Chapter 49
CHAPTER 49
T he first three days of the week passed relatively uneventfully. Graeme was occupied in Melbourne with a Bachelor of the Year Christmas reunion and photo shoot, so I was happily left to get on with my nativity montage.
Head down, I pounded through the subject matter. Day fifteen: Holiday Cards ; Day sixteen: Something Silver ; Day seventeen: School Holidays ; Day eighteen: Grateful ; Day nineteen: Wreaths ; Day twenty: Traditions .
As I ticked off each day closer to December twenty-fifth, it got harder finding photos and food ideas, but I was determined. Day twenty-one: Self-portraits ; Day twenty-two: Wrapped ; Day twenty-three: Christmas Eve Eve ; Day twenty-four: The Night Before Christmas ; Day twenty-five: Christmas Day!
Fussing with my online picture boards, I put together believable holiday story ideas, then emailed Fern for approval, and Dana for the few food items I’d need to accompany the shoots. I was organised and pleased with what I’d achieved.
The plans for the wedding were coming together too. With Mum and Dad having organised the celebrant, caterer, menu, flowers, and make-up people, I hired extra tables and chairs, crockery and several potted hydrangeas and poinsettias to decorate the garden. Wedding attire was also sorted, so I was relaxed (sort of) about Mum’s big day. There was nothing I could do if there was a disruptive summer thunderstorm at the precise time of nuptials, so I had to stop worrying about it.
Still to discuss: string quartet and other music. DJ or video Christmas-themed? I brushed thoughts of inappropriate bridal songs to the back of my mind when I met up with Diane, Thursday morning.
‘I guess David told you all about the soccer fiasco on Saturday,’ I said as we walked together in the early morning sunshine. ‘It was terrible. Punches were thrown, kids were crying, Matthew got smacked in the eye. Dreadful.’
‘I heard.’
‘The kids’ll have interesting memories of their final game of the year, but I’m sure they’ll all play again after Christmas break. We just have to be more vigilant about sideline bullies.’
We walked in silence for a moment before Diane spoke. ‘Nina confessed she and Sam had been drinking beer and spritzers before they kissed. She promised that was all they did and said she was super embarrassed when I caught them.’
‘I bet.’
‘And that after she’d sobered up and thought about it, she knew it was dumb.’
‘Nina’s level-headed. I’m sure she really does think it was silly.’
‘Yeah, but David’s being a real dick about it. Saying Nina’s ruined Christmas and Sam won’t be allowed to stay with us anymore. Because, of course, he told Sam’s mum.’
‘Escalation?’
‘Yep. The weekend was a disaster, made worse by having to spend it with David’s family. In hindsight, we should’ve stayed at a hotel alone instead of taking Nina and Tom to his parents, but it was my weekend to have them stay. What a mess.’
I thought about how I’d feel if I had to divide parenting duties with Matthew. I didn’t envy Di’s position. I’d struggle as well.
Then I thought about Lexi having sex with Hunter, or some other boy who wasn’t related to her. I’d freak. It’s not like I expected her to wait until she was married, but I didn’t want her having to deal with all the ramifications of a physical relationship until she was mature enough to deal with it. Imagine if she got pregnant! It didn’t bear thinking about. Besides, Lexi might not have children until her thirties, or not at all. If that happened, I wondered if I’d become one of those irritating mothers who talked about ‘ticking’ and ‘biological’ in the same sentence.
Graeme would be back in the office today, so I’d steeled myself to talk with Fern about leaving, given I’d been at Delicious Bites three weeks and Simone was returning next week. All that was left was for me to complete the nativity calendar which I could do remotely.
‘Mumbling to yourself,’ Arnaud said as he passed me in the corridor.
‘Something like that.’ Working out my battle plan. ‘How are you? You don’t look so good.’ Arnaud had plaster taped across his nose and his cheeks were swollen.
‘Broken nose. Under-nines soccer, a rough game.’ He forced a smile. ‘Don’t say anything funny. I can’t laugh. God ’elp me if I catch a cold.’
‘Can I get you anything? Coffee?’
‘You are sweet, but no, it’s?— ’
‘Yes, she is sweet, isn’t she?’ Graeme sneered at us. ‘I notice you haven’t made my coffee – yet.’ He turned to Arnaud. ‘What happened to you? Girlfriend found out about you and the K, hey?’
‘See you later, Kate.’ Arnaud dismissed Graeme with a shake of the head.
‘You still coach next year?’ I called after him.
‘ Oui , of course, hopefully healed so as to not scare the boys.’ Too soon, he disappeared round the corner.
‘Sweet on lover boy, are we? Is that why you rejected me?’
‘Leave me alone.’ Number three on my to-do list: rid my life of Graeme.
‘What makes you think you’re so great? I’ve seen the way you look at Arnaud. You want him, don’t you? You come across all prim and proper, but you forget, I’ve seen you in action. I’ve seen how you behave when you let your guard down. You’re an animal.’
‘And you’re a bully. You shouldn’t be allowed to work with people.’
‘Sticks and stones.’ Graeme moved closer, backing me against the wall.
‘Kate,’ Fern said, entering the room.
Graeme jumped. I kept my facial expression blank.
‘Your animal montage from Monday is blowing up. People love your pets. You must respond.’
‘What’s this about?’ Graeme asked. ‘Have you gone behind my back?—’
‘How dare you?’ Fern’s voice was ice. ‘Have you forgotten, I’m your boss, Graeme? Kate’s doing a special online Christmas photography project. Nothing to do with you.’
Graeme went to argue, his face flushed beetroot.
‘Don’t,’ Fern replied .
Ignoring them, I fossicked in my bag and pulled out my ringing mobile.
‘Mrs Cavendish?’ a vaguely familiar voice said.
‘Yes?’ I sniffed, wiping my eyes and nose with a scrap of tissue.
Graeme glared at me before stalking away.
‘It’s Tania Westley.’
‘Yes, Mrs Westley,’ I said apprehensively. What on earth had Lexi done this time? It wasn’t even nine thirty.
‘Lexi’s had an accident.’
‘Oh my?—’
‘We’ve called an ambulance.’