Queen of the Road

by Tricia Stringer

  Angela and Jeremy became a bit maudlin, lamenting their lack of city life and talking about Munirilla as if it was the end of the earth. Coop was about to say his goodnights and leave them to it when Angela grabbed his wrist.

  ‘Who’s that guy?’ she asked urgently.

  He followed the direction of her stabbing finger to see a large man standing just inside the door. He wasn’t familiar. With his huge frame, cropped hair and long, bushy moustache, Coop would be sure if he’d seen him before. He shook his head.

  ‘He’s wearing a Berls shirt,’ Angela said, but after a few glasses of bubbly, the name wobbled out of her mouth sounding more like ‘Bells’.

  ‘Where?’ Jeremy turned to look behind him then swung back. ‘Oh, that’s Clifford Berl.’

  ‘So he owns the truck company?’ Angela’s eyes darkened and her face was set in a frown.

  ‘Along with Cliff Senior, his father, and the brothers – Adrian and … I can’t remember the other one. They’re on our books.’ Jeremy drained his glass.

  Angela slid to her feet. ‘I want a word with Clifford Berl.’

  ‘What about?’ Jeremy asked.

  ‘Business.’

  Jeremy raised his eyebrows and shrugged but Coop reached for Angela’s arm as she moved away. He was still sober and could see Angela wasn’t capable of having a sensible conversation with anyone.

  ‘Don’t,’ he said gently.

  She might not have heard him but she definitely felt the pull on her arm. She glared at his hand and he took it back.

  ‘I’ve got business to discuss with Mr Clifford bloody Berl,’ she declared and tottered forward on her high heels.

  ‘This should be interesting,’ Jeremy said, turning to follow her progress towards the huge man.

  Coop stood and exited the pub through the empty dining room. He felt the old rage rush through him and took several slow, deep breaths to calm his thumping heart. His cheek tingled with the memory of his mother’s slap from the last time he tried to put a restraining hand on someone.

  The cool night air helped ease his frustration and rid his nostrils of the smell of booze and bodies. He strode away from the pub, crossing the highway to where he’d left his ute. Angela had disappointed him but the anger he felt wasn’t directed at her. It was his own lack of control that bothered him. His concern for Angela had been the reason he’d lowered his guard and broken his golden rule – the one he learned as a teenager when Jeff set him straight.

  Coop reached his ute and flung himself into the driver’s seat. His mother’s staggered movements danced before his eyes. The echo of his young voice pleading with her to stop drinking made the small amount of beer he’d consumed tonight sour in his stomach.

  ‘You should know better than to break the rule, Coop,’ he muttered to the still night. ‘Never argue with a drunk.’

  Chapter 21

  The morning light was shining brightly through holes in the tatty blind when Angela opened her eyes. The air in the room was warm and stuffy. She flung off the quilt and rolled to her side, groaning as her head thumped. Squeezing her eyes shut she lay still for a moment, waiting for the slops in her stomach to stop sloshing around. But there was no way the potent cocktail was going to stay down. The liquid surged and she made a dash for the toilet.

  When her stomach had stopped heaving Angela dragged herself to the basin and swished cold water over her face. Damn. Why had she drunk so much? She hadn’t felt this awful since her terrible performance at the wedding.

  She lifted her eyes to the mottled mirror but the face looking back made her cringe. Her eyeliner was smudged down her cheeks in ghoulish contrast to her pale skin.

  Before going out last night she’d felt confident in her appearance. The new top had been a treat to herself before she left Melbourne and it was the first time she’d worn it. Now, to her dismay, she realised she was still wearing it. She must have managed to pull off her shoes and jeans before tumbling into bed, but neglected to remove her top and makeup.

  A terrifying thought struck her. Where’s Jeremy? He’d insisted on walking her home after her run-in with Clifford Junior. She thought she remembered him saying goodnight, but she didn’t entirely trust herself. Not that she was the slightest bit interested in him. She stuck her head round the bedroom door: no one there. She slumped onto the battered couch in relief and a puff of dust rose around her. A sneeze escaped her and she clutched her tender stomach.

  Jeremy was fun for a night out but not exactly someone she wanted to bring home. She shuddered as she recalled the wedding again and ending up in Eddie’s bed. Her judgement had left her completely that night.

  Her judgement had left her last night as well, but for a different reason. Why had Clifford appeared right when she’d had enough booze to think she could take him on? He’d listened to her drunken tirade and then had smugly rebuked her when she’d finished. She could feel a glow in her cheeks as she recalled his words.

  He had no idea who she was, he’d said, but if she represented Ranger Transport, they needed to seriously consider the calibre of their drivers. Especially if her language was anything to go by. He’d come to his local for a quiet drink and expected to be able to do so without being sworn at and accused of wrongdoing.

  Thankfully only a few other patrons seemed to have heard. Jeremy promptly coaxed her away with the promise of another drink, at which point she marched up to the bar and bought them both cocktails.

  She put her head in her hands – more on the credit card. Since she’d taken on this job she’d only succeeded in adding to her debts, not reining them in as she’d intended.

  The sound of her ringtone made her groan again. What’s the time? Claudia was probably wondering where she was. She fished her phone out of her bag.

  ‘Dad,’ she said, giving a little cough to clear the frog from her throat.

  ‘Angel, are you okay?’

  ‘Of course.’ She tried to sound cheerful.

  ‘I’ve just had the strangest call from Cliff Berl, the owner of Berl Stock Transport. He says you attacked one of his sons last night.’

  ‘What?!’ Angela lurched forward, instantly regretting the sudden movement.

  ‘At the pub. He said you were drunk and accused Clifford Junior of stealing our business.’

  ‘Well, I …’

  ‘He said your language was foul and he wouldn’t expect it from anyone, let alone a lady.’

  ‘It wasn’t that bad.’

  There was a pause. ‘So it was you,’ he said with sadness in his voice. ‘I was hoping there was a mistake.’

  ‘There is. At least … Dad, I’m pretty sure they’re responsible for us losing the freight. Frank got some weird phone call saying we couldn’t collect his goods. And the pipes Ken cancelled were for someone who just happens to be a very good friend of the Berls.’

  ‘That may or may not be true, Angela. But there are ways of getting to the bottom of it without accosting people in public. What if you’re wrong? Cliff’s talking about libel.’

  ‘Really?’ Angela flopped back on the couch, all the bravado gone from her. ‘I’m sorry Dad.’

  ‘You’ll have to apologise.’

  Angela bit her lip and fanned her face with her spare hand. ‘I will.’

  ‘I told him you’d call in at their office.’

  ‘I don’t know where it is.’

  ‘Well, from what I understand, Munirilla’s not a big place. I’m sure someone will direct you.’ She couldn’t miss the sarcasm in his voice.

  ‘Dad, I really am sorry.’

  ‘I know, me too.’

  ‘What are you sorry for?’

  ‘It was a big ask, expecting you to manage all this. I might have to pull the plug.’

  ‘Why? Just because I made one mistake? Things are going really well apart from this.’ Angela pursed her lips. She hadn’t told him about the fine yet.

  ‘Tiny Trev’s not recovering very quickly. Could be another month or two and you’ve only two
weeks of leave left. Might be better to cut our losses and get out. Leave it to these Berls.’

  ‘But they don’t want the town business, that’s what’s so crazy. Frank and Ken had to practically beg them to do deliveries and they charge through the teeth for the pleasure.’

  There was a brief pause, then her father spoke softly. ‘You can’t drive trucks and drink, Angel. You know you have to have zero alcohol.’

  ‘It was one night. I’ve hardly had a drop otherwise and I’m not on the road again till Monday.’ A spark of anger shot through her. ‘It’s not as if you don’t have the odd drink. You’re making this sound far worse than it is. I’ve got the business up and running so far, and I’m sure I can continue.’

  ‘Okay, Angel, don’t get upset. There’s still the problem of what to do when you have to come back. We’ll see how it goes.’ There was a murmur on the end of the line, someone other than her father. ‘Is Claudia there?’ he asked. ‘Janice and I would like to say hello.’

  ‘She stayed the night with friends. I’m about to pick her up.’

  ‘Well, I’m glad she wasn’t at the pub, at least.’

  At that point, Angela clearly heard Janice’s voice snap, ‘Thank goodness’.

  ‘She’s fine, Dad. We had dinner with Leanne and her family. I told you she’s been looking after Claudia a bit. She loves Leanne’s place. There’s a house full of toys and three boys to play with.’

  ‘That’s good to know.’

  Janice’s voice was still rumbling in the background. No doubt the woman was filling her husband’s head with all kinds of ideas about Angela’s poor parenting.

  ‘You know Claud’s welcome to come and stay with us while you’re doing this job,’ he said. ‘I don’t want her to get mixed up in any … bad business.’

  ‘There’s no bad business.’ Angela dragged herself to her feet and paced around the kitchen table. The heat in the little flat was becoming oppressive. ‘Claudia’s fine. This afternoon we’re going to a friend’s farm so she can see the animals. You don’t need to worry about her, Dad. Or me. The business is growing and I’ll sort out this issue with Berls.’

  ‘You have to do more than sort it …’

  ‘I know, Dad, I’ll apologise.’ Angela stopped pacing and gripped the back of a chair. Her head was pounding steadily now. ‘But I really do have to get going and collect Claudia. I’ll ring you back later so she can say hello.’

  Angela barely heard her father’s goodbye before she hung up. Two voicemail messages appeared on the screen.

  The first was from Nigel. He said he was coming to Adelaide and wanted to meet up with her and Claud. Angela deleted the message and listened to the next. It was from Ken. He had a large order to be collected in Adelaide. That lifted her spirits – she’d have good loads again this week – but her mood quickly plummeted.

  The load was mainly chemicals. She deleted the message and stared at her phone. She couldn’t drive a load of chemicals, she didn’t have a dangerous goods licence.

  Angela rubbed her forehead and went in search of some painkillers. Maybe her father was right, this was all getting too difficult. Then she recalled the smirking face of Clifford Berl. Pursing her lips, she resolved not to let the people of Munirilla down. There had to be a way.

  She glanced at the time. The morning was nearly gone and she still needed to shower and clear her head. There was no way she wanted Claudia to see her messy again, as she had after the wedding.

  ***

  A couple of hours later, Angela stood at the door of the flat watching for Jeremy while Claudia drew pictures at the kitchen table. When Leanne offered to drive the little girl back, Angela had gladly accepted. She was still feeling seedy and hadn’t fancied the long walk. She was indebted to Leanne for her help with childcare. Angela had already tried to pay her but she’d flatly refused. As far as she was concerned, one more was no trouble.

  Angela gazed across at the empty land opposite. Beyond it the Berl Stock Transport sign glinted in the sunlight. The yard was empty of movement and the gates were shut. The only building was a large shed – she didn’t know if they had an office there or somewhere else. Her heart sank. She decided she’d worry about the apology when she got back from the next Adelaide run.

  A sleek black vehicle turned into her street and tooted. She watched it approach. Jeremy isn’t a bad guy, she thought. Even though she’d overdone it last night, he’d been good company and at least he’d stuck by her. Coop, however – who knows why he disappeared when he did? He was a strange one, running hot and cold.

  ‘Time to go, Claudia,’ Angela called over her shoulder as Jeremy pulled up. At least they were going to ride to the farm in style.

  Chapter 22

  Coop had just hung up the phone when Jilly gave a series of sharp barks. He went to the door and listened. A vehicle was heading his way. He pushed his hat onto his head and followed Jilly to the gate.

  His conversation with Mary was troubling. Apparently Alice’s infection was clearing up but she seemed to have lost her fighting spirit. This puzzled Coop. He wasn’t sure what he could do to help. Alice’s cousin thought she was pining for the farm but there wasn’t much he could do about that.

  He gave a wave as Jeremy’s car pulled up.

  Claudia was the first to open her door. ‘Is this your dog?’ she called.

  Jilly moved towards her.

  ‘Wait, Claudia,’ Angela said, flinging open her door and grabbing her daughter’s hand.

  Coop heard the alarm in her voice.

  ‘Jilly, come,’ he said, and the dog returned to his side. He leaned down to pat her head. ‘You found your way okay?’ he said to Jeremy.

  ‘Only one wrong turn.’ Jeremy smiled sheepishly.

  Coop glanced at Angela. The uncertainty on her face was accentuated by the darkness under her eyes. He wondered what had happened after he left the pub but he didn’t want to bring it up. He turned to Claudia.

  ‘This is my dog, Jilly. She won’t lick your face but she will sniff your hand, and then you can pat her.’ He looked up at Angela’s hesitant face and nodded.

  ‘Mummy, let go.’ Claudia tugged her hand away from her mother and stepped forward.

  ‘Say hello to Claudia, Jilly,’ Coop said.

  Jilly sniffed the little girl. Claudia patted the dog then wrapped her arms around its neck. Coop heard Angela’s sharp intake of breath.

  ‘Don’t worry, Jilly loves kids. The people I got her from had kids, so she grew up with them.’

  ‘Is that your other dog?’

  Coop turned in the direction that Claudia was pointing. Rusty was standing part way along the garden path peering back at them.

  ‘No, he belongs to Alice. She owns the property.’

  ‘What’s his name?’ Claudia asked.

  ‘Rusty. He’s old so he might not like hugs. Just give him a pat if he comes over.’

  ‘He looks sad.’

  ‘He misses Alice.’

  ‘Where is she?’

  ‘Claudia.’ Angela’s voice had a warning tone.

  ‘She’s in hospital,’ Coop said. ‘Shall we go and see some more animals?’

  ‘Yes,’ Claudia said with a vigorous nod.

  ‘We can go in my ute but it’ll be a squeeze unless someone rides in the back with Jilly.’

  ‘Can I?’ Claudia jumped up and down.

  ‘No,’ Angela said.

  ‘I can sit in the back,’ Jeremy volunteered.

  Coop cast a quick eye over Jeremy’s faded jeans and smart brown jacket. The jeans may have looked worn but Coop suspected they were fairly new and expensive. He covered his toolbox with an old blanket and Jeremy climbed up onto the tray. He looked surprised when Jilly jumped up after him but managed a smile and a mock salute.

  ‘Let’s go, then,’ Coop said. He was glad it would be only Angela and Claudia in the cab with him.

  Angela rolled her window down. ‘It’s warm, isn’t it?’ she said, turning her face to the breeze.r />
  ‘Good early autumn weather,’ Coop replied. ‘They’re saying it’ll rain again this week.’

  ‘I could do without the rain.’

  ‘Don’t say that too loud around here,’ Coop said with a quick grin. ‘There hasn’t been much in the district for some years now.’

  Angela took a deep breath. ‘I like the freshness of the air out here.’

  ‘Fresh air we have plenty of,’ he chuckled.

  Coop pulled up at a gate. ‘I’ll get it,’ Jeremy called from the back.

  They drove on into a small paddock where Alice kept her horse. Coop hadn’t had much to do with this horse; he’d only taken to feeding it while Alice was away. There was a carrot in his pocket ready to entice the old boy over.

  Claudia was hopping from foot to foot with excitement. Coop steadied her, then showed her how to hold her hand out flat. She giggled in delight when the horse took the piece she offered.

  Angela hovered close behind and Jeremy watched from the ute.

  ‘Oh, the camera,’ Angela said, tugging a small black case from her pocket. ‘Let me get a photo of you with the horse, Claudia.’

  ‘Can I ride the horse?’ Claudia asked.

  ‘Alice hasn’t ridden him for a long time,’ Coop said. ‘He’s a real old bloke.’

  They set off again. Coop took them to some of the outer paddocks. He frowned as a kangaroo leaped the roadside fence where he’d made repairs a few weeks ago.

  ‘Take a picture, Mummy.’

  ‘He’s too far away.’ Angela’s glance met his. ‘I don’t think Coop likes kangaroos.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘I don’t dislike them,’ Coop said, ‘but it’s hard to farm alongside them. The kangaroos don’t know to stay on their side of the fence.’

  Claudia strained to watch as the animal bounded away.

  Coop drove through another couple of paddocks and past more mobs of sheep. Angela took several photos of Claudia every time they stopped. Coop looked at the results on the screen. He was impressed with the clarity of the shots and offered to take one of Angela and Claudia together. Jilly had to be in the picture as well, Claudia instructed.