SHELTER

by Boston, Claire

  Damn.

  She forced herself to smile as Fetch snuffled closer to the gate. “Come here, Fetch.” She whistled and turned back towards the fire break as if there was nothing interesting to see here.

  Hope filled her. She hadn’t missed Annisa at all.

  A rustle in the bush had her spinning around, heart racing and skin hot. Nothing there.

  Beside her, Fetch pricked his ears and then bounded into the bush with a bark.

  “Fetch!” She hadn’t known he could move so fast. If she lost him, Jeremy would be devastated. And what if it was a snake? One bite would kill Fetch. Damn it. She should have left him behind.

  She ran after the crashing noises ahead of her, her steps large and clumsy as she avoided bushes and tried not to trip over dead branches on the ground. At least he raced away from Henk’s place and wouldn’t get himself electrocuted.

  “Fetch!” Every muscle in her body ached as she moved as fast as she could.

  She burst out of the trees and stopped. Row upon row of beehives stretched out in front of her. She scanned the area and yelled, “Fetch?”

  A person stood up at the end of one of the rows, her long red hair drawing attention.

  Zamira winced and waved. The woman walked towards her. Would she get into trouble for trespassing? She moved forward and as she stepped into the row, she saw Fetch trotting happily by the person’s side. “There you are!”

  Fetch wagged his tail but didn’t run to greet her.

  As the woman in her mid-twenties reached her, Zamira said, “I’m so sorry. Fetch heard something in the bush and he ran away from me.”

  The woman frowned. “This is Jeremy’s dog. Who are you?”

  “Zamira.” With a smile, she held out a hand. “I’m staying with Jeremy for a few days.”

  The woman’s handshake was gentle, a little uncertain and Zamira noticed faded bruising under one of her eyes. “Alyse.”

  “I’m sorry to bother you.” She glanced at the beehives, her curiosity stirring, and beyond them she could make out the burnt structure on Henk’s property. “You’ve got a lot of hives.”

  Alyse smiled. “I harvest honey commercially.”

  “Is it hard?”

  “The bees do all the work.”

  “Oh, right. I don’t know anything about beekeeping.”

  “Why don’t you come over to the shed and taste some of the honey?”

  That country friendliness again. Zamira grinned. “I’d love to, but I don’t want to impose.”

  Alyse glanced over her shoulder to the buildings in the distance. “No trouble. I just finished here. Besides it’s always good to get someone else hooked.”

  Zamira laughed. “All right.” She looked towards Henk’s place. “Were you worried the fire next door the other night was going to spread?”

  Alyse frowned then shook her head. “The fire brigade arrived pretty quickly, and it had been raining all week.”

  They walked through the beehives towards a large silver shed. “I don’t suppose the hives would be easy to move.”

  “No, but I have more in other parts of the forest.”

  Zamira glanced at her. “Have you been doing this long?”

  “All my life. I grew up here.”

  In the distance stood a small house and at the border of the property towards the bush stood a similar building to the one that had burnt down at Henk’s. Zamira’s muscles tightened. Could Alyse be involved too? “You’ve got a lot of buildings.”

  Concern flittered over Alyse’s face, her laugh a bit forced. “That’s my partner’s man cave,” she said. “He was envious of my shed, so he had to go big too.”

  An understatement. The dorm-like property was almost as big as the commercial shed. “Does he have a lot of toys?”

  Alyse rolled her eyes. “Everything imaginable.”

  As they reached the shed, a dark four-wheel drive pulled into the driveway towing a large silver dinghy and approached the man cave.

  “Come on.” Alyse grabbed Zamira’s arm, pulling her towards the honey shed, her hand shaking.

  Zamira went with her, goosebumps on her skin. Alyse was worried about something. She should get out of here.

  Her fear faded a little as the sweet scent of honey drifted towards her and Alyse led her into a small room with jars of honey as well as beeswax candles and a bunch of beauty products. “You make more than honey?”

  “I try to use all the components.” Alyse smiled as she lifted a small pot of honey from the shelves, her whole demeanour relaxing. “Recently I’ve been experimenting with creams and balms, but they’re not ready for market yet.”

  “Do you do all of this?”

  “I hire help when I need it and sometimes my partner helps. The winter is always slow for honey production so I experiment on other things.”

  “I’m impressed.”

  She shrugged. “We do what we need to survive.” The sadness in her voice made Zamira pause.

  “Alyse! Where are you?” a male voice bellowed.

  Alyse flinched, glanced around as if looking for a place to hide. “You’d better go.” She hurried out of the store room. “I’m here, Mark. I was just chatting to a friend of Jeremy’s.”

  Mark’s head almost reached the top of the doorway and he wore a baseball cap over his dark hair. His whole bulk and posture threatened in a way Jeremy’s never had. Zamira stepped back. The only other exit was a large roller door across the other side, but it was closed.

  Mark’s deep scowl changed into a leer when he saw Zamira. “G’day, sweetheart.”

  Zamira smiled even though the hairs on her arms stood on end. “Hi.” She didn’t want to leave Alyse here with this man, so she turned and asked, “Would you like to come over for coffee?”

  Alyse hesitated.

  “Not today,” Mark answered. “I need her for something.”

  Alyse shrunk into herself and nodded. “Take the road back to Jeremy’s. It’ll be a little shorter and there are less things to distract Fetch. Follow the driveway and turn right.” She walked Zamira to the door.

  “I’m staying until Sunday,” Zamira said. “Drop by whenever you want. I’d love to hear more about your bees.” Conscious of Mark still staring at her, she let out a breath. “Thanks for the honey.” She hurried away, Fetch by her side. When she reached the house, she turned back but Alyse and Mark had disappeared.

  Was Alyse in trouble?

  She’d have to ask Jeremy about her when he got back.

  ***

  Jeremy threw himself into installing new shop fittings after he left the hardware store. Anything to keep his mind off his sister and what had happened. But it didn’t work. Being on a work site reminded him of his father, of the beginning of his apprenticeship when everything had been so damned good. He’d no longer been trapped in school, spent his days outside working with his father and sometimes if they finished a job early, they’d go fishing for an hour or so before they went home.

  His mother hadn’t approved of him leaving school before he graduated, but that was one argument his father had won. And Jeremy had been so thankful for it.

  Rote learning and text books did his head in. School had only been good for socialising, and summer days had been a particular hell when there had been far better things he could be doing.

  His mother had constantly berated him, trying to make him pay attention when she lectured about the importance of getting an education. He’d been so sure he knew better — life was an education, and he not only learnt how to build, but also about customer service and project management from his dad and it had really lit him up.

  All he’d ever wanted was to be like his dad. His father had known everything about anything important and was successful. Plus he let Jeremy experiment and then they’d both analyse an idea if it didn’t work.

  He’d been challenged far more working with his dad than he ever had at school.

  Until the day he’d been distracted and made the biggest mistake
of his life. Jeremy hadn’t just lost his father that day, but his whole family — his mother rightly blaming him for his father’s death.

  Jeremy turned the last screw into the shelving and stood back. It was done. He packed away his tools and cleaned up the area. As he dated the invoice, his pen paused. His mother’s birthday was today.

  Moira hadn’t mentioned it. Did they still go to his mother’s favourite restaurant for dinner? Would Moira mention she’d seen him today?

  Jeremy had always hated the restaurant because his mother had made him wear dress pants and a shirt and tie which strangled him. They’d always sit at the same table in the corner of the room, his mother tapping the menu impatiently waiting to be served, Heather sitting straight, her hands in her lap, the perfect lady, Moira fidgeting or whispering to him about school, and his father… well he’d always seemed perfectly content, complimenting his wife on how beautiful she looked.

  That last birthday he’d complained to his dad about the clothes and it was one of the only times he remembered his father getting stroppy. “Little things like appearances are important to your mother,” he had said. “This is one night when she wants something special. It’s not a hardship to be uncomfortable for one night to make her happy.”

  Jeremy had been surprised by the depth of emotion from his father and had immediately stopped complaining. At least the food had been good.

  He shook away the thought and went next door to the bakery where the owner said she’d be waiting. She sat at a window seat with a coffee, and he gave her the invoice and then headed for the counter. The scent of coffee reminded him about what Zamira had said this morning.

  “What can I get you, Jeremy?” Jodie asked.

  If he asked Jodie about where to get the makings for proper coffee it would be around town in seconds. He scanned the goodies in the cabinet. All women liked chocolate, didn’t they? “A couple of chocolate brownies, please.”

  “These both for you?” she asked as she boxed them up.

  He smiled. “No.” He paid and then left. Mai would know about coffee, but she might still be sleeping. He wandered down the street back to where he’d parked his truck and walked past a homewares store. On a whim, he ducked inside.

  Zamira had mentioned plunger coffee.

  He scanned the shop until he saw teapots and headed over.

  “Can I help you?” an older woman asked.

  “I’m after a coffee plunger.”

  “What size?”

  “Ahh…” He had no idea.

  “I’ve got a one cup plunger, or four or eight.”

  “Four.” Seemed like the best option.

  She showed him the relevant one and he nodded, following her over to the cash register to pay. “Where can I get the coffee?”

  “It’s a gift?” she guessed.

  “Yeah.”

  “The coffee aisle in the supermarket is a good start. If you don’t have a coffee grinder, then look for the pre-ground coffee packets. On the side they usually say if they can be used in plungers or espresso machines.” She handed him his receipt and the bag.

  “Thanks.”

  He drove to the supermarket and after agonising over different coffee options he chose one and headed back to his car. They could have afternoon tea together and then he’d finish off the components for the reception desk he was installing tomorrow.

  His phone rang. Jamie. After seeing Moira, he’d forgotten all about Annisa. “Hey, mate.”

  “What can I help you with?”

  Jeremy checked to make sure no one was standing nearby and got into his car. “I wanted to ask about a cleaner who works for the ag school.”

  “Sure. Who?”

  “I heard Annisa might work there. I rescued her in the building fire last week.”

  Jamie was silent a minute. “She’s one of Henk’s Asian migrants, right?”

  “Yeah.”

  “I haven’t seen her, but she might work over at the dormitories. Want me to check?”

  “If you could.” He hesitated. “Just don’t mention I was asking.”

  “Do I want to know what this is about?” Jamie asked.

  “I’ll tell you when I can.”

  “All right. I’ll head over there after class and call you back.”

  “Thanks.” He hung up. Hopefully Jamie could give him some good news to tell Zamira.

  As he drove into his property, Zamira and Fetch were walking along the drive towards the house. He smiled as they both turned and Fetch danced on the spot in excitement. He wound down his window. “Hey, been for a walk?”

  Her smile warmed his insides. “Yes. Though Fetch decided to visit your neighbour a couple of blocks down.”

  He frowned. “Alyse?”

  She nodded, a wry expression on her face.

  “Let me park and you can tell me about it.” He drove up to his shed and got his purchases out. Zamira and Fetch met him and they walked over to the house. Jeremy asked, “So what happened?”

  “I took Fetch for a walk along the fire break and he heard something and dashed off. I found him in the middle of Alyse’s beehives.”

  He chuckled. “I should have warned you. Occasionally something gets him excited enough to get out of first gear.” It was sweet she’d taken him for a walk though.

  Zamira held the back door open for him and he went through and put his purchases on the bench. “Do you want a cuppa? I bought you decent coffee.” He unpacked the plunger and coffee and glanced at her. “I hope it’s right.”

  She stared at him, her mouth open a little, and then she beamed. “Thank you. You didn’t have to do that.” She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him soundly on the mouth.

  Hell yes. He pulled her closer, deepened the kiss and slid his hands gently down to her butt. Stopping for afternoon tea had definitely been a good idea.

  Her moan of approval shot heat straight to his groin and he backed her up against the fridge.

  She gasped and pulled away, flinching. “Ow.”

  Guilt swept through him. “Sorry. I forgot about your bruises. You OK?” He caressed her arm.

  Her eyes were dark. “I’d forgotten about them too.”

  With a look like that he would forget again. He turned back to the bench and washed the plunger in the sink. “You’ll need to tell me how much coffee to use.”

  “A spoon for every cup.”

  He filled the kettle and dried the plunger. “I bought us something to eat too.” He gestured towards the bakery box.

  She opened it. “Yum. I’ve discovered anything from Mai’s bakery is delicious.”

  “Yeah, it is.”

  A few minutes later they sat in the lounge room, the coffee sitting or stewing or whatever it did in the plunger before it was time to pour, and the brownies on a plate.

  “How’s your day been?” Zamira asked.

  His sister flashed into his mind. The urge to confide in Zamira was strong, but how would she look at him after she knew his dirty secret?

  “Jeremy?” Her soft hand touched his.

  Why ruin the short time they had together? “Fine.” He picked up the plate and handed it to her. “Brownie?”

  She took one, but frowned at him.

  Best keep her distracted. “Any more news on Annisa?”

  “I thought I saw her at Henk’s place today.”

  “You went over there?”

  She shook her head. “When I took Fetch for a walk, I noticed tyre tracks and they led to a gate at the back of his property. I could see the tents from there and a couple of people walking around.”

  “That’s great. I asked Barbara if she knew where Annisa could be working and she suggested the ag school. Jamie’s checking it out for me.”

  She beamed at him. “Thank you.” She pushed the plunger down and poured the coffees. “I really appreciate it.”

  He took the coffee she handed him. “I want her to be safe too.” If his friends were in danger, he wouldn’t wait for the authorities to
get their shit together. He sipped his drink and the richer, fuller flavour warmed him. “You’re right. This is better than instant.”

  “Told you.” She played with her pendant.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.”

  He covered her hand with his and stilled the movement. “You only play with your pendant when you’re worried about something.”

  She sighed. “How well do you know Alyse?”

  He sat back. “My neighbour?”

  She nodded and then sipped her coffee.

  “I don’t see her much. She occasionally works in the football canteen or I run into her when I take Fetch for a walk.”

  “What about Mark?”

  He screwed up his face. “He’s loud, opinionated and thinks he’s always right. I don’t know what Alyse sees in him.”

  Zamira hesitated and then said, “Would he beat her?”

  Jeremy winced. “There have been rumours. Why?”

  “Alyse had the remnants of a black eye today and when Mark arrived she seemed scared of him.”

  He sighed. “We can’t do anything if she doesn’t charge him.”

  “It’s her place, isn’t it? She said she’d grown up there.”

  He shrugged. “Like I said, I don’t know her that well.” He placed a hand on her arm. “It’s lovely you’re concerned, but we should focus on one thing at a time. We can chat to Alyse after Annisa is safe.”

  “Mark’s man-cave building is a lot like the dorm that burned down at Henk’s place.”

  He blinked at the change of subject. “Really? I haven’t been over there in a couple of years, not since they stopped selling honey from the shed. Do you think it’s a coincidence?”

  She shrugged. “Maybe he was envious.”

  “Wouldn’t surprise me. Mark wants whatever anyone else has. Growing up wealthy didn’t teach him any better.”

  Zamira’s ring tone pierced the room. She got up to answer and as she checked the screen, her eyes widened. “It’s Border Force.”

  Chapter 13

  Zamira’s hand trembled as she answered. “Hello?”

  “Is this Zamira Musa?” a female voice asked.

  “Yes.”

  “This is Agent Tara Franklin from Border Force, we spoke yesterday. “Did you speak to your cousin today?”