Chapter Fifteen
As it turned out, Liam didn’t get to town in the first half of the week. The tractor broke down, two steers got stuck in the dam, and the water pipe in the bore took a whole day to fix. Each morning, he started out with great intentions, and Willow looked up expectantly as he ate breakfast at the kitchen sink.
“I’m sorry, pup. I’ve been ignoring you this week. We’ll go to town and see Angie soon, I promise.”
Early on Wednesday afternoon, he came in and had a quick shower, planning to head to town to catch her before she closed the surgery for the afternoon. He didn’t call to make an appointment. Knowing Angie, if she knew he was coming in, she’d disappear like she had the time he’d gone to pick Willow up. As he’d dealt with recalcitrant cattle, uncooperative motors, and twisted pipes this week, he’d practised what he would say to her. After Willow had her shots and Angie had finished her appointments for the day, he would take her to the milk bar and they would have a civilised chat. He picked up Willow’s lead. The pup could sit outside the milk bar while they chatted—like two mature adults who knew each other well, and who were going to be friends until he moved away. Liam nodded. He had it all planned. Emotions had been put aside. As he picked up his keys, a vehicle rattled across the cattle grate and he crossed to the window. He wasn’t expecting anyone, and the front gate was padlocked. He leaned forward with a frown, and then a smile spread across his face as the car door opened.
…
Angie closed the surgery early on Wednesday afternoon. Cissy had to go to Narrabri to the dentist—that was another service that Spring Downs had lost as the town got smaller—and there had been no appointments scheduled after three o’clock. She picked up the zip drive with the month’s financial records on it and headed home. She’d put off doing the accounts for too long, and it was the perfect opportunity to catch up on her accounting. After a short walk home in the late spring sunshine, she pushed open the door to her small house and put the drive on the desk next to her laptop.
Spreadsheets and numbers were her pet hate. She couldn’t think of anything she disliked more. She closed her eyes. Yes, she could, but she wasn’t going to go there. She had managed to put Liam nicely into a space in her head where she didn’t have to think about him. Occasionally, he would pop into her thoughts, like a nagging toothache, but she firmly pushed the thought—or image—away and moved on to something else. Consequently, she had kept herself very busy since she had left the show. The surgery was spotless—Cissy had looked at her oddly as she had scrubbed out cages and cleaned out cupboards—her house was clean, the cupboards and drawers were in perfect order, the washing and ironing were up to date, and the pantry was well stocked. Although when she had slipped into the supermarket to shop, she’d kept an eagle eye out for any sign of Liam, but sadly—only because it showed how badly the town businesses were suffering—she had been the only one in the store, along with the cashier.
It showed how desperate she was to keep her mind occupied that the zip drive was now sitting there looking at her, waiting for her to start work. Angie procrastinated by taking a long shower and washing her hair. Then she sat at the kitchen table and painted her fingernails and toenails and ignored the work waiting for her.
The house was quiet and empty. For the first few months back in Melbourne from London, she’d kept herself busy working as a locum across the city, and by the time she’d driven home each night, it had been time for dinner and then she’d crash into bed, exhausted. From her work, and from her emotions.
It had taken a long time before she’d regained control. It would be good to get to know some of the young people in this town.
After Liam leaves. She wasn’t going to risk going out while he was still around. Sally had called about a meeting for the Bachelor and Spinster ball this morning, and Angie had promised to attend the meeting at the RSL on Monday night.
But now she was bored.
Angie walked into the living room with her computer beneath her arm and flicked the television on. Maybe some background noise would make the idea of doing accounts more attractive. Her gaze settled on the small Christmas tree next to her chair and loneliness stung afresh. Cissy had decorated the surgery for Christmas yesterday, and it had inspired Angie to go and buy the small tree from the two-dollar section at the back of the grocery store.
Stupid really, when I’m the only one who will see it.
She went back to the kitchen and put the jug on to boil. When she’d made her coffee, she fired up the computer. She couldn’t put it off any longer. As she was about to launch her business program, her phone rang from the kitchen benchtop.
She glanced at the number and pressed answer. “Hi Lucy.”
“Angie! How are you? I tried to call the surgery but there was no answer. Are you okay? You’re not sick, are you?”
Angie laughed. “No. I’m playing hookey. Cissy had to go to Narrabri, and I decided to take an early mark. It’s a bit of a worry actually. It’s been really quiet this week.”
“Don’t worry. Enjoy the time to yourself. It’s always quiet in town after everyone recovers from show weekend.” There was a pause and Angie waited as Lucy’s voice softened. “I rang to make sure you weren’t cross at me?”
“Why would I be cross with you?” Angie crossed to the window and looked out as a car screeched down the street, its tyres screaming on the bitumen as it came to a sudden stop and a group of school children stepped off the kerb. “Silly idiot!” she muttered under her breath.
“I know I was and I’m sorry.” Lucy’s voice was contrite.
“Don’t be silly. I was talking about the idiot who almost ran down some kids from the primary school.” Angie laughed as she reassured Lucy. “And what do you have to be sorry for?”
“Last Friday. Trying to push you and Liam together at the show. I know it didn’t turn out well. You took off and he looked really upset.”
“Did he?” Angie said slowly.
“He did. I won’t ask what happened. Garth got stuck into me when we got home and told me to mind my own business. He said if you two are meant to be together, it’ll happen and I don’t have to help it along. I promise I’ll pull my head in.”
“It’s all okay, don’t stress yourself. I’ve had such a busy week I’ve barely given Liam a thought.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
“Oh, that’s fabulous. I really didn’t want to hurt our friendship.”
“Don’t worry. Everything is good. We’re fine, you and I.”
“Now that I know that, I was hoping you’d come out and have dinner with us tonight. As long as you don’t mind driving all the way out from town.”
Angie pursed her lips and frowned. “Us? Don’t think I don’t trust you, but who else will be there?”
“It’s okay. I’d be the same if it was me. It’s just me and James. Garth is at a meeting in Coonamble. I could do with the company. Some girl time!”
Angie nodded. “Sounds good to me. Girl time is just what I need. What can I bring?”
“Nothing. I don’t need anything and you can talk to me while I cook. Do you like pizza?”
“I do. I’ll bring a bottle of wine.”
“Oh, Angie, I’m so pleased you said yes. Why don’t you come out now before it gets dark?”
“I will.”
Angie looked triumphantly at the zip drive sitting on the desk. “I guess you’ll have to wait.”
…
Liam ran down the back stairs, followed by Willow as the door slammed on the unfamiliar car. “What are you two doing at home? We didn’t expect you till next week?” He reached out and hugged his grandmother and then shook Pop’s hand, before he turned back to Gran.
“Look at you!”
Gran wore a stylish dress, and her hair fell softly around her face. A matching handbag and smart shoes completed the outfit. A soft pink flush ran up her cheeks and Pop smiled.
“Pretty swish, isn’t she? I took her shopping and we’ve filled a suitcase with a new wardrobe.”
“Get away with the pair of you.” Gran flapped her hand and then pointed at the car. “It wasn’t the only shopping we did. Do you like Harry’s new car?”
“I do.” Liam whistled and walked around the luxury sedan. “I’m surprised you brought that out on the dirt roads.”
“It’ll clean.” Pop walked around to the back of the car with Liam to unload the boot as Gran bent down to pat Willow. “What’s with the padlock on the front gate?” he asked. “Been having some trouble?”
“No, just a precaution. I’ll tell you all about it over a cup of tea.”
“Just as well Harry had a key to open it.” Gran looked at him. “You’re in early from the paddocks. Were you heading out?”
“I was just going to take Willow into town for her needles.” Liam wasn’t sure whose eyebrows rose the highest. He managed to keep the disappointment from his voice. It looked like he wasn’t meant to catch up with Angie today.
“Willow?” Pop’s mouth opened in a wide grin. “What breed of working dog is she?”
“Another story to tell you over a cup of tea.”
Liam reached over and hugged Gran again. “Honestly, Gran, you look amazing. The months away have done you a world of good.”
“And she’s learned how to shop. I had trouble keeping her away from the stores. There’s a whole suitcase full of baby clothes there.” Pop put his arm around Gran.
“After we have a cuppa and get changed we’ll go over to the Mackenzies and see our first great grandson.” Gran’s smile was wide. “I can’t wait to see him. Don’t call Lucy. I want to surprise her.”
Liam headed for the kitchen to put the kettle on.