5
Business in The Knick Knack Shop was always slower on a Sunday morning. Heidi liked a laidback day in the week. It gave her time to check inventory, update social media and plan ahead. She couldn’t believe that in the six months since Rayne had handed over managing the store to her she’d not only maintained sales but actually grown them. For someone with limited retail experience, she was doing okay, and there wasn’t a day that went by that pride didn’t make her stand taller.
She hadn’t begrudged running the accounts side of Bert’s business. Her husband had been a hard worker with zero interest in learning computing, so it had seemed natural for her to do a weekend course in Sale on accounting software so she could help out. Bert had appreciated it but after a while she became invisible, something he took for granted, not just in his business but in their marriage.
Her greatest fear had come true when she first discovered she couldn’t have kids, that the two of them weren’t enough.Shewasn’t enough.
Considering the abuse Rayne had copped from her husband behind closed doors, she should be grateful her marriage was banally normal. But in the eighteen months since Bert had died, she’d come to see her marriage for what it was: a comfortable habit, like kicking off your shoes at the door and slipping into an old pair of fluffy bed socks at the end of a long day. Bert had been her best mate rather than the love of her life, a friendship that dwindled over the years, and while she wasn’t foolish enough to believe in soulmates or any other such guff, the realisation made her feel like she’d been missing out on something.
The bell over the door tinkled as Meredith, who’d recently moved to town in search of a sea change, entered in a flurry of emerald-green kaftan and jangling bracelets halfway up her arm. She’d taken to the intentional living community with a flourish, but Heidi didn’t have the heart to tell her she didn’t have to dress like a hippy just because many equated laidback Serenity with a commune.
‘Good morning, blossom,’ Meredith said, with a sweep of her arms. ‘Isn’t it the start of another glorious day?’
Another thing Heidi would never get used to: the exuberant sixty-something retired judge calling everyone blossom or petal.
‘Morning, Meredith. Anything in particular I can help you with?’ Meredith nodded, and the giant chandelier earrings hanging from her lobes bobbed. ‘I’m after one of those gorgeous hand-painted scarves I spied in the window, but in a brighter colour.’
Considering Meredith’s dazzling wardrobe, where she never wore anything other than peacock blue, daffodil yellow, sunburst orange and vivid crimson at a minimum, Heidi needed clarification on what she meant by bright.
‘What did you have in mind? We only have sienna, aubergine and lavender left in stock.’
Meredith contemplated her decision for all of two seconds before snapping her fingers. ‘The aubergine, I think. The rich plum tones will go perfectly with the black maxi dress I ordered online.’ Heidi’s surprise must’ve shown because Meredith laughed. ‘I know. Me, in black, can you believe it?’
‘I will when I see it,’ Heidi said with a smile. ‘I love the way you dress, with confidence and panache.’
‘When you spend your life wearing judge’s robes, it’s nice to be flamboyant for a change. But I love the scarves you stock here so much I need a black dress so they don’t get lost in all this colour.’ Meredith gestured at her vibrant green kaftan and laughed.
Heidi couldn’t imagine this loud woman in a robe and wig, with a gavel in hand, pronouncing sentences on people who’d broken the law. Then again, most of the town couldn’t believe it when Heidi started wearing hip clothing to date younger men. She didn’t care and she had a feeling Meredith was the same—though Meredith’s confidence came from within, a strong woman embracing a new life, whereas with Heidi it was all a sham.
Despite contemplating moving several times, she still lived in the house she’d shared with Bert for decades. Changing her entire wardrobe didn’t equate with breaking free of the past, and that’s another thing she admired about Meredith: her capacity to leave Melbourne and start a new life at her age.
She’d been contemplating moving to the city for a fresh start around the time Rayne had offered her this job and for someone with limited work experience she’d grabbed the chance. Living in Melbourne would cost ten times what it did in Acacia Haven and if she ever made the move sometime in the future, she’d need to find a job in the city, and managing The Knick Knack Shop would look more impressive on her CV than doing accounts for a small boating business.
‘Want to tell me about it?’ Meredith leaned against the counter. ‘I’m used to hearing it all, believe me. I’m completely unshockable.’
Heidi had no idea how the woman had picked up on her unease and she contemplated telling her how untethered she’d been feeling lately. Since Rayne had moved away, she’d lost her confidante, and it might be nice to develop a friendship with Meredith.
‘How did you know I wanted to chat?’
Meredith tapped the side of her nose and winked. ‘Just because I’ve hung up my wig doesn’t mean I can’t read people, and at the risk of you bumping up the price of that scarf, you look a little out of sorts.’
Impulsivity had never been Heidi’s strong suit, but she wanted to shake things up and now was as good a time as any to start.
‘How would you like to come over to my place tonight for a wine and a chinwag?’
If her invitation out of nowhere surprised Meredith, she didn’t show it. ‘I’d love to. I’m partial to those delicious sun-dried tomato quiches Nevaeh makes at her café. Why don’t I pick us up a few of those, and a sweet treat too?’
‘Sounds good,’ Heidi said, glad she’d made a friendship overture. Ever since she returned from her weekend in Melbourne yesterday, she’d been a little angsty. She loved spending time with Rayne and Leo, but their perfect togetherness only reinforced how lonely she was. Dating younger men for the last six months had empowered her physically, but late at night, lying alone in her bed on the same side she’d inhabited even when Bert had been alive, she felt nothing but emptiness.
If anything, an evening in Meredith’s company was sure to make her laugh and banish the loneliness, albeit for a short time.
‘I’m looking forward to it,’ Meredith said. ‘Now, where’s that delightful scarf I’d like to purchase?’
Heidi’s house sat on the outskirts of town. Bert’s parents had gifted them the nineteen-forties weatherboard when they’d first married and, despite their best intentions to renovate over the years, they never got around to it. Heidi had done her best to brighten the place up but the house still showed its age, from the floral-print carpets and dark wood furnishings in the living room to the two-tone cabinets and sunny yellow walls in the kitchen. That’s the problem with being married to a tradesman: Bert had worked hard on other people’s boats but never had the time to work on their house.
With Meredith due any minute, she decanted a bottle of Barossa Valley shiraz and set out a small cheese platter. Nerves made her fidget, rearranging the table setting, smoothing the tablecloth. Silly, because she had a feeling Meredith wouldn’t care what her setting looked like, she was interested in the company too, but she couldn’t change the habits of a lifetime. She’d always kept a pristine home and had enjoyed entertaining. It made her feel useful and she’d loved the admiration in Bert’s eyes when she hosted. She felt valued in those brief moments in a way she never usually did. Not through any fault of her husband’s; they’d both grown complacent over the years and it had never entered their heads to do anything about it.
The peal of the doorbell provided a welcome distraction, and with one final glance at the table she headed for the door and opened it to find Meredith had changed into a startling purple jumpsuit covered in flamingos and had a brown paper bag from the Vegan Vault in one hand and a bottle of port in the other.