Queen of the Road

by Tricia Stringer

  A giggle escaped her lips and she flopped her head back against the bed. She had successfully flattened a sock – it must have been left by the last tenant. And a long time ago, judging by the layer of dust on it.

  Angela sighed. She was about to pull herself up when she heard the scratching again. She dropped down quietly, shone the torch under the bed and wriggled further in. The sound seemed to be coming from the wall. She shone the torch along the skirting boards, into the corners and behind the wardrobe. There were no obvious gaps. Whatever was wriggling around in there couldn’t get into the bedroom. At least, she hoped it couldn’t.

  Chapter 14

  Coop drove slowly behind the group of ewes while Jilly did the hard work keeping them together. The sheep were in no hurry to be moved though, and he couldn’t blame them. They were as round as berries and nearly ready to drop. He and Alice had discussed moving them to a paddock closer to the house for lambing.

  It was going well but a single misgiving continued to gnaw at Coop as he watched the sheep amble forward. Before he’d urged them out he’d had Jilly move them past his ute so he could count them. There were five missing, or so it seemed. Missing stock created suspicion.

  The paddock was at the back of Alice’s property. It was bordered by the Camerons on one side, a reserve at the back, and a road on the other side, over which was the Barnes’ farm. There were no sheep down anywhere that he could see, and even though the roadside fence had been partly damaged a week ago, there was no sign any sheep had actually gone through it. The mob of seventy was, by his reckoning, down to sixty-five. Coop wished he was wrong, but deep down he knew his count was reliable.

  He cast his eyes over the fence. After the rain, there were a couple of hints of green in the stubble of last year’s barley crop. This wasn’t a good sign. That was where Alice wanted to sew her lucerne and it needed to be kept weed-free. He’d read about farmers who’d planted lucerne and ryegrass combinations and used these to increase their prime lamb production. Alice had contacted a few who’d had success, and was keen to give the lucerne a go herself, along with the Dohne-Merino cross lambs, to try for better returns. Coop was interested in her ideas and happy to play his part.

  Without any formal agricultural training, Coop had learnt most things on the job. He liked animals, and preferred working with sheep to cattle, but generally tried his hand at whatever came his way. His mother had let him down so many times but she did bring Jeff Vickers into their lives, and for that Coop was eternally grateful. It was on Jeff’s property, as a young teenager, that he discovered his interest in animals and farming in general. And it was Jeff who’d given him the opportunity to turn his life around when, as an eighteen-year-old, he’d been making all the wrong choices.

  Coop gazed off into the distance and instead of Alice’s dusty paddocks he saw the extended pastures of Jeff’s Queensland property. He’d been truly happy there, if only for a short time, and Jeff had been the father he never had.

  Jilly barked a quick short note and brought him back to the present. They were nearing the gate where he could funnel the sheep for another headcount. Jilly gently urged the ewes through. Coop watched and counted carefully, then pulled the gate shut behind the last of them. He frowned. The second count only confirmed the accuracy of the first – sixty-five sheep, not seventy.

  He leaned on the gate, watching them discover their new home. Jilly sat at his feet, panting softly. He gave her a pat.

  ‘Well, Jilly, there’s a bit of trouble.’

  The dog pricked her ears at him, then went back to panting and watching the sheep.

  ‘Trouble with a capital T,’ Coop murmured. He checked the gate was secure. ‘Come on, girl. We’d better head back to the barley.’

  The dog followed him and jumped onto the tray. Coop cast a final look over the mob then turned his vehicle around, the bad feeling remaining as he drove away.

  ***

  Coop hadn’t intended to be in town again so soon, but there were definitely weeds showing in Alice’s barley paddock. He’d called her agronomist, who’d come out for a look, and they’d discussed what needed to be done. Now Coop had to go and pick up the spray.

  Coop entered the stock and station agency and walked along the rows to the counter, but there was no one in sight. He stood for a moment, then heard the murmur of voices approaching from the back of the shop. A phone rang and he heard Ken Harris answer it from the office.

  Meanwhile, the voices stopped in one of the rows. He could see through the shelves that they were unloading boxes from a sack truck. It was Ronnie and the new young lad.

  ‘She’s on the ball,’ Ronnie said. ‘I reckon she’ll have that office knocked into shape in no time.’

  ‘Yeah?’ the lad replied.

  ‘She must be able to manage a rig. Drove all the way from Melbourne, no probs.’

  ‘Yeah?’

  Coop’s interest was piqued. He gathered Ronnie was talking about Angela, but he hadn’t realised she was the driver. Maybe she shared the driving with her husband.

  ‘Works hard too. Not a slacker off painting her fingernails and fluffing her hair. And she’s raised a smart little kid on her own.’

  ‘Yeah?’

  This piqued Coop’s interest even more. Perhaps there wasn’t a Mr Angela, after all.

  ‘To top it all off, she’s a good looker with a great set of–’

  ‘Haven’t you blokes got anything to do?’

  Ken’s bellow startled him as well as the yard workers. Coop turned quickly to see the older man standing behind the counter, his face like thunder.

  ‘We’ve got a customer and you two are lazing about like girls.’

  ‘Sorry Ken,’ Ronnie muttered.

  ‘Hurry up and get that gear unloaded,’ Ken snapped. ‘If you’ve got time to gossip you can go home early and save me some money.’

  Footsteps accompanied the squeaking trolley as they retreated to the back of the shop. Coop had never seen this side of Ken. He’d always found him an amiable man.

  ‘Don’t fuss on my account, Ken. I only just walked in.’

  ‘The spray you need is out by the back door. Sign for it and I’ll give Ronnie a yell to bring it round.’

  Coop took the paper Ken held out. ‘No problem. I’ll drive round the back.’

  Ken’s face softened and he ran his fingers through his hair. ‘Sorry Coop. I shouldn’t lose my cool, but Ronnie’s been on a go-slow lately and he’s not teaching the new lad good work habits. This freight business is wearing me a bit thin as well. I’m stretched to the max and I’m not sure we’ve secured a carrier after all. I’ve just been on the phone with the head bod in Melbourne. I think he’s stringing me along.’

  ‘What’s the problem?’

  ‘He told me a few porkies.’

  Coop pictured the gleaming truck in the yard and the efficient woman in the office, who also, it now turned out, was the driver.

  ‘Like what?’

  ‘He told me he was sending an enthusiastic young driver. Turns out it’s his daughter – a single mother who’s brought the kid with her.’

  Coop shifted his weight from one foot to the other. Ken was a good bloke but some of his ideas were a bit old-fashioned.

  ‘Can’t see he’s told you any untruths,’ Coop said gently.

  ‘What?’

  ‘I met her when I went to collect Alice’s freight. Angela seemed very organised and bright, pretty capable, if you ask me.’

  Ken searched his face carefully. ‘Yes, well, it’s a big job making regular runs to Adelaide and back. She’s only a tiny thing and she’s got a four-year-old.’

  Normally Coop didn’t interfere in other people’s business. And even though he hardly knew Angela, he felt the urge to defend her.

  ‘I think you should give her a chance, Ken. She’s made it this far. I don’t reckon her old man would have sent her if he didn’t think she could do it.’

  ‘I wish he’d at least warned me. There’s nowhere
decent for her to stay.’

  ‘I’m sure she’ll manage.’

  ‘That’s what he said. Angel, he calls her.’ Ken gave a snort. ‘I assumed it was a nickname for some burly truckie. How was I supposed to know she’d be a woman?’

  Coop shifted his weight back to his other foot. He really couldn’t see what difference being a woman made, but it was none of his business, and it didn’t sound like Ken was going to change his mind in a hurry.

  ‘I’d better get going,’ he said. ‘Conditions are looking good for an early start on spraying in the morning.’

  ‘Good luck,’ Ken said.

  Coop strode out of the shop, unable to help the little spring in his step. He knew it was stupid. He’d hardly said two words to Angela, but finding out she was single had put a whole different light on the day.

  Chapter 15

  The lock on the weathered door clicked into place. Angela pushed the screen shut and turned her back on the Munirilla depot office with a deep sigh. She’d done as much as she could today, and was actually going to get home a bit earlier than she had on her last few visits.

  The second run to Adelaide had been uneventful. Now that she knew the route, she made sure she started very early, both on the trip there and the trip back. That had given Claudia good sleeping time, and when she woke it was time for Angela’s rest stop. She’d packed healthy snacks but they still called in at Port Augusta to see Jenny and try one of her straw air treats. Claudia was good company, singing and talking, and Angela relaxed into the driving with more confidence than she had previously.

  She had to admit that driving Big Red was a dream. The computer was even ‘learning’ her style, which was a bit eerie. Towards the end of the leg back to Munirilla yesterday, there had been a few emus out in the paddocks. Angela slowed down a couple of times to let Claudia have a good look at them before speeding up again. The variations had set off the driver-fatigue alarm, startling them both.

  Angela sucked in a big breath of fresh air as she strode along the street. She preferred to leave the truck at the depot and the walk to the flat only took a few minutes. It was a beautiful day and she wanted to throw open the doors and windows and give the flat a good airing. Perhaps she could discover what had made the scratching sounds on their first night – although she wasn’t so sure she wanted to know.

  Claudia was at Leanne’s and wouldn’t be home until after lunch. Once Angela had cleaned the flat she was going to put together the bed she’d brought back from Adelaide. Sharing the saggy double mattress was okay, but Claudia needed her own bed, in the other bedroom.

  Angela felt a pang of guilt as she thought about her credit card. This latest purchase had eaten up the meagre amount she’d managed to pay off. But the expense was justified. Extra sheets never went astray and the bed and mattress were much better than the old set they had back in Melbourne. When it was time to go home they’d take this one with them.

  Tomorrow Angela wanted to spend the day relaxing with her daughter. It would be their one day off before making three trips to Adelaide next week. She’d been taking bookings steadily and was managing a good deal of return freight to the city.

  This last trip had been full of bulky items like tanks. They took up a lot of space and were difficult to pack other items around. Alice Tansell’s name had been on the list as one of the recipients but the tank was still at the depot. Angela couldn’t help wondering whether Alice or someone else would pick it up. Maybe the guy who worked for her. Angela had tried to read the name he’d signed on the consignment sheet but the signature, like so many, gave no real indication of his name. Coop something, she supposed. She grinned. ‘Cute Coop’ was how she remembered him. He’d acted a bit standoffish but there was a small sparkle in his eyes that had piqued her interest.

  The rumble of a truck brought her back to the present. She was a block from the flat. Across the road a shed was surrounded by a large cleared area and several fenced yards. The rig was moving slowly into the one of the stockyards. Angela stared at the purple cab. It was too far away for her to read the orange-and-gold lettering, but she had a fair idea what it said. She squinted to read the sign on the gate. She was right. ‘Berl Stock Transport.’

  A large engine sounded behind her and she looked back to see another purple truck turning into the road. It would have to pass her to reach the stockyards. She recalled the grumpy driver at Port Augusta on her first run to Munirilla. Angela turned and let herself into the flat. He might not be driving either of the trucks but she wasn’t keen to see him again any time soon. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so cheerful, and there was no way she was going to risk spoiling the mood.

  ***

  Barb grinned from behind the bar as Coop stepped into the Munirilla Hotel.

  ‘Jeepers, Coop, matey. You’re a glutton for punishment. You back for some more of Billie’s cooking or you just want some company?’

  ‘A bit of both,’ Coop said. He’d been very busy the last few days and the house suddenly seemed very empty. Nothing in the fridge looked tempting and he felt the rare urge to be with people. ‘Just a squash for me thanks, Barb.’

  ‘Any more word on Alice?’

  ‘I spoke to her a few days back. She didn’t make a lot of sense. Mary said the drugs are knocking her around a bit.’

  Barb put his drink on the bar. She reached across and patted his arm. ‘She’ll come good, matey. She’s made of tough stuff, that Alice.’

  ‘Yeah.’ Coop took a long, slow swallow of his squash. ‘So what’s on the menu tonight?’

  ‘Nothing different. Billie’s got the roast happening. Still haven’t got the aircon fixed so he’s got no choice.’ Barb gave a big laugh. ‘I reckon he’s putting the pressure on to get it working soon though. He’s getting mighty sick of being in that kitchen, that old man of mine.’

  ‘Well, I enjoyed the roast last week so I’ll give it another go. Beats my cooking.’

  ‘Sure thing, matey. You go on into the dining room and we’ll send it through.’

  Coop took another big mouthful on the way. The first people he saw in the dining room were Angela and her little girl. There were several other groups of diners and only a few spare tables on the other side of the room – to reach them Coop would have to pass right by the new truckie. He hesitated, not sure whether to speak to her, but in that split second she lifted her head from the book she was sharing with her daughter and looked directly at him.

  ‘Hello,’ she said.

  Coop nodded.

  ‘There’s a tank for your boss at the depot.’ Her lips turned up in a quick tentative smile. ‘Guess you may not need it for a while. The rain seems to be all gone.’

  ‘That’s good.’ Coop found his voice. ‘At least, it’s good that the tank’s here, I mean. I can get it set up, ready for the next lot of rain. Alice reckons there’s another downpour coming.’

  ‘She’s your boss, yes?’

  ‘Yeah. She’s in the city at the moment. Hasn’t been well.’

  ‘So are you in charge or is there a Mr Alice?’

  ‘Just me.’

  ‘I’m a bit the same.’

  Coop gazed into her hazel eyes. She wore a pale green shirt that really brought out their colour. Her long, fair hair was pulled back in a ponytail and her skin glowed. She was the prettiest woman he’d seen in a long time.

  ‘I mean, I work on my own, away from the boss,’ Angela hurried on.

  ‘Is Grandpa your boss?’ the little girl asked.

  Angela turned back to her daughter and Coop took a deep breath. He was gawking like a teenager.

  ‘Yes, Claud. I work for Grandpa, he’s my boss.’

  ‘We work for Grandpa,’ Claudia said emphatically, looking from her mother to Coop.

  ‘Oh yes, that’s right. I don’t work entirely alone.’ Angela smiled and Coop was mesmerised by the sparkle in her eyes.

  ‘I have a serve of nuggets and chips,’ came a voice at his elbow. Sandra was standing
there with two plates of food and he hadn’t even noticed.

  ‘That’s for Claudia,’ Angela said, indicating her daughter.

  ‘And the roast must be for you then,’ Sandra said, placing the second plate on the table. The young waitress squeezed in front of Coop. When she turned she was only a few centimetres away. ‘Your meal will be out in two ticks, Coop.’ She smiled sweetly at him, then ducked her head and hurried away.

  ‘Are you eating alone?’ Angela asked. ‘Would you like to join us?’

  Coop looked across the crowded room to the empty tables in the distance.

  ‘I didn’t mean to … At least, you may prefer to be by yourself,’ she said.

  ‘Thanks,’ Coop said, pleased he could still talk. ‘I mostly eat alone. It would be nice to have company.’ He sat down and placed his drink on a coaster – he didn’t trust himself to hold the glass steady.

  ‘I don’t know that we’ve introduced ourselves properly. I’m Angela Ranger and this is my daughter, Claudia.’

  ‘O’Neil,’ Claudia said with importance before putting a chip in her mouth.

  ‘Claudia O’Neil,’ Angela repeated softly.

  ‘My dad’s a music man.’ Claudia picked up another chip. ‘He doesn’t like to live with us. But we don’t care, do we, Mummy?’

  Coop saw the colour drain from Angela’s face as she looked at her daughter.

  ‘Everyone calls me Coop,’ he said, giving his attention to Claudia.

  ‘Where do you live?’ Claudia asked.

  ‘On a farm.’

  ‘Do you have lots of animals?’

  ‘A few.’

  ‘What kind?’

  Coop pulled back quickly as Sandra plonked his roast in front of him. He caught a glimpse of a frown on her face before she stalked back to the kitchen. Bill must be giving her a hard time, he thought. She was normally quite cheerful.

  ‘What kind of animals do you have?’ Claudia repeated.