Birthright

by Fiona Lowe

  Sarah thought about the other Horton children. The sons, Dan and Michael, were stable and settled, both living in Mingunyah. Megan had left the district years ago but from all accounts she was happily living somewhere in Queensland. Kathryn, however, had been as wild and as out-of-control as Ellie, and she’d died from a drug overdose at twenty-three. DNA was such a powerful force.

  The urge to tell Ellie about her suspicions was so strong Sarah sat on her hands to prevent herself from picking up her mobile. This wasn’t fact, just a hunch generated by shock, and therefore unreliable. She didn’t want to upset Ellie unnecessarily, especially when she could be way off course and totally wrong. Please let me be wrong. She sure as hell didn’t want Cameron getting a whiff of her suspicions. He didn’t need any more ammunition to keep Ellie out of the will.

  Talk to Alex. She rubbed the jab of pain between her breasts. No, that door was not only closed but sealed shut. Her only choice was to keep her own counsel until she found a way to get her confused and demented mother to tell her the truth.

  Piece of cake! She sighed. Why did life sometimes suck so much? ‘Sarah,’ Noah said sternly, looking at the confetti of letters scattered around her. ‘That’s a big mess.’

  ‘You’re not wrong, mate.’

  ‘Are you going to clean it up?’

  ‘I’ll do my best.’

  * * *

  Anita placed the wicker basket at her feet inside the Mill House portico and tugged at her cropped jacket. It had been almost two weeks since she’d been inside and with a fully booked high tea looming, she was fast running out of options to gain access. Earlier that morning, the idea to visit Ellie had seemed like a foolproof plan. Now collywobbles spun in her stomach, reminding her of her other failed ‘foolproof ’ plans.

  A week had passed since Cameron agreed to talk to his younger sister and he was yet to even set up an appointment. Yes, he was busy with two new and prestigious listings on the books. Yes, schmoozing his contacts with lunches and dinners was important and it all took time. Yes, she understood clients needed to be wooed not rushed, but Cooked By a Friend was important too. She’d tried gently reminding him. She’d asked if there was anything she could do for him to free up some time so he could visit Ellie. She’d even offered to go with him if that would get the ball rolling, but the night before he’d got cross and said curtly, ‘Stop nagging.’

  The unfairness of the accusation still stung. Making a success of Cooked By a Friend benefitted him as much as it did her.

  She didn’t want to go over Cameron’s head, but the time had come to take the situation into her own hands. Twelve women were excited about coming to an elegant high tea and she refused to cancel. She had a bunch of fragrant jonquils, freshly baked scones, homemade raspberry jam, high-country cream and a packet of Ellie’s favourite coffee beans in her basket.

  ‘When we go inside, girls, I want you to—’

  ‘Take Noah for a walk,’ Phoebe started.

  ‘And buy him ice cream,’ Ruby finished.

  ‘We know, Mum!’ they chorused. ‘You’ve told us ten times already.’

  The older girls were home for the school holidays and it always took Anita a few days to adjust to the way they seemed to start and finish each other’s sentences.

  ‘Us too,’ the little girls reminded their big sisters. ‘We want ice cream too!’

  ‘Shh.’ Anita needed quiet to concentrate—to have one last run-through in her head before Ellie answered the door. With the big girls looking after Noah, she and Ellie would sit down at the beautiful dining-room table surrounded by all the accoutrements of a civilised life and calmly discuss the situation.

  Anita knew she could be calm with Ellie but she couldn’t be calm with Sarah. For the first time since she’d joined the family, she was angry with her eldest sister-in-law. Sarah’s high-handed approach of changing the locks clearly left them on opposing sides. No matter which way Anita came at the situation, she couldn’t imagine Ellie caring enough to take sides. In general, her younger sister-in-law went out of her way to avoid any real connections with the family.

  And that’s what Anita was counting on: Ellie’s lack of interest in the family. She had her spiel all planned and practised. She would cite her shock and stress as reasons for her rudeness and say that if Sarah had told her Ellie was moving in, she’d have had time to process the news and wouldn’t have reacted in quite the same way. Finally, she would express her heartfelt regret and apologise. Ellie was a community worker and used to mediating, so doubtless she’d accept the apology. Then they could negotiate the high tea. Anita’s bargaining tool was offering the twins as babysitters to give Ellie time to house hunt or do something just for herself. Not that she had any idea what Ellie might do. Going by the clothes and shoes Ellie wore, shopping wasn’t a hobby.

  ‘Right,’ she said to the girls, picking up the basket with both hands. ‘Ring the bell, Phoebe.’

  ‘I want to do it,’ said Ava.

  ‘No, me. It’s my turn,’ insisted Chloe.

  ‘Oh, for goodness sake.’ Anita jutted her elbow into the brass button and heard the long ring echoing faintly back to her.

  The thump of running feet followed, then Noah’s voice called out, ‘I can do it,’ and the door opened.

  ‘Surprise!’ Anita said in her cheery childcare worker’s voice that always seemed to rise unbidden when she was talking to children other than her own. She walked inside and the girls followed.

  ‘We’re getting ice cream,’ Ava said, tossing her hair.

  ‘Ice cream!’ Noah cheered, his eyes filling with delight. ‘Can I have chocolate?’

  ‘Let’s check with Mummy first,’ Anita said, not wanting to do anything to upset Ellie.

  ‘Who’s getting ice cream?’ a voice asked from the dim of the hall.

  Anita’s mouth dried and her hands tightened on the basket. ‘Sarah?’ Her presence had not featured in Anita’s scenario. ‘Oh, hi.

  I didn’t see you there.’

  ‘Hello, Anita. I see you let yourself in.’ Sarah strode up the hall. ‘Hello, girls. Welcome back.’

  ‘Hi, Sarah,’ they chorused.

  ‘Is Gus here?’ Phoebe asked hopefully.

  ‘He can come for ice cream too,’ Ruby added.

  ‘I’m sure he would’ve loved to, but he’s at Riverbend.’

  ‘Can I go, Sarah?’ Noah pleaded. ‘Pleeeaaase?’

  ‘I really think we should check with Ellie,’ Anita tried again.

  ‘Of course you can go, mate, but you have to listen to the girls and do exactly as they say. Hold hands when you cross the road.’ Sarah glanced over Noah’s head at Anita. ‘Ellie’s at work and I’m babysitting.’

  ‘Right.’ Nausea spun her stomach. New plan! New plan! ‘I brought morning tea,’ she said brightly, holding up the basket. ‘Let’s eat the scones while they’re hot.’

  ‘If you’ve come to sweet talk me, it won’t work.’ Sarah threw the words over her shoulder as she marched to the kitchen.

  ‘Funny. Your mother said the same thing to me the other day.’ Anita tried to joke to keep things light.

  ‘Oh? What were you trying to con her out of at the time?’

  ‘Nothing!’ Unbridled resentment made her drop the basket onto the table harder than she’d intended. China clinked. ‘That’s unfair, Sarah. I’ve never asked Margaret for anything.’

  Sarah leaned against the bench, arms crossed. ‘Perhaps not. You let Cam do the asking and then lie about it.’

  ‘I don’t lie!’

  Sarah’s mouth knotted at the corners and animosity rolled off her in waves. ‘Are you sure you don’t want to rethink your answer? Tell me something you should have told me a long time before now?’

  An unwanted zip of guilt tingled Anita from top to toe and she swallowed. ‘I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Vintage Glamour. Margaret asked me not to and that’s the only reason I kept it a secret. She was worried you were going to give away her clothes.’


  Sarah’s expression of certainty slipped. ‘What’s Vintage Glamour?’

  Anita took the chance to prove to Sarah she only had Margaret’s best interests at heart. ‘We’ve set up an eBay store to sell Margaret’s designer clothes. It’s insane how much money it’s making, but she’s always had sensational taste. The money’s going into a special Vintage Glamour account so everything’s itemised and we can easily track the payments and the postage. Cameron’s set it all up.’

  ‘I bet he did.’

  Anita’s cheeks burned hot as if Sarah had slapped her. ‘I can assure you that everything’s completely above board.’

  ‘That’s very reassuring, Anita. Is it as above board as Phoebe’s cello and Ruby’s saddle?’ Sarah raised her brows. ‘That’s right. I know Mum paid for them. What I don’t know is why you lied about it.’

  Anita wrung her hands. ‘I didn’t have a choice in that either. It was part of the agreement.’

  ‘What agreement?’

  Anita felt like she was in the witness box being cross-examined by a particularly vitriolic barrister. ‘How about we put the kettle on and talk about this?’ She lifted the cloth-wrapped scones and the dishes of jam and cream out of her basket. ‘I’ve missed our chats.’

  For a few uneasy moments she thought Sarah wouldn’t cooperate but then her sister-in-law moved jerkily, flicking on the tap, filling the kettle and slamming it onto the electric base. ‘Fine. I’ll make tea. You tell me about the agreement.’

  ‘It’s not a state secret, Sarah. Surely you’ve benefitted from the grandchildren’s slush fund? Margaret asked us not to mention that she paid for the cello and saddle, because she didn’t want people getting upset or feeling left out. She said it all evens out over time as everyone benefits.’

  The kettle boiled and Sarah poured the steaming water over the leaves. ‘And you heard Mum say that?’

  ‘She told Cam and he told me.’

  ‘Hah! And you believed him?’

  Anita’s patience snapped. ‘Yes, I believe him. I have no reason not to. He’s my husband. He’s your brother.’

  ‘Frankly, neither of those titles raise him out of the dross.’ Sarah carried the pot over to the table and put it down so hard tea slopped out of the spout and snaked along the table’s grooves. ‘I assume you know about the will?’

  Anita’s body clenched, riddled with anxiety. All she wanted was the key to the door but apparently to get it she had to navigate her way through the rocky shoals of Sarah’s hurt and disappointment. ‘I—Yes. God. This must be so hard for you. First Alex and now this. I was shocked. Well, not so much about Ellie not getting anything, but definitely shocked for you.’

  Slow down. You’re gabbling. ‘I know you’re well off, but as I told Cam, inheritance isn’t just about the money, is it?’ She pushed a scone laden with jam and cream towards Sarah as if the food might soothe but at the same time knowing it was ridiculous. ‘Cam’s furious with Dan for allowing it to happen in the first place. He and Rupert tried really hard to get her to reconsider but—’

  ‘Wait. What?’ Sarah’s gaze was suddenly glued to her face. ‘What’s “the first place”?’

  ‘Five years ago. You know, when Margaret made the will before this one. It was just after you and Alex broke into China. I know you think Dan’s marvellous but I think he really dropped the ball on this one and let you down. Yes, Margaret can be tricky, but he must have known it would cause upset and angst in the family. He should have given her better advice.’

  Sarah silently poured two cups of tea and then stirred hers around and around, watching the milk slowly mix into the black liquid. Anita noticed strands of grey in her sister-in-law’s hair, flecks that hadn’t been there a month ago. Then again, with Alex virtually leaving her and her mother basically telling her she didn’t love her, Sarah was having an extremely tough time of things.

  ‘Is this the will Mum was determined none of us would ever see until after she died?’

  ‘Yes. And sadly, now we know why.’

  ‘I thought she’d written her will much earlier than five years ago.’ Sarah stopped stirring and clinked the spoon against the rim of the mug. ‘Have you read it?’

  ‘No, of course not. I’m just the daughter-in-law. I haven’t even seen it. I’m only going on what Cameron’s told me.’

  Sarah’s head shot up. ‘He told me he’s never seen the will.’

  ‘I doubt he said that. In fact, he told me a funny story about how Margaret hid her copy of the will inside Bleak House.’ Sarah stared at her blankly and she added, ‘Because, you know, how much she loves Dickens.’

  ‘Mum hates Dickens.’

  ‘Perhaps it was ironic?’ A bead of sweat broke out on her hairline. ‘I’ve probably got it mixed up because I’ve never read Dickens. The point is, Cam’s seen the old will and I think you’ve misunderstood what he said.’

  ‘It’s a bit hard to misinterpret “I never saw it”.’

  ‘So, what are you saying? That Cam’s lying?’

  ‘That’s exactly what I’m saying.’

  Every part of Anita leaped to defend him. ‘How dare you! My husband doesn’t lie.’

  Sarah’s top lip curled. ‘You keep telling yourself that.’

  It was rare for Anita to stand up for herself in this family and she’d never questioned Sarah on anything before, but the bitchy remark lit a fuse. ‘It’s not his fault Margaret left you out of her will. Just because you’re hurting doesn’t give you the right to make false accusations about us or lock us out of this house. Mill House is ours. It’s never going to be yours. Or Ellie’s. It’s not our fault your life is spiralling out of control. Perhaps it’s time you asked yourself why your husband and your mother have abandoned you.’

  Sarah stood up so fast the legs of the chair scraped against the stone floor. ‘Get out.’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Leave. Now.’

  Anita stayed seated but her heart thundered as if she’d run five kilometres. She was giddy and light-headed and the room swam. ‘I’m not leaving without a key.’

  ‘Make yourself comfortable then, because you’re going to be here for quite some time.’

  * * *

  ‘I’d planned to starve her out.’

  Ellie watched Sarah glumly eat another scone. ‘Really? With all this food she brought? You didn’t think it through, did you?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘What if Cameron had turned up? It would have got ugly.’

  ‘Uglier.’ Sarah sighed. ‘Sorry.’

  Ellie had arrived home to find Noah and his cousins watching a movie in the den, Anita camped in the kitchen, Sarah sitting like a sentry on a chair outside the door and tension oozing through the house like poison.

  ‘I should charge you for my mediation skills.’

  ‘I’d pay. You’re very good.’

  Ellie searched Sarah’s face for sarcasm but found none. ‘Thank you.’

  After talking with Sarah and hearing her version of events, Ellie had sequestered herself in the kitchen with Anita, listening first and negotiating second. She saw no point in banning Anita from Mill House and agreed to provide access at specified times so her sister-in-law could run her high teas and cooking classes. They’d tussled over free access to the house, but as much as Ellie wanted to believe Anita when she said she understood Ellie was only living here temporarily and she was fine with that plan, the problem, from Ellie’s point of view, was Cameron.

  Sarah pushed her plate away. ‘Thank you for not giving Anita a key.’

  ‘Don’t think I was doing it for you.’ She laughed, surprised to find herself teasing Sarah. ‘It’s pure pragmatism. I can’t afford to lose my babysitter.’

  ‘Noah’s good company. Believe me, you’re helping me out more than I’m helping you.’

  Ellie was slightly discombobulated about how the sister tables had suddenly turned since she’d moved into the old family home. Sarah, who’d always been purposeful and optimistic, was struggling a
nd increasingly sought out Ellie’s company. Ellie knew Sarah missed her kids and fretted about them even more, especially Gus. She understood the worry; it seemed to be an integral part of being a mother. Although she’d stake her life that her own mother had never been affected by such misgivings.

  ‘Have you spoken to Gus?’

  ‘He still isn’t taking my calls. He either ignores my texts or replies “later”, and later never comes. I drove out to Riverbend again yesterday hoping to ambush him, but he wasn’t home.’ Sarah slumped in her chair. ‘I was always the parent he talked to. Now I’m worried he’s not talking to anyone.’

  ‘Maybe he’s talking to Alex?’

  ‘Hah! If Gus was talking to Alex, I could find a way to accept it, but Alex isn’t talking to any of us. I called him to find out where Gus is and he told me he’s been staying at Jack’s house for the last few nights. When I said surely that should have been a joint parenting decision, he told me to chill.’

  ‘“Chill”?’

  ‘It’s hardly Alex’s vernacular, is it?’ Her face hardened. ‘He’s probably trying to hide the fact he’s forty-seven from hipster Kelly.’

  Ellie didn’t correct Sarah on the incorrect use of the term ‘hipster’ and there was no way on earth was she going anywhere near the spiky topic of Kelly. One inadvertent mention of the woman set Sarah off on a rant that lasted longer than Ellie considered healthy, but then again, betrayal was a vulture that feasted luxuriously and long.

  She was desperately seeking an inconspicuous segue away from the topic when the doorbell rang. She rushed to her feet, her Noah-like eagerness not lost on her. ‘I’ll get it.’

  ‘Use the peek hole,’ Sarah called out as she approached the door. ‘If it’s Cameron, don’t let him in.’

  ‘You think?’ Ellie muttered but she doubted it would be her brother. She’d been very surprised Anita had come to Mill House on her own to negotiate; so surprised, in fact, it had made her question if Cameron even knew his wife had visited. Ellie couldn’t imagine him backing down enough to be open to compromise, but then again, it had never occurred to her that Anita had the guts to go against his wishes.