Outback Heart

by Palmer, Fiona

  ‘Indi, I hope you’ve come for dinner,’ she said.

  ‘She has,’ Pat replied with a smile.

  Maddie grinned. ‘Good stuff. Pat, go get cleaned up. I’ll dish up in ten.’ Pat went to shower and Indi sat in the kitchen watching Maddie cook. ‘So, Indi. How’s things?’

  ‘Okay, I guess.’ Indi wasn’t very good at putting on a show.

  ‘Hmm, that long face wouldn’t have something to do with your ute being at Troy’s place all night, would it?’

  Indi shot up straight. ‘Oh no, what are people saying?’

  Maddie laughed. ‘Nothing yet. I had night shift and saw your ute. I haven’t heard anything, so maybe no one else saw? So . . .’ Maddie waved her wooden spoon at her.

  ‘So?’ Indi held her emotions back for all of two seconds before her face fell, along with her shoulders. ‘Oh, Maddie. It’s all stuffed up.’

  Maddie turned off the stove, shifted the pan to the side and sat down beside Indi. ‘Did you and Troy . . .?’ Her eyes were huge as she gestured.

  Indi could only nod. But then she remembered that night, so perfect in every way, and she began to smile.

  Maddie made a funny noise before speaking. ‘It was good? Damn, I knew it would be. He’s almost as hot as Pat.’

  Indi hit Maddie on the arm. ‘Oh, gross. But, yeah, it was . . . amazing. Although he keeps pushing me away. I had to practically force myself onto him, which just isn’t me. He’s fighting our attraction, he’s been hurt before, so it’s complicated.’

  ‘Really? Maybe he just needs time. Don’t give up on him yet, Indi.’ Maddie held her arm, gently reassuring her with a squeeze.

  ‘Don’t worry. I couldn’t give up if I wanted to,’ she said sadly. Eventually she glanced across to Maddie, who raised her eyebrows when she finally understood what Indi meant.

  ‘I’m glad you’ve found someone to love, Indi. I’m sure it will work out. Just keep at him.’ Maddie threw her arms around her and cheered. ‘Oh, I’m just so happy for you. I need a little bit of happiness right now.’

  ‘Pat said you guys haven’t had any luck yet.’

  ‘Not yet, but my fingers are crossed. I’m due in a few days so only time will tell.’

  Indi reached for Maddie’s hands as Pat walked in wearing a clean T-shirt and trackpants, his hair damp. ‘I’m just so excited,’ said Indi, trying to contain herself.

  Maddie stood up. ‘I’ll serve dinner.’

  ‘Did you ask about Troy?’ said Pat.

  ‘Not yet,’ said Indi. ‘Maddie, did you hear at work about the RFDS coming out to Hyden?’

  ‘On Tuesday? Yeah, they rang up the doctor. They were quite worried; they had Irene get the number for a doctor at Royal Perth. I think that’s where they sent the guy.’

  ‘It was a guy? Was it Troy?’ said Indi. ‘Do you know anything else?’

  Maddie glanced to Pat, concern splashed across her face. Pat filled Maddie in on what they had gathered about Troy.

  ‘Wow, it has to be Troy. Has nobody heard anything? Surely he would have let someone know,’ said Maddie.

  ‘What if he’s incapable of letting anyone know?’ said Pat.

  Indi felt sick. The smell of the fried rice was now churning her stomach. ‘He has no family around here; no one knows anything about him. Apparently he rang Phil so he can’t be that bad, can he?’ Pat asked.

  ‘You would have thought he’d ring you at least,’ said Maddie.

  ‘Why would he do that?’ asked Pat as the phone rang.

  Indi shot daggers at Maddie as Pat went to answer it. ‘Shhh,’ she warned.

  ‘Sorry.’ Maddie cringed. She finished serving up their plates. Indi requested a small serve. Thinking about Troy being flown to hospital in Perth was making her feel faint.

  ‘Should I call Royal Perth?’ she asked.

  ‘They won’t give you any info, but if he’s okay, then they can put you through to his room,’ said Maddie.

  ‘You won’t need to do that,’ said Pat, walking back into the room.

  Indi carried her plate to the table while Maddie took theirs. ‘Why?’ Indi asked as she sat down.

  ‘That was Jasp. I have to do his job out at Hendo’s because he’s off to Perth tomorrow to bring Troy home.’

  ‘What? Is he okay? What else?’ Indi asked. She was upset Troy hadn’t called her, but then again, why would he?

  Pat put up a hand. ‘Whoa, settle. Apparently Troy said he was fine and that they flew him to Perth just as a precaution. Jasp said he’d find out more tomorrow. That’s all I got.’ Pat sat down. ‘Jasp did mention he’d ran into Spud’s mum, but she said it was confidential and couldn’t elaborate on why he was flown out. Can you believe that, in this town?’

  ‘Do you think he’s told them not to say? It’s all very interesting,’ said Maddie.

  ‘Well, that’s Troy for you. He’s a mystery, all right. I have a feeling that’s the way he likes it,’ said Indi. The rice was sticking in her throat. She got up to get a glass, her hand shaking as she filled it with water from the tap and then gulped it down. She took a deep breath. She couldn’t lose it now. Not here. Later when she was at home she could worry. In her room she could also let the tears of frustration fall. But it was her fault: she’d let herself fall in love with him. Now she was paying the price.

  29

  INDI was pacing the front verandah like a caged lion. Back and forth, back and forth, her eyes on their long driveway, her ears straining for the sound of Jasper’s engine. She checked her watch. She had to leave for work soon. ‘Come on, Jasper,’ she muttered. The afternoon was cold, grey and overcast. It suited her mood.

  Indi headed back inside, grabbed her late night snacks, water bottle, mobile phone, and left a note about dinner. She’d made herself a sandwich earlier, which she ate while pacing. Indi grabbed her big blue and yellow work jacket and headed to her ute just as Jasper was finally turning into the driveway. ‘About bloody time.

  ‘You took a while,’ she said as he got out. ‘So what was the go?’

  Jasper pulled his hoodie together and zipped it up against the cold. ‘Can I get out of the car first?’ he said with a laugh.

  ‘No, ’cos I’ll be late for work.’ Indi gestured for him to hurry up.

  Jasper shrugged as he walked over to her. ‘Nothing to tell. He said he’d had a bad virus.’

  Indi screwed up her face. ‘Most people with viruses get put on antibiotics and go home and rest. They don’t get flown to Perth.’

  ‘I’m just telling you what he said. He looked fine to me. He’s ready for the game tomorrow and is going back to work on Monday. So it can’t have been that bad.’ Jasper rubbed his hands together. ‘By the way, I told him how good you were at training, putting us through our paces as if you were Yoda,’ he said with a wink. ‘Just don’t let it go to your head.’ With a smirk he walked off.

  ‘I love you too, Jasper,’ she shouted after him before climbing into her ute. Indi smiled briefly. It was nice that Jasper noticed how hard she’d worked. As for Troy, well, she’d just have to wait for the game at Kulin tomorrow to find out more.

  But she didn’t get a chance at the game. Troy arrived late and didn’t linger afterwards, avoiding most people. Even in the change rooms, just before the game, James had asked him where he’d been, but Troy had brushed them off with his virus excuse, saying he was back and ready to win. He wouldn’t even look in Indi’s direction. It was as if he’d come back forgetting everything that had happened between them. She was invisible as far as he was concerned. Not even the Saints winning their game by six goals could lift her spirits.

  At training the following week, he’d been late and got straight into it. Not even a nod in her direction. She’d felt like an idiot.

  ‘All right, fellas, great training.’ Troy gave them a clap as they formed a semi-circle around him. ‘Next Saturday is our last game for the season, against Southern Cross. We win and we’re into the finals.’ A huge cheer went up. ‘So go home, rest a
nd I’ll see you charged up on Saturday.’

  They all dispersed except for Indi, who stepped towards Troy and called out his name. He kept walking. She caught up to him, touching his arm to get his attention.

  He stopped abruptly. ‘What?’ His eyes were dark and hard, his body tense. He wasn’t smiling.

  ‘I haven’t had a chance to catch up since you were sick,’ she said, emphasising the last word.

  ‘Yeah, I meant to say thanks for taking training. I heard you did good. Thanks, Indi,’ he said. ‘Look, I’ve gotta go. See you Saturday.’ Troy turned and strode to his ute like his arse was on fire.

  Indi’s mouth was still open, waiting to speak, but he’d made sure she didn’t get that chance. ‘Bastard,’ she muttered to herself.

  ‘You coming, sis?’ yelled Jasper from his ute.

  ‘Yeah, hold ya horses.’ She walked back and climbed in beside her brother.

  ‘What’s up with you?’

  ‘Nothing,’ she spat.

  ‘You and Yoda got something going on?’ Jasper’s hand was on the key, paused, the other on the steering wheel.

  She shot him a dirty look. ‘Does it look like it? He won’t even bloody talk to me.’ She swore under her breath.

  ‘Okay, sorry I asked.’ Jasper started his car and drove home. He kept sneaking sideways glances at her.

  ‘What, Jasper?’

  ‘Is it anything I can help with?’ he asked.

  Indi sighed. ‘I wish.’ She gave him a faint smile. ‘Thanks, Jasp, but I’ll be okay.’

  And she thought she would be, but Friday afternoon she found herself sitting on the back verandah watching the sunset and thinking only of Troy. Nothing could hold her interest, not the bookwork, not TV, not even food. A cold beer felt right. She leaned back on the chair, her legs resting on the table as the clouds caught the golden rays from the sinking sun.

  ‘Is this a private party or can anyone join?’ asked Jasper as he came in from the back shed where he’d been working on one of the trucks.

  ‘You can join, but it’s BYO,’ she said. Jasper ignored her, reached for a stubby from the old beer fridge on the patio.

  ‘Nice afternoon for it,’ he said, raising his drink towards hers. With a sigh, she clinked her beer against his. ‘Here’s to a win tomorrow,’ he added.

  Indi nodded, then took a sip.

  ‘You going to tell me what’s going on?’ said Jasper as he played with his bottle top. ‘Have you thought of talking to Tegan about it?’

  ‘Nothing to talk about.’ Apart from the fact that I’m in love with Troy and he’s ignoring me, she thought. She’d decided by the second beer that she was going to confront Troy after the game tomorrow. She was going to make him talk to her and she wouldn’t take no for an answer. ‘Really, Jasp. You don’t have to worry. I’m a big girl and I can fight my own battles. But thanks for being the best sister a girl could have,’ she teased. Jasper flitted his eyelashes and they laughed.

  ‘Did you hear about Spud?’ Jasper asked, ready to fill her in on the latest gossip. ‘He got home after last week’s win, drunk as a skunk, and decided he was hungry. He slapped a steak in the pan, then sat down to watch a bit of TV, but the next thing he knows, his mum is shaking him awake and the house is full of smoke. He’d fallen asleep and burnt the shit out of that meat.’

  ‘What! He’s lucky his folks came home. What happened to the smoke alarm?’

  ‘Dead battery. Apparently the house still reeks of burnt steak.’

  They were still laughing about it when her dad joined them.

  ‘Hey, Dad. How was your day?’ she asked.

  ‘All right, Indi. Got the new tyre for the truck. I’ll start fitting it tomorrow. And I caught up with Ian. He’s going fishing off the coast next week and asked me to tag along. Do you think you kids could cope if I took off for a couple of days?’

  Indi glanced at Jasper and knew he was thinking the same thing. ‘We’ll be fine, Dad. You go fishing. You haven’t been in ages.’ About bloody time, thought Indi. She shared a smile with Jasper.

  ‘Yeah, Dad. Catch us a big skippy or two,’ he added.

  Allan grinned. ‘I better go dust off my gear and put the yabbie nets in for some bait.’ He made to get up, then sat back down. ‘I’ll do that tomorrow.’ He leaned back into the chair, his body relaxing, and together they sipped their beers and watched the sun dip below the horizon. Indi could see some kangaroos out in the paddock by the sheds, their silhouettes moving as they grazed. Mum would have loved this moment, she thought. Indi felt her eyes prickle with emotion. It was far too quiet without her.

  *

  ‘Go Pat, get ’im Brick, pass it off,’ Indi screamed from the sidelines. ‘This is killing me,’ she said, turning to Tegan, who also had her fists clenched.

  Indi looked beyond Tegan, to all the spectators who surrounded the football oval. So many in the team colours, a few with streamers, kids running around in footy jumpers. It was how she used to remember the footy games. Everyone came out to support the local team. Today, they were showing their colours proudly. It was fitting that their last game was at home and Indi reckoned the whole town was there. Cars and utes of all shapes and sizes were nosed in around the edge of the oval. Indi turned and spotted Trevor, sitting on the clubhouse verandah in a plastic chair. He gave her a wave and leaned over to talk to another old mate beside him. It was good to see him so happy.

  ‘Come on, Saints,’ yelled Tegan. ‘God, I hope they can beat Southern Cross.’

  At half time, Indi had no fingernails left and had started chewing the inside of her lip. They were down by two goals. She followed Troy into the huddle. Tegan came too, along with a heap of spectators. They all wanted to hear what Troy had to say.

  ‘I know it’s hard going. You’re taking some strong hits and they’re tagging well. But know this: there are no shortcuts to any place worth going. And we are going to the finals.’ The team grunted in agreement. Troy put his hands on his hips and Indi was sure he was eyeballing each one of the players. ‘The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person’s determination. No one thought we would win a game, and we proved them wrong.’

  ‘Hell, yes,’ came the reply.

  ‘No one thought we’d be a step away from a finals berth either, but here we are,’ Troy continued. Indi was drawn to him, the power in his words, the way he held them all mesmerised. ‘I want you all to go back out there for the last half and step up. You’re fit, and we can outlast them. Our team is strong. Don’t forget to man up, quick hands, find space, clear heads. Go get ’em, boys,’ Troy said.

  Pat stepped forward, putting his hand out. ‘Saints,’ he yelled. One by one the lads all stepped forward, reaching a hand towards Patrick’s. ‘Go Saints,’ he shouted. The team mimicked his cry and their hands dropped. Troy pulled Brick aside, whispering some words to him, and did the same to a few others. Indi and Tegan walked back to the sideline with Troy.

  ‘Well said, Yoda.’ She’d felt quite emotional and hoped the team did too. She had faith in them.

  Troy smiled. His eyes had softened but he didn’t reply. For Indi that was enough. She knew her Troy was still in there, even if he was playing hard to get.

  The game started back up and James slotted the opening goal of the third quarter after the Saints once again found room through the midfield. The Saints were dominating. Troy’s speech had really fired them up. Limp got a hand on the ball from the centre bounce, hitting it to Killer who sidestepped his player and got in a bounce before handballing it to Huey. He had someone at his back and quickly got the footy off to Patrick who kicked another goal. There was no margin now, dead level. The Saints fought hard all quarter to be out in front by two goals and two behinds by the siren.

  Indi’s heart was racing the whole game. Lucky took a hit in the last quarter; he came off and Indi strapped ice to his corked thigh. One of the young kids went on and then Jasper waved to be brought off also.

  ‘You okay?’ she as
ked when he reached the coaches box.

  ‘Yeah, my strapping needs fixing.’ He was sweating, his jumper covered with dirt and grass.

  Indi re-strapped his ankle and got him back on the field as fast as she could.

  ‘He all right?’ Troy touched her arm as she went to stand outside the box.

  She nodded, too caught up in the warm flush from his touch to reply.

  The opposition stepped up and scored again, the Southern Cross ruckman kicking a goal from an extraordinary snap. Indi knew this team wouldn’t roll over easily. Then Pat went and kicked a magical goal to give the Saints a seven-point lead with just seven minutes remaining in the game.

  ‘Holy shit,’ said Indi, glancing at Troy. He looked just as strung out as she felt.

  He sucked in a deep breath and crossed his fingers, giving her a nervous grin.

  The ball was down the Southern Cross end as the clock ticked down, a fumble and the ball rolled in for a behind. The Southern Cross spectators groaned in chorus. All the opposition players were down their end, flooding forward to keep possession. Kiwi One struggled to find someone clear to kick it to and in the end played on to himself. He handballed it off to Louie, who gave it to Brick and as Brick crushed through two players the siren sounded. They’d won by a single goal! Brick fell to his knees and roared in delight.

  The crowd erupted. Indi screamed, jumping to hug Tegan. Even Trevor clambered out of his chair to cheer. Indi turned to Troy. She didn’t think she’d get a hug from him but he held out his hand for a high-five. It would have to do for now. At least the smile he gave her was genuine. ‘Well done, Coach. You’ve made us all very proud.’

  ‘Thanks, Indi. Let’s go celebrate.’ With a whoop he ran off towards the team, who were already surrounded by supporters, getting hugs and slaps on the backs. Southern Cross weren’t that upset, they still had a finals berth. But for Hyden, the celebrations were going to be big.

  That night the clubhouse overflowed with supporters. It was as if the team had actually won the final. Indi went and had a shower, changing into a pair of jeans and a black low-cut top. She headed for the bar but got stopped by so many people along the way. Trevor was sitting at a table drinking a scotch, having a great time with some mates. It was time for him to go home before he drank too much. She should run him home now before she talked to Troy. Besides, she wanted to wait until Troy had had a few beers before approaching him. There was method in her madness – she needed his guard down. He was strong and determined, but he could be very weak when it came to her. She was counting on that tonight, with the help of beer.