Red Hot (19 page)

Kathy’s hand went to the spot on her cheek where Eddie had touched her and knew instantly that she wanted to see him again, no matter what
anyone
had to say.

***

Francis and the girls made their way into the house, all talking at once. ‘It’s been a great night all ‘round,’ Francis said.

‘Sheryl seems keen on you, Francis,’ Tammi teased.

‘Yeah, well don’t go getting any ideas, Tam.’ He laughed then glanced at Kathy. ‘I didn’t know you knew Eddie so well, Kath.’

‘I’ve talked to him a few times. I didn’t know he went to the Boomer though,’ she answered, picking up her purse, ready to go to her room.

‘He seems okay to me, although I haven’t really had anything to do with him. Just heard the gossip,’ Francis said.

‘Yeah, well you can’t believe everything you hear. Bloody gossip can do so much damage. I think he’s nice,’ Kathy said, glancing across at Tammi.

Tammi didn’t comment. She was waiting to get Kathy alone. She had every intention of finding out exactly where her crazy sister’s head was at!

‘Well, goodnight kids. Let’s go again next week, eh? I’m buggered. See you in the morning.’ Francis headed to his room. Glancing in the lounge room, he raised an eyebrow at Harvey sleeping on the lounge.

‘Wonder what happened with him? Didn’t think he was that pissed,’
he thought as went up to bed.

‘Kath, we need to talk.’ Tammi looked inquisitively at her as Kathy flopped down on her bed.

‘Don’t start, Tam. Let me explain. I know you must be busting to know what the hell I’m doing with Eddie Chancellor.’

Kathy told the story from the beginning. Eddie taking her on a drive to the Weir and how that came about, adding he was a thorough gentleman. Then she told Tammi how kind Eddie was to her at the funeral.

She explained how Eddie had lost his father and the effect that had on him. By the time she was finished, Tammi seemed to have a better understanding of
bad boy
Eddie.

‘Tam, he’s just a normal nice guy that’s made some mistakes. Does he have to pay for them for the rest of his life? Anyway, people can say what they like. I like him a lot.’

‘What are you gonna do about Dad, though? He’s gonna have more to say to you about tonight. And I wouldn’t want to be in your shoes when he finds out you went all the way out to the Weir with him!’

Kathy shrugged. ‘Well, he doesn’t need to know that, does he Tam? I’m not going to say no if Eddie asks me out again though. Dad’s just going to have to back off. Shit, Tam, I’m eighteen, he can’t stop me.’

‘Yes, but he’ll try.’ Tammi yawned widely. ‘I’m going to bed. Tonight was great but I am
so
tired now. Night Kath,
sweet dreams
.’ She winked at Kathy as she disappeared out the door.

***

The next morning, Win waited for Kathy to come downstairs.

‘Come into the lounge room, Kathy. I think we need a little talk.’

Kathy hesitated, knowing this would be about Eddie and the night before. Reluctantly, she followed her into the lounge room.

‘Sit down.’

‘Gee, Mum, you sound so serious.’

‘I am serious, Kathy. How well do you know Eddie Chancellor?’

‘Well, I don’t know him that well.’ Kathy didn’t think she should tell her mother about the Weir episode either.

‘I’ve spoken to him a few times and then he was very kind to me at Granddad’s funeral.’

‘What about last night? Your father and I got the impression you knew him rather well.’

‘No, we only danced together and I asked him to join our table. He was on his own and I’m glad I did; he got on well with everyone and they liked him. Mum, this is what I mean: how you and Dad are reacting, everyone just assumes all this crap about him and they add to it to make it juicy, then stories get exaggerated and no one gives him a chance! It’s so unfair!’ Kathy implored.

‘Kathy, he
has
got a bad reputation, he
has
been in trouble with the police, you
know
that. I want you to be aware that people
will
talk about you if you mix with him. You know people judge you by the company you keep!’

‘What if I want to mix with him? Will you stop me?’ Kathy narrowed her eyes and looked defiantly at her mother.

Win paused and looked long and hard at her. She sensed Kathy wasn’t being one hundred percent truthful. Her daughter was attracted to Eddie, of that fact she was certain.

‘Would it do any good, Kath? Be honest with me. How far has this infatuation gone? Have you been sneaking behind our backs?’

Kathy was quiet for a moment then she decided to tell her mother about the drive to the Weir.

Win listened silently while Kathy described how nice Eddie had been, his kindness and wise words at Dave’s funeral.

‘Mum, I do like him and I would like to see him again, if he asks me.’ Kathy could feel herself becoming emotional.

Win breathed a deep sigh. ‘Well, this is going to take some careful thought, Kath. Last night your Dad was shocked and hurt when you stood up to him like that. I’m afraid he won’t take too kindly to this friendship,
not at all.
You need to apologize for the way you spoke to him, Katherine!’

‘I know and I
am
sorry, but Dad
has
to understand. I’m eighteen now and I can choose my friends. I don’t want to be at loggerheads about this either.’

Win stood up and put her arm around her daughter. She could see Kathy was determined to defend Eddie. The only thing to do was smooth Digger’s ruffled feathers and hope that he would accept this turn of events. The trouble was Eddie did have such a bad reputation, but Kathy was sensible. Win knew she wouldn’t have anything to do with Eddie if she thought she was in harm’s way. She had to trust her daughter’s judgment.

Kathy must have seen something in him that others didn’t. If Kathy wanted to befriend him, it was better out in the open than sneaking behind their backs.

It would take a fair bit of convincing to win Digger over though.

Sighing, she gave Kathy a gentle squeeze.

‘Okay, love. Go on now and find Tammi. I think she’s over at Laura’s. Tell her to get back here and iron those things she’s got piled up. Hazel has been snowed under with ironing and it won’t hurt Tammi to do a bit. She changes her clothes every half hour, I’m sure. I’ll have a chat to your father, see what I can do, okay?’

‘Okay, Mum, and thanks!’ Kathy kissed her Mum on her cheek. Giving her a firm hug, she added, ‘I know what I’m doing,’

***

Mary was sitting outside under the walnut tree. She was embarrassed about her drunken behaviour last night. She was also suffering a horrible hangover.

Harvey was disgusted. He had certainly made that plain to her. He barely acknowledged her. When they were alone, he completely ignored her.

She sat there, recalling the events that had led up to her getting herself so very drunk.

If Harvey hadn’t displayed his lust for Ellie by holding her like he did on the dance floor, she wouldn’t have drank so much. That was her justification for the embarrassing display, she convinced herself. ‘
Damn him!
It’s his fault!
’ she thought, feeling angry, upset
and
confused.

She decided she should suggest they start looking harder for their own place. They were supposed to be buying a property. This was the main reason for coming here
or so she
thought!

She would put it to him at dinner tonight, in front of the others. He would have to commit to it then!

Harvey had gone for a stroll down to the creek, last night’s fiasco playing over in his mind.

‘Bloody stupid bitch! How could she embarrass me like that!’

He kept walking and thinking. He had to make sure he was clever about his plans for his new life in the valley.

‘She’s bloody cottoned on to my attraction for Ellie.’

He made sure he was discreet in all his other affairs, realizing now he would have to be the same with Ellie. Mary was smart and cunning. She had watched him a lot lately. She had never displayed this amount of jealousy in the past.

Mary’s behaviour was completely different to anything from their past. This was bothering the usually confident Harvey. He might just have a struggle on his hands this time.

‘It was her decision to have separate bedrooms. She’s the one who turned off the sex.’
His mind continued to spin with thoughts.

‘I can’t figure her out. Maybe it’s this change of life thing, but isn’t she a bit young?
I’ve gotta hang in there for a while yet anyway, so I better start bein’ a bit nicer to her. Shit! The sooner I get what I want, the better. Once we buy a house, that’ll be another asset. Bloody hell, I’ve also gotta get Ellie to give in. Didn’t think she’d turn away from me. I’ve got to sort somethin’ out. I want Ellie!

***

Ellie sat in the kitchen shelling peas with Emmie and Hazel. She was thinking about Mary and Harvey.

‘
Obviously they have problems. Mary might be an alcoholic? Maybe that was it! She certainly got stuck into it last night
.
It wasn’t until I had that dance with Harvey that she hit
the grog like she did!’
Ellie felt terrible about the situation. She didn’t want to be responsible for trouble in their marriage.

‘Surely Mary doesn’t think something is going on between me and Harvey? Then again… there is something happening and it has to stop.’
Ellie shuddered.

‘What is it dear?’

‘Nothing… Just thinking.’

‘You need a break, Ellie. Why don’t you have a night out with that friend of yours, what’s her name?’

‘Fay. Yes, I might ring her later. We could go to another movie. I enjoyed that last time.’

‘Ellie, have you spoken to Mary since last night?’

Emmie knew there was hostility between Mary and Ellie. Emmie hardly ever missed a thing. She was a wise old woman.

‘No, Mum, she’s avoiding everyone I think. She’d be feeling awfully embarrassed. I know I would.’

‘Ellie… is there anything going on between you and Harvey?’ Emmie came straight to the point.

‘Be honest with me, Ellie. You and he were very much in love once. You almost married him.’

‘Mum, my feelings for him had been buried for ages. Seeing him again has brought them to the surface again. I would never act on them though. I couldn’t do that to Mary. I wish those two had never come back here though; I had those feelings well and truly under control, then he goes and shows up in our lounge room and they all came rushing back!’ Ellie choked back a sob. ‘I do still love him, I always have, but he’s got Mary to think of. I have to respect that.’

‘All is not well there, you know,’ Emmie said softly

Ellie sighed deeply. ‘She won’t divorce him, Mum. He did tell me that much. He came out to the veranda on Christmas Eve and confided a few things to me.’

‘She’s a silly woman! Why hang on to a man who so obviously doesn’t love you? To do that is to waste both their lives. We were not put on this earth for that.’ Emmie was gazing out the window. She knew the attraction between Ellie and Harvey would always be there.

‘They should set each other free to find true happiness. That would be the kindest and most sensible thing to do.’ Emmie moved to her daughter’s side and placed her old hand gently on Ellie’s shoulder.

‘Darling, let me give you some advice. Take what you can, while you can. Life’s too short to let it slip through your fingers.’

Puzzled at what she thought her mother might be implying, Ellie stopped shelling the peas and looked at Emmie. ‘Mum, what are you suggesting?’

‘I’m saying life is too short to let it slip away, that’s all!’ Mother and daughter looked into each other’s eyes, an understanding passed between them.

Wiping her hands on her apron, Hazel came back in from the pantry and the conversation changed to Hazel having a whinge about Ted’s bad habit of keeping her awake by talking rubbish in his sleep. She confided some hilarious
chats
he had with himself as he slept, which lightened the moment and gave them all a tremendous laugh.

Ellie understood exactly what her mother meant. The intense look that had passed between them had revealed a reality.

Harry’s condition hadn’t changed; he remained unconscious and the doctors were not optimistic about his recovery at all. He had suffered a brutal beating and if Eileen had not acted so quickly, Harry would have died alone in his hut.

The nurses looking after him were sympathetic of the poor old man. He would be resting calmly, then suddenly toss his head from side to side, muttering inaudibly. Whatever he was trying to relate to them was obviously upsetting and frustrating him. Twice, they administered sedatives to calm him.

Eileen, Dawn and Eric were visiting him when he stirred again.

‘Poor old bugger,’ Eric said sympathetically. ‘He never hurt anyone.’

‘I’d like to see the bastard that did this to him whipped,’ Eileen declared furiously.

Harry began muttering.

‘Listen,’ Dawn said. ‘We might be able to make out what he’s trying to say.’

They listened intently but it was too hard to decipher what Harry was mumbling.

‘Maybe we’ll never know,’ Dawn whispered. ‘He’s certainly agitated,’ she added.

Harry was tossing from side to side, muttering incoherently.

‘I wish I knew what happened out there. He knows something, Mum. Something bad went on in his hut!’ Eileen slowly shook her head. She loved this old man. He was her best friend.

‘Come on, he’s not even aware we’re here. We’ll come back again soon.’ Dawn started for the door.

Eileen bent and kissed Harry’s bandaged head. Eric followed her out. Harry kept mumbling, his eyes opened and flicked around the room before slowly closing again.

***

At breakfast the next day, Karl brought up the subject of Harry’s attack. ‘There’s more to this than meets the eye,’ he said. ‘I’ll bet me last quid that Harry discovered something up there and was bashed to keep him quiet.’

‘I agree,’ Digger replied. ‘He wasn’t meant to live. It was lucky young Eileen went there when she did. He’s tryin’ to tell us somethin’, that’s what’s got him so damn agitated, I’ll bet on it!’

‘Well, let’s hope he wakes up soon, then we’ll be able to find out who did this to the poor old bugger.’

‘The cops haven’t admitted anythin’ but I bet they’re thinkin’ the attack and the fires are linked, because as sure as hell they are,’ Digger continued.

‘Too right… It’s too much of a coincidence. They’ve been up to Dawn’s and spoke to Eileen. Poor kid, she had to go over everything so many times she nearly went nuts. She’s bloody distraught. She thinks the world of the old codger. They spent ages at Ivy Gelding’s too… went back a coupla times, so I heard.’

‘Did you find out any more about that fire?’ Digger asked.

‘I was talkin’ to Frank and he said they couldn’t find anythin’, as usual. He said it was lucky Eric acted so quickly or the bloody grass would’a caught alight and we’d of had another friggin’ hill fire!’

‘Well, Ivy’s been sayin’ to anyone that’ll listen that she got the fright of her life when Eric raced around from behind the haystack. She’s sayin’ he looked surprised to see her there too.’ Digger frowned, slowly shaking his head.

‘What would she expect him to look like? He told me that he didn’t think anyone was home. He’d been shoutin’ out that there was a fire and got no answer. It wasn’t til he ran around the haystack lookin’ for a hose that he saw the old bag.’

‘Yeah, he told me the same thing. He said she was leanin’ on the gate just watchin’ the thing burn, and when he appeared, he said that she looked mighty surprised to see him. He said he got a surprise too, because she didn’t seem worried about the fire at all.’

‘Mmm, somethin’s not right there, mate.’

‘I just wish we’d found somethin’ in the rubble down at the shed,’ Karl said. ‘If only we had a clue, anythin’ to tell us how the mongrel can set the fire and get clean away without anyone seein’ him!’

***

‘Yep,’
he thought, rubbing his hands together.
‘Bloody lucky!
’

‘Pity about old Harry.
Had’ta stop the silly old bastard somehow! I can’t let anythin’ go wrong now!’

He pulled out the photo from his pocket and looked at the face smiling at him.

‘Yes, my lovely, we’ll be together soon’

***

‘Come on, Kath,’ begged Tammi. ‘You’ve been hanging around home so much you’ll go stale.’

Tammi and Laura were going to the Weir for the day. Tammi was trying to coax Kathy into going with them.

After a good deal of persuasion, she gave in. She had been staying home and thinking what to do about Eddie. Digger had not gone berserk as predicted, thanks to Win talking to him and Kathy having apologized. She still stuck to her guns about her views on the matter though. Digger decided to stay calm and see where it went, again taking Win’s advice.

‘Francis said he’ll drop us off and come back after work and pick us up. He wants us to go to the Boomer again tomorrow night. You’ll go, won’t you?’

‘Maybe, it depends.’

‘What? Whether Eddie goes?’ Tammi guessed.

‘Honestly… yes. I’ve had a talk with Mum. She knows now that I
do
like him. They’re not happy about it, but at least I won’t have to sneak behind her and Dad’s back
if
he ever does ask me out.’

‘Well, go get ready. Francis is waiting for us.’

Kathy got her things together and they headed off to the Weir for the day. When they arrived, they found a shady spot and laid out towels. A group of young soldiers had gathered not far from them. Sunbaking for a while prompted a swim; the sun had some heat in it. The boys whistled and called out as the girls ran towards the water. One of the young men raced down after them, scooping Tammi up in his arms. He ran straight into the water with her shrieking and squealing as the cold water hit her sun-warmed body. Kathy and Laura looked on laughing until they realised they were next as the rest of the group descended upon them.

Laughing and splashing, they exchanged names and got to know each other. The girls shared their picnic with the boys. Three were from Perth, one from Sydney and a couple were from Queensland. They talked about their homes, families and the Vietnam War. They were all enjoying each other’s company. Tammi and Laura especially were having a good time.

Every so often, Kathy found her mind wandering to Eddie. She wished he was with her.

‘I’m going to ask the boys to come to the Boomer tomorrow night,’ Tammi whispered to Kathy. ‘And… guess who’s just driven in the entrance?’

Kathy sat up and looked in the direction of the entrance to the caravan park. Eddie’s car was slowly moving along the gravel road. He was looking for a place to park.

‘Is he alone?’ The glare of the sun was obscuring her view; Kathy couldn’t make out if he had anyone with him.

‘Looks like it to me,’ Tammi said. ‘Wave, he’ll stop for sure. Go on,’ she urged as Kathy hesitated.

Plucking up the courage, she waved her arm.

He saw her waving and stopped the car. He also noticed the group of soldiers with her.

‘Pretty Kathy Miles,’ he muttered. ‘No wonder she’s not short of admirers.’ He parked the car under the shade of a tree and got out.

‘Come over,’ Kathy called.

‘Hi. What are you doing out here today?’ she asked.

‘Half a day at work so I decided to cruise out here for a swim, but aren’t you a pleasant surprise!’

‘You’re a bit of a pleasant surprise too, Mr Chancellor,’ she teased.

After she introduced him to their new friends, Eddie once again fitted in easily. He made conversation with the young men and seemed genuinely interested in hearing about their lives in the army.

The water was refreshing on their hot skin and they had a great time dunking each other and skylarking as the afternoon slipped by. It was almost time for Francis to come back and get them.

‘He’s not such a bad guy,’ Tammi whispered to Laura.

‘Hmm, I s’pose…’ Laura admitted. She grinned cheekily. ‘He’s damn sexy, isn’t he? He seems quite taken with Kath. He hasn’t taken his eyes off her all afternoon!’

‘She’s had her eyes on him too, don’t worry about that. Who would’ve ever thought, Eddie
bad boy
Chancellor and
my
sister!’ Tammi laughed.

‘How’re you all gettin’ home?’ Eddie quietly asked Kathy.

‘Francis is supposed to pick us up.’ She glanced at her watch. ‘He should be here soon. It’s nearly five thirty and he finished work at five today.’

‘Would you like a lift home with me?’ he asked.

‘Ok, Francis will be here any minute, so Tam and Laura will be alright.’

Eddie smiled at her. Picking up the suntan cream lying beside her, he said, ‘Let me rub some on your back. You’re a bit pink.’

Kathy hesitated, but Eddie smiled and gently began to rub the cream across her back. She relaxed and enjoyed the feel of his strong hands on her warm skin.

Tammi, Laura and the boys were splashing noisily in the water. Kathy felt Eddie’s warm breath against her ear. He softly nibbled her ear. She turned her head and their lips met in a gentle kiss.

‘C’mon,’ Eddie whispered. ‘I’ll drive you home.’

***

Ellie was still pondering over her discussion with her mother. Should she throw caution to the wind and let her heart rule her head? No matter what anyone said, Mary was still very much in the picture. Ellie reflected that Mary must have seen Harvey and her on the dance floor when he pulled her close. Otherwise, what reason did she have for behaving the way she did? Mary’s change of attitude had come out of the blue.

‘What a bloody mess,’ Ellie spoke aloud as she dumped her knitting in its bag and decided to take a walk down to the orchard. It
was
daylight and she needed to clear her head. The mood she was in, if she came up against anyone who shouldn’t be there, she’d thump them. Confusion and anger at her dilemma was showing on her face.

‘What’s eating you?’ Win spoke from the doorway.

‘Oh Win, just bloody frustration. Feel like a walk with me?’

‘Sure, okay. I need some big sister advice anyway.’

They set off down the orchard and Ellie asked Win what advice she needed.

She was not surprised when Win told her about Kathy and Eddie.

Ellie’s advice was to let them go. Trying to stop them would only mean they would sneak behind Win and Dig’s backs.

‘But Eddie’s so rough and he’s at least seven years older than Kathy.’

‘Give them a chance, love. Eddie was very nice and well behaved at the pub. Kath’s attracted by his dark good looks, also him being older
is
probably appealing. Eddie’s mature and her male friends have all been the same age as she is. The
bad boy
image would be appealing too. We need to stop being judgmental as Kath said.’

Ellie put her arm around Win in reassurance.

‘Rumours can get out of control and most times they are just that, Win,
rumours
. Everyone deserves a chance, don’t you think?’

‘Hmm, I suppose. I just can’t help but worry. I just hope he is okay to her. I don’t want her ending up with regrets. We can’t wrap her in cotton wool
or
stop her growing up.’ Win looked wistful. Her mind flicked to a past experience in her own life, but she quickly pushed it away.

The sisters strolled on slowly and ended up by the creek.

‘You know, I so wish they’d caught the firebug when they chased him along here,’ Win said, changing the subject from Kathy. It was also an attempt to stem her thoughts.

‘So do I, Win. It’s dreadful what he’s doing, and worst of all is the not knowing when and where he’ll strike next.’ She threw a stick into the dry creek.

‘It’s an awful thought, but we have to realise that we could actually be in his company at times. How are we to know?’

‘Ellie, have you thought any more about the phone calls and the car that followed you that night?’

‘I’ve racked my brain about the calls. For the life of me, I can’t pinpoint the voice. The car… well that I’ve put down to some louts trying to frighten a woman alone.’

‘Hmm, but if it wasn’t… it makes my skin crawl. I worry about the girls, I worry about Mum and I worry about us.’

‘Yes, I do too! Things have certainly changed in our quiet little valley!’

They talked for some time about their dad, how they missed him terribly, what his passing meant to the family now and how they needed to keep a watchful eye on their mother who was lost without him. As the evening approached, they made their way back through the orchard to the house before dusk set in. They shouldn’t have been out walking around on their own anyway and they knew that Ellie still had no idea which way to turn in her own tangled web. The walk hadn’t cleared her head at all.

***

Kathy and Eddie chatted on the drive home.

‘You know the cops have questioned me about the fires!’ he told her.

‘Well, that would be because you fit the description. Didn’t you tell me it’s always you who they point the finger at first when there’s any trouble in the valley? I don’t think you’re the one who’s responsible though!’ she said seriously. With a chuckle she added, ‘Eddie Chancellor are you the firebug?’

He looked at her quickly before realising she was only joking. ‘Course not, I’m not that stupid. Anyway, I can’t jump fences like the bloke they chased did.’

‘I don’t think for a minute that it’s you, Eddie, seriously.’

‘Why?’

‘Well, you’re not as bad as you let people think you are. I mean, you show this rough, tough image to everyone but underneath you’re a really nice guy!’

Eddie glanced sideways at her. ‘You think so, eh?’

‘Yes.’

‘Yeah well, I’m not the bloody firebug and I certainly didn’t bash old Harry. I would never do that and I just hope the cops realise it too!’

‘They only questioned you, didn’t they? They have to ask everyone, you know. There’s a few in the valley that fit the description.’

‘Yeah, but the cops don’t like me much.’

‘You know, Eddie, Des and Robert both fit the description too! Hey, are you going to the Boomer tomorrow night?’

Eddie didn’t answer.

‘Eddie?’

‘Sorry Kath, I was thinking. What were you saying?’