Chapter 28
Chapter Twenty-Eight
The church looked sweet and quaint, a white building with a small cross against the blue sky. Autumn was a lovely time of year on Bribie Island. The weather had turned cooler but was still warm enough for a skirt and blouse. Joanna took a sip of her takeaway coffee as she waited outside the church for Chris. He stood at the entrance, chatting with the pastor and with Caleb, Debbie’s husband.
Debbie wandered over to where Joanna stood. “That was a lovely service.”
“Yes, it was. Are you ready for our book club meeting?”
“As I’ll ever be,” Debbie replied. “I’m still curious about why a book club would use our recipe book for one of their meetings.”
“This particular book club likes to review recipe books. They make the meals, they read the anecdotes, and then they review the books. They have a large following on social media, so it’ll be good for us to make a decent impression on them. They want to grab some short videos of us, too, for their promotion.”
“What a wonderful idea,” Debbie replied. “Is Emily coming?”
“She said she’s on her way. She had a lot of studying to do this weekend, but she promised to be here. And there’s Gwen now.”
Gwen walked out of the church, one hand tented over her eyes. She was looking around the front of the building when she spotted them and waved. Then she came over to greet them.
“There you are. I suppose we have to leave?”
Joanna smiled. “We can really attend the meeting wherever we like, since it’s over video. Would my house work?”
“That’s perfect,” Gwen said. “I’m dying for a cup of tea, and I didn’t have time to grab one in the church before I had to leave. I spent too much time talking to people. I can’t seem to help myself. I love to gab.”
Debbie grinned. “And that’s one of the many things we like about you.”
“Let’s all drive together,” Gwen said. “Caleb can bring your car over later, since he’s still socialising. And I gave Joanna a lift here.”
“Good idea,” Debbie replied.
Joanna looked over at Chris again. She’d hoped to catch him, but he was busy. And now they had to go. She hadn’t seen him much in recent days, and she missed him. Maybe he’d be in the garden later that afternoon and she could take him something to eat. She’d been working on a new pumpkin scone recipe, and it was quite delicious, if she did say so herself.
They drove together back to Joanna’s house. Joanna set up her laptop in the sunroom beside the swimming pool. It was a little bright, so she lowered the blinds halfway, which gave the room the perfect dim lighting they needed. Then she connected the video and they found themselves looking at a half circle of women, dressed neatly and leaning forward with smiles on their faces.
“There you are!” one lady said. “I’m Christina, and this is our book club. We’re so glad you’re able to speak to us about your publication. What a wonderful set of recipes you’ve put together. We’ve been doing several of the meal plans over the past few weeks, and we love every single one so far.”
Emily arrived then, puffing hard and red-faced. She took a seat and shot them all an apologetic look. “So sorry, all. Traffic was worse than I’d thought it would be.”
The ladies introduced themselves one by one, and then the club went around the group asking questions about the cookbook, the stories included, the recipes and how they’d developed them. They were particularly interested in how they managed their potluck brunches. Joanna found that she very much enjoyed talking about it. It was also satisfying to see her friends stepping up to the plate and speaking with confidence.
The interview was a success, and just as they hung up the video call, Joanna’s phone rang.
“Gran, I think I’m in labour. My water just broke!” Eva sounded frantic. “Can you come and get me, please?”
Joanna’s mind raced as she tried to think where her granddaughter might be. “Aren’t you in your bedroom? When I asked if you wanted to come to church this morning, you said you were too uncomfortable and would stay home.” Joanna hurried towards the garage, then spun in place looking for her purse and keys. Where had she put them?
“I’m at the beach. Sunshine Beach. I went for a walk, but now I can’t get back home. The sand is too soft, and I’m in too much pain. Ugh!”
Joanna spun again. “Where’s my purse?”
Debbie hurried to help her, carrying Joanna’s purse outstretched in one hand. “What’s going on?”
“Eva’s in labour.”
“I’ll drive,” Debbie said. “Here’s your purse.”
“Okay. Thank you,” Joanna said. She was too stressed to be able to think clearly, but Debbie’s calm voice immediately put her at ease.
They hurried into the garage, and Debbie started Joanna’s car. Joanna remembered Eva’s overnight bag and spun on her heel to rush back to her bedroom to retrieve it. Then she stowed it in the boot and climbed into the passenger seat.
“Where is she?” Debbie asked.
“Across the street at Sunshine Beach. She’s attempting to walk home, so we should see her fairly easily.”
She was right. They found Eva bent over beside the playground next to the road. She had one hand pressed to her stomach and the other against a tree trunk as she groaned in pain. Joanna and Debbie both helped her to the car.
“Are you okay, honey?” Joanna asked.
“It hurts,” Eva whimpered. “Is it supposed to hurt this much?”
“We’ll get you to the hospital, and they can check on you,” Joanna said. “I’m sure it’s fine. You’re going to be okay, honey. This is all part of the process.”
“I don’t much like the process,” Eva said before crying out in pain again.
Debbie and Joanna exchanged a smile before Debbie started up the engine. As they drove, Joanna’s eyes filled with tears. She was going to be a great-grandmother. She couldn’t believe it. She never thought she’d live long enough to see her great-grandchildren arrive on the earth, and now it was happening. She quickly dialled Karen’s number. Karen was supposed to be travelling north that morning, so she should’ve arrived at the Brisbane airport already. Joanna had finally managed to broker a detente between her and Eva, and she’d immediately booked a flight north to see her daughter.
When she answered the phone, she sounded harassed and tired. “Oh, hi, Mum. We’re here. I don’t know why, but apparently the airport is overrun today. It seems everyone in the world has come to Brisbane at the same time.”
“I’m sorry, Karen. But listen…”
“Do you think we could come to your house for a shower before we go anywhere or see anyone? I’m so tired, and I feel as though I’ve rolled in muck even though it was such a short flight. But we had to hurry to get to the airport this morning, and I got so sweaty.”
“Karen, listen…”
“I desperately need a cup of tea.”
“Karen!” Joanna shouted.
“Ouch, that was loud. You don’t have to yell, Mum.”
Joanna shook her head in frustration. “Your daughter is in labour. We’re going directly to the Caboolture hospital.”
Karen’s voice wavered when she replied. “She’s in labour? Okay, we’ll meet you there. We’re on our way.”
Joanna was grateful that Debbie was able to drive her to the hospital. She couldn’t focus on something so mundane as driving right now, since her head was spinning about the coming baby. There was so much to think about. Karen and Bill were staying at her house. How did Eva feel about that? She hadn’t said anything. Joanna hoped they’d all get along. When would the baby come home? Was Eva at risk of complications? She should’ve asked more questions at the last doctor’s appointment.
“How are you holding up?” Debbie asked, shooting her a concerned look.
Joanna glanced in the back seat at Eva who wore a pair of headphones and was listening to music with her eyes shut. “I hope she’s going to be okay.”
“She’ll be fine.”
“And what am I going to do with Karen and Bill?”
“What do you mean?” Debbie asked.
“What if they stir up trouble with Eva? She doesn’t need conflict right now.”
“You’re worrying about things that haven’t happened,” Debbie replied. “It’s nice they want to stay with you. Isn’t it? Maybe it’ll give them all a chance to work things out. If they stayed at a hotel, she might never resolve her issues with them.”
“That’s a good point,” Joanna said, chewing on a fingernail.
“When did you start biting your fingernails again?” Debbie asked.
“Huh? Oh, I haven’t.” Joanna removed the finger from her mouth. “I don’t know. Karen can be a lot to deal with.”
“She’s always had strong opinions, that’s for sure,” Debbie replied as she drove the car over the long bridge that connected the island to the mainland.
“And she’s not afraid to share those opinions with everyone around her.”
“But surely Eva is used to that. After all, Karen is her mother.”
“And Bill is her stepfather, so he doesn’t intervene. He’s the quiet, demure one, and tends to stay out of the conflict,” Joanna said. “Which doesn’t help things, in my opinion.”
“He’s been a good father to Aaron and Eva.”
“He has. He stepped in when Eva was only about two years old, and he’s been her father in every real sense since then. But she still has my family name since Karen chose to return to her maiden name after her divorce, and she gave that name to her kids as well.”
Debbie arched an eyebrow. “I remember there was a lot of bad blood between them when Anthony left.”
“There was. And he never looked back. I don’t believe they’ve heard from him since. Not once.”
“The poor kids.”
“They struggled with it a lot when they were younger, but they seem to have come to terms with his absence,” Joanna mused as she stared out the window at the scattering of eucalypt trees.
“So, what will you do?”
“I’m hoping that we’ll get a chance to talk, with them staying at the house.”
“Bonding time.”
They arrived at the hospital about an hour before Karen and Bill’s taxi pulled up outside the emergency entrance. Karen rushed through the doors while Bill paid the taxi and got their luggage. Joanna was waiting there for her in one of the hard plastic seats. Debbie had taken her car home and promised to call later to see how things were progressing.
“Mum!” Karen cried when she saw her.
Joanna rose to embrace her daughter. It was always a relief to have Karen back in her arms again, even if she was a grown woman with children of her own. There was nothing so special as the love Joanna had for her children. Her mind immediately returned to the time Karen had first uttered the word “Mum”, seated in her high chair, covered from top to bottom in splashes of avocado and sweet potato, one curl poking up from her head and her eyes glinting with mischief. She’d slapped her hands on the messy table, sending mashed potato flying, and said it again. “Mum!”
Tears pricked, and Joanna patted Karen’s back. “It’s good to see you, darling.”
“How is she?”
“She’s fine. I’ll take you to see her now.”
“Is she progressing?”
“She’s not progressing as quickly as they’d like. The obstetrician is talking about a cesarean.”
Karen’s nostrils flared. “We’ll see about that.”
“Now, now, darling. Let the doctor do what she’s trained to do.”
“She’s my daughter,” Karen objected.
“Yes, and she’s almost fully grown and having a daughter of her own.”
Karen pressed a hand to her mouth as Bill came up behind her. Her eyes filled with tears. “I can’t believe she’s having a baby.”
“Well, believe it, because it’s happening. Hi, Bill.” Joanna gave Bill a kiss on the cheek.
He smiled at her and used one arm to embrace her. “Hi there, Jo. Big day.”
“Yes, it is.”
“Can we go see her?”
“Yes, come on. I’ll take you there.”
Joanna led them to the second floor, where Eva was labouring in the maternity ward. Eva was overjoyed to see her mother and started to cry. Karen hurried to her side and smoothed her hair back from her face with one hand. “I’m here, sweetheart. It’s going to be okay.”
Joanna and Bill waited outside the room. Finally, Karen emerged to tell them the baby was born and that Eva had decided to name her Gypsy Rose.
“What an interesting name,” Joanna said.
She went with both Karen and Bill into the room to meet the baby. Joanna squeezed Eva’s shoulder. “You did so well, sweetie. I’m proud of you.”
“Thanks, Gran,” Eva said. She was red-faced and sweaty, but otherwise, she looked to be in good spirits and health.
Gypsy looked to be a healthy little thing all wrapped up and held against Eva’s chest. She was fast asleep.
“She’s already had a feed,” Eva said. “Isn’t she beautiful?”
“The most beautiful baby in the world.” Joanna was beaming.
She got to have a little hold of the baby, but soon had to hand her back as Eva was wheeled out of the room. Karen and Bill met her in the hall.
“I think we should head back to your place for a shower and something to eat, Mum,” Karen said. “If that’s okay.”
“You can stay in Aaron’s old room,” Joanna said. “Eva and the baby will be in the room next to yours.”
“That sounds perfect,” Karen replied.
“I’ve ordered an Uber,” Bill said. “It should be here in a minute or two.”
They went outside to wait for the car. Joanna felt content. Gypsy Rose had arrived and was healthy and happy. Eva had done well and in the end hadn’t needed a cesarean. Joanna couldn’t be more grateful to have her family thriving and well. She looped her arm through Karen’s.
“It’s a good day,” she said.
Karen nodded. “Thanks, Mum. We couldn’t have done any of this without you. Eva seems…good.”
“She is good. She’s amazing. And she’s going to come through all this just fine.”
“I hope you’re right.”
Joanna patted her arm. “Trust me.”