by Mary Moore
Fern looked and said gratefully, 'Thanks. That will be marvellous .' Anything to get out of this hall and not witness Brett and Lisa having their special dance.
A crowd blocking the door halted their progress, and Fern felt despair as Brett put his hand on Darcy's shoulder. 'Thanks for minding my girl for the night, but it's the last dance, and we're having it together.'
Fern said stubbornly, 'I'm not dancing with you, and I'm going home with Darcy.'
Brett stood there smiling down at her. 'I'm sure Darcy isn't looking for any trouble. You're not disputing my right to have the last dance with Fern?'
Darcy shrugged his shoulders. 'It's between you and him, Fern. See you.'
Fern went to follow him, but Brett took her arm in a vicelike grip. 'If you're begging for a fight you are going to get it, Fern. Either you come with me willingly on to the dance floor, or I'll pick you up in my arms and waltz round the floor with you ... that will give them something to talk about for years!'
'What are you hoping to prove, Muscle Man?' She was so mad she could have screamed, but rather than make a scene she went with him on to the dance floor.
Not a word was spoken as they circled the room. Fern tried to hold him at arm's length, but he pulled her close and held her. 'Watch it, Fern baby. You don't know how close you've been to getting a thoroughly deserved spanking this evening, but if you try me any more you're going to get it.'
Fern could not speak, she was so seething. She needed a spanking? She did? Oh, he really was something else!
On the trip home she sat as far away from him as she could. When he stopped the car in front of the house, she was out in a flash and running up the steps. He did not try to follow her, but drove on into the garage.
She was trembling as she removed her make-up. How dared he humiliate her like that... oh, she could kill him! He was trying to put her in the wrong. How like a man!
One day he was going to get his, he had it coming. And Fern only hoped she was there to see it.
CHAPTER NINE
On the Sunday following New Year's Day Brett was called to the phone about mid-morning. Fern ignored him as he went through to his office; she had been ignoring him ever since the ball. What annoyed her most of all was the fact that he didn't seem to be aware that he was being ignored, or if he did know, he didn't let it bother him. As for keeping up a face in front of Kirsty and Mr. Alexander, Fern thought that they had been given enough reassurance to last them to the end of the month.
Kirsty made a cup of tea. When Brett came in they were all seated round the table. He was obviously pleased with himself.
'What do you know?' he announced. 'My jet boat is ready. Jim's just finished tuning her up and is bringing her out here this afternoon. Fern, would you like to be my first passenger? I'll try her out after lunch. You'll come?'
'No, thanks.'
'Why not?' Brett's blue eyes were full of mischief. 'Uncle, do you think Fern needs an afternoon off? She works far too hard. Kirsty, I'll leave you to persuade her, but I do think it's important that she comes with me. Don't you?'
He swallowed his tea hastily, and went out.
'It will do you the world of good, Fern,' Kirsty stated firmly. 'You'll enjoy it. Brett has had a boat for several years, but it wasn't until last year that I gained the courage to go with him on the river. I was a small bit nervous, but Brett is a good driver, and handles his boat skilfully . It gives you a completely new picture of the countryside. Now, I won't hear any more argument! You agree, Mr. Hamish?'
'What are you scared of, Fern? The worst that can happen is you might have to swim for it, but it's a nice day.' Mr. Alexander continued, ‘I think it's quite an honour to be chosen for the maiden voyage. Brett has been waiting for the boat to arrive, and it's natural that he wants to show it off to you. He lent his other jet to some friends making a trip up the Bullet Gorge last year, and it was swamped and sank without a trace. Well, that's settled, you'll go.'
'Yes, I'll go,' Fern said, but her voice lacked enthusiasm. That Brett was downright sneaky ... he knew she would refuse him so he'd set the other two on to her. She'd go all right, but she wouldn't enjoy it ... not even if it meant sitting the whole journey with her eyes shut.
While she was putting the lunch dishes away she saw in the drive the Landrover towing a trailer on which rode a jet boat. She couldn't help feeling a little thrilled at the thought of the trip. The boat was spanking new, gleaming paint, and every curve and line of it fairly shouted speed.
When Brett called, she went out thinking she must might enjoy the new experience. After all, there was no use in cutting off her nose to spite her face. She arrived by the boat at the same time as Lisa. She listened to Lisa's praise of the smooth sleek lines, and knowledgeable talk about the engine, showing that what she didn't know about jets wasn't worth mentioning.
Fern did a slow bum, as she waited for the spiel to finish. How come Lisa always knew the right thing to say - mention a boat and she rattled off non-stop about engines, mention a horse and away she went about sires, lines and studs, mention a dog and she was off about eye dogs, huntaways , blue heelers and Kelpies. And Smithy thought she was a dumb blonde!
Lisa was flushed with excitement and Fern had to admit she was devastating, sparkling, vivacious, and saying exactly the right things to please Brett. No wonder he couldn't resist her.
'Are you going for a run now? Please, pretty please, can little Lisa go with you?'
'Sorry, the first trip is reserved for Fern,' Brett turned her down with a smile.
Jim reversed the Landrover and trailer out of the drive, and headed towards the bridge.
'Please, Fern, can I go in your place? It would mean so much to me, and you can go another time.'
Brett shook his head. 'Cut it out, Lisa. You can go next time.'
Lisa pouted her pretty red lips, and then gave in gracefully. 'Whatever you say, darling. But there's no reason why I can't go down to the river with you, is there?'
'None that I can think of... now I'll get the car.'
When he stopped the car beside them, Fern said to Lisa, 'Hop in. I've changed my mind about going. In fact, I wasn't very keen in the first place.'
Lisa needed no second bidding. She got in beside Brett, then wound down the window and called, 'Seeing you're going to be staying at home would you mind giving my car a wash and polish? The roads here are shockingly dusty.'
Brett switched the motor off. 'You leave that car alone! Lisa, you've got one hell of a nerve ... Fern isn't on the payroll, you know, she's a guest here, like yourself.'
Lisa answered sulkily, 'I didn't say she had to do it, and if you're going to kick up such a commotion, I'll get Robbie to do it when I get back.'
Brett was furious, and Fern laughed. Lisa really was something! The sheer blatant nerve of her taking Fern's place, then ordering her to wash the car, then seeing it annoyed Brett, changing to Robbie. One thing was clear, Lisa had no intention of doing the job herself.
Brett got out of the car, and shouted, 'Fern, you get right back in the car when I tell you, or ...'
Fern laughed again.'... Or you'll what? Dragging me on to the dance floor by force is one thing, but holding me down while you steer the boat is another. Perhaps you'd prefer to tie me up. Cheer up, man. Nobody likes a sore loser.' She sketched a mock salute and took off for Smithy's house.
Smithy shouted for her to come in when she knocked. Smithy was mending men's working trousers. 'If there's one thing I hate about being a farmer's wife, it's patching ... Yuk! I reckon I was born out of my time. Now, in the cavemen days, life must have been much more simple then ... no trousers, and best of all no barbed wire fences to rip their little fur skin suits on.'
Fern sat down on the sofa and was immediately mobbed by Sally and Simon.
Smithy yelled, 'Here, you kids, give Fern a fair go. Hey, Fern, what are you doing here? I thought Brett was taking you up river in his new boat. Don't tell me you let Lisa con you out of it?' She p
ushed the pile of mending aside. 'Out, out you go, you brats! I'm going to have a heart-to-heart with Fern here. Time somebody did. You great big softie, you ... when are you going to stand up and fight... letting her walk all over you!' She took some biscuits and two apples. 'Come on now, kids. Here, take these things and beat it. Don't leave the garden, now. I'll call you when I've finished with Fern. Sally, keep an eye on Simon.'
'Me Jack' Simon snuggled closer to Fern. Fern kissed him. He really was gorgeous. 'Your bribery and corruption hasn't worked, Smithy. Watch me use a little child psychology on them.'
She walked to the door with 'me Jack' still clinging like a limpet. 'Now, if you both go outside while I talk to Smithy, I'll take you for a swim, but not if I hear you fighting. Jack, will you be a good boy?'
'Me Jack. Me good. Me swim.'
Fern kissed him, then put him down with an affectionate smack on the bottom.
'You debbil child, and you know it. Now, Sally, have we a deal?' She picked Sally up and cuddled her. Somehow this fragile little girl caught painfully at her heart-strings. 'Me Jack' would never be crushed, but Sally?
'Could you read us some more about Winnie the Pooh, too?' Sally blushed scarlet at her own temerity.
Fern gave her a quick kiss and a hug. 'My, you are coming on, child! I'm proud of you. If you didn't ask you don't get in this funny old world of ours. Right, a swim and then two more chapters of Pooh Bear and Rabbit.'
As they ran off, Fern thought regretfully that even if you asked there were some things you didn't get. Now she had to listen to Smithy have her say. Bless her heart, but to Fern it was like rubbing at a sore spot, it didn't help to have the situation talked over and over.
Always there came to her that picture of Brett and Lisa with the children that first morning. They had been so happy, Brett would make a wonderful father for those kids, and no one could deny they needed one. Another picture that seemed to come again and again was the afternoon she had found Lisa and the children at afternoon tea, with 'Me Jack' asleep on Kirsty's knee. It would mean so much to her to have those children to fill the huge emptiness that would come when Hamish Alexander died. Then this afternoon, Lisa doing everything a wife should do, building Brett's ego up, pretty and charming, and not the least of her charm was the 'whatever you say, darling' touch.
Fern sighed; she had nothing to match what Lisa could offer, so how could she stand up and fight for herself, when she wasn't even sure that for her to stay here would be worse for them all in the long run? Her brothers were right, she was a mouse... a right rotten mouse.
Smithy placed a mug of coffee in front of Fern and sat down opposite her. 'I don't care if you've had lunch, you're going to need something strong and sweet after my shock treatment.'
Fern grinned at her.
'Take that cheeky grin off your face. You've got nothing to smile about. Robbie told me you had a plan, and we've sat back waiting to see it work. It's not what I'd call a plan, it's a flaming disaster. Lisa is taking Brett over, and you're getting pushed further and further into the background. Wake up, girl... do something!'
Fern shrugged her shoulders, then sipped her coffee, her expressive brown eyes still on Smithy's indignant face.
'Stop that, Fern! The position is what I'd call critical. Some plan ... you go to the ball with Brett, and she dances with him all night...'
Fern defended herself, 'He had the last dance with me, and around here that's regarded as of paramount importance.' She thought it was a bit low to claim that as belonging to her plan because it had all been of Brett's choosing.
'Yes, I'll grant you that,' Smithy nodded her head thoughtfully, 'but I still can't see why you let her get away with it. You made it so easy for her.'
Fern sipped her coffee again while she vainly tried to think of an answer to Smithy. Suddenly a bright idea flashed into her mind. She tried to look very wise and knowing. 'It's not always the easy game that attracts the hunter.'
Fern held her breath while Smithy considered the statement.
'Yes. Y-e-s, you could be right. She's always available whenever he wants her, and sometimes when he doesn't, while you play hard to get. You're a deep one, Fern Fraser.'
Fern let out her breath thankfully. She wished she was a deep one, but she wasn't... she loved Brett, and .. .
Smithy broke into her thoughts. 'It could be very dangerous if it didn't work. A little give and take is all right, but you're doing all the giving, and Lisa is doing all the taking. Is that part of your plan too?'
Fern nodded. Having no plan whatsoever, she was happy to have Smithy enlarge on her first bright thought. Happy, but a little ashamed of herself for kidding Smithy who was so concerned.
'You know, Fern, it sounds better and better. It's not the way I'd have chosen to handle Lisa, but you're a lot cleverer than me. Brett was saying you were a nurse, so I suppose you learned a lot of psychology and all that stuff. You know, the more I hear these clever dicks going on about it, the more I'm convinced it's just plain old-fashioned common sense. Take you with the kids a minute ago, you used bribery just the same as me, but you knew what they wanted most... I suppose that's all there is to it, knowing what they want.'
'Something like that,' Fern agreed. 'Tell me, how do you know so much about the ball? You and Ross weren't there, and Robbie and Maureen were at a private party.'
'The day I have to go to a dance to find out what happened ... well, that'll be the day! The phone keeps you in touch with what goes on, as well as being up to date with most things on the home front.'
Fern decided it was wiser to keep quiet, than ask a question; after all, Smithy was on a party line.
'You see, I was having a snore off the other day, and Lisa must have thought I was out, the place was so quiet. My door was open -I mean, I wasn't listening in on purpose and she said ...'
'I don't want to hear what she said when she thought she was alone,' Fern protested.
'Well, my lady, you're going to hear it whether you like it or not. If it were just idle gossip I wouldn't bother repeating it, but when it concerns the welfare of those across the road, I think you should know.'
Fern didn't know how to stop her, but stood up, preparing to leave.
'Sit down! Lisa was talking to her friend. She said when she married Brett Kirsty would have to leave the farm. She said she would make that one of the conditions before she'd agree to marry him. She said she didn't mind what he spent on the old girl, just as long as he parked her in a flat a good distance away from here.'
'She couldn't! Oh, Smithy, you must have misunderstood her ...'
'I did not misunderstand that little madam. I've seen you watching Brett and those kids, and I knew what a sentimental little goose you are. In fact, I thought they were the reason why you weren't trying very hard to interest Brett. Of course, now you've told me about the plan, I can see I was wrong. But you should know this and realize it's not only your happiness that's at stake, but also Kirsty's . Can you imagine her in a flat in Christchurch?'
'Yes, unfortunately I can. It would kill her. Oh, I wish you hadn't told me.'
'I suppose you do. I'm going to tell you one more thing and then I'll let you go. Shut up,' Smithy waved aside Fern's anxious objections. 'I want you to know what you're up against. You think you're playing some sort of game with rules like honesty, etc., but believe you me, when Lisa plays, it's for keeps, and she's not above twisting someone's words or telling a downright lie ... no Queensberry rules for that one. She doesn't even regard you as a danger, you're nothing. She told her friend that you and Brett only got engaged to please the old man, and that when he dies you're leaving. Now I know that's a filthy lie, I was here the day you became engaged, I know Brett loves you. I've never seen him so happy for years. Why, at dinner that night, he positively enjoyed Ross's jokes about another good guy gone west. He was so darned proud ...' Smithy's face crumpled. 'And to think I was the blithering idiot that brought her here! If she breaks you two up I'll never f
orgive her or myself.'
Fern tried to cheer Smithy up, but she was feeling so sick inside herself that she made very little progress. Brett had told Lisa about the engagement after he'd warned her not to tell anyone, and had given his word on it.
'The kids are waiting for me to take them swimming, Smithy. You hop off to bed, and have a rest while I've got them away from the house. And don't worry yourself or blame yourself. If Lisa can split Brett and me then it wasn't much of an engagement to start with, see.'
The words nearly choked her, but she didn't cry. Her eyes were dry and painful, and her throat had a huge lump in it. Why couldn't she cry? She longed for the earlier days when the tears had poured down her cheeks at the least provocation. Now she wanted the relief of tears there were not any.
'You kids ready? Golly, you've got your togs on already. Sally, run over to the line and get my bikini. If I go Kirsty might call me, and I wouldn't get to take you for a swim.'
Sally ran off importantly while 'Me Jack' made vigorous but ineffectual attempts to catch a butterfly.
Sally came puffing back, waving the bikini. 'I saw Kirsty, but she didn't see me. Come quick, Fern, or she may stop us.'
As they neared the river, Fern heard the full-throated roar of the jet boat going back down river. The children raced down the track, but were disappointed at missing it. Fern was not disappointed. She played and fooled with the children for about an hour, then they went back to Smithy's.
Sally ran ahead. 'I'll get the book, I'll get the book!'
'Don't wake Smithy if she's lying down. Be quiet now, Sally.' But she need not have worried; as she neared the door she heard the angry whirr of the sewing machine. 'Hi! We're back, Smithy. I thought you were going to bed.'
'I've nearly finished these pants. It's amazing what you can accomplish when you're in a temper.
'I see the others have just come back from the boat. Lisa is going inside with Brett,' she reported a few minutes later.