blood in her head started pounding. “Dad! Too much information, you don’t need to tell me this.”
But Jack continued on as if she hadn’t spoken, “Anyway out of convenience we began to have coffee every day and one thing led to another...”
“Oh my goodness Dad,’ she cried, “I don’t want to hear this. Please sshh.”
“…nothing exactly ended up happening, but it almost did and of course I felt very guilty about your mother. She was at home with the four of you children and I had been neglecting her.”
“Well, now that you’ve told me, I have to ask, did Mum know about this?” she asked, sounding perhaps a little too sharp.
“Yes, yes she did, and it really was quite horrible the pain I put her through. We had never been intimate, Cynthia and I…”
At this Chilli placed he hands over her ears. “Please Dad, I don’t want to hear!”
“…but we did form an emotional attachment.” And then his voice softened. “I would have done anything to have taken back the hurt on your mother’s face the day she found out. It was a killer and it will stay with me forever.”
She looked over at her father. “How long ago was it?” she asked quietly.
“Oh I don’t know, maybe about 30 years ago.”
Incredible! Both of her parents had told her a story of their own guilt. But neither had mentioned the other’s hurtful behaviour. This needed thinking about. She couldn’t wait for the peacefulness of her own home to let all of it sink in.
Pulling into the driveway Jack asked, “Do you want me to come in sweetie?”
“No I’ll be fine.” She didn’t think she could take anymore revelations. “Two things I wish to ask though. Firstly why did you tell me that story?”
“I thought it may make you feel better and not judge yourself so harshly. You have a right to happiness sweetie, but in your own time. What’s the second question?”
“Did Pop ever have an affair?”
“What type of question is that?” Jack was aghast at her question. “What type of family do you think we are? Heavens no, he would never have stooped so low, for goodness sake Chilli, what’s gotten into you?”
She leant across and kissed her father on the cheek. “Good night Dad, fabulous dinner, speak to you tomorrow.”
Wearily she got out of the car and unlocked her front door. She turned off the alarm and switched on a light, and gave her father a wave. What she really needed was a hot bath and a good night’s sleep to clear her head. As she climbed the stairs, she slowly shook her head. What a family!
Chapter 12
There was a scheduled breakfast meeting every Monday morning at Montgomery’s when Chilli and Miranda often sampled Sam’s new ideas for the menu. This morning they were trialling a berry and rose jelly breakfast trifle.
Served in a red wine glass, layers of blueberries, strawberries and raspberries were tiered with pale pink fragrant, rose jelly, topped with a dollop of rich organic yoghurt and sprinkled with toasted oats and pistachio crumble. Finally, a drizzle of raspberry coulis slowly made its way down through the delectable combination. It came presented on a plate, delicately garnished with three pink rose petals.
“You know if you added some turkish delight to this it would make a fantastic dessert,” Chilli told Sam, closing her eyes in rapturous delight.
He wrinkled his brow. “Too rich for breakfast?”
Once more, she let the delicate flavours wrap themselves around her taste buds, before answering. “Not at all! Rather decadent, but not too rich.” She then placed another spoonful of the delightful combination into her mouth, savouring it once again.
As per usual, the new menu was crafted around the abundance of luscious fresh produce available at that time of year. Sam still pored over cookbooks, often returning to the ones that his mother had loved and passed on to him.
The main topic of conversation that morning was Jason and Sarah’s engagement party on Saturday evening. Previously, Sam had sat down with the engaged couple and devised a sensational seasonal menu. The theme for the evening was to be white, white and more white. Together, Miranda and Chilli had decided on tall glass vases, massed with white lilies and huge palm fronds.
When the business part of the meeting was over, they moved onto Chilli’s imminent departure in less than two weeks. With much contemplation, she had finally taken Tiffany up on her offer to help out.
“Miranda, what’s happening with Tiffany and Dom?” Chilli asked, nodding her head towards the kitchen, indicating the sous chef. It appeared that Tiffany’d had her eye on him for some time, and he certainly wasn’t backward in returning the compliment.
Miranda glanced over her shoulder to the kitchen and then turned back with a slight huff. She lowered her voice. “I think Tiffany’s decided he’s not her type, due to the fact that he thinks everyone is his.”
“Oh dear. I hope it doesn’t create a problem for her while I’m away. I believe originally he was the main attraction.”
Miranda put her hand up. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll keep my eye on her. She’s already talking about some other guy that she thinks is really hot.” She laughed and shook her head, “You know Tiffany.”
Smiling, Chilli nodded. A thought crossed her mind. “That reminds me you two. I really need to have a serious talk with you both.” She paused, not really knowing how to continue. Spreading her hands on the table in front of her, she spoke slowly. “I guess as a mother, had I been given a little time in the lead up to your wedding, there are many things I would have discussed with you.” The young couple looked at one another. She continued, “Probably because I’m going away and I like to think that I haven’t left anything undone, I want to say…” And she paused again to find the right words.
Sam frowned, narrowing his eyes. “What’s up?” he asked, urging his mother. “Should I be concerned?”
“No, it’s nothing to worry about. It’s just something I have to say, so I don’t have to worry.” She leant forward, “Okay,” she let out a breath. “You both undertook a very important decision when you got married. I just want to ask that you never take that decision lightly. If you get bored or frustrated or lonely, promise me that you’ll always remember why you married in the first place. If you ever decide that the grass is greener on the other side…”
Sam interrupted, “What are you on about?” He glanced around impatiently. “Anyway, do you think that this is the place to be discussing it?” And he pushed his chair away from the table.
Trying to placate the situation, Miranda spoke kindly, patting her mother-in-law’s hand. “Well Chilli, cross this one off your list. I understand what you’re trying to say and thank you for caring, but that is never going to happen.” And she beamed at her young husband.
“More than likely not! But I have to finish by saying, you don’t have to
