‘I knew I still had this photo! Look at this, Mel, and tell me you don’t like Apple.’
The fireplace was crackling and despite a frost warning tonight, the living room was warm. Vince and Melanie shared the sofa with a platter of finger food on the coffee table within easy reach. He’d elected for an early dinner after Mel’s trip to the hospital, cutting up cheese, fruit, crusty bread, tomatoes, onions, and a few other bits and pieces from the fridge. It was easy for Mel to fill a small plate and nibble as she pleased without putting any stress on the broken arm.
‘Apple is a computer. And a phone. Also an iPad. Hmm, and a fruit!’
‘And a pony,’ Vince said.
Melanie popped a grape into her mouth and chewed, her eyes darting to the open photo album in Vince’s hands.
‘Before I show this to you let me tell you a bit about Apple. When your mum was a bit older than you, all she wanted was a pony. Those books you love reading… the horsey adventure ones?’
She nodded; her eyes wide as she listened.
‘Susie longed to find adventures on the back of a big chestnut stallion. Off to find bad guys or defeat an army. But instead, one day she and I were riding our bikes—’
‘You ride a bike?’
Jeez, kid. Thanks.
‘Still have two bikes in the shed. Do you ride one?’
Melanie pouted. ‘No.’
‘Well we can fix that.’
He had no idea if he could even fit on his bike now. Once he would think nothing of riding for hours and Susie and he would discover creeks and valleys and all kinds of places.
‘Grandad?’
‘Melanie?’
She giggled. ‘You were just smiling. Such a big happy smile.’
‘I was thinking about your mum. How we used to ride bikes together. But anyway, I digress. One day, we were on our way home, cycling down a narrow track, and we came upon a young pony who was lost. Your mum jumped off her bike, pulled an apple out of her pocket and held out a hand and the pony came straight to her.’
Those eyes of Melanie’s were even bigger, and she leaned closer.
‘It turns out that the pony kept escaping. She was the last of her family and it seemed she really wanted more attention than her owners could give her. Their kids were grown and moved away, and the pony was lonely.’
‘And that was Apple?’
‘It sure was.’
Melanie’s mouth formed a wide ‘o’.
‘And your mum and Apple were inseparable. By the time she grew up and left home, Apple was getting on in years and not so lonely. Still had me to hang around with. Sometimes visits with the donkeys. And every time Susie came to visit she’d take an apple or a carrot out to her pony, who never forgot her.’
Melanie sidled closer and peered at the photographs. There were four, all of Apple with Susie and Melanie petting her, and the last one with Mel sitting on her back. There was no saddle or even a halter thanks to how gentle the pony was.
‘Are you sure that’s me?’
‘I sure am sure. Guess you were about four years old.’ He moved the album onto her lap. ‘See how gentle Apple is? She loves people a lot and when you are ready, I’m sure she’d enjoy taking you for a proper ride.’
There was no response as Melanie traced Susie’s face with her finger.
‘Would you like to see some pictures of your mum when she was little?’
Am I rushing her?
With a beautiful smile, and a hint of a tear in her eyes, Melanie looked up and nodded.
‘Alrighty then,’ Vince said. ‘In that case, shall we start with her baby book?’
‘Did I tell you how much Melanie enjoyed cooking today?’ Carla called from the kitchen. ‘At least until her arm played up.’
Bradley selected a bottle of white wine from the fridge near the bar. ‘You did. Would you care for a glass of wine, baby?’
‘Now, what sort of silly question is that?’ Carla, aproned and hands covered in flour, gave him one of those smiles he lived for. ‘I couldn’t stop cooking after she left so have some delicious little pastries for you to take for lunch tomorrow. And I just rolled some pastry for tartlets for dessert.’
He kissed her, staying clear of her hands. ‘You look after me so well.’
‘Better believe it.’ She pretended to reach for him with floury hands and laughed as he ducked around the counter. ‘What? Don’t want pretty white handprints on your nice jumper?’
‘If you want wine then you’ll keep your hands to yourself.’ He busied himself pouring two glasses as she washed her hands. When she checked the oven, opening it a crack, his mouth watered. Something smelled very good.
‘Time for a sip or two then I’ll get that out.’
They sat at the counter on stools after tapping their glasses together.
‘You didn’t say why you came home early?’
He’d left the warehouse not long after Carter stormed out, bringing home a pile of files and shutting himself in his office for a few hours. At least he had pulled together paperwork for the future. An altered, printed, and photocopied email from David expressing his firm intention to sell his share to Bradley. Didn’t matter who really wrote it.
David was gone. Susie was gone.
Melanie would benefit.
‘Brad?’
‘Sorry, baby. Was miles away.’
‘I can see that. Would you like to eat in here or the dining room?’
‘Here is fine.’
She left her half-finished glass to collect placemats and cutlery. He refilled it, not offering to help because Carla always refused. She said she loved being able to look after him with home cooked meals and a happy house because he made her happy.
‘You make me happy.’
He spoke without thinking and her head shot up. Her face lit up with love and if she wasn’t about to take dinner out of the oven, he’d have suggested another activity right here and now.
‘Thank you, honey. It goes both ways.’
Sometimes he wondered if they needed a child. They had the best relationship he’d ever seen. Not like his own parents who each had remarried twice. And his friends were as bad… apart from David who was committed to Susie.
Except he’d lied to her.
And to me.
Dinner was delicious, as always. Carla insisted on cleaning up and Bradley wandered to the living room to put on some music. He’d missed seeing Melanie today but on her last visit she had been a bit distant with him. Not for the first time. Ever since her parents died, she barely looked at him. It had to be more than grief because around Carla, the little girl laughed and chattered away like she’d always done. How had he upset her? He picked up a stuffed bunny Melanie had left on the sofa, stroking its ears. They’d always got along so well. Even David used to joke about Bradley being her substitute dad. What changed?
That night… at the restaurant. Two happy couples doting on one happy child. Their regular Friday night dinner at least twice a month for years.
He’d been late and Carla had caught an Uber to get there. But once dinner started there was laughter and talk. Melanie was so excited about school holidays, which just began. But later, she’d barely looked at him when he’d left before anyone else. He’d said goodbye and gone to kiss her cheek as usual, but she’d turned away.
So what happened between entrée and leaving?
She’d come out of the ladies restroom when he and David were arguing. How much had she heard?
‘Shall we have some more wine?’ Carla settled next to him.
‘Sure thing.’
‘What are you doing to that poor bunny, Brad?’
His hand gripped its neck.
‘Craving rabbit stew?’ He laughed and plopped it onto her lap. ‘Does this need to go back to Mel, or stay here?’
‘Here. I’m getting a cute collection for her. Anyway, she was telling me about Vince’s farm.’
He snorted. ‘Farm?’ He filled up their glasses. ‘I suppose to a little girl who isn’t used to the country it must feel like one.’
‘I guess. He has Susie’s old pony. Apple. The name amuses Mel but I get the feeling she’s a bit scared of it so she must have no memories of being out there. And the neighbour has cows and donkeys.’
Bradley handed Carla her glass then leaned back. ‘Actually, the place next door is nice. Big house high up the hill. Reckon it is architect built. Paddocks with post and rail fences. Whoever owns it looks after it, unlike Carter’s dump.’ He swallowed some wine. Then some more.
‘Unless she sold it, that Lyndall woman would still be there. Susie just adored her, but I found her odd, always wearing an old hat and rescuing donkeys and the like.’
‘I forgot you’d been out there so often. Of course you’d know.’
Carla cuddled the bunny against herself. ‘Mel said she has her own room but likes being in the living room because of the fireplace. Sounds a bit dangerous having her near an open fire. Anyway, she likes looking at the birds that Vince carves and the photos of her grandmother and mother on the mantlepiece. Nice that she gets some comfort from those.’
‘It is. What else?’
‘Oh, that’s right. And this is a bit of a concern. She saw a little kitten out in the rain and followed it. Once she caught the creature, a scary person in a big hat—those are her words—stomped through all the puddles and found Mel underneath a wood shelter. It was Lyndall who owned the kitten and Melanie wants to adopt it.’
‘A kitten?’
She nodded. Her eyes were sad. ‘Apparently the kitten isn’t quite ready to leave home but Mel hopes she might be allowed to have it later on.’
‘Carter won’t let her.’
‘But how can you be sure? Mel wants this kitten so much which I get. I really do. She needs something to love. But if he relents then what will happen when she moves here? I don’t want a cat. They smell and ruin things.’
Bradley took another mouthful to give him time to come up with something as she spoke again.
‘But I’d put up with it to have Mel.’ Her bottom lip quivered.
Don’t cry, baby. God. Enough crying.
He took her hand. ‘We will cross that bridge later. Our lawyer is investigating options about Melanie coming to live here. Until we get the lowdown there’s no point speculating and imagining the worst, is there?’
‘I didn’t know, honey. Not about the lawyer. She will be our girl, won’t she?’ Carla leaned against him.
‘Going to do everything I can to make it happen.’
Even if it means killing Vince Carter to get him out of my way.
Vince closed a book he’d been reading to Melanie. ‘And that is enough for tonight.’
‘One more chapter?’
‘There’s only two left so let’s keep them for tomorrow and I’ll read both.’
The book went on the nightstand, and he turned off the lamp.
‘I like this room.’ Mel’s eyes were closed and she cuddled Raymond and Topsy.
‘That’s good.’ Vince kissed her forehead.
‘Even if Carla makes me a pretty room in her house, I think I will like this one more.’
The phone began to ring from the kitchen.
‘I’d better answer that. ‘Nite, Melly-belly.’
‘’Nite, Grandad.’
As he closed the door, she mustered a sleepy smile, and he blew her a kiss. What rubbish was Carla going on about?
His mind raced as he grabbed the phone. ‘Vince Carter.’
‘Lyndall here. Is that sweet little one asleep?’
He leaned against the table. ‘Almost. Just finished reading her a story.’
The soft chuckle at the other end made him smile. She wasn’t laughing at him as such. But of everyone in his life, she would appreciate the irony.
‘She’s one of the reasons I’m phoning, Vince.’
‘One?’
‘I think it’s time she had that kitten… if you agree. Don’t decide now. Come up tomorrow and see for yourself.’
‘Not big on cats.’
‘Not about you. Is it?’
Until he got left doing everything for it.
‘Anyway, need to chat about some other stuff. Early as you like.’
‘What other stuff, Lyn—’
But she’d disconnected the call.