Australian Odyssey

by Pauline Saull

  He finished and Ella turned to him. “Where did you learn that?”

  “On the transport ship.” He rested a hand lightly on her shoulder. “But it’s the last time I’ll ever sing it, Ella. That part of my life will be forgotten from now on.”

  And what else, she wondered, did he intend forgetting?

  If he tells me he has no wish to further our budding relationship, I don’t think I will be able to bear it.

  How pathetic I am, she thought. Tears threatened, fueled by her lack of resolve. The strong–willed, determined-to-remain-single woman had gone, replaced by one hopelessly in love with a man who held her heart and her future in his hands.

  At her gate, Lucas slid off Star, opened the gate, and when she’d rode through, closed it. She dismounted outside the house, her legs shaky. Lucas approached, wordlessly took Star’s rein, and began leading him to the shelter.

  Watching him go Ella thought her heart might break.

  She might love him, but had she lost him before she could tell him so?

  »»•««

  The heat in the house was stifling. Ella quickly threw the kitchen window and door open, and from the cooler on the back porch took a bottle of cordial. Collecting two glasses on her way through the kitchen, she put them on a tray. How she wished she could change her dress. Fear had made her perspire heavily and she feared her clothes smelled none too fresh. A glance in the hall mirror showed her wide eyes, flushed skin, and rumpled hair. Hearing Lucas’ steps on the porch, she hurried outside. A quick look at him told her nothing. His face remained impassive.

  But, oh my, she thought, he is so gorgeous!

  As Ella set the tray on the table with trembling hands, the glasses tinkled. Lucas pulled the two chairs closer to the table.

  The sun had passed over from the eastern side of the house where they sat to the west, granting them thankful shade. A slight breeze blew and Ella regretted not tying her hair up. In the frantic dash into town her combs had fallen out. It sat damply on her neck. Pouring lime juice into glasses, she fervently wished it was a bottle of Dorothy’s rhubarb wine instead.

  “Thanks.” Lucas took the glass from her and drank greedily. He looked tired. The tiny lines had deepened around his eyes. He glanced at Ella. She watched and waited, hands folded in her lap.

  “What you did on my behalf, Ella,” he said, raking his hair back, “and without asking if the allegations were true or not…”

  “I had no need to ask.”

  “You heard about London and still you said it?”

  “I didn’t believe any of it.”

  Lucas rubbed his thumb and forefinger over his eyes and then nodded. His eyes, when he looked up at her, had lost the cool aloofness from their last meeting, turning instead the deep, warm blue she knew so well, and Ella’s stomach lurched with longing.

  I want, she thought, only to be in his arms, close enough to feel his heart beat against mine.

  “I see.” He smiled and it lit his face. “No one has ever trusted me to that extent before so I don’t quite know what to say, how to thank you. But,” he said, holding up his hand as she started to speak, “because of your implicit faith in me I want you to hear the whole story of how I came to be transported to Australia in the first place.”

  »»•««

  The sky darkened quickly, a myriad of tiny stars sprinkled over it, and Ella sat quietly, listening intently. She longed with all her being to cross to him, touch him, but in the dark, unable to read his eyes and hearing the tension in his voice as he told the story, stayed where she was.

  “And,” he concluded, “it was on the ship I met Slugger, the man you saw yesterday.” He shook his head. “I hated it all, Ella. The lies and accusations resulting in imprisonment and banishment from my own country. All because one woman couldn’t bear to be rebuffed. So perhaps you can see why I’ve mistrusted women ever since.”

  Ella licked her dry lips. “Yes. I can. And now? Do you still feel that way?” Her heart pounded.

  “No. No, I don’t. But at the moment my emotions are all over the place. Today has been…well, it’s been pretty momentous!”

  “I can imagine.”

  “I can’t see your face properly, but it sounds as though you’re smiling?”

  “Yes,” Ella said. “I’m smiling.”

  “Then I am too. Come here.” Lucas reached for her hand across the table. Ella took it and he drew her to her feet.

  “Can you ever forgive me for being such an arrogant oaf, Ella? I’ve behaved like a spoiled brat. I am,” he added, “bursting to touch you, but scared of making a hash of it again.”

  Ella put out her hand and ran it slowly down his cheek. “Never fear of doing that,” she whispered.

  In answer, Lucas bent his head and kissed her lips briefly and gently. His eyes glinted in the darkness and Ella felt weak with longing.

  He drew a deep breath. “We still have that fresh start we never managed getting around to and I do want everything to be right between us. May I call in and see you tomorrow?”

  “Please…please do. Come for dinner around six o’clock.”

  “I’ll look forward to it.” He grinned. “Know this, I am having to drag myself away from you right now. Goodnight, Ella. Sleep well. I will.”

  She waited until he reached the gate. He turned and waved, it clanged shut behind him, and Ella hugged herself. She felt at last she’d managed to wriggle beneath the hard shell Lucas had built around himself.

  That night, she slept long and deep.

  »»•««

  Ella awoke to the sound of clanging bottles. Jumping out of bed, she ran to the window. Jack had started loading crates into the cart.

  “Goodness me!”

  Quickly throwing on a blouse and bib overalls, she ran outside, dragging her hair into a bunch on the way.

  On hearing her, Coralee turned, a wide smile on her face. “Good,” she said. “You had a restful sleep.”

  “I sure did. Heavens, I can’t remember the last time I slept so soundly.” She grabbed an apron and saw Coralee still watching her. “Oh, I’m sorry. Are you wondering what happened?”

  “Well, as a matter of fact, I know. In fact I think all Adelaide knows! Lucas is not guilty of any crime, thank goodness.” She blushed. “And was released on your, um, say-so!”

  Ella laughed. “That’s exactly what it was. Say-so.”

  Giggling, Coralee replied, “If you say so!”

  They began emptying the remaining crates of fruit into the press, taking turns to work it. The juice flowed into the vats. Ella lifted the boiler lid to allow it to cool enough for her to handle the baskets inside. She felt remarkably content. Those tender moments on the veranda last night had lifted her spirits and gladdened her heart.

  The new start Lucas said he wanted must surely mean he cared for her just a little?

  Now more hopelessly in love with him than ever, Ella could only hope so.

  The loud noise of a sputtering engine brought a smile to her face, drawing her outside

  “Oh, my! Look at you!” Ella said, laughing as Dorothy skidded to an ungainly halt on her machine. Coralee and Jack looked on in amazement. Star whinnied in alarm.

  “My dear, Ella,” Dorothy exclaimed, swinging her leg over the machine before propping it up. “Don’t you adore this wonderful thing?” she said to Coralee and Jack. “It is most definitely the only way to travel. Now.” She moved to take Ella’s arm, her eyes glittering with interest. “The story is all over town. You and Lucas. I shall be blunt. Is it true, was he in your bed?”

  “Can you manage alone for a while, Coralee?” Ella asked.

  “Sure. Carry on.”

  “Come, sit for a few minutes.” Ella led Dorothy to the veranda and waited until she was comfortable. “The truth is, Dorothy, I told a lie to get him freed.” She smiled. “Me, law-abiding Ella Bickerstaff committing perjury! He was not in my bed, though I have to say, I wish…”

  Dorothy raised an eyebrow. “Be care
ful what you wish for!”

  “I know. But I’m afraid it’s too late for caution. Last night we cleared some of the confusion between us. He confided in me, told me everything about his past. It hasn’t been an easy life for him.”

  “Ah.”

  “That sounds very knowing.” Ella smiled.

  “Yes, well, he came to see me.”

  “Oh? You two are friends at last?”

  Dorothy laughed. “Yes. But that wasn’t the reason for his visit. He wanted to talk about you, your coolness with him, and I hope you don’t mind but I made a point of telling him that maybe if you knew his interest wasn’t entirely in Woomba, you may react differently toward him. I did think it a trifle odd he didn’t immediately deny my accusation, but then I suppose that’s men for you. I do think,” she added, “that he is becoming very fond of you. And when you really get to know him, it’s an undeniable fact that he’s quite a charming, charismatic young man. Such a pity to let a good man go, Ella.” Ella squirmed on her chair. “But I haven’t actually got him. He’s said he wants us to start afresh, has asked me to the Railway Hotel dance, but nothing more than that. I’m trying hard not to read too much into his words.” She chewed her lip. “Can I confide in you, Dorothy?”

  “Of course.”

  Ella’s gaze wandered. “Do you recall what I said to you that first day I came to visit you here…that I’d never experienced love? Well now I know how it feels. It’s like an ache, wanting to see him every minute, dreaming about him constantly.” She shrugged and laughed. “And after all that nonsense about being my own woman? I’ve finally met the man I want to spend the rest of my life with. I want to be his wife and bear him children. Oh, Dorothy.” Ella covered her face, embarrassed by her openness. “I love him so much.”

  Dorothy reached across to take her hand. “Look at me, Ella. I said Lucas is fond of you and I believe that to be true. As I also said, I believe I learned something about his character in the short time we spent together the other day. And while he didn’t deny the years of yearning for Woomba, I don’t think for one minute that is now his goal.”

  “I would love to believe that. I am beginning to wish I’d never bought this place.”

  “No, please don’t say that! You’ve turned it into a marvelous success.”

  “But if I didn’t own it, I’d have nothing to fear, would I? If I’d met Lucas under different circumstances there would be none of this confusion. Oh, why did he not say he wasn’t interested in Woomba when you broached the subject…why, Dorothy?”

  “I don’t know dear. Lucas is a complex man.”

  Ella smiled wryly. “Ironic isn’t it? I thought I would bring him to his knees, when it is the other way round. Here I am weak-kneed just talking about him!”

  “Yes, well, you know I had my doubts when you declared you’d never belong to another man…” She shrugged. “If you succeed in making him fall in love with you, which can hardly be considered a sufferance, you will be hooking the most eligible bachelor for miles, my dear. Now, come, cheer up. I hate to leave you in a sad state, but I must go. I’ve heard there is a limited supply of diesel at the docks and I want some!” She smiled. “Don’t look so anxious, Ella. All will be well.”

  “I hope you’re right, dear friend. He is coming to dinner tonight and I will tell him how I feel and blow the consequences. Yes, that’s what I’ll do. ‘Lucas,’ I’ll say as he walks through the door, ‘I love you and want to bear your children.’”

  Dorothy bent over with laughter. “Steady does it, Ella!”

  They embraced warmly. Dorothy began pushing the bike to the gate. Jack rushed to open it and Dorothy smiled her thanks. “I’ll start it in the lane,” she said. “Don’t want to frighten the horses.”

  Ella watched her mount the machine, start it, and in a cloud of blue smoke accompanied by much noise, disappear from view.

  “Wow, Miz Ella,” Jack said. “I sure would like one of those machines.”

  Ella ruffled his hair. “You save all your money then, Jack.”

  »»•««

  Ella couldn’t wait for the working day to end. With an extra order to fulfill, the three worked until two o’clock when at last everything was finished.

  “The bottles are stacked in crates ready for the morning delivery, Miz Ella,” Jack said. “I’ll be in early.”

  “Good lad. Leave the press, Coralee, I’ll do that. You’ve worked hard today. Off you both go. See you tomorrow.”

  Left on her own, Ella sluiced the press with water from the boiler, washed the cloths, and hung them up.

  “Now,” she said, unbuttoning her dress. “A swim.”

  She swam until the water no longer felt cold. Climbing from the lake, she was completely unaware of the eyes watching from the trees. Humming happily, her dress wrapped around her, she walked back to the house and once inside, slid the bolt across.

  After hanging her damp dress and donning her dressing gown, she returned to the kitchen to start preparing dinner. Slicing a loin of lamb and vegetables into a dish, she made a fresh tomato and chili sauce which she poured over the mix and then slid it into the oven, along with a dish of potatoes coated in oil and garlic. Lastly she opened a jar of Dorothy’s peaches and mixed them with chopped fresh pears.

  After setting her kitchen table with a white cloth and napkins along with a pair of silver candlesticks from the parlor, Ella stood back, pleased with the result.

  In her bedroom she opened her chest drawer, taking out one of the sets of French underwear made by Molly Rusting. Slipping them on, surveying herself in the mirror, she caught her breath. The thought of Lucas ever seeing her dressed so, alarmed yet excited her.

  She quickly took the blue brocade dress from its hanger and slipped it over her head. It fit perfectly, slim in style, and with capped sleeves and scooped neckline it showed off her tanned skin. She brushed her hair vigorously and left it loose. Evening was fast approaching. The smells from the oven made her stomach rumble and Ella returned to the kitchen. “At this time of the year, so close to Christmas,” Dorothy had once told her when Ella complained her timepiece had stopped being reliable, “you can tell the time by the setting sun.”

  Ella glanced out the window to the west and reckoned there was a couple of hours or so to go before darkness at half past seven. Excitement mounted. He would be here in less than half an hour.

  She lifted her hair off her neck and let it fall. “Oh, dear. Do calm down Ella!”

  About to check on the oven, alerted by the sound of footsteps on the porch, Ella smiled. He was early.

  She smoothed her hands down over her dress. He must be as eager as me, she thought.

  “Lucas!” Wrenching the door open, Ella’s heart almost stopped on seeing the bulky figure of the black-haired stranger on her porch. Realizing at once he was the man she’d seen on the lane whom Lucas had warned her about, she tried to slam the door shut, but she wasn’t quick enough. He put his large foot out, wedging it open, and Ella cried out in terror, trying desperately to close it. But it was a hopeless gesture.

  “Stop it. Get out of my house at once!” Ella shouted. “You brute!”

  He laughed, showing ugly yellow teeth. “Brute, eh? That’s what you think of old Slugger, is it?” And he pushed the door open with such force that Ella staggered back, her body slamming against the wall. He held the door tight against her.

  “Ow!” Ella gasped, the breath almost knocked out of her.

  Slugger released the pressure. He was breathing heavily. “Well now me little beauty, so where do we go from here, eh?” He licked his lips and Ella tried to contain the rising panic, knowing that if she showed fear, this man would be urged on by it.

  “I’m expecting someone,” she said. Her voice shook but she carried on. “He’ll be here any moment so you had better leave.”

  “Is that right? Well, let me guess who it is, eh? Mr. Bigshot Helm, I bet.” He laughed, clearly enjoying himself. “Well I got here first didn’t I?” And he kic
ked the door. Just before it banged shut Ella managed to scream at the top of her voice, so hard it hurt her vocal chords. “Lucas!”

  Slugger appeared to like that. He laughed heartily, pushing her down the hallway into the first door he came to, her parlor.

  “No use callin’ for ’im,” he said. “He won’t ’ear yer.” He closed the door, his leering gaze all over her body.

  “Get out of here, now,” Ella said calmly, breathing evenly. “If you leave quietly, I won’t report you. No one will know you’ve been here.”

  “Is that right? People like you and Helm are fond of giving orders around ’ere, but I ain’t taking notice, girlie. Now come ’ere and give Slugger a little kiss with those juicy lips.” And he lunged, pushing her down on the sofa. Ella kicked and fought viciously, yelling, kicking, tugging at his hair, but she was no match for the weight of him on top of her. Sobbing with frustration and fear, she knew her strength was ebbing away. But the feel of Slugger’s coarse, odious hand sliding up her leg filled her with desperation, and she managed one last frantic scream before a huge hand clamped across her mouth.

  I’m lost, Ella thought despairingly. I can do no more.

  Lucas, she cried silently. Help me.

  »»•««

  Lucas walked out onto his veranda and Jonnie laughed, letting out a long whistle. “Wow, Boss, you look a cool, handsome dude tonight, for sure!”

  Lucas grinned, though he felt as nervous as a skittered calf. He’d bathed in the tub, scrubbed and shaved his face, and lathered his hair. Dressed in brown suede leather trousers and a white linen shirt with his best boots, he hoped he wasn’t overdoing it. But heck, he really wanted to impress Ella.

  The smile suddenly slid off his face. “What the hell…Did you hear that?”

  “What?”

  “Listen.”

  On the still night air, an unmistakable shrill faint scream drifted over, and Lucas’ blood ran cold.

  “Jeez!” Jonnie said.

  “Ella!” Lucas said. He started running, his heart pounding with fear. With Jonnie running behind him he thrashed through the woodland, cleared the fencing, and raced up the paddock toward the house. Lucas could hear Ella now, shouting out for help, and terror made him breathless, already suspecting the cause of her distress. Bounding onto the porch and crashing the door open, he ran into the hallway.