather was dreary outside and as Jake pointed out, these were city folk who hadn’t had a lifetime of good country fare. And they had spent a few Saturday nights out in the pub with Grant and Steve and Nathan.
So they stayed in and Emily did a roast with all the trimmings. To compensate for what she considered a simple meal – hell, she’d made dozens, maybe hundreds, of roast dinners in her time – she made rich individual chocolate fondant puddings from a recipe she’d seen recently on a cooking show. Afterwards, the guys headed back to the shearing shed for the last time going on about how good the food was and how full they were. Emily was pleased, even more so when Jake showed his appreciation that night in bed.
On Thursday the guys left after breakfast. As she hugged them and waved them off, Emily felt a tug of sadness – she was going to miss them. She spent the day feeling a little melancholy as she pottered around the house cleaning up after them and preparing for Simone.
On the morning of Simone’s visit, Emily and Jake got up early, both keen to get the day underway. Over breakfast, Jake was like a little kid who was antsy to go and play outside. ‘Look at you,’ she teased. ‘You can hardly sit still.’ He and David were starting their stints on the tractors.
‘Gotta go,’ he said, getting up with the last corner of his breakfast toast in his hand. He kissed her quickly.
‘I suppose I’d better bring your lunch down later then, since you don’t look keen to wait for me to make it.’ Emily laughed.
‘Oh. Sorry. Would you mind?’
‘Not at all. You go plough those fields, oh handsome man of mine,’ she said, slapping at his thigh as he passed by.
‘Don’t you start,’ he replied, grinning back and pretending to bat her hand away.
‘But seriously. Good luck. Call me if you need anything. I’ll be right here,’ she said.
‘Speaking of barely able to sit still,’ Jake said.
‘I know. I can’t wait to see Simone.’
‘Me too. It’s going to be great. Well, this crop isn’t going to get planted on its own,’ he said, and left the kitchen with a wave of his hand.
There was only around a week of solid work on her property, but timing was everything when it came to getting the seed in the ground. It was just a pity it was all happening when Simone was visiting.
Meanwhile, the construction work would continue across the road. Jake had been astounded when the roofers had offered to work right through Easter. Emily was surprised to learn that they didn’t need supervising; they had the plans, had already met with Jake on site, and so would just set to.
After Jake left, Emily sat at the table with her coffee. Although she had often been alone in the house during the day while everyone else had been over at the building site, it suddenly seemed very quiet with no one around. Well, except for the chatter of all the neighbouring farmers on the UHF radio fixed to the wall above the bench. The whole district was abuzz with seeding. As much as she’d have liked to turn down the radio, she had to keep one ear open in case Jake called her. They could use mobile phones, but Jake wanted to use the radio for anything not too personal – that was what real farmers did!
Just after four o’clock, Emily heard a car pull up outside. She looked out to see Simone getting out of a little white sedan.
‘Hi Simone,’ she called, waving an arm as she raced down the path. ‘Welcome to Wattle Creek.’
‘Thanks. It’s wonderful to see you again,’ Simone said.
‘I’m so glad you could come – especially for Easter.’ They hugged like old friends.
‘And you must be Grace,’ Simone said to the dog beside them, bending down and patting her. ‘What a gorgeous girl. Jake’s told me so much about you, oh yes he has,’ she said, ruffling the dog’s ears.
‘So you found us okay?’ Emily asked after Simone was again standing upright.
‘Piece of cake. Jake gives very precise directions.’
‘Yes, that he does.’
‘What a great spot,’ Simone said, slowly turning around to take in a full three-hundred-and-sixty-degree view of her surroundings. ‘I love the big gum trees.’
‘They are lovely. And thanks. It’s home.’
‘It’s a lot greener than I thought it would be. It looked quite dry flying into Whyalla.’
‘Yes, we’ve had quite a bit of rain down here. You might have noticed tractors out in some of the paddocks along the way – they’re busy sowing the winter crops.’
‘And is that the project back there?’ she said, turning and pointing over towards the creek.
‘Yep. It’s coming along really well. Much quicker than I thought it would. The guys worked like demons.’
‘They’re hard workers, and nice guys. Are they still here?’
‘No. They finished Wednesday and left yesterday.’
‘That’s a shame. I mean, a shame I didn’t get to see them. But I bet you’re glad to see the end of all that cooking.’
‘They said they’d come back for a holiday sometime and do a stone wall for us, if we want one,’ Emily said.
‘Pity you’re not doing a B&B; they could be your first guests.’
‘And do all their washing? I think I’ve learnt that lesson.’ Emily smiled. ‘Come on in. I’ll give you the grand tour of the house. I’m leaving the cottage until tomorrow when hopefully we’ll have a bit of roof on. I hope you don’t mind.’
‘Not at all. Anyway, I’m dying to see this office of yours. Jake’s told me all about it – says it’s absolutely gorgeous,’ Simone said as they made their way up to the house.
‘I’m not sure it should be called that – I haven’t done anything remotely office-related in there. And I don’t have anywhere near your flair for interior decorating.’
‘I’m sure you’re selling yourself short,’ Simone said kindly.
Emily shrugged. ‘Welcome,’ she said, throwing open the glass sliding door and allowing Simone to pass.
‘Oh, what a great space,’ Simone said.
‘It is, but it’s just so big and open. I’d love to pick your brain about how I could improve it, not that I have the time at the moment. I started on the office to give myself something to do, but then the cottage happened. And as they say, the rest is history,’ Emily added.
‘Some strategically placed dividers – even strips of fabric hanging from the ceiling – would make a big difference,’ Simone said, looking around. ‘I’ll draw you a diagram so you know what I mean.’
‘Okay. Great. Thanks. The bathroom and toilet are at the end,’ Emily said, pointing to her right. ‘Bit of a hike from your room, I’m afraid,’ she added apologetically.
‘No problem. I don’t exactly have en suite facilities myself, remember?’ she replied, smiling broadly.
Emily smiled back, remembering the long, thin Melbourne terrace. She felt like hugging Simone again. She was so nice.
They made their way through the house, deliberately leaving her new office – Simone’s room – until last.
‘Oh wow, it’s beautiful. Even more lovely than Jake described,’ Simone said when they were finally standing in the doorway.
‘You don’t think the pink is too dark? Honestly?’
‘No way. It’s perfect. As you know, I’m quite partial to a bit of colour.’
Yes, about that, Emily though
t. She was desperate to discuss the possibility of Simone exhibiting. At the rate they were going, the gallery might be up and running before spring. If Simone agreed, she’d need time to get some paintings done, and she’d have to fit them in around her job. She really hoped Simone was still painting ‘like a demon’ as she’d said all those months ago.
‘I’m hoping to put tall bookshelves behind the chair in the corner. And I still haven’t worked out what to do on the bed,’ Emily said with a shrug. ‘The cottage really has taken over.’
‘These things always take time. Far too often I’ve rushed into buying something and it’s ended up in a cupboard after a few months. I think you’re better off living with a space for a while if you’re not immediately sure.’
‘Well, that’s what I’m doing, but not really by choice. I’ve hardly spent any time in here at all.’
‘Jake was telling me how busy you’ve been. I don’t know how you do it. I struggle just to keep my house clean with working full-time, and I don’t have a heap of blokes to cook and do washing for. I took on a cleaner a few weeks ago, and it’s the best thing I’ve ever done. Wish I’d done it years ago.’
‘I wish I could, but there aren’t any around here,’ Emily said.
‘Maybe you need to set up a cleaning company.’
Emily laughed heartily. ‘Sorry,’ she said in response to Simone’s puzzled look. ‘It’s just that my dear friend, Barbara, and I had the same discussion the other day.’
‘So, is Jake out playing farmer?’
‘Yep.’
‘He was very excited about it.’
Emily checked her watch. ‘Well, he’s been out there for about eight hours. By now he’s probably bored out of his brain with driving round and round only seeing dirt. I’m sure it’s not nearly as glamorous or exciting as he was expecting, but he is helping David, so that’s a good thing.’ She explained that David and Jake had been swapping labour, both taking the opportunity to learn about the other’s work.
Meant To Be Page 20
