Urban Myths
‘Hi, Miriam, it’s Nina, did you get the photos I uploaded to Dropbox?’
‘Oh, yeah, baby. Woo-hoo you! All sun-kissed and smiley with the cowboy.’ On speaker-phone Miriam’s whistle sounded more like a squeal and Nina turned it off in case Blair heard from inside the cabin, where he was tidying up after their picture-hanging. ‘Country life is making you positively glow. Even the cows are good-looking.’
‘That “cow” in the picture is a bull named Pretty Boy, and right now I’m standing on the deck of a secluded cabin, looking at a gorgeous river and watching the horses and Pretty Boy roaming free. Cattle really are beautiful creatures.’
‘Yeah, right,’ Miriam muttered. ‘And even better with a mushroom sauce.’
Nina pressed her free hand to her heart. ‘Sure is an easy place to fall in love. So peaceful.’
‘As long as it’s not the lull before the storm, Neens. Are you watching the weather, or are you too busy watching the cowboy? The forecast is not looking good up your way. Storm Watchers are calling it a cyclone.’
‘The wind’s picking up, but we’re a long way from the coast. Besides, I’m sure Blair would’ve said if it was serious. He monitors the weather.’
‘That depends on whether he’s been otherwise occupied. Have the new boots caught the cowboy’s eye?’
‘Ha, ha!’ Nina looked down to admire the fancy stitching and scalloped edge on the tan leather riding boots.
‘And tell me,’ Miriam continued, ‘is the little cowboy as adorable as his dad?’
‘Tyson didn’t stay in the end, so I never met him.’
‘Neens, what’s that noise I can hear? It’s getting hard to understand you.’
‘The wind’s just picked up. I need to head inside, but before I do, is work okay? Anything you need to know?’
‘I could ask you why your office chair is bigger than mine and the view outside your window better.’
Better than what? Nina wanted to ask.
‘Apart from that, Neens, work is fabo, while on the home front everything that should be breathing is, including the goldfish. Everything dead is still dead, so no zombie apocalypse, although a couple of fridge items, including a bunch of broccoli, are trying to reincarnate themselves. Oh, and there was a moment when I did think about cutting my ex-boyfriend’s balls off and delighting the dogs next door with a prairie-oyster feast, but the offering would hardly be main-course size. Besides, the last time I saw Kev with the new babe she looked the type to keep a stranglehold on them.’
Nina managed to close the door with one hand. Blair was in the bathroom – she could hear water running. ‘Miriam, before I sign off, did you manage to get more information on the, um, item we discussed?’
‘Did one better,’ Miriam boasted. ‘I called personally to find out about the napkin and ask what the staff knew about the Peppi’s myth. They emailed some pictures of the memorabilia they have displayed on the wall. One of the dishies – old Mick’s been washing pots there for years – says the story’s true, in part.’
‘Which part?’
‘There was a guy back in the eighties who arranged with the maître d’ to serve a pearl ring on the side of a panna cotta so he could propose. Thing is, the guy never showed up for the booking. No one claimed the reservation that night.’
‘What happened to the ring?’
‘That’s what we have to ask Sonya.’
‘Who’s Sonya?’
‘Old Peppi’s daughter and the maître d’ at the time.’
‘Are you kidding me?’ Nina’s stomach flipped. ‘Same one and she’s still alive?’
‘No, Nina, we’re going to a freaking séance to communicate with the dead. I’ll bring that bunch of broccoli! Of course she’s alive. She lives in the apartment above the restaurant in Brisbane.’
‘Oh, my God, I have to see her.’
‘Hold your horses, cowgirl. I’ve not heard back yet. I’m waiting on a return phone call to set up a meeting, so stay put. In fact, I’d rather you were there and not here, breathing down my neck. Besides, I’m fitting fine in this chair of yours.’
‘I don’t breathe down your neck at work.’
‘This isn’t about work. You’ve never been passionate about the business and you’ve never been so freaking smitten with a guy either. Stay put, ride out the storm with the cowboy – maybe ride out the storm by riding the cowboy. Yee-ha!’ Miriam hooted. ‘Whatever you do, make it fun but keep it safe. I’ll be in touch when I know more.’
‘Okay. Then we’ll book the flights to Brisbane. Oh, and tell Tony you’ll be needing a couple of days off. Tell him I said so. On second thoughts, I’ll email him.’
Nina hung up, unsure what she was more excited about: uncovering the mysterious portrait of her mother or having dinner tonight with Blair.
*
If Blair noticed Nina’s fascination with the old family photographs, especially those featuring the original Tate matriarch, Ivy May, he didn’t let on. After he’d hung the last frame on the cabin wall, she insisted she take a few shots on the pretence of showing Ava. Outside the cabin a cloud in the shape of an anvil had stalled overhead. There was a lull, the usual chatter and bustle of birds muted, while the cattle in nearby paddocks were bunched in one corner.
‘This storm’s looking serious, Blair.’
‘Yeah, I was online a while ago and they’re predicting inland areas won’t be too badly affected. Wishing you’d stayed home?’
‘No way. What better excuse to cuddle under a quilt?’ She cupped both hands around her mouth and yelled at the sky, ‘Bring it on, Huey!’
Blair grabbed Nina’s waist and spun her body into his, kissing her so hard on the lips she had to pull back and catch her breath.
‘I’m thinking we should take cover now, Nina.’
‘And I like your thinking, Blair.’
*
When Nina opened her eyes, woken by a loud clang, the room was eerily dim, the space next to her on the bed empty.
‘Blair, what’s going on?’
He stood on the cabin’s small deck, buttoning his shirt. ‘Stay inside, Nina.’
But she’d already started to dress, wriggling into her jeans and pulling the sweatshirt over her head. She slipped into the boots and was about to join Blair on the deck when a branch, or a small tree, flew by and a limb speared the window on the side of the cabin. The door wrenched from Nina’s grip as she fought to close it, then she tucked herself behind Blair.
‘What are you doing out here?’ she yelled.
He pointed the five hundred or so metres along a dirt road to the function centre and a marquee wall flapping in the air, like a giant white flag. ‘I can’t leave that as it is. If one wall goes, the entire marquee could follow it. Stay here. You’ll be safe inside.’
‘You’ll need my help.’ Nina made a move. ‘I’m coming with you.’
‘You’re staying put in the cabin.’
‘Many hands, Blair, remember? So stop arguing and let’s get this done together.’
They pushed against headwinds that whipped up fronds and leaves that whizzed past them, but their rescue mission was in vain. The ceiling flounces and chandeliers already lay in a tangle on the floor of the marquee, while white plastic chairs pirouetted over the wet dance floor. With one wall compromised, the fastenings securing the other three were struggling to stay in place. Somehow they had to fix the wayward wall.
‘Grab that corner,’ Blair yelled. ‘Hold tight, keep it there until I tell you.’
Nina tried, but her wet hands slipped on the vinyl. They weren’t strong enough to combat the constant push-pull of gale-force gusts. ‘It’s hopeless.’
‘One more try,’ Blair shouted.
‘Blair, this is scary.’ Her words never reached him, scattered by a wind so ferocious Nina wanted to cry. And she did when another gust whipped the marquee wall so violently it smacked her to the ground and tore clear of its fitting.
Drenched, Nina ran blindly in the direction of the main homestead.
‘Wait, Nina!’ Blair’s grip on her forearm yanked her in the opposite direction. ‘The house is too far.’ He was yelling over the roar of the wind. ‘Hold my hand.’
The tailwinds were even more terrifying, pushing them violently and tripping Nina twice. They made the cabin door as a snowstorm of white chairs hurtled by, just missing the deck. The once serene and secluded cabin now sounded like it was falling down around them.
‘Are you sure we’re safe in here?’
‘If you stay away from the windows, Nina.’ Without words, Blair stripped the two single beds. He shoved one mattress on the compact bathroom floor and with the other he made a lean-to using the bathroom vanity for support. Nina was about to remove her boots, to shake out the water trapped in them, when Blair yelled, ‘Broken glass. Leave them on and get in the bathroom.’
Shivering with fear, Nina did as she was told. ‘What’s wrong with you, Blair?’ she screamed, over the resounding roar of wind and rain. ‘How could you risk us both out there over a marquee? That’s what insurance is for.’
Blair’s face paled. ‘Nina, please, get down.’ He pushed her between the mattresses, then crawled in and curled his body around her.
‘You are insured, aren’t you?’ she asked, calmer.
The only words Blair mumbled as they clung to each other were ‘I’m so sorry, Nina. It wasn’t supposed to be this bad.’
Another bang sounded, and the crunch of peeling corrugated roofing forced a scream from Nina. Blair’s hands cradled her head and the pair cringed. When a windowpane exploded, Nina thought of the framed photos they’d hung perfectly straight earlier that day. How they’d both laughed as Nina issued instructions: ‘Down on the left. Now up on the right. Bit more. Bit more. Too much.’ Somewhere in the middle of it all they’d made love – twice.
To block out the fear, she let her mind replay those moments when her hands and eyes had explored the taut muscle hidden under Blair’s clothes, and the tattoo over his heart: Tyson. They’d stayed too long in each other’s arms when Blair should have been focused on the weather.
But this situation was no more his fault than hers. Nina needed to dig deep and be strong. Persone forti si salvano.
*
A shard of sunlight stabbed Nina in the eye she’d opened to get her bearings. She was alone in the mattress sandwich, ears straining to catch a yelled conversation.
‘Boss, I’ve been at the main house lookin’ for you.’
‘How’s everything up there, Charlie?’
‘Fine, and so is your dad’s place. Some trees aren’t looking too good and there’s a windmill down. Could be worse.’
‘Your place okay? The horses?’
‘We was lucky. Seems the storm followed a narrow path. But you had me worried when… Oh, g’day, Nina. Well, you won’t be needin’ me here for now, Blair, so I’ll make myself useful helping Lily clear debris from the front gate so she can get home to her kids. Then I’ll have to get that windmill sorted. Let me know when you’re, ah, free, boss.’ With a wink and a toot Charlie drove away.
‘Thank goodness that’s over.’ Nina hugged Blair from behind, her chin nuzzling his shoulder blades as she peered up at the damage. ‘We survived.’
‘We did,’ Blair said. ‘Shame the marquee didn’t, because as of next week I have back-to-back wedding receptions booked. Had,’ he corrected himself. ‘Returning the deposits is going to hurt more than my bank account can bear.’
‘Everything will be okay, Blair.’ Nina had wanted to sound positive. ‘They still need to get married. You’ve got the lodge. That deck is huge and—’
‘Nina, the brides have booked a marquee that takes up to three hundred guests. They expect to have their photos taken under that hundred-year-old fig.’ Blair pointed to the tree Nina had photographed on her last visit; now bare of leaves and broken. ‘They expect their morning-after breakfast will be a garden party on that boggy lawn over there. Meanwhile, the bank expects its monthly repayment.’
‘They’ll understand. This has to be a natural disaster.’ Nina pulled back to survey the scene while Blair cursed the mobile phone for no network connection.
‘It’s a disaster all right. Every man and his dog is trying to do the same thing and call their insurers. Damn it!’
‘So you are insured? I thought you said—’
‘Of course I am,’ he barked, immediately dropping to his haunches. ‘I’m sorry.’
Nina squatted beside him, cradling Blair as he wept openly.
Eventually, when he’d calmed, Nina stroked his cheek, kissed him and stretched out her hand. ‘Come on, up you get. The strong save themselves, Blair Tate. And no more apologising. This is not your fault. We made it through, we’re not hurt, and property can be fixed.’ She was desperate for a hot shower and dry clothes. The hair Blair had been playing with only hours ago, tugging the spiralling red ringlets and laughing when they recoiled, was a matted tangle of twigs and leaves.
‘I had a bit of a meltdown, Nina. I panicked. The place is insured, but that’s not going to help me meet my immediate commitments. I’m still paying off the mortgage on this place, which I took out when I was with Veronica, and Dad’s borrowed against Ivy-May to help set up the marquee, which means I have both payments to meet. Then there’s Charlie and the rest of the team. They’ll need their weekly wages, even though they’ll argue. Charlie’s been with this place since Mum’s day.’
‘Can you ask her for help?’
Blair withdrew, his voice hardening. ‘Mum’s always had one very critical eye on me since handing over the business. You always feel pressure to meet her exacting standards. It didn’t help my marriage that Veronica failed to meet Mum’s expectations of a daughter-in-law.’
‘You have a good relationship with your dad. Talk to him.’
‘Yeah, I could, but he’s already helping, even though he’s no more cashed up than I am. I’d be too afraid he might do something extreme, like sell off part of Ivy-May to help me out. Besides, I want to find my own way. I know pride comes before a fall, but I need to prove I can stand on my own two feet.’
Nina sighed. ‘I do get that.’
He cuddled her again and things didn’t seem so bad. ‘How can I let the brides down who’ve booked their big day here?’
‘If I was having my wedding here, I’d understand.’
‘You have Ava’s positive outlook on life, Nina,’ he said, his half-smile giving her hope.
‘I would never have said that about myself, but if there was ever a time to be a positive person like Mum it’s definitely now. You know I’ll help if I can, although there is something I need to do back home that can’t wait. While I’m there, I’ll grab work gear and arrange for time off. I’ll come straight back.’
‘You can only leave here if the roads are open,’ Blair said.
Nina stood on tiptoe to meet his mouth with a kiss. ‘Positive thinking, remember?’
‘I am thinking positive.’
When Blair hugged her again, Nina quietly questioned the importance of Project Portrait.
‘Come on, let’s go check the rest of the property. It’ll be fine, Blair. You’ll see.’
*
Blair’s phone buzzed in his breast pocket, startling them both. He slid it out, smiled and flipped the screen to show Nina.
‘Only one person I know with the power to break through a crowded phone network. Hi, Mum.’ He winked. ‘All’s good here… No, no one’s hurt. The property’s a mess but I’m staying optimistic. I have Nina here… Yes, Mum, that Nina. She’s my very own positivity pundit.’ When Blair tugged her to him, Nina nuzzled his neck, her fingers teasing the chest hair that curled over the collar of his T-shirt. ‘Yes, she came for a couple of days. It’s been very handy having her here.’ He covered Nina’s mouth with his fingers to silence her laugh. ‘Hmm, what’s that? What are we doing? Oh, you know, a few odd jobs. Always good to have another pair of hands around the place.’
Nina upped the ante with a lick to his ear, but Blair stiffened and she pulled back to look at him. The mischievous grin was gone and his eyes darted between the phone and Nina, his expression shifting from cheeky to confused.
It stopped at crushed.
Nina squeezed his elbow while mouthing, ‘What?’ but he yanked his arm free and walked away. She’d give him space. The news couldn’t have been good.
When Blair returned he seemed distant.
‘Is there something you want to talk about?’ Nina asked.
He took two determined steps towards her. ‘You tell me.’ He was no taller than Nina so he couldn’t tower over her, but his tone made her feel small. ‘I’m not sure how you city girls do this dating thing, Nina, but out here in the country we tend to follow tradition and not go out with someone when we already have a fiancé. We especially don’t sleep with them.’
‘What are you saying, Blair?’
‘I assume the name Conrad means something to you?’
‘Yes, but how do you know about—’
‘How I know hardly matters. Did he ask you to marry him?’
‘Blair, please—’
‘Have you been dating the man and he proposed to you, Nina?’ He spoke slowly, deliberately, the words as strangled as his expression. ‘A yes or a no will do.’
Nina chewed her bottom lip.
‘Let me help you out, Nina. You had two words to choose from when he popped the question. My question is only asking for the same. Yes or no?’
‘Conrad is… He’s… He surprised me with a ring one night.’
‘And was it good or bad surprise, Nina? I’m becoming an expert with the latter.’ His bitterness sliced through her heart. ‘Did you tell him yes or no?’
‘No… I mean, not straight away, I—’
‘But you’ve told him about me and you’ve given the ring back?’
‘The, ah, ring?’
Blair followed her hand as she instinctively patted her jeans pocket.
‘Yes, Nina, from the look of that reaction the one you obviously slip on and off when it suits.’
Nina wanted to explain, but she was so overwhelmed she could hardly summon the courage to confess. ‘I do still have the ring, but only because he’s away. Conrad gave it to me, then left the country on business and—’
‘Shit, Nina!’ Blair kicked at the ground, the tip of his boot scattering broken glass. ‘To think I told Dad you were different from Veronica.’
‘I am different, Blair.’
‘You’ve lied to me from day one, while I’ve shared things about myself and my life with you that… Shit! I’ve talked you up to my mother. I almost introduced you to my son, for Christ’s sake!’
‘Blair, can we at least sit down and talk?’
‘I don’t have any more time to waste on another woman who can’t be honest, and I don’t think my heart wants to try. My business is about to go down the gurgler but, hey, it’ll be in fine company with my life. I’ll check if the roads are open.’