by Helene Young
Felicity couldn’t stifle her snigger. ‘But I don’t appreciate being blindsided by Mum like this.’
‘At least he’ll behave in public,’ her sister replied, shoulders back and chin high as she strode into the pen. ‘Smart move on Ivy’s part.’
‘But the fallout might be more than we bargained for.’
Ivy took her time, making a show of putting on her reading glasses. She knew everyone in the room, their histories and their frailties. Ken was smiling at her from the other side of the table, nine-tenths doting son, one-tenth wounded little boy. She smiled back. He was so worldly and reassuring. It was hard to believe he was an addict who’d gambled his money away. Esmay was right to tell her about it. She’d been shocked to find no one in Limestone Hill would extend him credit anymore. It had stiffened her spine. This ended here. I don’t care if I die a pauper, she thought, but the Dunmore legacy must live on.
The silver lining was that her girls were both home. Felicity still needed reassurance. Ivy glanced at Georgina. Defiant to the end and always the boss. Maybe there would be a chance to make amends now.
It was the Dunmore women who were the survivors, the ones who took care of the land and what lay beneath. She never doubted that Charlie loved Roseglen, but without her doing the books, minding the pennies, putting something away for a rainy day, whenever that might be, they would have lost the station when Ken Senior died. Mrs Dunmore had wrought so much damage when her mind started to fail, before Charlie could step in. And Ivy knew precisely why her mind buckled.
‘Mrs Dunmore?’ It was the younger Denzell, Peter. ‘Are you ready to proceed?’
‘Of course, Peter.’ She folded her hands in her lap, annoyed they trembled.
‘Thanks, everyone, for making the time to be here,’ he said. ‘I’ll just run through a few facts and then we’ll see where to go from there.’ He clicked on a computer and a corporate diagram appeared on the screen. ‘So here we have the two properties that make up the Dunmore Family Group and their financials for the last year.’ Beside her Felicity gasped and Georgina snorted.
She tuned out as he droned on. She realised now the idea for the company must have been Ken’s and he’d talked Charlie into it. It was clear Arran Downs was insolvent and Roseglen was hanging by a thread. Georgina took notes while Felicity sat looking stunned. But none of them had all the facts, not Ken, nor the far too serious Peter Denzell. Ivy was not done yet.
Ken spoke, querying something Peter had drawn up. He had a gift for being rude in such a way that people thanked him for it. Georgina snickered. She’d always been immune to him, but the answering flash of anger in Ken’s eyes was unsettling.
Ivy was sure Ken wouldn’t deliberately hurt her. After all she’d made him who he was. Which made it as much her fault as anyone’s. She’d wrapped her children up in cotton wool and there was no shame in that. She knew the worst the world could do, seen the worst that people could do.
‘So that brings us to how we manage the properties going forwards,’ Peter Denzel concluded. He straightened, looking more imposing than he had. He still needed a haircut, Ivy thought, and Edith should have taken her advice and had his teeth fixed when he was a child. Overlapping front teeth were not appealing.
‘Mrs Dunmore?’ he asked. ‘What are your thoughts?’
‘Dear, I think it’s better that we find a way to separate the properties, don’t you? Ken doesn’t need to be shackled to his old mother.’ She smiled, hoping it looked affectionate.
‘Mum, that’s silly talk and you know it. You’re not a burden to me.’
Oh, the charm, the duplicity, Ivy thought. ‘Thank you, dear boy,’ she simpered. He was right, but not in the way the others thought. ‘But it would make it more straightforward. The pension, taxation.’
Peter interrupted. ‘There may be tax issues if we split them up, Mrs Dunmore, so we need to speak to your accountants again. While the properties have a working overdraft, there’s no significant debt against them.’
Ken was watching her out of the corner of his eye. She was tempted to call him out, but no, not yet. She wanted her agreement with Mitch signed first before she took the wind from Ken’s sails. ‘But the overdraft on Roseglen hasn’t been drawn down in years,’ she said, ‘so that should make it easy.’
‘It’s best we keep that facility, Mum,’ Felicity intervened. ‘If it rains, we’ll need to restock.’ If only she knew.
‘When it rains, Lissie.’ Ken’s smile was tolerant. ‘And I’ve already made enquiries about stock. It’s all in hand.’
‘Excellent,’ Georgina butted in. ‘Could you forward that information through to us? Please.’
The two lawyers shifted uncomfortably at the edge in her voice.
‘Georgina, I hardly think flying aircraft qualifies you to understand cattle stats,’ Ken said, with a conspiratorial wink for the Denzells, who both chuckled. Ivy allowed herself a very small smile. Ken had fired the first shot.
‘And I hardly think being a fat cat in parliament qualifies you, either. The figures on the screen tell the story.’ Crack! Like a stockwhip, Georgina hit back.
Felicity’s eyes closed and her hand moved to her tummy. In a shaky voice, she said, ‘If Mum wants to dissolve the company, then as the senior partner, she should be able to do that.’
‘Come on, Lissie. Does Mum look like she’s managing the property? It’s not easy for her. I’m just keeping it safe.’
‘Safe?’ Georgina sat forward. ‘What happened to all the money Charlie left behind? How is she supposed to live?’
‘The Global Financial Crisis meant some of our investments went south.’ His smile was apologetic, embarrassed.
‘Some of them?’ Georgina whipped back. ‘Looking at those figures I’d say a certain political campaign was fully supported by the Dunmore Company and the GFC simply blew away your smokescreen, Ken.’
Ken shook his head sorrowfully. ‘You’d better ask Mum what other businesses she’s involved in. Ever wondered why Mitch Trethowan is so helpful? Her decision to invest, not mine.’ He spread his hands wide.
Ivy look down at the tarnished gold bracelet of her watch as she fought to keep her hands steady. She didn’t dare look at the girls. Was Ken bluffing? Or had he found out somehow? Mitch would never breathe a word. She drew her courage around her.
‘Please leave Mitch out of this. He’s been nothing but kind to me.’ She turned to Georgina. ‘And I’m not fighting over money. I’ll leave it all to the cat home if it comes to that.’ She’d successfully forced an edge to her voice and, just for a split second, silence held centre stage.
The look on Ken’s face was comical, then he laughed. ‘Good one, Mum,’ he said. Everyone chuckled, the air breathed again.
Ken took it as an opportunity to score more points. ‘Georgina, you can’t waltz in here and take over. Especially when you’ve done nothing for the family. You lost the right to be boss when you left.’
The Denzells looked down at their paperwork.
‘Lost the right to be boss?’ Georgina shook her head. ‘You’re not a boss’s arsehole, Ken.’
‘Enough, Georgina. Don’t bring your gutter language in here,’ Ivy said. She’d raised her to argue more eloquently than that.
‘Please!’ Felicity shot to her feet and Ivy blinked in surprise as her daughter slapped the table. ‘We’re here to resolve this, not complicate it any further. Peter, back to you.’
‘Thank you, Felicity,’ said the younger Mr Denzell, nodding curtly. ‘Mrs Dunmore has indicated that she wants to dissolve the company so let’s explore that further and meet again. I’ve taken the liberty of contacting the bank to discuss options. They’re getting back to me with more details.’
‘The bank?’
Ivy knew the vein would be pulsing in Ken’s temple and she was right. She appreciated the comfort of being flanked by her daughters as well as having a couple of professionals on her side.
‘Best that we deal with up-to-date figures for the
restructure, don’t you think?’ Old Mr Denzell said, patting Ken’s hand. ‘We should have those details by next week and we can meet again once we’ve ascertained the tax position.’
‘Great, good job,’ Ken said. ‘It’s reassuring to have you in our court. Mum must have forgotten to tell you I have those up-to-date figures at home. If I’d known why she wanted this meeting I would have brought them with me.’ He got to his feet and clapped the old man on the shoulder. ‘I’ll send them through today. Sorry Mum’s put you to the extra trouble. You silly old thing,’ he said, shooting Ivy another loving smile.
She forced an answering smile. Ten years ago, even two, she would have slapped Kenneth back into place and given him a talking to. But he’d sniffed out a weakness and was exploiting it. Ivy was senile, Georgina an unreasonable bitch, and Lissie? Well, little Lissie was just a nurse with a kind heart and no head for business. According to Ken, he was the only Dunmore capable of running the properties. Well, she had news for him.
‘Do what you need to do,’ she said to young Mr Denzell.
He nodded. ‘I have those other documents finalised too.’
Conscious that Ken was homing in and she didn’t want him to know, Ivy leaned closer. ‘Would you mind, dear? I’d like to visit the ladies’ room first.’
‘But of course.’ He gestured vaguely to the back of the building.
Ivy was proud that her legs took her there unassisted. She sat in the disabled toilet getting her breath back, the adrenaline draining away. Why had she gone from feeling so sharp and ready for a fight to drained and fearful? Right now, she’d rather be back at home, curled up in her chair with Sinbad.
‘Mum? Are you okay?’
‘Yes, Lissie. Almost done.’
‘Goodo.’ There were familiar noises of doors opening and closing as she got to her feet. By the time she was washing her hands, a pensive Felicity was standing beside her.
‘Are you happy with how that went, Mum?’
Ivy wiped her hands, admiring the thick paper towels. ‘I still think I could have sorted it out with your brother, but the Denzells will make sure it’s all above board.’ And next week, God willing, the mortgage over Roseglen would be gone and Ken and Arran Downs wouldn’t see a cent of her money again.
‘I’m happier with them involved. They’ve always had your interests at heart.’
‘Yes, they have.’ Ivy smiled at her and wrinkled her nose. This daughter of hers was such an optimist, never believing anyone would deliberately do wrong. Not even Todd’s behaviour seemed to have dented that belief.
By the time they returned to the meeting room, she could see through the window in the door that Ken was pressing the flesh in the office outside, nodding, smiling, not a care in the world. Ivy took her seat at the meeting table.
‘Both Enduring Power of Attorney documents are ready for the ladies to sign,’ Peter said, pushing them towards Ivy. Felicity and Georgina exchanged a glance. She probably should have asked them first but, surely it’s a mother’s right to expect her daughters to take on the responsibility.
‘You sure about this, Ivy?’ Georgina asked, as she picked it up and flicked through the first one. ‘You’re trusting me not to turn off life support?’
‘I trust you and Felicity to always do the right thing.’ Ivy was surprised by the depth of emotion in Georgina’s eyes. Was it annoyance at being saddled with her mother? Or something entirely different . . . Her daughter looked down and started reading.
Felicity flicked through, then signed. There was never any question she’d accept the responsibility. Georgina had two vertical lines between her brows, but she finally signed with a flourish.
‘Come on, girls.’ Relieved, Ivy grabbed her walker and hoisted herself up. ‘There’s time for lunch before Felicity’s interview.’
‘I’m not sure I can eat anything, Mum.’
‘Don’t be ridiculous. You’ll look a terrible fool if you faint during it. What sort of a nurse doesn’t understand a body’s needs? Lead the way. You know the place.’
Kenneth was still holding court as everyone laughed at a joke he was telling. He’d always had impeccable timing with a punchline. ‘Bye, son,’ Ivy said, smiling at him.
‘Bye, Mum.’ He moved through the throng to press a kiss to her cheek, rub her back. ‘Talk soon.’ The sigh of delight from the women in the office made her clench her teeth. To her horror her eyes moistened with tears and she walked away, before anyone could see. Georgina got to the door first and Felicity had a supportive hand on her shoulder. Ivy stared straight ahead, not daring to blink.
Once on the footpath, Felicity leaned close. ‘You okay? It’s a bit of a walk.’
Every fibre cried out for relief. ‘I’ll be fine. Just let me rest if I need it.’
‘Okay. You did really well in there, Mum.’
Ivy didn’t reply, but Georgina turned with a smile. ‘Did you see Ken’s face when you threatened to leave it to the cat home? I almost laughed.’
‘It would solve everything.’
‘Actually, I don’t think it would, Mum. The cat home would think they’d had a windfall, but with the state of the property market and the drought, there’ll be nothing left. Anyway, which cat home did you have in mind? You’ve always had house-sitters for the animals.’
‘Never you mind. It was a turn of phrase. I just wanted to make the point that it’s my money, not his. Or yours.’
‘Mum, Georgina knows that. We’ve never expected to get anything from the estate. Except, maybe, some of your crockery.’
‘And the damask linen, thanks. The cats won’t appreciate that.’
‘You’re right. And the sideboard.’ Felicity grinned. ‘Although they might appreciate the Persian hall runners.’
‘For God’s sake make sure Wex and Lady aren’t still around when the cat people take over. Have you seen the way they look at Sinbad? Like he’s a demon interloper.’ The girls laughed.
Ivy would’ve laughed too, except her chest now felt tight, like her lungs were on fire. Thank heavens the cafe was close. They stopped outside. The laughter seemed to have chased away the ugliness and the tension of the morning. A deep voice came from behind her.
‘Must have been a hell of a meeting.’
‘Mitch!’ Out of the corner of her eye Ivy saw Felicity run a hand down her hair and tug at her top. ‘You made it.’
‘It’s not often I get a lunch invite to downtown Mareeba. Best offer I’ve had all year.’ His straight face made Ivy laugh.
‘Nothing wrong with an honest cafe lunch. None of that fancy stuff. You remember Georgina?’
‘Of course. Welcome back.’ His tanned hand dwarfed Georgina’s. His gaze slid to Felicity. ‘Hi, Lissie. I’m glad Ella’s coming home. She’s going to make my life easier. I’m checking on the aircraft later today, actually. There’ll be precious cargo on board this muster.’ His smile reached the lines webbed around his eyes and Ivy pondered how a gangling teenager had grown into a solid, attractive man. But her legs were aching.
‘Do you think we can find a table?’ she interrupted.
‘Of course.’ Felicity started to fuss, but Mitch opened the door wide, raised his hand at the waitress and shepherded them to the allotted table. Herding cats came as naturally as herding cattle.
Ivy made sure she was seated next to Georgina. She smiled across the table at Felicity as they discussed the menu. Lissie had been such a shy child, twisting her hair, never quite lifting her chin enough. She’d blossomed when she started nursing.
And then she met Todd.
Ivy looked down at the menu. Blind Freddie could see Mitch cared about her.
‘Mum?’ Felicity was looking at her with a frown.
‘I’ll have the quiche and salad, thank you.’ The waitress was hovering, notepad in hand. As the others ordered, Ivy relaxed a little more. Mitch’s chair was angled just enough that he could see Felicity.
If only they could see it for themselves.
Mitch always
smelled like sunshine and red dirt. Familiar, dependable Mitch. But if his arm brushed hers one more time as he reached across the table or raised his glass to drink, Felicity was going to have to move her chair into the corner of the cafe. Every nerve ending was alive, standing to attention, including her nipples. She’d even crossed her legs against a long forgotten surge of desire. Wasn’t menopause supposed to signal the end of your libido? She had enough on her plate right now without this.
‘So you managed to get things sorted?’ Mitch asked, looking between the three women.
‘Not entirely to my satisfaction yet,’ Ivy replied, ‘but Peter seems to think he can separate everything out.’
‘It might cost money to unwind it whatever way you go. Money, it seems, the company doesn’t have,’ said Georgina.
‘Your father should never have combined them in the first place, but it’s spilt milk now, and there’s no putting it back in the bottle.’ Ivy straightened the cutlery.
‘It would have been good to know about it earlier.’ Felicity was miffed that she’d always believed Arran Downs stood on its own two feet. ‘And that Ken would be there this morning.’
Ivy ignored her.
‘Ken?’ Mitch asked.
Felicity heard the concern in his voice.
‘He seemed happy enough.’ Ivy kept her eyes on her plate. ‘Better that all three of you understand the lie of the land and can work together.’
‘It’s hard when money gets in the way of family,’ Mitch said gently.
‘It goes both ways,’ Georgina said. ‘Ken’s got us into this position in the first place.’
‘That’s not the story he’s telling the district.’ Mitch pulled a face. ‘Sorry, Mrs D.’
‘I know, Mitch. I’ve heard what he’s been saying. I haven’t lived under a cow pat for ninety-three years.’ Ivy’s voice sharpened, but Mitch smiled.
‘Is that another one of your new sayings?’
‘It’s possible.’ She waved him away. ‘Now, you must come for dinner tonight. We’ll play Scrabble afterwards.’
