Queen of the Road

by Tricia Stringer

  ‘My drinking!’

  ‘I saw how you behaved at Carmela’s wedding.’

  ‘Once, Nigel, once! I had a babysitter and decided to let my hair down. Once!’ she yelled.

  ‘Janice says there’ve been other times, but I’m not going to quibble. She thinks you neglect Claudia, and she said if I got custody, she’ll help me look after her.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘I told you I don’t want custody and I made that quite clear to Janice. She’ll probably ring you soon. I’m sure Claudia’s safe. There were lots of things for her in the car and Janice was saying something about a long trip and Grandpa. I think she’s taken Claudia back to Melbourne.’

  Angela dropped the phone as fear gripped her. What was Janice thinking? She grabbed her phone again, disconnected from Nigel and tried her stepmother’s number. Once more it went to message bank. It was either flat or turned off – and Angela was guessing the latter. She thumped the steering wheel. What was she going to do? She couldn’t let Janice steal her daughter from her, but she needed to deliver her load in Munirilla by lunchtime tomorrow.

  She held her head in her hands and closed her eyes, longing for someone to just ride in and make this nightmare go away, but who could she turn to? Her father was out of reach and Nigel was useless. Jeremy was in Adelaide and Kate in Melbourne.

  She was about to thump the wheel again when it suddenly occurred to her – there was one other person who might be able to help.

  Chapter 48

  Jilly let out a low growl then gave three short barks. Coop lifted his head from the tractor wheel. Maybe it was Joan coming back; she’d left about an hour ago. Alice was lying down and the tractor wheels needed air, so Coop had decided to give the machine a good check over in the shed. He still tried not to go too far from the house when Alice was on her own. She was improving every day, but if she had a fall or took a turn for the worse … well, he just didn’t want to be too far away.

  Jilly barked again.

  Coop wiped his hands on an old rag and turned off the air compressor. ‘What’s the matter, girl?’ he asked.

  Jilly stood still, looking in the direction of the house. Then Coop heard it, a car horn, three short toots and a long, three shorts and a long. He dropped the rag and started running. Jilly raced ahead and disappeared into the drive leading to Alice’s garage. Coop was puffing by the time he turned into the drive himself. He pulled up short. Alice was sitting in the driver’s seat of her car. Her feet were on the ground and she was patting Jilly.

  ‘I was hoping you two might hear me,’ she said with a grin. ‘It was a bit far to walk and I couldn’t raise you on the two-way.’

  Coop was puzzled, both at not hearing the radio and at her method of attracting his attention.

  ‘Are you all right?’ he asked. ‘Do you need something?’

  ‘Not me, I’m fine. It’s your young lady who needs help.’

  ‘My … You mean, Angela?’ Coop frowned. ‘What’s happened?’

  ‘Something about the little girl and someone called Janice, and a delivery being late. She was fairly worked up. I said you’d call her back.’

  Alice struggled to stand and Coop hesitated as she wobbled towards him on her walking stick. The ground was uneven and she looked like she could fall at any moment.

  ‘Don’t worry about me,’ she said. ‘You skedaddle inside. I don’t think Angela is the kind of girl to get worked up over nothing.’

  Coop didn’t need any more coaxing. Angela should have been on her way back from Adelaide by now. And Alice was right, it must be something serious for Angela to be upset, maybe even an accident. He hurried along the verandah.

  ‘I’ve written the number by the phone,’ Alice called after him, but he didn’t need it. Even though he’d rarely used it, he knew Angela’s mobile number by heart.

  She picked up straight away.

  ‘Coop. I don’t know what to do.’

  ‘What’s wrong?’ He could hear the worry in her voice. He hoped she couldn’t hear the same in his. ‘Tell me,’ he said.

  ‘Nigel was supposed to have Claudia but he let Janice take her. I knew nothing about it. She’s taken Claudia, Coop.’

  ‘Where? Where would she go?’

  ‘Melbourne.’

  ‘Are you sure?’

  ‘She’s had Claudia since this morning.’

  ‘But why would she take her?’

  ‘I’ve gone over and over it. I just don’t know why she thinks I’d let Claudia just go and stay with her.’

  ‘Maybe it’s a mix-up.’ Coop was struggling to make sense of it all as well, but was trying to stay optimistic. ‘Did you quiz Nigel? What did he say?’

  ‘That Janice had a lot of stuff in her car for Claudia, more than for a day out.’ Her voice rose a notch. ‘I don’t know what to do, I want to drive straight to Melbourne but I should be on my way back to Munirilla. This equipment has to be at the pub tomorrow. I can’t let them down but I can’t leave without Claudia.’

  Coop made a quick decision. ‘Let me know where you are – I’ll come meet you. I can drive the truck back and you can fly to Melbourne and sort this out.’

  There was silence for a moment.

  ‘Angela?’

  ‘That might work. Only … I’m not a hundred percent sure Janice has taken Claudia to Melbourne and …’ Her voice wavered. ‘I don’t have money for the flight. I don’t get paid again till next week and my credit cards are maxed out.’

  ‘I’ll lend you the money,’ he said, ‘but if you’re not sure about Janice, perhaps we should ring the police.’

  ‘I’ve thought about that but what can they do? I mean, she’s not in any danger with Janice, she pretty much dotes on her.’

  ‘We’re going round in circles. I’m going to drive to you. If Janice turns up, it won’t matter, but if she doesn’t … Well, when I get there we can decide what to do next. I just have to organise Alice.’

  There was a snort behind him. He turned around. His boss was standing in the doorway. She had both hands on her walking stick, holding herself up, but the old Alice spark was there in her eyes, plain to see.

  ‘You can’t leave her on her own,’ Angela said. ‘I know you’re worried about her.’

  ‘It’s okay,’ he said softly, looking at Alice. ‘I’ll sort it.’ He glanced at his watch. ‘I should be able to reach you by nine-thirty. Ring and see if you can get a flight.’

  ‘Okay.’ She was sounding calmer now and he thought he heard her exhale in relief.

  ‘We’ll figure this out, Angela. I’ll see you soon.’

  ‘Thanks Coop.’ Her voice wavered again. ‘I didn’t know who else to ring.’

  ‘I’m on my way,’ he said and hung up. He looked up at his employer. ‘Angela’s stepmother’s taken Claudia. I’m going to drive the truck for Angela while she goes after them.’

  ‘Don’t you worry about me,’ Alice said. ‘I’ll be fine.’

  ‘I’m calling Joan,’ he said, reaching for the handset again.

  ‘Don’t you dare,’ Alice snapped. ‘I can call her after you’ve gone. Take those sandwiches out of the fridge and get on your way.’

  He studied her a moment. She held his gaze with a steely look.

  ‘I should be home by early afternoon tomorrow,’ he said.

  ‘Drive safe.’

  ***

  Coop pulled into the truck stop and parked beside Big Red. He’d worried that after driving so far he mightn’t even be able to find Angela. Then he’d have to find a phone box and ring her. For the first time in his life he understood the purpose of owning a mobile. Anyway it didn’t matter now. The distinctive white truck with its wide red stripes was easy to spot and exactly where she said it’d be.

  Angela jumped down from the cab as he got out of the ute and was in his arms in an instant. ‘Coop,’ she mumbled into his shoulder. ‘Thank goodness.’

  He held her tight. ‘Have you heard from Janice?’

  ‘No.’ She loo
ked up and tears glinted in her eyes. ‘I just want Claudia back.’

  Angela looked so small and vulnerable and he understood the turmoil she must be feeling. He wanted to go with her to confront this Janice woman. How could she just take Claudia away from Angela?

  ‘You’ll get her back,’ he said. ‘Did you find a flight?’

  ‘Yes, but I have to go now. They don’t fly out of Adelaide after eleven. If I miss this plane, I can’t get another until the morning.’

  ‘I’ll drive you.’

  ‘No,’ she replied. ‘I’ll get a taxi. This load has to get to Munirilla on time. Not that I care anymore, but you’ve come all this way. It’ll add hours to your trip if you take me to the airport first.’

  He gathered her up and kissed the top of her head, willing his strength to support her, emotionally and physically. ‘It will be okay,’ he murmured.

  A taxi cruised towards them and Angela gave it a wave.

  ‘I booked one as soon as I saw you arrive.’ She kissed him quickly on the lips. ‘The keys are in the truck and all the paperwork is on the seat. I spoke to the people inside. They’ve got a spot you can leave your ute.’ She reached into the cab and pulled out a small handbag.

  ‘You’ll need this,’ he said, tugging a bundle of notes from his wallet.

  Her hand hesitated over the money before she took it. ‘Thanks Coop.’ Tears brimmed in her eyes again, then she turned and hurried to the taxi.

  Chapter 49

  The house was in total darkness. Not that Angela expected any lights to be on at one in the morning, but she was hoping for a sign that Janice was at least home. After walking around the house, Angela retreated to the back patio, where the sensor light nearly blinded her with its brightness.

  The early morning Melbourne air was freezing. She slumped into an outdoor chair, pulled her jacket tighter around herself and stared into the backyard. The carport was empty and she could see enough through the garage window to tell there was no car inside. Janice wasn’t here. Angela didn’t know whether to scream in frustration or cry with fear.

  She tugged her phone from her pocket, stared at the blank screen, then shoved it back in. She’d checked it after the plane had landed, desperately hoping there’d be a message, some reassurance – if not from Janice then from her father. But there’d been nothing, and noticing she was low on battery, she’d turned it off again to conserve power. There was no point wasting more battery now; it wasn’t likely she’d hear from anyone at this hour.

  Angela shivered again. If only she could get inside she’d at least be warm, but the place was all locked up. She had a key but that was attached to the set she’d left with Coop. She clicked her tongue. The key to her own flat was on there as well. She should have thought about that.

  ‘Damn it,’ she muttered. Whichever way she turned, she was stuck.

  She held her arms stiffly at her sides and her body began to shudder. At this rate she’d freeze to death before she saw her daughter again. There was a cupboard by the back door where Janice kept cushions for the patio chairs. She pulled out the cushions and found a throw rug – her first stroke of luck all night. She filled the chair with the cushions, wrapped herself in the rug and then curled up, sure she’d be unable to sleep, but at least she was warmer and a little more comfortable.

  ***

  A bang made Angela stir. She was cold and stiff and disoriented. Another bang made her eyes open. She squinted in the bright sunlight. She recognised her surroundings and then remembered why she was there. She must have fallen asleep after all. A bang came again and then a chirpy voice. She sat up. The sound was a car door and the voice Claudia’s.

  Angela tried to stand, grabbing the arms of the chair for support. Her feet had gone to sleep and she could barely feel them. She stamped them up and down and rubbed her face with her hands, turning as Janice and Claudia came round the corner.

  Janice stopped, her face changing from surprise to anger. Claudia ran to her mother and wrapped her arms around her legs.

  ‘Mummy, are you having a holiday with us?’

  ‘No Claudia.’ Angela glared at Janice. ‘Mummy didn’t know you were having a holiday. She’s been very worried.’

  ‘That would make a change,’ Janice snapped.

  ‘You’re crazy.’

  Janice opened her mouth, then closed it again and jangled her keys. ‘We need to talk. Claudia, would you like to play on the swing?’

  ‘A new swing!’ Claudia clapped her hands and ran towards a brightly coloured frame with a swing and a slide. It was in a back corner of the yard where there used to be garden beds. Angela hadn’t noticed it last night.

  ‘What’s going on?’ she hissed at Janice.

  ‘Come inside.’

  ‘Only to get the keys to my flat, then I’m taking Claudia and we’re out of here.’

  ‘You can’t, Angela.’

  ‘What do you mean, I can’t?’ She followed Janice into the house. ‘I’m her mother. You can’t just steal her away.’

  Janice put a container of cake on the table. Angela’s stomach rumbled. She hadn’t had anything to eat since the chips and sandwich yesterday.

  ‘Please sit down. You look tired.’ Janice’s voice was placating. It was the tone she used when she was manipulating Angela’s father.

  ‘If I’m tired, it’s because I’ve been awake all night worrying about my missing daughter.’

  ‘You needn’t have worried.’ Janice busied herself making tea. ‘Your father and I are pleased you’ve decided to stay on in South Australia, but it must be so hard to manage Claudia as well. It’s no life for her being dragged from pillar to post.’

  ‘She’s happy, in fact, very happy.’

  ‘You leave her with strangers.’

  ‘They’re friends, not strangers.’ Angela had done enough talking. ‘I want my keys.’ She thrust out an open palm.

  ‘You can’t take her. You don’t deserve her.’ The previously calm Janice was now replaced by the bitch Angela knew.

  ‘So you thought you could just take her from me? You’re not crazy, you’re just plain stupid.’

  They glared at each other across the table.

  ‘Grandpa’s home!’ Claudia’s bright little voice made them both turn.

  ‘Hello Angel. What’s going on here?’

  Angela stared at her father. He was framed in the doorway, holding Claudia in his arms.

  ‘Dad.’ Her voice was little more than a gasp. She was so pleased to see him.

  ‘What’s going on?’ he asked again.

  ‘Nothing, honey,’ Janice said and rushed to give him a kiss. ‘Angela’s just being a drama queen again. I brought Claudia on a little holiday, that’s all.’

  ‘A holiday? You must be loving that, aren’t you, pumpkin?’ he said to Claudia.

  Janice ran her fingers gently down his cheek. ‘I didn’t think you’d be home for a few days yet. This is a wonderful surprise.’

  ‘The job turned out to be smaller than I thought. I tried to call.’

  ‘My jolly mobile is playing up again. I really must see about getting a new one. How was the trip? You must be tired.’

  Janice’s sing-song voice was nauseating. For a moment, Angela stood and watched her stepmother fuss over her father and hold an arm around Claudia. It was as if Angela was watching someone else’s family. A picture she didn’t belong in. Then she realised her father was watching her with an odd look on his face.

  ‘Everything all right, Angel?’ he asked.

  She glared at him. He was her dad and yet she suddenly wondered if she could trust him. Did he know Janice was going to take Claudia? Had he agreed to it? Janice’s words from years ago replayed in Angela’s head. ‘A man needs a wife more than he needs a daughter.’ Angela was so angry she didn’t trust herself to speak in front of Claudia. The hook with the keys was on the wall. She moved across the kitchen, lifted her spare set and held her arms out for Claudia.

  ‘Come on, Claud,’ she said.
‘We’ll let Grandpa put his feet up for a while. Let’s go see our old flat.’

  ‘Aww,’ Claudia whined.

  ‘Claudia can stay with us while you go to the flat,’ Janice said, reaching for the little girl.

  Angela ignored her, keeping a strong grip on her daughter and looked at her father. ‘You and I need to talk later … alone.’

  Chapter 50

  Coop pulled up in front of Alice’s gate and Jilly came bounding out to meet him. He sat for a moment and listened to the sound of the truck cooling down. It’d been a long haul – driving to Adelaide then straight back – but he’d made it with plenty of time to spare. He’d reached Munirilla before the sun came up, slept for a few hours in the bunk, then helped Jim unload.

  He delivered the hire equipment to the Highway Hotel shortly after, but from what Coop could gather, Angela had played a dangerous game with it. Jim was raving on about how she’d stuck it to Berls, and gladly divulged how she’d snatched the Highway’s freight out from under the nose of Clifford Junior. Jim was excited but Coop was troubled. Angela had taken a huge risk.

  He was even more concerned when Jim told him Clifford had been pulled over yesterday evening for speeding on the highway between Port Augusta and the turn-off to the west. Word had it he was trying to chase down Angela. Jim just laughed. ‘Little did he know she was behind him. Or more to the point, you were.’ Coop didn’t see the humour in it.

  Jilly gave a bark. Coop got out of the truck and she danced away from him. He stretched and looked around. There was no sign of Joan’s car. He hoped she hadn’t left Alice on her own too long.

  He walked along the path to the house and noticed Rusty stretched out in the sun near the garage. The old dog lifted his head slightly and looked up at Coop. Jilly pranced about and gave another short bark.

  ‘What have you dogs been up to?’

  Coop washed up in the laundry before heading into the house. There were dishes in the sink, a cup and papers spread across the table and bread and margarine left out on the cupboard. No sign of Joan or her magic touch. Maybe Alice was resting. He stuck his head through the loungeroom door.