Family Farm

by Palmer, Fiona

  ‘Would you like to join us for dinner?’ Izzy asked.

  His eyes darted from Izzy to Simone. ‘I wouldn’t want to impose.’

  ‘You kidding? Come on, the more the merrier,’ Simone said all too quickly, before turning slightly pink.

  ‘Yeah, it’s fine with us, as long as we’re not taking you away from your mates,’ Izzy added.

  Mickey looked across to the bar at his mates who were laughing and spilling beer on the floor. ‘I’m sure they’ll survive without me. Besides, if a bloke had to choose between a couple of noisy blokes and two gorgeous girls, there’d be no contest,’ he said. ‘So, Izzy, have they worn you out yet? Still liking it here?’

  ‘Yeah, I do, thanks, Mickey. It’s a great place and it’s just the best staying with Simone and Blake. And we’ve got the stud sale coming up to look forward to.’

  Mickey nodded. ‘I’ll be there. I bought six rams off them last year. Averaged about a thousand dollars each and they were worth every cent. When Alan and Blake started up the stud farm a few years back, they converted me.’

  ‘Really? Why?’ asked Simone.

  Izzy was amazed to see Simone’s sudden interest in sheep. She even looked quite genuine. Hell, she must like Mickey a lot. Even he looked slightly taken aback.

  Mickey spoke first. ‘I didn’t think you were interested in this sort of stuff.’

  Simone shrugged. ‘I’m not normally, but I guess some of Izzy’s enthusiasm has rubbed off on me.’

  Mickey held Simone’s gaze for a while. Izzy could tell he was just as besotted as she was. The smile on his face said it all.

  ‘You’d better answer her question before she changes her mind,’ Izzy said laughing.

  Slowly he began to speak. ‘Well, we run merinos and have done for years, and they’ve been great, especially wool-wise. But Blake kept nagging me about some Prime SAMMs he wanted to start breeding.’

  ‘South African Merino Mutton,’ Simone piped in.

  ‘The girl’s getting good.’ Izzy applauded.

  Simone blushed as Mickey gave her a dazzling smile.

  ‘Anyway, he said that an excellent product can be produced using a Prime SAMM over a merino ewe. So, I trusted his judgement and tried it out. Needless to say, he was right and I haven’t looked back.’

  ‘Wow. I think I might even have to go to this sale. It could be interesting,’ responded Simone.

  Izzy smiled. ‘You should, Simone, especially as it’s in your own backyard.’

  ‘You can stick with me for the day and I’ll teach you a few things if you’re interested,’ Mickey said.

  Izzy was sure Simone would’ve walked to town and back in her underwear just to have Mickey show her a few things.

  ‘I’d like that a lot,’ she said eagerly.

  Izzy could feel the sexual tension buzzing between the two of them – her hair must have been standing on end from the static. ‘Well, I’ve gotta duck off to the loo. I’ll bring back the next round of beers. Same again?’

  ‘Cheers, Izzy,’ Mickey and Simone replied together.

  At the bar she handed over some cash and said g’day to Jacko.

  ‘So, Izzy, what’s new? You haven’t come to visit me yet.’

  ‘Haven’t had time, sorry. Don’t know what you’ve been doing, but we’ve had our arses glued to the tractor seat.’

  ‘So, Macca’s keeping you all to himself, hey?’

  Izzy put her wallet away in her back pocket and picked up the three beers with a precision that came from plenty of practice. ‘Maybe,’ she replied. ‘Catch ya later.’

  When Izzy got back with the drinks, they were still deep in discussion about Mickey’s farm and his plans. Simone was coming up with some great questions and Izzy couldn’t help but feel proud.

  Ten minutes later, they headed into the meals area to get a table. After paying for their steaks, they went and stood by the large indoor barbecue. A few other people stood round watching their steaks sizzle away as the smoke sailed up to the large overhead fan.

  ‘Wow, this is pretty cool. Cook your own meat, hey?’ Izzy said, impressed.

  ‘Yeah, it’s all right if you like that kind of thing.’ Simone handed Mickey the tongs. ‘Here, seeing as you’re the man, you can be our cook. I never was too good at barbecuing, unless you like your meat burnt and tough …’

  Mickey snatched the tongs off Simone. ‘No, I don’t,’ he laughed.

  Izzy left her slab of porterhouse in Mickey’s capable hands and went for a look-see. She’d never been in this part of the pub before. It was made with lots of exposed timber beams and logs – very country-looking. She ventured out through two large French doors into the beer garden. A couple of girls sat in the corner chatting not far from a wide fire circle filled with sticks and mallee roots. Izzy heard a wolf whistle and felt a body brush past her.

  ‘Waitin’ for me, are ya?’ laughed Jacko as he walked towards the circle. He held a container from which he squirted fluid over the wood before taking out some matches. With a ‘whoof’ the stumps were ablaze. ‘Now, that’s how you start a fire.’

  Izzy gave Jacko a smile of approval. She felt the warmth touching her skin and smelt diesel in the air. A large salmon gum grew in the corner against the bricked enclosure, and the closer she got to it, the more clearly she could see where people had engraved their names into the bark. There was also a wall plastered with photos of the locals. She found one of Simone with the words ‘barmaid of the year’ scribbled underneath. There was also one of the local footy team, with Blake right in the centre, but the one that really had her laughing was a picture of Jacko parked at the bar with a funnel in his mouth and a couple of blokes pouring beer into the top. ‘Jacko’s 20th piss-up’ it said underneath. No doubt that had been a blinder.

  ‘That was a great night. At least I think it was. The bits I remember were good.’

  Izzy felt Jacko’s breath on her neck and turned to see his dark eyes behind her. He was shorter than Izzy with arms like an AFL player and he had a cheeky grin and a twinkle in his eye. He would easily get his pick of the girls, she guessed. ‘You eating here?’ she asked him.

  ‘Nah, I’ve eaten already. The boys are just having one beer before we go out shooting later on. I thought I’d come and light this for Paula.’ Izzy had met Paula once. She worked behind the bar some nights and was also the owner of the pub. She had wiry red hair and the look of a fifty-year-old smoker.

  ‘Well, I’ve got Mickey cooking my steak so I should see how he’s going.’

  Jacko walked inside with her. ‘You’re game. Mick likes his still mooing.’

  Izzy screwed up her face as Jacko waved her goodbye and went to put the diesel away in a back room. Izzy went to save her steak.

  ‘Hope you like it medium to well done,’ said Mickey as he handed Izzy her plate.

  She took a bite to see if it bled. Cooked through, thank Christ, she thought. ‘Cheers for that, Mickey.’

  ‘I think my brother’s got a thing for you,’ said Mickey, pointing a pair of greasy tongs in Jacko’s direction.

  Izzy laughed. ‘Nah, he just wants a root!’ She reached for the large spoon on the salad table and filled up her plate. ‘God, I’m famished.’ And they were practically the only words she managed to get out for the rest of the meal. She didn’t have much of a chance, with Mickey and Simone reliving the good old days. She wasn’t bothered. It was just nice to sit and listen. She could feel a current running between them and caught them watching each other. It was nice to witness the beginnings of something. When she’d finished her steak, she excused herself once more.

  Simone was glad when Izzy went to the toilet. She’d been dying to have some time alone with Mickey. As she watched Izzy leave with her hands stuffed in her jeans pockets, she turned to him and asked whether he’d enjoyed his night. He smiled back at her, his full lips enticing her as they moved.

  ‘Absolutely. We should do this again some time, if you’re keen?’ he added.

  Simo
ne felt her face flush with his comments. ‘Really?’ She was sure she could read something in his eyes and had felt a spark between them tonight. But was that just because she wanted it? ‘Do you mean with me and Izzy?’ She watched his hand slide across the table to hers and grab hold.

  ‘I meant just us. Would you like that?’

  Mickey’s voice was husky and sent shivers up her spine. She couldn’t take her eyes away from the blackness of his own, and his hand was still on hers, gently massaging it with his thumb.

  ‘Yes, I would.’ Their eyes stayed locked until she caught a glimpse of Izzy’s figure coming back and felt the coolness on her hand as Mickey pulled his away. At first she felt abandoned, until she glanced at Mickey, who smiled and gave her a sly wink. Her heart soared again.

  When the leftover juices from their steaks had set on their plates and the table sat littered with a few empty glasses, they decided it was time to go home. Izzy said her goodbyes first and headed out to the car, leaving the two of them alone.

  Her breath began to fog up the windows as she waited patiently for Simone. She used her finger to write on the window: IS WT. Rubbing her hands together, she tried to stop the cold from seeping in. She shuddered as her numb fingers reminded her of the time she’d tried unbuttoning Will’s shirt that fateful afternoon. For a moment she let her mind roam, enjoying the memory and the sensation it brought. Just as she was getting to the good bit, to the point where she could almost taste him, the door opened and she was blasted with cold air. Tonight, with the cold, she could see Will so clearly in her mind and her heart had been racing at the memory. ‘Holy shit, Simo. You scared the living crap out of me.’

  ‘Sorry, Iz. What were you doing? Sleeping?’ Simone didn’t bother starting the car. Instead, she faced Izzy.

  Even though the interior light was on, Izzy was sure the energy in Simone’s eyes would have lit it up anyway. ‘All right. Do tell. What happened? I could feel a vibe.’

  ‘Well, there was a vibe,’ Simone prattled on excitedly. ‘We talked about us. He asked me if I’d like to go out with him some time soon, and I’m like, “Yeah, sure.” You know, I think we both just want to take things slow. We really don’t want to stuff this up. Oh, Izzy. He gave me the sweetest hug and kissed me on my forehead. I nearly melted then and there.’

  ‘So, you had a great time then?’

  ‘Hell, yeah. We could’ve talked all night.’

  ‘Tell me about it. Next time I’m staying home,’ said Izzy. But, she wasn’t offended. Instead she reached out and slapped Simone’s leg. ‘I’m really pleased for you, Simone.’

  Simone sighed heavily. ‘Tonight was great. I’m so glad you came with me, and for giving us time alone. You’re the queen of tact.’ Turning, she fired up the car and drove out of the car park. ‘I feel so alive, like I could just fly. God, I hope this is the start of something good. I so want this one to work. When I was eighteen, I used to dream about us getting together in a house down the road from Mum and Dad. I’d better get my act together,’ she said, realising she was jumping the gun. ‘I might scare him off with talk like that.’ She looked quickly back at Izzy. ‘And you can’t mention any of this to Blake. Not yet anyway. It might go nowhere and I don’t want him yappin’ in my ear.’

  ‘No worries. But I think you’ll find he’ll be okay with it.’

  As the night lights in town flashed past, Izzy could see the happiness all over Simone’s face. Izzy felt so pleased for her. It was hard not to get caught up in her enthusiasm, and she let it wash over her. They giggled like lovesick teenagers all the way home.

  33

  ‘IZZY, wake up. It’s an emergency,’ whispered Blake as he shook her shoulders gently.

  Quick as a flash she sat up, her eyes wide. ‘What’s wrong? What’s happening?’ Her hair, crinkled from sleep, hung around her face and her eyes felt like they were clogged up with glue. She was wearing Will’s trackpants and shirt, which she hadn’t been able to part with. They’d long since lost any scent of Will but she still found comfort in wearing them, if only to feel closer to him.

  ‘It’s Simo. She’s up already and she’s cooking breakfast. Do you think she’s lost the plot? What the hell happened last night?’

  ‘Oh, is that all? I can’t believe you woke me up for that.’ Izzy groaned and flung herself back into bed, pulling the covers up over her face.

  Blake tilted his head, like a dog would when it was trying to listen. ‘What’s with you, anyway? Normally you’re up and running around by now, picking on us for missing the best part of the day.’

  She yawned. ‘I didn’t get much sleep last night, that’s all.’

  ‘What’s bugging your arse?’ demanded Blake, prodding her through her blankets. He sat back and waited for her to explain. He picked up the little framed picture on the bedside table, ran his hand over the engraved words ‘Tom’ before putting it back down. ‘Come on – spill.’

  Izzy flopped back the covers as she watched Blake putting her picture back. She reached out and moved it a fraction to the right so she could see Tom more clearly. It was the only personal thing she’d managed to grab in her rushed exit from home. There were times when she wished she could have taken a minute longer and got the family one with Claire in it too, and her favourite soft pillow with her name sewed into the corner in blue cotton that her mum had made when she was eight. But she couldn’t turn back time, no matter how much she wanted to. ‘I couldn’t get Will off my mind. Playing things over in my head, doing things differently, dreaming of the way I wished it could be. You know – the same old stuff.’

  ‘One of those nights, hey? Well, get up and we’ll have some brekkie. It’ll make you feel better – I know how much you like to eat. Simo’s fried up some bacon too.’

  ‘Bloody hell. She’s gone all out.’ Izzy smiled before another yawn overtook her. She hauled herself out of bed as Blake left the room. The smell of bacon and eggs wafted through her door, making her dress quickly. Soon she’d discarded her blue shorts and tank top and was crawling into a pair of jeans and a work shirt.

  ‘Good morning, sunshine,’ said Simone on seeing Izzy. ‘Gee, you don’t look so flash.’ Her brow knitted in worry when she saw Izzy’s tired face.

  ‘I don’t feel so flash either. But I’ll be okay after a feed.’ Izzy pulled her wayward hair back into a ponytail.

  ‘Righto. Here, sit down. I’m just about to serve it up.’

  ‘So, what has put you in such a good mood this morning?’ Blake asked curiously. ‘Did you get a bit last night?’ He looked to Izzy, searching for the answer. ‘Please tell me someone has offered to take her off our hands.’

  Simone pointed her fork at him. ‘Don’t be mean. Anyway, you know you’d miss me. Besides, it’s none of your concern. Is it, Izzy?’

  ‘Leave me out of it. Can’t I just enjoy this meal in peace?’

  ‘No, you bloody well can’t. You’re part of our family now, and you live in our house, so whatever concerns us concerns you. Okay?’

  Izzy shrugged, but smiled. ‘All right.’ Turning to Blake she said, ‘It’s none of your business.’

  Simone gave her a knowing glance before cutting into her bacon. ‘So, what’s everyone got planned today?’

  ‘Well,’ said Izzy, ‘I thought I’d mow the lawn – after I fix the mower, that is. I think the blades are out of whack. Starting to think Blake ran over something.’

  ‘Sorry, I can’t help. I’m going to Mum’s this morning. She wants to clean out my old room and turn it into a sewing room,’ replied Simone.

  ‘I can help you, if you like. It might be fun – sort of,’ he said, screwing up his face.

  Just then the phone rang and Simone jumped up to answer it.

  ‘Is she expecting a call?’ Blake asked.

  ‘Maybe, maybe not. I’m not telling you anything. My life depends on my mouth staying shut. So … um … . how did it go with Dean last night? Did you make any plans?’ Izzy asked.

  ‘Great. I’ll fil
l you in later. I’m so nervous just thinking about it.’ Blake jumped as Simone ran back into the room, her face drained of all colour.

  ‘That was Mickey. Jacko was out shooting with some mates last night and got shot.’ Simone said it so fast that it took a few seconds for them to catch on.

  Blake bolted upright. ‘What? How the hell did that happen? Shit. Is he okay?’

  Izzy looked from one to the other. ‘But I was only talking to him last night at the pub.’

  ‘I know. Mickey said he left early, not long after we’d seen him. Apparently, he was on the back of the ute when one of the others jumped down to finish off a wounded fox. As he landed on the ground his gun hit his knee and discharged. Mickey said it blew a couple of Jacko’s fingers away. He’s at the hospital with Jacko now.’ Simone put down her cutlery and picked up her bag from the table. ‘I’m going to head in right away.’

  ‘Shit.’ Blake swore again, completely shocked and bewildered. ‘Okay. Well, tell Mickey if they need anything, just to give us a call. I wonder which hand. Bugger it! That could stuff up his shearing.’ He ran his fingers through his hair.

  ‘Hope not,’ Simone replied, then added for Izzy’s benefit, ‘He’s one of the best shearers around. Jacko’s been to the Royal Show a few times to shear in comps, and he’s won heaps of prizes. Dad reckons he’s one of the cleanest and quickest he’s seen in years.’ Simone sighed, then turned and headed for the door, waving as she went.

  ‘We’ll come soon,’ Izzy called after her, then turned to Blake. ‘Don’t worry too much, Mac. Not until we hear all the details. He’s bloody lucky it didn’t get him in the chest or worse.’

  ‘When you put it like that, yeah, I guess he is,’ he said, sighing loudly, but Izzy could see the tension in his body.

  Blake forced his fork towards his mouth, taking the bacon that had been waiting, but his appetite was long gone. ‘You know, they rang me and asked if I wanted to go with them, seeing as Mickey didn’t want to, but as you know, I had better things to do.’