Love or Money? (9 page)

“
How can you know all of that already?!” she asked in surprise. 

Owen tapped his nose mysteriously as he gulped a mouthful of his drink.

“Follow me” he said, walking out of the kitchen into the corridor.

“
Well, I was going to prepare myself some breakfast” Felicity mumbled, voice fading as Owen’s retreating figure disappeared from view.

Despite having no intention of preparing herself food in the less than hygienic kitchen, Felicity reluctantly followed his lead toward the back of the house and the garden.

The large Zen inspired garden was a pleasant surprise compared to other parts of the house. Admiring the tranquil water features and small bridges, she followed a barefooted Owen across a stone path to a cornered seating area, taking care not to spill her coffee.

“
Beautiful garden, isn’t it?” he said, placing his coffee on the wicker table and taking a seat on a futon.

Felicity nodded in agreement, thinking of her own garden and Dan. She pushed the thought away and sat down opposite Owen.

“So why have you brought me out here?” 

Owen looked at Felicity with a confused expression.
 

“
To enjoy your coffee. Why would you want to be stuck inside drinking it when you have all of this nature and tranquillity at your disposal?”

Felicity felt a little embarrassed for asking such a ridiculous question, espec
ially as Owen had such a matter-of-fact way with his words.

“
So what brings you to Auchenflower and especially to Darlene’s gaff?” Owen asked with a smile.

Felicity relaxed into the futon. Despite her stomach making soft growling noises, it was obvious she wasn’t going to be leaving the house for breakfast any
time soon. Owen was an intriguing figure; so relaxed and carefree in his actions. The way he was absent-mindedly stroking a nearby leaf made her think of Dan again. Strangely, the feeling wasn’t the sadness or the mortification she’d been experiencing of late. It was a realisation that Dan held no attraction or common interests with her. 

“Anybody home?”
Owen said jokily, swirling his coffee cup and waiting for an answer.

Felicity noticed how the morning sun was reflecting in Owen’s eyes. His light green iris was slowly becoming as yellow green as a cat’s eye.
A very beautiful and unusual colour.

“
The funny thing is, I really don’t know the answer to your question” Felicity said, relieved that she was finally able to be honest with someone. “I had, until a few weeks ago, a pretty good life. Or so I thought. Good career, nice house. Admittedly, I could have done with a bit more of a social life. But I was happy.” 

Owen narrowed his cat like eyes and leaned forward.

“And then, out of the blue I had a slight accident and next thing I know I’m taking a three month sabbatical and travelling around Australia. It’s all very bizarre.” 

Owen grinned. “
You’re at the point”. He put down his coffee cup and looked at Felicity’s puzzled expression.

“
The point? What is that supposed to mean?” 

Re
aching down to snap off a rose from a small bush nearby, he leaned in closer to face Felicity who was looking at him, once again bewildered.

He held up the slightly wil
ted Rose in front of Felicity. “This rose until I picked it was enjoying a happy life in this garden along with the other roses on that particular bush. Then suddenly, I come along and cut off its life force. I’ve snapped it off at the right place for it to be replanted and able to grow again elsewhere, in a new environment, possibly alone. Whether or not it chooses to flourish in that new environment is another question, but it will have the necessary means. It’s just like life. We can’t resist change. We all get to the point where a big life overhaul comes in and we have to accept it and find ways to accommodate it.  But allowing it and going with the flow is the only way to embrace the change.”

Felicity bit down on her lip, watching Owen as he got up and walked across to a small patch o
f soil and began digging a hole with his hand for the rose cutting.

His odd but beautiful way of explaining ‘the point’ has resonated with her. There was no use in trying to find reasons for her unpredictable behaviour of late. She needed to see where it would take her. Over
-analysing and looking for logical explanations hadn’t helped.

“
So I assume - seeing as you are so wizened about ‘the point’ – that you’ve been there yourself?” Felicity asked inquisitively.

Owen laughed as he patted down the soil firmly and dusted off his h
ands against his boxer shorts. “Yes, I’ve been to “the point” and I’m still there!”

She couldn’t be sure but she thought she saw a hint of sadness behind his smiling eyes.
 

“
What are you doing here at Darlene’s anyway? You’re an Ozzie – are you from this area?” Felicity asked.

Owen gathered up the two discarded polystyrene cups and ran his hand through his hair.

“I’m from Melbourne originally but I travel around quite a bit. I like to help out at various animal sanctuaries. I’ve been here in Brisbane helping out locally but tomorrow I’m heading up to Cairns for a while. There are a few projects I’m interested in getting involved with.” 

“
Wow, sounds interesting. I guess you like to travel around a lot then.” Felicity asked, quietly trying to sum up her opinion of the unique man sat in front of her.

She had assumed sanctuary work was voluntary or expenses paid. Surely Owen couldn’t live off solely that? Glancing swiftly at his unkempt appearance again, she realised he wasn’t really a man of material needs.

“I enjoy it. It’s nice to do something that makes a difference and I’m quite a simple person, so it suits me.”

Felicity found herself warming to his strangely open and honest nature.

Owen stood up, just as Felicity was about to ask him more about his travels. “Right, well I had better let you get off and explore this mighty city. I recommend the first coffee shop on the left side past the Victoria Bridge for a nice continental breakfast.” 

Surprised at his abrupt ending to the conversation, Felicity stood up
, trying to mask her disappointment and glanced at her watch.

“Goodness
, it’s already quite late. I had best be off – I’ve got lots to see today. I will keep an eye out for that breakfast place. Thank you for the coffee and the chat.”

Owen was already walking ahead but stopped to turn around and face Felicity.

“Pleasure’s all mine. Hope to see you later, but if I don’t then I wish you all the best for your time here. Remember the Rose” he said with a wink.

Felicity felt herself flush as he smiled at her and walked off quickly ahead. Purposely hanging back, she took her time walking back toward the house.
Owen was already out of  sight.

Chapter Thirteen

Glenda tried to stand up for the umpteenth time and immediately sat back down as her stomach swam with nausea. A champagne hangover. Who would have thought! 

“
Serves me right” she mumbled as Bill set down a steaming mug of black coffee in front of her.

“
Try to get that down you and you’ll feel a lot better” he said encouragingly, walking back to the cooker hob and the sizzling pan of bacon he was overseeing.

“
I really hope I didn’t say anything out of turn last night?” Glenda asked, cringing silently as she recalled visions of herself dancing recklessly. Dancing. Whatever had possessed her? It was his annual office party, not a knees-up at the local pub.

Bill stopped midway through cutting slices of the poppy seed bloomer loaf and looked around at Glenda’s worried face.
 

“
Don’t be daft, everyone loved you. I was complimented all evening on what a beauty I’ve managed to land myself. And what an amazing dancer you were to go with it.”  He grinned, and winked cheekily at her.

Glenda picked up a napkin and scrunched it up, chucking it in his direction.

“Shove off. I know I looked ridiculous but I can’t remember the last time I had a chance to dance to 70’s music. It’s a good job Fee is in Australia. She would have had me hung, drawn and quartered if she’d seen the state of me last night.”

Bill turned o
ff the frying pan and heaped generous rashers of the crispy bacon onto the thickly cut bread. Glenda watched with concern. She could just about bear the smell of the bacon; the thought of eating it was stomach churning.

“
Have you told her about us yet?” Bill asked casually, setting down the hefty sandwich in front of her.

Glenda looked up in surprise. Bill wasn’t one to talk about family matters. Despite being comfortable and at ease in each other’s company, Glenda still hadn’t d
elved into his past properly nor he into hers. Other than the information she’d volunteered about Felicity, Bill hadn’t mentioned her daughter since.

Avoiding his eyes, she delicately picked up half of her sandwich and forced herself to take a small bite. Chewing slowly, she considered her answer.

“I’ve wanted to. But I haven’t really found the right moment yet” she said honestly.  It was true. Felicity had only made two brief phone calls since her arrival in Brisbane and neither had been an appropriate time to bring up the subject, especially since the last conversation had centred around her inability to feel settled in Brisbane. She hadn’t liked hearing her daughter sound so lonely and despondent, it had started up her anxiety again to a degree. The only way she’d been able to help was to look online at nearby excursions and email across suggestions. She was still waiting for an answer from Fee, which unnerved her even more.

Bill reached out for her hand and gently squeezed it.
 

“
The only reason I ask is because I’ve fallen in love with you Glen.” 

Glenda smiled and reached across and cupped her hand over Bill’s.
  She had been waiting for those words. It had only been a month into their relationship but she had already fallen deeply in love herself.  Although she couldn’t be certain, she had sensed that Bill felt the same way towards her. Hearing him say it aloud was a confirmation that warmed her to the core. She felt her face flush.

“
Well that makes two of us then. I can’t imagine how I spent the last ten years without you.” 

“
Let’s hope it stays that way for the next ten years” he joked, stroking her thumb. The house phone rang, breaking the special moment.

Glenda reluctantly stood up, fighting the urge to give in to her hangover and walked across to grab the handset from the kitchen counter.
 

Bill looked
down at his half eaten sandwich, disappointed he hadn’t been given the chance to explain his feelings to Glenda in greater detail.  He pushed the agitation from his mind and considered plans for the day ahead. Lost in thought as to whether to suggest a countryside stroll or a pub lunch, he looked up in surprise as Glenda stopped talking to the caller and took in a sharp breath.

Watching her face pale a
s she held the phone to her ear, he felt concern as he saw her mouth widen in horror.

“
But Fee - are they sure it’s cancer?”

Bill’s stomach flipped. Felicity had cancer?

“
Do you think these trousers cling too tightly across my hips?” Sylvia asked, checking her side profile once more and focusing on the stretched material around her thighs. 

She couldn’t understand the weight gain. She hadn’t been eating any differently to usual and yet her thighs and hips appeared to have grown. Phillip looked up from his position of lounging on the bed and admired her half-dressed figure.

“You look sexy to me. I wouldn’t worry about a little weight gain. It suits you.” He focused his attention back on his smart phone and once again began clicking away.

Sylvia spun around and stared at him in astonishment.

“So I have put on weight then? Is that what you’re saying?” 

Phillip looked up, set his phone aside and shifted himself along the bed nearer to the mirror where Sylvia was standing.

“That isn’t what I said. You’re beautiful; you need to start believing it more.”  He pulled her body closer to him and hugged her, stroking her back suggestively.

“
I’m not in the mood, Phillip. I’ve got a busy day ahead and don’t forget after work later I’m meeting the girls – Donna has got news to share.” Sylvia disentangled herself from his embrace and walked towards her underwear draw to find a comfortable bra. Picking out her most favoured one, she put it on, aware that her breasts were uncharacteristically bulging out of the cups. 

“
Even my bra doesn’t fit me” she said sulkily trying to squash herself into it.  She had always been fortunate in having a pert and larger than normal chest. The idea of it growing any bigger and becoming heavy and droopy wasn’t a welcome one.

“
No complaints from this end” Phillip said smiling.

Ignoring him, Sylvia grabbed a loose top from her chest of drawers. She didn’t want anything that would further accentuate her growing figure. She needed to reassess her food and alcohol intake; clearly her body couldn’t handle her usual portions any longer.

“Want to meet for lunch? I don’t have anything but the radio interview later this afternoon” Phillip suggested, spraying deodorant liberally under his arms.

Sylvia paused in front of the mirror. Since their heart to heart and agreeing to gi
ve the relationship another try, Phillip had been incessantly clingy. There wasn’t a day which passed without him wanting to spend time with her. As much as she was flattered and enjoyed the adornment and new found attention, it was becoming a little restrictive. She still couldn’t fathom her true feelings towards him and his sudden obsessive behaviour wasn’t helping the matter.

“
Sorry - I can’t do lunch, I’ve got Pilates today” she lied, hoping he wouldn’t remember she had dropped out of the class nearly six weeks earlier. 

“
I thought you didn’t do Pilates anymore?” Phillip said, pulling on a grey cashmere sweater. 

He’d remembered, which in itself was a surprise seeing as Sylvia had automatically as
sumed she’d spent the first six months of their relationship talking to herself.

Securing her hair off her face,
she picked up her perfume and spritzed her neck and arms.

“
I’m starting up again. Mainly because of the weight I’ve noticed that’s crept up on me. Class starts today.” Refusing to meet his questioning expression, she slipped on her shoes and picked up her bag.

“
Ok, I’m off. I’ll see you tonight; I can come to yours after the drinks with the girls?”

Phillip switched off the r
adio and picked up his wallet. “I’ll leave with you. I’m going to head into town and run a few errands.” 

Walking out of her
ground floor apartment together, the pair kissed goodbye and went their separate ways. It was only as Sylvia got into her car and turned on the ignition that she realised Phillip hadn’t answered her question. Did he not want to see her later?

It was already eight o’clock when Sylvia pushed open the heavy glass door of Corney & Barrow. Despite rushing her last client, she had still managed to arrive forty-five minutes later than planned. The girls were already seated on high stools and spotted her immediately.

“
Hi ladies” she exclaimed excitedly, moving around to each of her three friends and giving them air kisses.  “I’m so sorry I’m late. It’s been one of those days where everything that could possibly have gone wrong, did so.” Hooking her bag under the table, she propped herself onto the remaining unoccupied seat and reached across for the drinks menu. 

“
Don’t worry, you haven’t missed anything – we’ve just been chatting about Jo’s new boss.” Donna said, taking a sip of her drink and eyeing Sylvia in a way which meant not to raise the subject again. Sylvia understood the signal immediately. Jo wasn’t the most light-hearted person. Getting her started on something she disliked was a sure fire way to dull anyone’s mood. She was relieved she was late.

“
So, why are we here in Corney & Barrow and not at our local tonight?” Sylvia asked, diverting the subject. “I gather there must be something special you want to share with us?!” Jo and Sally giggled.

Donna laughed nervously. “
Is it that obvious that when I suggest meeting here instead of the King’s Head that there’s a momentous reason?” 

“
Yes Donna it is. We came for your engagement announcement, your promotion announcement, your redundancy announcement. Need I continue?!” Sylvia joked.

“
Ok, ok. I wanted to wait until all of you were here until I shared my news” Donna began, fiddling restlessly with the napkin under her wine glass.

“
Well, we are all here now, so come on, spit it out?” Jo said in her no frills manner.

Donna took a deep bre
ath and looked at her friends. “Garth and I are eleven weeks pregnant. We think it might be a girl” she said excitedly.

All three women squealed feverishly at the news, getting off their seats to hug and kiss their friend.
  Sylvia felt elated for Donna. They had all been aware that she had been trying for a baby but after three years of no success and a long standing history of severe endometriosis, it seemed it wasn’t meant to be.

“
Oh Donna, I’m absolutely delighted for you” Sylvia said, taking her seat again and looking at her friend with new eyes. She didn’t look any different. There was no sign of pregnancy flush or weight gain whatsoever. 

“
Me too” Sally said, reaching over to squeeze Donna’s hand encouragingly. 

“Let’s do a toast”
Jo announced, raising her glass. 

“
Oh wait, I don’t have a drink yet” Sylvia said, looking around for a floor waiter.

Donna picked up her near full wine gla
ss and set it in front of her. “Have this; I was only sipping it as a pretence so you wouldn’t guess. I obviously can’t drink now that I know I’m pregnant. I’ve got half a glass of sparkling water here anyway, I can toast with that.”

Sylvia picked up the wine glass and held it in the air alongside the others.
 

“
To Donna and Garth” Jo said, clinking her glass against the rest.

Sylvia arrived home at midnight, tipsy and tired and slightly regretting her decision to drink a third celebratory glass of wine. It hadn’t been easy to ignore the small voice in her head all night, telling her to check her phone to see if Phillip had messaged. He hadn’t.

The girls had fully supported her decision to give the relationship a second chance; she suspected it was based
purely on the fact that they were all fans of Phillip and any excuse to have a connection to him was welcomed. She couldn’t gauge her true feelings on the matter. It irritated her that he hadn’t been in contact since they’d left the house together that morning. Nor had he given her a clear answer on wanting her to spend the night at his. She sighed to herself and kicked off her shoes, the balls of her feet throbbing against the cold bathroom floor. It annoyed her that he’d become obsessive and attentive and it annoyed her that he’d suddenly stopped being attentive. Why couldn’t there be a happy medium? Why was it always one extreme or the other with men? 

She was thankful that Donna’s happy news had dominated the evening’s conversation and she hadn’
t been given the chance to over-analyse her predicament.

Stripping off her clothes, she put them into the laundry basket and walked into her bedroom in her underwear. Catching sight of herself in the mirror unawares, she gasped, feeling immediately disgusted at her reflection. Her stomach looked even more protruded that it had in the morning. She prodded her belly and felt the hardness.