by Fiona Palmer
‘Come on, Dad, the sheep are starving.’ Billy’s heart-shaped face looked up at him with a fierce intensity, as if to say, ‘How dare we make them wait.’
Drew was continually struck by his son’s beautiful innocence and energy. As if he knew Drew was having a moment, Billy tilted his head and gave him an inquisitive smile. Some days he could come across as quite simple; other days he seemed wiser than most.
‘All right, Billy, let’s go.’ Drew jumped in his white LandCruiser and headed away from the sheds and towards the gully paddock, which had the so-called starving sheep. He glanced in the rear-vision mirror, first spotting the sheep feeder he was towing and then checking that Billy was doing as he had been told. The kid’s lips were moving in an animated conversation with Turbo. Drew chuckled before stopping to open the paddock gate.
‘I’ve got it, Dad,’ yelled Billy as he jumped down, his tiny Blundy boots kicking up dirt. It was a hard gate to open, but Billy persisted until it fell to the ground and he dragged it away so the ute could drive past.
When Billy was safely back on the tray, Drew drove into the paddock towards the mob and slowed down. ‘Give the rope a tug now, Billy!’ he yelled.
Having done it a million times before, Billy pulled on the rope that opened the bottom of the sheep feeder. He gripped the edge of the tray and watched the wheat pour out, the sheep running towards them like kids running to Santa with his sackful of presents.
They did the same in the other paddock with the last mob. When the grain was all spent Drew got out to shut the feeder door.
‘They look hot,’ said Billy, nodding to the sheep in their heavy wool coats. They panted as they moved back and forth.
‘It actually keeps them cool, you know. Don’t worry, I’ll start shearing them soon.’ He gestured to Billy. ‘Come here.’
Billy walked over and threw his arms around his dad’s neck. Drew lifted him off the tray and hugged him tight, renewing the vow he made to himself every day: it was just the two of them now, and Drew would do his best to have Billy by his side always, no matter how hard it was to run a farm and keep a household at the same time. He let Billy slide to the ground. ‘You wanna steer the ute back to the shed?’
‘Oh, yes, please.’
Drew got in and Billy climbed onto his lap. He would drive the ute all by himself, if only his feet could reach the pedals.
‘Dad, Miss Wright asked about Nana today,’ Billy said matter-of-factly.
‘Did she now? So you like this new teacher?’
‘Oh, yeah.’ For a moment Billy took his eyes off the dirt track to meet his dad’s gaze. ‘She’s like one of Mallory’s Barbie dolls.’
‘Eyes on the road, kid,’ said Drew with a chuckle.
Billy concentrated on his task but continued talking. ‘She’s so nice but she knows nothing about the country, Dad. She’s never seen an echidna or a yabby!’
‘I bet she hasn’t.’ Drew thought back to the woman he’d met at the shop before school started, immaculately groomed from her glossy spun-gold hair to her fancy painted toes. She was a Barbie, all right, and he’d bet his ute that this was her first real country experience. He smiled as he wondered what she thought so far. Would she last the year? Her vibrant teal-green eyes flashed in his mind and he remembered the flare of determination he thought he’d seen in them.
‘Can we invite her out to the farm, Dad?’
Drew realised they were back at the sheds and brought the ute to a stop before processing Billy’s question. ‘Um, maybe.’ Another ute was parked by the large water tank at the edge of the shed. ‘Look – Uncle Matty’s here. Maybe he has Seth and Mallory with him,’ said Drew. It was best to distract Billy quickly before he worked up a head of steam, because when he wanted something there was usually no way to change his mind.
‘Uncle Matt!’ yelled Billy before Drew had even opened the door. He jumped out and ran towards the white dual-cab ute.
‘Hey, kiddo, I’m here.’ Matt stepped out from the shed where he’d been looking at the header. He was shorter than Drew and had a well-fed middle but could still kick a mean football and tackle with the best. He wore faded blue work shorts and a dirty brown T-shirt with holes down the front. No doubt from grinding that trailer he was making.
‘Did you bring the kids?’ asked Billy with his hands on his hips.
Drew had to smile at his little farmer, in work jeans, boots and long-sleeved checked shirt. He even had a little swagger.
‘Aren’t I good enough?’ said Matt, lifting his red Elders hat and scratching his head. That worn, faded red hat was almost a part of him, like his work boots. He was hardly ever seen without either.
Billy threw his arms around Matt’s waist. ‘Of course you are, Uncle Matt.’
Matt patted his back affectionately. ‘I know, buddy. I was just teasing. The kids are playing in the shearing shed.’
With a quick glance at Drew, who gave him a quick nod, Billy took off, running towards the shearing shed.
Drew stood by his friend in the shade as they watched Billy leave, his legs pumping in a clunky run.
‘How’s he been first week back at school?’ asked Matt.
Drew and Matt had forged a tight friendship when Drew first came back to the farm after his father died, but it was cemented when they’d both had sons. Matt had been an honorary uncle to Billy all the boy’s life. So Matt knew that school was hard for Billy and always asked how he was going – which Drew appreciated more than ever now that he was raising his son on his own.
‘Surprisingly good. I was expecting a repeat of last year and was waiting for the phone calls, but he’s doing okay.’
Drew didn’t have to worry about getting Billy on the school bus each weekday – he happily followed his two best friends, Mallory and Seth, and had become used to the routine. But having a new teacher had upset the balance in the past. Billy didn’t take to change very well, and sometimes it took him a while to build up trust. Last year he’d had a meltdown at school, as he wasn’t coping with the teacher or the work. It had taken weeks of school visits and talks to help Billy settle in. Then the teacher had left at the end of the year and Drew had to worry about starting the whole process again. Only this time Billy had been great.
‘He withdraws a bit here,’ he told Matt. ‘He feels his nana’s absence the most at home. But school’s been fine.’
‘I’m not surprised; Mallory and Seth can’t stop talking about the teacher. Miss Wright this and Miss Wright that. It’s only been a week and I’m sick of hearing her name already.’ Matt’s smile totally contradicted his words. ‘Loz has gone into the meet-and-greet thing for the parents at the school – that’s why I’ve got the kids. I’ve heard around town she’s a stunner. Maybe you should have gone in this arvo?’ Matt wiggled his thick black eyebrows.
Drew was used to his mates’ ribbing, but he didn’t need or want a woman; life was busy and complicated enough. ‘I’ve already met her,’ he said simply.
Matt’s mouth dropped. ‘No way. When? Why didn’t you tell me? Is she as hot as the gossips say?’
Drew took a moment. ‘She was like something from a magazine. Well dressed, dripping of money, and she smelt . . .’ Drew couldn’t even describe the sweet scent that had stayed with him long after he’d left. Matt was hanging on his every word, waiting for him to continue. ‘She smelt amazing. Not what you’d usually find in our little town. I thought she was lost,’ said Drew with a laugh. Sure, the young lady was beautiful, but it was her eyes that had remained in his memory, and the way she held herself. It didn’t mean he hadn’t noticed her long slender legs or her perfectly fit form – on the contrary, he’d noticed it all. She was like something you only saw in the movies. Yet here she was in Lake Biddy. That was what intrigued him the most.
‘Really? Did you speak to her?’
‘Yeah, not much. Who knows if she can make it work out here, but quite frankly I hope she does last. Billy seems so taken with her. It’s certainly made my life easier
, not having to deal with any issues. I’d like to be a fly on the wall, though,’ Drew said truthfully. He wanted to see how she engaged with Billy. Had she worked with similar children before? Was she like Drew’s mum, Alice? Is that why Billy seemed so comfortable with her?
‘I’d like to meet her. Damn, I should have gone in with Loz.’ Matt winked. ‘With a bit of luck Loz will invite her out for a meal. Maybe we’ll invite you over too.’
Drew laughed. ‘Don’t even think about including me in your schemes.’
A motorbike whizzed past the shed at breakneck speed before doubling back to stop in front of them with a big slide, covering them in dust and sand. They both coughed and brushed themselves off.
‘Thought I’d find you here,’ said a voice from the cloud of rusty powder.
‘Bloody hell, Kim,’ Matt choked out. ‘You juvenile.’
The dust cleared and Matt’s sister shook out her straight brown hair. She wore a blue-and-green checked shirt with the sleeves rolled up and a big R. M. Williams belt on her jeans. ‘G’day, boys,’ she said with a smile.
‘Hey, Kim, you mad bugger. I’m glad Billy wasn’t here to see that. I saw him yesterday doing a circle on his little fifty.’
Kim’s perfect teeth were bright white. ‘Who do ya think showed him that, Sadds?’ she said with a wink.
Drew laughed but he wasn’t worried. Kim was always around and helping out, taking Billy for outings. She was a good sort, only a year older than Drew, and Billy loved her to bits. She would have made sure he had all his safety gear on and would have shown him the right way to do it. Billy had been riding his motorbike for a few years now so he’d probably already tried it.
‘To what do we owe this pleasure?’ said Drew. ‘You didn’t go in to the school thing with Loz?’
Kim flicked down the bike stand and sat propped up on the bike. ‘Nah, I had a few sheep to sort out. Besides, why would I need to meet the new sheila in town? It’s hard enough finding myself a bloke, let alone sharing what’s left with her.’
Matt chuckled. ‘Jealous much? Besides, from what I hear she’d have more chance. No guy wants a girl who can weld better than them.’
‘Better than you, you mean. I can’t help it if you have no skill,’ Kim teased.
Drew watched their banter with joy. He missed his own sister, Amy. She was in Perth with her family and hadn’t lived on the farm since she went away to boarding school. She didn’t come back much – she had two young kids and a busy job.
‘Matt’s heard she’s a stunner,’ said Kim, rolling her eyes. ‘Sounds too citified to me. No bloke would want a girl who’s afraid to get her hands dirty. It’s a prerequisite for living in the country.’
‘Drew’s met her. Do you think you could teach her how to get her hands dirty?’ Matt said cheekily.
‘I’m not even going to answer that.’ Drew glanced at Kim, who was staring at her hands, picking at her dirty nails. Something was on her mind. A little crease always appeared between her eyebrows when her brain was churning. ‘Kim, you still right to go fox shooting next Saturday?’ he asked. As he’d hoped, she looked up, a bright smile on her face.
‘Of course. Just cleaned my gun too. What’s the bet this time? Loser buys a carton?’
‘Sis, why do you even try? You know Drew’s a crack shot.’
Kim put her hands on her hips and gave her brother a look to be reckoned with. ‘Because one day I will beat him.’
And Drew knew that she bloody well would. Kim was one of the most determined, gutsy girls he knew. There wasn’t a damn thing she didn’t know about farming, nothing she couldn’t do or learn and, to tell the truth, at times she could be a little intimidating. Drew wondered if this was why none of the single lads had claimed her. More than likely it was because she hardly ever left the farm – too busy with farm work and the sculptures she made.
One thing was for sure: he couldn’t have got through the last ten years without Kim and Matt.
‘You betcha. A carton for the winner. Coronas, please, and I’ll meet you at the shed next Sat at seven.’ Drew shot her a grin that warned her to bring her A-game.
Three kids came racing around the corner of the shed, Mallory and Seth dressed the same as Billy except for the pink tutu Mallory wore over her jeans and the sparkly headband in her hair.
‘Kimmy!’ yelled Billy as he ran right into her side.
Kim scooped him up and hugged him tight. ‘Hey, little dude. How are ya?’ She sat him in front of her, where he pretended to ride her big bike. Seth climbed on the back and Mallory pouted, left out. Kim reached out and touched her headband. ‘Looking fabulous as always, Mal, my little princess.’
Drew watched the kids clamour for Kim’s attention. She’d make an awesome mum one day. It’s a shame he couldn’t say the same for Billy’s mother. He clenched his jaw but his muscles relaxed as he gazed upon his son. His beautiful, perfect boy, full of life and love. Having him was the one thing his birth mother had got right and for that, he’d always be thankful.
Chapter 4
‘PLEASE have another slice, make me feel better,’ said the auburn-haired woman who had a face full of gorgeous freckles that moved with every smile. This lady with the crystal-blue eyes was fast becoming Nat’s favourite person at the meet and greet.
Natalie laughed and took the caramel slice offered. ‘If you insist, Lauren.’
‘I do. I can’t afford to have any, so I’m going to live vicariously through you. I’m going to pretend I have your figure.’
Lauren giggled and Nat found her laugh infectious. Her daughter, Mallory, had the exact same laugh; she, too, had a larger-than-life personality. Even though Nat had just met Lauren, she found her to be so down to earth and real. There was nothing fake about her.
‘And please, call me Loz. Everyone does – so much so that I sometimes don’t answer to Lauren.’ She smiled again and eyed off the last of the slice, her hand automatically going to the roll at her midriff. ‘So what do you think of our little town? Have you had a chance to see the sights?’
Lauren had been one of the first to turn up, carrying in trays of yummy food, and was the first to introduce herself. She shook Nat’s hand with the death grip of a seasoned fighter. She probably lifted cows or sheep for a living, thought Nat. Really, she was clueless about what farming people did.
‘I’m actually loving it so far,’ Nat replied – and it wasn’t a lie. She was loving the space, the quiet, the freedom to do what she wanted. Just yesterday after school she’d taken a walk and stopped in the middle of the bush track around town. All she could hear were the birds. No traffic, no parents, no pressure. It was just her, the birds, the trees and the massive sky above. It was purifying. Mind you, the first few days had been a little unnerving and it had taken a bit to get used to the quiet and the fact that she had no one to answer to.
‘I’m still settling in and getting to know the kids,’ Nat went on, ‘but that’s why I’m here. I haven’t had a chance to look around – hopefully I will in a few weeks when I’m caught up. I still have to head back to Perth because my boyfriend, Gary, is there, but I’ll try to stay here as much as I can.’ It would be a juggling act to settle into country life but also to see Gary and her family as much as she could.
‘Have you been in the country before?’ Lauren asked, and to her credit she didn’t look Nat up and down like most of the others did, as if she was stating the obvious.
‘Not this type of country. All I know about farming is what I’ve seen on McLeod’s Daughters,’ Nat admitted.
Lauren laughed again. ‘And sometimes that was stretching the truth a fair bit. Don’t worry, when you’ve settled in we’ll show you around. If you ever need anything, like you find a snake in your house or have car problems or whatever, here’s my mobile and house number,’ she said, writing on a napkin. ‘You call us if you need any help, okay?’
‘Snakes in my house?’
‘Yep, long and slithery. The ones with legs are bobtails but
they won’t harm you unless you put your finger near their mouth.’ Lauren chuckled at her own little joke.
Nat didn’t find it at all funny. ‘I’ve never seen a snake before. Do you get many around here?’ Quickly she entered Lauren’s numbers into her phone. She was tempted to put them under ‘ICE’: In Case of Emergency.
‘Yeah, a few dugites, which are highly venomous. I’m sure I saw a crowned snake the other day – they’re poisonous too.’
Nat felt the blood drain from her head and she shivered. She thought she could handle spiders, like redbacks, even though she was yet to see one, or even a white-tail or a massive huntsman. But snakes? Snakes lived in her nightmares. She made a mental note to buy the biggest pair of gumboots she could find.
‘But the good old carpet snake, he’s one you don’t chop up with a shovel. You have one that lives in your car shed. Locals have called him Rodger for years. Keeps the mice down, just like having a cat.’
‘I beg your pardon?’
‘Rodger, a carpet python. He’ll be greenish with light-coloured diamond shapes outlined in black. Don’t be afraid of him; just let him go about his business.’
‘Right,’ said Nat with more conviction than she felt. From now on, she would be parking her car outside, under the big gum tree. Rodger could have the whole car shed to himself.
‘It’s just the black ones and the dark-spotted dugite you have to watch.’
Nat was going to google pictures of them as soon as she could – maybe even print out pictures to put by the back door just so she knew which ones could kill her. She shivered again.
‘Hey, Lauren,’ said a man as he approached them. He was mid-twenties and wore boots, dirty jeans and a blue shirt with a bright yellow strip across the chest. Nat was getting used to this look. The majority of the men at the meet and greet were dressed the same way, as if they’d just come straight from the farm mid-work. For once in her life she felt overdressed.
‘Dicko, fancy seeing you here,’ said Lauren.
His face tinged pink but his big smile didn’t fade. He brushed back his unruly blond locks and gazed at Nat. ‘Just come to meet the new local lady,’ he said, dripping charm. ‘And to eat the free spread.’