by Fiona Palmer
‘I didn’t sleep that well. Um, Kent,’ he started while Kent fixed himself a coffee. ‘Is there any chance you could call Nat this morning and see how she is?’
Kent’s eyes narrowed. ‘Why are you so worried about her? What are you not telling me?’
‘I can’t call because the last time I did, Gary saw and went ballistic. Please, Kent. Just give her a quick call and see if she sounds all right.’
After studying him for a few seconds, Kent picked up his mobile and dialled Nat. ‘Voicemail again. She’s probably still asleep.’
Drew made him try again at eight, and when there was still no answer, Drew begged him to try Gary’s home phone.
Kent went looking for the number, as he’d never needed to call it before. Drew waited anxiously as Kent dialled the numbers.
‘Hi, Gary, it’s Kent. Just chasing Natalie. Can I speak to her, please?’
Drew had to resist pressing his ear up to Kent’s phone and was relieved when he could hear that she had answered.
‘Hi, possum. Is your phone off? I’ve been trying to call. Are you okay? You sound raspy, are you getting a cold?’
Drew froze. Raspy? He saw red as he instantly imagined Gary’s hands pressed around Nat’s throat. Breathing heavily, Drew got up and paced the kitchen. He wanted to hit something, mainly Gary’s face.
Kent touched his shoulder and he just about hit the roof.
‘Sorry, Drew. Didn’t mean to scare you. It’s okay, she seems fine.’
‘No, you don’t get it,’ he said, going back to pacing. ‘She’s not going to say anything different while he’s there. And her throat, I bet that bastard’s hurt her again. I’ll bloody kill him,’ he growled.
Kent gripped his shoulders and shook him a little. ‘What do you mean, hurt her again? Drew?’
He couldn’t hold it in any more. He felt like a boiling kettle, whistle going mad with the steam. If he wasn’t taken off the heat he was going to blow. ‘Nat doesn’t want anyone to know, but Gary is abusive.’ There, he’d said it. He felt his body start to deflate. ‘I’m going against her wishes but I will not sit back while he keeps hurting her, Kent, and she won’t get help. It’s time to make her.’
‘Are you sure? She would have said something, she would have come to me,’ he said, looking hurt.
‘She doesn’t want anyone to know; she made me promise not to tell. But I can’t hide it, not if it means she’ll keep getting hurt. I threatened to tell if she didn’t do something about it. She wanted time, but I don’t think he’s going to get any better, Kent, I really don’t.’
‘How can you be so sure? Gary’s been a family friend for years. His dad and my brother have been best friends since childhood.’
‘Trust me, the bruises on her neck were real. He wants to own her, not marry her. We have to do something,’ he pleaded.
Kent looked as if he wanted to trust him but it was hard to believe something you hadn’t seen with your own eyes. Drew understood why Natalie hadn’t told her parents. If Kent was struggling to believe it, how would her parents react? Maybe knowing that Drew loved Natalie didn’t help either. Maybe Kent thought he was just trying to break them up.
‘It’s okay. I believe you, Drew. I can see your worry and even though I find it hard to wrap my head around, I believe you. What shall we do?’
‘We go get her.’
Within minutes they had Billy packed up in the car. The drive to Gary’s apartment felt like a three-hour trip and Drew’s nails were not going to last. Every red light made him feel like getting out and running, except he didn’t know which way to go.
‘Is this Natty’s house?’ said Billy as they pulled up in a park bay.
‘It’s Gary’s place,’ said Drew.
‘Look, you stay here, I’ll go in first, in case seeing you makes things worse,’ said Kent.
Drew didn’t like it but he nodded. He wanted to run in there and tear strips off Gary. His heart was pounding in his mouth as he waited, and all too soon Kent was back.
‘Well?’
‘They’re not here.’
Drew thought the worst and felt panic start to strangle his airway. Where could they be? His mind went straight to the worst-case scenarios.
‘Don’t stress. I rang Nat and she said they’re on their way to her parents’. She had something important to tell them. And that is where we’re going now too.’
So then Drew had to contain himself for the drive to Nat’s parents’ place. More nails chewed.
Kent parked behind a shiny Mercedes while Drew and Billy gawked out the car window like open-mouthed clowns in a sideshow alley.
‘It’s massive,’ said Drew. The house was a grand two-storey mix of stone and rendering. It had tall pillars at the entry, making it look like some fancy American plantation house. The lawn out the front was immaculately maintained with shaped bushes and hedges. Perfectly pruned shrubs sat like lollipops down the side of the circular driveway, which was paved in colours that matched the house. Recently planted flowers gave a burst of colour to the green of the larger established trees and maples. ‘I’ve never seen anything like it.’
‘It’s just a house,’ said Kent. ‘And a cold one at that. Let’s go.’
Billy got out of the car and clung to Drew’s leg, no doubt feeling like he’d landed on a movie set.
One of the massive double jarrah doors was still open and they all marched straight in.
‘Kent, what are you doing here?’ said a tall man wearing a suit.
It took Drew a moment to adjust to his white marble surroundings and to focus on the man by the door. He could see the resemblance to Nat, and where she got her height. He suddenly felt very underdressed in jeans and his best Target T-shirt. His mum had always bought his clothes from the Target Country store in Narrogin or Big W when she went to the city. Now Drew would have to do his own clothes shopping. It was something that filled him with dread.
‘Vince, I’d like you to meet Drew and Billy, friends of mine.’
Vincent didn’t bat an eyelid as he shook their hands. Maybe Kent often brought strays over.
‘Nice to meet you, come in. I’m Vincent. How are you, young man?’ Vincent said to Billy.
‘Your house is . . .’ Billy walked in and saw the grand staircase. ‘Wow.’
Drew could tell by the look on his face that he was itching to go up the stairs. For a country boy, stairs were a thing of wonder, as were escalators and elevators.
‘You can go and have a look around, if you like. Climb the stairs?’ said Vincent.
Billy glanced at Drew for his approval. ‘Sure, buddy, it’s okay. I’ll be right here.’
As Billy headed up the stairs, a woman came towards them, her heels clicking on the floor, her figure wrapped in a dark-green pants suit with a soft-pink silk scarf. ‘Who is it, darling? Oh, hi, Kent.’ She stood beside Vincent.
Uncomfortable, out of place and awkward were words that came to mind as Drew stood there in the mansion alongside Nat’s parents.
‘Darling, this is Drew, and that’s Billy heading up the stairs. The people Kent’s been helping.’
‘Right,’ said Jennifer vaguely. She didn’t seem to know who they were and probably didn’t care, but Drew was surprised that Vincent knew of them. He seemed like a very smart, clued-in man. Not surprising, really, when you saw what he’d made of his life.
‘We came to see Natalie,’ said Kent.
Vincent frowned. ‘Oh, she’s just arrived. We were about to sit down.’
Jennifer and Vincent guided them into the massive sitting room off to the side. Gary and Nat were seated inside, Nat looking at a picture on the wall while Gary was using his phone. She was all dressed up in heels, grey linen slacks and her button-up red coat with a thick grey scarf. She was mesmerisingly beautiful and then she turned and Drew saw the pain on her face. It left him breathless.
‘What are you doing here?’ said Gary, the lines on his face doubling as he caught sight of them. He shot a glance at
Natalie, obviously thinking she had something to do with this arrangement.
All Drew saw was an angry man who was looking cornered. It spelled danger.
‘We came to see Natalie,’ said Kent, standing beside Drew.
‘I think we should go home, Nat. I’m not feeling well,’ said Gary, reaching for his jacket.
‘No, I need to tell my parents something,’ said Nat softly.
‘Yes, stay,’ said Kent, playing the game. He stepped towards Nat and held out his hands. ‘Here, let me take your coat, Natty.’
Nat was like a fox in the spotlight. She undid her coat while Kent waited with his hand outstretched.
‘And the scarf,’ said Kent. ‘It’s much too warm for that in here.’
Nat’s eyes flicked to Drew and he knew what she was thinking.
‘Nat, it’s time we went,’ said Gary again, reaching for her arm. She flinched.
‘How about you just back off, mate?’ said Drew, louder than he intended.
‘I beg your pardon? This is none of your business.’ Gary puffed up his chest and snatched her coat from Kent’s hands.
Drew stepped forward and reached for the scarf around Nat’s neck. He had to know for sure. But her hand quickly clutched at his, stopping him from removing it.
‘I told Kent. I’m sorry, but I’m worried about you,’ he whispered to her.
Nat’s gaze went straight through to his core. He could see her pain and yet there was a flicker of something stronger too.
‘It’s okay, Drew. I’ll do it. It’s why I made Gary bring me here,’ she said, squaring her shoulders. ‘It’s time to tell my parents.’
‘Tell us what?’ said Jennifer.
He saw her determination to stand up for herself and it melted his heart. After taking a beating, here she stood, facing her parents, facing all her fears. Truly, she had guts.
With a careful hand she unravelled the scarf. ‘I’m here to tell you that I’m not marrying Gary,’ she said, turning to her parents. ‘He hurts me,’ she added in a shaky whisper.
Drew didn’t even have to move closer to see the bruising that had started to colour already, and he noticed the split lip under the thick layer of makeup.
‘You bastard,’ he said, turning to Gary. Everything seemed to glow red, like an alarm was going off in a nuclear plant.
‘What on earth?’ said Jennifer.
‘See, Kent? Your proof,’ said Drew, ‘although Nat’s word should be enough for all of us.’
‘I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, Uncle Kent. I felt so ashamed,’ said Nat. ‘But I refuse to let it continue.’ She slipped the ring off her finger.
‘Oh my lord,’ whispered Kent, stepping closer.
‘Gary, I don’t want to marry you any more,’ Nat said firmly as a tear slipped down her face. ‘I trusted you and you hurt me, more than once. I can’t marry someone I don’t trust or even like any more. It’s over.’
Her words were like a thousand cuts to Drew’s heart, each one more painful than the last. Gary had hurt her. He wished he could have prevented it. Wished he could inflict the same pain on Gary, plus more for good measure.
Gary gripped Nat’s arm and pulled her towards him, her heels clattering along the floor in protest. ‘No, we’ll talk about this at home, princess.’
‘Get your hands off her,’ said Drew, pulling Gary’s arm away. He would never let him lay a finger on her ever again.
‘Piss off, she’s my fiancée.’
‘Not any more, she’s not.’ Drew snapped. Pulling his fist back, he punched Gary hard in the face, sending him crumpling to the floor. ‘You prick.’
‘Oh my god,’ said Jennifer, horrified.
‘What is going on?’ roared Vincent. ‘Natalie?’
‘I’m not going to apologise,’ said Drew, shaking his fist out. He shot a hate-filled look at Gary, whose mouth was bleeding. He stayed on the floor like the weak man he was. He faced Vincent. ‘I won’t see Natalie harmed, I won’t let this prick lay another hand on her. I love her too much for that.’
He heard Nat’s gasp before Gary said, ‘I knew it.’
Drew stepped towards Gary and pointed to him. ‘You touch her again and I swear to god, I’ll come back. I don’t care who you are.’
He stepped around the congregation and Gary’s blood, which looked so vibrant against the white floor. Drew’s hand hurt but it was so worth it. He didn’t want to look at Nat, to see the disappointment in her eyes, the hurt caused by his broken promise, so he kept his eyes down. ‘I’m sorry, Natty. I really am,’ he whispered on his way past her. ‘I had to tell Kent.’
He got to the door and called out, ‘Billy, it’s time to go.’ His son came jumping down the stairs, oblivious to all that had happened.
‘Dad, they have so many stairs,’ he said, taking Drew’s hand. He stopped and looked up. ‘But we didn’t get to see Natty?’
‘She’s busy. We’ll catch her later. Come on.’ He gave him a gentle tug.
Billy struggled to keep up with Drew’s pace once they were outside in the crisp air as they headed out into the street. He pulled out his phone to call for a taxi.
‘How about we go to Macca’s for dinner and then drive home?’ said Drew, finally able to breathe.
Billy smiled and nodded.
It was going to take all his effort not to stomp around to the end of the street while he waited for a taxi. He may have just lost one of his best friends, the woman he loved. But he’d be damned if he was going to let her suffer any more at the hands of that monster. God knew what else he’d done to her. Drew felt ill at the thought. He just needed to get home. Back to the farm, back to normal, simple life, back to just him and Billy, taking on the world.
Chapter 38
NAT felt like she was watching a movie, but it seemed she had the starring role.
‘What in god’s name is going on?’ said Vincent. ‘Natalie? Is this true? Gary? Would someone please explain?’
He helped Gary up while Jennifer ran off, no doubt to get a towel to clean the floor.
Nat stood there in a fog, trying to put the whole puzzle together. ‘That was Drew. He’s a friend from Lake Biddy.’ A friend who’d said he loved her. Drew’s words kept running through her mind, over and over.
‘Have you been sleeping with him?’ said Gary, wiping his mouth with the hand towel Jennifer offered to him. ‘Tell me,’ he growled.
‘How about you just back off or I’ll slap some legal jargon on your arse,’ said Kent, coming to stand beside Nat protectively. Then he turned around and inspected her neck. ‘Has he hurt you anywhere else?’ he demanded, his brow creasing as he looked at her bruising flesh.
Nat couldn’t bring herself to mention the pain in her ribs, or the fear of reaching the point of passing out. Maybe she’d be able to speak up eventually but it was still too soon, too raw. So she just nodded and dropped her eyes to the floor.
Uncle Kent lifted her chin with his finger so she’d look at him. ‘Don’t you do that! You are not at fault here – that bastard is.’ His voice softened as he pushed back a strand of her hair. ‘Oh, Natty, why didn’t you come to us? No one should ever have to put up with this. No one.’
Her dad sucked in a breath as he inspected her bruises. Her mum joined him, her mouth open, as if she couldn’t believe this was happening in her house.
Nat looked at Gary. She felt repulsed by him, couldn’t see the man she’d once thought she loved. Had she ever loved him? She looked down at the ridiculous ring in her hand. There was no sadness at no longer wearing it, just a sense of finally being free.
‘Gary, we’re over. I gave you a second chance and you blew it. Never again will I put myself in danger. I never want to see you again. You need help.’
‘Are you just going to let her?’ Gary posed the question to her parents.
‘Dad, I will not marry him, no matter what you guys want.’ Nat lifted up her blouse to show the bruising to her ribs.
‘Oh my,’ said Jennifer. Nat had ne
ver seen her mum so shaken or shocked. ‘He did this to you? Oh, my baby girl.’ She touched her daughter’s face, her eyes brimming with tears.
‘Gary? How could you?’ said Vincent, turning to Gary. ‘Get out of our house.’
‘She deserved it,’ said Gary as he swiped the ring from Nat’s hand. ‘She was all over that guy, making a fool of herself.’ He took his jacket and left, slamming the door as loudly as Drew had.
‘Who is he?’ Jennifer said staring at the closed door. She looked confused and torn. It was how Nat had been feeling since the first time Gary had hurt her.
Nat turned to her parents. ‘I do care for Drew, maybe a little too much, but I was trying to give Gary a proper chance. I really was trying —’
‘It doesn’t matter what you did, darling,’ Jennifer cut in. ‘You didn’t deserve this. No one does.’
Nat nodded slowly. ‘I need to live my own life, and that means doing what’s right for me. I know Gary’s like family to you but I will not marry someone like him. I want to continue teaching and I want you to be happy that I’m happy.’
‘Honey, we do want you to be happy,’ said Vincent. He gently touched her neck, then pulled her into his arms. ‘I can’t believe it. My poor darling, you should have said something sooner. I’m so sorry.’
Jennifer brushed her hair back. ‘Oh, Natalie. No man who does that is worth it, no matter who he is.’ She stroked her daughter’s hair like she used to when Nat was little.
After a moment, Nat pulled back. ‘I’m sorry. I just need some time. I’ll be at Uncle Kent’s. I’m sorry, Dad. I know this will be hard on you with Tony.’ She wondered what Gary’s dad would think when he heard the news. The business would be in for some serious fallout.
‘Stay and talk, sweetheart,’ Vincent begged.
‘No, I need some time to think. I will come back, but right now I’m not quite sure I can talk about anything.’
Vincent nodded, tears glistening. He hugged his wife tightly. ‘We’ll be here, waiting.’
‘Thanks.’
‘Come on, possum. Let’s get a strong coffee,’ said Kent, wrapping his arm around her.