Family Farm (43 page)

Izzy leaned back on the couch. ‘Yeah, I think I can do some snooping without being found out. You just leave it to me. I wish I could help you myself, but I spent the whole night with Blake. You did go missing for a while there …’

‘Someone out there must know, unless they were totally drunk as well. God, then I really am stuffed, aren’t I?’

‘Hey, don’t be so hard on yourself. There’s nothing you can do to change it, so all you can do is start looking on the bright side. Just think, a little Simone!’

Simone wiped her nose on the sleeve of her shirt. ‘Thank God you’re here, Izzy. Imagine if I had to confide in Blake or, worse, the girls at the pub. They’re the town’s gossip lines. None of them can keep secrets.’

‘Well, I’m glad I could be here for you too. Now, how ’bout a cuppa before Blake gets back?’ Izzy stood up and waited for Simone’s answer.

‘Cheers. That sounds great. But make mine a hot chocolate, please.’

Izzy headed to the kitchen, flicked on the kettle and collected some cups. ‘So, have you been feeling sick?’

‘No, not at all. But I know Mum never had any morning sickness with us. I have been feeling weird and more hormonal, though. I keep bursting into tears over absolutely nothing.’

‘Have you thought about what you’ll do?’ Izzy asked, then added, ‘Just so you know, I’m behind you a hundred per cent, whatever you choose. Okay?’

‘Thanks, Izzy. I appreciate it,’ Simone replied as Izzy spooned chocolate into the cups. ‘Well, I’ve been thinking about it – in fact, that’s all I’ve bloody done all day – and quite frankly it’s driving me nuts. I can’t make a decision until the father knows. He has a say in it too. But if I find out who it is and I really don’t like him, well, I think I’m better off deciding on my own. God, it all just gets so complicated. Hell, I hope it’s not Reggie’s.’ Simone pulled a face.

Izzy handed Simone her drink. ‘Here ya go, chook. This might help. Chocolate always does.’ Simone gave her a weak smile as she sat down. ‘Would you like me to go into town tonight? Most of them will probably be in the pub for the Sunday Session.’

‘Izzy, I’m going spare. I’d love you to, if you’re sure you’re not too knackered after your long trip. I got out of my shifts for this weekend so I can’t go in myself, but I can’t stand not knowing.’

‘It’s all right. I’ll go before dinner, but don’t get your hopes up, okay?’

‘Yes, ma’am.’ Simone saluted her. ‘Thanks, Izzy,’ she added in a more serious tone. ‘I’ll put your dinner in the oven, if Blake comes up with something edible.’

‘Maybe I’ll get some chips at the bar instead.’ Izzy gave her a conspiratorial grin.

The last thing she felt like doing was going out again after a long trip back from Perth, but she knew how anxious Simone was and she couldn’t let her down.

As soon as Izzy walked inside the pub later that evening, she felt confident of success; most of the blokes from the bonfire night were propped at the bar. Where else would they be on a Sunday night? She headed towards Jacko, who was there with one of his mates, Paul. A good place to start, she thought. She nudged her shoulder in between them and pulled up a stool.

Jacko moved over a bit, giving her more room. ‘Hiya, Izzy. How ya going?’

‘All right, Jacko. Yourself? G’day, Paul.’ Paul said a quick hello before turning to continue his conversation with a bloke on his other side.

‘Weren’t you supposed to be in Perth? Mickey said you and Blake were going up together. A romantic weekend away, hey?’ Jacko asked.

Izzy frowned. ‘Yes we went to Perth together, but no, it wasn’t a romantic weekend away. Blake’s not my type.’

‘Am I your type?’ Jacko asked with feeling. ‘You don’t even have to take me to Perth.’

‘Jacko, you’d take anyone who looked at you sideways. How many rousies have you been through?’ She knew she’d got him thinking. A gun shearer like him would attract a fair amount of attention. He was eye-catching in a musclebound, hard-working kind of way. ‘Anyway, how’re those missing fingers of yours? I’m surprised even to see you here.’

Jacko held up his bandaged hand and shrugged. ‘I’m not dying. It’s only a few fingers. It can’t stop me from having a drink in my pub.’ He saw the concern in Izzy’s eyes. ‘Don’t worry about it, Izzy. I’m trying not to. You need a drink. Fancy sitting at the bar without one. What’s your poison?’

‘Just a beer, thanks, Jacko.’

Jacko waved his good hand at the barmaid and handed over a ten-dollar note. ‘A middy, cheers.’

‘Hey, I’ve been meaning to ask you about the bonfire night.’ The barmaid plonked the beer in front of them and dropped the change near Jacko. They both took a guzzle before Jacko turned to face her.

‘Bloody good night that one, except for Blake being a bit protective of you.’ Jacko was openly flirting with her.

Izzy laughed. ‘It was a good night. Do you remember seeing much of Simone?’

Jacko scratched his very stubbly chin. Obviously shaving was impossible with his injured hand. A few more days and it’d be classed as a beard. ‘Nearly thought I was in with a chance but she wandered off looking for Mickey.’

‘When was that? You know she wiped herself out.’

‘We’re all prone to a bit of that occasionally.’ He smiled and Izzy couldn’t help but smile too. He had an infectious nature about him. Almost like a clown, he poured out happiness and fun. ‘That was the last time I remember seeing her. Maybe you should ask Mickey. He’s been keeping his eye on her for a while.’

Izzy felt a hand on her shoulder. ‘Ask me what? Hi, Izzy. You here alone?’

‘Hey, Mickey. Yeah, thought I’d pop down for a cold brew after the trip from Perth.’

Mickey’s unruly black hair had been trimmed, his face recently shaved and he smelt of soap and aftershave. Not the normal greasy dirt mixed with sweat smell. Had he been hoping to see Simone tonight?

‘Oh, how’d it go? Have a good time?’

Jacko got off his stool and waved it to Mickey. ‘Here you go, bro. I can see fillies waiting for some help.’ He pointed to the jukebox where two young girls fought over which song to pick next. ‘Leave yas to it. Catch ya round, Izzy.’

‘Yep, see ya, Jacko. Thanks for the beer,’ she said, but he was already gone.

Mickey ordered a beer as he parked on the stool. ‘So it was good?’ he asked again.

‘Oh, yeah, it was great. We got to the beach this morning, but it was too cold for a swim.’

‘I’m itching to get to the coast myself for a spot of fishing some time soon. My cousin’s got a flash fishing boat I’m yet to set foot on.’

‘Sounds nice. I haven’t been for years. The last time was when I was fifteen, I think. We went down to Hopetoun and did some fishing off the beach. My dad was pissed because my sister and I caught bigger skippy than him.’

The barmaid handed Mickey his drink and he quickly skimmed off the overflowing head of beer. ‘Ah, that’s better.’

‘Hey, Mickey, at the bonfire, you remember how drunk Simone was?’

‘Yeah, she was pretty plastered. But hell funny.’

‘She can’t remember a thing, and Jacko reckons you might have seen her towards the end of the night.’

Mickey’s black eyes were watching her intently. ‘I did, yes.’

‘Well, she can’t remember a whole lot about that night.’

A smile broke out on Mickey’s face and his eyes danced with laughter. ‘Ha. I didn’t think she remembered anything.’

Izzy turned her head towards him, highly interested.

‘Remembered what, exactly? Is there something she should know?’ She watched him think for a minute.

‘Well, it
was
my ute she was sleeping in.’ He raised his eyebrows, meaning that Izzy would have to guess the rest. ‘When she never mentioned anything about it, I figured she either didn’t want to remember or she couldn’t. I must say I’m happy to know it’s the latter.’

Well, this was a turn-up! Izzy felt her bottom lip land with a clunk on the bar top. I bet Simone never even thought about Mickey being the father! ‘Why didn’t you tell her?’ Izzy continued.

‘I guess I was a little embarrassed. I knew what state she was in and I was too weak to knock her back. I’ve liked Simone for as long as I can remember. Part of me thought it might be my only chance. Sad, isn’t it? Please don’t tell her. We’re just getting it together now. I’m the happiest I’ve been in a long time.’

‘Well, you aren’t the only one! Anyway, it’s bound to come out in the open one day. I know from experience that secrets never stay secrets. It’s best to be up-front. You know, Simone really wants it to work between you both too, and I think you’ll last.’

Mickey smiled warmly at her words. ‘Well, I hope you’re right.’

‘Hey, why don’t you come around for tea Tuesday night? It might be a good time to tell Blake about you and Simone.’

Mickey screwed up his face in caution. ‘You reckon? I always had images of Blake pounding the crap out of me for dating his little sister. He’s been very protective of her over the years. Mind you, I’m the same with my sisters. If I found out that Blake was with one of them, I might freak too. At first, anyway.’

Izzy finished off her beer, then tucked a loose bit of hair behind her ear. ‘Well, we’ll expect you around six on Tuesday evening. And no weaselling out of it, okay?’ She looked at Mickey and saw the anxiety in his eyes. ‘It’ll be a good thing. Just you wait and see.’

‘All right, but if he gives me a black eye, then you owe me a block of beer. Deal?’

‘Deal.’

‘You want another drink?’

Now that Izzy was at the pub she was enjoying herself. ‘Why not?’ She figured Simone could hold on another half hour. She couldn’t wait to see the look on her face when she told her who the father of her child was.

WILL sat in the soft leather chair, but it may as well have been a wooden church pew. He was waiting by the phone at his parents’ place, hoping to hear from Jean. His parents stood in their kitchen surrounded by modern white cupboards and stainless steel appliances, having a cuppa and talking quietly. His mum had stayed home from a golf meeting and his dad had work waiting to be done, but it was all forgotten as they waited for news of Bill. Will leaned forward and put his head in his hands as he listened to the tick of the hallway grandfather clock and the murmur of concerned chatter from his parents. He felt so churned up with concern for Bill and anger at him too. The bloody idiot! He should have known better than to push himself. Will told himself he was just venting because he was so worried. It was hell waiting for the phone to ring.

The events of yesterday played over in his head. He’d left Bill’s house after talking to Jean, walked out through the gate and seen him slumped in his wheelchair. He’d called out Bill’s name, thinking he was just resting, but when he didn’t answer he’d yelled out again and then begun to run. Will’s heartbeat quickened at the memory. If only he’d found him sooner. If only he’d come in the rear entrance he might have seen Bill sooner and stopped him heading to the shed. Will had picked up Bill and carried him to their car, all the while yelling out for Jean. She’d heard him and come running. He’d never forget her look of horror, the way her hands went to her mouth, and her eyes so frightened at the sight of Bill being carried like a child. Will had to scream at her to open the car door to shake her from the shock. When he had Bill in the back they’d both jumped in and Jean had begun to drive the fifty kilometres to Lake Grace, the nearest hospital, while Will phoned for help. They met the ambulance on the road thirty kilometres out of town and transferred him. Will had followed behind in the car and didn’t leave until Bill had been organised on a flight to Perth. It had all happened in a blur. He worried that Bill might die and Izzy was … God knows where.

He jumped when he heard a ding, but it was just the sound of his dad dropping his cup into the sink. ‘Sorry, son.’ At that very moment the phone rang.

Will practically launched himself across the chair and pounced on the receiver.

‘Hello,’ he said quickly.

‘Will? It’s Jean.’ He voice was weak and faint.

‘Oh, Jean. How is he? What’s happening?’ Will was gripping the phone so tight his palms began to sweat.

‘He’s had a stroke, Will. They’re doing blood tests and he’s been for a CT scan. I should hear more about it soon. They say he’ll be okay but the extent of the stroke is still unknown. I just thought you’d like to know. Thanks for your help. I don’t know what I’d have done had I found him myself. He probably wouldn’t be here.’

Will heard Jean choke up with tears and his heart went out to her. She had dealt with so much and now this. She really was a trouper. Will could see where Izzy got her strength from. ‘He’ll come through, Jean. I know he will.’ He didn’t know what else to say, but his mum was standing by and he knew she’d have more encouraging words. He said goodbye and gave the phone to Sandy, who took off her apron and held the phone gently like she was holding Jean herself.

Will got up and moved through the large French doors that opened onto a glassed sunroom. He felt he was barely keeping things together. What’s more, he was hurting for Izzy. She had no idea that this had even happened.

‘You all right, son?’ Brian put his arm over Will’s shoulder and half hugged him close. ‘Come on, there’s not much we can do for him now. Let’s go get those sheep shifted.’

Will nodded and let his dad escort him from the house, like a dog on an invisible lead. Maybe work would take his mind off Bill. Why couldn’t Izzy call? It’d make him feel so much better, even just to hear her voice.

SIMONE jumped closer to Izzy on the bed as she half screeched, ‘
Whaaat?
What do you mean, I should already know who the father is?’

The bedroom door was shut to keep away prying ears, but Blake had already fired up his computer and wouldn’t be bothering them.

‘Well, we know you slept with someone, right, and that you passed out in the back of Mickey’s ute. That should tell you something.’ Izzy couldn’t resist letting Simone figure it out by herself.

‘Tell me what? Izzy, what did you find out? So what if I passed out in Mickey’s ute? That doesn’t mean anything … does it?’ Simone’s eyes grew large as she started to get the hint.