The Cowrie Shell by John Heyworth

Author:John Heyworth [Heyworth, John]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FICTION: General; Family Life / Marriage & Divorce; Romance / Contemporary
Publisher: MoshPit Publishing
Published: 2021-04-15T00:00:00+00:00

22

‘Goodbye, dadda,’ Jackie said, holding little Amber’s hand up to help her wave.

Robbie had just kissed them both and had started up the Holden. He wound down the side window. ‘How delightful she is,’ he said.

‘Dadda’s going to work.’

‘Goodbye, baby,’ Robbie called out above the engine noise and blew her a kiss.

‘Bye-bye,’ Jackie called back, her eyes shining. Robbie reversed out of the driveway and took off for work at the Cottesloe post office. He liked it better than Fremantle. It was closer to home, and some of the ocean views on his run were breathtaking. And there was nothing better than to be able to have a quick beer in the Cottesloe Beer Garden after work.

~~~

‘Isn’t she beautiful?’

‘Amber is adorable. We’re so lucky. She’s such a good baby,’ Jackie replied. Her old friend Mandy had come around for morning tea. Jackie hadn’t seen Mandy since the wedding. The two mothers were sitting in the kitchen and were both on maternity leave – their husbands now back at work. ‘Bubabuba bub,’ she said as she tickled Amber’s tummy. On cue, Amber responded with a laugh – her smile and dimples lighting up her face. ‘She’s so good-humoured; we love her to bits.’

‘How old is she now?’ Mandy asked.

‘Just over seven months.’

‘Sleeping through the night?’

‘No. She still needs feeding, but I’m trying to wean Amber off night feeds. What about you?’

‘The same. Ben cries a lot, though.’

Jackie looked closely at her friend. ‘Are you getting enough sleep?’

‘Barely. But Spike helps a lot.’

‘How is Spike?’

‘He’s good. Next year we’re going to try for another.’

‘Truly?’

‘Yes. I’ve always wanted a big family and Spike is keen too, I think. Are you not?’

‘I haven’t discussed it with Robbie. Maybe. I don’t know.’

The two friends sat in silence. After a while, Jackie said, ‘Why don’t we take our babies out for a walk?’

Mandy agreed, and they both put their babies into their strollers. Jackie called out to Alice, who was in the backyard reading a book. ‘We’re off to the park, Nan.’

Alice looked over her book and replied, ‘Good idea. It’s lovely out.’

Jackie and Mandy pushed their strollers down the streets' sunny side as they headed towards a little park near Britannia Road. The days were becoming longer, and the mid-spring sun was warm. The lightness of the outdoor air lifted the mothers’ spirits.

‘Smell that aroma,’ Mandy said as they passed a cottage garden amassed with purple flowers.

‘Lavender,’ Jackie replied. ‘Beautiful. And look over there, I adore peach-coloured roses.’

‘I like red roses better.’

‘Aren’t you just the romantic type?’

‘Red roses and dark chocolate.’

‘Now you’re talking. Men say wine, women and song, but we say wine, roses and chocolates.’ She laughed as the two walked on a little further, before Jackie said, ‘Any news of the crew?’

‘Deb’s still in Port Hedland.’

‘I’m not surprised. She loves it there.’

‘God knows why. Anyway, we talk on the phone a bit, now and then. She’s thinking of taking a year’s leave without pay and travelling overseas.

‘India?’

‘Probably.’

‘Does she have a man yet?’

‘Not that I know of.

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