The needles of the shower spray stung her back into life, and the water cascading through her hair made her feel halfway human again. She finished and towelled herself down briskly, and went back into her bedroom to find something to wear to dinner.
Niggling at the back of her mind was the question of Cooper. Could she share her life with him? Could she share her child; their child actually she conceded? She realised with a start that the answer was surely yes. Was that what Cooper wanted? She thought it was. She didn't think for a moment that he would have it any other way. Could she, could he, surmount the logistical problems that would come with such a union? She knew for a fact that she could never ever live in the remote outback on his Australian cattle property. She couldn't even think how she would raise children in such a forbidding place.
Cooper caught a taxi directly back to his hotel and went straight to his room. It was time to make decisions, and stop waffling about. He got onto Skype on his laptop and called his house back in Australia. He knew the manager would be there, although probably asleep at this time. It must have been the very early hours back there. Cooper was paying the man to do a job, and that was a 24/7 job. The call was answered by the manager after what seemed an interminable time to Copper. Stanley was the mans name, and he sleepily said.
"Yes, Stanley here. Cooper, what's up?"
"Stan," Cooper replied. "Is the work nearly finished? All of it."
"Just about." Replied Stan. "I can send you photos if you like. Do you want them now?"
"Yes, send the lot please. Is the outside finished? The yards, the gardens, the power turbines and solar farm?"
"Yes, the wind farm is up and operational, and it's not visible from the house. Neither is the solar farm. You have enough power being generated here now to power a small town. With the new types of batteries available now from that US company, Tesla, your supply is guaranteed for years to come. Not that we get many cloudy days here, but the winter nights can be a bit long, but as I say - power to spare and then some."
Stan got busy sending batches of photos via the Skype file upload. Cooper made some notes on a pad he kept by the laptop, and took a mouthful of San Miguel, a beer he was beginning to like.
"Stan, the gardens and lawns? Is the walled garden finished and ready for planting?"
"Yes Cooper, all done. I can't imagine what you want a walled garden for out here though. You certainly don't need to keep the warmth in, which is the usual reason for a walled garden."
"No, that's true," replied Cooper, “but what I do want is a garden that is secure from kangaroos, dingoes, and people. The boundaries should be as I wanted - at least twenty yards away from the actual garden edges. Have you started the soil treatment? It's mostly sandy loam, and needs a lot of nutrients to get it started, not to mention the water softening from the artesian well. That stuff is nearly brine, and no good for the garden." Cooper scratched his chin in his now familiar manner.
"I can tell you Cooper, the teams you have had here have been working like Trojans. Seriously, I've never seen the like of it. I do hope you are keeping track of costs? I've seen the accounts I've been sending to your city office. I doubt Toowoomba has seen the like of it in a long time. Some of the suppliers are struggling to keep up to the demands." Stan had another batch of photos ready, but the transmission was interfering with the quality of the video link, so he held off.
"Well, if they can't supply our needs, go further afield and find others who can. Europe can supply what we need easily. Italy, Spain, Greece will jump at the chance to supply building materials. Germany for house materials." Cooper brushed his hand across his forehead. "Stan, what ever it takes, I want that place finished and ready within the next two months max." Cooper was not smiling, and Stan just nodded.
"It'll be done Cooper. It may take another team of men or two?" Stan didn't sound too sure.
"So put them on. Just get it done." Cooper said firmly.
He scribbled more notes.
"So the outside is almost done. The yards and lawns, trees and shrubs, flower gardens. Shade trees. Secure fencing of at least two acres around the house, and grassed and watered and planted with trees and flowering plants as far as can be seen from the house. I want that whole area watered on an automatic sprinkler system. It has to stay green all year round. Which reminds me, how is the work going on the underground water cisterns? We don't get much rain, but when it does it buckets down, and I want to catch that and keep it. We can't keep using the artesian bores, their levels are dropping and the government is going to shut them off all together one day. Apart I hope from house bore holes. So we have to be ready. Those underground cisterns have to hold at least a year's supply of water. More if we can do it." Cooper could see Stan fidgeting on the other end of the line.
"What's up Stan? Something not right there?"
"Well, the work on the cisterns is slow going. The local heavy equipment operators are struggling with the concept. Not sure how to proceed." Stan looked at Cooper, obviously looking for guidance.
"Stan, I just finished saying. What ever you need, get it. You have everything at your disposal, and a whole world of resources to draw on. If the locals can't handle it, put them on the road building, and get a team in from Brisbane or Sydney to handle it. They have built road tunnels down there, so a couple of big water cisterns shouldn't be a problem, regardless of where it is. I want that done first thing in the morning. Your morning. ok?"
The cross checking went on for another hour. The house and all of it's surrounds were covered. The house would be unrecognisable now. Every mod con was in place, and some that seemed to have no useful purpose. Lined and sealed, with evaporative cooling, and air conditioning both installed. The place was rapidly looking like a sprawling palace, and that's just what Cooper wanted. A palace for his love, Rebecca. He knew she was adamant she did not want to live and work there, but Cooper had other ideas anyway, that would not go against her wishes.
The last thing to arrange was staff. They had to be in place by the end of the next month. Thirty days plus what remained off this one.
"Ok, thanks Stan. That's excellent. Great work. It couldn't have been done without you. One last thing. Can you get your wife, and one other of the ladies out there, to see to the hiring of staff? Two head gardeners, and four garden labourers. The head gardeners of equal rank. They look after the grounds and the walled garden where the household veg and fruit will grow. What ever they need will be supplied. The same ladies will also hire house staff. Cooks, and house keepers. One cook, two house keepers. They are to be here every day, but of course with weekends off. Friday nights to Sunday nights. If there is no one in residence, that is, myself or Rebecca, then they stay on, and just keep the house tidy and maintained. They must be able to look after guests as well. This is permanent work. If you can't find them local - go international. If your ladies who do the interviews aren't comfortable with them, regardless of qualifications, then they don't get hired. And no mad cooks. You know what camp cooks can be like, and chefs have a reputation for being somewhat crazy. However, the cook or chef must be male, and married with a stable marriage. His wife will work either as an assistant to you, the manager, or to your permanent staff. She must not work in the house or with the cook. They will gang up and end up trying to run the house. It always happens. It may be difficult, but no single cooks or chefs. The other house staff can be, and indeed can be local girls if you find any suitable. It's up to you and your wives."
Cooper sat back, satisfied for the moment that he had covered all the ground. One last thing came to mind.
"Before you go Stan. The sheds and workshops, and station hand accommodation..."
"All done Cooper. Half a mile away from the house, and fenced and landscaped. there's never been a station hand's set up like it. Nor a workshop for that matter. We're living in luxury. My house is just a little toward the house from the sheds and quarters. The wife is very happy, and so is the wife of the under manager, their place is rig
ht by the station hand's quarters. Oh yes, the aircraft landing strip has been moved now too. It's much further away from the main homestead, and newly surfaced, and big enough to land a 747 if you wanted to." He smiled in satisfaction. Everything was looking good.
"Excellent Stan. Good work. Ok, get an early start, I'll contact you again in a day or so. Anything comes up, email me, or phone me direct if it's urgent." Cooper wasn't finished yet, but his next call would have to wait until business hours in Toowoomba, many thousands of miles away. There was nothing further he could do for the moment. It was now also too late where he was to make any business enquiries locally. It didn't matter, the important bit was done. It was now getting on in time, so Cooper had a shower and changed his clothes. He also shaved. He hated having stubble on his chins, it looked scruffy, and felt terrible. He couldn't understand the latest trend that had young men looking like Euro Trash, with a few days’ stubble on their chins. It was particularly scruffy when you had fat balding old businessmen adopting the same look. Ready at last, he headed for the foyer and reception.
"Excuse me miss." He asked the receptionist. "Can you recommend a nice restaurant in the area, quiet preferably, no resident rock bands please." He smiled. The receptionist picked up a couple of brochures and handed them to Cooper. He sorted through them quickly. At last he had one he thought suitable. The Hawksmoor Guildhall looked just what he wanted. Easy going charm with a relaxed atmosphere.
"Looks nice." He said to the girl behind the desk.
"That's perfect. I've been there after work myself. Nice place, I'm sure you will like it sir." She smiled.
"Thanks." replied Cooper and left the front door of the hotel, the concierge calling him a taxi as he came out. He would be back with Rebecca shortly, and he hoped she had had time to get some rest. He was a bit worried about her. He knew she was a strong young woman, but she had been through a lot in the last few hours, and it may have finally caught up with her. He hoped not. He called the restaurant and booked a table for two. Somewhere to the side slightly of the main dining area. He needed some quiet so they could talk. The taxi glided to a stop outside of Rebecca's apartment building.
Chapter 17
Rebecca wondered what Cooper had in mind. She had a few things to say herself, but was not going to be rude or pig headed about what she wanted. She was in fact none too sure about the big picture, but she did know she wanted to raise her child herself. If Cooper was to be a part of that, that was good. Excellent in fact, but if he wanted some other arrangement then he would find out just how determined she could be. She sat on the edge of the chair in the dining room, at her table. She was ready for dinner, and now just awaited Cooper's arrival. Her hands were steady, and she felt good. The shock of the day’s events was already behind her. She had dealt with violent crime in her work as a lawyer, but never of course first hand. Some of the people though were very rough to say the least. She was no stranger to violent people. She tapped the table in front of her. If, just if, Cooper moved to the UK, what would he do for a living. How would he spend his time? She had no real idea of his wealth, other than he didn't seem to have to work at anything on a nine to five basis. His cattle property was almost self managing, with the team of workers he had there already. So she supposed that he must be reasonably well off. Which was a good thing of course. She had guessed this anyway, when she discovered early on that he had turned down the offer to buy his property for what seemed to her to be vast sums of money. Only someone with no financial worries in the world turned down offers like that. So he was secure anyway. Always a good thing in a father and potential husband. She shook her head. There it was again, the word husband slipping into her thoughts. Never mind. Cooper hadn't said a thing about that and probably never would. Oh well. She smiled. It was not an unpleasant thought, but there was a lot against it ever happening, on both their parts. She was not about to give up her career to go and live in the bush. She would live in the English country side, in a suitably appointed home, on some acreage, but that was the limit. She started to day dream about stately homes. Now that would be nice. There were more than a few available on the market of course, but way beyond her means. Maybe in a few years’ time, if her career went the way she wanted it to. She was not exactly on the bread line as it was, her parents having left her rather well off, and her London apartment was worth what she considered to be a small king's ransom. But no where near enough to buy one of those old country estates with what was often referred to a the 'family pile' sitting on it, built in Edwardian or Georgian times. Times when there seemed to be a lot more money about than there were these days. She shook her head to clear the dreams and got to her feet. The thought of living in a stately home with a husband and children was very attractive, and lingered in her minds eye. Her smile gave away the futility of such thoughts. The door chimes sounded, a soft tinkling that penetrated the apartment without a raucous clanging or ringing frightening the wits out of everybody. She pressed the speaker button, knowing that it had to be Cooper. He had the keys, so why didn't he just come on up and into her apartment?
"Yes?" She said into the speaker, giving nothing away in case it wasn't Cooper. She needn't have worried.
"It's Cooper here." He said. "May I come up?"
"Of course Cooper, unless you want me to come down. I am ready, and we could go directly to dinner." She replied.
"Of course. Excellent idea. I'll see you in a moment of two. I'll wait here in the foyer."
Cooper released the button and moved over to lean on the the watchman's desk.
"Nice evening for stepping out sir." The man said. "Rebecca is a lovely girl, is she not.?" The look on his face told Cooper that this was more than a casual comment. The man was doing his job, and Cooper was after all a stranger.
"She is a lovely girl, and I hope to make her my wife. Although I'd appreciate it if you kept that little fact under your hat for the moment." Just at that moment the lift doors opened and Rebecca stepped out, looking ravishing in a long pale dress that seemed to make her shimmer with vitality. Cooper's mouth went dry. 'My God' he thought, 'she is beautiful.' The building watchman winked at him.
"No worries sir. Discretion is my middle name." He went back to his paper. Rebecca came up to the desk and nodded to the man. She knew him well of course, and didn't need to talk to him every time they passed in the building.
"Shall I call a cab?" She asked Cooper.
"No need, I did that as soon as you said you would meet me down here. It should be waiting outside now." He took Rebecca's elbow in a gentle hold, not at all possessive, but steering her directly away from the desk bound watchman. He didn't want the man giving any thing away, even accidentally.
Within a very few minutes they were installed at their table is the spacious restaurant. The soft chatter of people enjoying themselves in nice surroundings was quite muted in the open space of the room. They had a perfect table just to one side of the room, so they would not have people pushing past them and waiters clattering around them all evening. Cooper didn't mind the lively buzz of a busy venue, but tonight he wanted Rebecca to hear him clearly. A bottle of Prosecco appeared on the table in front of them, two glasses half filled with the sparkling dry white wine. Perfect as an aperitif. The table was small, and intimate. Their knees touched under the table as they both sat forward in their seats like eager school children. Neither withdrew, enjoying the discrete touch. Cooper sipped his wine, after touching his glass to Rebecca's. he smiled almost shyly and put his glass down. Not a man for retiring from a decision, he reached into his pocket and drew out a small ring case in his huge hand. Rebecca watched him quietly, her eyes growing bigger with each moment of realisation.
"Cooper!" She said, with a small note of alarm in her voice. He was already committed, and hopelessly in love. It was do or die he thought.
He took her left hand in his huge hand and opened the ring case with his other hand's fingers. He slipped out the ring, glittering in the quartz down lights above their
table. The large emerald centre piece shone with a green lustre only matched by her emerald eyes, the setting of diamonds surrounding the emerald sparkling in a million points of light, reflecting in her wide eyes like fairy dust.
"Rebecca, will you marry me. I love you so much I can't live with out you now." As he was saying this he was slipping the ring on her finger. She was too surprised to pull back. Too surprised to say no. Too surprised to protest. Too surprised to realise that this was what she truly wanted. She looked at the ring, truly beautiful. No ostentatious rock, no minuscule glittering semiprecious stone, this was such a beautiful ring, she would have chosen it herself. Tears prickled her eyes.
"Yes." She whispered. Then again slightly louder. "Oh yes. Cooper..." She couldn't go on. There was a scattering of quiet applause from women at the tables around them. Cooper blushed. He actually blushed, Rebecca smiled at the mans' humanity. This was one of the reasons she loved him. Truly loved him. He was not afraid to show his emotions. He held both of her hands in his, and looked into her eyes. His eyes smiling at her. She loved that. She could see his smile in his eyes. He gave her all of him, every time.
"Plenty of time for talk." He said softly, as they sat back in their chairs, and sipped their wine together. Rebecca couldn't help admiring the ring on her finger. It was so perfect. She didn't know why, but it just seemed to say to her, how perfectly Cooper knew her likes and dislikes as though they had been together for years.
"But Cooper. My dearest. What about... what about?" She couldn't continue. Cooper held a finger to his lips and smiled.
"It's all sorted my love. It's all sorted. Let's order, and over the meal, when you feel a little better, I can tell you the rest. You mustn't worry about a thing. Your work future is safe and secured. So is mine." He smiled enigmatically and bent his head to the menu.
The Innimincka Affair Page 21
