A Chance of Stormy Weather

by Tricia Stringer

In their own yard, they worked together to unload the wood and stack it. The pup darted around between them sniffing at every scrap of wood and barking, before he disappeared into a dense patch of bush and weeds on the other side of the woodpile.

  Paula looked up at the sound of several quick barks.

  “He’s probably found a mouse,” Dan said.

  There was a loud rustling in the bushes and another little bark.

  “Perhaps he’s lost in the jungle.” Paula peered into the tangle of ivy and weeds.

  Suddenly the pup’s tail emerged near her feet, then his back and eventually the rest of him was revealed, pulling backwards on something he held in his mouth.

  “If that’s the jungle,” Dan chuckled, “I think we’ve just found Tarzan.”

  The pup had backed right out of the bushes now and was dragging a large ivy vine. His back legs propped as he pulled and worried at the vine, trying to drag it out further.

  They both laughed as the pup continued to tug and pull at the vine, sometimes swinging off its feet.

  “Tarzan it is,” Paula said, happy that they had a name at last.

  “Now, let’s get this wood inside,” Dan said. “I think we’re going to need a nice cosy fire tonight.” His eyes sparkled and he reached for Paula and wrapped her in his arms.

  Whatever secrets those eyes held, Paula didn’t want to know. He was with her now and that was all that mattered.

  CHAPTER

  16

  “You don’t think it’s too much?” Paula stood anxiously watching Dan’s reaction as they looked around their newly painted kitchen in the late afternoon. She had to admit to having second thoughts about the colours she had chosen for the old kitchen cupboards; the drawers were Bistro Green and the doors Blast Blue. Now that it was finished she thought it a bright contrast to the old honey-yellow tiles but she liked the effect all the same.

  There were a lot of cupboards running the length of one wall. Each cupboard had a drawer above it. The colours reflected the blue and green design of the new plates. The old benchtop laminate was off-white and patterned with blue, green and yellow squiggles.

  “You’ve kept everything else cream. It gives the whole room a lift. I don’t think we’ll need to replace the tiles and once we get this old floor polished and some curtains in the window, it will look first rate. Another decorating masterpiece by Mrs Woodcroft.” Dan laughed.

  “I couldn’t have done that ceiling without your help.” They looked up at the patterned pressed tin ceiling high above them. Dan had painted it white over a couple of evenings. Paula knew he was very tired but he’d offered to help out. At least he had been working shorter hours over the last week. Seeding was almost finished. Now they needed rain.

  “I didn’t do much. There’s a lot of wall space you’ve painted and I wouldn’t have the patience to tackle those cupboards. I would have bought new ones.”

  Paula leaned against him. He was warm in an old jumper and trackpants and smelled good from his recent shower. She on the other hand was very tired and still covered in splotches of paint. It had been a busy week of painting and then working on the floor. She’d discovered wonderful wooden boards under the old linoleum and had spent a day uncovering it and cleaning it up. They’d need a sander in but it didn’t look too bad.

  The new stove was installed. Luckily, the electrician had been able to come only a day after it was delivered, which was a minor miracle according to Rowena, who had popped in a couple of times to check the progress of the kitchen.

  Now Paula had no excuse not to cook. Except that she wasn’t keen on the idea. She’d stocked up on Dara’s food this week with a couple of trips into town for decorating supplies.

  As if on cue, Dan patted his stomach. “What’s for tea? I’m starving.”

  Paula looked around at her gleaming kitchen. Once again, she hadn’t thought ahead. There was a freezer full of meat but it was all rock solid. She hadn’t taken anything out to defrost.

  Dan pulled her in close. “I know it looks nice, but it is a kitchen. We are going to use it, aren’t we?”

  She sagged in his arms. “I’m so tired,” she wailed. “How about toasted sandwiches? Or some of Dara’s veggie soup?”

  Dan patted his stomach again. “What happened to feed the man meat?”

  “Now, don’t you start that again.” Paula turned on him and wagged her finger under his nose.

  “Okay, my shout. Why don’t we go into town for a meal at the pub?”

  Paula smiled then turned her head. “Was that a car?”

  Dan listened. “I can’t hear anything. I’ll go and throw on some clean clothes.”

  “I need a shower,” Paula said to his disappearing back. She looked down at her chipped fingernails and paint-splotched hands. Just as well Katherine can’t see those, she mused, then frowned. She hadn’t given Katherine a thought since she’d looked over Rowena’s paperwork last Sunday; why did she have to think of her now and spoil her happy mood?

  Paula looked up as Tarzan gave a long low growl. He got out of his basket and trotted to the passage just outside the kitchen door where he stopped, ears pricked and eyes staring in the direction of the back door. Paula hesitated as he growled another long low rumble. It had to be more than a mouse. Thank goodness Dan was here. She backed towards the door that led to the lounge, planning to sneak through that way to the bedroom.

  There was a loud crash from outside followed by a yell. Paula screamed, Tarzan barked furiously and Dan came running, tucking his fresh blue shirt into his jeans.

  “It’s only us, Paula. Is Dan home yet?”

  Paula raised her eyebrows and Dan shrugged as they recognised Bruce’s voice. There was a bit more scuffling noise and a whispered command. Paula picked up Tarzan and watched as Dan walked out to the verandah to open the back door.

  “Surprise!” A chorus of voices called out.

  Tarzan whimpered and Paula held him close as Bruce pushed past Dan with an esky in one hand and baby James tucked up in the other. Dan stood back as Jane followed with a plate of food and Andrew.

  “Happy house-warming.” She went on into the house as more people followed behind her.

  Dara and Chris came through, loaded with containers. “Happy house-warming,” they echoed.

  “I can’t wait to see all the redecorating.” Dara grinned as she followed after Chris. “Is the kitchen finished?”

  Jim McInerney struggled through the door with a battery in his hands.

  “What’s this, Jim?” Dan asked. “It’s a bit late for house calls.”

  Jim put the battery down against the wall and looked at Paula.

  “I heard about the battery in the Audi. I’m sorry,” he said.

  “It wasn’t your fault,” Paula hastened to reassure him.

  “This is your house-warming gift.” He gave Paula a quick hug before she could reply, then turned to the short plump woman in a flowery dress and navy jacket who stood behind him. “This is my wife, Mary.”

  “Hello, Mary,” Paula said. There wasn’t time for any more conversation as others pushed in through the door. They all greeted Dan and he introduced Paula and they continued on into the house.

  Tom came in grinning shyly, and also loaded down with containers of food.

  “Careful with those cream cakes, Tom.” Rowena was right behind him. She kissed Dan on the cheek.

  “Did you organise this, Rowena?” he asked.

  “Nothing like a good party to brighten things up. Happy house-warming.” She smiled broadly at him, moved on to Paula and went to present her with a parcel. Rowena frowned at Tarzan. “I’ll pop this inside. Now, you might not like it but Dara assures me you can take it back if you don’t. Welcome to Wood Dell.” Rowena leaned in and surprised Paula with a kiss on the cheek then she swept on after Tom.

  “Wood Dell?” Paula looked quizzically at Dan.

  “Gran’s name for this place, I think. It was before my time.”

  Loud voices echoed from the k
itchen.

  “Looks like we’re not going anywhere.” Dan patted his stomach. “I hope there was some decent food in some of those containers.”

  “At least you’re showered and changed.” Paula held out her arms. “Look at me, I’m still covered in paint.”

  “You look beautiful to me.” Dan pulled her close for a hug and sandwiched Tarzan between them as he kissed her.

  “Come on, you two,” Bruce called around the kitchen door. “Time for snogging later. Let’s party.” He waved a can of beer at them.

  Paula tucked Tarzan in his basket and shut the laundry door. She planned to whip up to the bedroom and change before she followed Dan into the kitchen. Someone had found the CD player and disco dance music blared from the lounge.

  “There you are, Paula.” Dara offered a glass of champagne. “Come on, they want to toast the newlyweds.”

  “I want to change first.”

  Dara looked her up and down. “Okay. We can’t have the new bride looking too dishevelled. You go and change and I’ll hold them off.”

  Paula escaped to the bedroom. The bed was in a jumble. Quickly, she straightened the sheets and threw over the quilt. Then she pulled on a soft pink jumper and camel twill jeans. She brushed her hair, dabbed on some perfume and applied some mascara and a splash of pink lipstick. Too bad about the hands, she hoped no one would notice them.

  Back in the kitchen, more people had arrived. The table and benches were loaded with food and eskies lined the passage outside the kitchen door. Through the lounge door were more people and she could see all kinds of parcels piled on the old wooden chest.

  “Here she is,” Chris called above the noise.

  Someone gave a long wolf whistle and Dara pushed a glass of bubbles into her hand. There was a sea of faces in her kitchen, all looking at her. Gratefully she glanced up at Dan as he appeared at her side and put his arm around her.

  “Okay everyone, a bit of quiet,” Bruce called from the other end of the kitchen. People around him stopped talking but the noise and music still echoed out from the lounge.

  “Cut the music,” someone called. It stopped and more people pushed through the lounge door.

  “As the best man,” Bruce began.

  “The missing best man,” Dan scoffed. “Never there when I really need you.”

  “I’m still the best man, mate.” Bruce grinned. “Just as well I’m already married or Paula wouldn’t have looked twice at you.”

  There were cheers and yells and whistles.

  “Get on with it, Bruce, we’re getting thirsty,” a male voice called from the lounge.

  “Okay, okay. As the best man, it is my job to propose a toast to the bride and groom.” He waved his can at Paula. “Welcome, Paula. You’re a brave woman taking on this big lug. But I reckon you’ve made a good choice. As mates go, Dan is the best. He’s a true friend who always helps out and I’m sure he’ll make a good life partner. You must have what it takes to be a farm wife. Seeding is almost over and you’re still here!”

  A few female voices echoed support.

  “Dan can be difficult to put up with,” Bruce continued, “but you’ve managed so far, so I reckon you two will be okay.”

  “Come on, Bruce!” the voice called from the lounge. “It’ll be harvest before we get a drink.”

  “Yeah, get on with it,” yelled another.

  Bruce ignored the interjectors and lifted his can high. “We wish you both a long and happy marriage and may your home soon fill with the patter of little feet —”

  “Many.” Jane raised her glass.

  “A footy team,” a man shouted from behind Bruce.

  “Give them a chance,” called another voice.

  “Ladies and gentlemen,” Bruce bellowed above the noise. “I ask you to raise your glasses, cans and bottles, and drink to the bride and groom.”

  “To the bride and groom!” Voices echoed loudly all around them.

  Dan hugged Paula close and she smiled up at him. She reminded herself again how lucky she was but the children part worried her. Did he really want her to produce offspring so soon?

  “Don’t frown, Sweet Pea, this is a party,” he murmured in her ear, then kissed her.

  “Go, Dan,” Bruce yelled, accompanied by a wolf whistle and the popping of a cork.

  Lids were lifted from containers, the new oven was warmed up and soon plates of delicious-smelling food were being passed around. Dan introduced Paula to several people. She recognised a couple called Olive and Frank Williams from church. Olive had given her the plate of homemade biscuits. Tonight she’d brought two plates of dainty pink lamingtons filled with cream.

  “There’s a little plateful for you to put in the fridge for tomorrow, dear.” Olive indicated the smaller plate. “You probably won’t get a chance to try them tonight.”

  “Did you get much rain this week, Dan?” Frank asked.

  “Only two mils,” Dan replied. “Hardly worth mentioning.”

  “That blow do much damage?”

  Another woman began talking to Olive and Paula glanced around her kitchen. Dara and Chris were at the other end. She hadn’t had a chance to speak with them properly since she’d left them with her business proposal. Each time she’d called in at the shop, Dara had been busy with customers. She began making her way towards them.

  “What were you thinking with these colours, woman?” A belligerent voice growled at her elbow.

  Paula turned to look at a rough-shaven man, with bleary eyes and a sly grin. She remembered Dan had introduced him earlier as Ted Watson. Standing beside him was a neatly dressed woman. She was very thin and there were dark shadows under her eyes.

  “This is why I’d never let my wife loose with a colour chart.” He jerked his head towards the woman next to him and then flicked his hand in the direction of the kitchen cupboards. “Looks like a Smartie box.”

  Paula bristled. She hadn’t liked the way he’d hung on to her hand when Dan had introduced them. Now here he was being rude about her decorating.

  “Now, Ted.” The woman smiled apologetically at Paula. “I’m Heather. I want to say thanks for taking my place at Jim’s.”

  Ted gave a little grunt.

  “I’m pleased to meet you.” Paula shook Heather’s small hand warmly. “I hope everything was okay when you got back.”

  “It was great, thank you. I was worrying about all the things I’d have to catch up and you had left it all organised. And your talents go beyond the office. I like what you’ve done in here.” Heather nodded at the room and Ted gave another little grunt.

  “I guess it’s not to everyone’s taste,” Paula said.

  “Taste!” Ted snorted. “Never let a woman make choices. I hear you bought old Mrs Johnson’s Audi. A city car for a city woman. I hope you last a bit longer than that car will.”

  “Ted, can I interest you in one of my sausage rolls?” Rowena pushed a plate of food under Ted’s nose and Paula stepped back. For once, she was grateful for Rowena’s interference; she didn’t think she would have been able to remain polite to Ted for much longer. Heather seemed so nice. Paula didn’t understand what she was doing with such an obnoxious man.

  “Paula, we want to thank you.”

  She turned, and was pleased to see the friendly faces of Chris and Dara behind her.

  “What for?”

  “Your business suggestion.” Chris draped an arm around his wife and pulled her close. “We’ve talked it over a lot, in fact we’ve talked of nothing else since you visited us, and we really like the idea.”

  “We’ve gone over our finances again and again,” Dara said.

  “I’m going to put it to my family, once seeding is finished. Dara and I want to run the place in town as a proper business. I can still help out on the farm when they need me.”

  “We’re not getting too excited yet, but it would be wonderful if we could make a living here and not have to move.” Dara gazed wistfully at Chris but his look was elsewhere.

>   “Well, well. What’s she doing here?” he murmured.

  Paula turned and felt her smile fade as she watched Katherine Melton pushing her way into the room with a tall, well-dressed man in tow. Paula recognised his type. He had city written all over him.

  “She probably came with Monica and Rod Brown,” Dara said. “Katherine and Monica are as thick as thieves at the moment.”

  Paula watched as Katherine threw her arms around Dan and kissed him on the lips. Dan undid her arms and listened as Katherine indicated the man with her.

  “She’s a bit up front, our Katherine,” Dara said. “She and Dan used to be an item. She still carries a bit of a torch for him. Not that he’s the slightest bit interested any more and certainly not now he’s got you.”

  Paula forced herself to turn away and look back at Dara who was smiling sympathetically.

  “For a smart woman, she doesn’t always do things in good taste.” Chris gave a slow shake of his head.

  “She’s all right. Oh, there’s Monica,” Dara said. “Now you must meet her, Paula. She’s the one who has the fine wool stud just out of town and she spins and knits those beautiful jumpers. Chris, you’ll get us a refill, won’t you?” Dara waggled her empty glass at him.

  Chris smiled benevolently at his wife, then looked at Paula. “Where’s your glass?”

  “Oh, I must have put it down.” She glanced around.

  “I’ll get you another one.”

  Chris set off to work his way to the drinks.

  Dara leaned in close to Paula. “I was worried about Chris. He’s putting on a brave front but it will be hard for him to tell his family. They’ve never understood his travelling and trying other jobs. I didn’t want him to take on the business just because of me. We’ve done a lot of soul-searching and it’s what we both want. Sink or swim, we’re going to give it our best shot.” She gave Paula a warm hug. “Thank you.”

  “We’ll have another party once you’re up and running,” Paula said.

  “You bet.” Dara chuckled and looked around. “Now let’s find Monica. You’ll like her.”

  Paula followed Dara. She couldn’t help glancing in Katherine’s direction. She was still talking animatedly to Dan who had his back to Paula, while the fellow Katherine had brought with her stood slightly to one side, looking coolly over the crowd.