Worth Fighting For

by Mary-Anne O'Connor

  ‘Watch the road!’ Jake and Michael yelled in unison.

  The little car narrowly missed a tree and bounced back onto the track, losing its floor once more. ‘Floorboard!’

  There was a minute of madness as Michael saved Jake’s bag from falling under the car and they replaced the timber.

  ‘Least we might have lived through a trip to the mountains,’ Jake complained.

  ‘Same driver,’ Michael pointed out.

  Cliffy turned around to object. ‘Hey, at least I’ve got my licence –’

  ‘Watch the road!’

  ‘No appreciation,’ Cliffy said, changing gears before swerving out of the way of a dead wallaby.

  Michael fell into the corner holding his nose while Jake held on to the door, straightening the floor again with his feet.

  ‘Corr, that stinks!’

  ‘Just quit your bellyaching. You’re going on a holiday to the beach, for God’s sake,’ Michael reminded him as they turned the corner and saw the sign for the parking area at last, glimpsing the ocean through the trees.

  ‘And I’ll get to see Katie Burgess. I remember meeting her once. Nice assets, if you know what I mean,’ Jake said, nudging Cliffy.

  Michael was less than impressed. ‘Just watch yourself. Bob Burgess is a big fella.’

  ‘Killjoy,’ Cliffy muttered, parking the car. ‘All I can say is these sisters of his better be worth it.’

  ‘I heard that,’ Michael warned. ‘Off limits, you hear? You can fish, drink beer and – fish. That’s it.’

  They were silent as they started to unpack, but the tension was soon broken by Jake. ‘Dart throwing in Parramatta is starting to look like a bloody good idea.’

  It was hot, sweaty work making their way down through the bush, and there really wasn’t any kind of actual track to speak of, but the sight of the beach and the ocean drew them on. Their packs were heavy, stuffed as they were with beer and food, but it wasn’t far now. Michael guessed Cliffy and Jake felt the same relief he did at being away from the city and back in nature, especially the novelty of having both the bush and ocean to enjoy. They’d all been to the beach a few times, mostly due to some coastal droving work, but never for a holiday. Now Michael couldn’t wait to get down there, to throw himself into the water and battle some of the scars of the past few weeks; see what he could wash away.

  ‘Look,’ Jake called out, and they peered down to see a few haphazard fibro constructions edging the sand.

  ‘Told ya,’ mumbled Jake. ‘Bloody Fibro Majestic.’

  ‘Better view over there,’ Cliffy said and they turned to see girls lying in the dappled sun in front of the last shack.

  ‘Beer and fishing,’ Michael reminded them.

  ‘Waves look nice and small. Think I might go for a swim,’ Junie said, stretching and putting down the book she’d been reading, Lost Horizon. It had been her favourite movie a few summers back when it was on constant replay at the local cinema, in fact on the day she first met Michael and his sisters she was on the way out of one such viewing. Even then she’d felt drawn to him, despite barely mumbling two words in his direction, skinny and shy as she’d been.

  As much as she’d loved the film, the book was even better, and she truly had been lost in it; the perfect distraction as she, Beryl and Dorn had a lie down on blankets in the mottled shade beneath the palms. Katie, meanwhile, was continuing her mysterious preparations in the shack.

  ‘Have fun,’ said Beryl, half asleep.

  ‘Hmm,’ mumbled Dorn.

  The salted breeze was fresh on Junie’s face as she stripped down to her bathers and ran into the water, which embraced her in a sudden cold that soon warmed to just right. She dived under waves as Katie had taught her, careful not to go in past her waist. Fortunately the small break only reached her hips, so she could relax into the rhythm of the tides, the push and pull, the dance.

  Floating on her back, she thought about Shangri-La, the fictional, heavenly place in Lost Horizon where people didn’t grow old and everything remained perfect. Where happiness was a permanent state of being, never to change unless you left. She knew she was a long way from that kind of happiness because change was the only thing giving her hope. She needed it like air, welcoming it like the cool of the sea on this hot afternoon.

  Junie closed her eyes, taking this little taste of happiness anyway, immersing herself in the lady who was as unpredictable as the future. The sun touched her face and she smiled, feeling its warmth, safe in the knowledge that Michael still felt that too. And while that remained true, she’d take her chances on change. It was the last piece of reassurance she had.

  ‘Junie!’

  Katie was calling her.

  She thought about ignoring her for a while, keen to float in that rare happiness a little while longer, but that wouldn’t be fair. Katie was obviously in a state of excitement about whatever plans she’d made so Junie reluctantly made her way back to the beach, waves crashing against her legs.

  As she stood on the shore, shaking the water from her hair, the breeze carried her name once more, only this time it wasn’t Katie’s voice. It was a man’s.

  He’d run out on to the beach, throwing his pack down to have a swim straight away, ripping off his sweat-soaked shirt, not seeing her as she floated just beyond the break. He still hadn’t seen her as he kicked off his shoes and threw himself into the water, the cool incredibly refreshing after the hot track. Even when he did see her, walking past him only a few feet away, he had a moment of pure shock and didn’t quite register that the vision was real. How could it be?

  Junie Wallace emerged from the ocean, swimsuit clinging to every part of her body, the dark blue material glistening against golden limbs. She shook her hair and the curls stuck against her upper arms and back, mesmerising him. Then he called her name and she turned, the blue of the ocean in her startled eyes as she recognised him. She spoke his name too, then she was moving towards him and he was moving towards her and the ocean was drawing her so close he couldn’t help but reach out his arms.

  And then she was in them. In that skin, with that hair tangled in his fingers, and he was kissing her.

  And then every single rational thought was gone.

  Junie was on fire. It spread across her damp skin to every part of her being, especially where Michael’s body was warm against hers. Never had she imagined it could feel like this, and she’d imagined it a lot. His burning kisses drugged her like an elixir from the gods that she had to drink. Soft yet strong. More, more, she begged him silently. She craved him, wanting whatever it was that happened next to happen now. Then he pulled back, running his hand along her arm and holding her chin.

  ‘Don’t stop,’ she whispered and so he kissed her again and pressed her close, wet skin meeting wet skin.

  Michael pulled back once more and smiled with happiness so great her eyes stung with tears as she traced his face with her hand.

  ‘I love you,’ she said softly.

  ‘I love you,’ he replied and she could feel the actual force of it.

  The sun shone in warm approval as they continued to make their bond at the feet of the great lady, uncaring of what might happen in the future. Because whatever happened now, nothing could ever wash this moment away.

  Nine

  ‘Knock knock.’

  Katie turned around, startled to see a soldier at the shack door and almost dropping the icing bowl she was holding.

  ‘Hi, I’m Jake, you must be Katie Burgess. I think we might have met once…back in Braidwood…’

  She peered at his face, remembering. ‘Oh yes. Hello…you’re a long way from home.’ She walked over cautiously, very much aware that her father and uncle were away and she was in charge of looking after three rather vulnerable girls in their absence.

  ‘Yeah, I’m here with my friend Cliffy…’

  ‘Nice to meet you,’ said another soldier from behind Jake. He was grinning from ear to ear but Katie just glared at his naked chest.


  ‘…and…uh…Mick is here of course. Michael Riley. Sorry, should have said. He’s just having a quick swim.’ Jake pointed at the ocean.

  ‘Michael’s here?’ Dorn said, sitting up from her nap under the trees, eyes suddenly wide open.

  Beryl yawned next to her. ‘Who’s here?’

  ‘Michael!’ Dorn said, jumping up.

  ‘What? Where?’ Beryl did likewise and Katie joined them in searching for him in the water.

  ‘Is that? Oh bugger me,’ Katie said, missing Jake’s look of surprised approval at her language. She was too busy staring at the sight of Michael kissing Junie, right there in broad daylight, while she was engaged to another man.

  ‘Saints alive,’ said Dorn, looking faint as Beryl’s mouth dropped into a perfect O.

  The boys turned to follow their line of vision in confusion then found themselves in similar states.

  ‘Bloody hell…’ said Cliffy.

  ‘Well,’ said Jake, ‘so much for just beer and fishing.’

  ‘Do something,’ Katie hissed at him.

  ‘What do you want me to do?’ he said, starting to laugh.

  ‘She’s engaged!’ Dorn said, scandalised.

  ‘Really?’ he said thoughtfully. ‘Well that explains a few things. She wouldn’t by any chance be from Braidwood would she?’

  ‘We’re all from Braidwood you nong!’ Katie exploded.

  Jake grinned at her. ‘You know I really do love a girl with spirit…’

  ‘Don’t get any funny ideas prawn-face.’

  Jake looked taken aback then grinned even more.

  They all stood watching the couple in the water in awkward silence which Jake decided to break with the sound of a beer bottle being opened.

  ‘What do you think you’re doing?’ Katie said, staring as he plonked himself on a chair.

  ‘What Mick instructed.’

  She looked back at the water then shook her head. ‘Better give us one then too.’

  The laughter was floating down the beach by the time Junie and Michael arrived at the shack, Jake’s voice carrying.

  ‘Then Mick said, “Reasons why no woman can stand yer repulsive self!”’

  Katie could be heard laughing very hard at that.

  ‘He didn’t!’ said Dorn.

  ‘He certainly did, then Cliffy said – hold on here’s our lad at last. Hey, Romeo.’

  Beryl and Dorn stood and ran to their brother and there was a minute of fierce hugs.

  ‘It’s all right, Dornie,’ Michael crooned as she wept against his chest. ‘There, now.’ Beryl held his other arm tight and neither let him go as they moved to the blankets and chairs.

  ‘Way to hog the women, Lothario,’ Jake said, grinning. ‘Speaking of which, the name’s Jake.’ He stood up and gave Junie a bow, followed by a low whistle.

  ‘Junie,’ she replied, a little shy.

  Cliffy knocked over his chair as he stood, his face a picture of awe. ‘I’m…uh…’ They all waited as he simply gawked.

  ‘Cliffy. Your name is Cliffy,’ Jake reminded him.

  Cliffy nodded, his mouth still hanging open, and the others laughed.

  ‘Entertainment over already?’ Jake asked Michael.

  ‘I see you’ve settled yourself in,’ Michael said, ignoring his question. ‘How are you, Katie?’ he said, kissing her on the cheek. She gave him a knowing look but refrained from her usual outspokenness.

  ‘How on earth did you know we were here?’ she asked instead.

  ‘Dad told me you and the girls were having a holiday, although I didn’t know Junie was here too. That was, uh, until I –’

  ‘Received a nice jolt to the arteries?’ Jake suggested.

  ‘Pretty much,’ Michael conceded, rubbing his neck, embarrassed. ‘Anyway we were given some leave because –’

  ‘Why was Dad with you? What was he doing in Sydney?’ Beryl interrupted.

  ‘Why wasn’t he with Mum?’ Dorn added.

  Michael looked at them and decided to tell the whole story from beginning to end. By the time he was finished, they were all silent, digesting it. Then Junie found her voice.

  ‘You mean to say you are going to be in Sydney for the next year? Training with this Elite squad?’

  ‘Yes,’ Michael said.

  There were a few uncomfortable glances exchanged before Katie said, ‘And the girls and your mum are moving up too?’

  ‘Looks like it.’

  ‘Bloody hell. What am I supposed to do with myself?’ she exclaimed.

  ‘Come join the party!’ Jake suggested and Katie looked him up and down sceptically.

  ‘Oh, speaking of parties,’ she said, suddenly remembering, ‘I’ve organised one for Junie tonight! A Hollywood Holiday party to celebrate – um, to say a farewell of sorts…’ she fumbled, ‘but I didn’t cater for three more and I don’t have anywhere to really put you that is…appropriate.’

  ‘We’ll crash on the sand in our sleeping bags, don’t worry,’ Michael reassured her, ‘and we have plenty of food of our own. But maybe we could make a fire and sit together out here?’ He looked at Junie tenderly. ‘That might be nice.’

  Junie smiled at him and took his hand. ‘I’d like that.’

  ‘Ahem,’ Katie said, and they let go to the obvious relief of his sisters, who were still gaping at them in shock. ‘Let’s just get organised shall we? How about you boys get some firewood and I’ll see about combining some of this food into a meal? I’ve got some lamb and bread rolls and I made a cake…’

  ‘I do love a girl with appetites,’ Jake said, following her.

  ‘And I like a man who can control his. Firewood!’ she instructed, pointing to the bush.

  ‘I don’t understand women,’ Jake confessed to Cliffy as she bustled off.

  ‘Hey, I’m still trying to figure out why they put a gold star on the dunny door.’

  The fire was crackling and beginning to blaze by the time Junie and Dorn had finished setting up the picnic. Only Beryl had been allowed inside with Katie and the hostess herself came out now, waving as they all gathered around.

  ‘Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of Miss Genie-Junie the movie star, welcome to Hollywood,’ she announced as Beryl rolled out an actual red carpet across the grass and sand towards the picnic. ‘Your outfit selection can be made herein.’

  ‘Bloody hell,’ said Jake as they all walked to the door and stared at what was now an Aladdin’s Cave of fancy dress costumes and accessories.

  ‘I knew that bag was suspiciously large when your dad lugged it down here,’ Junie said, both awed and amused.

  ‘But it’s all for women!’ Cliffy exclaimed, holding up a gold sequinned scarf.

  ‘Invite yourself to a women-only party and pay the consequences,’ Katie said airily. ‘Get a move on. We’ve movie charades after dinner.’

  By the time the girls had selected a variety of ridiculous props and dresses for the boys, they barely had time to throw things on themselves before dinner but the overall effect they’d achieved had them all in peals of laughter. Jake was dressed as some kind of belly dancer in a spangled skirt, gold brassiere and a curly black wig and Cliffy had been given a red sheath dress with a plunging neckline that revealed quite a bit of hairy chest. He also wore make-up courtesy of Beryl, although the lipstick had gotten out of control and he looked a bit like a freakish clown, a fact that had her in a constant state of teary giggles. Then there was Michael who, with his long legs and tanned face, almost carried off the yellow evening frock, but it clashed somewhat with his army boots and orange turban.

  Fortunately the girls had managed to be a bit more tasteful, although Katie’s gold dress was a little tight around the bust and rear – something Jake had to be reminded to stop staring at – and Dorn’s fake fur dragged in the sand on her diminutive frame.

  ‘She looks like a little bear!’ Michael chuckled, patting her head fondly.

  Beryl was definitely pulling off the Spanish gown and lace fan, despite bits of lace fal
ling off every time she waved it, but it was Junie who stole the show. Everyone went quiet when she stepped out of the powder room in a crimson twenties-style flapper dress and feathered crown – an outfit she’d actually chosen to look a bit silly and have fun. Instead she looked quite stunning, prompting Jake to comment that Cliffy would never be able to remember his name at this rate.

  Junie figured even Hollywood couldn’t have produced a more perfect evening. They ate and drank and played charades, and danced in the sand to the wireless. Then Cliffy played a little ukulele he’d brought along and Dorn was persuaded to sing in her sweet soprano. The others listened as they lay on blankets around the fire, mesmerised as she sang ‘Cheek to Cheek (I’m in Heaven)’, sparks breaking and flying off into the night.

  Junie looked over at her copy of Lost Horizon, lying in the sand, and wished she could crawl into its pages with Michael, taking this feeling with them to stay there together, forever. Change had arrived and she never wanted another, because life at this moment really was heaven. Junie refused to consider what lay beyond it or even what had gone before it. All she knew was the same feelings were echoing in Michael’s eyes and that, in the quietest hours before the dawn, she would not be able to resist coming to find him; to let him take her down to the shadowed shoreline.

  The moon was full, casting a silvered pathway across the great lady, who shimmered in her black evening skirts. There, by the sea, Michael’s kisses of the day grew unrestrained in the cloak of night and they fell to the sand, clinging together. It was the first time for both of them and he traced her naked form, fingers trailing in worship across her breasts and stomach and thighs until he found places that made her gasp and strain against him. She held onto his back as he moved on top of her, marvelling at the strength beneath his skin and wondering how he knew what to do. There was pain, but it was soon gone and she was moving with him until he found his release and cried out her name, falling to the side to bury himself in her neck and kiss her long and slowly in wonder.