Time Will Tell (2 page)

Suddenly Emily yawned. It was only eight o'clock, but it had been a big day; with the funeral for Barbara's father-in-law and the Bakers' visit afterwards. She was weary, but her brain was still spinning a little too fast and her thoughts were too disconnected. She needed some down time to let it all seep in.

She would have loved to soak in the tub for a while, but still didn't like the idea of lying naked and vulnerable in the bathroom outside on the back verandah.

As she brushed her teeth and waited for Grace to have her last pee for the night, Emily found herself daydreaming of a plush ensuite, right off her bedroom, with plenty of heating for the cold winter months. When the time came, and funds permitted. That would be a long way off, she thought pessimistically as she followed Grace inside and closed the kitchen door behind them.

She said goodnight to Grace, who was settled on her bed in the corner of the kitchen, and made her way slowly and heavily down the hall to her bedroom, turning off the lights as she went.

She changed into her summer pyjamas and climbed into bed. She ignored the small wad of paper from the Bakers that contained the conditions of the purchase – she was way too tired to study it again – and picked up her book. But she couldn't focus on that either.

Was she about to open a can of worms by trying to buy the old place? It sure would be easier just to stay renting and trying to find a job. But wouldn't she then be letting herself down; not fulfilling her full potential?

Perhaps she didn't have any unfulfilled potential. Her mother had certainly never seen her as more than wife material. And John had never let her help out on the farm. That had been her dream; for them to stand shoulder to shoulder and run the place together, as a true partnership. But he hadn't even let her do the books.

Oh for God's sake,
s
top feeling sorry for yourself, Emily! When haven't you been prepared to work hard for something?

Barbara was right; she could do this. She had been brave enough to finally leave John, and she'd be brave enough to do this too. Somehow she'd make it happen. On her own.

One of Gran's sayings came to her now: ‘Nothing come by quickly is ever as satisfying as that which has been waited for or toiled over.'

She was right. Yes, bit by bit, slow and steady wins the race, and all that.

Emily banished the quotes from her head and picked up Donald and Trevor Baker's handwritten offer. Her whole body began to tingle with excitement. She reread it carefully and was making notes and listing questions to ask – of whom she wasn't yet sure – when her mobile chirped into action beside her. Her heart rate doubled as she saw Jake's name lit up on the screen.
Oh!
She took a deep breath and pressed the button to answer.

‘Hi Jake,' she said cheerily.

‘Hi Em.'

‘I got your parcel this afternoon. Thanks so much. It does seem rather a lot of money for just some jars of homemade jam.'

‘Well, it's very good jam.'

‘Thanks. And thank you so much for the jar – I can't believe you found one the same.'

‘I hope it's the right one. The antique dealer seemed to think there weren't many variations.'

‘It's perfect. Thank you again.'

‘My absolute pleasure. Now I would love to chat, but I don't have long. I actually called to ask you a favour.'

‘Oh. Okay.'

‘I'm in Whyalla – working on a project with a friend of a friend. Bit of a long story. I was wondering if I could come and stay for the weekend. You did say you don't do anything special for Christmas, right? I'm sorry about the short notice.'

‘Of course you can stay – I'd love to have you!' As soon as the words left her mouth, Emily blushed. She was glad he couldn't see her embarrassment at her poor choice of words.

‘It's just I have to be here again next week – we're working right through while most businesses are shut – but I'd rather not spend the Christmas weekend here on my own. I hate to impose, but this project has come together in a bit of a rush,' he added, sounding a little breathless.

‘Jake, really, you wouldn't be imposing. I'm just having Mum and Dad and Barbara and David here for lunch Christmas day, and you're very welcome to join us. It's just casual. And absolutely no presents are being exchanged,' she added.

Emily had always hated the awkwardness of being given a gift and not having one to offer in return. It had almost become a phobia. When she had invited Barbara, she had put the ‘no gifts' rule on the table and had been relieved when Barbara had agreed, albeit reluctantly.

‘Okay. Well, perhaps I can have a bit more of a look at that house of yours if you like – to earn my keep,' Jake offered.

‘Your timing would be perfect actually; there's been a bit of a development on that front.'

‘Oh?'

‘Yes, the old brothers who own it have offered to sell it to me.'

‘Wow, that's great.'

‘It's a bit of a long story, but I really would appreciate your opinion on the structural aspects of the house, and any other advice you can offer.'

‘It would be my pleasure.'

‘So when should I expect you – and do you have someone with you or are you on your own?' She hoped it was the latter.

‘No, it's just me. And Saturday – Christmas day – if that's okay? Say mid-morning?'

‘No problem at all.'

‘And I'm really sorry to have to cut this short, but I'm being collected for dinner and my hosts have just arrived.'

‘Okay. See you Saturday then. Drive safely.'

‘Thanks very much, Em, I look forward to it. See ya.'

‘Me too,' Emily said quietly, but she suspected the call had already been disconnected.

Her heart rate subsided to a thud of nervous excitement. Wow, Jake wanted to visit – alone; without Elizabeth! And for Christmas, no less! She couldn't wait to see him. This would make the day a bit special.

Emily was no longer tired, and in fact couldn't imagine how she'd get to sleep at all now. She mentally ran through her list for Christmas; what she still had to do, what ingredients she had on hand and what she had left to buy.

When the reminder of the expense seeped in, she picked up her book. She'd found reading fiction the best antidote to the pressures that regularly threatened to overwhelm her.

Especially the thought that she wouldn't be in this mess if she'd listened to her mother and continued to lie in the bed she'd made – her marriage to John Stratten.

For a moment she wondered what her husband was doing for Christmas. Had John arranged to see his parents, or would he be spending the Christmas weekend alone on the farm? She cut off the thought before letting herself feel any sympathy for him – he deserved everything he got.

Chapter Two

Emily woke up Christmas morning feeling energised and full of purpose. She leapt out of bed and went down to the kitchen.

‘Merry Christmas Gracie,' she said to the dog, who was looking at her and flapping her tail.

She put water in the kettle and stared out the window while she waited for it to boil. It was a lovely cool morning and the forecast was for a perfect twenty-eight degrees with a slight easterly breeze. After her coffee she would take a walk up the gully. Then she'd start getting the roast organised.

With coffee in hand, she sat at the table and went through her to do list, making sure she hadn't missed anything. Jake would be arriving in a few hours.

Everything was ready: the house and bathroom were clean, and the spare room was made up and felt inviting. She'd bought the groceries the day before and there was plenty to make do with in the freezer: a leg of lamb and some chops; mince; some chicken pieces. Enough for the weekend.

Suddenly she wondered if Jake would rather eat at the pub. She really didn't want to waste her precious financial resources by eating out. She'd already blown next week's budget on Christmas lunch.

No, she'd prepare for meals at home – sandwiches for when he arrived, roast lamb and all the trimmings for Christmas lunch, and leftovers and perhaps spaghetti bolognaise for tomorrow. She'd worry about beyond that later.

Pausing for a moment, she noticed the creased pages outlining Trevor and Donald's proposal at the end of the table. She'd been carrying it from kitchen to bedroom and back for the last two days.

The Bakers' offer was very generous. Emily knew she'd be a fool not to do her best to take them up on it, providing the house was worth renovating.

So the question was really whether it was a sound proposition. She was glad her father would be here to discuss it with Jake, but she really didn't want Enid's negativity dragging everything down.

Enid had described the place as ‘disgusting' and a ‘knockdown job'. She had no idea why her mother was so opposed to her living there.

Emily's shoulders slumped slightly. It wasn't as though she could ask Jake and Barbara and David to not mention the house business – something was bound to slip out. She'd spend the whole day being a nervous wreck. Not to mention that Jake would think her weird and pathetic for hiding something like this from her mother.

Emily practically snorted.
Just grow up. It does not matter what your mother thinks. It has nothing to do with her.

She got up to make another cup of coffee, and had just sat back down again when her phone started vibrating on the table in front of her. Speak of the devils, she thought at seeing her parents' home number on the display.

‘Hello, Emily speaking.'

‘Hi Em, it's Dad. Merry Christmas!'

‘Hi Dad. Yeah, merry Christmas,' she said, relaxing significantly. ‘How are you?'

‘Good thanks, but your mum's not feeling so well and won't be joining us. She's woken up with one of her “heads”.'

‘Oh, is she okay?' Emily asked automatically. Enid's ‘heads' usually meant her parents had had a fight and her mother was staying at home to sulk and prove a point of some sort. Strangely, she only ever had one when there was a social engagement they were attending.

‘Fine. You know how it is – just needs a quiet day at home.'

Emily thought it had more to do with having people asking after her in her absence and then phoning later to check she was okay than punishing Des. Emily could just picture him now rolling his eyes.

‘So I just wanted to check if there's anything you need brought out before I leave,' he added brightly.

‘Actually, could I borrow a ladder?'

‘Okay. Of course. That wasn't quite what I had in mind,' he said with a little chuckle. ‘Nothing's happened, has it? You haven't lost the roof or anything?'

‘No, the roof is fine as far as I know. But something has happened – the Bakers have offered to sell me the house and about twenty acres around it. At a very good price and on a
very
generous purchase plan. I'll tell you all about it later.'

‘Oh. Okay. That's brilliant news. When did this happen?'

‘They dropped by the other day after Doug Burton's funeral. Somehow I don't think Mum will see it as cause for celebration.'

‘Hmm, no, probably not,' he said thoughtfully. ‘So why the ladder?'

‘Well, Jake is staying – you remember, Elizabeth's friend you met the other week – and I want him to have a good look at it.'

‘Good idea. He seemed a very nice chap. I'm sure he'll steer you right. I wouldn't mind hearing what he thinks of the old place.'

‘Great. And as you're always saying, two heads are better than one.'

‘Exactly. Your mother was talking to your aunt Peggy last night. She didn't mention Elizabeth was coming back over this way so soon.'

‘She isn't. Jake rang on Thursday from Whyalla – he's doing some work there – and wanted to spend the weekend down here. All very last minute. Didn't want to go back to Melbourne. Good timing for me, though.'

‘Indeed. So what are Donald and Trevor asking for the house?'

‘It's not that clean-cut – I'll show you their proposal.'

‘I didn't think they'd ever sell. Wonder what changed their minds.'

‘Apparently they want to take an overseas trip and need some extra cash.'

‘I'm sufficiently intrigued. Okay, I'd better get going. I'll go and put the ladder in before I forget. So nothing needed from the corner shop?'

‘No, that's it, thanks very much. I'll see you in a few hours.'

‘Very good. See you soon.'

‘Bye.'

Emily consulted her list again. Almost everything was ticked off. Suddenly the mobile phone began to vibrate again. She picked it up.

‘Hi Barbara. Merry Christmas.'

‘And a merry Christmas to you too. How's things?'

‘Great. And you?'

‘Good now all the rellies that were here for the funeral have left. I am
so
looking forward to a low-key day and not having to cook or entertain.'

‘We're going to have ourselves a great day!'

‘You're sounding especially gleeful this morning.'

‘Am I?'

‘You are. Come on, spill. What's going on?'

‘Well, Mum's not coming – got a headache or something…'

‘So I take it from your happy disposition that you're not cancelling Christmas lunch to go off and spoon-feed her chicken soup?'

‘Er, no,' Emily said with a laugh. ‘I know it's terrible, but I'm actually relieved she's not going to be here.'

‘Oh well, you can't help how you feel. And I do know how tense Enid makes you, especially when you're trying to cook.'

‘Hmm. It's not just that.'

‘Oh?'

‘No, Jake Lonigan's coming for lunch. He's actually going to stay for the weekend.'

‘Ooh, the lovely Jake. Goodie! With or without Elizabeth?'