The Outback Heart (12 page)

Jaffa shook his head at Tegan. ‘No we don’t. Miss Prissy here is spoiling all the fun,’ said Jaffa, as his eyes rolled around like ping-pong balls.

Tegan grimaced and pushed him towards the door. ‘Car, Jaffa.’ She glanced back at Indi. ‘Sorry. He’s had too much, so I’m taking him home. We’ll talk tomorrow.’

Troy said goodbye as they left. ‘I like Tegan. Very pretty. I miss her eyelashes,’ he said, thinking of Peta.

‘What?’ asked Indi, confused.

Troy realised his slip. ‘So what’s up with the phone book?’

She was too sober to accept his change of subject. He could tell by the way she raised one eyebrow, but thankfully she let it slide. ‘Um, how to explain it. Well, it gets used as a ruler.’

‘A ruler for what?’

‘Oh, shit. Don’t make me say it,’ she mumbled. Indi actually blushed. She was cute when she blushed. ‘Let’s just say, they use the page to measure up to a certain name.’

‘Measure what?’ he said. The look on her face was priceless.

‘You know.’ Indi did these funny little actions that were so cute. It took all his effort not to burst out laughing. Troy smiled and playfully nudged Indi’s arm.

‘Yeah, I know, I just wanted to hear you tell me.’

Indi’s eyes grew wide. ‘You bugger,’ she said punching his arm.

The way she looked at him, her touch and her teasing caused a dizziness within him. His body was waking, burning for her. He swallowed the football-sized lump in his throat and put all his drunken focus on escaping before he pulled her into a kiss. His body was screaming for her, needing to taste everything she had to offer. It took all his effort to gather himself.

‘Well, I think I’d better head home,’ he said. ‘I reckon I’ve had enough.’ He was about to leave when Indi reached for his arm.

Damn, he wished she’d stop doing that.

‘You’re not driving, are you?’

He tried not to think about her fingers, touching him, holding him. ‘Please don’t touch me,’ he said. It came out as a painful low growl.

Indi withdrew her hand like she’d been burned and shot him a puzzled look. He could tell he’d confused her. ‘Look, I’m fine, I’m gonna walk. It’s not far and it’ll help clear the head.’

‘I can drive you, if you like,’ she offered.

His brain was screaming. If she only knew the thoughts he was having right now. He couldn’t speak. Without a reply he headed for the door. He didn’t dare turn around either. But he heard her soft words follow him. ‘Catch ya, Troy.’

He shivered and it wasn’t from the cold night air. And as crisp as the walk was, it still didn’t clear his head. When he finally crawled into bed, the only thing on his mind was Indi. It was worse than a hangover.

2006

TROY
headed down the corridor with Freddie past a heap of Year Eight kids covered in pimples. They no longer turned to stare at him, the boy who was kept alive by the battery. He’d settled back into boarding and school, although he was behind in his classes. He was alive – schoolwork didn’t seem so important. It had been three months since he’d been released from hospital and life was almost back to normal. Almost.

He’d had a few scares, his battery running low, causing a few panicked moments when the alarm went off. But he always plugged himself into the mains and kept the battery charged at night. He’d even played a few practical jokes in the classroom by turning on his alarm and freaking everyone out. He felt he was entitled to some perks.

Every now and then his boarding mates would tease him about turning off his heart machine because the sound of it could be heard in the quiet before sleep, but Troy found it soothing, rhythmical. Sometime his mates would sit on his bed and beat box to the sound of his artificial heart.

Freddie had said one night that he listened for the machine every night and every morning, just to make sure his mate was still okay. Troy wondered how he would feel if it was Freddie who was being kept alive by a battery powered machine in his chest.

‘I wish I could get a day pass too,’ said Freddie, scratching his wayward hair.

‘Normally, I’d like that too, but three’s a crowd.’ Troy smiled.

Troy’s mum had approved him taking leave to be with Peta. She’d come to like and trust Peta, and she wanted to see Troy happy. ‘At least he’s not off doing drugs,’ she’d say to Owen.

His parents were back home in Geraldton. Mum had wanted to move to Perth, to have Troy by her side so she could watch over him as they waited for a heart. But a new heart could take years, so with gentle nudging from Owen Trish had finally let Troy do his final year back at boarding school while she remained in Geraldton. Troy had been relieved. Mum would have been miserable in the city away from the farm and she would have been glued to him. At least he had his mates to keep him from thinking about his future, whereas his mum was always scanning the newspapers.

‘Here’s my guy,’ said Peta as Troy and Freddie walked into the foyer. ‘Hey, Freddie.’

Troy pulled Peta into his arms, inhaling her scent. She was like a surge of spring – fresh, vibrant and full of new life.

‘Hey, beautiful.’ Troy kissed her quickly while the boarding house supervisor was looking the other way.

‘Get a room,’ Freddie mumbled.

‘See ya when I get back,’ he said to Freddie. ‘We’ll do the test revisions then?’

‘Yeah, come find me. Don’t have too much fun.’ Freddie screwed up his face.

‘Bye, Freddie,’ called Peta.

As they walked to her car after he signed out, Peta reached for his hand. ‘You fully charged?’

‘I am,’ he said with a wink. He pulled her into him so he could kiss her neck tenderly.

‘That’s so not what I meant and you know it,’ she replied, laughing.

Peta took him back to her place, a house she shared with her cousin Dean. Her cousin had bought the place a year ago when he started work as a fly-in fly-out worker on the mines. Dean was happy that he had someone to look after the place while he was gone for weeks on end.

‘Dean still away?’ Troy asked as they pulled into the driveway. The house was nearly ten years old but the cream brick three bedroom, two bathroom house looked quite new.

‘Yeah, until Friday. We have the place to ourselves.’ Peta took him inside to the lounge room where they curled up together in front of the TV.

But neither of them was interested in watching television. Troy ran his hand through her hair, loving the feel of it, while his eyes stayed focused on her face. She had the longest eyelashes. Dropping his head, he sought out her lips, which waited for him, parted. ‘Hmm, I’ve missed you,’ he said. And it was the truth.

Even though they hadn’t been going out for long, just over two months, he’d never experienced anything like it before. He’d never been in love but he knew he was now. And it wasn’t just because they were both survivors – it was more than that. Peta understood him, the real him, and she was herself, so open and honest. She was easy and undemanding, like Freddie. They were great mates. And they hadn’t rushed their relationship, but when they finally made it into her bedroom and figured out how to manoeuvre around his life-saving device, it had cemented their connection.

‘I’ve missed you, too.’ She smiled and his heart soared. They linked fingers. ‘So how’s the study going?’ she asked.

‘You know how to spoil a great moment,’ Troy said with a laugh.

‘Getting an education is important,’ she said. ‘You could get an awesome job like mine.’

‘Yes, I can see myself working in a music store, stocking the latest CDs and earning the big bucks,’ he teased.

‘Hey, I get good discounts.’

‘I’d best sign up after school, then. It sounds perfect.’ Troy smiled. He caressed her face, trailing kisses from her cheek to her lips. ‘Okay, enough small talk, I can’t wait any longer,’ he mumbled between kisses.

He knew the way to her bedroom blindfolded – he knew every snow dome on her shelf and the late eighties posters on her door and her cupboard. He knew there would be a few clothes on the floor, that the bed would be roughly made and more often than not there would be music playing.

She had a pink stuffed unicorn that always sat next to the pillows on her bed, and he wasn’t allowed to throw it to the floor with the rest of the extra bedding. Peta’s dad had bought Faith the unicorn for her when her heart first gave out. She was too old for stuffed toys but her dad had wanted her to believe in miracles. Faith had been by her side through all the operations and each recovery. It had become a symbol. But to Troy, seeing the sparkly pink unicorn in Peta’s dark rock-infused room was like seeing a glimpse of her heart. Sweet, soft, and magical.

Afterwards, as Peta lay draped across his chest, her hair fanned out, her breasts against his skin and their scars touching, he knew he had to tell Peta how he felt. Troy didn’t think he could hold it in any more. Peta made him feel whole again.

‘You know how much I love you, don’t you?’ he asked softly as his fingers trailed up and down her smooth back.

Peta lifted her head, her chin on his chest as she gazed at him. Her smile said it all. ‘Yes. I love you, too, Troy. So much.’ She dropped her head, kissing his chest, kissing his scar.

‘I’m glad we agree.’ Troy propped his head up with his arm. ‘Mum is coming up next weekend for a visit.’

Peta rolled back on her side. ‘Oh, that will be nice,’ she said.

Troy groaned. ‘I don’t know. She’ll spend most of the time reading all the papers and watching the news, hoping for someone else’s tragedy.’

‘I remember that.’ Peta grabbed a pillow and sat up beside him. ‘My parents were terrible, but they just really care and want us to be better. Don’t worry – I’m sure there is a heart beating its way to you very soon.’

*

And Peta had been right. A few days later he’d been playing table tennis with a few mates when one of the Year Ten boys came running towards them.

‘Troy, Troy,’ he screamed at the top of his lungs. ‘They might have a heart for you.’ The kid skidded to a stop, puffing and wheezing.

‘What do you mean?’ asked Freddie.

Troy realised then that he’d left his special pager back in his room. ‘How do you know?’ he asked.

‘The transplant team have been trying to page you and they ended up ringing the housemother. You gotta come quick.’

Troy turned to Freddie. ‘Holy shit – it’s real. I might have a heart.’

Freddie and his mates cheered and then went with him to Mrs O’Donnell, the housemother. Mrs O’Donnell was looking flushed but relieved when Troy appeared.

‘Oh Troy, we must go. They have a heart and you need to be tested to see if you’re compatible.’

Troy bit his lip; he felt scared, shocked, and unprepared. ‘I can’t believe it, Freddie.’

Meanwhile his friends were yelling out, ‘Troy’s got a new heart.’ It was almost as if the whole school had begun to gather near him, like the Pied Piper with his magical flute. The housemother left to bring her car around to the front while Troy had a chance to say his goodbyes.

Freddie grabbed him by the shoulder, his fingers pressing hard. ‘You will be fine, Yoda. You’re tough, you’ll be fine.’

Troy knew there was a chance he might not come through this alive. He knew the risks.

‘Yeah, I know, Freddie.’ They hugged quickly while his other mates patted his back and wished him well before he headed to the car. ‘I have to call Peta,’ he said to the other supervisor, Mr Jansen.

Troy felt sick, dizzy, as if he were floating, so many mixed emotions as Mr Jansen ushered him into the office.

Troy picked up the phone and rang Peta, the words tumbling from his lips. ‘Peta, I’m on my way to Royal Perth. They may have a heart for me.’ He smiled as she screamed before saying she was leaving now and would meet him there.

‘I love you, Troy.’

She didn’t give him time to reply. No doubt she’d be racing off towards her little Datsun.

Mr Jansen quickly led him outside to Mrs O’Donnell, who was waiting in her car. She looked just as nervous as he felt. The relief of a new beginning came with fear. He found the best thing to do was bury all those feelings and just take one step at a time.

‘Your parents are trying to get a flight,’ Mrs O’Donnell explained. The peak-hour traffic felt interminable.

Troy clenched his fists, and took a deep breath. For the second time in four months Troy’s life would be in the hands of the surgeons, if this heart was for him.

MIDWAY
through the next week Indi was ready to scream. She wanted to swear at the top of her lungs and probably would have had she not been in the main street of Hyden, outside the Bush Shopping Village. She’d spent all morning typing up and printing the Busy Bee flyer and the Hyden–Karlgarin Football Club newsletter and now they were blowing around the parking area after tumbling out of her ute. ‘Bloody hell.’

The cold wind was swirling around; the moist air from last night’s rain smelt fresh. If only it helped to calm her down.

She had to be at work in an hour and she still had to get these to the Telecentre and help with the
Waveline News
. The local newsletter was made by volunteers so they all helped do up various pages on gossip, sporting news and town events.

‘Need a hand?’

Indi turned to Troy as he walked through the shopping centre’s automatic doors, a paper under his arm. Just seeing him took the edge off her anger.

‘Please,’ she said as she began to round up all the fluttering sheets of paper. She picked up one that had landed in a muddy puddle. ‘Bugger. I’ll have to print some more.’

‘Busy Bee for Progress? What’s this for?’ he asked as he read one of the sheets.

‘I’m the secretary so it’s just a part of the job. But we’re calling for helpers to clean up around town after that windstorm the other day. Trees are down all over the place; we need to get it cleaned up. We’ve got a lot of tourists who pass through and the town has to look presentable.’

‘How did you get that job, then?’ Troy collected the last two sheets that had blown up against the verandah post.

‘I put my hand up for it,’ she said, doubting that Troy would really want to know. Troy never talked about his personal life and rarely questioned others about theirs.

‘Why?’

Indi raised an eyebrow at his sudden interest. She tried to summon a reply as Troy handed her the sheet. ‘Um, Hyden’s my home and I want to help progress it. Kind’ve thought the title “Progress Association” may have given it away,’ she said smugly.

‘Ha ha. No really, why?’ he asked again.

Indi hadn’t expected this level of questioning. She took a deep breath and glanced away, watching a local bloke pull into the tyre joint across the road. ‘I love this place. My life is here with my friends and family. I don’t want to lose the things I love so I need to roll up my sleeves and put in the hard yards.’ Indi pulled her shoulders back. ‘We have to do what we can to keep these small, shrinking communities alive.’ Indi felt a bit choked up on emotion. She couldn’t help it. When local businesses closed and people moved away it upset her. The way farming was, she feared for the country towns in the future. By the time her kids came along, what would they have left for them out here? ‘Look, I’ve gotta go. I still have to help at the Telecentre before work.’ She needed to shake her depressing thoughts.

‘You’re a tad busy, aren’t you?’ His hands sat on his hips, his work jeans tight around his long legs, and he made no move to leave.

‘No rest for the wicked. But the bright side of working through the night is that I get most of tomorrow off.’ Indi felt like yawning just thinking about it.

‘Ah. And what will you do with yourself then? Sleep?’

‘I wish,’ she said, jostling the papers in her hand. ‘I’ll probably be helping with the CWA morning tea.’

‘Seriously?’ Troy asked. ‘What? Are you like fifty years old?’

Indi threw her head back and laughed. ‘Sometimes I feel it.’ Indi rubbed her forehead to ease the pressure from a headache she could feel coming on. ‘And then Jasper’s coming home from the hospital and he’s going to need a babysitter.’ Indi shook her head. ‘I’ve really got to go. I guess I’ll see you at training on Thursday.’

‘Righto.’

She’d taken a few steps towards her ute when she stopped. ‘Oh, hey, actually,’ she said, turning back to Troy. ‘Can you get time off tomorrow? I could show you around, take you up to the rock. I’ve been meaning to do it for ages.’ She grimaced apologetically.

‘Don’t worry. I can see you’ve been busy.’ Troy glanced at his boots. ‘I’ll speak to Jen and see if I can get away, if you like.’

Indi took that as a yes. ‘Great. You’ll love it. It’s so beautiful up there.’ She gave him a parting smile as Troy walked back to work. Her heart was racing. Alone time with Troy. She could hardly believe it. Real alone time, without a team of sweaty men. Chucking her flyers on the passenger seat, she backed out of the parking area and headed around the corner past the school to the Telecentre. When she got there her mind was still on Troy. For the first time, he had actually seemed interested in what she was doing.

‘I’m so sorry I’m late, Tegan,’ Indi said, as she rushed through the door. ‘But I got the newsletter done and here’s a copy of the Busy Bee notice to go in the
Waveline
. What’s left to do?’

‘Just the printing.’

‘Sweet. Hey, you look great today.’ Tegan was dressed up like she was heading for the city.

‘Yeah, well, Jaffa likes it when I dress up. He said I should always look pretty.’

Indi frowned. ‘But you’re always beautiful, Teegs. Even in your PJs.’

‘Ha, only you’d say that. But thanks.’ Tegan reached for a pile of coloured paper.

While the printer churned out the cover for the
Waveline News
, Indi put something to Tegan that she’d been thinking about for a while. ‘Hey, Teegs, you know how Jasper is coming home today?’

Tegan closed her eyes and smiled, swinging her chair around to face her. ‘Yes, Indi.’ Indi smiled. Tegan could tell she wanted to ask a favour.

‘Well, he’s going to need some help, and with Dad now taking over Jasper’s work and me away so much, there’s no one to help Jasp during the day. Do you think you could keep an eye on him for me? And with the school holidays on I know you’re not needed at school so you’ll have time. Please? He can’t put any weight on his foot and won’t be able to drive anywhere. I just want someone to be there for him if he needs it.’

Tegan tapped a pen against her lips. ‘I’d love to help, Indi, but I’ll have to run it past Jaffa.’

‘Why? He won’t mind, will he?’

‘Ah.’ Tegan frowned. ‘Sometimes he gets a bit funny about stuff like that.’

‘Yeah, but this is Jasper we’re talking about. He’s just a mate. Jaffa knows that.’

‘You’re right. I’ll ask him. It’ll be fine.’ Tegan gave a small shrug of her slim shoulders, dismissing it.

‘I don’t want to cause any problems.’ Indi was thrown by Tegan’s reaction. Normally this wouldn’t have been a problem. ‘Teegs, is there trouble in paradise?’

Tegan dropped her eyes, her gaze pausing on the bruise on her arm before resting on her hands. Indi just about launched out of her chair. ‘Oh my god, did Jaffa do that!’ Indi reached for her friend but Tegan pulled away as her eyes grew wide.

‘No, no, he hasn’t hit me,’ she whispered, glancing around. ‘He wouldn’t do that. He can be a little rough when he’s drunk, that’s all. I’m okay, Indi.’ Tegan glanced away. ‘He doesn’t know his own strength when he holds me.’

‘You’d tell me if you needed help, right?’

Tegan clutched her hand. ‘It’s nothing I can’t handle. Nothing more than any other couple has to work through. Jaffa’s sweet and brings me flowers. Who does that around here?’ she said with a smile.

‘O–kay,’ Indi drawled out. ‘Just as long as you’re sure. But come to me any time, with anything, right?’ She shot Tegan her best concerned-mother look. ‘Check it over with Jaffa and let me know about Jasper. Don’t do it if it will cause problems.’ Indi really did hope she could help out with Jasper. Tegan was the perfect choice: she worked as a teacher’s aide and had all the school holidays off. She was sure Jasper would prefer Tegan to someone like Mrs Bateson.

‘Will do. I’ll let you know tomorrow.’

Indi glanced at her watch. ‘Righto, cheers. I best keep moving. Thanks again for doing most of the News. I owe you, big time.’

‘You just need to slow down. How about we have dinner at the Karlgarin Club some time soon? I hear they have a new cook.’

‘Now that sounds like a plan. We’ll talk. See ya, Teegs.’

Indi left the Telecentre a little worried about Tegan but she just hoped she was overreacting. And a meal down at the club would be great, give them a chance to have a proper chat. Karlgarin was a small town just a ten-minute drive south. Their school had closed years ago, merging with Hyden, but they had a great bowling club and groups from Hyden always went for the Friday night barefoot bowls during summer.

When she came to the crossroads, Indi decided to head straight to Pat and Maddie’s house. She pulled over when she saw Maddie’s little red Lancer in the driveway. This visit had been long overdue. Sure they’d run into each other at the shops now and then but a quick ‘hello’ wasn’t the same as a proper chat.

‘Maddie, you here?’ she asked, banging on the front door.

‘Hey, little sis, come in. Good to see you. You on your way to work?’ Maddie opened the door and stepped back. She was in her hospital uniform, her hair piled up on her head.

‘Yep, you too?’

‘Na, not for a few hours yet. You got time for a cuppa?’

‘That’d be great.’ Indi followed Maddie in through the lounge area to the kitchen. The house was spotless – Maddie was a neat freak. Indi didn’t know anyone else who dusted twice a week. Indi hardly found the time to vacuum, and there was no way Dad or Jasper would do it.

Indi sat on a stool at the breakfast bar; the soft grey tones of the kitchen and all the stainless steel appliances made it feel cool and modern.

‘So how’s things? I haven’t even talked to Pat lately either, besides training and game day. We never seem to find time to catch up properly,’ Indi said.

‘I know.’ Maddie picked up the whistling kettle. She chewed on her lip as she stared at the empty cups. ‘Things have been a little crazy here.’

‘It seems like it’s crazy everywhere. No one stops to smell the roses any more.’

Maddie was stirring their drinks but her grin could still be seen. ‘Patrick and I are trying to have a baby.’

‘Oh my god, really? That’s wonderful, Maddie. I’ve been hoping —’

Maddie held up her hand. ‘It’s early days yet, so don’t get too excited. It could take months.’

‘But still, I’m so excited. You’ll be great parents.’

Maddie smiled. ‘Thanks, Indi. I’m ready to be a mum.’ At twenty-nine, Maddie was a few years older than Patrick.

‘So, tell me about you. Tell me something exciting,’ Maddie begged as she tucked her long fringe behind her ear. She wore little diamond studs in her ears and rarely changed them.

‘We won a game.’

Maddie chuckled causing dimples to appear. ‘I know. Pat loves this Yoda guy. It’s all I ever hear. I’ll have to get to more games.’

‘Troy is really amazing. What he’s done with the team is just . . .’ She couldn’t help the smile that came with mentioning Troy.

‘
Amazing
,’ Maddie added sarcastically. ‘And I notice he’s hot and got all the girls talking.’ She raised an eyebrow at Indi. ‘You sure do like this bloke, don’t you?’

Indi shrugged. ‘Hmm. Maybe a little. I mean, who wouldn’t, right?’ Maddie was her sister-in-law and Indi had no one else to confide in about this stuff besides Tegan. Indi hadn’t been ready to openly admit anything but since Maddie had brought it up . . .

‘Oh, yay.’ Maddie clapped her hands excitedly. ‘This is great. Oh, Indi, it’s about time you had a boyfriend and stopped all those rumours.’

Indi took another gulp of her coffee before she replied. ‘I don’t care about what people say. And as much as I like Troy, I don’t think he’s interested.’

‘What! Who wouldn’t want you?’ Maddie asked.

‘He just seems to keep people at arm’s length. I don’t know, I keep changing my mind. One minute I think I have a chance and other times it feels like I’m invisible.’

‘Maybe he’s just got some heavy stuff on his mind?’ Maddie reached across and fixed the collar on Indi’s uniform. ‘Even in that hideous colour you’re still gorgeous.’

‘Now you’re just being silly. And it’s time I got to work. Enough talk about my non-existent love life.’ Indi got up and gave Maddie a big hug. ‘And you look after yourself, okay? Just relax and try not to stress and you’ll be a mummy before you know it.’

‘Who’s the nurse here?’ Maddie laughed. ‘Hey, can we do this again? Soon?’ Maddie’s family was in Perth and Indi realised how lonely she must feel without them close by.

‘Yes, we will. Let me know when you have an afternoon off. Maybe we could go out to lunch at the Wildflower shop?’ Indi finished her coffee and put the cup on the sink.

‘Sweet, I’d like that. See you, Indi.’

Maddie walked her to the door and waved as she drove away. Indi felt tingles at the thought of becoming an aunty. It was the best news she’d heard in a long time. Regardless of whether they had a boy or a girl, Indi would help teach the kid footy. She grinned. Aunty Indi was going to spoil them rotten.