A Chance of Stormy Weather

by Tricia Stringer

  It was getting late and by the time she reached the dirt turn-off, the sun was setting. Ideas for Dara’s business were still dancing in her head and she had gone some distance before reality hit. She had never driven herself out here in the dark. She peered ahead, looking for something to give her a clue about the right roads to take. It all looked so different in the gathering darkness and as the last bit of light left the sky, she stopped. The headlights pierced the dark of the road ahead but all around her was blackness.

  She turned off the radio. The car was warm and purred as gently as a cat. Overhead a thousand stars twinkled in the night sky. She was all alone out here. For all she knew she was the only person left in the world. She slid down in the driver’s seat. What should she do?

  In the distance she could see the glow of headlights. She sat up, her confidence returning. Perhaps she could stop whoever it was and ask directions. She watched. The lights moved but didn’t ever seem to get any closer. Off to her right she could see another set moving slowly. She thumped the steering wheel. Tractors! They were bloody tractors going round and round in paddocks. Miserably she watched their progress then noticed a third one out in the distance in front of her. She was surrounded by machines but they were no help.

  The lights of the tractor in front disappeared and reappeared. Each time it looked to be closer. She stared hard. The lights flashed at her. It wasn’t a tractor, it was a car and it was coming along the road towards her. She searched the dash and found the hazard lights, hoping the driver would stop and be able to give her directions. A familiar battered old ute pulled up across the road from her and a gangly young man got out.

  Paula jumped out of her car. “Tom!”

  “Is that you, Paula?”

  “Thank goodness. It got dark so quickly and I couldn’t find my way.”

  “Lucky it was me that came along. You might want to dip those lights. People get a bit aggro around here when drivers use high beam.”

  “Oh.” Paula ducked down and searched the dash again. “Sorry, Tom, I’m not used to this car yet.”

  “Is this old Mrs Johnson’s car? I thought it would have been sold by now.” Tom ran his hand over the roof. “It sure is a nice car.”

  “Yes, but it’s got a silly driver who can’t find her way home.”

  “You’ve come a long way past the first turn-off but there are several ways to your place. Follow me and I’ll take you back this way.” He jerked his thumb over his shoulder. “Do you want me to call Dan on the two-way…”

  “No.” Paula jumped in. “He might not be home yet.”

  “Oh, I think he will be.” Tom lowered his eyes and poked the dirt with his boot. “He was going in for tea, he said, then having an early night.”

  Paula’s shoulders slumped. Dan had probably calmed down and wanted to talk and she wasn’t home. She pulled open the car door. “Well in that case we’d better get going. I’ve got his dinner in the back.”

  She waited while Tom turned the ute around and cursed her own stupidity for leaving town so late. Now not only Tom knew about her losing her way but Dan would as well and then probably Rowena. She should have told Tom to radio ahead. The whole district would know soon enough.

  After some distance and a few sharp turns, Tom pulled over into a driveway. Paula didn’t recognise her own gatepost until she pulled up beside him. He wound down his window and she waved her thanks. She hadn’t worked out the window buttons yet.

  She drove on alone down the corrugated driveway and pulled the car into the empty shed. There were lights on in the house but none outside so she had to feel her way in the dark. The thought of the mice that could still be scurrying around made her hurry and she caught her toe in a crack near the back door. She juggled the curry, lost her balance and hit the door with a thump. Straightening up, and with the food safe, she opened the back door into the verandah at the same time as Dan burst through from the house.

  “Paula!” The relief on his face quickly changed to a frown. “Where have you been? I’ve been ringing all over the place. I was worried you were in a ditch somewhere. Jim should never have let you have that car, it’s not practical.”

  Paula stiffened. Her beloved Dan was sounding just like her father. “I left you a note. I was…”

  “I know. I’ve only just found that. But I had tried to call you on the two-way several times during the day and eventually Fred Martin replied and said you were in town working at Jim’s.”

  “Who is Fred Martin? And how does he know me?” Paula tried to think of the male customers she’d served at Jim’s. Most of them had introduced themselves but she didn’t remember any Fred Martin.

  “He doesn’t know you but his wife Jackie was in town shopping and she ran into a friend, who had heard that you were at Jim’s.”

  “Well, if you knew where I was, why were you so worried?” Paula was suddenly weary. This wasn’t the evening she had planned.

  “When I got in it was dark and you weren’t here. I found your note then saw your parents’ things were gone and I wondered how you were getting home. I rang Jim and he said he’d loaned you that fool of a car that used to belong to…”

  “Old Mrs Johnson.” Paula said it for him and wondered if there had ever been a time in Mrs Johnson’s life when she hadn’t been old.

  “Anyway, Jim said you’d left hours ago.”

  “I went to Dara’s for coffee and a chat and I picked up some curry.” She waved the container in his face and stepped past him into the passage. She was tired and cold. It was embarrassing to get lost but now she was just plain angry.

  Dan followed her to the kitchen. “I rang Dara, she said you’d left just before dark. That’s nearly two hours ago. The roads are pretty rough with the rain and that car isn’t…”

  Paula banged the cupboard shut and turned to glower at Dan with a saucepan in her hand. “All right! I forgot the time. It was getting late and I got lost. Luckily Tom came along and showed me the way home.”

  They glared at each other across the kitchen. Paula lifted the saucepan. Silence surrounded them, then Dan’s serious face broke into a grin.

  “Well now, little lady,” he said in that dreadful American accent. “You weren’t gunna throw that pan at me, were ya?”

  Paula looked down at the saucepan in her hands then back at his beaming face. Who could resist his smile and soppy charm? She grinned. “Any more questions and I might. You were sounding like my father.”

  He crossed the room in two strides and wrapped her in his arms. “I’m sorry about last night. I behaved badly. Your parents must think I’m a real country hick with no manners who can’t look after their daughter.”

  Paula struggled from his embrace. “Now let’s get some things straight. My parents are always interfering and this time they just went too far…oh!”

  “What’s the matter?”

  “The oven was supposed to be delivered today. I forgot all about it.”

  “Don’t worry, if they’d have brought it there would be a box at our back door. Pearson’s Electrical are notorious for not turning up when they say.”

  Paula looked earnestly at Dan. “I didn’t ask my parents to get a stove.”

  “I know, but they’re right. Rowena said the same thing. I should have been more organised and had the kitchen usable at least.”

  “It is. I just need more practice. Thank goodness for Dara.”

  “That’s another thing, I haven’t thought about how you are paying for groceries. And as for a partnership, there are a few financial restraints on the farm at the moment. I wasn’t trying to keep you out. I just don’t think it’s fair to burden you with my obligations.”

  Paula wondered what he meant by obligations but she didn’t want to spoil the moment with more questions. She put her hand to his lips. “It doesn’t matter right now. We’ll sort it out. Don’t try to take over from my father. I’m your wife, not your child.”

  He held her at arms-length and looked into her eyes for a m
inute. Then he slowly drew her towards him.

  “In that case, wife, I’ve got the fire going in the lounge,” he whispered in her ear. “It wouldn’t take long to fill the bath and there’s a bottle of wine in the fridge.”

  “Don’t open it for me.” Paula found it hard to concentrate as he nibbled on her ear. “But I’d love a soak in the bath.” She snuggled in close and sighed as he shuffled her backwards to the door. The one good thing about arguing was the pleasure of making up.

  CHAPTER

  13

  Paula was up early the next morning having breakfast with Dan and scribbling notes on a pad.

  “You are taking this job seriously. Do you think Jim will want you this early in the morning?” Dan asked between bites of toast.

  “I don’t have to be in till ten. I’m working on an idea for Dara’s place.”

  “What kind of idea?” Dan raised an eyebrow.

  “A way for her to earn more of a living from her business. Would you say you get many tourists in this area?”

  “Not really. They tend to go to the coast. It’s a half-hour drive the other side of town and the main highway goes straight there. There’s no need to come this way.”

  “What things could entice them this way? I mean, besides good accommodation and food.”

  “We’re all farmers trying to make a living. There’s nothing special here.”

  “Dara had some beautiful hand-knitted jumpers. She said a Monica someone did them.”

  “Monica Brown? She and her husband have a farm nearer town. She has a merino stud. I’ve heard she does all kinds of things with the wool. Spins and dyes it herself. Then I guess there’s that alternative couple out the other side. Hobby farmers. They’re supposed to be growing all kinds of flowers. I haven’t been there but lavender is the main thing I think. There are other farms about that specialise.”

  “City people are interested in farm life. They don’t usually get to see it close up.”

  “What, the mud and the shit and the mice? I’m sure they’ll be flocking to see it.” Dan laughed and kissed her head. “Speaking of which, I’d better get back to it. Promise me you’ll drive carefully and get Jim to swap that car for something useful.”

  Paula stood up and started to clear away the table. “I’ll be fine, Dan.”

  He kissed her again, on the lips this time, and she felt her toes curling.

  “You’d better go or neither of us will get to work.”

  “I’m away.” Dan gave her a wink and left. Paula hummed to herself and picked up the bag of bread they’d opened for breakfast. The door swung in behind her and Dan stepped just inside.

  “Perhaps you’d better crumble that and leave a trail so you can find your way home again tonight.”

  She pulled a face and threw the bag at his departing back.

  * * *

  Paula was pleased with herself. It had been a good week and she had achieved so much. Jim’s office ran well. Thanks to the absent Heather’s good practises, Paula had only a few suggestions to help improve the running of the place. Her main job had been to catch it up. It was Friday and Heather was recovering and due back at work on Monday so Paula was making sure all was in order for her return.

  Pearson’s Electrical was between Jim’s and the post office so there had been time to pop in and look at the stove her father had ordered. Surprisingly, Paula quite liked it. She would have preferred the metallic finish instead of white but it would match the fridge and freezer and the brand was reputable. For once she agreed with his choice. If they didn’t deliver by next week she’d get the dual cab and pick it up herself.

  At least it had been a conversation point when her mother had rung to say they’d arrived home safely and Susan was still in one piece. Paula had jokingly reported that the stove’s progress was no closer than Susan’s baby. She was able to avoid discussing anything more serious and nothing was said about the financial papers her father had left. Diane sounded the same as always and asked a barrage of questions about the progress of seeding, the mice and Dara’s shop before Paula had finally been able to end the call.

  At the post office she’d managed to smooth the waters with Marg, who assured Paula that the roadside delivery was organised and would begin next week. Yes, Paula thought to herself, a most productive week.

  “All ready to leave me, I see.” She looked up into Jim’s kind face, smiling at her over the counter.

  “Well, not quite. I’ll come back after lunch for a while but I did want to talk with you, if you’ve got a minute.”

  “Of course.” Jim, with his trademark checked coat flapping over his ample tummy, came round the counter and pulled up a chair beside her.

  “I am an accountant, or at least I was in another life and…”

  “You’re kidding. You mean I’ve had an accountant here answering the phone and running to the post office. Wait till I tell the wife. I expect you’ll want more pay.”

  “No, nothing like that. I don’t want to meddle with your financial advisor, but I did notice a couple of things among your records that you could be doing smarter, and they’d save you money.”

  Jim was most interested in her suggestions and planned to follow them up with his accountant. Paula was pleased. There were just a couple more things she wanted to achieve before she went home today. Next stop was Dara’s for lunch.

  In between answering Jim’s phone and doing the paperwork, she had kept her ear to the ground about local industry and points of interest. She had put together an idea for Dara’s business and today she was going to show her friend the plan.

  The winter sun was shining, but there was a dull feel to the day and the distant skyline was a murky grey. The weather didn’t dampen her spirits as Paula set off for Dara’s, hugging her coat close and humming as she walked, head down into the wind.

  “Hello, Paula. It looks like rain, can I give you a lift?” Katherine Melton was certainly capable of changing her mood. She was dressed immaculately, as usual. Today, she wore black trousers and a blood-red turtleneck jumper, under a long leather coat. She carried a briefcase and stood in the middle of the footpath, in front of Paula.

  “No, thanks Katherine, I’m only going as far as Dara’s. I’ll be fine.”

  “Have you been enjoying your little job at Jim’s? Nice of him to get you off that farm. I suppose Dan is up to his usual workaholic frenzy.” She smiled slowly like a cat who had just found a mouse.

  Paula squinted up at Katherine. There was grit in the air and it was affecting her eyes. “We’re both busy. I must keep going.” She went to step around Katherine, who moved to block her way.

  “Just a minute. I see your father has had some kind of agreement drawn up regarding the farm.”

  “That’s none of your business.”

  Katherine lowered her face closer to Paula’s. “You may think you’ve snared a fortune in property but you can’t cut me out that easily. There are some ties stronger than money.”

  She glowered at Paula for a minute, then turned briskly away and walked towards her car, leaving Paula standing alone on the footpath. Paula’s anger at Katherine shifted to Rex. What on earth had been in that paperwork that had raised Katherine’s hackles?

  She rolled her shoulders, physically trying to rid herself of Katherine’s oppressive presence, and watched as the sleek silver Pajero pulled away from the footpath. Suddenly the anger left her and she had the urge to giggle. One thing a week at Jim’s has taught you, girl, you know your vehicles now. A month ago, she wouldn’t have known one four-wheel drive from another.

  Paula continued on her way as another blast of grit stung her face and Katherine’s Pajero roared away down the road. Then she imagined Katherine going through the files reading their personal information. How dare she pry into paperwork that was none of her business. Perhaps Paula had been hasty in casting the papers aside. She should at least read what her father had drawn up. She didn’t have to act on it. What had Katherine meant about some ti
es being stronger than money?

  Paula shuddered, but not from the chilly wind. Katherine’s tone had been menacing. She didn’t want to mention the meeting to Dan but who else could she ask about Katherine? She didn’t know Jane well enough and she certainly couldn’t ask Rowena. Maybe there was a way she could broach the subject with Dara.

  Paula hurried across the street and into Dara’s welcoming shop. Wonderful spicy savoury smells reached her as soon as she clattered through the door.

  “Well, look what the cat dragged in.” Dara chuckled from the middle of her shop where she was arranging stacks of brightly coloured woven baskets.

  “You might say the cat spat me out,” Paula replied with a grin.

  Dara’s dark eyebrows arched. “Don’t tell me Jim’s turned into a tyrant on your last day.”

  “Oh, no, nothing like that.” Paula ran her fingers through her hair and glanced towards the window. “It’s very stormy looking outside. Do you think we’ll get any rain?”

  “Now, there speaks a farmer’s wife, hopeful of getting her man off the tractor.” Dara’s bracelets tinkled with her laugh as she beckoned Paula. “Come into the kitchen. My man is home already and has promised to mind the shop for the afternoon. We can look at this proposal of yours uninterrupted.”

  They ate lentil burgers garnished with fennel, chilli sauce and sour cream and Paula laid out her plan around them on the kitchen table. Chris kept one ear on her explanation in between serving and when Paula finished he was the first to speak.

  “You have put a lot of homework into this, Paula. I had no idea it would be possible for us to make an income from bed and breakfast.”

  “That would be the icing on the cake, Chris. It’s your food. That’s the drawcard. You and Dara have a wonderful talent for producing fresh, wholesome country food with the odd multicultural touch.” Paula hesitated and glanced from one to the other. “I hope you’re not offended by my suggestion of an improved coffee machine.”