Between the Vines (18 page)

Out the front of the office Taylor paused. A sleek blue car was parked to one side. Perhaps there was a visitor. Once more Felicity studied Taylor closely when she walked in and told her Ed wasn't there.

“I know. He said I could use his laptop. I've come to pick it up.”

Felicity stood. “I'll get it for you.”

“No need.” Taylor gave her a bright smile. “I'll find it.”

Felicity sank to her chair as Taylor sailed on by.

Once in Ed's office, Taylor pushed the door to behind her and
looked around the room. Ed's desk was huge by any standard and took up much of his office. Beside it on the floor were stacks of papers, wine boxes and assorted items. At first glance she couldn't see the laptop.

She walked behind the desk which was cluttered with more paper piles and document holders. A computer sat slightly to one side. In the middle of the desk was a large pad with a cordless keyboard on it surrounded by scribbles and notes. Ed had made good use of it. She smiled at the little cartoon drawings, the squiggles and doodles. Her smile widened as she noticed her name written several times in curly letters. He was obviously thinking of her.

Another name caught her attention at the bottom of the page. Cheng was written in large block letters. The letters had been traced around again and again and next to them was scribbled a date – Saturday's date.

There was movement outside the door. Taylor bent down and moved some magazines to reveal the laptop she was meant to be collecting.

“Find it?” Felicity was studying her from the door.

“Yes, took a bit of looking.” Taylor stuffed the laptop and its power cable into a bag lying nearby.

“Edward doesn't allow me to touch anything much in here. He likes to keep everything in his own way.”

“Mm. No doubt he knows where everything is.”

Felicity stepped aside as Taylor passed her. The door closed firmly behind her but Taylor didn't look back. She clutched the handle of the bag and made her way back to the quarters pondering the connection between Mr Cheng and Saturday's date.

Internet access on a bigger screen was much better. She was able to check her emails, although there was nothing personal amongst the long list, and then move on to some recipe sites. Her plan was to make a couple of tarts that were both vegetarian and hearty. With her list complete she headed to her van, shopping bags in hand.

On the way to the main road Taylor stopped at the cellar door. It wasn't quite opening time yet. She thought she'd say hello to Noelene and offer her assistance again. Taylor walked around to the rear door. A mop and bucket drained in the sunshine just outside. She stuck her head in to the back room. A strong smell of pine disinfectant swamped her.

“Hello,” she called.

Before she could take a step Noelene hollered, “Stop!”

Taylor stayed where she was and Noelene appeared in the opposite doorway.

“I've just washed the floor in there.” Noelene leaned in to the room. “What do you need?”

“Nothing. I just called by to say hello.” Taylor pulled her face into what she hoped was a sweet smile. “Wondered if I could be of any help today.”

“I don't think so.” Noelene's body relaxed. “Thanks anyway. I shouldn't be that busy.”

“I'm heading into town. Anything I can get you?”

“No…thanks.”

“Well let me know if I can help. I'll be at the quarters cooking when I get back.”

“Cooking?”

“Yes, I'm making an evening meal for the three men each night.”

“That's good of you.”

“They're so busy and I thought it was something I could do to help.”

“Well.” Noelene's shoulders did a little jiggle up and down. “Well, that's good of you,” she said again.

“I like to be useful.”

“What are you making?”

“Some vegetable tarts tonight and a curry tomorrow night. I have to think up alternatives for Antoine.”

“A word to the wise.” Noelene tapped a finger against the side of her pointy nose. “Make sure you've got something with meat in it for Edward. Peter doesn't mind so much but Edward takes after his
father. Neil was always a meat-and-three-veg man. Used to drive Pearl nuts. Edward's more adventurous than his father, as long as it involves meat.”

“Thanks for the tip Noelene. I'll keep that in mind.”

“No problem.”

“I'll be off then.”

“Taylor.”

She turned back at Noelene's call.

“If you're at a loose end later this arvo pop in. I shouldn't be busy. Perhaps we could have a cuppa.”

“That'd be great.” Taylor lifted her hand in a wave and retreated to her van with a smug smile plastered firmly on her face.

She'd win Noelene over. Just give her a bit more time. Taylor climbed into her van and turned up the radio. As her dear old Pa would have said, there's more than one way to skin a rabbit.

Edward looked up from his paperwork at the sound of tyres on the gravel outside his office window. A silver Porsche Boxster pulled in alongside the building. He felt his jaw drop as Taylor climbed out of the passenger seat. He stood up in time to see the driver alight. She looked like Taylor's friend Cass but she was smartly dressed and had her hair up. The two women walked off in the direction of the winery lab. Edward gazed at the car. It wasn't a new model but it had been well looked after. Sleek and sophisticated, it looked like the real deal.

“Well, well, well,” he murmured. If it was Cass, she had good taste in cars.

He glanced back at the notebook he'd been writing figures in. No matter which way he counted they were short several boxes of riesling. He'd have to investigate further but for now he slipped the little book into his pocket and made his way through the back door to the winery behind. He could hear Taylor talking excitedly about the grapes and sugar levels. It irritated him what a clone of Peter she'd become.

He reached the lab door and stopped. Both women had their backs to him. Taylor was showing Cass how to use the equipment. It was Cass who held his attention. He'd only ever seen her in ill-fitting jeans. Today she looked almost corporate. She wore heels and a pencil skirt that reached her knees but a side split revealed her leg as she leaned in to look closer at what Taylor was showing her. The matching top was some kind of long-line sleeveless jacket.

“Hello.”

Both women turned at the sound of his voice. Taylor smiled and
was across the lab at his side in a flash. Cass followed slowly, a bemused look on her face.

“You remember Cass?” Taylor said. “I sent you a text. She was able to get away earlier.”

He recalled the text but he hadn't given it another thought. “Of course. Short for Cassandra right?” He held out his hand. He noticed her top button straining over her large breasts as she shook it.

“I prefer Cass.” She gave him a brief smile.

“Glad you could come. I'll be away for part of the weekend. Taylor will have some company.” He put his arm around Taylor's shoulders and gave them a squeeze.

“I'm giving Cass a tour.” Taylor looked up at him. “Is that okay?”

“Of course.”

“Pete let us in,” Taylor said. “He was here with someone when we arrived.”

“Someone?”

“An old guy. Grey hat and huge bushy eyebrows with saggy eyelids.”

“Howard was his name,” Cass said.

Taylor's brow wrinkled. “That's right. An old family friend?”

“He's been around forever. He worked with Dad to get the winery started.” Edward glanced along the passage in the direction of Peter's office. He hadn't seen Howard for ages. Had practically forgotten about the old guy. “They'll be fussing over the chardonnay. It's nearly ready to be picked.”

“Anyway, Cass needs a coffee. Just thought I'd show her around on our way to the quarters.”

“I can't wait to get out of these clothes.” Cass tugged at the bottom of her jacket. “I came straight from a work meeting first thing this morning. Dad insists we dress for the occasion.” She gave an eye roll.

Edward liked what he was seeing. “Where's work?” he asked.

“Golding Hire, you might have heard of us.”

“Yes.” He felt his eyebrows rise. Only one of the biggest hire companies in South Australia. “Nice car.”

“You like?” Cass grinned at him.

“Dad was a bit of a fan of the Porsche but never owned one. He drove an old Triumph.”

“What colour?”

“Red.”

“Of course.”

Cass's full lips turned up in a huge smile.

“I'll take you to the quarters.” Taylor broke the silence that settled around them. She led her friend towards the outer door then turned back. “Dinner will be ready at seven as usual. See you then?”

“I'll try to be on time but it will be another big day with the chardonnay.”

“No worries. Come when you can.”

“See you, Ed.” Cass lifted a hand in a wave.

He grimaced. Was she mocking him?

Once the door had closed behind them he went in to the lab. He wondered why Howard would have been in here with Peter. The old guy had often helped in the past. Peter had relied on his experience to assist with making the wine but Edward hadn't realised that Howard was still hanging around.

A couple of jugs drained in the sink. Beakers and tubes littered the bench along with plastic bags and tags. The lab could do with a clean-up but it wasn't a place Edward spent a lot of time. A splatter of red wine pooled on one end with a tag discarded beside it. He picked the tag up and turned it over. Scribbled in Peter's hand writing was NS18.

Edward dropped the tag back to the bench with a sigh. That's what the two of them were up to. Howard had been there back when the new cabernet vines were planted. No doubt he was still keeping his eye on it. Peter was desperate to keep this harvest. It would be the first year the NS18 would be ready to create a viable amount of wine.

It was a wait-and-see game. Edward had high hopes for his meeting with Mr Cheng. If a partnership came about that might be enough. Peter could keep his precious cabernet grapes and make his wine with it. Edward flicked off the light and went back to his office.

The sun was low in the sky by the time Edward pulled his vehicle in behind the silver Porsche parked outside the quarters. He lifted a couple of bottles of wine from the seat beside him and got out. Laughter carried from the living area. He put his shoulder to the door and walked in. He was greeted by the delicious smell of roasting meat.

Taylor and Cass lifted their heads from the laptop screen they'd been looking at. Taylor glanced at her watch.

“Oh, thank goodness. You've made it here early. I thought it must have been later than that. Time's got away from me.”

“Thank goodness you've brought wine, is what I say,” Cass said. “It's a dry show here.”

Taylor bent to peer at something in the oven. “I was going to drive into town for beer but we've been too busy talking.”

“What were you looking at?” Edward walked around the table.

“Just girl stuff.” Cass closed the laptop. “Let me help you with those bottles.”

Edward suppressed the urge to say it was his laptop. It was childish but Cass's bossy tone irritated him. She took the two chilled whites from his hand. He put the red on the table and wrapped Taylor in a tight hug as she stepped back from the oven.

“Shall we start with the sauv blanc?” Cass wiggled one of the bottles at them.

“Start with!” Taylor laughed. She brushed a kiss across his lips and slipped out from under his arm. “You planning a big night?”

“I'm on holiday.”

“Well, I'm not.” Edward lifted his chin and met Cass's gaze. “And I have an extra early start tomorrow.”

She gave him an indifferent look.

“Ed's heading to Melbourne for the day.” Taylor cleared the laptop away and started setting the table.

“Just for the day?” Cass poured three drinks. “How far's Melbourne?”

“You can do it in a day there and back but it's a big push. I'll probably stay the night somewhere.” Edward accepted a glass from her. “I'll see how I go.”

“Well here's to my holiday. Another weekend in gorgeous Coonawarra.” Cass raised her glass and Taylor was quick to meet it with hers. Edward lifted his and they all took a sip.

“Mmm.” Cass licked her lips. “That's good plonk.”

“They don't call it plonk around here, Cass.” Taylor wagged a finger at her friend.

Cass laughed and tapped Edward on the arm. “Lighten up, Eddie,” she said.

Edward felt himself stiffen at the nickname. They all turned as the door opened again.

“Hello, Antoine.” Taylor waved an open hand at Cass. “This is my friend Cass.”

“Antoine. You're the man I've been hearing all about.” Cass's round face stretched in a huge smile.

“Really?” Antoine pulled off his cap.

“I've been telling Cass about your sister's wedding. Cass and I travelled through France together so she's been to Le Puy-en-Velay as well.”

“Oh that's so good.” Antoine began speaking animatedly. The three of them became engaged in a conversation that excluded Edward.

He sat on the couch and sipped his wine, only half listening to their prattle. He envied their overseas travels. Somehow it had never been an option for him. His parents had needed him at the winery. Every uni holiday and then as soon as he was finished he was at Wriggly Creek. Since his parents had died there had been even less opportunity. Peter had at least done a vintage overseas.
Edward was determined he would make the trip to China later in the year. Especially if the connection with Mr Zhu worked out.

He drained his glass and refilled it. Finally Peter arrived and Taylor flew into a panic because she hadn't made the gravy. Antoine went to shower and Peter joined Edward on the couch while Taylor and Cass finished preparing the meal.