Matilda Next Door - Kelly Hunter Page 0,52

and for that he was grateful.

‘It shouldn’t take long. Fact checking, but it’s best done in person. I need to be there.’

‘No—I—of course. I understand. Needs must. But you’d tell me if there was a problem, right? So I could do my bit. And if you need to call me, I’m here any time.’

‘I’ll call just to hear your voice,’ he said, and meant it.

‘Will you be staying at your apartment?’

‘Yes.’

‘Say hi to Len and the Clarks for me.’

Trust Matilda to know his doorman and neighbours better than he did.

‘Your grandparents are okay? You’re okay to leave them?’

‘Yes.’

‘And you’re sure I can’t help?’

‘Matilda, I love you for all that you offer.’ It was getting easier to say. Becoming easier to accept her generosity of spirit. ‘And we’ll talk properly soon. Face-to-face. Have I mentioned how much I miss waking up beside you?’

‘I could stand to hear it a little more. Consider me a sponge when it comes to those kind of compliments. Okay, any compliments. I’m not fussy, I’ll take them.’

‘I’ll see you soon.’

‘Let me know what date you’re flying back in. I’ll meet you at the airport.’

To give and to get. It was time he got used to it. ‘Thank you. I’d like that.’

Chapter Twelve

‘I got engaged to Henry the other night. Before he left for Melbourne.’ Tilly had been meaning to keep this to herself until Henry returned, so they could tell her parents the good news together. But her mother had not long walked into the kitchen where Tilly stood baking, and the scent of the English roses in her mother’s arms, and the cheerful music on the radio made Tilly think of wedding flowers and weddings themselves and the timing of such events, and maybe she could start that ball rolling. Not that she was eager. Okay, yes, very eager to share that particular bit of news with the world. An announcement in the local paper. Discussions with the minister about the use of Wirralong’s little bluestone church.

Besides, Tilly had never been good at keeping secrets from her mother.

Her mother had never been good at masking her reactions. And that reaction right there—as she watched her mother’s hands go still and her face become carefully placid—was dismay. No delighted smile for her daughter’s good news, thought Tilly with a sinking heart.

She’d hoped for a little more enthusiasm.

‘What happened to taking it slow?’ her mother asked, with what she probably thought was admirable restraint.

‘It didn’t seem necessary. He was very convincing.’

The look on her mother’s face. Sheer dismay coupled with utter disbelief.

‘Be happy for me, please,’ she begged. ‘I know it’s fast. I know you’re not completely convinced that Henry’s the right man for me, but I am. I’d choose him over any other. Again and again and again.’

Her mother began placing roses into a vase one at a time. Such pretty, sweet smelling roses. ‘I wish I knew what you saw in him.’

That sinking feeling in Tilly’s heart hadn’t hit bottom yet. ‘I wish you did too.’

‘Is there an engagement ring?’ her mother wanted to know, and no, no there wasn’t, although Henry had mentioned one on the phone.

‘He got one in Melbourne, but I don’t have it yet.’

‘So it was a spur of the moment proposal on his part. Unplanned. Otherwise he would have had it with him when he proposed.’

‘He still meant it the next morning, if that’s any consolation.’

Clearly it wasn’t. ‘You think I’m making a mistake.’ May as well be blunt about it.

‘I didn’t say that.’

‘I get my bluntness from you, you know,’ Tilly reminded her. ‘You were worried about us entering a marriage of convenience, so as to serve everyone around us. You and Dad would benefit if somehow down the track we merged Moore Creek and Red Hill. Henry’s grandparents would benefit too. A motherless baby would benefit. But this isn’t a marriage of convenience, although it is convenient. Henry loves me.’

‘If you’re certain.’ Her mother finally met her gaze.

‘I am. Please be happy for me.’

‘I am happy for you.’

‘You’re not.’ She wanted to weep.

‘Hear me out,’ her mother pleaded. ‘Because, for all my familiarity with Henry Church, he’s not an easy man to know. He was a quiet boy who kept his own counsel. He never really bought in to a country way of life, no matter how much Joe tried to guide him. He had his sights set on different horizons and those career choices work for him and there’s merit in that. Since then I’ve defined him