Back on track, p.35
Back on Track, page 35
She peered at the shape on the bottom bunk. Carlos was snoring very softly. Once more when she’d returned to their cabin, he was asleep. Last night she’d been disappointed because she’d hurried him off and they hadn’t had the promised drink together, tonight she was disappointed because she was still buzzing from the wonderful evening she’d just had with her staff. On a high, she’d thought she’d pin him down. He couldn’t evade her questions if it was just the two of them alone in the cabin.
She listened to his deep breathing, envious of his ability to slumber so soundly. Ketty was far from sleep.
forty-two
Night Three – Travelling South
“Who is it?” Judith hissed sharply in response to Ketty’s subtle knock.
“Ketty,” she whispered back.
Ketty glanced up and back along the corridor but there in the single-cabin carriage, the curving waves made it hard to see if anyone was coming.
The door opened. Judith hadn’t changed out of her dinner clothes either.
“What are you doing here?”
“I’m not ready for sleep. I hoped you might feel like a nightcap.” Ketty lifted the two glasses of scotch she’d managed to keep from spilling as she’d travelled all the way from the lounge car.
“Come in.”
Ketty stepped into the narrow space between door and bed, handed over a glass and Judith shut the door behind her.
“I wasn’t sleepy either and my book is back in my cabin. I’ve re-read all the brochures they gave us.”
They tapped their glasses and sipped.
Judith coughed and patted her lips. She blinked. “I don’t drink this often, only when I’m with you.”
“I lead you astray.”
“Hardly.” Judith’s smile was warm like Ketty’s throat from the scotch.
Judith sat on the bed and Ketty did the same. They swayed with the movement of the train and below their feet the floor vibrated. She looked around the tiny cabin, recalling Birgit’s excitement over it on the first day.
“I’m not quite ready for this journey to end,” she said.
“Thank you for organising it. I must say I was a sceptic but on the whole I’ve enjoyed it.”
“You’re not too bothered by what happened with Erik?”
Judith shook her head. “I’m sorry for him, that’s all. It was odd but in the little bit of time I spent with Erik I kept being reminded of Klaus.”
“Good grief. I hope not. Klaus wouldn’t do anything so vindictive or silly as Erik.”
“It was partly his accent. Dutch and German sound similar to me. But also when I first met Erik he was…” Judith screwed up her nose as she thought about it. “Kind and interesting. It was a shame he got so bitter about his wife, although I can relate to it. I think underneath he was a nice man. I hope he won’t be in too much trouble.”
“So do I.” Of more significance to Ketty was that Judith might be interested in Klaus after all. She’d thought all along they were well suited. “Klaus often asks after you.”
Judith drew in a breath. “I don’t like to be pushed towards something. Anyway, my ex was enough for me to know I don’t want to go down that path again.”
“Good heavens, I’m not saying you should marry Klaus.”
“Good.”
“I’m talking about friendship, someone who you might have similar interests with. Of course there’s no saying where that might lead.”
“I’m too old for—”
Ketty groaned. “Don’t you start with the ‘too old’ business. I’m surrounded by it.” She took a slug of her drink this time, gripping the glass tightly. “Who wrote the rule there’s a cut-off age for enjoying life? You’re never too old for friendship, companionship, even love.”
Judith pursed her lips. “I’m not interested in looking for marriage.”
“Fine. Neither am I.”
“You and Carlos seem very close.”
Ketty inspected the small piece of ice melting in the bottom of her glass then met Judith’s gaze. “Carlos and I are good friends.”
Judith looked as if she wanted to say something but Ketty wasn’t ready for another discussion about Carlos when she had so many questions of her own.
“There’s nothing more to it than that,” she said emphatically.
They took another sip of their drinks. The train rattled and wiggled its way south, their bodies jostling slightly with the motion. There was an urgency about it, as if it was hurrying their holiday away. Ketty didn’t like being rushed.
“I want to thank you, Judith.”
“What for?”
“For your many hours of devotion to Ketty Clift Couture over the years…and to me. You were right. I had lost my way a little recently and I’m sorry that’s also meant we’ve not talked as much as we used to.”
Judith tugged at the collar of her shirt.
Ketty took a breath. “I’ve some ideas for making amends—”
“There’s no need.”
“What do you think about the job description idea? You didn’t say much when I mentioned it earlier.”
“It would probably be useful.”
“Particularly if we employ another seamstress.”
“Perhaps.”
“Lacey especially would benefit from a formalised career progression. Her job has evolved and changed in the seven years she’s been with us.”
“She’s certainly got a good eye for design.”
Ketty swallowed the little speech she’d prepared to defend Lacey’s work. “Did you discuss my idea?”
“A little. To tell the truth, I used it as an opportunity to quiz her about her relationship with Dean.”
“I thought it was over.”
“I don’t think she wanted it to be, and now that I’ve spoken with her and thought about the way Dean’s been acting I don’t think he does either.” Judith studied her glass a moment. “I feel a little guilty about it,” she murmured.
“Why?”
“When Dean mentioned he’d broken it off with Lacey I felt…I felt glad. And instead of letting it go I…well, I said a few disparaging things about Lacey.”
“I see.”
“I know now I shouldn’t have. Dean can easily believe he’s not worthy of someone’s interest and I didn’t help the situation. Trouble is I didn’t know what to do about it.”
Ketty’s jaw dropped. “I can’t believe you’re even thinking about doing something.”
“I’m very fond of Dean. I don’t like seeing him so miserable.”
Ketty suppressed a smile. It was obviously too much too soon to expect Judith to want Lacey’s happiness as well but if Dean’s happiness was co-dependent on Lacey’s…
“Do you have an idea for shaking him out of his doldrums?”
“More than an idea.” Judith winced. “I’ve acted on it.”
Ketty took a sip of scotch to cover her surprise. “What exactly?”
“I sent him a picture I took of Lacey looking out over the view at The Breakaways. She looked rather forlorn in it. I added a text saying she’d been sad and had asked after him because she missed his company and wondered if she’d done something that had upset him.”
Ketty nearly choked on her scotch. “I can’t believe you’re meddling.”
“Neither can I.”
“Did you hear back from him?”
“No.”
“Bother. I think those two make a lovely couple.”
“Like you do Klaus and me?”
Ketty put up a hand.
Judith smiled. “In Dean and Lacey’s case I’m beginning to think you might be right.”
“Lacey is a bright, talented, creative person but she can be a little reserved. I think Dean is smart and outgoing—”
“He’s good at putting up a front.”
“Are you saying he’s not smart and outgoing?”
“No, just that sometimes his effervescence is a front.”
“For what?”
“Life’s challenges.”
“We all have challenges. Dean has never struck me as someone who becomes upset by them.”
“Except when it comes to possible relationships of the heart. He’s fallen hard twice before that I know of. When the women called it off he said his disability was too much for them in the end.”
“Sounds like a cop-out on the part of the women.”
“They weren’t right for him but it’s made Dean wary, as if he’s waiting for the hammer to fall. Somehow I think he saw something in the way Lacey was behaving.” Judith shrugged. “And if she’s to be believed it doesn’t sound like she did anything. She told me the last time they’d been out Dean had wanted to go on for drinks and a meal but she’d been tired and had wanted to go home…”
“Unless she used that excuse regularly.”
“Excuse?”
Ketty paused. She didn’t like betraying a confidence but… “Money is tight for Lacey.”
“She gets a good wage.” Judith huffed. “And did you know her gran left her the house? It must be worth a decent amount in the area she lives.”
“You can’t eat a house.”
Judith frowned.
“Lacey’s dad hasn’t been much help to her financially,” Ketty said. “There are extra costs when you own a place and I understand it’s in need of repairs. Dean’s older with a bigger income and fewer overheads. Eating out regularly is part of his lifestyle.”
Judith’s eyes widened. “I didn’t realise it was that tight for her. Are you saying Lacey couldn’t afford it?”
“Possibly.”
“And instead of saying so she puts Dean’s invitations off.”
Ketty shrugged.
“And knowing Dean as I do,” Judith said, “he might take that as her not wanting to be seen out with him.”
“We both know Lacey’s not that kind of person.”
Judith’s mouth twisted sideways as if she was thinking on that.
“Truly, Judith, whatever you think about Lacey, she’s not shallow.”
“I suppose you’re right. I must admit there’s a candidness about her I hadn’t appreciated before.” Judith snorted. “Do you know she even offered me her spare room if I needed it.”
“That’s kind of her, but why?”
“Another thing I haven’t had a chance to tell you. My apartment building is being totally gutted and remodelled.”
“Oh, my goodness. So you’ll need temporary accommodation?”
“No. We’ve all been evicted. Dean, the man down the back and me. The other two apartments are already empty.”
“I’m so sorry. I know how much you liked that apartment. What will you do?”
“I must admit I haven’t done anything yet. I was broadsided by the eviction letter. I only got it a few weeks ago. Dean’s been looking but he’s had no luck so far.”
“I wish I could offer my rental property but I’ve got long-term tenants.” Ketty had a place not far from the shop – she’d lived in it before she’d renovated and created the apartment above Ketty Clift Couture.
“I don’t expect you to find me something. I’m going to get onto it as soon as I get back.”
“I’ll help.” Ketty lurched forward. “And we can ask Maurice. He has contacts in real estate around our area.”
“That’s kind of you. I was knocked by it to start with but—”
“Klaus has a rental property too. I’m sure he has tenants but who knows when that might change. We should check with him.” Ketty’s mind was buzzing with the possibilities. “Between us all we can find you a nice place.”
Judith’s smile lit up her whole face.
“It’s been a while since we had a proper chat, hasn’t it?”
Judith’s smile fell away and once more the bottom of her glass held her interest.
“You’re not still worrying about Carlos’s intentions, are you?” Ketty gave her a playful nudge. “He’s been nothing but a gentleman.”
“I’m glad the cabin arrangements worked out.”
“I think Carlos and I are the only two from our group who kept the same beds.” Ketty laughed. “When I booked this holiday there was no way I imagined all the swapping and changing that’s happened.”
“Carlos seems to have enjoyed the train travel and the tours.”
“Yes.” Ketty smiled to cover her unease, not wanting to spoil her rekindled relationship with Judith with too much talk of Carlos.
“He doesn’t strike me as a shopper but he had a good look at the opals today. Did he end up buying any?”
“I don’t know, but I did. I bought my great-nieces a pendant each.”
“Carlos was also shopping in Alice Springs.”
Ketty shifted her position on the bed. Judith was being persistent. “Yes, he wanted a tie but he couldn’t find one he liked.”
“Perhaps he was looking in the wrong places.”
“I think so, yes. He said it was all souvenir-style. Not what he was looking for.”
“I don’t imagine he’d have found a tie in a pawnshop either.”
“No.” Ketty glanced at her watch and immediately recalled her conversation with Carlos about his gold watch. She’d been worried it had been stolen and he’d said he’d put it in his bag. Judith’s mention of a pawnbroker made Ketty wonder where the watch really was.
“Ketty, I know you don’t want me to mention it but is everything all right between you and Carlos?”
“Of course.” Ketty got to her feet. “Look how late it is. I’m sorry I’ve kept you up.”
They said their goodnights and she slipped out into the corridor. She knew her revived friendship with Judith was on shaky ground when it came to Carlos and that Judith was probing. Ketty was most certainly not going to add fuel to Judith’s fire about what Carlos was up to until she’d had time to get to the bottom of it herself.
forty-three
Day Four – Travelling South
Lacey and Birgit were the first of their group to reach the lounge car the next morning.
“Maybe they’re all sleeping in,” Birgit said. “Look, there’s Beau. Let’s see if he wants company.”
The three of them had struck up a conversation by the campfire the previous night, before all the drama with Erik, and since then Birgit had mentioned Beau’s name several times. Lacey trailed along behind her friend, marvelling at how quickly Birgit’s swearing off men had evaporated.
“Good morning,” he said, half standing as they approached. His rather reserved features lifted into a smile directed at Birgit, who slipped onto the couch beside him.
They made small talk about the scenery. Overnight the desert had been replaced by paddocks and tree lines and more regular sightings of houses and sheds.
They were joined by Virginia, who eyed the empty table in front of them. “No drinks yet?”
“I can get you a coffee,” Beau said.
“Thank you, and a champagne chaser.”
Birgit laughed. “That sounds good. Do you fancy one, Lacey?”
Lacey shook her head.
“It’s our last morning.” Birgit pouted.
“All right, but make mine champagne and orange juice, please.”
The train rumbled and shook and Birgit wobbled into Beau. She giggled and slipped her arm through his and they made their way to the bar.
“Your friend is a flirt but she makes Beau smile so I like her.” Virginia glanced back at Lacey. “And I like your outfit. Is this something else from the Ketty Clift range?”
Lacey glanced down at her dress. The fabric was a rusty red colour with white spots in a simple shift with a flounce well above her knee.
“No. I picked this up in an op shop and remodelled it to fit.”
“Very clever. I have a wardrobe full of designer clothes. One of the perks of my job. Some of them have only been worn once. Such a waste. Perhaps you could make use of them.”
“That’s kind of you,” Lacey said, not feeling at all comfortable with the idea. “You could sell them.”
“I’m not getting caught up in that online palaver.”
“You wouldn’t have to. There are several great boutiques that sell preloved brand-name garments on commission.”
Virginia’s piercing gaze swept over her again. “Have you ever thought about modelling?”
“I wear the odd outfit when we have a photo shoot to update our website, but I prefer to design.”
“Ketty said something similar.”
“Will you go back to modelling once your knee is better?”
Virginia paused, mouth open, then brushed her hand across her knee. “I imagined my career was over but this last day or so…I think if I wasn’t on this damn train I could manage without my stick.”
“Maybe it was being on this train that’s made you feel a little better.”
Virginia’s sharp look softened. “Maybe.”
“We need models across the generations when we’re releasing our new season collections. Ketty doesn’t like doing it. Would it be something you might do?” Before Virginia could answer Lacey hurried on. “I’m just thinking out loud, really. We’d have to work out payment but you’re the perfect model for our range and I know a few other dressmakers who’d appreciate someone with your grace and stature and…” Lacey paused for a breath. “Gosh, I’m babbling, sorry.” Lacey met Virginia’s glare with a smile.
“Here we are.” Birgit sat a drink in front of Lacey and proposed a toast to their holiday.
“They’re ready for us to go into breakfast,” Beau said to his mother.
“What about the girls?” Virginia looked from Birgit to Lacey. “Would you join us?”
“Sure.” Birgit was on her feet again before anyone could blink and moving off with Beau close behind.
Virginia picked up the walking stick she’d slid under her feet. “And while your friend flirts with my son, perhaps you could give me some more information on those boutiques you mentioned… and your modelling idea.”
“Happy to.” Lacey glanced down as her phone vibrated in her hand. She pressed her fingers to her lips as the mouthful of champagne and orange threatened to rise in her throat.
“What is it, Lacey? You’ve gone quite pale.”
