Page 50 of One More Time

After filling the kettle, she plonked it on the stove to bring to the boil. Spooning three teaspoons of coffee grounds into her plunger, she got back to preparing tonight’s dinner in the slow cooker. Today was going to be a long one at the teahouse, so arriving home to a meal ready to go would be a godsend. Halfway through layering the browned chicken, bacon and mushrooms, she heard the doorbell chime, reverberating through the house.

Slipping her apron off, Grace ran for the front door.

‘Hey, Rodger! Come on in.’ She stepped aside and ushered him in, eyeing his armful of boxes. ‘What’s all this?’

‘Just a little something for the kids.’ Rodger brushed past her and put his nose to the air. ‘Wow, something smells divine.’

‘I whipped up a casserole for our supper, which I hope you and Alison will be staying for, given you’re going to be minding my wayward children all day.’ Offering him an appreciative smile, she glanced behind him. ‘Speaking of which, where is she?’

‘Oh, she got caught up.’ He kicked his shoes off and smiled. ‘But trust me, by the smell of that, I’ll definitely be staying for dinner.’

Given the fact that she and Alison had put aside the past and become friends, Grace couldn’t help but wonder why she hadn’t accompanied Rodger on his past couple of visits, not that she was about to ask. It wasn’t her business, but she had heard through the grapevine that his inability to have children was placing stress upon their marriage. She couldn’t help but feel heavy-hearted for them. ‘A little something for the kids, huh? It looks like you bought out the entire department store.’ She looked to the three large boxes he was now plonking down on the entrance table.

‘Oh, it’s nothing.’ He waved a hand through the air. ‘I got the boys a set of remote-control cars, Hope that Game Boy she’s been talking about and Ava a Cabbage Patch doll.’

‘Oh, Rodger, you shouldn’t have done that.’ Grace shook her head, although her smile was thankful. ‘It’s way too much.’

‘Don’t be silly, Grace. They deserve to be spoilt a little.’

Grace felt a little embarrassed by his lavishness, but thought it rude to say as much. ‘Thank you so much for offering to look after them today.’ She closed the front door. ‘This flu that’s going around has the babysitter tucked up in bed for the next couple of days.’

He tipped his head and smiled. ‘We’re friends, Grace, and we look out for each other. Speaking of which …’ He plucked a folded piece of paper from his top pocket and passed it to her.

Grace looked at it. ‘What’s this?’

‘That’s the name of my friend I told you about last week, the bank manager. He’s expecting your call.’ His expression turned serious. ‘He believes he’ll be able to help you shuffle your mortgage around so you’re more financially comfortable.’

‘Oh, Rodger, thank you!’ She fought back raw emotion. ‘You truly are a blessing.’

‘I’m here to help you through this, Grace, okay?’ He offered her a sad smile. ‘I just wish you’d say yes to moving into my guesthouse, and renting this big old place out. Especially given the fact the cottage is in dire need of renovations, so you can’t move back in there, or rent it out. It will fix all your money problems, and you’ll be much closer to the teahouse too. Within walking distance.’

‘I know, and my parents have tried to help me, too, but I want to try and do this on my own.’ The way he smiled at her, the deep timbre of his voice, the gentleness of his hand that came to rest on her arm, it almost brought her to sobbing. ‘Things have been quite tough, as you know, so I do appreciate your help.’ Sniffling, she blinked faster.

Rodger went to move closer. ‘Oh, Grace, I didn’t mean to upset you.’

‘No, don’t be silly. It’s not your fault.’ Stepping out of his reach, she led him into the TV room, sat him on the double sofa and settled herself on the single one opposite him.

Quickly gathering herself, she plucked the list of to-dos and not-to-dos for the children. ‘I hope you don’t mind, but I wrote this out.’ She pushed it across the coffee table. ‘It has the times of the boys’ games, what they can and can’t eat, and Hope’s friend’s address for the birthday party she’s going to.’

Rodger read down the almighty list, his smile widening. ‘You’ve covered everything, by the looks.’

Footsteps sounded and Hope waltzed through the lounge room. ‘Hey, Rodger.’ She looked to Grace. ‘I’m almost thirteen, Mum. I don’t need to be babysat.’

‘I know, love. Rodger’s here for the boys and Ava.’ She gave Rodger a look that said otherwise.

‘Okay, well … that’s okay then,’ Hope called over her shoulder.

‘I’d best go and get Ava up and say a quick hello to her before I say goodbye.’ Standing, Grace took a much-needed breath. ‘Back down in a jiffy.’

‘You take your time, Grace.’ Rodger rose too. ‘I’ll make myself useful by getting the boys ready for their football game.’

‘Thanks, Rodger.’

Sitting on the edge of Ava’s bed, Grace looked to the row of stuffed animals perched on the bedhead, then to her youngest child soundly sleeping. How could she wake her, when she looked so peaceful? So, instead, she gently placed a kiss on her forehead, and tiptoed back out of the room.

Rodger was right. Her children needed stability, she needed peace, and they desperately needed money. If she rented this place out, it would cover the mortgage and leave her with a good lump of change for living costs. Guilt crushed her heart at the thought, but her motherly instincts were encouraging her to accept the offer. She couldn’t do this alone. She needed help.

This had been her and Charlie’s forever home, the place they’d planned to raise their children in, to grow old in. But Charlie wasn’t here anymore.