Riverstone Ridge

by Mandy Magro

  All her senses fired to life. Every inch of her tensed as adrenaline awakened her fight-or-flight instincts. There was another scuffling sound, and this time, it was unmistakable. Maybe it was just wallabies? Or pigs? Maybe it was the possum she’d just seen? But what if it wasn’t? What if someone was after her? She readied herself to dash inside and lock the door, if need be.

  ‘Who’s there?’ she half whispered, not wanting to wake her moggy and doggy mates.

  A snap of twigs answered her. She shot to her feet, sloshing her hot chocolate over the side of the cup. ‘Show your face and stop being a damn coward,’ she bellowed.

  Maxwell leapt to attention, and she grabbed hold of his collar, whereas Tom looked up at her, yawned, and then went back to sleep. If she wasn’t so terrified, Nina would have rolled her eyes – she couldn’t hold it against him; cats weren’t born to be protectors. Just like down at the dam earlier on, Maxwell curled his lip back and growled threateningly. How a dog went from so adorable to so menacing in the blink of an eye amazed her – she was extremely thankful for his protection. She held her breath and listened hard, but was now met with nothing but stone-cold silence.

  Someone was watching her – she could feel it in her bones.

  As if icy fingers trailed upwards from the soft curve of her back, a shiver travelled up her spine. Plucking a none-too-happy-to-be-disturbed Tom from the step, she took tentative steps backwards while still clinging to Maxwell’s collar, bringing him with her, startling herself when she bumped into the flyscreen door. The urgent need to flee inside to safety gripped her. Spinning around, she rushed in and slammed the flyscreen shut behind her, quickly followed by the timber door, before deadbolting it. Out of harm’s way, her legs turned to jelly, and her breath caught in her throat. Either her gut instincts were right and somebody really was watching her, stalking her, or with all of the stress she was under, and the grief from Bea’s death, she was losing her mind.

  CHAPTER

  11

  Riverstone Ridge’s resident kookaburras laughed raucously from their perch upon the Hills hoist out back, stirring Nina awake. Rolling onto her side, she continued to drift between sleep and wakefulness. With a couple of glasses of wine under her belt, she’d finally succumbed to the luxury of her air-conditioned bedroom sometime after midnight and managed to get a couple of hours rest, very thankful the old box aircon had been replaced with a modern split system.

  Piercing daylight stung her eyes, the crack in the blackout curtains lethal. Squinting into it while feeling as if she hadn’t slept a wink, she rubbed her face, the heartache of Bea’s death coupled with the insight into her mother’s suicide squeezing her chest painfully tight. She’d spent hours staring at the bedroom ceiling, trying to figure out what had been so bad that her mother had felt the need to end it all and go leave her without a mum. She prayed Bea was going to answer the questions behind her mother’s suicide in her coming letters because the not knowing was eating Nina up. She didn’t want to be left forever wondering.

  Feeling as if the weight of the world was sitting upon her aching shoulders and a hand was fisting tight around her heart, she sucked in a deep breath and choked back her welling emotions. Blinking the gathering tears away, she started making the bed and picking up the dirty clothes she’d tossed onto the floor before climbing – or more like collapsing – into bed last night. She needed to keep herself busy. Idle hands made for idle thoughts – she wasn’t going to allow herself to sit and wallow all day long. It would do her no good. She needed to head into town to grab a few groceries and a couple of things from the hardware store so she could make a start on some repairs and improvements around the place, and her Jeep needed a decent service before the air-conditioner kicked the bucket – not something she wanted to risk with the sticky Far North Queensland heat. First things first, though, she wanted a cold shower to try and wake herself up, and then a quick breakfast before heading out to check on the critters and to let the chooks out to forage their day away.

  Just shy of an hour later, after a hearty breakfast of cheesy scrambled eggs and a strong coffee, Nina grabbed Bea’s wide-brimmed hat, stepped outside, and tugged on her boots. Pausing before descending the steps, she recalled the sensation she’d felt last night of being watched. It had been creepy, unnerving. Now, in broad daylight, she felt a little silly.

  Spotting her from where he was sprawled out on the front lawn, Maxwell scooted over to greet her. She gave him a loving pat as she spotted Bert’s old girl parked in its usual spot. She checked her watch – it was 10.15. He was here early, as his usual rounds were done in the afternoon. She made her way in the general direction of the agistment paddocks, pausing to say g’day to Frank, Betty and Don along the way. As they trotted over to her, warm horsey smells filled her senses. Frank paused to give her hair a nibble before wandering back towards Betty, who was clearly determined to play it cool. Nina smiled at the mare’s haughtiness. From over the other side of the paddock, Don galloped towards her, all bleats and excitement, his rubber chicken clasped firmly in his mouth.

  ‘Hey there, buddy, nice to see you too. How’d you sleep?’ His wiry hair prickled her fingertips as she gave him a ruffle behind the ears.

  Don replied by tossing his rubber chicken at her feet.

  Nina laughed and shook her head. ‘You seriously are a dog in a donkey’s body, I swear to god.’ She bent and picked it up, grimacing at the amount of slobber on it before tossing it as far as she could, which wasn’t very far – her throw needed some serious work.

  Don dashed over to it, picked it up, shook it as though trying to murder it, and then raced back to her, only to drop it on her boots once again. His tail slapping the ground super hard, Maxwell whined beside her, clearly wanting to join in on the antics but knowing better – she was sure Don wouldn’t be keen on a play buddy stealing his beloved rubber chicken, and Maxwell clearly knew it.

  Nina humoured Don for another ten minutes, laughing at his enthusiasm as well as the sideways glances Betty and Frank were giving the pair of them, as though they were lunatics, when a gravelly voice from behind made her almost jump out of her skin. ‘He’s got you wrapped around his hoof already, ain’t he?’

  Her smile spreading wider, she turned to see Bert. As per usual, a half-smouldering rollie hung from his lips, and a kind yet cheeky smile was planted on his weather-beaten face. ‘He most certainty has, Bert. But then again, how can I resist something as cute as him?’

  ‘Cute? I’m not sure about that description.’ He looked to Don and gave him a wink. ‘I’d be more likely to say he was insufferable.’

  ‘Oh my, he has feelings, you know,’ Nina mock gasped, grinning, and covered Don’s ears as best she could. Don fidgeted away from her and eyed Bert as if he’d understood everything the old man had just said. ‘Mind you, I have to agree that most men would say exactly the same thing about Don – he’s not keen on the male species.’

  Can’t really blame him, because neither am I, she thought to herself.

  Wiping her slobbery hands on her jeans, she strode towards where Bert stood, his wrinkled forearms leaning on the railings of the round yard, shaking his head in amusement.

  Stopping on the opposite side of the fence, she pulled up beside him, hooking her boot up on the bottom timber rail. ‘So what are you doing here so early?’

  ‘Oh, I’ve got a funeral to go to this afternoon, so I thought I’d get me jobs done earlier, just in case I run outta daylight. Hope you don’t mind?’

  ‘No, of course not.’ She scrunched her brows. ‘Sorry to hear you have to go to a funeral, though.’

  ‘Oh, no need to feel sorry for me.’ He half chuckled. ‘At my age, it’s a given my mates are going to kick the bucket sooner rather than later. I just gotta be grateful I’m still here to pay me respects.’

  ‘Good way to look at it, I suppose.’ She looked to where his fingers were curled around the railing, noticing three of them were without fingertips. ‘How’d you do that? Work a
ccident?’

  ‘Oh, these ugly buggers.’ He held his hand up and assessed the fingers as though it were the very first time he’d noticed they were stumpy. ‘Many years ago I went out and had too many beers, and on me way back home I fell asleep on the railway tracks just outside of town. The rumble of an incoming train woke me up and I only just rolled clear of the blasted thing before it totalled me, but afraid me fingers didn’t.’

  ‘Far out, that wouldn’t have tickled.’ Nina grimaced. ‘Ouch.’

  ‘You can say that again.’ He shrugged and laughed. ‘The best way to learn is by your mistakes, though.’

  ‘Very true,’ Nina said in total agreement.

  ‘Yup … I gotta say, I haven’t ever fallen asleep on the railway lines again.’

  Nina smirked at his playful expression – Bert would have drawn the women in like metal to magnet when he was a young man. ‘Probably a good idea, by the looks of things.’

  ‘Uh-huh.’ He tugged the brim of his hat. ‘Anyhow, I best get back to it, just thought I better stop and say g’day, let you know my movements for the day.’

  ‘Groovy. Thanks, Bert.’

  Eyeing her thoughtfully for a few moments, he tapped the timber railing and turned, waving to her over his shoulder. ‘Catch you tomorrow, Nina.’

  ‘I’ll be here,’ she called out after him.

  ‘That’s what I like to hear,’ he called back.

  * * *

  Heading into town half an hour later with her windows down, the wind whipped strands of hair across Nina’s face. She plucked them from her lips and tucked them behind her ears, smiling as a road train belted past, the whoosh of warm wind and the scent of the cattle on board making her sniff the air as if smelling fine perfume. Unlike some, she loved the earthy smell – it reminded her of everything good and wholesome in this world, something she didn’t come across in the city often enough.

  It didn’t take her long to get into town. After pulling up a few parking spaces down from the auto-electricians, she climbed out of the Jeep and blipped it locked. As she shoved the keys in her pocket, a vaguely familiar voice grabbed her attention.

  ‘Nina Jones, oh my god, is that really you?’

  Nina spun around and was met with a wide smile framed by a wild mess of chaotic black curls. ‘Cassie?’

  ‘Oh yeah, baby, the one and only.’ Cassie grinned, the few wrinkles not masking the face Nina remembered so well. ‘I can’t believe it’s really you, Nina!’

  ‘Wow, it’s so good to see you,’ Nina exclaimed as her childhood friend ran for her, arms outstretched, with two toddlers in tow – a boy and a girl.

  Cassie’s life goal had been to get married, settle down and have the perfect little family unit, and it looked as though her dreams had come true. Nina wished she could say the same for herself.

  They met and hugged tightly, all the years and silence that had been between them gone in an instant. Happy tears stung Nina’s eyes and she blinked them away as she pulled back and took in Cassie’s smiling face. ‘Oh my goodness, Cass, you honestly haven’t aged a bit.’

  Cassie waved a hand through the air and rolled her eyes. ‘You’re just being nice, but thanks – and ditto, babe,’ she said, squeezing Nina’s arms. But her smile quickly faded and she shook her head. ‘I’m so sorry to hear of Bea’s passing. I know how hard this must be for you, with it being so sudden.’

  Nina imagined her face matched Cassie’s wretched expression. ‘Yes, it wasn’t something I saw coming, that’s for sure.’

  Cassie nodded, her bottom lip caught between her teeth. ‘None of us did.’

  Nina cleared her throat, knowing this was her chance to apologise for disappearing all those years ago. If she didn’t do it now, she might never muster the courage again. ‘I’ve been meaning to tell you … I’m so sorry I left without a word and that I didn’t keep in touch … it’s just … I had to go, and I’m sorry I didn’t explain why.’

  Cassie shushed her. ‘No need … it’s all water under the bridge. I must admit I was really hurt at the time, but as I’ve grown older, and maybe a little wiser, I understand there’s no use living in the past, or holding a grudge … it gets you nowhere.’ She gave Nina another quick hug and then stepped back. ‘I’m just so happy to see you’re back here. Are you going to be hanging around for a while?’ Cassie looked to her eagerly.

  ‘Oh, nah, just a few more weeks, while I get the place ready to put on the market.’

  Cassie’s excited smile vanished. ‘Oh, bugger.’

  Nina wanted to avoid any more conversation about her staying longer – she’d gone and disappointed enough people in her life already. ‘So how’s life been treating you?’ She looked to the two little kids now stuck close to Cassie’s sides. ‘I see you’ve gone and gotten yourself some mini-mes.’

  ‘Uh-huh. This is Ben and Jasmine.’ Cassie looked to them with the unconditional love of a devoted mother. Nina said her hellos and the kids shyly said hi back.

  Glancing back at Nina, Cassie rolled her eyes. ‘Shame the father didn’t want to stick around long enough to get to know them though.’ She shrugged. ‘But I suppose you can’t have everything these days.’

  ‘Oh, Cass, I’m so sorry to hear that.’

  ‘Don’t be.’ She leant into Nina’s ear and lowered her voice. ‘He was a selfish dickhead.’

  Nina couldn’t help but grin – Cassie had always been totally honest and upfront. ‘Well, in that case, I’m glad you’re rid of him.’

  ‘Oh hell yeah, me too.’ She looked at her watch and groaned. ‘I’m just on the way to an appointment, and running late as usual, but …’ She dug into her handbag and pulled out her mobile phone. ‘What’s your number? I’ll give you a call and we’ll catch up.’

  ‘I’d love that, Cass.’ Nina read her number out and Cassie punched it into her phone before tossing it back into her bag. She leant in to give Nina a kiss on the cheek. ‘Stay strong, and we’ll chat real soon, okay?’

  Nina nodded. ‘Will do, and yup, we will.’ She waved to both Ben and Jasmine and they waved back. So cute.

  Cassie took the kids by the hands and, with a quick goodbye, headed down the street, tossing Nina a warm smile over her shoulder. Nina waved them off, feeling a little lighter just by running into her. Home really was where the heart was. Bert had a mighty good point – she just didn’t think she’d have the courage to stick it out here. It’d be like living a lie. And that was no way to live. Ever.

  She headed towards the office of the auto-electricians shop and made her way inside. The tinkle of the doorbell soon had someone stepping through the back door that led to the workshop area. She was shell-shocked when a familiar but aged face greeted her.

  ‘Nina Jones?’

  ‘Holy moley, Josh Harper?’ Nina’s heart thumped in her chest, mighty hard, as her secret slammed her even harder.

  ‘Yup.’ He smiled a little self-assuredly as he ran a hand over his shirt. ‘In the flesh.’

  Nina had to fight to hide her panic and disbelief as she took in his dirty-looking hair, coupled with his greasy overalls, a slightly podgy belly, and a thick red scar across his left cheek. For a man who was the same age as her, he looked way beyond his years. Things clearly hadn’t turned out well for him. She tried to place his odd expression as she cleared her throat and found her voice. ‘I heard you moved away from here, to somewhere up in the Northern Territory?’

  ‘I did, but then I missed my little girl, so I came back.’

  ‘Your little girl?’ This was news – Bea really had stuck to her promise of not speaking about Josh Harper.

  ‘Yeah, I went and got Kimberley knocked up right before I decided to leave because of her constant bloody nagging and now I have an eleven-year-old daughter because of it.’

  Nina couldn’t believe his tone, as if he were none too happy about having a child. What kind of man wasn’t happy to be a father? Oh, that’s right – hers. ‘What’s her name?’ she choked out.

  ‘Isabel
la.’

  ‘That’s a really pretty name.’

  ‘Yeah, Kimberley picked it. I didn’t get a look in.’ Resting a hip against the desk, he plucked a cigarette from his pack and lit it, sucking the nicotine in deeply. ‘So what are you doing back here? Miss me, did ya?’ Eyeing her with a slight tip of his head, he blew a couple of smoke rings in her direction, his gaze extremely suggestive.

  Not likely, Nina wanted to say as she tried to avoid the smoke, but it was impossible when the walls of his windowless office confined her. He looked her up and down and she suddenly felt claustrophobic, in more ways than one. ‘I thought you’d know why I’m here, Josh. Everyone else does.’

  Brows furrowed, he sucked on the cigarette. ‘Oh yeah, that’s right, Bea kicked the bucket. Sorry to hear.’ Puffs of smoke came back out as he spoke.

  Staring at his yellowing teeth and his nicotine-stained fingertips, Nina folded her arms and shook her head. ‘Gee whizz, you haven’t changed a damn bit, have you? Still so bloody sincere, I see.’

  ‘Oh come on, lighten up. You know me, babe, I’m not one for being all soppy.’ With a cheesy grin, he leant over and slapped her on the arse, and, shocked beyond belief, she instinctively slapped him across the face. Hard. Red welts rose almost immediately. Josh glared at her and then shook his head as if dazed and confused.

  ‘Don’t ever do that again.’ Her stare narrowed. ‘And don’t babe me, either. Got it?’

  ‘Wow.’ He rubbed his cheek, grinning. ‘Still feisty as hell, I see.’

  She took another step back and felt the door handle press into her spine. ‘Really, Josh, you’re going to play this game, are you? I thought you might have grown up by now, especially since you’ve had twenty years to do it, but it doesn’t look like it. And you’re obviously still the womaniser I remembered you to be.’