Forty-three
Luke gazed around with interest as Rachel drove into The Haven . It was the first time he’d been in one of these places, though he’d seen the advertisements for over-fifties communities on television. A couple of the old schoolmates he’d met at the reunion even lived in them, but that sort of lifestyle wasn’t for him.
However, it did appear pleasant, the neat villas sitting apart with well-tended gardens, and a large building which he assumed was the aged care centre or some sort of common facility.
‘Liz’s mother loves it here,’ Rachel said as she pulled into a parking spot. ‘She’s even found a gentleman friend.’ She smiled.
They got out of the car, and Rachel led the way to where an elderly woman was standing in the open doorway of one of the villas.
‘Thanks for seeing us, Joan,’ Rachel said. ‘This is Luke Findlay. He’s acting as a locum for Bob Reed while Bob’s overseas. Luke, this is Joan Ellis. Liz’s mum.’
‘You’re a friend of Liz’s?’ Joan asked.
‘Not really, but we’ve met.’
‘Hmm. Well, come in both of you. I’ve just taken some date scones out of the oven and the kettle’s on.’
Luke followed the two women into Joan’s tidy home which was redolent with the aroma of freshly baked scones, making his mouth water and reminding him of his mother’s baking.
When they had all been served with the delicious looking scones and tea in china cups which also reminded Luke of his mother, Joan fixed him with her gaze and said, ‘I remember you. You’re Sonja Findlay’s boy, aren’t you?’
Luke’s stomach lurched. She knew his mother. ‘That’s right. I grew up here, left to go to university.’
‘And now you’re back.’
‘Temporarily.’ Luke felt Rachel flinch.
‘I was a lot younger than Sonja of course, but I remember when her family arrived in the area. There had never been Italians living here before that. It was quite an experience. Of course, now there are lots of families from various different countries. But it was just after the war and some people had trouble forgetting…’ She sighed. ‘What is it you want to know?’
Luke put his cup and saucer down on the coffee table and leant forward, hands on his knees. ‘It’s about my grandparents. I want to know more about them. Where they came from, and why here? I’ve heard my grandfather worked in a market garden and had a market stall, so I’m assuming they came from the south of Italy, but that’s all.’
‘Oh dear, I’m really sorry. I can’t help you there. I do remember the Russos’ market stall. I used to accompany my mother there every Sunday. But as for anything else…’ She shook her head.
‘Okay, thanks. It was a long shot.’ Luke’s hopes crashed.
‘But there is someone who might be able to help you. There’s a lady here. Ines Ferrari lives in the aged care centre now but is still quite alert. She’s Italian too, came later than your family. She plays mahjong with us on occasions. She’d be about the right age and might remember more than I do.’
‘Would I be able to talk with her?’
‘I don’t see why not. Like many others in the centre, I don’t think she gets a lot of visitors, and she’d enjoy seeing a good-looking young man like yourself.’
Luke tried to hide his amusement at being called a good-looking young man and he could see Rachel suppressing a smile too.
‘It may take a little while. How are you fixed for time?’ Joan looked at both Luke and Rachel.
‘I…’ he began, then glanced across at Rachel who was looking awkward.
‘I need to pick up Verity – my granddaughter,’ she said to Joan, ‘but if Luke wants to do it now, I can come back for him later.’
‘Are you sure?’ Luke asked. He didn’t want to inconvenience Rachel who had been good enough to set this up and drive him here, but he didn’t want to miss this opportunity.
‘I’m sure. Thanks, Joan,’ Rachel said, ‘and thanks for the tea and scones. I wish mine always turned out like that.’
‘I’m sure they do, and it’s no trouble. I’d be interested to know more about Sonja myself.’
‘Can you call me when you’re ready to leave?’ Rachel asked Luke.
‘Sure, Red.’ He grinned, happy that this might prove to be the breakthrough he’d been hoping for.
*
Rachel was pleased she’d been able to help Luke. It sounded as if this Italian woman might be the key to him unlocking his family history. Family was important, more so as one grew older. And Becky was her family.
She stopped the car on the way to Jess’s and called Andy. ‘How’s Becky?’ she asked as soon as he answered.
‘Give me a minute.’
Rachel heard a door open and close, then her brother-in-law’s voice again. ‘She’s not good, Rach. I’m…’ His voice broke. ‘Sorry. It’s one of her bad days.’
Rachel felt her heart drop. This was her big sister, who she’d looked up to for as long as she could remember, who she’d wanted to be like when she was a teenager and Becky seemed so grownup. ‘Last time we spoke you said you were looking at nursing homes.’
‘Yeah. I put it off for a while trying to handle things myself, but in the end… It’s a nice place. Becky has her own room with a view of the gardens.’
‘You have to do what’s right for you… and Becky, Andy. Last time I saw her…’
‘She’s gone downhill a lot since then. Some days, she doesn’t know who I am. It’s…’ He stifled a sob. ‘Sorry,’ he said again. ‘I visit most days, and when I leave, we do this rapid kissing thing we always used to do. It’s my way of knowing she recognises me, but…’
‘I wish there was something I could do to help.’
‘Maybe… if you could see yourself able to come down for a visit, for a few days. Seeing you might bring some things back… Oh, who knows? I certainly don’t.’
A wave of compassion flowed over Rachel, for Andy, for Becky. It was such a small thing to ask, and Becky was her sister. She had no guests until next weekend. There was Verity but… maybe… ‘Let me get back to you,’ she said. She started the car and drove straight to Jess’s.
When she arrived, the three girls ran out to greet her. For the first time, Verity seemed as full of energy as the other two. ‘Gemma and Indie told me all about Pelican Pals, Grandma,’ she said, grabbing Rachel’s hand and swinging on it. ‘They used to go there when they were my age, and they said…’ Rachel stopped paying attention. She’d all but forgotten Jess had sent the twins there… until they’d become too rowdy for the other children. That’s when Rachel had started taking care of them more frequently, and she loved it. She tuned back in to hear Verity ask, ‘Can I really go there tomorrow?’
‘That’s the plan,’ Rachel said. ‘You had fun with the twins today?’
Verity nodded happily.
An idea began to form in Rachel’s mind. ‘I need to talk to your Aunt Jess for a few minutes. ‘Where’s Mummy?’ she asked the twins.
‘She’s inside with Emily,’ Gemma said.
‘Thanks. I won’t be long,’ she said to Verity.
Rachel found Jess in the kitchen fixing a band aid with the picture of a dinosaur onto Emily’s knee. ‘All done,’ she said, lifting the little girl down from the table where she’d been seated. ‘Take care now,’ she called after her as she ran off to join her sisters and cousin. ‘Sorry, Mum.’ She gave Rachel a hug. ‘Good to see you. Did you enjoy yourself last night?’
Rachel gave her daughter a wary look. Did she know… or guess how she’d spent it? No, she couldn’t, though she might suspect. ‘It was lovely, thanks. How was Verity?’
‘Good. We made up another bed in the twins’ room and she went to sleep with them and slept right through. She’s such a lovely kid. Alexander doesn’t know what he’s missing.’
‘Oh, I think he does.’ In the time she’d spent with Verity, listening to her prattle on about her daddy, Rachel had got the impression that Alexander cared more about his daughter than he’d been willing to admit. He must have realised his lifestyle was completely unsuited to bringing up a child and that his mother was better placed to do so. For that, she was grateful, and she suspected they might see a lot more of him in the months and years to come.
‘I need to talk to you, ask a favour,’ Rachel said.
‘Tea first. I was about to make some. Peppermint do you, Mum?’
‘Fine.’ Rachel resigned herself to wait while Jess boiled the water, then called the girls in and sent them out again with poppers of juice and Oreos, shrugging at Rachel’s surprise. Jess was normally so health conscious. ‘Sometimes it’s easier to give in,’ she said.
When they were seated with their peppermint tea – and more Oreos – Jess said, ‘Okay, Mum. What’s the favour?’
‘I wondered if you’d be willing to have Verity for a few days – three or four.’ She waited, seeing Jess’s eyes widen with disbelief.
‘You…?’
‘No!’ Rachel blushed as it suddenly occurred to her what Jess might be thinking. ‘It’s your Aunt Becky. I spoke to Uncle Andy earlier. She’s not so good, and he thinks maybe if I visited…’ Rachel’s eyes began to moisten. She blinked away the tears.
‘Oh, Mum. I’m sorry. Poor Aunt Becky. Is she in a nursing home now?’
Rachel nodded, suddenly unable to speak, remembering what Andy had told her.
‘Of course Verity can stay here. She can stay now, if you like. She’ll be company for Emily when the twins are at school.’
‘No, not today. I need to make sure she’s happy with it. And I’ve promised to enrol her in Pelican Pals tomorrow, so she’ll be there for a couple of the days. It means you’ll have to drop her off and pick her up.’
‘No problem. I’ve been thinking of enrolling Emily there anyway. She’ll be easier for them to handle than the twins were.’ She chuckled.
‘How are they liking school?’
‘They love it. They’ve put them in different classes which is probably a good thing, so they can’t stir each other up like they did at Pelican Pals .’ This time she grinned. ‘Not everyone has your patience, Mum.’
Rachel smiled. She’d loved having the twins so often, would really miss them.
As if realising they were being talked about, the twins appeared, wanting to show off the drawings and worksheets they’d brought home from school, and the remainder of Rachel’s visit was spent listening to their stories and admiring their work.
It was past lunchtime when Luke called to say he was ready to be picked up, and Rachel left with hugs and kisses and promises to return soon, relieved at Jess’s response to her request. Now, she just had to check Verity was okay with it, and she could book her flight to Adelaide.