Family Farm

by Palmer, Fiona

  ‘I see.’ I really need that drink of water, she thought. ‘So, what do you want to talk about?’ He’d caught her completely off guard and now she was starting to feel angry at him for confronting her like this.

  ‘You need to come home at once,’ he said sternly.

  Izzy began shaking her head. ‘No, I can’t, Will. Not yet.’

  ‘You have to. Your dad’s very sick. He needs you.’

  Izzy squinted at him. ‘What do you mean sick?’ Thud. Her heart began to beat so hard that she felt like she was standing on a railway crossing as a train chugged past.

  Will took a deep breath and glanced around the busy shed. He had hoped to do this in private, but he knew she wasn’t going to budge.

  ‘I found him slumped in his wheelchair nearly two weeks ago. He’d had a stroke.’ Will let his words sink in.

  Izzy felt the blood drain from her body. ‘What?’ she managed to squeak.

  ‘He’s back at Lake Grace now and he’s over the worst of it, but, Izzy, he really needs to see you.’

  Izzy began to fall forwards. Will could see she was about to pass out. Quickly, he guided her to a hay bale and sat her down. She was pale and staring into space. Will looked up and saw Blake striding towards them. He silently groaned.

  ‘Hey, Will. How are you going?’ Blake greeted him, much more cheerfully than Will had expected. ‘What’s up with you, Izzy? You look crook. Is there anything I can do?’ Blake held Izzy’s face as he looked into her eyes. He reached over and rubbed her back.

  ‘Some water, mate?’ Will asked, hoping he would rack off. This was none of his business. He didn’t know if it was the look of concern on Blake’s face that had him ticked off or the way he caressed Izzy’s back tenderly. Either one gave him more reason to hate the guy.

  Blake nodded. ‘I’m on to it.’ He headed for his water bottle.

  ‘Izzy, are you all right?’ Will asked.

  ‘Yeah, it’s just a bit of a shock.’ She started to stand up but her legs were still wobbly.

  ‘Whoa. What are you doing?’ Will gently forced her to sit back down.

  ‘I need to go and pack and head home.’

  Will paused. ‘You want to go see him, now?’

  Izzy turned and looked him in the eyes. ‘He’s my father, Will. I still love him. I don’t want to see him hurt again, or …’ She was about to say dead, but couldn’t bring herself to finish. ‘He’s the only father I’ve got.’

  ‘Blake’s bringing you some water. Just sit here and get yourself together, then you can think about coming home. Your dad’s fine. He’s settled into the hospital at Lake Grace and he’s not going anywhere. They think he’ll make a full recovery, so you don’t have to rush home this minute.’

  Izzy nodded obediently.

  ‘Here, have a drink,’ said Blake on his return.

  ‘Thanks.’ She drained the cup in a few gulps. ‘Dad just can’t sit still, can he?’ she said, anger surging through her once again. ‘He’s always pushing the limits. He’s gonna do himself in properly one of these days if he can’t learn to take it easy.’ Izzy rolled her eyes to prove her point. ‘None of this would have happened …’

  ‘I know. You’re right,’ said Will. He could see the colour returning to Izzy’s gorgeous face. He had missed her so much more than he thought he would. It seemed so lonely on the farm now. He felt like he was lost most of the time, with no direction or purpose. He found himself sitting by Bill’s chair a lot, just talking farming to him. He felt comfortable in their house, as if he was closer to Izzy. A part of him always hoped that the next time he visited Bill, Izzy would be sitting there beside him.

  ‘Do you want me to drive you down?’ Blake asked Izzy.

  ‘No,’ said Will and Izzy at the same time.

  Izzy looked sideways at Will, baffled by his quick reply. Shrugging, she explained, ‘There’s no use me rushing home, like Will said. I’ll go after the sale. It’ll only be an extra hour. I can’t abandon your dad. This is a huge event for the farm and I want to see it through.’

  Blake sighed. ‘You win, but I’m still coming with you after it’s over. I don’t think you should be driving by yourself.’ He gave her a forceful look. ‘Besides, I’ve always said I’d love to see your place.’

  ‘Okay.’ She knew it was no use trying to argue with Blake.

  Blake turned to Will. ‘She’s not as tough as she makes out.’

  ‘Tell me something I don’t know, mate.’ Blake knows her well, Will thought angrily. Izzy had her moments where she’d let you see her fragile side, but they were few and far between. He wondered how much Blake had seen.

  ‘I’m still sitting here, you know, and I am tough,’ Izzy piped up.

  Blake laughed at her and gave her shoulder a squeeze. Will felt an annoying twitch in his neck – or maybe that was Blake.

  ‘Well, I’m gonna find Simo and Dad and tell them that we’ll be heading off after the sale.’ Blake gave Izzy a wink, then walked away without looking back.

  ‘Are you okay?’ Will asked, crouching down to her eye level and giving her the once-over.

  ‘I’m feeling all right. But I’ll be better once I’ve seen Dad. Come on. Let’s go watch the auction and you can tell me everything that’s been happening on the farm. And don’t leave anything out,’ she said eagerly. Izzy plucked a piece of straw from the bale as she got up and began to pull it apart.

  Will shook his head. ‘I can’t. I have to keep going. Dad needs help with some stud rams he’s bought so I gotta head home as soon as possible, and it’ll be dark by the time I get there.’ Truth was he didn’t want to be hanging around watching Izzy and Blake together. It was bad enough standing this close to her and not being able to hold her.

  ‘Are you sure?’ Izzy said, with a hint of sadness.

  Will nodded.

  ‘I’ll walk you out, then,’ Izzy said. She was finding it hard to tear her eyes away from him. She wanted to reach out and touch him, make sure he was real.

  Together they headed to the shed opening.

  ‘It’s a shame,’ she said. ‘I would have liked to introduce you to Alan and Simone, Blake’s sister. I’ve been living with her and Blake in their old house.’

  Wow, she’s living with him now. Will felt his heart drop down into the pit of his stomach like a forty-four-gallon drum. ‘So, it’s been good, then?’ Will said. He felt the green hand of jealousy squeeze at his body.

  ‘It’s been great. Simone’s like a sister. It’s been nice having someone close again, not that she’s replaced Claire.’ Izzy’s voice trailed off when she saw that the look on Will’s face was less than happy. Changing the subject, she said, ‘You know, I still can’t believe you came all this way to find me. Why didn’t you just leave a message?’

  Will shrugged as they passed the auctioneer, who was waving his arms around like a bird in flight. ‘I was worried you wouldn’t come, but Bill really needs you, Izzy, and I couldn’t take the risk. Part of me feared you wouldn’t come back.’ Will saw her expression change and knew she was about to have a go at him. He held up his hands to ward off her words. ‘I know, I know. I see now that I was wrong. I shouldn’t have doubted how much you love your dad, but he has been pretty hard on you recently and I just wasn’t sure how you’d react.’

  She was drawn to Will’s eyes, and in their depths she saw his sincere concern and worry. ‘You really do care about him too, don’t you?’

  Will nodded and his gaze sent shivers up her spine. Thank God I’m not heading home with him today, she thought. A long drive sitting next to Will would drive me insane.

  ‘We’ve been through a lot together. I didn’t realise at first how difficult he was making your life, but you’ll see he’s changed when you get home.’

  ‘You know I don’t believe you. I can’t imagine Dad ever changing. You said yourself, he’s very stubborn.’

  So was Izzy, and that’s why Will didn’t bother trying to set her straight. Let her hear it from Jean and hopefu
lly Bill, when he’s better. Will climbed into his ute and gave her a quick wave. ‘I’ll see you back home, I guess.’

  She waved as he drove off, with a fierce ache inside her. Seeing him again and then having him leave was like being on a big rollercoaster that she couldn’t get off. She didn’t move until his ute disappeared from sight.

  ‘So, that was Will?’ Simone walked up behind her and put her arm around her waist.

  ‘Yeah, I’d have liked to introduce you but apparently he was in a hurry.’

  ‘Pity. He’s a stunner. Don’t worry, you’ll see him back home.’ They began walking back to the shed. ‘I’m sorry to hear about your dad.’

  Izzy nodded, acknowledging her friend’s concern. Having Simone and Blake in her life made her happy and she felt blessed to have found them.

  ‘When will you be coming back?’

  ‘I’m not sure. But don’t worry, I’ll keep in touch and visit. I’ll need to know how you’re going with the bub.’

  Flicking her hair back, Simone grinned. ‘We told Mum and Dad last night. I’m delighted to say they’re over the moon. A little shocked but completely thrilled.’ Simone watched Izzy’s face, looking for a smile. ‘And Mickey’s asked me to move in with him. He’s going to do up the old house on the farm for us. It’s so exciting, Izzy. There’s so much to look forward to. I could tell Dad was thinking about the farms working together more. Typical bloody farmers.’

  At last she got Izzy smiling. ‘Simone, that’s wonderful.’

  ‘Come on. Let’s go inside and watch the sale. I want to see who gets Wally.’

  43

  IZZY watched the land and trees flash past the window. She had let Blake drive her ute home. Well, he’d insisted. It had made the trip go slower for her, not having something to do. She didn’t make a very good passenger. They’d left after the sale and had driven until nine at night, where they stopped and slept under the stars at Merredin. Izzy was eager to get home but didn’t want to disturb her mum at midnight. It would be easier to catch up in the morning, when they were all rested. They’d rolled up their swags at seven the next day and started on the last couple of hours to Pingaring.

  ‘I’m so glad that Wally went for two grand. He was definitely worth it,’ she said, making conversation.

  ‘I agree. It was our best year yet. And to average just over a thousand dollars a head is bloody impressive. It’s been the greatest decision we’ve made together, getting this SAMM stud off the ground.’

  Izzy felt a twinge of envy at this last comment.

  ‘You know, if I knew you lived so bloody far away, I wouldn’t have offered to come. We must be past the black stump by now,’ Blake said jokingly.

  ‘Keep your shirt on. We’re nearly there.’

  ‘You said that ten minutes ago.’

  Izzy smiled. They were only five minutes away from pulling into their driveway and she was struggling to contain her excitement. But she was also apprehensive about seeing her father in hospital, not really knowing what shape he would be in. Closing her eyes, she leaned towards the open window and took a deep breath. The wind swirled a few loose strands of hair about, tickling her face. She opened her eyes again, not wanting to miss anything, and took in the familiar road. She looked out over the paddocks – the odd one had been turned over with fresh brown soil. They stood out among the other paddocks that were still bare or left with stained and crumbling stubble from last year’s harvest. It looked as though it had rained recently – the trees had vibrant green foliage and their trunks glistened. Deep green weeds poked their heads up out of the ground along the roadside. Someone was spraying out in a paddock on the left and she knew by the ute that it’d be Dave, a contract sprayer. The smell of Roundup floated through the air as they passed him. Izzy couldn’t help but smile, knowing she was back in familiar territory.

  ‘Just over there is where Claire rolled her car coming home after a party. She fell asleep and veered off the road. She was okay, though, but the car was a write-off. And over there is where Jim and Betty Cable live. They’re our next-door neighbours. Betty’s cooking is the best.’

  ‘You and your food,’ said Blake. ‘So this is the famous Gumlea farm. I feel like I’ve been here before, you described it so well,’ he continued as he turned into the driveway and headed towards the farmhouse. ‘Does it feel good to be back?’ Blake noticed a sparkle in her eyes that he’d never seen before.

  ‘It feels bloody fantastic.’ No paddocks were ripped, and she was delighted to see that nothing had changed. Not much ever did out here. But Izzy sighed after climbing out of the ute. ‘Oh.’

  ‘What’s up?’ He saw her sad expression and began to worry instantly.

  ‘It’s nothing. Just for the briefest moment I had this feeling of excitement because I expected Tom to come running out to greet me as he always used to. For a minute I forgot he wasn’t here any more. How sad’s that?’ Izzy looked up at Blake as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder and drew her in. She was wearing one of his large blue and black Warrie jumpers, to keep out the chill, and her work jeans, and Blake was still decked out in his Erindale SAMM Stud work clothes. The uniform made him look tall, sexy and important.

  At that moment Will walked out from behind the gate. He skidded to a halt when he saw Izzy and Blake together, arm in arm. He wasn’t ready to see them like that. ‘Hey, you’re here. Good,’ he said, turning away to cover his slight embarrassment. He’d been waiting nervously for the last hour, since Jean had rung and told him Izzy would be home this morning around nine. He had hoped she’d come home alone. No such luck.

  A smile spread across Izzy’s face. ‘Sorry we’re a bit later than planned. Blake drives like an old lady.’

  Blake laughed. ‘Don’t listen to her.’ He shot Izzy a glare, which wasn’t intimidating at all.

  ‘Well, did you want to head into Lake Grace and see Bill? We haven’t told him you’re coming. We thought you could surprise him,’ said Will.

  ‘Sounds good. I’ll just catch up with Mum first.’

  Blake hung back as they made their way to the gate. Before Izzy got to the back door, it swung open and her mum ran through with her arms outstretched. She didn’t speak a word, just hugged Izzy tightly.

  ‘Hiya, Mum. How are you holding up?’

  Jean pulled out of the embrace but kept her hand on her daughter’s arm. ‘I’m fine. So happy that you’re home.’ She beamed from ear to ear but Izzy couldn’t help thinking she looked older.

  ‘Will’s going to take us in to see your father. But would you like to come inside and have a cuppa first?’

  ‘No thanks. I’m keen to head into town. Is that all right?’

  ‘Sure, love. We can catch up in the car.’ They walked back towards the shed where her parents’ car was garaged.

  When they got close to Blake, Izzy stopped and introduced him. ‘Oh, Mum. Sorry, this is Blake MacDougall from Erindale, a stud farm up north where I’ve been living and working. He kept me company on the drive. Blake, this is my mum, Jean.’

  ‘Nice to meet you, Jean,’ said Blake, shaking her hand.

  Izzy noticed that Will was standing nearby. He was quiet and almost distant. Normally he’d be trying to annoy the crap out of her. It occurred to Izzy that maybe he’d resented her moving away, taking off the way she had, and leaving him to look after Bill and all the farm work. Or maybe their afternoon together really had changed things between them. How was she to know?

  ‘Blake, are you happy to tag along with us into town?’ Will asked him, hoping he’d rather stay put.

  ‘Yep, for sure.’

  ‘Course you’re coming. You have to meet my dad. Jump in the front with Will. I’ll hang in the back with Mum. We’ve got lots of catching up to do.’

  They piled into the Holden. Izzy and Jean talked all the way into town, while the front of the car remained relatively silent. Blake had tried to start up a conversation with Will but he only got single-word answers back and eventually gave up and lis
tened to Izzy rattle on about her life on Erindale. When they arrived at the small hospital, with its large lawn and gardens out the front, Jean began preparing Izzy again. ‘Now, he’s lost a lot of weight, so don’t be too shocked, love. His right arm is still weak and the left side of his face is a bit droopy. And he hasn’t been able to talk yet. He says a lot of garbled stuff, but we can’t make any sense of it.’

  ‘Yes, you’ve told me all this.’ Izzy patted her mum’s shoulder. ‘Don’t stress, Mum. It’ll be okay – I will be okay. It can’t be any worse than seeing his burns.’

  Taking a deep breath, Jean nodded.

  They walked through the sliding doors and Jean guided them down the wide passage. They walked past empty wards to the end room where her father was staying. The room was quiet; white walls surrounded a figure in the bed covered by an old white and blue hospital blanket. Izzy headed straight towards her dad. Jean and Will followed but Blake waited by the door. She approached Bill’s right side and leaned over.

  ‘G’day, Dad. I hear you’re in the wars again.’ She studied his face. It was so much leaner, almost gaunt-looking now. She watched as he recognised her. A smile spread across the right-hand side of his face, while the left side remained limp. Izzy reached over, cupped the left side of his face in her hand and rubbed it tenderly with her thumb. ‘It’s good to see you,’ she said with a croaky voice.

  Bill reached over with his right hand, and took hers firmly. ‘Izzy,’ he managed to say quite clearly.

  Jean’s hand flew to her mouth at the sound of her husband’s voice. Will smiled at Jean in amazement. He had a feeling that Izzy would work some magic.

  Bill touched Izzy’s face lovingly with his hand and began to talk again, but this time it was just a jumble of sounds.

  ‘Oh, Dad,’ said Izzy as tears rolled down his cheeks. She was shocked at his show of emotion. Was he really that happy to see her? Ignoring his attempt to speak again, she butted in. ‘Dad, I’m going to hang around for a while. Will tells me he’s started ripping up on the new land. Seeing as he has his own to do, and after the rain you got yesterday, I’m going to stay and do ours.’ She watched his face for any signs of protest. ‘I don’t care if you don’t want me to do it. The fact is you can’t stop me. Just face it – you need me.’