Between the Vines (14 page)

“Hello, Noelene.” Taylor held out her hand to the woman she recalled from her first visit to the cellar door. She wore the same red
lipstick and eye make-up that included blue eye shadow. Her wavy greying hair looked like it had been sprayed with enough lacquer so as not to be moved by a gale should one suddenly spring up.

“You were with the hen's group.” Noelene squeezed her hand.

“You've got a good memory.”

“Never forget a face. And I hear you've been working here in my absence.”

“I wouldn't call it working exactly.”

“Anyway,” Ed interrupted, “now that you've seen all the sights there are to see around our winery–”

“I guess that includes me.” Noelene raised her eyebrows. Up close Taylor could see they were so finely plucked they were almost not there and had been redrawn in dark pencil.

Ed's chiselled features lit up in a charming smile. “I'm taking Taylor to Hollick's restaurant for a late lunch.” He put a hand firmly against her back.

“You'll enjoy that, Taylor.” Noelene gave a little nod. “Perhaps I'll see you again.”

Taylor swivelled a look back over her shoulder as Ed guided her to the door. Noelene had turned away to the bench behind so Taylor couldn't see her face. That was a strange thing to say.

Taylor stepped out of the shower and wrapped herself in a towel. She peered at her face in the foggy mirror.

“Damn. What are you doing here, Taylor Rourke?”

It was Monday night and she'd hardly seen Ed since their afternoon together two days ago. She stared at herself a moment longer then strolled back to her room. She rummaged for some boxers and a tank top. The brick walls trapped the warmth of the sun each day. She only needed a sheet in bed.

She wandered out to the living area. She put away the dishes she'd left to drain and wiped down the sink. The long lunch she'd enjoyed with Ed on Saturday seemed ages ago. He'd taken her for a drive afterwards to a vineyard at Mount Benson about half an hour away where someone else grew grapes for Wriggly Creek. Later she'd made them toastie sandwiches at the quarters and they'd watched TV until he'd nodded off beside her.

Yesterday Ed had spent time with Pete going over what had been happening at the winery and then doing jobs. Today they had fruit coming in. Sauvignon blanc grapes, he'd said. It had reminded her of her time in the cellar door helping Pete. She'd set off over there hoping to help Noelene but the older woman had everything under control and had made that clear, looking down her thin pointy nose and fixing Taylor with a determined stare.

With nothing else to do she'd driven into Penola and had a meander through the shops she had missed out on during her last visit with the girls. Then she'd bought some groceries and cooked up a storm, thinking Ed and Pete would both appreciate a meal. Pete hadn't come and Ed had appeared after dark, eaten and
apologised but he still had some paperwork to do.

She'd been almost relieved today when she heard Felicity was still sick. She'd offered to answer the phone for them but Noelene had squashed that idea, saying she could divert it to the cellar door which was usually fairly quiet on a Monday.

Ed had to go out tonight. They'd eaten together in the brief space between him finishing work and leaving for his meeting. She closed her eyes remembering the feel of his hungry kiss and strong arms, a brief stolen moment together before he left, leaving her unsettled.

She walked around the room and came to a stop in front of the window. All she could see was her own reflection in the black glass. She pulled the curtains, opened the door and stuck her head out. There was a light on at the back of Pete's cottage. Not that it necessarily meant he was at home but it was a comfort all the same. Since Ed's return the quarters had become a little lonely. He had asked her again this morning over their quick coffee together to move in to his place but she'd declined. If he wasn't home much anyway what was the difference? She closed the door and flopped on the couch.

It was only nine o'clock. She'd been sleeping so well and doing very little. She didn't feel the least bit tired. She got up and looked in the fridge. Both Ed and Pete had given her wine. She took out the bottle of sauv blanc she'd opened with Ed earlier and poured herself a glass. Back on the couch she reached for the TV remote.

A loud burst of gunfire blared from the television. Behind her the door juddered across the floor and flung open.

“I'm here at last.”

Taylor screamed, jumped from the couch and spun around, spilling her wine as she went.

“
Pardon
,
pardon
.” A thin guy with a short dark beard, a moustache and dark eyes flapped his hands at her. “I thought you were Pierre. Sorry.”

Taylor put one hand to her barely covered chest. “Antoine?”

“You know who I am?”

“A guess. You're the vintage cellar hand? Pete said you were coming some time.”

“He is not at home. I called in there. When I saw the light I thought he must be here.” Antoine's gaze travelled over her body and quickly back to her face.

Taylor backed away, aware that her night attire covered very little.

“It's okay,” she said. “I'll just…I'll just. I'll be back in a minute.” She put her glass on the bench, turned and dashed in to her bedroom, closing the door behind her. She leaned against it until her pounding heart slowed then she put her hand to her mouth to suppress the laugh that erupted from deep inside. That was one way to meet her new housemate.

She pulled on a light sweater and a pair of trackpants over her boxers, took a deep breath and returned to the living room. Antoine was hovering just inside the door, hopping from one foot to the other.

“I should have phoned…”

“I didn't know…”

They both spoke at once.

“I'll go.” Antoine turned.

“No, please. It's okay. I'm only visiting. Pete said I could stay here for a while. I knew you were coming.”

He looked back at her.

“This place is yours.” She smiled. “But if you don't mind sharing, I'd like to stay for a few more days.” Surely that would give her long enough to see if this thing with Ed was worth pursuing.

“Not at all.” He looked relieved. “I will hardly be here anyway. It's just a place to sleep.”

Taylor crossed the room and held out her hand. “I'm Taylor.”

“Antoine.” He beamed back at her, his dark eyes glittering in the light.

“Yes,” she gave a little chuckle. “I know.”

“Of course, of course. I will get my bag.”

“Are you hungry? I could make you something to eat.”

“No,
merci
.”

“A drink? I'm having a sauv blanc.”

Antione paused. “Yes, thank you. That would be very nice.” He went back through the door.

Taylor topped up her glass and poured another. Antoine came back carrying a bag and a backpack.

“Which room?” he asked.

“I'm in the first one. You've got your pick of the other three.”

“
Bon
. I usually take the end one. It's slightly bigger.” He dropped his backpack on the couch and crossed to the passage. “Yes, good,” he said and carried his bag through.

He was back very quickly. Taylor passed him his glass and they sat at opposite ends of the table.

“Welcome.” She raised her glass.

He did the same. “
Bienvenue
.”

They both drank. Antoine let out a long sigh and set his glass down.

“It's so good to have Australian wine again. I much prefer it.”

“Pete said you went home for a wedding.”

“Yes, my sister.”

“Where was it?”

“Le Puy-en-Velay.”

“Oh, I've been there.”

“Really?” Antoine leaned in. “When?”

“A few years ago now. I only stayed a few days but it was a beautiful place. I bought a lace handkerchief there for my gran.”

“Ah,
oui
, the lace. My sister had some on her dress.”

“That must have been beautiful.”

“I have photos. Would you like to see?”

“Yes, I'd love to.”

Antoine dug in his backpack and pulled out a tablet. He moved to the seat beside her and scrolled through the photos while they sipped their wine.

The door flung open behind them and Taylor yelped.

Antoine leapt to his feet. “Hello, Edward.”

“Antoine! When did you get here?” The two men embraced and kissed each other's cheeks.

Taylor stood up and put her hands to her hips. “You really need to do something about that damn door.”

“I see you've met Taylor.” Ed strode to her side and put his arm around her.

“Yes.” Antoine nodded. “We surprised each other.”

“My meeting finished early.” Ed gave her a squeeze. “I saw your light was still on. Looks like you weren't lonely though.”

Taylor slipped from beneath his arm. It felt heavy. “Antoine hasn't been here long. He was showing me his sister's wedding photos.”

“How did that go?” Edward asked.

“Very well,” Antoine said. “She is very happy. I am content she will remain so. My older brother threatened her new husband he would cut off his–” Antoine flicked a horrified look at Taylor. He cleared his throat. “Let us say he would make his life miserable if he didn't look after Giselle.”

“Don't worry, Antoine.” Taylor laughed. “There has been the odd groom or two in Australia whose nuts have been threatened by a member of the bride's family.”

“Nuts?” Antoine frowned.

“Forget it.” Ed slapped his friend on the back.

“Would you like a drink?” Taylor took a glass from the cupboard. “We were having some sauv blanc.”

“No thanks. Just wanted to say hello. Another early start tomorrow.” Ed looked over her shoulder. “You'll be ready Antoine?”

“Most certainly. I should retire now.” He gave a slight nod in Taylor's direction. “Thank you for the company.”

He picked up his tablet and his backpack and disappeared in to the passage.

“You two seem to have hit it off.” Ed's arms were folded across his chest.

“He's a nice guy.”

“He's French.” Ed rolled his eyes.

“What does that mean?”

“Women always fall for a Frenchman.”

“Do they?” She tilted her face up to look into his eyes.

He held her look a moment then grinned and reached for her. “Not if they've got a true blue Aussie nearby.”

He wrapped his arms around her and Taylor snuggled in to him. He'd almost seemed jealous and yet she'd only just met Antoine. His lips brushed her ear, her cheek and then reached her mouth. She forgot all about Antoine and lost herself in Ed's embrace.

Ed walked in to the Wriggly Creek front office. “Welcome back, Felickity.” He made to move behind the large L-shaped desk to give her a hug then thought better of it. “Are you completely over the wog?”

Felicity put down the pen she'd been chewing, swivelled her chair to face him and turned on her nine-carat smile. “Much better, thank you. Did you miss me?”

“Of course.”

She had only been working for them for a couple of years but she'd proven her worth over and over again. She ran an efficient office.

“I see Noelene's been here.” She wafted a hand over a set of books she had open in front of her.

His gaze reached higher to her low-cut blouse.

“Mostly Peter, I think. Noelene wasn't well either.”

“Oh, bad luck.”

Ed perched on the edge of the solid reception desk. There was no missing the sarcasm in her voice. It was probably best Noelene didn't usually work Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Give Felicity a chance to settle back in. The only two women who worked permanently at the winery tolerated each other but occasionally there was a blow-up. “Anything I should know?” he asked.

She lifted her perfectly made-up face to look at him. “I was going to ask you the same question.”

“I've been away too.”

“Not all work from what I hear.”

“Is that so?”

“Antoine tells me you have a guest staying at the quarters.”

“Taylor? She's…a friend from Adelaide.”

“From Antoine's description she's good fun and gorgeous. He's totally charmed.”

Of course Antoine would think that. Ed didn't like the thought of Taylor sharing the quarters with the Frenchman. He'd asked her several times to move to his place. He wanted more from her but she was holding out on him. “I'll have to bring her over to meet you.”

“You must.” She held his gaze a moment. Her eyes narrowed then opened wide again. “Between Noelene and Peter I've got a bit of fixing up to do. Perhaps you could help me.”

“Sorry, I've got jobs to do too.”

She gave a little pout. “Oh well, I'll just have to sort it out for myself.”

“You're a gem, Felicity. I'm sure you'll manage.”

She flashed him a smile, lowered her head and ran one long fingernail down the column of the page in front of her.

Ed stood. “A message came through from a Mr Zhu while I was away. Do you remember getting it?”

She didn't look up. “All the messages are in the book.”

“It's not there.”

“I don't recall a message from a Mr Zhu.” She lifted her head, her gaze direct. “Was it important?”

“It was at the time.”

“Why don't you call him then?”

“I tried but the number in my mobile doesn't answer. I think there was a landline number but I must have made those earlier calls from the office phone.”

“Sorry, can't help.”

The phone on the desk beside her rang. “Good morning, Wriggly Creek Winery, Felicity speaking.” She paused to listen to the voice on the other end. “Yes, if you hold I can check that order for you.”
She pressed a button on the phone, put her hand to the computer mouse and leaned in closer to the screen.