Time Will Tell

by Fiona McCallum

  Emily was relieved to enjoy her warm chicken salad. She’d been too self-conscious to ask what ‘reduced balsamic vinegar dressing’ was. As it turned out, it was thick and dark, the colour of treacle, but with a totally different, tangy flavour. Er, vinegary, she thought wryly.

  An hour later, Jake drove them right into the city to show her his apartment. Whilst Emily had already seen quite a few trams, now that they were rumbling and rattling right next to the car she found their proximity quite scary. A few times she closed her eyes. Jake had laughed, saying that at least you knew where they were going to be thanks to the tracks they ran on.

  But as he turned right from the left lane, she almost squealed. God, it was terrifying. Jake laughed again and explained that the ‘hook turn’ was unique to Melbourne and took some getting used to. As far as Emily could see, you only had a split second in which to do the manoeuvre when the lights were orange and just before they turned red. At the same time you had to make sure there were no trams coming or cars running the red light across your path. Crazy!

  Jake had it all in hand, but she was still a nervous wreck when a few minutes later they drove down a ramp into an underground public car park. Jake explained that he rented it because his apartment block, being older style, didn’t come with parking.

  They rode the stainless steel lift and came out onto the street beside the entrance to a sandwich shop.

  ‘Not far,’ he said, leading the way. Emily had never been in an apartment complex before, so was quite excited. She was keen to see how Jake lived.

  Less than a hundred metres away he approached an old-style wood and glass door, inserted a key, and stood back, holding the door open to let them in.

  ‘Wow, it’s gorgeous,’ Emily said. With its black and white tiles, ornate ceiling and light shades, marble and iron hallstand and wall mirror, the foyer looked like a hotel from an old movie.

  Jake led the way into an old-style lift with wooden outer doors and steel concertina doors inside. The lift shuddered its way slowly upwards, stopping at the fourth, and last, floor. Again, Jake opened the doors and stood aside to let them pass him into the hall. There were two doors. Jake unlocked the one with a large black 42 on it.

  ‘Welcome,’ he said, closing it behind Emily and tossing his keys into a wooden bowl on a small hallstand very similar to the one in the foyer downstairs.

  The black and white tiles carried on into a long galley-style modern kitchen of pale timber cabinetry and granite bench tops with a multitude of brown and cream colours swirling across its expansive, bare surface.

  Parallel to the bench was a large, rustic table of aged timber planks on sturdy square legs.

  The lounge room to the left was carpeted in charcoal grey slightly tinged with chocolate. A modern low-line cabinet sat against the wall, with a few framed photos on it. Above, mounted on the wall, was a large, black, flat-screen television.

  Two taupe-coloured suede sofas – again low-lying, with modern, clean lines – and a steel and glass coffee table were the only other items adorning the generous space.

  On the wall opposite the television was a series of large framed photographs of old buildings taken at unusual angles, even more beautiful than those she’d seen at Simone’s. In one the view was up into an elaborate wrought-iron staircase from below. Emily stared at the photos open-mouthed.

  ‘Wow, they’re fantastic,’ she said, breathily.

  ‘Thanks.’

  ‘You really should be exhibiting – and Simone. That’s one of yours too, isn’t it?’ she said, pointing towards the kitchen. On the wall behind the table there was a square painting of bunches of red and green chillies on a bush. The style was unmistakably Simone’s.

  ‘Yep.’

  ‘I love it. I’m going to commission you to do something for me when I decide what I want.’

  ‘No problem. Just let me know.’

  ‘I’ll just give Em the tour,’ Jake said.

  ‘I’m going to watch the city playing,’ Simone said, opening one of the glass doors onto a small balcony. The noise that rushed in from outside was quite overpowering. Emily was surprised at how quiet the apartment was with the door closed. You could almost forget how busy it was outside.

  ‘Come on, this way,’ Jake said, leading her away from the open-plan kitchen and living area and into a hall. More of Jake’s photos lined the bright, white walls. The two bedrooms and study opening off the hall were also carpeted. Emily presumed the larger of the made-up bedrooms to be Jake’s, though other than the open, filled suitcase on the floor, there was nothing to indicate he occupied it.

  Everything about his home was sparsely decorated and immaculate, but still warm and inviting. Other than the black and white tiles in the entrance hall and the ornate ceilings and cornices, which were clearly art deco inspired, it was quite modern.

  The dressing of the rooms seemed very similar to that at Simone’s home, and Emily wondered if she’d had a hand in Jake’s decorating too.

  ‘I have the very talented Simone to thank for the finishing touches; I wouldn’t know the right ottoman or throw rug if I fell over it,’ he said, as if reading her mind. He gave a restrained laugh, and Emily smiled warmly back. Clearly he was being modest. She could see that slowly but surely he would eventually come back out of his cocoon. But it would take a while.

  The study had an old-style leather-covered pedestal desk with a brown leather studded chair behind it, and a bank of timber bookshelves lining one wall right to the ceiling.

  The tour only took a few minutes, and then they were back in the lounge room. Jake opened one of the glass doors onto the balcony and they stepped out to join Simone. They were greeted by the noisy hustle and bustle from the street, along with cooking smells and the slight odour of car pollution.

  ‘I love the view from up here, but it’s so noisy. Is it always like this?’

  ‘You get used to it,’ Jake said. ‘After a while it fades into the background. I actually find it quite soothing. And I love being able to shop and eat just metres away from home and then close the door on it when it all gets too much. It’s the best of both worlds. City living’s great, Sim, you should try it,’ he said, giving his sister a friendly, gentle shove to the shoulder.

  ‘I’ll take your word for it.’

  Emily peered out to the narrow city lane below. Everything seemed very grey – the stone of the nearby buildings, the roadway, the pavement. She could imagine so much drabness might make one quite despondent in the depths of winter. She understood Melbourne’s winters were generally a lot greyer, colder, and wetter than South Australia’s, which were hard enough to bear.

  After a few moments they went back inside. Jake put on a pot of coffee while she and Simone settled onto the expanse of taupe suede. With the balcony doors closed, it really was quiet; there was just a bit of a background hum, which Emily could imagine, in time, becoming soothing. Occasionally there was a deep metallic rattle, which she presumed must be a tram.

  Late in the afternoon, Jake dropped them off at Simone’s and made arrangements for her to take them to the airport in the morning before she went to work. It would be an early start; they’d have to leave Simone’s no later than seven.

  Emily was disappointed they wouldn’t be spending the evening together, but he told her he had to sort out some emails and work matters before he went away so he could relax for a few days when he got to the farm. She consoled herself that she’d soon have him all to herself anyway.

  *

  The following morning, Simone dropped Jake and Emily at the airport. Emily cursed the threatening tears. Why do I get like this with every goodbye? I’m dying to get home, for goodness sake.

  ‘Look after him, you hear?’ Simone said, hugging her tightly.

  ‘I will. I promise. Thank you so much for having me to stay – and for everything. Anytime you want to get away, there’s a place for you at my house. Consider it an open invitation.’

  They hugged again quickly and th
en watched Simone walk away.

  Jake grabbed her hand. ‘Come on, I need a coffee,’ he said, and dragged her towards a coffee stand.

  Emily’s heart pounded a little with excitement. They were finally alone together. She was taking him home.

  Chapter Forty-nine

  ‘It’s weird, but I feel a bit like I’m going home,’ Jake said out of the blue as the flat saltbush plains gave way to greener trees and scrub.

  Emily smiled warmly at him before returning her attention to the road ahead. She liked that they were comfortable enough with each other not to feel the need to fill the silence with meaningless chatter.

  She remembered how, just before she’d married John, she’d asked Gran if she was doing the right thing. Gran had set her unusual blue-grey eyes on her and said, ‘Dear, you just know. Your heart will tell you’. Emily had frowned. That was no help.

  By the time she realised she hadn’t listened to her heart it was too late.

  Now, sitting here in the car next to Jake, she totally understood Gran’s words. Jake was the one for her; no doubt about it. It didn’t matter that they didn’t know each other all that well, or that they hadn’t slept together yet. It just felt right inside.

  They didn’t need to speak aloud because their hearts were so well fused they were communicating anyway.

  ‘It’s your home as long as you want it, Jake,’ she said. And I hope that’s forever.

  Finally they arrived at the house, climbed out of the car and pulled their bags from the boot. Jake was already looking a bit better, she thought; ever so slightly more colour in his face.

  ‘Welcome,’ she said, unlocking the heavy glass sliding door and throwing it open. She led the way inside.

  ‘This is a great space,’ Jake said, taking in the enclosed verandah. The huge area was softly lit from the overcast weather outside.

  ‘Oh, sorry, I forgot you haven’t been here before,’ Emily said, putting down her bag. ‘Better give you the grand tour.’

  ‘Great.’

  ‘Bathroom and toilet down that end,’ she said, pointing to their right. ‘Kitchen is just through there. This way,’ she said, turning left and striding forward. At the far end of the addition, she opened the door into the original part of the house and the first of the two spare rooms. ‘That leads outside,’ she said, pointing to the door at the end and to her left. ‘I’ll put you in here,’ she said, opening the door into what had been John’s office. She coloured slightly and got flustered. ‘Not because I don’t want there to be anything between us, but, um, er…’

  Jake put a hand on her arm. ‘It’s okay, Em. It’s a good idea. There’s no need to rush things. Who knows, we might have the rest of our lives.’

  I hope so.

  ‘Great-sized room,’ he said, erasing any lingering awkwardness.

  Emily went through the room and opened another door that led into the next room. She had always thought it a bit of an odd space, with a door or window on every wall. There was the door into the other guest room, one onto the outside verandah against the road, and one into the lounge room, which was where they headed next.

  ‘That door leads out to the front verandah,’ Emily said, pointing, ‘but I’ve never opened it.’

  ‘They quickly passed through the lounge, poking their heads into the dining room that went off both the lounge room and the kitchen as they went. ‘I never open the front door either,’ Emily said, as they crossed the wide but short hall into the master bedroom.

  ‘The house is certainly well-endowed with doors and windows,’ Jake said, looking around her bedroom with its two double-hung sash windows occupying a wall each.

  ‘Yeah, weird huh?’ she said as she pulled back the curtains.

  ‘Golly, the half-built hayshed really does spoil the view, doesn’t it?’

  One day she’d tell him about getting stuck up on it and having to be rescued. But for now it was still too new and far too embarrassing.

  ‘I’ve been thinking about that. I’m going to get someone to pull it down and rebuild it over near the other sheds. It was a stupid place for it anyway. Come on, you haven’t seen the best part of this house yet,’ she said, grabbing his hand and dragging him back down the hall.

  ‘Wow, a proper country kitchen,’ Jake said, gazing around him in awe. ‘It’s huge.’

  ‘It needs a facelift, but it does the trick. I’d love a dishwasher one day.’

  ‘Well, it’s not like you couldn’t sacrifice a cupboard or two.’

  ‘Check this out,’ she said, opening the door into the pantry.

  ‘God, this is nearly as big as my whole kitchen,’ Jake said. On one wall was a large pine cupboard and on another a side-by-side fridge and freezer. Between them was a huge empty space.

  ‘It’s got lots of potential. You know, you could cut it in half and turn this side into an ensuite to your bedroom, and then have French doors out there to a barbeque area. I see an old Hills hoist clothesline,’ he said, going to the large timber window, ‘but where’s your laundry? Have I missed it?’

  ‘Yes and no. It’s in that separate building just off the path outside. We walked past it. I’ll show you properly later.’

  ‘What a great spot, Em. I like it.’

  ‘It doesn’t have quite the same character as the other house – well, not to me anyway.’

  ‘It will, just give it time,’ he said, laying a hand gently on her shoulder. ‘It feels very comfortable to me,’ he said, drawing her into a hug. ‘And anyway,’ he added, ‘it’s where you are – that’s all I care about.’

  Emily sighed deeply. ‘It feels so good to have you here,’ she said into his chest.

  ‘It feels so good to be here,’ he said, kissing her on the top of her head. ‘I might never want to leave,’ he added, releasing her.

  Fine with me, she thought, smiling back at him, but kept the words to herself. He had too much of a life in Melbourne for it to be that simple. He loved the city, she’d hated it. She didn’t want to get her hopes up and risk disappointment.

  ‘Right,’ she said, gathering herself back together. ‘Coffee? Still only instant, I’m afraid.’

  ‘That’s okay. No idea why, but it somehow works in the country.’

  ‘Don’t let Elizabeth hear you say that,’ Emily said. They both laughed heartily.

  It was four-thirty when they finished their second cup of coffee. Emily was feeling considerably fortified.

  ‘I’m just going to phone Barbara and arrange to get Grace back,’ she said, getting up and retrieving the cordless phone handset from its charger on the bench. She was starting to dial when Jake got up and went to the window over the sink.

  ‘Are you expecting visitors, because there’s a white dual cab pulling up out the front. And if I’m not mistaken, that’s Grace right there on the back,’ he said, heading towards the door.

  Emily put down the phone.

  Barbara and David were getting out of the ute when Emily and Jake appeared at the gate. They all hugged, and there was a gabble of jumbled voices as everyone spoke at once. Finally they calmed down.

  ‘So how’s it all going?’ Emily asked.

  ‘Good,’ David said. ‘I’ve just brought the stubble rollers down.’

  ‘Great timing,’ Emily said.

  They all looked at Grace, who was wriggling and writhing to get free. At having their attention, she began whining. Emily went over and unclipped her. The dog leapt about, overjoyed to see her mistress; trying to lick her all over.

  ‘Ew,’ Emily said, jumping back. ‘You stink like a real farm dog. What’s she been into?’ she asked, setting pretend glares on Barbara and then David.

  ‘Farm dog stuff,’ Barbara said with a laugh. ‘She’s been sleeping in the shearing shed with Sasha.’

  ‘Well, she’ll have to stay outside tonight; it’s too late for a bath today. But tomorrow, missy, your number’s up,’ Emily said, pointing her finger at the dog. Ignoring her, Grace hopped off the ute and went over and
greeted Jake like a long-lost friend.

  As he ruffled her ears and then darted back and forth in a game of chase, she saw further signs of the happy-go-lucky guy she’d first met a month ago. She smiled at them engrossed in their play.

  ‘How is he?’ Barbara asked in a whisper close to Emily.

  ‘If you’d asked me two days ago, I’d have said terrible. But he seems to be coming out of it. Must be the country air.’

  ‘Or your TLC, more like,’ David said.

  ‘Hey, what are you doing for dinner?’ Barbara asked as Jake rejoined them.

  ‘No idea – haven’t given it any thought.’

  ‘Fancy going down to the Hope Springs pub? Apparently they’ve got a new chef. You’re welcome to join us, unless you’re too weary.’

  ‘Sounds like a plan. Jake?’ Emily asked.

  ‘Sounds good. I’m not too tired, but it’s up to you – you’re the one who did the driving.’

  ‘Well, it won’t be until a bit later – say seven in Hope Springs. We have to go home and have showers. And seriously, we won’t mind if you pike out between now and then – just call us on one of the mobiles.’

  ‘Actually, we’ll come back via here and drop Grace’s things off anyway.’

  ‘It’s a bit out of your way,’ Emily said.

  ‘Not that far. We’ll see you in an hour and a half, give or take.’

  ‘Okay, we’ll see how we’re feeling then.’

  ‘Come on Barb, we’d better get cracking,’ David said, moving back out the gate. ‘Great to see you again, Jake,’ he added.

  ‘Are you sure you’re not too tired?’ Emily asked, after they’d gone.

  ‘Well, I’m not too tired to help you bath this stinky dog,’ he said, pretending to dart away from Grace again.

  ‘Don’t you think it’s a bit too cold? They’re forecasting thirty-five tomorrow; perhaps we should wait until then.’

  ‘I don’t think she’ll like being shut outside. Do you fancy listening to her whining all night to come in?’ Jake said, looking at her with a knowing expression. ‘You’ve got a hairdryer, haven’t you?’