Part One - Foundations Are Strong
My half sister Marion and I trotted along the Killarney fence line in silence. Once we had checked the fences we had a couple of hours worth of trough cleaning to do. Then we were off to turn out the broodmares, and if it were any usual day, that would conclude our chores.
Of course, living in the country means that there's always something ready to pop up. Tomorrow is our friend Jodi Fountain's wedding, and Marion and I have been running around like crazy organising everything.
Mum has been absolutely run off her feet, and Auntie Tess is almost ready to have her baby, so pardon me for saying, but she's not any use. She's been floating around reminiscing about her own wedding to Uncle Nick, which just makes Mum snap at her loudly and say what a waste of time this whole formality is.
Marion is nearly eleven, and she's never gone to a wedding before, so naturally she's full of beans and bouncing around the place. She's really excited because she gets to be the flower girl – and I get to be a bridesmaid!
It came as a shock to everyone when Jodi announced that she was marrying her long-time boyfriend, Luke Morgan. None of us thought it was that serious, especially Meg.
'Hey, Charlotte.' Marion rode over and poked me. 'Can I ride over to Wilgul and say hi to Dad?'
I hesitated. Mum had specifically said to come straight home, but the look on Marion's face made me stop. Alex is Marion's real father and I like to refer to him as my dad as well. We don't get to see him too often, because he and Mum split up nearly six years back, when I was eight and Marion was only five.
'Okay…but only for five minutes.' I felt guilty putting a timer on Marion's time with Dad, but I couldn't see a way around it. We were already late, and Mum was going to be furious if she knew we'd been at Alex's.
'Dad!' Marion yelled, loud enough to wake the dead.
'Shush!' I hissed at her. She just gave me a look, one I'd seen enough times on both Alex and my mother's faces. She was a true McLeod-Ryan.
'Hey hey! It's my girls!' Alex's face shone as we entered the kitchen. 'How've you been?'
'Good.' I said dryly as Marion threw herself at him. Alex caught her and ruffled her hair affectionately. A pang of jealousy hit my stomach.
'Come here, Charls.' Alex said, offering his other arm. I made my way over and gave him a huge hug.
'How's Tim?' he asked me, referring to my boyfriend, Tim Knowles. I nodded and gave him the latest, and he listened intently.
'And how's your mother?' He continued, trying not to look too interested. I was waiting for that one.
'She's…good. Been very busy. Still the same old Mum though.' I grinned. Alex nodded casually, brightening at the prospect that Mum hadn't run off and eloped.
We chatted for a while, until nearly ten minutes had passed. I prodded my sister off Alex.
'We've gotta go, Alex. But you'll be at the wedding, right?'
'Wouldn't miss it, I am the Best Man after all.' He said proudly. Marion giggled. She started to speak again but I dragged her out.
'Love you, Alex. See you this afternoon.' I added, waving as I closed the door.
'Why can't we stay?' Marion complained, pouting.
'We've got to get back, you know that.' I said sharply. 'Come on, get on.' I said, pointing to her pony. I mounted Phoenix and we cantered back home.
As I'd predicted, we were hardly popular when we clattered into the stable yard.
'Where have you been?' Our mother demanded. 'Tess had been out doing YOUR chores, and she's not up to it. Get inside.'
We mumbled something about one of the Killarney fences being down, and trudged into the house. Inside, the living room was covered in fabric. Marion squealed as she saw her dress, and I went and sat next to Tess, who was stroking Jodi's veil fondly.
'Is the baby awake yet?' I asked her. I was so excited about having a little cousin to play with. I wanted it to be a boy, which no one except Mum agreed with.
'Oh, she's definitely awake.' Tess laughed. She placed my hand on her stomach. I smiled as I felt the little flutter of the child moving around.
I hugged my knees as I waited for Meg to give me my dress. The wedding was going to be so much fun. The rehearsal was this afternoon, and tomorrow was the real thing. I couldn't believe it when Jodi asked me to be one of her bridesmaids – she'd always been close to me while I grew up, but I didn't know she cared so much.
Mum entered the room grumbling again, this time about having to wear a dress. 'I still don't understand why I have to wear this, Jodi.'
'Claire, as much as I really love your work jeans, you are NOT wearing them to my wedding.' Jodi smiled. Mum frowned.
'Alex let me wear them to mine.' She whinged, trying to get the dress over her head. I ran over to help her zip it up. She turned to face the group, a little self-consciously.
'Claire, you look beautiful.' Meg smiled softly at her. Tess and Marion applauded.
'What's all this then?' A familiar voice called out. I recognised it as Alex's, and so did my mum. She froze for a second, and as Alex came down the hall she started tugging at the dress, trying to get it off.
Alex came in. 'Just dropped by to-' He saw my mum and stopped. 'Ah.'
There was an awkward silence. Tess got up and waddled out, calling for Meg and Jodi to help her set up the baby's room, which had suddenly become a very important task. Marion and I looked at each other, unsure of what to do.
Mum had given up on the zipper, and was concentrating on couch intently. 'Wasn't expecting you.' She said stiffly, tracing a pattern on the couch with her finger.
'Nice dress.' Alex commented, eying her. 'If I remember right, last time you wore one of those things was when you were having this one.' He nodded at me and continued to babble. 'That was at…well, it was at…' He trailed off. I giggled.
'At Jodi's last wedding?' Mum gave a hint of a smile. For a moment their eyes met, and I saw it. Oh, they could deny it until they were blue in the face, but I saw it. The spark was still there.
I shook my head. It was so obvious they were still in love with each other. I wondered when they would realise it.