by Fiona Palmer
‘Okay, short stuff. How about we throw a few fleeces before I take over from your dad?’ said Kim.
Billy’s toothy grin filled his face as he nodded.
Drew only shore another twenty sheep before Kim was tapping him on the shoulder. ‘My turn,’ she said with a smile.
Drew joined Nat by the skirting table while Kim picked a ewe from the pen.
‘Oh my god, is she going to shear?’ said Nat.
‘Yes, our Kim is a jack of all trades.’
‘She’s amazing.’ Nat was staring at Kim like she was some famous actress.
Drew glanced towards his best friend and tried to see what Nat saw. He probably took Kim for granted – she’d always been one of the boys, could do whatever they did and, if truth be told, her farming ideas were better than Matt’s.
‘Are you guys dating?’
‘Huh?’ Drew was confused. Was that a joke? But Nat looked serious.
‘Lauren said she’s single but how could you not be together? She’s gorgeous, so capable and she loves Billy to bits.’ Her eyebrows were raised slightly and Drew was struck by how perfect they were.
‘Um, we’re friends,’ he said as Billy threw the next fleece on the table. Drew started skirting the fleece automatically.
‘So you’ve never gone there?’
Nat was like a dog with a bone. Drew didn’t want to have this conversation at all. He shook his head and was relieved when Seth and Mallory ran into the shed, yelling out to Billy. Before Natalie could start up again, Drew went over to Matt.
‘Hey, mate. Good to see Kim is pulling her weight,’ Matt laughed.
‘Someone has to, ’cos you’re too podgy to get down that low,’ teased Drew, tapping Matt’s round belly.
‘You bastard,’ said Matt with a smile. ‘Oh, I see you already have some help.’ Matt had spotted Nat, who was now encircled by the kids. ‘The talk around town was right. She certainly is a looker. Man, I envy you,’ said Matt quietly.
‘She’s engaged, Matt.’ Drew was about to say, ‘Besides, I’m not interested,’ but he stopped. Something didn’t feel right with that. Sure, he wasn’t blind – she was gorgeous, funny and intriguing – but was he interested like that? Maybe if she was single he’d think about it, eventually. But life was easier with just him and Billy.
‘She’s good with the kids,’ Matt added as he watched her listen to them intently, taking the time to hear what they had to say.
‘Yeah.’ Drew watched Billy put his little hand in hers as if to say he had her first. ‘You hanging around for long?’ he asked.
‘Until the kids drive me nuts and I can take them back to Lozzy.’
‘Cheers. I might get the next stand going then.’
Moments later Drew was shearing alongside Kim while the kids played in the hocks bins and chased each other around the shed, leaving Matt and Natalie to rouse. He put the music back on and the afternoon went quickly, the shed alive with action. His mum would have loved this – the shed full of people working and having fun at the same time. She would have made sure they all stayed for dinner and drinks. Drew doubted the stew he’d put on this morning would feed them all, but maybe there would be enough if just Kim and Nat stayed.
It was just after six when Matt left with Seth and Mallory, who were covered in wool and grimy dirt from the lanoline. Mallory had had a meltdown when she couldn’t find her loom-band bracelet but Nat had promised to make a new one with her, which had stopped all the tears and allowed Matt to get them home. Drew sent him on his way with a few cold beers, the usual currency for his helping hands.
‘Thanks, guys, I appreciate it.’ Drew handed out cold beers to Kim and Nat. They sat on the bales stacked by the side wall while Billy played with Turbo in the last rays that crept along the dirty boards as the sun descended.
‘It was fun,’ said Nat, who looked as if it had been anything but. She had grime on her face and wool in her hair, and that perfect veneer of hers was gone, but he had to admit she was still sexy as hell. Shed work had brought real colour to her cheeks. ‘Hard work, but fun,’ she admitted. ‘You both make it look easy.’ Nat retrieved the dip and crackers she’d brought, placing them on the bale between them.
‘Oh, yum, thanks. Well, we’ve had years of practice,’ said Kim before taking a long scull from her beer. ‘Ain’t that right, Sadds?’
Drew smiled and raised his beer to her. ‘Yep. Hey, KC, my birthday is getting closer. How’s my gift going?’
‘Andrew Saddler, keep that up and I’ll give it to someone else. You little shit.’
Nat gestured to the food. ‘Eat up.’
‘Age before beauty,’ said Drew to Kim.
‘Shit before the shovel,’ she returned before they both reached for a cracker.
‘Oh, may I have some, please, Natty?’ said Billy who’d spotted the food.
Nat touched his shoulder gently. ‘Of course, Billy, help yourself. You worked so hard today. I was impressed.’
‘And you tried really hard too,’ he said, returning a compliment.
Drew couldn’t hide his smile. Such well-meaning words. Luckily Nat took it all in her stride.
‘Why, thank you. I know I’m not very good but I’m sure if I practise hard I’ll get better.’
‘Yeah.’ Billy gave her a smile that was more like a grimace and they all laughed.
‘Well, I’d love to stay and watch another sunset with you, Sadds, but I’ve got the folks over for dinner tonight,’ said Kim.
‘Good luck with that. Is it burnt fish or gluggy risotto?’
Kim stood up and punched his arm hard. He tried not to wince. ‘Bastard. I only burnt the fish once and you kept talking so much the rice went yuck.’
‘Oh, I get the blame for the rice?’
‘Too damn right. And I’m taking a roady – you owe me.’ Kim went to the fridge and pulled out a few more beers and left her empty one on the bench. ‘It was nice to meet you, Nat. I’ll see you at the P & C meeting.’
‘Will do. Thanks for your guidance today. I needed it.’
‘Nah, you’ll be an old hand in no time. At least you gave it a go.’ Kim raised her beer to Drew in a final goodbye. ‘See ya, mate.’
‘Later, Kim.’
Billy followed her out to her ute while Drew remained inside with Nat. They listened to Kim’s vehicle driving away and then Billy calling out to Turbo as they ran around outside.
‘You don’t see it at all, do you?’ asked Nat.
She was leaning back on one arm, her check shirt open. Drew tried to keep his eyes from wandering down to where her chest rose in soft mounds. Damn, it had been a long time between drinks. Her body was starting to mess with his head. ‘See what?’ he asked. He was trying not to see. How her jeans hugged her hips, or the way a loose strand of hair fell across her flawless cheek.
‘Kim. She cares for you a lot.’
‘Yeah. We’ve been mates for years.’
Nat rolled her eyes. ‘God, men can be so clueless sometimes.’
Drew scratched his head. What had he done now? ‘Did you want to stay for dinner?’ he asked, changing the subject. ‘I have a stew cooking at home. It’s the least I can do to say thanks for today.’
‘Ha, I thought you’d be happy to see the back of me.’
‘No, really. You got the hang of it and saved me a lot of time. I really appreciate it,’ he said. ‘You’re welcome back anytime. But I can only pay you in beer and food,’ he said with a twinkle in his eye.
‘Dinner sounds nice, thanks.’
Her words were music to his ears. He didn’t want her to leave just yet. She brightened up the place – her smile, her gentle laugh. That killer body. It was nice to have someone new to talk to.
‘Great. I’m glad.’
Nat shared a beautiful moment with the Saddler boys as the sun went down, sitting at the open door of the shed, vibrant gold and pink hues filling the sky while Billy and Turbo kicked up dust that drifted in the breeze. It was the perfect way to en
d the day – chatting over a beer, discussing their tastes in music. She was shocked to hear so much pop music coming from his iPod dock and he teased her for assuming he listened to country music just because he was from the country. Then, when the sun dipped below the horizon, they headed back to the house for stew and toast.
Chapter 14
WITH freshly painted nails, Nat carefully zipped up her Moss and Spy primrose dress. Her nails had taken a hammering at Drew’s farm and had taken ages to get clean. But it had been worth it. She’d slept like a log that night, exhausted from the workout but exhilarated at the same time. And she’d liked being able to help Drew. He seemed like a man with a lot of pride, and asking for help was something he wasn’t used to. The fact that he was trying to run a farm and raise his son all by himself seemed crazy yet amazing. To watch him interact with Billy, to see the love that radiated from him, was something special.
Nat was actually hoping he would come to the meeting tonight so she could thank him again and maybe offer to help out this weekend too. All weekend she’d wanted to head back out to the farm and practise throwing the fleece again. It was like an addiction; she wanted to perfect it. And if she was being honest, she really enjoyed the Saddler boys’ company.
With a quick swipe of her lipstick she headed for the car, grabbing the blue folder from her kitchen table on her way out.
The meeting was being held in the small hall at the end of town. Weeks of advertising with fliers and notices in the local paper and school newsletter had led to this night. The kids had made up most of the posters for it too. They were hoping the whole community would turn up to support the school and to decide what action they should take. The area around the hall was filled up with cars – mostly utes, four-wheel drives and dual cabs, which were all covered in dust from gravel roads. Nat parked and walked to the hall. She could already hear the hum of voices. Men stood outside talking, some still in their work clothes while others had found time to shower and change. The hall was old, the white paint discoloured and peeling in spots. A large crack ran along the bricks, zigzagging its way from top to bottom.
A figure leant by the large double doors, in clean jeans and a white button-down shirt, his hair damp from the shower. Drew seemed too young and handsome to have a son. For a moment Nat hoped Drew had been waiting for her but then she saw Billy running around with Mallory and Seth.
‘Hey, Drew.’
His eyes lifted up and he smiled. ‘Natty,’ he said, then apologised. ‘Sorry, I’ve got used to Billy calling you that. It’s all I ever hear around home at the moment.’
‘It’s okay, I don’t mind.’ If anything, it cemented their new friendship. ‘You want a rousie for the weekend? I’m free.’
‘Really? You sure?’ His eyes swirled with colour, like the ocean waves around a reef.
‘Only if it’s okay with you. I like coming out. Better than being alone.’ Not that being alone was a problem, but if it was that or the farm, then it was a simple choice.
‘Yeah, sure. Just come out whenever. Cheers.’
‘Oh, Nat, you’re here. Great. Shall we get started?’ said Lauren, who’d just poked her head outside the door. ‘Drew, can you tell the kids to be quiet while we have the meeting? Thanks, darling.’
Nat waved to Drew as Lauren swept her inside to the hall, which was full of more people than she thought lived in Lake Biddy. ‘Where did all these people come from?’ she said, more to herself than to Lauren. So many people she was yet to meet. The older community members sat in the plastic green chairs lined up on the wooden floor while the rest stood against the walls or at the back. Lauren led Nat to the front and up some steps onto a stage with thick red curtains draped at the sides. The principal and some of the staff were already seated at a table, along with other members on the P & C committee. She didn’t think she was running late, yet she felt like they’d all been waiting for her. All eyes followed her movements and she wondered what the residents were thinking. City imposter? No business being here? She wouldn’t understand? Maybe all of that and more.
Nat took a seat between Ross and Kath. Lauren stood up the front and waved her hands before yelling, ‘Oi! Can I have everyone’s attention?’
Someone at the back whistled, loudly enough to send the fifty-odd dogs outside nuts. But it did the trick. When the hum of voices died down Nat noticed some of the men wander in from outside. Drew was there too, standing at the back just inside the door. No doubt keeping his eye on the kids.
‘Right. You’ve all heard about the plan to close the school,’ said Lauren. The crowd voiced its displeasure.
‘It’s bloody stupid,’ said a tall man standing up the front by the wall. He had a thick black beard and wore a blue flannel shirt. ‘Our children should not be the scapegoats for the government’s poor finance management. It’ll kill our town,’ he said in a thunderous rumble. ‘And why should we be punished because they’ve taken away our Year 7s? They take our kids then close our schools.’
‘I know, I know,’ said Lauren. ‘We can’t let it happen. So, this is the first of what will probably be many meetings. Tonight we want to hear your thoughts, your ideas, and we’ll put together a plan of attack.’ Lauren gestured to Nat and the others. ‘We have a dedicated team and welcome anyone else who’s willing to pitch in and help. We have notified our politicians and approached the shire council. Natalie has already offered to put up a Facebook page and start a petition, as well as a census for the district to see who plans to have kids over the next five years. We’ll try to get some officials out here to explain their motives. Ross is happy to take the minister around if we can get him out to our school. Kath’s offered to do fliers and letters, whatever is needed. That’s it from me to begin with – I’ll hand it over to you.’ Lauren gesture to the crowd.
‘I’m happy to help out,’ said a lady at the front with a baby and a two-year-old on her lap. Other hands went up and Kath recorded the helpers’ names.
A man in the second row stood up, his glasses sitting in the front pocket of his flannel shirt. ‘I’ve already written a lengthy letter to the minister regarding the Year 7s moving to high school and the effect this has on our rural schools and towns. I can give you a copy if you want to use it,’ he said.
‘Thanks, Mack,’ said Lauren. ‘That would be great. Can you get it to Kath?’
Mack nodded and sat back down.
‘How about I do up a timeline of my kids getting to school and how much it will change if they have to go to Lake Grace? Point out the early starts and the extra hours on the bus?’
‘Fantastic, Shirley,’ Lauren replied.
There was more discussion and Nat was impressed by how easily Lauren mediated the room. She knew every local and kept the crowd under control.
‘Tom, go and get a beer and take a breather,’ Lauren called to the tall man with the beard who’d been getting angrier as the night went on.
‘It’s okay,’ Tom yelled back. ‘I’ve already got one. Just waiting for it to work.’ The room erupted with laughter, giving them a break from the uphill battle they were facing.
Kath was kept busy jotting everything down. Babies cried out every now and then. They were nursed on laps, or slept in nearby prams while toddlers crawled over chairs and ended up hanging off someone else’s leg. People picked up kids who weren’t their own, consoled crying ones who’d hurt themselves or told others off if they were misbehaving. It was fascinating to watch how a small community worked together. People cared. They loved their community, they were outraged over the government’s decision and the effect it would have on their kids, the town and its future. What a wonderful place it must be to raise a family, Natalie thought. But Gary would never leave the city. He would never fit into a place like this and she had to wonder if the locals would ever accept him.
Towards the end, the CWA ladies started shuffling about in the kitchen, putting out plates of scones and savouries, tea and coffee, while the kids seemed to swarm in like flies, waiting with
greedy expressions for the go-ahead to eat.
‘All right, folks, I think that’s us done for tonight. Thanks for coming and please remember the next meeting. I’ll try to email you all and we’ll have notices at the shop and through the school.’
‘Maybe in the local papers too,’ said Kath loudly.
Lauren nodded. ‘Thanks, everyone. Supper’s up.’
The hall filled with the sound of the chairs scraping along the wooden floor. Voices grew louder as everyone began to talk and then louder again as they tried to talk over each other. Nat felt like she was being passed along like a newborn baby, with every person wanting her, whether it was to discuss their kids at school or just trying to find out some more personal information about her. What part of Perth was she from, had she set a wedding date, what did she think of Lake Biddy? By the time she made it to the kitchen, the kids and adolescents had mowed through most of the food. Nat reached for the last sausage roll.
‘Once you have one of them you won’t be the same again,’ said Drew shooting her a smile. ‘Mrs Harrison makes them and they are mouth-watering. I was actually about to tackle you to the ground for it.’
‘That good, hey?’ Nat bit into the flaky pastry. ‘Oh my god,’ she mumbled before shoving the rest of it into her mouth.
‘I did warn you. She makes up two batches because they go like hot cakes. You’re lucky you managed to score the last one.’
‘More like unlucky. Now I want more.’ Nat couldn’t stop herself from sucking the tips of her fingers.
‘I can suggest Margie’s caramel slice,’ said Drew pointing to it. ‘Or Ida’s chocolate marshmallow balls, and then there are Joyce’s pinwheels.’
Nat raised her eyebrows. ‘You know what everyone has made?’
Drew shrugged. ‘Everyone does.’ He stepped closer to Natalie. ‘I can also tell you not to eat the chocolate cake on the end.’
Nat noticed there was only one piece missing, which was strange as it looked so good. ‘Why?’