The Secret Ingredient by Dianne Blacklock

Author:Dianne Blacklock
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781742628776
Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia

A week later

Andie arrived at the building site, and called Joanna on her mobile from the other side of the cyclone fencing. She had contacted her yesterday to arrange a time she could drop off Christmas presents for the family, but with Joanna working days and Andie working nights, the only alternative in the end was for Andie to visit Joanna at work. At the moment she was on-site most days, as project manager of a medium-density residential development in the eastern suburbs. She told Andie she’d have to wait outside when she arrived, as she’d have to be escorted in.

Andie spotted Joanna coming towards her in a hard hat and a fluoro vest. She was carrying a second hat and vest, Andie assumed for her.

‘Hi,’ said Joanna as she approached. ‘You’re going to have to wear these.’ She had to shout over the sound of machinery. ‘OH&S requirements, you know.’

Andie smiled, taking them from her. She put the hat on. ‘I feel like Bob the Builder.’

‘What’s that?’ said Joanna, cupping her hand to her ear.

‘Never mind!’ Andie shouted back as she pulled on the vest.

‘Come on,’ said Joanna. ‘I’ll take you to the site office, at least we’ll be able to hear each other there.’

They walked across muddy clay, past a series of structures of varying heights and dimensions. It was still largely skeletal, but the scale of the development was impressive.

‘This looks pretty big,’ Andie shouted.

Joanna nodded. ‘Biggest project I’ve ever worked on.’

Just then they heard a loud wolf-whistle from behind and they both turned. A group of workers on an upper floor all waved.

‘You’ve got some fans,’ said Andie.

Joanna smiled at her. ‘Oh, that wasn’t for me.’

They arrived at a portable building which served as the site office, and Joanna held the door open for Andie as she stepped inside. It was surprisingly roomy; two men were working at computers at one end, there were several filing cabinets, a long couch, fridges, and a table in the centre, with plans spread out across it.

‘My friend, Andie,’ Joanna announced, and the men gave her a nod and a ‘Hi’. She turned towards the other end of the office. ‘My desk is up here,’ she said.

Andie followed her, pausing at a large print posted up on the wall, an artist’s impression of the project. It was stunning; there were probably eight buildings of various sizes, each one unique, but complementary, tied together through the use of common materials, timber and corrugated iron mostly, and a harmonising colour palette of greens and greys. They appeared to be tucked amongst groves of trees, gardens, walkways and courtyard spaces.

‘This is amazing, Joanna.’

‘Yeah, it is pretty special,’ she said. ‘Not that I’m responsible for the design.’

‘But you’re responsible for making it a reality,’ said Andie.

Joanna nodded. ‘I guess so. There are a few other chiefs on-site,’ she added. ‘Engineers, the building supervisor, I have backup.’

Andie looked at her. ‘I wonder if a man in your position would be so quick to share the credit around?’

‘Probably not,’ she admitted.

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