Meant To Be

by Fiona McCallum

  ‘It’s okay, Mum,’ Emily said, hugging her even tighter. She found herself rubbing her mother’s back, soothing her. ‘I’m sorry too. I shouldn’t have spoken to you like that – in front of Dad and Jake.’ She felt bad about humiliating them, and was glad to have apologised for it. It was just a pity Jake hadn’t been there to hear it. If only he hadn’t gone off in a huff. So much for good communication…

  Finally Enid broke away. Emily was shocked to see just how broken she seemed. Her mother – the woman with the hard, brittle exterior that never wavered – looked absolutely shattered. She’d aged twenty years in the last two minutes, but somehow she’d never looked more beautiful. The lines down her face and the coldness in her eyes had softened. She grasped Emily’s hands in both of hers.

  ‘I want you to know that I love you and I am proud of you – I always have been. You’ll be a wonderful businesswoman and mother, and if you’ll let me, I’d like to be there for you and Jake and the baby.’

  Emily could only nod and try to swallow back the tears.

  Des smiled at them. Emily almost erupted again at seeing tears in his eyes and streaks down his cheeks. He held out the tissue box that usually lived at the far end of the table.

  Enid silently plucked a tissue from the box, and then Emily did.

  ‘Thanks Dad.’

  They sat back down. Emily felt exhausted, but leapt up when the timer on the oven sounded. ‘Who’s for a slice of warm apple teacake?’

  Chapter Forty

  Jake still hadn’t arrived home when her parents left. It was now mid-afternoon, and Emily was concerned. She wished he’d been there to see how well everything had turned out. She wasn’t sure how she was going to convince him of what had gone on. She had invited them to stay for lunch, but Enid had said she had cold meat in the fridge that had to be used that day. In the end they had hugged goodbye – it seemed her mother now did hugging.

  She had just finished forming a batch of raw rissoles on a tray and slid it into the fridge for cooking later when she heard a car drive in. She started running through what she was going to say in her head. But she was in for a surprise.

  ‘Hi, honey, I’m home,’ came the voice from the back door.

  Emily turned to see Jake enter the kitchen with a bunch of multi-coloured roses, their stems held together with aluminium foil. She raised her eyebrows.

  He handed the roses over with a sheepish look.

  She was about to speak when he put a forefinger over her lips. ‘Me first. I’m sorry,’ he said. ‘I was wrong. You have every right to speak your mind and defend yourself against your mother.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Emily said, almost lost for words. ‘But you were right. Not about what I said – I still stand by every word – but about the way I did it. I shouldn’t have put you in that position. I’m sorry.’

  They drew each other into an embrace, and Emily found herself sobbing again. ‘Oh God, Jake. I thought I was going to lose you. Let’s never fight like that again.’

  He kissed her deeply, and then looked into her eyes. ‘I love you, Emily Oliphant.’

  When he let her go, Emily sniffed the flowers, drawing in the gorgeous, heady mix of musky, spicy, and sweet rose scents.

  ‘Where did these come from? Don’t tell me you’ve been off sweet-talking the old ladies in town.’

  ‘No. I went to see Barbara and David.’ He sat down at the table. ‘Something smells good.’

  ‘Raw onion and garlic? I’ve made rissoles for dinner. There’s some apple teacake, if you fancy.’

  ‘That would be great. I haven’t had lunch.’

  ‘Here you are, help yourself. I’ve already had some,’ Emily said, putting the open Tupperware container, a knife, and a plate in front of him.

  ‘So I see,’ he said. ‘Just having cake won’t be good for the baby.’

  ‘Don’t worry, Mum and Dad helped with the cake.’

  ‘Oh?’ he asked, raising his eyebrows.

  ‘Not so fast, mister, I want to know why you’ve had a sudden change of opinion.’

  ‘Well, I hope you don’t mind me talking to Barbara and David, but I didn’t know where else to go.’

  ‘How are they?’

  ‘They’re doing well. They reiterated that they’re happy for us, and said they’ll be the best aunt and uncle our little one could imagine.’

  ‘That’s great. We’re so lucky to have them as friends.’

  ‘That, we are.’

  ‘And what did they have to say about the, er, Emily-Enid situation?’

  ‘Barbara told me some of the awful things she’s heard Enid say to you. Honestly, I had no idea just how damaging she’s been. I’m so sorry you’ve had to put up with that. And I’m really sorry for not supporting you. I see now how hard it’s been for you to stand up for yourself. I feel awful that I let you down. Will you forgive me?’

  ‘Of course I forgive you, Jake. I love you,’ she said, suddenly choking up. ‘We’re going to be great parents together,’ she said, getting up and wrapping her arms around him from behind as he sat at the table, and kissing his neck.

  ‘So, what did I miss?’

  *

  The following morning, after another lie-in for Emily, Jake came home from the post office with the box of invitations. He handed the package to Emily, who tore off the sticky tape with the glee of a child unwrapping a Christmas present. They grinned at each other as she carefully slid one out. She almost gasped at seeing her vision depicted there on the card in front of her.

  Everything about it was stunning. She loved how the thickness of the card felt in her hand. It was so professional looking, and smelling. She took a deep whiff. Jake raised his eyebrows at her.

  ‘What are you doing?’

  ‘They smell so, so professional. Yummy’

  Jake laughed. ‘Darling, they are professional. Here, let me see.’

  ‘They’re absolutely perfect,’ she said with a sigh, and handed it over. ‘I can’t believe how well Simone’s art came out.’

  Emily and then Jake turned it over and around and around, carefully looking for any errors, and finally agreed they were free of typos.

  It was a cold, wet day, perfect for staying inside and enveloping and addressing the two hundred and fifty invitations. They had just laid everything out on the table to operate a production line when they heard the whoosh of car tyres on wet earth outside. Jake got up to investigate. Emily could hear David and Barbara’s voices.

  ‘This looks like fun,’ Barbara said, as she came into the kitchen, followed by Sasha and Grace. Jake and David had paused in the closed verandah. ‘Are those the invitations? How exciting.’

  ‘You’re just in time to help,’ Emily said, hugging her friend.

  ‘Is everything okay with Jake again?’ Barbara whispered into her hair.

  ‘Thanks to you,’ Emily whispered back, giving Barbara an extra tight squeeze.

  ‘I hope we didn’t overstep the mark discussing it with him, but he…’

  ‘No, never. Not at all. I understand.’

  ‘And what about Enid?’

  ‘You know, I think we might have turned a corner. She actually apologised to me.’

  ‘Really?’

  ‘Yep, really. It was good to get things out in the open. We’ll see how long it lasts, but at least she seems to know the score now.’

  ‘That’s amazing.’

  ‘I know. So how are you guys doing? I think about you every moment of every day.’

  ‘Thanks. We’re taking it one step at a time. We’ll get there.’

  ‘Sit,’ she said, pulling out a chair for Barbara. ‘I was only kidding about putting you to work. I’ll just move these out of the way.’ She started bundling everything up again.

  ‘We’re happy to help.’

  ‘What am I being roped in for?’ David asked, coming in and hugging Emily.

  ‘We’ll help them stuff the envelopes, label, and stamp the invitations to the gallery opening, won’t we?�
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  ‘Of course,’ David said, sitting down.

  ‘That’s lovely of you. But not before you’ve had a cuppa.’

  ‘Don’t mind our dog making herself at home,’ Barbara said with a laugh, nodding at where Sasha and Grace had curled up together against the wall.

  ‘They only have themselves to blame for turning her into a house pet,’ David said.

  ‘She’s beautiful. We loved having her here, as did Grace,’ Emily said.

  ‘She’s been such a comfort, you’ve no idea.’

  Emily smiled and nodded knowingly. She almost shivered at the memory of that first night in the Bakers’ old, empty house after she’d left John. She’d been terrified. If it hadn’t been for Grace, she might have seriously contemplated giving in and going back to him.

  ‘They look great,’ David said, picking up an invitation from the top of the pile.

  ‘Thanks, we’re really happy with them,’ Jake said.

  ‘How many are you sending?’

  ‘Two hundred and fifty. Basically everyone we could think of.’

  ‘Wow,’ David said.

  ‘The rule of thumb is you end up with around one third attending. And since we’re so far out in the sticks and lots of them are in Melbourne…’

  ‘Though we are putting an ad in the paper so no one feels left out,’ Emily cut in.

  ‘Sounds good,’ David said.

  ‘Who’s doing the catering?’ Barbara asked.

  ‘I’ve been meaning to speak to you about that. I thought you might like the fundraising opportunity for the CWA. There’s no pressure though. If you’re not feeling up to cooking, that’s fine. Or you could run it and delegate. Or not be involved at all – it’s entirely up to you. I just wondered if you might want something to…’

  ‘I’d love to do it,’ Barbara said.

  ‘Don’t decide straight away. Take some time to think it through. There’s always the bakery if it gets all too hard and the CWA can’t or don’t want to do it.’

  ‘Darling, we’ve spoken about this,’ David said quietly, putting his hand over his wife’s. ‘You can’t be putting a Band-Aid over everything by making yourself so busy you can’t think about it. You heard the counsellor; you have to be kind to yourself. Now might not be the right time,’ he added softly.

  At least let me think about it. It’s over a month away, and I’m getting better every day. Soon I’ll probably be climbing the walls for something to do. And I do so love cooking.’

  And you’re so very good at it. But please don’t feel pressured,’ Emily said.

  ‘I won’t.’

  ‘Promise?’

  ‘I promise. I’ll let you know in the next few days.’

  As they settled down with their hot drinks, Emily watched Barbara. She could practically see her brain churning with ideas for canapés. And she was suddenly looking more determined. It was good to see some animation back in her friend who had given her so much.

  ‘So,’ Barbara said an hour or so later, when they were busy enveloping and stamping, ‘you haven’t told us when the little one is due. Jake got the results of your blood tests the other day, didn’t he?’

  Emily nodded.

  ‘And…?’

  Emily wasn’t avoiding telling them, she was trying not to crack up laughing.

  ‘Lucky you’re sitting down,’ she said.

  ‘Why, when is it?’

  ‘Er, Christmas Day’

  Barbara laughed out loud. ‘That’s hilarious.’

  ‘Quite the gift for someone who doesn’t do Christmas,’ David said, laughing.

  ‘Nor do the Lonigans, really. It’s terribly ironic,’ Jake said.

  ‘Haha, even better. Oh, this is too funny! I tell you what, I’ll let you off tinsel duty if you’re in labour.’

  ‘Oh, you’re so generous. But the poor kid, having that date.’

  ‘Well, missy, you shouldn’t have been so anti-Christmas. It’s a sign.’

  ‘Everything’s a bloody sign, according to you. The problem is figuring out what the sign is a sign of.’

  ‘Sometimes these things are simply sent to entertain the rest of us. This is just priceless,’ Barbara said, chuckling and shaking her head as she placed a stamp on an envelope and gave it a thump with her fist.

  Now this is more like old times, Emily thought.

  A few days later, Barbara rang to say she would be honoured to do the food for the launch on behalf of the CWA. She had already spoken to Thora Stratten, who was also thrilled to be involved. And Emily wouldn’t have to hire glasses because between the bowls club and CWA they’d be able to secure plenty.

  ‘I know this sounds way out of the box,’ Emily ventured, ‘but what about including Enid? I know she’d love to be involved.’

  ‘Great idea. Thora will keep her in line, if necessary. Let me call her. I’ll get back to you in a week or so with a menu.’

  ‘Thanks so much, Barbara. It means a lot to have you doing this.’

  ‘You’re paying, don’t forget.’

  ‘Of course I won’t forget. But I’m just so glad to have my best friend taking care of something so important.’

  ‘Hold your applause until the actual night, Em. It could all go pear-shaped yet.’

  ‘Yeah, right. As if. Don’t forget there’s a huge oven and plenty of bench and fridge space at the gallery if you’d rather do the cooking there.’

  ‘Thanks, I’ll bear that in mind. Well, I’d better go and get my committee together. I feel a bout of bossiness coming on.’

  ‘Don’t let me hold you up.’ Emily laughed and hung up. It was so good to hear her friend so upbeat again.

  ‘This is all coming together so well, little one,’ she told her belly. She still wasn’t all gooey and doe-eyed about her pregnancy, but she was intensely grateful to the little guy or girl growing inside of her for providing the impetus to sort things out with Enid. And she regularly rubbed her belly and said thank you.

  She was looking forward to seeing the little bean on an ultrasound one day soon. They had decided to wait until after the opening so they weren’t distracted. Meanwhile, they were still trying to decide if they wanted to know the sex of their baby or be surprised – they seemed to change their minds daily. Emily could imagine plenty of women in the district not bothering with some of the tests and scans, given all the travelling one had to do to either Port Lincoln or Whyalla. From the little she’d learnt so far, it was already clear that pregnancy treatment and birth services in the country were very different to those in the city.

  Jake had initially been horrified that there were no obstetric or ultrasound services in Wattle Creek or the neighbouring towns. It had been Emily’s turn to reassure him that everything would be fine. There was the St John Ambulance and the Royal Flying Doctor Service if anything did go wrong.

  She had been feeling much calmer since she and Enid had sorted things out, and was determined to let nature take its course and be guided by the doctor in Hope Springs.

  She’d quizzed Enid and discovered she’d had a smooth labour that hadn’t been overly long. Though, to Emily, eight hours sounded an awfully long time to be in enormous pain. But Enid had assured her it was a different, fulfilling sort of pain.

  Well, she’d have to take her word for it for now – they had the impending birth of their business to deal with first.

  Chapter Forty-one

  Time seemed to speed up, and the next few weeks passed in a blur of preparations, invitations, RSVPs, and last-minute arrangements. Suddenly it was the eve of the opening and Emily was cleaning the house in preparation for Simone’s arrival.

  She, Barbara and Thora had spent a day the week before choosing a suitable selection of hot and cold and sweet and savoury finger food, and everything was underway. All the women were getting along well. Even Enid was playing nicely.

  When Emily had visited her parents to deliver personal copies of the invitation, Enid had asked whether it was okay if she put the word arou
nd Hope Springs and encouraged people to come along. Emily had laughed. ‘Of course, Mum, the more the merrier – there’s an advert in the paper, remember?’ But she’d been really touched by how respectful Enid was being towards her these days. It certainly made for a much more harmonious relationship.

  She had been surprised to receive an RSVP from her cousin Liz to say she was coming and bringing along her parents. She was even more surprised to receive an engagement gift in the mail – a gorgeous pewter photo frame. She was now really looking forward to seeing her again. They’d had a lovely chat when Emily had rung to thank her, and both had admitted to overstepping the mark during their last phone call. Afterwards, Emily had wondered if her relationship with her mother had also negatively influenced her feelings towards her cousin. For a while she had been quite angry towards all of her family – other than her dad. But Liz had been really supportive that day at Gran’s funeral, and very generous to offer her somewhere to stay if she ever left John.

  Aunt Peggy, Uncle Jim, and Liz were staying with Enid and Des. They were arriving today as well, and would no doubt be put to work on the food. Enid had assured Emily she wasn’t expected to come down and help entertain them when she was so busy. That was a turn-up for the books, and a great relief.

  While vacuuming her bedroom, Emily paused beside the button jar on the tallboy and looked out the window towards the cottage.

  ‘So much has changed, Gran. You just wouldn’t believe it.’ She turned and smiled at the two signs that David and Jake had put up just inside the paddock – one for the gallery and one to advertise Jake’s business. They really had made a wonderful partnership.

  ‘And a wonderful family, Grade,’ she said aloud, bending down to rub the ears of the dog whose tail had just slapped her leg. ‘Soon an even bigger family, too,’ she added, rubbing her belly. Thanks to Jake’s constant reassuring, she was feeling much better about the baby, the cottage, everything. She was so lucky to have found him.