Home Truths (32 page)

* * *

‘I'll just be in my sewing room.' Connie dried her hands after washing up the afternoon tea dishes.

‘Sure, Gran, I'll get on with my homework,' Michelle said and put the last of the cups away. ‘Hope Calum goes away far enough, especially since Bret has gone to check on KG.'

An eerie wail echoed from a far-off hill. Connie pushed the lace curtains aside just as George bellowed. ‘Come quick, Michelle,' she beckoned.

Michelle arrived at her side just as Bret came charging out of the barn like a man possessed. He bolted, wild-eyed, straight for the back door.

Tears of laughter ran down Connie's face. Michelle was trying to catch her breath. Connie clutched her arm and urged, ‘We've got to stop laughing or Bret will —'

The screen door slammed and Bret came running in, barely able to speak.

‘What the f-f…hell was that?'

‘Do you mean the noise or George?' Connie asked, holding down laughter.

‘The noise — the ugly noise!' he yelled, eyes big, pointing towards the hills.

‘Sorry, Bret,' Michelle giggled. ‘Didn't Cal warn you?'

‘All Cal said was, he's going up the south paddock hill to practise. I didn't think to ask, practise what? It was horrible and it scared the shit out of George and me. Ya shoulda seen his eyes.'

‘You should've seen yours. And what about us having to endure
your
practising.' Connie handed Bret a few slices of bread. ‘Here, go and soothe poor George before he breaks something.'

‘At least Cal's turned the volume down.' Bret sauntered off back to the barn.

‘I'll go and help Bret,' Michelle giggled.

Connie kissed her cheek and headed for her sewing room. She closed the door, picked up the phone and dialled.

‘Hi, Shirl, you know how Jennifer's back, well guess what. My plan worked.'

* * *

After dropping Brock's car off at the police station, Jennifer walked back to the restaurant, basking in the new feeling that she was a fiancée, Calum's fiancée.

The setting sun cast a deep, golden glow over the countryside, which enriched the autumn tones and made them stand out in stunning relief. God, it was beautiful. Her life was beautiful. Calum was beautiful, and she was on a high as she strolled back to the restaurant. She knew the moment she told Sofie her exciting news, her sister was going to cry.

Happiness hummed through her as she hurried inside and called out, ‘Sofie!'

‘I'm up here! Did you see the posters?' Sofie exclaimed, waiting on the landing, arms wide, ready for a hug. ‘Hi, Jen, bet you're excited about the opening?'

‘Excited? Are you kidding, I'm rapt. The posters look great, thanks for handing them out so soon,' Jennifer said into her sister's sweet-smelling curls. ‘Boy, I'm so glad you're here to help.'

‘Only because I'm pathetically dateless.' Sofie stepped back and eyed Jennifer. ‘You know I'm kidding, right? Even Adonis on a white horse couldn't keep me away.'

Jennifer gave her sister a squeeze. ‘I know that.'

‘Come on, I'll make us a coffee. What have you been up to? You look all rosy and you smell like a barn.' Sofie paused and studied Jennifer. A soft light grew until it shone like a knowing beacon in her eyes. She grabbed Jennifer by the shoulders.

‘Why are you giving me that weird look?' Jennifer asked. Sofie dropped her chin and cocked an eyebrow. ‘Okay, you win. Calum and I made wild love in a haystack.' Jennifer's grin bubbled into a belly laugh. ‘Well, not a haystack as much as a pile of hay up a ladder in a loft, which was in the barn, above George.'

The gob-smacked look on her sister's face was priceless. Hand to her chest, Sofie gasped. ‘You had sex with Calum!'

‘Twice, actually.'

‘In the haystack?' Sofie asked with a wide-eyed stare. ‘Tell me you had safe sex?'

‘Well
, it was hot and spontaneous, and safe didn't really get a look in.'

‘There'll be a shotgun wedding. I'm so jealous.' Sofie pretended to pout. ‘Was it good? Did he make you scream?'

‘I believe I mentioned “Oh God” a few times.'

‘Does he have a brother, an uncle — a friend? Hang on, who's George?'

‘George is an enormous bull.' Jennifer wrapped an arm around her sister's shoulder and led her through to the kitchen. ‘And sorry, no brothers, but I can introduce you to a few firemen.'

‘Forget the coffee, this calls for a glass of wine — or two — I want all the details.'

‘Where's Claudia? I'll go say hello first.'

‘Don't disturb Claud, she's in the den, finishing off an important essay. I'll give her a censored version. She deserves nothing less after we filled her head with men crap. First tell me all about Bret, and then I'll have the spicy stuff, thanks.'

‘I'll get the nibblies, you get the wine.'

Jennifer was ready to burst with the wonderful news of Calum's proposal, but wanted the moment to be special. She found nuts and crackers in the pantry and put them on the kitchen table. Sofie poured them each a glass of red. Jennifer took a sip and let the fruity liquid roll over her tongue.

‘Hmm…lovely.'

‘So, apart from a frolic in the hay, what else did you get up to?' Sofie searched her face for a clue. ‘C'mon, I know there's something.'

Jennifer reached across and held her sister's hands. She tried an enigmatic smile and for a moment thought she pulled it off, because Sofie simply gazed back.

‘This better be good,' Sofie said. ‘Because despite the look on your face you're scaring me now.'

‘It's good, very good.' Jennifer leant closer. ‘Calum asked me to marry him.'

Sofie squealed. She lunged across the table and hugged Jennifer. ‘Was it only the second day we were here that I said, you'd be married soon?' she asked.

‘Probably. I came so close to stopping along the road on my way home and yelling down the phone — we're getting married! But then I would've missed that look on your face.'

‘I'm so happy for you both. He's divine.' Sofie dabbed her eyes. ‘Where are you having the ceremony? You have to find a gown, organise flowers and catering, so much to do.'

‘Keep your undies on. We haven't set a date yet, let us get engaged first.'

‘You'll be looking for an engagement ring together,' Sofie said wistfully.

‘Let's get off the subject of weddings. You're turning into a mother of the bride.'

After half a glass, she relayed what had happened on the farm. ‘Killer George is Bret's pet bull.'

Sofie blinked away her tears. ‘Bret's going to be all right, I can feel it in my bones.'

Jennifer raised her glass. ‘Here's to you and your bones — and Calum's too.'

‘Chin-chin,' Sofie said. ‘And now more of the spicy stuff please.'

The bottle of red was almost empty when Jennifer finished. She'd kept the more intimate details to herself. ‘Calum tore up the bank cheque. He said it was strictly between him and Bret. Remind me to go to the bank and cancel it.'

‘What's happening with the opening?'

‘Michelle's favourite subject at school is art. Last term they had to design a brochure for a local business of their choice. She got an A plus for her work. She's coming past one day this week to help and we'll talk about designing invitations. I thought a lovely photo of the dining room all set out with candles, linen and tableware would look good. We can use the same photo on the fliers, with “Everyone Welcome” written across the top. It'll be a great experience for both Claudia and Michelle.'

‘Yes it will.' Sofie waved a hand towards the window. ‘The courtyard looks spotless —'

‘What?' Jennifer cut in. ‘I left not long after lunch and it was still a workman's dumping ground.' She pushed her chair back, went to the landing and switched on the outside lights. Hurrying to the window, she opened it and hung out for a good look. ‘Crikey, they even laid a patio!' she yelled.

‘Six burly blokes made short work of cleaning up the mess and laying tiles. All I have to do is plant the beds out, easy-peasy. Can't wait to get my hands dirty,' Sofie said, full of excitement.

Jennifer took a sip of wine and, eyes squinting with concentration, peered into her sister face over the rim of her glass. ‘You're way over the limit of your usual bubbly self. What's going on?' Sofie's eyes grew round and innocent. Jennifer wasn't buying it.
‘Hmm?'

‘Okay,' Sofie raised her hands, palms out. ‘One of the rubble removers was police officer Brock. Did you know he owns a garden centre?' Jennifer shook her head. ‘Well, he's helping me with plants tomorrow. He's gorgeous!' she said on a breath and a grin.

‘Go for it,' Jennifer grinned back and took a gulp of her wine.

‘Uh-huh, all right for you to say…maybe I'm reading more into this than I should. I mean, he's…he's,' Sofie stammered, then continued in a rush, ‘he's one hell of a big guy.'

‘Yes, and?'

‘What would he want with me?' Sofie's shoulders came up in question. ‘I'm a single mum, with a teenage daughter. When Claudie's not moody then I am. Who in their right mind would want that?'

‘An ex-SAS guy,' Jennifer nodded, smiling.

‘Yeah right,' Sofie shook her head and changed the subject, which Jennifer thought was a shame, because she was
so
enjoying this. ‘If Calum has time, the whole back area needs decking out with fairy lights.'

‘Sure, I'll run it by him. He'll know which ones we should use.'

‘Cool. By the way, Claudie and I had a look at the closet, it's more like a standalone walk-in closet. We tried really hard to move it, but the damn thing wouldn't budge, so we went inside it. Couldn't find a way to get into the space you told us about. You know, it might not have anything to do with Uncle Bob.'

It was a miracle Jennifer kept a straight face; she was so glad she hadn't mentioned having sex with Calum in the closet and went on calmly, ‘That's what Calum suggested. One way or another, we'll work it out.'

An hour and another bottle of wine later, Jennifer was laughing at practically anything Sofie said. And Sofie was laughing at anything Jennifer said. When Claudia walked in to the kitchen, Jennifer's forehead was resting on the table; she brushed her curls aside and looked up at her beautiful niece, free of Goth make-up.

‘Great — my mum and aunt are shitfaced.
Niiice
role models.' She pulled a face, shook her head, turned and left, muttering, ‘I'm going to bed.'

‘Me too,' Jennifer sighed. Steadying herself by holding onto the table, she shuffled around to her sister, helped her up and took her to their uncle's refurbished old room. ‘Help your mum, Claudie.' She left them and wobbled and giggled down the hall to the pink bedroom, pulled her clothes off and flopped into bed.

Sometime during the night, Jennifer felt the touch of Calum's big warm hand as he gently slid it around her waist and tucked her into his front and hips.

‘Hmm,' she hummed sleepily, snuggling closer.

He kissed her neck and whispered, ‘Sleep.'

‘Can't,' she murmured lazily, ‘something's poking my bum.'

Jennifer heard a quiet chuckle and felt his body shake. She smiled and she drifted off.

Chapter 17

Jennifer woke up disappointed there was no hot Calum to cuddle up to, just a note left on his pillow, saying:
‘Panadol, coffee's ready, fry-up good for hangover. Later, Cal.'
The thought of food made her stomach churn; maybe toast would be enough.

After breakfast, alone, she made her way downstairs to her restaurant, armed with a stack of serviettes. It gave her a buzz to see the stunning Edwardian dining room. Soft furnishings in deep red, crisp white linen tablecloths, sparkling tableware and lampshades for romantic lighting finished the look she was after. Jennifer sighed, breathing in the room's new smell. It wouldn't take long for herbs and spices to permeate the air. Content, she headed for the buffet with her serviettes, intending to fold them into fan shapes.

A long, drawn out wail pierced the air.

Jennifer screamed and jumped with fright, knocking over several glasses, which shattered on the tiled floor. Panicked, she shot a look around the room. The howling noise came from somewhere out the back.

Sofie and Claudia were yelling from their bedroom. Jennifer raced upstairs to join them.

Her sister and niece dived out of their uncle's old bedroom. Hand on her heart, eyes round, Sofie asked, ‘What the hell was that?'

Eyes bugging out, Claudia clung to her mother. ‘Yeah, what the fuck?!'

‘Don't look at me,' Jennifer said. ‘I didn't do anything and I swear I didn't touch anything. It's not the smoke alarms either.'

The terrible drone-wail echoed through the air again and the hair on Jennifer's arms stood on end while a shiver ran up her spine. The wailing continued for a short while, and then — blessed silence. Something told Jennifer this was but a lull that would soon end — but when?

She cringed as more discordant notes rattled the windows.

‘Whatever that is,' Claudia hollered, ‘it's off-key!'

Jennifer grinned as realisation dawned. ‘It's a piper — and there's only one making all that noise. Can you imagine a whole bunch doing that? Do bagpipes need tuning?'

‘I don't think so, you don't tune a recorder,' Sofie informed them. ‘Aren't they kinda the same thing, but without an air bag?'

Jennifer held her finger to her lips for the other two to shush as the noise continued. ‘It sounds like he's getting the hang of it.'

Claudia hugged herself against the chill. She pulled a face and said, ‘You're nuts, Aunt Jen. It sounds like someone's murdering an animal.'