Queen of the Road

by Tricia Stringer

  Coop didn’t like the suggestive spark in Jeremy’s pale blue eyes. ‘I’ve got a few more jobs to do,’ he said. He opened the back door and stood beside it. ‘Will you be right to find your way to the Camerons’?’

  ‘Yeah, sure.’ Jeremy stopped in front of him. ‘Look, I didn’t mean anything … I was just joking.’

  Coop saw the red flush in Jeremy’s face again, but this time it wasn’t from the heat.

  ‘Alice is sick at the moment. I guess I don’t have much of a sense of humour when it comes to jokes about her.’

  ‘I’m sorry.’ Jeremy’s cheeks deepened in colour.

  ‘Forget it.’ Coop gave a conciliatory smile. ‘But I really have more work to do.’

  Jeremy turned and walked ahead. Coop followed him out the door and watched from the gate as the city bloke started up his car.

  ‘Maybe we can catch up for a drink next weekend,’ Jeremy called.

  Coop gave a slight nod of his head and Jeremy drove away. Jilly nudged her head against her owner’s leg and he reached down to give her a pat.

  ‘He’s a strange bloke, that one, Jilly. A strange bloke.’

  Coop glanced from Jeremy’s dust trail to the sky. The grey cloud had spread further while they’d been inside and what was left of the slight breeze had dropped out altogether. Something was brewing. He turned away from the house and whistled.

  ‘Come on, girl. We’ve got sheep to check.’

  Chapter 10

  According to her GPS, the murky haze ahead was Port Augusta. Angela glanced over at Claudia who was, thankfully, still asleep. The trip from Melbourne to Adelaide had been exciting for both of them. They’d made it to the Adelaide depot in good time and spent the night there before loading up this morning, but that’s when Angela’s bravado had begun to waver. Perhaps Claudia had sensed it. She’d been tetchy and uncooperative ever since.

  At the depot, Angela had run out of things to entertain Claudia with and stupidly promised breakfast at McDonald’s. The backlog of cargo was long and the assortment was such a mixture that it had taken a while to load, with some items having to stay behind until the next trip. By the time they were on the road it was later than Angela had anticipated. She wanted to reach Munirilla before dark and they still hadn’t seen a McDonald’s. So instead they’d stopped at a bakery in Port Wakefield, where Angela had placated her whining daughter, buying treats not normally allowed before lunch. Back on the road, singing and playing ‘I Spy’ had filled the time until the little girl finally dozed off in a muddle of toys, paper, pencils and books.

  Angela’s gaze followed the huge pylons stretching across the highway ahead. To her right, the Flinders Ranges formed a majestic natural barrier that disappeared into the hazy northern horizon. She’d never been to this part of South Australia, and getting away for a while had seemed like a great option back in Melbourne. Now, however, as each kilometre took them further from home, the initial excitement of the adventure was beginning to wane.

  Her father had great faith in her ability, but the only long-haul she’d ever driven had been with another woman driver, sharing the run from Melbourne to Roma, in Queensland. That had been long before Claudia was around. Now, way beyond Adelaide and heading into unfamiliar territory, Angela was losing her confidence. Every new sound or movement played on her nerves.

  There’d been no trouble getting leave from work – management was already cutting costs. Taking some holidays she was owed plus some leave without pay, she’d wangled a month. Long enough to help out her father and let the dust settle on the fallout from the wedding.

  Big Red rumbled on and she gripped the steering wheel and clenched her teeth. The anger she’d been harbouring resurfaced and chased her doubts away. The injustice of her disgrace with Eddie still rankled. Kate was the only one who’d stood by her and tried to understand her side of the story. For what it was worth, she doubted Carmela would ever speak to her again.

  To top this off, Nigel turned up the night after the wedding bearing gifts for Claudia. It was awkward, to say the least. The little girl had taken a fair bit of coaxing to reconnect with the father she hadn’t seen for seven months. In some ways this made Angela feel vindicated. In others, it broke her heart.

  ‘Can we stop soon, Mummy?’

  Angela glanced across at Claudia who was peering at her through sleepy eyes. Her cheeks glowed from the warmth of the sun through the window.

  ‘We’re nearly at Port Augusta. We’ll stop there.’

  The sound of a car horn drew Angela’s eyes back to the string of vehicles in front of her. The traffic was heavier now, and some drivers were getting impatient with nowhere to overtake her. She reduced her speed on the cruise control and changed the engine brake lever. The proximity radar was activated, keeping her a set distance from the vehicle in front. It almost does drive itself, Angela thought. She still couldn’t believe her father had let her take his truck. He must really want her to do this job.

  ‘Is that Janice’s car?’ Claudia asked.

  Angela’s heart skipped a beat. She looked at the small blue car ahead, but quickly relaxed. ‘No. We’re a long way from Melbourne. Janice is still there with Grandpa.’

  ‘She wanted me to stay with her.’ Claudia’s voice was soft. Angela wasn’t sure how much Janice had told Claudia, but it was obvious now that she’d been preparing to keep the little girl with her.

  ‘Remember this is our big adventure, Claud. We’ll go back to Melbourne after a few trips in Big Red. You like Grandpa’s new truck, don’t you?’

  Claudia nodded, then picked up the doll Janice had given her and clutched it to her chest. It was a bit worse for wear after its bath, but that didn’t seem to bother her. It irritated Angela to know that this doll was Claud’s favourite, but she could bear it, she thought, knowing she’d played the trump card and upset her stepmother’s plans.

  Yesterday morning, back at the Melbourne depot, Janice had taken charge of Claudia as Angela and her father went over the final checks and paperwork. When Claudia was hoisted into the truck by her grandpa, it was the shock on Janice’s face that finally made Angela realise what the other woman was up to.

  Janice dragged Angela aside, hissing her disbelief at taking Claudia on the road. Angela simply laughed in her face. From Janice’s manner, Angela knew her father had been unaware of her plans. Angela had taken great pleasure informing her that she’d never leave Claudia behind. They drove off leaving a speechless Janice in their wake.

  ‘Mummy, I need the toilet.’

  Angela glanced at the now squirming Claudia. ‘We’ll stop just ahead.’

  ‘Nowww!’ Claudia wailed, jiggling in her seat.

  ‘There’s a truck stop just ahead. Hang on.’

  Claudia jabbed her legs stiffly out in front of her. ‘I want to get out now!’

  Angela tried to block her daughter’s whining cries, needing all her concentration to manoeuvre the big rig off the road and alongside the fuel pump.

  By the time Angela turned off the engine, Claudia was kicking and screaming. She’d worked herself up into a real tantrum. Angela climbed out of the truck and was hit by a hot wind loaded with dust. Claudia banged on the window. Once she was on the ground, she continued to whine and flap at her face.

  ‘I don’t like it here.’

  ‘This is where the toilet is.’

  ‘You said I could have McDonald’s.’

  ‘You wanted the toilet.’

  ‘I only like the toilet at McDonald’s.’

  A man emerged from the roadhouse carrying a large bag of hot chips and a Coke.

  ‘I want a Coke.’ Claudia stamped her foot.

  ‘You’ve got a feisty one there,’ said the man, smiling. His shirt displayed the name of another trucking company. ‘I’m Greg.’

  ‘Angela, and Claudia.’ Angela pulled her mouth into a small grin and spoke through gritted teeth. ‘It’s been a long day already.’

  ‘Mummy,’ Claudia whined, and pushed at Angela’
s legs.

  Greg was looking at the truck. ‘Nice rig. I see you’re from Melbourne. Where’re you headed?’

  ‘Munirilla.’

  ‘I’ve just come through there from the west. You should have a good run. No obstacles on that stretch other than roos and the odd emu.’ Greg looked around. ‘You on your own?’

  ‘Mummy!’ This time Claudia yelled. ‘Come on!’

  ‘Not exactly,’ Angela said.

  Greg raised an eyebrow.

  ‘We need the toilet urgently, sorry.’ Angela was annoyed and embarrassed by Claudia’s behaviour.

  He gave her a nod. ‘Good luck.’

  Claudia let forth with another yell. Angela grabbed her by the hand and walked quickly across the dusty yard to the toilets.

  After they’d been to the bathroom, where Claudia took a long time to do her business, then even longer to wash her hands, she wanted to go into the shop.

  ‘I’m not buying you Coke,’ Angela said as they pushed through the door into the cool of the air-conditioned roadhouse.

  ‘I’m thirsty.’

  ‘There’s water in the truck. You can choose something to eat.’

  ‘Chips.’

  ‘No, not chips.’ Angela smiled at the woman behind the counter and cast her eye over the food on display.

  ‘Greg had chips.’

  ‘Greg’s got lots of room for chips,’ the woman behind the counter said. ‘How about I make you a special sandwich with a couple of chips on the side?’ She gave Angela a wink.

  ‘What kind of sandwich?’

  ‘Speak nicely to the lady, Claudia.’

  ‘Oh, Claudia, what a nice name. I’m Jenny and I make the best sandwiches.’

  The door swung open behind them. ‘Hey you!’ a voice bellowed. ‘That your rig out there?’

  Angela looked around. There was no one else in the shop. She turned to face the man.

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘You need to move it, woman. Others need to refuel, you know.’

  Angela gritted her teeth at his condescending tone as the door banged behind him. She’d forgotten she’d left the truck at the pump. She glanced at Claudia, who was stretching up on her toes to watch Jenny’s every movement behind the counter.

  ‘Claud, come with me. We’ll come back for the sandwich after we’ve filled the truck.’

  ‘No, I want to stay here.’

  Angela took her daughter’s hand but Claudia pulled away. She looked back at the truck. This was the problem with bringing a four-year-old: you couldn’t leave them on their own.

  ‘You can leave her with me,’ Jenny said with a smile. ‘It’s not often I get a taker for my sandwich extraordinaire.’

  ‘What’s a “straw air” sandwich?’ Claudia asked.

  Jenny laughed. ‘Ahh, it’s one that has my special ingredient in it.’

  Angela gave in. ‘Stay with Jenny until I come back. Don’t go anywhere else and don’t come outside until I come to collect you.’

  ‘I won’t,’ Claudia said. She had a firm grip on the counter and wasn’t taking her eyes off Jenny’s sandwich-making.

  Outside, the day was even dirtier. Sand and debris plastered Angela’s bare arms. Even though her hair was in a ponytail, loose pieces whipped around in the hot wind. A couple of other trucks had come in while she’d been inside.

  The man who’d stuck his head in the door was glaring at her from his cabin. She noticed the name ‘Berl Stock Transport’ emblazoned in orange and gold on the purple cab. There was no doubt, from the smell carried by the wind, that his truck was full of sheep.

  Angela could feel his eyes on her as she pulled on her gloves. She set the pump running and began to make her way around the truck and trailers to check the load. She was used to working with men from her father’s company. They all knew her well. She took their occasional digs at her femininity in her stride, but trucking was still very much a man’s game, and from time to time she crossed the path of an arrogant guy like this one.

  She adjusted a loose strap and checked each tyre while the diesel pumped into Big Red’s tank. By the time she’d finished and shifted the truck, she was dirty and exhausted from doing battle with the wind and the heat. She almost fell through the roadhouse door in her hurry to get inside. Jenny was serving two men at the counter but there was no sign of Claudia. Her pulse began to race.

  ‘Mummy.’

  Angela spun to face the sound of her daughter’s cheery voice. She was sitting in the far corner. Angela let out a sigh and strode over to the table. It was covered with a plate of fancy sandwiches, two milkshakes, assorted toys and a large book that Claudia was drawing in with some sparkly crayons.

  ‘The straw air sandwiches are nice, Mummy.’

  Angela sat down and Claudia watched her closely before her face broke into a secretive smile.

  ‘The chips are nice too. I saved you one.’ Claudia lifted the book to reveal a small plate with one soggy-looking chip on it.

  ‘No thanks, Claud. You have it.’

  Claudia munched contentedly on the chip and continued to draw with her other hand. Angela soothed her dry throat with a sip from the milkshake and inspected the sandwiches. Some were cut into tiny triangles. Others were multi-layered and cut into fingers like club sandwiches. She selected one of the triple-deckers and took a bite. A mixture of chicken, avocado and a tangy mango flavour melted in her mouth. It was delicious. She tried another while she watched Claudia draw.

  ‘This is Big Red and this is “Money Real”,’ Claudia said, pointing at the page.

  ‘What’s “Money Real”?’

  ‘You know,’ Claudia said haughtily. ‘Where we’re going.’

  ‘Munirilla?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘It’s pronounced Mun-i-rill-a.’

  ‘Jenny said they have big trees there. She showed me on the map.’ Claudia climbed up onto the chair.

  ‘Get down, Claud.’

  ‘I’m showing you Money Real,’ Claudia declared, and pointed a stubby finger at a spot on a big map of Australia that all but covered the wall behind them. ‘This is where we are now and this is Money Real. It’s not very far. We’re nearly there.’ Claudia sat down and picked up her crayon again.

  Angela studied the map. On paper it didn’t look far, that was true, but she knew it was another good four-hour drive, and she needed to get there in time to meet Ken Harris, her contact. He was to take receipt of the cargo, and show her their accommodation. Her father had been a bit vague when he went over the arrangements for the Munirilla end of the journey – something about the people there being a conservative lot. He’d had to reassure them he was sending one of his best drivers. And if Angela wanted to get there in daylight, they needed to get going now.

  ‘Everything okay here?’

  Angela looked up at Jenny standing by the table. ‘Yes thanks, but we should be on our way.’

  ‘Claudia told me you were going to Munirilla. That town will be pleased to see you.’

  ‘Pack up now, Claudia.’ Angela stood up.

  ‘Aww,’ the little girl whined.

  ‘Thanks for the great food, Jenny. How much do I owe you?’

  ‘First visit’s on the house,’ Jenny said in a low voice.

  ‘Oh … No, I’m happy to pay.’

  Jenny patted Angela’s arm. ‘It’s good to get some female company. Now, Claudia, I want you to take that book and those special crayons and draw me a picture of Munirilla. When you come back you can show me what it looks like.’

  ‘Okay.’ Claudia started packing up.

  ‘How about I pack these sandwiches?’ Jenny said. She leaned in closer to Angela. ‘I only gave her a couple of chips, so she might get hungry later.’

  ‘Thanks Jenny.’ Angela felt tears prickling her eyes at the other woman’s kindness. The tension she’d been feeling was threatening to overwhelm her.

  ‘There aren’t a lot through here, but we’re seeing more women driving trucks these days. Good on you for bringi
ng a bit of gender balance,’ Jenny said, then scooped up the plate of sandwiches and hurried back to the counter.

  Once they were in the truck again, Angela was amazed to see they’d stopped for nearly an hour. She filled out her diary, anxious to be back on the road.

  Out on the highway they passed every kind of fast food outlet, including a McDonald’s. Thankfully Claudia had been distracted with her new crayons.

  With Port Augusta behind them they drove south for a while. Ahead the sky still looked murky, but was now tinged with grey instead of red. Angela checked her GPS and turned west to follow the Eyre Highway in the direction of Munirilla. The Wiggles sang another song and the road stretched off towards the darkening western horizon. She eased her grip on the wheel and rolled her shoulders, trying to relax her taut muscles.

  Every so often Angela pointed out cows or sheep dotted amongst the low bushes of the open plains on either side of them. Claudia was interested for a while, but eventually dropped her book and sat back in her seat.

  Few vehicles approached the rig, but Angela was gradually gaining on a car and caravan. The road ahead was clear, curving gradually into the distance. Just as she indicated she would overtake, however, the vehicle surged away from her. Angela flicked her eyes at the dials on the dash and shrugged. She’d rather the caravan kept out of her way and save her the bother of passing. She maintained her speed and watched the back of the caravan gradually disappear around the bend.

  Several horses grazed on their right. Angela glanced across at Claudia. The little girl sat quietly looking out the window. Best to let her be. Maybe she’d doze off again.

  They crested a rise and were suddenly closing on the car and caravan that had sped away from them only a few kilometres earlier. But with the road again clear ahead, the vehicle picked up speed and moved away from them.

  ‘Sightseers,’ Angela mumbled under her breath. She flicked another glance at Claudia, whose eyes were shut. It was a good opportunity to change the CD.

  The road remained straight for some time, but the country was changing to undulating hills. As they rose over the top of one, the highway stretched out towards the next. Angela smiled, recalling her father’s favourite saying when she was a kid. Whenever she’d ask if they were nearly at their destination, he’d always say, ‘it’s over the next hill’ or ‘just around the next bend’.