Too Many Secrets

by Adele Broadbent

  ‘Yes,’ he said. ‘I want to stay in the bush. I told Mr Ford you were my new family.’

  We all stared at him. Mark nodded. ‘For the meantime, anyway. They have to do a lot of checks before they accept us as interim foster parents.’

  ‘What if they don’t accept us?’ asked Nick. ‘What happens then?’

  ‘I’m not sure,’ said Mark glancing at Mum. ‘I suppose he will go to registered foster parents.’

  ‘But a foster home could be anywhere,’ I cried. ‘It might be on a farm where they work him like a slave. It might be in a scummy apartment block with druggies next door. It could be anywhere!’

  ‘Becs!’ yelled Mum and Mark. Poor Isaiah looked totally confused. I felt stink as soon as I said it. But I couldn’t stand the thought of him living with complete strangers.

  ‘I’m sure Isaiah wouldn’t be put anywhere unsafe,’ said Mum. She wasn’t very convincing.

  ‘Why can’t he stay with us?’ asked Nick. ‘Why does he have to go anywhere?’

  Isaiah was shaking his head. ‘I will not leave.’

  ‘I don’t want Isaiah to go, Dad,’ pleaded Nick. ‘Why can’t he stay here with us until the house is sold?’

  ‘Shut up, Nick!’ I said. But it was too late.

  ‘We can work really hard and get it finished,’ she blabbed. ‘And when it’s sold, Isaiah can come back to the city with us.’

  ‘Sell the house?’ asked Isaiah. ‘You are going to sell Herrick House?’

  ‘Yes, Isaiah,’ said Mark solemnly. ‘We are restoring it to resell. There is no way we could afford to keep it. We’ve already sold everything to pay for the restoration. We’ll have to sell it when it’s finished.’

  For the first time in ages, I saw the old Isaiah. He leapt up from the table. The wild bush boy with the intense dark eyes. He whirled to face me. ‘You are leaving? You are all going back to the city?’ The look on his face was worse than when the police turned up.

  ‘I…I’m sorry,’ I whispered. He turned and ran.

  Chapter 70—Becs

  By the time I reached the back door he was gone. ‘Why didn’t you shut up, Nick?’

  ‘He had to find out sooner or later,’ said Mark. ‘I know it’s going to be hard but he has to realize that things are going to change. We’ve done a lot for him already but we can’t all stay out here forever.’

  I peered out into the bush, wondering where he’d go. Change. That’s all Isaiah had known for months. Leaving his home, his family going without him, living with Oscar, then us. And when he has something to focus on—a piece of his own family history—it was going to change, too. Without looking back I muttered, ‘I’m going for a walk.’

  ‘Becs, leave him alone for a while,’ called Mum.

  ‘I will. I just need to be on my own for a bit.’ I didn’t care if they thought I was a drama queen. I needed to think.

  Isaiah wasn’t the only one with changes stuffing up his life. I’d been happy with just Mum and me. Then Mark arrived. Then the wedding, and a new sister, and the big move to deal with. No problem. Yeah right. I thought I would curl up and die when I first saw the shack. But now it felt different. Not quite home—I wasn’t that used to it, but it was do-able.

  Then there was Isaiah. We might have changed things in his life, but he’d changed ours, too. It was like inheriting a brother as well. I sat on the little wooden seat I’d found soon after we’d arrived and gazed up into the sunlight trickling through the trees.

  As birdsong surrounded me, I remembered my first walk in the bush. I’d thought it was just a maze of squawking noise. What would my mates say if they saw me? I hadn’t worn a skirt since I’d arrived. When my iPod went flat I never bothered to recharge it and I had no idea where my cellphone was. I looked after chickens, helped in the vege garden and watched monarch butterflies hatch for fun. They’d call me a hippie greenie or a tree-hugger or something.

  What would it be like when we went home to the city? Ascot! I’d hardly thought about it since Isaiah’s secret was out. It had been everything in the city—my only reason for agreeing to the move. Just so we could afford my Ascot school fees.

  I remembered Suz’s letter. She might not even be going. Who knows what Caro and Lexi were doing. Lexi hadn’t said in her letter and Caro hadn’t written at all. I shook my head. I’d worry about that later. I had to find Isaiah.

  Knowing Isaiah, he’d avoid Oscar’s. Oscar would only say ‘I told you so.’ I had a hunch where he’d go instead.

  I flipped up the trap door of the tree house. ‘Hello, Isaiah.’ He scowled back at me.

  ‘You’ll have to stop hanging out with Oscar,’ I said, pulling myself up. ‘You’ve got the same frown.’

  ‘Oscar has no reason to be angry,’ he muttered. ‘I do.’

  ‘I’m sorry you found out like that. I was going to tell you, but—’

  ‘You are just like Papa!’ he blurted. ‘Telling lies.’

  ‘I haven’t lied to you, Isaiah!’

  ‘You knew you were not staying. You knew Mr Burgess was going to sell the big house. And then you will be gone. You told the government people I could stay with your family. But you are leaving!’ Tears filled his eyes. ‘I thought I could trust you.’

  ‘You can trust me,’ I said. ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t dob you in. I’ve been helping you, haven’t I?’

  He turned away, wiping at his face.

  I sank down on the cushions Nick had taken from the shack. ‘Sit down. I’ll tell you anything you want to know.’ He finally turned to look at me but stood silent by the window.

  I rolled my eyes at him and took a deep breath. ‘We came out here to do up Herrick House and sell it so we can buy a better house in the city.’ I avoided his gaze. ‘And have enough for my fees at a private school. That’s it.’

  ‘Those school subjects you spoke about are not correspondence?’

  I shook my head.

  ‘More lies!’

  ‘It wasn’t a lie,’ I said with a sigh. ‘Would you have talked to me if you knew we weren’t staying? Would you have moved out of Oscar’s shed or come to stay with us?’ He stared. ‘No, you wouldn’t,’ I answered for him.

  ‘You’re my friend, Isaiah. You helped me get used to this place. Remember how I was? I hated it here. You taught me stuff and made me laugh. I wanted to help you too. I didn’t lie to you.’

  ‘But you are still leaving. You are still going to the private school.’

  ‘We will have to go eventually, once the house is sold. But it’s going to be months and months yet,’ I said. It was the first time I wanted the restoration to take longer. ‘And when we go, you can come with us to the city.’

  ‘You go to your school if you want to.’ He shook his head. ‘But I cannot.’ He swung out the tree house window and disappeared into the trees.

  ‘That’s the thing, Isaiah,’ I said to the empty tree house. ‘I’m not sure if I want to go either.’

  Chapter 71—Becs

  I saiah came back that night. He was quiet but at least he wasn’t angry. Maybe he’d listened to what I said? If only that doctor had left things alone. Isaiah could’ve stayed with us until we went home. We could’ve told people he was a long-lost cousin or something. I would’ve got him used to the idea of the city. He said he wouldn’t leave, but he couldn’t go back to how he was. But if Mum and Mark’s application was turned down, who knew what might happen.

  Isn’t it strange that when you want something to hurry up and arrive in the post, it takes forever to come (like letters from my friends), but when you’re dreading something, it seems to fly?

  I wanted to hear from CYF to know if Isaiah could stay with us. But at the same time the news could be bad. When Isaiah told Mum and Mark he wouldn’t leave the bush, it made us all worry more. If he was made to leave, we all knew he’d run away and be worse off than ever.

  We’d stopped for lunch one day when Mark arrived back from town with a load of stuff for the house and a letter in his h
and. The only sound at the lunch table was a bellbird singing outside and the envelope being sliced open.

  With a deep breath, Mark read, ‘Your application to be Approved Interim Caregivers is being processed and Isaiah Herrick is under your care until CYF can locate his legal guardians/parents. All initial attempts to find his family have failed at this time.’

  Chapter 72—Isaiah

  Sometimes when I woke in the mornings, it was as if nothing had changed. Then I would see I was alone in the lean-to and the house was quiet. My brothers and sisters would sometimes wake me with their chattering, but Becs’ family were always asleep when I got up.

  It was a luxury to lie in for a bit. I’d always been up at 5 a.m. to help Mother. Papa always told me to leave it for my sisters but I knew Mother appreciated it.

  Living with Becs’ family was so different from my own. I felt so betrayed when I learnt of their plans to leave. It was as if my own family were leaving all over again. But after a long talk with Becs’ parents, I realized that their plans really did include me. They wanted me to go with them when they left for the city. That was a good feeling but I wasn’t sure if I could. ‘Don’t worry about it yet,’ Becs had said. ‘We’ll figure it out.’

  When the letter came, they tried to look relaxed but I could tell they were as worried as I was. But then I was both relieved and sad at the same time when it said they couldn’t find my family.

  I got dressed and went out to the kitchen. I liked to help Becs’ mum too, by lighting the fire for the hot water. Mr Burgess liked his coffee in the morning.

  ‘Surprise! Happy birthday!’

  The Burgess family all sat smiling around the kitchen table. Even Becs, who was never up before me.

  I couldn’t help grinning. ‘How did you know?’ I’d seen the calendar on the kitchen wall, so I knew it was my birthday. When I’d first come to stay, Becs crossed off each day with a thick black marker. But soon, as days went by without being crossed off, I still kept track of the date.

  ‘It’s on the CYF forms,’ said Becs. Mum showed me one with your birth date on it. Why didn’t you tell us?’

  I shrugged. ‘My family doesn’t celebrate birthdays.’ Nick gasped, like it was the worst thing in the world. I smiled over at her. ‘But my teacher always made me a cake.’

  ‘Well, it’s too early for cake,’ said Becs’ mum. ‘Will pancakes do?’

  ‘Yay!’ cried Nick and Becs.

  ‘After breakfast you can fetch Oscar,’ she said. ‘I’ve invited him but I know he won’t come on his own. Then you can open your presents.’

  ‘Presents? I do not need presents. You are already so kind.’

  Nick jumped up and tugged me to the table. ‘Of course you need presents. It’s your birthday!’

  Becs looked uncomfortable on the way to Oscar’s but I was glad she came with me. I wanted them to like each other, as I liked them. Oscar had grown used to me helping with his chores and staying with her family, but still grumbled when I mentioned her.

  ‘Not coming,’ he said when he opened his door. Becs rolled her eyes and gave a huge sigh. ‘You mean we just walked all this way for nothing? Isaiah could have opened all his presents by now.’

  ‘Never asked you to come,’ Oscar muttered. I turned to go but Becs did not give up so easily.

  ‘Come on, Oscar,’ she pleaded. ‘Isaiah has never had a birthday. I bet you had birthdays when you were young.’

  ‘Might have,’ he grumbled.

  ‘Mum has made a blackberry pie and an apple flan, and a roast chicken is in the oven right now,’ coaxed Becs. ‘You can stay for Isaiah’s birthday lunch.’

  Oscar looked over at me. ‘Please, Oscar,’ I said. ‘It will not be right if you are not there.’

  ‘Wait here then.’ He reappeared a few minutes later wearing his town clothes.

  Becs whistled. ‘Wow, Oscar!’

  ‘I’m doing it for the boy.’

  Oscar didn’t need his crutch any more but was still slow on the track. He was silent for most of the walk back. When we were nearly at the shack, he finally spoke. ‘Isaiah tells me you’re leaving,’ he said to Becs. I frowned at him. I did not want an argument on my first proper birthday. He ignored me. Becs ignored him.

  ‘Thought as much,’ he muttered. ‘Come out here, stir things up and leave the mess behind. Can’t trust a townie.’

  Becs stopped on the track in front of him. ‘Actually, there won’t be any mess. We want Isaiah to come with us.’

  Just for a moment, Oscar looked surprised. Then just as quick he closed his mouth and shuffled around her. ‘We’ll see about that. He belongs in the bush.’

  ‘Well, CYF says he can’t stay in the bush without a relative or a registered foster family. Don’t know anyone round here, do you?’

  ‘Harrumph.’ He carried on along the track.

  Chapter 73—Becs

  Oscar might have looked different without his ‘bush’ clothes but Isaiah looked amazing. Mum had bought him boardies, T-shirts and even a cap.

  When I saw tears in his eyes, I blinked mine away. He went up to Mum and gave her a huge hug.

  Oscar gave him one of those fancy red pocket knives with scissors and a magnifying glass and heaps of blades. Isaiah didn’t know where to look. Oscar wouldn’t look him in the eye, either. ‘Not as flash as your fancy clothes, I suppose, but I thought you might like it.’

  ‘Thank you, Oscar.’

  Oscar waved it off and changed the subject. ‘You might as well go to the city,’ he grouched, ‘now you look like a townie. You’ll be cutting your hair next.’

  Nick grabbed Isaiah’s hand, and pulled him over to the mirror. ‘That’s a cool idea! You can cut your hair short like mine.’

  Isaiah tousled her hair. ‘Only if you grow yours.’ He laughed when she pulled a face.

  ‘I’m due a haircut, Isaiah,’ said Mark. He rubbed his hand over his head. Number three, that’s me. We can do yours at the same time if you like?’

  Isaiah looked horrified. Even Oscar smiled at the look on his face. If only for a millisecond.

  After lunch we all jumped in the ute to go check out new clippers. How sad was that for birthday entertainment? Oscar had gone home shaking his head, mumbling about ‘meddling townies’.

  ‘My God! Isaiah!’ said Jeff from behind the shop counter. ‘It’s true. You are still here.’

  ‘Hello, Mr Cooke. It is good to see you,’ said Isaiah shyly.

  ‘You’ve been staying with the Burgess family then?’ Jeff asked.

  ‘That’s right,’ said Mark. I could tell he didn’t want to tell Jeff much.

  While Mum checked out the two sets of clippers the shop stocked, Jeff stared at Isaiah, like he didn’t believe he was real.

  ‘Any mail?’ asked Mark.

  ‘Yes, um, sorry, Mark. I’ll fetch it for you.’ Jeff scurried out the back. When he returned, he handed Mark two envelopes. Just as Mark was about to check them, Mum called him over. ‘I think these lighter clippers are the best. What do you think, Mark?’ He stuffed the envelopes in his back pocket and went to help.

  I’d never seen Isaiah so relaxed. He sat between Nick and me in the ute, laughing at Nick’s lame knock-knock jokes. She’d bought a book of them at the shop. ‘This is going to be a long trip back,’ I groaned. It turned out to be even longer than I dreaded.

  Mark folded the mail he’d been reading in the front seat. He touched Mum’s arm. ‘Find a spot to turn around. I have to use the shop phone.’

  Mum glanced at the letter on Dad’s lap before braking carefully on the gravel road. ‘What is it?’

  ‘Nothing,’ said Mark, sliding the letter back in its envelope. ‘I just need to sort a couple of things.’ The ride back to the shop was in silence.

  Mark asked us to all stay in the ute when we reached the shop—even Mum.

  He returned with a smile. ‘No worries. I’ll have to go back home on business for a day or two, that’s all. Everything’s fine.’ Talk about cut the ten
sion with a knife, you could’ve cut it with a blunt stick. Something was wrong.

  Chapter 74—Becs

  Hang on. He was going home! ‘I’m going with you!’ I could see my mates. Were they still going to Ascot? Why hadn’t they written? Now I could go back and sort it all out.

  Isaiah gasped.

  ‘No, Becs. You can’t,’ said Mark from the front.

  ‘What? Why? That’s not fair!’

  The look he gave me shut me up in an instant. ‘We will discuss it later.’ He glanced at Isaiah, then back at me, and then turned back to the front. ‘It won’t be a fun trip,’ he said finally. ‘I have a meeting or two, then I’ll be back before you know it.’ He looked back again. ‘I’ve got some news for you, though, Isaiah. We’ve got a letter from CYF. They’ve accepted our application, so it’s official. You can stay with us while they try to trace your family.’

  ‘Yay!’ cried Nick and Mum. I was still fuming at Mark when a huge lump of relief bulged in my throat. Isaiah could stay.

  Later, I got Mum on her own. ‘Why can’t I go with Mark? I need to see my mates. I’ve got to sort some stuff out about Ascot.’

  ‘You heard what Mark said. Not this time, Becs.’

  Mark had disappeared to the house alone for the rest of the day and Isaiah had gone to Oscar’s. He’d hardly spoken a word to me before he went. You’d think he’d be stoked about the letter from CYF but I think he was mad because I’d asked to go home. It wasn’t like I wasn’t going to come back. ‘What was the other letter, Mum?’

  ‘Just a letter from home,’ she said, pretending to concentrate on folding the washing.

  ‘Oh, come on, Mum. Mark was really weird about it.’

  She glanced around to check Nick wasn’t listening. ‘I don’t know, Becs. Mark wouldn’t tell me. All he said was to make sure Isaiah stayed with us until he came back.’