"Really, how well did you know her Susan?"
"We were in the same school most of our lives and pretty close as girls can get I reckon. I know she loved your father with a passion but I was still gutted when she left." A look of sadness washed over her face and Sami reached out and grasped her hand.
"I would love to hear more about her life before she moved. Maybe we can catch up and you can fill me in."
"I would love to, Sami. I have so many photos you might like to see. Garth looks so much like her, it was almost like she was home again when I spied him standing next to Eliza."
"I wonder if I could ask you something between just the two of us?"
"Of course you can. Anything." Susan leaned closer and smiled encouragingly.
"Rupert Newland. Was he involved with my mother before she ran away?" Sami held her breath and waited.
Susan looked down at her hands and then met Sami's gaze. "Yes, she was. I wasn't happy with the way he was treating her and said so on many occasions. It was as if she was a trophy girlfriend if you know what I mean." She gave a wistful smile. "Rupert was nice enough, don't get me wrong but his family was poor and it was well known he was looking for a rich wife. He set his sights on your mother and nothing could sway him from his goal I'm afraid. I believe he had your grandfather’s backing too."
"Did my mother love him?"
"Not as far as I knew. I think she was just having fun. I mean, Rupert was the perfect beau, always there doing things to please her, taking her out. It was a complete takeover if you really want to know the truth. She was getting annoyed by the time your dad rocked up." She sighed and smiled. "That was true love, not what Rupert offered her and she knew it. It was why I couldn't get too angry when she ran away with him. I knew she was going to do it. My only regret is she never kept in touch as she promised she would."
"I'm grateful for the talk Susan, it means more than you can imagine." Sami dropped her head and her shoulders sagged.
"Why, Sami? Tell me what is going on here?" She lifted Sami's chin in her hand and looked in her eyes. "If nothing else I can stand in for your mother and make sure you are okay. What is it, honey?"
"It's okay really. It's just,...fuck it. I'm sorry, I don't mean to cuss at you but that bloody man. God, I'll kill him with my bare hands."
"Rupert?"
"Yeah. He told me he was my mother's lover and Dad cheated him out of the farm."
Susan laughed and slapped her thigh. Eliza and her friends looked over when the laughter continued. "Oh my. Sorry, Sami, but that is funny." She wiped her eyes and laughed again before taking control of her emotions.
"Sorry, but I know for a fact it is a lie. Your mother was saving herself for Mr. Right and we both knew Rupert wasn't it. Sheesh, we were girls and fairly close. Of course we talked about sex and she never slept with Rupert, I can assure you of that."
"Thank goodness. He threatened to spread gossip if I don't sell some of the farm to Mason."
"Are you kidding me? That mongrel, just let me get my hands on him." Susan stood up and signalled for her husband who came trotting over.
"No, no. Stop." Sami stood and held onto her arm. "I appreciate everything you've told me, really I do. But this is something I want to deal with myself. I've already told Mason I won't sell and he has apparently accepted it."
"If Mason says he is on the level then he is." Mr Holden shrugged his shoulders. "Kid was always nicer than his damned father, bloody solicitor is nothing but trouble in my mind. Always was a shit of a kid at school."
"But Jim, don't you think we should help Sami out here?" Susan looked up at her husband.
"No. If she thinks she can do it on her own, it is her right. Remember if you want any help Sami, you know where we live. Don't be a stranger."
"Thanks, I appreciate it. I'll let things go and see what happens. If he starts throwing around rumours I'll do something about it then but for now I guess the best thing to do is try to ignore him. Now, I could get really pissy and go home to sulk or get another glass of wine. Want to join me, folks?"
"You ladies sit down and let me get the drinks." Jim walked off toward the bar and Susan and Sami sat down again.
"You have her logic, Sami. Where I would rush off and kill him, your mother would sit and let him trip himself up. Said it was more fun watching something like that happen."
"Oh, I have my moments, believe me. I'm pretty fiery really, unlike Garth who is the calm one most of the time."
"It would seem he and Eliza are getting on well, wouldn't you say?"
"Yes they are. Poor kid hasn't had the best years living in the outback with Mum sick and then me working so much. This move will be good for him."
Jim returned and handed them glasses of wine.
"Thanks." Sami took a sip and sighed, leaning back against the chair watching her brother laughing and talking to Eliza and her friends.
"I hope it proves to be a good move for both of you." Susan was watching her with keen eyes.
"Yeah, well at least we have a home to
