‘What’s up, Jim?’ she asked, struggling to stay polite.
‘You’d better not stuff it up, girl,’ he answered, his eyes narrowed. ‘I’m well aware of your history. You should know that I was against you getting this position.’
As if I didn’t know already! she wanted to shout. Several committee members had whispered in her ear about how she’d been elected, all with varying degrees of glee. It had been so good to know she had Anne’s and Pip’s support, as well as Gus’s. Not so good to know about Jim and all the others. At least she had Cappa onside now.
Jim leaned towards her and pointed a finger in her face. ‘I’m putting you on notice. You stuff up, everyone will know about it.’
Amelia’s stomach squirmed, but she couldn’t let him see that. ‘I’ll do my very best not to, then.’
‘You think you’re clever with all this Face-whatsit and interview stuff, but we’ll have to see an increase on the night to make any of it worthwhile. I hope you understand that.’
‘Loud and clear.’
Jim moved off with one last sharp look.
Blowing out her breath, Amelia turned her attention back to the trough. While that gasbag had been talking, the water had drained out, and now she had to scrub the scum from the cement. She didn’t want any of the hardened committee members thinking she would shirk a job. She’d known all along that Jim would be watching her like a hawk, happy to find an excuse to complain. And Kev, too, as he was Jim’s best mate. In fact, she’d caught Kev looking through the bank statements recently, so she was sure he was checking up on her.
She was concentrating so intently on her task that she didn’t hear Anne come up behind her. When she felt a hand in the middle of her back, she jumped a little, then relaxed when she turned to see Anne’s kind smile.
‘Hi, Milly. Looks like you’re showing that trough who’s boss.’
Amelia stretched her back. ‘Hi, Anne. We both know I’ve still got something to prove. How goes it?’
‘Fine, and you?’
‘Everything’s getting so close, but I’m pretty sure I’ve got it all in hand.’
Anne leaned up against the trough and assessed her. ‘The media coverage has been great. Are the entry fees coming in?’
Amelia nodded. ‘There’re only two teams that haven’t paid yet and I’m expecting their monies to come through any day. I only checked the bank statement today, not internet banking, so it might even be sitting there.’
‘Great. And the cash float, all sorted?’
Amelia knew that Anne’s intervention with the committee had been one of the deciding factors in her becoming treasurer, so she wasn’t offended by the close questioning. Unlike Jim and Kev, Anne was helping. ‘I’ve put in an order with the bank, but would you mind having a look at what I’ve asked for? I went off last year’s float, but I’ve got a feeling this year is going to be bigger and I’d hate to run out of anything. We’ve certainly got more riders coming from interstate.’
‘Sure. And the prize money?’
‘I’ve signed the cheques already, and Gus just has to counter-sign on the night. They’re in the safe.’
‘Anything else you need a hand with?’
Amelia shook her head slowly as she ran over her mental list. ‘No, I don’t think so.’ She paused, then said with a half-smile, ‘I’m just really trying not to muck it up. You know, it was hard to come back here after being away for so long. And even after all this time, I still get the feeling that what I was like as a kid goes in front of me. So this is me trying to prove to everyone that I’m not as bad as I was back then.’
‘None of us are,’ said Anne, rubbing her hands on her jeans. ‘You’re just what we need at the moment and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. So where’s the float list? In the safe?’
‘Yep.’ Amelia scuffed the broom against a couple of stubborn spots of algae.
‘I’ll get back to you soon if I think we need any changes. Good luck with everything! Catch you later.’
Amelia gave Anne a grateful smile before the older woman walked away. Then, as she moved on to the next trough, Amelia let her thoughts drift. She was different to the teenager she’d been, wasn’t she? She’d accomplished so much since then. But after what Jim had said, it was hard to focus on what she’d achieved. Instead, her head was flooded with all of her mistakes. Thinking about the day she’d babysat little Henry Marshall, she shuddered.
Saving up to buy her dream dress for the Year Twelve formal, Amelia had become the queen of odd jobs around Torrica: car-washing, mowing lawns, babysitting, whatever people would trust her to do. Henry’s mum had asked her to watch him for two hours while she slipped over to Barker and did a big shop. It shouldn’t have been difficult: Henry was a sweet, happy three-year-old, quick to smile and laugh—but also quick on his feet, which Amelia didn’t realise until it was too late. After spending the first half an hour feeding him bread and vegemite, cleaning his fingers and face, and playing in the sandpit, Amelia had put him in the lounge room to watch Play School while she studied for a maths test.
Lost in the formulas and figures, she hadn’t heard Henry slip out the front door, and it took a while before she realised he’d gone. The fear that had shot through her was like nothing she’d ever felt. She’d run outside like a mad woman, screaming Henry’s name as she bolted down the street. Thankfully, she’d found him in the playground around the corner. When Mary Marshall had come home, Amelia had tearfully confessed what had happened, and even though Henry was unhurt and as happy as ever, it didn’t keep Mary from gossiping about the incident. It had added to everyone’s thoughts that ditzy Milly Bennett was not at all responsible.
‘I’m not like that now,’ Amelia muttered, scrubbing away. ‘I’m not.’
By the time she moved on to the last trough, she realised the grounds had grown quiet. The tractor was standing still in the middle of the arena, and Gus and Cappa were deep in conversation. There was a fire truck off to the side, which meant the ground was about to be watered again; in the two weeks leading up to the event, the ring was watered or ‘scarified’. There was a real trick to getting the dirt just right, but Cappa seemed to have it down pat after all these years: soft and smooth, no pot-holes.
Then Amelia noticed Kev and Jim, standing near one of the spotlights. They were watching her. She straightened up and kept her eyes on them. If they were going to try and intimidate her, she wanted to give it right back to them. When they glanced away quickly, she smirked and got back to work. She screwed the bung in and let the float down so that the clean, fresh water could run back into the trough.
Finished! Casting her eyes over the troughs, Amelia smiled and knew she’d done a good job. That prompted a surge of pride in herself and everything she’d accomplished. She knew that people in Torrica had been surprised when she’d decided to study commerce at uni, even her parents’ friends who thought they knew her well. Everyone—including her own mother—had been even more surprised when she’d passed with honours. Nobody seemed to understand that when she looked at figures, nothing else existed; every mistake she’d made didn’t matter when she was working with them. They entranced her. They made sense.
If she was to succeed here, Amelia knew she couldn’t let any little thing go wrong again. Straightening up, she put her shoulders back and rearranged her face into a look of determination. Nothing was going to stop her from proving to everyone in the Torrica/Barker region that she was a hardworking and responsible person.
Chapter 5
‘Can you keep a secret?’ Amelia grinned at her Aunty Kim, knowing it was a silly question. No matter what Natalie said about her sister, the truth was that Kim had always been a vault.
Kim threw a tea-towel over her shoulder and rolled her eyes, putting her hands on the generous curves of her hips. ‘Exactly how many years have I been keeping your secrets?’
‘Just the whole of my life.’ Amelia put lettuce and tomato on the steak sandwich Kim was cooking for a customer, then reached for
the barbecue sauce. ‘Cheese and beetroot?’
‘Beetroot, but no cheese.’ Natalie would have chided Amelia for not looking at the order form, but Kim didn’t fuss. ‘Anyway, what’s so confidential that nobody can know?’ She flipped the thin piece of steak, piled bacon, egg and onions on top of it, and then transferred it to the piece of toasted bread waiting on the bench. She was grinning. ‘Remember when you had your first kiss and I promised not to tell anyone? And when you wagged boarding school, took the tram down to the sea and hung out with that bloke who was far too old and scary for you?’
‘Oh my God, yeah! You know, he ran one of the rides at the show.’
Kim winced and nodded. ‘I was horrified, but pleased you’d told me.’
‘Well, he was weird. Can’t believe I did that. I remember he kept saying, “You’re a nice girl. You shouldn’t be here.”’
‘I do believe he was right!’
‘While we’re tripping down memory lane, what about when you came to Adelaide and stayed so I could go out for my formal?’
‘Ah, yes. I remember the begging and pleading from you, and the distinct lack of enthusiasm from your mother.’ Kim laughed. ‘I don’t think Nat trusted me not to let you go out afterwards and have a few drinks.’
‘I was well behaved.’ Amelia pouted.
‘You needed to be, because like I said to you back then, if something had gone wrong it would have been me who wore it, not you.’ Kim looked over at Amelia. ‘I think you had a pretty good time anyway.’ Her wry half-smile made Amelia giggle.
‘So did you! I remember something about you clubbing just as hard as all of us Year Twelves . . .’
‘Shh.’ Kim held a finger to her lips. ‘Don’t tell anyone.’
‘Man, that was a good night.’ Amelia leaned forward and hugged her aunty. ‘I’m so lucky to have you. Now let me tell you another secret for your safe.’
‘You’re running away with one of the rodeo committee members?’
‘Don’t think that’s likely.’ Amelia wrinkled her nose. ‘You know that Jim Green almost threatened me when I was helping out on Saturday. Said that if I stuffed up, he’d make sure everyone knew about it.’
‘He’s a small-minded bastard,’ said Kim. ‘Wouldn’t take any notice of him.’
The bell jingled on the roadhouse door, letting them know a customer had entered. Kim would need to pop out of the kitchen in a second, and Amelia felt a surge of impatience.
‘Anyway, my news—’
Kim chuckled. ‘Quick, tell me everything!’
‘Paul asked me to marry him!’ Amelia’s smile was wide enough to make her face hurt. She’d been hanging on to the knowledge for so long that she thought she might burst.
Kim stared at her, an incredulous look on her face. Then she held up a finger and said, ‘Hang on. I’d better take care of business.’ She wrapped up the sandwich and took it out to the counter. Chewing her lip nervously, Amelia leaned back on the kitchen bench and kept her eyes on her aunt over the swinging doors. She’d been hoping for joyful support, not incredulity! ‘Here you go, Haydo. One steak sandwich, no cheese.’ Kim turned to the new customer, then froze. ‘Dave?’
‘How are you, Kim?’
‘Dave?’ The high pitch to her voice startled Amelia. Kim wasn’t easily rattled.
A tall, well-built man stood there with a huge smile. Amelia didn’t recognise him, and she couldn’t remember hearing the name Dave. She watched as Kim ran around the counter and threw herself into the man’s arms. ‘What are you doing here? How are you? Are you here for long?’
Amelia laughed under her breath when Dave staggered, obviously unprepared for the full force of her aunt’s welcome. Then he swung Kim around, chuckling, before carefully setting her back on her feet.
‘Still the same old Kim,’ he said, smiling down at her. Amelia raised her eyebrows as his expression grew more serious. Interesting. He took a step back. ‘It’s good to see you.’
‘And you, but why . . . ?’
‘Work. I’m here for work. Not sure how long for, but I’ve got a forum on rural crime scheduled for next Monday. And I’m fine, thanks. Is that the order you asked the questions?’
When Kim laughed, Amelia was struck by how pretty her aunty looked. In fact, she was sure she hadn’t seen Kim look quite like that before. Her smile was even wider than usual, and with a sexy tilt. There was definitely a history there—one that Amelia intended to find out about!
‘I want to stay and catch up,’ Dave was saying regretfully, ‘but I can’t right now. Thought I’d call in, let you know I’m around. And um, I also need to ask how to get to the Guild family farm. When I’m back from there, I promise we’ll have a chat.’
‘That’s all right, work is work. The Guilds are on the north side of Torrica. Take the main drag and hang a left at the post office. Reckon they’re about eighty kilometres out that road.’ Kim cocked her head to the side and looked at him. ‘So why are you heading out there? The Guilds keep to themselves. They don’t go to the pub or any community events.’ She leaned her hips against the counter and crossed her arms, which pushed her boobs up and made them seem even bigger, and they were pretty big. Surely a strategic move, Amelia thought.
Dave grinned and he suddenly looked younger. ‘I can’t tell you that, but rest assured I come in peace.’ He held up his hand, warding off any potential blows.
‘I’m sure you do, sweetheart, I’m sure you do.’ Kim paused. ‘It is good to see you, Dave. Really it is.’
‘I’m looking forward to catching up with you. Do you want to have dinner?’
‘Can’t, really.’ Kim gestured around at the roadhouse. ‘That’s my busiest time. But if you’re looking for a meal, I’m open from six till eight. Kitchen closes at 7.30 p.m. sharp. You can call in on the two-way, Channel 40, if you’re not going to make it before I shut. And I can sit with you if I’m not busy. Where are you staying?’
Amelia realised she should probably do something useful—and give them some privacy—so she went into the fridge to get out some lettuce and refill the containers. By the time she came back, the serving area was empty. Kim and Dave were walking out to his car, and Amelia smiled at her aunty’s flirtatious body language.
‘You hussy!’ Amelia said with a grin when Kim walked back into the kitchen.
Kim laughed. ‘That was Dave,’ she said, her eyes sparkling.
‘So I gathered. Do I get to know who Dave is?’ Amelia crossed her arms and tapped her fingers, mimicking what Kim would do if she was wanting information from her niece.
‘Dave is an old summer romance. Back when we were teenagers. And, sweetie, that’s all you’re getting for now, because I think you’ve got more news for me than I have for you. We were talking about a marriage proposal, I believe.’
She grabbed a sponge and started to wipe down the bench, and Amelia knew there would be no more information forthcoming today.
‘All right, Paul’s proposal,’ she said. ‘It was way out of left field.’
Kim shrugged and started chopping the lettuce. ‘I had no idea it was so serious, so yeah, left field it is! Old Brian had those boys so under the thumb, I thought they’d never even look at a girl, let alone want to marry one. Frightening man, he was.’
Amelia hoisted herself up onto the sink and crossed her legs. ‘But he’s dead. He doesn’t have any hold on Paul now.’
‘Don’t believe that for a second,’ Kim huffed. ‘That man could rule from the grave.’ The bell jingled, and Amelia and Kim looked over to the doors as Kev from the rodeo committee walked in. ‘Can you get that one, sweetie? He’ll only want something from the fridge. I need to put on another batch of chips.’
Reluctantly, Amelia jumped down and went out to the counter. ‘Hi, Kev.’ She rang up his iced coffee and tried to smile.
He raised his eyebrows. ‘You working here now, Milly?’
‘No.’ Was he implying that her bookkeeping business had failed and she needed extra income? Yes, of co
urse he is, the bastard! ‘Just came to chat to Aunty Kim.’
‘You know, this would be a great place to put up some of the flyers we’ve had printed for the rodeo.’ Kev handed over his money.
‘Already organised,’ she said, her hands in the till. ‘Take a look at the front window.’ And don’t let the door hit you on the way out.
Kev nodded. ‘Catch you round.’
‘Yeah, see you.’
She watched as he opened the door and paused to check for her flyer, giving it a long look. What was it with him and bloody Jim Green?
Amelia went back into the kitchen. She’d used to love the smell of chips cooking, but after a few shifts in the cafe it had worn off. She still liked to eat them, though. Leaning over her aunty’s shoulder, she pinched one before Kim could bat her hand away, and blew on it so she wouldn’t burn her tongue.
‘More information, please,’ Kim demanded as she upended the greasy basket and shook chicken salt over the chips.
‘It was about six weeks ago . . .’
‘Six weeks? And you’re only telling me now?’
Amelia grinned happily, polishing off her chip. ‘He’s putting in a toilet so I can move out there, and the job’s just about done. That’s why I’m telling you.’
‘A toilet? Oh my Lord, Milly. Start at the beginning, would you?’
Twenty minutes and a couple of customers later, Amelia had finally finished her story. ‘Don’t reckon Mum is going to be all that thrilled,’ she concluded.
‘If you’re happy, sweetie, then she should be too. That’s how being a family works.’ Kim shook her head. ‘Well, most families. So, you’re going to move out to Eastern Edge this week?’
‘Not until after the rodeo. I’m so bloody busy! I can’t wait, though. Really.’
‘I’m sensing a but . . . ?’
Amelia sighed. ‘Yep, a huge but. I want to put some of my savings into the house. It’s such a tip. But Paul reckons it’s his job to fix all of that.’
Kim started to unstack the dishwasher. ‘Ooh, now that is going to be a tricky one. Men love being the provider, especially when they have a new bride. You’ll need to be careful about how you manage it. Softly, softly, sweetie.’
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