The Recruit (21 page)

Jaz put her arms around Pax’s shoulders and hugged him tight. ‘I’m glad you’re home, I missed you. Do you feel like another cuppa?’

Pax patted Jaz’s arm and smiled. ‘I missed you too, and a cuppa would be great thanks, Sweetie.’

Jaz kissed his forehead before taking the empty cups back to his house. So much was going on lately and school would be over at the end of the year. She sighed. For some reason Jaz felt like her world was about to shift.

‘Mind if I join you two?’

‘Hey, Tay, you don’t have to ask,’ said Anna as Taylor sat beside her, his half eaten lunch in his hand and his white school shirt half untucked.

‘To what do we owe this pleasure?’ said Jaz as she swept her hair back from her face.

‘Do I need a reason to visit my mates?’

Jaz and Anna glanced at each other, eyebrows raised.

‘I know I don’t normally have lunch with you two but I’ve just been feeling a bit out of place over there lately,’ said Taylor nodding to his usual table where four guys and a couple of girls were mucking about. ‘I don’t know, maybe it’s knowing that in another six months we will be out in the big wide world and I just don’t see myself staying in contact with them. You guys, on the other hand…’

‘Aww, you’re sweet,’ said Anna, touching Taylor’s arm.

‘So, why is Jaz looking so glum?’ he asked.

‘I’m not glum.’ Jaz felt both sets of concerned eyes on her.

‘Ah, hello? Yes you are. You’ve been sad the last few days and don’t tell me it’s got nothing to do with Ryan. I know you, you’re thinking about him,’ said Anna.

‘Why, what’s up with Ryan, are you two…?’ Taylor’s blue eyes probed for answers.

Jaz dropped her head on the table, narrowly missing her sandwich. ‘No we are not going out, dating or anything of the sort. We are friends…well at least I thought we were,’ she said sitting back up. ‘But now something funny’s going on and I haven’t heard from him since him and Pax had that heated discussion.’

‘See, I think you’re reading too much into it, Jaz. What Pax said was probably right, it’s just some family problem that’s got him messed up.’

‘I don’t know, Anna. It’s this feeling I have…and when I more or less asked him if I’d done something wrong he never replied. Most people would say “no, it’s got nothing to do with you” but he didn’t reassure me one bit. And Pax just about peed his pants when I sprung their conversation. If I didn’t know better I’d say they were talking about me.’ Jaz sighed. ‘Oh, don’t look at me like that. I know you think I’m nuts.’

Anna laughed as she reached her hand across to Jaz. ‘Honey, you’ve always been nuts, but I still love you. Look, Ryan’s a big boy who can take care of himself. I’m sure he’s fine. He said he’d be in touch, just give him time.’

‘Anna‘s right,’ added Taylor. ‘So bring back that gorgeous smile of yours. Besides I can’t take you to the ball looking like your pet’s just died now, can I?’

Jaz shrugged and smiled just for them. A girl couldn’t ask for better mates. ‘So have you found a tie yet?’ she asked Taylor. He was going to look so handsome in a suit and even better beside her.

‘I picked up a blue tie and a silver one as well. I’ll bring you home after school and you can pick the one that suits best.’

‘Cool, sounds like a plan.’

Taylor glanced across at Anna just as she finished her apple. ‘You wanna come with us?’

She shook her head and threw her core on her tray. ‘Would love to but Ricky and I are going to the library to do some research on a project. And
NO
it’s not what you think.’

‘So what do you think it is that we are thinking?’ asked Jaz cheekily.

‘Piss off, you know what I mean. Come on, I’m going to class. You two coming?’

Jaz and Taylor got up to walk with Anna. Jaz was feeling better, well she had her smile back, but still lurking in the back of her mind was Ryan. Part of her worried she’d never see him again, and that didn’t sit well at all. And if she was going to be an agent she had to do it for herself, not just to be able to see Ryan…right? Maybe Ryan was annoyed she hadn’t made up her mind yet? But she’d been thinking bloody hard about it. It was a pretty major career choice, scary and dangerous but also Jaz liked the idea of being able to help protect people. She’d like to be as amazing as Ryan. A secret super agent.

‘Jaz we’re in this classroom,’ said Anna from the doorway of their next class, the one which Jaz had just walked straight past. Whoops.

Jaz hung her head out the window of Taylor’s Mustang and closed her eyes against the wind. A handful of black hair swirled out behind her.

‘You remind me of our dog, Jake, but with less drool. He loved sticking his head out the window too,’ said Taylor with a smirk.

Jaz put her head back inside. ‘Smart arse. I was clearing my mind.’

‘Did it help?’

‘Nup,’ she laughed.

Taylor tapped his fingers against the steering wheel in time to the music on the radio. ‘You know Jaz, something about you has changed. Nothing big, and nothing I can put my finger on, but you’re different.’

‘Is that in a good way or bad way?’

‘Good…I think.’

‘Gee, thanks…I think,’ said Jaz pushing Taylor’s arm playfully. Maybe in a way she was different. Ryan had opened her eyes to a completely new world and she felt like she saw things a bit differently. She also noticed she wasn’t thinking about Taylor all the time. Like a month ago, she would be delirious with excitement to be going home with Taylor, but now there just seemed like more important things to be thinking about.

‘It’s been a while since just you and I were here,’ said Taylor as he pulled into his street.

A black car caught Jaz’s attention, more so when it parked on the street opposite Taylor’s house. She could have sworn the car and the guy in the driver’s seat looked familiar. Must be just one of the neighbours busy talking on their mobile.

Taylor drove into the garage. His home was a beautiful big one-storey home with a tropical garden and pool out the back. It had probably been a year since her last visit to his place alone. She followed Taylor through the three-bay garage and into the house. They walked through the lounge room full of expensive artwork and sculptures. His dad collected guns, so his mother had collected artwork, before she died four years ago from cancer. It had been a hard few years, but Taylor and his dad had their own rhythm going now.

They headed down the wide passageway to a door on the right, which was his dad’s big office with his prize collection.

‘Come in here, I want to show you something,’ he said, taking her hand and guiding her into his father’s office.

Taylor went past the floor-to-ceiling display cabinet with guns, to a bookshelf, pulled out a book and came back with a key. Then he opened a large vault that was hidden behind another bookcase on a hinge.

‘This is Dad’s new pride and joy.’ Taylor put on some white gloves and threw a pair to Jaz. When he turned around, he was cradling a gun.

‘This is a .32 calibre revolver made by Henckell & Co and was found at Kate Kelly’s house.’ Taylor waited for the news to sink in.

‘Soooo, as in Ned Kelly the famous bushranger?’

Taylor smiled with joy. ‘You got it. Experts have placed the revolver in the period 1870 to 1880, and see this,’ Taylor held the wooden stock closer. ‘The initials KK are inscribed here, and also the insignia of the Royal Constabulary who hunted the Kelly Gang.’

Jaz took the old revolver and felt awed in its presence. Whether it was from touching a part of Australia’s history, or just being swept up in the magic of it all as Taylor spoke with such passion. ‘It’s beautiful, and no doubt very expensive?’ Jaz asked.

‘Yeah, but it’s worth it. Just think what this revolver has been through and the stories it’d tell if it could. I reckon it belonged to Constable Alexander Fitzpatrick, apparently he claimed to have lost his gun during a struggle with the Kelly family.’

‘Wow, Tay. You know so much about all this. Does your dad let you show it around?’

Taylor laughed and took back the revolver. ‘That would be a NO. He doesn’t even know I know where he hides his keys. Adults underestimate their kids’ abilities.’

‘Typical. It’s a weird feeling to hold so much history in your hands,’ said Jaz, taking her gloves off while Taylor locked up.

He put his arm around Jaz after hiding the key back in the book and headed off towards his room. ‘I knew you would appreciate it, Jaz. I can’t wait to show Anna too.’

‘She will probably know more about it than you,’ Jaz laughed as they entered Taylor’s room. His double bed was against the far wall, the blue doona cover thrown back as if he’d just got out of bed. Jaz walked across the grey carpet and sat down on it while he went to his walk-in-robe to find the ties. His floor was a lot like hers, covered in clothes.

‘Your house cleaner on a vacation too?’ she asked.

‘Yeah, probably off sipping martinis with yours,’ he laughed.

Jaz glanced over to his desk by his bed. His laptop sat open, alarm clock nearby and a photo frame, which she picked up. It was a photo of Jaz and Anna together, arms thrown around each other and pulling a finger at Taylor who’d taken the photo. She’d forgotten he’d taken this. It was about four months ago and it was after his photography class.

They looked so different, Jaz dark with blue eyes and Anna fair with green eyes and her strawberry blonde hair.

‘I love that photo of you two,’ said Taylor, stepping back out of his wardrobe and throwing a bag at Jaz.

She put the photo back and dug into the bag, pulling out the ties. The blue one was the wrong shade for her dress but the silver one was perfect. ‘This one will do,’ she said showing him. ‘Have you got your suit?’

He nodded and rolled his eyes. ‘Yes, I went to get fitted and measured up last week. Dad actually came along to help. This was strange for him. He’s been a bit funny lately.’

‘Really, like how? Your dad is usually very easy, even considering he’s a cop.’

‘I know, right? I can’t put my finger on it but he’s a little more fatherly. If that makes sense? Asking me where I am going and wanting regular text updates.’

Jaz laughed. ‘Tay, he sounds like my mum. Something must be wrong. Your dad’s the normally the cool one.’

‘Exactly,’ he said, waving his arms.

Jaz brushed her finger down the silver tie. ‘God, I’m so glad I got my dress without my mum. She was a little disappointed she wasn’t there with me, but trying on a heap of dresses that she likes is not my idea of fun.’

‘Has Anna got hers yet?’ he asked, sitting down next to her on the bed.

‘Yeah, it’s an emerald green strappy number. She did some major begging to get it but she assures me it was worth it.’

‘Anna would look amazing in anything,’ said Taylor before standing up. ‘Well I suppose I should get you back to The Ring. You probably have someone lined up to beat the living crap out of. Who is it today, Bags or Tick?’ he laughed.

‘One day I’d like to get you back there and teach you a few more moves. I reckon you’ve probably forgotten the ones I’ve already taught you.’

Jaz stood up just as Taylor picked her up and threw her over his shoulder. ‘No I haven’t and I even have a few of my own. You feel like a swim?’

‘Taylor, you wouldn’t dare!’ she squealed, kicking her legs. ‘I’ve got nothing to change into and my shirt’s white!’

‘Jaz, you’re so not helping your cause,’ he laughed.

Jaz didn’t know whether to squirm free or to tickle him, either way she’d probably end up a heap on the floor. Taylor headed towards the kitchen to the glass doors that opened up to the pool area but at the last minute plonked her on the marble benchtop.

‘I’ll let you go this time, next time I won’t be so forgiving,’ he joked. ‘Wanna Coke for the ride home?’ he asked.

‘Sure, thanks, Tay.’ Jaz watched Taylor open the stainless steel fridge. How did she ever end up with such a cool friend, and a hottie at that? Jaz was reminded again just how much more time they had been spending with him. She wasn’t going to complain, as it felt like old times when they always hung out before he got so popular, but she still wondered what was going on inside his head. She wasn’t the only one who had changed a little. Taylor was also changing. Could it be that they were just all growing up?

Taylor cracked her can and passed it over. ‘Come on, let’s get you back to The Ring before my car turns into a pumpkin.’

The next day at school had been a total bore. Not even Minka had the heart to annoy her. What was the world coming too? Taylor had sat with them again at lunchtime, and Minka hadn’t even thrown daggers their way. Apparently her footballer boyfriend was giving her popularity a boost. Jaz still saw her glance longingly at Taylor though, when she thought no one was looking. Jaz should know: that had been her for most of her life.

Jaz stood outside of school with Anna and Taylor, her earphones in her hands ready to put in.

‘You’re gonna love the surprise, Anna,’ she said. ‘I will see you tomorrow, oh and a word of warning, stay away from the pool.’ Jaz squinted her eyes at Taylor and pointed her finger at him. ‘And you behave.’ Taylor laughed and gave her a scout’s honour.

She watched her friends get into the Mustang and waved, before Taylor floored it down the street causing heads to turn. She was sure she could hear Anna squealing. Taylor was taking Anna home to show her the revolver and to fix something wrong with his laptop. Meanwhile Jaz was going to jog to The Ring so she’d be warmed up and ready in case one of the guys wanted to spar.

Jaz made it to the gym in her best time yet, even with her bag bouncing on her back and running in her commando boots. It probably helped that she’d listened to a selection of dance music with a fast beat.

‘Hi ya, Pax,’ she said pulling out her earphones and giving him a kiss on the cheek. ‘What’s up? You look a little flustered?’

Pax rubbed his head, his eyes darting about anxiously. ‘Just getting old I guess.’

‘Bah humbug, Pax. You’ll never be too old. I’m gonna get changed. Any of the boys in yet?’

‘Yeah, Niles is floating around somewhere. If you ask him to fight just go easy, he’s a bit out of shape.’