Chapter Seven Fiona
Chardonnay is the winemaker’s grape. Good grapes make good chardonnay, but great chardonnay becomes great because someone has carefully, patiently, lovingly worked out what those grapes need.
From: [email protected]
Subject: wine piece
Attached: questions.docx
Hi Satoshi,
So: I have an idea for my wine piece.
It’s due on 22 Nov, so I only have a few weeks. That means I should probably write about something I know, and – I know you.
What would you think about me writing a piece about Bibliophile?
You and Isamu have such an interesting story, with the way that your dad took you all around the world before you finally established yourselves in Tasmania.
I’ve always loved that thing you told me about how Isamu started accumulating books when you settled here and that made it feel like home.
I assume that’s where the name Bibliophile came from (?), which would be a great segue from talking about the two of you to talking about the wine
If you’d prefer I write about something else, that’s obviously fine.
But if you’re happy for me to make my big wine writing debut talking about Bibliophile – and if you’re not too busy!
! – I’ve attached a few questions it would be handy if you would answer.
(Do you think Isamu would be happy to answer them too?)
F xo
P.S. Just checking we’re still on for Thursday!
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: wine piece
Attached: questions_TS answers.docx
Fiona, of COURSE you can write about Bibliophile. Do you think we would ever turn down free advertising?
I’ve attached my answers to your questions – sorry if they’re not amazing, you know I’m not exactly a wordsmith – and I’ll send them on to Isamu. I can’t imagine he’ll be a terribly good interview subject either (you know what he’s like) but I’m sure he can manage a few sentences.
And yes, that’s exactly where the name Bibliophile came from. Tsundoku is a riff on it – it’s the Japanese word for letting books pile up in your house without reading them.
Can’t wait to read your draft!
Sato xx
P.S. We’re definitely still on for Thursday x
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: wine piece
You’re the best. Thank you!! These answers are brilliant – your passion for the wine really comes through x
And I already knew that re Tsundoku I looked it up after the first time I came in. Lex clearly did the same, because Jonah asked what it meant once and they answered the question before I could even open my mouth.
F xo
P.S. Do you want me to bring anything?
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: wine piece
Attached: questions_TI answers.docx; CMS_Intro_Hobart.pdf
You are both very welcome and very clever.
Two other things:
1) Isamu answered your questions (attached). He was surprisingly verbose by his standards – he usually never talks about our father – so this basically counts as an exclusive He put his phone number at the bottom in case you want to text him to clarify anything.
2) Also attached is the flyer for the next CMS Intro course – next Tuesday and Wednesday, exam Thursday morning. They only run these in Hobart once a year and bookings close tomorrow, so if you want to do it, I’d jump on it.
Sato xx
P.S. Just yourself is plenty x
FIONA
Jonah, any chance you could do school pickup on Tuesday and Wednesday next week and keep the kids for a couple hours?
I’ve got a few things I need to take care of (boring, don’t ask)
JONAH
I can do Tuesday. I teach Wednesday, but Sadie says she can do it
And that she needs to have a lengthy discussion with the girls about their flower girl dresses anyway
FIONA
You’re both the best – thank you!!
And don’t let the girls get too carried away!
SADIE
So are these ‘things I need to take care of’ what I think they are?
FIONA
…
…
…
No. Just work stuff
Think it’s probably best to put the other thing to bed for now
(Not literally!!!)
SADIE
For future reference: I will *always* do my best to ensure Jonah or I can cover for any ‘things’ you need to take care of
You deserve to be taken care of xx
From: [email protected]
Subject: Introductory course
To whom it may concern,
I would love to enrol in the Introductory Sommelier course you’re running in Hobart next week. Are there still places available?
Many thanks,
Fiona Fisher
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Introductory course
Attached: CMS_Intro_enrolment.pdf; invoice748687.pdf
Dear Fiona
There are still places available, and we have reserved one for you.
Please complete the attached enrolment form. Your enrolment will be confirmed upon receipt of payment for the attached invoice. Payment must be received by 5 pm Friday to secure your place.
In vino veritas,
Joseph Collins-Smith
FIONA
Mum, can I ask a favour?
You know how you were going to send me a hotel gift certificate… is there any chance you could just transfer me a few hundred dollars instead?
There’s some professional training I’d like to do
Matt doesn’t have to start paying child support until the divorce is final and I can’t quite squeeze it into my monthly budget
MUM
I’ll do it right now
But I’m going to send you that gift voucher too
You should do something nice for yourself, sweetheart – not just to keep your head above water
FIONA
This is for me. I promise.
SATOSHI
Happy Thursday x
I was thinking: would you like to set some ground rules for tonight?
So you can feel comfortable we won’t go past a certain point?
FIONA
This is both the sweetest and the most embarrassing thing I’ve ever been asked
SATOSHI
Don’t be embarrassed!
Having clear boundaries might help you feel like you’re in control
FIONA
I feel like I should be able to maintain my own boundaries without having to put them in writing ahead of time
But you’re right, this is sensible
For tonight, if we’re going by high school rules – how about nothing past first base?
SATOSHI
Clothes stay on, hands stay in socially acceptable places?
FIONA
Is that ok?
SATOSHI
Of course it is
I hope flashcards are ok with you, because I need to get my head around the minutiae of Spanish wine law
FIONA
I give great flashcard
SATOSHI
I should warn you this will not be a particularly sexy subject
You might not even want to go as far as first base
FIONA
…
…
…
I can promise you that won’t be a problem.
FIONA
Thank you for last night
It was perfect x
SATOSHI
You don’t need to thank me
I got just as much out of it as you did x
FIONA
There is no way that’s true
…
I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to meet Yquem!
SATOSHI
I should have known she’d fall in love with you
Her heart belongs to Isamu, but you’ve definitely bumped me down to #3 on her affection list
FIONA
Sorry
BELLERIVE PUBLIC YEAR 6 PARENTS
MICHELLE
Hi everyone, it’s time to start planning for the Year 6 graduation!! It’ll be held on Wed Dec 5 on the school oval.
Steve, Mei-Lin and I have done most of the organising, but we need your help with the dinner, as – like always – we don’t have much of a budget.
Steve will be manning the barbecue. Sausages, veggie burgers etc have been covered by a kind sponsor.
What we need from every Year 6 family is a side, salad or dessert.
LYNDA
I’ll bring potato salad
TARA
How do samosas sound?
JESSICA P
I’ll bake one of my famous apple pies!!
Maybe I’ll bring two, I remember how you all demolished it at the last P&F meeting
FIONA
I’ll bring cupcakes
MICHELLE
Fiona, please don’t worry about it
Obviously you get a pass!
FIONA
It’s fine! I can manage cupcakes
MICHELLE
We insist! You just focus on looking after yourself and those beautiful kids of yours xx
JESSICA H
Fiona, I’ve been meaning to ask – I thought I saw The Arsehole in Salamanca a few weeks ago. Is he back in town?
TARA
I saw him too! He was at that little bakery cafe on the waterfront with a pregnant woman
I felt so bad for you, Fiona – I nearly walked up and poured a drink over his head!
MICHELLE
Pregnant?? Oh, Fiona.
Now you *really* don’t need to bring anything to graduation! It’s BYO, so: who’s bringing Fiona a margarita?
FIONA
Can I call on your culinary expertise and trouble you for a cupcake recipe?
JONAH
Of course you can! What kind?
FIONA
Doesn’t matter, as long as they’re delicious and look incredible
Lex’s graduation is in a few weeks, and for various reasons, I need to turn up with the most amazing cupcakes anyone has ever seen
JONAH
You have come to the right place
Do you want me to bake them for you?
FIONA
I can do it! I know my cooking isn’t up to your standards, but I’m not so useless I can’t manage cupcakes
Just the recipe will be perfect
JONAH
Offer’s on the table, if you change your mind.
Always here to help
FIONA
Wine school day 1!
Fiona sent a photo.
[Photo: Fiona in front of a Court of Master Sommeliers banner in a hotel conference room.]
SATOSHI
You’re going to kill it x
FIONA
If there are any questions about Spanish wine law, I’m going to be all over them
SATOSHI
Look after Charlotte for me!
JONAH
Oh my god, Fi, I’m so sorry I sent the kids home to you in such a state!
Baking With Uncle Jonah got a bit out of control, and I didn’t even think about the sugar high
(Cold comfort, but I have perfected my cupcake recipe. Year 6 graduation won’t know what hit it.)
FIONA
It’s fine, don’t worry!
The girls ran screaming around the backyard for 45 mins then collapsed into a heap
If I can get some dinner into them, they’ll have the best night’s sleep of their lives
JONAH
I’m still sorry
I promise this won’t happen tomorrow!
FIONA
Wine school day 2
Fiona sent a photo.
[Photo: Fiona smiling in front of a Court of Master Sommeliers banner in a hotel conference room.]
SATOSHI
I love that green dress on you x
How’s it going?
FIONA
Intimidating – they cover so much ground! But so interesting
And it made me realise: I knew you were great at your job, but you are *great* at your job
SATOSHI
You’re going to make me blush
I prefer making you blush
FIONA
How have I never realised what an incorrigible flirt you are?