Meant To Be (15 page)

‘Well I've had enough, Liz. You use people. You can deny your feelings for Jake all you like – hint that he's gay and all the other crap you pulled when you stayed – but the truth is, you're jealous. You're jealous because he's chosen me over you, and you're jealous of the fact that I have a more meaningful life than you because I'm
not obsessed with money and impressing people who don't really matter.' She was becoming a little breathless, but she blundered on.

‘Well, Liz, you can't compete with me or lord it over me, or whatever you're trying to do, because that game takes two to play and I'm not interested in playing it. I don't care about flash cars, posh restaurants, five-star hotels, designer clothes, or being seen in the hippest Melbourne café sipping on a latte. If that makes me the poor country hick cousin, then fine, that's what I am. But that's my choice and it's none of your business, or your mother's, or even
my
mother's, for that matter!' Suddenly Emily stopped. She was struggling for air.

There was silence on the other end of the line.

‘I've got to go,' Emily said after a moment. ‘I don't need this. I've grinned and put up with all this crap for long enough!' And with that she hung up. Her face was flaming. She felt exhilarated, a little light-headed, and a wee bit guilty. It was the closest she'd ever got to hanging up on someone.

She ran her hands through her hair.

‘God, what's happened? Are you okay?' Jake asked, full of concern.

Shit.
He must have come in mid-rant because she hadn't heard the sliding door. ‘No, I'm bloody wild!'

‘What's happened?' He sat down.

‘Bloody Liz! I wish I didn't let her get to me, but she pushes my buttons every time! I guess this time I cracked,' she said, smiling weakly.

‘Well, she can be pretty full-on,' Jake said, choosing his words carefully.

Emily held her hands up. ‘I know she's a good friend of yours, but she's a back-stabbing, smarmy, manipulative bitch who only thinks about herself.'

‘Yep, she's all of that, and more,' Jake said thoughtfully. He shuffled his chair closer and put his arm around her. ‘What did she say to upset you?'

‘I don't know,' Emily said, exasperated. ‘She was going on about how the cottage is over-capitalising, or something.'

‘Like she'd know,' Jake said.

‘Can't she just be pleased that I'm doing something that makes me happy?'

‘She's jealous of us too, right?' Jake asked.

‘I think so.'

‘Emily, she's jealous of
you
. You're naturally beautiful…'

‘Yeah, right.'

‘Let me finish,' he said, holding up a hand to her. ‘You're naturally beautiful; you don't go in for all the make-up, fancy clothes…'

‘Because I can't afford to,' she started, but was halted by Jake's steely, warning gaze.

‘You know who you are and you're content. You don't feel the need to impress people. You're like, “Right, here I am, if you don't like it then bugger off.”'

Actually, that's pretty recent.
He was right that she no longer felt the need to impress people, but she had spent years desperately seeking her mother's approval and had always wanted to make John happy.

‘You're you, Em. You're real. What you see is what you get. That's what I love most about you. I think deep down Liz envies you. She tries to distract everyone with flash window dressing, but I think underneath it all is a pretty insecure, unhappy person.'

‘So why are you friends with her? Not that it really matters.'

‘I suppose I feel a bit sorry for her. For a long time I didn't see her for what she really is. Actually, it's spending time with you that's done it. In fact, the very first time I met you I saw how
comfortable you were in your own skin – despite everything you were going through.'

‘Come on, I was a complete bloody basket case!' Emily said with a laugh. But it was lovely to have someone saying such nice things about her.

‘No you weren't. You were the perfect host: warm, friendly, welcoming. To a complete stranger at that.'

‘Well, you were a friend of Liz's.'

‘And even though she was a complete cow most of the time, pretending to flirt with me or making me out to be gay, you kept your cool. Don't think I didn't notice what was going on.'

Emily's eyes were wide. ‘And you just smiled and put up with it. I've done that a lot in my life.'

‘And it's part of your charm. But you don't need to pretend with me. Now you're getting your life sorted out, you need to concentrate on standing up for yourself.'

‘God, I was a bit rude,' Emily said, a little sheepishly.

‘And she probably deserved it.'

‘Why can't they just say, “You know what, whatever makes you happy. If you're happy, we're happy”?' Emily was annoyed to find her eyes filling with tears. She swiped roughly at them with the back of her hand. Of course what she really meant was: Why can't
Mum
say these things?

Poor Liz. She probably wasn't as bad as Emily was making out. They'd had good times over the years. Her timing was just bad. Or was it good? Barbara would say that the universe was in charge; she wouldn't have said these things to her cousin if she wasn't meant to.

‘Well this is why they say you can choose your friends but not your family,' Jake said kindly, and passed her a clean but crumpled tissue from his pocket. ‘It's just lucky you've got me, and Barbara and David, and your dad. We all love you just the way you are,' he added, pulling her to him.

‘Thanks Jake,' she said, hugging him. ‘I probably should phone her back,' Emily said quietly.

‘Why not wait a while? Hopefully she'll go off and think carefully about what you said. Maybe she'll call you.'

‘I doubt it,' Emily said thoughtfully, and fell silent.

‘Hey, wanna see the progress on your bright, shiny shed?' he asked, getting up.

‘Oh, you haven't finished?'

‘Almost, but not quite. Just a half-day tomorrow. So I'm afraid more food is required,' he added with an apologetic shrug.

‘That's no problem. Small price to pay for all everyone's doing.' She got up and allowed herself to be led outside.

As they were halfway across the expanse of rubble, first Steve, then Grant, and then Bob drove past. They slowed down and waved from their open windows. ‘See you tomorrow.'

‘Thanks very much. See you then,' Emily called back.

When they got to the work site, Des and David were packing tools into big aluminium boxes and winding up extension cords. Emily stared at the huge shed looming up in front of her. They were almost done. If only everyone had stayed until dark, they might have finished. But she couldn't be frustrated; a lot of people were doing her a huge favour. And it was probably safer to finish when they were fresh rather than rushing and working in poor light.

‘It looks fantastic,' she said enthusiastically. ‘You've made great headway this afternoon.

‘Would have loved to have got it finished,' David said.

‘Oh, well, there's no great rush. Are you coming back tomorrow, Dad?'

‘Not sure. What are you cooking?' Des Oliphant replied with a lopsided grin.

‘Oh, trust you,' she said with a laugh, and playfully made a swipe at his arm. ‘Give me a chance to think about it. I've only just found out there's more to be done.'

‘Well, whatever it is, I reckon it'll be worth the trip Des,' Jake said, putting an arm around Emily's shoulders.

‘Add a bit of pressure, why don't you,' she said, turning her head and kissing him firmly on the cheek.

‘Oh, look at the time,' Des said, checking his watch. ‘Better get home before her ladyship sends out a search party.' He shook Jake and David's hands and gave Emily a tight hug. ‘See you tomorrow around smoko time,' he added, laughing as he got into his ute. They waved him off in silence.

‘Would you like a beer for the road?' Jake said to David.

‘I'd offer dinner, but I'm sure Barbara is waiting for you.' Emily said.

‘Thanks, but I'd better get cracking. I'll pass on the beer, thanks Jake. It might go down too well. Better stick to the water. See you tomorrow morning.'

‘Okay, see ya. Drive safe,' Emily said.

He got into his ute and they waved him off before turning and walking slowly arm in arm back to the house.

The next morning, Emily and Jake enjoyed a light but lingering breakfast chatting about the cottage – they just couldn't stop calling it that. They had finished tidying the kitchen and Emily had returned to flicking through magazines for ideas when they heard the familiar friendly toot of David's ute. Jake kissed Emily goodbye, got up, and left the kitchen.

Emily watched him putting on his boots at the door, feeling dreamy and blissful. She finally had a great man in her life who respected her and treated her well. And they were about to embark on a great project together.

Out of the corner of her eye she noticed Grace get up from her spot under the cupboard to follow Jake. Emily called her back in a commanding tone. The downcast look the dog gave her as she trotted back in and lay back down made her feel mean, but she stuck to her guns. It just wasn't safe for her to be out where there might be tractors driving, things being dropped, and size-ten boots stomping around. And it wasn't fair on the workers to be keeping an eye out for her all the time. Grace could go with her when she took the food down, like she had the previous day.

‘Yoo-hoo!'

She tilted her head at hearing a woman's voice. Mum? Emily frowned. She couldn't bear Enid bursting her bubble now when she was feeling so good. She stared at her magazine, annoyed at how just one thought could send her mood plummeting.

‘Good morning,' Barbara called, as her head popped around the kitchen door.

‘Oh. Wow. Hi,' Emily said, leaping up and almost knocking her chair over backwards in the process. ‘I wasn't expecting you. What a lovely surprise,' she said as she embraced her friend.

‘Thought you might like a hand with feeding the chaps,' Barbara said with a cheeky grin.

‘Thought
you
said I was on my own.'

‘Yeah, I might have said something like that. But the truth is, I'm avoiding doing the housework,' she added sheepishly. ‘And I missed you.'

‘Well, I'm happy to have the company.'

As Emily reached for the tea and coffee things, Barbara sat down on the chair Jake had vacated. ‘What's all this,' she asked, peering at the paperwork strewn about. ‘Looks a lot more than just an office reno,' she added, picking up the house plan.

‘We've decided to rebuild the cottage – only bigger. How cool's that? Jake's thinking of setting up an agency for his business here and he thought the building would be a good display to show people.'

‘Pretty hefty sample,' Barbara said.

‘Well, I'm thinking I might run it as an art gallery – not that I know much about art. But I do know what I like and don't like, and that's half the battle, right?'

‘I thought you wanted to run a B&B.'

‘I've changed my mind. I decided I don't want to be waiting on people hand and foot.'

‘Fair enough. Dealing with the public can be hard work. I didn't work for long as a hairdresser, but it was enough for me. But I reckon it'd be different running a gallery, though,' she hastily added.

‘I'm going to call it The Button Jar.'

‘Great name!'

‘You don't think I'm taking on too much?'

‘Girl's gotta have a hobby. And with all the antiques shops and cellar doors popping up, it's only a matter of time before art galleries and homewares shops are in demand too. You're smart to get in early,' Barbara said.

‘Well, it might take up to a year to get it all set up.'

‘Everyone has to start somewhere. I'm sure it'll be a roaring success. And it sounds like things are getting pretty serious with Jake.'

‘Yes. You don't think it's too soon, do you?'

‘Do you?'

‘Yes and no. I
think
it's probably too soon, but it doesn't really
feel
like it is.'

‘There's your answer. Go with your heart. It doesn't matter what I think, or anyone else.'

‘I feel like I've known him forever, and that I can totally trust him. I'm so lucky.' She beamed at Barbara.

‘He sure is a lovely man. And you deserve to be happy.'

Emily reluctantly dragged herself out of her love-struck daze. ‘Can you look over the plans and see if there's anything you think we've missed?'

‘As if you and Jake would have missed anything,' Barbara said, rolling her eyes. ‘But I am a very inquisitive creature, so I'm dying to take a gander.'

They were silent for a few minutes while Emily got their teas and Barbara looked over the documents.

‘So, what do you think?' Emily asked, putting their mugs on the table.

‘Brilliant. Can't fault it. It gives great options for down the track – you could always rent it out if you decide you don't like running a business. Or live there yourself.'

‘Well, I can't take any credit – it's all Jake, really.'

Barbara shrugged. ‘Whatever you say. I love it.'

‘I took a wee bit of convincing about polished concrete, but Jake assures me it'll look great.'

‘You can always put carpets down if you don't like it. Ooh, just the thought of shopping for Persians makes my mouth water,' Barbara said, and actually wiped her hand across her lips.

‘We'll see,' Emily said.

‘Anyway, I bet it won't take you long to get used to. And it'll elevate it into chic rather than just country. Not that you need to. From the sounds of things, it's going to be one for the pages of
Belle
or
Home Beautiful.
So, why an art gallery and not a homewares shop?' Barbara asked.