Page 7 of The Side Road
Bathed in the golden glow of the overhead kitchen light, the woman shimmered, dream-like, and he felt an odd mix of excitement and fear. Realising he couldn’t stay hidden forever, he stepped away from the wall.
Startled, she spun around. They locked eyes – hers were blue.
‘You must be Oliver,’ she said.
It took him a moment to respond. ‘Yes…hello.’ When he stepped forward, she stepped back.
Fidgeting hands betrayed her nerves. He noted her bright pink nails and several glittering rings on slender fingers – but no wedding or engagement rings. A gold watch on her slim wrist and a silver cuff on the other. Her earlobes were adorned with dangling earrings. Over her shoulder, a fancy fringed bag. Her glamorous girl-next-door appearance was deceptive; she wasn't from around here. She was a city girl.
‘I brought gin.’ Tilting her chin, the woman nodded at the box resting on the bench. ‘Given the circumstances, I thought it appropriate.’ She paused, then asked, ‘Long trip?’
‘Yes.’
‘It’s a big country.’ She looked him over. ‘I like that shirt on you.’ She ran a finger around the collar of her jumper and then pulled it to one side. A considered look followed, and something passed between them, but he wasn’t sure what that meant. Had she just sent him a signal?
Her eyes shifted to the Tupperware on the bench. ‘Is there anything savoury in those containers?’ she asked. ‘Because we should give them some proper food instead of brownies and caramel slices. The sugar plays havoc with their blood pressure.’ She peered into the living room, her gaze settling on the group of senior citizens. ‘I’m not sure they’re thriving.’
Much like the beautiful woman standing in his kitchen, the baked goods were a complete mystery to him. ‘I’m sorry, who are you?’ he asked.
Leo entered and draped an arm around the mysterious woman’s shoulder. ‘She’s my niece,’ he said. ‘My favourite niece.’ They looked at each other and smiled.
‘How many nieces do you have?’
‘I have three.’
‘Four!’ the favourite niece said. ‘You have four and you love them all dearly.’
‘That’s not true.’ Leo shook his head. ‘I love some more than others. Your cousin Casey, for example, she’s a bloody nightmare. God must have been very tired the day he made her.’
The favourite niece nodded, confirming that Casey was created under duress.
‘But not this one.’ Leo smiled. ‘This one’s a keeper. She’s also the fun police – she’s taken my motorbike keys.’
‘I brought gin, so you might want to rethink that title.’
Leo picked up two kitchen chairs and carried them off to the living room.
The favourite niece started unpacking bottles of gin and tonic water from the box. ‘I wonder if Elsie has a citrus zester,’ she mumbled. After rummaging through the cutlery drawer, she came out empty-handed. Unphased, she moved to the overhead cupboards, searching for glasses. As she reached for the top shelves, her skirt lifted. Oliver tilted his head, admiring her long legs and firm thighs. The way her fabric embraced her bottom as she leaned forward. Skorts. Such a sensible item of clothing.
When he raised his eyes, she was staring at him, unimpressed. He almost laughed – the entire day had been absurd. Then he caught her serious expression. She was annoyed. More than annoyed, she was angry. He ran a hand over his mouth, almost wiping the smile from his face, but not quite.
She returned to her task, placing whatever glasses she could find, which were a dozen mismatched tumblers, on the table. This wouldn’t be enough – at least fifty people had gathered. When Leo returned looking for more chairs, Miaassigned him the task of collecting used glasses from the living room.
Standing to one side with his hands in his pockets, Oliver realised he was in the way, blocking the woman’s access to the sink. She kept walking around him. Somehow, he wanted to be involved in this delightful plan. Given Elsie’s teetotaller status, serving gin and tonic to the mourners was hilarious.
‘What can I do to help?’ he asked, pulling his hands out of his pockets and rubbing his palms together.
‘Nothing,’ she snapped.
Again, he found her brisk reaction funny, and another smile followed.
This seemed to upset her even more. Her back stiffened; she squared her shoulders and completely ignored him.
Leo entered with an armful of dirty glasses. ‘Oliver can help you with the drinks while I wash up,’ he volunteered.
‘I offered,’ Oliver said. ‘But she’s angry with me.’
‘It doesn’t take much to upset her,’ Leo whispered.
