Lilly shrugged her shoulders and bugged her eyes open wide. “Yes.”
“Good girl. How would you like to go and pick me some flowers so we can make the place look pretty? Do you think you could do that while I do the dishes?”
Without a second glance, she jumped down from the chair and ran outside to do as she was bid. Del filled the sink with hot soapy water, dismayed she hadn’t thought to do a manicure, but there was no time now. If there was any time at all, it would be a quick wipe over with nail polish remover and that would be her lot.
Dishes done, Del grabbed the vacuum cleaner and hurried through the house, putting items away as she went. Lilly walked in and dumped her flowers on the table and went into her room to read until she was called to put her flowers in a vase. “You can do this. I’m pretty sure you know what you’re doing.”
“Dad doesn’t let me do it.” She popped a long stem of grass in amongst the flowers.
“Well, I think you’re doing a great job. I need to start on these sandwiches or they won’t be ready, then get out the tea set and make everything on the table look pretty.”
Bread was buttered in record time and eggs put on to boil. Lettuce was shredded and cold meat sliced thin. Once all the ingredients were in front of her, Del added the fillings and plated the sandwich triangles.
“They look pretty.” Lilly looked over with a question in her eyes.
Without a word, Del handed her a sandwich and covered the plate with cling wrap to keep them fresh. Once the tea set was on the side of the table, she put out plates for the scones and jam drop biscuits. Bluey had whipped cream for her last night and told her which jam to use for the scones, and she dished some into a small bowl.
“Right, that looks as good as it will get. I need to get off this chipped polish and brush my hair. Then I’m ready.”
Before she could walk to her room, the sound of cars sounded on the driveway.
“Oh no.” Del looked out the window as car after car pulled up and stopped. Ladies got out and greeted one another. The nerves made her palms sweat and she cast a quick glance at Lilly. She grabbed her crutches and left them in her room. With barely a limp now except at the end of the day, they were no longer necessary.
“Come with me, Lilly. Let’s go and do this.” She grasped the little girls hand and took a deep breath before walking down the back steps with a professional smile glued to her face.
“Welcome, welcome. My name is Delilah and it’s a pleasure to see you all.” She opened the gate and held out her hand.
An older woman hurried to meet her. “I heard the last nanny left in a hurry and Blake had someone filling in.” Her smile soothed the nerves Delilah tried to suppress. “I’m Eleanor. How lovely to meet you, and thank you so much for filling in at such short notice. Rather naughty of Blake, but with so much on his plate trying to run this place, I guess the least we can do is forgive him. Let me introduce you to the ladies.”
She rattled off the names of the ladies present and then tucked her hand through Del’s. “Tell me all about yourself. You don’t actually look like country stock, if you don’t mind me saying so.”
The warmth flowing from Eleanor made her relax and Delilah gave the brief version of what happened to make her end up on the farm. “That is hilarious. Tough for you, but the thing stories are made of. Classic.”
“Come inside and I’ll put the kettle on.” They followed her up the path and into the house.
Everyone chatted and joined in the conversations as they greeted one another and caught up on local news. A lady with a pouty smile fixed on her face sat back from the others and watched without saying much. Delilah felt her gaze as she bustled around the kitchen making tea and coffee.
“So tell us what you do for work, Delilah, and why your manager decided you needed to experience the Outback.” A lady dressed comfortably in jeans and a casual white shirt touched her on the shoulder as she accepted a cup of tea.
“I write for a television series.” For the next hour, she was bombarded with questions about Brad Hollows and her plans for the show.
“It must be hard working for Blake when you are used to such control over the men in your show.” The woman with the pouty smile watched her, eyes hard as she waited for an answer. Her face would have been attractive if not for the sneer that seemed to stay on her lips. Around Delilah’s age, she wore a bitterness on her face that made Del wary. She chose her words carefully, worried it could lead to confrontation. The woman was wired and ready for an argument if her body language was anything to go by.
“I really don’t see the connection. My work is all make-believe and has no bearing on what happens in real life. Probably one of the reasons I’m starting to find it wearing a little thin,…” She paused, hoping to get the name of the lady showing such hostility toward her. Lilly snuggled closer to her, watching the woman warily as if she too felt the animosity.
“Belinda Parker. I’m a good friend of Blake’s…a really good friend. I have been for years.”
“Why don’t you go and play in your room for a little while, honey.” I don’t think your little ears need
