Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
The next morning, Matilda woke early again. She was feeling better than she had been. Her jet lag was under control, although she still couldn’t manage to sleep in. Which worked out fine for her, since she’d always been a morning person and loved to go for a run to start each day.
She set off around seven o’clock, as soon as it was light enough. It was another overcast day, and the air was chilly. She dressed warmly in a puffer jacket and wound a scarf around her neck, then jogged in the direction of the lake. She’d planned to meet Rita, to walk through the house and get a key. She would move in that afternoon. And she couldn’t be more excited. It finally seemed as though things were working out for her, and she was looking forward to spending more time with Rita.
She hadn’t called Stella to update her on what she’d discovered yet. She was anxious about what Stella would say. No one would ever replace her family, but now she had another family. Would Stella be jealous? She wasn’t sure how her sister would take it. Especially the part about her staying longer, living with Rita, and working at the cafe. She’d have to tell her family about these developments soon, but maybe she could put it off for another day.
When she reached the lake, she could see the steam rising from the water’s surface and mingling with the fog that hung around the lowlands. As she ran by, a group of ducks quacked and wagged their tails, heads bobbing.
She ran around the edge of the lake counterclockwise, then turned to head back. It was a lot bigger than she’d realised, and the shoreline bobbed, curved, circled and wove its way through thickets of trees and bushes. Just when she thought it would turn one way, it went the other. There was no way she could jog around the entire thing.
On the way back towards Rita’s house, she saw Ryan. He was working on his house, a tool belt slung low around his hips. He wore a half-buttoned, bone-coloured jacket, over a pair of jeans, and a knit hat on his head. He looked like he’d just finished shooting a construction commercial.
“Good morning,” she said, formally.
He glanced up, smiled. “Hey there, Aussie. Whatcha doing out in this cold weather?”
She stopped running, stood panting with her hands on her thighs. “I thought that was pretty obvious.”
“You visiting Rita?”
She nodded. Straightened. “She’s offered to let me stay with her.”
“Well, that’s nice of her.” He frowned. “You staying long?”
“I’m not sure how long I’ll be here. It turns out that she’s my aunt.”
“Your aunt? How’s that work?”
“I have no idea.” She laughed.
He grinned. “Okay then. I guess … welcome to the neighbourhood.”
“Thanks. She’s also offered to let me work at her cafe, although I haven’t got a visa yet. I’ve been looking into it, but I’m not sure I can get one. She thinks it’ll be easy. But I don’t know … working at a cafe isn’t exactly a high-level and in-demand skill for an immigrant visa.”
“Yeah … sounds tricky.”
“And I’ll run out of money if I don’t get some work soon.”
“What do you usually do for money?”
“I’m a vet,” she replied. “I suppose I could try to do that here, but it’s more of a long-term type of job. And once again, I don’t have a visa.”
“I hope it works out,” he replied. “I’ve got to get to work myself. See you around.”
“Yeah, I’m sure I’ll run into you, neighbour.”
He gave her a mock salute and sauntered off towards his truck while Matilda set off in a jog to the house next door. She stopped at the entryway and looked around. The lake was so beautiful and peaceful. It was quiet but for the sound of the occasional duck and the gentle lapping of the water at the dock. Drawing in a deep breath, she knocked on the door.
Rita opened it and gave her a big hug that squeezed the breath right back out of her lungs. She laughed, stumbling forwards. A large black dog greeted her with a tail wag and half-hearted bark.
“You’re home!” Rita declared. “Come on in, honey. I’ll show you around the place. Here is your key. And don’t mind Blue, he don’t bite.”
“Wow, thanks. This house is so nice. It’s got a really peaceful feel to it.”
“I love it. My parents raised me and my sister here, and then gave it to me. So, I’ve lived in one place my whole life.”
“That’s so nice. My parents’ house in Kingscliff is a little like that. I haven’t lived there since I left home at eighteen to go to university. But we always go back there for holidays. I guess we’ll have to sell it now that Dad’s gone.”
“Maybe you could keep it?” Rita said, stopping in the kitchen.
“Yeah, maybe.”
“Here’s the kitchen. Feel free to help yourself to anything—food, drinks, whatever you need. It’s all here. I’m not great at keeping the fridge and pantry stocked, but if it’s here, you’re welcome to it.”
“Okay, great. Thanks.”
“Now, come with me.” She led Matilda down a dark hallway. “Those are the kids’ rooms. They don’t use them anymore, of course. But if they come to stay, they like to be in their room. And this used to be their playroom, now it’s a den and an office. Your room is here.” She opened a door and waved Matilda inside.
A queen-sized bed sat in the centre of the room flanked by chests of drawers. There was a television set perched on one of them. The furniture was old style, Matilda guessed it was from the nineteen eighties. But it was all in good shape and made from hardwood that was clean and polished. The bed was made up with a floral comforter and a bouquet of floral pillows and cushions. The entire room smelled of lavender.
“This is beautiful. Thank you.”
“You’ve got a bathroom here, and a walk in closet.”
“Perfect.”
“Make yourself at home and welcome to my lake house.”