Family Farm

by Palmer, Fiona

  ‘Yeah, well life’s like that, you know. But how was it with Dean, anyway?’ she asked, distracting him from his concern for Jacko. ‘Was he keen to meet up?’ She watched the eagerness spread over his face, as he could finally fill her in on the details.

  ‘Yup, we’ve planned to catch up at the Obie this weekend. Izzy, he sounds just as excited as I am, but it’s a big deal meeting for the first time. I hope everything he’s told me is true. I couldn’t handle being disappointed.’

  ‘You’ll be fine. You just have to relax and take it easy. I’ll be there, until you give me the secret nod to head off.’ She smiled encouragingly.

  ‘There won’t be any secret nod.’ Blake said, laughing. ‘I’ll just tell you to piss off and leave us to it.’

  Izzy shook her head as she collected their plates. ‘So, when are we heading up?’

  ‘Early Saturday morning. I’ve already booked us a room. My shout.’

  ‘You don’t have to do that, Blake. You’re not twisting my arm to come, you know.’

  ‘I know,’ he said, getting up and following her to the kitchen.

  Izzy put their plates into the sink and began filling it with warm water. ‘Is it okay to have the weekend off?’

  Blake nodded. ‘Dad’s fine with it as long as we get the tractors cleaned up and fix that broken pump. He also wants the sheep pampered a bit more with the sale coming up.’ Izzy smiled and it struck him just how beautiful she was – and what a good friend she was too.

  ‘I think we can manage that.’

  It wasn’t until some time after lunch that Simone came home. For someone who’d been to see a bloke with missing fingers, she was looking and sounding rather chipper. Izzy couldn’t help but laugh.

  ‘Is Blake home?’ Simone said, as she looked around the room.

  ‘No, he’s gone into town to see Jacko and then he’s going back to Mickey’s place.’

  ‘You didn’t want to go?’

  ‘Nah. I’ve had my share of hospitals lately. Besides he’ll have his family and friends there. Don’t want to intrude.’

  ‘Fair enough,’ Simone replied as she put her mobile phone on the table and sat down next to Izzy, who was relaxing in front of the TV. ‘What ya watching?’

  ‘Just the midday movie. I wore myself out this morning hacking back that jungle of a garden.’

  ‘Yeah, I nearly didn’t recognise the place. The yard looks great.’

  ‘Well, you’d be amazed at how many nice plants and shrubs there were under those weeds. My back’s buggered, though. Anyway, what’s news at the hospital?’ Izzy asked.

  ‘Yeah, Jacko’ll be fine, but they can’t put his fingers back on – there wasn’t enough of them left. Apparently they were quite mangled. They operated on his hand and neatened it up. He’ll have two little stubs left, but he was lucky – it was only his pinkie and his ring finger.’

  ‘I suppose he won’t know how it will affect his shearing until he picks up a handpiece.’

  ‘Yeah, and that won’t be for ages. The doc reckons it will be sore and tender for quite a while. In typical male fashion, Jacko was laughing and joking about it. Mickey will have to keep a close eye on him, I think.’

  ‘Speaking of Mickey, Blake and I are going to Perth next weekend, so you’ll have the house to yourself,’ Izzy said. ‘Oh, but just one word of advice – don’t cook him dinner.’

  ‘Ha ha, funny. Well, seeing as you’ve worked so hard I suppose dinner’s on me, then. I think I can throw something nice together to say thanks for a job well done.’

  Izzy gave Simone a smile as she put her feet up on the coffee table. ‘Just don’t make that tuna mornay dish again. Not even the dog would eat it,’ Izzy chuckled.

  Simone rolled her eyes. ‘Yeah, it really sucked, didn’t it?’

  34

  WHEN Will pulled up outside Bill’s house, the afternoon air was starting to cool and the sun was commencing its descent. He gave a couple of knocks on the flywire door and then let himself in, calling, ‘Hello.’

  Jean popped her head out from the kitchen. ‘G’day, Will. He’s just about ready.’ She lowered her voice when he got closer. ‘Cheers for this. I can tell he’s excited to be going out. I think he really needs it.’

  Will could sense that she was worried. He had been so busy between both farms that he’d neglected Bill a bit of late. To make up for it, he’d offered to take Bill to the Tree for a few drinks to catch up with the lads. Bill had jumped at the chance.

  ‘Don’t worry, Jean. I’ll look after him.’

  She answered him with a smile before motioning to a chair. ‘Course you will. I know that. Grab a seat. I’m sure he won’t be long.’ Jean sat down next to Will and studied his face like she was trying to decipher a code. ‘Will, can I ask you something?’ She paused. ‘What happened between you and Izzy before she left?’

  Will’s blue eyes flinched, his mouth moved but no words escaped.

  ‘It’s just that before the fight that started it all erupted I noticed she was wearing your clothes.’

  Now Will smiled. ‘Really? I didn’t know. So that’s where my favourite pair of trackies went.’

  ‘You still didn’t answer my question.’

  ‘Izzy told me how quickly you pick up on things! Yes, something did happen between us, although she didn’t hang around long enough for us to figure out what.’

  Jean put her hand on his for a moment. Her nails were short but neat and tidy. ‘But you know how you feel about her.’

  Will’s dimple appeared as he smiled and replied, ‘Yes.’

  ‘Well, I know for a fact that she was affected by what happened too. She had feelings for you, Will, but she was still trying to understand them. Does she feel the same as you, do you think?’

  He took a deep breath. ‘I really don’t know.’ Looking at Jean reminded him of Izzy, her eyes and the way she moved. It made his heart ache more. ‘I wish I did, Jean. I just wish I could be home next time she calls so I can talk to her.’

  Just as Jean was about to speak, Bill’s voice came from the passageway. ‘Will, is that you?’

  ‘Yeah.’

  ‘Mate, you’ll have to help me with this contraption. I still can’t seem to get it going on this carpet.’

  Bill came slowly down the passageway towards them. Will got up and took position behind the wheelchair.

  Bill motioned to Jean. ‘Catch ya, love. Don’t wait up.’

  It took Will a bit of manoeuvring to get him outside and then into the ute. He stashed the chair on the back and jumped in the front. ‘Ready to go?’

  ‘Ready when you are, boss,’ replied Bill.

  Will pulled out a beer from his small esky, took the top off and handed it to Bill before driving away. ‘I’m glad we’re doing this. You’ve looked a bit down lately.’

  ‘I know. I’ve been dark on myself. It pains me whenever I think back to all the times I put Izzy down and shut her out. I feel bad that I can’t tell her how sorry I am.’

  Will winced at the hurt he saw in Bill’s pale sunken face. He still looked sickly white and his anger at himself would not help his recovery. ‘Try not to worry too much. Izzy’s tough and she loves you, you know. When she’s back you’ll have all the time in the world to make it up to her.’

  Bill looked out the window and mumbled, ‘God, I hope you’re right.’

  Ten minutes later they arrived at the Tree to the usual crowd of utes and blokes from around the district. Will made sure to pull up behind a few vehicles so they couldn’t see him lift Bill into his chair. Then somehow Bill found the strength to wheel himself the ten metres to join the nearest circle of men. Will handed him his beer, pulled up a milk crate and sat beside him. It felt good to be out and about, but there was just one thing missing – Izzy.

  The blokes all politely asked Bill how he was going, and then with that out of the way it was straight on to farming.

  A little later Frankie, who lived two farms down from Bill, handed him another beer a
nd asked, ‘Hey, Bill, if you’re interested, I can have Paul bring over the Case and help turn some dirt for you after it rains.’

  The offers came thick and fast, but Bill shook his head. ‘Cheers, fellas. I’ll keep it in mind. Will reckons he’s got it covered, but if we get snowed under, I’ll let you know.’

  Will knew how much it was killing Bill to have even him on his farm. He doubted he could handle half the district helping him.

  They’d begun discussing a new variety of wheat when Muzza came bursting into the huddle with a box. ‘Hey, any of you fellas want a good working dog?’ He put the box on the ground and scanned their faces for interest. Will leant over and could see three little kelpie pups. Two were snuggled in the corner asleep on each other and the other one was trying to get out. Will picked up the active pup – a girl, he discovered – and held her in front of his face. The pup sat relaxed in his big hands, eyes glued on Will, and attempted to lick his face.

  ‘You’re just a bit too cute, aren’t ya?’ Will laughed and snuggled the pup into his neck.

  ‘She’s a go-getter, that one. Never sits still. You want her?’ asked Muzza.

  Will thought of Izzy, and of Tom. And how alone he’d been feeling. This pup definitely had Izzy’s zest for life. Maybe he’d get her as a present for Izzy, for when she returned to the farm. In the meantime he’d have some company.

  ‘How much, Muzza? She looks great.’

  ‘Yeah, both parents are fantastic working dogs. But for you, Will, she’s free.’

  Will turned his head and questioned with his eyebrows.

  ‘Mate, I still owe you for that day’s work when my shearer took sick. If you’re happy with a swap, it’s a done deal.’

  ‘Sounds good to me, Muzza. I kinda got the feeling I wouldn’t be seeing any money for that anyway. I know how good you are at misplacing your chequebook.’

  Muzza laughed as he picked up the box and took the other pups back to his ute.

  Will scratched the top of the pup’s head. She had settled on his lap, curled up but with her eyes still wide open, taking everything in.

  Bill reached over and gave her a rough pat. ‘Didn’t know you wanted a new dog, Will?’

  ‘I didn’t really. But I thought Izzy might.’

  Bill’s face stayed rigid but Will saw the smile that radiated from his eyes in the dying light.

  ‘Yeah, I reckon you’re right.’ The old fella had given his approval.

  ‘What are we gonna call ya, girl?’ Not wanting to disturb the happy little thing, Will reluctantly got up and headed to the shop, twenty-five metres behind the Tree, with her tucked in his arms. He walked through to the hardware section to see whether they had any puppy food. He found a bag and carried it back to the counter.

  ‘Can you bung this on the account for us please, Jane?’

  ‘Sure, no probs, Will,’ she replied. ‘Is that one of Muzza’s?’

  Will handed the pup over for Jane to cuddle and inspect.

  ‘Ya gonna give her a girlie name?’ Jane asked.

  ‘Don’t know. I was thinking of Gully. Yeah, I like Gully.’ Like the gully that had nearly cost him his life and also brought Izzy closer to him. He took the pup back and held her up to his face. ‘What do you say? Do you like it?’ The pup just yelped and play chewed on his finger. ‘That’ll do, then.’ Grabbing the bag of pup food, Will nodded goodbye.

  ‘Hey, if I don’t see ya, have fun at the wedding wearing ya monkey suit!’

  ‘Sure will. Cheers, Jane.’

  ‘Can ya give the fellas a holler and tell them final drinks before I close up?’

  Outside, the darkness had dropped around them and the large storage bins blocked off the last of the setting sun. Will found his ute and chucked the food on the back. He thought about leaving Gully in the ute but decided against it. Already he was too attached. He wandered back to where Bill was chatting, and sat listening quietly, patting Gully and thinking of Izzy, wondering whether she might be looking up at this same sky somewhere out there.

  35

  ‘WHAT are you doing out here?’ Blake asked Izzy, who was standing at the end of the verandah. It was Friday night and tomorrow they’d be on the road to Perth for his hot date. The week couldn’t have finished any quicker for him. He’d been counting down the days and hours.

  Izzy’s chest rose as she took a deep breath. ‘Can’t you smell it? The rain’s not far away.’

  ‘I know. I saw the forecast on the Internet,’ said Blake, in a matter-of-fact tone.

  Izzy looked at the sky and pursed her lips. ‘Well, I like to tell by looking at the sky and smelling the air. I reckon it’s only a few minutes away and I can hear some thunder in the distance. It should be a good rain.’

  ‘You like to do things the old way, don’t you?’

  She shrugged her shoulders. ‘Some things I do. Some of the old ways are best but not all. I like the future and change too. I can be flexible.’

  Blake slung his arm around her shoulder and together they stood, watching the black clouds rolling overhead.

  ‘Isn’t it beautiful, nature doing its thing?’ Izzy said. ‘I love watching the seasons come and go. And to think nobody would probably have started ripping up at home yet.’

  Blake squeezed her tightly. ‘You’re a remarkable woman, Izzy Simpson. I’ve never met a woman like you. You’re really at one with the land. You kinda stand out – especially compared to Simone – but in a good way.’

  Izzy took another deep breath as the rain started to fall in large drops, which pinged off the iron roof. A bright flash of lightning ripped its way through the dark sky. A thunderous boom followed five seconds later. Izzy leant on Blake’s shoulder. ‘You know, I could stay here all night and watch this. Maybe I should drag my mattress out here.’

  ‘Yeah, you could. But the mozzies would carry you away, and I need you ready for tomorrow.’

  ‘Gee, you’re a hard man, Mac. You’d make a good boss one day.’

  Twelve hours later they were on the road to Perth.

  Izzy looked at the land through the rain-splattered window as they drove out of town. ‘You know, you have great soil up here. Back home we struggle with salinity. Almost a quarter of our farm is unusable because it’s salt affected. We have heaps of salt lakes dotted throughout the district.’

  ‘Any you can waterski on?’

  ‘Yeah, there is one. Usually after a flood we can go skiing on it for a while. But it’s pretty disgusting when it gets low. If you come off the skis and get a nose or mouth full of the salty water, you just about puke.’

  ‘Is there much you can do to stop the salt?’ asked Blake.

  ‘No, not really. We just plant a heap of salt bush and trees, and some people have drains. We need big pumps to lower the underground water level and stop the salt rising. It’s just one of those environmental problems that’s hard to reverse. Hindsight’s a wonderful thing.’

  ‘Tell me about it. You know, one day I’d love to see your farm, Izzy. You paint such a vivid picture of it. I feel as if I know it so well.’

  ‘You will see it, one day.’ Izzy just wished she could believe her own words.

  When they arrived at the motel, they unloaded their bags and stretched out on the beds. The large window in their room overlooked a few rooftops. Nothing special, but over them you could just glimpse the ocean. Most of the swimmers had headed home; the afternoon had come in cold, leaving the diehards in their wetsuits to brave the small barrelling waves.

  ‘We’ll have to go for a walk along the beach tomorrow. It’s been a while since I’ve had sand between my toes,’ said Izzy.

  Blake smiled as he walked to the window. ‘It’s a pity we didn’t get a chance today. It would’ve been perfect earlier on. We’ll just have to get up at dawn and go for a stroll, hey.’

  ‘That’s if Dawn doesn’t mind! It might be a bit cosy with the two of us,’ Izzy said, smirking.

  Blake picked up the neatly folded towel from the end of the bed an
d threw it at Izzy, not finding her joke very funny. Then he held up two shirts, which he’d pulled out from his overnight bag. ‘What do you think?’

  ‘Hmmm, I’d go with the black one. It really suits you.’

  ‘Does it bring out my eyes?’ he asked sarcastically. ‘Okay, now which jeans? Dark or light?’

  Izzy sighed. ‘Definitely the light ones. Don’t tell me I have to pick out your shoes next, or worse, your jocks?’

  ‘I’m sure I can manage that by myself. Well, I best get ready,’ said Blake nervously, as he walked towards the bathroom. Izzy went to her bag and pulled out a pair of jeans, not ironed, of course. She had this theory that once you wore them for ten minutes all the creases came out anyway, so what was the point of ironing. Her mum would be horrified to hear that. Izzy also pulled out a long-sleeved, low V-necked blue top and a black jacket in case it was cold out.

  Nearly an hour later they parked outside the Obie and headed inside towards the noise. Izzy felt the ocean breeze on her face and breathed in the salty air with relish. Last time she’d been here she’d been holding Will’s arm, not Blake’s. That had been a great night, and she remembered their fun with delight.

  ‘You know, I’m glad you didn’t get too glammed up,’ said Blake, patting her on the shoulder.

  ‘Why’s that?’

  ‘Because I want his eyes only on me tonight,’ he laughed.

  Izzy wrapped her arm around his waist as they pushed through the doors and into the crowd. ‘I wouldn’t worry about that. You really do look a million bucks. I’ll have to fend off the ladies you’re going to attract. But seriously, if you guys do want to nick off to be alone without interruption, go to his room, not ours.’

  ‘Will you be all right by yourself if we do?’ he asked her.

  ‘Of course. Don’t stress about me. I’ll be fine. I’ll head back to the motel and see what’s on the idiot box.’ She grabbed his arm supportively.

  Blake looked down at her and gave her a warm smile that came from his heart, then they both collided with a group of blokes heading out the door.