Chapter 58
CHAPTER 58
‘ F ern,’ I said when I walked into her office the next morning. ‘We need to talk.’
‘Thanks for coming back.’ She closed her door and we sat together.
Inside, I was shaking. ‘Not for long.’
‘Before you say anything more, I’ve been looking at the circulation numbers for your nativity posts and they’re through the roof. The combination of your photos and Dana’s quirky recipes is a huge winner.’
‘Thank you, but?—’
‘Hear me out. I know you don’t want to stay, and I understand, but if I could formulate a workable plan where you and Dana could team up for special events throughout the year, like Anzac Day, Easter?—’
‘I can’t work with Graeme.’
‘You wouldn’t. And apart from meeting with Dana, you could work from home.’
I sucked in my cheeks. ‘Actually, I’ve decided to rent a studio?—’
‘Brilliant. So you’ll think about it? ’
‘There’s something I need to tell you.’ My eyes filled with tears. ‘I was the woman in Graeme’s bed the night you went over.’
‘I know. He told me.’
I gasped.
‘It’s okay. He likes to hurt me. Thinks it gives him the upper hand.’
‘Fern, I’m so sorry. I’d never normally?—’
She held out her hand to stop me. ‘You and me both. But I’m in too deep now. Trapped. You, however, are not. You have a great family and an amazing talent.’ She hugged me. ‘I know you’re going to be a huge success no matter what you decide to do.’
I pulled away and wiped my eyes. ‘That’s very generous of you.’
She sniffed. ‘You’ve got me tearing up now.’ She paused. ‘Okay, so where are we at with your amazing nativity montage?’
‘I’ve still got Boxing Day through to New Year’s Eve to put together.’ I glanced at my watch. ‘Dana and I are meeting in fifteen minutes to run through ideas.’
‘Excellent, and you’ll think about coming on board for special occasions next year?’
‘If you keep Graeme under lock and key.’ I stood. ‘One more thing?—’
She grimaced. ‘Do I want to hear?’
‘I think so. I’ve contacted a solicitor about Sarah’s book. We’ll see what happens.’
‘Fantastic. I’ll support you any way I can. I was there when you took those photographs and you deserve recognition, not to mention compensation. Please count on my support.’
I walked to my meeting with Dana, thinking about Fern, and how she must struggle every day. What did she call it? Keeping up appearances. Like me, Mum and countless women, we resisted admitting our dreams and desires, and banished our failures to the deep recesses of our minds, not wanting to let them consume us. And like Fern, was I guilty of disguising reality with a fa?ade of perfection? No, that’s one thing I didn’t need to feel guilty about. Try as I might to be perfect, I’d never achieved it. My reality was a distant cousin to perfection.