Time Will Tell

by Fiona McCallum

  ‘Yes, but I’ve never used it on her before.’

  ‘I’m sure between the two of us we’ll be fine. Come on, before we chicken out.’

  Side by side they washed Grace in the bathroom at the end of the enclosed verandah. Emily had bathed her plenty of times on her own, and Grace generally relished the attention.

  Today, however, sensing things were different, and perhaps showing off for Jake, she misbehaved. It was nothing major, just wriggling and pawing at the suds and splashing water everywhere.

  Finally their mission was complete. But when they tried to lift the slippery dog out of the bath, both Jake and Emily found themselves on their backs on the wet floor with the border collie on top of them, pinning them down. They erupted into laughter as Grace licked one face and then the other, obviously enjoying the game. When they finally got her off them, Grace began to enthusiastically shake the excess water from her coat, spraying the entire bathroom and mirror.

  ‘Quick, shut the door!’

  Jake rolled over and just managed to close it before Grace could escape.

  They got to their knees and regained their composure. Grace, sensing the game was over, sat down and submitted to being towelled off.

  Twenty minutes later, having been finished off with the hairdryer, Grace was clean-smelling and fluffy, her black sections sleek and shiny and her white bits like fresh snow.

  Still sitting on the wet floor, Jake leaned over and opened the door to let her out. He and Emily sat side by side with their backs against the tiled wall and their hands clasped around their bent knees.

  ‘I’m exhausted,’ he said with a deep sigh. ‘I had no idea how tiring it was to wash a dog.’

  ‘It’s not normally that difficult. I think she was showing off for you.’

  ‘Playing up more like.’

  ‘Probably. Little monster. Thanks for your help.’

  ‘I’m sure she’ll be grateful to spend the night inside.’

  ‘Hmm.’ Emily suddenly realised how weary she was. She wasn’t sure she could even get up off the floor, let alone get showered and dressed and drive the half hour over to the pub to be sociable.

  ‘Would you mind if we didn’t go out for tea after all?’ Jake asked. ‘I’m plum tuckered out.’

  Mind reader. ‘Me too. I’m not sure I can even get up from here,’ Emily said with a laugh.

  ‘Come on, before we seize up.’ Jake got up and Emily accepted his hand.

  ‘Thanks,’ she said, when back on her feet. ‘How ’bout you have first shower while I look in the cupboard for something to rustle up for tea?’

  ‘I should be the one to cook since I’m putting you to the trouble.’

  ‘I was going to pike out too, you just said it first. And anyway, you’re the guest. I insist. You go shower, I’ll sort out some food. Though I warn you, it won’t be anything fancy.’

  ‘Simple fare would be great right about now,’ Jake said, giving her a quick kiss on the lips. ‘Back soon,’ he said, and disappeared out into the enclosed verandah and then in the direction of his room.

  ‘I’ll leave a clean towel in the bathroom for you,’ Emily called after him.

  ‘Righto, thanks.’

  In less than ten minutes, Jake was back in the kitchen with wet, mussed hair and dressed in track pants and t-shirt.

  ‘How about a toasted cheese sandwich?’

  ‘Ah, that would really hit the spot.’

  ‘Are you sure it would be okay?’

  ‘Absolutely – it’s one of my favourites.’

  ‘How about I add a mug of tomato soup from a can – one of my favourites.’

  ‘Even better. You know, I think we’re going to get along just fine,’ Jake said, beaming and drawing her to him. He kissed Emily on the forehead and released her. ‘Do you want me to phone David and Barbara?’

  ‘No, I think they shouldn’t be too far away,’ she said, checking her watch. ‘I’ll have my shower and then get tea organised.’

  ‘I can do it.’

  ‘So we don’t get into an argument, why don’t we do it together when I get back?’ Emily said with a laugh.

  ‘A fine plan.’

  Emily had just reappeared in the kitchen when she heard the unmistakable sound of a vehicle pulling up outside. They went out and met Barbara and David on the path just inside the gate.

  ‘How much stuff does one small dog have,’ Jake said with a laugh, relieving David of his armful of bedding.

  ‘Exactly!’ David said, rolling his eyes.

  ‘I’m afraid we’re piking after all,’ Emily said, taking the pile of stacked bowls from Barbara. ‘We’re going to have soup and toasted sandwiches – you’re welcome to join us,’ she added, shooting Jake a questioning glance. He nodded back. ‘Though we’d understand if you’d rather something more fancy.’

  ‘If it’s tomato soup out of a can, count me in,’ David said, grinning cheekily.

  ‘It is indeed,’ Emily said.

  ‘Okay, sounds perfect,’ Barbara said. ‘As long as we’re not intruding. You’re tired, remember.’

  ‘Too tired to drive all the way to Hope Springs, but not too tired to catch up with you guys for an hour or so.’

  ‘Well, we promise not to outstay our welcome,’ Barbara said.

  ‘I just have to take a couple of tools down to the tractor. Forgot them last trip. Fancy keeping me company Jake?’ David said.

  ‘Sounds good. I’m keen to see what stubble rollers are.’

  ‘Okay, come on then. We’ll be back in twenty minutes tops. Don’t you girls get up to any mischief while we’re gone,’ David called, as they climbed into the ute.

  Barbara and Emily waved them off before making their way up the path towards the house.

  ‘He really is lovely, Em,’ Barbara said, as she closed the glass door behind them. ‘He’s even looking brighter than an hour ago.’

  ‘Hmm, he’s great. I’ve put him in the spare room,’ she suddenly blurted.

  ‘Why are you telling me that?’

  ‘Because I don’t want you and David getting the wrong idea,’ she said with a shrug.

  ‘What are you – twelve?!’ Barbara said, with a laugh.

  Emily flushed with embarrassment. ‘Well, I just don’t want you to think…’ And then she wasn’t sure what she was about to say. She frowned.

  ‘That you’re taking advantage of him when he’s fragile and vulnerable?’

  Emily nodded. ‘We want it, whatever it is, to evolve on its own terms.’

  ‘Of course you do. But Emily, anyone can see you’re both smitten. You’re perfect together. As far as I can see, slow or fast isn’t going to make one iota of difference. You’re already friends; there is no threat of it being a whirlwind romance that will fizzle out.’

  ‘You think so?’

  ‘I know so. But you both have to do what feels right.’

  ‘Thanks Barb. I was just worried you might think we were rushing into things.’

  ‘What, after him visiting twice, you going to Melbourne, and still not getting it on yet? Darling, I’m not your mother! You just keep following your heart and you’ll be fine, Emily Oliphant. And that’s the end of my sermon for today,’ Barbara added, making a show of wiping her hands together.

  ‘I think we could make a good team, Jake and I,’ Emily said, wistfully, more to herself. ‘We seem to be in sync.’

  ‘My point exactly. And stop sounding so surprised.’

  Chapter Fifty

  Emily stood at the stove stirring the soup. Having constructed the sandwiches, Barbara was hovering beside her to make sure they didn’t burn in the griller. Jake and David were sorting out drinks and cutlery.

  God it’s nice to be home and surrounded by friends, Emily thought with a sigh as she stole a quick look around the room. Grace was lying on her bed on the floor, contentedly watching the goings-on.

  Finally they were sitting around the table with bowls of soup and plates piled with toasted sandwiches in front
of them.

  ‘Oh, that hits the spot,’ Jake said, tucking into his soup.

  ‘Indeed it does,’ David agreed.

  Emily beamed. There was nothing quite like the sound and sight of happy people eating. Soup wasn’t quite right for the middle of summer, but she was enjoying the comfort food.

  ‘So, you haven’t told us anything about your trip. Come on, what did you get up to?’ Barbara demanded.

  ‘Not a whole lot. I spent most of the time with Jake’s sister, Simone, who is just lovely. She lives in a gorgeous old house somewhere close to the city.’

  ‘North Melbourne,’ Jake added.

  ‘Thank you. North Melbourne. She’s artistic – very talented and far too modest. You should see her paintings. And Jake’s apartment is gorgeous. He lives right in the middle of the city. It’s quite amazing. Though a little noisy for me with all the cars and trams and people…’ She stopped. ‘I mean…’

  ‘So you’re not ready to pack up and move to Melbourne then?’

  ‘Not quite,’ Emily said, flushing red. ‘I quite liked…’

  ‘You don’t have to like it, Em, just because I live there. I know the city is an acquired taste.’

  ‘Well I did find it a bit overwhelming, to be honest,’ Emily admitted. Then she remembered. ‘But I finally got to see some of Jake’s amazing photos.’

  They all noticed Jake dip his head and blush slightly.

  ‘You know, one day we are going to demand a slide show – well, PowerPoint,’ David said.

  ‘That’s right, Jake. You can run, but you can’t hide from us,’ Barbara said with a laugh.

  ‘So how was Donald and Trevor’s funeral?’ Emily asked, changing the subject for Jake’s sake.

  Both David and Barbara shrugged. ‘Nothing out of the ordinary, except Tara Wickham – who clearly didn’t know them from Adam – standing up and giving the eulogy was a bit of a surprise,’ David said.

  ‘So what sights did you see, what else did you do?’ Barbara persisted.

  ‘Hmm, not a lot. Simone took me on a walk past the Queen Victoria Markets. They’re not far from her house.’

  ‘Oh wow, what was that like? Huge? I hear it’s a must-see.’

  ‘It did look pretty big. We didn’t go in. You wouldn’t believe the activity for a Sunday. Quite amazing really.’

  ‘Must have been an eye-opener,’ David said. ‘Speaking of which, have you told Jake about your run-in with the steel sculpture across the way?’ He asked jovially.

  Emily blushed beetroot.

  ‘What run-in?’ Jake asked, looking from Emily, who now had her head in her hands, to David and Barbara, who had big grins on their faces.

  ‘Can I tell him?’ David asked. ‘Pleeeease.’

  ‘Come on, you’re amongst friends,’ Barbara said gently. ‘We will be laughing with you, not at you.’ She was now starting to laugh.

  ‘No, it’s too embarrassing.’ Emily groaned.

  ‘Oh but so bloody funny,’ Barbara said.

  ‘Is someone going to share the joke?’ Jake asked, looking around the table.

  ‘No,’ Emily said.

  ‘Oh come on, even you’ve got to admit it was pretty funny,’ David said.

  ‘Maybe from your point of view – safely on the ground! Oh all right,’ Emily said, throwing her hands up. She turned to Jake. ‘You’re going to hear about it sometime, with or without my say-so. Go ahead, David,’ she said with a melodramatic sigh. May as well get it over with.

  David rubbed his hands together and then began to speak. ‘Right, so on Friday we turn up with the boom sprayer. Grace is in the yard going nuts, which was really out of character. So we start investigating and…’

  Between them, David and Barbara told the story and after a few minutes Emily joined in and filled in the details they didn’t know about – that her being up there was a waste anyway since she’d forgotten the tools. Looking at it from their point of view, she had to admit it must have been pretty funny. And no one was hurt; they could laugh about it now. And they did. Before long they were all laughing so hard that tears were streaming down their faces.

  ‘Bloody hilarious,’ they muttered, shaking their heads as they finally calmed down enough to wipe their tears away and blow their noses on the paper serviettes.

  ‘You poor thing,’ Jake said when they were again settled. ‘Thank goodness you weren’t hurt.’

  By eight-thirty they were all yawning. David and Barbara bid their farewells soon after.

  Back in the kitchen after seeing them off, Emily refused Jake’s help with the few dishes; they would wait until the morning.

  They cleaned their teeth together in the bathroom and then there was a slightly awkward moment when they said their good-nights before retreating to opposite ends of the house.

  Lying in bed, Emily wished she had Jake beside her, or at least that she had shown him more affection. Installing him in the spare room had been a head decision, but her heart felt very differently. He’d said it was a good idea. But was he just being polite and not wanting to embarrass her? She rolled over, telling herself what would be, would be, and to stop overthinking it. She’d discuss it with him in the morning; tell him she’d changed her mind.

  She was almost asleep when she heard the floorboards creak in the hall outside her bedroom door. Grace lifted her head, hopped off the bed, and trotted out, her feet barely audible on the thick carpet. Emily sat up a little, holding her breath.

  A silhouette appeared in the doorway. Jake.

  Her heart rate quickened and her breath caught as he made his way across to the bed. Without a word, he climbed in beside her. Moments later they were entwined and kissing, tenderly at first and then more and more passionately. Within minutes all clothing had been shed and their naked bodies fused.

  *

  Emily woke to Jake’s gentle kisses upon her face and lips. She opened her eyes, smiling as the night before came back to her. She turned towards him and held out her arms for his embrace.

  ‘Thank you for last night,’ she said, burying her head in his smooth, warm chest.

  ‘Thank you for last night, and for coming to Melbourne and rescuing me,’ he said, lowering his face and gently raising her chin towards him.

  ‘I love you,’ she said quietly.

  ‘And I love you too, Emily Oliphant. Now my darling, can I get you coffee in bed?’

  ‘Hmm, after you give me more of what I had last night,’ Emily said, easing herself closer.

  ‘Your wish is my command.’

  Later, Emily sat propped up in bed, staring at the button jar on the tallboy. She thought back over the past few weeks; all she had learned, everything she had lost and everything she had gained.

  You were right, Gran. Sometimes the very best can come out of the very worst of situations.

  She could hear Jake rattling around in the kitchen, and Grace’s gentle snoring at the foot of the bed. Who knew what the coming days and months would bring?

  Time will tell, indeed!

  Dear Reader,

  If you enjoyed the second part of Emily’s journey and want to know more, don’t worry. This isn’t the end. Book three of The Button Jar series is due out November 2014. I really hope you’ll read on and enjoy where Emily’s life takes her. Meanwhile, you can keep up with all the latest news on my website, www.fionamccallum.com, and follow me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fionamccallum.author.

  With very best wishes,

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  ISBN: 9781488710179

  TITLE: TIME WILL TELL

  First Australian Publication 2014

  Copyright © 2014 FIONA McCALLUM

  All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilisation of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the permission of the publisher:

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  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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