The Outback Heart (9 page)

PULLING
up at his house, Troy spotted Mrs Bateson in her garden pruning.

‘Hello,’ he said and he leaned over her fence. ‘Would you like me to prune the top of this shrub for you?’ He didn’t like the thought of Mrs Bateson on the little ladder reaching across.

She paused and smiled. ‘You’re a sweet boy but I’m still pretty good up a ladder. Maybe I should come over and prune your roses. They need a bit of TLC.’

Troy glanced behind him. ‘Hmm, how about I trade your pruning expertise for my lawn mowing?’

‘I’d say you have yourself a deal there, young man.’

‘Thanks, Mrs B. Just let me know when it needs doing again. Bye.’ He pushed off the fence and gave her a nod before heading towards his house.

He didn’t mind this place that Jenny had organised for him to rent. It was an older-style home of plaster and tin with three small bedrooms. Actually, all the rooms were small – the kitchen, lounge and bathroom – but he didn’t need much. For him, it did nicely. Inside he put his phone and wallet down on the little round table in the kitchen. The piles of newspapers covered it completely, some stacked four high.

Cream and white patterned lino covered the kitchen floor and he kept it clean enough. Troy reached for the fridge door, took out a beer and wandered down the narrow passage to the spare room where he had his laptop set up on a table. All three bedrooms and the lounge had a newish soft grey carpet but this room was covered in more piles of newspapers.

With a sigh he turned on the computer. He went looking for AFL pre-season information before shuffling around a few players on his AFL online Dream Team. There was a downside to being alone and it was always worse in the evening after work. This empty span of time was when he got the most lonely, when his thoughts would wander. Often to Peta, Freddie or his family.

Troy leaned back in his chair. A pile of bills in a tray beside his laptop caught his eye. Yes, he’d pay some bills and then maybe play a game of Plants vs. Zombies. By then he’d have finished his beer and he could head down to the pub for a quiet one. Hopefully there’d be someone to chat to. He didn’t even mind if it was Kingy. Troy was sure his stories of times past would be more entertaining than the dark places he tried to keep buried in his own mind.

But when he got down to the pub he didn’t find Kingy, only Jasper enjoying a cold brew and chatting to James behind the bar. Things were looking up.

With a smile he sat down beside Jasper. ‘G’day, boys. Not out working in the paddocks today, Willo?’

Jasper was wearing Hard Yakka pants and a matching blue shirt with smears of grease on the shoulder.

‘Nah, Yoda. Just doing maintenance on the spreader trucks. Filling in the days while we wait for more work. Felt like I’d earned a beer, though,’ Jasper said with a smirk.

‘Well, I just felt like one. Don’t know if I earned it, though. It was quiet at the shop.’ Troy took a swig of the beer James had poured him.

‘Yeah, you have your days like that. And the next, every man and his dog’ll be in there,’ said Jasper.

‘Bit like this place,’ said James as he watched four more people walk into the pub. ‘Not a soul some days, run off my feet the next.’ James moved down the bar to serve the young group that had just entered.

Troy glanced over and caught the gaze of the red-haired girl. ‘Oh, no,’ he said with a groan. He shifted his body on the bar stool, turning away from the group.

‘What’s up?’ Jasper leaned forward. ‘Oh, I see. You’ve caught the eye of Marge.’

‘Is that her name? I thought she said it was Grace?’ said Troy. She looked about twenty, fair complexion with bright blue eyes, but it was those blue eyes that had scared him. She’d been at the clubhouse for the jumper presentation night and while he’d been distracted by Indi, he’d failed to notice the redhead zoning in on him. It was all Indi’s fault. The way she looked in that blue dress, so beautiful and so unaware of the effect she was having on him. Every goddamn male in there noticed her. He couldn’t blame them, though – her long legs were gorgeous and when she smiled? Oh, he struggled. He hated the way her passion for the team impressed him and her connection to the home she loved made him envious. When she spoke he listened. He tried not to show it. He couldn’t afford to be swept away by the strong-willed brunette. It was just that she was a little like Peta, so upbeat and strong. Alarm bells were ringing, reminding him this was dangerous territory. Every moment beside Indi was becoming a battle. Thank god Indi wasn’t falling all over him like the redhead. Grace he could handle. Indi? Well, she was a minefield. One wrong step and he’d be splattered over the ground in bits.

‘Her real name is Grace Cleaver. She gets Marge because . . . well, you can guess.’ Jasper shrugged.

Troy choked on his mouthful of beer as he glanced at Jasper. ‘Really?’ he asked.

Jasper nodded. ‘You keen? She sure has her targets set on you.’ Jasper chuckled.

Troy wasn’t feeling so jolly. ‘Na, think I’ll pass. Bit young for me,’ he said. Normally he liked what Grace was offering: sex without attachment.

‘Hey, Jasper. Troy,’ said Grace, who’d somehow managed to appear by Troy’s side like a silent snake, twisting her body up against his arm. ‘Next round’s on me, hey?’ she said with a wink.

Troy cleared his throat. ‘I’m actually heading off after this one, sorry. Work to catch up on, but thanks anyway.’

‘Thanks, Gracie, but I’ve gotta head back and help with dinner. Another time, eh?’ said Jasper.

‘Sure thing. I’ll be around.’ She squeezed Troy’s arm before walking back to her friends. She wore skintight black jeans and wiggled her butt as she walked. It was there for him if he wanted it and maybe he would – later.

‘What work you got on?’ asked Jasper.

‘Nothing. Just didn’t want to get stuck there.’

‘Wanna come back to our place for dinner? My old man would love to pick your brains about footy. He was pretty good in his day. Patrick takes after him in that department.’ Jasper shrugged.

‘Indi’s pretty good. Does she take after your dad, too?’ Troy asked.

‘I know, right. She grew up learning from Pat and me so she’s got all the skills, not afraid of the ball. She played a few games when she was younger and carved up the field. It’s a shame she isn’t a bloke. We could really use her on the team. So, dinner?’

Troy would have liked to see her play. She reminded him of the time he’d seen a game of women’s football, and not the powder-puff stuff either. Real football. ‘Why not? Sounds like a plan. Cheers, Willo.’ It beat eating dinner in front of the TV, which was all he had planned for tonight. Sometimes he cooked up a storm, a roast or a big casserole, so he had food for a while, but it was hard to find the enthusiasm when cooking for one.

‘All right. Let’s go. I was supposed to be checking the roast ten minutes ago. Follow me. I live just out of town.’

Troy drove behind Jasper’s Holden ute towards the rock, east of town. He turned right onto another bitumen road until it changed to gravel. He could see a house set back from the road down a long driveway. Jasper turned into the driveway and Troy followed. Behind the large brick house stood three large sheds – one with trucks, another with spray rigs and the last one housed two spreader trucks. The setting sun was just about to disappear. It stretched the last of its golden glow across the land. They parked their cars next to a sprawling garden contained by a little wire fence that circled the house. Shutting his door, Troy could smell fresh dirt, which smelt even better with the crispness of nightfall. He closed his eyes and sucked in a deep breath, savouring the scents of farm life. Moments like these his heart cried with longing for their family farm, Murphy Downs. He could still picture his dad driving the big blue tractor at seeding, his mum cooking up fresh scones, the smell of turned earth.

‘Good spot, hey, Yoda?’ said Jasper, watching the sun disappear.

‘Yeah,’ he replied, his voice raw. He had to bury his memories. When they came back like this the longing was too much to bear.

Jasper took him through the back gate, along a paved pathway to the back verandah. A rustic outdoor setting was positioned to capture the full sunset. The smell of roasting meat permeated the air and a few blowflies hung around the door. A real farm home.

Slipping off their boots, they headed inside through a large glass sliding door, straight into the kitchen and dining area.

Jasper’s dad sat at the table, steel-rimmed glasses on, leaning back with his head buried a book called
The Ox is Slow but the Earth is Patient
. He put it down when he saw them. Troy liked him already. He could see the resemblance between father and son, even a bit in Indi. They all had his wide shoulders and eyes, but the boys had the same jawline and smile.

‘Bloody kids got me this book for Christmas,’ said Allan, tapping the picture of Mick Malthouse on the cover.

‘It’s great. I’ve read it a few times,’ said Troy.

‘Dad, this is Yoda – I mean Troy – our coach.’

‘Ah.’ Allan stood up to shake Troy’s hand, his chair scraping along the floor. Again, Troy thought of his own father. He guessed his parents still wanted to know where he was, even after all these years, but to do so would open the floodgates of pain and he couldn’t do that to them. He pushed down the ache in his chest as he held out his hand to Allan. ‘Troy, great to meet you, lad. Pull up a seat while Jasper grabs us a beer.’ Allan looked at Jasper and nodded towards the fridge. Troy couldn’t help but laugh.

Jasper stopped to check on the roast before bringing over the cold Super Dry stubbies.

‘You can’t go wrong with Mick, hey,’ Allan said, gesturing to the book. ‘So, how’s the team shaping up?’

‘Well, they’re getting better. There’s potential. I can see it in the individual players but they’re not quite working as a team just yet. You should come to the game this weekend. From what I hear you’re one of the Hyden greats.’ Troy saw a hint of sadness in Allan’s eyes that he’d seen in his own, every morning in the mirror. Something was holding him back.

‘It would really help, Dad, if you showed up. It would bring the other blokes around too, help build a crowd. In your day the crowds were huge,’ added Jasper.

‘Yeah, they were. Great times,’ Allan said fondly.

Indi walked into the kitchen, her voice surprising Troy. ‘Dad, Jasper’s right. The team really needs your support. Who better than the past club president and champion to boost morale?’ Indi looked at Troy. A glimmer of shock ran through her eyes. ‘Oh, hi, Troy. I didn’t realise we had company.’ She was dressed in blue trackpants and a white singlet. He could tell she wasn’t wearing a bra. That knowledge burned through his body like a heatwave.

‘I invited him for dinner, sis. So Dad, are you going to listen to all of us and come to the game?’

Allan studied the table quietly, his thumb rubbing against his stubbly cheek. ‘Maybe. I’ll think about it.’

Jasper scoffed. ‘Dad, just come. It’s not the same without you cheering for me and Pat,’ he said. Allan gave a weak smile and nodded. Jasper turned back to Indi with a frown. ‘What are you doing up, sis? I thought you were supposed to be catching some sleep before your night shift? Did we wake you or are you scared I’m burning dinner?’ said Jasper.

Indi was still staring at Troy, and he noticed her cheeks ripen. Her arms moved to cover her chest. He really liked the singlet. He also had a funny feeling he’d remember it for days to come.

‘Hi, Troy,’ she said. ‘I didn’t even get to sleep, Jasp. I’d just crawled into bed when I remembered I was supposed to have the
Progress
agenda typed up and sent out to the members by tonight. Then I ended up doing some bookwork and writing down some fundraising ideas.’ Indi rubbed her eyes.

‘No sleep, huh?’ asked Allan, his face stern.

‘Nope. I have to be at work in an hour to load this train.’

‘Well, you be careful tonight,’ warned her father.

Indi kissed Allan’s cheek. Troy tried hard not to notice the way her breasts fell forward.

‘I’ll be fine. I’ll get dressed and then finish dinner.’ Indi walked off down the hallway while Troy tried to clear his fuzzy head.

‘I don’t like these weird hours she does,’ said Allan. His face creased with worry.

‘A train?’ Troy asked, curious.

‘Yeah,’ answered Jasper. ‘But she’s loading one in Pingaring, which is sixty k’s away. It makes for a big day, or night.’

‘I don’t like her driving home tired and it’s the worst time for roos,’ said Allan. ‘I don’t worry about the boys as much but Indi’s different.’

‘Oh, shit! The vegies,’ said Jasper as he jumped up and headed into the kitchen.

‘Jasper!’ The growl was followed by a series of hurried steps down the hallway. Indi was a blur of bright yellow as she rushed into the kitchen.

‘It’s okay,’ said Jasper. ‘There is a bit of water left in the pot, sort of.’ He chuckled.

‘Out of the kitchen – go on, get,’ Indi said.

Allan was smiling when Jasper sat back at the table. ‘Don’t know what we’d do without Indi. She spoils us, just like her mum did.’ Allan was looking straight at Jasper. ‘I worry about her,’ he whispered. ‘She shouldn’t be looking after us; she should be enjoying her life. She’s young.’

Jasper took a sip of his beer. ‘She’s all right, Dad. She’s tougher than she looks.’

Allan didn’t seem so sure. He gave Troy a weak smile. ‘Since my wife passed away Indi has stepped into her shoes. I’m not sure that’s a good thing.’ Troy knew first hand how death could affect everyone in different ways.

‘I’m sorry, about your wife.’ Troy didn’t know what else to say. He couldn’t imagine how hard it would be to lose his own mother. Indi had never let on that she’d lost someone so close to her.

‘It’s okay,’ said Allan. ‘It’s been two years and we’re coping. Still miss her like crazy but that’s life. Throws us curve balls.’

‘That’s for sure. Life isn’t set in stone,’ said Troy. ‘I’m really sorry for your loss.’ He changed the subject. ‘Does Indi need a hand with dinner?’

Jasper sat back and laughed. ‘Good luck with that. She likes to do it
all
herself.’