Fiona has developed a minor crush on Harriet after ending a long term relationship with Robert, but she still finds the idea of being with a woman a little strange despite her curiosity. However when a police investigation is launched into one of her colleagues at school Fiona is drawn deeper into her world.
Author's note: In Australia the DPP is the Department for Public Prosecutions, it's the Australian version of the District Attorney's office.
That following week saw a few minor changes. I started learning a new program although it was a slow process because Harriet was also learning it and because she was teaching me how to use it we were effectively learning it together. This made for a few laughs and quite a few frustrated groans as we had to delete files and start over although Harriet seemed to pick it up faster than me.
Another small change was getting to know Pritti even though I only met her once that week when she came over with some leftover food for Harriet. I just happened to be there when she popped in and seeing what we were trying to accomplish intrigued her. Her upbringing had been a mix of liberal values fighting against traditional values. For her, the mere fact she could just drop in and learn without having to ask permission from a man was a blessing. I did notice though that whilst Harriet gave off certain tells in her presence she wasn't about to take it further.
"Let's just say that sometimes it's best you don't get what you wish for. Pritti is sweet and loyal but I think I'd be hard pressed to maintain a relationship because of her background."
That was a relief to me and that brings me to my next change, which wasn't so small in hindsight. I was slowly reorienting myself to orbit around Harriet to the point that when a male colleague did ask me out on the Thursday I managed to put it forward a couple of weeks, citing tiredness and the need to focus on work. When I told Harriet about it that night she merely smiled and shrugged.
"So, you're free for Saturday night."
"Ha ha," I replied.
That was on Thursday night and whilst I'd been agreeable to a get together on Saturday night it didn't come off because Harriet had double booked herself and ended up keeping a prior date with an old friend who'd moved to Australia years ago and was down in Melbourne for a festival. That was actually a relief despite my unease about Harriet catching up with an old friend because I was sitting in my sister's backyard when she called to cancel.
"But tomorrow afternoon I'm having a barbecue and you're invited. Gail and Cassie will be there as well and maybe Sarah too."
"Okay," I found myself saying, "I'll um, be there, what time?"
"I'll text you in the morning."
Lynne looked a little bemused when I relayed the news to her.
"So, you and Harriet? I never thought I'd see the day my baby sister would take a walk on the wild side."
"I'm not, you know."
"A lesbian?" Lynne set the tray down, "it wouldn't matter if you were gay, bisexual, or just bloody confused, you're my sister and I know mum would say the same thing."
"Maybe I'm just confused."
"Fine," she handed me another wine, "here's to happy confusion."
I laughed at that but it sounded forced and yet I did concede while I was attracted to her I was having trouble interpreting my feelings for her. Were they sexual or platonic? I sounded as if I was out to sea and searching for familiar landmarks, but one of Lynne's parting comments stayed with me the rest of the night and into the following day.
"If you peel an onion there's tears and there's nothing in the middle. Don't analyse it to death, just go on your gut feeling and take it as it comes. I'm here for you all the same, day and night, every day of the year."
Harriet sent me a text when I was in the shower. The barbecue would start around one and I told her I'd be there and then promptly had a panic attack when I opened my wardrobe. I've got a half decent wardrobe but I couldn't find anything to wear. In the end I went all out and donned a gold, silk blouse with metallic splashes through it, tucked into a pair of white trousers matched with white shoes and a white jacket. Even Gail gave me a second look as I slipped onto the back seat of her car an hour later.
"Jeezo, you really pulled out all the stops, you look like you're about to step out onto the red carpet."
"Ha ha, you'll keep," I muttered, "you think it's too over the top?"
"Hey, it'll do," Gail slipped the gear lever into first.
"Is Sarah coming?"
"She might," Gail glanced at me in the rear view mirror, "she's on duty but if she's able to she'll come around with a couple of other officers, we'll drop in at Safeway and grab some vegetables and a bit of booze."
Harriet looked relaxed as she led us out to the patio. Pritti and her two kids were there as well and she gave me a wave as I neared the barbecue.
"Pritti, meet Gail, Gail meet Pritti," Harriet introduced them, "you look nice," she plucked at the sleeve of my blouse, "where did you buy it?"
"Country Road," I replied.
"Well make yourself at home while Gail and I get busy in the kitchen."
"Do you want a hand?"
"Perish the thought," she slapped me on the arse, "just keep Pritti company."
I winced at that because it took me by surprise but it put a smile on my face as I made my way over to Pritti. She looked a little out of place because the only person she knew really well was Harriet, she had met me once or twice and she'd never met Gail and Cassie. Thus, it was up to me to bring her out of her shell and I did a reasonable job, all things considered. I asked questions about herself and where she'd come from, I've always been fascinated by other cultures and countries. By the time the food was dished up I felt as if I'd learned something about Sri Lanka.
Pritti was separated from her husband but he still maintained that there was hope for reconciliation but that clashed with the no fault divorce laws in Australia whereby a partner can end a marriage without the consent of the other. She or he then has to remain separated for a period of time before applying for the marriage to be dissolved and crucially, it doesn't require the consent of the other party. It was this latter point that was causing problems because she was quite firm in her stance that the marriage was over but he was just as keen to end the separation and go back to the way things were. My advice was just to stand her ground and don't give in.
However in the time I spent with her I didn't detect any hints that she might be considering dipping her feet in the other pool let alone jumping right in but perhaps her appetite was awakened by the appearance of Sarah and two of her colleagues, who were in the area on patrol and just dropped in for a free feed. Sarah looks pretty impressive in uniform but what caught Pritti's eye was seeing that she was the superior officer. When Sarah kissed Gail goodbye some half an hour later I could never have known the effect it would have on her, she did notice that it was that kind of kiss.
The barbecue was pretty much over by about five or so, it was one of those long drawn out things where you keep going back to pick at something else, so I was pretty full by the time everyone started leaving. I stayed despite the fact I'd come with Gail and Cassie because Harriet offered to take me back afterwards. And here's where it got interesting but I have to finish up here and get ready to head out to Harriet's place but I'll write more when I get back.
***
It's been nearly two days since I last sat down to write. I went to Harriet's for dinner and um, ended up staying the night. I had every intention of writing last night after work but Cassie came over for some after school coaching and I had to do my washing, cook dinner and catch up on
Game of Thrones.
I did ask Harriet about that night after the barbecue because it seemed at first that things might very well progress to the horizontal position but her reply was quite illuminating.
"It was tempting but I was also conscious that you had to make the first move otherwise it might just backfire on me in the cold light of day."
So, now I have to go back to what happened after everyone went home, leaving Harriet and I alone together. There was a hint of suggestiveness in the air but neither of us was going to take anything further. We sat under the pergola as the afternoon rain came down just listening to music streamed from an old computer she set up just to stream music and movies. She's connected it to bluetooth speakers, she's got an eclectic range of musical tastes from Enya through to ABBA, AC/DC and Irish folk music. There was a moment when something could have happened, around about half past nine when I looked at my watch and said that perhaps I should call a taxi because I had to work the next day.
"You could crash here," she eyed me over the rim of her glass.
"I could," I murmured, "but where would I sleep?"
"Wherever you want," she smiled slyly, "then again maybe I should just run you home."
