Unbound - Rachel's Story
Copyright© 2025 by A Kiwi Guy
Chapter 30
Rachel wheeled over to her mother, and took her hand. In tears she blurted out:
“I love you, Mum. That took a lot of courage.”
Then, looking at Jarvis, she added:
“And thank you, Jarvis, for your kind words. I think we’re seeing the start of a healing here that will go a long way. Can I give you a hug?”
“Most assuredly, my niece-to-be,” he responded. By this time, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.
Caroline was loath to break the atmosphere, but her practical nature came to the fore.
“Unfortunately, I detect smells coming from the kitchen that demand attention. Matt, will you come and give me a hand? Geordie, will you go hunt out a big box of tissues? And maybe find something that will make a very appropriate celebration toast with our meal?” After issuing her instructions, she rapidly wheeled herself to the kitchen, followed by Matt.
Left to themselves, Jarvis, Pauline and Rachel pulled chairs into a circle to catch up on the missing years. Jarvis related that after Pauline vanished from his life, for many years he found it hard to form a significant attachment with another woman. Eventually, he married a woman five years his senior, which was more of a convenience marriage than a love match. However, they did care for each other, and all in all it was more satisfactory than some relationships they were familiar with that burned and then flamed out.
“Sadly, Sheila died of cancer five years ago. I mourned her and felt very empty when she passed. We had no children, and I threw myself into my work to fill the gaps. By this time, I was the business manager of a farm consultancy, so there was no shortage of work, which involved a lot of socialising. I started drinking too much, and was getting close to a dark precipice. Thankfully, a close mate bailed me up and told me in no uncertain terms that if I didn’t change, I was going to burn out in a drunken heap. He took me to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, and then kept me company as I began the journey into sobriety. If he hadn’t, I’m not sure I would have made it. That, and the AA 12 steps, which start with recognising that we need a higher power. That higher power is now the guiding light of my life, which is why I have no difficulty in forgiving you, Pauline.”
Pauline’s hands tightened around the shredded tissue she was holding. Hearing of Sheila brought an unexpected pang — not jealousy, but a sorrowful gratitude that Jarvis had at least known some measure of companionship in the years when she herself had felt so alone. The mention of a “higher power” made her throat constrict. She had never dared frame her own groping prayers in such terms, yet the words rang strangely true.
In the brief lull, Geordie re-entered, having thankfully found a very large box of tissues, because they were needed in abundance. He set it down with a wry grin. “I thought the giant economy size might be called for.”
The humour cracked the tension just enough for everyone to laugh through damp eyes. Pauline dabbed at her eyes, though the tissues were quickly disintegrating under the strain. “I had no idea you went through all that, Jarvis,” she whispered. “I thought I was the only one who came out of the wreckage battered.”
“We all carry wreckage,” Jarvis replied gently. “The miracle is when it gets turned into ballast instead of sinking us.”
His words began to still Pauline’s emotional turmoil.
She had braced for condemnation, not kindness. Every accusation she thought he could fling at her was cracking, and faint seeds of hope were starting to germinate.
A quiet reflection settled in the room for several minutes, until Caroline appeared in the doorway with hands on hips.
“Honestly, you lot — do you think the table’s going to lay itself? Dinner’s practically on the verge of being served!”
Her mock exasperation was accompanied by a broad grin, and it was the perfect signal for the evening to move into a new phase. Everyone jumped to attention, chairs were straightened, and cutlery laid. Matt carried in an aromatic leg of lamb, while Caroline wheeled a tray of roast vegetables and a rich gravy boat. Geordie triumphantly produced a bottle of sparkling grape juice he’d unearthed and uncorked it with a flourish.
The heartfelt grace that followed took on fresh meaning, each silently aware of the significance of the occasion.
Jarvis, having received only sketchy outlines from his sister over the past month, was keen to learn more about how Rachel and Matt’s relationship had developed. The tale took some time to relate, with Jarvis interrupting now and then to shake his head or laugh in disbelief. From there, the conversation naturally morphed into wedding plans.
“Neither of us wants a long engagement,” Rachel said, her eyes bright. “So we’re thinking of tying the knot on Canterbury Anniversary Day — which of course is a Friday holiday.”
“That gives us a long-weekend start to our honeymoon,” Matt added.
Pauline raised her eyebrows. “That doesn’t give us very long to plan everything — and it’s complicated with me being in Ashburton.”
“I don’t see that as an issue,” Caroline interposed. “We can communicate easily on WhatsApp. You just tell us what you need done, and we’ll sort it.”
Rachel leaned forward, almost bubbling over. “We don’t think much needs to be done. Matt and I want a simple wedding — no frills. My friend Sarah’s offered to make my dress — she’s a brilliant seamstress. She put together my ball gown for the para dancing debut, remember?”
“One of the guys in our Sunday fellowship group is a licensed celebrant,” Matt put in. “And he loves the idea of marrying us in a park. No cost. Canterbury Anniversary weekend usually brings warm weather. Hire a few chairs, a floral arch — bingo, we’ve got an outdoor church.”
“We’re thinking of Spreydon Domain,” Rachel continued. “It has the river as a backdrop, and the hall next door can be hired for the reception. All we need to organise is caterers. And I thought about asking Godmama to make the cake.”
The couple were on a roll, leaving their parents momentarily flabbergasted.
“I can see you’ve already put a lot of thought into this,” Caroline managed.
“It didn’t take much, honest,” Rachel replied. “We’re looking at a small guest list. And the set-up will be perfect for my Monday night class from the Linwood Community Centre. Some of them have disabilities, and indoor venues can be tricky. They’ll be totally at ease outside.”
“Sounds like our work is going to be rather easy,” Pauline said with a wry smile at Caroline.
Rachel laughed. “Don’t worry — we’ve still got a list of things for you two mums to oversee.”
Caroline’s eyes lit up with sudden inspiration. “Pauline, I’m sure you don’t want to carry all the oversight on your own. You’re the bride’s mother, but Geordie and I would love to be part of the team. The week before will be hectic, no matter what our two hopefuls claim. How about you camp up here with us that week? That way we can conspire properly, and we won’t be outnumbered if things need doing.”
Pauline blinked at the unexpected suggestion. For a moment, she felt off balance — but then she realised the gift in it. To be asked in, rather than left on the fringe, was a new and very welcome feeling. She nodded, warmed.
“Yes. Yes, I’d like that very much.”
...
By the time the broad outline of preparations had been gone over – and then gone over again – the topic was fairly exhausted. Everyone was beginning to flag.
“It’s time to hit the sack,” Geordie declared, stretching. “I’m thinking that with a good forecast, tomorrow would be a good day for another family cross-country trek.”
Pauline flinched a little at the idea. The thought of heading out on a long ride, given her very limited experience, felt daunting. Caroline caught the reaction and grinned.
“It’s okay, Pauline. ‘Trek’ is a rather grandiose word for what Geordie has in mind. We understand your hesitation, but it’s really just a gentle amble through some woodland, with a stop for a picnic at the turnaround point. We’ll make sure you aren’t out of your depth, and you’ll have one of the placid ponies — she’ll keep you safe.”
Pauline exhaled, the tension in her shoulders easing.
“And I’ll ride with you,” offered Jarvis. “It’s been a while since I was in the saddle, but you don’t forget the essentials. My butt might complain, but it’ll manage.”
The unexpected gallantry made Pauline laugh, and with only slight hesitation, she agreed.
Before long, the four “oldies” had retired to their respective rooms, leaving Rachel and Matt curled together on the couch in the lounge.
“That has been some evening,” Matt said quietly. “Did you know any of that story between your mum and Uncle Jarvis?”
“I only heard vague hints from time to time,” Rachel admitted. “Mum never wanted to talk about it — too painful. What a shock for her, for both of them, to come face to face today.” She shifted in his arms and pulled him down for a lingering kiss.
“But what an amazing result,” she murmured. “Tonight has shown me a whole new side of Mum. When I followed her to the bedroom, she confided things I’d never heard before. Not all of it has come out, and maybe it doesn’t need to. But her steel to face up to the issue like that, and ask for forgiveness ... I’m in awe.”
Matt brushed a strand of hair back from her face. “And his willingness to offer that forgiveness — that was very precious. I don’t think we’ve seen the end of it, either.”
“Oh? What do you mean?”
“While you and our mums were deep in wedding details, I noticed Jarvis’ gaze never left your mum. It was as if he was trying to swallow her with his eyes. I think there’s more to play out yet in that quarter.”
...
The next day lived up to the forecast — soft blue sky, a light breeze, and a high of 19 degrees promised. Geordie, an inveterate early riser, initially chafed at the lateness of nearly everyone to breakfast. The first to appear was Jarvis, and Geordie couldn’t resist trying to learn more of his brother-in-law’s story.
“You heard the backbone of it last night,” Jarvis said, spooning muesli and fruit into his bowl. “I was a mess for a long time after Pauline submitted to that scoundrel’s overtures. It punched me in the guts. Guess I was naïve, but I thought we were set for a storybook happy ending.
“But last night brought something home to me. In all the pain, I’d really only considered myself. I didn’t think about what agonies she might have been going through. When she collapsed, it hit hard. She was as much a victim as me. In some ways more, because I was only hurt emotionally. She was hit in every way possible — left with a paraplegic daughter, a pittance of alimony, and having to battle through for Rachel’s sake. That took a lot of guts. That is some woman.”
“She has succeeded brilliantly. Rachel is testimony to that,” Geordie said quietly.
Jarvis swallowed hard. “Sheila not being able to conceive — we adjusted to that. But meeting Rachel was another punch.” He stared down at the table for a long moment. “She could have been my daughter,” he whispered.
“Well, you are about to have the privilege of having her as your niece,” Geordie offered gently.
“That’s a consolation at least.”
“Of course, there’s another possibility,” Geordie said mischievously.
“What do you mean?” Jarvis looked up.
“Oh, nothing. Just a naughty thought.” Geordie tried to backtrack.
It was a good thing the remainder of the family trooped in at that point, saving them both from embarrassment.
“Whew!” muttered Geordie. “Saved by the bell.”
After breakfast, Geordie, Matt and Jarvis headed out to saddle the horses while the three women tidied and prepared the picnic. The load was divided into six parcels so no packhorse was needed, and by eleven o’clock, everything was ready.
Matt and Rachel led off, with Pauline and Jarvis — the least experienced — riding in the middle. Although Rachel had travelled the trail previously, there was still plenty new for her to absorb, and with every pace she found a growing delight in Trixie and the changing landscape. Pauline, nervous at first, needed time to adjust to the pony’s gait. But Jarvis’s quiet encouragement and small tips steadied her, and gradually she relaxed into the rhythm. Conversation at first was stilted, the cloud of the previous evening still hovering, but as the track wound between pines and pasture, they began bringing each other up to date on their lives, drifting into gentle reminiscences of early days — by unspoken agreement avoiding painful topics.
The return journey after the picnic was not delayed; Jarvis and Pauline both wanted to leave time for the drive home before dark. After a short afternoon tea back at the house, Pauline — wanting space to process the weekend — carried her cup out onto the patio. She had barely settled when Jarvis quietly joined her.
“This has been an amazing weekend,” he said.
“Would you have backed out if you’d known what was to happen?” she asked, watching the steam curl from her cup.
He reflected for a moment. “No. This wasn’t a time for running away. There were things we both had to face, and we couldn’t have been placed in a better spot to do that. At least, that’s how it seems to me.”
“Me also. I tried to ignore the pain for so long, it’s not surprising it burst out with such a vengeance. But short and sharp was ultimately better.”
“Are we through that now?”