Meant To Be (18 page)

There was a chorus of yeses and David sped the vehicle back up again.

‘Oh, I wouldn't mind checking the mail,' Emily said. She hadn't checked it for a couple of days; she usually did it when she went for groceries, but they'd got them in Hope Springs the other day.

She thought again of how much she'd spent today. God, she was lucky to be in the financial position she was. Not so long ago she was freaking out about relatively small expenses such as groceries and eating out. She absolutely did not want to live like that again. And thanks to John and his parents, she probably wouldn't have to. But she would have to keep an eye on her budget.

Though, the diamonds
… a little voice in her head reminded her.
No way,
she countered. She'd sooner move back in with her parents than reveal their existence.

Gran had kept them secret through all the financial ups and downs of her and Grandpa's lives, so Emily sure as hell wasn't going to fail her by parting with them. Not that she had any idea
how one would go about putting rough diamonds up for sale, or even as collateral for that matter.

She could imagine doing so, only to have the Australian Federal Police or FBI turning up and arresting her for having blood diamonds. Was that only in Africa, or India as well? The little research she'd done online suggested that the diamond industry in Golconda was all but over.

In her overactive imagination she conjured up the relatives of the Indian prince. She imagined them turning up, declaring that the diamonds belonged to them and demanding their return. Then the media would get a sniff and life as she knew it would be over.

Emily almost laughed out loud as she pictured Enid putting up a fight with the Indian contingent and claiming that she was the rightful owner. No doubt they'd take off in fright.

Why had the Indian prince given Granny Rose the diamonds, anyway? There was no evidence of romantic feelings in his letter, but Emily couldn't help wondering what had captured his heart enough to send her such a gift – for her wedding to another man. God, she hated not knowing. But had to accept that she never would. The story had died with Gran.

Damn it! Of all the hours she'd spent with her over the years and all the anecdotes she'd listened to, why couldn't Gran have shared the most interesting one?

Emily had heard all about her school days, how she'd met Grandpa, how her wealthy parents hadn't approved and had all but cut her off after her marriage. She'd even talked about how they'd sent her off on a world trip with her uncle, who was some sort of diplomat. But she'd never once mentioned the prince. He
had
to have existed for the diamonds to exist – and they did exist because she had them in the button jar, and she had the letter. And
there was no way her dear old gran, the most honest person she'd ever known, was an international diamond thief.

So why hadn't she ever told her?

Why didn't you tell her you were so unhappy with John?
Emily asked herself.
But that was a totally different thing
, she countered, and folded her arms tight across her chest with a harrumph.

‘Are you okay?' Barbara asked.

‘Yeah, just thinking,' Emily replied.

‘Your office is going to look fantastic,' Barbara said.

‘I'm looking forward to getting it all set up. Not sure how much use it'll get, though,' she added with a laugh.

Moments later they were pulling up outside the Wattle Creek Hotel.

‘I'll park out the front, so we can keep an eye on the load,' David said, putting on the handbrake and turning off the vehicle.

‘Thanks, that'd be good,' Emily said. ‘Now, don't let me forget to check the mail on our way past later.'

‘Okay,' Jake, David and Barbara chorused.

They went inside and ordered their meals at the counter.

‘So, tell me more about project cottage rebuild,' David said, when they were settled at a table.

Jake explained that as well as being a gallery space for Emily, the new, larger version of the cottage would be an advertisement for his business. ‘I'm hoping it'll be a win-win situation.'

‘So, if you're making it so much bigger, you're going to need more stone, right?'

‘Probably double what we have.'

‘Any idea where you're going to get it?'

‘I haven't got that far yet. I'm hoping one of the owners of the land with piles dotted about will let me have it for a good price.'

‘You shouldn't have to pay for it.'

‘Maybe
you
wouldn't, but I'm an out-of-towner remember?'

‘Ah, leave it to me. I know plenty of blokes who would love nothing more than to offload a pile of rock.'

‘Thanks. That would be brilliant.'

‘Hey, here's an idea. What if I help you clean your rocks and whatever else I can do while things are quiet for me? And then you do some hours on the tractor for me when the time comes?'

‘Oh. Now there's a good idea. Are you sure?'

‘Of course. I wouldn't suggest it if I wasn't.'

‘You should be able to get away a bit when other trades are hard at work, right? Hopefully that will fit in with the break in the season.'

‘It's a deal,' Jake said, holding out his hand for them to shake on the arrangement.

The dining room was empty and their meals came quickly. With no home games that afternoon, those who had travelled for sport were still on their way back. Thankfully they'd be out of the pub and on their way before the post-match crowds turned up.

They were a rowdy mob whether they won or lost; they got drunk and boisterous celebrating or commiserating. Emily quietly suspected that was why Saturday was schnitzel night at the pub – all those crumbs, chips and fat to soak up the alcohol. Not that she had any objection. She loved a beef schnitzel with mushroom sauce. And this evening's was no exception.

‘God, that was good,' Jake said, rubbing his stomach appreciatively as they left the hotel. ‘There's nothing like country pub fare,' he added.

Barbara, David, and Emily agreed.

‘Right, to the post office we go,' David said, putting the ute in gear.

‘Thanks,' Emily said.

*

David idled at the curb while Emily, with her two keys at the ready – one for John's box and one for the box she'd rented in her own name after leaving him – got out and bounded up the steps to the wall of numbered black doors. Barbara followed more slowly.

Emily emptied both boxes and flicked through the few business-sized envelopes as she made her way back to the ute. While they waited for Barbara, she chose the only two letters that didn't appear to be from a local business or bank, and that didn't appear to contain advertising material. The first was addressed to John.

She carefully slid her nail under the seal, opened it, and drew out its contents – a cheque. Her heart raced a little and she had to read the numbers twice: fifty-seven thousand dollars. It was the insurance payment for the totalled ute – and to go into the estate's coffers. She wondered briefly if anyone would object to her replacing the ute before probate was granted. The farm really did need one, didn't it? She stuffed it back in its envelope.

The second envelope was addressed to her. In the top left corner was a return address, but no company name or logo. She frowned a little as she prised it open and then carefully extracted the folded contents. Her eyes bugged as she realised it was John's life insurance payout. She stared at the numbers, trying to focus on more zeros than she'd ever seen in her life.

She suddenly felt ashamed of all the gleefulness she'd felt lately at the prospect of the money turning up, and of the plans she'd started making for it when it did. There was nothing to celebrate about this moment. She'd been expecting a cheque – not as large as five hundred thousand dollars – but she hadn't expected to feel like this when it arrived. There was no sense of relief at her financial security now being assured. This was blood money. Maybe she should have been excited, but she just felt sad. And a little sick.

‘Are you okay?' David asked, turning in his seat to look at her.

Emily nodded. Her chest felt too heavy to speak, but after two carefully taken breaths, she managed to. ‘They're cheques. John's life insurance money and the payout from the ute.'

‘That's good,' Jake said. ‘A bit more certainty.'

Barbara got back in the vehicle beside her. ‘God, you look like you've seen a ghost,' she said, looking at Emily.

The second cheque was still in her hands in her lap. She held it out to Barbara.

‘Oh.'

‘I feel terrible,' Emily whispered, as tears threatened. Her heart thudded slowly and painfully.

‘That's quite understandable. It's a strange situation,' Barbara said. ‘But, remember,' she added with a whisper, putting her hand over Emily's, ‘you deserve this. Be thankful, use it wisely, but do not feel guilty.'

Emily nodded.

‘Okay, let's go. It's been a big day,' David said, clearly at a loss for anything else to say. He started the vehicle.

Emily wished she could have caught Jake's eye in the rear-vision mirror, wished they could have shared a reassuring look. She felt a million miles away sitting in the back, and desperately lonely, despite having her best friend right beside her squeezing her hand.

An hour later they stood in Emily's office surveying the newly added pieces of furniture and curtains. They had left the second desk and mantelpieces out in the enclosed verandah so as not to clutter the room.

‘It's perfect!' Barbara declared, clapping her hands.

‘Doesn't look nearly so pink now,' David said dryly.

‘Well done,' Jake said, wrapping his arms around Emily.

‘Thanks so much for all your help,' she said, looking around at everyone, forcing a smile. The room was just how she had imagined. But she couldn't muster much enthusiasm. The cheques had reminded her of the reason she was back here – John's death – and she wanted to be left alone for a while with her sadness.

‘All you need now are some tall bookshelves wrapping around the corner to complete your reading nook,' Jake said.

‘And a floor lamp to read by,' Barbara chimed in.

‘Don't forget you'll also need a chair for your desk. Can't have you without the right ergonomics,' David added.

They all seemed to be making an effort to buoy her. She had to buck up. Barbara was right; no amount of moping would change the past. The thing was to look forward, and make a new future with Jake.

The day Emily had been concerned about finally arrived. The next morning Jake could barely muster the energy to turn over, let alone get out of bed.

‘I don't know what's wrong with me. I thought I was doing well.'

She leaned over to reassure him. ‘It's okay. You're meant to be resting. It's why you're here, remember?' She was happy to take care of him, but privately she was worried about how ill he looked; sweaty, shaky, his skin almost grey.

‘I'm sure I'll be fine after some more rest, but you're right. I think I must have overdone things working on the shed. I feel terrible.'

‘Do you feel like eating? I was planning bacon and eggs – I can bring it in. You need to keep your strength up.'

‘That would be lovely,' he said, smiling wanly.

‘Sounds like it's going to be a perfect day for staying in bed,' Emily added, as a shower of rain began pounding on the iron roof overhead.

*

Jake was asleep when she returned with a tray of toast, bacon and eggs, some cutlery, a mug of tea, a glass of water, and his vitamins. She placed it down and went to get the second tray whilst debating whether to let Jake sleep or wake him. Thankfully when she returned he was sitting up rubbing his eyes.

‘How are you feeling?'

‘A little better. Hungry, actually.'

‘That's good.'

They sat up in bed side by side with their trays. Grace was nearby, looking like she was expecting to be tossed a morsel.

‘You've already had some bacon, you greedy thing,' Emily warned her. They never fed her from the table, but they rarely ate in bed, so she couldn't be blamed for begging.

Outside, the weather turned into a raging storm. Emily opened the curtains so they could watch the dark sky being lit up by bolts of lightning that seemed just metres from the house.

Later that morning they were still in bed, Emily reading and Jake dozing, when there was a knock on the door.

‘Hey, Em, Jake, are you there? It's David.'

Emily got up and opened the door with her robe on.

‘Oh, sorry. I didn't realise you were…'

‘It's okay,' she said. ‘We've just been having a lie-in. Jake's not feeling so good.'

‘I wondered if he'd been overdoing it.'

‘So what brings you out on such a day?'

‘I've come to bring the sheep in and give them a good look over. It's clear up our way. It looked a bit dark down here, but I had no idea it was this bad. Though, I think it's almost gone through.'

‘Do you want a cuppa while it clears?'

‘No, I won't bother you. I just wondered if Grace would like to come and play real farm dog. Or at least spend some time with her mum.'

‘She'd love it. Did I tell you about the day Jake and I had a barbeque up on the rise? Grace went off and rounded up all the sheep while we weren't looking. She was ever so pleased with herself, weren't you, girl?' Emily looked down at the dog, who was waving her tail back and forth.

‘Sounds like she already knows what she's doing – she's certainly got the genes. Sasha is getting close to retirement. Would you mind if I used Grace to help her a bit?'

‘No problem. Actually, I have wondered whether she should be doing more of what she's bred for. She was so excited to be amongst sheep that day.'