‘These beautiful sunflowers will be harvested in March,’ Isobel added. ‘And like the cupcakes you’re enjoying right now, all the profits will support the local theatre group.’
‘We’re also having an open day next month where people can pick their own bunches and stay for a picnic,’ Harriet said, grabbing her clipboard and pen. ‘We can put you on the email update list?’
As well as being impressed by Isobel’s babysitting skills, and her ability to make both girls think it was ‘their’ roadside stall, Clem liked the way Isobel’s outgoing manner was rubbing off on Harriet and Indi.
And after the conversation she’d had with Selina on Friday night, she hoped a little more time in Isobel’s sunny company would have a knock-on effect for her too. At least she knew the coffee van would run smoothly with Selina manning it, instead of sabotaging it. In her teary confession, the teenager had admitted to the foolish tactic, thinking it would prompt Clem to throw in the towel. She’d also poured her heart out about the break-up, which had happened after Luka had dared her to steal cash from the till.
We all make mistakes …
It was a timely reminder for Clem as she gathered up her own courage to confront one of her biggest mistakes head-on.
Days that felt like long weeks had gone by without a word from Spencer. He didn’t have any set pieces to create, but she doubted he would miss the first dress rehearsal.
With the stall packed up and the girls loaded and ready for rehearsals, Clem headed to Isobel Wests’ Furnleigh home. Isobel’s conversation pinballed between her other summer holiday jobs waitressing and babysitting, the trendy clothes she’d spent her wages on, and the reality TV series she loved as much as her Aunty Hazel.
‘Do you know things didn’t work out with Farmer Spencer and the girl he chose at the commitment ceremony?’ Isobel said. ‘Wouldn’t that be so embarrassing, telling someone you loved them, that you wanted to have babies with them andthen by the time it goes to air, the whole thing’s over.’ Isobel clapped her hands together.
‘Splitsville. No wedding, no babies, everyone looking at him with pity when he walks around town. Mum’s boyfriend Fergus saw him in Foodland last week, said he looked tired and miserable.’
‘He did, huh?’ Clem’s voice was strangled as she tried to sound casual. She pulled up beside the West’s magnificent house, returning a warm wave from Isobel’s mum, Maggie.
‘What’s Spencer up to now?’ Harriet called from the back. ‘It’s been ages since we saw him and Mum won’t let me watch re-runs of the show because there’s too much smooching.’
Isobel stifled a giggle. ‘Yep, there was plenty of that, especially the hot tub scene. Way too much action for little eyes. Spencer was the dark horse of the bunch, that’s what everyone said online, but I didn’t think any of his girls were a good pick for him, especially Emily.’
Clem knew she shouldn’t take comfort in the opinion of her teenage babysitter, but she found herself smiling on the drive back to town, right up until she stepped foot inside Penwarra Hall.
Clem struggled with the buttons on Harriet’s pirate shirt. Her fingers had been sure on the laces of the shiny black boots a moment ago, and they’d had no issue adjusting the strap of Harriet’s pirate hat, but that was before Spencer Hawkins walked in and headed straight for her.
‘Hi Mr H,’ Indi said, spotting him and tugging Clem’s sleeve. Any other time Clem would have had a quiet giggle at Indi’s delighted tone, but today, with Harriet in a funk because she didn’t like the scarf around her neck, or the moustache Louisa had suggested they paint on with mascara, Clem kept her gaze firmly on the task at hand.
If he’s expecting me to break the ice, he’ll be waiting a long time,she told herself. Finally, the button slipped through the buttonhole, a task made even more difficult by the way Harriet hopped from foot to foot as she asked Spencer about Dolly, and the bees, and then the TV show.
Clem straightened her daughter’s eye patch and eventually ran out of jobs to legitimately keep her from addressing the handsome man behind her.
The man she’d cast as a murderer when he’d told her about Belle’s death.
The man who had more time for her daughters than their own father did, Clem reminded herself as he crouched down to listen to them, and took his time answering and validating their many questions, instead of brushing them off or treating them as a passing amusement.
‘Mum says we can’t watch the TV show. We don’t even know if it’s still on TV, but everyone seems to be talking about it. Even Mum and Isobel in the car before.’
Clem gave a silent groan.
‘Do you have to do any more filming, Mr H?’
‘Yep,’ said Spencer with a grave nod. ‘I’ve got one more trip to Sydney in late February and then the show’s all over. And nope, you definitely don’t want to be watching it. Smart girls like you have got way better things to do with their time. Your mum’s got the right idea with programs likeMuster Dogs. Did you see the episode where the littlest kelpie got kicked by a cow? Had me worried right up until the vet gave her the all clear.’
Harriet nodded vigorously, and although Indi had spent most of that episode focusing on her dolls, she chimed in with her opinion too, as animated as all get out.
‘Good luck with the dress rehearsal, Harri, and remember to project your voice,’ he said. ‘You’ve worked so hard, you’ll nail it, for sure.’
Harriet’s chest puffed out a little after Spencer’s pep talk and she rushed off with a spring in her step.
‘I was hoping we could have a word, Clem,’ Spencer said, turning his attention to her.
‘I’m not sure—’
At that moment, Louisa appeared in the middle of the stage, commanding the room’s attention with a clap of her hands. ‘Let’s prep for the first two scenes please. Costumes are looking great, Mia and Leearna,’ she called. Clem followed the direction of Louisa’s gaze and spied her friend pinning a teenager into an impressive great white shark costume.
