Time Will Tell

by Fiona McCallum

  Emily finally found the folded blue sheet of paper she was looking for.

  The letter looked so out of place it was hard to believe it could have been missed for all those years. But then again, there were lots of other odd pieces of paper with recipes from various friends and family members.

  Now Emily thought about it, Gran had always been extremely protective of her recipes – but not the recipes as such, just the originals. If you wanted one of her recipes, she was more than happy to share it, but she would find it, write it out herself, and then hand over the copy – no one was ever allowed to rifle through her papers willy-nilly. Emily thought she knew why.

  She unfolded the letter and handed it to Jake, then sipped her now lukewarm tea and watched his face light up as he read.

  October 18th 1947

  Dear Miss Rose,

  It really was the greatest pleasure to again make your acquaintance in London this last year.

  Your uncle tells me you are betrothed to a grazier and soon to be married and then make your new life in the interior of the wide brown land that is Australia. He tells me the place is a small village called Woop Woop, but the twinkle in his eye, not unlike your own, and the fact I could not find the name on any map, suggests he may have been doing what you taught me Australians are very apt to do; that is, ‘pulling my leg’. You are indeed an intriguing people with a peculiar language. But I digress.

  Please accept my gift for your nuptials of seven (a sacred number in my land and faith, and I believe your own) of Golconda’s finest – left rough for you to have cut and set as you desire. They are, I think, almost the exact shade of your unusual and enchanting eyes.

  You and your husband would be extended the most gracious welcome should you ever find yourselves in my, what would you say, ‘neck of the woods’? (See, I have managed to retain some of what you taught me in our short time together!)

  I wish you all the very best of health and happiness for the future.

  With the kindest regards,

  Prince Ali

  After a few minutes Jake carefully put the note aside.

  ‘Wow, Em, that’s beautiful,’ he said, gazing at her. ‘You’ve got the same coloured eyes as she had, haven’t you? I didn’t really notice before, but they’re quite like the diamonds too. And very lovely.’

  ‘Thanks.’ She felt uncomfortable under his close scrutiny. ‘Yes, mine are almost exactly the same as Gran’s, except I think hers were a darker blue,’ she said. Her eyes were the only physical attribute Emily had ever really liked about herself. Otherwise she was quite plain, from her boring mouse-brown hair – these days in a bob – to her average height, weight, and breast size.

  The silence stretched into awkward territory.

  Jake was looking at Emily, but she was still thinking about Gran. And thinking about Gran was making her feel sad and emotional. With a jolt she realised this was her first Christmas without her. Don’t you dare cry! She needed to change the subject, not that that was really possible. She swallowed hard before speaking.

  ‘So how did you come to do a gemmology course, anyway?’

  Jake seemed to snap back to the present. ‘A couple of years back I was looking into obscure ways to meet women and went and did a weekend course – figured I may as well learn something while I was at it.’

  ‘And did you, meet the woman of your dreams, that is?’

  ‘God no! It was the weirdest group of people I’ve ever come across in one place at one time. There was something odd – unnervingly odd – about all of them. Except me of course. I was the only normal one there. But it was interesting.’

  ‘Well I’m glad you went.’ And didn’t meet the woman of your dreams, Emily mentally added, then wanted to kick herself. Where did that come from? A relationship really was the last thing she needed right now.

  ‘So what do you want to do? I’m dying to know if they are all still here.’

  ‘Hmm, me too, sort of. For all I know, she sold them off one by one when she needed to – she and Grandpa went through some pretty tough times on the farm,’ Emily said.

  ‘Selling them would have been next to impossible up until around ten years ago. De Beers had a monopoly; uncut diamonds wouldn’t have been able to be bought or sold. Unless of course your dear old gran had some black market connections.’

  ‘Who knows? I didn’t know she had diamonds rattling around in her button jar all this time. Anyway, if they are there, they belong to Mum and Auntie Peggy – they’re the next of kin.’

  ‘Not necessarily – it’s your button jar, given to you by your gran herself…’

  ‘But…’

  ‘She knew the diamond or diamonds were in there, remember, and she gave them to you before she died. For that reason they’d never be considered part of her estate, if it came to the crunch.’

  ‘Hmm.’

  ‘You probably should put them somewhere a bit safer, though.’

  ‘Like where?’

  ‘I don’t know. A bank vault?’

  Emily thought for a moment. ‘No; if there are any more, they’ve been here this long and they belong with the buttons – it’s what Gran would want.’

  ‘I’m not sure that’s wise. But fair enough; it’s your decision. So, do you want to keep looking for the other diamonds or not?’

  ‘I can’t decide. Of course I’m dying to know, but it could change everything. While I don’t know, things can stay much the same.’

  ‘Nothing ever stays the same for long, you know. Anyway, it’s fate. If I wasn’t here, you wouldn’t have found them today and we wouldn’t be having this conversation.’

  ‘So it’s meant to be – I’m meant to look for them, you reckon?’

  ‘Yes I do. If you weren’t meant to, none of this would have happened.’

  ‘That’s what Barbara would say.’

  ‘Well, from the little I’ve seen, she’s a very smart woman.’

  ‘All right, I’m convinced. But I think we should carry on with how we were doing it and see if they turn up.’

  ‘Good plan.’

  They got up and went back to the bench where the buttons were waiting.

  Chapter Six

  ‘Yoo-hoo, anyone home!?’

  ‘Oh, that’ll be Dad,’ Emily said to Jake, still standing beside her at the bench. ‘I’ll put these away.’

  He stepped aside as she picked up the towel, folded it over the remaining buttons and put it back into the ice-cream container. After placing the three uncut diamonds they had found on top, she put the container back in the pantry along with the half-full jar. As she did, she marvelled at how calm she was about it all.

  Could I really be sitting on a fortune? Emily wondered as she went down the hall to let her father in. Imagine being able to fully renovate in one fell swoop!

  ‘Coming,’ Emily called to buy some time to compose herself. What a morning!

  Just before she got to the door, she turned to Jake. ‘This is going to sound strange, but can you please not mention the diamonds to anyone yet? Not even Dad?’

  ‘Sure. And it’s not strange at all.’

  Emily wasn’t sure why she wanted to keep them a secret, but she felt better knowing that she could always change her mind later. She took a deep breath and opened the door.

  ‘Hi Dad,’ she said, giving her father a big hug. ‘Merry Christmas, again.’

  ‘Hi Jake, lovely to see you again.’

  ‘Likewise, Des. Merry Christmas,’ Jake said, stepping around Emily onto the verandah to shake his hand.

  ‘For you,’ Des said, holding out a bottle of wine.

  ‘Thank you.’

  ‘So, Jake, I hear you’re doing some work in Whyalla – that’s a long way from home, isn’t it?’

  Emily cast her mind back to the ice-cream container in the kitchen and the possibilities within.

  They were still standing on the verandah – Emily deep in her own thoughts and Jake and Des in conversation – when David and Barbara arrived
a few minutes later.

  Cries of ‘Merry Christmas!’ rang out as they emerged from the car. Barbara was in her often worn attire of sandals, beige tailored pants and a neatly pressed but untucked short-sleeved shirt in emerald green. Being lean but robust, she always seemed to have a no-nonsense, efficient air about her. As usual, David was well-dressed; today in navy pants and a white long-sleeved shirt with a self-stripe and brocade design. For a moment Emily was struck by how much like a younger version of Des he was – except for his fine head of thick brown hair compared to her father’s wiry grey.

  Once they had greeted each other, they all banded together to bring in what seemed an extraordinary number of bags and an esky from David and Barbara’s white dual cab ute.

  ‘Makes my wine look a little paltry,’ Des said, accepting a carry bag from Barbara.

  Barbara laughed. ‘Don’t worry, Des, it’s nothing exciting – just some crackers and tinsel for us to drape about.’

  ‘I was hoping you’d forgotten,’ Emily said, rolling her eyes.

  ‘Never!’ Barbara said, making an exaggerated show of kissing her on the cheek. ‘Time for you to get into the Christmas spirit, missy.’

  ‘Sounds like we’re in for quite an afternoon.’ Des laughed.

  ‘You better believe it!’

  The small group made its way inside.

  ‘Something smells good,’ Barbara said, as they entered the kitchen. ‘Anything I can help with?’

  ‘Nope, everything is under control,’ Emily said. ‘I’ve decided to keep it all simple. You can make the place look festive if you like.’

  ‘Good plan.’ Barbara gave her arm a pat. ‘Why don’t you help since you’re so organised?’

  Emily raised an eyebrow, but reluctantly gave in. ‘Right, Jake and David can be in charge of drinks and Dad, you can take a seat.’

  ‘Sounds good to me,’ Des said, beaming, as he settled onto one of the wooden kitchen chairs.

  As Barbara and Emily set to work draping tinsel over everything that could be draped over, Emily found herself beginning to like the idea of Christmas.

  They finished by constructing a simple but very lovely centrepiece out of crackers, strings of beads, bright shiny glass baubles and other assorted Christmas decorations. It was quite an impressive transformation, especially considering they’d only taken a few minutes.

  Before long they were all seated at the huge wooden kitchen table with drinks in front of them. They toasted merry Christmas and clinked glasses. Then Emily got up to put the vegetables on whilst urging Barbara to remain seated.

  ‘So, Jake, what brings you over our way again?’ David asked.

  ‘I’ve been consulting on a project for a friend of an old friend from uni who’s the planning officer for the City of Whyalla. I suppose you’ve heard about the Civic Centre renovation they’re doing – spending an absolute fortune on it.’

  ‘Yes, I think I saw something on the news the other week,’ David said, nodding.

  ‘Well they want to keep the old buildings, add more space and tie it all together – blend the old and the new. Right up my alley. I’m designing it, drawing up the plans, and then continuing to consult on the project. It’ll be something quite special when it’s finished. Probably take a bit over six months to complete. So I might be needing to escape to the country for quite a while yet.’

  ‘So you’re moving to Whyalla for six months?!’

  Emily was aghast. Next to the sort of life she imagined he led in Melbourne, it seemed unbelievable that he’d choose to spend so much time in a place like Whyalla.

  She’d always found Whyalla a bit grimy and drab. After all, the steelworks was its lifeblood. If Emily wanted to shop at one of the larger stores only available in a city, she preferred to drive down to Port Lincoln instead. The ocean views were much more prominent there, and the whole place had a cleaner, calmer feel to it.

  ‘Oh come now, it won’t be that bad, surely?’

  Emily responded with raised eyebrows. She exchanged a look with Barbara, who winked.

  ‘I’m teasing. No, I won’t be staying for the whole six months; I’ll be travelling back and forth a bit. I’m only consulting – not managing the whole project.’

  Emily felt the slightest ache of disappointment seep into her heart.

  The next few hours passed with loud chatter punctuated by clinking of cutlery, people moaning about eating too much, and then consuming yet more food and drink. Emily’s meal was a hit and everyone was effusive with their praise.

  ‘You have no idea how good it’s been to do absolutely nothing today after all the work around the funeral and having people to stay,’ Barbara declared when the tea and coffee and chocolates Jake had brought had been consumed and the table cleared.

  ‘I’m sorry, have you lost someone recently?’ Jake said, concern in his voice.

  ‘Sorry, I forgot to tell you,’ Emily said.

  ‘David’s dear old dad,’ Barbara explained.

  ‘Oh, I’m so sorry. And right before Christmas too,’ Jake said. ‘Golly, that’s tough.’

  ‘Thanks mate,’ David said. ‘But honestly, it’s a bit of a blessing. He was heartbroken after losing Mum last year. They were married for forty-eight years.’

  They fell silent.

  ‘Actually I’m exhausted,’ Barbara said after a minute or so. ‘Would you mind terribly if we went home, darling?’ she asked, laying a hand on David’s arm. ‘Sorry to be a piker, Em, but I think it’s all finally catching up with me.’

  ‘Not at all. You rest up for our barbeque tomorrow,’ Emily replied.

  ‘Can I help do the dishes before I go?’ Barbara said.

  ‘No way, they can wait.’

  ‘I’ll do them later,’ Jake chimed in.

  ‘Don’t worry about the decorations either – I’ll return them another day.’

  They all got up and made their way out of the kitchen and down the hall.

  ‘Are you okay?’ Emily asked, putting an arm around Barbara when they got outside and onto the verandah. Looking at her friend, she realised for the first time just how exhausted she looked.

  ‘Yeah, it’s probably nothing a decent sleep and an empty house won’t fix. I’m sure I’ll be fine for tomorrow. Sorry to skip out on you like this.’

  ‘Oh don’t be ridiculous! You’ve got nothing to apologise for. Thanks for coming,’ Emily said, hugging her. ‘And it’s really no problem if you do decide you don’t feel up to heading out tomorrow.’

  ‘I’m sure I’ll be fine. Thank you for a lovely Christmas day,’ Barbara said.

  ‘Yes, thanks, Em,’ David said, giving Emily a quick hug. ‘See you tomorrow, eleven o’clock at the mailboxes. Right?’

  ‘Perfect,’ Emily said.

  ‘And bring your camera, Jake. I’ve got a good spot in mind for your photography.’

  ‘Great, thanks mate,’ Jake said.

  ‘Hopefully you’ll get a nice day; I think they’re forecasting rain,’ Des said, and Emily wondered if she shouldn’t have mentioned their plans in front of him. She hadn’t invited her parents. But her father didn’t seem at all perturbed.

  Enid would have been very annoyed not to have been included, and would have sulked until Emily relented and invited her, which was what Emily used to do. These days she was getting better at ignoring the cold shoulder.

  Why shouldn’t she have her own friends and do things with them? Why did she have to always invite her mother or be made to feel guilty about it if she didn’t? It was all very childish; behaviour more reminiscent of a school playground. She couldn’t believe she’d put up with it for so long – pretty much her whole adult life until leaving John.

  Barbara was right when she’d said that in leaving John she’d been essentially standing up to her mother as well. Emily could see that now; and she did feel stronger, and freer, for doing it. Two birds with one stone, she thought. She just had to stay strong.

  Des and Jake exchanged handshakes with David and pecked
Barbara on the cheek, and then Emily, Jake, and Des waved them off from the high verandah before heading back inside.

  ‘I’d probably better get going too,’ Des said, hovering in the hall.

  It looked to Emily like he didn’t want to go, but was concerned about outstaying his welcome.

  ‘You can’t go yet. You haven’t given me the ladder,’ she said, remembering her request from that morning. No one had mentioned the topic of her buying the house over lunch. She supposed everyone thought it was her place to bring it up.

  ‘I’ll just get it now,’ Des said, striding down the sweeping steps.

  ‘I’ll help,’ Jake said, moving after him.

  A few moments later Jake was back beside her with the ladder under his arm. He leant it against the outside wall of the house. ‘So, is this for me to do a pre-purchase inspection or some minor repairs? I’ve been waiting all day for you to share your exciting news.’

  ‘You and me both,’ Des said.

  ‘Come on back inside and I’ll tell you all about it,’ Emily said, leading the way. She darted into her room to retrieve the paperwork.

  ‘Hmm, very mysterious,’ Des muttered as he and Jake made their way back down the hall to the kitchen.

  When they were settled in their respective chairs again, Emily swallowed deeply, cleared her throat, and began speaking.

  ‘So, Donald and Trevor Baker have offered to sell me the house and approximately twenty acres of surrounding land. They want ten thousand dollars upfront – five to each of them – to fund a trip they want to make overseas. They’re on the pension,’ she explained to Jake, ‘so they have to be careful about earning too much.’

  The men nodded.

  ‘Then I would have to pay another instalment of ten thousand dollars – again five thousand to each of them – each year for the next nineteen years. It’s a total of two hundred thousand dollars. Oh, and I also have to pay all costs associated with the subdivision of the title.’