Not old enough to know he shouldn’t rig an election,Clem thought, grinning to herself. ‘Do you really think Pansy would want to come to a party for you, Harri? She might be a bit sad about the whole situation.’
Harriet tossed her school shoes off and bounded inside the house. ‘She is, but I told her I’d still be her friend anyway, because that’s what good leaders do.’
After the girls were in bed that evening, Clem called Selina.
‘I’m sorry, I can’t afford to keep you on,’ Clem said, deciding to gloss over the other incriminating factors.
‘I’m totes not surprised,’ Selina said. ‘TikTok says most small businesses fail in the first two years, so I’ve kinda been expecting it.’
Clem spluttered. ‘It’s quiet, notfailing. Things will turn around when the sunflowers bloom,’ she said, unsure whether to be grateful her teenage cousin was taking the news so calmly, annoyed she had no ideashewas the problem, or peeved at her suggestion that Sunny Cross was a lost cause.
‘Mmmm, if you say so,’ Selina said, hanging up without even thanking Clem for the opportunity.
Clem stomped into the lounge room, scowling at the promos forLove on the Land.
‘And next up tonight,’ the host said, ‘the conversation you’ve all been waiting for. Find out which of our farmers’ contestants have already a top-ten baby name list, which one has twins in the family, and which farmer wants to dive right in and get the baby making underway, ASAP.’
Clem reached for the remote, planning to switch channels, but footage of Spencer and Emily mooning about in the candlelit rotunda at South Giddi Giddi kept her watching.
Maybe I’m an idiot to think Sunny Cross isn’t failing, or that things will work out with Spencer.
She watched the on-screen antics as the two remaining girls faffed about, obviously trying to earn brownie points by washing Dolly in a wheelbarrow full of soapy water. Was Kyra’s white t-shirt a tactical decision?
Clem scowled, watching the petite blonde tug the wet fabric away from her skin and lacy bra.
Spencer wasn’t exactly horsing around with the ladies, but he didn’t look like he was hating it either.
They’ve obviously never bathed a toddler,Clem thought, watching Emily squeal as Dolly shook, showering both ladies with water.
The cameras cut to a shot of Emily and two women who were obviously her sisters, sitting with Spencer in a sumptuous sunroom. Huge artwork hung on the walls, along with a painted portrait of what looked like Emily’s family, and the windows behind their seats revealed a sparkling blue swimming pool in the manicured yard. She was so distracted by the grandeur of the Brewington-Major family home that she almost missed the conversation they were having.
This is the bit where they interrogate him …
‘And what about children? Have you and Emily talked about kids? Would you get right into it or would you hold off? Would you adopt if you couldn’t have your own?’
Clem held her breath, jabbing the volume higher. Emily smiled at Spencer, pulling his hand into her lap. ‘We’re ready to jump right in, aren’t we?’
The camera cut to Spencer, a different angle this time, showcasing a dining setting in the background that could double as a board table.
‘I’ve always wanted kids of my own, and I thought that chance was gone. But now, I can’t imagine a future without my own kids, my own flesh and blood, carrying on the Hawkins name.’
Clem dropped the remote as if it was scalding.
It didn’t matter that his feelings towards Emily had changed. He’d just announced on national TV the very reason he could never have a future with her.
Spencer was glad to have Ian’s help at the Penwarra Hall, moving the final pieces of set ready for painting. Made from old chipboard, the sets were heavy, and the last thing he wanted was Clem attempting to shift one and doing her back right before Christmas. Especially after the ghastly flu that had knocked her out for weeks.
Spencer started the Christmas music, hoping it would keep things light. Clem hadn’t replied to his goodnight text until this morning, and even that had sounded a little terse.
She couldn’t be sick of him—they’d barely seen one another while she was crook—but there’d also been an uptick in attention on the South Giddi Giddi website, and he’d silenced notifications for his personal social media after his inbox started to fill with even more crazies than usual.
Farmer Jonah had been in touch today.
You getting hit up by baby-crazy randoms too? I said one line about wanting twins on TV and suddenly I’ve got shitloads of messages from clucky chicks wanting to jump my bones. Insane!
The message had weighed on his mind on the drive home from school. He was tired of trying to recall exactly what he’d said in the home visits, when he’d met Emily and Kyra’s families and closest friends. And as he started working on the theatre sets, the crowded workspace reflected his state of mind and warring thoughts.
Tonight would be a great time to tell Clem about the proposal the real estate agent had put forth and the eager buyers who had begged Ian to sell South Giddi Giddi.
