by Jane Corrie
Vicky frowned. 'I only saw Pete once,' she repeated slowly, and her brow cleared as the answer came to her. 'Pete was trying to make Ella jealous,' she explained to Mary. 'He's been courting her for about a year, and Ella was terrified her father would find out.' She sighed. 'I suppose Pete laid it on with a trowel, using me as a cover-up, and to put Ella's father off the scent.' She hesitated. `As for me—well, I had my own reasons for falling
in with his schemes.' Her eyes met Mary's. 'And it wasn't a plan to make Ross jealous,' she added meaningly.
Mary's brows lifted as she digested this news. Then she said thoughtfully, 'Well, that makes more sense than the drivel bandied around about you and Pete. We had the devil of a job keeping your father from hearing the gossip. Being confined to the office made it a lot easier for us,' she added. `You know how the hands talk.' She looked at Vicky. 'How did you find out about Ella and Pete?' she asked.
Vicky gave a wry smile. 'Ella told me herself. She was on the warpath,' she said. 'Told me in no uncertain terms to keep to my own backyard. She also told me Pete was only stirring things up to make her make up her mind about marrying him.'
Mary considered this for a moment, but it was plain that she was having trouble coming to terms with the news. 'Ella might have been doing a little stirring on her own account, have you thought of that?' she asked Vicky.
`I don't see ' began Vicky, then light dawned
and she felt a stab of pain in her heart region. 'You mean—all the time—?' she couldn't go on.
Mary nodded. 'It makes a lot more sense than Ella falling for Pete Noonan. She probably only egged him on to give Ross a push in the right direction. Your going out with Pete released Ross from his obligation to you. She must have been a trifle disappointed when he didn't beat a path to her doorway,' she added significantly.
A haze of misery descended over Vicky. It was feasible, too feasible, and was very probably the truth.
When Mary got up a few minutes later to start the dinner, Vicky knew a sense of release. Her world had been turned upside down by a few words from Mary, whose outlook was that much more acute than Vicky's. She had seen what Vicky had failed to see, although sense had told her at the very beginning of the matter that Ella was too sensible to fall for Pete Noonan. Handsome as he was, the old saying of 'handsome is as handsome does' might well apply in his case.
She went over her interview with Ella the day she had come to see her at Jarra. Could she have been acting a part? A part so convincing as to completely fool Vicky? Vicky shook her head. She knew that she was inexperienced in the wiles of love, but somehow she could not see what Ella had to gain by lying to her. Surely it was to her benefit to keep quiet about her feelings for Pete? Unless jealousy drove her to act as she had, she had no reason otherwise to declare her interest.
Her thoughts raced on. What if she had been stringing Pete along in the hope of bringing Ross to heel? Wouldn't the fact that Pete had turned elsewhere for solace bring about such a furious reaction? She shook her head wearily. That was stupid. How could she make Ross jealous if he didn't know about her and Pete? No one knew, it was pointless.
Vicky's head ached. She was getting nowhere
fast. Nothing made sense any more. There was one fact that could not be denied: Ross loved Ella. Mary had been right in that, and Vicky should have been content with that. It was what she had suspected for a long time—only Ella loved Pete. No matter what Mary had said, she still believed that to be the truth. There would be precious little happiness for either Ross or Vicky in the future.
She tried to imagine what would happen when Ross caught up with them. That he would, she had no doubt at all, and what he would say to Ella to make her change her mind and return with him. Would he tell her that he loved her and that he would marry her?
Her breath caught in a sob. Ross could be very convincing when he set his mind to it. He didn't believe in failure. She closed her eyes. Ella was no different from any other girl—how could she refuse him? Would her love for Pete stand firm against such overwhelming odds? To be Ross's wife, with all the benefits and wealth that included. Vicky saw Ella's expression again, as she spoke of the difficulties ahead of her and Pete. It was those difficulties that had made her hover on the brink for so long. In love she might be, but she was sensible enough to know that you cannot live on love alone.
Yes, Ella would come back with Ross. Vicky was convinced of it.
CHAPTER TEN
As no news was expected for the rest of that day, Vicky tried to put the whole thing out of her mind, but this proved impossible. What with her father's and Jake and Mary's comments during dinner that evening, going over the news and what George Waden's reaction would be, her own unhappy musings were not allowed to sink into oblivion.
The following morning, Vicky tried to put a brave face on things. She even managed to eat her breakfast and carry out her normal tasks, although inside her there was a great yawning gap of loss, and that which might have been had things been different.
As the morning hours slipped away, the tension inside her mounted, and was intensified each time she saw Mary glance at the clock on the window ledge of the kitchen and could gauge her thoughts. Surely they would hear something soon?
Each time the telephone rang, Vicky would steel herself for the news of Ross and Ella's arrival back at Albury, but the calls turned out to be routine ones that concerned the running of the station, and she would have to force herself to relax again.
By eleven-thirty, Vicky could bear the suspense no longer. She knew what the news would be, but had not the courage to be present when it came
through. Had Mary not known that she loved Ross, things would have been easier for her. Somehow she would have bluffed her way through, but Mary did know, and that was ten times worse for Vicky.
`Want anything in town?' she asked Mary, deciding to take the coward's way out and make herself scarce.
Mary's soft, understanding reply of, Not that I can think of, but you might pick up some magazines for me,' said more than any words of sympathy, telling Vicky that she knew how she felt.
Within a few minutes Vicky was on her way, only relaxing as the car headed towards the boundary gates. She didn't particularly want to go into town, but it was as good an excuse as any other, and would certainly take her out of the vicinity until late that afternoon.
In the event, Vicky was glad that she had stuck to her plan of visiting the town, because she ran into Aunt May in the main street, and accepted her offer of having lunch with her at a nearby café.
While she listened to Aunt May's light conversation, and how life was treating her, which by all accounts was very well, Vicky found herself having to suppress a smile at the half-forgotten way that she would dodge from one subject to another—a habit that used to infuriate her father in the old days. He would declare after she had gone that it was like taking a ride on a roller-coaster, you got breathless trying to catch up with the flow of words.
They were doing very nicely when Aunt May suddenly brought up the subject Vicky was trying to forget. 'Is it true you're not going to marry Ross?' she demanded, and as was her way, went on to answer her own question. 'I said it was all a malicious rumour put about by hopeful mothers,' she declared roundly, 'and so I told Bill. Really! some folk have nothing better to do than to make up stories—it's wishful thinking, that's all!'
It took a while for Vicky to get the message that it was not a rumour through to her, and just as long for Aunt May to take it in. Even then, she didn't believe it. 'Nonsense!' she said firmly, and patted Vicky's hand 'It will work out, you'll see,' she added confidentially.
At this point Vicky gave up. She did not feel equal to the task of dissuading her aunt. She would hear the news of Ross's marriage to Ella soon enough, and she changed the subject by asking her if the flat above the shop was still empty, and having received confirmation of this, then told her of her plan to take some sort of a job, and could she use the flat while she looked around for so
mething?
The news flummoxed Aunt May for a second, but she rallied well. 'Are you sure you want a job?' she asked, and for once, waited for Vicky's answer.
On assuring her that she did want a job, Aunt May said, 'No need to look around. Come into the shop with me. It will be company for me. I've been thinking of getting someone in, but you know how
it IS, I didn't fancy strangers.'
Vicky thanked her warmly and accepted without hesitation. She would have accepted a road sweeping job at that particular time in her life—she so badly needed something to do that was different and would take her mind off her troubles.
With that settled and a starting date given, in a week's time, to give Aunt May time to clear out the flat, and Aunt May refusing to hear of Vicky giving some assistance, Vicky felt that at last she was getting a break, and was even able to face going back to Dale's Creek. She had got a job, and somewhere to live. What was better, she was being given a breathing space, and above all this, her privacy.
Mary would understand, she thought after she had taken leave of her aunt, and would be a useful ally in persuading her father not to put up any opposition.
The thought of Mary reminded her to get the magazines, and after she had made the purchase she started back for home.
It was four o'clock by the time Vicky reached the boundaries of Dale's Creek, and she automatically slowed down her mileage rate, loath to go back into the homestead, where by now some news must have got through.
Mary was in the kitchen preparing yet another meal, and smiled at Vicky as she wandered into the kitchen. There was no need to ask the question that Vicky dreaded the answer to, for Mary said quietly, 'They're back—got home around two-ish.
Mr Waden's coming back by plane. Ross said it was a pity that he had to hear about it, but Mrs Richards left a message for him at his hotel before she called Ross.'
Vicky absentmindedly picked up a few of the fresh peas waiting to be put into the pan and slowly chewed them, and would have reached for more had not Mary whisked the bowl away quickly. `Anything I can do?' Vicky asked dully, and at Mary's reply that all was in hand, and had she remembered to bring her magazines? to which Vicky replied 'yes', she went to get them for her.
As she got the magazines out of the car, Vicky was not aware of her actions. All she could hear was Mary's quiet, 'They're back' statement. The words should not have given her quite such a blow as they had, and until that moment she had not realised how much she had been hoping for a miracle. Ross had succeeded in persuading Ella to marry him, just as she had thought he would.
So much for romance! she thought bitterly, as she went back into the homestead, and she felt sorry for Pete, who must be feeling pretty sick right now. Not only was he out of a job, but out of luck in love as well.
After dinner that evening, Vicky's father and Jake settled down to a game of cards, and Vicky and Mary got out their knitting, but in spite of these outward activities, there was a hush of expectancy in the room.
No more news had come from Albury, but they all knew of George Waden's return, but what had
ensued since then was only known by the participants in the affair, and it was highly unlikely that any more news would be forthcoming until things were settled.
To Vicky's way of thinking, this meant Ross and Ella's marriage in the very near future, and in an effort to put this out of her mind, she told Mary of her meeting with Aunt May, and how she had been offered a job in the shop, plus accommodation, and that she had accepted the offer.
Normally this news would have caused a furore from her father and a lift of the brows from Mary, but they were both so immersed in the drama that they envisaged taking place at Albury that it hardly caused a ripple of interest, and Vicky, getting over her first annoyance at the sudden loss of interest in her affairs, knew a sense of relief. She had told them, and with a little luck she should meet no opposition.
When the phone rang, there was nearly a collision at the door as Mary and her father went to answer it, and Gordon Dale won the race. A few minutes later he came back into the room and shook his head at the hopeful enquiring looks from Mary and Jake. 'Only Jeff ringing in to say he's back from town,' he said regretfully.
The clear sound of a motor in the distance and heading their way sent Gordon Dale to the window, although by now it was quite dark, and as it neared the homestead, Vicky, recognising the heavy throb of Ross's Land Rover, gathered up her knitting with efficient speed and muttering
something about getting them some coffee, made her escape towards the kitchen to avoid meeting Ross.
It would be better for all concerned if she were out of the way, she thought, for she was certain that she knew the reason for Ross's call—not that he would come out with it in front of Mary and Jake, but he would, take her father through to the office for a private chat.
Ross was a stickler for doing the right thing. He would feel that he owed Vicky's father an explanation in the face of his coming engagement to Ella.
Vicky sighed as she made a half-hearted attempt to get the coffee on. It was all so unnecessary. Her father was well aware by now that the old agreement no longer stood, and she hoped that he wouldn't make things difficult for Ross.
She heard the car door slam, and then the front door open and the sound of voices in the hall, but she could not hear what was said.
The next minute she quite clearly heard Ross growl, 'Where is she?' and before she could finish filling up the percolator, a task she had belatedly begun to give herself something to do, his large form stood framing the kitchen door.
Her startled glance went from his blazing eyes to her father's perplexed expression as he stood behind Ross. 'How's George taking it, Ross?' asked her father, unable to work out why Ross should wish to see Vicky before imparting the news they were all waiting to hear.
`Later, Gordon,' Ross said grimly, and strode
into the kitchen, firmly closing the door behind him and leaving her father on the other side of the door.
Vicky had a nasty feeling that she was about to be blamed for the whole thing. Ella had told him of her co-operation in keeping silent, no doubt. Her eyes met Ross's furious ones. She was not afraid of him She had kept her word to Ella and would do so again in the same circumstances.
`Got a bit of explaining to do, haven't you?' Ross asked in a silky voice, planting his feet apart and folding his arms over his chest in an attitude that told Vicky that she was going nowhere until he had finished with her.
`I don't know what you're talking about,' Vicky lied. She did not know how much Ella had told him, and it would be asking for trouble to volunteer more than was necessary. Her eyes warily watched him as she tried to work out why he was so furious with her. No harm had been done. He'd got what he wanted, hadn't he? Why should he take this attitude towards her? He ought to be thanking her, not berating her!
`I'm trying to keep my hands off you,' he said grimly. Any more of the innocent line and I'll give you the hiding I've been wanting to give you for the last twenty-four hours. How the devil do you think I felt when I caught up with that precious pair?' he demanded furiously. 'If it hadn't been for Ella I would have made a first class fool of myself—as it was, she only just stopped me from altering Noonan's features.'
Vicky stared at him and blinked hard. What on earth was he on about? Apparently he hadn't hurt Pete, and that was something. Losing Ella must have been hard enough without requiring first aid, too, she thought.
To give herself time to give a suitable answer, she switched on the connection to the percolator. `Leave that!' shouted Ross.
Vicky reluctantly did as she was told and turned back to face him. 'Because I knew about Pete and Ella?' she asked quietly. 'Is that what you mean?'
Ross drew in a deep breath as if praying for patience. 'That,' he said softly, 'and a few other things, such as the big affair you were supposed to be having with Noonan.'
Vicky blinked again, then remembered what Mary had said about the go
ssip. 'Oh, that,' she said simply. 'I guess that was something Pete put around,' and not liking the look in Ross's eyes, she added hastily, 'You did say he had an ulterior motive, didn't you?' hating both Ross and Ella. So she was being blamed, she thought bitterly. Even though he had got what he wanted, he still hadn't been able to resist having a go at her. She wished miserably that she had had an affair with Pete—not that it was any of this hateful man's business. `What right had you to interfere, anyway?' she demanded furiously, speaking her thoughts aloud.
`Squatter's rights!' he fairly shouted at her. 'I should have used them weeks ago, and by heaven, I'm going to use them now!'
Vicky stared at him, her eyes widening as she
tried to come to terms with this extraordinary statement. She knew what squatter's rights were well enough, but for the life of her she couldn't see what they had to do with her.
`Think about it,' Ross advised her grimly. 'As for Noonan's motive, how the hell was I to know that you were part of the conspiracy? I only knew that Noonan had taken what belonged to me, and what was more, had deliberately used you as a cover-up, and no way was he going to get away with that. Ella was welcome to him after I'd finished with him,' he added grimly.
Vicky stood rooted to the spot, her heart was thudding painfully against her ribs. Her confused mind tried to make sense of what Ross was saying. He had said that she belonged to him--that Ella was welcome to Pete—He'd only gone after them because of her, not because he loved Ella!
A dawning sense of wonder filled her being and crept into her eyes, but she wouldn't let herself believe—not yet. She couldn't bear it if she were wrong.
