Page 46 of Special Delivery
‘I’ll grab the nappy bag,’ she said, too loudly.
The screen door squeaked behind her as she pulled the bag from the couch, grabbed the champagne from the fridge and, after a moment’s pause, twisted the tap at the sink. She put her fingers underneath the clear, cool water then dabbed at her temples, feeling her pulse slowly subside. She was being ridiculous. They were just two people. Who had eyes. Having lunch. With his whole family. No big deal.
When she stepped outside, James was peering into the pram making faces at Maeve. ‘I’m trying to make her laugh,’ he explained. ‘But she’s a stone-cold ice maiden.’
‘Like her mum?’ said Poppy.
On cue, Maeve giggled.
‘Oh, that’s how it is, is it?’ said James to Maeve. ‘Only laughing at Mum’s jokes?’
Poppy smiled at her daughter, glad for the comic relief. ‘As my daughter, she’s genetically predisposed to some serious ice maiden energy.’
‘Whatever you reckon,’ said James, taking the nappy bag from her and looping it over his shoulder. ‘You’re sweet as pie.’
Poppy’s eyes jerked sideways.This guy. He said things that were So. Hard. To. Read. ‘Let’s go,’ she said and began pushing the pram up the hill, steadfastly ignoring the prickle of heat across her clavicles. That would be the beginning of the sunburn. And what was ‘sweet as pie’ supposed to mean anyway? Was it some kind of weird backhanded compliment? Was he patronising her? Again? That would be so like him.
Unless—a thought snagged like driftwood in the babbling current of her brain—maybe he was being friendly and she was overthinking it. Maybe he’d been making a passing comment fuelled by that no-filter honesty and self-assurance that seemed to emanate from his broad shoulders. He thought she was ‘sweet’—however he defined that—ergo he’d said so. Case closed. Nothing more to see here, people. She needed to get a grip. It was unhealthy to analyse human behaviour to this extent; she’d give herself an aneurysm.
They arrived at a cabin surrounded by utes and SUVs. Somewhere in the background a Bluetooth speaker was pumping Cat Stevens. Kids were running up and down the verandah stairs and there was the unmistakable sound of beer bottles clinking.
‘James!’ cried a woman in a Camilla-esque caftan. She was holding a tray of smoked salmon blinis. ‘I’ve been looking for you everywhere.’
‘Mum, I was gone for two seconds. How did you even notice? I already moved the eskies around the front and plaited Maisie’s hair, like you asked. I even sorted out Uncle Pete for beers. I went to get Poppy, like I told you. I couldn’t have her turn up at the lion’s den alone.’ He looked at Poppy. ‘Oh yeah—Poppy, this is my mum, Donna. Mum, this is Poppy.’
Poppy held out the chilled bottle of champagne that was sweating in her hands. ‘This is for you.’
‘You shouldn’t have!’ said James’s mother, happily lying. ‘We’ll have a special glass of that later. James, put it in there.’ She nodded towards the nearest esky, which was covered in Bundaberg Rum stickers. ‘Don’t let me forget that’s where I put it. I’m not having those pesky teenagers sneaking our special drinks. It’s so nice to meet you, Poppy,’ she said, turning to look at Poppy with the same dark eyes as her son. ‘You’re the one living next to Mum, aren’t you? She raves about you, so it’s lovely you can join us here. Feels like you’re part of the family already!’ She smiled warmly and squeezed Poppy’s arm; Poppy felt a rush of gratitude. ‘I’d love to stay and chat but I promised Norma I’d take these blinis straight to her. She gets so antsy about the canapés. Then I’ve got to sort thepotatoes and, oh gosh…’ She walked off, the caftan billowing behind her.
‘She’s not normally so flustered,’ James remarked.
‘She’s lovely,’ said Poppy. She meant it too.
Within seconds they were surrounded by people clapping James on the shoulder, hugging him and wishing him a Merry Easter. (Was that a thing?) Drinks were offered by friendly uncles and aunts, and Poppy laughed shyly at the chaos, clutching the pram in one hand and a half-glass of champagne in the other. Compared to her own family, this was an army.
‘Jimmy!’ cried a woman, emerging from behind a swarm of children. She had long, dark blonde hair and legs up to the sky. ‘We just arrived! Where have you been?’ She punched his arm playfully.
‘Ow!’ cried James, rubbing his arm. ‘Poppy, this is my sister, Kate. Kate, this is Poppy, Mary’s next-door neighbour.’
‘I’ve heard so much about you,’ said Kate as she drew Poppy in for a hug. She pulled away and looked Poppy up and down. A sly grin crept onto her face. ‘I can see why—’
‘Kate!’ yelled a voice in the distance. ‘I need your help with this cheese platenow!’
Kate grinned. ‘I’d better go. Don’t hog Poppy to yourself, Jimmy boy. I can tell she’s out of your league.’ She winked and disappeared around the back of the cabin.
James ran a hand through his hair. ‘She’s so weird. Sorry about that.’
Poppy chuckled. ‘I’m just loving the “Jimmy” revelation. Can’t wait to bust that one out.’
‘You wouldn’t dare. Now let’s go check out the set-up.’ James put his hand on the small of her back, steering her towards the backyard, and Poppy’s abdomen tightened at his touch. Her lower back suddenly felt glazed with sweat. She prayed he couldn’t tell.
‘Always so over the top,’ groaned James, as they rounded the corner. The grass behind the cabin was still crisp from summer. A towering scribbly gum cast a welcome shade and lines of trestle tables covered in white tablecloths were decorated with garlands of gum leaves, foil-covered chocolate eggs nestled among them. James plucked an egg from the garland and began peeling off the foil.
‘Hey, don’t eat the decorations!’ Poppy tried to shove him but James effortlessly dodged her swipe and poked her in return.
‘I cannot be blamed for eating Easter eggs on Easter Sunday,’ he said. ‘They shouldn’t have made edible decorations if they didn’t want them eaten.’ He popped the entire chocolate egg in his mouth and grinned.
As more family members arrived, James was swept away in more hugs and to-do lists. Poppy tugged the rug from the nappy bag and unfolded it under the gum tree. Bodies moved in all directions. Children were running across the grass and adults were marching through the cabin like ants. Some kids threw her curious glances. To most of them, she was invisible.
