A Chance of Stormy Weather

by Tricia Stringer

  “Pull it back onto the track and leave it open,” Dan called as he drove through. He pulled up on the other side, motor running, and let Rocket out of the dual cab. “I’m going to bring the sheep back through this gate. You stay back a bit, in the middle of the track and make sure none of them go the wrong way. Grab a stick,” he yelled and drove away.

  Paula shivered, partly from the cold and partly from nerves. She watched as Dan in the vehicle and Rocket on his old legs rounded up the sheep and moved them back across the paddock towards her. What if they wanted to go her way and she couldn’t stop them? She’d heard of people being trampled by cattle. Could she be overrun by sheep? Was the stick to protect her? Surely Dan wouldn’t have asked her if it was dangerous.

  She could hear him whistling and calling to Rocket, who seemed to understand the instructions. Gradually the bleats from the sheep grew louder and the smell of wool and manure reached her on the strengthening breeze.

  With a thumping heart she stepped away from the gate and into the track as the first of the sheep edged towards her. Dan urged them forward with the dual cab. She lost sight of Rocket but could tell where he was as a bunch of sheep leapt forward. The leaders jumped over an imaginary obstacle and ran up the track away from Paula.

  She sighed then stood rigid again as some of the following sheep slowed and looked in her direction. Dan called an order and suddenly Rocket slipped through the fence and stood beside her. His tongue lolled from the side of his gaping mouth as he panted quickly, not taking his eyes from the sheep. The reluctant group moved on.

  “Thanks, Rocket,” she said.

  Dan called again and Rocket ran off as a small group, still in the paddock, tried to break away from the mob. Another lot coming through the gate veered in her direction. She yelled and waved her arms, the stick whooshed through the air and they turned and ran up the track. Paula grinned. So that’s what the stick is for. With her new-found confidence, she urged any hesitating sheep on up the track and soon Dan and Rocket were also through the gate beside her.

  Paula got into the vehicle beside Dan but Rocket hesitated when Dan opened the back door and called him in.

  “Come on, Rocket, you stupid dog.”

  Paula flinched. Rocket climbed into the back and sat up panting quickly, not offended by Dan’s abuse, his eyes watching the sheep ahead.

  “Silly old boy. He still thinks he’s young. I’m trying to save his legs,” Dan said as they slowly followed the sheep up the track.

  Once they reached the shed yards, Dan let Rocket out again and asked Paula to shut the gate across the track behind them. The gate was a wire contraption, like the thing she had struggled with the day they’d found Lucky. It lay stretched out along the fence. She walked to the end of it, lifted it up, kept the wire pulled tight like she remembered Dan had done and walked backwards to the joining post, dragging the gate with her.

  She struggled to get the narrow gate post, made of wood rather than iron this time, into the loop of wire that held it in place at the bottom. Once it was in she had to strain hard to get the top end close to the joining post and then manoeuvre the wooden handle through the top of the fence to hold it in place. Carefully she let go of the gate. It sagged a little but stayed up.

  Paula let out a slow breath. “Thank goodness.” She looked up and could see Dan was out of the vehicle working with Rocket to get the sheep into the yard he had made around the old shed.

  “Damn!” Paula kicked the dirt at her feet. She was standing on the wrong side of the gate.

  She strode to the other end where it joined the wooden rails surrounding the shearing shed and climbed over into the holding pens. She was on top of the next lot of rails when there was a twanging sound behind her. She looked back in time to see the gate spring undone and fall down to the ground.

  “Damn!”

  “Paula!” She looked up at Dan’s shout. There was a small group of sheep running flat out in her direction. She jumped down from the rail, landing heavily on one ankle. A sharp pain shot through her lower leg as she hobbled to the middle of the track, waving her arms and yelling. The breakaway mob split in two and ran either side of her, leaping the fallen gate and racing away down the track.

  Dan was yelling at Rocket and swearing like she’d never heard him before. There were more sheep heading in her direction. Quickly, she ran to the gate and winced as another sharp pain grabbed her. She picked up the gate, pulled it straight, hooked the bottom in the wire and held on tight. The frightened sheep milled in the other corner and Rocket arrived to turn them back towards the shed.

  Dan came and took the gate post from her. “Why the hell didn’t you tell me you couldn’t shut it?” he snapped.

  “I thought I had shut the bloody thing,” she shouted back then turned and hobbled away from him.

  “What’s the matter?”

  At least he sounded concerned. “I’m fine,” she said. “I twisted my ankle.”

  “Can you get back to the house? Rocket and I can manage now. I’ll get the other sheep later.”

  Paula watched him stride back towards the mob.

  “Yes, thanks for your concern,” she muttered to his back. Then she turned and limped away, her pride damaged more than her ankle.

  Much later, when Dan returned to the house, he was more relaxed and concerned for her welfare. He insisted she put her foot up and wrapped a packet of frozen peas in a tea towel to act as an icepack. The ankle wasn’t that bad but she enjoyed his attention and his attempts at silly jokes made her laugh.

  They had another of their picnic teas in the lounge in front of the fire.

  “Rowena is improving. I called in when I took Rocket back,” Dan said.

  “I rang her this afternoon. She’s coming over to help me with lunch again tomorrow. She’s cooking a roast.” Paula was still amazed by the quantity of food they were supplying and even more so that Rowena was allowing her to serve supermarket frozen fruit pies to follow the roast. Paula had expected to be told it had to be homemade but Rowena had simply replied that it was a good idea.

  “There will probably be an extra for lunch. Ted Watson is coming over to lend a hand.”

  “The name rings a bell. Was he at the house-warming party?”

  “Yes, he and Heather came. He’s a gingery-haired fellow, stocky build, ruddy complexion.”

  Paula recalled the obnoxious man with the clinging handshake. “I remember. He didn’t like what I’d done with the kitchen.”

  “Ted can be a bit of a big mouth but he’s a good bloke and he’s experienced with sheep.” Dan put his arms around Paula. “Anyway, that’s tomorrow. We’re alone again and I reckon one of those baths would be just what your ankle needs.”

  “Do you?” Paula held him off. His reference to being alone reminded her of Rowena and the photo Paula had seen in her bedroom. “Dan, do you think Rowena has a man in her life?”

  “No.” He gave a snort. “My aunt hasn’t been out with a man for years.”

  “How do you know?”

  “If she so much as sneezed at a man it would be round the district in a flash.”

  “What if the man was in Adelaide?”

  “South Australia is a small state, Sweet Pea. I’d still hear about it.”

  “What about the friend she goes to football with?”

  “There are a couple of different ones but they’re all women.”

  “Are they?”

  “Well, I’ve never met them. I just assumed…” Dan hesitated and looked closely at Paula. “Do you think she’s got a boyfriend in Adelaide?”

  “There’s a recent photo of her with a man. She has it beside her bed. I think there’s a part of your aunt’s life that you don’t know about.”

  “Really? Well good on her. I hope she has got someone. She’s devoted her life to Dad and then me, it’s about time she took some time for herself.”

  Another thought entered Paula’s head. “So, it is possible to have a secret the rest of the district does
n’t know about.”

  “Possible.” Dan laughed. “But highly unlikely.” He took her hand and looked at her with his serious expression. “Now, I’ve got a few secrets I want to share with you.”

  Paula stiffened. This was it. At last he was going to tell her the truth about his past with Katherine.

  “They’re not bad secrets.” His eyes were like deep pools drawing her to him, his lips turned up in the smallest of smiles. “But they do involve removing clothes.” He trailed his lips down her neck to the top of her breasts. She melted at his touch. He lifted his head and she returned his kiss as his lips found hers, then he pulled away. “Hold that thought. I’ll go turn on the bath.”

  Paula reluctantly let him go. He winked and let himself out the door. She gazed into the fire. They were so happy again she had almost convinced herself there was nothing between Dan and Katherine. What was the point of bringing it up? Any fears she had about Dan’s past had to stay buried.

  * * *

  Sunday’s grey clouds only produced some light showers of rain. Dan had enough sheep undercover to get the shearers started. The sky was clear and sunny again so the remaining sheep would soon be dry.

  Rowena arrived just before lunch with the roast meat, gravy and potatoes. Paula had cooked the rest of the vegetables and they served up together.

  “We’ve got Ted for lunch, I believe.” Rowena nodded.

  “Yes.” Paula grimaced. “He has already expressed amazement at my cooking ability. Something about how he thought city girls could only open cans.”

  “His mouth runs away with him, that man.”

  “He held onto the plate I offered at morning tea a bit too long.” Paula shuddered. “He gives me the creeps.”

  “He’s all talk. They’ve had some tough times on their property. Poor Heather, she really works hard to keep that family together.”

  “I can’t understand why Dan likes him. I find him offensive.”

  “Men don’t always notice these things about other men. Anyway, Ted is good with sheep and Dan respects his opinion when it comes to selecting breeding stock.”

  “So we have to put up with him.”

  “I guess we do, yes.”

  The sound of voices interrupted their conversation and the two women set to work to serve up the lunch.

  Paula did her best to avoid Ted, as she had done at morning tea. In her previous career she had developed a manner at meetings that had enabled her to blend in with the surroundings when necessary. People often forgot she was there, allowing them more freedom in their opinions, which often worked in her favour. She had found this approach had worked well with the shearers. They relaxed more in their breaks and resumed a more natural discussion when they thought she was busy with other things and not listening.

  Ted wasn’t quite so prepared to let her fade into the background. Once the roast was served, Rowena disappeared into the lounge to catch something on the television and Paula quietly tidied up the kitchen and set out the dessert bowls.

  “Don’t know how you blokes can eat in here without your sunglasses.” Ted’s remark rose above the voices of the others. “The technicolour of this room could blind you.”

  Paula kept her back to the table and held her breath. There was a slight pause in the conversation, then it resumed as if Ted hadn’t spoken.

  “Guess you don’t come in here if you’ve got a hangover, Dan.” Ted persisted. He gave a derisive chuckle.

  “You know I don’t drink,” Dan joked. “What did you think about that last lot of ewes? I thought the quality of their fleece was looking pretty good.”

  Dan drew Ted’s attention and Paula gave a small sigh of relief. Ted’s comments had a knack of making her hackles rise. The rest of the meal progressed with only a few minor remarks in her direction. Paula managed to keep her cool and was relieved when the shearers left and Ted followed Dan and Tom out the door. She began to clear away the lunch dishes and stack them ready to wash up.

  “Dan and Tom will be a few minutes. I thought I’d wait in here.”

  Paula turned, startled by Ted’s voice behind her. “Have a seat.” She nodded towards the freshly tidied table and chairs. Her heart was thumping. She didn’t feel comfortable alone with Ted.

  He came and stood close behind her. “Perhaps I could wipe some dishes.”

  “That’s really not necessary.” Paula kept busy with her dishes. He didn’t strike her as the type to lift a finger with household jobs. She wished he would go away.

  “Am I not good enough for the fancy city girl?” Ted’s voice carried a hint of malice.

  Paula turned to face him.

  “I didn’t mean it that way, Ted. Can I get you another cup of tea?” She tried to deflect him, wondering frantically what had happened to Rowena. She normally came back in to help Paula with the dishes.

  “No thanks.” Ted folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the table watching her. “Dan shouldn’t be long. Just trying to be helpful while I wait. You’ve got a bit to learn about country life.”

  Paula looked at him, wondering what he meant.

  “You and your fancy city ways,” he continued. “Jim’s been on to Heather about making changes.”

  “The changes were intended to make improvements in Jim’s business and Heather’s job easier.”

  “Marg at the post office said you were in there changing things behind Heather’s back. My wife’s got enough to do with me and the kids, without having to do extra for Jim.”

  Paula felt a twinge of guilt. She hadn’t intended to make things difficult for Heather. The changes should have helped. Paula thought back to the night of the party when Heather seemed to be genuinely grateful for Paula’s assistance.

  “I hope Dan’s got enough sense to stick to his plans and Rowena’s still got her hands firmly on the books.” He glared at her. “We wouldn’t want you interfering with farm stuff that you know nothing about.” His tone had underlined the ‘nothing’.

  “We’re ready to go, Ted.” Tom had poked his head around the kitchen door.

  “Righto, mate.” Ted followed Tom through the door.

  Paula leaned back against the cupboard. She’d outmanoeuvred a few boardroom thugs in her time but Ted had unnerved her. Everything he said had sounded so spiteful. She couldn’t understand how Dan could be friends with the man. And poor Heather, who probably worked all day at Jim’s and all night for her family with little support from Ted.

  Rowena burst through the door from the lounge. “Can you believe it? I nodded off in front of the television. Sorry to have left you to the cleaning up.”

  “They’ve only just gone.” Paula turned back to the sink. She smiled to herself, thinking of the change of fate that made her welcome Rowena’s bossy presence.

  CHAPTER

  21

  Dan looked up from the piles of paperwork he had spread all over the kitchen table. “Would you like to go to Adelaide this Friday?”

  He had been at it all morning, sorting papers, calculating figures and making phone calls. Paula had kept herself busy with housework, curious about what he was doing but not wanting to interrupt.

  She looked at him now over the washing she was folding. “Jane and I were planning to go once shearing was finished but I guess we can do that another time.”

  “I could go alone.” He hung his head in mock dejection.

  She leaned over his shoulders and hugged him. “I’d much rather go with you.”

  “Good. I’ve got a big load of wool to deliver and several jobs to do.”

  Paula didn’t think it sounded very exciting but at least it was a day with Dan. She’d helped him and Tom load the huge bales onto the truck. It was one of several jobs she’d helped with about the place and, apart from her sheep-moving experience, she’d managed quite well. Gradually, she was gaining little snippets of understanding of Dan’s work.

  Another passing shower of rain darkened the day and Paula turned on the kitchen light.


  “Send it down.” Dan leaned forward, peering out the window.

  Paula looked out at the grey day. Helping Dan outside was one thing but Paula still had a long way to go when it came to understanding the weather. One day he wanted rain, the next he didn’t. There was an old rain gauge on their side fence. Dan checked it and wrote the details in his little pocket diary every time it rained. His preoccupation with something he had no control over seemed futile to a city girl, whose only previous thoughts about rain would be to know if she needed her umbrella or not.

  “You’ve changed your tune,” she said.

  “I didn’t want wet sheep while we were shearing but we’ve finished and the crops badly need it. There are still some patches that have been slow to recover from that bad wind we had.”

  “What about the next poor farmer who’s shearing now?” Paula put her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek.

  “Well, I hope it’s not raining at his place, but the rest of us need it.”

  Paula shook her head. Every conversation she heard Dan have with other farmers inevitably had a question about how much rain they had received. Then there would follow a lengthy discussion about how much more or less it was than what Dan had recorded. The night of the party she’d heard the same conversation over and over again.

  She left Dan to ring Jane.

  “We’ll go another time.” Jane’s response was practical when Paula explained Dan’s offer.

  “I was hoping you could tell me a few places to look for curtains and baby things in the city.”

  “Is there something you haven’t told us?”

  “They’re not for me,” Paula added quickly. “Well, the curtains are for the kitchen, but I still haven’t sent my sister and baby Rupert a gift yet.”

  “I can tell you the places to look but I’m not sure that you’ll get a chance.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You’ll be taking a load of wool so you’ll be in the truck and Dan will have a list of other things he will need to do. It’d be a safe bet that you won’t be passing any major shopping centres or getting into the city.”

  “Oh, well.” Paula tried not to sound disappointed.