Pictures of Lily (19 page)

‘Oh, really?’

‘No need to sound quite so excited,’ he says jokily. He knows I’m not a big fan of his sisters and, quite frankly, it’s going to be hard enough telling his parents without having Little and Large making snide comments in the background.

‘Here you go, love.’

‘Thanks.’ I gratefully accept a glass of champagne from Richard’s dad. I’m going to need this.

Anne and Joe’s house is in Mosman, a short drive from Manly. I don’t own a car because I commute to work by ferry quite happily, so we had to take Richard’s truck. He keeps it reasonably tidy, but I always feel like it’s dirty and I regretted my decision to wear a cream dress as soon as I stepped up into the cabin.

‘You look lovely today, Lily,’ Richard’s mum Anne says.

‘Thank you.’ My natural impulse is to dust down my dress. ‘I hope there are no marks on it,’ I say.

‘No, no.’ She glances behind me as I look round at my bum. ‘It’s perfect.’

I do like his parents, but I don’t feel at ease in their home. It’s strange because they’ve never been anything but nice to me.

Anne is a plump woman of about five foot five with tightly-curled brown hair. Richard’s grey-haired father Joe towers above her at six foot three. He’s skinny as a beanpole and has a large nose, upon which sits a pair of horn-rimmed glasses. Brenda and Sally take after each of them in stature: Brenda is short and plump, and Sally is tall and willowy. As for Richard, he has his dad’s height, but he’s not lanky. I guess years of pulling his weight on building sites has built up muscles his maths teacher father otherwise lacks.

Anne doesn’t work, but she does knit. A lot. Sally sells some of her hand-knitted children’s rattles in a shop where she works in Manly. It’s actually the shop where Molly used to work before she became Mikey’s full-time mum. I say full-time, but Molly also beavers away at home as a fashion designer. Her offbeat, quirky clothes have become quite popular with Sydney’s trendsetters.

‘How are you?’ Brenda interrupts my thoughts. ‘How’s the job?’

‘I’m good, the job’s fine,’ I reply breezily. ‘How about you?’ Brenda works in finance for a large bank in the city.

‘Fantastic. Business is booming! I can’t believe they ever said we were in a recession;
we
haven’t seen any cutbacks.’

‘You’re lucky,’ I comment.

‘Luck! Nothing to do with luck. Life is what you make of it, that’s what I always say.’

‘Tell that to the mates of mine who have lost their jobs,’ Richard interrupts crossly and I’m pleased. I hate the way Brenda goes on sometimes.

‘Top-up?’ Joe tactfully produces champagne as we hear the front door open and slam.

‘Where is everyone?’ Sally calls.

‘In here!’ Joe shouts back.

‘Sorry I’m late.’ She bustles into the room, removing a heavy knitted black cardigan as she enters. ‘This super-rich bloke came in at ten to six and bought out half the shop. He took some of your rattles, Mum.’

‘Ooh, how lovely,’ Anne comments agreeably.

‘Do you get commission?’ Brenda interjects.

‘No,’ Sally replies.

‘You should sort that out with your boss,’ Brenda tells her. ‘No point working in a shop if you can’t get commission.’

‘Champagne, darling?’ Good old Joe.

‘So, we have some news,’ Richard says when we’re all sitting around the table tucking into Anne’s home-baked chicken pie. Nerves swirl around my stomach as the attention falls on us both.

‘You’re pregnant!’ Sally bursts out.

‘No,’ Brenda says decisively. ‘They’re getting married.’

I told you they were annoying.

‘Let them tell us,’ Anne chides gently.

‘Well?’ Joe prompts as Richard gives me a wry look. ‘Which is it?’

‘I’ve asked Lily to marry me and’ – cue shriek from his mum – ‘she said yes.’

Another shriek as Anne pushes out her chair and leaps to her feet. ‘Oh, darling, that’s wonderful news!’

‘Congratulations, son.’ Joe stands and shakes Richard’s hand while he’s in the midst of being smothered by Anne. His mum turns to me so I stand up, too.

‘Such exciting news, Lily,’ she says, pulling me in for a cuddly hug. I can’t help but smile.

Joe leans over to peck my cheek, saying, ‘Well done, dear, that’s fabulous.’

‘Congratulations!’ Brenda booms from her sitting position.

‘Yes, well done!’ Sally also doesn’t get up. We all take our seats again.

‘When’s the big day?’ Brenda asks through mouthfuls of chicken pie.

Richard glances at me before tactfully replying, ‘We haven’t decided yet.’

‘Oh, do make it soon,’ she says. ‘Long engagements are so tedious.’

‘We’ll let you know as soon as we know,’ Richard assures her firmly.

‘Don’t get married in January,’ Sally interjects. ‘I’m going to Thailand then.’

‘Are you?’ Joe turns to her in surprise.

‘Yeah. We haven’t booked our flights yet, but that’s the plan.’

‘Who’s we?’ Anne asks, similarly taken aback.

‘Me and Cathy from the shop.’

‘But you’ve never travelled out of Australia!’ Anne exclaims.

‘About time she did, then,’ Brenda says. ‘When I went to Bali in my twenties’ – she says this as if her twenties were decades ago, but she’s only thirty-one – ‘I swore I’d partake in international travel every year.’

‘What happened?’ Richard asks.

‘Life took hold,’ she says, trying to project an aura of mysterious wisdom. Then: ‘Anyway, we should eat up before our dinner goes cold.’

And that’s the end of the discussion for now.

‘That went well,’ Richard says later when we’re in the truck on the way home. He rushed me out of there at four forty-five because the Australian Grand Prix is about to start and he’s a bit of a sports nut.

I look at him and grin. He smirks back at me. ‘At least they didn’t subject you to the Spanish Inquisition,’ he adds.

‘True. That’s probably on the cards next time.’

For want of something better to do I sit with him to watch the start of the race. I don’t mind Formula 1. Some of the drivers are quite sexy, especially that Brazilian Luis Castro, who’s starting from pole position.

‘Do you really not want a ring?’ Richard glances at me with a doleful expression on his face as the drivers set off on their warm-up lap.

‘No. Honestly, no,’ I assure him. ‘A wedding band will be fine.’

‘A wedding band with diamonds though – right?’ He smiles at me hopefully.

‘Yes.’ I smile back. ‘A wedding band with diamonds would be lovely.’

‘And what about getting married in January next year?’

‘The January that Sally’s going to Thailand?’

‘Or February, if we have to.’

I shake my head. ‘It’s too soon. Really, it’s too soon.’

‘We could have a winter wedding?’

‘No. Summer would be better.’

‘Spring?’

‘Summer. Summer 2011.’

He sighs. ‘Okay, then.’

‘Brenda will just have to suck it up,’ I add.

‘Indeed she will.’

‘Look, the race is about to start.’

And until sexy Luis Castro crosses the line in first place and snogs his annoyingly beautiful girlfriend, that – for the time being – is the end of the matter.

‘What’s with the rain?’ he humphs when I open the door. ‘It was thirty degrees in Adelaide when I left.’

‘It’s supposed to clear up tomorrow for Easter Sunday,’ I assure him. ‘Anyway, you moody bugger, give me a hug.’

He grins and steps into the hall, dropping his bag to engulf me. ‘Even after all these years you still sound like a Pommie.’

He’s still unbelievably good-looking, but after my initial attraction, I only ever had eyes for Ben.

And now Richard, of course.

‘Where’s Richard?’ He glances past me to the living room.

‘He’s gone to welcome his mate back from his honeymoon.’

‘Three’s company . . .’ he says jokily.

‘He won’t stay long. He just wanted to drop in some supplies.’ Which I thought was very nice of him,
actually
.

‘Can I get you something to drink?’

‘What have you got?’

‘Coke, Fanta, apple juice, wine, beer . . .’ My voice trails off.

‘Fanta, thanks.’ He never did go back to drinking and driving. ‘Hey, this is cool.’ He looks around. ‘I like the garden.’

We’d only just moved in when Josh last came to Sydney to visit. It’s changed tenfold since then.

‘Thanks. Do you want to chuck your bag in your room? It’s that one there.’ I point across the hall.

He comes back as I’m pouring our drinks into glasses. We take them to the sofa.

‘How are Michael and Janine?’

‘Really good. Busy at work, as ever. Janine’s been caring for a baby koala at home for the last few days.’ I wince as a memory of Ben gently holding a tiny Olivia comes back to me. ‘I popped in to see them last night before I left,’ Josh continues, oblivious to my pain.

‘How’s Tina?’

He shrugs. ‘Yeah, she’s good. Fine.’

‘Have you two moved in together yet?’ He lives in Mount Barker now, in a small house of his own.

‘Hell, no. I’d never get her to move out,’ he jokes.

I laugh. ‘Some people would say that’s the point of being in a relationship.’

‘I’m not ready for that yet.’

‘Fair enough.’

I hear a key turn in the front door lock and Richard appears a moment later. Josh gets up to shake his hand.

‘Alright, Richard, how’s it going?’

‘Yeah, good thanks, mate.’

‘How were the happy couple?’ Josh asks.

‘I had to wear sunnies to shield my eyes from their glow.’

‘Really?’ I grin. ‘Good time, then?’

‘The best.’

‘What was the resort like?’

‘I didn’t stick around long enough to ask. Didn’t want to outstay my welcome. I did tell them about us though.’

‘Richard!’ I exclaim. ‘It’s supposed to still be all about them.’

‘Sorry.’ He holds up his hands to shield himself as though I’m going to rain down blows on him. ‘I couldn’t help it.’

‘What’s this?’ Josh interjects, looking confused.

I turn to him and compose myself. ‘We’re getting married.’

‘Are you?’ He looks taken aback. ‘Wow. Congratulations.’

‘Thanks.’ I can feel my face heating up.

Josh addresses Richard. ‘I hope you know what you’re letting yourself in for.’

‘Hey!’ I exclaim, mock indignantly, but Richard wraps his arm around my neck and pulls me in, saying, ‘I’ve got the ball and chain ready.’

I whack him on his chest and free myself. ‘What do you want to drink?’ I ask my – I was going to say boyfriend, but it’s fiancé now, isn’t it? I cannot cope with this.

Richard glances down at the half-full glasses on the coffee table. ‘Fanta would be cool.’ He and Josh sit on the sofa.

Fiancé.
Fiancé
! It sounds so . . .

Old?

Yes, Ben, it sounds old. I know what you mean, now.

‘So what are the plans for tonight?’ Josh interrupts my internal conversation.

‘We’re meeting some friends of mine from work.’ I turn to Richard. ‘Are Molly and Sam coming?’

‘No, they’ve got Molly’s parents round,’ Richard replies. ‘The invite is still open for tomorrow’s Easter barbecue though. I said I’d let them know because I wasn’t sure what you two had planned.’

I glance at Josh and I’m unable to read his expression. ‘Cool, thanks.’ I don’t know if he’d rather go sightseeing, but I’ll check with him later.

Nicola and Mel are already at the bar when we arrive later that night. Even from the doorway I can see that Nicola is practically vibrating with excitement. We’re meeting at one of the trendy bars at the International Passenger Terminal near Circular Quay. It doesn’t sound glam, but it is. The girls have got there early enough to bag us a table with a view of the Opera House.

‘Good work!’ I beam as we approach. ‘Nicola, Mel, this is Josh. Josh, Nicola, Mel.’

Both leap to their feet to shake his hand. Even in the low light I can see that Nicola has gone red.

‘You remember Richard,’ I add.

‘Hi,’ Richard says, leaning in to kiss them each on the cheek. ‘I’ll go to the bar. What are you two drinking?’

‘We’re on the cocktails,’ Mel says, snatching the menu from the centre of the glossy orange table. The guys wait with remarkable patience as we fuss and coo over the different concoctions, then Josh sets off to the bar with my boyfriend.

Yes,
boyfriend
. I’m not using that other word, it sounds too ridiculous.

‘Holy shit!’ Nicola breathes as soon as their backs have turned. I look at her and grin at the wide-eyed astonishment on her face. ‘He’s even better-looking in real life!’

‘I told you,’ I warn her. ‘He has a girlfriend, remember.’

‘Yeah, whatever.’ She waves me away. ‘And you honestly expect me to believe you never shagged him?’

‘I never shagged him,’ I say firmly, rolling my eyes at Mel.

‘What a wasted opportunity,’ she says wistfully. ‘Not even when your parents were out?’

‘Not even when our parents were out. So what did you two get up to yesterday?’ I turn the subject to Bank Holiday proceedings and am soon bombarded with details of Mel’s conquest on Thursday night with a banker from the city.

‘He stuck around for breakfast?’ I ask. ‘That sounds promising.’

‘Yep,’ Mel replies gleefully. ‘We went for pancakes.’

‘Woohoo! Are you seeing him again?’

‘He’s going to call.’

‘Fingers crossed, then,’ I say as Richard and Josh return with a variety of multicoloured drinks.

‘I can’t remember which is which,’ Josh says, plonking the drinks on the table.

‘Well,
I
ordered an Orgasm,’ Nicola says flirtatiously. ‘And I want to have at least one of those tonight so you’d better deliver one way or another.’

I stifle an outraged cry as Josh grins down at her before slumping into a chair. Mel and I gawp at each other, then at Nicola, but she pretends not to notice.

‘How was your flight?’ Mel asks Josh. I look across at Richard, still reeling from the shock of Nicola’s brazenness, but he shrugs and grins.

A few cocktails in and I’ve lightened up considerably.

‘Where are we going from here?’ Josh asks. He’s been basking in the glow of Nicola’s attention for the last two hours.

‘A Mexican restaurant I know. It’s got a good party atmosphere,’ I say.

‘Sounds great.’

‘And then we’ll hit a club if you haven’t collapsed by then.’

‘Collapsed?’ Josh sniggers. ‘Don’t you remember, I’m a hardcore party animal.’

‘That was years ago. You’re an old man now.’

‘Twenty-eight? Old? Please!’

Twenty-eight. Twenty-eight. That age again.

Clear as day I see Ben’s dark-blue eyes staring into mine on the night we bumped into each other in Hahndorf. That was when I knew he felt something for me.

‘She’s got that far-off look in her eyes again.’

I come back to the present with a bump to see everyone staring at me. Mel is grinning mischievously.

‘What
are
you thinking about?’ she prods.

I shake my head, dumbly.

‘She’s been like this loads over the last couple of weeks, hasn’t she, Nicola?’

‘Yes,’ Nicola says, smiling.

It’s true. I’ve been thinking about Ben a lot recently. Much more than I ever used to. I can’t get him out of my head, day
or
night. He’s there. Like a permanent resident.

‘She’s probably wedding planning,’ Richard chips in.

‘Wedding? Whose wedding?’ Nicola shrieks.

‘Haven’t you . . .’ Richard’s question trails off as he gives me a querying look. I shake my head briskly, but it’s too late.

‘You’re NOT!’ Nicola cries.

I shrug, embarrassed.

‘
She is
! When? When did he ask you?’

I glance at Richard, who is staring at me with a strange expression on his face. ‘Two weeks ago.’

‘And you kept it from us?’ Nicola all but hollers. ‘Why? Why would you do such a thing?’

‘Yes, Lily, why?’ Richard asks as quietly as the loud music will allow.

I give him a hopeless look. ‘I didn’t want to take anything away from Nathan and Lucy.’

‘Who the hell are Nathan and Lucy?’ Mel chips in, very unhelpfully I might add.

‘They don’t even know Nathan and Lucy,’ Richard says, and I shrug again. Even Nicola, who is halfway down the tipsy hill to drunk, starts to register the uncomfortable atmosphere.

‘I’m starving!’ Josh exclaims. ‘Can we get out of here, or what?’

‘I didn’t want them to make a big fuss,’ I tell Richard later as we lag behind the others on our way out of the restaurant. He’s been avoiding my gaze throughout the entire meal and I need to say something now because I’ve been feeling a bit sick for the past two hours. ‘I’m still getting used to the idea myself,’ I continue to explain when he doesn’t comment. ‘Richard, please say something.’

‘It’s fine.’

‘You don’t sound fine.’

‘I’m a little concerned,’ he admits, glancing at me with his warm brown eyes and it does nothing to expel the bad feeling in my stomach. ‘You’ve been acting strangely ever since I . . . I just don’t know if there’s something else going on. You’re always off out with your camera, and I guess you seem different somehow.’

‘I don’t know what you mean. Yes, I’ve been taking photos,’ I say crossly, ‘but how could you possibly have a problem with that? It makes me happy.’

‘It never made you happy before.’

‘It did! I used to love using my camera.’

‘Why did you stop then?’

I can’t find the words to answer.

‘It seems to have come out of nowhere,’ he explains. ‘I feel like I don’t know you.’

‘I’m sorry if it makes you feel threatened,’ I say coldly.

‘It’s not tha—’

‘But I’m not going to stop.’ I cruelly cut him off, even though I heard the softening in his voice.

‘Suit yourself,’ he says unhappily, as he stalks off down the pavement towards the others. Mel is trying to flag down a taxi while Nicola is gazing up at Josh through her heavily mascaraed lashes. He’s grinning down at her with his hands in his pockets. The sight does nothing to quell my nausea, but I’ve had just about enough. If he wants to screw her, so be it. I don’t know Tina, but I’ll be disappointed in Josh if he lets her down.

A six-seater taxi pulls up and we all climb in. Richard and I get in the very back and sit apart from each other, staring out of the window at the city lights flashing past. Nicola has squeezed herself between Mel and Josh. The last place I feel like going right now is a club. I know Richard feels the same. I glance across at my boyfriend and have a sudden impulse to take his hand. But I don’t.

We wind our way through the streets and pull up outside the venue in Kings Cross. Josh helps Nicola out of the taxi. I give Mel a rueful look as we walk up the steps to greet the bouncers.

‘This is turning out to be couples central,’ she murmurs. ‘I’m starting to wish my horny banker could have come along.’

‘Does your horny banker
do
clubs?’ I ask.

‘No, probably not,’ she admits.

‘Then let’s go and dance our asses off while we can,’ I say, full of determination. I drag her through the crowds towards the dance-floor as the beat of the drums reverberates through our bodies. It’s not long before a couple of drunken idiots start gyrating against us. I grab Mel and move away so we can dance without interruption.

I hate clubs. Full of pricks.

Get out of my head, Ben.

A short while later, Nicola joins us. Soon afterwards, Josh does too.

‘Where’s Richard?’ I shout into Josh’s ear.

‘At the bar. Didn’t want to dance!’ he shouts back.

No, he hates dancing. Out of the blue I’m wracked with guilt. I’ve been horrible to him! I excuse myself and go to find him. He’s nursing a rum and coke and is people-watching. I sidle up to him and he looks down at me, a blank expression on his face.