Chapter Eighteen #2
‘Promise?’ Beth knew from experience that seemingly innocent aches and pains could be a warning sign of something more serious. Rosie had ignored unusual swelling in her breasts for far too long before she’d sought a medical opinion.
‘I promise,’ Flo said, putting Beth’s mind at ease, then gave her a pointed look when the kettle finished boiling.
Once they both had steaming cups of tea in hand, Beth delivered her apology.
‘I’m sorry I haven’t visited since … well, you know. I just needed time to process everything. It was a lot to take in.’
‘That’s understandable, my dear.’ Flo offered a sympathetic smile. ‘And for what it’s worth, I’m sorry I didn’t find a better way to tell you.’
‘I’m not sure there would’ve been a better way,’ Beth admitted. ‘But we can put that behind us now, and when you’re feeling up to it, I’d love for you to tell me more about Pru. If you could share stories about her life, it might help me feel as if I knew her.’
Flo, overcome with emotion, took a moment to answer. ‘It would be my pleasure.’
Understanding passed between them as they exchanged grateful smiles, then settled into companionable silence. Eventually, Flo cleared her throat.
‘So, young lady, tell me how you’ve been. I’ve noticed the Brennan boy spending a lot of time across the road. Have you got him helping with the house?’
‘I do.’ Beth grinned, eager to fill Flo in.
She told her all about the renovation plans and how she’d decided to extend her stay in Karlup so she could oversee the work and witness the big unveiling.
‘I’ll be honest, though, I’m not sure what’ll happen after the renovation is finished.
I may still end up going back to Townsville, but Pru was right to bring me here. I want to give this place a chance.’
‘Oh, Beth, it’s wonderful to hear that!’ Flo’s eyes filled with tears. ‘Pru would be so happy you’re taking this opportunity. I’m glad we don’t have to part ways just yet!’
Beth’s spirits soared. She’d known Flo would be pleased. Smiling, she raised her china cup to her lips and sipped at her tea.
Flo did the same, then asked, ‘How was your Christmas, dear? Did you do anything special?’
‘I did, actually. The Brennans invited me to spend it with them.’
‘Oh?’ Flo’s brows reached her hairline. ‘And which Brennan invited you, exactly?’
Beth assessed Flo’s innocent expression through narrowed eyes. ‘Mick and Celia did. Why?’
‘No reason. Just that their son is a very handsome young man, and from what I’ve seen of the two of you together—’ she nodded towards her large front window and the direct view she had of Beth’s house, ‘—I thought perhaps he might’ve asked you.’
Beth pursed her lips. ‘You could do wonderful things for this community, Flo, if you joined Neighbourhood Watch.’
‘Don’t judge me, young lady. I’m a lonely old woman with nothing better to do than spy on my neighbours.’
Beth frowned. She hadn’t thought of Flo as lonely since the day they’d met. Had she misjudged the situation?
Only one way to find out.
Gripping the handle of her tea cup, she said, ‘What about you? Did you have plans on Christmas Day?’
‘Me? Oh, no, everyone I know was either out of town or busy with family, but I had a delicious lunch with the craft group on Christmas Eve. Trevor hosted, so that was lovely.’
‘You were alone on Christmas Day?’ Beth knew what it was like to spend the holiday alone when the rest of the world, it seemed, participated in joyous celebrations. ‘Do you not spend it with family?’
Flo smiled sadly. ‘My sister, Olive, and her husband moved east a long time ago. I used to spend the holidays with Pru, but now …’
Beth’s stomach lurched. ‘I’m so sorry,’ she whispered. ‘If I’d known you didn’t have plans, I would’ve come here. Or asked the Brennans if you could join us.’
‘There’s no need to apologise, darling. I was perfectly happy here on my own.’
But Flo’s guarded expression said otherwise. She didn’t like spending Christmas alone any more than Beth did.
Beth didn’t think twice when she said, ‘Why don’t we spend every Christmas together from now on? Even if I end up back in Townsville, I’ll fly over here at Christmastime and spend a few days with you. Would that be okay?’
‘Oh!’ Flo’s chin trembled and her eyes welled. ‘You sweet girl! You’ve no idea how much I would love that.’
Beth had thought Flo would like the idea, but a reaction like that could only be the result of loneliness.
Crouching beside Flo’s chair, Beth took her hand and gave it a squeeze. Rubbed her thumb over the paper-thin skin and tried not to think about what her life would be like when she was Flo’s age. Would she still be lonely? With no family to speak of and spending Christmases alone?
Perhaps.
But maybe it didn’t have to be that way.
When Flo blinked tears from her lashes, Beth felt a surge of affection for her.
‘You know what?’ She waited till Flo lifted her gaze. ‘I think we’re more than neighbours now. Maybe even more than friends.’
With a tilt of her head, Flo offered a teary smile and patted Beth’s cheek.
Beth rubbed her lips together, knowing she risked rejection, but since coming here, she’d been taking small steps to be braver. And this was a step she desperately wanted to take.
‘Flo, I was thinking, I mean, would you like to … be my aunty?’
‘Oh!’ Flo’s hands shook as tears cascaded down her cheeks.
Beth blinked and realised she was crying, too. ‘It’s just that Mum and Dad are gone and I never got to meet Pru. Your family have all moved away, so … I was thinking, maybe we can be each other’s family?’
Flo took Beth’s face in her hands and kissed her forehead. ‘I’d love that, sweet girl. I’d love it very much.’
After that, Beth opened up to Flo about her childhood, how difficult she’d found the constant moving, and how happy she’d been to stay put in one place for the last four years.
‘Tell me more about this decision to stay in town, then. Are you really only staying to oversee the renovation, or is there more to it?’ Flo’s eyes glinted with mischief. ‘That strapping young Brennan boy doesn’t have anything to do with your decision, does he?’
Beth cast a wry look at Flo despite the heat that flooded her cheeks. ‘You’re bringing him up a lot, you know. I’m beginning to think you’ve got a bit of a crush.’
Flo laughed long and loud.
‘If you must know,’ Beth answered haughtily, ‘Noah did influence my decision, but not in the way you’re so clearly thinking.’
Flo continued to chuckle, but Beth ignored her.
‘He made me realise that I’d be running away because I’m scared of the risks involved.’
Flo nodded, all hint of amusement disappearing. ‘Fear can be useful. In small doses, it can stop us from acting too rashly. But if we let it take control, it keeps us from achieving what we truly want.’
She stared across the room, apparently lost in her memories, then blinked and looked at Beth. ‘Take it from someone who once let fear keep them from the one they loved. Don’t let it rule your life. It will only lead to loneliness and misery.’
Momentarily struck dumb by the pain in Flo’s words, Beth eventually whispered, ‘You lost the one you loved?’
A sad smile streaked across Flo’s lips and was gone. ‘That’s a story for another time.’ She glanced out the window as Noah pulled up across the street in his ute. ‘Ah.’ A cheeky grin further disguised her sorrow. ‘Saved by the strapping young man.’
Beth lips curved into a wobbly smile, still saddened by what Flo had shared. ‘He might be here to see you, you know.’
He wasn’t, of course. Beth had arranged to meet him at the house to discuss an issue with the plumbing.
Flo chortled. ‘Ah, sweetheart, you never fail to brighten my day. Now, off you go. Aunty Flo’s suddenly grown weary of your company.’