She swallowed as precious memories caused loss to burn behind her eyelids. Aiden’s energy and enthusiasm had always catapulted her out of her comfort zone even when she’d been determined to remain there. He was the reason why she could snowboard as well as ski, why she had a small scar on her arm from falling out of a tree and why she’d disregarded her parents’ wishes for her to study law and had become a vet. He’d always told her that the real killer of dreams wasn’t failure, but doubt.
Needing to keep busy, she left Gemma to settle in and headed to the kitchen where she could hear the kettle boiling. Fliss was making herself at home.
She paused at the doorway to take a deep and silent breath. When she walked through, Fliss gave her a long look before making Ella her tea just how she liked it. When Gemma went outside to visit Cinnamon and Nutmeg, Ella sliced the oven-warm quiche while Fliss added the last touches to a green salad.
They sat around the small kitchen table and enjoyed their home-cooked lunch while they talked about Gemma’s university life in Brisbane. It wasn’t until their plates were empty and the kettle again bubbled that the conversation turned to Libby.
Gemma took a sip of her water before looking between Ella and Fliss. ‘Do you really think Libby was pregnant?’
Fliss nodded, while Ella spoke. ‘We have no proof, just a hunch and circumstantial evidence.’
‘And you think Jeb was the father.’
‘We do.’ Ella studied Gemma as her restless fingers tapped on the table. ‘Do you know something?’
Gemma’s fingers stilled before she looked up. ‘I’m not sure it’s relevant but it involves Jeb, so it might be.’ She paused to chew on her lip. ‘I told Mum I wouldn’t tell Oma, she’d already felt she’d disappointed her enough, but … she never really knew who my father was.’
Fliss and Ella remained silent to allow Gemma to talk.
‘Mum had grown tired of Jeb’s partying so they were on a break, even though he hadn’t taken her seriously when she said they needed time apart. I think it was after some sort of family dinner that he called drunk and threatened to come round. So she snuck out to see him. For some reason Libby went with her. When they got to his place his mother was at work and Jeb was passed out on the floor. They couldn’t move him so Mum asked a school friend to help. Libby left and Mum walked out with the friend. They were sitting in his car talking, and the way Mum describes it she never planned for anything to happen, but she’d had the biggest crush on this guy. She said it was only the one time and he’d used protection so when she found out she was pregnant, she assumed the baby was Jeb’s.’
Gemma looked between the two of them, her serene smile at odds with what she’d just told them.
‘Your mum’s assumption was wrong, wasn’t it?’ Fliss said quietly.
Gemma nodded. ‘The school friend from that night is Simon, who Mum married. When Mum left Jeb, Simon was there for her and after a long-distance relationship, he moved to Brisbane. A year after Mum died, Simon and I did a DNA test. He’s my father.’
‘That’s such a lovely ending,’ Fliss said, eyes overbright.
Ella thought hard. ‘When’s your birthday, Gemma?’
Gemma answered with a date that was roughly nine months after Libby went missing.
Ella looked over at Fliss. ‘That family dinner must have been Libby’s sixteenth birthday celebration.’
‘It would have to be.’ Fliss pushed back her chair and came to her feet to collect their empty plates. ‘And I don’t think Libby went home.’
Ella also stood to help clear the table. ‘I don’t, either. She would have been concerned about Jeb. He also wasn’t technically her sister’s boyfriend anymore.’
Gemma spoke, expression contemplative. ‘I’m actually sure she didn’t go home. Mum wasn’t proud of the fact she went back to Jeb but she really thought I was his. Mum also could never understand why, but he’d always believed they’d gotten back together that night.’
Fliss returned to her seat with a box of the fancy donuts she’d bought in Dubbo. ‘Because the person he thought he was making up with wasn’t Annette but Libby.’
‘Exactly.’ Ella sat a teapot covered in a bright red-and-pink tea cosy beside the donuts. Her excitement buzzed and thoughts raced. Maybe this was the missing piece of the Libby puzzle. ‘This also explains why Libby could have been pregnant. I wonder … Violet said it wasn’t long after Libby disappeared that they discovered your mum was expecting. Maybe Libby knew earlier and that was why she felt she had no choice but to leave. Not only would Jeb have not treated her any differently, as he’d thought she’d been Annette, but Violet and Lloyd would now have had two pregnant daughters.’
Fliss offered Gemma a donut. ‘Not only that, Jeb appeared to be the father of both babies. They would have been the talk of the town.’
‘They would have.’ Gemma placed a donut on her plate. ‘But Aunt Libby would have known deep in her heart that her baby would have been accepted and loved by Oma and Opa. If Aunt Libby was alive … she’d have come home by now. I’m sure of it.’
Ella leaned over to squeeze Gemma’s shoulder before pouring everyone their tea.
Fliss added milk to her mug. ‘I didn’t say anything to Violet earlier, but through social media I’ve found Jeb’s wife. Except if Jeb was too drunk to know it was Libby he’d slept with, he’d have no idea she was pregnant let alone have mentioned to a new partner he might have another child.’
While they drank their tea and ate the donuts, a sombre silence settled over them.
Fliss looked over the top of her floral china mug at Ella. ‘I’ll dig a little deeper into the birth and adoption records. Maybe Libby used a different name. At least we have a more specific timeframe for when her baby could have been born. Then this friend in Sydney Violet mentioned … Fee, wasn’t it? That’s another possible angle.’
Gemma reached out to touch both of their hands. ‘Thank you … for all that you’re doing for Oma.’
Not realising what she was doing, Ella looked out the kitchen window towards Saul’s paddocks. It was only Fliss’s sideways glance that made her aware that she not only hadn’t answered Gemma but she was staring at the boundary fence.
She focused back on Gemma and spoke quickly. ‘You’re very welcome. I’m sure Violet’s mentioned Saul … he’s also been helping to piece everything together.’
‘I’m looking forward to meeting him and his dog Duke.’
Ella refilled Gemma’s mug before asking what she would like to do while in town. Now was an opportune time to change the topic before Fliss studied her any more or her cheeks could become any warmer.
When they’d finished their tea, Fliss left to return to Bundara and Gemma went to her room to rest. Ella washed the dishes and once the kitchen was spotless, she found herself standing near where her phone lay on the kitchen bench. She needed to let Saul know about the latest development. Last week she would have gone to see him but after admitting to herself that she loved him it would be better if she called. If she couldn’t remain composed when mentioning his name, she had no hope when she talked to him face to face. Before she could overthink things, she dialled his number.
He answered after two rings.
‘Hi, Ella, everything okay?’
The concern deepening his voice stole her breath. The warmth and care in his tone hit her deep inside with the accuracy of a slingshot. It would take far longer than one day to regroup.
She cleared her throat. ‘I’m fine. I’ve got the day off. Gemma’s here and I just wanted to pass on some new information.’
Even knowing she was babbling wasn’t enough to silence her. She worried the inside of her cheek to stop herself from talking.
‘How’s Gemma?’ Saul asked. ‘Did she have a good flight?’
‘She did.’ Then, making sure she stuck to the facts, she relayed the news they’d learned over lunch.
‘So Jeb was basically too drunk to tell the difference between a shy sixteen-year-ol
d and her older sister.’ Censure roughened Saul’s words.
‘That’s what it looks like. Violet has always said Libby seemed herself before she disappeared so whatever happened with Jeb hadn’t been unsettling. Violet also said Libby had been quiet and engrossed in a book the week prior to her leaving but this wasn’t unusual.’
‘That fits with her having discovered she was pregnant. Maybe she’d also started to feel unwell.’
‘It does. Fliss is going to do some more internet digging, while I’ll see if I can find Libby’s old school friend.’
‘Let me know if you need help with anything.’
‘Will do.’ She mentally crossed her fingers at the white lie. Until she was confident she could hide how she felt she would be flying solo as much as she could.
‘How’s mission impossible going?’
‘My afternoon job is to wrangle the guest list. Bethany’s implemented our ace card by taking Mrs Knox into her confidence, saying she’s planning a get-together for a select few on Edna’s actual birthday. Needless to say within ten minutes Mrs Knox passed on the details to Edna. So if Edna discovers any party plans, she’ll assume they’re for the smaller gathering.’
Saul’s low chuckle resulted in a ripple of goosebumps across her arms. His laughter was a sound she’d never get tired of hearing. One day she hoped he’d have more of a reason to laugh. ‘I didn’t think keeping a secret from Edna could be done, but you and Bethany might just pull this off.’
‘Here’s hoping.’ Feeling her composure unravel faster than a ball of Violet’s knitting wool, she kept speaking. ‘I’d better let you get back to whatever you were doing.’
‘Thanks …’ It was just her wishful thinking that a note of regret edged his reply. ‘I’ve got a load of gypsum being delivered.’
‘See you Saturday?’ The words slipped out before she could hold them back.
‘You will. I’m looking forward to seeing Edna’s face.’
‘Me too.’
Ella ended the call. She stared at the black screen and then, shoulders squared, went to switch on her laptop. The more she focused on what she needed to do the less she’d heed the deep longings that wished there wasn’t a high boundary fence separating them.
‘That’s a job well done,’ Saul said as he and Duke walked away from the machinery shed where they’d unhooked the spreader trailer from the tractor. For the past two days they’d spread a fine white cloud of gypsum to improve soil structure and water drainage.
The Australian shepherd looked up at him and Saul ruffled his head. Duke had been his constant companion even when he’d spent hours in the tractor.
Guinea fowls squabbled from somewhere in the front garden and Duke darted away. Saul shook his head. Duke’s obsession with the speckled birds was only rivalled by his fascination with Ella. Saul scraped a hand across his stubbled chin. It was a fixation he shared. He kept watch for when Duke ran along the fence to welcome her home and then again for when she’d flick on the front veranda light.
Hearing Ella’s voice on the phone last Wednesday hadn’t come close to being enough. As much as he knew he shouldn’t, he was counting down the days until the museum opening tomorrow. Not that he’d be spending much time with her at the event. As well as Ella being busy with Edna’s party, he needed to be careful about how much contact they had. Loving Ella meant fulfilling his promise to keep her safe, even if that meant concealing every emotion he’d acknowledged last weekend.
A stiff late-afternoon breeze tugged at the brim of his cap. Thankfully he’d spread the last of the gypsum before the wind picked up. They were in for a blistering weekend that would only deliver more heat, no matter how many rain dances from local businesses were doing the rounds on social media. He stared at the horizon that wasn’t as crisp a line as usual. Dust had blown in from out west and now cast a dull, blurred haze.
Duke hadn’t reappeared, so he headed for the cool of the hay shed. He needed to finalise the number of bales he was donating to the hay convoy. As he calculated how many large bales formed the hay wall in front of him, Duke returned to his side for a pat. Tongue lolling, the Australian shepherd headed deeper into the shed in search of mice.
Saul counted the hay bales again. He’d lost count when he’d been distracted wondering if Ella would be more relaxed around him next time he saw her. After this weekend, the run of town social functions would be over. Fliss had mentioned a possible barbeque, so unless he bumped into Ella in town or at the river, or Cinnamon and Nutmeg escaped again, he would probably see her there. He was mid-count when Duke yelped and his high-pitched bark echoed throughout the shed.
Saul moved quickly. Such a bark was either one of excitement or pain. Despite the day’s heat, a chill feathered over his skin. It also wasn’t Duke’s usual response to finding a mouse or a bird.
At first it wasn’t obvious what Duke had cornered against the shed wall. Then the unmistakable shape of a brown snake, its small head flattened, reared up from amongst the scattered hay. Heart hammering, he killed his instinctive response to whistle Duke away. It would only take a second of Duke being distracted and the snake could strike.
Duke’s fluffy tail wagged as he continued to bark. The Australian shepherd had no idea of the danger he was in. If he was a different type of breed, like a Jack Russell, he’d have been intent on killing the snake, but he only wanted to play. Saul fisted his hands. There was nothing he could do except stay still. Any movement might divert Duke’s attention. All he could hope for was that Duke would lose interest and let the snake go.
After what seemed like an eternity, the snake lowered itself to the ground. Duke stopped barking and retreated a few steps. The snake slithered through the gap now left between Duke and the corrugated iron wall. Hay rustled and burnished skin rippled as the snake headed for the open side of the shed.
When Duke went to follow, Saul gave him the command to stay. It wasn’t blood that transported a snake’s venom through a victim’s body but the lymphatic system. The only way to stem such a flow was immobility. As he jogged over to the Australian shepherd, he glanced at his watch so he’d be able to keep track of time. He couldn’t remember taking his phone out of his shirt pocket but suddenly it was in his hand. If that yelp had signalled that Duke had been bitten, every second became precious. They had at least a twenty-five-minute drive to the vet surgery.
He dialled the vet clinic. Penny answered with her usual cheery tone, but as soon as Saul said Duke could have been bitten by a brown snake she was all business. ‘Bring him straight in. Ella can run some blood clotting tests.’
Saul didn’t answer. Duke had slumped to the ground.
‘Saul? You still there?’
‘I am.’ His voice was nothing but a hoarse rasp as he closed the distance between him and Duke. ‘There’s no doubt he’s been bitten.’
He wedged his phone between his shoulder and ear before putting his arms around Duke. This time there was silence from Penny before Ella’s serious voice sounded. ‘Saul, how long has it been and was it definitely a brown?’
‘Five minutes, and yes, a brown.’
‘We’ll be ready whenever you can get here.’
Saul didn’t bother saying goodbye. He hefted Duke into his arms. The Australian shepherd didn’t even wriggle. As fast as he could he headed to his F-truck.
The entire drive to town Saul kept his hand on Duke. Every spasm and contortion as the venom took effect carved off another sliver of hope. This was all his fault. If he hadn’t been distracted thinking about Ella he would have taken more notice of where Duke was. His fingers dug into the thick softness of Duke’s grey-and-white coat. He couldn’t lose him. He was far more than just his best mate.
He pulled up outside the vet hospital. Duke didn’t even lift his head. With the Australian shepherd limp in his arms, he raced up the path. Ella held the door open and a male vet nurse he didn’t recognise took Duke from him. Ella gave him a quick look and he thought she might have squeezed his arm bu
t then they disappeared through the door into the treatment room.
Hands in his hair, he stared at the closed door.
Footsteps sounded before Penny said softly beside him, ‘Ella’s the best. She’ll do everything she can.’
He lowered his arms. His surroundings were now coming into focus. To his left sat a little girl in pigtails with a pug puppy sleeping on her lap. Her round eyes stared at him. On his other side sat an elderly woman who had a tabby cat in a carrier at her feet. Sympathy creased her lined face. The four walls closed in on him.
He glanced at Penny. ‘Thank you for dropping everything and fitting him in. I’ll be … in my truck.’
Steps leaden, he headed outside and past the red fire hydrant Duke always stopped to lift his leg on. When he reached his F-truck, instead of sitting inside he walked to the shade cast by a plane tree yarn-bombed in blue. He took out his phone and dialled his brother. Except it wasn’t Nathan who answered.
‘Hi, Uncle Saully.’
He took a moment before answering. He couldn’t have Rosie sense his anguish. ‘Hi, Rosie Posie.’
The five-year-old giggled as she always did when he called her his pet name. ‘Are you coming to see us? Mum said Dad’s bored and not a very good patient.’
‘Maybe you could come and visit?’
‘Yes please.’ Rosie’s enthusiasm failed to lift the heaviness that weighed upon his shoulders. ‘I can see Duke and your bison calf, and we can make my princess castle. I also can see Ella.’
The mention of Ella’s name diverted his thoughts from the very real possibility Duke might not be around. ‘Ella or her goats?’
‘All of them. Dad says you talk about her a lot. She must be nice.’
He briefly closed his eyes. Thanks to Rosie’s illness and being bedridden, she didn’t miss much, especially when it came to what others were discussing. As for his brother, Saul had no idea he’d picked up on how much he mentioned Ella. It was usually numbers Nathan remembered, not names.
The Boundary Fence (A Woodlea Novel, #7) Page 23