Paula kept one hand on the pan and watched as Bruce and Tom beat a tactical retreat.
“I’ll shift the not–so-frozen packs into the fridge. We can deal with it after our drive,” Dan said, his nose already back in the freezer.
Paula stayed at the sink rinsing the cups then followed Dan outside when he’d finished transferring the meat. She wasn’t really cross. She was thankful to see him smiling and enjoying the company of his friends, even if it was at her expense.
She did feel a bit silly about the meat, though. If only she’d thought about it last night she would have realised she was packaging far too much for the two of them to eat in one meal. It had been an exhausting week and Dan’s distress had upset her. She hadn’t been thinking straight.
Bruce and Tom were wandering back from the paddock close to the house.
“There’re some sandy ridges in that one that have drifted.” Bruce jabbed his thumb over his shoulder. “You might have lost some seed in patches there.”
“That’s a wheat paddock. I only finished it Thursday.” Dan turned away.
They all got in the dual cab to check out the rest of the property.
“I see you’ve still got old Mrs Johnson’s Audi.” Tom spoke from the back seat where he sat beside Bruce, as Dan drove onto the track that crossed their farm.
“I noticed that in the car shed,” Bruce chipped in. “What are you doing with that, Dan? Going all up-market on us?”
“Jim let Paula drive it while she’s been working for him.”
“He certainly couldn’t sell it to anyone,” Bruce said.
“It’s a pretty nice car.” Tom’s voice was full of admiration.
“There speaks the young and naive.” Bruce chuckled. “Jim would have trouble giving that lemon away.”
Paula looked at Dan, whose eyes were on the track ahead. “I’ve bought it.”
“Cool!” Tom exclaimed.
“Good choice.” Bruce’s response wasn’t anywhere near as exuberant.
Dan kept his eyes ahead and didn’t say a word.
After that the conversation remained firmly on the condition of the land and the state of the weather.
A few hours later Paula and Dan stood together waving off Bruce and Tom. “So, you’ve bought the Audi,” Dan said.
“I’ll use the money from the sale of my car and a small investment to pay for it. Jim has kindly let me keep it until we can sort out the finances.”
They walked to the car shed and Dan made his way slowly around the Audi. He kicked the tyres and rocked the body, then looked in through the window. “It’s a nice-looking vehicle. Not one I’d pick, living where we do, but I’m sure Jim wouldn’t sell it to you if it wasn’t mechanically sound.”
“No.” Paula couldn’t help but recall Jim’s reluctance to sell her the car. “I find it much easier than the dual cab.”
“It’s your money.”
Paula couldn’t tell from the odd look on his face whether he was annoyed or amused. “I do love it and it means I can get around when you’re not here.”
“Speaking of which, there’s no point in getting back on the tractor today.” He turned his back on the car. “Bruce asked me to go to golf. It’s Sponsors’ Day at the local club. I said I didn’t want to leave you on your own again.”
“That’s silly, Dan. You should go.” Paula tried to sound enthusiastic. She didn’t want to be a clinging wife who wouldn’t let her husband do anything without her, but they’d hardly had any time alone together, just for themselves.
“I suppose I could go just for the game,” Dan said. “Jane will be home with the kids. Why don’t you go and visit her?”
“Oh, no. I couldn’t just call in. Anyway, I’ve got things to do here.”
“If you’re sure. I’ll come straight home after the game. Maybe we could have another of those deep baths to ease my golfer’s aches.” He reached his arms around her and nuzzled at her ear.
Paula turned to escape his embrace and kissed him firmly on the mouth. “You’d better get going, Mr Golfer, I’ve got work to do. If you stay here I’ll give you a brush. I plan to start painting the kitchen today.” She smiled bravely but she didn’t feel it. Underneath, she was wishing he would stay home.
“I said I’d pick up Bruce so I’d better get going.”
“What about your lunch?”
“They always have a good spread at Sponsors’ Day. I’ll eat when we get there.”
Paula fiddled in the backyard while he got ready. She tugged out a few weeds and snapped off some dead branches. The garden here remained untamed by her mother’s green-fingered touch. Once again, it must have been a lawn edged by roses, like the side garden. Dan’s grandmother obviously liked roses.
“I’m off. I won’t be late.” Dan kissed her and jumped into the dual cab.
She was glad he had shaken off the doom and gloom of yesterday and waved him goodbye, but the silence once the vehicle departed was absolute. She wandered into the kitchen, thinking she would have some lunch. The crates piled on the sink reminded her of the meat in the fridge. Dan had said they would repack together.
“Bugger,” she muttered. With a sigh she dragged the meat to the sink where she pushed and probed and hacked with a knife to make smaller parcels of meat, then repackaged it and pushed it into the freezer. It wasn’t till she’d shoved in the last bag that she remembered the labels.
“Bugger,” she muttered again. “Too bad.” She glanced around the kitchen and thought of the paint tins stored in the middle bedroom, ready for her to begin – but her heart wasn’t in it any more.
She wandered into the spare room her parents had occupied and realised she still hadn’t stripped the bed. While she was pulling off the sheets she looked at the curtains. She had noticed a musty smell to them when she’d hung them. Going closer she could still detect it. It was a sunny, breezy day and she might as well wash them too.
Once the machine was loaded up, she went into the lounge. The only thing out of place was the lovely blue hand-knitted jumper that was Dan’s gift from her sisters. A momentary pang of homesickness gripped her as she picked it up and glanced across at the box of wedding photo proofs, sitting on the side table. She wondered what her family were all doing today.
Then she recalled Jane’s request to see her wedding photos. Perhaps she could drive over and see her as Dan had suggested. She’d have to ring first to get directions.
Having a purpose to her day lifted her spirits and she made herself some lunch while she waited for the washing machine to finish with the sheets and curtains. As soon as the machine stopped, she dragged out the bundle of wet things and carried them outside.
She pegged the sheets firmly then hoisted the curtains over the line. The stiff breeze pushed the wet material into her face and she had to fight to get the pegs in place. With the last peg attached she ran her hands down the material and then stopped in alarm. Among the pattern, in lines down the curtains, she noticed patches. She looked more carefully. Intermittently she could see frayed spots along the length of the curtains. They must have been sun damaged, Paula thought, and Rowena’s words replayed in her mind. They were my mother’s pride and joy.
“Oh no! Why did I wash them?” Paula wailed out loud. I wish she’d never given them to me, she thought. Here was another black mark for the new bride. I’ve wrecked the precious family heirlooms.
Nothing she could do would fix them so Paula reluctantly left them to blow in the breeze and went inside to ring Jane.
Jane was pleased to hear from her and welcomed the idea of an afternoon together. “If it’s good enough for the men, it’s good enough for us,” she joked.
Paula gathered the directions she’d scribbled and the wedding photos and walked out to the car with only a passing glance at the tattered curtains on the line. She’d worry about them later.
In the Audi, she turned the key in the ignition but got only a fleeting click from under the bonnet. She tried again, thinking she hadn�
��t turned the key properly, but got the same result. Again and again she tried, then she stopped and thumped the steering wheel. What could be wrong? It had driven beautifully yesterday.
Back inside the house, she rang Jane.
“I’m sorry Jane, I’ve got car trouble. Would you like to come here instead?”
“I would, Paula, but James has just gone down for a sleep. We’ve had some terrible nights with him lately and I don’t want to pick him up. How about I call you when he wakes?”
“Okay.” Paula hung up and tears brimmed in her eyes. “Get a grip, girl,” she said and bit her lip.
The sound of a vehicle sent her scurrying to the back door. If it was Rowena she’d have to hide the curtains. She wasn’t up to explaining the demise of the family treasures.
Paula glanced out the window at the vehicle. It was Tom’s ute. She went out the back in time to see a plump middle-aged woman wearing a billowing floral skirt and rubber boots getting out of the passenger side. She carried a bundle in her arms. Paula blinked. She must be Tom’s mum.
Tom waved over the roof of the ute.
“Hello, Tom. Aren’t you playing football today?” Paula asked.
“We’ve got a bye.” He came to the gate and held it open. “This is my mum, Rita.”
“Pleased to meet you, Mrs Woodcroft.”
Paula held out her hand. “Call me Paula, please.” Rita took one hand off the bundle and rubbed it down her skirt before she gave Paula’s hand a quick clasp.
“I shoulda called by sooner, but I have my work cut out lookin’ after this lot.” She jerked her head in Tom’s direction.
Tom stood silently behind his mother, holding a bag of dog food and shifting awkwardly from foot to foot.
“Stop fidget’n’, Tom,” Rita barked over her shoulder then she turned back to Paula. “Young Tom here says you’ve been hav’n’ trouble with mice.”
“Yes, we have a bit. But thanks to Tom’s help they’re not as bad.”
“I brought you a present.” Rita thrust forward the bundle she was carrying. Paula looked down in surprise as the lump of rags landed in her arms and began squirming.
“Our Bluebell’s the best mouser there is and any pup of hers always follows in her footsteps. This little fella should look after you fine.” Rita pulled back a corner of the raggedy cover to reveal a bright little face with deep brown eyes and a pointy snout.
“This is very kind of you, Rita.” Paula looked from the pup to Rita. “But I don’t know…”
“Dan might not want it, Mum. I didn’t get a chance to ask him.”
“Rubbish, Dan doesn’t get a say. If Paula wants it she can have it. Don’t need to go askin’ her husband’s permission. Anyway it’s a weddin’ present and you can’t give back a present.”
Paula looked back at the sweet little face gazing quizzically up at her. Beneath the rags she could feel its back quivering. It didn’t look frightened, so she presumed it shook from excitement.
Dan had an old farm dog that went with him when he was working with sheep. Paula rarely saw it. Rocket, it was called, although Dan laughed that it no longer had turbo power. It still lived at Rowena’s where there was a big enclosed wire dog kennel. It would be nice to have something to talk to other than herself when Dan wasn’t around and Rita was right, she didn’t have to ask his permission.
“Thank you, Rita. It’s a lovely present. Would you like to come in for a cuppa?”
“I’m not really dressed for visit’n’. Only young Tom thought you might be on your own this arvo, so I thought it was time I popped over and said hello.”
“Please come in. Actually, Tom, I’ve got a bit of a problem with my car. If you’ve got time, perhaps you’d look at it for me.”
“Course he will. Young Tom’s a whiz with mechanicals.”
Tom grinned and Paula led the way into the house.
Paula and Rita enjoyed a cup of tea and a chat while Tom tinkered with the Audi. Well, at least Rita did the chatting and Paula listened and they nursed the pup between them. Rita had an opinion on every topic and Paula found out a lot about neighbours she’d never met.
Rita leaned in close. “How you gett’n’ on with Miss Woodcroft?”
“She’s been a big help.” Paula didn’t think it right to speak disloyally of Dan’s aunt to Rita.
“Don’t you stand any of her bossiness. She’s a strong woman, that one. Done a darn good job of raisin’ Dan on her own. Pity she never had her own kids. She’ll be glad Dan’s got you. Means she can let go and live her own life, now that he’s got a fitt’n’ wife.”
Paula was held by Rita’s direct gaze, uncertain how to respond.
“Your battery’s had it,” Tom declared solemnly from the doorway. “Dan’s got a spare over in the shed at Miss Woodcroft’s. I could go and get it for you.”
“Oh, no. Thanks, Tom, I’ll wait for Dan.”
“Do you need a ride somewhere?” Rita asked. “Tom could drop you off.”
“No, thank you both. I don’t need to go anywhere.” Paula smiled valiantly but she felt deflated. The Audi had given her a new autonomy. Apart from Jane’s she had nowhere to go really, it was just the freedom of being able to go if she wanted to. Now she’d had her ‘wheels’ removed, she felt isolated again.
“We’d betta get goin’ then.” Rita stood up. “Come on, Tom.” She walked in her socks to the back door where she’d left her boots.
“See you, Paula.” Tom smiled his shy smile.
“Thanks for that nice cup of tea, Paula.” Rita patted Paula’s arm and leaned in close. “No matter what anyone says, you’re the right one for Dan, I can tell. You’re a nice person. Just what Dan needs.”
Paula smiled back at her, unsure of what to say. The puppy squirmed again in her arms and she looked down.
“Oh, and don’t throw out those rags yet.” Rita laid a plump hand on the bundle. “They’ve got Bluebell’s smell on them. It will help to settle him in, till he knows you.”
Paula pulled back the rags again as the ute drove away and the sweet little face looked expectantly up at her. “Okay, little guy. It’s just you and me. What am I going to call you and where will you live?” She nestled the little bundle on the floor in a corner and opened the door into the old sleep-out. Among the bits and pieces she thought she’d seen an old basket.
There was a snuffling near her feet and Paula jumped, expecting to see a mouse. Instead the pup had wormed out of the rags and was eagerly sniffing the sleep-out floor at her feet.
“You’re living up to Rita’s expectations already. There are probably plenty of mice in here.” Paula laughed as she watched the little animal scurry along on its short legs, sniffing and sticking its snout into every nook and cranny. She found the basket and called the pup.
“Pup! Here boy.”
He came quickly at her call and nuzzled her leg. She bent down to pick him up and carried him with the basket outside where he boldly explored the weeds around her. Once the basket was ready, she sat the pup in it and tucked the rags back around him. The little dog whimpered once then looked expectantly up at her again.
“All that’s left is to name you. I can’t keep calling you Pup.”
Paula lifted the basket up to her face and dog licked her cheek. The things she’d hung on the line flapped in a gust of wind and caught her attention.
“Oh, no,” she wailed. The curtains were blowing in the breeze and she could see the garden through them. Great lengths had ripped in lines down the material. They must have given way as they’d dried. “Well, Pup, we could be excommunicated if Rowena finds out about this. It will be our little secret, okay?”
The pup looked up at her expectantly, blinked and gave a little yip. Paula laughed at her co-conspirator. She didn’t like the idea of a dog living in the house but she didn’t have anywhere outside to keep it, so she decided to clean out the sleep-out.
She sorted through the furniture that was left in the room. Rowena had been right, it was most
ly junk. Paula dragged a lot out and made a pile in the backyard. Back inside she surveyed the all-but-empty room.
“This will do until Dan can make you a kennel outside,” she spoke to the pup, who watched her from his basket.
Paula took up the broom and swept the cement floor, raising a cloud of dust which made the pup sneeze sharply several times in a row. “Sorry, little guy, nearly finished.”
In the corner, she stacked some old chests of drawers and a cast-iron bed frame; apart from that the only thing worth salvaging had been an old wooden trunk. It was empty but in good condition and she had plans for it in the lounge.
She put an old blanket on the floor and wedged the basket in a corner between the wall and the drawers. “I hope this will be snug enough, little guy.”
His eyelids were drooping and his snout was resting on his small paws. She covered him gently with the rags then shut the door and hoisted the old trunk into the lounge. It would make a good table for magazines.
The wood basket was empty again and once more she made the trek outside and filled it with the last of the wood. The tattered curtains were a depressing reminder of the damage she’d caused. Defiantly, she pulled them off the line and wound them into a bundle. With any luck Rowena would never ask after them and Dan wasn’t likely to.
The pup was awake and scratching at the sleep-out door as she stumbled inside with the wood basket and the bundle of curtains. At the sound of her footsteps, he whined pitifully.
“Just a minute,” she called and it stopped but as she went on into the house she heard the whining begin again. In the lounge, she dropped the wood basket as the pup’s pleas turned into a pathetic howl. Hastily, she lifted the lid of the chest, shoved the curtains inside and went out to rescue the miserable animal.
“Now, what’s your problem?” she asked as she opened the door a little. The pup pushed through and danced at her feet excitedly. “Do you need to go outside?” Paula had no idea how often pups needed a toilet stop.
Outside, the dog explored the jungle of garden around the clothesline on its short stocky legs while she brought in the rest of her washing. She carried the sheets into the laundry and before she could turn around the pup was there, sniffing at her feet.
A Chance of Stormy Weather Page 17