“Leaving?” Grace dropped the tray of scones with a clatter and gaped at her husband. “Why now? It’s only three weeks until Christmas.”
“Sweetheart, they deserve retirement. They’ve been here forever, and we both know the last couple of years have been tough. Remember—their health issues have not been trivial.” Tom hugged Grace, his tall, thin frame pressing gently against her heavily pregnant stomach. Resting his chin on her head, he continued, “I know how much they’ll be missed, but we can’t deny them what they’ve earned. They’ll be back to visit.”
Grace sniffed. “I’m not saying they shouldn’t retire. It’s just that I thought they’d be with us for a bit longer—at least another year or two.” She pulled away and stared up at him. “They’re like a second set of parents, and I’ll miss everything about them, not just their friendship.” The lump in her throat grew.
“We all will. Sit down, love. I’ll make a cup of tea,” Tom said.
Grace slumped in the chair, her mind spinning. Greg and Beth had been away from Tullagulla for nearly two weeks for medical checks and to catch up with their daughters. A wave of disappointment flooded her. She’d heard their vehicle drive past the homestead the previous night—too late for Grace to visit them. Chewing her lip, she struggled to hide her distress.
If they were going to share such important news, I would have liked to have been with Tom to hear it.
She shrugged and focused on her husband as he removed his glasses and polished them on the edge of his shirt—a reaction Grace recognised as his gathering my thoughts moment.
“Greg said they enjoyed their holiday at Tin Can Bay. I know it’s one of their favourite places to stay—but I admit, I didn’t realise that they were actually considering living there permanently.”
“Did Greg tell you what their new house is like?” Grace asked.
“Not really. He said it’s close to the water, so handy for him to go fishing. I’m surprised Beth hasn’t been over to talk to you about it,” Tom added.
Grace glanced at the kitchen clock. Ten past nine. Too early for smoko? No, never.
“Helloo!” Beth’s call resonated across the veranda as if on cue.
“Hi, Beth. Come and join us for a cuppa,” Tom said. He pushed the door open as the familiar figure huffed her way up the steps. Her wispy, grey hair was in even more disarray than usual, and in spite of her heavy heart, Grace melted. She moved towards her friend and hugged her, Grace’s protruding belly and the older woman’s stout physique preventing the physical connection they were accustomed to.
“Tom was just telling me your news,” Grace said. She smiled, determined not to show Beth her wretchedness.
“Oh. I was hoping to beat him to it.” Her face collapsed with disappointment, and Grace squeezed her arm.
“Don’t worry. He hasn’t told us much. Perhaps you could fill in the details?” Grace said.
“It all happened quite quickly really. The doctor was pleased with me—except I have to lose some weight—and Greg is okay, but he’s not to work so hard. It was Hayley who suggested we buy a place and retire now while we’re still active enough to make the move.”
“That sounds sensible,” Tom said. He poured the tea and passed the mugs to Grace and Beth.
“What made you decide on Tin Can Bay?” Grace asked.
“You know we’ve always liked holidaying there. Since the girls are both on the coast, it’s the perfect place for us to meet. It’s quiet and pretty and not too far from medical help if we need it—although I hope we’ve had our ration of problems.” She grimaced and took a deep breath before continuing. “Hayley and Nick live in Hervey Bay now, and with a baby on the way, we want to be close enough to help out when we can.”
“And Kirstie?” Grace prompted.
“Kirstie’s still busy with work and socialising but living on the north side of the city means she’s not far away. She can nip up and visit us whenever she likes.” Beth finished, frowning.
“Of course that’s a perfect spot for you to retire. We’ll miss you,” Grace said, her lip quivering.
“Oh, Grace.” Beth launched forwards and clasped Grace’s hand.
“I’m not crying—just a bit emotional,” Grace said, and shot her a watery smile.
“We’re not leaving yet. We have to wait until the house up there is vacant anyway, so we’ll have Christmas here and organise our move sometime in January.”
“So, you’ll still be with us for the baby?” Grace asked.
“Of course. And hopefully the wedding—that is, if Bronte and Cameron don’t muck about too long. I told Greg I’m not leaving Tullagulla until after the little one makes an appearance and I get to meet him or her,” Beth finished firmly. She pulled a handkerchief out of her apron pocket and dabbed her face. “I won’t be sorry to get away from this heat though and feel the sea breeze again.”
Tears threatened and Grace gulped as a wave of self-pity washed over her. She blinked them away and swallowed a mouthful of tea.
“I’m sorry I’ve upset you, Grace. You know I don’t mean to,” Beth said softly.
“I’m just being silly. I don’t know why my emotions are all over the place at the moment.”
“I know why. You’re in the final weeks of your pregnancy, it’s stinking hot, and everyone’s stressed about the drought. Now Greg and I have announced that we’re going to up and leave you after living here for thirty-six years—just to top it all off. I reckon your emotions are perfectly normal given the circumstances.”
Grace smiled at Beth’s matter-of-fact explanation. She prided herself on being sensible and strong. Maybe Beth was right—it was just hormones.
“Your friendship and support when I first arrived on Tullagulla was unbelievable. You’ve been a nanny to Daniel, a second mother to me, and confidante when the going got tough.” Grace paused. “I’ll miss you.”
Beth shoved her chair back and got to her feet before reaching out and hugging Grace again. “Don’t be silly. We’ve been lucky to have each other—and we always will,” Beth finished. She looked across the table at Tom. “Promise me you’ll bring the family to our new place for a holiday when we get settled?”
“Yes, Beth. I promise.” Tom grinned.
Grace stared at her stoic friend. She was tough, caring, and honest—and her loyalty to Tullagulla and those who lived here had been fierce.
“Bronte and Cameron will get a surprise when they return,” Grace said.
Tom cleared his throat. “Perhaps. I think Cameron knows how much Greg has struggled since the accident with the bull though—even joked with him recently about retiring. None of us want to see Greg hurt again, and you know we all wish only the very best for you both,” Tom added.
Beth chuckled and got to her feet. “Righto, me dears, I’m off home to organise something for my man’s lunch. See you later,” she said, and she shuffled out the door.
Grace waited until her friend disappeared behind the honeysuckle vine before she spoke. “How do we replace them, Tom?”
“Perhaps this is the time to look at alternatives? It gives us the opportunity to think about our long-term plan for Tullagulla—as well as the future of those of us who want to live here.”
Grace smiled at her husband. “I’m going out to sit under the cedar tree for a while. Bronte will be back with the kids any minute and then our peace will be shattered.”
Tom held her face between his hands as he kissed her. He smelled of wool, sunscreen and traces of shampoo. “Good idea. I’m off to feed the sheep. See you in a couple of hours,” he said softly.
He pulled on his boots, reached for his hat, and walked towards the gate. Grace filled a glass with cold water and wandered outside to the coolest place in the garden.
“What do you think, Jane?” Grace spoke aloud as she faced the headstone of Jane McLeod, Tullagulla’s first European female resident. “You don’t have to answer,” she said and grinned.
After pulling the chair closer to the trunk of the tree, she sat and faced the breeze, allowing its gentle fingers to lift the hair off her neck, evaporating the ever-present perspiration. It was always hot in summer. But with the worsening drought, the temperatures had soared, and this year seemed especially scorching to Grace—exacerbated by her internal heater. She sighed and rubbed her stomach as the baby kicked and squirmed.
“Not long now, little one. In the meantime, what are we going to do about Greg and Beth’s last Christmas at Tullagulla?”
***
Grace relaxed in the shade while she mulled over the news. Her initial panic eased, her stomach and the baby relaxed. Her mind wound into top gear. Greg and Beth deserved a district farewell party. They had lived out here so long. Most friends from their early years on Tullagulla had moved as many surrounding properties had been sold to bigger conglomerates or divided and settled by new families. Grace doubted that they would agree to anything bigger than a Tullagulla send-off.
A car door slammed, and Grace woke from her reverie and glanced towards the gate.
“Hi. Can I join you?” Bronte smiled as she approached.
“As if you need to ask. Where are Cameron and the kids?”
“I sent the children to get changed. They were a bit wet.”
Grace raised her eyebrows.
“Water fight.” Bronte chuckled. “Cameron caught sight of Tom loading hay, so he’s gone to help him.”
The previous evening had been the pony club Christmas party, and Bronte and Cameron had kindly offered to return to the hall to help clean up, leaving Grace to rest and Tom to do the daily feed run.
“I passed Squire heading into town,” Bronte said. “Off to visit Lou again I suppose?” Her smile turned to a frown as her eyes met Grace’s.
“What’s up? You look preoccupied.” Bronte’s soft English skin was flushed no doubt from the heat of the afternoon, and her thick, dark curls had escaped the confines of her hair tie. Perspiration trickled down her face, and she wiped it away with her sleeve.
“Greg and Beth are retiring and leaving Tullagulla.”
Bronte stared at Grace, her eyebrows raised over vivid blue eyes. “When?”
“Not for another month or so. We knew they’d want to retire before too long, but it seems their visit to the doctor and time spent with their daughters must have hurried things along.”
“Wow. I somehow envisaged them being here forever.”
“I know. Me too.”
A family of blue fairy wrens flitted in and out of the plumbago hedge and drank from the birdbath nearby.
Bronte dragged a chair closer to Grace and sat.
“I’m sure they both have their own doubts and worries about leaving, but they’ve given Tullagulla a fair innings and we have to respect their wishes. They’ve had a few health wake-up calls, and Beth said they would like to move closer to their girls, especially now their first grandchild is on the way,” Grace said.
“Fair enough. I guess they’ve saved enough to buy their own house by now?”
“Yes. They’ve already bought a place. In Tin Can Bay.”
“Oh? Where’s that?”
“On the coast—about fifty kilometres from Gympie. I went there years ago with Mum and Dad, but I can’t remember much about it except it’s quiet and has tame dolphins that visit each morning to be fed. It will be much closer for their family, and they’ll enjoy fishing and getting involved with the community.”
“It sounds like a nice place.” Bronte’s eyes lit up. “Hey, I have some news.”
Grace studied her friend and raised her eyebrows. “I hope it’s good?”
“Yeah. I think it is anyway.” Bronte paused, her face soft and dreamy.
“Okay, spit it out.”
“You know Cameron and I went to see Suzie the celebrant a month or so ago?”
“I may be pregnant but my memory still works from time to time,” Grace retorted wryly, and Bronte laughed.
“Well, we bumped into her on our way to the hall. She said she’s received approval of the paperwork we need to marry—but get this, she’s moving to Perth in January.”
“Oh no! Does that mean you have to find someone else?”
Bronte shook her head. “No, it means we have to get moving and organise a wedding before she leaves.” Bronte chuckled and clasped her hands together.
Grace studied her vibrant friend. Bronte glowed with health—her glossy curls bounced as she spoke, while her tall, shapely figure was muscled. The physical lifestyle suited her.
“You know what? I think we should make this Christmas extra special—forget the drought and cheer everyone up. We could invite friends and family here and have a combined farewell for Greg and Beth, and a Christmas get-together. Then seeing as the guests would be pretty much the same people, we could invite them to stay on for your wedding on Boxing Day? Or maybe the day after? What do you think?” Grace asked.
Bronte tilted her head to one side. “That could work. Cameron’s not keen on having a big wedding anyway, and apart from the celebrant, his parents, and our lovely neighbours Alan and Tess, all the people I would want to join us already live on Tullagulla.” She laughed. “Oh, except for your parents. Do you think they’ll come?”
“Try and keep them away. They’ll bring their caravan and stay until the baby’s talking to them if they have any say in the matter,” Grace said.
“Mu-um!” Daniel’s call pierced the air, and they smiled at each other.
“Looks like we need to make a decision fast. What do you think?” Grace asked.
Bronte’s smile widened. “Let’s do it.”
