Red Hot

by Cheryl Alldis

  ‘Yes,’ she thought, ‘I do truly love you, Karl Mason’.

  Stronger than lovers’ love is lovers’ hate.

  Incurable in each,

  The wounds they make.

  Euripedes.

  ***

  Emmie was sitting up in her hospital bed. She was looking a little better today and the doctor finally allowed more visitors. Flowers decorated her room, cheering her up, and it was very apparent that she was well thought of by many.

  Beth tapped softly on the Emmie’s hospital room door. She had spoken with Ellie on the phone earlier that day and, after a lengthy conversation, she finally agreed to move in to Kia-Ora. She was overwhelmed by Emmie’s kindness and liked the thought of being in the lovely family home surrounded by the Masons. It was like a dream come true. She just didn’t want to be a nuisance to anyone. When she voiced this to Ellie, Ellie had reassured her she would not be a nuisance to anyone and that they would love to have her there. Beth insisted on a weekly board amount and said she would pull her weight doing household chores. This made Ellie chuckle at her, knowing that apart from making her bed and keeping her room tidy, she would have no other chores. Hazel kept the home immaculate.

  So now, during her lunch break, she visited the hospital to tell Emmie the news.

  Emmie looked up from the magazine she was leafing through and, seeing Beth standing at the door, she brightened immediately. A smile spread across her face.

  ‘Beth, dear, come in.’ Emmie held out her hands and Beth took them both in hers. She bent and kissed the old lady gently. ‘What brings you here at this time of day, dear?’

  ‘I wanted to see you, Mrs Mason, to see for myself how you are.’

  Emmie slipped off her glasses and placed them on the magazine she had been reading. ‘That’s lovely, Beth. I’m doing rather well, considering. Would there be another reason for your visit maybe?’ Emmie looked at her expectantly.

  ‘Well, yes, I also wanted to tell you that I have accepted your invitation to move in to Kia-Ora.’ She smiled nervously.

  ‘Beth, dear, I’m very pleased to hear that. I was hoping that was the reason for your visit. You’ve made me very happy.’

  ‘Well, now you have to get well quickly so we can spend some time together.’ Beth smiled.

  ‘Beth, I will, but there is one more thing you can do for me.’

  ‘Okay Mrs Mason, just ask.’

  ‘Please let me help you with the problem weighing so heavy on those tiny shoulders of yours.’

  Beth looked at the old lady lying in the big hospital bed. ‘Maybe I will, but I’ll wait until you’re better and out of hospital.’

  ‘Fiddlesticks! I’m quite okay. All I’ll do is listen to you, that won’t hurt me. Now come on, I might be able to help you, Beth.’

  Beth still hesitated. She didn’t want this kind old lady to have any more upsets or bad turns. But Emmie finally convinced her to open up and talk to her.

  Taking a deep breath, Beth began her story. ‘Mrs Mason, as you know, the people I lived with in Sydney were not my biological parents. I didn’t know this until just before my stepmother died. She told me in the ambulance on the way to hospital. She explained to me that they had adopted me as a very young baby. She said my natural mother came from Albury and, to her knowledge, was still here. That was all she managed to tell me before she died. I thought about it for a while and decided to come down here and find my natural parents.’

  Emmie was watching her as she spoke. The expressions flitting across her face were full of emotion.

  ‘Dear lovely girl,’ The old lady thought.

  ‘You haven’t actually started to search for them yet?’ Emmie asked finally.

  ‘No, not yet. I’m a bit afraid of what or who I might come across, but I will find them.’

  ‘Beth, dear, let me help you. Don’t do anything until I’m out of here, promise me that… please.’ Emmie held tightly to Beth’s hands, her voice pleading.

  Beth looked into Emmie’s eyes. She knew she could trust this dear old woman.

  ‘I promise you, Mrs Mason. I promise,’ she said softly.

  ‘Now dear, there’s just one more thing.’

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘Call me Grandma Emmie. I’d like that.’

  Beth’s face broke into a huge smile. ‘I’d like that too… Grandma Emmie!’

  ***

  Ellie placed the receiver back in its cradle. She had been speaking to Harvey and promised to meet him later that night at the cabin. She wanted to visit Emmie first.

  ‘Dear Harv,’ she thought. ‘He’s so concerned for Mum. I’m lucky to have a man like that. There’s not many men like him around. We should never have parted, we could have had a lovely family between us.’

  ‘Who was that on the phone?’ Win asked, coming into the room.

  ‘Harvey. He wanted to know how Mum is. He also wants to see me tonight.’

  ‘I really wish things would work out for you two. Surely he could sort it out with Mary and get a divorce. You could get married then.’

  ‘It would be my dream come true, Win, but he insists he can’t do anything about that just yet. I don’t want to push him. I don’t want to sound like a nag.’

  ‘Well I think he should do something definite soon! It’s not fair on you,’ Win said with a tone of severity.

  Ellie laughed at her. ‘Yes ma’am!’

  Win laughed at herself as well. Pausing, she then took on a more serious tone. ‘I wonder how Beth got along with Mum.’

  ‘I bet Mum was thrilled to bits when Beth told her she’d move in!’

  ‘Isn’t it strange how Mum took to Beth so strongly? The girl’s a complete stranger; Mum’s treating her like she’s family, don’t you think?’ Win sounded almost cross at the situation.

  ‘Yes, but you know Mum, she has such a soft heart, and you must admit Beth is a lovely girl. Just ask Francis!’ Ellie replied.

  ‘Oh yes, Francis is really smitten, anyone can see that! Beth just might become one of the family. Wouldn’t that be nice… a wedding to cheer up the valley. Speaking of cheering the place up, do you think we should go ahead with the Christmas dance after all that’s happened?’ Win asked.

  ‘Oh yes, Win, definitely! All the more reason to hold the dance – this place needs some cheering up. I’m sure Mum’ll want everyone to go.’

  Ellie was adamant that the dance should go ahead as planned. It was an event the whole valley looked forward to every year.

  ‘Mum might not be up to the excitement and she won’t be able to go this year.’

  ‘Win,’ Ellie put her arm around her sister. ‘Mum’ll be alright. If I know her, as we all do, she’ll insist on us going to the dance. We still have several weeks. She won’t allow us to miss that night for anything!’

  ***

  Emmie settled against the pillows. Beth had gone back to work. She was feeling content. She had enjoyed Beth’s visit and now she knew what was on Beth’s mind. It was what she had suspected.

  Beth had agreed she would wait to begin her search for her natural mother until Emmie was home and well again. Emmie was pleased as it gave her time to work out the best way to handle this situation.

  ‘It will be nice having another young person in the house.’ She smiled contentedly.

  Beth was also smiling as she hurried back to work.

  ‘What a darling old lady Emmie is,’ she thought. ‘Oops… I should say Grandma Emmie!’ Her smile broadened as she remembered Emmie asking her to call her that.

  ‘Hey snob, what’s the hurry?’ called a voice behind her.

  Beth slowed her pace and looked around in the direction of the voice.

  ‘Oh Francis, hi. I’ve been to see your grandma and I’m a bit late getting back.’

  ‘How is she, Beth?’

  ‘She seems really good. Her colour looks good. She brightened right up when I told her I would move in to Kia-Ora, just like you said she would. She asked me to call her Grandma Emmie… isn�
��t that nice?’

  Francis took in Beth’s pretty, happy face. He noticed the affectionate tone in her voice when she mentioned Emmie and thought it wasn’t only ‘Grandma Emmie’ who was happy. ‘Well, kid, this calls for a celebration. When’re you moving in?’

  ‘Well… I don’t have much to pack… tonight, do you think?’

  ‘Sounds good to me. I’ll take you to Hilary’s after work and we’ll collect your things and then I’ll take you home to Kia-Ora.’

  ‘Home to Kia-Ora’… ‘Sounds good!’ She smiled, liking the sound of the word ‘home’.

  ‘Beth.’ Francis stepped closer to her, bent down and placed a kiss on her soft mouth. ‘See you later.’ He walked away with a smile on his handsome face.

  Beth watched him go. ‘He’s so nice,’ she said quietly, wiping away happy tears.

  Francis and Beth had no idea another person was also listening to their conversation..

  ‘Well wha’dya know, goody two shoes has found himself a sheila. A good looker too. And moving into his place… Man, he’s got it made. Won’t have far to go ta get a bit. They act so bloody righteous and here they are with it goin’ on right under their own roof! Bloody hypocrites, the lot of ‘em. I hate ‘em all!’

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  ‘To be honest, Simmo, I don’t know where to go from here.’ Detective Bennett’s brow creased.

  ‘I know, I know. There’s nothin’ to go on. This bastard’s bloody clever. You’d think he’d slip up somewhere. What the hell are we’re missin’ here? Everyone’s sayin we’re hopeless.’

  ‘Look, Simmo, burnin’ Arthur Mason’s house just proves he’s not adverse to burning homes. His clever way of settin’ the fires are one of the main stumbling blocks. How the fuck do we know when he’s gonna set one? We don’t have a fuckin’ crystal ball.’ Bennett pounded his fist on his desk in frustration.

  ‘I’ve never been so stumped on a case like this before. Hell, if he’s gonna start burnin’ houses, they could be occupied. Think about it, the old people who can’t get out because they’re disabled, kids… pets… Shit, I hate to think!’ Simmo frowned and shook his head, adding, ‘We could have one disaster after another on our hands!’ He ran his fingers through his hair, looking desperate.

  ‘Nothin’ apart from mosquito coils were found at Arthur Mason’s place. By the way, what did you think of him? Bit off hand about it all, don’t you think?’ Simmo continued.

  Bennett looked up sharply. ‘Arthur Mason?’

  ‘Yeah, he wasn’t all that perturbed at what was left of his house. Hell, if that’d been me I’d have been beside myself. He just shrugged and said, ‘Oh well, what’s done is done.’

  ‘I dunno mate, maybe he’s gone a bit queer with all that religious jargon he’s into. I wouldn’t think he’d have anythin’ to do with the fires. Anyway, he doesn’t look fit and athletic enough. The bloke we’re after can jump six foot fences. I can’t see Arthur Mason doing that!’ Bennett answered, then added, ‘Maybe his son. But why would he burn the house down? Anyway, he’s in the army and he’d have an alibi. No, I think we can rule Robert Mason out!’

  ‘You’re right, mate. I’m graspin’ at straws!’ Simpson grimaced as he stood up, frustration plain on his face.

  ‘Our break’ll come, Simmo. He’s got to slip up somewhere.’

  ***

  ‘How’s it going, Tam?’ Kathy flopped down on her sister’s bed.

  Tammi looked up from her school books.

  ‘I’ll be glad when it’s all over, Kath. Only two more exams to go and it’ll be all over, then I can throw the damn books away.’

  ‘You applied to the television station for that receptionist job, didn’t you?’

  ‘Yep. I hope to hear from them any day now.’

  ‘Well, I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you. That’d be a great job. Never know where it will lead once you’re in the door!’

  Kathy got up and went to Tammi’s dressing table. She began fiddling with her hair. Tammi watched her for a few seconds. ‘What’s up? You seem a bit edgy lately.’

  ‘Oh, nothing really. I’m just a bit confused. Anyway, what would you think about me buying a little car?’

  Tammi was instantly excited. ‘Oh yes Kath, what a great idea! What sort? Have you picked it out yet?’

  Kathy laughed. ‘Not yet. Although there are a couple of little minis I have my eye on at that car yard in North Albury.’

  ‘Well, what are you waiting for? Get Dad to go with you tomorrow on your lunch break.’

  ‘I’ve mentioned it to him and he’s already agreed to come and have a look with me.’

  ‘Oh Kath, won’t it be fun with transport of our own? Well, your own.’ She laughed, then added, ‘Have you told Eddie?’

  ‘No, I’ll show him once I’ve got it. Do you want to come to the sporties club tomorrow night?’

  ‘Yeah, for sure. Johnny’s band’s great, isn’t it? He’s got a terrific voice.’

  ‘Good looking too. Well, I’d better let you get back to those books. Night, Tam.’ Kathy planted a kiss on her sister’s blonde head.

  ‘Kath, before you go… Don’t forget to ask Francis and Beth.’

  ‘It’s a bit strange having her live here. What do you think, Tam?’

  ‘She seems very nice. I s’pose if we were in her shoes, we’d like someone like Gran to come to our rescue, wouldn’t we? I don’t find her a bother at all really.’

  Kathy smiled and nodded, closing the door behind her. ‘Beth…’ Kathy thought. ‘Need to find out more about you, Beth. You’re a bit of a mystery.’

  ***

  Emmie made good progress growing stronger each day. The doctors were pleased and she was told she would be able to go home the following Tuesday if she kept improving.

  During dinner Friday night, the family was discussing Emmie’s improvement.

  ‘Well, isn’t that the best news ever,’ Francis said.

  ‘I think we should celebrate with some bubbly tonight at the club. They repaired the fire damage there already.’

  Kathy laughed at Francis. He loved an excuse to open the bubbly. ‘I’m just in the mood for a bottle of bubbly, Cuz.’ She grinned across the table at him, then added, ‘I’m so glad Gran’s alright and finally coming home.’

  ‘Me too. It’s not the same here without her around,’ Tammi agreed.

  ‘She’s such a kind lady. I’m so glad she’s going to be ok,’ Beth added softly.

  ‘She has a soft spot for you, Beth. It helped a lot when you told her you would move in,’ Win said seriously.

  Francis reached across and squeezed Beth’s hand. ‘Good judge of character, our Gran.’ He winked at her.

  ‘Well, eat your dinner children; you can’t go out drinking bubbly on empty stomachs,’ Ellie joked.

  The news about Emmie had lifted everyone’s spirits. After they had satisfied their appetites, the girls excused themselves and went upstairs to change for the evening at the club. Francis lingered over his coffee.

  ‘What do you think of her, Mum?’

  ‘I gather you’re referring to Beth?’ Ellie smiled. ‘I think she’s a very lovely girl.’

  ‘She is, Mum. She’s the nicest girl I’ve ever met. She’s pretty and sweet.’

  Ellie was taking particular notice of her son as he spoke about Beth. It was obvious that Francis had very strong feelings about the girl. She just didn’t want to see him get hurt again. He’d had strong feelings for a young woman a few years ago and she had let him down badly.

  ‘Just take things easy, love.’ She put her arm around his broad shoulders and squeezed him.

  He looked up into her face and smiled. ‘I’d better get upstairs and shower and change. See ya, old girl.’ He planted a kiss on Ellie’s cheek as he stood up.

  She flicked him with the tea towel as he walked away, grinning.

  ‘What’s this ‘old girl’?’ she laughed

  ***

  ‘Will you look at this place!’ remarke
d Kathy in awe. ‘You’d never believe it had ever been damaged!’

  The auditorium had completely been redone. There was absolutely no reminder of the recent fire.

  ‘They must have worked day and night to restore all this,’ Tammi said, looking around.

  Eddie eyed the place as well. ‘Fantastic job! It looks better than ever.’

  Eddie was also thinking how he was going to entice Darcy out to the Weir for a drag after the club. He’d worked on his engine through the week and was bound to leave Darcy for dead.

  ‘Well, if I hadn’t heard about it, I’d never believe there’d been a fire,’ Beth said, coming up behind them.

  ‘Come on kids, let’s get to our table,’ Francis urged. They found a table up the front where they had a good view of Johnny and his band. The auditorium began filling with people.

  ‘I wonder if Dot’ll strut in tonight?’ Tammi grimaced.

  ‘She will, Tam. She wouldn’t be able to stay away,’ Kathy commented.

  Eileen and Darcy joined them a while later. The buzz of conversation and the clinking of glasses were the early sounds of a fun-filled night ahead.

  The band began playing the first bracket of songs. The lively music soon had everyone toe-tapping.

  ‘C’mon, Beth, we’ll show ‘em how it’s done.’ Francis pulled Beth to her feet and led her to the dance floor.

  Johnny knew how to captivate his audience and draw them into the mood for the evening. He would croon love songs into the microphone and set the mood for romance then belt out a rock and roll number to get them twisting and jiving.

  Beth followed Francis’ lead as they moved in perfect time to the music.

  ‘Look at them go! Francis is such a bloody good dancer.’ Kathy was watching Francis and Beth entertain the crowd with their dance moves. ‘I love dancing with him; he makes it so easy to follow.’

  ‘Well Kath, you’ll have to make do with me.’ Eddie took her hand and she followed him onto the floor. Things had cooled considerably between them. Kathy seemed quite distant and he had a feeling things were not good. He was feeling rather despondent as well. He couldn’t understand why, after being together for so long, and considering how far they had gone, why Kathy didn’t want to make love with him. He was as horny as hell and he felt it was time they had a full on sexual relationship.