Читать книгу Palmerstone Ridge - Kim Allen - Страница 8

The next morning Jeanette and Richard headed toward the cafe together. While Jeanette was not rostered on, they felt they needed to share their news with Bill and Debbie.

‘Debbie already has her suspicions,’ Jeanette had told Richard, ‘But telling Bill and Debbie together will just make it easier. And it will be good to do it together.’

As they walked along the street, Richard asked, ‘How do you think Bill is going to take it? I mean, you’re his daughter. Is he going to want to rip me limb from limb?’

‘Don’t be silly,’ Jeanette assured him, ‘he’ll probably just cut you up with one of his knives and put you into one of his special pies. May even put you out at a special price?’

Richard choked, and spluttered at the thought. Jeanette chuckled, as she pushed open the cafe front door.

Bill was stacking the front display cabinet with freshly delivered sponge cakes from the bakery as they entered. ‘Joey!’ he said when he looked up. He was so surprised to see them that he banged his head on the top of the counter. ‘Sweetheart, what are you doing here? Didn’t expect to see you till tomorrow. G’day Greasy, good to see ya.’ Bill had given Richard a nickname that suited his working in the shearing sheds.

‘Good morning, Bill,’ Richard replies, ‘it’s good to be back.

‘Is Debbie around somewhere, Bill?’ Jeanette says as she walks around the counter and gives Bill a hello hug. Bill wrapped his arms around her in return. She loved Bill’s hugs. They made her feel safe.

‘Yeah, she’s just in the kitchen. Why?’ he said as they unwrapped.

‘We’ve got something we need to tell you,’ Jeanette said sweetly as she skipped toward the kitchen. Bill shot Richard an inquisitive look, and then followed Jeanette. Richard trailed along behind.

Debbie was in the office, filing away the morning order dockets. ‘Hi Debbie,’ Jeanette said as she skipped up to her and gave her a welcome hug.

‘Good morning, Jeanette. What are you doing here?’ Debbie said as Bill and Richard enter the room.

‘Good morning, Debbie’ Richard says as he closes the office door behind them.

‘Alright you two,’ Bill says as he manoeuvres to lean on his desk and puts and arm around Debbie. ‘Something is going on, and it’s time to spill the beans.’

Jeanette steps back to join Richard in the middle of the small office. Richard puts an arm on her shoulder, similar to Bill and Debbie. They look at each other. Jeanette is very thankful to have Richard with her. She appreciates his support. She can see it in his eyes that he is a little scared of sharing the news, but Jeanette couldn’t help clenching her teeth tightly together and a huge smile coming over her face.

‘We’re pregnant!”

It felt instantaneous, Bill had Jeanette wrapped in his arms, and squeezing her tightly. ‘Oh, Joey!’ he bellowed as he scooped her off her feet and swung her around. Just as quickly he put her down and wrapped his arm around Richards head in a headlock. ‘And Greasy you little devil,’ Bill roared as he rubbed his knuckles on the top of Richards head.

Debbie stepped up to Jeanette and looked her square in the eye. ‘I’m happy for you, Jeanette. And we are so proud of you too.’

Bill released Richard from the headlock and punched him in the arm. ‘What a way to start the day!’ Richard sheepishly stepped back, trying to get a little space between himself and Bill. He was dangerous when he was excited.

Bill turned back to Jeanette and gave her another hug. This one was a lot warmer and Jeanette could feel Bill\s love envelope her and give her strength.

‘Well, it’s not all good news, guys.’ Jeanette said as she untangles from Bill’s hug. ‘It’s very early stages, and my body is not happy. That is why I fainted the other day. The doctor says that I may have a troubled pregnancy, and she wants to keep a close eye on me.’ Bill pulls up a chair for Jeanette to sit in, while Debbie sits in another chair. Bill leans on the desk. ‘The doctor said that until we are past three months, she’s not sure what’s going to happen. So, until then, she thinks it’s better if I don’t tell anyone, except you guys because you’re my family.’

The front counter bell rings. Bill pricks his ears but doesn’t want to leave. He looks at Richard, ‘Greasy, go deal with customers.’

Richard stood frozen with his mouth open. He had never dealt with customers before, but the way Bill said it, he wasn’t about to say no. It took Debbie a moment, but she realised the situation. ‘I got this, come on Richard. Time for a crash course in the cafe.’ Debbie quickly ushered him out of the room, leaving Bill and Jeanette together.

‘Joey, is this what you want?’ Bill asks gently when the door closes.

Jeanette’s lips wobble into a smile. Looking into Bill’s eyes, all she can see is someone who truly cares. This is something that was unexpected and was happening very quickly. It was great to know that she had someone looking out for her. That was what she needed more than anything.

‘I think it is, Bill. I can’t remember ever being so happy, while feeling so sick.’

‘Oh Joey,’ Bill hugs her again. ‘Deb’s has it right, we are both so proud of you. And we are always here for you.’ He took her by the shoulders are looked straight in her eyes, ‘and never forget that.’

‘Thanks Bill.’

‘Now, I’d better go rescue the cafe. God only knows what Greasy has done to the customers.’ Bill helped Jeanette up and leads her to the door. ‘And you better get out of here and get some rest.’ He raises his voice, so they will be able to hear it in the front ‘I’ll make sure that boy knows that he’s got to look after you, otherwise he’ll have Uncle Bill here to deal with,’ he turns and shoots a smile to Jeanette. ‘Is that too harsh on him?’

‘No, I think he’ll deal with it,’ Jeanette says cheekily as she walks past Bill toward the front of the cafe.