Between the Vines (8 page)

“I don't think so. Don't want to ruin a beautiful friendship.”

“What do you mean?” Cass opened her mouth in mock surprise.

“You're a slave driver.”

“You're a good worker.”

“Let's leave it at that.” They tapped the necks of their beers together.

“To the bride and groom,” Taylor said.

“Rosie and Matt,” Cass said then groaned. “How many toasts did we drink on Saturday night?”

“Too many.”

“They certainly are happy.”

“Yep.” Taylor recalled the love in Rosie's look that was reciprocated in Matt's, the gentle touches, the secret smiles, the glances across the room when they were separated. They were true soulmates.

Taylor and Cass both took a long draught from their bottles. Cass wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. “I needed that.”

They flopped onto Taylor's couch.

“It was a beautiful wedding.” Taylor sighed.

“Thank goodness there's someone left to have drinks with.” Cass
gave her a nudge.

Taylor paused, her beer halfway to her mouth. She'd told her gran she was going bush but she'd only half meant it. She'd kept the idea of visiting Ed at bay until after the wedding. Well, the wedding was over. And now she no longer had a job to stay for. There was nothing to tie her down, in fact her life was going nowhere.

She sat up straight. “Not for long.”

“Why's that?”

“I'm going to head off for a while.”

“Where?”

“To the South East.”

Cass stared at her. “You're not going to see Ed?”

“Why not?”

“You don't know him.” Cass shook her head.

“There's chemistry between us.”

“Lust!” Cass wiggled her shoulders and her ample breasts wobbled. “Hell, even I wouldn't mind shagging him.”

“Bloody hell, Cass.”

“He's fair game looking like that.”

“It's more than good looks.” Taylor lifted her chin and looked Cass straight in the eye. “I just know it.”

“Like you did with Larry and Foster?”

Taylor felt herself stiffen. She couldn't believe her best friend was being so cruel.

“I'm sorry, Tales.” Cass gave her a remorseful look. “I shouldn't have said that but–”

“It's my decision.” Taylor put down her half-finished beer.

She'd thought Cass would support her. All their friends had partners. It didn't seem to bother Cass but Taylor wanted a relationship. Ed had hardly been out of her thoughts no matter how hard she'd tried to put him aside, his gaze, his touch, his kisses had been playing over in her mind for two weeks. She'd messed up another delivery last week and taken a group via some wrong turns
to their venue. She had to admit she'd been distracted. Gino didn't know about those, not that it mattered now.

“You're frowning again.”

Taylor looked at Cass. “Bloody Gino.”

“Perhaps a trip would be good for you. I'd come too but we've got a big job on at work.”

Taylor stood up. “I could be gone a while.”

“How long?”

“If it works out with Ed I might stay.”

“What's Ed say about that?”

Taylor looked away.

“He does know you're coming?”

“I didn't have a backup and lost most of my contacts and old messages when I lost my phone so I couldn't reply to his text.”

“Why not call him at the winery? It would be easy enough to get the business number.” Cass pulled out her phone. “I'll google it.”

“No Cass.” Taylor put a hand on her friend's arm. “I tried once. A woman answered and I got cold feet. I've decided to wing it.”

“Damn Taylor, you can't just turn up.”

“Why not?”

Cass opened and closed her mouth then took another swig of her beer. “I don't think this is a good idea,” she muttered.

“Rosie and Matt are so happy and so in love. I want what they've got. I want a partner. A man in my life. What's wrong with that?”

“Nothing.” Cass peered at her over the bottle. “As long as he's the right one.”

Taylor grabbed her hand and pulled her friend to her feet. “I'm not having negativity,” she said. “I've got lots to do.”

Cass's look was contrite. “Don't be like that. I'm sorry. I'll help.”

“No.” Taylor's response was firm. “I'd rather be on my own. I'll text you when I get there.” She edged Cass out the door and closed it firmly in her friend's worried face.

Taylor needed to make a change. If she couldn't go overseas she could spend time in another part of Australia. There was certainly
no reason now not to go and visit Ed.

Taylor pulled into the car park outside the Wriggly Creek cellar door. There was no ‘Open' sign out the front and no other vehicles in the park. She sat back against the seat and lowered her window. The outside air was still hot.

She'd woken early and straight away been hit by nerves. Perhaps she was being hasty. She'd taken a deep breath, banished negative thoughts and set off full of eager anticipation but the further she travelled south the slower she went. Her aircon struggled in the heat again. It was late February and summer was still exerting a hold. Today was supposed to be thirty degrees. She'd stopped for iced coffee at Coonalpyn, toilet break at Tintinara and lunch in Keith. She'd idled through Naracoorte, stopped for more coffee and now finally she'd made it to Wriggly Creek Wines only to find no-one here. She closed her eyes and let out a deep breath. Now what?

Cass's words replayed in her head. “You can't just turn up.”

Well she had. Taylor got out of her van, stretched and felt her t-shirt pull away from her damp skin. She walked to the door of the wine tasting room. Then she noticed the sandwich board declaring ‘Wriggly Creek Cellar Door Open' through the glass just inside. She lifted her gaze to the sign stuck on the door. ‘Opening hours 11am till 6pm Thursday to Monday.' Today was Wednesday.

Taylor's shoulders began to droop. Immediately she shrugged them. One small setback. She stepped off the verandah and walked to the end of the brown brick building. The land was flat in every direction and about one hundred metres away across the rows of vines she could see a stone cottage and further in the distance on the only slight rise, she could make out the grey tiled roof and
cream brick of a house. It was a big house with picture windows. Edward's house. She recalled the night she'd spent there. She suspected the furnishings were much the same as when his parents had first built the house. It didn't have the look of a bachelor pad; more a family home without the family. The thought of knocking on his door sent a surge of panic through her already tight chest. Suddenly her casual, ‘Hi, I've come back' sounded silly, needy. She took a deep calming breath. Further along the road from the cellar door was a group of large sheds. Maybe that was the place to look.

She went back to her van, climbed in and pulled her new phone from the console. If only she had Ed's number. She sighed and looked around. What should she do? Drive around looking for him or head into town, book herself a room and suss out the situation? The last of her waning anticipation left her.

She had her small nest egg of money. Enough to get her by for a while but she'd need to find work soon. All her worldly possessions were stashed in the body of the van behind her. After her wardrobe clean-out she had managed to squeeze her remaining clothes into a bag and a case. She had a garbage bag full of sheets and towels, a quilt, a box and esky with her kitchen supplies, and her little pod coffee machine. She had some paintings and assorted souvenirs she'd brought back from her travels, a few family photographs, a few books including her favourite cookbooks, and that was it. A couple of boxes was all she'd needed. Not much to show for her twenty-seven years. Gran owned most of the furniture and household goods in the flat. Her UK visitors were welcome to them.

In hindsight it would have made more sense for Taylor to leave her personal items in her bedroom at home. She glanced back at the stuff she'd piled into the van. Once again she'd acted before thinking it through. Gran and Cass would be laughing if they could see her now. Well, Gran wouldn't be laughing but she would say ‘I told you so'. Cass wouldn't say it but Taylor would be able to see it in her look.

“Damn!” Taylor thumped the steering wheel with her hand. She didn't want them to be right. It only strengthened her resolve to make the best of it. Ed was around somewhere. She'd just have to find him. Once more she leaned back in the seat and closed her eyes.

Pete peered through the cellar door window. He'd noticed someone walking around in the car park, assumed they were checking to see if the place was open and would leave. Ten minutes later the van was still out the front and the driver appeared to be sleeping. He hesitated. Should he go and check? Maybe they were just resting.

He went to the table used as a desk in the back room and shuffled through the pile of papers once more. He still couldn't find the delivery note he was looking for. It had been a last resort to try the cellar door.

He sank to the chair ran his fingers through his hair and looked up. A large photograph hung there. His parents were planting the vines, Ed a toddler and Pete still the bulge under his mother's shirt. He loved the photo, his parents both laughing at the camera, Ed covered in the beautiful red terra rossa soil. Next to it was a more recent picture, this time he was in it with Ed and his father and they were planting the new cabernet clone that they'd named NS18. None of them looked at the camera. Their mother had taken the photo. She had captured them intent on their work. He stood up feeling a swell of pride that this vintage would see the first viable crop from those vines.

He stuck his head into the front room. The van was still there. It was getting late. He decided to investigate. He didn't want someone camping in their car park.

Pete tapped on the window of the van. The woman inside jumped and lowered the window.

“Is there a problem?” he said then paused. She looked familiar.

“Peter, isn't it?” she asked. Her lips turned up in a shy smile.

“Yes.” He stepped back as she opened her door.

“I'm Taylor,” she said. “We met at…I was at Ed's. You came by
as he was driving me back to town.”

“Oh, yes.” Now he remembered. She was the attractive blonde who'd been at Ed's a couple of weeks back.

“I don't suppose…” Once more her voice faltered. “Do you know where Ed is at the moment?”

“Melbourne.”

“Oh.”

Pete resisted the urge to pat her arm. She looked crestfallen. “He should be back in a week. I'm hoping less. It's the worst time for him to be away.”

“Oh,” she said again.

She looked exhausted. What was a girl like her doing chasing Ed? She appeared far too sensible to be one of his flings but then Pete had almost given up on being a good judge of female character.

“I can give you his number.”

“That would be good, thanks. I had it but I lost my phone.”

Pete hesitated. Maybe Ed hadn't actually given her his number in the first place. She glanced up from her phone. The gleam of her pale-blue eyes and soft curve of her lips gave away no deception. She punched in the number as he dictated.

“Have you driven far?” he asked.

“Only from Adelaide.”

She turned back to her van. “I'll get going.”

“Where will you go?”

“Into town.”

Once more Pete wavered. She closed the van door and he rested his hand on it.

“Was Ed expecting you? He didn't say anything.” Pete recalled Ed's indignant snort when he'd suggested his brother was going to spend time with this woman.

“Yes and no.” She gave him an apologetic smile. “He suggested I come back but we didn't make a definite arrangement. Then I lost my phone…”

“Did he offer work? Grape picking or something?” Pete could see there were more than clothes in the back of her van. Either she lived in it or she was on the move.

“Not exactly.”

He pulled his cap off and dragged his fingers through his hair. “Ed's trip was short notice. He wouldn't normally be away at this time of year.” He shoved the cap firmly back on his head. “Look, why don't you stay the night again at his place? You'll have trouble getting accommodation in town. There're a few big events on at the moment. Most places are booked out from what I've heard. You've stayed at Ed's before, I'm sure he won't mind.”

“Oh no, I couldn't do that.” She shook her head and her blonde hair fluffed around her face. “We're not…at least I…no.” The pink of her cheeks deepened. “But thank you for the offer.”

“Or there's the quarters behind my place.” Something about Taylor made him want to help her. “It's basic accommodation for extras during the busy times. Rarely used.”

A look of hesitation passed over her face. “I don't want to–”

“It's nothing fancy,” he cut in. “It'll give you a chance to rest and think about what you want to do.”

She gave him a grateful smile. “Okay, thanks.”

“I'll ride with you,” he said. “Show you where to go.” He walked around to the passenger side and climbed into the van beside her. “Go up the road, past the sheds.”

“Sorry about the lack of aircon,” she said. “You're better off with the window down.”

“Don't worry about it. Is this your van?”

“Yes.” Her reply sounded defensive.

“I was only thinking it's not a common choice of vehicle.”

“For a girl.” She flicked him a questioning look.

“For anyone unless they're in a business that requires a van.”

“My last job was as a courier driver and people mover.”