Finding Elizabeth

by Louise Forster

  Mouth quivering, Leandra nodded.

  “Jack told me, the last time Dave had his heart broken he left Australia and ended up here. He keeps a tight hold on his feelings; it’s all casual and flippant, until it’s the real thing, then he can’t speak his mind like an adult.”

  “That’s exactly how it is. He said, ‘Of course I love you, babe’; then he laughed and tickled me. What is that?! But now I know.” A tear slipped down Leandra’s face and she pressed her lips together, cutting back her emotions so she could speak. Instead it gave her the hiccups. “I—hic—have felt the same—hic—about Dave—hic—I—I love him.”

  “Jeez, I thought I was bad. Come here.” Katherine hauled Leandra to her feet, wrapped her arms around her and squeezed every time she thought a hiccup might make an appearance. Leandra started giggling. Pretty soon her body was limp with laughing.

  “Stop, stop, they’re gone,” Leandra cried out.

  Katherine let her go and they waited …

  “Hic!”

  “Okay, have a drink of water.” Katherine put a glass in front of her. “What are you going to do about it?”

  “Wait.”

  “That’s the way.” Katherine thought about what Jack had said when she’d asked him how his heart was and he’d said, ‘We all have baggage.’ She might have to follow Leandra’s example, and wait.

  “I see that faraway gaze.” Leandra looked at her, eyes narrowed, questioning. “So, I’ve offloaded. Now it’s your turn.”

  “Stuart Greene, Peggy’s son, tried to grab Bubbles while I was in Millie’s store.”

  At the sound of her name, Bubbles sidled up for a pat.

  “I’d whack anyone who tried to take your dog. But you know that’s not what I’m talking about. You’re trying to veer off the subject; that’s just pitiful.” Head to one side, Leandra waited.

  “Okay, I’m having a lovely time with Jack. He’s someone I could …” she stopped, took a deep breath and slowly let it out “… become attached to. But Lea, he’s not staying,” she said, hands out, palms up. “It’s a hopeless situation. That’s how it is, and I can’t change that. I’m making dinner for him tonight. You want to stay? You and Dave?”

  “Nah,” Leandra waved a dismissive hand. “You two don’t want company.”

  “Sure I do. And you can help me cook it.”

  The phone in the living room rang.

  “They’re standing us up,” Leandra said.

  “Boy, you are in a snippy mood.” Katherine rubbed Leandra’s arm. “What’s the matter with you? Dave’s so important you’re scared it’s all going to turn to crap like they have done in the past—stop it!” She lifted the receiver. “Hello.”

  “Hi, sweetie,” Pierre said. “I was speaking to Maggie and Cynthia. You know they’re on their way home tomorrow.”

  “Yes, Leandra just told me. We’ll drive in and get them from the airport.”

  “No, it’s all arranged. I’m on my way to Calgary now for a meeting at the Regency Hotel with China’s Minister for the Arts, so I said I’d pick them up. Not sure what time I’ll be at the cabin—will you be home tomorrow?”

  “Yes, I’ll be here. Can’t wait to see them.”

  “See you tomorrow, Katy.”

  “Pierre’s collecting our mums,” she told Leandra.

  “Yay,” Leandra replied feebly. “Great, I’ll have to suffer Mum’s interrogations. ’Cause don’t think for one minute she can’t read my mind.”

  “Your mum is a little controlling, but she hasn’t had the support of a partner to raise you. All she’s had is you and her sports store.”

  “Don’t nag, I know all that.”

  “And she’s mellowing,” Katherine added.

  “Are you finished? Because we’re running out of time to get this dinner ready. Come to think of it,” Leandra said, hands on hips, “when was the last time you cooked a big meal?”

  Cracks were starting to appear in Katherine’s preparations for a candle-lit dinner. “No, it’ll be fine.” She shook her head, ignoring the warning bells. “Let’s get started. It’ll take your mind off your imaginary problems.”

  Katherine kissed the top of Leandra’s head and moved to the refrigerator. She opened it and hauled out her ten-pound turkey and placed it with a thump on the kitchen table. Bubbles sat up. Nose sniffing the air, she licked her lips.

  Eyes round, mouth open, Leandra gasped. “You’re cooking a turkey?”

  “Sure.” Katherine glanced at the kitchen clock. “So dinner will be a little late.”

  “Okay, it’s your goose—um, turkey.” Leandra screwed her face up in disgust. “Did I tell you I was thinking of becoming a vegetarian? And I’m not touching that bird!”

  Katherine gave her a look, and pursed her lips. Leandra couldn’t bring herself to check for stray feathers and spiky bits, or rub the bird all over with butter and salt. It was up to Katherine to do the recon and pluck and stuff. She cut a knob of butter and, standing back, pushed it around the bird’s goosey skin with her index finger. A shudder rippled over her. “Oh God, there’s a feather—and another.” She cringed in horror.

  “Ugh, that’s gross,” Leandra cried out.

  “Shut up and peel the potatoes, or I’ll make you do this.”

  “Not yet, I’m making dumplings first. Why did you take on roasting a turkey? Don’t they take, like, all day?”

  “It’s a bird, how hard can it be? I’ve watched Mum do it, but that was a long time ago.”

  Leandra gave her a look.

  “Okay, my education isn’t as well rounded as it should be. I was too busy perfecting a grand plié. Have a look at it; the skin is creepy, like something out of a science fiction movie.” Katherine stepped back and at arm’s length poked the bird. “Okay, that’s enough massaging, I need gloves—and tweezers.” She washed her hands and searched drawers and cupboards. Nothing. She peeked at Leandra who, despite happily playing with dough, still seemed down.

  Katherine had an idea that would solve nearly everything. “Back in a minute,” she said. Hiding a meat axe under her arm, she took off for her bedroom. After a quick search, she walked back into the kitchen wearing goggles and opera gloves, a large meat axe in one hand and a pair of pliers in the other.

  Leandra fell about laughing. “Stop it, my stomach hurts.”

  “What, not good enough?” Katherine asked, straight-faced.

  Bubbles sprang up and darted to the front door, whining. Seconds later, there was a knock. Katherine strode out to answer it. The moment she opened the door, Bubbles was out, leaping and wriggling with happiness.

  “Jack … Dave?” They stared at her. Fear and amusement were only a teensy part of what she read on their faces.

  “You planning on remodelling?” Jack asked.

  “Can we help?” Dave followed.

  Bubbles warbled, hoping for attention, but all eyes were on Katherine, who wasn’t the least bit self-conscious in her ridiculous outfit.

  “Oh god, what time is it?” she said, moving aside to let them in.

  “We’re a little early. Is that okay?”

  “Oh, um … what time did I say to come?”

  “Six thirty.”

  “Crap … really? Are you sure?”

  They both nodded. “What’s with the long gloves, the axe and the pliers?” Jack asked.

  “I’m operating on a bird.”

  Bubbles barked on cue.

  “Of course. Now that you mention it,” Jack said, “it’s quite obvious.”

  “What’s going on out there?” Leandra yelled and came out with flour in her hair and sticky dough stuck to her fingers. “You’re kidding!” She stopped halfway into the living room. “Hi!” she said and waved a doughy hand.

  Jack’s mouth broke into a wide grin. “And I thought we were having dinner.”

  “We’re running a little behind schedule. I was hoping to have everything done and us showered and changed and looking gorgeous.” Katherine went through to the kitc
hen. Bubbles and their dates trooped in after.

  “Does your mother leave you in the kitchen unsupervised?” Jack asked, looking at the carnage.

  “Okay, so it’s been a while. I lived on lettuce and cheese for years.”

  “How about we finish off the bird and put it in the oven while you two go and do the girlie thing?” Jack suggested.

  Katherine looked at Leandra, and there was no choice. “You’re on. We’ll go and titivate ourselves, and you can cook,” she said. “I was just about to hack the turkey into smaller pieces—yes, the gloves are a joke. Everything’s here. I bought dessert, it’s in the refrigerator. All I have to do is grab it and dish it up.”

  “Off you go and leave us to it. Need a back scrub, just sing out,” Jack grinned.

  “Yeah, Lea,” Dave wiggled his eyebrows. “What Jack said, only I’ve had more experience.”

  “And don’t we all know it,” Leandra shot back.

  “Ouch,” Dave winced as he watched them disappear. He turned on Jack. “Are you out of your friggin’ mind? I don’t cook or clean.”

  “I know, mate,” Jack slapped him on the back a couple of times. “You only recently found out how to use a knife and fork.”

  Dave thumped him on the arm. Jack thumped him back. Then it was on, a friendly tussle, with Bubbles trying to intervene, until they’d reached a deadlock.

  “Okay,” Dave panted. “That was good, like old times.”

  “Yep, at least we’re fit,” Jack quipped, slightly out of breath. “We’re not feeling our age?”

  “No way,” Dave panted. “I need a drink of water.”

  “Get me one while you’re at it,” Jack said, surveying the mess strewn around the kitchen. Bubbles nudged his hand. “Yeah, you’re a good girl, trying to save me from the bad dude.” He ruffled her head.

  “Watch it, you’ll be asking for my help in a minute.”

  “Good girl. On your bed and I’ll give you a chew bone.” Jack pointed to her place in the living room.

  “Okay, next step, order takeout.” Jack hooked out his mobile. “No connection. Shit, where’s the phone?”

  “Not in here,” Dave said.

  Jack found the phone on the living room sideboard. “Who do we ring?”

  Dave found a directory on a corner bookshelf, and flipped through it. “Here. Dinner In A Box Express. It says they can do just about anything within reason.”

  They settled on a Thai banquet. While waiting for it to arrive, Jack peered at the turkey and knob of butter. “Okay, massacre the bird and throw it in the oven with all the veggies.” Jack scratched his head in thought. “Why are we doing the turkey?”

  “Beats me,” Dave shrugged.

  “Let’s put the whole lot back in the fridge, and Kate can deal with it tomorrow.”

  Less than half an hour later, they were cleaning up the mess.

  Jack searched the kitchen cupboards for serving bowls and spoons, while Dave organised mood music and stoked the fire.

  Down the hall, doors creaked open. The sweet smell of soap and light perfume hit them first.

  “God love ’em,” Dave sighed.

  “They’re from another world,” Jack murmured, awestruck by the vision in red coming towards him.

  “Hello, boys, hope we didn’t keep you waiting too long?” Katherine said, her voice husky. “I’m hungry.”

  “I’m ravenous,” Leandra purred, and licked her lips.

  Everything that came to mind seemed either cheesy or too much too soon—like, ‘I’ve been waiting a lifetime, and now here you are.’ All Jack could do was smile and shake his head.

  “How’s the turkey?” Katherine asked.

  “In the fridge,” Jack answered, “waiting for you to deal with it tomorrow. We took a short cut. Should be here any minute.”

  Bubbles got up out of her bed, stretched and headed for the front door, tail wagging. Moments later, there was a knock. Bubbles woofed, and Jack hurried to open the door. A young man waited with two carry bags stacked with their order. Jack paid and gave the kid a decent tip for the express delivery. He waited for Bubbles, who briefly gambolled in the snow, and peed.

  Back inside, he held out the bags and said, “Dinner’s ready.”

  “Sorry about the turkey,” Katherine said, giving him a look to match. “Where would you like me to sit?”

  On my lap. Jack bit his tongue and pulled a chair out. Opposite them, Leandra and Dave were already exchanging wicked looks and the odd playful barb.

  Halfway through dinner, Dave and Leandra were feeding each other. They’d barely finished their dessert and they were out the door and gone.

  Katherine wandered out of the kitchen, making sure the lid on a plastic container was secure. “Where’d they go? I’ve got leftovers for them.”

  “Who cares? We’re alone,” he smiled and, without taking his eyes off Katherine, he took the container and placed it on the table, then wrapped his arms firmly around her. “Are you okay with this?”

  “Shut up and kiss me.”

  Chapter 10

  Waking up to a menacing rumble low in Bubbles’ chest was scary enough, but a noise in the kitchen made her heart thump. She eased her eyes open. Her room was semi-dark except for slivers of daylight that shone through tiny gaps at the edges of the drapes. She turned and flung an arm across, expecting to find Jack. The bed was empty. She propped herself up and listened for the shower, but there were no sounds coming from the bathroom. Bubbles continued growling. Katherine found a note on Jack’s pillow: ‘Cupboards are bare. Drove into town for fresh buns, and supplies. Back soon. Put the coffee on, sleepy head.’

  The sound of feet tiptoeing towards the living room made her smile; Jack must be stoking the fires. Bubbles moved stealthily across the floor to the bedroom door. “It’s Jack,” Katherine reassured her dog. “You’d better have breakfast ready, I’m starving!” she called out.

  Bubbles looked at her and whined, turned back to face the door and growled, a deep, chilling growl. “Good girl, it’s all right, girl.” She shoved the bedclothes aside and dressed quickly in grey sweats and fleecy boots, then headed down the hall to the living room.

  Eric! Her heart hammered and her mouth went dry. He obviously wasn’t too bright. Surely the police had warned him not to go anywhere near her. How the hell did he get in, and how the hell was she going to handle this? Think! Okay, it appeared Eric was making himself at home, with his usual arrogance.

  Furious, she stomped into the living room. Bubbles hugged Katherine’s side, shielding her.

  “Eric!” Katherine could barely control her anger. Her loyal dog, head low, eyes fixed on her target, growled but didn’t leave her.

  “Katarina! You slept in.” Staring at the dog, Eric backtracked a couple of steps. He held her mother’s tin, the one she’d found in the attic, against his chest. “Not surprising when you behave like a whore.” He bit the words out. “You’ve made me very angry. You’re such a cheap, depraved lay.”

  “Give me that!” Katherine yelled. Taking a couple of steps forward, she grabbed the tin with such force that Eric stumbled. She could feel Bubbles tense, as if ready to leap. “Stay, girl, with me.”

  “There—see! No manners. You could’ve just asked. Obviously you need me to look after you. And the first thing is—no more boyfriends! I’m the one,” he ranted, and jabbed a finger into his chest. “Me!”

  “Fuck you! Who the hell do you think you are and how dare you invade our family home! And how the hell did you get in?”

  “You shouldn’t leave keys lying around the place. Anyone could—”

  “Could what, Eric?” She shoved him. “Come on—you’re so clever—could what?!”

  Bubbles forced her body between Katherine and Eric. Growling, she grabbed Eric’s wrist and began to pull him away.

  “Get your dog off me!” Eric’s face twisted in shock. The bluster was gone, and his eyes showed the first signs of fear.

  “Bubbles, with me,” Katherine said.
She was surprised when Bubbles came to her.

  Eric sidled behind the dining table. “You and your friends are always taking off for the bathroom together, leaving stuff all over the table.” Chin down, he eyed her with a crooked, deranged smile.

  “Unless you want to spend a very long time in a gaol cell, give me the keys—now!”

  He dangled them—and Jack’s bow-tie—in front of her. “You won’t get them this time,” he jeered.

  She threw the tin like a fat Frisbee, aiming for his head. His hands flew up to protect his face. The sharp edge of the tin hit his knuckles, then fell and bounced on the timber floor. The lid popped off the tin and rolled under the Christmas tree. Bubbles leapt and two dinner plate-sized paws, and one hundred and ten pounds of dog, landed on Eric’s chest. He dropped like a bag of sand. Bubbles stood over him, drooling. Eric dropped the keys, and the bow-tie. Katherine snatched them up and shoved them in the pocket of her sweats. The biscuit tin sat on its round edge and rocked back and forth. Letters, bound in coloured ribbon, spilled out.

  Fuming with rage, Katherine pulled Bubbles back, saying, “With me, with me.”

  Eric scrambled to his feet, and she shoved him. “Get out!”

  He rubbed his knuckles and stumbled back. Katherine grabbed her bag, rummaged for her mobile, pulled it out and took photos of Eric before dialling. “I have speed dial to the police. They’ll be here within minutes. I have reported you three times, but now I have more than enough evidence to take you to court!” She turned her phone around, showed him the photos, and pressed Send.

  Eric gritted his teeth, and tried to give her a scathing look that didn’t quite make it. His eyes darted around the room, looking through windows, then back at her and Bubbles.

  “You don’t deserve me.”

  “You’re so right, Eric. But then, nobody does.”

  He swung around and scurried out the back door. Katherine picked up the landline phone and called the police. She stood on a chair and waved her mobile back and forth until she had enough reception to send the photos. The police said they would take immediate steps to make an arrest. Relieved the officer was taking action, Katherine took a moment to collect herself, and hugged Bubbles. “You are my perfect brave girl. Not once did you leave my side, so brave, so brave.”