The Unbelieved by Vikki Petraitis

Author:Vikki Petraitis [Petraitis, Vikki]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Published: 2022-06-14T00:00:00+00:00

Just before midday, Waffles galloped to the front door and let out a single bark. I followed him and opened the door in time to see Pip’s car sweep up the driveway.

Her familiar face was almost hidden behind a huge bunch of flowers as she got out of the car and made her way up the steps to the verandah. With her free hand, she patted Waffles’ head. Then reached for me and hugged me.

‘Talk about the arse-end of the world!’ she said by way of greeting.

‘Shhh,’ I said in mock horror. ‘Nan’s inside.’

‘Whoops,’ said Pip unapologetically, following me into the house.

‘Don’t get up,’ said Pip as Nan gripped the arms of her chair and went to stand. Instead, Pip leaned down to hug her. ‘So great to see you again.’

Nan beamed. ‘I was just telling Antigone how thrilled I was to hear about your promotion,’ she said.

Pip waved away the compliment with a laugh. ‘To be honest, I was looking forward to today so I could leave work behind.’

‘Is it crazy in town?’ I asked, as I poured cake batter into the greased tin then popped it into the oven.

‘Crazy was last week. This week is …’ Pip’s voice trailed off and she shrugged. She turned to face the French doors and stared out over the green countryside. ‘This has to be one of the best antidotes to crazy ever. It’s so beautiful.’

‘Go out and have a wander,’ said Nan proudly.

Pip stepped out through the doors and took a deep breath of fresh country air. Waffles followed her out. The two disappeared around the side of the verandah.

‘Go with her,’ said Nan. ‘Show her around the farm. I’ll keep an eye on the oven.’

I didn’t need to be told twice. I grabbed my scarf and walked out the door. I caught up with Pip by the big old apple tree in the yard at the back of the house.

‘This is heaven,’ exclaimed Pip. ‘Now I almost get why you moved.’

I looked at the surrounding fields, bordered by ghost gums, and tried to imagine seeing it for the first time. The smell of eucalyptus, the blue of the sky, the land truly green again after a decade of drought. As we walked, I put an arm around Pip and gave her a quick hug. ‘I’m so glad you came.’

‘So tell me all about it,’ she said.

I blew out a slow breath. In the shadows of the fruit trees, I gave Pip a longer version of events than I’d been able to give her on the phone the day before.

‘Bloody hell,’ said Pip. ‘I am sure in your going-away speech you said something about heading to the quiet life in the country.’

A laugh burst from me, as loud and fresh as the raucous ones from the kookaburras sitting on a nearby fence.

‘But seriously, anything I can do to help?’ Pip’s face was suddenly full of concern. She had been there through the whole Gemma case. She had seen the toll it took.

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