Nina brought out the bottle of brandy and her best glasses. ‘Didn’t know until I saw you with Freeman that you liked brandy, Eva. Would you do the honours please, Ric? There’s dry ginger in the fridge, and Coke as well.’
Ric looked at Eva, brows raised. ‘Young man,’ she said. ‘I’ll take it straight.’ He poured her a snifter. She clasped it in both hands and drank a deep draught.
Nina took a seat at the kitchen table beside her and drew a bottomless breath. ‘Eva, I know it must have been a shock seeing what’s happening out at Billabong.’
Eva drained her glass in one gulp and eyed Nina with a new suspicion, like she didn’t quite trust her any more. And could you blame her? ‘My house has been empty for six years, you say?’
‘Yes,’ said Nina. ‘Ever since you’ve been at Pemberley House.’ No matter how difficult, she wasn’t going to pull any punches. Otherwise today’s whole painful episode would have been for nothing.
‘I went into that damned place after I hurt my back,’ said Eva. ‘Wasn’t that last year?’
Ric refilled Eva’s glass and poured one for himself. ‘That was six years ago,’ said Nina. ‘Walter had a heart attack at Billabong, and you hurt your back trying to lift him.’ Eva nodded. ‘You both went into Moree Hospital. Walter went on to Sydney for treatment and you went into Pemberley House. Remember how upset you were that James didn’t organise for you and Walter to be together?’
‘I don’t know,’ said Eva. ‘My memory lets me down. Was that really so long ago?’ Nina nodded, as comprehension dawned in the old woman’s eyes. ‘James says my blood pressure has to drop a bit before I can go home, but I’d never manage out there on my own.’
‘I’m sorry, Eva,’ said Nina. ‘I really am. But you needed to see for yourself, so you’d understand how important it is for me to buy Billabong.’
Eva’s eyes softened. ‘You love that place. You always did.’ She sipped her brandy and coughed a little. ‘James never had the heart for it.’
‘He’ll sell it, Eva.’ Nina’s words were urgent and low. ‘When you die, he’ll sell Billabong to anyone with the money.’
Eva uttered a long, knowing sigh, and reached for Nina’s hand. ‘Billabong Bend was settled by my family in 1830. The Langleys have nurtured and cared for that place for all this time. Protected it. Lived in harmony with its ebbs and flows, treasured its birds and animals. My father called the wetlands Billabong’s crowning glory.’ She squeezed Nina’s fingers. ‘My girl, I’ve been an idiot.’
‘No, you haven’t —’
Eva raised her hand for silence. ‘When a person wants to believe something badly enough, the mind plays tricks. Deep down I knew the years were slipping past, that time was running out. I think I knew James was humouring me too, but I wouldn’t face the truth. Thank you for bringing a foolish old woman to her senses.’
Nina slipped to her knees, mist in her eyes. She laid her head in Eva’s lap, tasting tears as Eva stroked her hair. ‘Let it out,’ Eva said. It was many minutes before Nina’s cries reduced to shuddering sobs, and came to a sniffing halt. ‘There now,’ said Eva. ‘That’s better.’ Nina caught her breath. How she loved Eva.
‘I need another drink,’ said Ric. ‘Anyone?’
‘Dry ginger and ice this time, I think,’ said Eva. ‘And what about that lovely lunch you packed, Nina? We never got around to it. Haven’t had roast lamb and chutney sandwiches for years. They always were my favourite.’ Her good humour and courage spilled into the room, cheering them all.
‘Would you stay for the night, Eva? I’ve made up the spare room, and there’s so much I want to show you. My orphan ducklings, for instance. They’re beginning to fledge. You might know what sort they are. I still can’t tell. And there are the waterbirds at the dam, and the riverbank restoration.’ Nina took a breath. She was rushing her words, pressing Eva too hard. ‘I’m sorry. Perhaps you’re tired? It’s been a big day.’
‘If you’d let her get a word in edgeways,’ said Ric, ‘she might be able to give you an answer.’
‘Thank you, young man. And yes, it would be a treat to stay.’ Eva took a big bite of her sandwich and gave the crust to Jinx. ‘A treat to feel like I’m part of the world again.’
‘You’re welcome anytime,’ said Nina. ‘My home is your home, for as long as you like. It’s not as nice as Billabong homestead, but it’s all yours.’
‘I wouldn’t do that to you,’ said Eva. ‘One night is all I want. One night of living. Of drinking and talking. Maybe a board game? Maybe I could cook? I’d like to cook a meal again. Perhaps Ric will stay too?’
‘Of course,’ said Nina, without consulting him. ‘Ric, would you go and get Sophie while we organise dinner? I’d love for her to meet Eva.’
Ric was standing by the door, his arms folded. Nina crossed the room to him, close enough to smell the brandy on his breath. ‘Please?’
The corners of his mouth creased into a half smile. ‘Okay,’ he said in a low voice. ‘We’ll do this your way. You’ve played your trump card. I just hope it doesn’t backfire on you.’
The words sent a tiny chill through her. What did he mean? Things were turning out perfectly. ‘Don’t be like that,’ she said. ‘Just go and get your daughter, will you?’
He grabbed his hat and disappeared out the door. Eva’s bright, bird-like eyes inspected her, and Nina put on a sunny smile. ‘Right, shall we start dinner? A roast, maybe?’
Eva patted the chair beside her. ‘Plenty of time for that, my girl. Come and talk to me about that young man. Oh, and Nina?’
‘Yes, Eva?’
‘If I’m going to get a chance to cook, we can be a bit more ambitious than a roast, don’t you think?