Time Will Tell

by Fiona McCallum

  It was odd how she was suddenly objecting to things she’d put up with for so long. Maybe Barbara was right that she was finding her true self now she was alone.

  Emily stretched out her arms high and wide above her head. As corny as it was, she felt a bit like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon and spreading its wings for the first time.

  The buzz of the phone on a pile of papers interrupted her reverie. She crossed her fingers, hoping it was not her mother calling back. She needed a bit more time before another round with Enid. The number on the screen was Barbara’s.

  ‘Thank God,’ she said, looking to the ceiling as she pushed the answer button.

  ‘Hi Barb.’

  ‘What have you found in all that paperwork?’

  ‘Nothing yet – I’ve only got as far as spreading it all out on the floor. I was just about to start going through the first pile when my mother rang.’

  ‘Oh, and how is Enid?’

  ‘Look Barb, I need a favour.’

  ‘Oh. Right. Name it.’

  ‘I had to tell a lie to get out of dinner tomorrow night…’

  ‘Well I hope you said it was because you’re having dinner with us.’

  ‘I did actually. I just don’t feel like going, but I couldn’t bear to hurt her feelings.’

  ‘Uh-huh! See what I mean about the universe working its magic?’

  ‘How do you mean?’

  ‘Well I’m ringing to invite you to dinner tomorrow night. Sorry, bit short notice… But anyway, nothing fancy; just a roast or something. It is your birthday, right?’

  ‘Er, yes, but how did you know?’

  ‘You mentioned it once and I somehow seemed to have remembered. Probably because it’s also New Year’s Eve.’

  ‘Hmm.’

  ‘We never do anything for New Year’s Eve anymore. I think the whole thing is ridiculous. Can’t stand being around all those drunk people.’

  ‘Me too. John always insisted on going to the pub and getting plastered. So I certainly wasn’t going to miss that this year. But what’s all this got to do with the universe?’ she asked.

  ‘Well, it made sure you were available to accept my invitation, silly. So will you come? I just had an inkling that you might need to stay away from Enid, this year of all years.’

  ‘Thanks, Barb, I’d love to. And you’re absolutely right. I was quite prepared to sit here alone; I just didn’t want to go to Mum and Dad’s. I did offer to do lunch instead, but thankfully she already has plans. Also, I got another lecture about what a bad idea buying this place is – I certainly don’t need that on my birthday.’

  ‘What is her problem?’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘I don’t understand why she doesn’t want you making your own decisions.’

  ‘She’s always been like that. Sometimes I think she only objects to something because she wasn’t the one who thought of it. If she’d found the house it would have been a great idea.’

  ‘Well, it’s her problem, not yours, Emily, so don’t worry about it.’

  ‘Easier said than done. I think I’m well-conditioned in that regard.’

  ‘It’ll take time, but I will re-program you if it’s the last thing I do!’ Barbara said forcefully.

  They both chuckled.

  ‘Meanwhile, figuring out John’s finances should keep your mind off your mother for a while.’

  ‘I’m too tired now. I think I’ll just go to bed and tackle it in the morning.’

  ‘There’s no rush, you know. Most of the bills will probably be local and everyone around here knows he died. That’s sure to buy some time.’

  ‘I know, but I really want to know how much he owed. And to what extent I’m going to be affected.’

  ‘Fair enough. But remember, you don’t know for sure that it’s anything to do with you. Just promise you won’t stress over it.’

  ‘I’ll try not to – can’t promise though,’ Emily said.

  ‘Well on that note, I shall bid you good night. Sleep well. We want you bright-eyed and bushy-tailed on your birthday,’ Barbara said with a laugh.

  ‘You too. And don’t remind me – another year older,’ Emily added with a groan. She disconnected the call and tucked it in her pocket. ‘Come on girl, bedtime,’ she said to Grace, unfolding her legs and getting up.

  But as she stood over the paperwork spread before her, the curiosity got too much and she sat back down again. Grace gave a big harrumph of exasperation and copied her mistress.

  ‘Sorry Gracie, but I just have to know.’

  Chapter Twenty-four

  Emily woke on her birthday feeling bleary-eyed. Despite promising herself a good night’s sleep, the need to know had kept her up late going over the paperwork. She’d gone to bed feeling confused and dazed. It was just like the diamonds all over again; the promise of potential riches that were out of reach.

  On the one hand, if she was still John’s legal beneficiary, all her money problems would be over. She’d be able to afford to do up the house.

  But on the other, they had split up and finalised their relationship via the financial settlement. Surely his parents were, therefore, the correct beneficiaries? Was there another, more recent, will? Was that why the one Barbara had found was out of its envelope? Part of Emily hoped so – it would mean she could stay right out of it and leave it all to Gerald and Thora.

  And if there wasn’t and it was legal, would it be moral? Would using the money bring her bad luck?

  Emily shook it all aside. At some point she would have to have a very difficult conversation with John’s parents. And that was a discussion she didn’t want to think about.

  It seemed the town gossip had got it right for once. John Stratten had been paid out of the family company to the tune of around three hundred grand – two hundred and eighty-five thousand dollars to be precise. After the small balances in the various bank accounts, and John’s outstanding bills were taken into account, it looked like there would be almost two hundred thousand left.

  Emily had sat there stunned, looking at the figures, and had been about to phone Barbara with the news when she realised it was after midnight.

  Two hundred thousand dollars might almost be considered a fair price for the way he’d treated her. The way he’d treated Grace. Would Thora and Gerald agree if she came clean? Could she even tell them the whole truth about their son? Should she?

  What if I tell them and they don’t believe me?

  The money might almost make up for having to stand alongside his parents at his funeral and pretend to still be part of their family. She wished they could hurry up and get it over with.

  Emily forced thoughts of John and the Stattens from her mind. Tuesday would come soon enough. Meanwhile it was her birthday, and she was determined to enjoy it.

  The good thing about having changed her plans with her parents was that it meant she didn’t have to drive all the way down to Hope Springs, spend a few hours avoiding contentious topics, and then drive back again.

  On the other hand, it meant that her mother would probably still be sulking, and that made her feel guilty and a little sad. Enid might even come down with another of her ‘heads’. Why can’t I just damn well celebrate my birthday how and with whom I like, without all this emotional upheaval?

  Guilt gnawed at her, but not enough to phone and reinstate their original plans.

  No, Barbara was right; her current feelings were only due to years of conditioning. Emily hadn’t done anything wrong; she was just standing up for herself. If only she had done that years ago, and with John as well. Oh John. She sighed. Don’t let it ruin your day. Nor let your mother for that matter. You’ve made a good step forward. Leave it at that.

  Rather than dwell on her troubles, she decided to go for a walk.

  Emily took a different route to normal, going out the back of the house across to the shearing shed. Out in the open, away from the shelter of the small hill behind the house, it was a lot windier tha
n she’d realised. She didn’t mind walking when it was cold and wet or even quite warm, but she hated being pummelled by wind.

  Instead of climbing through the fence and adding a large paddock to her distance, she walked briskly along it until she reached the copse of gums, and then turned into them to make her way back.

  She enjoyed the murmur of the trees around her and the flashes of sunlight lighting the otherwise shaded track. Emerging from the trees she paused to take in the white house awash in sunlight, and took a deep breath. It really was beautiful – and would be even more so when it was given the makeover it deserved.

  She hoped Barbara was right; that things really would be okay. Some things were already; she could see that. She really did have a lot to be grateful for on her thirty-second birthday. Even if she couldn’t afford to renovate once the subdivision went through, at least the house would be hers.

  Grace was happily snuffling in the grass nearby. If it hadn’t been for the little dog, who knew where she’d be?

  Today, she told herself, pursing her lips, is going to be a great day, and tomorrow the start of a great year. She nodded her head once to cement the thought and strode forward.

  *

  Emily had just finished eating breakfast and was putting the kettle on for a fortifying coffee before unpacking the boxes of household items they’d brought back from the farm, when she heard a friendly double-toot of a car horn. It sounded like Barbara’s car.

  She opened the front door just as her friend was stepping onto the verandah.

  ‘Happy birthday!’ Barbara cried, wrapping her arms around Emily.

  ‘Did I know you were coming over this morning? You’ll be sick of me by tonight,’ she added with a laugh as they made their way down the hall to the kitchen.

  ‘Never! And, no, we hadn’t planned to catch up this morning. But I have to confess to my curiosity getting the better of me about the paperwork. And clearly you did that rather than unpack,’ she added, nodding at the couple of boxes on the floor. ‘So…?’

  ‘Not before I’ve had my first coffee for the day,’ Emily said, and set to work preparing two mugs while Barbara hovered about, clearly anxious to hear what she had learnt.

  ‘Ah, that’s better,’ Emily said, finally seated and taking her first sip.

  ‘Well…? I’m dying to know what…’ Just as Barbara started, Emily’s mobile skittered on the bench.

  ‘Hi Jake,’ she said, exchanging raised eyebrows with Barbara.

  ‘Hi Em, just wanted to see how everything is going. Did you manage to get hold of the surveyor?’

  ‘Yes, thanks. Believe it or not, he’s actually coming out tomorrow. And there’s been a bit of a development on a different front too,’ she said, turning away from Barbara. She’d wanted to tell her friend the news first.

  ‘Oh?’

  ‘Well, fingers crossed; there might just be a way I’ll be able to afford the renovations. I won’t know for sure for a while yet, but…’

  ‘Oh. So you’ve decided to sell the diamonds after all?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Then how? Don’t tell me you won the lottery,’ he said with a laugh.

  Emily began to wish she hadn’t said anything.

  ‘There’s a chance I might have inherited John’s estate.’

  ‘Really? But I thought…’

  ‘Apparently he hadn’t changed his will after our separation. It looks like I might still be his sole beneficiary. If I am I’ll probably inherit enough to get the renovations done.’

  ‘That’s amazing.’

  ‘I must admit it’s all come as a bit of a surprise. I still haven’t totally got my head around it. And it’s certainly not a done deal.’

  ‘Well, you’ve got my number if you need any help at all. I’ll give you a good deal if you want me involved.’

  ‘Thanks, I really appreciate it.’

  ‘How are Barbara and David?’

  ‘Great. Barbara’s here right now, actually.’

  ‘Oh, well I won’t keep you, just wanted to say hi really and see how everything was going.’

  ‘Thanks, that’s lovely of you. I’ll speak to you soon.’

  ‘Okay. Say hi to Barbara for me.’

  ‘I will. See you.’

  When Emily turned back around, Barbara was staring at her with her mouth open.

  ‘You’ve inherited enough from John to do the full renovation?! When were you going to tell me this?’

  ‘When I got half a chance,’ Emily said with a laugh.

  ‘What about John’s parents? Have you spoken to them about the will?’

  Emily winced.

  ‘Don’t take this the wrong way, but you really need to talk to them before you go getting too far ahead of yourself.’

  ‘I know. I just…’ It’s nice to dream.

  ‘So how much are we talking?’

  ‘Around two hundred thousand. Give or take,’ Emily said with a shrug.

  ‘Oh my God. That’s fantastic. If it happens. See, I told you things would get better.’

  Emily couldn’t disagree with that.

  ‘So I guess that means we’ll be seeing a whole lot more of Jake?’

  ‘Of course I want him to be involved,’ Emily said, ‘I’m just not sure yet how much that will cost me.’

  ‘Oh, I’m sure he’ll do you a good deal,’ Barbara said.

  ‘That’s what he said. But it’s business, Barb, I don’t want any special favours.’

  ‘I know, but he’s so nice…’

  ‘Hmm.’

  ‘There she goes – all dreamy again. You do realise you get this serene, vacant expression every time his name is mentioned, don’t you?’

  ‘He’s just a friend.’

  ‘Methinks the girl doth protest too much. You’re in love.’

  ‘Barb, you can’t be in love with someone you’ve only met twice and haven’t even slept with.’

  ‘Why ever not – there’s a century’s worth of romantic novels based on that very notion.’

  ‘Seriously, though, I am very fond of him, and I can’t wait to see him again. But I don’t think I’m in love with him.’

  ‘Whatever you say, Emily,’ Barbara said, collecting the mugs. ‘Can I get you another coffee while you sit there daydreaming?’ she asked, ducking away from the pen Emily launched at her.

  ‘Yes thanks,’ Emily said before lapsing into deep thought about Jake: God, I miss him. But does that mean I’m in love with him?

  I don’t know.

  Regardless, she did trust him, and she definitely wanted him to be at the centre of the project to renovate her house. Could it really happen? She could just picture the two of them poring over plans on the kitchen table, walking around in hard hats and commenting on goings-on, choosing taps and tiles together…

  ‘There’s that look again,’ Barbara said, reappearing with two full and steaming cups.

  Chapter Twenty-five

  Barbara left two hours later after helping unpack the boxes and sharing an early lunch of ham and salad sandwiches, leaving Emily feeling tired but happy.

  She had put the empty cartons out in the shed and just finished the dishes when she heard the crunch of car tyres on gravel.

  Another visitor?

  She cocked her head to listen and Grace did the same thing before trotting out into the hall. Emily followed the dog and opened the front door to find her father standing with his arm raised and hand clenched about to knock.

  ‘Dad! What are you doing here?!’ Emily cried, pulling him into a hug. As they embraced, Emily stood on tippy toes to see if her mother was waiting in the car. Enid never wasted time and energy getting out of the car unless she had to, and when visiting without an appointment always sent her husband ahead to knock on doors.

  Emily had always hated this embarrassing habit of her mother’s – if the person was at home, there were always a few awkward moments while everyone at the front door turned and watched Enid’s journey from the car. She’d often
wondered if she did it because she was lazy or whether she just wanted the attention – or perhaps a bit of both.

  But there was no Enid waiting in the car today. Did she really have a lunch to attend or was she sulking?

  ‘I’ve come to surprise my only child and wish her a happy birthday. What else would I be doing here?’ Des said, sounding a little indignant.

  ‘Sorry, but you know what I meant,’ Emily said, feeling chastised.

  ‘It wouldn’t be a surprise if I made an appointment, now would it? So, sweet pea, happy birthday. I hope it’s a day filled with joy, followed by a year of happiness.’

  ‘Thanks Dad,’ Emily said. They hugged again, and Emily felt herself choking up as she replayed his words in her head. It was a rare moment to hear Des Oliphant sounding so soppy and sentimental.

  ‘Right, so, any chance of a coffee?’ he asked, wringing his hands. ‘Or are you just going to keep me standing out here on the doorstep?’

  ‘Of course, come in.’ That’s more like the Dad I know and love, Emily thought with an inward smirk as she stepped aside to let him in.

  Once seated, Des pulled an envelope from the front pocket of his navy work shirt.

  ‘Sorry it’s not very exciting, but we decided it might be just what you need at the moment.’

  ‘Thanks Dad,’ Emily said, smiling at her father.

  Inside the envelope was a card with the standard ‘Dear Emily’, ‘Happy Birthday’ and ‘Love, Mum and Dad’ in her mother’s neat, compact handwriting. Well, that’s something anyway. Inside the card was a plastic gift card emblazoned in the bold blue of Mitre 10 hardware stores.

  ‘Perfect,’ she said, with a hearty nod. ‘Actually, speaking of this place – which we weren’t really, but are now – I’ve got a bit of news.’

  ‘Don’t tell me the subdivision has come through already?’

  ‘No, that could take months. I’ve only just organised the survey. But…’

  ‘You’ve officially started seeing that nice Jake fellow and he’s…’

  ‘Dad! Shh. I’m trying to tell you something serious!’