The Peppercorn Project by Nicki Edwards Page A

his lesson, and I’m sure he has.’
    ‘But the interview? You didn’t get to finish,’ he said, his brow deeply furrowed.
    ‘It’s okay. Leah sorted out another time with her sister. We’re going back for a second interview shortly.’ Isabelle glanced at her wristwatch. ‘Actually, in half an hour. We should eat a little quicker.’
    ‘You’ve got plenty of time,’ Leah assured her.
    Matthew looked relieved. ‘I’m glad. I thought I’d stuffed up the whole thing for you.’
    Isabelle shrugged. ‘No need to keep apologising. Instead, you could say a prayer they won’t think badly of Fletcher when I go back in there.’
    Leah placed her hand on Isabelle’s arm. ‘It’s fine. Rachel will understand, I promise.’

Chapter 9
    Twenty minutes later Isabelle walked back through the doors of the church hall, fighting the urge to run in the opposite direction. She ran her tongue over her lips to moisten them. It was hard to look everyone in the eye a second time around.
    ‘Hi,’ she said softly.
    ‘Hello.’ Alison smiled. ‘Let’s pretend we’re meeting for the first time. I’m Alison Monahan. It’s lovely to meet you.’
    Jack reached out his hand. ‘G’day love. I’m Jack O’Rourke. This here is Rachel King. Come and take a seat and tell us why you want to move to Stony Creek and become part of our community.’
    Isabelle sat carefully on the edge of the wooden chair. The air conditioner clanked in the background. She flicked a grateful smile from Alison to Jack to Rachel.
    ‘My name is Isabelle Cassidy. I have two children. Fletcher is twelve and Mietta is six. We’re from Torquay, in Victoria.’ Taking a deep breath, she continued, her voice wavering slightly. ‘We want to be part of the Peppercorn Project because I lost my husband earlier this year. He had a heart attack. He didn’t have any life insurance, and because we have no savings, I can’t afford our mortgage. I’d love to get back on my feet, and I don’t just mean financially. This seemed like an incredible opportunity. Not only do we get reduced rent, we get the chance to become part of a real community. A community where no one knows us. We’re tired of everyone looking at us and feeling sorry for us all the time.’
    She let out a long breath. It wasn’t the most eloquent of speeches, but it was the best she could do. Leather soles scraped once across the wooden floor. Alison was the first to speak.
    ‘I’m so sorry for your loss,’ Alison said.
    ‘It must be hard for you,’ Rachel added.
    ‘Yes, it is, but each day gets a little easier,’ Isabelle replied.
    That wasn’t true – not by a long shot – but it was what people wanted to hear. Isabelle had discovered people didn’t understand when she tried to explain the face-tingling numbness which lasted for weeks after Dan’s death. They didn’t understand how she had barely slept for nearly three months. They didn’t understand about the heart-racing anxiety attacks she continued to have. Or how, now, nine months later, there were still some days it was hard to get out of bed and function like a normal person. No one seemed to understand any of it.
    ‘It sounds to me like you could use our help,’ Jack said.
    Everything blurred in front of Isabelle as hot tears welled in her eyes. She nodded.
    ‘Tell us about your nursing experience,’ Rachel said.
    Isabelle dabbed at her wet lashes with a tissue. This was where they had gotten to in the interview before Matt had dragged Fletcher inside.
    ‘I’m not currently working,’ Isabelle said.
    ‘Why?’ Rachel asked.
    ‘I’ve let my registration lapse. I didn’t have the money to pay for it since I’m not working, and I figure I don’t need it right now.’
    ‘It is difficult to re-register?’ Rachel asked.
    ‘No, but I’m not sure if I’m cut out for nursing anymore,’ Isabelle said.
    ‘Why?’ Rachel asked, frowning.
    Isabelle sucked in a deep breath. That was another thing no one seemed to