For a second, Lucinda flinched, thinking he meant her potential babies, but then she realised he was referring to her schoolchildren. She still had a few weeks until term one started and she hoped she’d summon some enthusiasm for her job again by then. It was hard teaching other people’s kids day in, day out when all she wanted was to have a baby of her own.
‘Thanks, Dad. Please look after yourself.’ She kissed him on the cheek. ‘I love you.’
‘I love you, too. Now be off with you.’
He patted her on the bum like he had when she was a child as she turned to Charlie. ‘Bye, little sis. Look after yourself and call me any time you need to.’
‘I will.’ Charlie hugged her and then pulled away. ‘I’ve just remembered something. Hold on a moment.’ She turned to race back inside the motel and Lucinda exchanged a confused look with Dad.
He shrugged and then walked across the tarmac to chat with Bob, who occasionally came into the motel for a drink and a game of pool. Lucinda threw her bags into the back of the ute and was starting back towards the motel when Charlie came running.
‘Here. I got this for you.’ She handed Lucinda a tissue-paper wrapped parcel. ‘Mitch and I saw them at the markets in St Kilda and I thought of you.’
‘What is it?’ The small package felt surprisingly heavy in her hands.
The horn beeped again before Charlie had the chance to answer.
‘Hurry up, love,’ Dad called. ‘Bob has an appointment to get to.’
‘There’s a card inside that explains everything,’ Charlie said, before pulling Lucinda into a final hug. ‘I really hope it helps.’
Perplexed, Lucinda uttered her thanks and then, carrying the little parcel carefully, ran to catch her lift. She’d barely clicked in her seatbelt when Bob swerved away from the kerb and onto the highway.
‘You don’t mind if we listen to talkback?’ he asked, leaning forward to turn the volume up on his old car radio.
‘Not at all.’ Feeling blah—she’d quite enjoyed the last few days of looking after Dad and being busy at the motel—she wasn’t in the mood to make small talk anyway. As some monotone-voiced man drawled on about the Prime Minister needing a good kick up the bum, Lucinda zoned out into her own little world. She looked down at Charlie’s present on her lap and started to unwrap it.
The white paper peeled back to reveal a shiny little bronze statue that looked like some female relation to Buddha. She frowned as she fingered the smooth surface and then noticed the little card attached.
‘A fertility statue?’
‘Huh?’ Bob asked and she realised she’d spoken aloud. ‘What’s that?’
‘Oh, nothing.’ She quickly rewrapped Charlie’s gift and then placed it on the floor by her feet. The last thing she wanted was to get into discussions about her fertility issues with Bob Tucker, who might discuss her woes with his customers—or worse, her dad. It had been hard enough confiding in her sisters, but she was glad she had. Madeleine had proved a big support discussing all things medical and she now felt confident to explain it all to Joe, which would hopefully convince him to agree to seek help. Abigail and Charlie had also been supportive and sympathetic, all three of them promising to send her and Joe positive thoughts.
She smiled, thinking about her sisters. Although it hadn’t been the easiest trip home, they’d been forced to deal with their dad’s health, the motel and their grief together, and it kind of felt like all that had brought them a little closer again.
Thanks to the dry voices of the talkback show, Lucinda dozed during the rest of the trip, catching up on much-needed sleep. Once at Adelaide airport, she thanked Bob for the lift and then trekked inside to check in.
Just as she was about to board, she got a text message from Joe. Can’t wait to see you. Travel safe. x. She messaged him back and then switched off her phone ready to fly.
The house felt quiet without her sisters flittering around, so Charlie and Dad decided to eat dinner in the motel. Post Christmas and a day before New Years’ Eve, the restaurant was quiet and they took turns getting up whenever someone needed serving in the bar.
Rob, excited to have someone to experiment on, emerged from the kitchen and laid a plate in front of Charlie. ‘Vegetarian Wellington,’ he announced, putting on a weird accent and flourishing his hands in the air.
Charlie looked down at the immaculately presented dish and then grinned up at Rob. ‘It looks amazing.’
He nodded and then stood there expectantly. Charlie realised he was waiting for her to taste it. No pressure or anything. She picked up her knife and fork and cut off a chunk, then lifted it to her mouth and slipped it between her lips. And oh my! The flaky pastry crumbled and the flavours exploded on her tongue. She swallowed the first mouthful and, already forking up the second, looked up to Rob. ‘That,’ she pronounced, ‘is possibly the best thing I’ve ever tasted. Put it on the menu. Right away.’
A smile burst across Rob’s weathered face and his chest puffed up proudly.
Charlie looked to her father. ‘That is, if it’s okay with you, Dad.’
‘Of course it is.’ He took a sip of his beer and then gave a satisfied sigh. ‘You’re back as my right-hand girl, sweetheart, so you can make executive decisions like that on your own.’
‘In that case, I’m having this every day.’ She put the second mouthful into her mouth and if anything it was better than the first.
Rob beamed. ‘I’ve got plenty of other recipes to try out now you’re here. I love making vegetarian dishes.’
‘All well and good, but where’s my steak?’ Dad asked gruffly.
Charlie rolled her eyes and Rob laughed. ‘Sorry, boss.’ Then he turned and headed back into the kitchen to get it.
Once Dad’s steak had arrived, he and Charlie talked between mouthfuls. It was the first time she’d had him to herself for as long as she could remember. They talked about her sisters and then moved on to how they would divvy up the duties in the motel.
‘I’m thinking we need to put ourselves on the roster,’ Charlie said, wondering if she should go grab a pen and paper. Lucinda would but then again, this was just a starter conversation and she didn’t want to be pushy. ‘We’ll factor in Mrs Sampson and Rob’s days off and then work out where we can take time out too. So Rob works six evenings a week and you cook on the seventh? Are you happy with that?’
‘Yes, I like cooking,’ Dad said, ‘unless you’d like a turn in the kitchen.’
She shook her head. ‘I’ll do breakfasts in the mornings and then help Mrs Sampson with the housekeeping.’ She cringed at the idea of having to cook bacon and sausages but it was better than a full-on juicy steak, which was the most popular choice on the motel’s dinner menu. ‘That way you can sleep in if you want and then have a free morning to do office work.’ She paused when she realised Dad was grinning at her. ‘What’s so funny?
‘You’ve got it all worked out. This forward thinking and organised side of you is one we don’t see very often.’
She chose not to take offence, secretly pleased he was impressed. ‘Don’t tell the others. It’s a lot easier being the dummy of the family.’
‘You’re not dumb, Charlotte.’
She blinked. ‘I know, Dad.’ And then she almost told him about her desire to study, but she thought better of it at the last moment. She didn’t want him feeling guilty for holding her back. ‘So what are you going to do when the motel sells? Given it much thought?’
He puffed out a breath and shrugged. ‘A little. I think I’d like to travel. Your mum and I often talked about places we’d like to see. I joked about travelling round Australia in a caravan but she said she’d only do it if we could afford five-star hotels. As much as she loved the motel life, she said, when she finally gave it up, she wanted to enjoy a little luxury.’
Charlie smiled, both at the joy in her dad’s voice as he spoke about his wife and at her own memories. They’d all been uncertain whether talking about Mum helped him or whether each t
ime they tried to bring her into the conversation it broke his heart a fraction more, but since Aunt Mags’s unexpected visit they were finding talking about her much easier. ‘That sounds just like Mum.’
‘Maybe I’ll do the caravan thing to spite her for leaving me so early,’ he joked. ‘Take her ashes with me or something.’ Currently they were sitting in an urn, pride of place on the mantelpiece in the house.
Charlie almost choked on her mouthful of soda water. ‘Dad!’
‘Hey, if I didn’t laugh, I’d cry.’
‘You’re allowed to do both,’ she said, reaching out and touching his hand. ‘And we need to talk about Mum, hold onto her memories so she’ll live through us.’
‘I know.’ He squeezed her hand. ‘But still, I might put the caravan thing on hold for a bit and go visit my girls instead. I’ve always fancied going to the States and I’m itching to hear Abigail play in the orchestra.’
‘Sounds good. Maybe I’ll come with you.’
‘Where are you two off to?’ A shadow loomed over their table and Charlie looked up to see Mitch. She’d been so focused on Dad she hadn’t even heard the bell above the door ring.
‘Round-the-world trip,’ she explained, gesturing to one of the empty seats at their table. ‘Wanna come?’
‘Now there is a tempting offer,’ he said, pulling out the seat and sitting down. ‘When do we leave?’
Dad glanced between the two of them. ‘I thought you two might be sick of each other after the road trip.’
‘Well, she is pretty annoying—’ Mitch offered Dad a look of faux sympathy ‘—which is why I thought I’d better come check that you were managing to put up with her.’
Dad chuckled as he pushed back his seat. ‘There’s a bloke at the bar needs serving. I’ll leave you kids to it.’
‘You think you’re so funny, don’t you?’ Charlie shot Mitch a glare, trying to stifle her smile.
He leaned back in his chair, stretched his arms up and linked his hands behind his head. ‘Pretty much.’
‘Does the funny guy want dinner?’
‘Nah.’ He shook his head. ‘I was helping Macca out on the farm this arvo and Kate twisted my arm to stay on for a roast.’
‘Bet it didn’t need much twisting.’ Although Charlie wondered why anyone would want to cook such a thing in the height of summer.
Mitch patted his stomach. ‘I might be able to find room for some dessert though. What’s on the menu tonight?’
‘Apple crumble and ice-cream.’
Mitch groaned and his eyes rolled back in his head.
For one brief second, Charlie imagined that it was the same look he might get in the throes of sex, but she ignored the quivering feeling that sparked within and told herself to get a grip. Once she’d managed to overcome her errant hormones on the road, she and Mitch had had a fantastic few days together, reinforcing how much she valued his friendship. Above all else.
‘I guess that’s a yes,’ she said, pushing herself back from the table. ‘I’ll go get you some.’
She returned a few minutes later and dumped his bowl on the table. Dad was now engrossed in conversation at the bar with an elderly gentleman staying at the motel. Mitch caught Charlie looking at him.
‘How’s he doing?’ he asked, between mouthfuls.
‘Good, I think.’ She glanced around, speaking her thoughts as they came into her head. ‘Although in theory it should be easier on him with me here, I think he’s really ready to move on and I’m wondering if there’s anything we can do to improve the chances of a quick sale?’
‘Sick of Meadow Brook already?’ Mitch teased.
She gave him a look and he apologised.
‘Sorry. What kind of things were you thinking?’
She sighed. ‘I don’t know, only surface stuff because there isn’t a big budget for renovations, but this place hasn’t had a makeover since I was in primary school. It’s stuck in the late nineties and I’m thinking a bit of paint, maybe some new carpet, fresh linen in the rooms, new tables and chairs?’ Even as she listed all these things, she knew they probably couldn’t afford half of them but it was good to dream, right?
As if reading her mind, Mitch said, ‘It’s amazing what a paint job can do to a place.’
‘Yes, maybe we should start with that. I’ll have a chat with Dad. How’s the apple pie?’
He made a face. ‘It’s terrible. I think you should box the rest up for me, so as to not to upset any of the customers.’
‘Funny guy.’
He shrugged. ‘But seriously, do you think Rob would box me up a slice or two in a couple of containers? I’m off to Darwin tomorrow with a load.’
‘I think we can manage that,’ she said, thinking she’d miss his cheeky face. ‘How long will you be gone?’
‘Four or five days. And when I get back, you’d better have those paint colours picked out.’
She laughed. ‘What for?’
He cocked an eyebrow. ‘You don’t think I’m gonna let you loose with a paintbrush on your own, do you?
Chapter Fourteen
Lucinda exited the plane to a sea of eager faces, but one stood out in the crowd. Her heart leapt at the sight of her gorgeous husband; his tall, rangy body, tanned skin and dark hair. His chiselled jaw and classic Italian good looks still made her swoon. ‘Joe,’ she whispered under her breath as she picked up her pace. Although their time apart hadn’t been any longer than the stints he usually did away, it felt different this time.
Running now, she flung herself into his open arms, relishing the feeling as he closed them around her and pressed a kiss into her hair.
‘Hey babe. Missed you,’ he said when they finally pulled apart. ‘For a while there, I was worried you weren’t gonna come back.’
‘As if,’ she scoffed, linking her hand with his as they started towards the escalators that led to the baggage claim area.
‘Well, to celebrate your return, I’m taking you out to dinner so that you don’t have to cook.’
She turned and cocked an eyebrow at him as they stepped onto the escalator. ‘You know, you could always cook, Joe.’ Here she was thinking he’d missed her, when the truth was he’d probably only missed his domestic goddess.
He looked sheepish, digging his hands into the pockets of his work shorts. ‘I could. But we both know how crap I am in the kitchen. I’m liable to poison you.’
This was true and for that she laid the blame solely at his mother’s feet. A typical Italian mamma, Rosa Mannolini did everything for her husband and sons, from cooking and cleaning to buying their socks and jocks. She’d tried to keep this up for the first few months after Lucinda and Joe were married, but eventually Lucinda had laid down the law. If her husband couldn’t buy his own underwear, she would do it herself. At least then she could buy sexy black boxer briefs, rather than the ugly Y-fronts his mamma preferred. Lucinda shuddered at the memory. But she was not going to let mother-in-law from hell ruin her first night back with her husband.
She forced a laugh instead and said, ‘So, where are we going?’
Joe took her to a lovely Indian restaurant in Subiaco and they sat at an outside table on the footpath where they could enjoy the balmy evening air and watch the people pass by on their way to the theatre across the road. It was the same place he’d taken her over a decade ago when she’d first moved to Perth to be with him. They’d met on a Contiki Tour of Europe—she’d been on summer holidays from university—and it had been love at first sight. From their first kiss on New Year’s Eve at the top of the Eiffel Tower, she’d known she’d happily move states to be with him.
Although everyone had said it would be impossible, she’d transferred her degree from Adelaide to Perth and finished her final year of teaching at Edith Cowan University. Joe had already been in his second year at the mines by then, which had been good for her studies. When he was home they spent long relaxing days on the beach or in bed together, drinking wine and eating fine food, content to live in a world tha
t included only them. During his weeks up north at work, she’d knuckled under, getting ahead on reading, assignments or studying for exams.
Back then the only blemish in their perfection had been his mother. Now it was Rosa and the fact that no matter how much they enjoyed making love, they hadn’t been able to make a baby.
She wondered if he’d chosen this restaurant to remind her of the good times they’d had together. Back before they decided it was time to grow up and get serious about the family they’d talked about for so many years, thinking they had all the time in the world.
‘Are you going to have a glass of wine?’ Joe asked, leaning across the table and taking her hand.
Her first instinct was to say no—after all, trying for a baby and everything—but she stamped it down, deciding to make an effort to enjoy their evening together. ‘Yes, I think I shall.’
Joe’s grin stretched across his face and she realised he hadn’t been expecting her to answer in the affirmative. ‘Excellent. You enjoy yourself. I’m driving.’
They ordered the drinks and then their dinner—butter chicken, beef vindaloo, spiced eggplant and a mouth-watering dhal with cream and coriander—and Lucinda tried hard to make conversation that didn’t involve her menstrual cycle. ‘Has Mrs White done anything crazy lately?’ Their next-door neighbour was known for her peculiar habits.
‘Well,’ Joe grinned ridiculously. ‘Where do I start? A couple of days ago I ran into her at Bunnings and she was very elusive about why she was there. Anyway, I went to the gym yesterday and came home to find her painting the front exterior of her house.’
‘What colour?’
‘That’s just it. Not one colour, but about half a dozen. She seems to be painting a rainbow mural. She said there isn’t enough colour in the world. There goes the neighbourhood, hey?’
Lucinda couldn’t help but laugh, imagining what the rest of their straitlaced neighbours would think of that. Joe went on to talk about work—a couple of men who’d been sacked for misconduct—and then began on his family.
‘Stella has been sneaking out at nights to see her boyfriend,’ Joe informed her about their niece. ‘When Ricardo found out, he told her she was grounded until she was twenty-one and she told him she’d be married by then. Apparently the moment she turns eighteen, they’re eloping.’
The Patterson Girls Page 15
