Making Peace

by Fiona McCallum

  ‘Hmm. I think you’re right,’ Jasmine said.

  ‘Anyway, we’re going to have fun today,’ Beth said.

  ‘Hopefully we’ll also make heaps of money and get plenty of recognition for Sam,’ Hannah said.

  ‘I vote we put up her prices since we’re in charge,’ Jasmine said.

  ‘Okay,’ said Hannah. ‘Well, at least have a good look at them. There’s a roll of blank stickers in one of the boxes.’

  ‘I’ll be the umpire,’ Beth said. ‘I can’t wait to see what she’s done.’

  ‘And I can’t wait to see what’s new this week,’ Jasmine said.

  ‘She’s been busy – there’s a fantastic variety and plenty to keep us busy. I just hope we won’t be lugging it all back home again,’ Hannah said.

  *

  ‘Oh, Daph,’ Beth said, pausing after unwrapping one of the figurines and staring at it.

  ‘Sorry, what was that, Auntie Beth?’

  ‘Doesn’t this look just like that hat and wrap your mum wore to Sam’s wedding?’ Beth said, holding the object up for Hannah to see. ‘If I’m not mistaken, it’s the exact shade.’

  ‘Oh yes, you’re right,’ Hannah said, her breath catching.

  ‘Fuchsia – one of her absolute favourite colours,’ Beth said. ‘Oh my.’

  ‘I remember when she came home after shopping with you for it. She’d had the best day and was so pleased with her outfit,’ Hannah said wistfully.

  ‘Can I buy this for you, Hannah, to have as a keepsake?’ Beth asked.

  ‘That’s lovely of you, Auntie Beth, but I think you should have it. I can see how moved you are. It’s clearly a very special memory for you of her.’

  ‘Are you sure?’

  ‘Absolutely.’

  ‘Thank you. I have to admit it has got me by the heartstrings. I remember how Daph traipsed all over the city for weeks looking for the perfect outfit. When she saw the fuchsia, it was love at first sight. She was quite beside herself with excitement.

  ‘I will treasure this,’ she said, hugging it to her before re-wrapping it in the bubble wrap, placing it in her handbag and extracting her wallet.

  ‘It’s lovely,’ Jasmine said, taking Beth’s card.

  ‘Yes. It’s going to go on my mantelpiece.’

  ‘Sam would give it to you as a gift, you know,’ Hannah said.

  ‘I know she would. But she’s got to stop doing that sort of thing and start behaving like a proper entrepreneurial artist.’

  ‘Hear, hear,’ Hannah said.

  ‘Oh, look, she’s done more. How awesome are these?’ Jasmine said, holding up one of the Pokémon characters.

  ‘Yes, they’re brilliant,’ Hannah agreed.

  ‘What are they?’ Beth asked. ‘Oh, hang on, are they those things on mobile phones that people were chasing in the park? Pokémon Go, isn’t it called? Thankfully I think they’ve calmed down a bit lately.’

  ‘Yes, wow, you’re up with the latest,’ Jasmine said.

  ‘It’s been all over the news and my friend Mavis’s granddaughter was showing us over lunch the other day. Clever of Sam to cash in. It’s funny how every generation has its fad. In our day it was marbles and knucklebones. Of course everything old is eventually new again, like these Pokémon thing-a-ma-jigs, back from the nineties.’

  ‘See, I told you.’ Hannah looked up at hearing the familiar voice and saw the boy from last week standing in front of the collection of Pokémon characters at the front of the table. Five children had crowded around, with their parents standing back a little.

  ‘Cool. Can I look at Nidoran please?’ a girl asked.

  ‘Sorry?’ Hannah said.

  ‘The one at the back – the purple one,’ the boy from last week said with undisguised exasperation, and pointed.

  ‘Sure,’ Hannah said, handing it to the girl.

  ‘Be careful, Gem,’ a voice called from behind them.

  ‘Mum, can I have it?’ the girl asked, holding it up for the woman to see. ‘Pleeeease.’

  ‘How much is it?’

  ‘Thirty dollars.’ They were the only things Jasmine, Hannah and Beth had thought Sam had priced correctly and not too cheap.

  ‘Oh. Well …’

  ‘I’ve got that much pocket money at home.’

  ‘Have you now?’

  ‘Pleeeease, Mum.’

  ‘Okay. We’ll take it, thank you,’ the woman said. ‘And I’ll take Squirtle – that one,’ she said, pointing out the blue and white character and smiling at Hannah.

  ‘Sorry, I’m not the artist, just the hired help, so I’m not up with which one is which,’ Hannah said.

  ‘How do you know its name, Mum?’ the girl said.

  ‘I just do. I’ll give you a history lesson when we get home,’ she said with a wink at Hannah and Jasmine.

  ‘Oh. Okay.’

  ‘Isn’t it funny how a crowd draws a larger crowd,’ Beth said after all twelve of the Pokémon figures had been snapped up and the space around their stall was empty again.

  ‘Isn’t it just? No one wants to miss out if something looks interesting to someone else,’ Jasmine said.

  *

  Several times during the day they remarked on how instead of a trickle, shoppers came in bursts.

  ‘At least this week people are actually buying,’ Jasmine said. ‘And I’m so glad we’ve got printed business cards to put into the bags with their purchases.’

  ‘I hope you’re adding your cards too,’ Beth said.

  ‘Only to those who I think might be interested. It’s really Sam’s day.’

  ‘Fair enough. Though I’m sure she wouldn’t mind.’

  ‘I know. Anyway, I’m not really set up yet.’

  ‘Um, ladies, we’re nearly out of stock,’ Hannah said behind them, checking the storage boxes Sam had packed.

  ‘God, what a contrast to last week,’ Jasmine said. ‘I hope Sam’s able to get more done for our final stall next Sunday.’

  ‘I think we’d better come up with a plan B,’ Hannah said.

  ‘Yes, I can’t imagine Sam’s going to be able to focus on her art. Though some people thrive on chaos and need it in order to create. That’s not quite Sam, though, is it?’ Beth said.

  ‘No, I’m pretty sure she’s better when she’s not under pressure,’ Hannah said.

  ‘Could you perhaps put together a display of a room in miniature, Jasmine?’ Beth said. ‘You could show what paint colour on the walls goes with what curtains, wallpaper, cushions, et cetera. To promote your business.’

  ‘I suppose I could. Though, it’s a little soon for me to be seriously looking to take on work.’

  ‘Why? What’s stopping you?’ Beth said.

  ‘I just don’t feel quite ready.’

  ‘Ah, maybe you’ll never feel quite ready if left to your own devices. Maybe you need to be forced into the deep end,’ Beth said.

  ‘Oh, well. I … I’ll think about it.’

  ‘Sorry, dear, I didn’t mean to sound pushy, it’s just that you seem very capable to me. And you have finished your course, haven’t you? Speaking of not procrastinating, and changing the subject completely, guess what I did yesterday?’

  ‘What?’ Jasmine and Hannah said at the same time.

  ‘Drove out to the RSPCA and adopted two cats,’ Beth said proudly.

  ‘How lovely,’ Jasmine said.

  ‘Oh, wow,’ Hannah said. ‘Do you have pictures?’

  ‘Of course I have pictures. What do you take me for – an old lady without any technology?’ Beth said, laughing as she took her phone out of her handbag. She scrolled through and then handed it over for Hannah and Jasmine to see the tabby cats.

  ‘Gorgeous kitties,’ Hannah said. ‘Good on you for taking on adults.’

  ‘Yes. They’re beautiful,’ Jasmine said.

  ‘I’m not sure about that, Jasmine,’ Beth said. ‘But it’s okay, I know they’re plain Janes. That was sort of the point.’

  ‘Sorry?’ Hannah said.r />
  ‘I asked to see the cat who had been there the longest and they took me to this bonded pair – they’re brother and sister.’

  ‘Oh, Auntie Beth, bless you. I think I’m going to cry.’

  ‘Well I think they look really sweet. And a little regal, sitting there like that,’ Jasmine said.

  ‘So, was it an instant bond?’ Hannah asked.

  ‘Not really. They’re pretty aloof. It’s no wonder they’ve been there for months and months – they actually turned their backs to me, cheeky devils. I have to admit I love their attitudes – we take no nonsense and play by no one’s rules. Silly, but they reminded me of myself a little when I was young.’

  ‘Ooh, there are stories lurking in there that I’d love to hear, Auntie Beth,’ Hannah teased. ‘But seriously, good for you. I can’t believe you agreed to come out with us instead of being at home with them. What are their names?’

  ‘Joseph and Jemima. I thought it best they have the day to themselves to explore and settle in,’ Beth said. ‘They’re four years old, so I’m not going to bother choosing other names for them, not that cats come when they’re called, like dogs do, anyway, I’m guessing.’

  ‘Well, I think they’re lovely,’ Hannah said.

  ‘I agree,’ said Jasmine.

  ‘I’m sure they will be once they realise they don’t need an attitude with me and I’m not expecting them to be grateful. I don’t mind if they’re not cuddly, just as long as they’re not nasty, and they wouldn’t be up for adoption if they were. The staff and volunteers said they can be real sweeties.’

  ‘Oh, I’m so happy for you,’ Hannah said, giving Beth a quick hug. ‘I can’t wait to meet them.’

  ‘Well, dear, it’s thanks to your encouragement. I’ll be forever grateful for the push.’

  ‘What are you doing?’ Hannah asked Jasmine who had her tablet computer out and was positioning it up on a box on the trestle table, with another box behind to prop it up. Hannah had got used to seeing Jasmine on it and thought she was just killing time. Now she seemed to be on a mission of some sort.

  ‘Well, since we’ve run out of wares to sell, and we’ve still got an hour or so before we leave, I thought we could do a rolling presentation of what has sold for those walking past. If they see something they like we can write its name or description on the back of a card and they can contact Sam about it.’

  ‘That’s clever,’ Beth said. ‘Thank goodness for all this wonderful technology.’

  ‘Yes, and someone with the foresight to actually use it,’ Hannah said. She’d taken a couple of photos with her phone so Sam had a record, but nothing like the careful recording of individual pieces that Jasmine had done.

  ‘No worries,’ Jasmine said with a shrug. ‘I hope Sam takes decent photos of everything she does and keeps an up-to-date portfolio, too. But if not, she can have these. I’m always taking photos of ideas – which I seem to find everywhere – so it’s become a bit of an obsession.’

  Hannah made a mental note to ask Sam about her portfolio.

  ‘They are very good photos,’ Beth said, now standing in front of the table and watching the screen. ‘Sorry, I should get out of the way of potential customers,’ she said when she realised people were standing either side of her.

  *

  ‘What a great day,’ Beth said later when they were back in the car and heading home. ‘Thanks very much for including me. I had a ball.’

  ‘Thanks for your company and all the yummy food,’ Hannah said.

  ‘Yes, thanks, Beth. Sam should be thrilled with how we’ve done.’

  ‘I don’t think Sam’s in the right head space to be thrilled about anything at the moment,’ Hannah said.

  ‘No, but at least the huge success today might go some way towards Sam starting to believe in her abilities,’ Beth said. ‘Those little ladies with their bright accessories were a hit. I’m so glad I bought one early and hid it. I really hope she makes more – they’re fantastic.’

  ‘I wonder where her true artistic passion lies?’ Jasmine said. ‘She seems to be good at everything she turns her hand to.’

  ‘Yes, if only she would believe it,’ Hannah said. ‘I love Sam, but I can’t help thinking not having her there helped.’

  They pulled up in front of Jasmine’s house and she yawned as she got out. ‘Oh, I’m actually quite weary.’

  ‘Well, rest up for next week,’ Hannah said cheerily. ‘Just one more.’

  ‘We’ll meet and discuss it during the week,’ Jasmine said.

  Hannah knew she should be heading straight to Sam’s but after the exhausting day she couldn’t deal with the boys and the exuberant dogs just yet. She’d phoned a couple of times and Sam had assured her they were all fine. She’d go over later – or even tomorrow – and drop off everything and tell her the good news. But she was dying to see Holly and her kittens. She felt terrible leaving them for so long, despite Beth assuring her that cats really didn’t mind being left to their own devices. But first she was going to meet Joseph and Jemima.

  ‘Right, goodness knows what we’re going to find,’ Beth said as she unlocked the door. ‘They were hiding under the bed when I left,’ she explained. ‘Just pop the basket down anywhere there, dear,’ she instructed Hannah and made her way down the hall.

  ‘Oh, well, don’t mind you. Just make yourselves at home,’ Beth said from the doorway to her bedroom. She shot Hannah a bemused look and stood aside. The cats were on the bed. Seeing they had company they stretched and then curled back up around each other and closed their eyes again.

  ‘They’re lovely,’ Hannah said.

  ‘I think we’ll leave cuddles for another day and let them be, okay?’

  ‘Yes, they do look very content and settled.’

  Chapter Nine

  Early Wednesday morning Hannah got ready for work in a daze. She was still a little shocked at how quickly her six weeks of annual leave had come to an end. She hadn’t wanted to take time off in the first place and didn’t know what she’d do with herself. Now she wondered where the time had gone, especially the weeks since she’d come back from her trip overseas. She’d played with the cats, lunched with friends, helped Sam with the market stalls and read lots of novels. Now she wasn’t sure she was ready to go back to her job.

  She hadn’t missed it as much as she’d initially feared. She’d missed the camaraderie of her workmates, using her brain for more than deciding what meals to cook, and the routine and orderliness. But other than that, there wasn’t a whole lot she’d craved. Though what else was there to miss? She was an executive personal assistant in a large, busy firm – it wasn’t exactly lifesaving or particularly meaningful when you looked at it like that. But she did love it. Didn’t she? Of course I do, Hannah thought.

  ‘I’ll be fine when I get back into the swing of things, huh, Holly?’ she said to the cat curled up on the bed watching her. ‘But oh how I’m going to miss you,’ she said, bending down and kissing Holly on the top of her head.

  Hannah had come a long way in her grief. Of course she still had really down days when she could quite easily have drawn the blinds and spent the day weeping. But she always seemed able to keep herself moving. Her good friends helped her when she might otherwise have collapsed and been consumed by her sorrow. And the best tonic of all was Holly and the kittens. Now she had to leave them – be a grown-up and go back to work.

  When she got on the tram and nodded hello in friendly recognition to the regulars she travelled with Hannah started to feel better. She thrived on routine and belonging, and after a little over six weeks it felt great to once again join the masses of worker ants that scurried in and out of the city each day.

  As the tram made its way, stopping and starting, rattling and grinding along its tracks, Hannah felt a strong sense of time being all mucked up. It could easily have only been last week she was heading into work, but it also felt a lifetime ago.

  ‘Don’t think about it,’ Sam had said when Hannah had tried t
o explain this confusing phenomenon to her. ‘All it’s going to do is mess with your head. What’s the point?’

  Fair enough, Hannah had thought, and tried to banish it from her mind. But it had kept creeping back in. Time. It seemed to shift at will. Some things seemed like eons ago one moment and to have just happened the next. And time didn’t discriminate between good and bad. Sometimes loving Tristan seemed just last week and sometimes she could barely remember him being present in her life at all.

  Work, she thought. It’s good to be back. She got off the tram by Flinders Street Station and was propelled along as part of the group into the middle of the CBD. It was a beautiful bright cool Melbourne summer morning, except between the grey buildings in the shade, where it became a wind tunnel and the breeze was practically arctic.

  It’s too nice a day to feel anything but happy, Hannah decided as she left a patch of bright sunshine and stepped into the lift just inside the glossy marble foyer.

  ‘Hey, welcome back,’ Caitlin cried, leaping into the lift as the doors were starting to close.

  ‘Hey there. Thanks,’ Hannah replied as she was pulled into a hug. They lapsed into silence. There was no need for a hurried catch-up on the latest gossip on their way up to the twenty-sixth floor – they’d seen each other plenty of times recently.

  Starting back on a Wednesday felt strange to the routine-obsessed Hannah. Monday mornings had a slower vibe. And here she was feeling that vibe on Wednesday, which was usually more energetic.

  ‘How amazing was Sam’s stuff at the market? She’s so clever. I love my little abstract – it’s in my bedroom,’ Caitlin said.

  ‘That’s great. She was really chuffed to hear everyone stopped by, and that they bought something.’

  ‘It’s a pity she wasn’t able to be there to see her success for herself. I hope she’s feeling better.’

  ‘She’ll be okay. Well, here we are.’

  ‘See you for lunch in the kitchen – 12.30?’