Family Farm

by Palmer, Fiona

  ‘Am I your type?’ Jacko asked with feeling. ‘You don’t even have to take me to Perth.’

  ‘Jacko, you’d take anyone who looked at you sideways. How many rousies have you been through?’ She knew she’d got him thinking. A gun shearer like him would attract a fair amount of attention. He was eye-catching in a musclebound, hard-working kind of way. ‘Anyway, how’re those missing fingers of yours? I’m surprised even to see you here.’

  Jacko held up his bandaged hand and shrugged. ‘I’m not dying. It’s only a few fingers. It can’t stop me from having a drink in my pub.’ He saw the concern in Izzy’s eyes. ‘Don’t worry about it, Izzy. I’m trying not to. You need a drink. Fancy sitting at the bar without one. What’s your poison?’

  ‘Just a beer, thanks, Jacko.’

  Jacko waved his good hand at the barmaid and handed over a ten-dollar note. ‘A middy, cheers.’

  ‘Hey, I’ve been meaning to ask you about the bonfire night.’ The barmaid plonked the beer in front of them and dropped the change near Jacko. They both took a guzzle before Jacko turned to face her.

  ‘Bloody good night that one, except for Blake being a bit protective of you.’ Jacko was openly flirting with her.

  Izzy laughed. ‘It was a good night. Do you remember seeing much of Simone?’

  Jacko scratched his very stubbly chin. Obviously shaving was impossible with his injured hand. A few more days and it’d be classed as a beard. ‘Nearly thought I was in with a chance but she wandered off looking for Mickey.’

  ‘When was that? You know she wiped herself out.’

  ‘We’re all prone to a bit of that occasionally.’ He smiled and Izzy couldn’t help but smile too. He had an infectious nature about him. Almost like a clown, he poured out happiness and fun. ‘That was the last time I remember seeing her. Maybe you should ask Mickey. He’s been keeping his eye on her for a while.’

  Izzy felt a hand on her shoulder. ‘Ask me what? Hi, Izzy. You here alone?’

  ‘Hey, Mickey. Yeah, thought I’d pop down for a cold brew after the trip from Perth.’

  Mickey’s unruly black hair had been trimmed, his face recently shaved and he smelt of soap and aftershave. Not the normal greasy dirt mixed with sweat smell. Had he been hoping to see Simone tonight?

  ‘Oh, how’d it go? Have a good time?’

  Jacko got off his stool and waved it to Mickey. ‘Here you go, bro. I can see fillies waiting for some help.’ He pointed to the jukebox where two young girls fought over which song to pick next. ‘Leave yas to it. Catch ya round, Izzy.’

  ‘Yep, see ya, Jacko. Thanks for the beer,’ she said, but he was already gone.

  Mickey ordered a beer as he parked on the stool. ‘So it was good?’ he asked again.

  ‘Oh, yeah, it was great. We got to the beach this morning, but it was too cold for a swim.’

  ‘I’m itching to get to the coast myself for a spot of fishing some time soon. My cousin’s got a flash fishing boat I’m yet to set foot on.’

  ‘Sounds nice. I haven’t been for years. The last time was when I was fifteen, I think. We went down to Hopetoun and did some fishing off the beach. My dad was pissed because my sister and I caught bigger skippy than him.’

  The barmaid handed Mickey his drink and he quickly skimmed off the overflowing head of beer. ‘Ah, that’s better.’

  ‘Hey, Mickey, at the bonfire, you remember how drunk Simone was?’

  ‘Yeah, she was pretty plastered. But hell funny.’

  ‘She can’t remember a thing, and Jacko reckons you might have seen her towards the end of the night.’

  Mickey’s black eyes were watching her intently. ‘I did, yes.’

  ‘Well, she can’t remember a whole lot about that night.’

  A smile broke out on Mickey’s face and his eyes danced with laughter. ‘Ha. I didn’t think she remembered anything.’

  Izzy turned her head towards him, highly interested.

  ‘Remembered what, exactly? Is there something she should know?’ She watched him think for a minute.

  ‘Well, it was my ute she was sleeping in.’ He raised his eyebrows, meaning that Izzy would have to guess the rest. ‘When she never mentioned anything about it, I figured she either didn’t want to remember or she couldn’t. I must say I’m happy to know it’s the latter.’

  Well, this was a turn-up! Izzy felt her bottom lip land with a clunk on the bar top. I bet Simone never even thought about Mickey being the father! ‘Why didn’t you tell her?’ Izzy continued.

  ‘I guess I was a little embarrassed. I knew what state she was in and I was too weak to knock her back. I’ve liked Simone for as long as I can remember. Part of me thought it might be my only chance. Sad, isn’t it? Please don’t tell her. We’re just getting it together now. I’m the happiest I’ve been in a long time.’

  ‘Well, you aren’t the only one! Anyway, it’s bound to come out in the open one day. I know from experience that secrets never stay secrets. It’s best to be up-front. You know, Simone really wants it to work between you both too, and I think you’ll last.’

  Mickey smiled warmly at her words. ‘Well, I hope you’re right.’

  ‘Hey, why don’t you come around for tea Tuesday night? It might be a good time to tell Blake about you and Simone.’

  Mickey screwed up his face in caution. ‘You reckon? I always had images of Blake pounding the crap out of me for dating his little sister. He’s been very protective of her over the years. Mind you, I’m the same with my sisters. If I found out that Blake was with one of them, I might freak too. At first, anyway.’

  Izzy finished off her beer, then tucked a loose bit of hair behind her ear. ‘Well, we’ll expect you around six on Tuesday evening. And no weaselling out of it, okay?’ She looked at Mickey and saw the anxiety in his eyes. ‘It’ll be a good thing. Just you wait and see.’

  ‘All right, but if he gives me a black eye, then you owe me a block of beer. Deal?’

  ‘Deal.’

  ‘You want another drink?’

  Now that Izzy was at the pub she was enjoying herself. ‘Why not?’ She figured Simone could hold on another half hour. She couldn’t wait to see the look on her face when she told her who the father of her child was.

  39

  WILL sat in the soft leather chair, but it may as well have been a wooden church pew. He was waiting by the phone at his parents’ place, hoping to hear from Jean. His parents stood in their kitchen surrounded by modern white cupboards and stainless steel appliances, having a cuppa and talking quietly. His mum had stayed home from a golf meeting and his dad had work waiting to be done, but it was all forgotten as they waited for news of Bill. Will leaned forward and put his head in his hands as he listened to the tick of the hallway grandfather clock and the murmur of concerned chatter from his parents. He felt so churned up with concern for Bill and anger at him too. The bloody idiot! He should have known better than to push himself. Will told himself he was just venting because he was so worried. It was hell waiting for the phone to ring.

  The events of yesterday played over in his head. He’d left Bill’s house after talking to Jean, walked out through the gate and seen him slumped in his wheelchair. He’d called out Bill’s name, thinking he was just resting, but when he didn’t answer he’d yelled out again and then begun to run. Will’s heartbeat quickened at the memory. If only he’d found him sooner. If only he’d come in the rear entrance he might have seen Bill sooner and stopped him heading to the shed. Will had picked up Bill and carried him to their car, all the while yelling out for Jean. She’d heard him and come running. He’d never forget her look of horror, the way her hands went to her mouth, and her eyes so frightened at the sight of Bill being carried like a child. Will had to scream at her to open the car door to shake her from the shock. When he had Bill in the back they’d both jumped in and Jean had begun to drive the fifty kilometres to Lake Grace, the nearest hospital, while Will phoned for help. They met the ambulance on the road thirty kilometres out of t
own and transferred him. Will had followed behind in the car and didn’t leave until Bill had been organised on a flight to Perth. It had all happened in a blur. He worried that Bill might die and Izzy was … God knows where.

  He jumped when he heard a ding, but it was just the sound of his dad dropping his cup into the sink. ‘Sorry, son.’ At that very moment the phone rang.

  Will practically launched himself across the chair and pounced on the receiver.

  ‘Hello,’ he said quickly.

  ‘Will? It’s Jean.’ He voice was weak and faint.

  ‘Oh, Jean. How is he? What’s happening?’ Will was gripping the phone so tight his palms began to sweat.

  ‘He’s had a stroke, Will. They’re doing blood tests and he’s been for a CT scan. I should hear more about it soon. They say he’ll be okay but the extent of the stroke is still unknown. I just thought you’d like to know. Thanks for your help. I don’t know what I’d have done had I found him myself. He probably wouldn’t be here.’

  Will heard Jean choke up with tears and his heart went out to her. She had dealt with so much and now this. She really was a trouper. Will could see where Izzy got her strength from. ‘He’ll come through, Jean. I know he will.’ He didn’t know what else to say, but his mum was standing by and he knew she’d have more encouraging words. He said goodbye and gave the phone to Sandy, who took off her apron and held the phone gently like she was holding Jean herself.

  Will got up and moved through the large French doors that opened onto a glassed sunroom. He felt he was barely keeping things together. What’s more, he was hurting for Izzy. She had no idea that this had even happened.

  ‘You all right, son?’ Brian put his arm over Will’s shoulder and half hugged him close. ‘Come on, there’s not much we can do for him now. Let’s go get those sheep shifted.’

  Will nodded and let his dad escort him from the house, like a dog on an invisible lead. Maybe work would take his mind off Bill. Why couldn’t Izzy call? It’d make him feel so much better, even just to hear her voice.

  40

  SIMONE jumped closer to Izzy on the bed as she half screeched, ‘Whaaat? What do you mean, I should already know who the father is?’

  The bedroom door was shut to keep away prying ears, but Blake had already fired up his computer and wouldn’t be bothering them.

  ‘Well, we know you slept with someone, right, and that you passed out in the back of Mickey’s ute. That should tell you something.’ Izzy couldn’t resist letting Simone figure it out by herself.

  ‘Tell me what? Izzy, what did you find out? So what if I passed out in Mickey’s ute? That doesn’t mean anything … does it?’ Simone’s eyes grew large as she started to get the hint.

  Izzy nodded, waited and watched as it dawned on Simone. She couldn’t keep the smile off her face.

  ‘It’s Mickey! Mickey’s the father? I slept with Mickey? Oh my God.’ Her hand clapped over her open mouth.

  Izzy began to laugh but when she saw Simone glare at her, she explained. ‘I’m sorry. It’s just that here you are saying how nice it is that you and Mickey are taking things slow. That you’ve only just kissed when in fact you’ve already slept with the bloke. I just find that quite funny and ironic. Don’t you think?’

  Simone’s eyes smiled and laughter escaped her mouth. ‘You’re so right. God, what an idiot I’ve been.’ Her laughter died down as she thought about it further. ‘You know what’s worse? He knew, the bastard. This whole time he knew he’d slept with me and that I didn’t remember it.’

  ‘Not entirely. He wasn’t sure. He thought you might have wanted to forget it happened, and he was embarrassed. Give the guy a break. He’s really likes you.’

  ‘Really? You think so?’ She smiled at Izzy. ‘Do you think he’ll mind about the baby?’

  ‘I don’t know about that, but you’ll have time to tell him tomorrow night. I’ve invited him around for tea. He should be here by six. Oh, and he thinks it’s because you’re going to tell Blake about the two of you.’

  ‘Oh, thanks. Nice one, Izzy,’ said Simone sarcastically.

  ‘Well, you may as well kill two birds with one stone, hey. Don’t worry. It’ll be fine.’

  ‘Says you sitting on the other side of the fence.’

  ‘So, do you think you’ll keep the baby?’

  ‘Hell, yeah. I do now. Just knowing it’s Mickey’s makes me want it even more.’ Simone rubbed her belly tenderly.

  Izzy felt excited about the prospect of a little baby on the way. ‘I’m thrilled for you, Simo. I’m a bit disappointed it wasn’t Reggie’s, but them’s the breaks, I guess.’

  Simone screwed up her nose.

  ‘You know, I’ve been at heaps of births so if you need any help.’

  ‘Have you?’

  ‘Yep. Hundreds of baby lambs have been born under my watchful eye.’

  Simone picked up her pillow and threw it at her. ‘Hey, you can feel free to change a nappy or two. Bloody hell, do I really know what I’m getting myself into?’

  ‘Settle down. You still have eight months left. There’s plenty of time. Take it easy, eh. I’ll get on the Net later and order you a few books to read. Hey, your mum’s going to scream for joy when she finds out.’

  ‘Oh, Mum’ll be stoked, but first I’ve gotta get past telling Mickey. I’m terrified even thinking about it.’

  ‘Just get a good night’s sleep and worry about it tomorrow.’ Izzy yawned and rubbed her eyes. ‘I don’t know about you, but I’m absolutely buggered. Were there any leftovers?’

  ‘Oh, yeah. It’s in the casserole pot in the oven.’

  ‘Cool, thanks,’ said Izzy, closing the door behind her and walking to the kitchen.

  Fifteen minutes later, she flopped into bed. Tired as she was, her mind didn’t let her nod off for another hour or so. When she finally fell asleep, dreams of Simone holding a baby changed into images of Claire with a tiny newborn and Will standing behind her. Then Claire turned into Izzy and she saw herself smiling up at Will with their baby in her arms.

  41

  ‘HEY, Mickey. Come in, mate,’ said Blake as he greeted him at the front door.

  ‘Did Izzy tell you she’d invited me for dinner?’ Mickey asked cautiously.

  ‘She sure did. Great idea, too. We haven’t had you over for bloody ages. It’s been right rude of us.’

  ‘That’s all right. Here, I hope you like it,’ said Mickey, handing Blake a bottle of red wine.

  ‘Cheers. Come on in. The girls are in the games room.’

  ‘Righto.’ Mickey headed down to the other end of the house. The room had been added on years ago, just before Blake’s parents decided to build a new house. Mickey and Blake had spent a lot of time in it playing pool when they were younger. As he walked in Izzy and Simone stopped talking.

  ‘G’day, Mickey. How’s things?’ Izzy asked.

  ‘Not too bad. Looking forward to the sale next week. I have my eye on a few good rams already. Oh, wanna hear something funny? Jacko has a girl.’

  Simone spluttered, ‘No way!’

  ‘For real? Who?’ asked Izzy.

  ‘You remember those two girls from the pub? Well, the one with the long red hair and cute freckles – her name was Kate, I think. She’s setting up a hairdressing salon in town.’

  ‘Wow.’

  ‘Oh my God,’ the girls exclaimed together.

  ‘Yeah, she’s Larry Dwyer’s niece from Morawa. Jacko’s smitten, and get this – she’s making him wait.’

  ‘Well, that’d be a first for Jacko. No wonder she’s caught his eye,’ said Izzy. ‘So, Mickey, do you want a beer?’

  ‘I actually brought some wine. Do you both want a glass?’

  Izzy glanced at Simone, who went to say yes, then changed her mind. ‘I’m right for the moment, thanks anyway.’

  ‘Well I’ll have some. How about I get us some glasses,’ Izzy said. As she left the room she caught a glimpse of them having a hug and a kiss hello, and she couldn’t help
but feel very lonely.

  Heading to the kitchen, Izzy had two motives. One was to keep Blake sidetracked for a fair while, and two was to get him to open up.

  ‘Hey, look. Mickey brought us some wine for dinner. Should go great with the roast you made,’ said Blake as Izzy approached.

  Izzy examined the bottle. ‘Yeah. I’m just gonna pour us a glass. You want one?’

  ‘Please, that’s nice stuff. From down south too.’

  ‘Oh, you’re a wine connoisseur now?’

  Blake flicked her with a tea towel. ‘So, do you need any help with this complicated meal?’

  Izzy looked over the kitchen. The beans and corn were cooking on the stovetop and the rest was in the oven, waiting to be served. She just had the gravy to make.

  ‘Christ, Izzy. There’s hardly any mess. Maybe you should cook more,’ Blake teased.

  Izzy and Blake both jumped when they heard Mickey yell, ‘What?’

  ‘What’s going on?’ said Blake intrigued. ‘I might just run some nibblies down while you’re finishing up.’

  ‘Actually, before you do that, I wanted to have a word,’ she said.

  Blake leant back against the kitchen cupboard. ‘I’m all ears.’

  Izzy took a deep breath. She had to make sure she tackled this next bit right. ‘You know, tonight would be a great time to tell Simone and Mickey about yourself.’ She watched his handsome jaw drop as she went about opening the wine.

  ‘Shit, Izzy. Don’t lump that on me. I’m not ready. I haven’t had time.’

  ‘Time for what? For you to think about it too much and chicken out? This way is much better. Just spit it out and let them process it.’ She could see him back-pedalling. The fear of rejection flashed across his face. She didn’t envy him. But if he wanted to start living his life out in the open, he had to try. ‘It’ll be okay. This is your sister and your best mate. I know they both think the world of you. You have to give them the chance to be supportive.’ Izzy got out some glasses and began to fill them.

  ‘You make it sound so easy. Maybe you should tell them for me. Man, I feel like I’m going to have a panic attack. My heart’s racing, I’m sweating, I feel sick and I can’t breathe. If I keel over, promise you’ll look after the farm?’ He tried to make light of the situation.