The Saddler Boys (6 page)

Everything was dry and crisp, even the air, but the bush was still a sight to behold. The changing shades of the bark, from the pale creams and pinks of the salmon gums to the reds and browns of the gimlets, bordered the scene before her like a natural photo frame. The birds in the trees were talking to each other; it was noisy yet it felt so silent. As if there was no one else for miles. Natalie had never been so remote before, and as strikingly beautiful and different as it was, she worried about what wildlife might visit her small backyard during the night. As long as it wasn't Rodger out for a slither, she should be okay.

She couldn't remember the last time she'd had a moment to herself to appreciate her surroundings. Maybe not since the picnic at Kings Park with Uncle Kent, when he'd surprised her for her nineteenth birthday. He'd spent most of the time telling her about the breeds of birds and the species of trees that surrounded them. Nat could have listened to him all day. She smiled as she raised the wine to her lips. The moment was perfect and she had the whole weekend to herself.

Bliss.

THE
weekend was lovely and refreshing with no one to answer to. She'd found herself sitting and contemplating her situation. Thinking about Gary and their engagement, her parents and her job. She also worked on her school plan for the kids, made up some colourful new charts and classroom decorations and finished off with some romantic comedy movies. Natalie got ready for school feeling fabulous. She dressed for the occasion with a pencil skirt, thick black belt and a matching soft grey silk top with a black collar and cuffs. Her hair was back in a sleek ponytail and she wore her favourite black red-bottom heels, and a matching red lipstick for an extra flash of colour. She was about to head off to work when her phone rang. It was Gary. She was dying to tell him how well Billy was progressing and that Seth had just aced his maths test and was entering a competition.

‘Hey, how's my princess?' he said. ‘Are you missing me?'

‘I'm fine, and of course I miss you.'

‘Enough to quit and come home to me yet?'

‘Honey, you know I have to do this. No matter how much I'm missing you.'

‘I know, baby. I just miss you so much,' he replied. ‘And you're going to be my wife now. I want you here so I can take care of you.'

‘We have the rest of our lives together. We haven't even set a date yet.'

‘Next time you're home we will. Look, babe, I have to go. Jimmy is waving at me like he's dying from food poisoning. My dad must be here for the meeting. Talk soon. Love you.'

‘Love you too,' she whispered, but he'd already hung up.

Nat tucked her phone away, locked up her house and walked to school, thinking things over. She had a niggling feeling that Gary's proposal had come early due to her stay in the country. Had it made him realise how much he loved her? Or was it just a way to get her to come home? Maybe it was a bit of both. Surely if he loved her he'd know she had to see the year out. She took a deep breath. The walk was just what she needed to be able to face her kids with a bright smile.

After lunch, the kids were having a great time. Sure, Isaac was play-shooting everyone more than ever because his dad had just got a new shotgun, and Ava had picked her nose for the tenth time – but it was Billy who had her worried. He wasn't his usual bright self. He hadn't spoken much that morning, not even a polite question, and now he had his head resting on the desk. Normally she'd have a few issues trying to get him to focus on the task at hand, and it had started off like that this morning, but now it was definitely something more.

‘Billy, do you need help?' Nat knelt down beside him and noticed the sweat along his hairline. ‘Are you feeling okay?'

Without lifting his head from the desk he rocked it slightly while blinking slowly. His lips were dry.

Nat touched his forehead. He was hot and clammy. ‘Oh, you poor boy. Why didn't you tell me you weren't feeling well? Do you want to go and lie down in the beanbag and I'll see if I can call your father?' Billy arched an eyebrow but didn't make a move. ‘Come on, sweetie.' Nat took his hand and led him to the beanbag in the reading corner. ‘Now, lie here and rest. I'll just go get your water bottle.'

Outside the classroom she found his bag and retrieved his water bottle, then popped her head into the office. ‘Kath, Billy looks quite sick. Can you see if someone can come get him? He has a temp.' Ross was in the back corner at his desk, talking to someone on his mobile.

Kath pulled a face. ‘Logan had the flu last week, it knocked him for six.' Logan was in the senior room, one of her grandkids. ‘Bugger, I guess it's going to do the rounds. I'll call Billy's dad.'

Kath reached for the phone, and Nat got back to her class. ‘Drink lots of water,' she told Billy. ‘It will make you feel better.' She wasn't allowed to give him any Panadol to ease his fever without his dad's consent.

‘Thank you,' he said softly as he tried to smile.

How could such a little man be so strong, suffer in silence and still remember his manners? Nat felt his forehead again and didn't like how hot he was.

Keeping Billy in her peripheral vision, she went back to teaching the class. He was soon asleep.

Kath came into the classroom and told Nat quietly, ‘Sorry, Nat, Drew isn't answering. He had Lauren down as an emergency and I know she's in Perth at the moment. But I'll keep trying.' She went over to check on Billy but didn't disturb him.

He woke as the bell rang for hometime. Nat went to him. ‘Hey, Billy, how do you feel?'

Silent tears fell from the corner of his eyes, rolling into his damp hair. ‘Head hurts.' He clenched his lids shut.

Grace came in. ‘Kath still can't reach Drew,' she said.

‘He can't go home on the bus like this,' said Nat.

‘No, especially as he probably rides his motorbike from the front gate to the house,' said Grace. ‘Do you want me to run him home?'

Nat was reeling – as a parent, wouldn't you make sure you were always available for emergencies? ‘It's okay, I'll take him. I want to make sure he's okay. Can you give me directions to his place?' He was her student, her responsibility. And she was worried.

Grace drew out a map, but it didn't look too hard – a few turns and about a ten-minute drive.

Nat told Billy she was going to take him home. He seemed a little disorientated but it could have been because the school was empty; the place always felt different without kids. She put his schoolbag in her car before helping him into the front seat. He struggled to walk and Nat just wanted to scoop him up in her arms and carry him. He didn't complain but his eyes were heavy with fatigue and pain. Billy had suffered because his father couldn't keep his phone nearby. In this day and age, Nat didn't know anyone who didn't have their mobile glued to them.

The directions to the Saddler farm, Dragon Rock, were spot on, and she had no trouble finding the winding driveway that came out by a house. Further up the road she could see sheds and machinery. For a moment she wondered if Billy's father had hurt himself. Farms were big – should she try to find him? She shook her head. Getting Billy in and settled was her first priority.

‘Is this home?' she asked.

Billy managed half a smile and undid his seatbelt. Nat grabbed his bag and went around to help him out. They walked along an overgrown pathway made from old bricks through a beautiful, established garden with massive trees and roses. It was looking a bit neglected, though – Nat would have bet Billy's nana had been the gardener. Agapanthus edged the path and little metal creations in the shape of animals were scattered about under trees. A long lizard gave her a fright before she realised it wasn't real. At the end of the path they stepped up to a verandah, where they were greeted by an old black dog. Billy didn't even have the energy to greet the excited animal, who looked quite blind but recognised Billy with one sniff.

Nat opened the glass sliding door. ‘Anyone home?'

Billy gave her a funny look before walking inside, his little hand pulling her after him. The house smelt quite musty, and the floor looked as if it hadn't been swept in a while. They passed the dining table, piled up with papers and unfolded washing, walked through the kitchen, where breakfast dishes still sat on the island bench, and down a passage to the first room on the right. Lightning McQueen and Minecraft posters hung on a light blue wall and the bedspread, covered in motorbikes, was unmade. Toy farm machinery lay all over the carpet. Billy crawled onto his bed.

‘Here, let me take your boots off.' Nat pulled off the little farm boots, which most of the boys wore to school.

Billy reached for the doona. ‘I'm cold,' he whispered.

Nat felt his forehead again: still hot. She brushed back his hair, wanting to soothe away his pain. His body began to relax.

‘How about I go find you some Panadol and some water? I'll be back in a minute.'

When Nat reached the kitchen she wondered if she'd need longer than a minute. How was she going to find Panadol in this mess? She checked the top of the fridge first. No luck, but she did notice a photo of Billy with an older lady – probably Alice – stuck on with magnets. There was another one of Billy on his bike, and one of him standing with a pretty woman, both with their thumbs up, beside a metal kangaroo.

Nat went through the cupboards and found a small walk-in pantry. Up on a high shelf were the Panadol and other medication. Grabbing the one for kids, she measured out the right amount and took it back to Billy's room. She was off-duty and, quite frankly, she didn't care what was protocol any more: this child needed some help.

‘Here, darling, take this. It will help.' She placed his water bottle on the bedside table after shifting paper Minecraft boxes, and held out the measuring cup of Panadol.

‘Will you stay with me?' he asked as he handed the cup back and lay back down.

‘Of course.' She didn't want to mention his father in case Billy got upset. Instead she knelt by his bed and stroked his hair until he was asleep.

She sneaked out of his room and went to the kitchen. Everything was in complete disarray. The sink was full and the milk was still out. The floor looked as if someone had walked around with muddy boots on and if she didn't watch where she put her feet she might end up skating across the room on Billy's toy cars and tractors. The least she could do was tidy up the dishes.

She was just about finished when she heard the sliding door open.

‘Billy!' yelled a voice.

‘Shhhh,' said Nat as she pulled the plug on the sink water before turning to see the man who had stormed into the house. It was Mr January. Seriously? The man from the shop on her first day was Billy's father?

‘What the hell are you doing in my house?' he said, stomping towards her.

Nat's senses were assaulted. He stank of sweat and something yucky like animal poo; he was covered in grime from head to toe and had white fluff stuck to his blue singlet. There was even some blood on his forehead.

‘Excuse me?' she demanded back. ‘Where the hell have you been? Don't you know how to answer a phone?'

‘I beg your pardon?' said Drew as he stopped a foot away from her. Dirty hands went to his hips and his arms flexed like a bull ready to charge. He glanced around the house before his eyes zeroed in on her again. ‘Where's my son?' he said accusingly.

For a moment Nat was afraid, but she resisted the urge to step away. ‘Your son,' she shot back, ‘is sick, and if you'd answered your phone you'd know that and you could have saved him a lot of pain.'

Drew stepped towards the island bench and picked up the bottle of Panadol.

‘I've just given him some,' she said defiantly. ‘He needed it.'

Drew's face darkened and he strode off towards Billy's bedroom. Nat sighed in frustration. She wanted to yell at him not to wake Billy but the shouting had probably already woken the poor boy.

‘A simple “thank you” would have been nice,' she muttered as she made her way to the door. The sweet guy who had helped her at the shop turned out to be a grumpy bastard. Who would have thought? She was about to slide the door closed when she saw a photo on the hall table. It was of Drew, who looked right out of high school, holding a baby with Billy's eyes. Drew's gaze was that of a devoted father, protector and carer. No matter how bad a person he was, it looked like he truly loved his son. Something in her heart told her that now Drew was home, young Billy would be okay.

DREW
stood by his son's bed. The sight of his boy tucked up, sleeping, with sweat beading along his hairline, turned him to mush. He knelt down, fighting back anguish at not being there for Billy when he'd needed him.

Drew had been shearing but he'd glanced at his watch around the time Billy was due home. Sometimes Billy would make himself a Nutella sandwich before coming up to the shed, so Drew hadn't thought much of it at first. When he'd checked his watch again and realised it was much later, he'd grown worried and jumped straight on the quad bike to the house.

Seeing that fancy blue car had filled him with dread, but as he'd got closer he'd remembered it from the shop. It belonged to the new teacher. Who had told him to be quiet in his own house! To see her in all her finery in his messy house, doing his dishes, of all things, had spun his head. He was ashamed, embarrassed, angry, worried and confused all at once. He brushed the damp hair from his son's brow and Billy groaned.

‘Hey, little buddy, how're you feeling?'

Billy's eyes fluttered open. ‘Dad.'

The smile he gave Drew melted his heart. Where had he left his mobile? Was it still by his bed, or in the ute? Damn, he should be more organised. ‘I'm sorry, mate. I was shearing but I'm here now. Can I get you anything?' God, he missed his mum at times like this. He was so used to having her as backup. She'd looked after them both but now it was all down to him. Should he take Billy to the doctor? What would his mum have done?

Billy wiggled his nose. ‘Dad, you smell.' He pushed his head into his pillow.

‘Okay, I get it. I'll have a quick shower.'

‘Is Miss Wright still here?'

Drew blinked as he studied the hopeful face of his son. ‘Oh, I don't know, mate.' He went back out to the kitchen but there was no sign of her – only the clean stack of dishes she'd washed, the dishcloth neatly folded over the tap just the way his mum used to leave it. ‘Huh.'

With a shake of his head he searched for the thermometer and went to check Billy's temperature. Thankfully it wasn't extreme so he decided to have a quick shower. There would be no more work today. Everything could wait. At least he'd have time to get some housework done.

Drew caught sight of himself in the mirror and grimaced. No wonder the teacher had looked aghast. He was in a right mess, with blood on his face where he must have wiped his brow after sewing up that cut sheep. The blasted ewe had kicked out, making the handpiece slip. He hated cutting them; it was the main reason he shore his own sheep instead of getting in a shearing team. That, and it also saved him a heap of money. While he was scrubbing the soap over his skin he thought back to the look on the teacher's face. She was pretty even when her face was red with anger. He had to give her points, bucketloads, for watching out for Billy. It wasn't in her job description to care for him after hours. Drew chuckled to himself. She may be a city girl but she'd done a very country thing, settling Billy in at home and tidying up. She'd got involved, sticking her nose in where it probably didn't belong. And for that, he'd always be grateful. Maybe they'd make a country girl out of her yet.

Billy wasn't at school the next day or the one after, which Nat had expected. But by Thursday she was getting worried.

‘Kath, have you heard how Billy's going?' she asked at recess.

‘Oh, he's fine. Should be back at school tomorrow.'

‘Did you call them?'

‘Oh, no, I heard it through the grapevine.' Kath raised her eyebrows. ‘But that's not all I heard. Your name was getting mentioned.'

Nat was about to take a sip but put her cup down. ‘Me?' Had she upset the town by going to Billy's place? Was Drew saying bad things about her? Had she overstepped the mark?

‘Yes, you. Young Drew was overheard spruiking how you went above and beyond to look after Billy. He said Billy thought the world of you and I know that's true. Drew's been singing your praises.'

Nat frowned. ‘That's weird, considering he was pretty angry when he found me in his house.'

‘Yes, dear, but he probably didn't have time to think things through. Billy always comes first. That's why the town catch is still single.'

Nat almost laughed. How could Drew be single? Even with a kid he'd still be highly sought after. Those eyes, that face . . . that body. Nat could feel a slow burn of appreciation just from picturing him.

‘I know what you're thinking,' said Kath. ‘But it's true. The women around here aren't blind. It's more that he's blind. Maybe it has something to do with Billy's mother. I'm just guessing, but Drew's been through a lot and Billy's all he's got. I doubt Drew's done much for himself since that boy was born.'

Nat nodded and sipped her tea. Gary wanted children soon. He'd once told her he wanted four, and she'd agreed whole­heartedly. They would often lie together in bed thinking up names and deciding if they would have boys or girls. They were on the same page when it came to how they wanted to raise children, and Nat knew that they would make a wonderful family together, that Gary would be a great father. She just wasn't quite ready for that yet.

‘Well, anyway,' she said to Kath, ‘I'm glad Billy's okay. I was getting more and more worried.'

‘Get used to it. These are mostly farm kids. They stay home from school if shearing is on or if they're needed in the yards. Between you and me, I think a little bit of it is good for them. They learn life skills.'

Kath got up to rinse her cup out and headed back to the office. The jury was still out for Nat, who'd been taught that school was the most important thing. Her parents had spent thousands on top schools. But, really, was she any better off than teachers who'd gone through government schools? It all depended on the child.

Nat wondered what hopes and dreams Drew had for Billy. Or was he destined to be a farmer?

When Friday morning came, she was relieved to see Billy walk into the classroom with a smile on his perky face.

‘Good morning, Miss Wright,' he said clearly. ‘Thank you for taking care of me when I was sick.'

He had such lovely manners. ‘Thank you, Billy, you're welcome. Are you feeling better?'

He nodded, still smiling and fidgeting on the spot. His eyes danced as if filled with fireflies. He held out a small envelope.

‘Dad said to give you this. It's an invitation to lunch.'

Nat took the envelope, unsure of whether she wanted to open it.

‘Please, you have to come so I can show you my pet yabbies, Frank and Ben.' Billy tilted his head and pulled a face. ‘But Ben is having babies.'

‘So Ben could be a Benita?'

Billy giggled and nodded.

Nat opened the envelope. Was this normal out in the country? Did people invite teachers for lunch?

To Natalie,

At least he knew her name. His handwriting was a sloped print.

I owe you an apology and a thank you. Please let me make it up to you with lunch on Saturday. If you're free. Regards, Drew and Billy.

A smile tugged on her lips at the way he'd signed the note. He'd left his home and mobile numbers at the bottom.

‘Please come?' asked Billy. He stood expectantly, with his hands clasped behind his back.

‘I'll think about it. I might be going back to Perth this weekend,' she improvised. She needed time to think this through.

At recess, she waited until Ross left before asking Grace, Kath and the aide, Emily, for their opinions.

‘Do you think I should mention I'm engaged?'

Grace shook her head. ‘He already knows. Everyone knows,' she said with a laugh. ‘That went through town the moment you returned from Perth with that sparkly rock. It's actually quite common for new teachers to be invited out to lunch or dinner. It's just what we do.'

‘Really?'

‘Yes, I'm actually surprised Lauren hasn't had you over yet. I'm sure she's working up to it. Being on the P & C board, she makes it her business to look after the new teachers. And you don't have to worry about Drew overstepping the boundaries. You couldn't find a more perfect gentleman. Alice raised him well.'

Nat remembered their second meeting and was going to debate this, but then recalled how kind he was at their first encounter. ‘So you think it would be okay to accept?'

‘It's totally up to you,' said Emily. ‘But engaged, married or not – I'd be there like a shot. Not many get to see Drew in his home environment, except for Lauren and Kim.'

Kath reached over and patted her hand. ‘Go and enjoy yourself. Billy would love it. It's been pretty hard on them both with Alice gone. I bet they're both craving some female company.'

Nat sighed. ‘I wouldn't mind seeing a yabby. Then the kids might not look at me as if I have two heads.' That caused the ladies to laugh. Nat smiled at her new friends as she thought of lunch with Drew. ‘You know, I miss male company myself. Not having Gary here, or my brother around. And I did idolise Jason, growing up. Guys have a different take on things.'

Kath chuckled. ‘Well, be prepared to hear all about farming,' she teased. ‘Actually, with Drew you won't get the normal farmer routine. Being so devoted to his son makes him a little bit different. In a good way.'

‘I think I could handle that.'

Nat excused herself from the staffroom and went back to class to get her mobile. She keyed in Drew's number.

‘Hello, Drew speaking.' There were sheep
baa
ing in the background and Drew sounded slightly out of breath.

‘Hi, Drew, it's Natalie. The teacher,' she said awkwardly.

‘Hey, hi, how are you?' The background noise grew quiet, as if he'd found another spot to talk. ‘I guess Billy gave you the invite.'

‘Yes, he did.'

‘Great. Please say you'll come out tomorrow. Let me show you that I'm not a barbaric farmer, 'cos we are actually quite normal.' He laughed. ‘And I really do want to thank you.'

‘Sure, why not? Billy wants to show me his yabbies and I really would like to see what all the fuss is about,' she said. ‘What time?'

‘How's eleven sound?'

‘That will be fine. Thanks, Drew.' They said goodbye and ended the call. Her hands were shaking.

She wondered what Gary would think. His last girlfriend had left him for a friend of his, and it had really torn him up. She got the feeling that he didn't like her spending time with other guys. Perhaps she needn't tell him. It was harmless, after all.