After the girls left for school and John headed out on the farm, Fiona sat in front of the computer and brought up the Google search engine. She typed in University Academic Staff and pressed Search. Three hours later, though, she had nothing. Her head felt thick with the concentration after the thirtieth university she'd contacted had no Doctor Angelina Bentley, a Ms Angelina Bentley or any Angelina with another surname.
"John," she asked at lunchtime. "Could you discretely ask Harold what his wife's maiden name was?"
"Why me?" He frowned.
"Because, if I asked, he'll become suspicious. Just drop it in the conversation about Kylena reverting to her maiden name."
*
Three days later John ambled in and shoved a piece of paper under his mother-in-law's nose. "I have two names," he said. "She ran off and married a guy called Harrington and her maiden name was Sands."
So, armed with this new information Fiona returned to the Internet and began plugging away. Four days drifted by, colder now with rain sweeping through the valley. It was good weather for staying inside and searching the Internet. United States seemed to bring a blank so she switched to United Kingdom and continued the search.
But there was still nothing.
*
At the Board of Trustees meeting, Frank Amberley, the new chairperson, said he wanted to put on record the board's deepest regret about the attack on Kylena and also the high regard they had for her efforts that made the school year so successful to date.
"I think the stamina of Julie Berg at the cross country and that of our principal reflects the good heart our school is in," he concluded and held his hand out to Kylena. "Our next item on the agenda also reflects this. I believe you have more information, Kylena?"
Evidence of the recent attack had, by now, almost faded from the principal's face with the swelling reduced and the cut under the eye now a faint red diagonal line. "There were an amazing thirty five applications for the temporary position as junior teacher," she began. "Most are new graduates still hunting for a job but it ranges up to a forty five year old farmer's wife wanting to return to teaching."
"And have you any recommendations?" Frank's wife, Janet asked.
"Yes," Kylena replied. "One woman, in my opinion, stood out from the others."
*
Vicky Taylor, the successful candidate, was so thrilled to have won the position; she offered to spend the last week of the term at school on no pay to set up the junior room and to get to know the children. This tall, dark haired woman had a personality that the children responded to and Helen, for one, was enthusiastic about moving into Room 2 with her new teacher and ten classmates.
"We'll have so much room, Daddy," she told her father. "Ms Taylor has already put hundreds of charts on the wall and the new desks have arrived. They're all metal with little drawers to put our things in. I wish it was next term, now." Her eyes glowed.
"And a class of eleven." John grinned across at Kylena. "It must be one of the best situations in the world. At home, these small schools have long gone. It would all be an hour's bus ride into Marton and a school of five hundred kids."
"It'll probably come to that," Kylena replied. "That was their real reason for the threat to close us down here. Controversy in a district just makes it easier for the ministry to step in and shut a place down."
"And from what I heard, the infighting has shifted over to Junction Road. That Newson boy you had all the trouble with has been suspended from the school for three days."
"Oh my God!" Kylena gasped. Her eyes flashed with worry. "I hope they don't bring him back here."
"Don't worry," replied John. "He's been enrolled at a private boy's boarding school in the Hawke's Bay. I heard they offered a substantial donation to the school's building fund to get him in."
"And where did you pick up all this news?"
"From the vet. He called in yesterday."
"And men say women gossip," Kylena said with a laugh.
*
With only one day's warning, the contractor rolled in and began felling the pine trees across the road from the school. It was an efficient operation with the top corner of the track to the plateau sliced through in a few hours and two trucks rumbled up to dump gravel on the new section. The contractors started at the top and worked down. Chainsaws howled from dawn to dust and bulldozers used chains to wench the logs to the top plateau where they were stacked on John's side of the boundary and a fleet of logging trucks carted them to Wellington two hundred kilometres south to be loaded on a container boat and exported to Japan.
By the end of the second week the trees were gone, debris had been pushed into a ravine on the property so only stumps and raw earth remained. The weather throughout the time was fine so there were no problems with the track except for minor subsidences due to the weight of the vehicles. True to his word Kelvin had the contractors scrap off the whole track and gravel was added in several places.
"They're certainly efficient," John said.
"Yeah, the boat was waiting and if they missed the deadline, the storage fees at the wharf are phenomenal," Kelvin grunted and puffed at his inevitable cigarette. "You know there was a mill near Marton but closed it down a few years back. Seems bloody stupid to me to send the logs all the way to Japan but I shouldn't complain. They paid me top dollars for the plantation."
"And you're still going to plant the hill in grass?" John asked.
"Yeah. I've a different contractor coming in to haul out the stumps but they won't need to use your track. I want it ploughed before winter so I can sow in the spring, about October I guess. It should be green by Christmas unless we get another bloody drought."
John nodded. The view had certainly changed. Brown dust covered the trees and buildings around the house but he guessed this was only a short-term inconvenience. A hillside of grass would enhance Kelvin's farm but to him, it seemed a strange time to be doing things.
"Our winters aren't as severe as you're used to," Kelvin continued. "Some farmers even sow in autumn so the grass can begin to grow as early as September if the weather is mild."
"Sure, "John replied. "I'm used to months of snow and having to keep all the stock in barns. I think I'll appreciate the milder climate here."
"We still get some pretty white frosts in winter and snow for a few days."
"What about rain?"
"Plenty of that," he replied. "Cold southerlies are the worst. Bloody nuisance in lambing. In spring we also have the warmer north westerly."
Kelvin drove off in his Landcruiser just as Kylena arrived. She tucked her arm into John's and gazed at the new scene. "It looks awful," she muttered. "He could have left some trees, especially on that steep section down from your boundary."
"I tried to tell him."
"Yeah," Kylena laughed and dug her partner in the ribs. "But you bloody Yanks know nothing."
John grinned and tucked an arm around her, “Come on,” he said. "How about a coffee break?"
*
CHAPTER 10
Kylena awoke feeling queasy and realized she was back in the schoolhouse. Despite John's protests, she'd moved back to the schoolhouse the weekend before and, though she would not admit it even to herself, was nervous about being alone at night. Noises and creaks that she never knew were there before often made her jerk up in alarm.
It was dark and quiet and the faint swish of a branch rubbing the roof indicated that a wind had come up. The tiny orange night-light, something she'd never used before the attack, glowed in the hallway and her mobile phone was by the bed.
"Oh hell," she muttered and, though the room spun around, managed to leap out of bed and reach the toilet before vomiting. She washed her face and stared at her reflection in the bathroom mirror. The signs of the attack were all but gone and in most ways, she never felt secure. So why was this constant illness attacking her over the last few days?
"Well, bloody test yourself, women," she whispered at the reflection and reached for the tin
y kit she'd purchased three days earlier. The instructions were clear and the procedure simple. With shaking fingers she broke the hygienic seal and took the little tube out. Everything was so clinical these days. Perhaps she was being paranoiac.
After completion, there was a slight delay before the result showed. She glanced at it, grimaced and reached for the mobile phone.
*
A few hundred metres away the farmer woke from a deep sleep when the telephone rang and focused on the bedside clock. It was a little after three. His immediate reaction was it must be a call from New York where it would be mid morning.
"John Berg speaking," he muttered and his heartbeat rose when he heard Kylena's voice. “Is there trouble?" he asked. Adrenalin rushed through his body and he was already half out of bed before her reply came through.
"No, nothing is urgent, my love," she replied but the voice sounded husky. "I woke up and couldn't get back to sleep. I know it's mean of me but I needed to hear your voice. I'll be okay now."
"I told you not to return home so early. Are you sure it's just that you can't sleep?"
"I feel lousy, John," Kylena admitted.
"I'm coming over," John retorted. “I know you would not ring just because you're a little lonely. It's more than that."
"There's no need," she objected but John detected relief in her voice.
"I'll bring Bella," he said. "Don't open the door until you hear her bark. Okay?"
*
Less than ten minutes later John pulled into the schoolhouse drive and tried not to think of the last time he'd arrived in the middle of the night. However, everything seemed fine now, there were no strange vehicles around and half the house lights were on. Also, the newly installed floodlights on the side of the house lit up when he arrived.
"Bark, Bella," he commanded and the little dog obliged with a dozen hearty yelps. "Okay." John grinned. "Don't overdo it, girl."
The dog stopped and gazed up at him with her tail wagging before she headed for the door. It opened and Kylena's pale face gazed out. She smiled at Bella and rubbed her ears. "I heard you girl," she said and turned to kiss John. "I'll put the kettle on," she whispered.
John waited while she speed around getting a snack ready before he spoke. "This is so silly," he said.
"What?"
"We both know there was a reason you called me in the middle of the night yet you're making a cup of coffee as if it is Saturday afternoon." He stood up, strolled across the room, wrapped his arms around her and deposited a kiss on her lips. "You look pale," he soothed and kissed her again.
"John," Kylena replied and returned his kiss. "You may need a strong cup of coffee, that's all. Perhaps even a stiff whiskey."'
"Me. Why me?"
"Oh John!" She stretched up, slung her arms around his neck and kissed him with a passion that almost toppled him over. "We really haven't known each other long and have been having sex such a short time but I'm afraid," she stopped and bit on her lower lip.
The farmer shook his head and felt quite perplexed by Kylena's behaviour.
"About what?"
The blue twinkling eyes turned to look into this. "I only found out myself a few minutes ago, I'm not sure of my own reaction but need to know yours. After all with a half grown family do you really want to start again?"
"Someday maybe." Her partner frowned, "But what..."
"John," Kylena grabbed both his hands. "It's usually the morning when I feel ill, not the middle of the night and it has nothing to do with the attack." She swallowed. "You see John, I'm pregnant with your child."
John still had his arms around her but just sort of froze mid-motion before, with enforced calmness, he squeezed her so tight she almost gasp. "How can that be?” he exclaimed.
"Well, when we make love three or more times a week..." she retorted.
"I thought you were on the pill."
"Yes, but I forgot to take them to the hospital with me and when we were home I never started them until after we had... well you know." Kylena's smile faded to be replaced by uncertainty. “I think I want this child, John even if you don't." Her lip quivered and she buried her face in his chest.
John broke into a wide grin. "Kylena," he whispered. .
"Of course I do. I never guessed, that's all."
"It happened so quickly didn't it? We got careless, that's all. Some couples can go for months, even years before this happens but you had to met someone who was super fertile, didn't you?"
"Oh my God," was all John seemed capable of saying as he flooded kisses onto her. "My God, Kylena, I love you, you're carrying our child so I don't care... unless you do."
It was his turn to show doubt.
"Come on, let's have a wine." Kylena grinned and reached for the top cupboard.
John laughed and let her go. They toasted each other’s health, giggled and toasted their family's health, the baby and sat down together. They both decided their baby was wanted and she would continue to carry it no matter what objections there were from the family or friends.
"So why don't you shift into my place permanently?” John suggested half an hour later. "I don't mean the spare room, either."
Kylena sucked on her lip. "And this school house?"
" I received a letter from Vicky asking us if our farm cottage was available to rent. Why don't we offer her this one?"
"So you want a total commitment from me?" Kylena replied.
"No, I'm am making a commitment to you. I want to have more than just an affair, Kylena."
"I know but it's all happened so fast."
"So you'll shift in with me?" His eyes looked apprehensive.
"Oh John," Kylena laughed. "Of course I will."
"Then let's celebrate with more than another wine." He grinned and reached out to her.
"John, you needn't take me literally." she retorted and gave a little scream as he plastered her in kisses, lifted her off up and carried her through to the bedroom. Without saying another word he methodically removed her brunch coat, pyjamas and laid her on the bed.
"John," Kylena teased. "You don't need to ..."
But they were both aroused and even foreplay was forgotten as sensuous bodies came together with a passion that surpassed anything either of them had imagined possible. After full and almost desperate sex, John lay exhausted and covered in perspiration on the bed. However, just as Kylena stood up, her flushed cheeks turned white. “Not again," she muttered.
"What is it, my love?" John looked concerned.
"I'm going to be sick," Kylena gulped and tore out of the room.
*
Kylena's furniture fitted into the Top Oasis farmhouse as if it was made for the place and everyone took a chance to have a massive reshuffle. Not one eyebrow was raised when Kylena's personal belongings went into the largest upstairs room with John’s.
There was, however, one last hurdle. John felt apprehensive about telling the family of the pregnancy. No doubt Fiona would accept it and probably be supportive but what about the girls?
"I'll tell them, John." Kylena offered a week later. "It's only fair on the girls that they're told, especially Julie." She though back to the episode with the girl when she began to date John. "Even if she takes it badly, it won't help to put it off.”
"No, we’ll do it together," John replied.
The approach to Julie after supper that evening started on a nervous note but the reaction was unexpected.
Before John, who sat on the couch beside Kylena could even open his mouth Julie glued her eyes on him. "So you got Kylena pregnant, Dad?" she said without the slightest sign of embarrassment. "I wondered when you'd get around to telling me."
"How did you know?" her father gasped and even Kylena looked surprised.
"There's a half used packet of sanitary pads in the upstairs bathroom that hasn't been touched for ages." Julie retorted with a smug look on her face.
John stared at his partner, they both broke into laughter and he reached out to hug his
daughter. "And you don't mind?" he asked.
"Of course not," Julie responded. "All Helen wants to do is feed bubs his bottle after he arrives."
"She knows?" John gasped.
"Sure," Julie replied. "I told her." She flushed. "I didn't tell Grandma though. I love her but she is so old fashioned I reckon she'll be ringing up the preacher, grabbing your shotgun from the back shed and pushing you into a church before the week’s out."
"Oh Julie," John said. "My little girl isn't little any more."
"No Dad, not since Mom died," Julie grinned. "I was so afraid that Katie Gilmore would get her greedy fingers into you."
"Who's she?" Kylena frowned.
"A big fat woman who was one of Mom's alumnae friends. She'd just divorced her husband and wanted anyone in trousers, especially if they had money."
"Julie!" John laughed. "She wasn't that bad and was quite a help after your Mom died"
"I guess, but she still had the hots for you, Dad." Her eyes met Kylena. "I'm so glad we came to New Zealand and Dad met you," she added in a whisper.
"Me too," Kylena responded and hugged the twelve year old, "It'll be your birthday soon. What do you want?"
"Designer jeans," Julie said. "My own mobile phone and ..."
"Okay," her father cut in "You'd better write a list down."
"Oh, I already have, Dad." Julie grinned, kissed them both on the cheek and headed for bed.
"Now we'll tell Fiona," John grinned. "Let's hope Julie’s scenario doesn't eventuate."
Despite Julie's prediction, though, Fiona accepted Kylena's pregnancy with enthusiasm and acted as if she had known all about it.
"When Julie confronted me the other day about those pads, I guessed," she said.
*
However, the young mother-to-be looked worried when the girls' grandmother dropped into the school late the following afternoon .The children and cleaner had long gone and she was sitting at her desk marking a pile of assignments.
Long Valley Road Page 11
