The Sunnyvale Girls

by Fiona Palmer

  ‘I was captured in Sidi Barrani, in Egypt. I was in the Italian 10th Army, we were waiting for supplies and more help. The British got us by surprise. They had big guns, aircraft and armour. Most of us went willingly when captured. Twenty thousand prisoners. It was dry, dusty desert land. So dead from what we were used to. Sandstorms would blast us.’ He put his hand on his face as if protecting it. ‘I thought it hell but then we were shipped off to India and put in camps. We hardly lived, sometimes only an onion to get us through the day.’ He exhaled heavily. ‘So coming to Australia and then to Sunnyvale . . .’ He paused, dragging his hand away and caressing her face. ‘It felt like heaven.’

  ‘India sounds awful.’

  Rocco turned away. ‘It was.’

  Maggie kissed him along his torso until he squirmed and laughed. ‘I’m glad you came here,’ she said, stopping to be serious. Maggie shifted so she lay on top of him. A heated spark flitted through his eyes and she almost giggled with delight.

  ‘Me too. Living through the war was worth it just to meet you.’

  Tears welled in Maggie’s eyes. Rocco smiled and wiped them away. ‘I will love you forever.’

  ‘Me too.’ Maggie felt the heat building again. If she was a little tender she had forgotten about it.

  ‘Voglio fare I’amore con te.’

  She didn’t know what he’d said – something about love. But she didn’t need to know, because she could see it in his eyes. He wanted her again and she was ready to love him even more.

  The time for Giulio and Rocco’s departure came on Monday at nine-thirty. Rocco had told her she couldn’t cry, that she had to be brave. ‘Don’t think of this as goodbye,’ he’d said. ‘A più tardi, for now.’

  Maggie was trying hard to remember that as she watched Mr Tweedie’s truck pull up in front of their house. She felt physically ill and couldn’t even find a smile for the captain.

  Giulio and Rocco had their small bags packed and were sitting out the front of the house, waiting. In the meantime they had helped Charlie and Father with the garden.

  After Father said hello to Mr Tweedie, he held his hand out to Giulio and then Rocco. ‘I wish you blokes all the best. Thank you for being a part of our farm and family. I will miss you. It was like having my sons back.’

  Maggie fought the tears as she watched her father struggling to say goodbye. Charlie shook their hands and grabbed them like he used to with Thomas and George. Surprising everyone, Mother actually hugged them – probably because she was overjoyed at their departure. Maggie, on the other hand, felt two seconds away from a shattering breakdown, like the glass bottles they’d shot at as kids. Millions of shimmering pieces on the ground.

  ‘Arrivederci, Giulio. I will miss you.’ And she would. He was a lot like Thomas in that calm, gentlemanly way. He always had time for Maggie and Charlie, and worked hard to please their father.

  ‘Goodbye, Miss Maggie,’ he said, kissing her cheek.

  Maggie swallowed hard. Rocco was next. She gave him a hug, trying to keep it just like Giulio’s. ‘Arrivederci, Rocco.’

  ‘A più tardi.’

  Maggie smiled. Rocco had been refusing to say goodbye, instead insisting on ‘see you later’. She kissed his cheek and it was probably obvious to everyone that it was longer and more heartfelt than her farewell to Giulio, but she didn’t care. The man she loved was leaving and it could be years before she saw him again. How would she make it through each day?

  ‘Here, take these photos with you,’ said John.

  Maggie stepped back while scrunching her hands so tightly her nails would leave a mark, or even blood, in her palms.

  ‘Thank you.’

  Rocco pulled out a bit of paper from his pocket. ‘My old address. I hope you will stay in touch.’ John nodded and put it in his pocket.

  One day soon she’d casually ask to write him a letter and hope her mother didn’t make a fuss.

  ‘Let’s away, I have another farm to visit,’ said Mr Tweedie, and he shook John’s hand before walking to his truck.

  Rocco and Giulio followed. Throwing their tiny bags into the back they climbed up under the canvas, taking not much more than they’d arrived with.

  Mr Tweedie waved before turning the truck. Mother had already gone back into the house, but Charlie and Father stayed by her side as they watched the truck leave. Maggie couldn’t stop the tears as she saw Rocco waving from the back. Charlie tucked her under his arm and stood with her long after the truck had rumbled away in the dust and disappeared from view.

  36

  Nothing was more rewarding than sitting in the header as it chomped through your hard-earnt crop. Toni smiled and glanced at Fella curled up by her feet. The radio played some Cold Chisel while she bounced along the paddock as the header reel turned. In front was Jimmy in the other, much older, red header. She liked knowing he was close by. The barley was making malt grade so there was plenty to be happy about.

  Flick was on her way to the airport to collect Stefano, who was due to arrive tomorrow at 7 a.m. She’d gone down to stay the night in Perth so she could be there early to meet his flight. The grin on her face had been a permanent fixture of late, her excitement uncontainable. For once her farm chores had been completed with gusto. Toni hoped Stefano would be ready for work when he got here, because he’d be thrown right in.

  ‘I think I’ve got a flat, Toni,’ came Jimmy’s voice over the two-way.

  ‘Ah, shit,’ she mumbled to herself. Bloody bad timing.

  She reached for the handpiece and replied. ‘Front or back?’

  ‘Front.’

  Toni cursed again. Bigger tyre meant bigger bill. ‘Okay. I’m on my way.’

  ‘A root?’ she asked when she arrived on the scene. His body was tucked under the header so he could see the inside of the tyre.

  ‘Yeah, something like that,’ came his muffled reply. ‘Through the side too.’

  Jimmy backed out and rubbed his face as he cursed. She could see he felt bad; they didn’t like outlaying extra money. Toni wanted to caress his face and ease the worry away. He was as invested in this farm as she was and it cemented her feelings for him.

  Jimmy lifted off his akubra and swiped at his brow. ‘The field bins are full so I’ll go get the truck and deliver a load.’

  That was a good plan, not much else they could do. ‘And I’ll go call Tyrepower to see if they can send someone out. Bit of luck, they have one to go straight on.’ Toni was about to head to the ute parked by the field bin but Jimmy reached out, his hand sliding around her hip and dragging her towards him.

  ‘And where do you think you’re going?’ he said with a sexy growl.

  Toni relaxed into his arms. There was always time for Jimmy, a kiss or a touch didn’t chew up much time and she enjoyed the reminders that they were together. Things were different now. She could reach out and touch him if she wanted.

  Jimmy lifted her hat, watching her eyes before dropping his gaze to her lips. His other hand reached behind her neck and slowly he brought her closer. In an instant, Toni had gone from worrying about the header tyre to completely forgetting they were in a paddock as his kisses consumed her. She loved everything about this man.

  With a groan Jimmy pulled away. As the passion faded, his green eyes turned to mischief. ‘So what are you up to tonight?’

  ‘Nothing, why?’ she asked.

  Jimmy played with the top of her shirt buttons. ‘Well, with Flick away I have the house to myself, so I was wondering if you’d like to come to dinner.’

  Her eyebrows rose. ‘Dinner? Really?’

  ‘I can cook more than just a barbecue, you know,’ he said, half offended. ‘How does chow mein sound?’

  ‘It sounds good. What time do you want me and what should I wear? Is this a formal date?’

  Jimmy’s smile was dangerously heated. ‘Whenever you’re ready and you can wear nothing if you like. But if you want to actually eat I suggest you wear some form of clothing, otherwise I’ll be too busy de
vouring you.’ He leant forward and nuzzled her neck.

  An outbreak of goosebumps spread over Toni’s body in the heat of the afternoon. She grinned wickedly. ‘Okay. I’d like to actually eat something you’ve cooked.’

  He nibbled on her earlobe in between words. ‘Believe me, it will be so delicious I promise you’ll be coming back for more.’

  Toni wasn’t sure if they were talking about food any more; she was struggling to hold a thought. With a last peck on her lips, he righted her hat and stood back out of arm’s reach.

  ‘I’d better get back to work before my boss takes it outta my hide,’ he said with a grimace.

  Toni laughed. ‘Yeah, she’s a piece of work so I’d toe the line if I was you.’ She whistled to Fella and turned towards the ute. ‘You want a lift to the truck?’ It sat over by the fence line.

  ‘Nah, the walk will do me good.’

  Toni jumped into the ute and watched him walking with Gypsy. How had she got so lucky? Then she thought about dinner tonight and her body tensed. Hell, she knew what was implied. They hadn’t taken the next step yet. She wanted it but it had been a long, long time between drinks. So long, in fact, that the spiders had done away with their cobwebs and had built their own two-storey mansions. Toni forced the thought from her mind. It was time to get back on the bike.

  At the house, she headed straight to the office.

  ‘What’s wrong, dear?’ asked Maggie poking her head around the doorway.

  ‘Got a flat on Jimmy’s header. What are you cooking? It smells divine.’

  ‘I’m trying a new orange cake recipe; it will be ready in ten minutes if you want to try some. Maybe you could take some back to Jimmy?’ Maggie came and sat beside her on the spare seat against the wall. ‘So, how are you really going? I know you’re busy with harvest but I do worry.’

  Toni leant back in her chair. ‘I’m fine, Mum,’ she said with a sigh.

  ‘It’s just, Rocco hasn’t made contact and I didn’t want you to get your hopes up like I did all those years ago.’

  Pain shot through her chest at her mum’s words. Being with Jimmy and having harvest had kept her mind busy, but lurking deep down was hope that Rocco would seek her out. Is this how her mum had felt after he’d left? Constantly living with anticipation, only to have it fade into nothing? Or did her mum still have some of that optimism, even today?

  ‘Do you wish he’d visit?’

  Now it was Maggie’s turn to sigh. ‘I sometimes think that I’m happy with life, I have my family . . . yet I still wonder. I still want to know why.’

  ‘Well, at least it’s all out in the open now. Everyone is aware. There’s no going back and I’m glad that there are no more secrets between us,’ said Toni. ‘There are no more secrets, right?’

  Maggie smiled reassuringly. ‘Yes, Antonia. That was the only thing I ever kept from you and I believed I was doing it for the right reasons.’

  ‘I know that now, Mum.’ They sat quietly, watching each other.

  ‘Don’t forget to stop by the kitchen before you head out.’ Maggie got up and Toni did too, reaching out to hug her mum tightly.

  Maggie disappeared back into the kitchen while Toni began searching for her dad’s teledex. She lifted up papers and opened drawers. Since Flick had rattled through the office to take what she wanted to the other house, Toni was having trouble finding anything.

  With a sigh, she picked up the phone directory and thumped it on the table to search for the Tyrepower number.

  Luck was in: they had a spare tyre and a bloke who could fit it. He’d be out in two hours. Toni grinned with relief as she put the phone down. If it had been the middle of harvest, they wouldn’t have been so lucky.

  Leaning back on her chair, Toni stared at the phonebook. Finding Rocco had made her think about Simon and all that Felicity could be missing out on. With everything going on and with all the things Flick had said, she realised just how important it was for Flick to know her dad, to see the other half of her DNA. After all, Toni had felt the connection just seeing Rocco, seeing the resemblance. What if she could give that to Flick? It could be fraught with danger; she could be putting Flick at risk of being disappointed or going through something similar to Toni. But she knew Flick was strong and would survive anything thrown her way.

  Her hand hovered over the numbers on the phone. It was time to grow a pair and do what she should have done a long time ago.

  She dialled Stan’s number and listened as it rang.

  ‘Hi Stan, it’s Toni here. I’m chasing your help.’ If anyone could remember the names of the guys who worked on that crew, it would be Stan. He ran the shop back then and practically fed and housed that crew. Plus, he knew everything about everyone.

  ‘Yeah, I remember those guys. Simon’s last name you want, hey?’ He paused thinking. ‘I can’t remember it off the top of me head. But I’ll tell you what. I set up an account for them all back in the day and I’ve got the old accounts out in the shed. If you give me a few hours, I bet you I can find his last name.’

  ‘Really, Stan? That would be awesome.’

  ‘Did he not pay a debt or something?’ enquired Stan.

  ‘No. I’m just trying to track him down because he’s Felicity’s father.’

  The phone fell silent for a long second. ‘Oh, right. Well, I’ll call you back soon. I’m sure it’s here, Toni. We’ll find him.’

  ‘I hope so, Stan. I’m not sure how else to find him without a last name.’ Toni hung up the phone and leant back in the chair. She felt a rolling sickness but she pushed it aside, because she knew she was doing the right thing by Flick. Regardless of how it made her feel.

  Toni touched up her lipstick, checked the soft, smoky eye shadow against her dark eyes and adjusted her black dress. It was actually one of Flick’s. Toni had nothing sexy and fun of her own so she’d gone searching through Flick’s clothes while she was waiting for the tyre to be fixed. She’d found the little black dress, which frankly looked little more than a nightie, and had instantly put it back. But she did want something that would surprise Jimmy, and the dress would certainly do that. So she’d taken it along with two others to try. Toni wasn’t worrying too much about the shoes – she wasn’t planning to wear them for long.

  The soft black fabric clung to her curves and strained at her bust, making Toni feel very exposed. It was a far cry from her usual jeans and singlets. If she bent over, the dress rose up over her bum. How could anyone actually wear this out in public without making a spectacle of themselves?

  She turned away from the mirror and dabbed on a little perfume that she kept for special occasions. Then she reached for her long jacket, covering herself up. She’d feel silly walking around the farm in this dress.

  Slipping on her thongs, she stuck her head around the lounge room doorframe. ‘I’m heading over now, Mum. If you need anything, call us on the two-way.’

  Maggie looked up from her knitting. ‘I won’t need you,’ she said with a smile. ‘I’ve got some whipped cream in the fridge if you want it,’ she added with a chuckle.

  ‘Oh my God, Mum. No.’ Toni blushed and headed for the door, feeling young and in love. It was like she was living her youth all over again.

  Outside, Fella followed her closely and Contractor whined from his stall. They’d both missed Flick today. At the door of the old house, she slipped off her thongs and jacket. The smell of spices floated through the open flywire door. Fella curled up on the verandah as Toni entered.

  U2’s song, ‘With or Without You’, played from the lounge room and she could hear Jimmy singing along with it. She crept down the passage, hoping the song hid the creaks of the floorboards. In the dining area by the kitchen he’d set up the table with glasses, wine and candles. Toni’s heart skipped a beat. She’d never had a proper romantic candlelit dinner before.

  Jimmy was leaning over the stove, a tea towel over his shoulder while he stirred. His was moving to the music, and his bum looking perfect in his stonewash jea
ns. He was also barefoot. She crept closer until she could smell his alluring aftershave over the cooking meal.

  Toni leant against the bench and tried to strike an alluring pose. ‘Something smells good.’

  Jimmy turned with a start, the wooden spoon held in his hand. The black dress was worth the look on his face. He drank her in, every curve and every dip, and for once Toni felt powerful and seductive.

  ‘Wow.’ He swallowed, his eyes still roaming.

  Toni felt shivers of anticipation. ‘How’s dinner going?’ she asked and tried not to smile as his eyes widened. He’d forgotten all about it bubbling away on the stove.

  Quickly he turned to stir it. ‘It’s nearly ready. Ah, shit, it’ll do.’ He flicked off the burner, threw down his tea towel and swept her up in his arms. ‘My God, what are you wearing?’ he mumbled. He buried his head against her neck and dragged his lips across her skin.

  ‘You told me to wear something, I thought this was appropriate. A little black dress is good for any occasion,’ she teased while her hands gripped his back.

  ‘You got the “little” bit right.’ He pulled away so he could see her again. ‘Damn.’ He took her face in his hands and kissed her. ‘You look amazing. Please tell me you’re not hungry?’

  ‘Oh, I’m hungry,’ she purred. Jimmy groaned and Toni chuckled. ‘Come on, I’ll help you. What needs doing?’

  He sprang back and guarded the stove. ‘No, you go and sit down and pour us some wine. I’ve got this.’ He shot her a look warning her to behave.

  Toni went back to the table and opened the wine. It probably wasn’t the time, but she wanted to be upfront and honest with Jimmy. ‘I went searching for Flick’s father, Simon, today.’ She wasn’t sure how Jimmy would take it, as he was pretty protective of Flick in his own way.

  ‘Oh, right.’ Then he was quiet.

  ‘Well? What do you think? Bad idea?’

  ‘What made you do it?’ he asked.