The Round Yard

  After an early lunch, he took everyone out on the nearby travelling stock route to have a break from the intensity of the arena activities. To his delight, Sibylla asked if she could ride beside him.

  By the time they’d reached the creek and the horses’ hooves clattered on the rounded pebbles, Sibylla rode in between Freya and Neve. The tension that had stiffened her spine had given way to a more natural posture. But every so often, especially when her horse stumbled, she’d chew on her bottom lip.

  They continued along the stock route and at a clearing dismounted for a break. From his saddlebag he took out apples and shortbread biscuits. Bethany handed out the bottles of water that had filled her saddlebag. While the group relaxed on the tree trunks that framed the grassed area, Tanner’s phone beeped. The horses had needed to climb to reach the elevated clearing which now provided a few bars of phone signal.

  When he saw two messages from his father he opened the first one. He ground his teeth. No wonder his father hadn’t been in touch with Neve. He’d been hospitalised with pneumonia. The concise wording of his message indicated that any inquiries about his health wouldn’t be appreciated. The second message related to information he’d found out about the aircraft engine plate.

  Feeling Neve’s eyes on him, Tanner looked across to where she sat with Freya and Sibylla.

  ‘Everything okay?’ she asked, her apple halfway to her mouth.

  He nodded. As terse as his father could be, the hospital wouldn’t have let him home if his health hadn’t improved. He’d earlier heard Neve filling Freya and Sibylla in on her family mystery so knew it was okay to pass on what his father had discovered.

  ‘He has some news on the engine plate …’ Tanner read out the message. ‘The engine plaque is from a de Havilland plane, but it isn’t a match to the de Havilland Tiger Moths that were used at the flying school.’ Tanner glanced at Neve. ‘He also can’t think of a reason why a different wartime aircraft would have been out this way in 1945.’

  ‘So here’s another thing that doesn’t add up.’ A small frown creased Neve’s brow. ‘The engine plate would have to have belonged to Edward’s plane. There’s no other reason why my grandmother would have kept it.’

  ‘That’s right.’ Tanner checked his phone as another text came in. ‘He’s looking into the possibility that your grandmother’s Edward Jones was involved in some sort of secret mission.’

  ‘See, I said there was something top secret going on,’ Sibylla said with a knowing nod.

  Neve’s frown cleared. ‘That would explain why there’s nothing about what he did during the war or why he was here from the United Kingdom.’

  ‘I love mysteries. Maybe it’s because I can get a little obsessive.’ Freya stood to dust off her jeans. ‘I’m pretty sure one of the boys at school said after the spring floods he and his father fished an old aircraft wing out of a creek somewhere near Shingle Bend.’

  Tanner sent a reply to his father before returning his phone to his shirt pocket. ‘Shingle Bend’s a reserve on another travelling stock route. There’s also what’s left of some Second World War hideaways where wartime planes were hidden. I keep meaning to take a closer look and send photos to my father.’

  Neve came to her feet, having saved her apple core to feed to Jazz. ‘Imagine if that was where Edward’s plane was hidden.’

  Freya’s eyes shone. ‘I’m free either Saturday or Sunday. We could take the horses.’

  Sibylla sighed. ‘Count me out. My nerves wouldn’t survive. But I hope it’s not too long until we can go on some trail rides together.’

  Neve’s gaze rested on him. ‘No one knows the stock routes like you do …’

  He took his time to answer to fool himself that he hadn’t already made the decision to go. He was powerless to pass up an opportunity to spend time with her, even if it was only for a day and even if it was the last thing he should be doing. At least if Freya came, there’d be three of them.

  ‘Okay. I’ll drive. We can take my horse truck.’

  CHAPTER

  15

  ‘Have a great weekend. See you Monday.’ Neve hugged Maya, savouring the tightness of her embrace. The first week of Maya and Kait being back had passed in a flurry of pink glitter, cake baking and pony rides.

  ‘Me too.’ Kait jumped up and down. Her tiny boots thumped on the veranda floorboards. ‘I want a hug.’

  The fortnight away had been kind to the girls and to Graham. Building sandcastles, swimming in the waves and strolling along the beach had added a healthy glow to their skin. Maya and Kait even seemed to have grown. Graham’s smile still could appear strained, but the weariness that had lined and thinned his face had diminished.

  Neve loosened her hold on Maya, who moved to take her father’s hand where he stood on the top step. Kait launched herself into Neve’s arms. She bent to hold the three-year-old close. The girls used a berry kids’ shampoo and they always smelled of fruity sweetness.

  ‘I’ll see you Monday too,’ Neve said against Kait’s ear.

  The softness of Kait’s red curls tickled Neve’s cheek as the little girl nodded.

  ‘Enjoy your ride out at Shingle Bend,’ Graham said before he turned with the girls to walk along the garden path.

  Neve blew each little redhead a kiss as they looked back at her. ‘I will.’

  When all that remained visible of Graham’s four-wheel drive was the faint glow of tail-lights, she returned inside. The days were getting shorter and the evenings possessed a distinct winter chill. The forecasted weather now contained more references to cloud and rain than sunshine and clear skies. The broad leaves of the ornamental grape alongside the house were no longer a summer green but instead a deep purple and russet red.

  Over in the orchard Dell and Bassie stood together near the lemon tree. In the paddock behind the round yard, Neve could make out Jazz’s grey shape near the fence line. The girls had helped to feed the two horses and donkey and to put on their rugs. Bassie continued to behave beautifully around Maya and Kait. It was only when Neve put on his rug that he would think about walking off mid-buckle.

  As she entered the farm house, the heat from the fire in the living room warmed her. She made her way to the toy corner where she scooped up the picture books that had fallen off the bookshelf and returned the plastic tea set to the container shaped like a teapot. After two weeks of having a too-tidy home, the farmhouse again felt lived in.

  But after a fortnight of silence she also now looked forward to a quiet evening after the girls had gone. No longer did she fill every moment of her alone time to make it go faster. Now she appreciated having nothing planned and no urgent to-do list. She was learning to let life happen and to value her own company.

  She was now onto her second scarf and Fliss had given her some tips to help her trace Edward Jones’s family tree. She’d discovered one of his younger sisters was alive and living in the United Kingdom. The next step was to confirm her address.

  She placed another log on the fire and was turning on her laptop when her mobile rang. She answered the call and settled herself on the lounge. It was Ella and she hadn’t spoken to the vet for a week.

  ‘Hi, stranger.’

  ‘Hi. How’s our donkey mother-to-be?’

  ‘Going well. Are you sure she isn’t having twins?’

  Ella laughed. ‘I’m sure. She would have had a foal before, that’s why she’s not as trim, taut and terrific as she was. How’s Bassie?’

  ‘He’s been very well-behaved, which makes me suspicious. We’ve been riding every day, except this week when we lost a couple of days thanks to the rain.’

  ‘Tanner still giving the girls lessons?’

  Neve wasn’t sure, but there could have been curiosity in Ella’s question.

  ‘Not since he went droving as he’s been busy helping Denham get ready for the wedding. He’s hoping to fit one in next week.’

  ‘It’s good he’s back. Even though with all the social media fuss I bet he wishes he
wasn’t. Yes, I think they’ve been stick picking and slashing. Getting married in a paddock isn’t as fuss-free as it sounds.’

  ‘I’m sure it isn’t. Glamping will be so much fun though.’

  ‘It will be. Before I forget, there’s plenty of room for Sibylla to sit with us at the picnic races.’

  Ella had booked a track-side private table that came with a gourmet lunchtime hamper.

  ‘Wonderful. I’ll let her know. When I moved here, I had no idea my social life would be so hectic.’

  ‘It will quieten down over winter so that’s even more of a reason to make the most of what’s on now. What are you doing this weekend?’

  ‘Tomorrow Freya and I are going with Tanner to somewhere called Shingle Bend.’

  ‘Are you now?’

  This time Neve had no trouble hearing the curiosity in Ella’s words.

  ‘We’re taking the horses and looking at the aircraft hideaways. Would you like to come?’

  ‘I would, but I’m on call so will be working. Have a lovely day out.’

  ‘Will do. Are we still meeting at your place before the races?’

  ‘Yes. I hope you’re not allergic to hairspray? Taylor’s offered to do our hair. Needless to say, Fliss said she’d think about it.’

  Neve smiled. Fliss and Taylor had a long-running joke about what Fliss saw as the hairdresser’s hairspray obsession. ‘Taylor styling our hair will be a treat. I’d better let you go. You could be in for a busy weekend.’

  ‘Yes, I’d best have an early night. There’s a mare due to foal and no doubt I’ll get a pre-dawn phone call.’

  ‘Hope you’re not up too early. See you next Saturday.’

  Neve ended the call. She should have an early night too as Tanner would be there first thing to pick up Jazz. But the flutter in her stomach and the kick in her pulse at the thought of seeing him tomorrow didn’t give her any hope that sleep would be easy to come by.

  As arranged, Tanner arrived while the dew was still wet and Neve’s breaths formed delicate white clouds. The garden kookaburras gave a sleepy cackle and the seed pods on the golden robinia rattled in the stiff breeze as she led Jazz from her paddock to the horse truck. Bassie trotted along the fence line to check out what was happening. Dell stayed near the lemon tree, and after an inquisitive look went back to sleeping.

  Neve waved at Freya, who sat in the passenger seat. Tanner greeted Neve with a smile before he reached for Jazz’s lead rope. The mare nuzzled his sleeve.

  This morning he wore a heavy navy jacket with his usual jeans and boots and his head was bare.

  ‘Cold enough for you?’ he asked, his breaths turning white.

  Neve rubbed her icy hands together to give herself something to do besides staring. It had been another week since she’d seen him and missing him had become an almost physical ache.

  ‘It is. Jack Frost will have to be visiting soon. I’ll grab my backpack and will be right to go. Patch not coming with us today?’

  ‘No, he’s stayed behind to help Phil move cattle.’

  She should turn to leave but instead she stayed still. This perhaps would be the only time they’d be alone. ‘Thanks for doing this.’

  ‘No worries. How was your week with the girls being back?’

  ‘Busy but fun. How was yours?’

  ‘Busy but not always so fun … Denham and I had our last suit fitting and Fliss handed us a colour-coded five-page to-do list.’

  Neve smiled. ‘I can only imagine. I can’t believe that the wedding is only two weeks away. I told Fliss to make sure she gave me some jobs to do too.’

  He nodded, his gaze holding hers. ‘She said you offered to help and has us working together on a few things … if this isn’t okay let me know.’

  She searched his features for a sign as to whether this was good or bad, but his expression revealed nothing.

  ‘I don’t mind … if you don’t.’

  Something flared in his eyes but was quickly doused. ‘I don’t.’

  ‘Great.’ Then knowing that her own face would reveal just how much she didn’t mind, she turned away. ‘I’d better get my backpack before frostbite sets in.’

  With her bag stowed and the heat of the horse truck cabin thawing her fingers and toes, Neve sat back and relaxed for the drive to the reserve. The early-morning shadows gave way to clear daylight as the clouds lifted and the day warmed.

  Tanner caught up to an old Hilux, not quite doing the speed limit. In the back rode a gold-and-white border collie. The dog, chained in the middle, went from one side of the trayback to the other. His doggy grin widened as he barked at a passing car.

  ‘Someone’s enjoying the ride,’ Freya said, a smile in her voice.

  The Hilux put on its blinker to turn into a farm gateway. A second dog popped up its head.

  ‘There can’t be any more in there.’ Neve hadn’t finished speaking when a third dog, a kelpie, appeared. All three dogs barked as Tanner drove by.

  The road ahead again stretched in an empty ribbon-straight line.

  Tanner slowed before turning to follow a dirt track that led towards the river. When the bush opened up into a large clearing, Tanner continued along to a second smaller clearing. Red, blue and yellow flashed as eastern rosellas left the fence they’d been perched on.

  ‘Shingle Bend’s popular for swimming and fishing, but not as many people drive this far in so we should have this place to ourselves,’ Tanner said as he parked in the shade of a grey box tree.

  ‘I can see why it’s popular.’ Neve stared out the window at the sandy curve of the riverbank that resembled a beach. With its unhurried flow and deep waterholes, this section of the river was scenic as well as accessible. High on the opposite steep bank, a line of sticks and debris marked the level of the spring floodwater that had revealed the aircraft wing.

  They left the horse truck to unload the horses. Jazz and Liberty strolled down the ramp, their ears flickering and eyes curious. Arrow pranced out, unimpressed he’d been inside for so long.

  The horses were soon saddled and saddlebags filled. By now the sun had chased away the winter chill and jackets had been discarded.

  ‘It’s going to be such a nice day,’ Freya said as she settled into Liberty’s saddle.

  Neve only nodded. She’d led Jazz over to a rock that was the right height to help her get onto the mare. In the grass beside her, she heard a click before something small and brown hit the side of her boot.

  As she stared, another locust flitted from one grass clump to another. Across the clearing, she caught more movement as tiny bodies flew out of Tanner and Arrow’s way. While she wouldn’t call this a swarm, there were enough locusts to make her worry about her garden if they migrated her way. She climbed into the saddle and headed Jazz over to where Tanner and Freya waited for her.

  She snuck a sideways glance at Tanner. She’d never get tired of seeing him on a horse. Even with his shoulders relaxed and his forearms resting on the front of his stock saddle, he projected an impression of power and capability. It would only take a split second for him and Arrow to explode into action. No wonder Cressy said they were campdrafting champions.

  Tanner led the way along the shaded track that followed the river and then veered inland. Neve caught the scent of honey and heard the buzz of bees. There had to be a nearby beehive in a tree hollow.

  She patted Jazz’s neck as some swamp wallabies bounded through the wattle trees to their left. But the mare wasn’t concerned. Her stride had a youthful swing and her grey ears were relaxed and forward. Tanner wasn’t the only one to enjoy being out on the long paddock.

  After riding deeper into the bush, Tanner stopped at what looked like a pair of post stumps. ‘There’s not much left of this first hideaway.’ He snapped some pictures on his phone. ‘These posts supported a camouflage canopy that would have concealed the planes from the air.’

  Neve also took some pictures. ‘I wouldn’t have given these stumps a second look.’

  �
�I wouldn’t have either.’ Freya rode closer to study the post near her.

  They continued on and this time Neve would have mistaken the hideaway for a tangled disused fence. Bundles of rusted wire were coiled in a pile and choked with hairy panic grass.

  Tanner nodded towards a tree to the left. ‘Here the wire mesh supporting the camouflage netting would have been strung between the tree and the post. The plane would have been parked on this horseshoe-shaped patch of gravel.’

  Neve studied Tanner as he dismounted to take photos. The fact that he was so knowledgeable about the hideaways proved how much he’d tried to find common ground with his father. She hoped through their conversations about Edward Jones that a new beginning could be brokered between them.

  She too left the saddle. Jazz followed her as she walked over to the post in line with the tree. Neve pressed her fingertips against the rough, weathered wood. The post had been buried deep in the red earth at a time of profound turmoil and unrest. How many young men had stood where she was and, stomach tight, scanned the sky. Had Edward been here while her grandmother had waited for him at their home?

  She closed her eyes. So many lives lost. So many families fractured. So many relationships ripped apart just like her beloved grandmother’s.

  ‘Neve?’ Tanner’s deep voice sounded close by.

  She opened her eyes. ‘It feels so real.’

  ‘It does.’ His arm lifted. She thought he was going to cover her hand that rested on the post with his, but then he stepped away. ‘The day’s heating up. It might be an idea to head to the river for an early lunch?’

  She nodded and with a last look at the hideaway returned to Jazz’s saddle. Tanner rode alongside her. When the conversation turned from the sadness of war to the promise of weddings, he and Arrow continued on ahead.

  The closer they rode to the river the louder the screech of the cockatoos congregated in the treetops. The hot sun on her shoulders was soon replaced by the cool of shade as they wound their way through the red river gums.

  Just like where they’d left the horse truck, the riverbank gave way to a thin sandy beach. Arrow had already negotiated the steep slope and had his head down drinking in the shallows. Neve reined in Jazz to let Liberty and Freya go first. She waited until they’d reached the water’s edge before following. One minute Jazz was picking her way down the bank. The next minute she’d stumbled and Neve was falling.