Queen of the Road

by Tricia Stringer

  Ken gathered himself. ‘I got a call in the middle of the night,’ he said. ‘Someone – a male voice – telling me my business would go under if I kept dealing with you. I told them to go to hell and hung up, but then I couldn’t get back to sleep. I kept thinking about the shop so in the end I drove down there. Lucky I did too. The fire was already starting to spread. I tried to put it out and … well, here I am.’ He held up his bandaged hands.

  ‘Who started it?’

  ‘The police think it was Clifford Berl.’

  Angela gasped. Her suspicions were true. She remembered the last time she saw Clifford Junior, the day she poached his load. He’d acted like a crazy man.

  ‘How do they know?’ she asked.

  ‘He was pulled over for speeding a few days ago. He was well over the limit and the police threw the book at him, went over his rig with a fine-tooth comb. They found a few interesting things, apparently, including an accelerant that matched whatever started the fire.’

  ‘I told you those Berls were up to something.’

  ‘Not all of them.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘Cliff Senior’s been in to see me, apologised for his son’s actions. He’s as shocked as the rest of us to find out what Clifford’s been up to.’

  Angela gave a snort.

  ‘I’ve known Cliff a long time and I believe him, Angela. He’s a tough man but he’s not a crook. He’s offered to pay any expenses I have and he’s been to visit several times now. My poor wife is caught between me and our daughter – she’s with her new baby in another hospital. Cliff has kept me company, helped us out.’

  Angela wasn’t so convinced that Cliff Senior was blameless. ‘How could he not know what Clifford was up to? Doesn’t he check the books?’

  ‘He does all the stock. But Clifford was the one who wanted to branch out. That’s why they took over the contract with the mines. Clifford has big ideas but not much of a business brain. He convinced Cliff to have all the trucks repainted in those fancy colours. Would’ve cost them a fortune. So when they lost the mining contract they were in a lot of debt.’ Ken shrugged. ‘I know how that feels, over a barrel.’

  Angela pictured Cliff Senior’s wrinkled face, but looking at Ken laid up in the hospital bed before her, she still couldn’t drum up any compassion for the man. ‘You need to concentrate on getting better.’

  ‘I’d be happier if I knew you were going to continue the town’s freight run.’

  Angela smiled at the man she’d originally thought of as an antagonist. ‘Ranger Transport is definitely staying in Munirilla,’ she assured him. ‘And I’ll be the driver for the foreseeable future.’

  Ken’s face lit up. ‘Well, that’s great news.’ He raised his bandaged arms. ‘I wish I could shake your hand. You’re a true queen of the road.’

  ‘I’m not sure I’d go that far, but we’ll certainly have plenty to celebrate once you’re back in Munirilla.’

  ‘I can’t wait to get home and get back to work,’ Ken said.

  ‘How about you just get better first?’ Angela patted his shoulder. ‘It sounds like your family might need you here. I’m sure you can trust Jim to hold the fort for a while.’

  ‘You’re right. My wife’s already lectured me on not being any use to anyone if I’m dead, and he’s a good bloke, Jim. When I do come home I’ll be talking about the future with him.’

  ‘Can we go now, Mummy?’ Claudia was at Angela’s side.

  ‘I think we should.’ Angela stood up. ‘Take care, Ken.’

  ‘Yes, Mr Harris,’ Claudia said. ‘Take care of your heart.’

  Ken’s laugh echoed behind them as they left the room. As Angela ushered her daughter out into the hallway, she nearly banged into another visitor.

  ‘Hello Ms Ranger.’

  She pulled up short and was shocked to find herself looking directly into the face of Cliff Berl Senior. ‘Mr Berl,’ she nodded and went to step past him.

  ‘Have you got a minute?’ he asked.

  No. Angela had neither the time nor the inclination to talk to the man whose family had caused her so much grief. ‘We’re heading home,’ she said.

  ‘Melbourne?’

  ‘No.’ She looked him squarely in the eye. ‘Munirilla.’

  ‘Good,’ he said. ‘The town needs you.’

  Angela was surprised. Cliff sounded genuine.

  ‘I’m glad I ran into you.’ Cliff pulled his Berl Stock Transport cap from his head, revealing his shiny, hairless scalp. He clutched the hat in both hands. ‘I was going to get in touch,’ he said, looking down at his cap then back at Angela. ‘It’s my turn to apologise. My son has done some terrible things. It’ll take a while to set them straight, but that’s exactly what I plan to do.’

  Claudia was swinging on Angela’s arm, anxious to be on her way.

  ‘Silly jokes,’ he continued, ‘like turning off air line taps are one thing, but he went too far.’ Cliff straightened his shoulders. ‘I want you to know I didn’t have anything to do with him breaking into your office and stealing your laptop.’

  Angela gasped for the second time that day. Of course, it all made sense. She’d been so caught up in Ken’s drama she hadn’t had a chance to put any of the other pieces together.

  ‘The police have it, I believe. I don’t think Clifford damaged it, but if he did, I’ll replace it.’

  ‘Well … I …’

  ‘Let me finish.’ Cliff held up a hand. ‘We didn’t like the idea of a woman taking business from us–’

  ‘Hold on,’ she cut in. ‘My father wouldn’t have taken on the run if he’d known someone local was after it. We were asked here.’

  ‘I know,’ Cliff conceded. ‘We didn’t want the business, or at least I didn’t think we did. We only took on the town deliveries to fill the gap after the last driver left. Berl Stock Transport needs to consolidate, not spread in all directions. There’s always plenty of stock to keep us busy and now, well, I don’t suppose Clifford will be driving for a while. He blamed you for everything that was going wrong, and for a while I believed him.’ Cliff twisted the cap in his hands. ‘I told the local copper you were out on Bamford’s road that day, but I … well, I guess I was swayed by Clifford. I’m not proud of it. Now that he’s been caught out, he told me about the stupid deals he’s been offering, messing with your freight pick-ups … and … Well, there’s nothing I can do but apologise, to try and set straight what Clifford’s messed up.’

  Angela could see the hurt in Cliff’s eyes. Perhaps he was telling the truth after all, perhaps he really hadn’t known what his son was up to.

  ‘Anyway,’ Cliff said, ‘there’s room for both of us in Munirilla.’

  Claudia tugged on Angela’s arm again. ‘Can we go back to Munirilla now?’

  Angela pulled the little girl in close. She’d finally learnt to say the name properly.

  Cliff shoved his hand forward. ‘I hope we can move on from this.’

  Angela hesitated then put her hand in his rough grip. ‘I hope so too.’

  ‘Goodbye,’ he said and moved past her.

  ‘Now can we go?’ Claudia had both hands on her hips.

  Angela looked over her shoulder as Cliff disappeared through the door. She heard Ken’s cheery voice welcome him in.

  ‘Yes,’ she said. ‘Now we can go.’

  Chapter 53

  Before the car was completely stationary in front of Alice’s house, Claudia was already scrabbling with her seatbelt, desperate to get out.

  ‘I want to see Coop,’ she said.

  ‘He might not even be here, Claud. Alice said he was checking the sheep.’

  ‘I want to check sheep too.’

  ‘He might take you another time. Alice invited us for lunch, not for …’ Angela turned around but her daughter was out of the car, the door left open in her wake.

  ‘Rusty dog,’ she called, running towards the verandah.

  Angela held her breath as the little girl stepped up besi
de the old brown dog. Rusty accepted the pat then sank back down. Claudia sat next to him with an arm around his neck and Angela exhaled in relief. Claudia just loved animals. It was a trait she hadn’t inherited from Angela – or Nigel for that matter.

  There was no sign of Jilly so Angela assumed Coop was still out in a paddock somewhere. She leaned against the bonnet of the car and looked up at the sheds where she could see the back end of Big Red, reminding her again of how generous Coop had been: delivering the load; lending her money. She patted her pocket. That was one of the reasons she was here, not only to thank him, but to repay him. Just as her father promised, her pay and the bonus were in her account today. She’d also drawn up her plans to get out of debt. It would take a while but she was confident it’d work. Paying Coop back was just the first step.

  ‘Mummy.’

  Angela looked back to the verandah where Claudia was now standing with Alice. They were beckoning her over.

  ‘Come in,’ Alice called. ‘Coop should be back soon. He’s out with the animal bloke testing for worms.’

  ‘What kind of worms?’ Claudia asked as they made their way into the kitchen.

  ‘Sheep get worms,’ Alice said. ‘So we test their dung.’

  ‘What’s that?’

  ‘Poo, Claud,’ Angela said, wrinkling her nose.

  ‘If there are too many worm eggs in the dung,’ Alice continued, ‘we know we need to drench them.’

  ‘What’s “drench” mean?’

  ‘Claudia, stop with the questions,’ Angela said.

  ‘I don’t mind,’ Alice said. ‘You know where the kettle is, Angela. Would you make us a cuppa while I fill Claudia in on the finer points of sheep drenching?’

  Angela was happy to oblige. She wasn’t the slightest bit interested in sheep dung. Thankfully by the time she put the cups on the table they’d worn out the topic.

  ‘Can I play your piano please, Alice?’ Claudia’s voice had taken on the sweetest tone.

  ‘Of course you can. It’s ready to go.’

  Claudia shot into the loungeroom like a rocket.

  ‘Are you feeling well?’ Angela asked. ‘You’re looking much better.’

  ‘It’s so good to be home. They’ve given me all these pills but being here is the best medicine.’

  Music floated through the door and Angela turned in surprise.

  ‘It’s an old pianola,’ Alice said.

  Angela frowned at her.

  ‘It plays music from patterned rolls. All you have to do is reach the pedals. It takes Claudia a bit of effort but she’s worked it out. She’s a smart girl, that one. You must be a good mother.’

  ‘I don’t know about that.’

  ‘My husband and I weren’t blessed with children, so now there’re no grandchildren.’ Alice smiled at Angela. ‘I hope you and Claudia will come and visit when you have the time.’ A dog barked in the distance. ‘That’ll be Coop. Are you planning to stay on in Munirilla?’

  Angela was surprised by the question. ‘Yes. I’m not sure for how long, but business is looking good. So whether it’s me or another driver, Ranger Transport is hanging around. I called in to see Ken on my way back. He’s on the mend but Jim will be running things for a while, I think.’

  Footsteps tramped along the verandah.

  ‘He’s quite smitten, you know.’

  Angela looked at Alice. ‘Ken?’

  ‘Coop,’ Alice corrected, nodding her head towards the window. ‘And he adores Claudia.’

  Angela heard Coop entering the house behind them.

  Alice leaned closer and lowered her voice. ‘Give him a chance to settle down,’ she said. ‘If Coop says he’ll do something, you can count on him.’

  Angela raised her eyebrows at Alice. What does she mean by that?

  ‘Here he is,’ Alice said brightly.

  ‘Angela,’ he said.

  ‘Hi.’ She beamed at him and he gave her a small grin in response.

  ‘Coop!’ Claudia flew from the loungeroom, jumped into his arms and planted a kiss on his cheek.

  Angela watched the surprise on his face turn to a smile. He tickled Claudia on the chin and set her back on the ground. Now that he was here, Angela was a little uneasy. Claudia had already been through so much in her short life. Is it fair to let her get so attached to Coop?

  ‘What’s the verdict on those sheep?’ Alice asked.

  ‘Did you find lots of eggs in the dung?’ Claudia asked.

  Coop was about to put a glass of water to his lips but he stopped and looked from Claudia to Alice.

  ‘She’s a quick learner, this one,’ Alice chuckled.

  ‘Do you have to drench?’ Claudia kept on with her questions.

  ‘Yes, I’m afraid we have to drench.’

  ‘Damn,’ Alice muttered.

  ‘Bloody hell,’ Claudia said.

  ‘Claud!’ Angela rose from her chair. She saw the grin on Coop’s face before he corrected it.

  Claudia shifted closer to Alice and said ‘Sorry’ in a little voice, not meeting her mother’s eyes.

  ‘How would you like to come with me to see the chooks, young lady?’ Alice asked.

  ‘Yes please.’

  Angela cast a wary eye over her daughter. ‘Are you sure, Alice? I can come too.’

  ‘I’ll be fine. Would you mind getting lunch together while we’re gone? Coop knows where everything is.’ Alice picked up her walking stick with one hand and reached for Claudia’s hand with her other. ‘I haven’t been to see my chooks since I’ve been home.’

  ‘They’ve missed you,’ Claudia said in a voice that Angela thought was well beyond her years. Claudia led Alice to the door, their conversation continuing as they left the house.

  ‘You’ll have to tell me all about Melbourne,’ she heard Alice say. ‘Do you know I’ve never been there?’

  ‘Good grief,’ Claudia replied.

  A deep laugh erupted behind Angela.

  ‘You mustn’t laugh at her when she’s rude,’ she snapped at Coop.

  ‘She can’t hear me,’ he said. ‘Anyway, I’m sure “good grief” isn’t as bad as “bloody hell”.’ He gazed at her with his sparkling green eyes.

  She looked away and shifted a bowl on the end of the table. ‘I saw Ken on my way through Adelaide.’

  ‘How is he?’

  ‘Making a strong recovery, although he won’t be back for a while.’

  Coop continued to gaze at her. She searched for something to distract him. If he kept looking at her like this she wouldn’t be able to keep her distance.

  ‘I’ve arranged for your ute to be taken to our city depot,’ she said quickly. ‘I’ll bring it back on the next load.’

  ‘Thanks.’

  ‘And I’ve got your money.’ She placed the envelope on the table.

  ‘There was no rush,’ he said.

  ‘What did Alice want to have for lunch?’

  ‘Joan made a quiche. It’s in the fridge.’

  Angela opened the fridge door.

  ‘I’m glad you’re back,’ he said, close behind her.

  She spun and sidestepped him. Her arms were full of containers which she dropped onto the table.

  ‘Is something wrong?’ He put a gentle hand on her shoulder.

  She pulled away. ‘I think we just need to take things easy for a while.’ Angela couldn’t look at him. She knew she’d lose her resolve in an instant.

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Because of Claudia.’

  ‘But I … I love Claudia. And I think she likes me.’

  ‘That’s the problem.’

  ‘Problem?’ Coop frowned.

  ‘She likes you too much. She’s been rejected by her father and we’ve had to … Well, we won’t be seeing my father for a while. Can you imagine how much damage that’s done to her?’

  ‘No,’ he murmured.

  ‘If we were together and things didn’t work out, Claudia would be hurt again.’

  ‘But not you?’

 
‘What?’ Angela looked at him and, just as she’d expected, her resolve melted immediately. She fought to regain control of her emotions. ‘I don’t know much about you.’

  He moved a little closer. ‘What do you want to know?’

  Angela searched for something. ‘Your name,’ she said. ‘I don’t even know your name. Is it such a secret? Coop who?’

  He smiled as she took a step back. ‘It’s not a secret, Angel. My name’s Jeff.’

  ‘Jeff?’

  ‘Jeff Cooper.’

  She studied him carefully for signs of a smile but he kept a perfectly straight face.

  ‘When my mother married Jeff there were two of us. I got called Coop and it sort of stuck. I prefer Coop, but I don’t mind if you call me Jeff.’ He stepped forward. ‘Anything else you want to know?’

  She edged back but ran up against the cupboard behind her. He bent down and his lips found hers. She put up a hand and pushed him away.

  ‘You know everything about my family but you’ve hardly told me about yours,’ she said.

  He sighed. ‘Let’s sit down then.’

  She waited until he sat and then moved past him to a chair at the other end of the table. From there she watched him lock his fingers together and place them in front of him.

  He raised his eyes to hers and began to talk. ‘My mother’s an alcoholic and I never knew my father. We shifted from place to place. My mother would dry out from time to time and life would be okay for a while, but then she’d hit the booze again, drink all our money and we’d have to move on. When she met Jeff, I was twelve. Poor Jeff was taken in by her – he could have long periods when she hardly drank at all. She could even be quite charismatic. Anyway, they were happy together, but Jeff’s place is in station country, fairly isolated. She was okay for a while but then she started drinking earlier in the day. We lasted three years there. It was the longest I can remember staying in one place. I guess it was always going to be a house of cards. And the puff of alcohol blew it all away.’

  It was becoming clear to Angela why Coop always asked questions about her drinking. It must have been a very tough childhood for him.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ she said.

  ‘I don’t want you to be sorry for me. I’m okay, but you wanted to know about me.’ He looked down at his hands a moment then locked his eyes back on hers. ‘I told you once I wasn’t running from trouble … That’s not exactly true.’