Queen of the Road

by Tricia Stringer

  ‘That’s enough, Claud. Let Coop eat his meal, and you eat yours.’

  ‘He said he was lonely.’

  ‘Claudia.’ Her mother’s warning tone was enough to encourage the child to pick up her fork and stab at a nugget.

  Coop smiled to himself and picked up his cutlery. For a few moments there was silence as they ate.

  Angela was the first to speak again. ‘Have you always lived in Munirilla?’

  ‘No,’ Coop said. ‘I grew up in Queensland.’

  ‘That’s a long way from here.’ Angela glanced around. ‘Although Munirilla is a long way from anywhere.’

  ‘Do you miss Melbourne?’

  She paused to look at him, her eyes questioning. Then she raised her eyebrows at Claudia. ‘I guess there’s not much about our life story you don’t already know.’

  ‘I’m sure there’s more.’ Coop felt himself relaxing.

  ‘We’re having a venture,’ Claudia chimed in, keen to rejoin the conversation. ‘Grandpa said we could take Big Red for a trip to Money Real.’

  ‘The town’s glad you’re here,’ Coop said.

  ‘Most people have been friendly.’ Angela tipped her head to one side and looked pensively over Claudia’s head. ‘But I get the impression that our agent, Ken Harris, was a bit taken aback.’

  ‘Have you always driven trucks?’ Coop decided to steer the conversation away from Ken.

  ‘Yes and no. I normally work in accounts for a company in Melbourne. I learned to drive trucks at an early age, but I only drive when Dad needs help. I’m the dogsbody.’

  ‘What’s the dog’s body?’ Claudia’s bright eyes inspected her mother’s face.

  ‘I do the bits and pieces, odd jobs,’ Angela answered, then turned back to Coop. ‘I don’t often do long-haul, but I fill in from time to time as a driver.’

  ‘Sounds like me,’ Coop said.

  ‘Have you always worked on farms?’

  ‘Mostly. I’ve got my truck licence as well.’

  ‘Really?’

  ‘I drove for a mining company in Queensland for a while but I’d rather work with animals and open spaces. I usually only drive on farm-related jobs now.’

  ‘Queensland’s my only other long distance trip. I drove to Roma once. At least, I was the support driver.’

  Coop smiled. Angela was easy to talk to. Over dinner they talked a lot about trucks. Coop was interested to find out about her rig – it was nothing like Alice’s ancient farm truck. As they chatted, Claudia looked at her books, occasionally adding a few words to the conversation.

  ‘Bill sent me out to see if you want dessert,’ Sandra said. ‘He’s closing the kitchen.’

  They all looked up at her grim face. Her pen was poised over the pad she gripped in her hand. Coop glanced around in surprise. The dining room was almost empty and he hadn’t even noticed the other people leave.

  ‘Can I have ice-cream, Mummy?’

  ‘How about some fruit with that?’ Angela reached across and gave Claudia a gentle pat on the hand. ‘And some manners?’

  ‘Yes please.’

  ‘That’s two fruit and ice-creams, please.’ Angela smiled at Sandra, who scribbled on her paper then turned to Coop.

  ‘Make that three fruit and ice-creams, thanks Sandra.’

  She dragged her lips into a smile and went to see the other remaining diners across the room.

  ‘This was a lovely evening,’ Angela said. ‘Thanks for sitting with us.’

  ‘I enjoyed the company,’ Coop said. ‘Alice has been gone a while and I don’t know when she’ll be back.’

  ‘So, are there any good picnic spots around here? Claudia and I have the day off tomorrow.’

  ‘Yay!’ Claudia clapped her hands. ‘You can come with us, Coop.’

  ‘Claud,’ Angela’s voice was stern. ‘Coop’s probably busy.’

  Coop searched Angela’s face. Did she want him to come or would he be imposing? ‘There are a couple of places I could recommend,’ he said cautiously.

  Angela’s face lit up.

  ‘If you like I could take you,’ he said. ‘Save drawing directions.’

  ‘Thanks.’ Angela raised her glass. ‘Here’s to a day off.’

  Coop raised his all but empty glass and clinked it against hers.

  ‘Yay!’ Claudia clapped again.

  Before they knew it Sandra was pushing plates of fruit salad and ice-cream in front of them with a face like thunder. But Coop didn’t give her more than a glance. He was too busy gazing at the delight on Angela’s face.

  Chapter 16

  Angela inhaled the smell of fresh eucalypt through the open window as Coop pulled up under the shade of a scraggly gum tree. The sun was high in the brilliant blue sky, which was scattered with stringy white clouds. It was a beautiful autumn day: warm, but without the extreme heat typical of the final throes of summer. She couldn’t recall the last time she’d been on a picnic, let alone out in the bush.

  Coop switched off the engine. He opened his door then looked back at Angela over Claudia’s head. ‘This is a popular spot with the locals,’ he said, ‘but I’ve only been here a few times. I hope it’ll be okay.’

  ‘It looks great. Better than our musty flat any day, isn’t it, Claudia?’

  ‘Mmm,’ Claudia murmured, licking the ice-block Coop had bought her on the way out of town.

  Angela dragged a rug and cooler bag with drinks from behind the front seat. There was only one other vehicle near them, parked further along the track, but no sign of any people. It was peaceful, so far from the frenzy of her Melbourne life.

  She watched Claudia delight over some colourful rocks, trying to pick some up while the remains of the ice-block melted over her hand. The little girl was intently focused on her task but Angela knew her seemingly single-track mind was capable of much more. It was obvious from her statement at dinner that she had more of a grasp of Nigel’s desertion than her mother had given her credit for.

  It shocked Angela. She tried so hard to protect her daughter from all the hurt, but she clearly hadn’t succeeded. There’d been no earlier sign that she even understood what had gone on, but the ‘we don’t care’ was almost as if she was defending her mother with bravado. How much pain had Claudia locked away inside? Angela had wanted to chat with her on the way home, but the little girl had fallen asleep in her arms.

  ‘Look Mummy. Aren’t they pretty?’

  Claudia held out the pebbles with a look of delight lighting up her face. Surely she couldn’t be too scarred, thought Angela.

  ‘They’re very pretty,’ she said, and as she bent to admire them, her hair fell forward around her face. She brushed it back, thinking she should have put it in a ponytail, but she was sick of having it in the tight band. Having it loose added to her sense of freedom. This was her day off and she was determined to relax and enjoy it.

  She grinned as Coop produced a tin for Claudia to put her special stones in. The two of them had their heads together discussing each rock as it went into the container. Wary as Angela told herself to be, she was enjoying being with Coop. He seemed a genuinely nice guy. She clicked her tongue as a different face popped into her head. She remembered feeling that way about Eddie too.

  ‘Everything okay?’ Coop asked.

  Angela turned at his question, searching his eyes for something to suggest she could be wrong about him.

  ‘Wonderful,’ she said quickly, picking up the bag of drinks.

  Her confidence had taken a battering but her instinct still told her Coop was one of the good guys. She’d immediately felt relaxed with him; she decided she might as well enjoy the day. They were only here for a few more weeks, so why not? They’d be on the road most of that time anyway, making today even more special.

  ‘Come on, Claudia,’ Angela said. ‘You can’t collect every rock. Leave some for someone else.’

  Coop set off in front, following a rough path through the trees. ‘I’m hoping after that rain we might find a bit of water
,’ he said over his shoulder. ‘They say it runs off the big rocks in the hills and pools in a few places along the creekbed.’

  With the rug and bag over one shoulder and her free hand clasping Claudia’s, Angela followed him through the scrub. From behind she got the chance to take in the broadness of his shoulders and the good fit of his jeans. She wondered how old he was. Her first impression had been early thirties. He was definitely a good-looking guy in a rugged, country kind of way. Nothing like Nigel and his attempt at tough-looking stubble.

  Regardless, Coop didn’t seem to be aware of his appeal. Last night the young waitress had done everything but bare her breasts to get his attention – but Coop hardly noticed her.

  A sudden noise brought Angela back to the present. She stopped as a large, black dog rushed towards them. It bounded up to Coop who gave it a pat on the head before it swiftly moved to Claudia, sniffed her, then licked the little girl’s face.

  Angela gasped in horror. Claudia giggled. There was a shout from up ahead.

  ‘Baxter!’ A man burst around the bushy bend in front of them. ‘Baxter, come!’ he commanded.

  The dog gave Claudia one last sniff then dashed back to its master.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ the man said as he clipped a lead to the dog’s collar. ‘I thought we were on our own.’

  Coop patted Baxter’s head. ‘He’s a nice-looking dog.’

  ‘He’s a great companion but he’s still young.’ The man gave a throaty chuckle. ‘Not sure who’s learning most at obedience classes, him or me. Enjoy the day. It’s a nice walk along the creek.’ He nodded to Angela and edged past them with Baxter on a short lead.

  ‘I was thinking I should have brought Jilly,’ Coop said, ‘but by the look on your face, it’s probably just as well I didn’t.’

  Angela frowned at this. Coop had intimated he was on his own. She felt a pang of regret that there was a woman in his life.

  ‘Jilly’s my dog,’ he said. ‘I’m guessing you don’t like dogs.’

  ‘Oh, well, no … At least, we’ve never had one. I tend to keep away from dogs I don’t know.’ Angela shuffled her feet, unable to look at him.

  ‘Baxter licked me,’ Claudia said, scrunching her face.

  ‘He’s still learning his manners,’ Coop said. ‘Jilly is better behaved than that.’

  ‘Can I see your dog?’

  ‘Maybe another day, if it’s okay with your mum.’

  Angela looked up and directly into his steady gaze. Somewhere inside her, something wriggled and flipped.

  ‘Maybe,’ she said. ‘Let’s find a spot to eat our lunch. I’m getting hungry.’

  ‘Me too, me too,’ Claudia babbled.

  ‘Me three,’ Coop echoed, giving a big grin, then turning to lead the way.

  Angela sucked in a deep breath then exhaled slowly before she started after Coop and the skipping Claudia. By the time she reached the bend in the track they were already disappearing round the next corner. She dawdled along, enjoying the smell of the bush and its calming effect on her wayward emotions.

  Suddenly there was a shriek and Angela rushed ahead. She ran down the descending path and rounded the bush hanging over it just as Coop yelled out to stop, but he was too late. Angela only had time to glimpse her giggling, muddy daughter before her feet went out from under her and she slid down a short bank, landing on her bottom in the mud.

  For a brief moment there was silence, then Coop leaped across the rocks towards her, offering a hand.

  ‘Are you hurt?’

  Angela was speechless. The ground was soft and she’d missed the rocks. She wasn’t hurt – not badly anyway – but she could feel the moisture soaking through her jeans. She was going to have a wet bum.

  Coop hovered over her, hand out, the expression on his face unreadable. But instead of taking it, Angela passed him the rug and the bag, which he quickly transported across the creek. She grabbed a branch to pull herself up but immediately slithered down the bank again.

  ‘Let me help,’ Coop said. He offered his hand again, and now she could see the hint of a smirk on his face.

  She took his hand. It was warm and strong and she struggled to her feet, doing her best to hide her wince as her battered muscles protested.

  ‘The clay here is slippery. You should be right now,’ he said.

  Coop brushed a twig from her hair with his other hand, gazing into her eyes as he did so. He was standing so close she could smell him, a combination of spicy deodorant and a more earthy scent.

  ‘Hurry up!’ Claudia was jumping up and down with impatience, her muddy hands clenched in little fists.

  Angela jerked her eyes from Coop. She stepped away from him and carefully across the creek. It was dry the rest of the way. She must have slipped in the only puddle of water. Ahead of her, Claudia’s giggles turned to shrieks of laughter.

  ‘Look Mummy.’ She pointed.

  Angela turned to see Coop with mud streaks down his nose and across his cheeks. He gave her a wink.

  ‘Thought I may as well join you,’ he said.

  ‘We’re all muddy,’ Claudia giggled as Angela climbed onto the bank beside her. Then the girl called a warning. Angela glanced back to see Coop coming towards them, muddy fingers outstretched.

  ‘You all need some face paint,’ he said.

  Claudia squealed with delight as he smeared some mud on her nose. ‘Get Mummy too,’ she instructed.

  He turned towards Angela. She glared at him as he extended an arm. He had the most unusual green eyes she’d ever seen and when he looked at her like this, it took her breath away. Was he really going to do it? Coop held her gaze, then dropped his arm.

  ‘I think Mummy’s got more than enough mud for all of us,’ he declared.

  ‘Indeed,’ Angela said, watching as he bent to wipe his fingers on some grass.

  ‘I’m hungry,’ Claudia said.

  Coop picked up the box of food. ‘Let’s find a spot to eat. Follow me.’ He glanced back over his shoulder at Angela. ‘Carefully,’ he said with a wink.

  Chapter 17

  A few days later, Coop got out of the ute and cast his eyes over the mob of sheep. He’d taken to checking the ewes every day since he’d moved them closer to the house. Apart from the fact that they were so close to lambing now, he was worried he’d lose some more. But his rough count remained the same. He studied them for signs of change, but they all looked calm and content. No lambs yet.

  He hadn’t told anyone about the missing sheep. He’d recorded it in the weekly diary Alice kept, but other than that, he didn’t know what else to do. It was a difficult situation. There were no dead sheep in the paddock. The fence he’d repaired had kangaroo fur stuck to the wire, but no sign of wool. He’d checked up and down the road – there were no droppings or prints, nothing to indicate an escape. And if, by some slim chance, the sheep had got out that way, he was sure Barry Barnes would have found them and let him know.

  Alice had an even stronger and higher fence running along the reserve at the back. It was meant to discourage the native animals from crossing over to her property, which didn’t exactly deter the kangaroos, but it certainly meant the sheep couldn’t get through it the other way.

  That just left the Camerons’ property on the other side. The fence between the two farms was fine, though, so there was no reason to think the sheep had gone that way. Coop had driven the rest of Alice’s property, giving Jilly a huge run, but the missing sheep weren’t to be found. They’d completely vanished.

  He couldn’t discuss it with Alice. Not yet. After his first phone call, he hadn’t rung again. There was no point. She wasn’t up to thinking about farm work and it pained him to hear her sound so disoriented. Mary had called last night. She was worried. Alice’s progress was slow and she was still in hospital.

  Coop looked back at the sheep. Alice was pinning her hopes on their unborn lambs. He prayed she’d be back soon to see the results of her investment. Jilly gave a soft whine at his feet.

&n
bsp; ‘I know, girl. We’ve got work to do. Come on.’

  The dog was back at the ute and up on the tray before Coop had moved more than a few paces. He was going to pick up the tank from the depot this afternoon. If he timed it right, Angela might even be there. Since their picnic last Sunday, she’d been constantly on his mind. There was plenty to keep him busy but as soon as he paused, an image of her smile or the flow of her hair over her shoulders or the warmth of her bubbling laugh would creep into his mind. By now, he thought, she should be back from her second trip of the week.

  ***

  Angela paced up and down the Adelaide depot, her mobile pressed to her ear.

  ‘I can’t believe they changed their minds. We started the week with enough for three trips and now I’ve barely got enough freight to make up two. And if it wasn’t for this last minute tank, I’d only have half a load to take back in the morning.’

  She stopped and listened to her father’s soothing tones on the other end of the line. That was the transport business, he said, people changed their minds. But she had a feel for the Munirilla end of her journey, an understanding her father couldn’t possibly possess. Most people were excited to have a regular transport delivery and would do anything to keep it. Losing freight at the last minute wasn’t only bad for business, it was downright strange.

  Frank from the supermarket had almost worshipped her first delivery and had intimated how happy he’d be for her to continue the run. Yet now she was missing part of his load, with only one small refrigerated container for her to take. No matter what her father said, she was annoyed.

  ‘I should be back in Munirilla already,’ she fumed, ‘not waiting for this tank. It’ll be too late to leave tonight. And the depot’s all industrial – we’re miles from anywhere. I’ll have to unhitch the truck and get takeaway again.’

  Her father kept with his low, placating tone. Angela started pacing alongside her truck again, throwing a glance in the direction of the depot where Claudia was entertaining Shell, the woman who ran it. They hadn’t come prepared for an extra night in Adelaide. Not that you could call this being in Adelaide. She scanned the busy arterial road beyond the gate – the late-afternoon traffic whizzed by. She jabbed at one of the wheels with the toe of her boot.