Queen of the Road (13 page)

The morning light was shining brightly through holes in the tatty blind when Angela opened her eyes. The air in the room was warm and stuffy. She flung off the quilt and rolled to her side, groaning as her head thumped. Squeezing her eyes shut she lay still for a moment, waiting for the slops in her stomach to stop sloshing around. But there was no way the potent cocktail was going to stay down. The liquid surged and she made a dash for the toilet.

When her stomach had stopped heaving Angela dragged herself to the basin and swished cold water over her face.
Damn
. Why had she drunk so much? She hadn’t felt this awful since her terrible performance at the wedding.

She lifted her eyes to the mottled mirror but the face looking back made her cringe. Her eyeliner was smudged down her cheeks in ghoulish contrast to her pale skin.

Before going out last night she’d felt confident in her appearance. The new top had been a treat to herself before she left Melbourne
and it was the first time she’d worn it. Now, to her dismay, she realised she was still wearing it. She must have managed to pull off her shoes and jeans before tumbling into bed, but neglected to remove her top and makeup.

A terrifying thought struck her.
Where’s Jeremy?
He’d insisted on walking her home after her run-in with Clifford Junior. She thought she remembered him saying goodnight, but she didn’t entirely trust herself. Not that she was the slightest bit interested in him. She stuck her head round the bedroom door: no one there. She slumped onto the battered couch in relief and a puff of dust rose around her. A sneeze escaped her and she clutched her tender stomach.

Jeremy was fun for a night out but not exactly someone she wanted to bring home. She shuddered as she recalled the wedding again and ending up in Eddie’s bed. Her judgement had left her completely that night.

Her judgement had left her last night as well, but for a different reason. Why had Clifford appeared right when she’d had enough booze to think she could take him on? He’d listened to her drunken tirade and then had smugly rebuked her when she’d finished. She could feel a glow in her cheeks as she recalled his words.

He had no idea who she was, he’d said, but if she represented Ranger Transport, they needed to seriously consider the calibre of their drivers. Especially if her language was anything to go by. He’d come to his local for a quiet drink and expected to be able to do so without being sworn at and accused of wrongdoing.

Thankfully only a few other patrons seemed to have heard. Jeremy promptly coaxed her away with the promise of another drink, at which point she marched up to the bar and bought them both cocktails.

She put her head in her hands – more on the credit card. Since she’d taken on this job she’d only succeeded in adding to her debts, not reining them in as she’d intended.

The sound of her ringtone made her groan again.
What’s the time?
Claudia was probably wondering where she was. She fished her phone out of her bag.

‘Dad,’ she said, giving a little cough to clear the frog from her throat.

‘Angel, are you okay?’

‘Of course.’ She tried to sound cheerful.

‘I’ve just had the strangest call from Cliff Berl, the owner of Berl Stock Transport. He says you attacked one of his sons last night.’

‘What?!’ Angela lurched forward, instantly regretting the sudden movement.

‘At the pub. He said you were drunk and accused Clifford Junior of stealing our business.’

‘Well, I …’

‘He said your language was foul and he wouldn’t expect it from anyone, let alone a lady.’

‘It wasn’t that bad.’

There was a pause. ‘So it was you,’ he said with sadness in his voice. ‘I was hoping there was a mistake.’

‘There is. At least … Dad, I’m pretty sure they’re responsible for us losing the freight. Frank got some weird phone call saying we couldn’t collect his goods. And the pipes Ken cancelled were for someone who just happens to be a very good friend of the Berls.’

‘That may or may not be true, Angela. But there are ways of getting to the bottom of it without accosting people in public. What if you’re wrong? Cliff’s talking about libel.’

‘Really?’ Angela flopped back on the couch, all the bravado gone from her. ‘I’m sorry Dad.’

‘You’ll have to apologise.’

Angela bit her lip and fanned her face with her spare hand. ‘I will.’

‘I told him you’d call in at their office.’

‘I don’t know where it is.’

‘Well, from what I understand, Munirilla’s not a big place. I’m sure someone will direct you.’ She couldn’t miss the sarcasm in his voice.

‘Dad, I really am sorry.’

‘I know, me too.’

‘What are you sorry for?’

‘It was a big ask, expecting you to manage all this. I might have to pull the plug.’

‘Why? Just because I made one mistake? Things are going really well apart from this.’ Angela pursed her lips. She hadn’t told him about the fine yet.

‘Tiny Trev’s not recovering very quickly. Could be another month or two and you’ve only two weeks of leave left. Might be better to cut our losses and get out. Leave it to these Berls.’

‘But they don’t want the town business, that’s what’s so crazy. Frank and Ken had to practically beg them to do deliveries and they charge through the teeth for the pleasure.’

There was a brief pause, then her father spoke softly. ‘You can’t drive trucks and drink, Angel. You know you have to have zero alcohol.’

‘It was one night. I’ve hardly had a drop otherwise and I’m not on the road again till Monday.’ A spark of anger shot through her. ‘It’s not as if you don’t have the odd drink. You’re making this sound far worse than it is. I’ve got the business up and running so far, and I’m sure I can continue.’

‘Okay, Angel, don’t get upset. There’s still the problem of what to do when you have to come back. We’ll see how it goes.’ There was a murmur on the end of the line, someone other than her father. ‘Is Claudia there?’ he asked. ‘Janice and I would like to say hello.’

‘She stayed the night with friends. I’m about to pick her up.’

‘Well, I’m glad she wasn’t at the pub, at least.’

At that point, Angela clearly heard Janice’s voice snap, ‘Thank goodness’.

‘She’s fine,
Dad
. We had dinner with Leanne and her family. I told you she’s been looking after Claudia a bit. She loves Leanne’s place. There’s a house full of toys and three boys to play with.’

‘That’s good to know.’

Janice’s voice was still rumbling in the background. No doubt the woman was filling her husband’s head with all kinds of ideas about Angela’s poor parenting.

‘You know Claud’s welcome to come and stay with us while you’re doing this job,’ he said. ‘I don’t want her to get mixed up in any … bad business.’

‘There’s no bad business.’ Angela dragged herself to her feet and paced around the kitchen table. The heat in the little flat was becoming oppressive. ‘Claudia’s fine. This afternoon we’re going to a friend’s farm so she can see the animals. You don’t need to worry about her, Dad. Or me. The business is growing and I’ll sort out this issue with Berls.’

‘You have to do more than sort it …’

‘I know, Dad, I’ll apologise.’ Angela stopped pacing and gripped the back of a chair. Her head was pounding steadily now. ‘But I really do have to get going and collect Claudia. I’ll ring you back later so she can say hello.’

Angela barely heard her father’s goodbye before she hung up. Two voicemail messages appeared on the screen.

The first was from Nigel. He said he was coming to Adelaide and wanted to meet up with her and Claud. Angela deleted the message and listened to the next. It was from Ken. He had a large order to be collected in Adelaide. That lifted her spirits – she’d have good loads again this week – but her mood quickly plummeted.

The load was mainly chemicals. She deleted the message and stared at her phone. She couldn’t drive a load of chemicals, she didn’t have a dangerous goods licence.

Angela rubbed her forehead and went in search of some painkillers. Maybe her father was right, this was all getting too difficult. Then she recalled the smirking face of Clifford Berl. Pursing her lips, she resolved not to let the people of Munirilla down. There had to be a way.

She glanced at the time. The morning was nearly gone and she still needed to shower and clear her head. There was no way she wanted Claudia to see her messy again, as she had after the wedding.

***

A couple of hours later, Angela stood at the door of the flat watching for Jeremy while Claudia drew pictures at the kitchen table. When Leanne offered to drive the little girl back, Angela had gladly accepted. She was still feeling seedy and hadn’t fancied the long walk. She was indebted to Leanne for her help with childcare. Angela had already tried to pay her but she’d flatly refused. As far as she was concerned, one more was no trouble.

Angela gazed across at the empty land opposite. Beyond it the Berl Stock Transport sign glinted in the sunlight. The yard was empty of movement and the gates were shut. The only building was a large shed – she didn’t know if they had an office there or somewhere else. Her heart sank. She decided she’d worry about the apology when she got back from the next Adelaide run.

A sleek black vehicle turned into her street and tooted. She watched it
approach. Jeremy isn’t a bad guy
, she thought. Even though she’d overdone it last night, he’d been good company and at least
he’d stuck by her. Coop, however – who knows why he disappeared when he did? He was a strange one, running hot and cold.

‘Time to go, Claudia,’ Angela called over her shoulder as Jeremy pulled up. At least they were going to ride to the farm in style.

Coop had just hung up the phone when Jilly gave a series of sharp barks. He went to the door and listened. A vehicle was heading his way. He pushed his hat onto his head and followed Jilly to the gate.

His conversation with Mary was troubling. Apparently Alice’s infection was clearing up but she seemed to have lost her fighting spirit. This puzzled Coop. He wasn’t sure what he could do to help. Alice’s cousin thought she was pining for the farm but there wasn’t much he could do about that.

He gave a wave as Jeremy’s car pulled up.

Claudia was the first to open her door. ‘Is this your dog?’ she called.

Jilly moved towards her.

‘Wait, Claudia,’ Angela said, flinging open her door and grabbing her daughter’s hand.

Coop heard the alarm in her voice.

‘Jilly, come,’ he said, and the dog returned to his side. He leaned down to pat her head. ‘You found your way okay?’ he said to Jeremy.

‘Only one wrong turn.’ Jeremy smiled sheepishly.

Coop glanced at Angela. The uncertainty on her face was accentuated by the darkness under her eyes. He wondered what had happened after he left the pub but he didn’t want to bring it up. He turned to Claudia.

‘This is my dog, Jilly. She won’t lick your face but she will sniff your hand, and then you can pat her.’ He looked up at Angela’s hesitant face and nodded.

‘Mummy, let go.’ Claudia tugged her hand away from her mother and stepped forward.

‘Say hello to Claudia, Jilly,’ Coop said.

Jilly sniffed the little girl. Claudia patted the dog then wrapped her arms around its neck. Coop heard Angela’s sharp intake of breath.

‘Don’t worry, Jilly loves kids. The people I got her from had kids, so she grew up with them.’

‘Is that your other dog?’

Coop turned in the direction that Claudia was pointing. Rusty was standing part way along the garden path peering back at them.

‘No, he belongs to Alice. She owns the property.’

‘What’s his name?’ Claudia asked.

‘Rusty. He’s old so he might not like hugs. Just give him a pat if he comes over.’

‘He looks sad.’

‘He misses Alice.’

‘Where is she?’

‘Claudia.’ Angela’s voice had a warning tone.

‘She’s in hospital,’ Coop said. ‘Shall we go and see some more animals?’

‘Yes,’ Claudia said with a vigorous nod.

‘We can go in my ute but it’ll be a squeeze unless someone rides in the back with Jilly.’

‘Can I?’ Claudia jumped up and down.

‘No,’ Angela said.

‘I can sit in the back,’ Jeremy volunteered.

Coop cast a quick eye over Jeremy’s faded jeans and smart brown jacket. The jeans may have looked worn but Coop suspected they were fairly new and expensive. He covered his toolbox with an old blanket and Jeremy climbed up onto the tray. He looked surprised when Jilly jumped up after him but managed a smile and a mock salute.

‘Let’s go, then,’ Coop said. He was glad it would be only Angela and Claudia in the cab with him.

Angela rolled her window down. ‘It’s warm, isn’t it?’ she said, turning her face to the breeze.

‘Good early autumn weather,’ Coop replied. ‘They’re saying it’ll rain again this week.’

‘I could do without the rain.’

‘Don’t say that too loud around here,’ Coop said with a quick grin. ‘There hasn’t been much in the district for some years now.’

Angela took a deep breath. ‘I like the freshness of the air out here.’

‘Fresh air we have plenty of,’ he chuckled.

Coop pulled up at a gate. ‘I’ll get it,’ Jeremy called from the back.

They drove on into a small paddock where Alice kept her horse. Coop hadn’t had much to do with this horse; he’d only taken to feeding it while Alice was away. There was a carrot in his pocket ready to entice the old boy over.

Claudia was hopping from foot to foot with excitement. Coop steadied her, then showed her how to hold her hand out flat. She giggled in delight when the horse took the piece she offered.

Angela hovered close behind and Jeremy watched from the ute.

‘Oh, the camera,’ Angela said, tugging a small black case from her pocket. ‘Let me get a photo of you with the horse, Claudia.’

‘Can I ride the horse?’ Claudia asked.

‘Alice hasn’t ridden him for a long time,’ Coop said. ‘He’s a real old bloke.’

They set off again. Coop took them to some of the outer paddocks. He frowned as a kangaroo leaped the roadside fence where he’d made repairs a few weeks ago.

‘Take a picture, Mummy.’

‘He’s too far away.’ Angela’s glance met his. ‘I don’t think Coop likes kangaroos.’

‘Why?’

‘I don’t
dislike
them,’ Coop said, ‘but it’s hard to farm alongside them. The kangaroos don’t know to stay on their side of the fence.’

Claudia strained to watch as the animal bounded away.

Coop drove through another couple of paddocks and past more mobs of sheep. Angela took several photos of Claudia every time they stopped. Coop looked at the results on the screen. He was impressed with the clarity of the shots and offered to take one of Angela and Claudia together. Jilly had to be in the picture as well, Claudia instructed.

Finally, having gone full circle, they pulled up near the pregnant ewes close to the house. Coop cast his eyes over them. There was one standing away from the others. He watched her for a minute before Claudia slipped her hand into his.

‘You have lots of sheep,’ she said.

‘And they’ll soon be mothers,’ Coop said.

‘Can we see more?’

‘All that’s left to see are the chooks in the house yard.’

Jilly nudged Claudia’s arm and the little girl hugged the dog close.

Angela gave Coop a tentative smile. ‘Thanks. Claudia is loving this. She’s never been to a farm before. Come to think of it, neither have I.’

Coop couldn’t imagine life without space and animals. His and Angela’s worlds were so different. ‘I’ve never been to Melbourne,’ he said.

‘Really? You should come one day. Claudia and I will show you the sights.’

Coop gazed at Angela. The pink had returned to her cheeks and lips and her eyes were shining. The fresh air had done her good.

‘I don’t like Melbourne,’ Claudia said. ‘It’s better here.’

Angela bobbed down level with her daughter. ‘But Grandpa’s in Melbourne.’

‘I miss Grandpa. And Janice,’ Claudia said thoughtfully. ‘But I like Money Real and going in Big Red and Coop’s farm.’

‘What about your friends at pre-school?’

‘It’s better fun at Leanne’s.’

Jeremy got down from the ute rubbing his behind. His hair was truly messy now. ‘This place is great, Coop,’ he said, ‘but to me one sheep looks pretty much like another. My vote’s with Melbourne.’

‘Let’s get back to the house then.’ Coop grinned. ‘You all look like you could do with a cool drink.’

Angela was slow to return to the vehicle. The strained expression she’d arrived with had returned to her face.
She must be missing the excitement of Melbourne
, Coop thought, while Claudia seemed to have adapted well to their new lifestyle.

They checked the chooks and Coop was able to help Claudia find an egg to carry back to the house. The hens hadn’t laid many since Alice had been away. Coop fixed their fence so they were relatively safe from foxes but he didn’t pay them as much attention as Alice did. Maybe they missed her.

Back inside the house they all sat around Alice’s kitchen table, except for Claudia, who stayed outside with the dogs. Angela had pushed her daughter’s hat firmly onto her head and issued strict instructions not to stray.

Coop offered his guests hot coffee and cold cordial and opened one of the packets of biscuits Alice had left him. Jeremy teased Angela about her confrontation with Clifford Berl.

‘I shouldn’t have tackled him at the pub,’ Angela admitted. ‘But someone’s jerking us around and they’re the only competition. There’s no other explanation.’

‘You sure it’s not just paranoia brought on by large doses of champagne?’ Jeremy asked with a smirk.

Angela shifted in her chair and stared into the coffee cup she clutched with both hands.

‘Berls said they don’t want the town freight work,’ Coop said gently.

‘So everyone says, but Frank got a call from someone saying I couldn’t collect his goods.’ Angela looked directly at Jeremy. ‘I didn’t make that call – no one from our company did.’

Jeremy shrugged.

‘But other than that, you’re getting plenty of work, aren’t you?’ Coop asked.

‘There have been a couple of other mix-ups,’ Angela said, waggling two fingers in the air. ‘But yes, I did think things were going well.’

‘Did?’

‘Well … do …’Angela rubbed her forehead. ‘I don’t know what to think.’

Coop could see the tiredness in her eyes. She’d had a big night. He knew the signs well.

‘Ken’s got more work for me,’ she said. ‘Trouble is, it’s chemicals and I don’t have my dangerous goods licence. I haven’t ever needed one before.’

There was a distant wail and they all looked up. Angela reached the door first, with Coop and Jeremy close behind. Claudia was in the front garden clutching her arm. Tears rolled down her cheeks. Jilly sat beside her.

‘What’s the matter?’ Angela’s voice was sharp as she rushed around the verandah to her daughter.

‘She bit me,’ Claudia sobbed.

Angela grabbed the little girl’s arm. ‘Where?’

‘Jilly, come,’ Coop commanded.

The dog hesitated, looking from Claudia to Coop, then finally went and stood beside her master, her head lowered.

‘Where are you hurt?’ Angela inspected her daughter’s arm. Coop stepped forward and looked at Claudia’s sleeve too. There was a small tear in the fabric. He looked back at Jilly who was flicking her gaze from Coop to somewhere beyond the gate. Something was up.

‘Claudia, look at me,’ he said gently. She stopped wailing and met his eyes. ‘Did Jilly bite you or just grab your sleeve?’

‘I hardly think that makes any difference,’ Angela snapped.

‘She grabbed me,’ Claudia said and rubbed her arm where the sleeve was torn.

‘What were you doing?’ Coop asked.

‘Hiding from Jilly.’

‘Where?’

‘Over there.’ Claudia pointed to the lavender bushes. It was the only bit of garden Alice encouraged either side of the gate.

‘What does it matter? Your dog bit her,’ Angela said. ‘There are teeth marks.’

Coop glanced at the tiny dents in Claudia’s skin as Angela pulled back the sleeve and lifted her daughter’s arm. The skin wasn’t broken. He moved towards the gate and Jilly gave a low growl.

Claudia wailed and clutched her mother.

‘Stay, Jilly,’ he commanded.

‘I think we should go,’ Angela said.

‘Jilly doesn’t normally come into the house yard.’

‘So, what, it’s Claudia’s fault?’

Coop ignored her and looked at a couple of marks in the loose dirt at the gate. He cast his eyes across the yard. The sun was warm and the red dust shimmered. ‘It’s okay now,’ he said turning back. ‘Jilly was just being cautious.’

‘Is that what you call it?’ Angela said.

Coop squatted beside Claudia and looked at her arm again. ‘Jilly was trying to stop you going near the bushes,’ he said. ‘She didn’t mean to frighten you.’

‘What do you mean?’ Angela had one arm protectively around her daughter’s shoulders.

‘I think she saw a snake,’ Coop said.

‘Where?’ Angela looked quickly about.

‘Don’t worry. With all this noise, the snake’ll probably be long gone.’

‘Probably,’ Jeremy snorted from the verandah.

Coop wiped the dusty tear marks from Claudia’s face. ‘Do you understand, Claudia? Jilly thought you were in danger. She grabbed your sleeve to stop you from going near the snake. She doesn’t have hands so she used her mouth.’

‘I didn’t see the snake.’ Claudia’s eyes were wide.

‘It probably wasn’t that close but Jilly knew it was there.’

Claudia pulled away from her mother and flung her arms around Jilly’s neck.

‘Claudia!’ Angela yelped.

‘It’s okay, really,’ Coop said. ‘Let’s go finish our drinks.’

‘Good idea,’ Jeremy said. He spun on his heel and walked back around the verandah.

Angela looked up at the house. ‘We should go,’ she said.

‘But I don’t want to go yet.’ Claudia pouted.

‘I’ll send Jilly off to the shed,’ Coop said. He didn’t want them to leave either.

‘Don’t do that,’ Angela said and laid a hand on his arm. ‘I understand, it’s just I’ve got to work out what to do about this job of Ken’s. There’re some other loose ends to tidy up and we have to be ready for an early start tomorrow.’

Her touch was gentle. Coop was overwhelmed by the sadness in her eyes. He made a quick decision. ‘Maybe I can help.’

She dropped her arm. ‘How?’

‘I have a dangerous goods licence. I could drive that load for you.’

‘You? But … I couldn’t ask you to do that. You’ve got your work cut out for you here. With Alice away …’

‘It’d only be for two days. And I need to go to Adelaide anyway.’

‘Really?’ Angela’s face held an expression of hope.

‘I think we can work something out,’ Coop said. There was a tap on his leg. He took his eyes away from Angela’s to look down at the equally beautiful face of her daughter.

‘Can Jilly come too?’ the little girl asked.