It had been an unusually warm day, and as Jack and Candice sat on the front steps of the caravan watching the sunset, a steady stream of neighbours strolled past either from an afternoon walk or the shower facilities. Jack and Candice waved to each of them and shared friendly superficial banter. A storm was brewing on the horizon, which was strange for this time of year. Thunderstorms didn’t usually start until late summer. The potted palms Jack had placed along the side of the van were uncharacteristically still, as if preparing for the onslaught.
He was on edge too, but was trying to act like tonight was just like every other night. He had to be careful or Candice would suspect something was wrong. She had a knack for that.
She slapped his knee. “So, got any hot tips for tomorrow?”
Jack frowned at her.
“The race.” She beamed up at him with her beautiful innocent eyes. “Who do you think’s going to win?”
“Oh.” In all the craziness Jack had lost sight of what the Melbourne Cup was all about. Years ago, he and Candice went to a Cup luncheon together. It was a huge day of drinking, laughter and of course a flutter or two on the horses. “I haven’t even had time to see what horses are running.”
“It’s a pity you’re working, you could come with me to the community hall.”
A bunch of the caravan park residents were planning to watch the race in the hall, and Rose had promised to escort Candice up there. “Sorry babe.”
“Did I tell you I’ve got Castletown in the sweep? Imagine if I won the twenty-dollar prize pool.”
“Yeah, that would be magic.”
At the first sign of mosquitos they moved inside. The air within the caravan seemed to bristle. “I’ll get dinner on the go.” Jack reached for a frying pan and laid strips of bacon in the bottom.
Candice touched his shoulder. “Okay, I’ll have a quick shower.”
As she headed to the bedroom, the urge to call her back was unbearable. He’d have given almost anything to just confess, tell her everything. But it was far too late for that. Jack figured he had about five minutes to get his shit together. It wasn’t easy. In nineteen hours’ time, their lives would change forever. That was a certainty.
Nothing else about tomorrow was as certain.
His stomach rumbled at the bacon smell, but he was pretty sure he’d have trouble eating it. Right now he felt more like throwing up. He heard the squeaky shower taps turning as Candice got ready to hop out. At the sink he splashed water on his face, wiped it off and then sucked in a couple of deep breaths. Pull yourself together.
“That smells great,” Candice said as she stepped from the shower cubicle.
“Don’t get too excited. Boring old bacon and egg burgers tonight.”
“Nothing boring about that. I could eat them every night.”
She was lying. Once upon a time they could afford eye fillet steak and prawns for dinner. Some of his favourite memories were the two of them cooking up a feast in the well-stocked kitchen of their old home. He would have given anything to return to those times.
Candice stepped into the kitchen and he immediately smelt her delightful scent. She smelt fresh, clean, pure. Jack couldn’t hold back any longer. He clutched his wife to his chest, forcing the tears from his eyes.
“What is it, baby?” The concern in her voice crushed him. She trusted him—believed in him. And he was about to blow it all.