Page 11 of A Vineyard for Two

‘Aunt Georgia, you’re being very cryptic.’

She sat silently for a moment, took a sip of her wine, keeping it to her lips for a moment longer than necessary, as if she was savouring not only the taste but also the aroma before speaking, ‘The last time we were in a room together it was over six years ago. I was much younger, had more energy to deal with everything. But much has changed. You have all changed.’

‘What is going on?’ Zoe said, the concern in her voice growing with each word.

Georgia shook her head. ‘I am old. Old enough to know better, old enough to tell you that all this bickering between siblings has to stop. There is nothing in this world that is reason enough for any of you to be spiteful to each other.’

‘Did we come for a lecture?’

Georgia raised an eyebrow. ‘Zoe, I suggest you reframe your tone.’

‘No one is being spiteful, Aunt Georgia. After six years, we haven’t even gotten an apology.’ Zoe said.

‘Apology?’ Harper noticed her own voice rising. ‘What am I supposed to apologise for? Leaving? Having my own life? Doing what was best for me?’

‘It’s all about you, isn’t it? It doesn’t matter who gets hurt in the process.’

‘The two of you need to stop this,’ Georgia said. ‘What’s important is that we are all here together now.’

Harper noticed Zoe roll her eyes. Brookes looked uncomfortable in his seat, but Georgia wasn’t letting him leave the table. Leo was back with two bottles of wine, standing in the corner waiting for the action to end, while Tyler looked entertained by the conversation. Harper wished she had stayed put. Coming back was a bad idea. She wasn’t expecting a warm reception from her sister, or any of them, really.

‘She’s going to leave as soon as the formalities are over.’

‘I have a life, Zoe. Not everyone wants to stay put forever.’

‘A life? Is that what you call it?’

‘What’s that supposed to mean?’

‘Nothing, nothing at all.’ Zoe grabbed her fork and started eating again.

‘Leo, why don’t you refill everyone’s glasses? I hate for excellent wine to go to waste.’

‘Let me clear the table,’ Brookes said.

‘Sit. I know you’re looking for a way out. Now is not the time. Brookes, this involves you as much as everyone else.’

‘What’s really going on? We’ve all gathered here. You’ve even got Princess Harper to drive three hours in the middle of the night,’ Zoe said.

Georgia smiled, but it was one of those tired smiles. Harper knew the dynamics must have been exhausting for her, and Zoe was being unfair. Not that she had ever expected her sister to take her side or even understand her decision to move. They didn’t have to understand. She had done what felt right at the time.

Leo poured more wine into everyone’s glasses. Harper glanced at Brookes without lingering. He was looking towards Georgia, waiting for her to speak. So were Tyler and Zoe. It was only when Leo returned to his seat that Georgia spoke again.

‘I know it seems like an odd request to have you all here. But this is your home. It will always be a home for every one of you. Leo, Zoe, Tyler, Harper, Brookes.’ Her gaze stayed on Brookes for a moment. ‘You are a part of this family, Brookes. It might not be by blood, but through sweat, tears, love, and loyalty, you are a part of the McGregor’s, whether you like it or not.’

Harper watched her aunt as she spoke, still unsure of why they were all gathered in the house, but she didn’t interrupt her. When Georgia had something to say, people listened.

‘Last year, as you know, Hugh Mathers died in his sleep. Hugh made me the executor of his Will. We’d known each other for years, and he trusted me to ensure that his wishes after his death were met,’ she said. ‘It’s funny how society is more concerned with meeting the wishes of the dead than the living, but that is how our world works.’

She took a sip of wine. Everyone at the table followed suit.

‘What has that got to do with us?’ Tyler asked.

‘Patience, Tyler. I’m getting to that.’

He smiled meekly and leaned back in his chair.

Georgia continued, ‘As the executor of the Will, I have to make sure that his estate is distributed accordingly. Hugh didn’t have a big family, in fact, his family was this town and the people in it. Many thought he was quirky, some stayed away. But Hugh was like family, too. He would have done what was necessary to help every one of you, just like each of you had left a mark on him. Brookes, he was extremely fond of you. Always spoke with pride as if a father might of a son. You see, Hugh didn’t have children. After his wife died, he chose not to remarry. Some say it’s tragic, others romantic. He had one love, and he stayed true to her until his dying breath.

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