The drive into town only took five minutes, which had hardly been long enough for the heater to kick in. She pulled into a parking spot almost in front of the store, locked the car and climbed out.
The main street was quiet, a few cars parked along it and not another person visible. She stepped through the rainbow-coloured plastic strips that hung over the front door of the store and immediately felt at home. Apart from a change of paint on the wall and the neon that lit the glass fronted fridges, the store seemed exactly as it had been almost fifteen years ago. Rebecca closed her eyes for moment, taking in the smell of freshly baked bread, and she half expected that when she opened them, she would see her oldest friend come running through the door from the residence out back.
She didn’t have to open them.
“Oh my god. Rebecca, Rebecca Ford.”
Rebecca opened her eyes and spun around. Standing behind the counter, still sporting what Rebecca swore was the same ponytail from all those years ago stood Tracey Pearce, the friend she had just imagined, several years older but still a welcome face.
Tracey yelled, “MUM. Get out here. It’s Rebecca Ford. MUM. MUMMMMM.”
“Hi Tracey.”
“Don’t you Hi me bitch. Get here and give me a hug.” Tracey stepped from behind the counter and wrapped her arms around Rebecca. “Oh. My. God. It’s been forever. We were such besties. You should have come visit me sooner.” Tracey let Rebecca loose from her grip and yelled out again. “MUM.”
An older woman stepped through the residence door, and Rebecca recognised her as soon as she saw the striped tunic wrapped around her waist.
“Hi Mrs Pearce.”
“Becky Ford. Now there’s a whole bunch of memories and aren’t you the spitting image of your mum.” Mrs Pearce stood and stared at Rebecca for a moment before turning to Tracey. “And you, young lady, don’t you go calling ANYONE a B word in my shop.”
“Mum. We’ve been calling each other bitches since we were eight years old.” Tracey wrapped her arm around Rebecca’s shoulder, “and I don’t think we’re going to stop now. Ain’t that right Becky.”
Rebecca feeling a touch overwhelmed by the enthusiastic reunion could only manage “I guess so.”
“I was so sorry to hear about your Pop. Mr Ford was, well everyone loved him. He was such a sweet old dear, and he loved you, and your brother. Broke his heart when your mum and dad passed.”
“Mum. Seriously. Do you have to be such a downer?” Tracey gave her a mum a stern look. “Bec. You and me are going to have a bite to eat and catch up, Mum can watch the shop. Okay Mum?”
“Yes. Of course. I’m sorry Becky. I didn’t mean no harm. You girls go have some time to yourselves.”
“It’s okay Mrs Pearce. Umm...I was going to get some things to fill the cupboards.”
“You just write me a list. I’ll get it sorted for you.” Mrs Pearce pulled a pencil from the front of her tunic and pushed it along with a small notepad toward Rebecca. It took her a few minutes, but she scribbled a list of things she wanted, all the while Mrs Pearce watching over her. She was sure that the supervision made her forget some things but if she had decent coffee, she could get the rest another time.
“That should do it.” Rebecca handed the note and pencil back. “Uncle Paul got me some stuff, but…”
“Yes. Don’t think he had any idea when he was in here earlier in the week. I’ll get it sorted. Go catch up.”
Tracey reached out her hand and grabbed hold of Rebecca’s arm.
“C’mon. We’ll sit out on the back deck, while the suns still shining. C’mon.”
For the next two hours Rebecca sat on the deck that overlooked a long yard which dropped away suddenly at the far end to the river. Massive weeping willows hugged the deeply eroded riverbank. The heavy fog that had blanketed the countryside earlier had now burned off and the plains that stretched out beyond the river were dotted with bunches of what Rebecca assumed were cattle and occasional houses.
Tracey had put together a lunch of crusty bread rolls and a creamy pumpkin soup, which Rebecca had noticed was listed on chalkboard out in the shop as a ‘Mum’s Special Lunch’, but it was just what she needed to fill her empty stomach and shake off the stress of the morning.
“Thanks for the soup Trace. Your mum still makes the best pumpkin soup, just never ever tell my Grandma I said that.”
“Yeah it’s good. One day she might even give me the recipe.”
“You haven’t changed a bit.”
“Tonight. What are you doing tonight? I want you to meet Tony. My boyfriend.”
“Well…I’ll be at the Pub having dinner.”
“What? On your own?”
“No. No. Two of the guys at the mill. Long story but they’re sharing a meal with me tonight.”
“A date. You work quick.”
“It’s not a date. Just making friends. I know it sounds a bit weird, but they are nice guys.”
“Well, I tell you what. Me and Tony will meet you there as well. Make it a bit less weird for you.”
“Ok. Let’s lock it in then…. Bitch.”
“That’s more like it.”
After more catching up, laughter and general time wasting, the girls finished up and Rebecca paid for the groceries that Mrs Pearce had organised for her. She got a big hug from both Tracey and Mrs Pearce and as she was leaving noticed one thing on a shelf that she grabbed and paid for before leaving.
“Is this for you, young lady?” Mrs Pearce gave her a motherly look as she asked.
“No. No but I know someone who needs it.”
“Let her be mum. You’re such a busy body.”
For that comment Tracey got a glare, which she just laughed off.
“Ok Bec. See you tonight.”
“See you then.”