No Job for a Girl

by Meredith Appleyard

  The rare roast beef and vegetables Eve served were delicious; a glass of red wine sliding smoothly down with it. Paul ate his meal and then disappeared into the study to take an urgent phone call. When he was out of earshot, Eve leaned towards her.

  ‘You look like you worked last night.’

  ‘I did. Third in a row.’ Leah could barely keep her eyes open. Her jaw ached from suppressing the yawns.

  ‘I hope you’re having the weekend off.’

  ‘I am. I’ll be back in the desert Monday and I have things I need to do around the house.’

  ‘It’s not right, someone your age, single, working the hours you do.’

  ‘I have no choice, Eve. When the mortgage is more manageable, I’ll cut back. But, until then . . .’

  ‘You know I would have loaned you money if you’d asked.’

  ‘I know you would have, but over the years you’ve done more than enough for me. I got myself into this situation, and I’ll get myself out of it. Anyway, that’s enough about me. How are you, really?’

  Eve picked up her wine glass and studied the contents before downing them in one gulp. ‘Oh, so so,’ she said quietly.

  ‘Is there anything I can do?’

  ‘Find me another job?’ Eve grimaced, running her finger around the rim of the empty glass. ‘I miss work like you wouldn’t believe. The friendships, the purpose, the conversations in the tearoom . . . I had no idea there’d be such a gaping hole in my life.’

  ‘What if Paul retired? You could do things together.’

  ‘Like that’s going to happen.’

  Leah studied her friend, who in some ways had been more of a mother to her than her biological parent. ‘I honestly don’t know what to say.’

  ‘Paul tells me to enjoy it, do all the things I used to talk about doing when I didn’t have the time. If only it were that easy.’

  ‘Have you thought of talking to someone about how you’re feeling? A counsellor, or someone like that?’

  ‘I’ll be okay,’ Eve said on a sigh. ‘Things are a little bit bumpy now, but I’m sure they’ll improve.’

  Leah wasn’t convinced. They sat in silence. Eve refilled her glass.

  Leah shook her head when Eve reached for her empty wine glass. ‘I must go,’ she said.

  ‘Stay the night. There’s always a room ready for you.’

  ‘I’d love to, Eve, but there’s the dog, and I have a load of firewood coming first thing in the morning.’

  ‘I know, love. Don’t mind me.’

  Leah rose and started to clear the table until Eve’s firm grip on her forearm stopped her.

  ‘I have all day tomorrow to do that,’ she said. Leah didn’t miss the bleakness in Eve’s voice, regretting that she was so tired and in desperate need of home and bed that she couldn’t stay any longer.

  Paul appeared a million miles away when he walked her out to her car and she asked if he was all right. He’d been his usual self over dinner but Leah suspected his good cheer had been faked.

  ‘Buggered, that’s all,’ he said. ‘But then these days, what’s new?’

  ‘It’s a long day, up and back from Nickel Bluff. It would be for anyone.’

  ‘Too polite to tell me I’m getting old?’

  Leah laughed and gave him a playful punch on the arm. ‘I can’t imagine you getting old.’

  ‘Thanks for coming, Leah. You always cheer Eve up. She misses you.’

  ‘I know she does. I miss her too, and I’m so, so sorry she’s feeling miserable. I’ll phone again before I leave Monday morning.’

  ‘That would be good. I’m sure it’ll all sort itself out, eventually.’

  ‘It’s a pity she’s allergic to dog hair or I’d bring Sasha down for her to babysit. That’d keep them both occupied.’ Leah’s eyes watered as she smothered another yawn.

  ‘Are you sure you’re right to drive?’

  ‘I’ll put the windows down. The cold air will keep me awake.’

  ‘You know you can stay the night. Eve would like that.’

  ‘I know, she offered, and thanks. But I really need to go home. My leave’s almost over. I’m looking forward to going back, but have stuff I need to do.’

  ‘I understand. I’ll see you in a week’s time, at the Bluff.’

  She gave him a hug and a peck on the cheek, and on the drive back up the South Eastern Freeway, Leah worried about Eve and Paul. She would never forget her own mother’s bouts of debilitating depression and couldn’t bear to think Eve was headed in the same direction. If there was nothing else she could do, Leah would keep encouraging Eve to seek professional help.

  Swamped by a wave of fatigue, Leah cleaned her teeth and prepared for bed. Sasha lay in her basket beside the bed, nose resting on her paws, ears flat, watching silently. It was almost as if the dog knew she wouldn’t be around for many more days.

  Leah climbed into bed and turned off the light. Minutes later she heard the dog’s gentle snores, and she drifted into sleep with a smile on her lips.

  Saturday morning after the firewood had been delivered and stacked into the woodshed, Leah loaded Sasha into the car and drove down the winding road into the bustling village of Stirling. A latte and the newspaper at her favourite café wiled away the remainder of the morning.

  After a promising start, the day deteriorated into a miserable, drizzly afternoon and Leah abandoned the garden and found herself hankering for the clear blue sky of the outback. She texted Belinda and they agreed to meet. A couple of hours and a couple of reds s­itting by a roaring open fire at the local pub sounded like the p­erfect way to pass a cold and rainy afternoon.

  Sasha wasn’t impressed when several hours later she was shooed outside with a bowl of dry food and a beef bone.

  ‘I won’t be late,’ Leah told the dog, who pouted, ignored the food and slinked off to her kennel.

  Leah had washed her hair and spent more than the usual five minutes on make-up and deciding what to wear. These days opportunities to dress up were rare. She chose a knee-length black woollen skirt, a soft cashmere jumper in a dusky, mushroom pink, tights and knee-high leather boots. A colourful pashmina and dangly earrings finished off the outfit, and a quick glance in the mirror brought a satisfied smile.

  Leah met Belinda in the hotel car park. ‘You look great,’ Leah said, embracing her friend. ‘Have you lost weight?’

  ‘Yes! I’m going to the gym and cutting back on carbs. It’s working so far.’

  They went inside and settled by the fire. When they had drinks Belinda said, ‘I’m so glad we could catch up. I can’t believe you only have one weekend a month at home. I don’t know how you cope being away so much.’

  ‘Yeah, I almost can’t believe I’ll be packing my bag again tomorrow.’

  ‘So,’ Belinda said with glee, ‘tell me all about it.’

  Drinks and conversation segued into an early dinner and it was after eight when Leah let an ecstatic Sasha in the back door. The misty rain had settled in and Leah dried off the dog, stoked up the fire, peeled off her boots and made herself comfortable on the sofa with another glass of red wine. Sasha sprawled out near the fire.

  Toasty warm and pleasantly mellow, Leah dozed, startled when Sasha leapt to her feet and barked, then raced to the front door.

  Leah sat up, listening. She wasn’t expecting anyone. Rose was overnighting with her sister in Victor Harbour and wouldn’t return until Sunday evening.

  Moments later the sensor light at the side of the house flicked on, followed closely by a knock on the front door. She switched on the outside light and unlocked the door. Leaving the security chain on, she opened the door wide enough for the dog to poke her nose through.

  Leah’s eyes widened, blood rushing to her already flushed cheeks. ‘Alex? What are you doing here? How do you know where I live?’

  She fumbled with the security chain and Sasha barged the rest of the way through the door, grinning up at Alex. Alex reached down and scratched the dog behind the ears. All Leah
could do was stare at him. Raindrops glistened in his hair and on the shoulders of his suede leather jacket. He needed a haircut, there were dark shadows under his eyes, but he smelled and looked good enough to eat.

  ‘Are you going to ask me in? Or is it only the dog who’s pleased to see me?’

  ‘Oh, no, come on in. I’m surprised, that’s all.’ Stunned beyond belief would be more like it. She stood back so he could enter.

  ‘Your address was on your CV,’ he said and hesitated on the threshold. ‘You’re all dressed up. You look great. Are you going out? If you are —’

  ‘I’ve been out. I had drinks and an early dinner with a friend.’

  He stepped inside and shrugged off his jacket. She hung it on the coat rack by the door, resisting the foolish temptation to bury her face in it as she did.

  He lifted up a booted foot, raised his eyebrows.

  ‘You can take them off if you like.’

  He slipped off his well-worn RM Williams’, and followed her through into the living room, scanned the area with an appreciative eye. ‘Nice place you have here.’

  ‘Thanks,’ she said. ‘I like it.’

  ‘Lots of space. How many bedrooms?’

  ‘Four. I always imagined there’d be a family one day . . .’

  ‘Hmmph. I never imagined I’d be bunking with my old man again.’

  ‘No, I guess not . . .’ What was he doing here? ‘Can I get you something to drink? Tea, coffee? I think there’s beer. Or wine.’

  He eyed the bottle of red on the coffee table, the empty glass beside it. ‘Wine is good.’

  She straightened the sofa cushions, snatched up a novel off the floor and dropped it into the magazine rack. He didn’t need to know she read historical romances.

  ‘Sit down. I’ll go get another glass. Sasha, please stop bothering the man.’

  Alex laughed, a gorgeous sound that sent goosebumps dancing up her arms and her heart into overdrive.

  ‘She’s all right. I like dogs,’ he said, settling onto the sofa.

  Alex smoothed his fingertips across the dog’s sleek head and watched Leah skip up the stairs to the kitchen. She did look lovely. The skirt hugged her hips like a second skin; the pale sweater softly ac­centuated her other curves. He heard her tinkering around in the kitchen, and wondered if her toenails were still painted that sexy scarlet colour. He shook his head, trying to shake loose the fantasy weaving its way through his thoughts.

  The sweep of his vehicle’s headlights as he’d driven up her driveway had provided enough light for him to appreciate the house’s stunning architecture. It stood as one with the hillside, enveloped by native bushland. He could understand why she loved living here. Anyone would.

  ‘Have you had a good break?’ he said, when she came down the stairs with another wine glass and a bowl of nuts.

  ‘Not bad. It’s gone quickly.’

  She passed him a glass of wine, refilled her own and stood warming herself in front of the fire. Although she’d said and done all the right things, he wasn’t convinced he was totally welcome.

  ‘I know your neighbour looks after your dog, but who looks out for the house while you’re away? You live on your own, don’t you?’

  ‘Yes, and my neighbour, Rose, keeps an eye on everything.I don’t know how I’d manage without her.’ Leah gulped her wine, and it struck him that she was nervous. His idealistic, always-in-control safety advisor was nervous about him invading her personal domain. The realisation made him smile.

  ‘How is your dad?’ she said, her voice cutting through his thoughts.

  ‘Frail,’ he said. ‘Heather thinks he’s depressed. We’ve never, ever seen him like he is at the moment. Not even after Mum died. He’s lost weight, looks terrible. He’s been at Heather’s since he came out of hospital, but he stayed at home last night. We spent today getting in groceries, tidying up. I mowed the lawn.’

  ‘What’s the plan for him?’

  ‘I’ll be there with him tonight and tomorrow night, then he’ll go to Heather’s again. We want him to try and stay at his own place for a couple nights a week, gradually build up. Heather only lives a few streets away, but she has to go back to work soon. Long-term, who knows. I suppose it’ll depend a bit on how he copes on his own.’

  ‘There are in-home support services available, even if it’s only until he’s back on his feet.’

  Alex reached for a handful of nuts, chewed thoughtfully and then swallowed. ‘Try telling my sister that. I’m sure she thinks she has to do everything.’

  ‘I imagine that’s only natural.’

  ‘Mmm,’ he said, experiencing the familiar feelings of remorse. He knew he wasn’t carrying his fair share of the load. Never had.

  ‘What about you?’

  ‘Me?’

  ‘How do you feel about it?’

  ‘It’s awful seeing Dad like this. I’d do more if I could. But I’m hardly ever here. When I moved back home —’ He paused. It still embarrassed him to admit he was living back home with his dad. He hadn’t felt comfortable moving home at his age, but it had been the most logical, rational thing to do at the time. ‘Well, Dad hated that my marriage broke up, although he was never a fan of Claire’s, and the feeling was mutual. Of course I see the boys, Connor and Liam, whenever I’m home, and being at Dad’s means he sees them more often than he otherwise would.’

  ‘That’s fair enough,’ Leah said.

  Alex stood up, glass in hand. He padded over to the floor-to-ceiling windows. Lights twinkled among the treetops. He could see Leah’s reflection in the glass. She hadn’t moved from her place in front of the fire and he could feel her silent scrutiny. She finally spoke.

  ‘So, why are you here, Alex?’

  He turned. Their eyes met and hers were guarded. He couldn’t blame her. His mood had been ugly the day she’d left. He’d told himself that for six days he wouldn’t have to watch her back on top of everything else he had to do. He told himself he was relieved to have some respite, but in reality he hadn’t wanted her to go, and he’d been irritated with himself because of it.

  To make matters more complicated, Cameron Crawley had contacted him first thing. Back from leave, the man had read Leah’s incident report about the vandalism of her clothes.

  ‘It’s an out,’ Crawley had said. ‘It’s why those camps are no places for women. She probably knocked some bloke back and he retaliated. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that’s the right thing for a bloke to do, but I’ll back you if you think it’s enough to revoke her contract. Save ourselves a bigger headache down the track.’

  Having his own beliefs hurled back at him like that had pulled Alex up short. ‘For the record,’ he’d said, ‘the culprit came forward, and it was nothing like that.’

  That was when Leah had walked into the office. Alex had cut the other man off by hanging up.

  ‘I wanted to see you, away from that place, away from all the prying eyes and wagging tongues,’ he said to break the silence pushing them apart.

  ‘But we will go back to that place with all the prying eyes and wagging tongues. And by your own admission, you don’t have a personal life, or any life really, away from that place.’

  Alex put his glass on the coffee table. He came around to where she stood in front of the fire, took her glass and put it beside his. At first she looked affronted, until he rested his hands on her waist, eased her around to face him, then gently pulled her towards him. She gave a little hum of surprise, the flat of her hands coming up to rest on his chest. For a moment he expected her to push him away, but then her fingers curled into the soft denim of his shirt and he wasn’t certain who pulled who closer.

  When he spoke, his voice was raw. ‘I know what you say is all true. But that night in the office . . . I didn’t want to stop. Did you?’ His hands shifted, drawing her even closer. He bent his head towards her hair, closed his eyes and let his senses swim in the familiar, delicious scent that was Leah.

  When she sighed and s
lid her arms around his neck, relief nearly took his legs out from under him. He drew back, searched her face. Her eyes were wide, dark with desire. The tip of her tongue swept across her lips, leaving them glistening. There was his answer. He cradled her head, their lips coming together in an urgent, ravenous kiss.

  Alex’s heart pounded, his whole body pulsed. Rational thought evaporated as he lost himself in the feel of her lips, her tongue, her teeth, the sweet taste of her. Cooler air flashed across hot skin when she tugged his shirt loose from his moleskins, her hands sliding across his skin. His breath hitched when he discovered a lacy bra was all she had on underneath her jumper.

  ‘Bloody hell, Leah,’ he said against her lips. He sucked on her bottom lip and cupped a breast, his thumb rasping back and forward across the satiny fabric of her bra.

  ‘Let’s move this to someplace more comfortable,’ he said and began backing her around the coffee table towards the sofa. His lips remained firmly planted on hers.

  When her legs collided with the sofa she collapsed, laughing, pulling him with her.

  He rolled onto his side, wedging himself between her and the backrest. It was a huge sofa, but it was a tight fit with them both on it. He grinned and then the laughter died on her lips as, with a purposeful hand, he pushed up her jumper, her bra, baring her breasts. He smoothed his hand across the silky skin.

  ‘I knew there would be something pretty special under all that high-vis gear. And I’ll confess, I’ve been undressing you in my head ever since I first clapped eyes on you at the Nickel Bluff airport.’

  ‘You have?’

  ‘Yep,’ he said and lowered his mouth to a breast.

  She closed her eyes, arching her back, but when his hand pushed up under her skirt she grabbed his wrist and he stilled.

  ‘Alex,’ she whispered.

  ‘What?’

  ‘I’m not on the —’ she started. And then three things happened simultaneously – his phone dinged from somewhere deep in the pocket of his trousers, the dog barked, and headlights swept up the driveway.