Authors: Angela Verdenius
Dropping her head back against the sofa, she thumbed in Verity’s number. When her cousin answered, she snapped, “Are you bloody insane?”
“Huh?” Verity answered.
“You gave my
private
number to Moira and Jarrod?”
“Moira’s your sister-”
“I got a private number deliberately so that she couldn’t phone me. You know I don’t want anything to do with her!”
“Oh, now, Iz,” Verity said soothingly. “She’s your sister.”
“A sister doesn’t do what she did to me.”
“Look, it’s in the past-”
“And that’s where I want Moira to stay.”
“You need to learn to let things go, Izzy.”
Incredulous, Izzy stared at the TV screen. “Let it go?
Let it go?
After what I went through because of them, you want me to just
let it go
?”
“She’s family. You shouldn’t hold grudges forever.”
“Verity, I put what happened behind me and started a new life. Moira is not a part of it. You know that.”
“I think it’d be a great idea for us all to get together and talk this out.”
“I think it’d be a great idea to pull your head out of your arse and respect my decision.”
“That’s a little uncalled for,” Verity said stiffly.
“Uncalled for was what they did to me.” Izzy hung up.
Ignoring the phone’s persistent ringing, she turned the volume down to zero, picked up Arnie and went to bed.
It was a long time before she finally slept.
~*~
The early morning sun peeked weakly out from the drifting clouds. Standing on the veranda, Izzy held her raincoat in one hand while studying the sky. The forecast had been for sunny weather, but looking at the clouds she wasn’t so sure. It wouldn’t be the first time the weather forecast had been wrong.
Deciding that it was better to be safe than sorry, she stepped down off the veranda and made her way along the path to the car.
“’Morning, Iz.”
Looking up, she met Jason’s gaze from where he was standing beside his ute with a small food esky in his hand. “Hey, Jason.”
He inclined his head to the sky. “So, what do you think? Rain or sun?”
She smiled, relaxing for the first time since yesterday. “You’re the country boy, what do you think?”
“I’d say sunshine, but with a chance of showers.”
Izzy laughed. “That’s a cop-out!”
“I’m hurt.” Grinning, he tossed the esky onto the passenger seat. “Have a good day at work.”
“Yeah, you too.”
With a cheerful wave, he disappeared into the house.
Feeling a lot better, she got in behind the steering wheel and started the car. Securing the seatbelt, she settled back, reaching for the gear stick.
A hand landed on the door frame. “Izzy.”
Even before she looked up, she knew who it was. Meeting that hard stare, every relaxed muscle in her body tensed. “Bugger off, Jarrod.”
“Izzy, we need your help.”
“You already got enough out of me.” She slid the gear stick into reverse.
“You don’t understand-”
“I don’t want to. Read my lips. Not. Interested.” She reversed down the driveway, paused at the gate and drove back in to where Jarrod was standing, glaring at her. “Another thing, don’t come here again. You and Moira aren’t welcome.” With that terse order, she reversed onto the road.
As she pulled away faster than normal, she caught a glimpse of Jason standing beside his ute, his gaze on her before switching to Jarrod. Driving off, she glanced in the rear-view mirror to see Jarrod approach the fence between the houses and say something to Jason, saw Jason nod. Her gaze switched to the road, her jaw tightening.
What would Jarrod say to Jason? Whatever he said, she couldn’t do anything about it. She had to go to work, be on time, do her job…and pray that her sister and brother-in-law didn’t darken her doorstep again.
She knew it was a futile hope.
However, there was no sign of Moira or Jarrod for the rest of the day, no one waiting to spring her when she got home, no phone calls. The phone calls bit wasn’t a surprise, not when she’d used her lunch break to switch to another private phone number.
Showered and dressed in loose pants and long-sleeved t-shirt, thick socks on her feet, she was pulling Arnie away from the front window where he was trying to kill the blind when she spotted Jason’s ute pulling into his driveway. Unable to resist, she pulled a tiny section of curtain aside and watched as he got out of the ute. Man, he looked good even in work clothes. Actually, his work clothes and home clothes weren’t very different. Every time she’d seen him, he was wearing an open flannel shirt with the sleeves rolled to below the elbows over top of a t-shirt and either old jeans or khakis. Right now he was wearing khaki pants. She scratched Arnie between his ears thoughtfully. Okay, she’d seen him in jeans on his days off, and khakis on his work days, so that kind of explained that - khaki pants were work pants.
“One big mystery solved,” she said to Arnie. “Yay for Izzy Kempton, PI.”
Arnie struggled to get down.
Placing him onto the floor, she shook her head. “You’re not impressed. I’m shattered.”
Arnie dived under one of the cushions and reappeared with a toy mouse in his mouth, which he proceeded to toss around before carting it out of the room like a trophy.
“Big hunter.” Amused, Izzy followed him.
Using the TV as background noise, she pulled out the basket containing the cross-stitch she was working on and settled down to a couple of hours of relaxation.
Lost in the pleasant sensation of watching the picture of an old country house surrounded by flowers slowly and painstakingly come to life tiny cross by tiny colourful cross, she had to blink several times to readjust her vision when the doorbell rang.
Almost immediately she tensed, her hold on the delicate craft tightening. Bloody Jarrod and Moira, she just knew it.
The doorbell rang again, and she placed the cross stitch into the basket, closing the lid securely so that Arnie couldn’t fossick in the basket amongst the colourful threads. Standing, she pulled the t-shirt hem down around her hips, took a deep breath, let her anger boil upwards and strode out of the lounge and into the small hallway. Yanking open the door, she snapped on the veranda light and snarled, “Get the hell off my property before I call the police!”
“Geez,” said Mikki. “What’d I ever do to you?”
Blushing, Izzy unlocked the security screen, swinging it open. “Sorry. I thought you were someone else.”
“Someone unwelcome, obviously.” Kicking off her shoes, Mikki past her into the house.
Not really wanting to talk about it, Izzy’s gaze dropped to the envelope in her friend’s hand.
Mikki handed it to her. “Most weirdly, this was in my letterbox.”
“Your letterbox?” Surprised, Izzy looked at the back of it but there was no return address. Her name was typed in red on the front. “Who’s it from?”
“Your guess is as good as mine.”
“Huh.” Izzy walked into the kitchen, her friend trailing behind. “You want something to drink?”
“Nah, but thanks anyway. I’m on my way to Aunt Elspeth’s to drop off some things she needs.”
“Bit late for that.” Leaning back against the kitchen bench, Izzy ripped the top off the envelope to draw out the single sheet of paper.
“It’s her heartburn pills, she forgot to get them today, and you know Auntie. If she doesn’t have her heartburn pills she’ll be climbing the walls by three in the morning screaming her chest is on fire.
Then
she’ll ring me. Trust me, this side trip is worth it. Besides, it’s only seven o’clock, it’ll just take me a few minutes to deliver them to her.”
“I get your drift. A trip now saves a trip at three in the morning.” Izzy unfolded the paper and something fell out onto the floor.
Picking it up, Mikki studied it. “Hey, good looking kids.” She handed the photo to Izzy. “Rellies of yours?”
Izzy took one look at the photo before switching her gaze to the sheet of paper. A cold prickle went down her spine as the words leaped out at her.
‘Izzy, please don’t ignore this plea for help. Think of your nieces if no one else. They are part of you, too, and a part of Mum. She wouldn’t want you to be like this. Please, Izzy, we just need some help-’
Oh God, that Moira could actually play that kind of hand… A hot flush of indignation and anger spiking through her, Izzy crushed the letter along with the photo, tossing both onto the bench with a violent flick of her hand.
“Hey.” Concerned, Mikki looked at her. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes. Yes, it’s all fine.” Sucking in a deep breath, Izzy managed a not-very convincing shrug. “Just, you know, junk mail.”
“Junk mail?” Mikki’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “The girls in that photo looked a little like you.”
“It’s nothing.” To her horror, she heard a wobble in her voice. “Nothing.”
“Iz.” Mikki moved closer, laid a hand on her arm. “What’s wrong?”
Everything. Everything was wrong. Not looking at her friend, Izzy clenched her teeth. This was her new beginning, her new life after what had happened. And now… The tears welled up no matter how much she tried to hold them back.
“Oh shit.” Mikki wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Oh, Iz. Is this to do with the way you greeted me? That someone else you thought I was?”
“It’s nothing. I’m just being silly.” Izzy smiled, her lip trembling with the effort to hold back the tears. “I’m just being stupid.”
Stupid stupid stupid. I swore they’d never make me cry again, yet here I am, blubbering like a baby
. “I’m just PMSing, that’s all. You know, hormones going ape shit.”
“Bulldust. Someone has upset you and-” Mikki’s head swung in the direction of the hallway as the doorbell rang. “Is that them? I’ll sort those bastards out.”
Before Izzy could stop her, Mikki was out the door and running down the hallway.
“Mikki!” Izzy started after her, then stopped. Maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea. Jarrod and Moira, or whichever of them was on the doorstep, wouldn’t want to air their dirty linen in public. With Mikki there guarding the door, they’d leave.
And await their chance another time. This damned thing wasn’t over.
Listening, she heard a low, deep voice at the door, recognising Luke instantly. A wave of relief went through her, especially when she heard the door close. Mikki had seen him off, now all she had to do was convince her friend she was fine and then-
Luke strode into the kitchen. “Hey, Iz, we just called in to see if you - are you crying?”
Startled, she stared at him before looking to where Mikki followed. “Mikki, what are you doing?”
Geez, surely her friend would know she didn’t want anyone to see her snivelling like a baby?
Then, even worse, Jason loomed up behind Mikki, his gaze falling unerringly on Izzy.
Mikki shrugged. “Sorry. He just barged right in. As usual.”
Disregarding her, Luke moved across to Izzy. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” She smiled brightly.
“Your eyes are red.”
“That’s not a nice thing to say to your neighbour.”
“You’re Jason’s neighbour, but let’s not quibble about that.” Hands on hips, Luke frowned down at her. “Did someone upset you? Mikki, perhaps?”
“Hey!” Mikki dug him in the ribs as she passed, eliciting a curse from him. “I’m her best friend.”
“No accounting for taste.”
Leaning on the door frame, Jason slid his hands into his pockets. “Does this have something to do with your morning visitor, Izzy?”
“Morning visitor?” Mikki motioned to the screwed up paper and photo on the bench. “I thought it was to do with that.”
The men’s eyes dropped to the papers.
Quick as a wink, Izzy grabbed the papers and pocketed them. “It’s nothing. Honestly, can’t a girl have a weepy moment without everyone going gonzo?”
“You were fine until you opened the envelope,” Mikki said bluntly.
“And it’s my business.” Moving to the other side of the bench, Izzy put some distance between her and Luke, yet somehow more aware of Jason silently watching from his position against the door frame. “So, what did you come over to see me about?”
“Iz-” Luke began.
“I’m PMSing, Luke. Happy now?” Izzy glared at him. “Want me to elaborate?”
He hesitated, but when her eyes narrowed he winced and held up both hands. “No. Really, just no.”
Silent as a mouse, Jason’s gaze switched from Izzy to Mikki and back again, but he didn’t say a word.
Izzy met his gaze, saw something in the quiet alertness that had her biting her lip and switching her attention to Luke. “So, unless you want me to burst into tears thinking you’re sorry you came over…?”
Luke helped himself to the biccie jar, pulling out a chocolate chip biccie. “I’ll let Jason answer that.”
“BBQ at my house Saturday evening,” Jason said. “Nothing fancy. We’re working on my house and then kicking back with a barbie. I thought you’d like to come.”
Okay, now she felt like a heel. They’d come over with friendly intentions and she’d bitten their heads off.
Nice one, drongo
.
Chewing on a big bite of biccie, Luke glanced at Mikki. “And you.”
“Really?” Mikki stopped watching Izzy long enough to cast Luke a sceptical look. “That wouldn’t just be good manners, would it?”
“Your Izzy’s best friend,” he countered without batting an eyelid.
“Aw, that’s so sweet.” Mikki grinned. “Unfortunately - or fortunately for you - I’ll have to say no. I’ve got something on with my Aunt that weekend.”
“Ghost hunting?”
“Hey, don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.”
“Yeah, I’ll put that on my not-to-do list.” Luke popped the rest of the biccie in his mouth.
Jason continued to lean lazily against the doorframe. “So, Iz? You coming?”
“Even after I snapped at you both?” she asked ruefully.
He shrugged. “Worse things have happened.”
“You know, I feel like a total dick right now.”
“We all have total dick moments.”
“Yeah,” said Luke. “Welcome to the Dick Club.”
Silence fell on the room.
“Okay, that sounded better in my head,” he said.
Mikki snorted.
“Ignore the head dick of the club,” Jason said. “It’s just a barbie, Iz, nothing fancy. You in?” His eyes crinkled at the corners. “Arnie can come.”
Izzy glanced at the Siamese cat winding around Jason’s ankles. “Arnie doesn’t wait for invitations, he just goes right on over and joins in.”
“So I noticed.”
Luke gazed down at Arnie. “He’s got big ears.”
Pausing in the act of rubbing the side of his mouth against Jason’s jeans, Arnie looked up at Luke.
“He’s got a big ego, too,” she informed Luke.
Luke thoughtfully plucked another biccie from the jar.
“If you’re worried it will be all blokes, Mum will be there.” Jason drew her attention back to him. “So you won’t be the only woman. It’ll just be Luke, me, Aaron, Uncle Harris and Mum.”
“Yep.” Luke chewed the biccie with obvious enjoyment. “And seeing as how you’re Jason’s neighbour and we’ll all be seeing more of each other, why not come and meet the rest of the mob?”
Several things flashed through Izzy’s mind. She liked Luke, Jason had been nice, she hadn’t much to do on the weekend, and there was a good chance that Moira and Jarrod could turn up. Call her a coward, but not being around if they did appealed to her. “Sure. Why not?”
“That a girl.” Luke plucked a third biccie from the jar. “Oh, in case you’re a little worried, it’ll be tame.” At Izzy’s inquiring expression, he added, “Jason hardly drinks at all. He does drink this light beer shit. It’s like lolly water.”
Mikki looked up from where she was stroking Arnie. “Big drinker yourself, are you, Luke?”
“Not really.”
“Just prefer the hard stuff, huh?”
Luke snorted. “Only around you.”
She snorted in return.
Izzy grinned at Jason. “Will he hit it hard after talking to Mikki?”
“Not in my house,” was the unexpectedly sober reply.
Izzy looked at Jason anew. He gazed right back at her. Oddly, she found that steady gaze more comforting than disconcerting. Go figure.
“Right, I have to go.” Luke grabbed another biccie from the jar. “Early start tomorrow on that landscaping job.”
“How much did you charge?” Mikki queried. “Did you leave them the shirts on their backs?”
“I’d flip you the bird but I’m too much of a gentleman,” Luke retorted. “You’ll have to envisage it.”
“And in return, you can envisage where I shove your finger.”
Luke shook his head. “Iz, how did you ever end up with Mikki as a friend?”
Izzy grinned. “Plain old good luck.”
Mikki gave her the thumbs-up.
“You’ll have to see what you can do to influence her taste,” Luke informed Jason as he strode to the doorway. “See if you can improve it.”
Straightening, Jason gave Izzy the briefest of smiles. “I think she’s doing okay on her own.”
“Thanks,” she replied. “I try.”
She saw them to the door, locking it after them. Returning to the kitchen, she found Mikki waiting for her, all earlier amusement gone.
“Oh, Mik,” she groaned. “Don’t start.”
“You might be able to bullshit the blokes with that PMS crap, but I see right through it,” Mikki shot back.
Izzy grabbed her elbow. “Isn’t your Aunt waiting for you?”
“Don’t try to change the subject.”
“There is no subject.” Izzy started dragging her friend out of the kitchen.
“I know you,” Mikki said. “You’re trying to kick me out.”
“Whatever gave you that idea?” Izzy pushed her down the small hallway.
“You’re not inviting me for tea and a chat about your problems.”
“I don’t have problems.” Opening the door, Izzy shoved her friend out onto the veranda.
Mikki swung around to face her. “You do.”
Izzy sighed. “Mikki-”
“I’m worried about you.”
“Aw, that’s really sweet and all, but there’s no need to be.” Moving forward, Izzy stood on the edge of the veranda, watching Luke’s car pull out of Jason’s driveway and take off up the road with a cheerful toot of the horn.
“I’ve never seen you cry,” Mikki stated.
“I didn’t cry.”
“You had tears in your eyes when you saw that photo. In fact, you were really upset by whatever was in that letter.”
“You’re imagining things.”
Scowling, Mikki leaned forward to prod Izzy in the arm. “If you weren’t upset, why did you screw up the photo and letter and toss them onto the bench?”
“Junk mail. I hate it.”
“Bull. Dust.”
Izzy shrugged.
“And what was Jason saying about a morning visitor?”
“Nothing.”
“Don’t lie to me.”