by Fiona Palmer
It wasn’t like Nat had anything else to do while she was here. She may as well get involved. The thankful smiles she received from Kath and Grace were worth it. Natalie felt that her input was valued, which was one of the things she craved: to be needed, appreciated. To make a difference.
The small shop seemed quite busy for a Friday afternoon, with two ladies she didn’t know buying groceries. Nat carried a red basket as she checked out every shelf. It didn’t take long; there were only three small rows and a five-door fridge on one wall containing milk, cream and a selection of cool drinks, including beer and wine. She didn’t recognise any of the labels, and there was nothing over fifteen dollars. Oh well, when in Rome, she thought, and reached for a 2014 Chardonnay by Walkers Hill Vineyard. Next she found some cheese and crackers to finish off her perfect afternoon.
‘Hi, Jess,’ Nat said, putting her purchases on the counter. Nat had been a little shocked her first time shopping here. She couldn’t find any familiar brands and discovered that the fruit and vegetable selection was pretty basic. Apparently you had to drive to a bigger town or do big shops in the city when other items were required. Some days Nat felt as if she was on another planet. The shop could order in specific products, if you were willing to buy a whole carton. They’d soon go out of date otherwise. One thing she’d learnt about quickly was the passion and dedication these people had for their little town. They were very proud. Nat was smart enough not to put anyone offside.
‘Hi, Nat,’ said Jess, putting her phone away and entering Nat’s items.
Everyone called her Nat in Lake Biddy – nicknames were obviously the normal way to address people.
‘This is a nice wine,’ she added while scanning the barcode. ‘Have you been to the vineyard yet? It’s on your way to Lake Grace.’
‘So this is a local wine?’
‘Yep, not bad either. Think this one won an award. If you’re looking for a nice place to go, they do coffee there too.’
‘Thanks, Jess.’ Nat was getting used to having conversations while shopping. Actually, she couldn’t go anywhere without having a conversation with the locals. On her morning jogs she’d met Beth, the school gardener. Beth lived in the only house on South Street and was a divorced grandmother. Then there was Scott, who owned the pub. He was often chucking boxes in the industrial waste bins out the back and had stopped her one day for a ten-minute chat. She was actually starting to think he left that job for the time she went running. To get any running done she’d had to change her route.
Nat headed home to her little blue house. She liked the fact that she only had to move a small step to reach the dining table, the fridge and the sink in her minimal, plain kitchen. It made making her meals easy, with everything so close. Her fridge had three large drawings stuck on with butterfly magnets – artwork the kids had given her to take home. On her windowsill above the sink sat glued-together gumnuts and leaves finished off with glitter sprinkles, creations from Mallory and Mia. The tea towel hanging off the old oven’s handle was last year’s Lake Biddy Primary School project, with all the kids’ handprints. It had been part of her welcome gift pack from the Parent & Community Association, or the P & C as they called it. Nat loved each and every item, as they made her house a home. And, not to leave out the boys, she had a collection of sheep knucklebones, which Seth had shown her how to use to play a game. He’d painted them so they didn’t look like bones but Nat knew what they were, which was why they were still sitting outside.
Filling up her wine glass and pulling out her cheese and crackers, she put together a feast fit for a queen. Then she took it outside and made herself at home on the back patio while she waited for the small, rattly air-conditioner to cool the house down. The back fence was waist-high, and behind it was bush and large gum trees, which swayed in a gentle breeze that carried the scent of eucalyptus and dust. Nat had no neighbours, not on this side of the street, and the only sounds were the magpies and galahs, which chattered from the nearby trees.
Everything was dry and crisp, even the air, but the bush was still a sight to behold. The changing shades of the bark, from the pale creams and pinks of the salmon gums to the reds and browns of the gimlets, bordered the scene before her like a natural photo frame. The birds in the trees were talking to each other; it was noisy yet it felt so silent. As if there was no one else for miles. Natalie had never been so remote before, and as strikingly beautiful and different as it was, she worried about what wildlife might visit her small backyard during the night. As long as it wasn’t Rodger out for a slither, she should be okay.
She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had a moment to herself to appreciate her surroundings. Maybe not since the picnic at Kings Park with Uncle Kent, when he’d surprised her for her nineteenth birthday. He’d spent most of the time telling her about the breeds of birds and the species of trees that surrounded them. Nat could have listened to him all day. She smiled as she raised the wine to her lips. The moment was perfect and she had the whole weekend to herself.
Bliss.
Chapter 8
THE weekend was lovely and refreshing with no one to answer to. She’d found herself sitting and contemplating her situation. Thinking about Gary and their engagement, her parents and her job. She also worked on her school plan for the kids, made up some colourful new charts and classroom decorations and finished off with some romantic comedy movies. Natalie got ready for school feeling fabulous. She dressed for the occasion with a pencil skirt, thick black belt and a matching soft grey silk top with a black collar and cuffs. Her hair was back in a sleek ponytail and she wore her favourite black red-bottom heels, and a matching red lipstick for an extra flash of colour. She was about to head off to work when her phone rang. It was Gary. She was dying to tell him how well Billy was progressing and that Seth had just aced his maths test and was entering a competition.
‘Hey, how’s my princess?’ he said. ‘Are you missing me?’
‘I’m fine, and of course I miss you.’
‘Enough to quit and come home to me yet?’
‘Honey, you know I have to do this. No matter how much I’m missing you.’
‘I know, baby. I just miss you so much,’ he replied. ‘And you’re going to be my wife now. I want you here so I can take care of you.’
‘We have the rest of our lives together. We haven’t even set a date yet.’
‘Next time you’re home we will. Look, babe, I have to go. Jimmy is waving at me like he’s dying from food poisoning. My dad must be here for the meeting. Talk soon. Love you.’
‘Love you too,’ she whispered, but he’d already hung up.
Nat tucked her phone away, locked up her house and walked to school, thinking things over. She had a niggling feeling that Gary’s proposal had come early due to her stay in the country. Had it made him realise how much he loved her? Or was it just a way to get her to come home? Maybe it was a bit of both. Surely if he loved her he’d know she had to see the year out. She took a deep breath. The walk was just what she needed to be able to face her kids with a bright smile.
After lunch, the kids were having a great time. Sure, Isaac was play-shooting everyone more than ever because his dad had just got a new shotgun, and Ava had picked her nose for the tenth time – but it was Billy who had her worried. He wasn’t his usual bright self. He hadn’t spoken much that morning, not even a polite question, and now he had his head resting on the desk. Normally she’d have a few issues trying to get him to focus on the task at hand, and it had started off like that this morning, but now it was definitely something more.
‘Billy, do you need help?’ Nat knelt down beside him and noticed the sweat along his hairline. ‘Are you feeling okay?’
Without lifting his head from the desk he rocked it slightly while blinking slowly. His lips were dry.
Nat touched his forehead. He was hot and clammy. ‘Oh, you poor boy. Why didn’t you tell me you weren’t feeling well? Do you want to go and lie down in the beanbag and I’ll
see if I can call your father?’ Billy arched an eyebrow but didn’t make a move. ‘Come on, sweetie.’ Nat took his hand and led him to the beanbag in the reading corner. ‘Now, lie here and rest. I’ll just go get your water bottle.’
Outside the classroom she found his bag and retrieved his water bottle, then popped her head into the office. ‘Kath, Billy looks quite sick. Can you see if someone can come get him? He has a temp.’ Ross was in the back corner at his desk, talking to someone on his mobile.
Kath pulled a face. ‘Logan had the flu last week, it knocked him for six.’ Logan was in the senior room, one of her grandkids. ‘Bugger, I guess it’s going to do the rounds. I’ll call Billy’s dad.’
Kath reached for the phone, and Nat got back to her class. ‘Drink lots of water,’ she told Billy. ‘It will make you feel better.’ She wasn’t allowed to give him any Panadol to ease his fever without his dad’s consent.
‘Thank you,’ he said softly as he tried to smile.
How could such a little man be so strong, suffer in silence and still remember his manners? Nat felt his forehead again and didn’t like how hot he was.
Keeping Billy in her peripheral vision, she went back to teaching the class. He was soon asleep.
Kath came into the classroom and told Nat quietly, ‘Sorry, Nat, Drew isn’t answering. He had Lauren down as an emergency and I know she’s in Perth at the moment. But I’ll keep trying.’ She went over to check on Billy but didn’t disturb him.
He woke as the bell rang for hometime. Nat went to him. ‘Hey, Billy, how do you feel?’
Silent tears fell from the corner of his eyes, rolling into his damp hair. ‘Head hurts.’ He clenched his lids shut.
Grace came in. ‘Kath still can’t reach Drew,’ she said.
‘He can’t go home on the bus like this,’ said Nat.
‘No, especially as he probably rides his motorbike from the front gate to the house,’ said Grace. ‘Do you want me to run him home?’
Nat was reeling – as a parent, wouldn’t you make sure you were always available for emergencies? ‘It’s okay, I’ll take him. I want to make sure he’s okay. Can you give me directions to his place?’ He was her student, her responsibility. And she was worried.
Grace drew out a map, but it didn’t look too hard – a few turns and about a ten-minute drive.
Nat told Billy she was going to take him home. He seemed a little disorientated but it could have been because the school was empty; the place always felt different without kids. She put his schoolbag in her car before helping him into the front seat. He struggled to walk and Nat just wanted to scoop him up in her arms and carry him. He didn’t complain but his eyes were heavy with fatigue and pain. Billy had suffered because his father couldn’t keep his phone nearby. In this day and age, Nat didn’t know anyone who didn’t have their mobile glued to them.
The directions to the Saddler farm, Dragon Rock, were spot on, and she had no trouble finding the winding driveway that came out by a house. Further up the road she could see sheds and machinery. For a moment she wondered if Billy’s father had hurt himself. Farms were big – should she try to find him? She shook her head. Getting Billy in and settled was her first priority.
‘Is this home?’ she asked.
Billy managed half a smile and undid his seatbelt. Nat grabbed his bag and went around to help him out. They walked along an overgrown pathway made from old bricks through a beautiful, established garden with massive trees and roses. It was looking a bit neglected, though – Nat would have bet Billy’s nana had been the gardener. Agapanthus edged the path and little metal creations in the shape of animals were scattered about under trees. A long lizard gave her a fright before she realised it wasn’t real. At the end of the path they stepped up to a verandah, where they were greeted by an old black dog. Billy didn’t even have the energy to greet the excited animal, who looked quite blind but recognised Billy with one sniff.
Nat opened the glass sliding door. ‘Anyone home?’
Billy gave her a funny look before walking inside, his little hand pulling her after him. The house smelt quite musty, and the floor looked as if it hadn’t been swept in a while. They passed the dining table, piled up with papers and unfolded washing, walked through the kitchen, where breakfast dishes still sat on the island bench, and down a passage to the first room on the right. Lightning McQueen and Minecraft posters hung on a light blue wall and the bedspread, covered in motorbikes, was unmade. Toy farm machinery lay all over the carpet. Billy crawled onto his bed.
‘Here, let me take your boots off.’ Nat pulled off the little farm boots, which most of the boys wore to school.
Billy reached for the doona. ‘I’m cold,’ he whispered.
Nat felt his forehead again: still hot. She brushed back his hair, wanting to soothe away his pain. His body began to relax.
‘How about I go find you some Panadol and some water? I’ll be back in a minute.’
When Nat reached the kitchen she wondered if she’d need longer than a minute. How was she going to find Panadol in this mess? She checked the top of the fridge first. No luck, but she did notice a photo of Billy with an older lady – probably Alice – stuck on with magnets. There was another one of Billy on his bike, and one of him standing with a pretty woman, both with their thumbs up, beside a metal kangaroo.
Nat went through the cupboards and found a small walk-in pantry. Up on a high shelf were the Panadol and other medication. Grabbing the one for kids, she measured out the right amount and took it back to Billy’s room. She was off-duty and, quite frankly, she didn’t care what was protocol any more: this child needed some help.
‘Here, darling, take this. It will help.’ She placed his water bottle on the bedside table after shifting paper Minecraft boxes, and held out the measuring cup of Panadol.
‘Will you stay with me?’ he asked as he handed the cup back and lay back down.
‘Of course.’ She didn’t want to mention his father in case Billy got upset. Instead she knelt by his bed and stroked his hair until he was asleep.
She sneaked out of his room and went to the kitchen. Everything was in complete disarray. The sink was full and the milk was still out. The floor looked as if someone had walked around with muddy boots on and if she didn’t watch where she put her feet she might end up skating across the room on Billy’s toy cars and tractors. The least she could do was tidy up the dishes.
She was just about finished when she heard the sliding door open.
‘Billy!’ yelled a voice.
‘Shhhh,’ said Nat as she pulled the plug on the sink water before turning to see the man who had stormed into the house. It was Mr January. Seriously? The man from the shop on her first day was Billy’s father?
‘What the hell are you doing in my house?’ he said, stomping towards her.
Nat’s senses were assaulted. He stank of sweat and something yucky like animal poo; he was covered in grime from head to toe and had white fluff stuck to his blue singlet. There was even some blood on his forehead.
‘Excuse me?’ she demanded back. ‘Where the hell have you been? Don’t you know how to answer a phone?’
‘I beg your pardon?’ said Drew as he stopped a foot away from her. Dirty hands went to his hips and his arms flexed like a bull ready to charge. He glanced around the house before his eyes zeroed in on her again. ‘Where’s my son?’ he said accusingly.
For a moment Nat was afraid, but she resisted the urge to step away. ‘Your son,’ she shot back, ‘is sick, and if you’d answered your phone you’d know that and you could have saved him a lot of pain.’
Drew stepped towards the island bench and picked up the bottle of Panadol.
‘I’ve just given him some,’ she said defiantly. ‘He needed it.’
Drew’s face darkened and he strode off towards Billy’s bedroom. Nat sighed in frustration. She wanted to yell at him not to wake Billy but the shouting had probably already woken the poor boy.
‘A simple “thank
you” would have been nice,’ she muttered as she made her way to the door. The sweet guy who had helped her at the shop turned out to be a grumpy bastard. Who would have thought? She was about to slide the door closed when she saw a photo on the hall table. It was of Drew, who looked right out of high school, holding a baby with Billy’s eyes. Drew’s gaze was that of a devoted father, protector and carer. No matter how bad a person he was, it looked like he truly loved his son. Something in her heart told her that now Drew was home, young Billy would be okay.
Chapter 9
DREW stood by his son’s bed. The sight of his boy tucked up, sleeping, with sweat beading along his hairline, turned him to mush. He knelt down, fighting back anguish at not being there for Billy when he’d needed him.
Drew had been shearing but he’d glanced at his watch around the time Billy was due home. Sometimes Billy would make himself a Nutella sandwich before coming up to the shed, so Drew hadn’t thought much of it at first. When he’d checked his watch again and realised it was much later, he’d grown worried and jumped straight on the quad bike to the house.
Seeing that fancy blue car had filled him with dread, but as he’d got closer he’d remembered it from the shop. It belonged to the new teacher. Who had told him to be quiet in his own house! To see her in all her finery in his messy house, doing his dishes, of all things, had spun his head. He was ashamed, embarrassed, angry, worried and confused all at once. He brushed the damp hair from his son’s brow and Billy groaned.
‘Hey, little buddy, how’re you feeling?’
Billy’s eyes fluttered open. ‘Dad.’
The smile he gave Drew melted his heart. Where had he left his mobile? Was it still by his bed, or in the ute? Damn, he should be more organised. ‘I’m sorry, mate. I was shearing but I’m here now. Can I get you anything?’ God, he missed his mum at times like this. He was so used to having her as backup. She’d looked after them both but now it was all down to him. Should he take Billy to the doctor? What would his mum have done?