Page 3 of The Talk Around Town
“I apologise for the mess. I wasn’t expecting guests.”
“Don’t apologise. I’m the one who’s unannounced. I see you’ve been busy in here. You’ve only been here a week and look at all you’ve gotten done already!”
Emma smiled, satisfaction at her start on her new house shining on her face. “I didn’t see any point in waiting. It’s not going to fix itself. The poor old place has needed some TLC for a long while, by the looks of things.”
“Oh that’s for sure! Ben left, and no one’s been near the place in ten years. Except to mow the lawn once a month, that is. There must’ve been some dust in here when you arrived.”
They reached the kitchen at the back of the house. Emma flicked the electric kettle on to boil and looked around for some plates.
“Um… yeah… there was a little.” She looked at Darby. Her open, friendly face so very like that of the man who’d just left. Only Darby wasn’t jittery and itching to leave like he had been. Somehow she must have made one heck of a bad impression in the whole half hour he’d been there. Or perhaps he just didn’t like getting called out by strangers on the weekend. “Would you like a coffee? It’s here somewhere.”
Darby laughed, bringing Emma’s attention back to her. “I’d love some, if it’s not too much trouble. I’ll even help you look for it.”
Emma’s face heated. “I really am sorry. I’ve been so busy with sanding the walls that I put stuff down and forget what I’ve done with it. I know I have plates around here too.”
She walked to the overhead cupboards lining the kitchen walls and started opening them. She’d bought a set of dinner plates and all the basics in Bialga, on her way to Kurrajong Crossing.
For an old home, the storage space was impressive and the cupboards were in fantastic condition. The light ash-coloured wood brightened up the large, airy room. A coat of varnish and they’d be as good as new.
Emma found the plates and mugs in the end cupboard. Luckily the tea and coffee had ended up back in the pantry. She turned around and held the two up. Darby pointed to the coffee. Emma made it quickly and set the steaming mugs down beside the cake platter, pulled a knife from the drawer and turned to her guest.
“Voila!Five-star service,” she joked.
Darby grinned at her, her amusement plain. “Thanks. You’re from Perth? I like your shirt.”
So. The inquisition begins.
Emma had wondered how long it would take for someone to come and check her out. She’d been warned about small towns. Emma nodded and took a sip of hot coffee. She motioned for Darby to sit, while she leaned back against the counter. “Yes.”
She’d make this as hard as possible. At least until she got some of that cake. She eyed it surreptitiously—chocolate was her weakness. It was the most decadent chocolate cake she’d ever seen. She’d give her eye teeth just for the frosting.
Darby’s smile grew larger. “You want to cut that cake? Perhaps it might make your tongue a little looser.”
Emma looked back at her. “I’m that obvious, am I? And here I thought I was being so mysterious.”
Darby’s laughter rang through the kitchen. “No, but I saw that little look you just sent in its direction. If you were aiming for mysterious, you’ve succeeded. The whole town is itching to know everything about you, especially the guys.”
Emma blinked and frowned, confused.
“Why? I haven’t seen any, except at the hardware store, and my neighbour Harry. Oh, and of course your brother just now.” She cut the cake into huge wedges and placed one on each plate, handing Darby hers. “Why would they care?”
Darby took a bite of her cake. “You didn’t come from a small town, did you?” When Emma shook her head, she continued, “Do you own a mirror?”
Emma nodded slowly, confused.
“There’s your answer. You came into the Spotted Cow last Saturday, and now they’re all buzzing about you,” Darby said around her mouthful.
Emma thought hard. That name rang a bell. “The bar downtown? I just went in for directions. My stupid GPS wasn’t working properly and tried to drive me into the lake. I was only there for what, five minutes? There was hardly anyone around. Maybe half a dozen people at best. It wasn’t even night-time.”
Darby’s eyes glinted with mischief. “Well, those half-dozenmensaw you, and they were intrigued, believe me. You are all I’ve heard about all week. It’s not very often single women move here. You get used to who’s around. They’re friends, you know? You’ve gotten the whole town all excited.”
“And you got sent as a sacrificial lamb to come check me out?” Emma asked, curious.
“Nah, I wanted to come and say hi.” She grinned at Emma. “I don’t know if you’ve had much experience with small towns, so how would you like to come out to dinner tonight at The Cow? You’ll have a fuss made over you, but it won’t last. If you can stand the scrutiny for a couple of hours, it would help settle you in faster.”
“I’ve heard lots about small towns, but no, I haven’t had personal experience. It didn’t occur to me that anyone would take any notice of me.” Emma nodded, then shrugged. “Sounds like a plan. Thank you.”
Darby took a large sip of her coffee and sighed. “This coffee is wonderful. Awesome! My sister-in-law, Amy—that’s my brother’s wife—she wanted to come around too, but she had to watch the shop for me while I came. Mum would have come as well, but she’s in Bialga at a professional development seminar.”