Emerald Springs

by Fleur McDonald

  ‘We’re a bit different,’ Amelia hedged. ‘And Dani is . . . different again. Still, I’m sure it will be a lovely night. It’ll have to be, with all the money they’ve spent. Even if Graham has a black eye!’

  Anne looked intrigued. ‘I heard something about a brawl last night. Only heard Jim’s name mentioned, though. Tell me more?’

  ‘Just your regular punch-up at the pub. Not the usual for Graham, but he must be nervous about the party.’ Amelia paused and glanced over at Cappa, who was wiping his glasses with his handkerchief, the paper spread out in front of him. ‘You know, Anne, between you and me, I can’t work out why they couldn’t just have a barbecue and a few drinks at the Granite Ridge shearing shed, rather than having to go all out on a massive party with all the trimmings. I saw the cake yesterday morning. Bloody hell, it looks like a wedding cake! I think this party is almost like having two weddings.’

  ‘Do I hear a bit of the green-eyed monster?’ Anne said with a teasing smile.

  ‘Milly!’ Kim called. ‘Anne’s order is ready.’

  Amelia turned and grabbed the order that Kim was holding out over the swinging doors, then handed it across the counter.

  ‘Smells bloody beautiful,’ Anne said as she took it. ‘Right-o, best get on. The boys will be wondering where I am. Was supposed to be back out there about half an hour ago. See you tonight!’

  ‘Yep, see you, Anne!’ Amelia said. ‘Oh, I reckon I’ll come out to you and catch up on the office work sometime next week.’

  ‘Sure. Whatever day suits you. Don’t know where the time goes—only seems like yesterday you were over doing last month’s. I’ll bake some scones for you.’

  Amelia watched as Anne drove out of the car park across the street in an old beat-up ute. You’d never know just by looking that she and her boys were so well off. The Andrews family had always been careful and prudent farmers—the best sort.

  Kim came out with the sandwich, coffee and cake for Cappa, who thanked her and then regarded her carefully. ‘What does your bloke really reckon about all these thefts?’ he asked in a low voice, as he unwrapped his sandwich and took a bite.

  Holding up her hand, Kim shook her head. ‘Oh no, Cappa, you’re not getting anything out of me. Anyway, Dave doesn’t talk to me about it. It’s all confidential, you know.’

  ‘Mmm, thought it would be. But I’ve been thinking.’ Cappa put down his coffee and took another bite. ‘I understand everyone’s discomfort in it being locals, but how can they be anything else?’ He spoke around his sandwich and Amelia had to look down at the counter so she didn’t see the food moving around in his mouth. When people live by themselves, she thought, they forget about manners!

  ‘To be honest,’ Kim said, ‘I feel the same, and I’ve had a lot of customers telling me that. But going over this isn’t bringing us any closer to knowing who the culprits are. My vote is that we all back off and leave Dave to do his job.’

  ‘Fair enough,’ said Cappa, polishing off the first half of his sandwich. ‘Well, it’s been a pleasure, as always.’ He stood up, tipped an invisible hat and headed out.

  Kim went to sort out the next batch of orders, while Amelia held her tongue about her plans to investigate. She’d always trusted Kim to put things in her vault, but this was about more than trust—she didn’t want to worry her aunt. She just couldn’t let this go. I have to do my best to work out who’s done this.

  Chapter 28

  Even from out in the car park, the atmosphere inside the footy club rooms sounded buoyant. The rain that had pelted down in the afternoon had given everyone a much-needed boost; the chatter was noisy and the laughter loud above the pumping of party music. Amelia slipped her hand into Paul’s as they walked towards the front door.

  ‘Don’t be nervous,’ Paul said as he gently extracted his hand from hers and put it on her shoulder.

  Between Paul’s distance and her nervousness about facing Dani and the whole community tonight, Amelia was a walking mess. Even though she was trying her best not to be. ‘I still don’t get why Dani said that I caused the fight at the pub. I haven’t been able to ask Graham, because he hasn’t responded to any of my texts and he hasn’t been home.’ Her voice rose in agitation as she spoke.

  With a sigh, Paul stopped walking and pulled Amelia around to face him. ‘Stop panicking, Milly. Who cares what she thinks? I really don’t think it’s important. I think you’re more worried about what everyone’s going to say to you tonight—if they’re going to want to get up close and personal with you, chat to you as if they’re your friend, and then go and talk about you behind your back.’

  Amelia looked down. She wanted to stop caring what other people thought about her—but it wasn’t that easy.

  ‘I’m right, aren’t I?’ Paul urged.

  ‘Yeah, I’m worried about it all.’ She wasn’t going to mention that she kept looking at every woman as a suspect, which made her as jumpy as hell.

  ‘I’ve told you how amazing you look. Don’t let anyone spoil tonight for you.’

  Amelia looked down at what she was wearing: a long black skirt, knee-high, heeled boots and a silver shirt. She’d covered her yellowed bruise with makeup. Paul had told her that she looked as beautiful as the night sky, and she’d chided him for being a silver-tongued charmer.

  With a small smile and a gentle tug on her hand, Paul led her up the steps and into the clubhouse. Amelia caught her breath. ‘Bloody hell!’ She slowly turned around and took in the decorations.

  A wall of hay bales was set up at the front of the room, with hundreds of photos of Graham and Dani pinned to them, following the couple’s whole history together. To the left a banner was strung out, printed with He Asked and She Said Yes in a country-style font. The trestle tables were covered with white cloths, each portion of cutlery held in a small calico pouch with a purple bow around it. Everything else was decorated with purple. On the ceiling hung Chinese lanterns and fairy lights.

  ‘Might as well be a wedding,’ Paul commented.

  ‘I said exactly the same thing this morning. Far out, did they invite the whole district?’

  ‘Probably.’

  Amelia looked around, wondering if there was someone in this room who had orchestrated the attack on her. She’d keep her eyes peeled for anyone acting even the slightest bit different. Yes, maybe she was being paranoid, but she had good reason.

  ‘Hello, Milly.’ Gus appeared from the throng. ‘Paul, g’day. Good to see you.’ The men shook hands, then they all chatted about the rain for a bit.

  ‘Better go and say hello to the happy couple,’ Amelia said as she caught sight of Graham and Dani greeting their guests closer to the front of the room. Paul groaned and she elbowed him gently in the ribs before propelling him towards them. They were intercepted by Kim, who had Dave following in her wake. He was wearing a slightly better tie than usual and looking a tad uncomfortable.

  ‘There you are!’ she said, throwing her arms around a startled Paul before focusing on Amelia. ‘I’ve been keeping an eye out for you. Paul, I’m so sorry to hear about your sheep.’

  ‘Thanks, Kim,’ said Paul, his voice rough and his blue eyes earnest, before shaking hands with Dave. He’s been so brave today, Amelia thought.

  ‘So, what do you think of the decorations?’ Kim spun around with her arms held out, gesturing at the extravagance.

  Amelia grinned. ‘The whole thing is even more than I imagined.’ She turned her back slightly, as Paul and Dave started talking about the missing ewes. Then she whispered to Kim: ‘I’m not enjoying this at all.’

  Realisation dawned in her aunt’s eyes. ‘Don’t you be worrying about what people think. Defiance, my sweet, defiance! Go to the toilets quickly and practise this look in the mirror.’ Kim put her head on the side and lifted her chin, while her eyes widened in a manic glare.

  Amelia snorted, then turned to Paul when she felt his hand on her arm.

  ‘Come on,’ he said, ‘let’s go have some fun!’

>   ‘Ha!’ Kim said, her hands flying to her hips. ‘Charming, that is!’ She kissed Amelia on the cheek and winked. ‘Defiance,’ she reiterated, before putting her arm through Dave’s and walking off.

  They made their way to the front and waited until Dani and Graham were free. The couple were dressed up to the nines and couldn’t have looked more different to the pretty disgraceful picture they’d presented the night before.

  ‘Hello, you two.’ Amelia gave them a polite smile, which they both returned. So that’s how it will be. All right, then. She leaned forward and kissed Dani, then Graham. ‘What a beautiful setting, Dani. It looks amazing.’

  Paul shook Graham’s hand before nodding at Dani.

  ‘Thank you. We worked hard to get it just the way we wanted, didn’t we?’ She turned to Graham, who opened his mouth to say something, but she hurried on. ‘Such a shame that Graham was hurt last night. I suggested he put makeup on his black eye, so he didn’t ruin the photos . . .’ She shot a glare at Amelia.

  Amelia blinked before glancing at Graham, who was looking uncomfortable. ‘Ruin the photos? Oh, but surely he wouldn’t ruin them with just a black eye?’ She wondered how shallow her soon-to-be sister-in-law actually was.

  ‘Oh, not ruin them, of course . . . well, I’m sure you know what I mean.’

  Amelia really wanted to say that she had no idea, but bit her tongue.

  ‘It’s always nice to have good photos,’ Dani finished. ‘Memories, as such.’ She gave a tight-lipped smile and pulled on Graham’s arm. ‘Come on, we’d better be good hosts and talk to some other guests. Thanks for coming.’

  ‘You’re welcome,’ Amelia said, falling back on politeness. Then she got hold of herself—she bloody well wanted to sort things out with her brother. ‘Hang on, Graham? Got five seconds?’ She ignored the look that Dani sent her and gave Paul a reassuring glance, pulling her brother to a quieter part of the room. ‘Are you okay?’

  ‘Fine,’ he said shortly, not meeting her eyes.

  ‘What’s wrong?’ Amelia’s brow wrinkled. ‘What’s going on with you?’

  ‘Nothing, Milly, honest.’ A soft expression shifted across his face, but it was replaced quickly. ‘I’m fine. Sore as hell, and I reckon my pride is a bit shot, but that’s all. Man, you wouldn’t believe the shit I got from Dani when she saw my face!’ He shrugged. ‘Can’t be helped. I’m sure there have been worse things happen the night before a wedding, let alone a bloody engagement party. Still, wish it hadn’t happened. This party has been such a big deal to Dani. And to Mum.’

  ‘What was it all about? The fight, I mean.’

  ‘Nothing. Just being stupid drunken idiots. We’re both old enough to know better.’ He glanced over his shoulder and Amelia could see Dani shooting daggers at them, so she gave Graham an awkward hug and told him to enjoy his night.

  She watched him go, thinking that he wouldn’t have been at the pub long enough to get really pissed. It was reasonably early in the night and she’d been there before him, hadn’t she?

  The ‘happy’ couple stopped to talk to Anne and Will, and Amelia saw Graham throw an apologetic look over his shoulder at her. She half-shrugged and gave him a sad smile. What was her brother getting himself into with Dani?

  ‘Milly!’ Chelle waved and jumped up and down to attract her attention.

  ‘Ah,’ said Paul, grabbing Amelia’s hand and dragging her over, ‘I owe this woman some thanks.’

  Amelia blushed as Paul gave Chelle a kiss on the cheek. ‘I hear I need to thank you, future cousin-in-law,’ he said.

  ‘Thank me? What for?’ Chelle took a sip of her wine and smiled coyly.

  ‘Let’s just say the French knickers were much appreciated last night.’

  Chelle burst out laughing. ‘Pleased you put my advice to good use.’ She nudged Amelia, who was staring at the floor in embarrassment. ‘Lighten up, cuz, it’s all for a good cause!’

  They laughed and Amelia squeezed Paul’s hand, happy that he’d said future cousin-in-law. He was being so good to her tonight. Maybe the cracks could heal after all, and sooner than she’d expected.

  ‘So, what a bloody big spend-up,’ Chelle said, her eyes on the ceiling.

  ‘Well, we always knew it would be.’

  ‘Have you seen Chrissie and Sav yet?’

  ‘No. And I’m still not sure if Sav’s talking to me. I haven’t heard from her since she stonewalled me on Thursday morning.’

  Paul put his arm around her shoulders; she smiled up into his blue eyes and leaned against him.

  ‘Speak of the devil!’ Chelle said, raising her eyebrows.

  Chrissie and Sav were shouldering their way through the crowd. ‘Hi, we’re here!’ sang Chrissie, her hips moving in time to the music. ‘Can’t wait to dance.’

  ‘Hey.’ Amelia smiled at them both, but watched Sav carefully. Her face seemed happy and open, just pleased to see everyone, and Amelia started to relax.

  ‘Gotta looove dancin’,’ Chelle said, bumping hips with Chrissie.

  ‘Where’s Dean, Sav?’ Amelia asked.

  ‘Probably at the bar. That’s where he always feels most comfortable.’ Sav put her head on the side. ‘Can I, um, talk to you for a moment?’

  A pang of fear ran through Amelia, but she grinned and said, ‘Sure.’ She gave Paul a little smile and said she’d be back in a while.

  Together they walked outside. The rain had started again and the drumming on the tin roof soothed Amelia’s nerves. They moved down to the end of the verandah and Amelia tucked her hands under her armpits, shivering. ‘Whoa, it’s a bit chilly.’

  ‘Yeah, a culture shock after the hot days we’ve been having. I’ve never worked out why Mother Nature can’t gradually go from hot to cold so we don’t really notice it. Not these extremes we always get.’

  ‘I’m with you. Crazy weather. But it’s climate change and all that, apparently.’

  ‘Of course!’ Sav smiled, then her face fell. ‘Look, I owe you an apology.’

  Amelia stood there watching her, waiting.

  ‘I snubbed you last week and I’m sorry. I got so caught up with the kids coming to school and talking about you, blaming you. And listening to everything their parents were saying . . . I started to suspect you, too.’ Sav looked down and hopped from one leg to the other. ‘Great friend, I realise. Leaving you in your time of need and all that.’

  ‘It’s okay,’ Amelia finally said. She was still struggling to put aside the indignity and mortification of knowing the community had been talking about her and Paul, but it was really difficult. Especially when it came from one of her best friends. ‘Look, a couple of days ago I blamed someone innocent as well. It’s a horrible feeling when you realise there was no way they could have been involved. I think everyone’s looking for answers when there aren’t any to have yet. It’s a shit of a situation.’

  Sav nodded, and they hugged. Amelia honestly wanted to forgive and forget. She kept reminding herself that what was happening was almost exactly the same as between her and Paul. But there was something holding her back—probably the same kind of distrust and disappointment that Paul was feeling towards her.

  ‘Hey, Sav!’ Dean stuck his head out the door. ‘You coming or what?’

  Sav turned back to Amelia. ‘Sorry, better go. I’ll catch up with you inside.’ She ran off to her husband.

  Amelia watched her go and sighed, leaning back against the wall of the club rooms. It still hurt her knowing that people had talked about her. But not as much as that taser and kick in the chest had hurt, she reminded herself. Not as much as the hurt of losing her trust in Torrica. The rain continued to fall and goosebumps broke out over her arms. Time to go inside.

  A movement caught her eye, and she turned back and stared out into the dim light. Over at the barbecue shed, she saw someone pacing up and down. It was Graham, and he was talking intently on the phone. Who could he possibly be talking to on such an important night?

  In her mind’s eye Amelia saw
Jim holding Graham in a headlock. No, it couldn’t have just been a random dust-up, she decided. There’d been something more going on there than met the eye. And her gut told her that Jim was at the bottom of it.

  Chapter 29

  ‘Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here tonight to celebrate the love of two very important people.’ There was a round of applause as Dani’s father, Max, started his speech. Amelia wondered how much he’d had to drink: his cheeks were a bright rosy red and his glasses kept slipping down his nose.

  John stood next to him, his hands held in front of him, looking very proud. Amelia saw him glance towards Natalie, who was standing to the side, next to the incredible cake she had created, and give her a nod. ‘Now, you’ll have to forgive me for making this sound like a wedding speech, but to be very honest, I really had no idea how to start and that was the best I could come up with . . .’ He paused while a smattering of polite laughter rounded the room.

  Amelia pressed closer to Paul and turned to smile at him. Her breath caught as she saw he was already watching her, desire in his eyes. Yes, maybe things between them could go back to normal quicker than she’d hoped. Her grin widened as his hand slid down to rest on her bum, and she gave him a small shake of her head and roll of her eyes when he pinched it lightly.

  ‘Dani and Graham have been together two years to this day,’ Max continued, ‘and I think you’ll agree with me, they are more than suited to each other.’

  Chrissie caught Amelia’s eye and gave a ‘whatever’ look, and Chelle nodded in complete agreement. Amelia had to look down to hide her expression.

  ‘I’m pretty sure you don’t want to hear too much from me, so I’ll ask the happy couple to come up here and cut the cake,’ Max said. ‘And I think they’re also going to announce the date of the wedding! But first I think John has a couple of words to say.’

  John stepped forward and cleared his throat. ‘On behalf of Natalie and I, we want to wish Graham and Dani the very best. We’re pleased to be welcoming Dani into our family, and grateful that Graham has chosen so wisely!’ Everybody laughed and John grinned. ‘Can I also add what a fabulous job Natalie has done with the cake, and acknowledge everyone who has helped out for tonight. Now I won’t keep you waiting anymore. I give you, Graham and Dani!’