dorothy cork quicksilver summer

7/23/2019 Dorothy Cork Quicksilver Summer

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Quicksilver Summer

By



Dorothy Cork

"I d o n 't n e ed y o u r co m p a n y o r y o u r p r o t e ct i o n ," P a d d y t o l d t h e a u t o cr a t i c

Venn W i ld a sh a t t he i r f ir st m ee t ing . Bu t l a t e r she w as to com e to reg re t t hose

ha sty w ord s a nd t o hop e aga inst h op e tha t she cou ld ga in Venn ' s l ove .

CHAPTER ONE

P A D D Y D E M P ST ER d id n ' t k n o w , t h a t w a r m n i g h t in l a t e sp r i n g w h e n t h e

scen t o f o range b lossom was b reak ing in waves ove r the dus ty l i t t l e town o f

G idgeem a l la w a , ju st w ha t she w a s sta r t i ng .

A l l she k new w a s th a t she w as to o rest less to sp end th e even ing a lone - t ha t

i f she d idn ' t go o u t som ew here a nd d i ve r t h e rse lf , she w ou ld n eve r sleep .

Sta n d i n g a t t h e g a t e o f M r s. F r a n k 's h o u se , st a r in g o u t a t a r o a d w a sh e d b lu e

b y t h e s ta r l i g h t - a r o a d t h a t l e d t o t h e e m p ty f l a t n e s s o f e v e r l a s t i n g p l a i n s

w h i c h e v e r w a y y o u t o o k - s h e f e l t l i k e a w i l d y o u n g a n i m a l , o r a t r e e w h o s e

s a p w a s r i s i n g . Sh e w a n te d b a d l y t o t h r o w o p e n h e r a r m s t o a l o v e t h a t



w asn 't t he re . P h i l w as hu nd reds o f m i les a w a y in Syd ney an d she ha d n ' t hea rd

f r o m h i m f o r tw o w h o l e w e ek s, a n d t o n i g h t i t se e m e d i m p o ssib le t o sit d o w n

in so l i tu d e an d w r i te secre t p oet ry t o re l iev e her fee l ing s.

So w ha t w a s she to do ? A l l t ha t d i sta nce - a l l t hose m i les - a nd th e long

su m m er va ca t ion st i ll w eeks a w a y…

Sh e ju m p e d a s t h e w ir e scr e en d o o r o n t h e v e r a n d a h b a n g e d sh u t a n d M r s.

F ra n k ca m e t h r o u g h t h e p e p p e r t r ee s t o w a r d s t h e g a t e .

"W h a t 's u p , Pa d d y ? T h i n k i n g a b o u t y o u r b o y - f r ie n d i n Sy d n e y ? F o r g e t

a b o u t h i m , a n d g o o u t a n d e n jo y y o u r se lf ! W h e n y o u 'v e b e e n m a r r ie d a f e w

y e a r s y o u w o n ' t t h i n k h e w a s w o r th m o p i n g o v e r , I ca n t e l l y o u . I su p p o se h e

w o u l d n 't o b je ct i f y o u ca m e a lo n g w it h m e n o w a n d a g a i n , w o u l d h e ?"

Pa d dy , w ho ha d t u rned t o fa ce he r , sm i led ru e fu l l y . "N o , o f cou rse he

w o u l d n 't . B u t - "

"W e ll t h e n - I 'm o f f t o G r e g M a r lo w 's t o n ig h t . W h a t a b o u t co m in g t o o ?"

Pa d dy b it h e r li p . She fe l t edg y , ne rvy , d ist u rb ed b y he r u n fu l f il led long ings.

Maybe i t was jus t p la in o rd ina ry l one l i ness . She had been teach ing in

G i d g e e m a l l a w a f o r o v e r tw o m o n th s n o w , e v e r s i n c e t h e e n d o f t h e s p r i n g

v a ca t io n , a n d in a l l t h a t t i m e , b e c a u se o f Ph i l, sh e h a d n 't m i xe d a r o u n d

soc ia l l y . He r l e i su re had been l i gh tened by no th ing more exc i t i ng than

occasiona l tea w i th on e o f t he m o t he rs o f he r si x- y ea r - o ld p up i ls, co ld d r ink s

a t t h e G o l d e n Ke y C a fe w it h so m e o f t h e t e a ch e r s, o r a g a m e o f ca r d s a t t h e

hea d m a st er 's ho m e. M ost ly i t h a d b een lon e l iness a nd le t t e rs, le t t e rs, le t t e rs,



a n d li v in g f r o m d a y t o d a y f o r t h e p o stm a n 's v i sit . A t f i rst sh e h a d h a t e d

G i d g e e m a l la w a b e c a u se it h a d t o r n h e r so r o u g h ly o u t o f c o n te x t , b u t l a t e ly ,

desp i te the red dus t and the empt iness , and pe rhaps because the o range

orcha rd s a l l a rou nd ha d com e in to b loom , she ha d a st i r r ing sense o f a lm ost

be long ing . A l l th e sa m e, i n he r hea r t she w a s q u i te su re she w ou ldn ' t b e

co m in g b a ck h e re a f t e r t h e su m m e r v a c a t i o n . Sh e w o u l d m a r r y P h il a n d st a y

in Sy d n e y w it h h i m .

So pe rhaps - pe rhaps Mrs . F rank was r i gh t , and one day she wou ld w ish

t ha t she ha d g one ou t w h i le she cou ld .

Sh e l o o k e d a t M r s. F r a n k w h o w a s j in g l in g h e r ca r k e y s in h e r h a n d . Be h i n d

h e r , o n t h e l ig h t e d e n d o f t h e v e r a n d a h , sh e co u l d se e M r . F r a n k - F r e d d y -

s i t t i n g r e a d i n g t h e s p o r t i n g p a g e s o f t h e p a p e r , p r e p a r i n g n o d o u b t f o r h i s

nex t b ou t o f b e t t ing on t he ho rses, a nd she m ov ed rest lessly .

"W ell , cou ld I com e? W ou ld i t b e a l l r igh t ? Is i t just a d a nce?"

"Oh , i t ' s the usua l th ing . Danc ing and supper and foo l i ng abou t , " sa id Mrs .

F rank ca sua l ly . She w en t to m ost p a r t i es i n t he d i st r i ct becau se she p layed

p ia n o w it h t h e l o ca l d a n ce b a n d . A s w e ll, t h e r e w a s L e s w h o p la y e d v i o l in a n d

y o u n g C h a r l i e w h o p l a y e d d r u m s , g u i t a r o r p i a n o a c c o r d i o n , b e i n g v e r y

ve rsa t i le . P ad d y ha d n eve r m e t o r even seen Les a nd Cha r l ie , w ho w ere

f a t h e r a n d s o n , b u t s h e h a d h e a r d a b o u t t h e m o f t e n e n o u g h . M r s . F r a n k

b e g a n t o m o v e t o w a r d s h e r c a r , a s l i g h t l y b a t t e r e d o l d H o l d e n p a r k e d

b e n e a t h a ce d a r t r e e , h a lf o n a n d h a lf o f f t h e d i rt f o o t p a t h . " Je n n y M a r lo w 's



a n n o u n c i n g h e r e n g a g e m e n t t o t h e j a c k e r o o f r o m Be l a h Sp r i n g s t o n i g h t , I

be l i eve , so t he re 'l l p rob ab ly be som e p eop le in f r om t he b ig sheep st a t i ons

a ro un d . You ' l l en joy you rse lf ." She op ened t he ca r d oo r a nd look ed b ack . "Are

y o u u co m in g ?"

Paddy hes i ta ted . "Pe rhaps I shou ldn ' t . I mean , i t sounds l i ke a p r i va te

p a r t y - "

"O h , f i d d l e ! Ev e ry o n e w h o w a n t s t o co m e w i ll b e t h e r e, a n d t h e r e 'll b e

p l e n t y t o e a t . N o o n e w i l l e v e n n o t i c e . I ' l l t e l l t h e m y o u ' v e c o m e w i t h m e t o

tu r n o v e r t h e p a g e s, if t h e y a sk .. Bu t y o u n e e d n 't w o r r y , t h e y w o n 't a sk , a n d

I'l l b e t t h e m e n w i ll b e a r o u n d y o u l ik e f li es a r o u n d a h o n e y p o t ."

" I hop e no t ," sa id Pa d dy , sud den ly chee r fu l . "I 'l l com e a nyh ow ." She c lim bed

in to t h e c a r b e si d e M r s. F r a n k w it h a f e el in g o f e x cit e m e n t a t t h e t h o u g h t o f

p eop le, m u sic, da nc ing - l au gh t e r . She ha d b een lone ly fo r t oo long a nd she

w a s f e e li n g it m o r e b e ca u se Ph i l h a d n 't w r it t e n . Bu t sh e h o n e st ly d i d n 't w a n t

t h e m e n a r o u n d h e r l i k e f l i e s a r o u n d a h o n e y p o t , a n d o f c o u r s e s h e d i d n ' t

b e l ie v e t h e y w o u ld b e . It w a sn 't a s if sh e w e re a r a v i n g b e a u t y , o r e v e n t h e

sl igh t est b i t g la m orou s…

G r e y M a r lo w 's o r a n g e o r ch a r d w a s o n l y a f e w m i le s o u t o f t o w n , a n d a t

f i r st , Pa dd y w a s so in t en t on en joy ing t he scen t o f t he o ra nge b lossom th a t she

t hou gh t o f no t h ing e l se . Then , a s th ey d ro ve p ast t he o rcha rd , l y ing b eh ind t he

w i re fence, she sa w l igh t s in a long shed a nd hea rd vo ices, a nd M rs. Fra nk sa id ,



"The pa ck ers a re in - t here a re st i l l o ra nge s b e ing p ick ed . Lov e ly sm el l, isn ' t i t ?

T h o u g h a b it o v e rp o w e r in g t o l iv e w it h . "

Pa d d y d i d n ' t a g r e e . Sh e lo v e d i t .

L e s a n d C h a r l i e h a d a r r i v e d a h e a d o f t h e m , a n d M r s . F r a n k p u l l e d i n

b e h i n d t h e i r c a r u n d e r t h e g u m t r e e s j u s t o f f t h e d r i v e , w i t h t h e r e m a r k ,

"H a ve t o l eav e t he b est p laces fo r t he g uests." She fou nd he r m usic a nd

h u r r i e d a h e a d t o j o i n t h e o th e r tw o w h o w e r e c l i m b i n g t h e s te p s t o t h e

v e r a n d a h . Pa d d y , h a n g i n g b a c k , w a s s u d d e n l y a w a r e t h a t s h e w a s g o i n g t o

fee l an in t ruder . Bes ides wh ich - oh heavens ! She g lanced down a t herse l f in

d i sm ay . A s usu a l , she ha d fo rgo t ten a bo u t he r c lo t hes. A l l he r step m ot he r 's

e f fo r t s t o m a k e her c lo t hes-con sc iou s ha d fa i led , a nd here she w a s in jean s

and a s t r i ped sh i r t o f r a the r f r ag i l e Ind ian co t ton , he r ba re toes show ing in

t h e i r e m e r a l d g r e en sa n d a l s. N o m a k e - u p a t a ll, a n d h e r sh o r t b la c k h a ir w it h

it s u p tu r n e d e n d s ju st a l it t l e b it w i ld . H a r d ly p a r t y g e a r !

B y n o w , M r s. F r a n k w a s st a n d i n g o n t h e v e r a n d a h w it h t h e t w o m e n , a n d

a g i r l in a long si lk y sk i r t a nd a sk e tchy sleeve less to p an d sw ing ing a m b er

e a r - r i n g s a p p e a r e d i n t h e o p e n d o o r w a y , a n d t h e y a l l w e n t i n sid e . Pa d d y w a s

c o m p l e te l y f o r g o t t e n . M r s . F r a n k d i d n ' t e v e n l o o k a r o u n d t o s e e w h e r e s h e

w as be fo re she d i sap p eared in to th e hou se .

W ell, b u sine ss ca m e fir st …

"So w h a t d o I d o n o w ?" Pa d d y w o n d e r ed . Sh e st a y e d w h e r e sh e w a s f o r a

w h i le in t h e sh a d o w o f so m e o le a n d e r s, b u t M r s. F r a n k d id n 't co m e b a ck , a n d



t ha t g ir l in th e long sk i rt d idn ' t ap p ear t o w e lcom e he r a nd say , "Oh , M rs.

F rank sa id she 'd b rou gh t a long a f r i end . You m ust com e inside - a nd look , I'l l

lend you one o f m y long d resses."

T h a t w o u ld h a v e so l v e d t h e p r o b l e m n i ce ly , b u t i t j u st d i d n ' t h a p p e n . T h e

fa c t o f t h e m a t t e r w a s , M r s . F r a n k p r o b a b l y t h o u g h t , i f s h e t h o u g h t a t a l l ,

t h a t P a d d y w a s f u l ly a d u l t . - t w e n t y - t w o a n d a f u l ly f le d g e d i n f a n t s' t e a c h er

a n d a lo n g w a y f r o m h o m e - a n d c o u ld lo o k a f t e r h er se lf .

W h e n t h e ca r s b e g a n t o a r r iv e a n d t h e g u e st s ca m e h u r r y i n g u p t o t h e

h o u s e , Pa d d y m o v e d f u r t h e r a w a y w h e r e t h e v e r a n d a h s w e r e n ' t s o b r i g h t l y

l i t , and where the re were lo ts o f da rk t r ee shadows and concea l ing sh rubs . I t

d id n ' t l ook as i f she w ere go ing t o ha ve su ch a soc ia l even ing a f t e r a l l.

St i l l, she d idn 't ha ve t o iso la t e herse l f com p le te ly , and i f she cou ld n ' t jo in in ,

she cou ld st i ll w a tch , an d su re ly th a t w a s som eth ing . The pa r ty t ook no t im e

in ge t t i ng unde r way , the dance mus ic cou ld soon be hea rd , t r ays o f d r inks

a p p e a r ed , a n d t h e fr on t v e r a n d a h a n d t h e r o o m b e h in d it w e re cr ow d e d a n d

co lo u r f u l . P a d d y b e g a n t o t h i n k sh e m i g h t f in d it e n t e rt a in i n g t o w a t ch a n d

t o sp ecu la te . A f te r a w h i le she fou nd he rse lf a com fo r t ab le sea t on t he low er

b r a n c h e s o f a l a r g e p e p p e r t r e e w h e r e a l t h o u g h s h e w a s h i d d e n , s h e h a d a

g r e a t v i e w o f o n e e n d o f t h e v e r a n d a h w h e r e m o s t o f t h e d a n c i n g w a s

ha p p en ing . She soon d ecided t ha t t he g i r l i n the a m ber ea r r ings w as jenny

M a r l o w , a n d t h e t a l l t h i n y o u n g m a n w i t h t h e l o n g i s h d a r k h a i r w a s h e r

ja ck ero o . A sm a ll cr o w d o f m en a n d g ir ls ca m e t o k iss jen n y , a n d t h e g ir ls a ll



k issed the jacke roo as we l l . A f te r a wh i le they a l l wen t o f f to dance excep t

fou r g i r ls w ho sto od by th e ve ran da h ra i l i n the so f t l igh t o f t he sw ing ing rose

a n d m a u v e p a p e r la n t e rn s.

Su d d en ly , in f in i tesim a l ly , t he i r hea d s t u rned , a nd t hey w ere se l f -con sc iou sly

a l er t . P a d d y , w h o se v ie w w a s l im it e d , w o n d e r ed w h o w a s a b o u t t o a p p e a r . It

w a s l ik e w a it i n g f o r t h e l ea d i ng m a n t o a p p e a r i n a p l a y . A n d w h e n h e ca m e ,

she though t he f i l l ed the ro le ve ry we l l , fo r he was qu i te s t r i k ing ly handsome

in h i s w h i te sh i r t a nd d a rk p a n t s. H e ask ed on e o f the g i r ls to d an ce , an d t hey

d i sa p p e a r e d t o g e th e r , w h i le t h e t h r e e w h o w e r e le f t lo o k e d a f t e r t h e m

envious ly .

F o r n o p a r t i cu la r r ea so n , ex ce p t t o a m u se h e r se lf , Pa d d y w a t ch e d f o r h i m

to r e a p p e a r . I t w a s n o t d i f f i c u l t t o p i c k h i m o u t , a n d s h e s a w h i m d a n c e

seve ra l t im es, a lw ay s w i th a d if fe ren t g i r l. So i f he w as m ar r ied - a nd b y r i gh ts

he shou ld have been , fo r he looked to be in h i s m id th i r t i es - then he wasn ' t

p a y i n g m u c h a t t e n t io n t o h i s w if e ! Sh e h a d a ch a n ce t o st u d y h i m la t e r , w h e n

h e sto o d f o r a m i n u te o r so t a lk i n g n e a r t h e v e r a n d a h r a i l. H e w a s t a l l,

"b road -shou lde red , conven t iona l i n h i s wh i te sh i r t and da rk t r ouse rs , and ye t

w it h a r u g g e d in d iv i d u a lit y , a st r e n g t h , a b o u t h i s t a n n e d f a c e w it h it s sl ig h t ly

cle f t ch i n a n d t h e t h i ck d a r k b lo n d h a ir t h a t sm o u l d e re d w it h a so f t f i r e in t h e

l igh t o f t he co lou red lan t e rns.

Fo r j us t a second , Paddy caugh t he rse l f th ink ing , " I f i t wasn ' t fo r Ph i l , I

co u l d f a l l fo r h i m - " A n d t h e n , t a k i n g in t h e q u it e f a t u o u s e xp r essio n o n t h e



pre t ty face o f the g i r l he nex t asked to dance, she re f lec ted cyn ica l ly , " Isn ' t he

p o p u l a r - a n d d o e sn 't h e k n o w it ! "

W ell , she d ec id ed p resent ly , she w a sn ' t g o ing t o si t here w i th h er eyes g lu ed

t o h im a l l n igh t . Besidess w h ich , her l im b s w ere fee ling c ram p ed . She

c l a m b e r e d d o w n f r o m h e r t r e e a n d m a d e h e r w a y q u i e t l y a n d d i s c r e e t l y

r o u n d t h e h o u se . H e r e t h e v e r a n d a h w a s d e se rt e d a n d a l m o st d a r k , a n d sh e

cou ld see a ra t he r deco ra t i ve ga rden cha i r w here she cou ld re lax fo r a few

m inu t es an d d ecide how she w a s go ing t o sp end t he rest o f th e even ing . I t

m ig h t b e a g o o d id e a t o f in d t h e k it c h en a n d e x p l a in h e r p r e d i ca m e n t . Sh e

m ig h t f i n d M r s. M a r lo w o r w h o e v e r it w a s t h a t w a s i n ch a r g e o f t h e su p p e r .

She w ou ld con fess how she cam e to b e th e re, a d m i t t o b e ing t h i r sty , a nd as

wel l , o f fe r to he lp - beh ind the scenes , as i t were , where her c lo thes d idn ' t

m a t t e r . Ye s, t h a t w a s d e f i n it e l y a b r i g h t id e a . M e a n w h i le , sh e sp o t t e d a

p a c k e t o f c i g a r e t t e s a n d a b o x o f m a tc h e s o n t h e v e r a n d a h r a i l , a n d t h o u g h

she ra re ly sm ok ed , just now i t w a s som eth ing t o d o , and she l it up , r e la xed in

t h e ch a ir , a n d t r ie d t o su m m o n t h e st r e n g t h t o p u t h e r p la n i n t o a ct io n .

Bu t t h e c ig a r e t t e w a s st r o n g a n d n o t in t h e le a st e n j o y a b l e , a n d in a v e r y

sh o r t t i m e sh e w a s o n h e r fe et a n d d e t e r m in e d t o m a k e a m o v e .

"W ho ' s he da nc ing w i th n ow ?" she w ond ered i r r e leva n t l y , w hen she

sud d en ly rea l i zed she w as no longe r a lone . A w h i te sh i r t slashed by a d a rk t i e

sh o w e d u p a f e w f e et a w a y a n d h e r h ea r t g a v e a st a r t l e d j u m p . R id icu lo u sly ,

she t hou ght , " It 's h im ! Su re ly I'm not t he luck y on e th is t im e!"



H ow ever , it w a sn ' t "h im ' , she rea l ized sw i f t l y a s t he m a n. st ep p ed c loser . H e

lu rched ve ry sl igh t l y , he w a s no t so t a l l, a nd she ha d a n im p ression o f th i ck

cu r ly ha i r .

"En joy in g m y c iga re t t es?" H is vo ice w a s fa in t ly b lu r red , d ist inct ly Au st ra l ia n .

N o t v e ry m uch ," sa id Pa d d y . " It 's no t a b ran d I pa rü ct i la r l y l ik e . You 'l l ha ve

to f o r g iv e m e f o r t a k in g o n e …"

" Su re 1'l l d o t ha t . N o t rou b le a t a l l ."

Pa d d y m a d e a m o v e t o p a ss h i m , b e c a u se sh e h a d t h e d i st in c t f e el in g t h a t

h e h a d b e e n d r i n k i n g , b u t h e b a r r e d t h e w a y w i t h h i s b o d y . Sh e h e s i t a t e d ,

u n ce rt a in w h a t t o .

" W h o w o u l d y o u b e ? " h e w a n t e d t o k n o w . H i s f a c e w a s n o m o r e t h a n a

b lu r i n the da rk ness, an d o f cou rse he cou ld no t m ak e he r ou t e ith e r .

She sa id l i gh t l y , "W ho d o yo u t h ink ?"

"Guessing ga m e? W el l, let ' s see, I ha ve n ' t b een a rou nd t hese p a r t s a l l t ha t

long . You ' ve go t a "n ice " vo ice - yo u cou ld even q u a l i f y fo r Ven n W ilda sh ' s

h a r e m . A r e y o u p a r t o f it , b y a n y c h a n c e? - a k in d o f a d v a n ce g u a r d ?"

"No , I 'm no t , " sa id Paddy coo l l y . She hadn ' t the leas t i dea wha t he was

ta lk in g a b o u t , a n d sh e d i d n ' t c a r e m u c h . " I'm n o t in t e r e ste d i n b e lo n g in g t o

a n y o n e 's h a r e m . A n d n o w w o u ld y o u p le a se le t m e g e t b y ?"

"O h , h a n g o n . I b e t y o u 'r e a s p r et t y a s y o u so u n d - a n d I b e t y o u 'r e g o o d t o

k iss." Be fo re sh e co u ld m a k e a d i v e p a st h i m , h e h a d w h i p p e d t h e cig a r e t t e



f r om he r f i nge rs, t ossed i t ove r t he ra i l, a nd w rap p ed h is a rm s a roun d h e r in a

k ind o f i nescap ab le bea r ' s hu g .

Paddy s t rugg led use less ly , acu te ly consc ious o f the heat , the sweat o f h is

b o d y , g a sp i n g a g a in st t h e d e te r m i n a t io n o f h i s m o u t h a s h e st r a in e d h e r t o

h im . She ha d l it t le to coun t e r h i s m a le st reng t h , bu t she d ug he r na i ls ha rd

in to h is b a c k , a n d w h e n h e m o v e d f r a ct i o n a l ly t o d r a w a g r u n t in g b r e a t h sh e

m a d e a n e f f o r t t o w r e n ch h e r se lf a w a y . In sta n t ly , h e g ra b b e d h i m se lf a

ha nd fu l o f her f l im sy b louse an d she fe l t i t r ip . O ne w r ist w a s c irc led w i th st ee l

a n d s h e h e a r d h e r o w n q u i c k p a n t i n g b r e a th i n l i t t l e o v e r l a p p i n g w a v e s o n

t h e w a r m n ig h t a i r, a n a l l t o o h u m a n a cco m p a n i m e n t t o t h e d ist a n t so u n d o f

da nce m u sic. Then , b e fo re he r m ind , ju m p ing l ik e a c ir cus l ion t h rou gh h oop s

o f f i r e - look ing fo r a cou rse o f eva sive ac t ion - cou ld se t t l e on a ny t h ing , o the r

f in g e r s, co o l a n d h a r d a n d co m p e ll in g , h a d g r ip p e d h e r u p p e r a r m s, a n d o v e r

he r hea d a stee ly m ascu line vo ice sa id u nem ot iona l ly , "Get m ov ing , Ke i th . If

you m u st ha ve a b ra w l , l ook fo r it e l sew here - ou tside ."

S low ly - yes , i n a k ind o f s low mov ie ac t ion tha t was inc red ib le and a lmos t

lau gha b le , "Ke it h ' le t Pa d d y g o . H e shook h i s hea d as i f to clea r i t , je r ked h i s

t i e s t r a i g h t , t h e n u n e x p e c te d l y v a u l t e d o v e r t h e v e r a n d a h r a i l a n d

d i sa p p e a r e d a m o n g t h e d a r k t r e e sh a d o w s.

P a d d y b r e a t h e d a g a i n , t h e n , s u d d e n l y a w a r e o f t h e r i p , a l m o s t f r o m

sh o u ld e r t o w a i st , in h e r st r i p e d sh i r t , p u t u p a h a n d t o co v e r i t , t o d r a w t h e



edges to ge t he r , be fo re t u r n ing t o t ha nk he r rescue r . A t t he sa m e insta n t she

w a s p u l le d r o u n d a b r u p t ly t o f a ce h im , a n d a l l b u t l o st h e r b a la n ce .

Be fo r e sh e co u l d sa y a sin g l e w o r d , h e h a d r a p p e d o u t sh a r p l y , "W h a t k in d

o f a g i r l a r e y o u , h u n t i n g u p t r o u b l e f o r y o u r s e l f t h i s w a y ? D o y o u b e l o n g

do w n in t he shed w it h t he p a ck e rs? If so , w hy t he he l l do n ' t you sta y t he re?

Th is i s a p r i va te p a r t y , sw ee thea r t - ga t ecrashe rs a re l i ab le to be t h row n ou t ."

Pa d d y b l i n k e d a t t h e a t t a c k , a n d a c h i l l r a n d o w n h e r s p i n e . Sh e h a d t h e

d i s t i n c t f e e l i n g t h a t t h i s w a s t h e m a n s h e h a d w a tc h e d s o i n t e n t l y n o t v e r y

lo n g sin c e, a n d sh e f e lt h e r h e a r t b e g i n t o t h u m p u n co m fo r t a b ly . Sh e p u l le d

aw ay f rom h im , su dd en ly to o consc iou s o f t he w ar m p ressu re o f h i s f i nge rs on

her a rm s.

" I 'm no t a ga tec rashe r and I don ' t be long w i th the packe rs , " she sa id

f i e rce ly , sta r ing a t h im th rou gh th e da rk ness.

"N o? A l l t he sa m e, I 'l l sw ear yo u ' re no t a n inv i ted gu est . " H e too k a

ci g a r e t t e l ig h t e r f ro m th e p o ck e t o f h i s d a r k p a n t s a n d f l ick e d it o n .

D e l ib e r a t e ly h e h e ld i t t o w a r d s h e r a n d in t h e li g h t o f t h e n e r v y b l u e a n d g o ld

f l am e , he look ed h e r ove r , ta k ing in t he t ea r i n h e r b lou se , he r casu a l jean s,

he r sa nd a ls. Then he r fa ce an d he r sh in ing sho r t b la ck ha i r tha t she k new ve ry

w e ll co u l d d o w it h a g o o d co m b i n g o u t .

I n r e t u r n , P a d d y l o o k e d b a c k a t h i m . A n d s u r e e n o u g h , h e w a s t h e m a n

w ho 'd m a d e th e hea d s o f a l l th e g i r l s tu rn . Th is close , she sa w m ore th a n a

v e r y a t t r a ct iv e m a n i n h i s m id d le t h ir t i es. H e h a d a st r o n g f a c e, sq u a r e - j a w e d ,



ve ry m ascu l ine . H is eyes w ere a d i sconce rt i ng g l in t i ng aq u a m a r ine und e r th i ck

leve l eyeb rows tha t we re impress ive ly b lack , and the re were l i nes - o f

expe r ience , o f a s t rugg le , even pe rhaps o f l augh te r too - on e i the r s ide o f a

m o u t h t h a t so m e h o w d r e w h e r ey e s w it h i t s lo n g c u r v e .

"Yo u ' r e n o t a g u e s t i n t h a t g e a r - e v e n w i t h o u t s u c h a n i n d e c e n t r i p , " h e

p ronou nced b r ief l y . A nd ex t ingu ished t he li gh t .

Pa d dy 's cheek f l am ed . "D id I eve r say I w a s a gu est ? If you m ust k now , I - I

ca m e w it h t h e b a n d - w it h M r s. F r a n k - t o t u r n o v er t h e p a g e s- "

Sh e h e a r d h i s lo w l a u g h te r . "G o o d G o d ! Yo u m u st b e cle a n o u t o f i n v e n t i v e

ideas to t r y to pu l l tha t one . I ' ve neve r hea rd such a lud ic rous o r i nva l i d

excuse!"

" I ca n' t h elp t ha t ," P a d d y f la red . "A ny ho w , is i t y ou r b u siness? Is t h is - is t h is

you r show ? Is i t you r enga gem en t p a r t y?"

"N o , i t 's no t . Bu t t ha t 's ha rd ly t he p o in t . W e ju st do n ' t encou ra ge g i r ls l ik e

y o u t o h a n g a r o u n d i n t h e d a r k ."

G i r l s l i ke you ! Paddy was bo th fu r ious and con founded . O f cou rse she had

no rea l r i gh t to be he re , she had been c razy to come, and i t was no use

b lam ing i t on sp r ing a nd rest lessness a nd t he scent o f o ra ng e b lossom . O r even

o n t h e f a ct t h a t sh e h a d n 't h e a r d f r o m Ph i l f o r tw o l o n g w e ek s. A l ll t h e sa m e ,

it w a sn 't h e r f a u lt t h a t K e i t h h a d m a d e a p a ss a t h e r, a n d sh e t h o u g h t t h a t a t

l ea st she cou ld b r ing t ha t fa ct to th e no t i ce o f t h i s sha t t e r ing ly c rush ing , and

do m ineer ing , m a le . She p u t he r ch in u p a nd k ep t he r vo ice stea dy a s she sa id ,



" I r esen t you r t one , and I r esen t you r im p l ica t ions. I d id com e w i th M rs. F ran k ,

a n d m a y b e it w a s a m ist a k e . Bu t I h a r d ly e x p e cte d a t su ch a n e xclu si v e p a r t y

t h a t p e o p l e w o u ld g e t d isg u st i n g ly d r u n k a n d g o , r o u n d g r a b b in g g i r ls."

" O n e d r u n k - a n d n o t r e a l l y d r u n k a t t h a t - a n d o n e g i r l , " h e c o r r e c t e d

ch i l li ng l y . "W ho w as, I repea t , ha ng ing rou nd in th e da rk . The re 's an o ld sa y ing

- I do n ' t k now i f you ' ve hea rd i t - H e w ho seeks a f t e r m isch ie f sha l l f i nd it ."

Pa d d y sa i d n o t h i n g . Sh e t r ie d t o d e ta ch h e r m i n d a n d co n c en t r a t io n f r o m

th i s m a n w h o w a s so d e te r m i n ed t o t h i n k t h e w o r st o f h e r . Sh e t h o u g h t

a l o o f ly t h a t w h e n h e h a d q u it e f in i sh e d w i t h h e r - i f n o t b e fo r e - sh e w o u l d g o

and s i t in the peace and qu ie t o f Mrs . Frank 's car . For sure , she cou ldn ' t r isk

ha v ing a nyon e see he r now , w i th h e r sh i r t r i pp ed so ind ecen t l y as she ha d ju st

b een to ld …

H o w e v er , it a p p e a r ed sh e w a sn 't e v e n t o h a v e t h e p r iv i le g e o f m a k in g t h a t

d ec ision . To her a nn oya nce she w a s t o ld , "You 'l l go o u t t o M rs. Fra nk 's car a nd

you 'l l si t th e re li ke a good g i r l t i l l t he p a r t y ' s ove r . W h ich w on ' t b e fo r a l ong

t im e ye t , so you shou ld f i nd i t b o t h b o r ing a nd chasten ing ."

Pa d d y , b y n o w a l m o s t c h o k e d w i t h f u r y , s o m e h o w fo r c e d h e r s e l f t o

c o n t i n u e t o s a y n o t h i n g , a n d w h e n h e m a d e t o t a k e h o l d o f h e r a r m , s h e

sh o o k h i m o f f sh a r p ly a n d m o v e d o f h e r o w n a c co r d a lo n g t h e v e ra n d a h i n

t he d i rect ion o f t he st ep s. H e fo l low ed re len t lessly . She cou ld h ea r h is f i rm

t read , and when i t con t inued s t i l l as she passed under the de l i ca te f r onds o f



som e p epp er t r ees, she f l ung b ack ove r he r shou lde r , " I do n 't need e i the r y ou r

co m p a n y o r y o u r p r o t e ct i o n , t h a n k y o u ."

"You 'd ra the r have the th r i l l s and sp i l l s , wou ld you?" he mocked , and d rew

leve l w i th he r . "Le t 's no t t h ink o f i t l ik e tha t , an yho w . Le t ' s j ust say I'm m ak ing

su re you rea l l y do ge t i n to t ha t ca r . "

Co n f u se d , a n d w ish i ng n o w t h a t sh e h a d k e p t q u i et , P a d d y t o o k t h e w r o n g

d i r e c t i o n , a n d a t o n c e h e h u s t l e d h e r . "T h i s w a y - y o u ' d k n o w i f y o u w e r e

t e ll ing t he t r u t h ."

Pa d dy o p ened he r m ou t h . Say n o t h ing , she w a rned he rse lf si len t l y , an d

b r o u g h t h e r t e e th d o w n f i r m ly o n h e r lo w e r lip . H i s f i n g e rs h a d clo se d a r o u n d

her a rm ag a in an d she fe lt a sh ive r go t h rou gh he r . They reached M rs. F ra nk 's

ca r a n d h e o p e n e d t h e d o o r i n t o t h e b a ck se a t a n d w a it e d w h i le sh e cl im b e d

in . H e r h e a r t w a s b e a t in g h a r d a n d sh e w a s v e r y m u c h a w a r e o f t h e in d ig n i t y

o f her pos i t ion , and she resented i t . She was , a f te r a l l , a respec tab le g i r l - a

schoo lt eache r - d ecided ly no t som eone ou t i n sea rch o f a n a m orou s

a d v e n t u r e . Sh e w i sh e d f u t i le ly t h a t sh e co u l d t h i n k o f so m e th i n g t o sa y t h a t

w o u l d cu t t h i s h ig h - h a n d e d m a n d o w n t o size , m a k e h im r eg r et h is t r e a t m e n t

o f h e r . Bu t t h e r e a p p e a r e d t o b e n o th i n g . S i m p l y t o p r o te s t t h a t s h e h a d

a l read y d ecided t o si t i n the ca r w ou ld be com p let e ly un conv incing . She clung

r e s i g n e d l y t o t h e d i g n i t y o f s i l e n c e a n d h o p e d t h a t i t w o u l d c o n fo u n d h i m ,

t hou gh she su sp ected i t w ou ld no t . She k ep t he r face ave r t ed w h i le he closed



t h e d o o r f i rm ly , a n d w a s su r e t h a t if h e co u ld h a v e , h e w o u ld h a v e lo ck e d h e r

in,

" I see the re 's a co t to n ru g in t he re . I sug gest you w rap you rse l f up in i t a nd

see if you can go t o sleep a nd fo rge t t he rom a n t i c ad ven t u res."

Pa d d y d i d n ' t e v e n l o o k a t h i m . Sh e w a i t e d a f e w se co n d s, t h e n c a u t io u sly

t u rned he r hea d . H e had gone , and she sa t b ack w it h a sigh o f r e l ie f , r e leasing

he r pen t up fee l i ngs by say ing a loud w i th some vehemence , " I ha te you ,

w h o e v er y o u a r e! A n d h o w e v e r m a n y g i rls a r e w a i t i n g a b o u t ju st f a i nt i n g f o r

y o u t o a sk t h e m to d a n ce - I w o u l d n 't sa y y e s in a f i t !"

"Ve ry in t e rest ing ." H e w as ba ck , an d h i s vo ice w a s d ry an d sa rdo n ic. Pa d dy

sa t up a st ra igh t , and th ou gh he r cheek s b u rned she tho u gh t , "Se rve you r igh t .

L ist eners nev er hea r a ny goo d o f t hem se lves."

" I a p o lo g i ze f o r e a v e sd r o p p in g o n y o u r t o u ch i n g l it t le m o n o l o g u e . I ca m e t o

w a r n y o u I'll b e b a ck - t o b r i n g y o u so m e th i n g t o e a t ."

"Yo u n e e d n 't b o t h e r .. I'm n o t h u n g r y . I d id n 't co m e h e r e t o g e t a f r ee m e a l ."

" I ha d n 't su p p osed t ha t w a s you r m a in ob ject , " he ag reed cyn ica l ly . "Bu t

y o u m i g h t c h a n g e y o u r m i n d a b o u t b e i n g h u n g r y . Y o u ' r e g o i n g t o h a v e a

long w a i t , and I d on ' t su p p ose you 'l l sleep i t o u t . I 'l l b e a long in a ny case."

"T o ch e ck u p o n m e ," t h o u g h t P a d d y .

Th is t im e she w a t ched h im go , an d w hen she ha d seen h i s si lhou e t t e a ga inst

t he l igh t ed d oo rw ay , she re laxed . She cou ldn ' t go a nd o f fe r he r se rv i ces in t he

k i t chen now - no t w i th he r sh i r t to rn . Bu t a l l the same she wasn ' t go ing to s i t



ou t he re on he r own fo r hou rs and hou rs . I f i t had been he r own dec is ion , i t

w o u l d h a v e b e e n d i f f er e n t . Bu t sh e h a d n o in t e n t io n o f t a k in g o r d e r s f r o m

th a t h o r r ib le m a n . Sh e g r o p e d f o r t h e co t t o n r u g , fo l d e d i t c a r e fu l ly , a n d

d r a p e d i t a r o u n d h e r sh o u l d e r s l ik e a sh a w l . Sh e w o u ld w a lk b a ck in t o t o w n -

a n d if t h a t m a n c a m e b a c k t o ch e ck o n h e r, h e w o u ld f i n d h e r g o n e.

Sh e o p e n e d t h e c a r d o o r a n d s te p p e d o u t . I t w a s a b e a u t i f u l n i g h t .

O v e r h e a d t h e sk y w a s b u r n i n g w it h st a r s t h a t w e r e b ig a n d clo se a g a in st t h e i r

b a ck g r o u n d o f d e ep a n d i n f i n it e i n d i g o . Sh e w a lk e d q u ie t l y in t h e d i r ect io n o f

the house, keep ing care fu l ly in the b lackness o f the t ree shadows. She cou ld

s m e l l t h e o r a n g e b l o s s o m a n d s h e t h o u g h t o f Ph i l a n d w i s h e d t h a t h e h a d

b e e n h e r e w it h h e r t o n i g h t in ste a d o f t h a t b o ssy m a n .

A n d a t t h a t m o m e n t sh e w a l k e d st r a ig h t i nt o so m e o n e.

H i m .

H e w a s ca r r y in g a t a l l g l a ss m u g a n d a p l a te t h a t h e ld f o o d , a n d h e cu r se d

so f t l y as som e o f t he con t en t s o f t he m u g - ob v iously bee r , by th e sm e l l o f i t -

sp lashed on t o h i s sh i r t a nd on t o P a d dy 's ha nd th a t clu t ched th e rug . She fe l t

h e r se lf st if f e n a n d a p u l se b e g a n t o h a m m e r a t h e r t e m p le a s h e sn a p p e d o u t ,

"D idn ' t I t e l l you to sta y in t he ca r?"

"Y o u d id - b u t y o u d o n 't h a v e t h e r ig h t t o t e ll m e t o d o a n y t h in g ," sa i d

Pa d d y t i g h t l y . " I'm n o t y o u r p r iso n e r . A n d if t h a t b e e r is f o r m e , I d o n 't d r i n k

i t . I to ld you I d idn ' t wan t supper . I t ' s no t p rov ided fo r ga tec rashe rs , " she



a d d e d f l ip p a n t l y . "Yo u 'r e o n ly b r in g i n g i t a s a n e xcu se t o ch e ck u p o n m e ,

a n y h o w . "

" I do n ' t n eed a n excuse ," he sa id ca lm ly . "Ce r ta in ly I w as check ing u p on

y o u , b u t I t h o u g h t y o u m ig h t a p p r e cia t e a l it t le n o u r i sh m e n t a s w e ll."

" I w ou ldn ' t ," she f l ashed . "An d I 'd b e ou t o f m y m ind t o sit in t ha t ca r fo r

h o u r s ju st t o p le a se y o u . I'm w a lk in g b a c k t o t o w n , b u t I w a n te d t o le t M r s.

F ra n k k n o w . Y o u m i gh t t e ll h er f o r m e a n d sa v e m e t h e t r o u b le ."

H e ig n o r e d t h a t . "Yo u ' r e n o t w a lk i n g b a ck in t o t o w n b y y o u r se lf ."

"Bu t I a m ," she in te r rup ted . "Qu i te by m yse lf ."

" I'l l d r i ve you b ack ," he sa id a f t e r a m om en t .

"Don ' t b o t he r be ing ch iva l rous. You 're on ly dea l ing w it h a g i r l - a g i r l l ik e

m e."

She sa w h is eyeb row s r ise , b u t he le t t ha t p a ss. "A l l t he sa m e, you ' ll com e in

m y c a r . T h a t w a y , I ' l l k n o w y o u ' v e g o n e . An d I d o n ' t r e a l l y t h i n k M r s . F r a n k

w i ll be in te rested e i the r w ay ."

So he d id n 't ev en be l i eve she ha d com e w i th M rs. F ra nk . P ad dy sighed

e x a s p e r a te d l y a n d g a v e u p . As f o r h i s d r i v i n g h e r b a c k t o t o w n - w e l l , a l l

r igh t , i f he w a s go ing t o insist , she m ight a s w e l l m a k e use o f h im .

She fo l low ed h im edg i ly a long t he l ine o f ca rs a nd d i scove red th a t h i s w as a

la rge d usty sta t i on w ag on . Be fo re he opened th e do o r fo r he r , he d i sp osed o f

t h e s u p p e r h e h a d b r o u g h t h e r b y p u t t i n g i t c a r e f u l l y o n t h e g r o u n d u n d e r

t he t r ees. Ch ick en p a t t i es, th ou gh t Pa dd y , w i t h f l eet ing reg re t…



T h e y h a d le f t t h e o r a n g e o r ch a r d a n d t r a v e lle d a c o u p le o f h u n d r e d y a r d s

a l o n g t h e d a r k co u n t r y r o a d w h e n h e a sk e d h e r b r i ef ly , "W h e r e d o y o u liv e ?"

" In G id g e e m a ll a w a , " sh e t o l d h i m a lo o f l y . "Yo u ca n d r o p m e d o w n

a n y w h e r e in t h e m a in st r ee t ."

" I d i d n ' t m e a n G id g e e m a l la w a , " h e sa i d a f t e r a m o m e n t . Sh e g l a n ce d a t h is

p r o f i l e a n d f o u n d i t - a n n o y i n g l y - a s g o o d t o l o o k a t a n d a s s t r o n g a s a n y

ang le o f h is face . "You ' re Eng l ish , a ren ' t you? That accent o f yours wasn ' t

i nst il led a t som e p r i va te schoo l . Bu t y ou 're no t w i th you r fam i ly?"

"N o , I'm n o t w it h m y f a m i ly ." P a d d y w a sn 't g o i n g t o st a r t ch a t t e r in g a b o u t

he rself t o sa t isfy h is cu riosit y.

"On your own, then. One o f the res t less , s tandard less young - d iscover ing

t h e w o r ld - f in d i n g o u t a b o u t A u st r a lia ." H e w a it e d a n d P a d d y sa i d n o t h in g .

H e w a s g o i n g t o m a k e u p a w h o l e lif e st o r y f o r h er ! W a sn 't t h a t g r e a t? "G o d

k n o w s w h a t m a d e y o u f et c h u p a t G i d g e e m a l la w a . It ' s h a r d ly t h e h u b o f t h e

w e s t . W h a t d o y o u h o p e t o f i n d h e r e ? R o m a n c e ? T h e l o v e a f f a i r t o e n d a l l

l ove a f fa ir s? In o th e r w o rd s, a m a n?"

" I f i t ' s o f any in te res t to you , no . I a l r eady have one o f those back in

Sydney."

H e conside red t ha t , h i s eyes on t he roa d . "So you r l it t l e ven t u re ton igh t h a d

ab so lu t e l y no connec t ion w i th - "

" W i t h a n y t h i n g y o u c a n t h i n k u p , " P a d d y r e t o r t e d , g o a d e d i n t o

an noya nce. " I to ld you b e fo re , I cam e to - "



"To t u rn o ve r th e pa ges," he m ock ed .

T h e y h a d r e a c h e d t h e t o w n n o w , a n d P a d d y s e i z e d h o l d o f t h e d o o r

h a n d l e , o n l y t o d isco v e r t h a t sh e d i d n ' t k n o w h o w to t u r n it . "L e t m e o u t h e r e,

p lea se," she ord ered .

"W ith p le a su r e." H e slo w e d d o w n , p u l le d i n t o t h e k e r b , a n d f l ick e d o n t h e

l igh t . Pa dd y w rest led w it h th e doo r ca t ch . "Re la x ," he to ld h e r ir r ita t i ng ly .

"You ' re in n o d an ger ."

She tu rned t o fa ce h im . " I d id n 't t h ink I w a s." She sto p p ed , and fo r a n

end less m om en t , t im e sto od st i ll . H e r eyes ha d encou n t e red h i s, d i r ect l y a nd

u n e x p e cte d ly . H u m a n e y e lo o k e d i n t o h u m a n e y e , u n b l in k in g l y , e xp lo r i n g ly ,

and the deep, sea b lue co lour o f h is i r i ses s ta r t led and dazz led her . She was

a w a r e o f a n i n sta n t o f st r a n g e b a f f le m e n t - a s t h o u g h sh e h a d g l im p se d

so m e th i n g t h a t sh e a l m o st r e co g n i ze d . An d t h e n sh e h a d b li n k e d , h e h a d

m o v e d , r ea c h in g a cr o ss h e r t o o p e n t h e d o o r , a n d t h e m o m e n t h a d v a n i sh e d .

"Th a n k s," sa i d Pa d d y a s h e r f e et t o u ch e d t h e p a v e m e n t .

She clu tched t he co t to n rug a roun d h e r ra th e r r id i cu lou sly .

"You ' re we lcome, " he sa id b r ie f l y . He pu l l ed the doo r shu t and d rove o f f ,

an d she w as a lone in t he dese r ted m a in st reet o f G idgeem a l law a . It w a s st i ll

a n d q u ie t a n d v e ry , v e ry e m p t y .

"W e ll, I sh a n 't e v e r se e h i m a g a i n ," sh e t h o u g h t , a n d b e g a n t o w a lk q u ick ly

a l o n g t h e p a v e m e n t , a cco m p a n ie d b y t h e so u n d o f h e r o w n l o n e ly f o o t ste p s.

A f e w b i g m o th s, a f e w b e e t l e s f le w a r o u n d t h e st r e e t l ig h t s, a n d t h e r e w a s



st i ll t he scen t o f o ran ge b lossom on t he a i r . Pa d d y tu rned t he co rne r , w a lked

p a st t h e sw i m m i n g p o o l, cr o sse d t h e r o a d a n d o p e n e d t h e g a t e in t o t h e sm a l l

p a r k w h e r e t h e t o w n t e n n i s co u r t s w e r e. M r s. F r a n k 's t i m b e r b u n g a lo w w a s i n

t h e st r e et o n t h e o th e r sid e o f t h e p a r k , o n e o f a r o w o f si m il a r b u n g a lo w s,

i r o n - r o o fe d , w i t h a g a r d e n h i d d e n b e h i n d p r i v e t h e d g e s o r p e p p e r t r e e s o r

w i lga s.

N o l i g h t s s h o n e f r o m n u m b e r f o u r t e e n , a n d Pa d d y c r o s s e d t h e g a r d e n

un der t he t r ees. The a i r nea r the ho use w a s w arm a nd st i l l a nd fa in t l y scen ted ,

a n d s h e t h o u g h t w i t h a n o d d t h a n k fu l n e s s , " I ' m h o m e . " M r . F r a n k , w h o

cou nt ed fo r no t h ing in h is w i fe 's eyes, ha d e i ther g one o u t w i th h is cron ies or

w a s i n b e d a s l e e p . H e h a d o n c e b e e n a v i o l i n i s t a n d p l a y e d w i t h t h e d a n c e

b a n d t o o , b u t M r s. F r a n k m a d e n o se cr et o f t h e f a ct t h a t h e d i sa p p e a r e d i n t o

th e h o te l s o . o f t e n t o h a v e a d r i n k b e tw e e n d a n c e s t h a t h e w a s w o r s e t h a n

use less. P ad d y d idn ' t t r y t he f r on t d oo r , th ou gh i t w as p rob ab ly no t l ock ed , fo r

n o o n e se e m e d t o l o ck u p in G i d g e e m a l la w a . In ste a d , sh e sl ip p e d d o w n t h e

si d e p a th b y t h e t a m a r i sk t r e e s u n t i l sh e r ea c h e d t h e n a r r o w g a p b e t w e e n t h e

b a t h r o o m a n d t h e m a i n p a r t o f t h e h o u se . If y o u w e re sl im - a n d P a d d y w a s

sl im - y ou cou ld sl ip in be t w een th e tw o sect ions o f t he hou se, t hen sq u eeze

t h rou gh t he sc reen d oo r on to th e ve ra nd ah . The re w as no insect screen on t he

b a th r o o m si d e , w h i ch m e a n t , a s sh e h a d r e ce n t l y d isco v e r e d , t h a t in w a r m

w e a t h er t h e b a t h r oo m w a s f u l l o f m o sq u it o e s. A n d h o w t h e y h u m m e d a n d

b i t a n d stu n g !



Pa d d y ' s sm a l l r a t h e r Sp a r t a n b e d r o o m o p e n e d , o f f t h e v e r a n d a h . Sh e

h a d n 't y e t su c cu m b e d t o sl ee p i n g o n t h e v e r a n d a h w h e r e it w a s co o l er , b u t

n o d o u b t sh e w o u ld , o n ce su m m e r h a d co m e . Sh e clo se d h e r d o o r b e h i n d h e r

a n d sw it c h e d o n t h e l ig h t , h e r ey e s g o i n g i m m e d i a t e ly , t h r o u g h h a b it , t o t h e

s tud io pho tog raph o f Ph i l tha t s tood on the o ld - fash ioned d ress ing tab le . The

d r a b n e s s o f t h e r o o m d i d n ' t m a t t e r w h i l e Ph i l w a s t h e r e l o o k i n g a t h e r , h a l f

sm i ling , h i s eyes d i rect , f r iend ly - so fa m i li a r t ha t he r hea r t w as w ar m ed

inst a n t l y . She sm i led b ack a t h im , t hen g lan ced b r ief l y a t h e r ow n re f lect i on in

t h e m i r r o r a b o v e t h e p h o to g r a p h . H e r s t o r m g r e y e y e s w i d e n e d . Sh e h a d

t ossed d ow n t he co t to n ru g a nd th rou gh t he tea r i n he r sh i r t she cou ld see he r

tea - rose b ra and a s t r i p o f wh i te f l esh . Tha t was wha t .he had seen when he

h a d lo o k e d h e r o v e r w it h t h e a i d o f h i s ci g a r e t t e l ig h t e r .

H o r r i b l e t y p e , s h e t h o u g h t , i m p a t i e n t t h a t h e s h o u l d i n t r u d e w h e n a l l s h e

w a n t e d w a s t o t h in k o f P h i l. Sh e g la n c ed a t t h e p h o t o g r a p h a g a i n a n d a sk e d

r u e fu l ly b e n e a t h h e r b r ea t h , "W h y h a v e n ' t y o u w r it t e n , Ph i l? Is t h e r e a p o st a l

st r ik e or som et h ing ?"

W h e n sh e w a s r e a d y f o r b e d , o n i m p u lse sh e sa t d o w n a t t h e sm a l l t a b le b y

t he w indow an d scr ibb led o f f a l e t t e r t o P h i l. Fo r som e rea son she d idn ' t w r i te

a w o r d a b o u t t h e n i g h t ' s a d v e n t u r e . It w a s so m e th i n g , sh e t o l d h e r se lf , t h a t

she p re fe r red to fo rge t - b eca u se it h a d g i ven he r se lf esteem a b i t o f a k nock .

I t w a s a n o th e r w e e k b e fo r e s h e h e a r d f r o m Ph i l . By t h a t t i m e s h e h a d

b e co m e q u it e o b se sse d w it h t h e p o st m a n , a n d o n t h a t p a r t i cu la r m o r n i n g sh e



l ist ened fo r h is w h ist le as she m ov ed slow ly a rou nd t he c la ssroom su p erv ising

t he w r i t ing exerc ise she h a d g iven her c la ss of six yea r- o ld s.

Sp r in g h a d v a n i sh e d w it h a su d d e n n e ss t h a t w a s u n b e l ie v a b le , t h e o r a n g e

b l o s s o m h a d a l l b u t g o n e , a n d i t h a d b e c o m e h o t , d e s p e r a te l y h o t .

G idgeem a l la w a seem ed sca rce ly t o b rea t he , ly ing p a ssive an d exha u sted

u n d e r a b u r n i n g su n . Pa d d y t h o u g h t l o n g i n g l y o f t h e co a st a n d o f t h e b e a c h es

sh e h a d le a r n e d t o l o v e si n ce sh e h a d co m e w it h h e r f a t h e r a n d h e r b r a n d

n e w ste p m o th e r , N o r m a , t o l i v e in A u st r a l ia , f iv e y e a r s a g o . H e r g r o w in g ,

h a l f - t o l er a n t a f f e ct i o n f o r t h e w e st a n d f o r G id g e e m a l la w a w a s sw a m p e d b y

t he desp a i r gene ra t ed b y P h i l's st ra nge si lence . She ha d no t even hea rd f r om

his m ot her , M rs. Ken ned y , e it her , w h ich w a s just a s st ra ng e, b eca u se her ho m e

h a d b e e n w it h t h e Ke n n e d y s i n t h e e ig h t e e n m o n t h s sin ce h e r f a t h e r h a d d ie d

o f a h e a r t a t t a c k . N o r m a , w h o h a d n e v e r r e a l l y l i k e d A u s t r a l i a , h a d g o n e

b a ck t o En g l a n d t o l iv e , b u t Pa d d y h a d w a n t e d t o st a y , p a r t icu l a r ly si n ce sh e

w as in he r f ina l yea r o f tea che rs' co l lege . So N orm a h a d a r ra nged fo r he r to

b o a r d w i t h M r s . Ke n n e d y , a w i d o w w i t h o n e s o n , Ph i l , a l m o s t t h r o u g h h i s

cou rse in Com m erce.

M a y b e p r o x i m it y h e lp s, b u t sh e a n d Ph i l h a d se e m e d t o c li ck f r o m th e

w o r d g o . Pa d d y q u i t e s i m p l y f e l t a t h o m e w i t h h i m , a s s h e d i d w i t h h i s

m o th e r . T h ey h a d n e v e r a ctu a l ly r e a ch e d t h e sta g e o f b e in g e n g a g e d , a n d t o

be hones t , she had hoped when she was sudden ly t r ans fe r red to

G i d g e e m a l l a w a , t o w a r d s t h e e n d o f h e r f i r s t t e a c h i n g y e a r , t h a t Ph i l w o u l d



sa y , "Yo u c a n 't g o - it ' s t o o f a r a w a y . St a y h e re a n d m a r r y m e a n d le t t h e

Ed u c a t i o n D e p a r tm e n t f i n d y o u a n o th e r s u b u r b a n p o s t . " Bu t h e h a d n ' t s a i d

t h a t , a n d o f f P a d d y h a d g o n e o n t h e lo n g t r a i n jo u r n e y . H o w sh e h a d h a t e d

G i d g e e m a l l a w a a t f i r s t ! I t w a s h e r o n l y e x p e r i e n c e o f a n o u tb a c k Au s t r a l i a n

t ow n , and a t f i r st she cou ld ha rd ly be l ieve i t , beca use she st i ll r em em b ered t he

p re t ty l i t t l e v i l l ages in Eng land , the g reen f i e lds , and the love ly l ea fy , shady

la n e s o f su m m e r . T h e re w e re n o le a f y l a n e s in G id g e e m a l la w a , a n d t h e r e w a s

n o th i n g y o u c o u l d c a l l p r e t t y a b o u t t h e s m a l l t o w n s e t d o w n o n t h e e n d l e s s

w e st e r n p l a i n s. It w a s t e e m in g w it h r a i n t h e d a y P a d d y a r r iv e d a n d t h e t o w n

w it h it s w id e u n p a v e d st r e e t s w a s sw i m m i n g in r e d m u d . T h e ra in w e n t o n f o r

a w e ek , a n d P a d d y st a y e d u n h a p p i ly a t t h e F ed e r a l H o t e l w h ile sh e lo o k e d

fo r som ew here less im p ersona l . She w ro t e to Ph i l a lm ost eve ry d ay , an d

w i sh e d w it h a si ck a n d lo n e ly h e a r t t h a t A u st r a li a w a sn 't so b ig . It h a d p u t so

m a n y h u n d r e d s o f u n co m f o rt a b l e m i le s b e t w e en t h e m t h a t t h e y m ig h t h a v e

been l i v ing in d i f feren t w o r lds.

Bu t s h e w a s a n a d a p ta b l e g i r l , a n d o n c e t h e r a i n h a d s to p p e d , a n d t h e

sk ies w ere b lue a nd t he sun shone in t he sk y - a nd t he g reen g ra ss b ega n t o

g row - she b ega n t o chee r up . She m ov ed in to M rs. F ran k 's hou se , se t t l ed

d o w n t o t e a ch i n g h e r cl a ss, a n d g o t t o k n o w so m e o f t h e o th e r t e a c h e r s, a n d

b e g a n t o f e e l h a p p y . Ph i l w r o te , h i s m o th e r w r o te , a n d sh e h a d l e t t e r s f r o m

co l le g e f r ie n d s - f r o m Ju d y w h o w a s t e a ch i n g o n t h e So u t h e r n H ig h l a n d s a n d

l o v i n g i t , f r o m D i a n a w h o w a s s t i l l i n Sy d n e y , a n d k e e p i n g a n e y e o n Ph i l .

T h e n t h e o r a n g e t r e e s f l o w e r e d , p o e t r y w e l l e d u p i n Pa d d y ' s h e a r t a n d s h e



fe lt st i r r i ngs o f a f fect ion fo r t h i s b ra ve l it t l e to w n w i th i t s b row n r i ve r and t a l l

gu m t rees, it s l acon ic to w nsfo l k a nd easy - go ing w a ys. If she ha d n 't m ixed

a ro un d m u ch , i t w a s f r om cho ice , becau se she w as a b i rd o f p assag e , a nd he r

rea l l if e w a s in Syd ney - w i th P h i l .

And now, s ince he r l i t t l e ven tu re on to the f r i nge o f i t s soc ia l l i f e , and he r

u n d ig n i f ie d e n co u n te r w it h Ke it h a n d t h e o th e r m a n w h o se n a m e sh e st i ll

d i d n ' t k n o w - f o r h e h a d p a sse d o n h e r m e ssa g e t o M r s. F r a n k t h r o u g h j e n n y

M a r l o w - sh e h a d r e t r e a te d t o t h e co n f i n e s o f h e r o w n sm a l l w o r l d a g a i n . T ru e

enough , she cou ldn ' t fo rge t , fo r the re was the cons tan t p r i c k le a t the back o f

h e r m i n d o f h a v i n g b e e n m isj u d g e d , t h o u g h t b a d ly o f , b u t t h a t , sh e su p p o se d ,

t i m e w o u ld h e a l .

O n t h i s ho t , st i ll an d su dd en ly su m m er ish m orn ing , a s she m ov ed slow ly

be t w een t he sm a l l desk s, she hea rd th e p ostm a n 's w h ist l e, and fe lt i n he r

b o n e s t h a t s h e w o u l d h a v e a l e t t e r f r o m Ph i l . T h e n t h e w o r l d w o u l d s t a r t

t u r n in g a t it s u su a l p a ce a n d sh e w o u ld b e g i n t o r e a li ze t h a t a f t e r a l l it w a s

n o t l o n g b e fo r e s h e w o u l d b e p a c k i n g h e r b e l o n g i n g s a n d t a k i n g t h e t r a i n

ba ck to Syd ney . Fo r seven w eeks, o r m ay b e fo r eve r !

The f i rst a ssist a n t , M r O l iver , b rou ght her h er m a i l du r ing recess a s she st ood

under the pepper t r ees d r ink ing a cup o f tea . One le t te r , and - yes , i t was

f r o m Ph i l! Q u ick ly , Pa d d y h a n d e d c u p a n d sa u ce r t o a h o v e r i n g ch i ld , a n d

w it h f i n g e rs t h a t t r e m b le d a n d f a st b e a t i n g h e a r t sh e t o r e o p e n t h e en v e l o p e .



Sh e d i d n ' t k n o w w h a t s h e h a d e x p e c te d , w h e th e r d e e p d o w n s h e h a d

fee li ngs o f a p p rehension , o r w he t he r she ha d honest l y be l ieved a let t e r sim p ly

m e a n t a m i ra c u l o u s r e tu r n t o n o r m a l . Bu t 'D e a r Pa d d y , " sh e r ea d , "So r r y if

I 've b een neg lect ing y ou la t e ly . I had n ' t rea l ized i t w a s so long since last I

w r o te . I f e el a b it g u ilt y , .b u t D ia n a sa y s I'm m a d , t h a t y o u 'v e p r o b a b l y b e e n

h a v i n g a g r e a t t i m e w it h a ll t h o se w e a l t h y sq u a t t e r s y o u 'r e su r e t o m e et o u t

w e s t . An y h o w , t o c o m e to t h e b i g n e w s - D i a n d I a r e g e t t i n g e n g a g e d ! I

w a n t e d y o u t o k n o w b e f o re w e a n n o u n ce d it t o t h e w o r l d a t la r g e , a n d t o t e ll

y o u w e b o th l o o k f o r w a r d t o s e e i n g y o u i n t h e v a c a t i o n a n d r e c e i v i n g y o u r

b lessing . A nd you r fo rg i veness if you fee l th a t w ay . You ' ll a lw ay s be m y

fav ou r i te si ste r , and I' ll neve r fo rge t t he go od t im es w e ha d to ge th e r…'

Pa d d y s to p p e d r e a d i n g . Sh e f e l t a s t h o u g h a b u l l e t h a d g o n e s t r a i g h t

t h r o u g h h e r h e a r t l e a v i n g h e r n u m b , b l a n k , i n c r e d u l o u s . An d t h e n s u d d e n l y

h e r m i n d w a s ch a o s. M y f a v o u r it e si st e r - t h e g o o d t i m e s w e 'v e h a d t o g e th e r -

a n d D i a n a - D i a n a w h o h a d s a i d s o c h e e r f u l l y t h a t s h e ' d k e e p a n e y e o n

P h i l… H o w co u l d i t h a v e h a p p e n e d ? H o w co u l d i t ? A n d D ia n a h a d p e r su a d e d

Ph il t h a t P a d d y w a s e n jo y i n g h e r se lf w it h - o h !

She w as sud den ly b l i nded b y t ea rs. She cou ldn ' t r ea d t he rest o f w ha t P h i l

h a d w r i t t e n n o w , s h e d i d n ' t e v e n w a n t t o , s h e h a d h a d e n o u g h . T h e s c h o o l

b e l l h a d r u n g a n d it w a s t i m e t o t a k e h e r cla ss i n si d e - a n d it w o u ld n e v e r d o

fo r the ch i l d ren to see the i r teache r c r y ing ! Paddy dashed away he r tea rs

sa v a g e l y a n d m o v e d a u t o m a t i ca l ly a c r o ss t h e p la y g r o u n d in t h e d i re ct io n o f



t h e i n f a n t s' cla ssr o o m s. It a p p e a r e d sh e h a d b e e n m a d t o t h i n k t h a t P h i l w a s

in l o v e w it h h e r . H e t h o u g h t o f h e r a s a si st e r . H a d h e r e a l ly ? W a s t h a t w h y h e

h a d n e v e r a s k e d h e r t o m a r r y h i m , n o t e v e n w h e n s h e w a s s e n t a w a y t o

G i d g e e m a l la w a ? T h e n w h y h a d n 't sh e w a k e n e d u p t o it a g e s a g o ? Sh e w a sn 't

st up id . W hy ha d n 't she gon e ou t en joy ing he rse lf - i nst ead o f r a c ing o f f exa ct l y

o n ce t o a p a r t y sh e h a d n 't b e en i n v it e d t o a t t e n d ?

Sh e cu t h e r t h o u g h t s o f f a t t h a t p o i n t . Sm a l l ch i ld r en r e q u ir e co n c en t r a t i o n

an d P ad dy w as a consc ien t ious tea che r . W i th a n e f fo r t , she p u shed he r

p e rsona l lif e to t he ve ry b a ck o f he r m ind a nd fo rced he rse lf to g i ve he r fu l l

a t t en t ion t o h er class.

I t wasn ' t t i l l she wen t home a f te r schoo l tha t day tha t he r se l f - con t ro l l e f t

he r . M rs. F ran k w a s in th e si t t ing ro om g iv ing a p iano lesson t o som e ch i l d , and

Pa d d y w e n t q u ick ly a n d si le n t l y t o h e r b e d r o o m . Sh e re a d h e r le t t e r t h r o u g h

ag a in and th i s t im e she tho ug h t v io len t ly , " I can 't p ossib l y m ee t th em ag a in in

t h e h o l id a y s - I ca n ' t p o ssib ly g o h o m e a n d sle ep in "m y " ro o m - k n o w in g t h a t

Ph i l' s i n the nex t r oo m , o r m a yb e ou t w i th D iana - k i ssing D iana !" In e f fect , she

re f lected , d r y -eyed , sta r ing a t no t h ing , she ha d lost he r hom e. Th is w a s hom e

n o w - h e r e w it h M r s. F r a n k . Sh e w o u l d h a v e t o st a y h e r e f o r t h e l o n g su m m e r

va cat ion . W a s i t p ossib le? W a s i t b ea ra b le?

" I'm n o t r ea d y t o t h i n k a b o u t it n o w ," sh e d e cid e d a s sh e t o o k h e r so a p a n d

t o w e l a n d h e a d e d f o r t h e m o sq u it o b u sy b a t h r o o m t o t a k e a t e p id b a t h .



F r e d d y h a d n ' t c o m e h o m e w h e n s h e w e n t i n t o d i n n e r t h a t n i g h t , s o s h e

a n d M r s. F r a n k w e r e a lo n e , a n d P a d d y p u l le d h e r se lf t o g e th e r a n d so m e h o w

g a v e a n a p p e a r a n c e o f a c t i n g n o r m a l l y , l a u g h i n g a t M r s . F r a n k ' s a n e c d o te s

ab ou t he r va r ious m u sic p up i ls.

"Jim m y N ye neve r d oes f i ve m inu t es' p ra ct i ce f r om one lesson t o t he nex t ,

a n d e a c h t i m e h e c o m e s t o a b a r h e c a n ' t p l a y - a n d t h a t ' s p r e t t y o f t e n ,

b e l ie v e m e - h e b r e a k s o f f a n d t a k e s a sw in g a t a n i m a g in a r y m o sq u it o . "Ju st

m issed i t , M rs. F ran k !" If you 've hea r d t ha t , you p rob ab ly thou gh t he w as

t a lk in g a b o u t t h e n o t e - "

" I d id w ond er ," sa id P a dd y , sm i li ng b r igh t l y .

"W ha t 's up , Pa dd y?" ask ed M rs. F ran k a f t e r a second . "You ' re look ing p a le

a n d w a n . H a s y o u r b o y - f r ie n d d r o p p e d y o u ?"

Paddy f l ushed a s low and pa in fu l sca r le t , bu t be fo re she cou ld say e i the r

yes o r no , Mrs . F rank added ph i l osoph ica l l y , " I wou ldn ' t b reak my hea r t ove r

h i m if I w e re y o u - n o r o v e r a n y m a n . N o n e o f t h e m a r e w o r t h i t . If I h a d m y

t i m e o v e r a g a in I w o u ld n 't r u sh i n t o m a r r ia g e w it h F re d d y . Y et a t t h e t i m e ,

he w a s m y he ro . " She sm i led w ry l y . "H a r d t o b e l ieve , i sn 't it ? D id you m ee t

a n y o n e y o u l ik e d b e t t e r t h a n y o u r se lf t h e o th e r n i g h t , b y t h e w a y ? I t h o u g h t

i t bes t to leave you to cope fo r yourse l f . I was sor ry you d idn ' t s tay fo r supper ,

I'd h a v e i n t r o d u ce d y o u t o so m e o f t h e m e n ."

" It d idn ' t m a t te r , " sa id Pa d d y . " I j ust w a t ched f ro m a d i sta nce. I wa sn ' t

r ea l l y d ressed fo r a p a r t y , you k now ."



"Oh , you shou ldn ' t wo r r y abou t tha t , " sa id Mrs . F rank chee r fu l l y . " I ' d have

l ik ed yo u to m ee t V enn W i ld a sh , a t l ea st . H e 's ou r st a r t u rn . The cou n t r y g i r l s

a re a l l ov er h im l ik e a ra sh - he 's rea l ly som et h ing . They sa y he 's go in g t o

m a r ry one o f h i s w a rds - w e ll , t hey ' re un o f f i cia l w a rds - b u t I do n ' t be l i eve i t .

T h e D u n ca n g ir ls a r e t o o y o u n g a n d i m m a t u r e fo r a m a n l ik e V e n n W i ld a sh -

I 've seen th em a t d a nces w hen t hey ' ve been h e re fo r ho l i da ys."

Ve n n W i l d a s h , t h o u g h t Pa d d y , l i s t e n i n g n e r v i l y w i t h o n l y t h e t o p o f h e r

m in d . Ke i t h h a d sa id so m e th i n g a b o u t Ve n n W i ld a sh a n d h i s h a r e m . Sh e

d i d n ' t r e g r et n o t m e et in g h i m . In f a c t , rig h t a t t h i s m i n u te sh e f e lt t o o

h e a r t si ck t o w o r k u p a n y i n t e r est i n h i m a t a l l, h o w e v e r f a scin a t i n g it w a s.

W e ll , th ey say t im e hea ls a l l w ou nd s, she rem inded he rse lf a u to m at i ca l ly ,

t hou gh she w a s no t conv inced .

" W e 'l l ha ve t o see w ha t w e can d o ," M rs. F rank w as say ing . "W e m igh t be

a b l e t o w o r k it so m e h o w . Yo u ' r e a p r e t t y g ir l a n d y o u ' v e g o t b r a i n s t o o , w h o

k n o w s - h e m ig h t t a k e a f a n cy t o y o u . It ' s w o r t h a t r y !"

P a d d y s m i l e d p a l e l y , a n d a s a t t h a t m o m e n t F r e d d y a p p e a r e d a t t h e

d i n i n g - r o o m d o o r o b v i o u s l y t h e w o r s e f o r w e a r , t h e c o n v e r s a t i o n e n d e d . H e

w a s t o ld t h a t h i s d in n e r w a s in t h e o v e n , a n d t h a t if i t w a sn 't e xa c t l y t h e w a y

h e l i k e d i t t h e n i t w a s h i s o w n f a u l t . Pa d d y , w h o h a d e a te n a l l s h e w a n te d ,

excused he rse l f and d i sappeared to he r room. I t was no wonder Mrs . F rank

w a s cy n i ca l a b o u t m a r r ia g e , sh e r e f le cte d . " I w o u ld m a k e a b e t t e r jo b o f i t .

Ph il a n d I- " Bu t it w a s f u t i le t o t h i n k o f Ph il n o w . A n d sh e co u ld n 't y e t b r in g



h e r se lf t o sit d o w n a n d w r it e t h e so r t o f le t t e r h e w a n t e d f r o m h e r - f o r g i v i n g ,

ch e er f u l , u n d e r sta n d in g . H e w a s t h e o n e w h o w o u ld h a v e t o w a i t t h i s t i m e …

She ha d st i ll no t w r i t ten a few da ys la t e r w hen she hea rd f r om M rs.

Ke n n e d y . A w a r m f r i e n d l y l e t t e r , u r g i n g h e r n o t t o l e t Ph i l ' s e n g a g e m e n t t o

D i a n a m a k e a n y d i f fe re n ce .

"Th is i s s t i l l you r home and you r room i s a lways ready fo r you . I know you

h a d a b i t o f a cr u sh o n P h il, P a d d y d e a r , b u t t h a t w a s t h e n a t u r a l re a ct i o n o f

a y o u n g g ir l le f t su d d e n ly o n h e r o w n . P h i l d o e sn 't r e a l ize it , b u t I k n o w y o u

m u st f e e l h u r t . Yo u ju st m u st n 't le t i t u p se t y o u r lif e . F r a n k ly , t h e w a y y o u tw o

u se d t o f o o l a b o u t t o g e t h e r I a l w a y s t h o u g h t y o u w e re m o r e lik e b r o t h e r a n d

sist e r , so casu a l a nd na t u ra l w i th ea ch o t her . Lov e isn ' t u su a l ly a s com for t a b le

a s t h a t , a n d y o u ' ll u n d e r sta n d w h a t I m e a n w h e n y o u r ea l ly f a l l in l o v e ."

I t w a s a l e t t e r f u l l o f a f f e c t i o n a n d g o o d a d v i c e , a n d Pa d d y ' s h e a r t w a s

w r e n c h e d . Bu t a l l t h e s a m e , M r s . Ke n n e d y w a s q u i t e w r o n g . Pa d d y w a s i n

l o v e w i t h Ph i l , a n d s h e w a s n ' t j u s t h u r t - h e r h e a r t h a d b e e n t o r n o u t ! Sh e

cou ld n eve r go hom e fo r t he ho l ida ys, she w ou ld sooner st ay he re , a t M rs.

Frank 's .

Do ing w ha t , she cou ld n ' t conce ive .

Bu t a s th e ho l i da ys cam e nea re r , she d i scov e red t ha t she w asn ' t go ing t o b e

a b le t o st a y w it h M r s. F ra n k , w h o t o o k it f o r g r a n t e d t h a t P a d d y w o u l d b e o f f

t o Syd ney .

M rs. F ran k w as shu t t i ng up th e hou se and go ing t o t he coa st .



"Fr ed d y 's co m i n g a l o n g t o o ," sh e t o l d P a d d y w it h a g r i m a c e . "Yo u ca n 't g e t

r id o f a h u sb a nd a s easi ly a s t ha t . I w ish yo u cou ld . "

"A boy - f r i end ' s eas i l y shed , " though t Paddy b i t te r l y . Or shou ld i t be a g i r l -

f r iend ? I t 's so ea sy t o get r id o f a g i r l f r iend - esp ecia l ly w hen she's b een sent of f

t o G id g e e m a l la w a .

CHAPTER TWO

IT wa s Tuesda y a f te rno on , a sea r ing ly h o t , b rea t h less d ay in D ecem b er .

Sch o o l f in i sh e d o n T h u r sd a y , a n d P a d d y , w it h n o a r r a n g e m e n ts m a d e f o r t h e

va ca t ion , w as beg inn ing t o fee l sl igh t l y p an ick y . The ch i ld ren f r om he r c lass

h a d a l l g o n e h o m e , e x c e p t f o r l i t t l e M a r g a r e t C a l e w h o w a s w a i t i n g f o r h e r

m o th e r t o f e t c h h er , a n d Pa d d y h a d n o t y e t sig n e d o f f .

She sto od in th e sha de o f t he schoo l v e rand a h fee li ng l im p a nd exhau sted ,

a n d n e a r b y M a r g a r e t sa t o n h e r m i n u te sch o o l ca se w a it i n g p a t ie n t l y . Pa d d y

h a d b e e n a sk e d t o a f t e rn o o n t e a t w i ce a t t h e Ca l e s' b u n g a lo w , a n d sh e k n e w

t ha t Ir ene Ca le w a s exp ect ing a no t he r ch i l d . It m u st be t r y ing in t h i s hea t , she

su p p o se d , y et t h e w o m e n o u t h e r e b o r e t h e i r ch i ld r e n t h e sa m e a s a n y w h e r e

e lse , e v e n t h e w o m e n o n t h e o u t b a ck sta t i o n s, a n d t h o se w h o l iv e d o n t h e



e d g e o f t h e d e se r t . ."So w h a t a m I m a k i n g su ch a f u ss a b o u t ?" Pa d d y

w o n d e r ed su d d e n ly . It w a s r a t h e r w e a k - m in d e d t o b e so co m p le t e ly t h r o w n

ju st b eca u se t h e m a n sh e w a s in lo v e w it h h a d d ecid ed t o m a r ry so m eo n e

e lse . H e h a d n e v e r , a f t e r a l l, sa id a si n g le w o r d a b o u t m a r r y i n g Pa d d y

Dem p st e r . .

Na r row-eyed , she s ta red though t fu l l y ac ross the dus ty red s t ree t , s t i l l and

e m p ty u n d e r t h e g la r e o f t h e su n , a n d a s sh e sta r e d , a ca r ca m e r o u n d t h e

co r n e r a n d w e n t q u i ck ly p a st t h e sch o o l a n d in a m in u t e h a d d i sa p p e a r e d . In

those few seconds , Paddy fe l t he r hea r t beg in to pound . She had recogn ized

t h e c a r . I t w a s t h e s t a t i o n w a g o n t h a t h a d b r o u g h t h e r i n t o t o w n f r o m t h e

o r a n g e o rch a r d . A n d t h a t m a n h a d b e e n d r i v i n g it . It w a s a b su r d , b u t sh e h a d

seen h im w i th a p ecu l ia r c la r i t y - j u st as she ha d seen h im th a t n igh t i n the ca r

w hen h is eyes ha d look ed in to he rs. O n ly t h i s t im e he ha d no t seen he r . Ye t i f it

h a d b e e n so m e o n e sh e k n e w in t i m a t e ly - so m e o n e lik e Ph i l - sh e co u l d n o t

ha ve p e rce ived h im m ore clea r l y . It w a s as i f t he sto rehouse o f he r m ind h ad

a d d e d t o w h a t h e r e y e s h a d a c t u a l l y s e e n a n d b u i l t u p a p i c t u r e t h a t w a s

com p lete in eve ry de t a i l, a nd a sto n ish ing ly rea l . W hy shou ld a com p lete

st ran ge r a f fect he r t h i s w ay ?

She w a s st i l l p ond er ing t h is q u est ion w hen I rene Ca le 's ca r p u l led u p ou t side

th e sch o o l , a n d Pa d d y w e n t o u t si d e w it h M a r g a r e t t o sp e a k t o h e r .



"H ow a re you , M rs. Ca le?" she a sk ed sym p a t het ica l ly . " I w ish I cou ld ha v e

b r o u g h t M a r g a r e t h o m e a n d sa v e d y o u t h e t r o u b l e, b u t it 's a lo n g w a lk in t h e

hea t fo r a l it t l e g ir l ."

"D o n 't w o r r y , M iss D e m p ste r . I h a d t o c o m e o u t - I h a d sh o p p in g t o d o . Bu t

I 'l l ad m i t I envy y ou go ing h om e to t he coa st fo r the h o l i day s. I 'l l b e o f f to

D u b b o t o w a i t f o r m y b a b y ," sh e a d d e d w it h a sm i lin g g r i m a ce .

"I'm n o t su r e t h a t I a m g o in g t o t h e co a st , " P a d d y a d m it t e d , le a n i n g d o w n

t o w a r d s t h e c a r w i n d o w n o w t h a t M a r g a r e t h a d h o p p e d i n s i d e b e s i d e h e r

m o th e r . "T h e - t h e p e o p l e I'd h a v e b e e n sta y i n g w it h c a n 't h a v e m e ," sh e

im p rov ised , f ind ing i t a re lie f t o con f ide even t h i s m u ch in som eone . " I ha ven ' t

m a d e a n y r e a l p la n s y e t ."

"Rea l ly?" The o th er w om a n 's b lue eyes w ere su d d en ly a le r t , in t e rest ed . She

w a s f a i r a n d p l u m p , a n d M a r g a r e t , w h o h a d a u b u r n h a i r a n d f r eck le s, t o o k

a f t e r he r fa t he r . "W e ll , you cou ld b e ju st t he g i r l I'm look ing fo r . The doc to r

w a n t s m e t o g o t o D u b b o t o w a i t f o r t h i s b a b y I ' m e x p e c t i n g - h e ' s

an t i cipa t ing just a l it t l e b i t o f t r ou b le, no t h ing se r iou s - so M a rga re t ' s t o go t o

h e r u n c le a n d a u n t a t B i b b e n l u k e . W h a t b o t h e r s m e is t h a t Be th , m y , si st e r -

in - law , is a l it t le - w e l l, ca su a l , sha l l w e sa y? - w i th ch i ld ren ." She look ed a t

P a d d y w it h a h a l f sm ile . "W o u l d i t su i t y o u t o g o a l o n g a n d j u st k e ep a

f r i end ly eye on Ma rga re t?"

Pa d dy , w hose pu lses ha d leap t a t t h i s p ossib le so lu t i on to he r d i lem m a , ha d

t he sense to hesi ta t e . " If I cou ld k now w here B ibb en luk e w as, a nd - "



"Yo u h a v e n ' t h e a r d o f B i b b e n l u k e ? " I r e n e C a l e a p p e a r e d a l i t t l e a m u s e d .

" It 's one o f t he b ig sheep st a t ions ou t w est . M y b ro t her M a x Lew is is t he

ov erseer t here ."

P a d d y 's eyes w iden ed w i th in t e rest . " It sou nd s exci t ing . I t h ink I 'd l ik e to g o ,

esp ec ia l ly i f it w i l l he lp y ou ou t ."

"Then ge t i n to th e ca r a nd w e 'l l d i scu ss i t r i gh t aw ay . If you sta nd in the su n

m u c h l o n g e r w i t h o u t a h a t y o u ' l l g e t s u n s t r o k e a n d t h a t w i l l d e f e a t t h e

pu rpose . Wha t do you th ink , Marga re t? " she added , as Paddy d id as she was

requ ested . "W ou ld you l i ke M iss Dem p st e r to go t o B ibb en luk e w i th you ?" ;

M a r g a r e t n o d d e d . Sh e w a s a q u i e t , w e l l - b e h a v e d c h i l d w i t h a g o o d

in te l l i gence . Paddy was fond o f he r and knew she re tu rned the fee l i ng . "Yes ,

I 'd l ik e t ha t .. W e cou ld go fo r p icn ics. Sim on 's ra t her l i t t le st i l l."

"Sim on ' s ge t t i ng o lde r a l l th e t im e ," sa id he r m o t he r . She exp la ined to

Pa d dy , "Sim on ' s Be t h ' s a nd M ax ' s l it t l e boy , fou r a nd a ha l f yea rs o ld . H e

a r r i v e d r a th e r u n e x p e cte d ly a f t e r t h e y 'd b e e n m a r r ie d e i g h t y e a r s o r so . Be th

is sw eet , b u t w h i le she w a s ch i ld less she d eve lop ed a n in t e rest in scu lp t ing , an d

t ha t st i ll ab so rb s a g rea t dea l o f he r t im e . So I w o r r y , you see - b ecau se even

th e b e s t b e h a v e d o f c h i l d r e n c a n w a n d e r a l i t t l e f u r t h e r t h a n t h e y s h o u l d -

ge t l os t - f r i gh ten eve ryone . " She s topped , f r own ing . "O f cou rse you wou ldn ' t

b e t ie d d o w n . It w o u ld b e a h o lid a y f o r y o u t o o . D o y o u w a n t t o m a k e u p

y o u r m in d n o w , o r w o u ld y o u lik e t o t h i n k a b o u t it t o n ig h t ?"



"I'll m a k e u p m y m in d n o w ," P a d d y d e c id e d . "I'd lo v e t o g o , a n d t h a n k y o u

fo r g iv i n g m e t h e o p p o r t u n i t y ."

" I'm a n op p o r tu n ist , " sa id M rs. Ca le w i th a re l ieved sm i le . "Bu t you w i ll

e n j o y y o u r s e l f - t h a t i s , i f y o u ' r e p r e p a r e d t o p u t u p w i t h t h e h e a t a n d

iso l a t io n … M a x w i ll p i ck y o u u p o n F r i d a y m o r n i n g t h e n , w h e n h e co m e s f o r

Marga re t . R igh t? "

"Grea t ," sa id Pa d d y , sm i li ng too . She th ou gh t she cou ld st an d t he hea t , an d

t he iso la t i on w as no t go ing to w or r y he r a t th i s t im e o f he r l if e . She w a sn ' t i n

t h e m o o d f o r l iv i n g it u p . Sh e w o u l d b e q u it e h a p p y p i cn i ck i ng w it h t w o sm a l l

ch i l d ren , bes ides wh ich she though t tha t Be th Lew is sounded qu i te an

in te rest ing p erson w i th her scu lp t u re .

T h e f o llo w in g d a y s f le w b y . Pa d d y w r o te t o M r s. Ke n n e d y sa y i n g sh e w o u ld

n o t b e h o m e a n d e x p la i n in g sh e h a d t h i s su p e r o p p o r t u n i t y w h i ch sh e co u ld n 't

p o ssi b l y p a ss u p . W e r e Ph i l a n d D ia n a t h in k i n g o f b e i n g m a r r i ed d u r in g t h e

va ca t ion? If so , she w ou ld ha ve t o m iss th e w edd ing , bu t she sen t th em he r

very b est w ishes. She ho p ed, as she f in ished t he le t t e r , t ha t her hu r t d idn 't

show , a nd t ha t P h i l' s m o t he r w ou ld be conv inced she w as go ing t o en joy

herself.

A s p e rhap s she w ou ld . It w ou ld be a n ew exp e r ience, an yhow .

In n o t i m e a t a l l i t w a s F r i d a y m o r n i n g , a n d s h e w a s a l l p a c k e d u p a n d

w a it i n g o n t h e v e r a n d a h f o r M a r g a r e t ' s u n c le t o c o m e a n d co l le ct h e r. T h e re

w a s n o th i n g l e f t t o d o b u t p u l l t h e f r o n t d o o r s h u t . M r s . F r a n k a n d F r e d d y



h a d le f t i n t h e c a r f o r t h e co a st a co u p le o f h o u r s a g o , a n d h a d w i sh e d P a d d y

a happy ho l i day . A l i t t l e d i sconce r t i ng ly , she had lea rned tha t the fabu lous

Ve n n W i ld a sh h i m se lf w a s t h e o w n e r o f B i b b e n l u k e st a t io n !

M rs. F ran k ha d sa id tea sing ly , "So yo u ' re to m ee t V enn W i lda sh a f t e r a l l ,

P a d d y - a n d h o w ! M a y b e h e'll t a k e a f a n cy t o y o u . M a y b e y o u 'l l e v e n p u t u p

a b i t o f com p e t i t i on fo r those tw o w ard s o f h i s."

Pa d d y d i d n ' t t h i n k s h e w o u l d , a n d i n a n y c a s e s h e d i d n ' t w a n t t o . Ve n n

W ilda sh w a s w e lcom e to h is ha rem , just as i t w a s. She w a s no t go ing t o a d d t o

i t s nu m bers, th a t w as fo r su re . She w a s t ha nk fu l r a th e r t ha n o t he rw ise tha t

she w ou ld be st ay ing in the ov e rsee r 's co t t ag e and no t a t t he hom est ead .

Sh e h a d w r it t e n t o P h i l t h e n i g h t b e fo r e. I t h a d b e en a h a r d l et t e r t o w r it e ,

a n d it n e ed e d a n e ff o rt n o t t o b r ea k in t o w h a t w o u l d so u n d l ik e re p r o a ch e s

a n d r e cr i m i n a t io n s. N o t t o sa y , "H o w ca n y o u d o t h is t o m e ?" o r t o a sk , "D i d n 't

ou r k i sses m ean a ny t h ing? D id you ev e r be l ieve I th ou gh t o f you a s a

brother?"…

She m a d e severa l fa lse st a r t s, a nd f in ished u p w i th som eth ing m ore or less

sa t i sfa ct o ry . "Dea r Ph i l - I w as su rp r i sed t o hea r a bo u t you an d D iana . To te l l

t h e t r u th , I h a d n ' t t h e le a st i d e a t h a t y o u tw o w e re a t t r a c te d t o e a c h o th e r . I

hop e you 'l l bo t h b e ve ry ha p p y , b u t I'm a f ra id I sha n ' t see you t hese ho l i day s.

I ' v e b e e n a s k e d t o s p e n d t h e v a c a t i o n a t B i b b e n l u k e , o n e o f t h e b i g s h e e p

sta t i o n s o u t t h i s w a y . It ' s r a t h e r f u n n y y o u sh o u ld h a v e m e n t i o n e d w e a l t h y

sq u a t t e rs. A l l t he g i r ls herea b ou t s a re w i ld a b ou t t he b a ss, so I m u st r ea l ly



co u n t m y se lf l u ck y t o h a v e b e en i n v i t e d a lo n g . G iv e m y l o v e t o D i a n a . Yo u r s,

P a d d y . "

She ha d g i ven Ph i l a com p lete l y fa l se idea o f t he se tu p , o f cou rse , bu t t ha t

w a s d e l ib e r a t e . N o m e n t io n o f M a r g a r e t o r o f t h e f a ct t h a t sh e w o u l d n 't b e

sta y i n g a t t h e h o m e ste a d , h a d n e v e r e v e n m e t t h e b o ss a n d q u i t e p o ssib ly

neve r w ou ld . O r tha t t he bo ss w a s in t he t h roes o f ge t t i ng h im se lf enga ged .

"The boss," she t hou gh t n ow , a s she w a i ted fo r M a x Lew is t o a r r ive . "Venn

W ilda sh ." Fo r som e reason , she ha dn 't been a b le to b r ing he rse lf t o w r i te t ha t

n a m e in h e r le t t e r , a n d so m e h o w e v e n t o t h i n k o f i t g a v e h er a v a g u e ly

sp ook y fee l ing . She w a s a w a re o f th is fee l ing , b u t she cou ld n ' t a na lyse it , a nd

i t w a s on ly la t e r th a t she w a s a b le to t race i t t o i ts p ossib le sou rce.

S h e d i d n ' t w a n t t o t h i n k a b o u t V e n n W i l d a s h j u s t n o w a n y h o w . S h e

th o u g h t i n s te a d a b o u t B i b b e n l u c k e a n d a b o u t t h e L e w i s e s , a n d s h e h o p e d

sh e w o u ld b e so b u sy h e lp in g w it h t h e c h ild r en t h a t sh e w o u ld n 't h a v e m u ch

t im e lef t to b roo d ove r P h i l . By th e end o f si x week s, su re l y t he b i t t e rness in

h e r h e a r t w o u l d b e t e m p e r e d . A n d t h e n i t w o u l d n ' t m a t t e r w h e t h e r s h e

sta y e d o n a t G i d g e e m a l la w a o r n o t . Sh e w a sn 't i n t e r e ste d i n a m o v e b a c k t o

Sy d n e y n o w th a t s h e a n d Ph i l h a d b r o k e n u p . T h o u g h a c c o r d i n g t o Ph i l ' s

a t t i t u d e , t h e r e w a s n o th i n g t o b e b r o k e n u p . D i d h e r e a l l y b e l i e v e t h a t? O r

h a d D i a n a - w h o ce rt a in l y k n e w b e t t e r - so m e h o w m a n a g e d t o co n v i n ce h i m

of i t .



" A n d D i a n a w a s m y f r i e n d , " t h o u g h t P a d d y , h e r w o u n d s m a r t i n g a n e w .

W a s love l i k e t ha t ? Crue l , se l f ish , ca re less o f everyo ne e lse? "Don 't t h ink a b ou t

i t , " she warned he rse l f , and g lanced a t he r wa tch . She was s ta r t l ed a t the

t i m e . Su r e l y s h e s h o u l d h a v e b e e n p i c k e d u p b y n o w ! H a d s o m e th i n g

h a p p e n e d ? O r h a d sh e b e e n f o r g o t t e n ?

T i m e b e g a n t o d r a g , a n d s h e g r e w a n x i o u s . I t w a s a l m o s t l u n c h - t i m e a n d

s h e h a d a l l b u t g i v e n u p h o p e w h e n a t l a s t a c a r c a m e i n to t h e s t r e e t a n d

p u l le d u p a t t h e g a te . Pa d d y 's h e a r t su d d e n ly b e a t a lit t le f a ste r . Sh e ju m p e d

up f rom he r cha i r , sla m m ed t he do o r shu t , took up th e one sm a l li sh su i t case

w h i c h s h e h o p e d c o n ta i n e d a l l s h e w o u l d n e e d a t B i b b e n l u k e , a n d w e n t o u t

i n t o t h e b l a z e o f n o o n d a y s u n l i g h t . M a r g a r e t w a s w a v i n g f r o m t h e c a r

w in d o w , a n d o n t h e f a r sid e , a m a n w a s cli m b i n g o u t . P a d d y st a r ed w h e n h e

a p p e a r e d r o u n d t h e b o n n e t o f t h e c a r . W a s t h a t M a r g a r e t ' s u n c l e ? T h a t

ha nd som e, reck less- look ing you ng m a n , w i th h i s a i r o f ha v ing t he run o f t he

wor ld? She b i t he r l i p pe rp lexed ly , and an uneasy cho rd was s t ruck

so m e w h e r e in h e r m in d . T h a t m o p o f b la ck cu r l y h a i r. Sh e g a v e h e r se lf a

m en t a l sha k e . She w a s im a g in ing t h ings. O f cou rse it cou ld n ' t b e Ke it h , the

m a n w h o h a d g r a b b e d h e r a t t h e o r a n g e o r c h a r d a n d g o t h e r i n t o s o m u c h

t roub le . And ye t when he spoke , she knew she was r i gh t . She recogn ized h i s

d ra w l ing , a m used v o ice inst an t l y .

"H e l lo ! A r e y o u M a r g a r et ' s t e a ch e r ?" H e sto o d a f e w f e et a w a y , h a n d s o n

h ips, a nd look ed a cross a t he r w it h eyes th a t w e re a g reen ish ha ze l . Pa d d y



w as com p lete l y d i sconce rted . He w as you ng ish - st i ll i n h i s tw en t ies, anyh ow -

so he cou ldn ' t poss ib l y be Marga re t ' s Unc le Max who had wa i ted e igh t yea rs

fo r a ch i ld n o w fo u r . Si m p le a r it h m e t i c t o l d P a d d y t h a t . So w h a t w a s h e d o i n g

here? She was d isconcer ted fo r another reason too . He was not a t a l l as she

h a d i m a g in e d h e r "a t t a ck e r' t o b e . H e ju st d i d n 't l o o k t h e t y p e w h o w o u l d g o

a ro un d fo rcing h i s a t t en t ions on g i r ls w ho w ere com p lete st ra nge rs. H e even

h a d a ce rt a in ch a r m - t h o u g h n o t o f t h e t y p e t h a t a p p e a l ed t o P a d d y - a n d

r igh t now those eyes o f h i s we re sugges t ing tha t f i nd ing he r he re was one o f

t h e n ice st t h i n g s t h a t h a d h a p p e n e d t o h i m . M a y b e , t h o u g h t P a d d y ,

r em e m b e r in g h e r p r ev i o u s e n co u n t e r w it h h i m , m a y b e h e lo o k e d a t a n y

p a s s a b l y a t t r a c t i v e g i r l i n t h a t s a m e w a y , a n d i t m e a n t n o t h i n g a t a l l - n o

m a t t e r w h a t t h e g ir l t h o u g h t .

W e ll, sh e , Pa d d y , a p a r t f r o m t h e f a ct t h a t sh e w a s n o t lo o k i n g f o r a

f lir t a t io n , w a s f o r ea r m e d b y h e r k n o w le d g e o f h im , a n d t h a t co u l d b e a g o o d

t h ing , p a r t i cu la r l y if i t shou ld ha p p en she w as to see m u ch o f h im w h i le she

w a s a t B i b b e n lu k e .

M ean w h i le she to ld h im p lea sa n t l y , "Yes, I'm M a rga re t ' s t eache r . I'm Pa d d y

D e m p s te r . An d y o u ' r e - " Sh e s to p p e d a b r u p t l y . Sh e h a d b e e n a b o u t t o s a y ,

"Yo u ' r e Ke i t h , " b u t t h e r e w a s n o p o i n t i n b r i n g i n g u p t h a t i n c i d e n t . Sh e

w a t ch e d h im q u i z zi ca l ly . W a s h e g o i n g t o r e m e m b e r ? W o u l d so m e th i n g c li ck ,

n o w th a t h e h a d h e a r d h e r v o i ce ? F o r a se co n d sh e t h o u g h t it w o u l d , b u t sh e

w a s w r o n g .



" I'm Ke i th La id law e ," he sa id . "Be th L ew is's b ro t he r . A nd I sw ear i f I 'd k now n

I w as go ing t o p i ck you u p , I 'd ha ve hu r r ied m y b i t o f bu siness t h rou gh . W hen

I rene sa id Marga re t ' s teache r , I though t o f - we l l , no t anyone l i ke you . You

m u st h a v e b e e n w a it in g f o r h o u r s.- I 'm so r r y a b o u t t h a t ."

" It ' s b een qu i te a w a i t , " ag reed Pa d dy . "H ow ever , now you 're he re, sha l l w e

g e t m o v i n g ?"

"M ig h t a s w e ll. H e re , g i v e m e y o u r b a g , P a d d y ." H e p u t a h a n d

p r o te ct i v e l y o n h e r sh o u ld e r a s h e a c co m p a n ie d h e r t o t h e ca r a n d o p e n e d

t he f ron t do o r . She t hou gh t ag a in , "H e li k es w om en . And he ' s p e rsua sive ."

"H ere, M a rg ," he sa id , "You hop ou t a nd le t you r tea che r si t i n the m id d le."

M a r g a r e t l o o k e d q u e s t i o n i n g l y a t Pa d d y w h o t o l d h e r c a s u a l l y , "D o n ' t

b o t h e r , M a r g a r e t . Sta y w h e r e y o u a r e - u n l ess y o u w a n t t o sit b y t h e w i n d o w ."

" I ca n look ou t t he f r on t ," sa id M a rga re t . "A nd Da dd y say s th e m idd le 's th e

best p lace fo r a l it t l e g ir l becau se o f t he legs be ing sho r t e r . You m u st ha ve t he

w indo w , M iss D em p ste r , so yo u ca n see eve ry th ing a nd te l l the ch i ld ren a l l

ab ou t i t w hen i t ' s schoo l aga in ."

"T h a t w o u l d b e a n i d e a ," a g r ee d P a d d y w it h a sm ile t h a t w a s a l m o st a

gr in . She ga ve K e i th a l it t le sidew a ys g la nce an d h e ra ised h is eyeb row s

ruefu l ly .

"N o w th a t ' s n o t k in d . I'm h u r t , Pa d d y D e m p ste r ."

" I d o n 't t h i n k , " t h o u g h t P a d d y t o h e r se lf , t h o u g h in a w a y sh e w a s a lr e a d y

d i sa r m e d . H e w a s p l a u sib le , a n d e v e n n r a th e r l ik e a b le , a n d t h e o t h e r n i g h t h e



h a d p r o b a b ly j u st h a d a l it t le t o o m u c h t o d r i n k . Sh e a sk e d a s t h e y t o o k t h e

lo n g st r a ig h t r o a d o u t o f t h e t o w n , "W h a t h a p p e n e d t o M r L e w i s? I t h o u g h t

h e w a s g o i n g t o f e t c h M a r g a r et a n d m e t h i s m o r n i n g ."

"M ax? So he w a s. Bu t h e cou ldn ' t ge t a w a y . The re 's b een a b it o f a st i r ou t

a t B i b b e n lu k e . So m e w e th e r s h a v e b e en sto le n o r sp ir it e d a w a y , a n d

eve ryone ' s ou t i nves t iga t ing . Excep t fo r me . " He sounded qu i te chee r fu l and

u n c o n ce r n ed a b o u t i t , a n d g l a n c in g o v e r M a r g a r e t 's h e a d , Pa d d y sa w th a t h e

w as sm i li ng t o h im se lf . " I p e rsu ad ed t he bo ss to l et m e com e in to t ow n . H e w as

a l l fo r send ing Be t sy - m y si ste r - a long , bu t she 's ra t he r w rap p ed u p in a hu nk

o f rock a t th e m om en t , besides w h ich she 's no t a l l t ha t k een on a long sp e l l a t

t he w hee l. So I w a s nob le a nd o f fe red m y se rv i ces, and now he re 's p roo f

p o sit iv e t h a t v i r t u e d o e sn 't g o u n r e w a r d e d ." H e t u r n e d h is h e a d t o sm i le a t

her , a nd h is ha ze l eyes l inge red f la t t e r ing ly o n her fa ce .

"An d o f c o u r se y o u h a d y o u r b u si n ess t o t r a n sa ct , " Pa d d y r e m in d e d h im

w i t h m o c k i n g r e a l i s m , a n d t r a n s fe r r e d h e r a t t e n t i o n t o t h e r o w o f g a l a h s

p e rched a long th e te leg ra p h w i res.

"You 're t oo clever b y h a l f , M iss D em p st er ," sa id K e i th .

It w a s a lo n g d r iv e - f a r l o n g er t h a n P a d d y h a d a n t icip a t e d . Th e y b r o k e i t

to have a la te p i cn ic l unch in the shade o f some coo l ibahs by a b rown r i ve r ,

a n d w h e n t h e y w e n t o n , K e i t h o r g a n i z e d g a m e s t o e n t e r t a i n M a r g a r e t .

A ct u a l ly , t h e y e n t e rt a in e d P a d d y t o o - w a t ch in g f o r k a n g a r o o s o r e m u s, a n d

t he va r ious cock a to os a nd p a r ro ts th a t screeched an d f lu t t e red in th e t r ees, o r



sw a rm ed ac ross t he sk y . The fu r th e r they w en t , the few er b ig t r ees th e re w ere,

bu t t he p la ins w ere w e ll g ra ssed .

" It 's b een a goo d sea son," sa id K e i th . "W e 've h a d f a n t a st ic ra in fa l ls fo r ou t

he re . W a te r i n t he d a m s, g reen g ra ss in a l l th e p a dd ock s, g ra sshop p ers a nd

'roos a nd b i rds every w here , a nd t he sheep so sca t t e red i t ' s he l l to m u st er th em .

A l l t h e sm a r t f a r m e rs a r e b u y in g u p e xt r a st o ck f o r fa t t e n i n g a n d m a k in g a

p a ck et o f ex t ra p ro f i t . I t ' s t he b est sea son in y ears."

Bo th M a r g a r e t a n d Pa d d y w e r e e x c i t e d p r e s e n t l y t o s e e r e d k a n g a r o o s

a n d t h e i r b l u e - g r e y m a t e s f e e d in g b y t h e r o a d si d e , t h e n b r ea k i n g o f f t o st a n d

in an appea l ing ly de fence less way , f r on t paws he ld da in t i l y i n f r on t , as they

st a red a t t he ap p roach ing ca r be fo re b ou nd ing o f f across th e pa d do ck s.

"That 's som eth ing y ou ' ll on ly see in a goo d sea son," sa id K e i th . "They ' re a f t e r

t he g reen p i ck t ha t ' s sp run g u p since th e ra ins. They p re fe r the yo u ng stu f f t o

t he long gra sses a ny d a y - i f t hey can get i t . "

P a d d y l o o k e d a t h i m c u r i o u s l y . " Y o u d o k n o w a l o t . I t h o u g h t y o u w e r e

n e w o u t h e r e , " s h e r e m a r k e d , r e m e m b e r i n g h e h a d s a i d h e h a d n ' t b e e n

around here very long. As soon as she had sa id i t , she w ished the words back .

The re w a s no p o in t i n rak ing up o ld h i st o ry .

"H ass som eone b een te l l ing ta les ab ou t m e?" he ask ed f row n ing ly . " I d id n 't

k n o w m y f a m e h a d sp r e a d a s f a r a s t h e sch o o l h o u se in G i d g e e m a l la w a ."

Pa d dy co lou red a l it t l e a nd sa id w i th a sh ru g , "N o one ' s been t e l li ng t a les. I

ju st so m eh o w t h o u g h t - "



"T h e n y o u t h o u g h t w r o n g . I ' v e w o r k e d i n t h e o u tb a c k e v e r s i n c e I l e f t

schoo l , as a ma t te r o f fac t . A l l ove r the wes t o f New Sou th Wa les . I ' ve moved

a b o u t a b it , t r u e e n o u g h , b u t I 'm w e ll o n t h e w a y t o se t t l in g d o w n n o w - a sk

t h e m o u t a t B i b b e n lu k e st a t i o n … W h e re 'r e y o u f r o m , a n y w a y ? A r e y o u

Eng l ish? You r vo ice i s va gu e ly fam i li a r - m u st rem ind m e o f som e f ilm sta r o r

other . !"

" I a m En g l i s h , " Pa d d y a d m i t t e d . "T h o u g h I ' m b e g i n n i n g t o t h i n k o f m y s e l f

as A ust ra l ia n . W e ca m e to A u st ra l i a w hen I w as seven t een .!

"O h ? A n d w h er e a r e D a d d y a n d M u m m y n o w ?"

"M y f a t h e r d ie d l a st y e a r , a n d m y st e p m o t h e r w e n t b a ck t o En g la n d ."

"So y ou 're a l l a lone . N o b oy - f r i end ?"

" I ha ve a l l th e f r i end s I w a n t ," sa id P ad dy a f te r a second .

"O h , co m e o n n o w - a r e n 't y o u a n d I g o i n g t o b e f r ie n d s? W h a t d o y o u sa y ,

M a r g a r e t? D o n 't y o u t h i n k y o u r t e a c h e r sh o u ld b e f r ie n d s w it h m e ?"

"Eve ryb od y ' s f r i end s a t B ib ben luk e ," sa id M a rga re t , a l it t l e u nce r ta in ly .

Pa d dy p u l l ed th e ch i ld t ow a rds he r . "O f cou rse w e 'l l a l l be f r i end s. A nd I 'm

look ing fo rw ar d t o see ing a l l th e sheep , a ren 't you ? Bu t I guess i t w i ll hav e to

w a i t t i ll t o m o r ro w - I 'm p la n n in g o n a v e r y ea r ly n i g h t t o n i g h t ."

"You hop e ," sa id Ke i th . "You ' l l ha ve t o rep o r t to th e bo ss f i r st . Eve ryone w ho

com es t o B ib ben luk e check s in on a r r i va l . I r eck on yo u m ay ha ve less t r oub le

p a s s i n g m u s te r t h a n I d i d , t h o u g h . Bu t d o n ' t l e t Ve n n a p p r o p r i a t e y o u , w i l l



you ? You tw o l it t l e f i ll ies b e long w it h t he ov e rsee r 's m ob , a nd do n 't fo rge t it ,"

h e a d d e d w it h a l a u g h .

"F i l l ies a re horses ," sa id Margare t , cheer ing up . "Have you read The Si lver

B r u m b i e, M iss D e m p st e r ? M u m m y r e a d s it t o m e a t b e d t i m e . I'v e b r o u g h t m y

b o o k w it h m e , a n d m y H a n s A n d e r se n f a i r y t a le s t o o . "

" I haven ' t r ead The S i l ve r Brumb ie , " sa id Paddy . " I f you l i ke , I ' l l r ead i t to

y o u a t b e d t i m e , M a r g a r e t ."

" I h a v e n 't r e a d it e i t h e r ," sa id K e it h . " I m i g h t co m e a l o n g a t b e d t i m e a n d

l ist en t oo ."

" If y o u w a n t t o ," sa i d M a r g a r e t p o l it e l y . "Yo u m i g h tn 't l ik e , it , t h o u g h ."

P r e s e n t l y M a r g a r e t f e l l a s l e e p , a n d Pa d d y s a t b a c k q u i e t l y . Sh e r a th e r

w ished h e r ho l i da y w asn ' t go ing t o be com p l ica ted by t he p resence o f Ke ith

L a i d la w e . Sh e h a d a n i d e a i t m ig h t b e d i f f icu l t t o b e m e r ely f r ie n d s w it h h i m .

Sh e w o u l d j u st h a v e t o t r y t o k e ep o n g o o d t e r m s w it h h im , w h i le k e ep in g

h im a t a d i st a nce a t th e sa m e t im e . I t shou ld no t r ea l l y be so d i f f icu l t , since he

wou ld be work ing . She wondered i f he had been se r ious when he sa id she

w ou ld ha ve t o repo r t to th e boss. She w ond ered t oo w hy she shou ld ha ve t h i s

fee l i ng o f vague app rehens ion abou t mee t ing Venn Wi ldash . Su re ly she cou ld

p u t i t o f f u n t i l t o m o r r ow …

They had been d r i v ing t h rou gh v a r iou s sheep p rop e r t i es fo r som e t im e ,

o p e n in g a n d clo si n g g a t e s, b u m p i n g o v e r r o u g h t r a c k s, a n d se en n o b o d y - b u t

p len ty o f sheep in paddocks so vas t tha t Paddy cou ldn ' t be l i eve i t . The



coun t r ys ide ou t he re looked good . I t wasn ' t g reen by Eng l i sh s tanda rds , she

w a s w e ll a w a r e , a n d it w a s v e r y f la t , b u t i t w a sn 't in t h e le a st d u st y a n d d r i ed

o u t . T h e d a m s w e r e f u l l o f w a te r a n d t h e r e w e r e b i r d s e v e r y w h e r e .

g r a s s h o p p e r s w h i r r e d u p f r o m th e g r o u n d a n d t h e b i r d s s w o o p e d . O n c e a

wedge ta i l eag le came soa r ing down , and h igh above in the c loud less sky ,

so n g l a r k s f l ew , a n d Pa d d y co u l d h e a r t h e e ch o o f t h e ir st r a n g e g r a t in g c ry . A

c rowd o f p ink and g rey ga lahs rose up f rom the g rasses where they were

fe ed in g a n d a s Pa d d y w a s w a t ch i n g e n t r a n ce d , Ke it h e xcla i m e d ,

"That 'l l b e th e b oss's jeep com ing ro u nd t he b lack b oxes. M u st b e st i l l d o ing

h is de t ect i ve w ork . I be t h e ha sn ' t t r aced t hose w e th e rs ju st t he sa m e. It w a s a

rea l p ro fess iona l j ob . A few w i res cu t , a t r uck in the dead o f n igh t - they ' re

m i le s a w a y b y n o w ."

T h e j e e p c a m e h u r t l i n g t o w a r d s t h e m , a n d K e i t h s l o w e d d o w n . W i t h i n a

fe w f e et o f e a c h o th e r t h e tw o v e h i cl es ca m e to a st a n d st i ll . Pa d d y w a s

ho ld ing he r b rea t h . She t hou gh t w i th a st ran ge ne rv ou sness, "The bo ss - Ven n

W ilda sh . So t his is i t !"

A n d t h e m i n u te sh e sa w h i m , sh e k n e w e xa c t l y w h y sh e f e lt t h e w a y sh e d i d

a b o u t h i s v e r y n a m e . I t h a d b e e n a s u b c o n s c i o u s k n o w l e d g e - a n i n t u i t i v e ,

t h o u g h u n a d m it t e d , p i e ci n g t o g e th e r o f v a r io u s p h r a se s a n d e v e n t s.

Becau se o f cou rse , Ven n W i ld a sh w a s her " rescu er '. The m a n w i th t he so

b e lit t l in g o p in io n o f h e r . T h e m a n w it h t h e h a r e m . T h e m a n w h o w a s g o in g t o

m a r ry one o f h i s w a rd s.



W h o m ig h t e v e n t a k e a f a n cy t o h e r, M r s. F r a n k h a d sa i d . "A n d t h a t w a s

fun ny . The re w a s no l ik e l ihood o f t ha t ."

K e i t h d i d n ' t g e t o u t o f t h e c a r . P a d d y w o u l d h a v e e x p e c t e d h i m t o , b u t

in ste a d h e u n h u r r i ed ly t o o k ci g a r e t t e s f r o m t h e p o ck e t o f h i s b lu e sh i rt a n d lit

one . Paddy ' s nose wr ink led . She had t r i ed one o f those c iga re t tes and she

ha d n ' t l ik ed i t . She w a t ched h im d r aw on i t , t r y ing to p e rsu ad e he rse lf she w as

n o t i n t h e le a st c o n ce rn e d a b o u t t h e m a n w h o h a d cl im b e d f r o m t h e j ee p a n d

w a s co m i n g p u r p o se fu l ly t o w a r d s t h e c a r i n w h i ch sh e a n d Ke it h a n d

M a r g a r e t , w h o h a d n o w w a k e n ed , w e r e sit t in g .

" I su p p ose I sha n' t p a ss m u st er ," she t ho u gh t in st inct ive ly . " I sha l l ha v e to

go."

H e s to p p e d o n Ke i t h ' s s i d e o f t h e c a r , l e a n e d d o w n a n d l o o k e d i n a t t h e

w i n d o w . H e w a s i n t i m i d a t in g l y h a n d so m e in a st r o n g a n d v e r y m a scu l in e

way , and th i s a f te rnoon in the ho t , ha rsh sun l igh t , he had los t a l l h i s a i r o f

casua l ease and soc iab i l i t y . Somewhere abou t h im, the re was a h in t o f

v i o le n ce . Pa d d y f e lt it , a n d t r i ed t o f o r g e t i t . H e w o r e a k h a k i sh i rt a n d co r d

t r o u se r s, a n d a w id e b r i m m e d sto ck m a n 's h a t w a s p u ll ed f o r w a r d o v e r h i s

d e e p l y t a n n e d f a ce . P a d d y w a t ch e d h i m co v e r t l y , sit t in g w e ll b a c k i n h e r se a t

as i f by do ing t ha t she w ou ld som ehow becom e inv i sib le .

H e l e a n e d a t a n n e d a r m o n t h e w i n d o w n e x t t o K e i t h a n d s a i d w i t h a

sm i le t h a t sh o w e d sq u a r e w h i t e t e e th , "H e llo t h e r e, M a r g a r e t ! L o o k i n g



f o r w a r d t o a h o l id a y w it h u s? Yo u m u st co m e o u t r id i n g so m e t i m e s - I 'v e

p ick ed o u t ju st t he m ou n t fo r you , H e 's ca l l ed Sta r l igh t ."

As he spoke , and wh i le Paddy l i s tened to h i s vo ice w i th a k ind o f shock o f

recogn i t i on tha t had the mos t cu r ious and incomprehens ib le unde r tones , he

sho t a g lance ac ross th e ch i ld t ha t fou nd i t s m ark dea d cen t re i n Pa dd y ' s ow n

eyes.

"Aq ua m ar ines," she th ou gh t , even w h i le he r hea r t f r oze .

K e i t h w a s b l o w i n g s m o k e , a n d a t t h e b a c k o f h e r m i n d P a d d y t h o u g h t

ag i ta t ed ly , "H e 's e i the r a ud a cious o r he ha s ap p a l li ng m a nners." She look ed

a w a y. The b oss's ga ze had in t ensi f ied , a nd i t w a s st i l l on h er - inc red u lou s or

a n g r y , Pa d d y d id n 't k n o w w h i ch . Bu t h e r e co g n i ze d h e r , t h a t w a s f o r su r e.

Ke i th d ra w led ou t , "W ha t ' s th e new s ab ou t t he sheep , Venn?"

Venn W i lda sh d idn ' t ev en g lance a t h im . "N one ," he sa id te r se ly . "I'l l ge t a

b l a c k t r a c k e r o n t h e j o b . R o y , i t w i l l h a v e t o b e . " T h e n a b r u p t l y , t o Pa d d y ,

"An d w h a t t h e h e l l d o y o u t h i n k y o u ' r e d o i n g i n t h i s c a r h e a d i n g f o r

B i b b e n l u k e ? "

Pa d dy f l inched . " I - I w as a sk ed t o com e- "

"By K e it h?" H is vo ice w a s l ik e a w h ip .

"N o! By M rs. Ca le . I 'm M a rga re t ' s t ea cher . " She sa w b lan k d isb e l ie f in h is

eyes a nd w ent on co ld ly , "The Lew ises a re expec t ing m e."



Venn W i ld ash t i lt ed h i s st ra igh t da rk b row s an d shook h i s head slow ly . "N o ,"

h e sa id sim p ly , w it h t h e a i r o f o n e w h o m e a n s, "y o u 'l l h a v e t o d o b e t t e r t h a n

th a t . "

"Bu t t h e y a r e," co n t r a d i ct e d Pa d d y .

Ke i th in t e r rup t ed la z ily . "The boss is r igh t , P a d d y - t hey ' re no t ."

"Bu t t h e y m u st b e ." Pa d d y w a s e xa sp e r a t e d .

"W ha t 's you r na m e?" The qu est ion w a s f i r ed a t he r w i th stee ly p recision .

"Pa d d y D e m p ste r ."

"Ve ry w e l l, Pa dd y D em p ste r , I 'l l see you t on igh t . W hen you 've f i n i shed you r

d inne r . A lone ," he ad ded .

Pa d dy 's ga ze ha d se t t l ed o n he r ha nd s, c lasp ed t i gh t l y toge t he r i n he r lap .

W h a t a r i d i cu l o u s w a y t o b e t r ea t e d ! As if sh e w e re a l a w b r e a k e r o f so m e

t i m e - o r a g a t e cr a sh e r . W h e n sh e h a d a p e rf e ct r ig h t t o b e h e r e - e v e n i f it

w as on t h i s m an ' s do m a in . She just cou ldn 't b e li eve tha t I r ene Ca le ha d n 't l e t

t he Lew ises k now she w a s com ing…

She ra i sed he r hea d an d fa ced V enn W i ld a sh a ga in , a nd th i s t im e she w as

th e o n e w h o f i r ed t h e q u e st io n .

"W hy?"

"W hy?" H is eyes b lazed b lue f r om t he sha d ow o f h i s ha t . "Becau se you a nd I

a re go ing t o ha ve a ta l k , M iss Dem p st e r ."



A n d w i t h t h a t , t h e b o s s o f B i b b e n l u k e s t r a i g h t e n e d u p , t u r n e d a n d w e n t

b a c k t o h i s j e e p , w h i c h c a t a p u l t e d o f f a l m o s t t h e m o m e n t h e h a d c l i m b e d

b a ck i n t o it .

There w a s si lence fo r a second , t hen M a rga re t sa id in a sm a l l vo ice ,

"M u m m y d id n 't t e ll Au n t y Be th y o u w e r e co m i n g , M i ss D e m p ste r , b e ca u se -

becau se she t hou gh t he r fee li ngs m igh t be hu r t . "

Pa d d y sig h e d i n w a r d ly . "O h w e l l, n e v e r m in d , M a r g a r e t . It w i ll b e a l l r ig h t

once w e ge t t o B ibben luk e ," she sa id w i th a ca lm assu r an ce she w a s fa r f r o m

fe e l i n g . Sh e k n e w th a t h e r c h e e k s w e r e b r i g h t r e d , a n d t h a t s h e h a d n e v e r

b e e n m o r e a n g r i ly i n d i g n a n t i n h e r l if e . W h e n Ke it h g o t t h e ca r g o i n g a g a i n ,

she cou ld n ' t st op herse l f f rom sa y ing a ccusing ly , "You d idn 't t e l l m e I w a sn ' t

expec ted , Ke i th ."

H e sh r u g g e d c a r e le ssly . " I d i d n ' t k n o w it m a t t e r e d . H o w w a s I t o k n o w th e

bo ss w ou ld be so to u chy? F ra nk ly , I can 't t h ink w ha t ' s m a de h im so cra nk y -

u n less i t 's ha v ing h is p rec iou s sheep p inched fro m u nd er h is no se."

Pa d d y sa id n o t h i n g . Sh e k n e w w h a t h a d m a d e t h e b o ss cr a n k y . H e

h a p p e n e d t o h a v e a v e r y p o o r o p i n i o n o f P a d d y D e m p s t e r , a n d o b v i o u s l y

t hou gh t she w a s he re on Ke it h ' s a ccou n t . Q u i te l ik e ly to n igh t he w ou ld te l l he r

h e p r e fe rr e d n o t t o h a v e h e r a r o u n d . A n d if "A u n t y Be th ' s' f e e lin g w e re l ik e ly

t o t h e h u r t b y h e r p r e s e n c e , t h e n s h e w o u l d n ' t h a v e a c h a m p i o n t h e r e . So

w h a t w a s g o i n g t o h a p p e n n o w ? Sh e t h o u g h t w it h a su d d e n f l a r e o f ir r it a t io n ,

"W h y o n e a r t h d i d y o u h a v e t o a c t i n s u c h a s t u p i d w a y t h a t n i g h t , Ke i t h



La id law e?" Bu t th en , she rem inded he rse lf t i red ly , m igh t n 't she just a s w e l l

b l a m e h e rse lf f o r t h e sit u a t io n ? Sh e h a d n 't h a d a n y r ig h t t o b e a t t h a t p a r t y …

Af te r a c o u p l e m o r e g a te s h a d b e e n o p e n e d a n d s h u t , t h e y w e r e o n

B i b b e n l u k e l a n d , a n d s o o n t h e s ta t i o n b u i l d i n g s c a m e i n to v i e w , s p r e a d o u t

n e a r a l a r g e p e r m a n e n t w a t e r h o l e . P a d d y l o o k e d a b o u t h e r w i t h i n t e r e s t ,

a n d w o n d e r ed if sh e w o u l d se e m u c h m o r e t h a n t h is o f B i b b e n lu k e sta t io n -

b y t h e t im e Ve n n W i ld a sh h a d f in i sh e d w i t h h e r . T h e re w e r e tw o w in d m i lls, a

b ig woo lshed , and shea re rs ' qua r te rs - a mach ine ry shed and the mea thouse .

M a r g a r e t p o i n t e d t h e m o u t e a g e r l y , w i t h K e i t h ' s h e l p . A n d t h e r e w a s t h e

o v e r s e e r ' s b u n g a l o w a n d a c o u p l e o f h u n d r e d y a r d s a w a y , w i t h t h e g a r a g e s

an d t he sta t i on st o re in b e tw een , t he b ig hom est ead , ha l f h idd en in i t s ga rd en .

"Cheer up , Paddy da r l i ng , " sa id Ke i th o f f - handed ly as he pu l l ed up . "Be tsy

w on ' t ea t you - she 'l l g i ve you a g rea t b ig w e lcom e, I p rom ise ."

Pa d d y d id n 't b e l ie v e i t , a n d sh e l ist e n e d r a t h e r g lo o m i ly w h e n , h a v i n g

p receded he r up the s teps and depos i ted the two su i t cases , o f wh ich

M a r g a r e t ' s w a s t h e l a r g e r , o n t h e v e r a n d a h , h e s h o u te d t h r o u g h t h e o p e n

d oo r , "Su rp r ise , Bet sy ! I've b rou gh t you t w o v isi to r s inst ea d o f o ne."

H is sist e r a p p e a r ed i m m e d ia t e ly - a sm a l l d a r k - h a i re d w o m a n w it h

f r i end ly b row n eyes. She w ore b lue jean s an d a sh i r t t ha t l ook ed l i ke a m a n ' s,

w i th the s leeves ro l l ed up and the neck open . She s tooped to k i ss Marga re t

a n d t e l l h e r , "S i m o n ' s i n t h e s a n d p i t a r o u n d t h e b a c k , l o v e - r u n o u t i f y o u



w a n t t o . " T h e n s h e p u t o u t a w e l c o m i n g h a n d t o P a d d y a n d g a v e h e r a

q u ick ly ap p ra ising g la nce. "H e l lo ! You 're a f r iend o f K e it h 's?"

"Since I l oad ed h e r in t o t he ca r a few hou rs a go , " sa id Ke i th , and a t h e r look

o f rep roa ch , a m used t hou gh i t w as, he a d ded , " I d idn ' t a b du ct he r , Be t sy . Th is

i s Pa d dy D em p st e r , M arg a re t ' s schoo l tea che r , be l i eve i t o r no t . P ad dy - m y

sist er B et h. Po or I ren e w a s scared she'd hu r t yo u r feel ing s, Bet s, if she let yo u

k now she w as send ing he r a long t o w a t ch ove r he r da r l ing ch i ld … A nyho w , I 'l l

le a v e y o u t w o t o so r t it o u t b e t w e en y o u w h i le I p u t t h e ca r a w a y ."

"Com e insid e , Pa dd y , " sa id B e th hosp i ta b ly , a s he d i sa p p eared . " I'm a f ra id I

h a v e n 't a r o o m r ea d y f o r y o u , b u t it w o n 't t a k e a se c t o m a k e u p t h e b e d … Is

i t r i gh t w ha t Ke i th say s?" she con t inued as Pa dd y fo l l ow ed h e r in t o t he hou se .

"Ab ou t I r ene , I m ean . O r is Ke i th p u l l ing m y leg a nd he ' s i nv i ted you a long ?"

" It ' s t r u e ," a d m it t e d P a d d y . "I w a s su r e M r s. C a l e w o u ld h a v e l et y o u k n o w .

I s i t a l l r i g h t f o r m e t o s t a y ? I m e a n - i f y o u d o n ' t w a n t m e , " s h e a d d e d

d o u b t f u l l y .

"O f cou rse you m u st st ay ," sa id Be t h a t once . "You can t e ll m e a l l ab ou t i t

la t e r. W o u l d y o u lik e t o f r e sh e n u p ? I'l l g e t V e r a t o m a k e a p o t o f t e a a n d

w e 'l l ge t a cq u a in t ed ov e r tha t , sha l l w e?"

S h e w e n t a w a y a n d P a d d y f r e s h e n e d u p i n t h e b a t h r o o m n e a r b y , t h e n

co m b e d h e r b l a ck h a i r a t t h e d r e ssi n g ta b l e m ir r o r in t h e sm a l l b e d r o o m w it h

i t s o f f - w h i te w a l ls an d p o l i shed w ood f l oo r . The cu r ta ins a nd bed sp read w ere



g r e e n a n d w h i t e c o t t o n , a n d i t a l l l o o k e d f r e s h a n d p r e t t y . So m e o n e h a d

bro ug h t he r su i t case inside w h i le she ha d b een in t he ba t h room .

"W a n t t o h a n g a n y t h i n g o u t ?" a sk e d B e t h f r o m t h e d o o r w a y .

" I t c a n w a i t , " s a i d P a d d y , w h o t h o u g h t t h a t m a y b e i t w o u l d b e w i s e r t o

w a i t t i l l a f t e r he r i n te rv iew w i th th e boss!

O v e r t e a o n t h e v e r a n d a h , s h e e x p l a i n e d t o B e t h w h a t h a d h a p p e n e d ,

t a ct f u l ly p u t t in g it t h a t M r s. Ca l e h a d f e lt M a r g a r e t w o u l d m e a n e xt r a w o r k

w hen Be t h w a s invo lv ed w i th he r scu lp t i ng . "O f cou rse , i f you d on ' t need m e , I

sha n ' t st a y , " she con c lu d ed . She sa id n o t h ing a b ou t en cou nt er ing t he b oss, a nd

b e in g t o l d t o r ep o r t t o h im t h a t n ig h t a f t e r d i n n er . Sh e h a d p r a ct i ca l ly m a d e

u p h e r m i n d sh e w a sn 't g o i n g t o o b e y t h a t o r d e r , a n y h o w . H e r b e in g h e r e h a d

n o t h i n g t o d o w it h V e n n W i ld a sh a n y h o w .

"M ost cer ta in ly you ' ll st a y , " sa id B et h . " Irene 's d eve lop ed nerv es a long w i th

he r p regnancy , I expec t . Marga re t ' s neve r any t r oub le - i f you ' re he r teache r

you ' l l know wha t an abso lu te l i t t l e pe t she i s . S imon ado res he r . Bu t you ' re

m o s t w e l c o m e to s t a y a n d h a v e a p r o p e r h o l i d a y . Ke i t h w i l l l o o k a f t e r y o u .

Do you r id e?"

"A l it t le ," a d m it t e d P a d d y , r a th e r p u t o u t t h a t h e r h elp w a s so o b v i o u sly

n o t n e ed e d . Sh e d i d n 't w a n t t o st a y h e r e si m p ly t o b e "lo o k e d a f t e r ' b y Ke it h .

T h a t w a s n o t h e r id e a a t a ll, a n d sh e k n e w w h a t V e n n W ild a sh w o u l d t h in k o f

i t . Bu t she w a s no t go ing t o st a r t p ou r ing ou t con f iden ces ab ou t he r d i sast rou s

encou n t e r w i th t he b oss, o r ab ou t he r k now ledg e o f Ke i th a nd h i s t echn iq ues…



She sa id f ra nk ly , " I ca n ' t p ossib ly st a y i f I 'm not go ing t o b e a ny he lp , M rs.

Le w is—'

"O h , ca ll m e Be th , d o . A n d d o n 't w o r r y . Yo u ca n h e lp a l l y o u l ik e . I l et t h e

ch i ld ren en te r t a in them se lves m ost o f the t im e , bu t t hey a do re p i cn ics, a nd

y o u ca n t a k e t h e m to t h e r iv e r - f u ss o v e r t h e m a ll y o u l ik e if it w i ll k e ep y o u

h a p p y . "

" I w a n t t o b e u se fu l," sa id Pa d d y e m p h a t i ca lly .

Be t h look ed a t he r fo r a m inu t e . " I t h ink you 'l l be u se fu l ," she sa id slow ly

a n d t h o u g h t f u l ly . T h e n a f t e r a n o t h e r p a u se , "Pa r t i cu la r ly w h e n I h a v e o n e o f

m y m ig ra ines."

T h e c h i l d r e n a p p e a r e d t h e n , M a r g a r e t w i t h s a n d y h a n d s , S i m o n , a f a i r -

ha i red sto l id - look ing l it t l e bo y , w i th a sa nd y fa ce as w e l l.

"Can I show M a rga re t w here she ha s to sleep ?" he ask ed h i s m o t he r i n a

slow em p ha t ic vo ice . "A nd she 's go ing t o le t m e see her to ys, t oo . "

" I on ly ha ve m y d o l l s a nd th e i r clo thes," sa id M a rga re t . "Bu t I 'll show th em

t o you , Sim on , and I 've go t tw o sto ry b ook s. M iss Dem p st e r 's go ing t o rea d to

m e w h e n I g o t o b e d ."

"W il l you read to m e too?" ask ed Sim on . H e w as a n u nsm i li ng ch i l d , ve ry

m a t t e r - o f - f a c t a n d d i r ect ..

Pa d dy to ld h im chee r fu l l y , "Yes, if you li ke . "

" I'v e g o t a b o o k a b o u t a f ir e en g i n e . D o y o u w a n t t o se e it ?"



" L a te r , Si m o n ," sa id B e th . "Ta k e M a r g a r e t a lo n g t o h e r r o o m , a n d t h e n y o u

m u st b o th g o t o t h e b a th r o o m a n d w a sh y o u r h a n d s a n d f a ce s. Ve r a w i ll h a v e

you r tea read y soon . "

" I'll sh o w y o u m y b o o k la t e r," sa i d Si m o n a g r e ea b ly t o P a d d y , a n d h e a n d

M a r g a r e t d isa p p e a r e d i n t o t h e h o u se .

CHAPTER THREE

W H EN P a d d y w e nt t o h er b ed r o o m a l it t le la t e r , t h e b e d h a d b e en m a d e

u p a n d c l e a n t o w e l s h u n g o v e r t h e b a c k o f a c h a i r . Ke i t h h a d n o t

r e a p p e a r e d , a n d Pa d d y d e c i d e d t o t a k e a s h o w e r a n d r e s t b e fo r e d i n n e r ,

w h i ch w o u l d b e se r v e d w h e n M a x ca m e in , Beth h a d sa id .

"Eve ry th ing ' s a b i t ups ide down today because some sheep have been

st o len a nd t he m en a re t ry ing t o d iscov er if i t ' s a loca l o r an ou t side job ," she

h a d s a i d . "Ke i t h r e a l l y s h o u l d h a v e s ta y e d a n d l e n t a h a n d a n d l e t m e d r i v e

d o w n t o G i d g e e ."

P a d d y t o o k h e r s h o w e r a n d c a m e b a c k t o t h e b e d r o o m i n h e r c o t t o n

d r e ssin g - g o w n t o st a n d t o w e l li n g h e r h a i r d r y . L o n g w i n d o w s o p e n e d f r o m h e r

r o o m o n t o t h e w i d e v e ra n d a h w h i ch w a s sh a d e d b y t h e b i g g r ee n le a v e s o f a



pass ion - f ru i t v ine . La te a f te rnoon sun l igh t f i l t e red ove r the ga rden , and she

cou ld sm el l t he ceda r f low ers. The i r scent w a s a s evo ca t ive a s t ha t o f t he

o r a n g e b l o s s o m , b u t f a r m o r e s u b t l e . . Pa d d y t h o u g h t o f Ph i l , b u t c o u l d n o t

p i ct u r e h i m h e re . It w a s a l a n d t h a t b e lo n g ed t o m e n l ik e V e n n W ild a sh a n d

Ke i th La id lawe , and in the su l l en go ld o f the ho t sun l i gh t she cou ld see the

co lou r o f V enn W i lda sh ' s ha i r w i th a cla r i t y t ha t w as exasp e ra t ing .

S h e g a v e a s t a r t w h e n t h e r e w a s a k n o c k a t t h e d o o r , a n d c a l l e d a n

a u to m a t i c, "Co m e in ," t h i n k in g it w o u ld b e Beth , o r t h e a b o r ig i n a l m a id Ve r a ,

o r ev e n M a r g a r et w it h l it t le Sim o n i n t o w .

In ste a d it w a s Ke it h w h o ste p p e d i n a n d clo se d t h e d o o r b e h i n d h i m a s

casu a l ly a s i f he ha d eve ry r i gh t to be t he re .

H e l e a n e d a g a i n s t t h e d o o r a n d l o o k e d a t h e r w h i l e h e t o o k o u t a

c i g a r e t t e . " I c a m e t o t e l l y o u d i n n e r ' l l b e r e a d y i n h a l f a n h o u r . I w a n te d t o

sa v e V era 's p oo r o ld legs."

Pa d d y r a i se d h e r e y e b r o w s. " I w ish y o u h a d n ' t b o th e re d . A n d I'm so r r y , b u t

I don ' t l ik e you r b ra nd o f ciga re t tes."

Ke i t h , w h o h a d j u s t l i t h i s c i g a r e t t e , p a u s e d a n d l o o k e d a t h e r h a r d . H e

p i n ch e d t h e l ig h t e d e n d b e t w e en a n a p p a r e n t ly u n f e e lin g f in g e r a n d t h u m b

an d sa id t hou gh t n l ly , "So t ha t ' s w here I' ve hea rd you r vo ice be fo re , an d lha t 's

w hy I de t ect ed a b i t o f coo lness. W el l, I gu ess I ow e you a n a p o logy . I go t just a

l i t t l e b i t t i gh t a t tha t pa r ty . And the boss - " he snapped h is f i nge rs - " I had a

fe e l i n g t h i s a f t e r n o o n t h e b o s s k n e w s o m e th i n g a b o u t y o u . H e p r o b a b l y



though t he 'd c rashed in on a heavy love scene tha t n igh t . He doesn ' t be l i eve

in W om en 's L ib excep t fo r t he g i r ls he rese rves fo r h im se l f… W ha t ha p p ened

a f t e r I le f t y o u in t h e d a r k a n d a t h i s m e r cy ?"

"N o t h ing ," sa id P a dd y , co lou r ing .

Ke i th na r row ed h is eyes. "H e w arn ed yo u a ga inst m e . W ha t d id he say ?"

"H e d id n 't w a r n m e a g a i n st y o u . It w o u ld h a v e b e e n a b it l a t e , in a n y ca se ,

w o u l d n ' t i t ? " Sh e l o o k e d a t h i m c o o l l y , u n e n c o u r a g i n g l y , a n d h e m a d e a

r u e fu l f a ce . "N o w if y o u d o n 't m i n d - I w a n t t o g e t d r e sse d ."

"A l l r ig h t . Bu t b e fo re I g o - d o n ' t h o l d i t a g a in st m e , w i ll y o u , Pa d d y ? I

r e p e a t , I'm so r r y a b o u t g r a b b i n g y o u t h e w a y I d id . It w a sn 't a s if y o u w e r e

ju st a n y o n e, y o u k n o w . Ev en if I' d b een o n t h e g ro g , I l ik ed y o u r v o ice a n d I

k n e w y o u 'd b e p r e t t y - a n d i n t e l li g en t . So w i ll y o u f o r g e t y o u r p r e ju d i ce , a n d

let 's s tar t anew?"

"A l l r igh t ," sa id Pa d d y . She t hou gh t she w ou ld le t h im d iscov e r fo r h im se lf

t h a t t h e y w e re n o t g o i n g t o " st a r t ' a t a l l.

"W ith a k iss?"

"N o ," sa id . Pa d dy , b u t she sm i led as she sa id i t . She d idn ' t w an t t o m a k e a

t h ing o f i t a nd crea t e a si tu a t ion . A f t e r a l l , she m igh t b e a rou nd fo r si x w eeks…

S h e t u r n e d h e r b a c k o n h i m a n d m o v e d t o w a r d s t h e w a r d r o b e - w h e r e s h e

ha d st i ll no t hu ng he r c lo t hes. A f te r a m om en t he sa id , "I'l l see you la t e r , th en ,"

a n d t h e d o o r sh u t b e h i n d h i m .



Pa d d y b r e a th e d a g a in . So t h a t w a s t h a t . H e w o u l d so o n ca t ch o n t h a t sh e

w a sn 't h u n g r y f o r a f lir t a t io n . L i k e a d u l l b lo w a t h e r h e a r t t h e t h o u g h t o f P h i l

re tu rned , and she fe l t t he fa m i l ia r sick en ing p a in o f d isb e l ie f a nd he lp lessness.

A d a rk ness, a si lence , w here she ha d been u sed t o f i nd ing com m u n ica t ion an d

l igh t an d h ap p iness. Ke i th n o longe r m a t t e red . N o r w a s she desp e ra t e ly

in t e r e ste d i n w h a t h a p p e n e d a f t e r d in n e r …

She s tayed in he r room t i l l Be th came to fe tch he r . She had shed a few

t ea rs, beca u se she w a s t i red an d b ecau se eve ry t h ing seem ed con fu sed an d

unce r ta in , as we l l as because o f Ph i l . She had pu t on a d ress o f o f f -wh i te

c o t t o n . I t h a d a l o w - n e c k e d b o d i c e t h a t f a s te n e d w i t h a r o w o f t i n y b u t t o n s ,

a n d n o sle ev e s. It c o u l d b e g la m m e d u p w it h a b r i g h t b e lt a n d g a y sca r f o r

b e a d s, b u t t o n i g h t t o m a t ch h e r m o o d sh e w o r e a n a r r o w silv e r b e lt a n d a n

ena m e l led m eda l li on on a f i ne si lve r cha in . She d idn ' t q u i t e k now i f she shou ld

d r e ss u p f o r d i n n e r o r n o t , b u t c lo t h e s d id n 't m a t t e r a l l t h a t m u c h t o P a d d y ,

a n d sh e d e c id e d sh e h a d m a d e a p r et t y sa t i sf a c to r y co m p r o m ise . A t t h e b a ck

o f h e r m i n d so m e w h e r e, t h e r e w a s a lso t h e t h o u g h t t h a t if sh e sh o u l d h a v e t o

r e p o r t t o Ve n n W i l d a s h l a t e r o n , t h e n s h e d i d n ' t w a n t t o l o o k l i k e a f l y - b y -

n igh t .

Si m o n , sh e t h o u g h t , so m e m in u te s la t e r , w o u l d g r o w u p t o b e e x a ct ly l ik e

h is fa t her . M a x Lew is ha d t he sa m e ra t her st o l id shor t ish f igu re , a nd h is ha i r

a n d m o u s t a c h e w e r e a s u n - f a d e d b l o n d . H e h a d b l u e e y e s t h a t w e r e k i n d

and sympa the t i c as we l l as be ing sea rch ing , and Paddy l i ked h im ins tan t l y .



H e w a s a c o m fo r t i n g l y f a t h e r l y so r t o f m a n , e v e n if h e w a sn 't m u c h o v e r f o r t y .

He asked a f te r h i s s i s te r , to ld Paddy tha t she was a ve ry we lcome add i t i on to

t he fam i ly , an d t ha t he w a s su re she 'd ha ve lo ts o f op p o r tu n i t i es fo r ge t t i ng

a r o u n d t h e p r o p e r t y a n d e n jo y i n g h e r se lf - t h o u g h sh e n o t i ce d t h a t h e d i d n ' t

sug gest t ha t Ke i th shou ld show he r a rou nd .

Conve rsa t ion a t d inne r was la rge ly conce rned w i th the s to len sheep , and

w it h t h e w il d h o r se s Ve n n h a d r o u n d e d u p f r o m th e scr u b t o b r e a k in a n d se l l.

Ke i th p e rsi sten t l y re tu rned to th e sheep .

"The b oss sa ys he 's go ing t o g e t a b lack t ra ck er in ."

" I s tha t a fac t? " I t was news to Max , and apparen t l y a l i t t l e su rp r i s ing .

"Y o u 'd b e t t e r r id e r o u n d t h e w e st e r n b o u n d a r y t o m o r ro w , K e it h , a n d ch e ck

on t he fences."

Pa d d y l ist e n e d w h i le sh e a t e w it h e n jo y m e n t t h e d i n n e r se r v e d u p b y Be th ,

w it h t h e h e l p o f t h e a b o r ig i n a l g i rl, Ve r a , w h o q u it e c er t a i n ly d i d n 't h a v e t h e

o ld legs Ke i t h h a d re fer red t o . Bu t soo n she d iscov ered she h a d ceased t o l i st en

and was conduc ing an inne r deba te w i th he rse l f . Wou ld she o r wou ld she no t

g o o v e r t o B i b b e n lu k e h o m e ste a d w h e n d i n n e r w a s o v e r ?

"W h y sh o u l d I?" sh e t h o u g h t , b u t su ch r e lu c ta n ce se e m e d i m m a t u r e a n d

e v a si v e . W h a t w a s t h e r e so i n t i m i d a t in g in t h e t h o u g h t o f b e in g c lo se te d

a lone w i th V enn W i ld ash a nd th ose aq u a m ar ine eyes o f h i s? It w a s st ra nge

h o w th e i m a g e o f t h o se e y es r e m a i n ed e t c h ed o n h e r r e t i n a e v e n w h i le sh e

was s i t t i ng he re in the d in ing - room w i th i t s so f t f l a t te r ing l i gh t ing . The ve ry



m e m o r y o f Ve n n W il d a sh 's e y e s m a d e h e r u n e a sy . Bu t n o t in a g u i lt y

s c h o o l g i r l i s h w a y . I t w a s s o m e th i n g t h a t w e n t d e e p e r t h a n t h a t , f a r d e e p e r ,

a n d sh e re m e m b e r ed t h a t i n co m p r e h e n si b le m o m e n t i n t h e ca r w h e n h e ha d

d r i v e n h e r b a c k t o t o w n . In c o m p r e h en sib le t h e n , e v e n m o r e so n o w .

So m e t h i n g h a d h a p p e n e d o r a l m o st h a p p e n ed , b u t sh e h a d f o rg o t t e n e xa c t ly

w h a t - i f sh e h a d e v e r k n o w n . T h er e h a d b e en a f e e lin g o f b e i n g o n t h e p o in t

o f g l im p sing - o r k now ing - som eth ing . It h ad been a ve ry i n ten se sensa t ion a t

t h e t i m e , a n d n o w it i rr it a t e d h e r t h a t sh e co u l d n o t co m p le te ly r e ca ll it .

" I'l l p lay i t b y ea r ," she d ec id ed , a s she a t e her d esser t - h om e- m a d e ice-

cr e a m a n d f r u it sa la d . Sh e h o p e d Ke i t h w o u l d sa y n o t h i n g , a n d t o h e r r e li ef

he seemed to be fa r more in te res ted in s ta t i on a f fa i r s , i n the sheep and the

b la ck t r a ck e r , th an in a ny t h ing e l se .

W h e n d i n n e r w a s o v e r sh e w e n t w it h B e th t o t h e f r o n t v e r a n d a h t o sit i n

t h e d a r k a n d lo o k o u t a c ro ss t h e g a r d e n a t t h e p a d d o c k s a n d t h e b r i g h t st a r s

th a t h u n g a b o v e . Ke i t h h a d e x c u s e d h i m s e l f t o g o a n d w o r k o n t h e c a r

eng ine . " It 's been p lay ing u p a l l d ay . I 'm go ing t o f i x it i f it ta k es m e a l l n igh t . "

Pa d d y h e a r d h i m sa y t h i s w it h so m e su r p r ise b u t m a d e n o co m m e n t . T h e

m o t o r h a d se em e d t o b e b e h a v in g p e rf e ct l y d u r i n g t h e lo n g d r i v e o u t f r o m

G i d g e e m a l la w a . Bu t p e rh a p s t h e r e w e r e n o ise s t h a t o n l y a n e xp e r ie n ce d e a r

w ou ld be a w a re o f . O r pe rha p s Ke i th ha d rea sons o f h i s ow n fo r d i sap p ear ing .

M a x , w h o h a d g o n e t o t h e k it c h e n t o f e t ch so m e b e e r, a sk e d w h e n h e

ca m e ba ck , "W here 's Ke i th?" Be th exp la ined a nd he ga ve a g ru n t . " I check ed



o v e r t h a t m o t o r t h e o t h e r d a y . M u st b e a l l r ig h t . W h a t t h e h e ll ca n h e b e u p

to?"

"Oh , no th ing , " sa id Be th a l i t t l e c ross ly . . "You and Venn wan t to wa tch h i s

every m ov e. I t ' s a b su rd ."

"H a v e i t y o u r o w n w a y ," sa i d M a x , w it h a n a p o lo g e t ic ha l f - sm il e a t P a d d y .

A nd he se t t l ed d ow n w i th h i s g lass o f b ee r .

It w a s n o m o r e t h a n f i v e m in u t e s l a t e r t h a t f o o t ste p s so u n d e d o n t h e g r a v e l

p a t h . Pa d d y ' s h e a r t b e g a n t o t h u m p g u il t i ly . W a s it V e n n W il d a sh , co m i n g t o

fe t ch h er p ersona l ly?

Bu t i t w a s no t th e boss. I t w as th e jack e roo , Johnn y H ea t h .

"Venn sen t m e ac ross to fe tch Pa d dy Dem p ste r ."

Pa d dy sto od up resigned ly . So she ha d to g o . W e l l, i t w a s no t h ing t o ge t

w ork ed u p a b ou t . "Th ink a bo u t i t sensib l y ," she t o ld h e rse lf . "W ha t ' s i t a l l

a b o u t ? Y o u c a m e t o B i b b e n iu k e in g o o d f a it h t o h e lp k e ep a n e y e o n a l it t le

g i r l . The b oss t h ink s yo u 're p rom iscu ou s a nd he d oesn ' t l ik e yo u . So w ho cares?

You ' re no t go ing to take any no t i ce o f h i s cockeyed be l i e fs . S t i c k up fo r

you rse l f a nd i t w i ll a l l com e r igh t ." Bu t o f cou rse , th e re w a s m ore to i t t ha n

t h a t .

Jo h n n y H e a t h w a s a l a n k y y o u n g m a n , la co n ic a n d ca su a l a n d n o t w h a t

y o u w o u l d c a l l s o c i a b l e . H e s a i d , "H o w y o u g o i n g , Pa d d y ? Aw - r i g h t? " w h e n

Be th i n t r o d u c e d t h e m . H e l i t a c i g a r e t t e , b a r e l y l o o k e d a t h e r , a n d l e d t h e

w a y t h r o u g h t h e g a r d e n .



"L ik e it he re?" he ask ed ha l f -w ay ac ross t he w ide g ra ve l sq ua re in f r on t o f

t h e g a r a g e s . Pa d d y n o t i c e d t h a t a l i g h t s h o n e f r o m o n e , a n d p r e s u m e d t h a t

Ke i th m ust b e inside t i nk e r ing w i th th e ca r eng ine .

" l ca n ' t sa y y e t , " sa id P a d d y . "I 've o n ly ju st go t here ."

"Be b o r e d t o d e a th a f t e r a w e ek , p r o b a b l y . Su i t s m e , t h o u g h ."

Pa d d y w a s a l it t le a m u se d , m a i n l y b e ca u se sh e w a n t e d t o h a v e h er m in d

d i st r a cte d f r o m th e i n t e r v i ew a h e a d .

"A re you f rom t he b u sh?" she a sk ed .

"To o r ig h t . I'm a r ea l b u sh w h a ck e r . M y o l d m a n h a s a p la ce o n t h e D a r l in g .

W h e n I g o h o m e I'l l b e a b l e t o t e a c h h i m t o su c k e g g s." H e g r i n n e d d o w n a t

h e r i n t h e s ta r l i g h t . T h e y h a d r e a c h e d t h e h o m e s te a d g a r d e n a n d Pa d d y

w e n t t h r o u g h t h e g a te a h e a d o f h i m , s t e p p i n g u n d e r c e d a r t r e e s w h e r e t h e

a i r w a s h e a v y w it h t h e m u sk y sce n t o f t h e ir f lo w e r s. Be y o n d w a s a la w n w it h

a sp r e a d i n g t r e e in t h e m id d le o f it , a n d u n d e r t h e t r e e tw o g i r ls sp r a w le d o n

t he g ra ss, b a re ly v i sib le in t he d i st an t l igh t f r om t he hou se . P ad dy sa w th e i r

h e a d s t u r n i n h e r d i r e c t i o n a n d s h e t h o u g h t w i t h a q u i c k e n i n g o f h e r h e a r t ,

"Venn W i ld a sh ' s ha rem . H is u no f f i c ia l w a rds. H e 's go ing t o m a r ry one o f t hem ,

M r s . F r a n k h a d s a i d . " Sh e w o n d e r e d i f t h e j a c k e r o o w o u l d i n t r o d u c e h e r t o

t h e m , b u t h e d i d n ' t . H e l e d h e r a l o n g a s i d e p a th a n d u p s o m e s te p s t o t h e

v e r a n d a h , a n d a s t h e w ir e d o o r sw u n g sh u t , Ve n n W il d a sh a p p e a r e d f r o m

inside t he h ou se.

"Tha nk s, John ny . Com e a long w i th m e , Pa dd y ."



Pa d d y f o l lo w e d h i m sile n t ly . It w a s n o t t i ll sh e w a s i n t h e sm a l l r o o m th a t

w as h i s o f f i ce and th e doo r w as shu t b eh ind h e r tha t she rea l l y look ed a t h im .

The li gh t w as se t i n the ce i li ng and it seem ed t oo b r igh t , and t hou gh t he

w in d o w s w e re w i d e o p e n t h e r o o m w a s v e r y w a r m .

"Si t d ow n ," sa id Ven n W i ld a sh . H is sea - b lue eyes look ed ha rd a t he r an d

som eth ing su r faced in h e r m ind . She w an t ed t o sta re ba ck in to th ose eyes, she

w a n te d t o r e p e a t w h a t h a d h a p p e n e d s o d i s c o n c e r t i n g l y i n t h e c a r - t o f i n d

ou t - It w as th e m a gne t i sm o f t hose eyes th a t com p e l led he r : .

H e l o o k e d s o m e w h a t a s h e h a d t h e f i r s t t i m e t h e y m e t , e x c e p t t o n i g h t h e

w a s w it h o u t a t ie , a n d t h o u g h h i s sh i rt w a s w h i t e , h i s p a n t s w e r e a p a le st r a w

co lou r . A nd h is ha i r , st ra igh t , u n t a m ea b le , w a rm ly b lon d , fe l l care lessly ac ross

a sq u a r e f o re h e a d . Pa d d y sa t d o w n i n a ch a i r t h a t st o o d a l it t le t o o n e sid e o f

the desk . She c rossed her legs a t the ank le , and he s tood in f ron t o f her ,

l ea n ing on t he desk w i th one ha nd an d look ing dow n a t he r , h i s l ashes

g l in t i n g d a r k g o l d u n d e r t h e u n c o m p r o m isi n g e le ct r ic l ig h t . H e lo o k e d a t h e r

fee t i n the i r p re t t y cha lk b lue sanda ls , a t he r nea t l y c rossed though ba re

ank les . H is g lance t rave l led up her legs , s lender , s l igh t ly tanned; l ingered on

h e r k n e es, co n t i n u e d t o h e r t h r o a t a n d t h e en a m e l le d m e d a l lio n . T h e n t o h e r

f a c e a n d - C l ick ! t h e i r ey e s m e t a n d h e f ro w n e d i m p e r ce p t ib ly . Pa d d y f e l t t h e

m in u t e b u t i n cr e a si n g q u ick e n i n g o f h e r h ea r t b e a t s. Sh e h a d n e v e r m e t a

m a n w ho a f fected he r p hysica l ly l i k e th i s b e fo re , a nd she d i scov e red she w a s

nerv ou sly c lench ing a nd u nc lench ing her f ist s.



H e s a i d , r e l e n t i n g t o t h e e x te n t t h a t h e n o w l o o k e d a t a s c r a t c h o n t h e

ba ck o f a l ong - f i nge red m ascu l ine ha nd , W e ll , w ho w ork ed i t , M iss Dem p st e r?

You or Ke i th ? O r w a s i t a jo in t e f fo r t ?" H is eyeb row s rose. "A nd w ha t 's

h a p p e n e d t o t h a t m a n o f y o u r s in Sy d n e y ? It w o u l d se e m y o u r a f f e ct io n s a r e

as f l u id a s qu ick si lve r… O r a re you go ing t o t e ll m e you ' ve com e to t u rn ov e r

t he ' p a ges? I don ' t b e l ieve Ke i th p lays t he p ia no , any how ."

H e st o p p e d a n d lo o k e d a q u e st i o n a t h e r , a n d P a d d y g r im a ce d . "W h a t d o

y o u w a n t m e t o sa y ? I'm so r r y , b u t I d o n 't se e m a b le t o d e a l w it h su c h a

m ou t h fu l o f - o f i nsinua t ions a l l a t once , a nd besides, I ca n 't see tha t an y t h ing

y o u 'v e sa i d h a s a n y r e le v a n ce . I ca m e t o B i b b e n l u k e t o h e l p B e th l o o k a f t e r

M arga re t , tha t ' s a l l."

H e sm i led n ow , bu t i t w a s no t a f r i end ly sm i le . "You f i nd you rse l f som e

q u a i n t e x cu se s, d o n ' t y o u , w it h p o sit iv e l y n o t h i n g t o h o l d t h e m u p ," h e a d d e d

f la t ly , "K e it h w a s d a m n e d w e ll d e t e rm in e d t o b e t h e o n e t o g o i n t o

G id g e e m a l la w a t o d a y t o f et c h M a r g a r e t . I w o n d e r ed w h y . A n d n o w I k n o w ."

Pa d d y p u t h e r c h i n u p . "W h a t d o y o u k n o w ? " s h e a s k e d , n e t t l e d . " I f i n d

you r reason ing ha rd t o fo l low ."

"Do yo u? Q u it e f r an k ly , I f ind you r sto r ies ha rd to sw a l low . I su p p ose I m u st

a c ce p t t h e f a c t t h a t y o u ' r e M a r g a r et ' s t e a ch e r , t h o u g h ce r t a in l y t e a ch e r s h a v e

cha nged since I w a s in scho o l . A s fo r h e lp ing Bet h - M a rga re t ' s a sensib le w e l l-

beha ved l it t l e g i r l, a nd I'm a f r a id I j ust d on ' t be l ieve t ha t I r ene Ca le sen t y ou

a long."



Pa d d y co l o u r e d a n g r i ly . " I'm n o t i n t h e h a b i t o f ly i n g !"

"You ' re no t ? W e ll , a l l I k now ab ou t y ou r m ora l ha b i t s i s w ha t I 've seen fo r

m y s e l f . " H e p a u s e d a n d Pa d d y ' s i m a g i n a t i o n f i l l e d i n t h e b l a n k b i t t e r l y -

h a n g i n g a r o u n d i n t h e s h a d o w s , g a te c r a s h i n g , f i g h t i n g o f f m e n i n t h e d a r k -

so w hy n ot se t t le fo r ly ing t oo?

"You d on ' t l ik e m e , do you ?" she sa id . "You ' ve m ad e tha t ve ry c lea r . I do n ' t

l ik e you e i the r , a nd i f I wa n t ed , I cou ld g i ve you th ree good reasons - m ore ."

Her eyes were he ld by h i s and now she cou ld see ve ry p la in l y the dangerous

g l in t b eh ind t he i r sea - b lue d a zz le . " If I w e re a m an ," she t hou gh t , he r ne rves

t i n g l in g , "h e 'd k n o ck m e d o w n f o r sp e a k i n g t o h im l ik e t h i s."

"Don ' t b o t he r ," he rap p ed ou t . " I'm no t i n t e rested ."

"Tha t ' s g rea t ," sa id P a d dy . "Becau se I 'm no t i n te rested e i the r . In fa ct , I d on ' t

k n o w w h a t I'm d o i n g h e re t a l k in g t o y o u . I d o n 't o w e y o u a n y e xp la n a t i o n s

fo r w ha t I do . St i ll ," she w en t on h u r r ied ly , no t l i k ing t he an ge r she sa w beh ind

h is b lue sta re , "Mrs. Ca le ask ed m e to k eep a n eye on M arg a re t , an d Be t h say s

she ' ll be p a r t i cu la r l y g lad o f m y he lp w hen she ha s m ig ra ine . I sha l l be k eep ing

w e ll ou t o f yo u r w ay , I assu re yo u ."

She sto p p ed a nd host i li t y f l a red l i ke a f ie r ce w h i te l igh t be t w een them . She

fe l t i n h e r b o n e s t h a t n o w h e w o u l d s e i z e h o l d o f h e r a n d g i v e h e r a g o o d

s h a k i n g , a n d h e r b o d y t e n s e d a n d h e r n e r v e s b e g a n t o j u m p , a n d tw o r e d

sp ot s o f co lou r bu rned in her cheeks. She sa w t he w h i t en ing o f h is k nu ck les

w h e r e h e g r ip p e d t h e ed g e o f t h e d e sk , a n d t h e n h e sa id w it h m a d d e n i n g



ca lm , m a k ing her fee l she ha d sp ok en hy st er ica l ly , "So Bet h su f fe rs f rom

m ig ra ine , do es she? Tha t ' s th e f i r st I 've hea rd o f i t , an d I've k now n he r a good

m a ny y ea rs now . St i ll , as a n excuse , i t ' s be t te r t ha n t u rn ing o ve r p ag es… H ow

d i d y o u p i ck u p w it h Ke i t h a g a in , b y t h e w a y ? O r a r e y o u p o ssi b l y o n e o f t h e

gir ls f ro m his st a r- sca t t ered p a st ?"

" I p i c k e d u p w i t h h i m t h i s m o r n i n g i n G i d g e e m a l l a w a - a c c o r d i n g t o M r s .

Ca le 's a r ra nge m ent s," sa id P a d d y ic ily .

H e t a p p e d o n e f o o t a n d sh e sa w th a t it w a s sh o d in a b e a u t if u l sh o e o f so f t

l ig h t t a n l ea t h e r .

" It look s l ik e yo u 've g o t a l l the a nsw ers, d oesn ' t i t ?"

"You ce r ta in l y have a l l the ques t ions , " she re to r ted . And sudden ly ,

f lee t ing ly , t hey b o t h sm i led sl igh t ly .

"You - l ik e Ke i th?"

"H e 's a lik e a b le p e r so n ." H e r t o n e i m p l ie d t h a t Ve n n W il d a sh w a s n o t , a n d

h e r e y e s d a r e d h i m t o c o n t r a d i c t , w h i c h h e d i d n o t . H e m e r e l y d r a w l e d , " I n

you r cons ide red op in ion . So I was rescu ing you f rom no more than a -

st im u la t ing w rest l ing m a t ch t he o th e r n igh t . I seem to reco l l ect yo u ca l l ed h im

a d r u n k o n t h a t o cca sio n . A s y o u ' v e co m e b a c k f o r m o r e , I t a k e it t h a t w a s

m e r ely so m e k i n d o f t a c t i ca l m o v e t o a sse r t y o u r m o r a l i n t e g r it y . "

"Do you?" Paddy was see th ing and he r vo ice shook a l i t t l e , bu t she swore ,

N o m o r e h y ste r i cs. Sh e w o u ld p la y it c a l m a n d c o o l f r o m n o w o n . H e lo o k e d

a t he r in si lence fo r a l ong m inu t e , an d t hen he sa id d e li be ra t e ly , "A t you r age ,



a g i r l doesn ' t pu t in s ix o r seven weeks in the bush fo r the so le purpose o f

u nn ecessa r i ly look ing a f t e r som eone e lse 's ch i ld . Pa r t icu la r ly w hen she h a s a

m a n o f h e r o w n w a i t i n g f o r h e r i n Sy d n e y w h e r e a l l t h e f u n i s. I ca n o n l y

co n c lu d e t h a t t h e p o t e n t b r e w o f p a ssio n t h a t Ke i t h h a n d s o u t m u st a p p e a l t o

y o u p r e t t y s t r o n g l y . " Pa d d y f l i n c h e d b u t d i d n ' t m o v e . " I t h i n k y o u ' d b e t t e r

co m e a l o n g , t o G i d g e em a l la w a w it h m e in a f e w d a y s' t i m e w h e n I g o i n t o

m e et t m y n e p h e w ," h e co n t in u e d . "I'l l p u t y o u o n t h e t r a i n f o r Sy d n e y ."

As t h o u g h s h e w e r e a l o a d o f g o o d s - a b a l e o f w o o l ! " I w i s h y o u w o u l d

m ind y ou r ow n b u siness," she t o ld h im sha rp ly .

" I'm do ing exac t l y tha t , M iss Dem p ste r . I ha ve seve ra l p rob lem s on m y

h a n d s r ig h t n o w a n d I d o n 't n e ed a n y m o r e - p a r t i cu l a r ly o n e s t h a t a r e t i ed

u p w i t h Ke i t h L a i d l a w e . " H e n a r r o w e d h i s e y e s f r a c t i o n a l l y . "As a m a t t e r o f

f a c t , it m i g h t t e a c h y o u a le sso n t o l e t y o u sta y , b u t y o u r m o r a l e d u ca t io n is

no t my bus iness - and you ' re poss ib l y a tougher t ype than you look . You ' re

c e r t a i n l y a p r e t t y g i r l - a l m o s t a b e a u t y . " H e l o o k e d a t h e r f u l l y a n d h i s

g l a n c e se t t l e d o n h e r b r e a st , r o u n d a b o u t w h e r e t h e m e d a l lio n h u n g o n it s

si lve r cha in . "A ca re less bea u t y , how ever - you 've go t you r bu t t ons m ixed u p ."

W it h a n e a sy m o v e m e n t , h e le a n e d t o w a r d s h e r , a n d h i s h a n d r ea ch e d

to w a r d s h e r b o d ice . Pa d d y c o lo u r e d f u r i o u sly , a n d w it h a t in g l in g sh o ck h e r

f i nge rs i n te rcep ted h i s a s th ey to uched t he row o f t i ny bu t t ons.

" I t h o u g h t p r et t y g i r ls w e r e v a i n . D i d n 't y o u l o o k in t h e m i rr o r b e fo r e y o u

ca m e to im p ress t he b osss w i th y ou r goo d in t en t ions?"



Pa d dy st ood up . " I do n 't h av e to im p ress you . You 're no t m y b oss. A nd you

ca n f o r g e t a b o u t p u t t in g m e o n t h e t r a i n f o r Sy d n e y ."

" I m a k e th e dec isions on B ibb en lu k e," he sa id f la t ly . H e crossed t he room

a n d h e ld t h e d o o r o p e n fo r h er . "C a n y o u f in d y o u r w a y b a c k w it h o u t g e t t i ng

in to t r oub le?"

" I'l l t r y ," sa id Pa dd y f r i g id l y . H ead h igh , she m arched ac ross th e ve ra nd a h ,

w e n t d o w n t h e s te p s a n d a l o n g t h e p a th t h a t p a s s e d t h e l a w n w h e r e t h o s e

t w o g i r ls st i ll sp raw led . H e r m ind w as a w h i r lp oo l o f con fu sed t hou gh t s a nd

fee li ngs. Up p erm ost w a s t he th ou gh t t ha t she d i sl ik ed Venn W i ld ash in t ense ly

a nd she w a s p leased she ha d m ore or less t o ld h im so . H e w a s so in t en t on

m isconst ru ing ev ery least l it t le th ing she d id or sa id . A nd i t i s d ecided ly

u n p l e a s a n t t o b e p a i n t e d b l a c k w h e n t h a t i s n o t y o u r c o l o u r a t a l l . P a d d y

a l m o st w a n t e d t o p a ck u p h e r g ea r a n d d i sa p p e a r o v e r n ig h t a n d n e v e r se e

h im ag a in . Bu t t ha t w as im p ossib le, an d b esides, she ha d com e he re fo r the

su m m er va ca t ion a nd h e re she w ou ld st ay i f i t k i ll ed h e r…

W hen she reached th e ove rsee r' s bu nga low , she w a s th a nk fu l to f i nd t ha t

no on e w as sit t i ng ou t on t he ve ran d ah . The ga ra ges ha d been in d a rk ness a s

she pa ssed t hem a nd Ke i th w a s no t i n ev idence . She w en t st ra igh t t o he r room

a n d g o t r e a d y f o r b e d , su d d e n l y a w a r e t h a t sh e w a s d e a d t r i ed a n d lo n g p a st

t h i n k i n g co h e r en t ly . Sh e co u ld n 't e v e n w e e p i n w a r d ly o v e r Ph i l t o n i g h t .

She fe l l qu ick l y in t o a d rea m less sleep , and w a k ened b r ief l y a t som e

u n e a r t h l y h o u r t o h e a r t h e sh o r t sh a r p b a r k o f a d o g a n d t h e cr ea k in g o f t h e



ve ra nd ah bo a rds u nd e r stea l thy fo o t step s. "Ke it h ," she t hou gh t w i th su rp r i sing

cla r i t y . A nd t hen she slep t a ga in .

Sh e w o k e r e f r e s h e d t o a d a y t h a t w a s w e l l u n d e r w a y . H e r u p s e t o f t h e

p r e v io u s n i g h t h a d a b a te d , a n d h e r m in d f e lt f r e e a n d c le a r . T h e m e n w o u l d

h a v e g o n e o f f t o w o r k lo n g a g o , a n d a h e a d o f h e r st r e t ch e d a p e a ce fu l d a y

w i th Be th and the ch i l d ren . Eve ry th ing was go ing to be f i ne and jus t as she

h a d im a g i n e d it .

O r so she t hou ght .

I t w a s a l read y ho t , so she sho w ered, an d p u l led o n a sleeve less co t t on t op

a n d o l d j e a n s t h a t w e re t h in a n d co m fo r t a b l e ; sl ip p e d h e r f e e t i n t o r o p e - so l ed

s a n d a l s a n d f o u n d h e r w a y r o u n d t h e v e r a n d a h i n t h e d i r e c t i o n o f t h e

k i tchen. In t he sha d e o f som e t rees a cross t he law n, she sa w t he t w o ch i ld ren

p la y in g h a p p i ly w it h sa n d , g r a v e l, a n d b u ck e t s o f w a t e r .

"G 'd ay ," sa id a so f t p lea san t vo ice , a nd she t u rned t o f i nd Ve ra sta nd ing in

t h e k it ch e n d o o r w a y , a sm ile o n h e r b r o a d b r o w n f a ce . "Yo u sle ep w e l l,

Paddy? You wan t egg an ' some chops fo r you bek fus? Tea an ' toas t ' s nea r l y

r e a d y t o o ."

T h a t w a s a f r i e n d l y st a r t t o t h e d a y ! In a v e r y f e w m i n u te s sh e h a d b e e n

in st a lle d a t a t a b l e o n t h e v e r a n d a h w it h a n e n o r m o u s b r e a k f a st a n d a h u g e

p o t o f t e a a l l t o h e r se lf . A n d sh e w a s h u n g r y ! A t t h e o th e r e n d o f t h e t a b le ,

Be th L e w i s s a t , s m o k i n g a n d s ta r i n g t h r o u g h n a r r o w e d e y e s a t a c h u n k o f

g r a n i t e t h a t la y o n a b e n c h u n d e r so m e a c a c ia s.



" I'v e g o t t o m a k e so m e th i n g o f t h a t , " sa id Be th , a f t e r t h e y h a d e x ch a n g e d

g r e et in g s a n d Pa d d y h a d m a d e a st a r t o n h e r b r e a k fa st . " I'v e b e e n

c o n te m p l a t i n g i t f o r o v e r a w e e k n o w , a n d I ' v e j u s t m a n a g e d t o g e t m y s e l f

p a s t t h e s ta g e o f s e e i n g n o th i n g b u t a h o p e l e s s l y a w k w a r d l u m p o f r o c k .

R ig h t n o w , I'm h a v i n g t h r o u g h t s o f a so w a n d so m e p ig l et s, o r m a y b e - w e ll,

I 'm s t i l l i n the th roes . " She g lanced w i th ra i sed eyeb rows a t Paddy who was

e a t i n g h e r w a y st e a d i ly t h r o u g h tw o e g g s, tw o ch o p s, a n d t h e m o u n d o f t o a st

p r o v i d e d b y Ve r a . "A r e y o u g o i n g t o e a t a l l o f t h a t? Yo u d o n ' t h a v e t o , y o u

k n o w . Yo u m u st n 't l e t Ve r a b u lly y o u i n t o i t ."

" I'm rav enou s," sa id P a dd y .

"H e a l t h y s i g n . Yo u l o o k a s t h o u g h y o u n e e d a b i t o f c o u n t r y a i r a n d

co u n t r y f a r e - t h o u g h i t 's h a r d t o co n n e ct su c h a p r et t y d e li ca t e - l o o k i n g g i r l

w i th t ha t so l i d a m ea l… D id yo u en joy you rse lf l ast n igh t ?"

D id sh e e n jo y h e r se lf - ! Pa d d y a l m o st ch o k e d o n a m o u t h fu l o f t e a .

Be t h g rou nd o u t he r ciga re t t e and l it a no t he r . "So r r y , I shou ldn ' t expec t you

to t a l k w h i l e y o u ' r e e a t i n g . I s u p p o s e y o u m e t t h e D u n c a n g i r l s a n d Ag n e s ,

a ny how . V enn 's ve ry h osp i ta b le, isn ' t h e?"

Pa d dy ha d n ow b i t t en in to a sl ice o f toa st , so no a nsw er w as requ i red . She

m ere ly sm i led w i th he r eyes.

"D id y ou l ik e th e g i r ls?" Be th p u rsu ed p resen t l y . An d th i s t im e th e re w a s no

excu se fo r n o t a nsw er ing .



" I d idn ' t ac tua l l y mee t them, " Paddy con fessed cau t ious ly . "They were

si t t ing ou t on t he law n in t he schoo l ."

Be t h ga ve he r a sha rp l it t l e look . "You m e t A gnes?"

Pa d d y lo o k e d b la n k . Sh e h a d n 't t h e l e a st id e a w h o A g n e s w a s.

"Venn ' s a un t - M iss W i lda sh . She d oes th e hou sek eep ing a t th e hom est ead .

You su re ly m e t h e r ."

Pa d d y sig h e d . So m e th i n g h a d t o b e sa id . " I d i d n ' t m e et a n y o n e . It w a sn 't a

soc ia l ca l l," she sa id a p o loget ica l ly . " It seem s M r . W i ld a sh ca n ' t see w ha t I 'm

d o i n g h e r e . A s a m a t t e r o f f a c t , h e w a n t s t o t a k e m e i n t o G i d g e e m a l l a w a

a n d p u t m e o n t h e t r a i n f o r Sy d n e y w h e n h e g o e s i n t o p ick u p h i s n e p h e w ."

Be th st a r ed a t h e r . "O h , w e ca n ' t h a v e t h a t ! H a s so m e th i n g u p se t y o u ? D o

yo u w a nt t o lea ve ?" she a sk ed su sp iciou sly .

Paddy shook he r head . Ce r ta in l y she had been upse t l as t n igh t , bu t she

w a sn ' t g o ing t o p ou r ou t t he w ho le si l ly st o ry in to Bet h 's ear s. "St i l l, I su p p ose I

ha ve f o ist ed m yse l f on y ou ," she a d m i t t ed . "Tha t 's how he - t he b oss - sees i t . "

"Ru b b ish ," sa id B eth b r isk ly . " I'm d e l igh t ed t o ha ve yo u h ere . O f cou rse if

you reg re t com ing - a nd i t 's no t to ev e ryone 's t aste - i f you 've som ew here

be t te r to g o - " She look ed a q uest ion .

" I haven ' t , " sa id Paddy de f in i te l y . "The peop le I boa rd w i th i n

G id g e e m a l la w a h a v e g o n e a w a y ."

"N o t G id g e e . I m e a n t in Sy d n e y . H a v e y o u a n y o n e t h e r e ?"



"N o t n o w . M y . st e p m o t h e r w e n t b a ck t o En g la n d a f t e r m y f a t h e r d i e d la st

year . "

"So you 're a l l a lone . Then sta y he re a nd en joy you rse l f and b low Ven n . H e

ca n t h in k a g a i n . I d o n 't k n o w w h y h e w a n t s t o in t e r f e re . H e 's n o t u su a l ly so

h a r d t o g e t o n w i t h . I ' l l h a v e a w o r d w i t h h i m , a n y h o w . A n d o f c o u r s e y o u

m u st m ee t th e Du ncan g ir l s. They 've been m ore o r less p a r t o f B ib ben luk e on

a n d o f f f o r , a l o n g t i m e n o w . C o u l d b e o n e o f t h e m w i l l s o o n b e c o m e a

p e r m a n e n t f ix t u r e , w h o k n o w s?" Sh e f r o w n e d f a i n t ly , a n d h e r e y es st r a y e d

a g a in t o t h a t p ie ce o f g r a n i t e . "Ev e n a h u m a n m o t h e r a n d ch i ld , " sh e sa id

a f t e r a m o m e n t . " T h o u g h t h a t ' s n o t r e a l l y m y t h i n g . A n d I c a n ' t i m a g i n e

w h e r e I'd p u t it ." Sh e sm i le d a t Pa d d y su d d e n l y . "Yo u m u st t h i n k I 'm m a d . Bu t

I g e t so m u c h en jo y m e n t f r o m ch ip p in g a w a y a t a b l o ck o f st o n e - cr ea t in g

som eth ing - ev en tho ug h a s a scu lp t ress I'm fa r f r om b e ing a w or ldb ea t e r ."

" I'd l o v e t o se e so m e o f y o u r w o r k ," Pa d d y sa id , d r a g g i n g h e r m i n d a w a y

f r o m a n a n n o y i n g p r e o c c u p a t i o n w i t h t h a t r e m a r k o f B e t h ' s a b o u t t h e

D u n c a n g i r l s . I t s e e m e d r a th e r o d d t h a t i f Ve n n W i l d a s h w e r e t h i n k i n g o f

tak ing a w i fe the re cou ld be doub t as to wh ich o f two s i s te rs he was in l ove ,

w it h . A n d w h a t so r t o f g i r ls m u st t h e y b e t o p u t u p w it h su c h a sit u a t io n ? N o w

i f P h i l h a d b e e n v a c i l l a t i n g b e t w e e n m e a n d D i a n a , s h e t h o u g h t

a u to m a t i ca l ly - a n d su d d e n l y sh u t h e r m i n d o f f a n d l ist e n e d t o Be th a g a in .

"M y v e r y b e st e f f o r t i s o v e r in t h e h o m e ste a d g a r d e n . Po p o v e r a n d t a k e a

look i f you ' re i n te res ted . I t ' s by a l i t t l e poo l nea r the le f t end o f the f r on t



ve randah . You can in t roduce you rse l f to Agnes and the g i r l s wh i le you ' re

there . "

"W h a t a b o u t t h e ch il d r e n ?"

"Oh , th ey 're a l l r igh t . Ve ra ' s he re a nd so a m I . You run a long ."

W e ll , w hy n o t ? Pa dd y w an ted t o see Be th 's st one ca rv ing , an d a l so she w as

d e f i n i t e l y c u r i o u s t o m e e t t h e D u n c a n g i r l s . Ve n n w o u l d b e a w a y f r o m th e

hom estea d , so i t w a s an idea l op p o r t u n i t y . She p ushed b ack he r cha i r as Ve ra

padded ba re foo t ac ross the ve randah in the d i rec t ion o f the back s teps . She

h a d a l a r g e b o t t l e in h e r h a n d , a n d sh e t o l d Be th , " I'm g o i n g d o w n a l o n g t h e

kenne ls , Beth , see tha t Tr ix ie . Ke i th say she 's a s ick dog - wou ldn ' t take her

w ork t he sheep t od ay . M ay be she need a do se o f m ed icine, m a yb e jest sleep . "

Pa d d y w e n t i n s i d e . F o r s o m e r e a s o n s h e r e m e m b e r e d t h a t d o g s h e h a d

h e a r d b a r k i n g l a s t n i g h t , f o r g o t t e n t i l l n o w . H a d t h a t b e e n T r i x i e ? An d h a d .

K e it h t a k e n h e r o u t w it h h i m w h ile h e w o r k e d o n t h e ca r e n g in e ?

A few m inu t es la te r she w as on h e r w ay ac ross th e ga rd en . She sto p p ed

u n d e r t h e t r e e s t o t a l k t o S i m o n a n d M a r g a r e t w h o w e r e c o m p l e t e l y

a b so r b e d i n a m y ste r i o u s g a m e th a t i n v o l v e d t r u ck s, lo a d e d w it h g r a v e l, a n d

ot her st on es t ha t rep resent ed p eop le . A s she st oop ed, ha nd s on her t h igh s, she

no t i ced a sp l it i n th e r igh t k nee o f he r j ea ns. "Bo t he r ," she t hou gh t . "W hen d id

th a t h a p p e n ? M y f a v o u r i t e o l d j e a n s ! " Sh e w a tc h e d t h e c h i l d r e n f o r a w h i l e

longe r , th en se t o f f fo r the ho m est ead . I t w asn 't fa r to w a lk , ce r ta in ly , bu t t he

s u n w a s b u r n i n g l y h o t - m u c h h o t t e r t h a n i n t o w n - a n d a ' h o t w i n d w a s



b low ing , and she knew she shou ld have worn a ha t , as she a lways d id i n

G i d g e e m a l la w a . W e ll, it w a s t i m e sh e g o t a su n t a n , a n d lo st t h a t d e li ca t e lo o k

Be th h a d r e fe r re d t o :

Sh e o p e n e d t h e g a te i n t o t h e h o m e s te a d g a r d e n w i t h a f e e l i n g s t r a n g e l y

l ik e gu i lt , as i f she w ere t resp a ssing . O r g a t ecra sh ing , she t hou gh t , sm i l ing

w ry l y to he rse lf . She m oved th roug h th e t r ees an d t he sw ee t scen t t ha t hu ng

on t he a ir tow ar ds th e la w n . She a lm ost expect ed t o see the g i r l s un de r t he

b ig t r ee, bu t t hou gh t he re w ere cha i r s a nd a lou nger , th ey w ere d ese r ted . The

h o m e s te a d , i n t h e s u n l i g h t , l o o k e d o l d a n d m e l l o w w i t h i t s v i n e - d r a p e d

ve ra nd ah , slend e r w ood en p i ll a r s, a nd low she l te r ing roo f . A sim p le b u i ld ing ,

m ost p leasing to t he eye in i t s se t t i ng o f t r ees a nd ga rd en . Eve ry th ing a rou nd

w a s h o t a n d st il l a n d q u i e t .

T h e f r o n t l e f t - h a n d c o r n e r , Pa d d y t h o u g h t . Bu t s h e w a s w a tc h i n g t h e

hou se ne rv i ly . . M ay be i f Venn ' s a u n t sa w w he r she w ou ld ru sh ou t l ik e a w it ch

an d cha se he r a w ay . "Shoo ! You 're no t w an ted he re . O ne o f the D u nca n G i r ls

is g o i n g t o b e a p e r m a n e n t f i xt u r e a t B ib b e n lu k e so o n . G o a w a y !"

It w a s l ik e a si lly d r e a m th e w a y t h e t h o u g h t s w e n t t h r o u g h h e r m in d , a n d

w h e n sh e p u t a h a n d t o t h e t o p o f h e r h e a d , it w a s b u r n i n g h o t .

Sh e r ea c h e d t h e n a r r o w st r i p o f sh a d e b y t h e v e r a n d a h a n d t h e r e w a s t h e

sm a ll p o o l , a si m p l e o v a l sh a p e w it h a l o w d r i p p in g f o u n ta i n . A t o n e si d e ,

g r e e n s t u f f c r o w d e d r o u n d a n d a t t h e o t h e r a s t o n e d r a g o n g u a r d e d t h e

w a te r . N o , n o t a d r a g o n - o n e o f t h o s e l i z a r d s t h a t b e l o n g i n t h e o u tb a c k . A



b o b - t a i le d l i za r d . M o u t h o p e n ed w id e , t o n g u e sh o w i n g f ea r so m e ly , e y es d a r k

an d p o l ished l ik e je t . I t s sho r t r ou nd ed t a i l w as cu rv ed nea t l y a roun d t he ed ge

o f t h e p o o l t h a t l o o k e d a s t h o u g h i t h a d b e e n b u i l t e s p e c i a l l y t o

a c co m m o d a te i t . It w a s cle v e r ly scu lp tu r e d , a n d t h e f a i n t m a r b l in g o f t h e

rock , as w el l a s i ts su b t le t ext u r ing , su gg est ed scales.

Pa d d y sto o d a d m ir i n g it f o r so m e co n si d e r a b le t i m e , h a l f h y p n o t i ze d b y

th e s o f t p l o p - p l o p p i n g o f t h e w a te r , a s o u n d t h a t w a s n o w i n te n s i f i e d , a n d

n o w r e c e d e d , a s h e r a t t e n t i o n c o n c e n t r a te d o r w a n d e r e d a w a y . Pe r h a p s

t here w ere o t hers o f B eth 's scu lp t u res here . Bu t f i r st she m u st go t o t he h ou se

t o m a k e h er p r e se n ce k n o w n . T h a t w a s t h e r ig h t t h in g t o d o . N o t t o b e f ou n d

ha ng ing a rou nd in t he sha do w s…

The f ron t o f t he hou se seem ed so d ese r ted th a t she dec ided to go a roun d t o

th e b a c k . A g n e s W il d a sh a n d t h e g i r ls m i g h t b e g a r d e n i n g .

Sh e r e a c h e d t h e e n d o f t h e p a th t h a t r a n b y t h e s i d e o f t h e h o u s e a n d

s topped sho r t . Two g i r l s had come in to he r range o f v i s ion and she s ta red a t

t h e m .

The Du ncan g i r ls! Venn W i lda sh ' s ha rem ! Ap p l ica n t s fo r t he p osi t i on o f M rs.

Venn W i lda sh .

Two g i r l s w i th s t ra igh t fa i r ha i r tha t r eached a lmos t to the i r shou lde rs .

Pre t ty , r ound - faced , s l i gh t l y goo fy - look ing g i r l s . One was jus t a l i t t l e goo f ie r

t h a n t h e o th e r - a n d a l it t le se xie r t o o , Pa d d y d e ci d e d . A n d t h e y b o th l o o k e d

v e r y y o u n g i n d e e d . B u t w h a t o n e a r t h w e re t h ey d o in g ? P a d d y st o o d a t t h e



v e r y co r n e r o f t h e h o u se n e a r a c lu m p o f o l ea n d e r s a n d w a t ch e d t h e m . T h ey

w o r e lo n g f l a r e d sk i rt s - o n e b l u e a n d g r e en , t h e o t h e r r ed a n d o r a n g e . A n d

t h e y w o r e f it t e d co t t o n t o p s w it h t u ck s a n d cr o ch e t e d t r i m m in g s. N o w t h e y

w e r e d a s h i n g f o r w a r d , a l m o s t s t r a i g h t t o w a r d s Pa d d y , t h o u g h t h e y c e r t a i n l y

ha d n ' t seen he r - i n to t he b la z ing sun sh ine , cra m m ing id en t i ca l co t t on ha t s on

to t h e i r h ea d s a n d ca l lin g o u t - so m e th i n g - t o - so m e o n e .

A m a n in su ng la sses step p ed in t o P a dd y ' s sigh t f r om a roun d t he co rne r , so

c l o s e t h a t Pa d d y c o u l d a l m o s t h a v e t o u c h e d h i m , a n d s h e h e a r d h e r o w n

sm a l l i nvo lun t a ry ga sp . I t w a s Ven n W i ld ash , and o f cou rse , th ey w ere ca l li ng

o u t t o h i m t o t a k e t h e i r p h o to g r a p h . T h ey sto o d , ey e s w id e a n d a l ig h t , st a r i n g

expec tant ly , l ips jus t par ted - the goof ie r , red and orange g i r l ' s l ips jus t a l i t t le

m o r e p a r t e d t h a n t h e o th e r o n e 's, h e r e y e s j u st a l it t le w i d e r . A n d a s Pa d d y

w a s a b o u t t o t u r n a n d g o q u i ck ly , st e a lt h i ly a w a y , Ve n n W il d a sh m o v e d h i s

hea d a nd sent her a n ind o len t st a re f rom b eh ind h is su ng lasses, a lm ost a s i f he

h a d k n o w n a l l t h e t i m e sh e w a s t h e r e . T h e g ir l s lo o k e d h e r w a y f o r a f l ick e r in g

in st a n t t o o , a n d t h e n b a ck a t V e n n a n d t h e ca m e r a .

Venn t u rn ed b a ck , ca sua l ly rem oved h is g lasses, stea d ied t he cam era , an d

t ook one sho t . The g i r l s st ruck a d i f feren t p ose - one sm i led , the o t he r w a s

se r iou s - a nd he sho t th a t to o .

P a d d y w a t ch e d a n d w a i t e d , h a l f cu r i o u s, h a l f a n n o y e d . Sh e m ig h t h a v e

b e e n a t r e e , o r a ca t , o r so m e th i n g , f o r a l l t h e n o t i ce t h e y t o o k o f h e r . A n y o f

t hem . A nd th e g i r ls ce r ta in ly l ook ed a s i f they w ere ou t to fa scina t e th e boss,



a n d P a d d y d i d n ' t t h i n k t h e y w e r e h a v i n g a l l t h a t m u c h t r o u b l e d o i n g i t

e it h e r . N o w th e y b o u n d e d f o r w a r d , sn a t ch e d u p lo n g c h if f o n sca r v e s f r o m th e

g ra ss, f l ung th em rou nd th e ir neck s - p rod uced c iga re t t es w h ich t hey he ld ,

un l it , w i th a f l ou r i sh - to ssed b a ck f r om th e ir faces th e sh in ing b londe h a i r th a t

t h e h o t w i n d w a s t o r m e n t i n g - t u r n e d t h e i r b a c k s a n d p a c e d o f f . V e n n

w a t ch e d t h e m , a n d so d id P a d d y , w h o t h o u g h t t h e y w e re so p r a ct ise d t h e y

m u st su r e ly b e m o d e l s - a d e d u c t io n t h a t la t e r p r o v e d t o b e r ig h t . N o w t h e y

sw u ng rou nd su d d en ly , a rm s slun g a cross ea ch o t her 's shou lders, a nd ca m e

to w a r d s Ve n n w i t h l o n g g r a c e fu l s t r i d e s . An o th e r r p h o to g r a p h , a n d a n o th e r ,

a n d t h e n t h e y p o u n ce d o n V e n n a n d ca r r ie d o f f t h e ca m e ra .

A nd V enn rep laced h i s su ng la sses an d m ov ed a step c lose r to P a dd y w i th a

coo l i nqu i r i ng look on h i s face as though she were a passe r -by wan t ing to

k n o w th e w a y , o r t o se ll h i m a t i ck e t i n t h e A r t U n i o n .

"W ere you look ing fo r m e?" he a sk ed p o l it e ly .

Because h is eyes were h idden beh ind the dark lenses , she found her gaze

r i ve ted on h i s mou th , and she cou ld see jus t an edge o f squa re wh i te tee th .

She sh i f ted he r g lan ce q u ick l y , t o t he to b a cco b row n si lk sca r f a t h i s th roa t , to

h i s f o r e a r m s, b a r e a n d b r o w n a n d co v e r e d w it h f in e h a i rs t h a t sh o n e g o l d in

t he su n . Sh i r t a nd t ro u se rs w ere o f p a le m i lk co f fee co lou r , and in a l l he ha d

t he a i r o f a m an o f le i su re en joy ing a ho l id a y .

Pa d d y s a i d b l a n d l y , "N o ; I ' m n o t l o o k i n g f o r y o u . I t h o u g h t y o u ' d b e a t

w o r k . "



"W e ll , as you can see - I 'm no t a t w o rk . So - ?" St ra igh t d a rk eyeb row s

ap p eared ov e r th e t op o f t he su ng lasses.

"H e t h in k s I'm sn o o p i n g a r o u n d ," t h o u g h t Pa d d y a n g r ily . Sh e w a s su d d e n l y

conscious, t oo , o f he r fa r f r om im p ecca b le ge t - up . She w as in no cond i t i on t o

be p osing fo r p ho t og ra p hs… M ean w h i le, th e tw o b eau t i fu l g i r ls sto od in the

sha de rem ov ing t he ro l l o f f i lm f rom t he i r ca m era . Venn t ook o f f h i s su ng la sses

and she was unexpec ted ly exposed to those b lue eyes , and she f l inched

s l i g h t l y . H e r m o u th w a s o p e n n o w , a n d i f a n y o n e h a d e v e r l o o k e d r e a l l y

goo fy , she w as su re it w as Pa d d y Dem p ste r . She cou ldn ' t t h ink o f a t h ing t o

say.

H e l o o k e d h e r u p a n d d o w n v e r y q u i c k l y a n d s a i d s m o o t h l y , " Y o u h a v e

qu it e a ta len t fo r tea r ing you r clo thes, do n ' t you , M iss Dem p ste r? H ow d id it

ha p p en th is t im e?"

H a d sh e e v e r b l u sh e d b e fo re ? C er ta in l y n o t in c o m p a r i so n w it h t h e w a v e o f

s c a r l e t t h a t n o w e n g u l f e d h e r f a c e . An d w h a t h a d h a p p e n e d t o h e r c o o l ?

Be fo re she cou ld f i nd a word to say , the Duncan g i r l s had jo ined the pa r ty ,

a n d t h e i r r o u n d t o f f e e - c o l o u r e d e y e s s ta r e d f r a n k l y a t Pa d d y . T h e y w e r e s o

a l i k e , s h e t h o u g h t t h e y m u s t b e tw i n s , t h o u g h t h e r e d a n d o r a n g e o n e h a d a

k i n d o f f e b r i l e a i r a b o u t h e r . I t w a s s h e w h o l o o k e d t h e h a r d e s t a t Pa d d y ,

t a k i n g i n h e r d a r k h a i r , t h e p e r s p i r a t i o n o n h e r f o r e h e a d a n d u p p e r l i p , t h e

rent in her jean s; a nd f ina l ly sm i l ing . There w a s som eth ing d isconcer t ing in t he

w a y sh e sm il ed , a n d P a d d y f e l t u n c o m fo r t a b ly a n d w it h sli g h t r e se n tm e n t



t h a t i t h a d a l o t t o d o w i t h w h a t h e r e y e s h a d d i s c o v e r e d i n t h e i r a p p r a i s a l .

She t ho u ght inst inct ive ly , "She 's t he on e w ho w a nt s t o b e a f ix t u re here '…

To he r more than s l i gh t su rp r i se the boss o f B ibben luke in t roduced he r

exact l y as th ou gh h e had neve r sa id a n a ng ry o r a ha t e fu l w o rd to he r . "G ir l s,

t h i s is Pa d d y . D e m p ste r . Pa d d y - Je a n n e a n d A n n e t t e D u n ca n ."

"H i ," sa id Je a n n e a n d A n n e t t e t o g e t h e r . P a d d y h a d n ' t t h e le a st i d e a w h i ch

one w as w h ich . She sw a l low ed , m an ag ed a b r igh t sm i le , a nd a b r ie f "H e llo !"

"You 've t o rn y ou r jea ns," sa id t he febr i le one sym p a t het ica l ly . O r w a s she

d r a w in g sp e cia l a t t e n t io n t o t h a t l it t le f a ct ? "W a n t t h e l o a n o f a p a i r ?"

"N o, tha nk s, i t ' s no t b o t her ing m e," sa id P a d d y care lessly . " I w a s just -

snoop ing a round , " she added , choos ing the word de l i be ra te l y and send ing

Venn W i ld a sh a l igh t n ing - qu ick g lan ce , " in t he hop e o f d i scov e r ing som e o f

Beth's sculptures."

"H a ve y ou seen t he l i za rd ? Tha t 's t he b est ."

"Yes, I fou nd t ha t o ne."

"There 's a l i t t le foa l u nd er the w i lga s- "

"F la t ou t a nd fa st a sleep . "

"Too f l a t ou t - eve ryone t h ink s i t 's j ust a rock - "

"Do you w a n t to see?"

The b lue and g reen one s ta r ted to move o f f . The o the r , the feb r i l e one ,

l in g e r e d a n d lo o k e d a t V e n n . "A r e y o u co m i n g - V e n n ?" Th e w a y sh e sa id



V enn w a s l ik e a caress, su rp r ising ly in t im a t e an d sexy in one w ho look ed so

y o u n g .

The re w a s a n od d exp ression on V enn ' s fa ce tha t Pa dd y cou ld n ' t r ead . She

h a d a n u n e a sy f e e li n g t h a t h e h a d b e e n w a t ch i n g h e r w h i le t h o se g i r ls t a lk e d .

"N o , I 'm no t com ing , honey . "

H o n e y ! t h o u g h t P a d d y .

"Y o u 'r e w a it in g a r o u n d f o r t h a t b l a ck t r a c k e r ! H e 's n o t g o in g t o t u r n u p -

h e 's g o n e w a l k a b o u t ."

"H e 'd b e t t e r t u r n u p , " sa i d V e n n . Q u it e a b r u p t l y h e w a l k e d a w a y . H is b a ck

sa id , You 're on yo u r ow n…

The foa l w a s cer ta in ly a d isa p p o in t m ent . N ot on e o f Bet h 's su ccesses, as she

con f i rm ed he rse l f la te r on . The su r face o f t he st one w as crum b l ing a s t hou gh

th e r o ck w e r e t o o so f t t o st a n d u p t o t h e w e a t h e r .

"Th e r e a r e tw o b ig p o t s b y t h e g a te i n t o t h e h o r se p a d d o ck ," t h e g i r ls t o l d

he r a f te r she had s tud ied the foa l . " I t ' s a b i t o f a wa lk . Do you wan t to see?

Be th d id t h e m a g e s a g o - o n e su m m e r w h e n w e w e r e h e r e f o r t h e sch o o l

hol idays."

"T w o y e a r s a f t e r o u r m o t h e r a n d g r a n d d a d d i ed ."

" I t ' s too ho t , " sa id Paddy , who was fee l i ng the sun even worse now and

w i sh i n g v e r y m u c h t h a t sh e h a d n o t f o r g o t t e n h e r h a t . " I'l l se e t h e m a n o th e r

d a y . Pe rha p s," she ad d ed .

"O k a y . "



T h e y a ll b e g a n t o w a l k b a c k t o w a r d s t h e h o u se .

"H ow long a re you st ay ing ove r a t Be t h ' s?"

"O h , f o r a w h i le , I t h i n k , " sa i d Pa d d y , ca r e fu l ly n o n co m m it t a l .

"W o u l d y o u l ik e t o c o m e sw i m m in g t o t h e b i lla b o n g t o m o r r o w ? It ' s

Su n d a y - "

"T h a t w o u l d b e g r e a t . " Pa d d y l o o k e d a t t h e o th e r g i r l - t h e f e b r i l e o n e .

"A re you t w ins?"

"N o . I'm A n n e t t e . I'm e ig h te e n a n d a h a lf ."

" I'm Jean ne . I'm nea r l y t w en ty ."

"You 're a f r iend o f Ke i t h 's, a ren ' t you ?" sa id A nn et t e .

They were s tand ing in the fu l l sun l i gh t , ye t sudden ly eve ry th ing began to

lo o k a l it t le d a r k t o Pa d d y . Sh e t r i ed t o sa y , "N o t r e a l ly ," b u t t h e w o r d s d id n 't

e m e r g e . Sh e sh o o k h e r h e a d a n d it b e g a n t o sp in , a n d t h e n Je a n n e a n d

A n n e t t e b o t h se e m e d t o b e t a lk in g t o g e th e r i n st r a n g e l y e ch o i n g v o i ce s, a n d

Pa d d y h a d n ' t t h e l e a s t i d e a w h a t t h e y w e r e s a y i n g . I t w a s a l l a b u s y ,

h u m m i n g , m u d d le d j u m p le , a n d sh e w a s w a lk i n g - o r d r if t i n g - i n t o a si zz lin g

h o t f o g . In f a ct - a t a n y m i n u te n o w sh e w a s g o i n g t o p a ss o u t …

T h ey h e lp e d h e r o n t o t h e v e ra n d a h , b u t a f t e r t h a t sh e k n e w n o t h i n g u n t i l

a t a l l w o m a n w i t h d a r k g r e y i n g h a i r l o o p e d b a c k f r o m h e r f a c e i n a n o l d -

f a sh i o n e d w a y w a s sto o p in g o v e r h e r a n d sa y i n g , "T o o m u c h su n o n t h e t o p o f

he r head , tha t ' s a l l . S i l l y g i r l , why doesn ' t she wear a ha t? You shou ld have



le n t h e r o n e, Je a n n e , t h e t w o o f y o u ' v e g o t m o r e h a t s t h a n y o u k n o w w h a t t o

d o w it h in t h e w a r d r o b e i n si d e ."

"W e d id o f fe r her p a nt s," sa id a vo ice m eek ly . "She 's t o rn h er jea ns. Bu t w e

ju st d id n 't t h in k o f h a t s. I'm so rry , A u n t A g n es."

"And so you shou ld be ! You ' ve no more sense than a coup le o f

grasshoppers-"

Pa d dy st ru gg led u p in to a sit t i ng p osi t i on . " I'm qu i te a l l r i gh t no w , p lea se

d o n 't w o r ry - "

"N o b reak fa st e i t her , I su p p ose," sa id A gn es W i ld a sh d isa p p rov ing ly .

" I h a d a h u g e b r e a k fa st ."

"Co f fee an d o ran ge ju i ce ," sta ted A gnes f i rm ly , as i f she k new best a nd

w ou ld no t be t o ld . "Jean ne , the re 's f r esh lem ona de in the f r i dg e , b r ing 'a b ig

g la ss. A nn et t e , fe t ch som e cu sh ion s f rom t he si t t ingroo m ."

A f l u r r y o f o b e d i e n t f o o t s te p s a n d t h e tw o g o o f y b e a u t i e s h a d r u n o f f l i k e

schoo lg i r l s t o d o A u n t A gnes' s b id d ing . W as Venn W i lda sh rea l l y go ing t o

m a r r y o n e o f t h e m ? P a d d y f o u n d i t h a r d t o b e l i e v e . A t t h e s a m e t i m e , s h e

was wonder ing , "Aren ' t I to be asked ins ide? Cush ions on the ve randah fo r

P a d d y D e m p s t e r . " B u t t h a t w a s b e i n g k i n k y , t h e y j u s t d i d n ' t w a n t t o m o v e

her ye t .

" I'm Pa d d y D e m p ste r ," sh e sa i d , lo o k i n g u p a t t h e t a l l st r a ig h t - b a ck e d

w om a n w ho sto od b eside th e ca ne loun ger w here she w as recl in ing . " I'm

st a y ing w i th t he Le w ises."



"M y n e p h e w t o l d m e a b o u t y o u ." Sh e w a s a l o o f a n d i m p e r so n a l , a n d

P a d d y g r im a ce d i n w a r d l y . W h a t h a d V e n n t o l d h is a u n t a b o u t h e r?

" I'm M a rga re t ' s t eache r ," she sa id d e te rm ined ly . "M rs. Ca le ask ed m e t o

k eep a n eye on he r ."

M iss A gn es W i ld a sh sm i led i ron ica l ly . " Ind eed? I 'm su re you w on 't f ind i t a

ve ry exa ct ing t ask ."

Pa d dy fe lt t he co lou r re tu rn to h e r face in a f l ood . A no t he r d i sbe l i eve r !

Si m u lt a n e o u sly , A n n e t t e r etu r n e d w it h tw o f a t cu sh i o n s a n d Je a n n e w it h a

t a ll g r a ss b r i m m in g w it h i ce co l d h o m e - m a d e le m o n a d e . P a d d y a llo w e d

h e r s e l f t o b e p r o p p e d u p a n d t o o k t h e g l a s s w i t h t h a n k s . W h i l e s h e d r a n k

th i r s t i l y , Agnes to ld Anne t te , "Go and have a res t now , ch i l d . You ' ve been

r u n n i n g a r o u n d a l l m o r n i n g a n d V e n n 's g o n e n o w - h e ' s d r i v e n o f f w it h R o y ."

" I do n 't n eed a rest , " p ro t ested A nne t te , pe tu lan t l y .

" I th ink you do . I t doesn ' t do to be ca re less too soon a f te r you ' ve been

concussed."

"Th e n I'm g o i n g t o lo o k a t Vo g u e ."

"A l l r ig h t . Bu t li e o n y o u r b e d w h i le y o u d o i t . Je a n n e , g o o u t t o t h e k it ch e n

an d te l l M i ll ie I w an t t he ov en read y fo r scones."

Pa d d y f i n ish e d h e r le m o n a d e a n d se t t h e g l a ss d o w n o n t h e f l o o r . N o o n e

w a s t a k i n g a n y n o t i c e o f h e r a t a l l . I t w a s n o t a c o m fo r t a b l e f e e l i n g , a n d i t

w a s Au n t Ag n e s w h o w a s r e s p o n s i b l e - b e c a u s e o f w h a t Ve n n h a d t o l d h e r

a b o u t Pa d d y . O b v i o u s l y , s h e d o te d o n t h e D u n c a n g i r l s , w h o w e r e q u i t e



r id icu lo u sly o b e d i en t . T h e y m i g h t p r o te st a l it t le , b u t t h e y d id a s t h e y w e r e

to l d , a n d n o w th e y w e r e v a n i sh i n g i n t o t h e h o u se a g a in .

A t t h e d o o r , Je a n n e t u r n e d b a ck . "D o n ' t f o r g et , P a d d y - t h e b i lla b o n g

t om or row . W e 'l l ca l l fo r you ."

" I ' l l be ready ." Paddy fe l t cheered. Her sp i r i ts rose fo r exac t ly two seconds .

Because then Agnes sa id d i s tan t l y , " I am go ing in to the k i t chen now, Paddy .

Sta y j u st w h e r e y o u a r e u n t il y o u 'r e f ee l in g q u i t e b e t t e r , a n d t h e n g o q u ie t l y

ba ck to th e co t ta ge . I sha l l t e ll M i ll ie to b r ing you a h a t ."

Sh e sto o p e d a n d p ick e d u p t h e g la ss f r o m th e f l o o r , g a v e Pa d d y a

hea d m ist ressy look , a nd t hen sa id , "Goo d b ye."

A n d sh e m e a n s g o o d - b y e ," t h o u g h t Pa d d y , ch i lle d . " I'm n o t e xa c t l y

w e lcom e he re !"

CHAPTER FOUR

T h a t n i g h t a t d i n n e r , t h e t a l k w a s o f t h e s to l e n s to c k a g a i n , a n d Be th

w a n t e d t o k n o w w h a t d i sco v e r ie s t h e b l a c k t r a ck e r h a d m a d e .

Max sh rugged . "Oh , Roy says the sheep were taken away in a t r uck .

N o t h ing new a t a l l. I sup p ose he 's r i gh t . I can 't im a g ine an y o f ou r ne ighbo urs



sh i f t i n g t h e m a c r o ss t h e b o u n d a r y . Bu t V e n n 's d i sa p p o i n te d n o t t o h a v e h a d

t h e b o n e p o i n t e d a t a n y o n e i n p a r t i c u l a r . I d o n ' t k n o w j u s t w h a t h e w a s

e xp e ct in g . H e se e m s t o t h i n k h e m ig h t h a v e d o n e b e t t e r w it h N i m , b u t h e 's

g o n e w it h t h e p o l ice o v e r t o t h e Be g a n ."

"W h a t 's w r o n g w it h R o y ?" Be th d e m a n d e d .

"He ' s s t i l l t oo t i ed up w i th abo cu l tu re . The re a re th ings he won ' t have

a n y t h i n g t o d o w it h - t o t e m a r e a s h e w o n 't g o o n a n d so o n . So w h a t ca n y o u

do?"

" It 's a l l a g a m b le , I su p p ose," sa id B et h a l it t le u nea si ly . Pa d d y t ho u ght she

w as look ing pa le.

"Fa t ten ing those sheep fo r sa le shou ldn ' t have been a gamb le , " Max sa id

d ry l y . " In a season l ik e th i s t he re shou ld ha ve b een no t h ing b u t su re p ro f i t i n i t .

W e ll, so m e o n e 'l l g e t t h e p r o f i t , b u t it w o n ' t b e Ve n n . H e 'l l p u t a n o t h e r m o b o n

th e p a stu r e, I d a r e sa y . Th e sto c k a n d sta t i o n a g e n t f r o m G i d g e e w i ll b e o u t a t

Be lah Sp r ings Monday o r Tuesday , the boss w i l l p robab ly d r i ve ove r and see

h i m . C a n 't w a ste a l u sh se a so n a lt o g e t h e r ." H e t u r n e d t o Ke i t h , w h o h a d n ' t

t ak en p a r t i n the conve rsa t ion . "H ow 's T r ix ie ton igh t?"

"Ok ay ," sa id Ke i th . "Ve ra d osed he r u p w i th som eth ing , an d she 's l ive l y a s a

boxfu l of snakes."

Paddy fe l t a b i t ou t o f i t a l l , pa r t i cu la r l y so as ea r l i e r on , when she had

g o n e o u t t o t h e v e r a n d a h w h e r e t h e c h i l d r e n s l e p t t o r e a d t o M a r g a r e t , s h e

h a d f o u n d M a x t h e r e a l r e a d y t e l l i n g t h e m a s to r y . O f c o u r s e i t w a s M a x ' s



pr i v i l ege to te l l s to r ies to h i s son , bu t i t d id ra the r po in t up the fac t tha t she

w a sn 't n e e d e d h e re . T r u e en o u g h , sh e h a d p la y e d A n i m a l G r a b w it h

M a r g a r e t f o r a w h i le in t h e h ea t o f t h e a f t e rn o o n w h i le Sim o n w a s h a v in g a

s l e e p , b u t p r e t t y s o o n M a r g a r e t h a d b e g u n t o d r o o p t o o , a n d h a d f i n a l l y

st ag ge red o f f t o he r bed .

So i t look ed a s t ho u gh, un less she resigned herse l f to b e ing no m ore t ha n a n

u n i n v i t e d g u e s t , s h e m i g h t a s w e l l l e a v e . M a y b e Ve n n w o u l d d e s i g n a te t h e

t a s k o f r e m o v i n g h e r t o t h e s t o c k a n d s t a t i o n a g e n t a n d m a k e i t a l l t h e

easier!

D i n n e r o v e r , t h e y a l l w e n t o n t o t h e c o o l o f t h e f r o n t v e r a n d a h , a n d s o o n

Ke it h , w h o h a d b e e n p a c in g u p a n d d d o w n r e st le ssly , su g g e ste d t h a t Pa d d y

m i g h t l i k e t o c o m e f o r a w a l k i n t h e g a r d e n . S h e w o u l d h a v e m a d e s o m e

excu se, b u t B eth sa id en t hu siast ica l ly , "Yes, d o t ha t , P a d d y . I t ' s a g ood t im e fo r

a l it t l e gen t le exe rci se . M ax a nd I sha l l t ak e a t u rn t oo p resen t l y ."

P a d d y s i g h e d i n w a r d l y . P e r h a p s B e t h a n d h e r h u s b a n d w a n t e d t o b e

a l o n e … R elu c ta n t ly sh e g o t u p . Sh e h a d n ' t w a lk e d in t h e d a r k w it h a n y m a n

since she ha d le f t Syd ney , an d she d id n ' t re l ish st ro l l ing a b ou t w i th K e i th

L a i d l a w e . Sh e w a s a l i t t l e a f r a i d t o o t h a t a f l o o d o f m e m o r i e s w o u l d s u r g e

in to h e r m in d , a n d t h e b e st w a y t o g e t o v e r a l o v e a f f a ir w a s su p p o se d t o b e

t o cu t o u t a n y t h in g t h a t r e m i n d e d y o u o f t h e p a st .

A s it h a p p e n e d , t h e h a lf - e x p e cte d n o sta lg i a n e v e r e v e n g o t o f f t h e g r o u n d ,

p e r h a p s b e c a u se Ke it h ' s co m p a n y k e p t Pa d d y co n st a n t ly o n h e r g u a r d .



H e to o k h e r a r m a s i f t h e y h a d k n o w n e a c h o th e r f o r y e a r s a n d a s k e d a s

th e y st r o l le d a lo n g t h e p a t h , "W e ll, w h a t su p e r ex cit i n g t h i n g s d id y o u g e t u p

to t o d a y , Pa d d y lo v e ?"

Pa d d y i g n o r e d t h e e n d e a r m e n t . I t w a s j u s t t o o p r a c t i s e d a n d i t c e r t a i n l y

d id n ' t m ean a ny t h ing . She sea rched he r m ind fo r a n a nsw er , becau se o f

cou rse she ha dn 't do ne a ny t h ing sup e r exci t i ng a t a l l.

" I m et t he D u ncan g i r ls," she t o ld K e i th f ina l ly . "They ' re sw eet . "

"As honey , " he ag reed . "Though a b i t pue r i l e fo r Venn Wi ldash , one wou ld

t h ink . A t h is a ge, he shou ld ha v e d i f fe ren t t a st es."

Pa d dy ra i sed h e r eyeb row s in the d a rk . " Is it t r ue l ie 's go ing t o m ar ry one o f

t h e m ?"

"W h y n o t ?" K e it h p u l le d a l ea f f r o m a g u m t r ee t h a t g r ew w h e re t h e f r o n t

g a r d e n e n d e d a n d , t h e b a c k g a r d e n b e g a n , a n d c r u m p l e d i t b e t w e e n h i s

f i nge rs so t ha t Pa dd y ' s nost r i l s w e re t i ck led by th e a rom at i c euca lyp tu s scen t .

" W h y e l s e w o u l d h e w a n t t o t a k e t h e m a w a y f r o m t h e i r u r b a n p l a y g r o u n d

a n d p u t t h e m t o g r a z e o n t h e B i b b e n lu k e p a st u r a g e ?

Pa d dy l istened , fa in t l y pu zzled . She w a sn ' t su re w he th e r to be a m used o r

n o t . Ke i t h h a d s p o k e n f l i p p a n t l y , a n d y e t t h e r e w a s a s t r o n g u n d e r t o n e o f

m a l ice in t he w ay he sp ok e . Fo r su re h e d oesn ' t l i ke V enn W i lda sh e i the r , she

d ec id ed , b u t she st i ll fou nd she cou ldn 't side w i th h im .



T h e y w a lk e d o n a f e w p a c e s a n d t h e n a l m o st a g a in st h e r w i ll sh e p u r su e d ,

"An ne t t e 's th e you nger on e - t he one w ho h ad concussion , i sn ' t she? W ha t

ha p p ened? W as she in a n a cciden t ?"

"She ha d a fa l l f r om a ho rse soon a f te r t hey go t he re ."

K e i t h c o n t i n u e d t h e t a l e : ' A g n e s h a d t h e m a g o o d h a l f w a y t o t h e a l t a r -

h e r n ep h e w a n d h e r d r ea m - ch i ld . H a v e n 't y o u n o t ice d h o w sh e d o t e s o n t h a t

g i r l? N ow - fo r the t im e be ing a t a ny ra t e - i t ' s o f f . A l l st i ll in t he a i r . They 're

bo th you ng a nd fa i r li ke P eggy - j ust h i s d i sh , as A gnes i s a lw ay s rem ark ing , o r

w o r d s t o t h a t e f f ect . M a y b e h e f a v o u r s Je a n n e n o w . Sh e p r o b a b ly h a s a f e w

m ore b ra ins th an A nne t te , thou gh she 'ss ce r ta in ly no t as a t t r a ct i ve ."

Pa d d y d i d n ' t w a n t t o h e a r a n y m o r e . Sh e f e lt si ck e n e d . Sh e p u l le d sh a r p ly

f r e e o f Ke i t h ' s a r m a n d o f t h e h a n d t h a t h a d b e g u n t o c a r e s s h e r h i p , a n d

m oved a head qu ick l y . " I'm go ing in . I ha d a n ov e rdose o f the su n th i s

m o r n i n g ," sh e t o sse d b a ck a t h i m , a n d sh e w a lk e d a t a f u r i o u s p a c e t h r o u g h

the o rcha rd . No th ing abou t Venn Wi ldash , she though t , wou ld rea l l y su rp r i se

h e r . N o th in g . Sh e w o u ld p u t a b so l u te l y n o t h i n g p a st h i m . Ev e n t h i s. T r a m p l in g

on t he fee l ings an d em ot ions o f t he g i r l s he w a s sup p osed t o l ove , p lay ing

ga m es w i th t he l i ves o f g i r ls st i ll in t he i r t eens. H e w a s a n a u t ocra t ic, hea r t less,

ha te fu l man , and she d i s l i ked h im more in tense ly than eve r , and she d idn ' t

r e a l ly w a n t t o k n o w a t h i n g a b o u t h i m .. F o r An n e t t e , sh e f e lt so r r y . T h a t w a s

al l .



As fo r Ke i th , he shou ldn ' t have to ld he r any o f th i s and she w ished he

hadn ' t . As an emp loyee on B ibben luke , su re l y he shou ld lea rn to be d i sc ree t .

T h e b e st t h i n g sh e co u ld d o w a s t o f o r g e t w h a t h e h a d sa id - c o m p le te ly .

A we l l - i n ten t ioned reso lu t i on bu t no t , she was to d i scove r , one tha t i t was

easy t o k eep .

K e it h h a d ca u g h t u p w it h h e r b y n o w a n d h a d se ize d h o l d o f h e r w r i st a n d

p u l le d h e r b a ck .

"Com e on no w , do n ' t tu rn a l l schoo l m ist ressy on m e . Do n ' t a ct l ik e I'm

someth ing in bad tas te , M iss Demps te r . Do you have to be upda ted? I t ' s

n a t u r a l f o r p r et t y g ir ls t o w a n t t o f i n d o u t a n d f o r h a n d so m e m e n lik e V en n

W ild a sh t o b e w i ll in g t o t e a c h t h e m . Yo u sh o u l d n 't b e u p se t V e n n 's n o t

beha v ing l ik e Si r Ga laha d ."

" I ' m n o t u p s e t a t a l l , " s a i d Pa d d y t i g h t l y a n d n o t i n t h e l e a s t t r u t h fu l l y .

"A n d y o u d o n ' t n e ed t o u p d a t e m e . B u t I d o n 't b e lie v e a w o r d y o u 'v e sa i d ,

an d I 'm ju st no t im p ressed by th a t so r t o f go ssip . Esp ecia l ly a bo u t th e m a n

y o u ' r e w o r k i n g f o r a n d - a n d g u e s t s o n t h e p r o p e r t y . O th e r w i s e , I c o u l d n ' t

care less a b ou t W i lda sh."

"Jus t as we l l fo r you, Paddy love ," sa id Ke i th , h is f ingers s t i l l t igh t on her

w r i st . "H e li ked h i s g i r ls b lond e . Thou gh th a t 's no t . t o sa y he w on ' t m ak e th e

o d d p a ss a t y o u . Bu t r e m e m b e r , I'm t h e o n e w h o l ik e b r u n e t t e s w it h b i g g r ey

e y e s. So w e 'l l f o r g e t a b o u t t h e b o ss a n d if y o u d o n ' t w a n t t o h e a r t h e st a t io n

gossip I 'l l shu t up . N ow ca n w e k i ss a nd m ak e u p '?"



Kiss a nd m ak e u p ! "Fo r hea ven ' s sak e ," sa id Pa d dy be t w een he r t ee th . "Just

let g o o f m e - a t on ce. If you do n ' t , I 'l l sc ream loud e r tha n you 've eve r hea rd

an yone sc ream be fo re !"

"You a re a case ! " He sounded wounded , bu t he le t he r go jus t the same.

"Why don ' t you lea rn to re lax - to ac t na tu ra l l y and no t take l i f e so se r ious ly?

H as som e guy up se t yo u in som e w ay ? Fo rge t a bo u t h im ! K issing can b e

t h e r a p e u t i c - j u st w h a t y o u n e e d . B r in g a r o p e a l on g w it h y o u n e xt t im e w e

co m e o u t f o r a w a l k in t h e g a r d e n . Y o u ca n t i e m y h a n d s b e h i n d m y b a ck if

t h a t w i ll m a k e y o u f e el sa fe r ."

Pa d d y su p p o se d h e w a s t r y in g t o b e a m u si n g , b u t sh e w a s n o t a m u se d . A l l

s h e w a n te d n o w w a s t o g e t a w a y f r o m h i m , t o b e b y h e r s e l f . T o f o r g e t

eve ry t h ing she ha d hea rd . Eve ry th ing .

Sh e w o n d e r ed w h e n sh e r ea c h e d t h e sa fe t y a n d so l it u d e o f h e r r o o m w h y

she shou ld fee l so ino rd ina t e l y up se t . W ha t d id t he so rd id d e ta i ls o f V enn

W ilda sh ' s l if e m a t te r t o he r? O r w a s it o f A nne t t e she w as th ink ing? A nne t t e ,

w h o l o o k e d s o y o u n g . An d t h a t f e v e r i s h l o o k s h e h a d n o te d , w a s t h a t -

despera t ion?

Forg et i t , Pa d d y , she t o ld h erse l f . Forget i t .

W h e n sh e w e n t sw im m in g t o t h e b i lla b o n g w it h Je a n n e a n d A n n e t t e t h e

fo l l o w i n g a f t e r n o o n , s h e w a s q u i t e c e r t a i n t h a t Ke i t h h a d b e e n t a l k i n g

non sense. The D u ncan s w ere n ice enou gh g i r ls, m a yb e a l i t t le p u er i le , a l it t le

wrapped up in c lo thes , bu t bas ica l l y n i ce . She was su re . They wa lked to the



p o o l a n d i t t o o k a g o o d f i f t e e n m i n u t e s b e c a u s e i t w a s t o o h o t t o d o m o r e

th a n s a u n te r . T h e y t r a i l e d a l o n g t h e r i v e r ' s e d g e b y a n a r r o w p a th t h r o u g h

grass g rown h igh in the ex t rao rd ina ry ra ins , and now s l i gh t l y ye l l ow ing ,

f l i pp ing the f l i es away w i th the i r towe ls and sca rce ly ta l k ing a t a l l . I t was too

h o t e v e n f o r t h a t . T h e ci ca d a s w e r e t o o n o i sy , a n y h o w , a n d e v e r y f e w m in u t e s

t he sum m er a i r w as f i ll ed w i th th e ir dea fen ing o rchest ra t i on .

M a x h a d t a k e n t h e c h i l d r e n o u t r i d i n g , a n d Ke i t h w a s h e l p i n g Be th r e -

p o s i t i o n h e r h u n k o f r o c k t h e w a y s h e w a n te d i t , e v e n t h o u g h s h e k n e w h e

h a d w a n t e d t o c o m e sw i m m i n g t o o . Pa d d y w a s a l it t l e i m p r e sse d b y B e th 's

se l f -w i ll . She w as de t e rm ined t o sta r t on he r scu lp t u re be fo re t he sun w en t

do w n , so K e ith m u st st a y .

T h a t m e a n t t h e r e w e re o n ly t h e D u n c a n g i rls a n d P a d d y , w h o d id n ' t a sk

w h e r e Ve n n w a s , s h e w a s s o t h a n k fu l w h e n h e d i d n ' t c o m e a l o n g . Bu t w h e n

th e y r e a c h ed t h e sw im m i n g sp o t , t h e r e w a s a lit t le o ld ca r p a r k e d i n t h e

sha de o f t he co ll ib ah s a nd A gnes W i lda sh sa t in i t , croche t ing . Pa dd y ca l l ed

ou t , de t erm ined ly p o l i te , "H e llo , M iss W i ld a sh. . Isn ' t t h is a love ly sp ot ?"

H er on ly an sw er w a s a n un sm i li ng nod , a nd A gnes re tu rned t o he r croche t .

"Yo u ' d t h i n k I w a s a b a d l o t , " t h o u g h t Pa d d y f r u s t r a te d l y , a s s h e b e g a n t o

unbu t ton he r d ress . She w ished sudden ly tha t eve ry th ing cou ld s l i p back in to

t he ha p p y p ast ag a in - say si x m on t hs a go , w hen she w a s st i ll in Syd ney a nd

Ph i l w as in l ove w i th he r - o r she ha d b e li eved he w a s.

A n o t h e r f o rb i d d e n ro a d f o r h er t h o u g h t s t o h a v e t a k e n .



She fe lt A gnes W i lda sh w a t ch ing he r a s she st r i pp ed o f f h e r b lue a nd w h i te

sp o t ted d r ess, r evea l ing t he p la in na vy one -p iece sw im su i t . Jean ne a nd

A n n e t t e w o r e b ik i n is t h a t sh o w e d o f f e v e r y b it o f t h e ir f ig u r es, a n d so o n t h e

th r e e o f t h e m w e r e in t h e w a t e r . It w a s a lo v e l y st r e t ch o f w a t e r , a l m o st t e p i d

in t h e h o t su n , o v e r h u n g b y w i llo w s, w h i le t a l l g u m s a n d co o l ib a h s g r e w

b e y o n d . Je a n n e a n d A n n e t t e k n e w a l l t h e d e ep sp o t s, a n d t h e y k n e w f r o m

w h ich b ra nches i t w as sa fe a nd p e rm issib le to d i ve , a nd th e t im e pa ssed

p leasant ly .

L a t e r, t h e y sa t o n t h e g r a ssy b a n k t a k i n g a b r ea t h e r w h i le Ag n e s k e p t h e r

e a g le e y e u p o n t h e m f r o m t h e c a r . P a d d y , h u g g i n g h e r k n e e s, r e m a r k e d , Y o u

k n o w B i b b e n lu k e w e l l, d o n ' t y o u ? D i d n ' t y o u sa y y o u ca m e h e re f o r h o li d a y s

yea rs a go?" She w a s f ish ing a nd she fe l t v a gu e ly a sha m ed o f herse l f , b u t su re ly

i t w a s a ha rm less q u est ion .

A n n e t t e lo o k e d a t h e r i n su r p r i se . "W e p r a c t i ca l ly b e lo n g t o B ib b e n l u k e -

a n d V e n n . D i d n 't y o u k n o w ?"

"O u r g r a n d d a d - o u r m o th e r ' s f a t h e r - w a s o v e r s e e r h e r e f o r y e a r s a n d

yea rs," pu t i n Jean ne . "Ti ll he an d ou r m o t he r - "

"An d Pe g g y , " sa i d A n n e t t e , w h o w a s sta r in g v a c a n t ly i n t o t h e w a t e r .

"Yes, and Peg gy - w e re k i lled in a p la ne c rash ."

"Ri g h t h e r e o n t h e p r o p e r t y , " sa id A n n e t t e , lo o k i n g u p , h e r e y es r o u n d a n d

b la nk . "So Venn look ed a f te r u s- "



"An d sen t u s to b oa rd ing schoo l . Because ou r fa t he r ' - Jean ne m a de a w ry

fa c e - "w e ll, w e d o n ' t r e m e m b e r h i m m u c h , b e ca u se h e m o r e o r le ss w a lk e d

o u t o n M o th e r ."

"Sho t o f f ," sa id A nne t te . "H e 's i n Cana d a now , he 's m ar r ied ag a in o r

som et h ing ."

"H e w asn ' t a g ood p rov id e r ," Jean ne sa id . "Tha t ' s w ha t A un t A gnes a lw ay s

s a y s . H e w a s j a c k e r o o h e r e a n d t h a t ' s h o w h e a n d o u r m o th e r m e t . Bu t h e

d i d n ' t l i k e t h e b u s h m u c h , a n d t h e y g o t m a r r i e d a n d w e n t t o S y d n e y a n d

th a t ' s w h e r e w e w e r e b o r n ."

" I love i t here , " sa id A nn et t e drea m i ly . "A nd V enn is so fa b u lou s. I 've a lw a ys

a d o r e d h i m . A n d I a lw a y s w i ll." Sh e sa t u p a n d slip p e d b a ck in t o t h e w a t e r a s

sh e m a d e h er la st r e m a r k , a n d sw a m slo w ly a w a y . Je a n n e f o l lo w e d h e r a n d

P a d d y st o o d u p t h o u g h t f u l ly a n d lo o k e d f o r a p l a ce t o d iv e f ro m .

"Pa d d y ! "

It w a s A u n t A g n e s, a n d P a d d y , w h o h a d m o r e o r le ss m a d e u p h e r m i n d t o

b e ing ign ored , w a s d ist inct ly su rp r ised . She p ick ed her w a y a cross t he g ra ss t o

t he ca r .

"Yes, M iss W i ld a sh? D id y ou w a nt m e?"

"Fo r j ust on e m om en t , d ea r ."

D e a r ! G o o d lo r d , w h a t 's h a p p e n e d t o t h e co l d sh o u ld e r ? Pa d d y w o n d e r ed .

" I shou ld l ik e you t o com e to d inne r a t th e hom estea d o ne n igh t . Tuesd ay , I

th ink . "



Paddy b l i nked d i sbe l i ev ing ly . "Thank you . I ' l l see i f I can a r range i t w i th

Beth . "

"Tha t shou ldn ' t b e d i f f icu l t . Com e a l it t l e ea r l y - sha l l w e say ha l f f ive - a nd

w e 'l l h a v e a t a lk t o g e th e r ."

P a d d y n o d d e d a n d g r i m a c e d i n w a r d l y . W a s t h e r e s o m e t h i n g o m i n o u s i n

m e n t io n o f a t a l k ? H a d t h e w o lf e a t e n b u t t e r t o m a k e h er v o ice so u n d so f t t o

t h e l i t t l e g o a t s ? A n d w h a t w a s V e n n g o i n g t o s a y w h e n h e f o u n d P a d d y

Dem p st e r a t h i s d inne r t ab le? W e ll , w e sha l l see w ha t h ap p ens, she th ou gh t

w hen she w a s d ism issed .

A u n t A g n es d r o v e a w a y n o t m u ch l a t er , a n d w it h i n a q u a r t e r o f a n h o u r

Ke i t h a r r i v e d , a n d t h e w h o l e c h a r a c te r o f t h e a f t e r n o o n c h a n g e d . Ke i t h , a s

th e so le m a le , b e c a m e th e f o c a l p o i n t , a n d h e w a s p r a c t i se d e n o u g h t o

p e rsua de ea ch g i r l to be l i eve she w as t he one he ad m i red m ost . It w as

p e r f ect ly o b v i o u s t o P a d d y , b u t n o t , it a p p e a r e d , t o t h e o t h e r t w o . A n n e t t e

w a s t h e o n e w h o g o t t h e b ig g e st k ick o u t o f h i s f l a t t e ry a n d it w a s sh e w h o l et

he rse l f ge t caugh t when he chased he r a long the bank . They fe l l i n to the

w a t e r , t he slende r g i r l i n he r b i k in i l ashed to h i s ha l f - na k ed b od y by h i s b ro w n

ar m s. They su r fa ced a nd A nne t te scream ed lau gh ing ly t o Jean ne fo r he lp , an d

s o o n t h e t h r e e o f t h e m w e r e t h r a s h i n g a b o u t t o g e t h e r a n d m a k i n g a g r e a t

d ea l of no ise.

P a d d y , w h o h a d b e e n sw i m m in g a b o u t b y h e r se lf , cli m b e d o u t o f t h e

wa te r fee l i ng d i s i l l us ioned . Ke i th was jus t so ready to g i ve any p re t t y g i r l he



m et a th r i ll she fe l t em b ar rassed to see A nne t t e resp ond ing so ea si ly . H ow

cou ld she se r iou sly a do re Venn an d ac t so stu p id l y - w it h su ch a lack o f d ign i t y

- w i t h Ke i t h ? F o r t h e f i r s t t i m e Pa d d y w o n d e r e d i f t h e r e w a s a l i t t l e o f t h e

m in x in A n n e t t e 's m a k e - u p .

Sh e t u r n e d h e r b a c k o n t h e m a n d w a l k e d slo w ly u p t h e g r a ssy b a n k a n d

w r a p p e d h e r b i g g r e en t o w e l a r o u n d h e r se lf , a n d sh o o k b a ck h e r sh o r t b la ck

ha i r . De l ibera te ly she c losed her ears to the sound o f the squea ls and shouts

th a t c a m e fr o m th e b i lla b o n g p o o l , a n d sto o d q u it e st i ll, w o n d e r in g i f , n o w

t ha t i t w a s ge t t i ng tow ard s su nd ow n , th e a i r w a sn ' t ju st f r a ct iona l ly coo le r . O r

w a s it t h a t h e r b lo o d h a d b e en co o l ed b y t h e w a te r ?

Sudden ly , fo r no reason a t a l l , she knew tha t she was no t a lone on the

b a n k . Sh e t u r n e d h e r h e a d ju st sl ig h t ly . Ve n n W i ld a sh sto o d u n d e r a r e d g u m

watch ing he r th rough ha l f c losed eyes . She fe l t a s t range sh ive r go th rough

h e r . "M y e n e m y ," sh e t h o u g h t i n v o l u n t a r i ly , a n d f o l lo w i n g t h e t h o u g h t a r ip p le

o f e xcit e m e n t c u t t h r o u g h t o t h e v e r y co r e o f h e r b e in g . As if sh e w e r e a b o u t

t o le a p st r a ig h t i n t o d a n g e ro u s p h y si ca l co m b a t .

Sh e s ta y e d e x a c t l y w h e r e s h e w a s , n o t w a n t i n g h i m t o k n o w h o w a c u te l y

s h e w a s a w a r e o f h i m - h o w o d d l y a f f e c te d . T h o u g h h e k n e w s h e h a d s e e n

h i m . Sh e w o n d e r ed w h a t h e w a s t h i n k i n g a n d h o w lo n g h e h a d b e e n t h e r e.

W h y h e sh o u l d b e w a t ch i n g h e r r a th e r t h a n t h o se t h r e e in t h e w a t e r . T h er e

w as som eth ing - sm ou lde r ing a bo u t h im . N o t j ust h i s eyes, bu t th e se t o f h i s



m ou t h a nd t he w a y he st ood , so com p le te ly st i l l, h is a rm s fo ld ed a cross h is

chest . Fo r j ust now , a ny t h ing Ke i th h ad sa id w a s ir r e leva n t .

H e i s t h ink ing , she su rm ised , W ha t i s th i s hu ssy d o ing o n m y p rop e r ty -

sw i m m i n g i n m y w a t e r s, la z in g b y m y b il la b o n g , su n n i n g h e r se lf i n m y

su n sh i n e u n d e r t h e b l u e d o m e o f m y sk y . Sta y i n g p u t o n B ib b e n l u k e .

A cce p t i n g i n v i t a t io n s t o d in e a t m y t a b le … It w a s a s t h o u g h sh e w e re a c tu a l ly

read ing h i s t hou gh t s, and she cou ld fee l h is f i nge rs it ch ing t o t ak e ho ld o f h e r

an d hu st le he r o f f . She cou ld a lm ost sense t he ve ry t ou ch o f h i s ha nd s, w a rm

ag a inst t he w a te r - co ld o f he r ba re sk in…

S h e m o v e d a b r u p t l y t o b r e a k t h e s p e l l , a n d t o o k t h e f e w y a r d s t h a t

b r o u g h t h e r w it h in c o m fo r t a b le co n v e r sa t i o n a l d i st a n ce o f h i m .

" I've b een sw im m ing in you r po o l , M r W i ld ash ."

"So you have." H is express ion was vague ly qu izz ica l , bu t there was the

q u ick cr ea se o f a f r o w n b e tw e e n t h o se e xt r a o r d i n a r i ly l e v e l a n d a l m o st b l a c k

eyebrows.

"Loun g ing on you r g rass," sa id Pa dd y . "L isten ing to you r m ad den ing

cicad as. Bru sh ing a w ay you r da m na b le f l ies." She sto p p ed , th en ad d ed

a b r u p t ly , "W h e n d o w e g o ? O r a m I t o b e t o l d o n T u e sd a y n i g h t?"

H is f r ow n deep ened . "On Tuesda y n igh t ? I 'm no t fo l low ing you , I 'm a f ra id ."

Sh e co l o u r e d f a in t ly . So h e w a sn 't b e h i n d t h a t i n v i t a t io n . "Yo u r a u n t a sk e d

m e t o d i n n er o n Tu e sd a y . I t h o u g h t y o u m ig h t l et m e k n o w t h e n w h e n y o u 'l l

b e g o i n g t o G i d g e e m a l la w a ." Sh e k e p t h e r ey e s o n h i m a s t h o u g h c o m p e lle d .



In the la te sun l igh t , h i s ha i r shone a l i gh t go lden b rown tha t ve rged on be ing

r e d - b l o n d . I t c o n t r a s te d f a n ta s t i c a l l y w i t h t h o s e d a r k e y e b r o w s , a n d ,

ob v iou sly new ly w a shed , i t fe l l ac ross h is b row so so f t ly an d si lk y t ha t she k new

an a lm ost i rr esist ib le im p u lse to reach ou t a nd t ou ch it . In t ha t i nsta n t , she

a d m it t e d w h a t sh e h a d n ' t q u it e a d m it t e d b e f o re : t h e r e w a s so m e t h in g a b o u t

h i m - p h y sica l ly - t h a t a t t r a c te d h e r p o w e r fu l ly . Bu t sh e w a sn 't l ik e A n n e t t e .

She w asn ' t a b londe . An d a l l he w an ted o f he r w as th a t she shou ld ge t o f f h i s

p r o p e r t y . Sh e w a s n o m o r e t o Ve n n W i l d a s h t h a n s o m e k i n d o f a n n o y i n g

insect - a g na t o r a m osqu i to , o r a f l y .

H i s e y e b r o w s t i l t e d n o w , h e m o v e d , a n d s t r e t c h i n g o u t h i s r i g h t a r m h e

p l a ce d h i s h a n d f la t a g a in st t h e sm o o t h m o t t le d t r u n k o f t h e g u m t r e e.

" S o y o u w a n t t o l e a v e u s n o w , d o y o u - y o u ' v e h a d e n o u g h ? O f w h a t , I

w o n d e r ? " H i s e y e s s t r a y e d m o m e n ta r i l y t o t h e t h r e e i n t h e w a te r w h o w e r e

st i ll f oo l ing a bo u t , an d h is eyeb row s ca m e to ge th e r in a f r ow n .

"I d o n 't w a n t t o g o . Yo u w a n t m e t o ," sa i d P a d d y .

H e sa i d n o th in g f o r a m o m e n t . Th e n - "Ye s, I w a n t y o u t o g o . I w ish y o u 'd

n e v e r co m e . A n d if y o u sta y l o n g , I t h i n k y o u 'll w i sh t h a t t o o . I'm a w a r e t h a t

y o u ' v e a l r e a d y p a i n te d a p a th e t i c p i c t u r e o f y o u r s e l f t o Be th - t h e o r p h a n o f

t h e sto r m , t h e h o m e le ss w a i f w it h n o w h e r e t o g o . I g a t h e r y o u o m it t e d t o

m e n t i o n y o u r Sy d n e y b o y f r i e n d . H o w e v e r , I s h a l l h a v e n o c o m p u n c t i o n i n

b o o t i n g y o u o f f t h e p r o p e r t y i f n ee d b e ."



Paddy fe l t the ang ry co lou r su rge in to he r cheeks . He ce r ta in l y d id rega rd

h e r a s a t r a m p ! Sh e h a d k n o w n i t a n d y e t sh e h a t e d h i m a n e w f o r it . T h er e

w a s n o t o n e si n g le t h i n g a b o u t h i m t h a t sh e lik e d - a p a r t f r o m h i s h a n d so m e

f a ce a n d b o d y . O h , h o w sh e w o u l d l ik e t o l et h im k n o w e xa c t ly t h a t ! T o

t hu m p h is chest w i th he r f i sts - t o say " I ha te yo u - I ha t e you - "

A s i f in a cco rd w i th he r m ood , th e cica d as in the t r ees a roun d p lu nged

su d d e n ly i n t o a d e a fe n i n g d r u m m in g t h a t sl a u g h te r e d t h e h e a t m e rci le ssly .

T h e a i r t h r o b b e d a n d r a n g u n t i l it se e m e d p a r t o f t h e f u r io u s p o u n d i n g o f h e r

o w n b l o o d . I t w a s s t r a n g e , t h e e f f e c t t h a t m a d d e n i n g s o u n d c o u l d h a v e o n

t he hum a n bo d y , st ra nge t ha t i nsects cou ld crea t e su ch a p ene t ra t i ng d in .

P a d d y h a d f e l t i t o v e r p o w e r h e r b e f o r e , i n t h e p l a y g r o u n d a t

G i d g e e m a l la w a . It r ea ch e d su c h a p it c h o f in t e n sit y y o u t h o u g h t it w o u l d se n d

y o u c o m p le t e ly cr a zy - w h e n t h e w h o le w o r ld se em e d n o t h i ng b u t v i b r a t i n g,

d e v a s ta t i n g s o u n d . An d t h e n s u d d e n l y y o u c o l l a p s e d i n w a r d l y , y o u g a v e i n ,

y o u l e t it b e co m e p a r t o f y o u r v e r y b l o o d st r e a m … A n d t h i s e v e n in g o n t h e

r iv e r b a n k , w h i le P a d d y st a r ed a t V e n n w it h h a t e a n d f u r y , sh e f e lt h e r b o d y

t ak en ov e r by th a t sou nd . P layed up on , po ssessed . Su b m i t t i ng . St ra nge ly , he r

rag e d ra ined a w a y . She w a s su b m erged , va nq u ished . She st a red m ind lessly

in t o t h e a q u a m a r i n e e y e s o f Ve n n W i ld a sh w h o w a s i n so m e w a y in e xt r ica b ly

t i e d u p w it h t h e m a d d e n i n g so n g o f t h e ci ca d a s.

P a d d y d i d n 't k n o w i f it w a s h a p p e n i n g t o V e n n t o o . B u t so m e t h i ng p a sse d

be t w een them . Each o f th em sto od m o t ion less, th e a i r v ib ra t ing insan e ly



a r o u n d t h e m , a n d t h e n s u d d e n l y , a s i f a t s o m e u n h e a r d s i g n a l , t h e m a d

orches t ra s topped . A s i l ence fe l l on the s t r i c ken a i r and Paddy fe l t so

e xh a u ste d sh e co u l d h a v e d r o p p e d t o t h e g r o u n d . In ste a d , sh e w e n t sh a k ily t o

le a n h e r b a ck a g a i n st t h e t r ee u p o n w h o se t r u n k Ve n n st i ll h a d h i s h a n d .

N e ith e r o f th em sp ok e . H e ha d t u rn ed h i s hea d sl igh t ly a nd h i s jew e l eyes

wa tched he r as she lay exhaus ted ly aga ins t the suppor t o f the t r ee . She fe l t

he rse l f sh i ve r , and k new inst inct i v e l y th a t she shou ld a vo id t h i s m an .

H e r lip s m o v e d . "O k a y . Bo o t m e o f f t h e p r o p e r t y i f y o u m u st , " sh e h e a r d

herse l f sa y , as i f no t im e a t a l l ha d e lap sed since he h a d sp ok en. "I 've sa id a l l I

ha ve t o sa y ."

H e l o o k e d a t h e r c u r i o u s l y f o r a l o n g m o m e n t , a n d t h e n a b r u p t l y h e

m o v e d a w a y f r o m t h e t r e e a n d s t r o d e d o w n t o t h e w a t e r ' s e d g e . P a d d y

w a t c h e d h i m . W h a t h a d h a p p e n e d t o h e r ? S o m e t h i n g h a d h a p p e n e d , s h e

k n e w . S o m e t h i n g h a d d e v e l o p e d b e t w e e n t h e m - b e t w e e n h e r a n d t h i s

in f u r ia t i ng m a n . B u t w h a t ?

H e h a d r e a c h e d t h e p o o l a n d h e h a d s a i d s o m e th i n g t o t h e t h r e e i n t h e

w a te r . Pa d d y d i d n ' t h e a r w h a t i t w a s , b u t t h e s p l a s h i n g a n d t h e f o o l e r y

c e a s e d . Ke i t h h a u l e d h i m s e l f o u t o f t h e w a te r , p i c k e d u p h i s t o w e l , a n d

st ro l led to w ar ds h i s ca r . The g i r ls, th e ir hea ds bo bb ing , l ook ed up a t Venn - a s

i f t h e y w o u l d d o a n y th i n g h e s a i d , Pa d d y t h o u g h t w i t h a c u r i o u s l y i n t e n s e

p a n g . T h en A n n e t t e scr a m b l ed o u t o n t o t h e b a n k a n d st o o d sh a k i ng h e r h a i r

b a ck , h e r a l m o st n a k e d b o d y g le a m in g a n d w e t .



Pa d d y t u r n e d a w a y su d d e n l y . Sh e ca l le d o u t , "W a i t f o r m e , Ke it h !" a n d sh e

to o s n a t c h e d u p h e r c l o t h e s a n d w a s r u n n i n g a f t e r h i m w i t h n o m o r e t h a n a

ca su a lly sh o u t e d g o o d - b y e t o a n y o n e w h o m i g h t b e b o t h e r ed t o l ist e n .

P a d d y w a s n o w t o r n b e t w e en t h e d e t e rm in a t io n t o st a y o n a t B i b b e n lu k e

a n d t h e d e si re t o g e t a w a y , q u it e sp e cif i ca l ly , fr o m Ve n n W il d a sh . H e r a n g r y

h a t r e d o f h i m w a s n o l o n g e r a si m p le a n d u n co m p l ica t e d e m o t io n , f o r sh e

h a d b e co m e d i st u r b i n g l y a w a r e t h a t t h e r e w a s so m e so r t o f co n t a ct b e tw e e n

th e tw o o f t h e m a t a d e e p s u b c o n s c i o u s l e v e l . I t h a d p r o b a b l y b e g u n l o n g

a g o , t h a t n i g h t i n h i s ca r w h e n t h e i r e y e s h a d m e t f o r a m a d f l ee t i n g m o m e n t .

A n d a t t h e b i lla b o n g it h a d b e e n t h e r e a g a in , d a n g e r o u s, i n co m p r e h en sib le .

M ost l ik e l y , she t o ld he rse l f cyn ica l ly , it w a s p u re a n im a l m ag ne t i sm .

N ever t he less, i t w a s b ot h ob sessive an d in f u r ia t ing . She ha d im a g ined she

w o u l d b e u sin g a l l h e r in g e n u it y t o st o p h e r se lf f r o m th i n k i n g o f Ph i l, f r o m

bro od ing ove r he r b rok en love a f fa i r , a nd instea d i t seem ed she w as

co n t in u a l ly h a v i n g t o p u l l h e rse lf u p o v e r t h i n k i n g a b o u t Ve n n W i ld a sh …

Bet h sa id i t w a s "sw ee t ' o f A gnes to i nv i te h e r d inne r .

"She's a t iny b i t p ossessive, rat her w a ry o f ou t sid ers. A nd she's a r ea l m ot her

m a nq u ee, she fu sses ov er th ose D u nca n g i r ls l ik e a n o ld hen . She a d ores t hem

so com p let e ly i t ' s just no t t ru e . She 's a t t he b a ck o f a l l t h is b u siness a b ou t V enn

a n d A n n e t t e ," sh e a d d e d m u sin g l y . "O f co u r se h e m u st m a r r y , b u t o n e w o u ld

rea l l y th ink he cou ld f i nd som eone m ore su i ta b le th an e i the r o f th ose tw o g i r ls,

ch a r m i n g t h o u g h t h e y a r e ."



P a d d y m a d e n o c o m m e n t . S h e h a d t h e f e e l i n g t h a t B e t h w a s n o t r e a l l y

t a lk in g t o h e r, b u t w a s t h i n k in g - o r w o r r y in g - a l o u d . It w a s m id - a f t e r n o o n

a n d t h e c h ild r e n w e re a m u si n g t h e m se lv e s w it h p a i n t s o n t h e v e r a n d a h w h i le

B e t h a n d P a d d y h a d a c u p o f t e a , a n d B e t h s t a r e d o u t p e r i o d i c a l l y a t h e r

slab o f sto ne in a bem u sed w ay . She ha d sta r ted to ch ip a t i t , bu t she ha d

co m e to a f u l l st o p a n d a d m it t e d sh e w a s u n d e ci d e d w h a t sh e w a s g o i n g t o

do .

Now she l i t one o f he r i nev i tab le c iga re t tes and na r rowed he r eyes , and

P a d d y h a l f e x p e c t e d t h a t w h e n s h e s p o k e a g a i n i t w o u l d b e a b o u t h e r

p ro jected scu lp t u re . Instea d she sa id m using ly , "Bu t m y Go d , I hop e he w on ' t

do som eth ing he ' ll l ive t o reg re t . It 's t r u e enou gh t hose g i r ls a re l ik e P eggy in a

s u p e r f i c i a l w a y - b l o n d e a n d y o u n g a n d p r e t t y . B u t P e g g y w o u l d n ' t b e l i k e

t h a t if sh e w e re a l iv e n o w ." Sh e st o p p e d f o r a m o m e n t , a n d P a d d y t h o u g h t

f r u st r a t e d l y , "W h o o n e a r t h i s Pe g g y ?" b u t sh e w o u ld n 't h a v e a sk e d f o r t h e

w o r ld . It w a s a s t h o u g h b y a sk i n g sh e m i g h t b e t r a y so m e th i n g t h a t w a s n o t

m ere ly cu r iosi ty . "W ha t Ve nn need s," sa id B eth , a sh ing her c igare t t e , " is

someone ma tu re , ye t s t i l l young enough to bea r h i s ch i l d ren . Though God

fo r b i d I s h o u l d s t a r t n o m i n a t i n g c a n d i d a te s ! " Sh e l o o k e d a t Pa d d y w i t h a

sm a l l g r im a ce . "The com p l ica t ions o f l if e o n a n i so la t ed sheep sta t i on ! I w o r r y ,

you know, when Ke i th s ta r ts hun t ing the boss ' s qua r r y . He needs a w i fe too ,

h e a v e n k n o w s, b u t ch a si n g a f t e r t h o se g i rl s w o n 't d o h i m a n y g o o d a t a l l.

Besid es w h ich , I can 't im a g ine e ith e r one o f t hem se t t l ing h im d ow n . "



She laughed sudden ly . " I f I don ' t wa tch ou t , I ' l l be d ragg ing you in to i t a l l .

I'd b e w i se r t o st i ck t o m y scu lp tu r e , w o u ld n 't I ? Bu t w h a t w o m a n c a n h e l p

m edd l ing just a l it t l e b i t? Just as w e l l i t ' s a l l d ou b le Du t ch t o you … N ever

m in d , Pa d d y , y o u j u st g o o n l o o k in g d e c o r a t i v e a n d e n j o y i n g y o u r h o l id a y ."

D e c o r a t i v e , r e f l e c te d Pa d d y , b u t n o t b l o n d e . N o t l i k e Pe g g y , w h o e v e r

Pe g g y w a s . So m e g i r l Ve n n h a d b e e n i n l o v e w i t h - a g i r l w h o h a d b e e n

k i l l e d ? I t w a s a g g r a v a t i n g t o f e e l s o f r u s t r a te d l y i g n o r a n t a b o u t Ve n n

W ilda sh ' s l if e , w hen she d idn ' t w a n t t o conce rn he rse l f ab ou t h im a t a l l. A s fo r

Ke i t h , s h e c e r t a i n l y h o p e d t h a t Be th w a s n ' t g o i n g t o h a v e a n y i d e a s a b o u t

Pa d dy Dem p st e r p rov id ing a st ead y ing in f l uence on h i s l if e…

For d inne r a t B ibben luke homes tead , she d ressed ca re fu l l y i n a pa le j ade

g r e en d r e ss w it h a d e e p n e ck a n d sp a r k l in g f l a m e - co l o u r e d b u t t o n s - a l l o f

t h e m ca r efu l ly d o n e u p - a n d f la m e - co l o u r e d sh o e s t o m a t ch . It w a s h e r

sm a r t e st o u t f i t , b o u g h t w it h Ph i l i n m i n d , o f co u r se , a n d it lo o k e d g o o d w it h

h e r b l a ck h a ir a n d l ig h t ly t a n n e d sk in . O f co u r se sh e w o u l d n 't lo o k a p a t ch o n

Je a n n e a n d A n n e t t e , b o t h o f w h o m h a d lo a d s o f clo t h e s - w h e th e r b e c a u se

th e y w o r k e d a s m o d e l s in Sy d n e y o r b e ca u se A g n e s W il d a sh d o te d o n t h e m ,

P a d d y d i d n 't k n o w .

It w a s sil ly t o b e k e y ed u p a b o u t g o in g t o d i n n e r n e xt d o o r , b u t P a d d y w a s

keyed up . She wan ted , ye t she d idn ' t wan t , to see Venn aga in , and she

w o n d e r e d i f a n y t h i n g m o r e w o u l d b e s a i d a b o u t g o i n g t o G i d g e e m a l l a w a .

She ha d n 't m en t ioned Venn 's p lans to Be t h since he r f i r st d ay , and she w asn ' t



su re , if i t ca m e to a show do w n, w ho w ou ld w in , Be t h o r th e boss. She ra t he r

su sp ect ed i t w ou ld b e t he b oss.

Ve n n w a sn 't a b o u t w h e n sh e re a c h ed t h e h o m e ste a d a n d n e i t h e r w e r e t h e

g i r l s . Agnes to ld he r they had d r i ven ove r to Be lah Sp r ings to see the s tock

a n d s ta t i o n a g e n t a b o u t b u y i n g s o m e m o r e w e th e r s f o r f a t t e n i n g . Ve n n ' s

a u n t , in b l u e si lk a n d a c a m e o b r o o ch , o f f e re d P a d d y a ch o i ce o f Ve r m o u t h o r

d r y sh e rr y w h e n t h e y h a d se t t l ed a t o n e e n d o f t h e w i d e v e ra n d a h t h a t w a s

fu r n i sh e d l ik e a sm a l l o p e n - sid e d sit t i n g - r o o m , w i t h lo w t a b le , co m fo r t a b le

cha i rs and carpet . On the tab le were bo t t les , g lasses , a s i lver jug o f ice and a

d ish o f t i ny cheese b i scu it s t ha t A gnes ha d m ad e he rse l f . They b o t h d ra nk

s h e r r y , a n d Pa d d y v e r y s o o n d i s c o v e r e d w h a t Ve n n ' s a u n t w a n te d t o t a l k t o

h e r a b o u t .

"Yo u m a y t h i n k I a m i n te r fe r in g i n a f f a i r s t h a t d o n 't c o n ce r n m e , Pa d d y ,

b u t I w a n t t o a d v ise y o u a g a in st h a v i n g a n y t h i n g t o d o w it h K e i t h L a i d l a w e . I

a m v e r y f o n d o f Be th , b u t h e r b r o th e r I d o n o t l ik e ."

Paddy , who had jus t taken a b i te on one o f the de l i c ious l i t t l e b i scu i t s ,

w an ted to sa y t ha t t he ad v ice w as un necessa ry , bu t b e fo re she cou ld sp eak ,

A gnes W i lda sh con t inued .

"L ik e m a n y a n i ce g ir l - a n d I t h i n k y o u a r e a n i ce g ir l, I w a t ch e d y o u a t t h e

b i l l a b o n g - y o u n o d o u b t t h i n k t h e b e s t o f p e o p l e a n d b e l i e v e w h a t e v e r

p re t t y t h ings Ke i t h chooses t o t e ll you ."



"N o t r e a lly ," sa i d P a d d y m i ld ly , a n d r e f l ect i n g t h a t K e it h h a d n 't t o l d h e r

m a n y t h i n g s t h a t c o u l d b e c a l l e d p r e t t y . "Yo u m u s tn ' t w o r r y a b o u t m e , M i s s

W i ld a sh. I ca n look a f t e r m yse l f ."

"P lea se le t m e f i n i sh… O f cou rse I a m no t p rop hesy ing t ha t you w i ll com e to

an y rea l ha rm , th ou gh i t can ha p p en a l l to o easi ly even t o t he n i cest o f g i r ls,

b e l i e v e m e . B u t t h e w i s e s t t h i n g f o r y o u t o d o w o u l d b e t o g o a w a y a n d

fo rge t Ke i th . "

Pa d d y r a i se d h e r e y eb r o w s a lit t le . So A g n e s w a n te d h e r t o g o a w a y t o o -

an d she w as be ing ve ry d ip lom a t i c ab ou t te l l ing he r so . She sa id casu a l ly , "O h ,

Ke i th 's no t b o t her ing m e, I assu re you . H e 's a l l r igh t ."

M iss W i ld a sh p u rsed h er l ip s. " I'm a f ra id h e is b y no m ea ns a l l r igh t . M y

n e p h e w h a s o n l y e m p lo y e d h i m h e r e o u t o f a f e e lin g o f i n d e b t e d n e ss t o M a x

a n d Be th L e w is, w h o h e l p e d h i m t h r o u g h a v e r y d if f i cu lt p e r io d o f h i s l if e , a n d

I fo r one reg ret t ha t h e w as eve r so m ist ak en ly k ind . Ke i th i s no t w o r t hy o f

he lp and he i s a danger to any n i ce g i r l - to my g i r l s as we l l as to you ,

u n fo r t u n a te l y . I n f a c t , h e i s w h a t I w o u l d c a l l u n a d u l t e r a te d l y b a d . " Sh e

p a u se d a n d g a v e Pa d d y a v e r y h e a d m ist r e ssy l o o k .

Pa d d y d i d n ' t b o th e r p r o te s t i n g a g a i n . Sh e t o o k a n o th e r b i s c u i t a n d

re f lected t ha t M iss W i lda sh w a s ra t he r ove rd o ing i t . Ke i th w a s p rob a b ly

so m e t h i n g o f a w o m a n i ze r, b u t c o u l d y o u c a ll h im u n a d u lt e r a t e d l y b a d ?

W a sn 't t h a t a t r if le m e lo d r a m a t ic? A t a n y r a t e , sh e w a sn 't i n a n y d a n g e r f ro m

h im , th ou gh she cou ldn 't sp eak fo r t he o t he r tw o g i r l s…



"An d so ," Ag n e s W i ld a sh sa i d , "I r e p e a t t h a t y o u m u st g o a w a y a n d f o r g et

K e it h L a i d la w e . M y n e p h e w w il l b e d r i v in g t o G i d g e em a l la w a a t t h e en d o f

t h e w e ek , a n d y o u m u st a sk h im t o t a k e y ou w it h h i m ."

W e ll , th a t , Pad dy re f lected , sm i li ng sl igh t l y , w ou ld ha rd ly be n ecessa ry , and

she nod d ed so lem nly .

M iss W i ld a sh 's b lue eye s w a t ched her shrew d ly . "M u ch a s I shou ld l ik e t o , I

d o n 't f e e l it w o u ld b e d i p l o m a t i c - o r co n v e n i en t - t o a sk y o u t o st a y h e r e

w i th us jus t now . I t i s i n a way a ra the r spec ia l t ime , now tha t the g i r l s have

co m e h o m e t o B i b b e n l u k e . Y o u m a y b e a b le t o g u e ss w h a t I m e a n w h e n I t e l l

you th a t A nne t te h as m a d e a ve ry sp ecia l p lace in Venn 's a f fect ions eve r since

she was a ch i l d , and now she i s qu i te g rown up , " she conc luded , favou r ing

Pa d d y w it h a v e r y p i e rcin g l o o k t h a t w a s n o t a lt o g e t h e r fr ie n d l y .

Paddy s ighed inward ly . In o the r wo rds , "Keep you r eyes o f f Venn , " she

t hou gh t , a nd desp i te he rse lf she b lushed d eep ly an d em b a r rassing ly - a nd w a s

r e lie v e d t h a t e xa c t l y t h e n , t h e scr e en d o o r b a n g e d a n d Je a n n e a n d A n n e t t e ,

f a i r h a i r f l y in g , ca m e a l o n g t h e v e r a n d a h f o l lo w e d b y V e n n .

H e r co l o u r f a d e d r a p i d l y , b u t sh e f e lt a cl a m m i n ess o n t h e p a l m s o f h e r

ha nd s an d she k new a n a w fu l com p u lsion to m ee t Venn ' s eyes - t o d i scov e r

w h a t w a s g o i n g o n b e h i n d t h e m . Bu t w h e n h e g r e ete d h e r - c o o lly - a n d sh e

m et h i s g lan ce , she fou nd it host i le and ha d t he an n ih i l a t i ng fee li ng th a t he

w a s w ish ing her ou t o f h is l ife . N ot just o f f h is p rop er ty , b u t o u t o f h is l ife .



H e w a s p o l it e a n d n o n - co m m it t a l t o h e r a t d i nn e r. V e r y n o n - co m m it t a l . In

f a c t , it se e m e d t o P a d d y t h a t h e ig n o r e d h e r a s m u c h a s g o o d m a n n e r s w o u ld

a l l o w , t h o u g h n o w a n d a g a i n s h e h a d t h e f e e l i n g h e w a s w a tc h i n g h e r . I t

w ou ld h a ve b een a , good th ing , she t o ld he rse l f , p e rve rse ly , if she cou ld h av e

l isten ed t o A gnes W i ld ash ' s ad v ice a nd t hen g one b a ck "hom e '. So she need n ' t

h a v e se en h i m . N e e d n 't h a v e sa t a t t h e g l ea m i n g o v a l t a b le w h e r e t h e

lam p l igh t b roug h t a so f t ness t o t hose d i sconcer t i ng a qu a m a r ine eyes o f h i s as

h e sa t su r r o u n d e d b y h i s h a r e m . Jo h n n y H e a t h w a s n o t p r ese n t - it a p p e a r e d

t h a t h e o f t e n ch o se t o e a t w it h t h e o t h e r fe w m e n e m p lo y e d o n B i b b e n lu k e

s ta t ion .

They to ok co f fee in t he si t t i ng - roo m , one w a l l o f w h ich consisted o f fo ld ing

g lass doo rs tha t opened on to the ve randah so tha t i t was p leasan t l y coo l . A

ce il in g f a n w h i rr e d a n d t h e r e w a s t h e m in i m u m o f l ig h t in g so a s n o t t o a t t r a ct

t h e f e w m o th s t h a t h a d f o u n d t h e ir w a y i n sid e t h r o u g h t h e i n se ct scr e en . A s

Pa d d y d r a n k h e r c o f f e e , h e r e y e w a s c a u g h t b y t h e s tu d i o p o r t r a i t o f a g i r l ,

t h a t st o o d o n a c ed a r w o o d ca b i n et . A p r e t t y b lo n d e g ir l, h e r h a i r ca u g h t i n a

bu nch a t e i the r side o f he r rou nd you ng f ace , sm i li ng a l it t l e, l ip s p a r ted , hea d

t i lt e d p r o v o c a t i v e l y .

Pegg y , he r i nst i nct s to ld h e r , a nd she fe l t an a lm ost u ncon t ro l lab le desi re to

k n o w e x a c t l y w h o P e g g y w a s . A n n e t t e w a s a l i t t l e p r e o c c u p i e d w i t h t h a t

p h o t o g r a p h t o o . P a d d y o b se r v e d h e r sm a l l a c t i o n w h e n , h a v i n g b e e n t o l d b y

A gnes t o fe tch m ore co f fee fo r Venn , she m ov ed i t t o a sl igh t ly d i f fe ren t



p osi t ion a s she p a ssed b y . W hy ? P a d d y w ond ered . So t ha t she cou ld see it

be t te r f r om w here she sa t on t he f l oo r nea r Venn ' s cha i r?

The o the rs w ere ta l k ing ab ou t Be lah Sp r ings a nd V enn ' s dea lings w it h th e

sto c k a n d sta t io n a g e n t . Pa d d y l i st e n e d i d ly , b u t in w a r d ly sh e w a s w a t ch i n g

t o see if Venn t rea t ed A nne t te a ny d i f feren t l y f r om Jean ne . Fo r th e li f e o f he r ,

she cou ldn ' t see any pa r t i cu la r tende rness in h i s a t t i tude , o r even in the way

he looked a t he r . He ' s hea r t l ess , she dec ided , and the though t fed he r

an im osi ty .

A n n e t t e b r o u g h t Ve n n h i s co f f e e a n d d r o p p e d g r a c efu l l y o n t o t h e f lo o r a t

h i s fee t , s i t t i ng so tha t he r p re t t y f i gu re was shown up by the t i gh t bod ice o f

t he d ress she w a s w ea r ing . W a s she a m inx? O r w a s she sim p ly a g i r l in lov e?

Pa d d y w a s j e r k e d o u t o f t h e h a l f r e v e r i e i n t o w h i c h s h e h a d f a l l e n w h e n

Ag n e s s a i d a b r u p t l y , "Ve n n , Pa d d y w a n ts t o k n o w i f y o u ' l l t a k e e h e r b a c k t o

G idgee w hen you go on Thu rsda y - o r i s i t F r ida y?"

Venn looked ac ross a t he r mock ing ly . He rea l l y l ooked a t he r fo r the f i r s t

t im e tha t n igh t . A nd i t w a s a n ed i f y ing expe r ience . Cu r iously , th e re w a s

s o m e th i n g d e e p l y s a t i s f y i n g t o Pa d d y j u s t i n h a v i n g "Ve n n W i l d a s h l o o k a t

her . I m u st b e a m a soch ist , she ch id ed herse l f si len t ly a s she st a red b a ck in t o

th a t i r o n i ca l a n d u n d o u b t e d l y in i m ica l b l u e g a ze . Sh e k n e w t h a t Je a n n e w a s

fo l l o w i n g t h e c o n v e r s a t i o n , b u t An n e t t e , g r a c e fu l l y d r a p e d o n t h e f l o o r a n d

lea n ing ba ck a ga inst Ven n ' s l egs, w as no t . A gnes, hav ing t h row n h e r sto ne in



t h e p o n d , p r o d u c e d h e r c r o c h e t i n g f r o m a w o r k b a s k e t a n d d e s p i t e t h e

d im ness o f t he li gh t ing , a t t ack ed i t .

Venn sa id , "You ' re ou t o f l uck , Paddy . I shan ' t be go ing in to

G i d g e e m a l la w a a f t e r a ll ."

A gnes's hea d jer k ed up . "W hy ev e r no t , Venn?"

" I ha d a le t t e r f rom St eve in the m a i l," Venn sa id . H e had le f t h i s cha i r - a nd

A nne t te - ca re lessly , a nd crossed t he room t o f i nd ciga re t tes, p roceed ing t o

l igh t one a s he f i n i shed sp eak ing . Pa d d y k ep t he r eyes on h im a s he sto od in

t h e m id d le o f t h e b i g ro o m . H e sh o o k o u t t h e m a t ch a n d se n t h e r a b r ie f

g l a n c e t h a t w a s k e en a s a n a r r o w . "H e 's ch a n g e d h i s m in d a b o u t co m i n g t o u s

fo r C h r ist m a s. H e 's f o u n d so m e th i n g b e t t e r t o d o , I t a k e i t - t h e p u r su it o f a

g i r l, I r a th e r su sp ect . " H e look ed b ack a t P ad dy . "So un fo r t u na t e ly , you 'l l ha ve

t o rem a in he re a m ong st u s."

"T o o b a d f o r y o u , " t h o u g h t Pa d d y . Sh e b i t h e r l i p a n d h a te d h i m , w h i l e

so m e th i n g i n h e r r ejo i ce d t h a t it h a d h a p p e n ed t h is w a y .

" I su p p ose I 'l l l i ve t h rou gh i t , " she t o ld h im l igh t ly .

"W e sh a l l h a v e t o m a k e so m e o th e r a r r a n g e m e n t f o r y o u ," sa id A g n e s w it h

a loo k o f d isp leasu re . " I'm d isa p p o in t ed w e sha n ' t b e see ing St even , I w a s

look ing fo rward to see ing how he ' s deve lop ing . G i r l s a l r eady ! - and he ' s on ly

se v e n te e n . So y o u n g f o r a b o y , t h o u g h a g i r l a t t h a t a g e is q u it e m a t u r e ." H e r

eyes rest ed o n A nn et t e a s she sp ok e.



Pa d d y d id n 't st a y m u ch l o n g e r a f t e r t h a t . Ve n n , in f a ct , p r e se n t l y o f f e re d

t o escor t her hom e, a nd she w a s d iscon cer t ed . A nn et t e ha d f l inched , a nd M iss

W i l d a s h h a d f r o w n e d d i s a p p r o v i n g l y , b u t Ve n n a p p a r e n t l y n o t i c e d n o th i n g ,

a n d t h o u g h P a d d y m u r m u r e d a c o n v e n t i o n a l , " D o n ' t b o t h e r , " n o t m a n y

m in u t e s l a t e r sh e w a s o u t u n d e r t h e v a st o u t b a ck sk y a lo n e w it h Ve n n .

He remarked coo l l y as they s t ro l l ed th rough the ga rden , "So i t l ooks l i ke

w e 've go t you w i th u s fo r Ch r i st m as, M iss Dem p ste r . Becau se I'm no t p repa red

to m a k e a s p e c i a l t r i p i n f o r y o u i n t h i s h e a t . Yo u s h o u l d h a v e t h o u g h t a b i t

h a r d e r b e f o re y o u ca m e h a r i ng o u t h e re w h e t h e r y o u r e a l ly w a n t e d t o st a y

th e v a ca t io n o u t o r n o t . W h a t 's h a p p e n e d n o w ? H a v e Ke it h 's ch a r m s p a l le d ,

o r a re you su dd en ly p in ing fo r you r o th e r love?"

"No , " sa id Paddy b r ie f l y to the las t ques t ion . She though t f l ee t ing ly o f Ph i l

a n d k n e w t h a t t h e d e sp e r a t io n h a d f a d e d r ig h t o u t o f t h a t a f f a ir - a f t e r ju st a

few w eek s! As fo r Ke i th , she ha d neve r b een a v i ct im o f h i s cha rm s, bu t she

su r e l y d i d n 't n e e d t o p o in t t h a t u p a g a i n .

"W h y is it y o u w a n t t o b e o f f ?"

P a d d y d e b a t e d f o r a m o m e n t . T o sa y it w a sn 't h e r i d ea w o u l d b e t o m a k e

a l ia r o f h is a u n t , a n d sh e d i d n ' t w a n t t o b r i n g t h a t lit t le "t a lk ' i n t o i t .

"Does it r ea l ly m a t t e r?" she ask ed . "I'd h a ve th ou gh t you 'd be cap ab le o f

t h i n k i n g u p a n a n s w e r f o r y o u r s e l f , a n y h o w - a d d i n g a n o t h e r p a r a g r a p h t o

th e h i g h ly i m a g in a t i v e ch a r a cte r sk e t c h o f m e t h a t y o u 'v e b e e n e n te r t a in i n g

yo u rse l f w i th . "



"H m m ," he sa id . "Ac tu a l ly t he re 's m ore o f t he sc ien t i st t ha n t he no ve l i st i n

m y m a k e - u p . In o t h e r w o r d s, I'm a lw a y s w i ll in g t o d isca r d a p r e m i se t h a t ' s

b e e n p r o v e d f a lse . T ru e , I ju d g e d y o u a c o m p l ete b a g g a g e w h e n w e f ir st m e t

a n d I fo u n d y o u i n a cli n ch w it h Ke it h . N o w I'm n o t so c er t a i n . T h o u g h su r e l y

y o u h a d a t l e a s t a n i n k l i n g b e f o r e y o u c a m e h e r e t h a t K e i t h w a s a

w om a n ize r ." They had crossed t he g ra ve l and reached a sm a l l g rov e o f ceda r

t rees t ha t g rew ou t side the w h i te fence su r rou nd ing the Lew ises' b u nga low ,

a n d s u d d e n l y Pa d d y f o u n d h e r s e l f t r a p p e d , h i s b o d y b a r r i n g t h e w a y . "A r e

you just a n i ce l it t l e schoo lm ist ress w ho ' s com e to t he ou t ba ck ou t o f t he

m ista k e n g o o d n e ss o f h e r h ea r t t o l o o k a f t e r a k id w h o ' s b e i n g a d e q u a t e ly

su p erv ised a l read y , M iss D em p st er?" H is v o ice w a s v ery c lose a nd her b rea t h

w as com ing fa st . She cou ld fee l t he w a rm t h o f h i s bo dy , an d th e sw ee t scen t o f

t he ceda r f l ow ers w a s in he r nost r i ls. A k ind o f fa in tn ess seem ed to ove rp ow er

he r , he r ve ry l egs g rew w eak , an d she sensed i t r a t he r t ha n sa w w hen h is a rm s

r e a ch e d d o u t f o r h e r a n d sh e w a s d r a w n f i r m ly a n d d e f t ly c lo se .

C raz i ly , she w as p a st t he st a ge o f p ro t est ing by n ow , he r m ind b a re ly t ook

in w ha t h e sa id even t hou gh she w as a w a re he w a s sug gest ing th ings o f he r

tha t we re jus t no t t r ue . He r l i ps pa r ted as i f she wou ld speak , bu t the re were

n o t h o u g h t s in h e r h ea d t h a t w e r e cle a r o r co h e r e n t e n o u g h t o u t t e r . A n d t h e

nex t inst a n t she w a s c rushed a ga inst h im , a nd h is m ou t h w a s on h ers.

It h a p p e n e d c o m p le te ly w it h o u t h e r co n se n t , a n d y e t e v e r y sh r e d o f se lf -

con t ro l l e f t he r , and he r who le body was f i l l ed w i th a s i ck l ong ing , a feve r -



and she c lung aga ins t the p leasu re -g iv ing o f h i s mou th and fe l t he rse l f

s u b m e r g e d b y w a v e a f t e r w a v e o f a c u te p h y s i c a l s e n s a t i o n t h a t w a s h a l f

p a in , ha l f un u t te ra b le de l igh t … W hen h is l ip s l e f t he rs she hea rd he rse l f m oa n

fa in t ing ly , "Oh , k iss m e - k iss m e- " She hea rd i t a s i f it w ere the v o ice o f a

st ran ge r an d she w a s a p p a l led .

H e d idn 't com p ly . The g r ip o f h i s ha nd s on h e r a rm s w as sud d en ly hu r t fu l,

an d she op ened h e r eyes to f i nd t he w or ld ree l ing a nd h i s d im ly d i sce rn ib le

face look ing d ow n a t he r u n rea da b ly , h i s l ip s cu rved , h is eyes b lack sha do w s.

H e r r ea so n r e tu r n e d t o h e r a b r u p t l y a n d sh e d r e w a sh a r p b r ea t h o f d ism a y .

H is ha nd s fe l l f r om he r a rm s, bu t o t he rw ise he sta yed qu i te st i ll , sta r ing do w n

a t h e r . Sh e r a i se d a sh a k i n g h a n d t o b r u sh b a ck t h e d a r k h a i r t h a t h a d f a l le n

a c r o s s h e r c h e e k , a n d h e r h e a r t s a n k a b y s m a l l y . W h a t o n e a r t h h a d t a k e n

possession of her?

H e sa id j a r r i ng ly , "N o m ore k issing . I th ink w e 've t ak en i t fa r enou gh . It ' s

b een - rev ea l ing , ha sn ' t i t ?"

Ye s, it h a d b e en r e v e a l i n g . Bu t w h a t it h a d r e v e a l ed t o Ve n n W il d a sh w a s

n o t w h a t i t h a d r e v e a l e d t o h e r . T h a t y o u c o u l d f i n d a m a n u t t e r l y h a t e f u l

a n d y e t st i l l b e d r a w n sla v i sh l y b y t h e m a g n e t i sm o f h i s b o d y - co u ld d r o w n i n

the da rk de l i gh t o f h i s embrace ; tha t no k i ss cou ld be long enough , deep

enough ; tha t even such a k i ss as tha t was no th ing , tha t you wou ld d ie fo r

m o r e. A n d y e t - a n d y e t y o u w o u l d a l so d i e ra t h e r t h a n le t h i m k n o w it .

A n d t h a t y o u h a t e d y o u r se lf f o r b e i n g so e a sily p la y e d u p o n .



Sh e w a n t e d t o a sk a c cu si n g ly , "W h y d id y o u t o u c h m e ?" Bu t sh e k n e w w h y

h e h a d t o u ch e d h e r . H e h a d t o l d h e r w h y .

She tu rned f rom h im qu ick l y , t ea rs o f b i t t e rness in he r eyes, r a n t o t he ga t e

a n d d o w n t h e d a r k si d e p a th b y t h e h o u se , a n d f i n a l ly r ea ch e d t h e h a v e n o f

h e r ro o m . W it h t h e d o o r sh u t b e h i n d h e r , sh e sto o d i n t h e d a r k i n a k in d o f

desp a i r . A w om an 's f l esh i s w eak , an d a m a n l ik e Venn W i ld ash , st rong ,

p a ssiona t e , w ou ld b e ha rd to resi st . Ce reb ra ll y , he r op in ion o f h im w en t d ow n

a n d d o w n , e v e n w h i le so m e th i n g p r i m e v a l a n d in a d m issi b l e in h e r e xu lt e d i n

t he sa va ge m a leness o f h im … Bu t h e had b een the one to ca l l a h a lt , w h i le

she- H er cheek s b u rned a s she reca l led ho w she ha d b egged h im t o k iss her

ag a in , w it h t he hu nger fo r fa r m ore th an k i sses in he r vo ice .

" I c a n n e v e r l o o k h i m i n t h e f a c e a g a i n - n e v e r , " s h e t h o u g h t l a t e r , w h e n

she lay sleep less in he r bed , to rm en t ed b y he r thou gh t s a nd by h e r em p ty

a c h i n g b o d y . W h y h a d s h e l e t i t h a p p e n ? W i th e v e r y f i b r e o f h e r b e i n g s h e

w i sh e d t h a t sh e h a d n o t , a n d sh e w ish e d t o o t h a t A g n e s W i ld a sh c o u l d h a v e

h a d h e r d e sir e, a n d t h a t P a d d y D e m p st e r co u l d h a v e b e e n o u t o f B i b b e n lu k e

fo r ev e r b y t h e en d o f t h e w e ek .

CHAPTER FIVE



C H R IST M AS D AY w a s t o b e s p e n t a t B i b b e n l u k e h o m e s te a d . An d i n t h e

m e a n t i m e , Pa d d y d id n 't c a t ch so m u ch a s a g l im p se o f Ve n n W il d a sh . N o

d o u b t h e sa w t o t h a t .

Be th h a d d e cid e d f i n a l ly t o m a k e a cl a y m o d e l o f h e r p r o je ct e d scu lp tu r e ,

a n d it su i t e d h e r a d m i ra b ly f o r Pa d d y t o m o r e o r le ss t a k e ch a r g e , o f b o t h t h e

ch i ld r e n a n d t h e h o u se . It su it e d Pa d d y t o o . It k e p t h e r h a n d s a n d h e r m in d

o ccu p ie d , a n d i t k e p t h e r w e ll o u t o f Ke it h 's w a y a n d m a d e h e r f ee l sh e w a s o f

so m e u se . Sh e p l a n n e d t h e m e a l s, g o t t o k n o w Ve r a , a n d m a n a g e d t h e

ch i ld ren . A t t he sa m e t im e, she bu sied herse l f m a k ing sm a l l g i f t s fo r Chr ist m a s

- e m b r o i d e r e d h a n d k e r ch i ef s f o r Be t h a n d A g n e s a n d t h e D u n ca n g i r ls, u si n g

f i n e l a w n f r o m th e s ta t i o n s to r e , a n d h a n d p u p p e t s f o r t h e c h i l d r e n , w h i c h

needed on ly sc raps . Fo r the men , fa i l i ng to th ink up any th ing be t te r , she

c o o k e d u p a p a t c h o f f u d g e s h e h a d l e a r n e d t o m a k e i n En g l a n d a s a c h i l d ,

an d d id i t up in p re t t y w ra p p ings. She a l so w ro te Chr i stm as let t e r s to h e r

f r iend s in Syd ney , an d a l l in a l l t he d a ys p a ssed very q u ick ly .

Be t h ' s scu lp t u re b y t h i s t im e w a s to be a sem i -a bst ra ct m o t he r an d ch i ld ,

w h i ch w a s so m e th i n g o f a n i n n o v a t io n f o r h e r .

"M a x w o n 't l ik e it m u ch ," sh e t o l d Pa d d y , w h o h a d b r o u g h t a p o t o f f r e sh l y

m a d e t e a o n t o t h e v i n e - s c r e e n e d v e r a n d a h w h e r e s h e w a s w o r k i n g

m et i cu lously on he r c lay m od e l . "H e 'l l t r y ha rd , bu t he p re fers th ings t o l ook

m ore o r l ess exac t l y as th ey a re ." She w ip ed h e r ha nd s on a da m p c lo t h , th enn



p e r ch e d o n t h e v e r a n d a h r a i l t o d r in k t h e t e a P a d d y h a d h a n d e d h e r . "V e n n

on the o the r hand has a su rp r i s ing ly soph is t i ca ted app rec ia t i on o f a r t . And I

m ean rea l a r t , no t m y e f fo r t s. In fac t , he has seve ra l book s on t he sub ject th a t

h e 's le t m e b o r r o w . It ' s a p it y y o u h a v e n 't b e en a b le t o g e t t o k n o w h i m

b e t t e r , y o u m ig h t f i n d y o u h a v e q u it e a l o t in co m m o n . Bu t a l l h i s f r ee t i m e 's

t a k en u p w i th t hose g i r ls t hese da ys."

" A n d t h a n k g o o d n e s s f o r t h a t , " t h o u g h t P a d d y . S h e d i d n ' t w a n t t o t a l k

ab ou t V enn W i lda sh . She ha d b een schoo l ing he rse l f no t even t o th ink o f h im ,

an d she cha nged th e sub ject a d ro i t l y .

"H o w d i d y o u le a r n t o scu lp t , Be th - a n d t o m o d e l in cl a y ?"

Be t h ga ve a l it t l e sm i le . "Ar t w a s a lw a ys m y p e t sub ject a t schoo l . Fa t he r

w a s a st o c k a n d st a t io n a g e n t a n d w e li v e d i n O r a n g e w h e r e t h e re 's a lw a y s

p l en t y g o in g o n , b u t a f t e r I w a s m a r r ie d a n d ca m e t o t h e o u t b a ck , I w a s

r a th e r f r u s t r a te d . N o n e o f t h e c h i l d r e n I ' d p l a n n e d o n h a v i n g s e e m e d t o b e

tu r n in g u p , a n d so I st a r t e d p la y i n g a r o u n d a b it w it h t h r e e- d i m e n sio n a l a r t -

w h i ch I 'd a lw a y s l ik e d b e st . Th e n o n e su m m e r, M a x n o b l y p e r su a d e d m e t h a t

h e co u l d l iv e w it h o u t m e f o r a w h i le a n d I w e n t o f f t o Sy d n e y a n d e n r o l le d i n

a cla ss a t a su b u r b a n a r t c en t r e. I m isse d M a x a n d t h e o u t b a c k b a d ly , b u t I

st u ck a t it f o r t h r e e m o n t h s a n d t h e n I st o c k e d u p w it h a f e w b o o k s a n d so m e

m a te r i a l s a n d c a m e h o m e to m y l o v i n g h u s b a n d . " Sh e p a u s e d t o l i g h t a

ciga re t t e an d look ed a cross a t Pa d dy h a l f hu m orou sly as she d rew on i t .

"Re w a r d f o r o u r t h r e e m o n t h s' se p a r a t io n - i n t e n m o n th s I h a d a b r a n d n e w



b a b y , Si m o n . Bu t I w a s h o o k e d b y t h e n , a n d I d id n 't g i v e i t u p . It se em e d t o

a d d a n e xt r a m e a n i n g t o l if e . A n d I'm v e r y lu c k y i n h a v in g a n u n d e r st a n d in g

hu sb an d an d a st u rd y , sensib le , l ova b le ch i l d . Yes, I'm a n ind u lged w om a n .

The o nly cross I ha v e t o b ea r is Kei t h."

"Keit h ?" r ep e a te d Pa d d y , su r p r ise d . It w a s n o t o f t e n B e th h a d so m u c h t o

say . She ha d hea rd A gnes's a ng le on K e it h , she ha d ha d he r ow n expe r ience o f

h i m , a n d sh e w o n d e r ed w h a t B e t h h a d t o sa y .

"Yes. Ke i th ' s a lwa ys been a b i t o f a dev i l, even a t schoo l ," Be th a d m i t ted

rue fu l ly . "H e 's a lo t you nger t ha n t he rest o f us, an d a w ho le lo t w i lde r . W e

h a v e n 't a l w a y s b e e n a b le t o k e ep t r a ck o f h i m . H e 's so w n p le n t y o f w i ld o a t s,

bu t t h i s t im e he 's rea l l y dec ided to se t t l e d ow n a nd m end h is w ay s. Tha t ' s w hy

h e 's h e r e. O n e q u ie t u n b le m ish e d y e a r o n B i b b e n l u k e a n d h e 'l l b e r i g h t f o r

e terna l respec tab i l i ty and an overseer 's job . Un less he dec ides to go in to the

fa m i ly b u siness w i th h is b ro t hers. H e le f t h is last job u nd er a b i t o f a c lou d , I

suspec t , bu t he hasn ' t o f fe red any in fo abou t i t , and so I haven ' t asked .

Kn o w i n g Ke it h , I g u e ss it w o u l d b e so m e th i n g t o d o w it h a w o m a n , t h a t ' s a l l.

H a r d l y a c r im e - t h e re 's n o r e a l h a r m i n h im . A n d in m y v i e w , it t a k e s t w o t o

g e t i n t o t h a t k in d o f m i sch i ef… A h w e ll, t h a n k s f o r t h e t e a , p e t . N o w I m u st

g e t b a c k t o w o r k ."

P a d d y w o n d e r ed a lit t le if t h e r e h a d b e e n a n y p a r t i cu l a r p u r p o se in t h a t

l it t l e sk e tch o f Ke i th ' s l if e an d cha rac te r . W a s i t a w a rn ing no t t o fa l l fo r h im ?

O r a n a ssu r a n c e t h a t if sh e d i d , h e w a s r e a d y t o m a k e g o o d ? - w h i ch P a d d y



cou ldn ' t q u i te b r ing he rse lf t o b e li eve . A gn es sa id he w a s ba d , a nd she w a s no t

su re t ha t she b e li eved t ha t , e ith e r . In any case , she k new t ha t she w ou ld n ' t b e

indu lg ing h i s p a r t i a l it y fo r an a f fa i r o f a ny so r t .

Ch r i stm a s Da y w a s exha u st ing ly ho t . I t b egan ea r l y fo r t he ch i l d ren , a s it

d o e s f o r m o st ch i ld r e n a t C h r istm a s, a n d b o th Si m o n a n d M a r g a r e t w e r e u p so

e a r ly t h a t l o n g b e fo r e m id d a y t h e y w e r e e xh a u ste d a n d h a d f a l le n a sle e p o n

th e i r b e d s. M a r g a r e t w a s a l it t l e b it t e a r f u l a b o u t n o t se e in g h e r m o th e r a n d

fa t h e r , b u t a s a n u m b e r o f l o v i n g g i f t s h a d c o m e a l o n g w it h h e r , it w a s n o t so

b a d . H e r b ig d i sa p p o i n tm e n t w a s t h a t h e r b a b y si st e r o r b r o th e r h a d n o t y e t

a r r i ved , fo r she ha d q u it e se t h e r hea r t o n t h i s as a k ind o f sup e r Chr ist m a s

present.

L a t e in t h e a f t e r n o o n t h e L e w ise s, t h e c h il d r e n , Pa d d y a n d Ke it h w e n t o v e r

t o t h e h o m e s te a d . T h o u g h Pa d d y f e l t a l m o s t d e s p e r a te l y n e r v o u s a b o u t

see ing V enn a ga in , t he f i rst l it t le w h i le pa ssed ea si ly eno u gh a s greet ings w ere

e x c h a n g e d , a n d i t w a s n o t l o n g b e fo r e S i m o n a n d M a r g a r e t d r a g g e d h e r o f f

to see the Chr i s tmas t ree in the ga rden , ga r landed w i th co lou red l i gh ts tha t

w o u l d sh i n e a t n i g h t .

"W e 're ha v ing t w o Chr ist m a ses," sa id M a rga re t ha p p i ly , an d Sim on , w i th

t he expe r ience o f fo u r a nd a ha l f yea rs, sa id st u rd i ly , "W e a lw a ys do ,

M arga re t . And Unc le Venn a lw ay s p u ts to ys un de r h i s t r ee fo r us to o ."

L a te r Pa d d y j o i n e d t h e o th e r s n e a r a t a b l e t h a t h a d b e e n s e t u p i n t h e

g a r d e n a n d w a s l a d e n w i t h c o l d d r i n k s a n d a v a r i e t y o f s a v o u r i e s a n d n u t s



and sweets and f ru i ts to su i t everyone 's tas te . The ch i ld ren he lped Venn

d i st r i b u te t h e g if t s t h a t h a d b e e n p l a ce d u n d e r t h e Ch r ist m a s t r e e , a n d Pa d d y

fou nd he rse l f the recip ien t o f a n um b er o f sm a l l p resen ts, no t h ing a t a l l

em b a r rassing ly lav i sh , a nd she tha nk ed ea ch d onor i n t u rn .

A n d t h e n sh e r e ce iv e d Ve n n ' s g i f t . It w a s a t i n y b u t a l lu r in g v a n i t y m i rr o r

w it h a silv e r a n d e n a m e l b a ck . Sh e k n e w v e ry w e ll t h a t it w a s p r o b a b ly o n e

o f a nu m b er o f sm a l l th ings he k ep t ha nd y fo r j u st such a n occa sion a s t h i s,

and ye t she cou ld no t he lp be ing r i d i cu lous ly p leased . She he ld i t up and he r

g rey eyes looked back a t he r sh in ing ly , and sudden ly she wondered a l i t t l e

w ry ly i f Ven n ha d chosen i t a s a rem ind er t o her to b e less ca re less a b ou t her

a p p e a r a n c e . I t w a s n o t a v e r y w o r t h y t h o u g h t a n d s h e p u t i t f r o m h e r

qu ick l y .

Ve n n c a m e a c r o ss t h e g r a ss t o t h a n k h e r f o r t h e f u d g e t h e n - w h i ch h e d id

w i t h o u t e v e n a t o k e n k i s s , t o h e r r e l i e f . H e s a i d g o o d - h u m o u r e d l y , "D i d y o u

k n o w I h a d a sw e et t o o th , Pa d d y , o r d i d y o u t h i n k I n e e d e d sw e e te n in g u p ?"

T h e i r e y e s m e t a n d t h e n b o th o f t h e m l a u g h e d , a n d Pa d d y ' s h e a r t f e l t

cu r iou sly w ar m ed . Q u ick t ea rs ca m e in to h e r eyes, so t ha t she ha d t o tu rn he r

head a w ay - a nd rece ive Ke ith 's th an k -y ou k i ss fo r h i s g i f t .

She st i ll ha d a l it t l e p i le o f m a i l to d ea l w i th , and she de t e rm ined ly

r e tu r n e d t o t h a t - l e t t e r s a n d c a r d s t h a t h a d b e e n s e n t o n b y Ph i l ' s m o th e r

a n d d e l i v e r e d t o B i b b e n l u k e b y t h e m a i l t r u c k t h e d a y b e fo r e . T h e r e w a s

n o t h i n g a t a l l fr o m P h i l o r D i a n a , b u t a le t t e r f ro m M r s. K e n n e d y t o l d h e r t h a t



n o w e d d i ng w a s b e in g p l a n n e d f o r t h e im m e d ia t e f u t u r e . P a d d y f o u n d t h a t

n o n e o f i t a f f e c te d h e r v e r y m u c h . N o t s o l o n g a g o i t w o u l d h a v e b e e n

a g o n i z i n g n o t t o h e a r f r o m P h i l a t C h r i s t m a s , a n d t o k n o w t h a t a w e d d i n g

d a t e h a d n o t y e t b e e n s e t m i g h t e v e n h a v e m a d e h e r h o p e t h a t P h i l w o u l d

ye t re t u rn to he r…

Sh e w a s t h in k i n g a b o u t a l l t h i s w h e n sh e d i sco v e r e d t h a t Ve n n h a d co m e

b a ck a n d h a d t a k e n a ch a i r n e a r h e r s.

"Sa t i sf i ed w i th you r Syd ney m a i l?" he a sk ed , w a t ch ing he r i n t en t l y . "W as i t

w o r t h w a i t i n g f o r ? Yo u c o u l d h a v e h a d i t y e s te r d a y , i n f a c t , b u t m y a u n t i s

se n t i m e n ta l a n d t h o u g h t it sh o u l d a l l b e k e p t f o r Ch r ist m a s D a y ."

" I 'm we l l sa t i s f i ed , thank you , " sa id Paddy , l ook ing a t the deco ra ted t r ee

ra t he r tha n a t h im . H e w as just t oo close fo r com fo r t . " I hea rd f r om eve ryone I

h o p e d t o h e a r f r o m ."

"W e ll , th a t 's f i ne ." H e ad d ed d ry l y , "Be t t e r h ide t ha t l i t t l e p i le f r om Be th ,

how ever . You ' ve pa in t ed such a ha r row ing p i ctu re o f you rse l f as t he p oo r l it t l e

w a i f w h o h a s n o o n e - " H e b r o k e o f f s u d d e n l y , a n d P a d d y , w h o h a d u p t i l l

t h e n m a n a g e d t o a v o i d m e e t i n g h i s g a z e , l o o k e d u p u n w a r i l y a n d f o u n d

h e r se lf t h e r e cip ie n t o f a st a r e so b lu e a n d co n ce n t r a t e d t h a t i m m e d i a t e ly t h e

b r igh t co lou r f lew in to he r cheek s. H e seem ed m ock ing ly am used , w h ich

m a d e her fu r iou s a nd he lp less a s w e l l .

" I w a s a b o u t t o a p o l o g iz e," Ve n n sa id . " I'm so r r y I st a r t e d o n t h a t t a ck - w e

shou ld ca l l a t r u ce tod ay ."



Pa d dy cou ldn ' t a nsw er . She w ished she cou ld h av e sm i led a nd sa id

som eth ing ca sua l , bu t she fe l t t oo sha k en . She w a s rem em b er ing v i v id l y , to o ,

t ha t n igh t w hen he he ld he r i n h i s a rm s a nd k i ssed h e r , a nd she ha d

responded so abandoned ly . As i f he read he r d i s tu rbed though ts , he sa id

b r i sk ly , "Ca l m d o w n , Pa d d y . W e 'r e a l l h u m a n ."

A n d t h e n , a s if i t w e r e u se le ss t r y i n g t o t r e a t h e r n o r m a l ly , h e m o v e d a w a y

in A nnet t e 's d i rect ion .

She w a s excla im ing ove r som e g if t she ha d just r em oved f rom i t s w rap p ing

p a p er - a p au a she l l t ik i on a long si lve r cha in , w h ich she p roceeded to fa sten

a r o u n d h e r n e c k . H e r c h e e k s w e r e p i n k , h e r e y e s b r i g h t , a n d Pa d d y

w o n d e r e d i f i t w a s a g if t f r o m Ve n n u n t i l h e re m a r k e d , h i s b r o w s r a i se d

f rac t iona l ly , "Tha t l ook s as i f it cam e f rom N ew Zea land , A nne t te ."

" I t d i d . " Sh e l o o k e d a t Ve n n , t h e n d o w n a t t h e t i k i , w h i c h s h e t o u c h e d

l in g e r in g l y w it h o n e f i n g e r . Pa d d y f e l t so m e h o w sh o ck e d w h e n A g n e s W il d a sh

s a i d c h i l l i n g l y , "A r u b b i s h y o r n a m e n t l i k e t h a t d o e s n ' t d o a n y th i n g f o r y o u r

p re t t y d ress, A nnet t e ."

Anne t te sa id no th ing . She looked a l i t t l e c res t fa l l en and Venn looked

su d d e n ly t h o u g h t f u l .

I n o n e w a y o r a n o th e r , Pa d d y f o u n d t h e d a y a d i f f i c u l t o n e . Sh e s o

de f in i te l y d idn ' t b e long , she w as so ob v iou sly th e ran k ou tside r . John ny H ea t h

ha d gone ho m e fo r Ch r i stm a s an d fo r h i s an nu a l v aca t ion , so she d idn ' t even

h a v e t h e co m fo r t o f h i s p r ese n ce . T h e r e m e d y w a s t o sp e n d a l l h e r t i m e w it h



the ch i ld ren , and th is she d id , so fa r as she was a l lowed, fo r Beth or Max or

Ke i th cam e const an t l y to ha u l he r aw a y t o j o in i n som e d iscussion . A gnes o r

V enn, nev er…

Af te r a l o n g a n d l a t e a n d l u s c i o u s d i n n e r , t h e y a l l r e t u r n e d t o t h e g a r d e n

to re lax nea r the l i gh ted t r ee , wh ich was a sou rce o f neve r - fa i l i ng fasc ina t ion

fo r t h e c h i l d r e n . T h e y s m o k e d , d r a n k m o r e c h a m p a g n e , a n d l i s t e n e d t o t h e

r e co r d s, m o st l y p o p so n g s, t h a t Je a n n e a n d A n n e t t e p u t o n t h e p o r t a b le

p la y e r . F o r h e r p a r t , Pa d d y f o u n d m o r e e n jo y m e n t i n t h e sce n t o f t h e f lo w e r s

a n d t h e sli g h t b r e ez e t h a t h a d sp r u n g u p t o c o o l t h e n i g h t a ir - a n d t h e r el ie f

o f d a r k n e ss - a n d p r e se n t l y sh e m o v e d a w a y f r o m th e m u sic t o l ist e n t o M a x ,

w ho w a s inst ruc t ing t he ch i l d ren ab ou t t he sta rs. O u t o f t he co rne r o f he r eye ,

sh e sa w o n e o f t h e D u n ca n g i r ls w a lk a w a y a n d t h e o t h e r - A n n e t t e , o f co u r se ,

she t hou gh t - g o t o si t on th e a rm o f V enn ' s cha i r . She saw h im ra i se h i s ha nd

t o st rok e th e b londe h a ir , a nd fe l t a shock ing p an g o f j ea lousy . Jea lou sy? W as

t h a t w h a t it w a s? It w a s a n u n p a la t a b le t h o u g h t a n d sh e sh ie d a w a y f r o m it

in d i sb e l ie f , a n d le a v in g M a x a n d t h e ch i ld r e n , sh e b e g a n t o w a l k a b o u t t h e

d a r k g a r d e n o n h e r o w n , s o a s n o t t o b e a w a r e o f t h o s e tw o a n d t h e i r f o n d

an d in t im a te g estu res. I t w a s th e f i rst t im e she ha d seen a d i sp lay o f

t ende rness f r om Venn to e i the r o f t he D un can g i r l s, an d r i gh t l y o r w rong ly , she

fou nd i t unse t t l ing .

Sh e w a lk e d slo w ly t h r o u g h t h e g a r d e n , p a u si n g n e a r t h e sm a l l p o o l t o

a d m ir e Be th ' s b o b ta i l li za r d , t h e n w a n d e ri n g t h r o u g h t h e t r e e s a n d sh r u b s



t h a t l a y b e t w e e n g a r d e n a n d o r c h a r d . S h e w a s b r o u g h t u p a b r u p t l y b y t h e

sigh t o f t w o p eop le, ha l f ly ing , ha l f si t t i ng on t he g ra ss, a nd lock ed t oge t he r i n

a p assiona te em b ra ce . Ke i th a nd i t m u st be t he qu iet Jean ne , since A nne t t e

w a s b a c k t h e r e w it h V e n n . Pa d d y f e l t a l i t t l e sick e n e d . W e ll, ch a m p a g n e a n d

k isses go t og eth er , she d ec id ed, tu rn ing q u ick ly aw a y . Bu t she w a s su rp r ised

t ha t Jean ne shou ld ha ve fa l len fo r Ke i th 's sp u r iou s cha rm , a nd she w ond ered

w h a t Be th w o u l d h a v e t h o u g h t t o s e e h e r b r o th e r s o o b v i o u s l y i n p u r s u i t o f

t he b oss's "q u a rry ' . St i l l, in a l l fa i rness, i t w a s no t A nn et t e.

Bu t in t ha t she w a s m ist a k en, fo r a s she w a s re t r a c ing her st ep s si len t ly , she

h e a r d Ve n n ' s lo w a n g r y v o i ce co m e f r o m so m e w h e r e in t h e t r ee . "An n e t t e , fo r

God 's sa k e - w on ' t yo u eve r l ea rn?"

A n n e t t e , t h o u g h t P a d d y , h u r r y i n g o n q u ie t l y . T h e n h a d it b e e n Je a n n e

p e r ch e d o n t h e a r m o f Ve n n ' s ch a i r a f e w m in u t e s a g o ?

Su d d e n l y sh e w a n te d t o g o h o m e - f o r t h e d a y t o b e o v e r.

She fou nd th e ch i ld ren . Sim on w as p rac t i ca l ly a sleep on h i s fee t , and

M a r g a r e t t o o w a s r e a d y f o r b e d . It w a s a r e l ie f t o sit w it h o n e o f t h e m o n e a c h

side o f her , w h i le she t o ld t hem a st o ry …

An d t h e n b l e s s e d l y i t w a s t i m e t o g o . Pa d d y s a i d h e r f a r e w e l l s a n d

exp ressed h e r tha nk s, a nd she d idn ' t ca re m uch t ha t A gnes W i lda sh w as

d e c i d e d l y c o o l a n d o f f h a n d t o h e r , o r t h a t V e n n g a v e h e r n o m o r e t h a n a

b r ie f im p erson a l sm i le .



H a l f - w a y b a ck t o t h e b u n g a lo w , sh e d i sco v e r e d t h a t sh e h a d le f t h e r lit t le

p i le o f le t t e rs b eh ind .

"Ta k e Pa d d y b a c k f o r t h e m ," Be th sa i d a t o n ce t o Ke i t h , a s if e a g e r f o r t h e

t w o y o u n g p e o p le t o b e o f f o n t h e ir o w n . P a d d y w o u l d h a v e p r o t e st e d t h a t i t

co u l d w a it t i l l n e xt d a y e x ce p t t h a t sh e d i d n 't r e lish t h e t h o u g h t o f g o i n g o v e r

t o t he hom estea d on he r ow n . So she resigned he rse lf , an d se t o f f w i th K e ith -

w h o , i n t h e s ta r - d a p p l e d s h a d e o f a t r e e , m a n a g e d n o t u n e x p e c te d l y t o g e t

h i s a rm s t i gh t l y a b ou t h e r .

" I'm no t i n te rest ed in k i ssing you , Ke i th , " Pa d d y t o ld h im w ear i l y , tu rn ing

he r face aside a nd f rust ra t ed t ha t m a le st reng t h w as so inescap a b le .

"Oh , do n ' t b e so h a rd to ge t on w it h ," he sa id . " It ' s Ch r i st m as - an d a l l

y o u 'v e g i v e n m e so f a r i s a p e ck o n t h e ch e e k . Yo u m u st t h i n k I'm i n h u m a n if

t ha t 's su p p osed t o b e enou gh. Ju st one k iss, Pa d d y lov e ."

She p resen ted he r cheek , and w ished he wou ld no t g r ip he r shou lde rs so

h a r d .

"You r l ip s, ho ney ," he p ersist ed , f igh t ing fo r t hem , a nd exac t ly th en, ju st a s i t

h a d h a p p e n e d a t t h e o r a n g e o r c h a r d , V e n n p u t i n a n a p p e a r a n c e . A n d h e

was , unaccoun tab ly , fu r ious ly ang ry . Su re ly , Paddy found he rse l f th ink ing as

he fo rc ib l y rem ov ed he r f r om Ke i th ' s em b race, su re l y a k i ss a t Ch r ist m as w a s

p erm issib le - a nd even t o b e exp ected ! She hea rd h e rse lf f l a re , "W hy can ' t yo u

m ind y ou r ow n b u siness, Ven n W i ld a sh?"



H e tu rned o n he r w i th fu r y . She cou ld see the g l i t t e r o f h i s an g ry eyes a nd

t he sa va ge se t o f h i s m ou th , a nd she h ad th e fee li ng , ju st a s clea r a nd st ro ng

a s a n y i n t u i t i v e f e e l i n g s h e h a d e v e r h a d a b o u t h i m , t h a t h e w o u l d l i k e t o

chok e th e l if e ou t o f he r . In fa ct , h i s f i nge rs m om en t a r i ly c losed a bo u t he r

slende r neck w h i le Ke it h sto od , han ds in p ock e ts, a loo f a nd fa in t ly sm i li ng .

"Yo u 'r e n o t f u l l t o n ig h t , Ke it h - b u t m a y b e y o u a r e , M iss D e m p ste r . Yo u ' r e a

m ena ce to h a ve a rou nd th e p lace ! I w ish t o God I'd neve r se t eyes on yo u ,

t h a t y o u 'd n e v e r f o u n d y o u r m i sch ie v o u s, t r o u b le so m e w a y h e r e!"

Pa d dy ha d b egu n t o sh ive r , as i f in fea r t ha t h e w ou ld crush , k i ll , chok e he r ,

y e t n o w sh e w a s u n ce rt a i n if h e h a d a ctu a l ly h a d h i s f in g e r s a r o u n d h e r t h r o a t

o r if she ha d sim p ly im ag ined i t .

"H e re," he sa id w i th fu r y , " ta k e you r d a m n le t t e r s!"

Pa d d y t o o k t h e l et t e rs h e t h r u st in t o h e r h a n d s. H e h a d e v i d e n t l y b e e n o n

h i s w a y t o t a k e t h e m to h e r so t h a t sh e w o u l d n 't h a v e a n y e x cu se f o r ca l lin g

a t t h e h o m e st e a d t o m o r ro w . B u t sh e w a sn 't g o i n g t o b e t r ea t e d t h is w a y - t o

l ist e n t o h i m m e ek ly , h e a d h a n g i n g , a n d sh e sa i d w it h a f ie r y h a u te u r , " I k n o w

you ' re boss o f B ibben luke s ta t i on , Mr . W i ldash , bu t does tha t g i ve you the

r igh t to be - " She s topped ab rup t l y . To be gene ra l censo r o f mora ls , she had

b e e n a b o u t t o sa y . B u t so m e h o w it w a s o n e t h i n g t o sp e a k h e r m in d t o V e n n

W ilda sh w hen t hey w ere a lone , a nd q u i te an o t he r to d o so in Ke i th ' s p resence .

It w a s a s if h e r q u a r r el w it h Ve n n w e re a n e n t i r ely p r i v a t e a n d p e r so n a l o n e …

A n d i n a n y ca se , sh o u ld n 't Ke it h b e t h e o n e t o t e l l Ve n n t o m in d h i s o w n



bu siness? Ye t i t seem ed t ha t K e i th a lw a ys t h rew in h i s ha nd im m ed ia t e ly

w h e n V e n n c a u g h t h i m o u t — i n a n y t h i n g a t a l l . W h i c h ' i m p l i e d - t h e

th o u g h t s f o l lo w e d e a c h o th e r l ig h t n i n g - q u i ck t h r o u g h P a d d y 's m i n d - w h i ch

im p l ied t ha t , since Ke ith w asn ' t u t t e r ly sp ine less, Ven n m u st h a ve m ad e

ce r ta in cond i t i ons when he took h im on a t B ibben luke . In wh ich case , e i the r

Ke it h w a s r e a d y t o t a k e a lo t .o r Ve n n k n e w r a t h e r m o r e a b o u t Ke i t h ' s la st j o b

- a n d t h e clo u d t h a t h u n g a b o u t h i s d ism issa l f r o m it - t h a n Be th d i d . W h i ch

d i d n ' t l o o k t o o w e ll f o r Ke it h .

A nd now Ke i t h sa id expression lessly , "Venn 's t he b oss a l l r igh t , Pa d d y . Good

n i g h t ," a n d si m p ly w a lk e d d o f f .

Pa d d y f a ce d V e n n i n t h e sta r l ig h t . N o w sh e w a s a lo n e w it h h i m . C h in u p ,

she a sk ed a ng r i ly , "W hy ?"

"W h y w h a t ?"

"W h y d o y o u g o a r o u n d b r e a k i n g u p - b r e a k i n g u p lo v e sce n e s?"

There w a s a b r ie f si lence an d in th e da rk she sa w h is eyeb row s l if t

sa rd on ica l ly . "Lov e scenes? D oes you r gen era t ion eq u a t e sex w i th love? O r a re

y o u t e l lin g m e t h a t y o u ' r e in l o v e w it h Ke i t h ?"

" I'm no t te l l ing yo u a sing le th ing ," sa id P a d dy . " I'm ask ing you a sim p le

qu est ion . Tha t ' s t w ice ton igh t you 've - yo u 've shov ed yo u r f r am e in on Ke i th - "

She b rok e o f f a nd he sto od conside r ing he r . "So yo u w ere som ew here

a r o u n d w h e n h e w a s f a scin a t in g A n n e t t e , w e re y o u ? D o y o u t h i n k it w o u l d



h a v e b e e n b e t t e r f o r m e t o l o o k i n t h e o th e r d i r e c t i o n w h e n An n e t t e i s m o r e

or less in m y ca re?"

Pa d d y s ta r e d a t h i m w i t h a f e e l i n g o f b a f f l e m e n t . Sh e s a i d u n c e r t a i n l y ,

"An n e t t e 's o ld e n o u g h t o - "

"Eig h t e e n a n d a h a lf , a n d d e cid e d l y i m m a t u r e m e n t a l ly a n d e m o t i o n a l ly if

no t p hysica l ly… A s fo r you , I've a l l th e p rob lem s I w a n t w it h Ke i th w i thou t

h a v i n g y o u h e r e t o co m p l ica t e m a t t e r s. I f y o u w ish e d h im w e ll, y o u ' d k e ep

a w a y f r o m h i m . H is sist e r w o u l d l ik e t o se e h i m m a k e g o o d . If i t w e re n 't f o r

her , I'd- "

"Boo t h im ou t , " sa id P a dd y sco rn fu l ly . An d ad ded , t o he r ow n su rp r ise , " Is i t

h i s fau l t he 's a t t r a ct ive t o w om en?"

"H e 's a w om a n ize r ," sa id Ven n f l a t ly .

Pa d d y , e v e n t h o u g h s h e h a d n o d e s i r e i n t h e w o r l d t o s t a n d u p f o r Ke i t h ,

sa id p e rve rse ly , "W ha t a bo u t you ? The o the r n igh t - "

"The o t her n igh t ?" he rep eat ed . " It w a s I w ho exercised som e se l f - cont ro l ,

y o u m ig h t r em e m b e r ," h e t o ld h e r d r y ly . "H a d it b e en l ef t t o y o u , w o u l d y o u

h a v e st o p p e d m e f r o m t a k in g a n y t h in g I w a n t e d f ro m y o u ?"

She fe l t he rse l f cr im son . "O f cou rse I wo u ld ha ve ! I'm no t i n th e ha b i t o f - o f -

"

"H ab i t sta r ts w i th o ne sl ip ," he sa id ca l l ously . "To t ak e an o t he r a ng le on i t -

co u l d y o u h a v e sto p p e d m e ?"



Of cou rse she cou ldn ' t have . She wou ld have had a be t te r chance o f

s topp ing Ke i th , because Ke i th . d idn ' t a f fec t he r phys ica l l y as Venn d id . Bu t

God fo rb id she shou ld te l l h im t ha t ! A s fa r as A nne t te w a s conce rned - w e l l,

h o w w a s sh e t o k n o w w h e th e r o r n o t A n n e t t e , w h o h a d sa i d sh e a d o r e d Ve n n ,

w a s p h y sica l ly a t t r a c te d t o Ke i t h ? A n d m a y b e A n n e t t e w a s ju st a s i n n o ce n t a s

Pa d dy w as he rse l f… She beg a n t o w ish she ha dn 't st a r ted to a rgu e w it h V enn .

"R igh t , " sa id Venn, as i f he were read ing her thoughts . "So in case you

h a v e n 't a l re a d y w o r k e d i t o u t f o r y o u r se lf , le t m e sp e ll it o u t f o r y o u t h a t o n

som e leve ls, civ i l i zed m a n isn ' t v ery fa r rem ov ed f rom h is p r im i t ive o r ig ins. I t ' s

a f a c t y o u ' d d o w e ll t o d ig e st a n d t h in k o n , a n d m a k e p a r t o f y o u r g e n er a l

de fence equ ipm en t , so y ou w on ' t g e t you rse lf i n to da ngerou s sit ua t ions. It ' s

s o m e t h i n g y o u m i g h t a l r e a d y h a v e d e d u c e d f r o m y o u r - I w o u l d h a z a r d -

fa i r l y ex tens ive expe r imen ta t ion w i th the o the r sex . Bu t some g i r l s a re lucky

e v e n i f t h e y d o n 't d e se r v e t o b e , a n d I d o n ' t b e l ie v e y o u 'v e y e t le a r n e d y o u r

le sso n i n t h e m o st u n e q u iv o c a l w a y o f a l l. An d I d o n ' t i n t e n d y o u sh o u ld le a r n

it t h a t w a y w h ile y o u 'r e h er e. O n m y p r o p e r t y ."

H e sto p p e d a t l a st , a n d sh e co u ld h e a r h e r o w n f a st b r ea t h i n g . W h a t a

le ct u r e ! - a n u n d e se r v e d o n e a t t h a t .

A n d w h a t a lo w o p in io n o f h e r h e h a d ! H e a v e n s, w h a t so r t o f a g i rl d i d h e

t h ink she w a s? H ad Pegg y , w hoeve r she m igh t ha ve been in h i s l if e , ta ug h t

h i m t o lo o k a t w o m e n t h i s w a y ? If so , t h e n a p p e a r a n ce s a r e d e ce p t iv e , f o r sh e

w a s su re it w a s Peg gy 's p hot og rap h in h is si t t ingroo m . Bu t o f cou rse



a p p e a r a n c e s a r e d e ce p t i v e - sh e t h o u g h t o f A n n e t t e , ly i n g a b o u t o n t h e g r a ss

so a b a n d o n e d ly w it h Ke i t h . It m a d e Pa d d y f e e l m o r e t h a n a l it t le sick , a n d if

sh e w e r e h o n e st t h a t sh e m u st a d m it sh e w a s g l a d V e n n h a d c o m e a l o n g a n d

b r o k e n t h a t u p . F o r h e r o w n p a r t , n o o n e b u t V e n n h a d e v e r b r o k e n t h r o u g h

her reserv es so d ev a st a t ing ly . She w a s no t p rom iscuo u s…

"N ow I'l l esco r t you hom e," he sa id cu r t l y . "And by hea ven , i f I eve r f i nd y ou

p l a y i n g t h e w a n t o n w i t h K e i t h a g a i n , I ' l l c h o k e t h e l i f e o u t o f y o u ! P u t t w o

p a ssions t og eth er an d t here 's a conf lag ra t ion ."

Pa d d y sw a l lo w e d d o w n h e r a n g e r a n d k e p t h e r lip s f i rm ly c lo se d . So h e

w ou ld chok e th e l if e ou t o f he r , w ou ld he? W ha t a cu r ious exp ression t o u se -

fo r he cou ld no t p ossib l y m ean i t . A nd w hy such vehem ence - su ch a nger - fo r

h e r ? H a d h e u t t e r e d t h e s a m e fe a r f u l t h r e a t t o An n e t t e e a r l i e r i n t h e n i g h t?

H ad t hose f i nge rs o f h i s closed w ar n ing ly a roun d A nne t te ' s th roa t to o?

Ke it h i s b a d , Ag n e s W il d a sh h a d sa i d , a n d sh e h a d u r g e d Pa d d y D e m p ste r

t o g o a w a y a n d f o r g e t h i m . B u t P a d d y r a t h e r t h o u g h t , a s s h e w a l k e d i n

si lence tow a rd s t he Lew ises' ho u se, t ha t i t w a s t he m a n b eside her , Venn

W ilda sh , f r om w hom she w a s in m ost d a nger…

B e t h w a s o n t h e v e r a n d a h t a l k in g t o K e it h w h e n P a d d y c a m e u p t h e st e p s.

"Fo r goodness ' sake , Ke i th , wha t ' s the idea go ing o f f w i th Anne t te the way

you d id to n igh t ? Can ' t yo u leav e Venn 's g i r l- f r i end a lone?"

"Good God , Bet sy , it w a s on ly fu n . Besides, she w a nt ed t o k iss m e- "



" I t h i n k i t w a s y o u w h o w a n te d t o k i s s h e r , " Be th r e to r t e d , a s Pa d d y

a p p r o a c h ed w it h a d e lib e r a t e l y lo u d t r e a d .

"W e ll, sh e d i d n 't o b je ct , " sa id Ke it h . H e l o o k e d a t Pa d d y . "W h a t d o y o u

th ink o f the law o f B ibben luke , Paddy? Th ree g i r l s fo r the boss , none fo r the

workers . "

"N o w , Ve n n 's n o t la y in g cla i m t o Pa d d y , Keit h , " Be th p r o te ste d .

"N o? H e 's la y ing c la im to eve ryone . H e exp ect s m e to b e com p lete l y

ce l iba te - he w a n t s t o o rd e r m y p e rsona l li f e as w e l l a s m y w ork ing l if e ." H is

eyes ha d a reck lessness ab ou t t hem t ha t P a dd y d idn ' t l ik e m uch , an d she

th o u g h t u n e a si ly , "Beth d o e sn 't r ea l ly k n o w m u ch a b o u t h e r b r o th e r ."

B u t in t h e d a y s t h a t f o l lo w e d , K e it h g o t o n w it h h is w o r k a n d P a d d y w a sn 't

b o t h e r ed b y h i m . Be th d e ci d e d t h a t h e w a s se t t l in g d o w n n i ce ly a f t e r a l l, a n d

r em a r k e d t o P a d d y t h a t sh e w o u l d b e r el ie v e d if h e d i d so . H e r t w o o t h e r

b r o th e r s , b o th o f t h e m y e a r s o l d e r t h a n Ke i t h , h a d t a k e n o v e r t h e i r f a t h e r ' s

s t o c k a n d s t a t i o n a g e n c y , a n d t h o u g h i t h a d b e e n t a k e n f o r g r a n t e d t h a t

K e it h w o u l d j o in t h e m , h e h a d b e e n d e t e r m in e d l y in d e p e n d e n t - t h e y o u n g e r

b r o t h e r w a n t i n g t o m a k e h i s o w n w a y a n d n o t b e p u sh e d a b o u t . T h a t f it t e d

in w it h Pa d d y ' s p i ct u r e o f Keit h , a n d y e t h e l et V e n n W i ld a sh p u sh h i m a b o u t .

W it h i n lim it s. A n d P a d d y w a s a w a r e o f so m e t h in g t h a t B e t h w a s a p p a r en t l y

n o t - t h e r e w a s a k i n d o f b r o o d in g m a le v o l en ce a b o u t Ke it h l a t e ly , a s t h o u g h

he w ere ha t ch ing som e p lan . O f revenge?



Bu t it w a s n o t b e ca u se o f Ve n n ' s t h r e a t t h a t P a d d y ste e r ed cle a r o f h i m .

She d id n 't w a n t t o g i ve Be t h th e im p ression tha t she w a s in the lea st l i k e ly to

fa l l in l ove w i th h im . H er f ir st im p ression o f h im ha d b een th e r igh t one . The re

w a s som et h ing con sc ience less, u np r inc ip led - even ca l lou s a b ou t h im . I t w a s

h a r d t o p u t o n e ' s f i n g e r o n i t , b u t f o r Pa d d y i t c a n c e l l e d o u t e v e r y s c r a p o f

cha rm he p ossessed . I t w a s a l l a gre a t p i ty , b ecau se h is sist er w a s so t ho rou gh ly

n ice . The d a ys p a ssed - ho t su m m er d ay s th a t sa w th e p la ins si zz li ng u nd e r t he

sun . The long g rasses ye l l owed and d r ied , the g rasshopper popu la t ion

dw ind led ; the ha rsh ly st r i den t cho ru s o f t he ci cad a s con t inu ed , an d t he b i rds

g a t h e r ed scr e ech i n g ly a r o u n d t h e w a t e r h o le s e v e r y su n d o w n . d o w n . N o n e w

p l a n h a d b e e n fo r t h co m in g t o r em o v e P a d d y f r o m t h e B ib b e n lu k e p r o p e r t y ,

t h o u g h w h e th e r A g n e s W il d a sh w a s t r y in g t o h a t c h so m e th i n g o u t sh e d i d n ' t

k no w a s she nev er sa w her . Bet h w a s no w so d eep ly engrossed in h er scu lp t u re

- sh e w a s st i ll w o r k i n g o n h e r b ig c la y m o d e l - t h a t sh e w a s o p e n ly g r a te fu l t o

have Paddy around to see to th ings . Th is , she sa id , was go ing to be the bes t

scu lp t u re she ha d ev er do ne.

Pa d dy b ega n t o fee l sa fe , r est ed , a lm ost t o conside r he rse l f one o f t he

fa m i ly . A n d t o p a r t - w a y f o r g e t t h e u n c o m fo r t a b le se n sa t io n s Ve n n a r o u se d i n

h e r . Ye t i t w a s co n si d e r a b ly h a r d e r t o f o r g e t V e n n t h a n i t h a d b e e n t o f o r g e t

Ph il . P r o xi m it y , Pa d d y d e c id e d . If so m e o n e is o n l y a f e w h u n d r e d y a r d s a w a y

- o n l y n e x t d o o r - y o u c a n ' t c o m p l e te l y b a n i s h t h e m f r o m y o u r t h o u g h t s .

There is a lw a ys t he p ossib i l i ty o f a m eet ing , and cer ta in ly she d id see Venn

n o w a n d a g a i n - w h e n h e c a m e t o t a k e t h e c h i l d r e n o u t r i d i n g , o r w h e n h e



ca ll ed i n a t t h e e n d o f t h e d a y t o co n fe r w it h M a x , a n d t h e n h is b lu e i n t e n se

g a z e w o u l d s e e k h e r o u t , w o u l d s e t t l e o n h e r i n a s p e c u l a t i v e w a y o f w h i c h

she b ecam e sup e rsensi t i ve l y a w are . H e w as th ink ing , she w as su r e , bu t w ha t ?

W h a t d i d h e t h in k o f h e r? - w h e n h e h a d l it t le t o sa y t o h e r b e y o n d h e l lo .

L i ke Ke i th , she was the re on su f fe rance . And the know ledge , when she

a l low ed it , m a de he r ed gy , host i l e, so t ha t in a cu r iou s w ay she fe lt she w ou ld

w e lco m e a n o p e n a r g u m e n t , a se t - t o , w it h V e n n W i ld a sh , t o cle a r t h e a i r. Sh e

h a d n e v e r f elt t h i s w a y a b o u t a n y o n e b e fo r e , a n d i t w a s u n n e r v i n g .

T h e n ca m e a d a y t h a t w a s u t t e r ly , ex h a u st i n g l y h o t . Be th c o v e r ed h e r cl a y

w i t h d a m p r a g s a n d l e f t i t a l o n e , a n d s h e a n d Pa d d y s p e n t m o s t o f t h e

day l i gh t hou rs seek ing ou t the shade and d r ink ing coun t less cups o f tea , o r

g lasses o f i ced lem ona de , w h i le t he ch i l d ren p layed in th e p last i c p a d d l ing

p o o l t h a t h a d b e e n Si m o n ' s C h r ist m n , p r ese n t , a n d o v e r w h i ch M a x h a d

r igged a can va s a w n inc .

Du r ing th e a f t e rnoon , A nne t te a r r i ved in A gnes W i ld a sh ' s sm a l l ca r . L i k e

Paddy and Be th , she wore sho r ts , bu t he r s leeve less top was t rendy and

fe m i n in e , a n d u n d e r h e , w h i t e co t t o n h a t , h er h a i r w a s t ie d i n a b u n ch a t

each s ide o f her face . Jus t l i ke the g i r l in the photo , Paddy re f lec ted

th o u g h t f u l ly . L i k e - P e g g y ?

"Au n t Ag n e s s a i d I c o u l d d r i v e d o w n t o t h e b i l l a b o n g i f s o m e o n e w o u l d

com e w i th m e ," she a nnou nced a s she cl im bed th e st eps to th e v ine -sh rou d ed

v e r a n d a h t o w h i ch P a d d y a n d Be th h a d n o t lo n g b e fo r e sh i f t e d . "Je a n n e sa y s



i t 's to o ho t , so w i ll you com e, Pa dd y? P lease do - m y m ou th just h a ngs op en

a t t h e t h o u g h t o f t h e b i l l a b o n g . I t w i l l b e g r e a t j u s t t o s i t w i t h o u r l e g s

d a n g l in g i n t h e w a t e r , n o t m o v i n g a n i n ch ."

Pa d d y d i d n ' t p a r t i cu la r l y w a n t t o g o . L ik e Je a n n e , sh e t h o u g h t it w a s t o o

h o t . A l l sh e co u l d t h in k o f w a s h o w m a r v e llo u s it w o u l d b e w h e n t h e co p p e ry

su n h a d d i sa p p e a r e d f r o m t h e sk y a n d d a r k n e ss h a d c o m e . It m ig h t n 't b e

w h a t y o u w o u l d c a l l co o l t h e n , b u t a t le a st t h e g l a r e , t h e f i e r ce n e ss w o u ld b e

gone.

"P lea se , Pa dd y ," sa id A nne t te w heed l ing ly . " I'm neve r even a l low ed t o

d r i ve a s a ru le, a nd i t ' s to o go od a cha nce to p a ss up ."

"G o if y o u w a n t , Pa d d y , " sa i d Be th , w h o se a r m s h u n g l i m p ly d o w n a s sh e

lay back on the cane lounger . "The ch i l d renn a re qu i te okay . And see you

ta k e ca r e , A n n e t t e ."

Pa d d y g o t u p a l it t l e r e lu cta n t l y . It d i d n ' t se e m fa i r t o sp o i l A n n e t t e 's f u n ,

b u t i t w a s a m a z in g t o t h in k sh e h a d t h e en e rg y t o b e u p a n d o n t h e g o o n a

d a y l i k e t h i s . Pa d d y w e n t t o h e r r o o m fo r s a n d a l s , h e r s t r a w h a t , a n d h e r

s w i m s u i t , a n d s h e b e g a n t o t h i n k i t w o u l d b e g o o d t o w a l l o w a b o u t i n t h e

co o l w a te r , o n ce o n e h a d m a d e t h e ef f o r t t o g e t t h e r e:

I t w a s h o t a s a n o v e n i n t h e c a r , e v e n w i t h a l l t h e w i n d o w s o p e n , a n d

A n n e t t e h a d so m e t r o u b le g et t in g i n t o g e a r a n d st a r t i n g u p .

" I h a v e n ' t g o t m y l i c e n c e y e t , a c tu a l l y , " s h e t o l d Pa d d y . "An d Ve n n w i l l

neve r l e t m e p r ac t i se . In fa ct , he just say s f l a t l y I'm no t to d r i ve - as i f you



c o u l d p o s s i b l y h a v e a n a c c i d e n t o u t h e r e ! Bu t I w h e e d l e d Au n t Ag n e s i n t o

le n d i n g m e h e r ca r t o d a y , a n d I p r o m i se d I w o u ld n 't g o a lo n e , a n d I a ssu r e d

her you cou ld d r i ve . Can y ou ?"

Pa d dy ra i sed he r eyeb row s. "N o , I'm a f ra id I ca n 't ." .They w ere by now

r a t t l i n g a l o n g t h e t r a c k , a n d t h o u g h t h e b u m p s w e r e m a k i n g A n n e t t e ' s

ste e r in g so m e w h a t e r r a t i c, Pa d d y a g r e e d t h a t su r e ly t h e y co u l d n 't g e t i n t o

m u ch t r o u b le - p a r t i cu la r l y a s t h e y w e r e g o i n g n o f u r t h e r t h a n t h e b i lla b o n g .

A n n e t t e w a s p r a t t l i n g o n a b o u t A u n t A g n e s, a n d h o w sh e st i ll f u sse d o v e r

he rse l f an d Jean ne a s th ou gh th ey w ere ch i l d ren .

" It ' s crazy a s bed bu gs, becau se w e 're g row n u p now . 1 m ean , you do n ' t f l a t

i n a c i t y l i ke Sydney and s tay babes in the wood . Bu t she ' s a da r l i ng a l l the

sa m e - a nd so u nd e rst a nd ing , m ost l y , an d i t 's j ust l ik e hom e com ing he re ."

Pa d d y l ist e n e d a n d f o u n d h e r se lf g o i n g o f f i n t o a k in d o f a d a ze b e ca u se it

w as so ho t . A ga in and a ga in he r eye w as caug h t b y t hose tw o sh in ing bu nches

o f h a i r u n d e r An n e t t e ' s h a t , a n d s h e l o n g e d t o a s k a b o u t t h e g i r l i n t h e

p h o t o g r a p h .

T h e s u n l i g h t w a s p a r t i c u l a r l y g l a r i n g a n d s h e h a d f o r g o t t e n t o b r i n g d a r k

gla sses, so she c losed her ey es fo r a w hi le. Perh a p s i t w a s fo r t ha t r ea son t ha t

s h e d i d n ' t r e a l i z e t h e y w e r e n o t h e a d i n g f o r t h e b i l l a b o n g a t a l l - n o t u n t i l

A n n e t t e b r a k e d a n d a sk e d h e r t o g e t o u t a n d o p e n a g a t e . B e f o re sh e h a d

t hou gh t , Pa d dy sl id f r o m th e ho t l ea t he r sea t i n to t he si zz li ng su n l igh t , opened



t h e g a te , w a i t e d t i l l An n e t t e h a d d r i v e n t h r o u g h , c l o s e d i t , a n d c l a m b e r e d

b a ck i n t o t h e ca r a g a in .

" I t h o u g h t w e w e r e g o i n g t o t h e b i lla b o n g t o sw i m . Is t h e r e a n o t h e r p l a ce ?"

A nne t te ga ve a l it t l e sm i le . "Oh , the re a re o t he r po o ls in t he r i ve r . Bu t I j ust

su d d e n l y t h o u g h t it w o u l d b e a b it o f a y e ll t o d r iv e o v e r t o t h e le o p a r d w o o d

p a dd ock an d su rp r i se V enn . H e 's t he re sh i f t i ng sheep o r som eth ing , and he ' ll

d o a d o u b l e t a k e w h e n h e f in d s I'v e d r i v e n a l l t h a t w a y . "

Pa d d y ' s n e r v e s i m m e d i a t e ly b e ca m e te n se - i t w a s a t h i n g t h a t se e m e d t o

h a p p e n a t t h e v e r y so u n d o f V e n n 's n a m e .

" If he sa ys you 're no t t o d r ive , he ' ll ha rd ly b e d e l igh t ed ," she sa id casu a l ly .

"H e 'll be fu r iou s," ag reed A nne t t e . "Bu t th en he in fu r ia t es m e , th e w ay he 's

so coo l . H e u sen 't t o b e l ik e t ha t - qu i te th e op p osi te . I th ink i t 's a l l becau se o f

t h a t a ccid e n t I h a d . I w a s t h r o w n f r o m m y h o r se a f e w w e ek s a g o a n d I h a d

concussion . Bu t i t w a sn ' t a l l t ha t se r iou s a nd I 'm ab so lu t e ly b e t t e r now , ye t t he

w ay h e t rea t s m e you 'd t h ink I w as m ad e o f g lass instea d o f f l esh a nd b lood .

It ' s j u st so a g g r a v a t i n g , I t h i n k if I m a k e h i m g o o d a n d a n g r y i t w i ll ju st u n lo ck

t he ga t es." She look ed sid ew ay s a t Pa d dy . " I sup p ose you t h ink w e 're a l l m a d

here? I suppose you ' l l go back to G idgeema l lawa - you teach schoo l the re ,

d o n 't y o u ? - a n d t e l l ev e r y o n e t h e B i b b e n l u k e lo t a r e cr a z y ."

"W hy shou ld I?" sa id P a dd y . An ne t t e w as su b t l y - o r no t so sub t l y - p o in t i ng

o u t t h e f a c t t h a t s h e w a s a n o u t s i d e r , b u t Pa d d y w a s p r e o c c u p i e d w i t h

a n o th e r t h o u g h t . Sh e h a d m a d e Ve n n g o o d a n d a n g r y . H e h a d c lo se d h i s



f i n g e r s r o u n d h e r t h r o a t - t h r e a t e n e d h e r . H a d n ' t h e g i v e n A n n e t t e t h a t

t r e a t m e n t o n C h r i s t m a s n i g h t w h e n h e h a d c a u g h t h e r w i t h K e i t h ? P a d d y

w o u l d h a v e t h o u g h t so .

" I sup p ose you 're a b i t i n l ove w i th K e it h ," sa id A nne t t e un exp ected ly .

"N o t in t he least ," Pa d dy assu red he r f i rm ly :

" I though t you were . Aun t ' s a lways say ing so . Anyhow, I 'm g lad i f you ' re

no t , becau se he ha s a b i t o f a c ru sh on m e . H e just can 't k eep h i s eyes o f f m e

som et im es - i t m ak es m e go a l l creepy . V enn nea r l y lost h i s t em p er w hen he

ca u gh t u s k issing t he o t her n igh t ."

N e a r ly . Ye t w it h Pa d d y - P a d d y c o u l d n 't f ig u r e it o u t . Sh e co u ld n 't d e ci d e

e ith e r i f A nne t te w a s just an ingenu ou s you ng g i r l o r i f she w a s sl ink y , k ink y ,

d e v io u s. It w a s h a r d t o i m a g in e h e r i n g e n u o u s if sh e p la y e d a b o u t w it h Ke i t h ,

y e t it w a s in g e n u o u s - o r w a s it m o r e si m p ly v a i n ? - t o t h in k t h a t Ke it h h a d a

c r u s h o n h e r . As f o r t h e s to r y Ke i t h h a d t o l d h e r a b o u t Ve n n a n d An n e t t e s o

lo n g a g o - t h a t w a s so m e th i n g Pa d d y d id h e r b e st t o e xclu d e f r o m h e r m i n d .

Sh e ju st h a d n o o p i n io n a b o u t it a t a l l .

T h e y d r o v e o n f o r so m e m i n u te s w it h o u t t a l k in g , u n t i l Pa d d y a sk e d , "W h e n

d o w e re a ch t h e le o p a r d w o o d p a d d o c k , A n n e t t e ?"

"W e 've reached it ," sa id A nne t te . "It ' s j ust a p re t t y b ig pa dd ock , th a t 's a l l.

I 'm su re Venn ' l l be ove r the o the r s ide o f those leopa rdwoods - w i th a b ig fa t

m ob o f sheep w or t h hu nd reds an d t hou sa nd s o f d o l l a r s."



B u t w h e n t h e y h a d d r i v en t h r o u g h t h e t r ee s - a n e x p e r ie n ce P a d d y d id n ' t

p a r t i cu la r ly e n j o y w it h A n i se t t e a t t h e w h e e l, a n d d r iv i n g t o o f a st - t h e r e w a s

n o b ig f a t m o b o f m e r in o s. T h e re w e r e sh e ep g r a z i n g t h e r e , it w a s t r u e , b u t

t h e y w e r e sca t t e r e d f a r a n d w id e , a n d t h e r e w a s n o si g n o f Ve n n o r o f a n y o n e

else.

"H ow stu p id ," sa id A nne t te , w iden ing h e r roun d go lden eyes. " I'm su re I

h e a r d h i m sa y h e w a s co m i n g h e re ." Sh e b r o u g h t t h e c a r t o a h a l t a n d le a n e d

b a ck a g a in st t h e se a t , p u sh i n g h e r h a t t o t h e b a c k o f h e r h e a d a n d t o u c h i n g

th o s e tw o b u n c h e s o f h a i r . As i f , t h o u g h t Pa d d y , t h e y h a d b e e n t h e r e

esp ec ia l ly fo r Venn 's b enef i t - a s p erha p s t hey w ere .

W i th t h i s th ou gh t i n m ind , she ask ed o n im p u lse , "W ho i s Peggy , A nne t te?"

A n n e t t e st a r e d a t h e r a n d t o u c h e d h e r h a i r a g a in . "D o n ' t y o u k n o w ?"

Pa d dy shook he r head . "H ow shou ld I?"

"Do esn ' t B eth t e l l you a ny t h ing ? I gue ss a l l she d oes is m ess a b ou t w i th her

st o n e ch ip p i ng . It m u st b e d e a d l y d u l l f o r y o u , n o w o n d e r y o u w a n t e d t o g o

b a ck t o G i d g ee m a l la w a ."

" I d idn 't , " sa id P a dd y b r ief l y .

"Au n t Ag n e s s a i d y o u d i d . " An n e t t e w a s n o w p e e r i n g i n t h e r e a r - v i s i o n

m ir r o r, a n d , w h i le P a d d y r e f le ct e d t h a t A u n t A g n e s se em e d t o h a v e q u it e a

f e w o p i n i o n s a b o u t P a d d y D e m p s t e r , A n n e t t e w a s t i l t i n g h e r h e a d a n d

sm i lin g a t h e r se lf i n a w a y t h a t ce rt a i n ly r em in d e d P a d d y o f t h a t p h o t o g r a p h .

" I a m l i k e Pe g g y , " s a i d An n e t t e . "Pa r t i c u l a r l y w i t h m y h a i r d o n e t h i s w a y - I



d id w a n t Venn t o see . A u n t A gnes say s w hen I pu l l m y ha i r ba ck you can see I

ha ve t he sa m e sha p ed fa ce . A nd even i f I ha ven ' t go t b lue eyes, I can ge t t he

sa m e lo o k in t h e m ." Sh e b r o k e o f f a n d t u r n e d t o w a r d s Pa d d y a s if f o r h e r

con f i rma t ion , and Paddy g l impsed aga in tha t hec t i c , feve r i sh look . "She was

V enn 's w i fe."

Paddy d rew a sha rp l i t t l e b rea th as i f o f pa in . Subconsc ious ly , she had

gu essed t ha t P eggy h a d b een Ven n ' s w i fe, b u t i n som e st ra nge w a y i t w as st i ll

a shock , and she fe l t i t l i ke an ache in he r , hea r t . Because Peggy had been

k i ll ed in a p lane cra sh? O r becau se - i t se t h im ap a r t?

"Jean ne an d I m e t h e r w hen w e w ere ch i l d ren ," sa id A nne t te , "ag es ag o .

T h a t a w f u l su m m e r w h e n sh e a n d o u r m o t h e r a n d g r a n d d a d w e re a ll k i ll ed .

Ve n n ' s f a t h e r h a d a sm a l l p la n e f o r u se o n t h e p r o p e r t y , a n d m y g r a n d fa t h e r

u se d t o t a k e it u p t o l o o k o v e r t h e d a m s a n d se e w h e r e t h e sh e e p w e r e a n d

a l l tha t so r t o f th ing . He wasn ' t j us t the ove rsee r , you know - he was so r t o f

t h e b r a i ns a t B i b b e n lu k e , w h e n M r W i ld a sh w a s o l d a n d V e n n h a d n ' t co m e

h o m e . H e d i e d s o o n a f t e r Ve n n a n d Pe g g y w e r e m a r r i e d , a n d Ve n n w a s

p r e t t y y o u n g a n d h e u s e d t o d e p e n d o n G r a n d d a d f o r e v e r y t h i n g . A n y h o w ,

o u r m o th e r l ik e d t o g o u p in t h e p l a n e t o o , sh e lo v e d t h e b u sh , a n d o u r f a t h e r

h a d c l e a r e d o u t a n d l e f t h e r b y t h e n , " s a i d An n e t t e c h e e r f u l l y . " I t h i n k

M u m m y h a d b r o u g h t u s b a ck t o B i b b e n lu k e m e a n i n g f o r u s a l l t o l iv e h e re .

A n y w a y , t h ey w e re a l l k il le d . P e g g y w e n t u p t o o . V e n n d id n 't w a n t h e r t o , w e

w e re j u st k id s t h e n , n i n e o r t e n , b u t I st i ll r em e m b e r t h a t . I d i d n 't k n o w w h y ,



t h e n , b u t I k n o w n o w - Au n t Ag n e s s a i d s h e w a s e x p e c t i n g a b a b y . I d o n ' t

k n o w w h a t w e n t w r o n g w i t h t h e p l a n e , I d o n ' t t h i n k a n y o n e d o e s , b u t i t

c rashed , and Venn to re o f f i n one o f the ca rs , bu t they were a l l k i l l ed , and

t ha t w a s i t ."

"H o w te r r ib le f o r y o u a l l," sa id Pa d d y , h e r f a ce w h i t e d e sp it e t h e h e a t a n d

th e p e r sp ir a t io n t h a t w a s r u n n i n g d o w n h e r n eck .

"Yes, it w a s," ag reed A nne t te . "Bu t w hen y ou 're a ch i ld you ge t ove r t h ings,

a n d e v e r y o n e w a s v e r y k i n d t o u s , a n d Au n t Ag n e s a n d Ve n n s e n t u s o f f t o

b oa rd ing schoo l a s soon a s t he h o l ida ys w ere ov er ."

Pa d d y l o o k e d a t h e r c u r i o u s l y . An n e t t e s a w i t a l l f r o m h e r o w n a n g l e - a s

t hou gh she w ere st i ll a ch i ld . W it h no t h ing t o say fo r Venn w ho h a d lost h i s

young w i fe , h is expec ted ch i ld , so sudden ly and t rag ica l ly… Perhaps th is was

a t th e roo t o f V enn ' s a p p a ren t hea r t lessness - i t w a s a de fence ag a inst fu r th e r

sha t t e r ing hu r t .

"A f t e r th a t ," , sa id A nne t te w it h a n exp ression a lm ost o f sa t isfa ct ion , "w e

b e l o n g e d t o B ib b e n l u k e , a n d I f el l in l o v e w it h Ve n n w h e n I w a s a b o u t tw e l v e.

I ju st u se d t o d r e a m a b o u t m a r r y i n g h i m , it w a s t e r r ib ly r o m a n t i c, b e l o n g i n g

to h im l i ke we d id . When ho l i days came, I used to ge t s i ck w i th exc i temen t .

Jea nn e w a s nev er l ik e th a t - she 's no t a s em ot iona l as I am , she 's p lac id a nd

sens ib le . Bu t I was a lways Venn ' s favou r i te - a lways . " She looked a t Paddy ,

he r round amber eyes l i ke d rops o f honey , and Paddy though t , " I t ' s j us t no t

t r u e , w h a t Ke it h sa i d . I'v e b e e n m a d e v e n t o t h i n k i t m i g h t b e t r u e - A n n e t t e 's



st i ll a ch i l d ." An d ye t - a nd ye t t he re w ere t im es w hen A nne t t e 's look sa id ve ry

p la in l y , "I'v e t a ste d o f t h e t r e e o f k n o w le d g e ." An d o f co u r se t h a t co u ld t ie u p

w it h h e r a d o r a t io n o f V e n n .

A n n e t t e m a d e a su d d e n r e st l e ss m o v e m e n t . "W e m ig h t a s w e ll g o t o t h e

sw im m ing ho le a f t e r a l l . I t 's j ust t oo ho t t o l ive , i sn 't it ? A nyh ow , I th ink I k now

a sho r t cu t - w e can b e the re in f ive m inu t es."

T h e sh o r t c u t p r o v e d t o b e n o t a sh o r t c u t a f t e r a l l - a n d a b ig m ista k e in

any case . They go t sa fe l y ac ross the vas tness o f the leopa rdwood paddock ,

w h i c h t h e y l e f t b y a d i f f e r e n t g a te , a n d t h e n An n e t t e d e s e r t e d t h e w h e e l

t r a ck s a n d b e g a n t o st e e r t h e ca r o n a n e r r a t ic co u r se t h r o u g h t h e l o n g st r a w -

co l o u r e d g r a ss. It w a s a n u n co m fo r t a b ly b u m p y r id e a n d a t so m e t i m e o r

a n o th e r Pa d d y d i s c o v e r e d h e r s t r a w h a t h a d d i s a p p e a r e d - p o s s i b l y i t h a d

fa l l en ou t o f t he ca r w hen she go t ou t t o op en th e ga t e . "Th is is a n igh t m a re ,"

she though t , as she hung on to the edge o f the sea t , he r body s t i c ky w i th

pe rsp i ra t i on , fo r c ing he rse l f to say no th ing to Anne t te who , she cou ldn ' t he lp

t h ink ing , shou ld neve r h av e lef t t hose w hee l t r a ck s.

Bu t a t l a s t i t g o t t o b e t o o m u c h f o r h e r , a n d s h e s a i d s o m e w h a t c u r t l y ,

"H a d n ' t w e b e t t e r g e t b a ck t o t h e t r a c k a g a in - if w e ca n f in d i t ?" Sh e n e v e r

k n e w w h a t A n n e t t e 's a n sw e r t o t h a t w o u l d h a v e b e e n b e ca u se a t t h a t p r e ci se

m o m e n t , t h e i n e v it a b l e h a p p e n e d . T h e re w a s a sick e n i n g j o lt , a s t h e c a r w e n t

ove r a sp iky t r ee s tump concea led in the long g rasses , and they had a f l a t

ty re .



CHAPTER SIX

"HELL ! " sa id Anne t te empha t i ca l l y . She sa t and s ta red ahead o f he r as i f

st up e f ied . "No w I 'l l be in t r ou b le ."

"C a n ' t w e p u t t h e s p a r e o n ? " Pa d d y w a n te d t o k n o w . Ev e n s h e c o u l d d o

th a t - sh e h a d l e a r n e d so m e th i n g a b o u t ch a n g i n g a t y r e f ro m h e lp in g Ph i l d o

i t , a n d t h e m e m o r y o f i t d i d n ' t b r i n g t h e s l i g h te s t a c h e t o h e r h e a r t . Sh e

o p e n ed t h e ca r d o o r a n d c li m b e d o u t i n t o se a r in g h e a t .

An n e t t e s t a y e d w h e r e s h e w a s . "W e d o n ' t h a v e a s p a r e . I d i d n ' t b o th e r

a sk ing Jim t o b r ing i t a c ross f rom t he shed ."

"W h a t ?"

"O h , d o n ' t l o o k a t m e l i k e t h a t . I t ' s n o t a l l m y f a u l t : Au n t Ag n e s h a d a

p u n c tu r e a n d I w a s su p p o se d t o se e t h a t Ji m h a d b r o u g h t t h e sp a r e b a c k , b u t

i t w a s just t oo h o t t o m ess a b ou t , so I d idn ' t ."

P a d d y r ef r a in e d f r o m co m m e n t a n d a sk e d m e re ly , "So w h a t d o w e d o ?"

"W e ca n w a l k ," sa id A n n e t t e p e tu l a n t ly . " It ' s n o t a l l t h a t f a r - I k n o w w h e r e

we a re . I 'm ce r ta in l y no t go ing to s i t he re b ro i l i ng and bo red s t i f f wa i t i ng fo r

som eone to com e ou t an d look fo r us. A nd f i nd u s," she ad ded .



P a d d y t h o u g h t a b o u t w a l k i n g . S h e w a s n ' t a t a l l c e r t a i n t h a t A n n e t t e d i d

know where they were ; a l so , she no longe r had a ha t . . She sa id unce r ta in l y ,

"It 's st i l l scorchin g ly h ot - "

A nne t te sh ru gged . "So w ha t? You ca n p lea se you rse lf , o f cou rse , bu t I'm

go in g . I ca n ' t st a nd ina ct ion . "

"W o u l d n ' t - Ve n n e x p e ct u s t o st a y w h e r e w e a r e ? W e co u ld sit i n t h e sh a d e

o f t he t r ees, a nd - I sup p ose w e do h av e som e w a t e r?"

"Oh yes, th e re' s a lw ay s w a t e r in t he ca r ," sa id A nne t te i nd i f fe ren t l y . "Bu t I'm

n o t g o i n g t o sit a r o u n d t w id d l in g t h u m b s, e v e n if Ve n n w o u l d e x p e ct i t . I'm

go ing t o w a lk , and he can be just a s a ng ry a s he l ik es. A t l east i t w i ll ge t i t ou t

o f h i s h e a d t h a t I'm a so r t o f p e r m a n e n t co n v a le sce n t y o u ca n 't e v e n sa y b o o

to . " She c l imbed ou t o f the ca r as she spoke and toss ing no more than a

casu a l , "Are you com ing?" in P a dd y ' s d i rect ion she b ega n t o w a lk .

A f t e r o n l y a m o m e n t P a d d y b e g a n t o f o l l o w t h e o t h e r g i r l t h r o u g h t h e

long st i l l g ra sses t ha t fe l t d ry a nd sha rp a ga inst her b a re legs.

"Are you su re you k now th e w ay ?" she ask ed A nne t te ' s ba ck .

"O f cou rse I do . Don ' t w o r r y , w e 're no t go ing t o ge t l ost . "

M a y b e n o t , t h o u g h t P a d d y , b u t t h e y w o u l d c e r t a i n l y b o t h b e b u r n e d a s

r e d a s lo b ste r s - p a r t i cu la r l y Pa d d y D e m p ste r , w h o d i d n 't e v e n h a v e t h e

p r o te ct i o n o f a h a t . C er t a in l y t h e su n w a s n o w o n i t s w a y d o w n t h e sk y , b u t i t

w as st i ll u nend u rab ly ho t a nd th e re w as no t even t he vest ige o f a b reeze . The

s k y w a s u t t e r l y a n d c o m p l e te l y c l o u d l e s s , a n d a w a y o n t h e h o r i z o n w a s t h e



lo w sh i m m e r in g l in e o f a r a n g e o f f la t - t o p p e d h i l ls, so e p h e m e r a l - l o o k i n g o n e

fe lt su r e t h e y w e r e n o m o r e t h a n a n i l lu sio n . O th e r w i se , t h e w o r ld w a s f la t a n d

t o t a l ly em p t y .

Anne t te kep t to the t r ees - mu lgas , acac ias , l eopa rdwoods , the occas iona l

t a l l r e d g u m - a n d Pa d d y f o l l o w e d h e r . T h e y p l o d d e d o n i n s i l e n c e , b o th o f

t h e m w o r r ie d b y t h e f l ie s a n d P a d d y w o r r ie d a d d it i o n a l ly b y t h a t f i er ce h ea t

o n t h e t o p o f h e r h e a d . Pe r s p i r a t i o n r a n d o w n b o th t h e i r f a c e s , a n d Pa d d y

v e r y so o n b e g a n t o w o n d e r h o w m u ch o f i t sh e co u l d t a k e . B u t A n n e t t e

showed no t the s l i gh tes t s ign o f f l agg ing . Venn was ce r ta in l y go ing to be

im p ressed . N o g i r l w ho w a sn ' t i n exce l len t p hysica l cond i t i on cou ld a t t a ck such

a w a l k so d e t e rm in e d ly , a n d P a d d y w o n d e re d w h et h e r it w o u l d b r in g a b o u t

t h e r e q u i r e d e f f e c t . W h e th e r Ve n n w o u l d b e a n g r y , o r w h e th e r h e w o u l d b e

de l igh ted a nd ...

" H o w f a r d o y o u t h i n k w e h a v e t o g o ? " s h e a s k e d A n n e t t e , a n d e v e n t o

sp e a k r eq u i r e d a n e f f o r t .

"A cou p le o f m i les," sa id A nne t t e . "M ay b e th ree ." The w a y she sp ok e , th e

d ista nce sou nd ed neg l ig ib le , a nd Pa d dy to ld he rse l f de te rm ined ly , " If she ca n

d o i t , so can I ," and on she w a lk ed .

Sh e d id n 't k n o w h o w f a r t h e y h a d g o n e w h e n sh e ca m e u p o n t h e b o b t a i l

l iz a r d . It a p p e a r e d su d d e n ly r i g h t i n h e r p a th , it s f e r o cio u s p in k m o u t h w id e ,

show ing a b lu e t r i an g le o f ton gu e , i t s eyes sta r ing up a t he r un ne rv ing ly .

D esp i te herse l f she fe l t a shock o f f r igh t a nd she t ook a su d d en care less st ep t o



one s ide and fe l t an agon iz ing w rench as she tw is ted he r ank le . She was

t h r o w n r ig h t o f f b a la n c e a n d f e ll a w k w a r d ly t o t h e g ro u n d , w h i le t h e liza r d

w a d d l ed q u i ck ly a w a y a n d r a n u p t h e t r u n k o f a t r ee . P a d d y st a y ed w h er e

she w a s for a few second s, t ea rs of p a in in h er eyes.

An n e t t e w a s s e v e r a l y a r d s a h e a d a n d w a l k e d o n s te a d i l y , c o m p l e te l y

u n c o n s c i o u s o f a n y th i n g t h a t w a s h a p p e n i n g b e h i n d h e r . Pa d d y t r i e d t o

st r u g g l e t o h e r f e et , b u t t h e p a i n in h e r a n k le w a s t o o m u ch a n d sh e sa n k

d o w n o n t h e g r o u n d a g a in , a n d c a l le d o u t u r g e n t ly , "An n e t t e !"

Sh e ca l le d tw i ce b e fo r e A n n e t t e st o p p e d a n d l o o k e d b a c k .

"W h a t 's t h e m a t t e r ?"

" I've t w ist ed m y a nk le ."

A n n e t t e lo o k e d e xa sp e r a te d , b u t sh e ca m e b a ck .

"Ca n ' t y o u g e t u p ?"

" I ' l l t r y a g a i n , " s a i d Pa d d y , t a k i n g t h e h a n d t h a t An n e t t e h e l d o u t t o h e r .

Sh e p u lle d h e r se lf u p r ig h t , b u t t h e m o m e n t sh e p u t so m e w e ig h t o n h e r f o o t

t h e p a i n w a s t h e r e a g a i n , sh a r p a n d se a r i n g . H e r f a ce w h i t e n e d , h er f o r e h e a d

w as clam m y a nd she t hou gh t she w ou ld b e si ck . " I'm so r r y - I j ust w on ' t b e

a b le t o w a l k ." Sh e sa t d o w n o n t h e g r o u n d a g a i n a n d h u n g h e r h ea d lo w t o

b r ing the b lood b ack t o i t . She d idn ' t ca re in the least w here she sa t , w he th e r

i t was on an an ts ' nes t o r anywhere a t a l l , she on ly knew tha t i f she d idn ' t

a ssu m e a m ore or less ho r izon t a l posi t ion she w ou ld p a ss ou t . A nd she q u i te

d e f in it e ly c ou l d n 't w a l k b a ck t o B i b b e n lu k e .



W h e n h e r h e a d h a d s t o p p e d s p i n n i n g s h e l o o k e d u p a n d f o u n d A n n e t t e

w a t ch i n g h e r, t h o se tw o b u n ch e s o f h a ir g l ea m in g a g a in st h e r b a r e b r o w n

shou lde rs. A nne t te ' s fa ce w as just a l it t l e f lushed a nd m o ist w i th t he hea t , bu t

sh e d i d n ' t lo o k t o b e v e ry m u c h b o t h e r ed b y it , a n d P a d d y e n v i e d h e r .

"You d o look si ck . You 're a rea l ci t y g i r l , a ren ' t yo u ? Sha l l I go b ack to th e

ca r a n d f e t ch so m e w a t e r , o r w i ll y o u b e a ll r ig h t h e r e t i ll I f e t ch h e l p f r o m

Bibb en luk e? I shou ldn ' t b e a l l t ha t l ong ."

Pa d d y m a n a g e d a w r y sm i le . It w a s f u t i le n o w t o w ish sh e h a d n 't p u t h e r

f o o t in t h a t h o l e. It h a d h a p p e n e d , a n d sh e w a s g o i n g t o h a v e t o sit h e r e a n d

wa i t to be rescued , and then she wou ld be hobb l ing abou t use less ly , a

nu isance to eve ryone . So Venn wou ld th ink . We l l , the re was no th ing to be

d o n e a b o u t i t e xce p t t o h o p e t h a t w h e n A n n e t t e g o t b a c k t o t h e h o m e st e a d ,

it w o u l d b e B e t h o r e v e n A g n e s w h o w o u l d c o m e t o h e r r escu e . A n y o n e b u t

Venn .

Bu t o f cou rse i t w as Ven n .

The last r ay s o f t he su n h ad gone , slan t ing b u rn ing red a cross th e w id e

p la ins. The long ye l low g ra sses ha d fad ed f ro m f i er y copp er st ra nd s to b la ck

s i l houe t tes , the las t pa r ro t had sc reeched and squawked i t s way f rom the

p l a ce w h e r e it h a d w a t e re d t o t h e t r ee u n d e r w h i ch P a d d y sa t . A k a n g a r o o

ha d leap ed b y w i th a Joey in it s p ou ch , an d t he ci ca da s ha d se t t he w ho le

w o r ld sh a k i n g w it h t h e ir d e a fe n i n g ch o r u s, h e r a l d i n g a h o t n i g h t . Pa d d y w a s

cr a m p e d a n d t e rr ib l y t h ir st y , a n d m o r e t h a n a l it t le a f r a id t h a t A n n e t t e h a d



som ehow lost he r w ay . To k eep he rse lf f r om sp ecu la t i ng on th a t , :she

concen t ra t ed once m ore on the b ig euca lyp tu s t ha t she l te red he r . The re w as a

g r e a t o v a l s h e e t c u t o u t o f i t s b a r k , l e a v i n g a s c a r t h a t l o o k e d a g e - o l d , a n d

sh e o ccu p ie d h e r m i n d w o n d e r in g a b o u t t h a t sca r - w o n d e r in g i f t h e b la ck s

h a d m a d e it l o n g a g o , a n d if so , w h y .

It w a s a l l b u t d a r k w h e n sh e h e a r d t h e ca r co m i n g , a n d in w a r d ly sh e

c o l l a p s e d w i t h r e l i e f - a n d h o p e d s h e d i d n ' t l o o k t o o m u c h o f a w r e c k ,

w h o e v er it m ig h t b e in t h a t c a r . In a m o m e n t t h e ca r r e a ch e d h e r t h e d o o r

o p e n ed , a n d Ve n n , h is h a i r lo o k i n g d a r k i n t h e d u sk y l ig h t , se e m e d t o f l o a t

t ow a rd s her . She hea rd her sel f sa y senselessly , " I've b eenn inv ent ing st or ies

a b o u t t h a t t r ee - "

H e s ta r e d a t h e r a n d h e s ta r e d a t t h e t r e e , t h e n h e s q u a t t e d d o w n o n h i s

h a u n c h e s b e s i d e h e r . "W h a t t h e h e l l a r e y o u t a l k i n g a b o u t , Pa d d y ? A r e y o u

a l l r igh t ?"

"Yes." She w a s w eep ing a l it t l e an d p re tend ing no t to - b eca use it h ad b een

a l o n g a n d a w f u l w a i t , a n d s h e h a d b e e n q u i t e c e r t a i n s o m e t h i n g h a d

h a p p e n e d t o A n n e t t e . A n d t h e r e h a d b e e n a n t s a n d f l i e s - a n d t h a t l i z a r d

ag a in - a nd she ha d been t h i r st i er t ha n she ha d eve r b een in he r l if e . "W here 's

A nn et t e? I t ' s b een - so long ! D id she get hom e a l l r igh t ?"

"Even t u a l ly ," Venn sa id d ry l y . H e had p rod u ced a f l ask f r om h is p ock e t ,

a n d n o w h e u n s c r e w e d i t a n d p o u r e d s o m e th i n g i n t o t h e c a p . "H e r e - i t ' s

w a t e r. D r i n k a ll y o u w a n t ."



She d ran k t h i r st i ly , he r hand sha k ing a s she he ld t he sm a l l m e ta l cap .

"More?"

Sh e n o d d e d , a n d h e r e f i l l e d t h e c u p a n d w h i l e s h e d r a n k l i t a c i g a r e t t e .

D a r k n e ss h a d co m e n o w - c o m p le te m o o n l ess d a r k n e ss, w it h a f e w h o t w h i t e

s ta r s t h a t d i d n ' t h e l p . T h e n i g h t w a s l i k e a t h i c k s u f f o c a t i n g b l a n k e t t h r o w n

o v e r t h e b u r n i n g b o d y o f t h e o u tb a c k . T h e r e w a s n o t t h e f a i n te s t s t i r r i n g i n

t h e a i r. A n o w l scr e a m e d a n d so m e th i n g r u st l e d a n d scu f f le d i n a h e a p o f d r y

b a r k a n d g u m le a v e s n e a r b y , a n d P a d d y k n e w h a d sh e b e en o n h e r o w n sh e

wou ld have been sca red ha l f to dea th . Now, as Venn s t i l l he ld h i s l i gh ted

m at ch , she cou ld see h i s fa ce - t he sq u a re jaw , th e da rk l ine o f t he t h i ck

eyebrows, the a lways as ton ish ing go ld o f h is ha i r . And the sh ine o f h is eyes

tha t we re as a l i ve as jewe ls . The re was a sudden warmth in he r b reas t tha t

h a d n o th i n g t o d o w it h a n o u t b a ck su m m e r . Sh e co u ld h e a r h e r p u l se s a n d

she im ag ined she cou ld hea r Venn ' s hea r t bea t ing to o .

T h e n h e s h o o k o u t t h e m a tc h , t o o k t h e c u p , a n d h a n d e d h e r t h e c i g a r e t t e

he ha d just l it .

"H ere - y ou r nerv es need t h is."

O b e d ie n t l y sh e d r e w o n t h e ci g a r e t t e , t h e n b e g a n t o co u g h .

"W h y d i d n ' t y o u t e l l m e y o u d o n ' t s m o k e ? I c e r t a i n l y d o n ' t w a n t t o s t a r t

y o u o n a b a d h a b i t . " H e t o o k t h e c i g a r e t t e b a c k , a n d b e g a n t o s m o k e i t

h im se lf , a lm ost a b sen t m inded ly . "N ow let 's see w ha t you 've d one t o yo u rse lf ,

P a d d y D e m p st e r . I t a k e it y o u ' v e re a l ly b e en i n ca p a c it a t e d o r y o u w o u l d n 't



have s tayed here a l l by yourse l f . St i l l , you asked fo r i t . I t ' s a p i ty you cou ldn ' t

h a v e b e e n sa t isf i ed w it h a ja u n t t o t h e b i lla b o n g , y o u m u st h a v e se e n

An n e t t e ' s g o t n o h o p e o f e v e r b e i n g a d r i v e r . T h e tw o o f y o u s h o u l d h a v e

s ta y e d t o g e th e r i n t h e c a r , y o u k n o w - i t w a s s h e e r i d i o c y t o t r y t o w a l k a l l

t h a t w a y h o m e ." A s h e sp o k e h e w a s g e n t ly b u t co m p e t e n t ly e xa m i n in g

Pa d d y ' s n o w b a d ly sw o l le n a n d v e r y t e n d e r a n k l e, a n d f i n a lly h e p r o n o u n ce d ,

"N o b o n e s b r o k e n , a t a n y r a t e . H o t a n d co l d f o m e n t s, a g o o d f ir m b a n d a g e

an d a b i t o f a rest , and you 'l l be a b le to use it i n a coup le o f d a ys."

Pa d d y n o d d e d . Sh e w a s p o n d e r i n g o n w h a t h e h a d s a i d e a r l i e r . D i d h e

t h i n k i t w a s h e r f a u l t t h a t t h e y h a d n ' t s e t t l e d f o r t h e b i l l a b o n g ? H a d n ' t

A n n e t t e t o l d h i m t h e y w e r e lo o k i n g f o r h i m ? W e ll, t h e r e w a s n o r e a l p o i n t i n

a rg u ing t ha t ou t j ust now . She sim p ly ask ed , " Is A nne t te a l l r i gh t ?"

"She 's dea d bea t a nd he r fee t a re b l ist e red a nd he r nose i s bu rn t . O th e rw ise

she ' s g rea t . " H is vo ice was cu r t now , and Paddy wondered , had he los t h i s

c o o l ? H a d h e b e e n a n g r y - o r w o r r i e d - a n d t r e a te d h e r l i k e f l e s h a n d b l o o d

inst ead o f l ik e g lass? Sha k en he r an d t hen - A nd th en w ha t ? Locked he r i n h is

a r m s . Pa d d y s h u t o f f h e r t h o u g h t s a b r u p t l y . O r t r i e d t o . Sh e k n e w th a t Ve n n

W i ld a sh w a s a p a ssiona t e m a n… V enn sa id , "She h a d no b u siness d r iv ing a l l

ov e r the p lace . She to ld you she ha d p e rm ission to go to th e b i l lab ong . So w hy

th e d e v i l d i d y o u i n s i s t s h e t a k e y o u l o o k i n g f o r Ke i t h ? Yo u c o u l d w a i t t i l l

t on igh t , su re l y t o G od ."

"Fo r Ke it h ?" Pa d d y w a s stu n n e d . "D i d A n n e t t e t e ll y o u t h a t?"



"A n n e t t e t o l d m e n o t h i n g ," h e sn a p p e d . " I h a d it f r o m m y a u n t - A n n e t t e

a d m it t e d it t o h e r."

Pa d d y b it b a ck a n a n g r y p r o te st . Sh e si m p ly co u l d n 't f o l lo w t h e r e a so n f o r

su ch a si l ly l ie . The on ly p ossib le exp la na t ion w a s t ha t , l ik e a schoo lg i r l w ho

d o e s n ' t w a n t t o s h o w u p i n a b a d l i g h t , A n n e t t e w a s p u t t i n g t h e b l a m e o n

som eone e lse . She d id n ' t ca re a b u t to n ab ou t P ad d y , an d o f cou rse she w ou ld

w a n t t o b e t r u s te d w i t h t h e c a r a n o th e r t i m e . "So I c o p t h e l o t , " t h o u g h t

Pa d d y r e se n t f u l ly , h a t i n g t h a t Ve n n sh o u l d i m a g i n e sh e w a s so e n a m o u r e d o f

Ke it h t h a t sh e w o u l d u se A n n e t t e t o g o ch a sin g a f t e r h i m .

Sh e d i s c o v e r e d t h a t Ve n n h a d h e l p e d h e r t o h e r f e e t a n d t h a t s h e w a s

w i n ci n g a l o u d a n d le a n in g h e a v i ly o n h i s a r m . A f t e r a se co n d h e sw u n g h e r

b o d i ly f r o m th e g r o u n d a n d d e p o sit e d h e r in t h e L a n d R o v e r . T h e n h e w a s in

the sea t bes ide he r , the head l igh ts were sh in ing th rough the da rk , and they

w e re o n t h e ir w a y b a ck t o B i b b e n lu k e h o m e st e a d .

Pa d dy ha d sa id no t h ing since he ha d p assed on h i s au n t ' s i n fo rm a t ion . She

s t i l l sa id no th ing , though she was wonder ing whe the r she shou ld deny i t

o u t r ig h t . B u t t h a t w o u l d c a st a d i st i n ct l y u n f a v o u r a b l e lig h t o n A n n e t t e , w h o

so ado red Venn . S t i l l , i t had been a ve ry sneaky th ing to do , face -sav ing a t

Pa d dy 's expense . P a d dy 's op in ion o f A nne t te w as un dergo ing a su b t le cha nge .

Ingenuou sness no long e r seem ed t o f i t . It seem ed , as t hou gh A nne t te w a s a

g i r l w i thou t m uch m ora l sense - a g i r l w ho saw th ings se l f ish l y f r om he r ow n

a n g le a n d d id n 't m u ch ca r e a b o u t a n y o n e e lse .



"W ell , w hy shou ld I care?" Pa d d y a sk ed herse l f a s she sa t b eside V enn ,

ba re ly i n te rp re t ing t he im a ges th a t w e re f l ashed o n he r re t i na a s t he ca r l igh t s

sl id a cross t ree t ru nk s, w e i rd ly sha p ed st u m p s, lon g g ra sses t ha t m a d e eer ie

f l ee ing sha d ow s. Pad dy w a s a b i rd o f p a ssag e , she d idn ' t b e long he re . She w as

a n o n lo o k e r - w h o j u st m ig h t g e t h u r t i f sh e w a s u n lu ck y . W h a t h a d

h a p p e n e d b e fo r e sh e ca m e sh e d i d n 't k n o w n o w a n d p r o b a b l y n e v e r w o u l d .

M a y b e V e n n a n d A n n e t t e h a d b e e n i n l o v e . H o w c o u l d s h e t e l l ? A n d w h a t

h a d co m e b e tw e e n t h e m sh e co u l d n 't g u e ss a t e it h e r, t h o u g h so m e th i n g m u st

h a v e , b e c a u s e A n n e t t e a p p e a r e d t o b e e m p l o y i n g c o n f u s e d a n d m u d d l e d

m easu res to w in h im b ack . Ch i ld i sh m easu res. T ry ing to m ak e h im an g ry . W a s

th a t h o w it w a s? O f o n e t h i n g o n ly w a s Pa d d y ce r t a in , a n d t h a t w a s t h a t sh e

h a d n o p l a c e h e r e , a n d f o r t h a t r e a s o n s h e h a d b e e n m a d e v e r t o h a v e l e t

he rse l f deve lop an y in t ense fee li ngs w ha t eve r a b ou t Venn W ilda sh…

T h e y w e r e f o l l o w i n g a t r a c k t h a t r a n b y t h e r i v e r n o w , P a d d y c o u l d t e l l

f r om th e th i ck b e l t o f t r ees, a nd in the h ead l igh t s o f t he ca r she sa w b i rds f l oa t

d o w n t o t h e w a t e r .

"Bourke par ro ts , " sa id Venn, as i f she had asked a ques t ion . I t was cur ious

h o w o f t e n h e se e m e d t o r e a d h e r m i n d . "T h ey 'l l co m e t o w a t e r b y n i g h t a s

w e ll a s by d ay - p a r t i cu la r l y on a ho t n igh t l i ke t h i s."

"H ow in te rest ing , " sa id P a d d y , b ra c ing h erse l f . Som ehow t he si lence

b e t w e en t h e m h a d se em e d t o h e r t o b e co m e a p e rm a n e n t t h i n g , a sy m b o l ic

t h i n g . A n d t h e w a y h e h a d b r o k e n it w a s sy m b o l i c t o o , co m p le te ly



im p ersona l . W e l l, she cou ld show th a t she u nd e rst ood th e ga m e a s w e l l as he

d id . "Tha t t r ee I w a s si t t i ng u nd e r ," she sa id b r igh t l y , " it ha d a g rea t ova l st r i p

o f b a r k cu t o u t o f it . I w o n d e re d w h y ? Pe r h a p s y o u k n o w , M r . W il d a sh ."

" Ind eed I do , M iss D em p st er ." H is t one w a s d ry , sa rd on ic, as i f he w ere fu l ly

a w a r e o f w h a t sh e w a s d o in g . "Th e b la ck s in t h e M u r r a y - D a r l in g r eg i o n u se d

t o m a k e t h e i r c a n o e s t h a t w a y . T h e y s t r i p p e d a t w e n t y - f o o t s h e e t o f b a r k

f r o m a t r e e - j u st f r o m o n e sid e . T h a t w a y , t h e y h a d t h e ir ca n o e , a n d t h e t r ee

l ived. I f you keep your eyes open, you ' l l see there are qu i te a few such t rees

st i ll sta nd ing . N ex t t im e you see one you ' ll kn ow a l l ab ou t i t . "

Paddy sa id "Yes , " bu t she fe l t a g rea t b lankness in he r hea r t . She d idn ' t

p r o te st w h e n h e t o l d h e r , "Yo u 'd b e t t e r st a y a t t h e h o m e ste a d f o r t o n i g h t .

Yo u ' ll o n l y b e a n u i sa n ce t o B e th . Yo u ' ll h a v e t o p u t u p w it h n o t se e in g Ke i t h

L a i d l a w e - b u t l e t ' s h o p e t h e d e p r i v a t i o n d o e s n ' t s e r v e t o w h e t y o u r

a p p e t i t e . "

Ba c k a t B i b b e n l u k e , h e a c tu a l l y c a r r i e d h e r u p t h e s te p s , t h r o u g h t h e

v e r a n d a h , a n d i n t o o n e o f t h e b e d r o o m s. A s i m p e r so n a l ly a s i f sh e h a d b e e n a

ba le o f w oo l , she re f l ect ed w ear i l y . It w a s im p ossib le to rea l i ze t ha t she ha d

b e e n a v i ct i m t o t h e m a g n e t i sm o f h is b o d y so sh o r t a w h i le a g o . N o w th e

m a g n e t i sm h a d g o n e . Sh e h a t e d e v e r y se co n d t h a t h e h e ld h e r , a n d w h e n h e

d e p o sit e d h e r - q u it e g e n t ly - o n t h e b e d , sh e co u ld n 't e v e n l o o k a t h i m .

A g n e s W i ld a sh d i d n 't co m e n e a r h e r , a n d it w a s Ve n n w h o p r ese n t ly

b a th e d a n d b a n d a g e d h e r s w o l l e n a n k l e . Pa d d y t h o u g h t , "H i s a u n t d o e s n ' t



wan t me he re . " Bu t he re she mus t s tay , acco rd ing to Venn ' s o rde rs , fo r tha t

n i gh t a n d t h e n ext d a y , a t a n y r a t e .

Je a n n e b r o u g h t h e r b r e a k fa st t o h e r t h e f o llo w i n g m o r n i n g a n d a sk e d

sym p a t he t i ca l ly enou gh h ow she w as fee l ing .

" F i n e , " s a i d P a d d y , w h o h a d a l r e a d y t r i e d l i m p i n g a b o u t a n d k n e w

w i th o u t a d o u b t t h a t s h e w a s g o i n g t o b e r e a l l y u s e l e s s t o d a y . "W h e n I ' v e

ea t en m y b reak fa st I 'l l ge t d ressed a nd go b ack w here I b e long ."

"Venn say s you 're to sta y he re . Bu t A un t A gnes- " Jean ne st op p ed , w i th a

look o f con fusion , and sa id i nstea d , "The re a re som e o f y ou r t h ings on t he

v e r a n d a h t h a t Ve n n b r o u g h t o v e r f o r y o u . An d i f y o u l i k e , I ' l l a s k Ke i t h t o

com e and see you to n igh t ."

Pa d d y l o o k e d a t h e r co o l ly . "W h y sh o u ld I w a n t K e it h t o c o m e a n d se e m e ?

I 'd fa r soo ner see B et h ."

Jean ne b i t he r l ip . "Bu t you w ere look ing fo r Ke i th yeste rd ay ."

"W as I? Eve ryone seem s to k now m ore ab ou t i t t ha n I d o . H ow ever… H ow 's

A nne t te t h i s m orn ing? I hea rd she ' s go t b l iste r s on he r fee t a nd a sun bu rn t

no se. It 's t oo b a d ."

" I t ' s on ly her hee ls and her sunburn 's no t bad," sa id Jeanne. But she d idn ' t

a d d , "N o t h a n k s t o y o u ."

Pa d d y cu t t h e t o p f r o m h e r b o i le d e g g . " I'm so r r y sh e h a d su ch a lo n g w a lk

- a n d I h o p e i t 's n o t a l l b e i n g b l a m e d o n m e ." Sh e le f t it a t t h a t . It w o u l d b e



p e t t y t o t e l l Je a n n e t h a t h e r si st e r h a d l ie d . It w o u l d b e b e t t e r t o h a v e i t o u t

w it h A n n e t t e w h e n sh e sa w h e r a g a in .

She s tayed more o r l ess pu t tha t day . She cou ldn ' t go l imp ing ove r to the

L e w ise s', a n d t o h a v e a t t e m p te d t o d o so w o u l d o n ly a p p e a r t o b e a g e stu r e

to b r in g a t t e n t i o n t o h e r se lf - a n d sh e w a sn 't g e t t in g m u c h a t t e n t io n . It w a s

a n o th e r sco r ch e r , a n d A n n e t t e d id n 't c o m e n e a r h e r , n o r d id Ve n n ' s a u n t - f o r

so m e t i m e . Pa d d y w a s w e l l a w a r e sh e w a sn 't a w e lco m e v i sit o r . M i ll ie b r o u g h t

h e r lu n ch , a n d Je a n n e ca m e to b a t h e a n d r e b a n d a g e h e r a n k le , b u t sh e w a s

so clu m sy a n d a w k w a r d a b o u t it , P a d d y h a d t o t a k e o v e r a n d d o i t h e r se lf .

Agnes looked in on he r b r ie f l y a f te r l unch , w i th the co ld d i sapp rov ing eyes o f

a h e a d m ist r ess w h o h a s ca u g h t a g i r l o u t d o i n g so m e th i n g t h o r o u g h ly

n a u g h t y . " p h a s i n g K e i t h - a f t e r b e i n g w a r n e d , " t h o u g h t P a d d y . A n d t h e n

d i sco v e r e d i t w a s r a t h e r m o r e t h a n t h a t .

" It ' s a p it y y o u c o u l d n ' t h a v e co m e b a ck w it h A n n e t t e , sin c e y o u w e re b o t h

so de t e rm ined t o l ea ve t he ca r , " she w as to ld ac id l y . " If A nne t te cou ld w a lk

t he d i sta nce, I'm su re you cou ld , inst ead o f expect ing m y nep hew t o go ou t i n

se a r ch o f y o u a f t e r a h a r d d a y ' s w o r k i n t h e h e a t ." Sh e d i d n ' t co m e fu r t h e r

t h a n t h e d o o r w a y , a n d sh e lo o k e d a t P a d d y 's f o o t - P a d d y w a s ly i ng o n t o p

o f t he b ed , as i t w as to o ho t fo r even a shee t - as i f she susp ect ed t he b an da ge

w as a com p let e f r au d . "W e ll , I sup p ose you m u st st ay he re to da y , as Ven n ' s

le f t inst ru ct ions t o t ha t e f fec t . Bu t y ou 're ju st a s m u ch nu isa nce here a s yo u

w o u l d b e t o B e t h , n o m a t t e r w h a t y o u 'v e p e rsu a d e d V e n n ."



Pa d d y ' s f a c e f la m e d , a n d sh e f e lt m o r e t h a n a l it t le a n g r y . Sh e b i t b a c k a

q u ick re t or t , a nd in a ny case, M iss W i lda sh ha d d ep a r te d . She w a s su re she

w asn 't b e ing such a g rea t nu isa nce - i t w a s no t a s if Jean ne ha d an y t h ing

p a r t i c u l a r l y i m p o r ta n t t o d o w i t h h e r s e l f , a n d M i l l i e h a d b e e n p e r f e c t l y

ch e er f u l a b o u t b r i n g i n g h e r lu n ch i n . Bu t w h a t u p se t h e r m o st o f a l l w a s t h e

su g g e st io n t h a t sh e h a d n o t h u r t h e r a n k l e a t a ll a n d t h a t - y e s, t h a t sh e h a d

d e l ib e r a t e ly p la n n e d t o h a v e Ve n n c o m e to h e r re scu e , a n d h a d so m e h o w

p e r su a d e d h i m t o b r i n g h e r t o t h e h o m e ste a d . By a n d la r g e , A g r e es W i ld a sh

s e e m e d t o l o o k o n h e r a s a r e g u l a r m a n - e a te r - t h o u g h , s t r a n g e l y , s h e h a d

m a d e n o r e fer e n ce t o P a d d y ' s su p p o se d d e te r m i n a t io n t o f i n d Ke i t h , t h a t h a d

got t he g i r ls in to a l l t h is t rou b le .

W e ll , she to ld h e rse lf , m ak ing a d e l ibe ra t e ef fo r t t o ca lm do w n , she w ou ld

g o b a ck t o B e th ' s m o r e w e l co m i n g h o m e ju st t h e m i n u te sh e co u ld . A n d i f

t h a t w a s co n st r u e d a s a d e si re t o r e tu r n t o Ke it h 's a r m s - a n d n o t o n l y b y

A gn es - t hen she cou ld n ' t he lp i t . St a y here she cou ld n o t .

An d t h a t w a s a g r e a t p i t y , b e c a u s e Be c a u s e w h a t? L y i n g o n t h e b e d ,

d r o w s y w i t h t h e h e a t , a n d s t a r i n g b l a n k l y a t t h e o d d w h i t e c e i l i n g , P a d d y

ask ed he rse lf a ga in , "Beca use w ha t?" Beca use - she som ehow l ik ed t he idea o f

be ing a t B ib b en luk e hom est ead . Ju st fo r a l it t le w h i le .

B u t w h y - w h e n n ob o d y w a n t e d h e r he re ?

Be c a u s e Ve n n h a d b r o u g h t h e r h e r e , t h e n . An d b e c a u s e B i b b e n l u k e w a s

Venn W i ld ash ' s do m a in . Tha t , q u i t e sim p ly , w a s a l l . A l l? Bu t w a sn ' t th a t t he



w h o l e t h i n g ? Ve n n W i l d a s h h a d g o t w e l l a n d t r u l y u n d e r h e r s k i n . I n , a w a y

t ha t she ha d n ' t rea l ized, A gn es's su sp icions w ere r igh t . A nd t ha t w a s cra zy . So

t he sooner she go t ba ck to th e o th e r house th e be t te r…

Sh e h a d h o b b le d o n t o t h e si d e v e r a n d a h b e ca u se t h e h e a t i n h e r r o o m

h a d b e c o m e in to le r a b le , a n d w a s ly i n g in a c a n e lo u n g e r w h e n Be th c a m e to

see her . From w here she la y , she cou ld see A nn et t e sleep ing in t he sha d e o f t he

ce d a r t r ee s - sle ep in g o r d a y d r e a m i n g , a n d w e a r i n g n o th i n g b u t a m i n u te

b ik in i . Be t h ' s a r r i va l w as a b lessing in m ore w ay s th a n on e .

T h ey t a l k e d a b o u t P a d d y 's "l it t le a d v e n t u r e', a n d B e t h sa i d n o t h i n g a b o u t

h o w i t w a s s u p p o s e d t o h a v e h a p p e n e d , s o p e r h a p s s h e h a d n o t b e e n t o l d .

Sh e co m m ise r a te d w it h h e r a b o u t h e r sw o l le n a n k l e, a n d a ssu r e d h e r t h e r e

w e r e n o p r o b l e m s a t h o m e . M a r g a r e t w a s b e h a v i n g l i k e a l i t t l e a n g e l , a s

usu a l , a nd Ve ra w a s p rov id ing a b so lu t e ly a l l th e sup p or t th a t w as necessa ry .

"Bu t d o n ' t t h i n k t h e c h ild r en a n d I d o n 't m iss y o u , o r t h a t y o u ' re n o t a

m a rve l lou s he lp , Pa d dy dea r , b ecau se i t 's j ust no t so . A nyho w , I thou gh t you 'd

l ik e t o k n o w , w e 'v e h e a r d f r o m B r u ce a n d it lo o k s l ik e M a r g ie 's l it t le b r o th e r

o r sist e r w i ll b e a r r i v i n g a n y d a y n o w . A n d B r u c e h a s p r o m i se d t o c o m e o u t

a nd see M a rga re t a s soon a s p ossib le a f t e r t he b ig event ."

"An d I sh a ll g o b a ck w it h h i m ," t h o u g h t Pa d d y , e v e n w h i le sh e w a s sa y in g

en th usiast i ca l l y t ha t i t w as g rea t new s.

Be th wen t back - to he r , i r r es i s t i b le scu lp tu re - and Paddy was le f t a lone .

Sh e sa w V e n n co m e h o m e , a n d sa w h i m t a lk in g t o A n n e t t e o u t in t h e l ea f y



s h a d y g a r d e n . A d a m a n d E v e . B e i n g s a p a r t . L o o k i n g a t t h e m t h r o u g h t h e

w i re gauze , i t was l i ke look ing a t a p i c tu re . How cou ld Venn go on res i s t i ng a

g i rl lik e t h a t , w it h h e r y o u n g a n d b e a u t i f u l b o d y , h e r a d o r a t i o n o f h im ? W h a t

w as th e st o ry o f t ha t - p i ct u re , seen f rom th e seclusion o f t he ve ra nd ah ? Ven n

d i d n ' t k i ss h e r , d id n 't e v e n t o u ch h e r . H a d h e n o h e a r t a t a l l? H a d t h e t r a g e d y

tha t had happened in h i s l i f e yea rs ago k i l l ed a l l tende rness in h im, l eav ing

only passion?

I t was no use Paddy ' s t r y ing to unde rs tand . She was no more than a

s t r a n g e r w h o h a d b e e n t h r o w n a m o n g s t t h e s e p e o p l e f o r a s h o r t t i m e . An d

h u m a n r e la t io n sh ip s - p a r t icu l a r ly t h o se b e t w e en a m a n a n d a w o m a n - a r e

su ch com p l ica t ed t h ing s.

W h e n p r e se n t ly V e n n ca m e r o u n d ,t h e v e r a n d a h a n d a sk e d a f t e r h er a n k le

- a n d l a t e r h e l p e d h e r i n t o t h e d i n i n g - r o o m s o t h a t s h e c o u l d e a t w i t h t h e

fam i ly - she fe lt a n im m ense g ra t i tu de , a s if she ha d b een a p r i sone r a l l d ay

a n d w a s n o w b e i n g o f f e r ed a r ep r ie v e …

Sh e sa w Ve n n a g a i n a t si x o 'clo ck t h e f o l lo w in g m o r n i n g , w h e n h e ca m e

u n e x p e cte d ly t o h e r r o o m . Sh e w a s b a r e ly a w a k e . T h e p a i n in h e r a n k le h a d

g iven he r a res t less n igh t , and she had wakened much ea r l i e r , then s lep t

a g a i n . An d t h e n s h e h e a r d a l i g h t t a p a t t h e d o o r , a n d Ve n n ' s v o i c e a s k e d

q u ie t l y , "A r e y o u a w a k e , Pa d d y ?"



H e r h e a r t le a p t . Sh e h a r d ly k n e w w h a t sh e e xp e cte d - f o r h i m t o sa y ,

"T h e r e ' s a t r u c k o u t s i d e - p a c k y o u r t h i n g s - y o u ' r e o f f t o G i d g e e m a l l a w a -

g o o d - b y e - "

Sh e sa t u p i n t h e b e d in h e r co t t o n p y j a m a s a n d h e a r d h e r se lf sa y a l m o st

ag g ressive ly , "Yes - w ha t d o yo u w an t?"

T h e d o o r o p e n e d a n d h e ca m e in , sm i le d f o r m a l ly , a n d sa t o n t h e e d g e o f

t h e b e d .

"M a r g a r e t h a s a b a b y b r o th e r ."

I t w as so u nexpec ted , he r m ou th fe ll open a nd tea rs rushed to he r eyes.

"Oh , su p er ! O h, she d id w a nt i t t o b e a b oy ! I'm so g la d ! H ow is M rs. Ca le?"

"Irene's f ine ." H is eyes w ere q u izzica l , t ho u gh t fu l .

T h ey lo o k e d a t o n e a n o t h e r f o r a m o m e n t i n sile n ce . P a d d y h a d a su d d e n

long ing to say , " I wasn ' t chas ing Ke i th , " bu t wha t was the po in t? She hea rd

herse l f a sk , inst ead , "H ow a re A nn et t e 's p oor b l ist e red f ee t?"

She sa w su rp r ise in h is eyes, b u t he sa id, "A nn et t e 's so y ou ng she g et s ov er

eve ry l it t l e t h ing in a m a t te r o f hou rs."

"Ev e r y l i t t l e t h i n g , " r e p e a te d Pa d d y . Sh e t h o u g h t o f t h a t f a l l f r o m th e

ho rse . We l l , tha t wasn ' t a l i t t l e th ing . Acco rd ing to Anne t te , he hadn ' t g i ven

her cred i t fo r r ecov e r ing f r o m th a t so q u ick l y .

"Every l i t t le t h ing … H ow 's t he a nk le?"

"Fin e ," sa i d P a d d y , w h o n o w d isco v e r e d t h a t ju st t o lo o k a t Ve n n W il d a sh

h u r t . T h e re h e sa t o n t h e e d g e o f h e r b e d , a n d t h o u g h t h e y w e re n o t t a lk i n g



a b o u t b a r k ca n o e s, t h e y m ig h t a s w e l l h a v e b e en . O r w a s sh e w r o n g ? W e re

his eyes - h is v oice - a f t er a l l not so im p erson a l? She sa id , sl ight ly con fu sed , "I 'l l

g o h o m e t o d a y ."

"H om e?" The da rk l ine o f h i s b row s rose , h i s m ou th cu rved in a sa r do n ic

sm ile.

Paddy co lou red , s t i l l more f l us te red . " I mean t to Be th ' s . I don ' t know why I

sa id ho m e."

H e sa id n o th i n g f o r a m o m e n t , t h e n , d r y l y , "Co u l d i t b e t h a t Ke it h ' s b e in g

th e r e m a k e s it h o m e to y o u ? - h o m e b e in g w h e r e t h e h e a r t i s?"

Pa d d y b it h e r lip . "It w a s a sl ip o f t h e t o n g u e . D o y o u w a n t m e t o a n a ly se

it?"

"Pe rhap s no t . In an y case , you w on ' t go - h om e. You 'l l st ay he re , w here

yo u ' re sa fer ."

Sa fe r h e r e ! T h a t w a s a l a u g h . W i t h Ve n n s i t t i n g o n t h e e d g e o f h e r b e d !

A n d w h e n o n c e a g a in sh e w a s t o o st r o n g ly a w a r e o f h i s m a g n e t i sm , e v e n a t

si x o ' clock in th e m orn ing . H e r eyes ha d se t t l ed on h i s a nd she just d idn ' t w a n t

t o t a k e t h e m a w a y , d e s p i t e t h e o d d m i x t u r e o f i n t e r r o g a t i o n a n d w a r i n e s s

t hey encou n t e red t he re . She w as l ik e a b ee sipp ing necta r - she m u st h a ve he r

fil l.

H is e y es lo o k e d b a c k a t h e r l ev e l ly . T h e n t h e y m o v e d , t h e y t r a v e l le d t o h e r

l ip s, t o h e r t h r o a t , t o h e r b r e a st t h a t sh o w e d r o u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e so f t co t t o n

p y j a m a s . P a d d y t h o u g h t w i t h a t r e m o r , " H e w a s m a r r i e d o n c e - h e l o v e d a



g i r l ca l led P eggy - b londe , p re t t y , young ." W hen she w as k i lled , had h i s hea r t

d i ed ? H a d it b e en clo se d t o l o v e? W a s t h a t w h a t h a d h a p p e n e d ? H o w co u l d

she , a schoo lt eache r f rom G idg eem a l la w a , a st ra nge r , eve r im ag ine tha t she

co u l d st ir t h a t h e a r t t o l if e a g a i n - n o m a t t e r w h a t p a ssio n sh e w a s a b le t o

a rou se. Cont ro l led p a ssion , she rem ind ed h erse l f b lea k ly . I t w a s fa r m ore l ik e ly

t h a t A n n e t t e , w h o m h e h a d k n o w n sin ce h e r ch i ld h o o d , co u l d d o t h a t .

Pa d dy fe lt he r b reast r i se an d fa l l i n a l ong slow sigh . She w ished t ha t Ke i th

h a d n e v e r p u t t h a t u n fa ir lo a d o n t o t h e sca le s o f h e r m in d , f o r it w a s t h e r e , it

a f f e c te d h e r e m o t i o n s a n d h e r j u d g m e n ts w h e th e r s h e l i k e d i t o r n o t . An d

igno ra nce, she rem inded he rse l f w ry l y , can be so m uch m ore com fo r t a b le…

Sh e w o n d e re d w h a t V e n n w a s t h in k in g n o w a s h e lo o k e d a t h e r t h a t w a y .

Pe rha p s he w a s no t even t h ink ing o f he r…

The bed m ov ed sl igh t ly as he rose to h is fee t . " I m u st ge t go ing . I 'd l ik e you

t o st ay he re t i ll you r an k le' s rea l l y be t t e r , Pa d dy . O k a y?"

She nod d ed , he sm i led a t h e r and w a s gon e .

P a d d y l a y b a ck o n h e r p i llo w . Sh e t h o u g h t w it h r e m a r k a b le cla r it y , "I a m

ob sessed b y h im . Tod a y I sha l l go b a ck t o t he L ew ises' ."

CHAPTER SEVEN



D U R IN G th e m o r n i n g , sh e w e n t b a c k t o t h e L ew ise s' b u n g a lo w , n o m a t t e r

w h a t Ve n n h a d sa id . M il lie b r o u g h t h e r b r e a k fa st , a n d w h e n sh e h a d e a t e n it

she show ered , keep ing he r w e igh t o f f he r i n ju red foo t as m uch a s she cou ld .

Sh e h a d r e m o v e d t h e b a n d a g e a n d d e c i d e d t h a t t h e s w e l l i n g w a s g o i n g

down n ice ly . She d ressed , and no t w i th any g rea t ca re , because Venn had

g o n e o u t a n y w a y a n d h e w a s t h e o n l y o n e w h o e v e r c o m m e n t e d o n h e r

sa r to r ia l fau l t s , then packed he r gea r i n the sma l l su i t case Venn had b rough t

ov e r f r om Be t h ' s.

W h e n sh e w a s q u it e r e a d y sh e w e n t t o l o o k f o r A g n e s, a n d f o u n d h e r in t h e

k i tchen m a k ing scone s.

P a d d y st oo d in t he d oorw a y u nsm i l ing ly . " I'm o f f , M iss W i ld a sh," she sa id

p o sit iv e l y . " I ca m e t o sa y t h a n k y o u f o r le t t in g m e sta y a n d f o r l o o k in g a f t e r

m e ."

A g n e s, w h o se h a n d s w e re co v e r e d i n d o u g h , lo o k e d d o w n a t h e r f ee t , b u t

as Pa d d y w a s w ear ing jean s, th e re w a sn 't an y t h ing t o see .

" I u n d e rsto o d f r o m Ve n n y o u w e re t o st a y ."

"W ell , m y a nk le 's ok a y n ow , so t here 's no p o in t , is t here?"

" I qu i te a g ree ," sa id M iss W i lda sh u nhesi ta t i ng ly . "A l l t he sa m e, m y n eph ew

exp ect s h is or d ers t o b e ob eyed ."

O r d e r s? T o w h o m ? A l l h e h a d sa i d t o P a d d y t h i s m o r n i n g w a s "I'd l ik e y o u

t o st a y ' . Tha t w a s ha rd ly an o rd er , w a s i t? She sa id f i rm ly , "Do n ' t w or ry , it ' s



q u it e a l l r ig h t f o r m e t o le a v e . I sa w h i m a b o u t it t h i s m o r n i n g . H e ca m e to

t e ll m e ab ou t M arg a re t ' s l it t l e b ro th e r . I t ' s m a rve l lou s, i sn ' t i t ? I w ond er w ha t

t hey 're go ing t o ca l l h im ."

Agnes , no t d rawn by th i s red he r r ing , l ooked a t he r co ld l y . "Venn knows

yo u 're go ing ?"

P a d d y n o d d e d . W h a t w a s a l ie o r t w o ? Ev e r yo n e a r o u n d h e re se em e d t o

h a n d l e t h e t r u t h a cco r d i n g t o t h e ir o w n t a ste s, a n y h o w . Sh e n e v e r h a d a clu e

w h a t w a s t r u e a n d w h a t w a s n o t .

"The fuss you w ere m ak ing last n igh t , com ing in to d inne r lean ing on V enn ' s

a r m , I t h o u g h t w e w e re t o h a v e y o u w it h u s f o r a w e ek ," co m m e n t e d A g n e s,

re tu rn ing t o he r scone d ou gh .

Pa d d y r e d d e n e d a n g r i ly a t h e r t o n e . "W e ll, y o u w o n 't , " sh e sa id w it h f o r ce d

b r igh t ness. "I 'l l be see ing you , M iss W i ld a sh. Tha nk s a ga in ." A nd o f f she w ent .

Ev e r y s t e p w a s a g o n y , b u t t h a t c o u l d n ' t b e h e l p e d . Sh e s a w o n e o f t h e

D u n c a n g i r l s i n t h e g a r d e n o n h e r w a y o u t a n d s h e w a v e d , n o t k n o w i n g

w h e t h e r it w a s A n n e t t e o r Je a n n e . Sh e w o n d e r e d w h a t t h e y d id w it h

th e m se lv e s a l l d a y , a n d w h e th e r t h e o n e i n t h e g a r d e n w a s A n n e t t e , k e ep in g

he rse l f f r esh fo r V enn . W h i le Jean ne w a s p e rhap s ou t r i d ing . Pa d dy cou ld r i de

to o , t h o u g h sh e h a d n 't h a d a n o p p o r t u n i t y h e r e , so f a r . In Sy d n e y , b e fo r e h e r

f a t h e r h a d d ie d , sh e u se d t o g o r id in g w it h h i m in Ku r in g - g a i Ch a se . Ve n n

n e v e r a sk e d h e r , t h e Su n d a y s h e t o o k M a r g a r et a n d Si m o n o u t , w h e th e r sh e

w o u l d l ik e t o co m e t o o .



Su i tcase in ha nd , she se t o f f on t he long w a lk t o t he Lew ises' . A ct u a l ly i t w a s

o n l y a f e w h u n d r e d y a r d s, b u t it w a s m o st l y g r a v e l a n d it se e m e d l ik e f iv e

m i le s. Pa d d y b e g a n t o w o n d e r if h e r a n k l e w o u l d e v e r b e t h e sa m e a g a i n . It

w as ab su r d t ha t she ha d d a m a ged i t so easi ly . The youn g ge t o ve r th ings ve ry

q u ick ly . M a y b e sh e w a s, n o t y o u n g e n o u g h - A n n e t t e w a s o n l y e ig h te e n a n d

a h a lf a n d P a d d y D e m p st e r w a s t w e n t y - t w o .

Sh e d i d n ' t m e e t a n y o n e a s s h e w e n t t h r o u g h t h e g a r d e n a n d a c r o s s t h e

v e r a n d a h . F in d in g h e r o w n r o o m - a n d h e r b ed m a d e u p so n e a t l y a n d c o o lly

- was heaven . She lay the re fo r a l ong t ime recove r ing . And then she fo rced

h e r s e l f t o g e t u p a n d t o g o t o t h e b a c k o f t h e h o u s e t o f i n d B e t h a n d

a n n o u n ce h e r se lf - Pa d d y D e m p ste r , j u st a r r i v e d a n d co m p l ete l y w h o l e.

Be th h a d sta r t e d ch i p p i n g a t h e r st o n e . Sh e sta r e d a s P a d d y a p p e a r e d a n d

look ed a s i f she w a s seeing t h ings.

"Fo r heaven ' s sak e , si t do w n b e fo re you fa l l dow n ! W ha t o n ea r t h ' s

h a p p e n e d ? " Sh e t o s s e d d o w n h e r c h i s e l a n d c a m e o n t o t h e v e r a n d a h , a n d

M a r g a r e t , p la y in g w it h Si m o n i n t h e sa n d , ca m e r u n n i n g u p t o o .

"M iss Dem p ste r , ou r ba by ' s a l i t t l e b oy , an d M u m m y 's go ing t o ca l l h im

A nd y . She p rom ised I cou ld choose . A nd Da d dy 's com ing to see m e on

Sunday ! "

Pa d d y sm i le d a n d k isse d M a r g a r et a n d sa id it w a s lo v e l y , a n d Si m o n sto o d

b y p e n siv e ly a n d f in a l ly r e m a r k e d , m a r k e d , "W h y ca n 't I h a v e a b a b y

bro ther?"



"I ha d e n o u g h b o t h e r p r o d u cin g y o u , " B e t h t o ld h i m . Sh e lo o k e d a t P a d d y

qu izzi ca l ly . "D id you w a lk ove r h e re?"

Paddy res i s ted an absu rd temp ta t ion to say , "No , I caugh t a bus . " Ins tead ,

sh e n o d d e d . "M y f o o t ' s n o t r e a l ly co m fo r t a b l e ," sh e a d m it t e d . "Bu t I w a n t e d t o

co m e h o m e ."

Be th la u g h e d . "T h a t so u n d s v e r y v e r y co m p l im e n ta r y . A ll t h e sa m e , Ve n n

sa id y o u w e re t o st a y a t t h e h o m e st e a d t il l y o u w e re b e t t e r."

Venn sa id ! " I am be t te r - an d I d idn ' t w a n t to sta y ," sa id Pa d dy ca re lessly .

"An d I p rom ise I sha n ' t b e any t r ou b le ."

That a f te rnoon wh i le Beth was s t i l l deep ly engrossed in her scu lp ture , she

su c cu m b e d t o t h e p le a s o f t h e c h ild r en a n d a g r ee d t o t a k e t h e m fo r a p icn i c.

Just as fa r a s t he r i ve r . O f cou rse i t w a s u nw ise a nd she reg re t t ed i t t he m inu t e

she had ag reed . She wa lked s low ly l i ke a c r ipp le . Marga re t was sympa the t i c

a n d h e l p e d h e r a l o n g , a n d S i m o n c a r r i e d t h e w i c k e r p i c n i c b a s k e t , w h i c h

b u m p e d a l o n g t h e g r o u n d b e s i d e h i m . T h e r e l i e f o f r e a c h i n g t h e r i v e r a n d

f i n d i n g s h a d e w a s e n o r m o u s . Pa d d y , w i t h t h e w e i g h t o f f h e r f e e t , w o n d e r e d

w ha t she w a s t r y ing t o p rove . Tha t Ven n 's o rd e rs w ere un rea sona b le? Tha t she

h a d n 't t o l d a n y l ie s? O r si m p ly - a n d m o r e lik e ly - t h a t sh e w a s o u t o f h e r

m in d !

She s t r i c t l y fo rbade the ch i l d ren to go in the r i ve r ; s tayed pu t , and hoped

th a t sh e h a d n 't d o n e h e r se lf a n y se r io u s h a r m . Sim o n a n d M a r g a r e t p la y e d

som e incom ) rehensib le ga m e w i th t he en t i r e con t en t s o f t he p i cn ic b ask e t - i n



w h ich P ad dy sim p ly cou ldn ' t ge t i n t e rest ed . They la id ou t m inu t e se rv ings o f

e v e r y th i n g - c a k e s , c o o k i e s , b r e a d a n d b u t t e r - a s i f t h e y w e r e h o l d i n g a

b a n q u e t t o w h i ch a h u n d r e d g u e st s h a d b e en i n v i t e d . Si m o n , It w a s t r u e , a t e

m o r e t h a n h e se t o u t , w h i le M a r g a r e t m o st m e t i cu lo u sly a b sta i n ed u n t i l t h e

r ig h t m o m e n t .

" N o w I ' m t h e p r i n c e s s a n d I h a v e t o e a t h o n e y d e w a n d m a n n a , a n d y o u

m u st b e t h e D u k e o f Th r a l ld o m a n d a sl: if I w a n t c h a m p a g n e ."

Venn ' s vo ice sa id su dd en ly f r om a bo ve P a dd y ' s hea d , "You m ust b e one o f

the mos t fea the r -b ra ined schoo l teache rs tha t we re eve r i nven ted , M iss

D e m p st e r . A r e y o n t r y in g t o e a r n m e t h e r ep u t a t io n o f a b r u t e - t u r n i n g y o u

out?"

Pa d d y f e l t h e r h e a r t t u r n o v e r . Sh e l o o k e d r o u n d a t h i m s w i f t l y . " I d i d n ' t

t e l l a n y o n e y o u 'd t u r n e d m e o u t ."

"O n l y m y a u n t ."

"N o t rea l ly . An yho w , eve ryone t e l ls l ies t o yo u r a un t . "

"W h a t d o y o u m e a n b y t h a t ?"

Paddy shrugged and co loured. "Noth ing . She 's - she 's jus t so o ld - fash ioned,

no o ne w a nt s t o shock her , " she im p rov ised .

"W ha t rub b ish ! She 's no t o ld - f a sh ione d a nd she 's no t shock a b le ," sa id V enn .

"And I s t i l l don ' t know wha t you ' re ge t t i ng a t . Agnes has seen jus t abou t

e v e ry t h i n g h a p p e n d u r i n g h e r l if e t i m e . Yo u ' r e a b a b e in a r m s co m p a r e d w it h

m y a u n t ."



" I am ?" sa id Pa dd y . " In iqu i tou s t hou gh I am ?"

" I've neve r sa id you 're in iq u i to u s. Bu t yo u ha ven ' t l ed a com p le te l y

she l tere d l i fe , I sho u ld n ' t su p p ose."

" W o u l d n ' t y o u ? " P a d d y f l u s h e d a n d t u r n e d a w a y , r e m e m b e r i n g h o w s h e

ha d k i ssed h im . " It d epen d s w ha t y o ; i ca l l she l te red . Ac tu a ll y , you d on ' t k now

t h e f ir st t h in g a b o u t m e , M r . W ild a sh . I k n o w m o r e a b o u t y o u t h a n y o u k n o w

a b o u t m e ."

"Do you?" he asked in te res ted ly . He had no t j o ined hc • r where she sa t on

th e g r o u n d w h i ch sh e sh a r e d w it h so n u • q u it e la r g e a n t s, b u t st o o d le a n i n g

ag a inst a t r ee - one o f h i s fa vou r i te p osi t i ons, she d ecided . A nd i t w as od d hov ,

he leaned ag a inst t ha t coo l i ba h - a s i f it w e re h i s f r i end , h i s b ro th e r ; a s i f they

w ere one . A nd p e rhap s th ey w ere, fo r he su re ly be longed he re a lm ost a s m u ch

a s t h e t r ee d i d , a n d t h e y h a d b e e n h e re a lo n g t i m e . Be h i n d h i m , sh e co u ld

se e t h e L a n d R o v e r, a n d o d d ly t h a t b e l o n g e d t o o ..

P a d d y e y ed t h a t L a n d Ro v e r w it h a l it t le f ee li ng o f e n v y . H o w m u c h ea sie r

it w o u l d b e t o t r a v e l e v e n t h e sh o r t d i st a n c e h o m e o n f o u r w h e e ls t h a n it

w o u l d b e t o co v e r i t o n t w o f e e t , o n e o f w h i ch f e lt n o w a s if i t w e r e p r a c t i ca l ly

u se le ss.

Ve n n ' s a q u a m a r i n e e y e s w e r e l o o k i n g d o w n a t h e r o d d l y . T h e y h a d

ob se rved he r m a ny t im es since she a nd Ven n ha d f i r st m e t . They a sk ed

q u e st io n s, t h e y m a d e ju d g m e n ts, a n d , Pa d d y su p p o se d , t h e y su m m e d h e r u p .

Bu t sh e d i d n ' t k n o w h o w …



"W h a t d o y o u k n o w a b o u t m e , P a d d y D e m p st e r ?" V e n n a sk e d .

P a d d y l o o k e d b a c k a t h i m , a t r i f l e d i s c o n c e r t e d . " W h a t d o y o u k n o w

a b o u t m e , M r . W i ld a sh ?"

" It 's no t t o b e la d ies f i r st ? A l l r igh t ." H e le f t h is t ree an d ca m e to lou ng e

com fo r t ab le beside he r on t he g rou nd . "H e re goes. You ' re a schoo l teche r . H ow

y o u ca m e t o b e t h a t I w o u l d n 't k n o w . A n d y o u ' r e a n o r p h a n . O f t h e st o r m ,"

h e a d d e d l ig h t ly . "A w a i f w it h n o w h e r e t o g o . So p e o p le lik e Be th L e w is a n d

V enn W i ld a sh a re sor ry f o r yo u , in th e i r hear t s."

"You 're be ing sa rcast ic," sa id P a d d y , w ho se cheek s ha d f lushed . "A nd I

haven ' t p layed a t be ing a wa i f fo r anyone ' s bene f i t . You ' re ce r ta in l y no t so r r y

f o r m e a n y h o w ."

"You 're qu i te r igh t ." H is sm i le w a s fa in t ly crook ed. " I'm not in th e lea st sor ry

fo r y ou ." H e screw ed u p h is eyes a nd p u l led a t a g ra ss st em . "The one I 'm sor ry

fo r is t he m a n in Syd ney ."

C ra z ily , it n e e d e d a m e n ta l e f f o rt f o r P a d d y t o r e m i n d h e r se lf t h a t h e

m ean t P h i l , an d she w as a w a re o f her ow n b l i nk o f su rp r i se .

"Does he know you ' re p lay ing the f i e ld ou t he re? " H is eyes were sudden ly

o lde r , ha rde r , and P ad d y fe l t he rse l f d ra w n h e lp lessly as in to a w h i r lp oo l . She

w as p u l led in t o t he i r dep t h a s i f she m ust d row n , su b m erged in t he i r b luen ess,

t he i r fasc ina t ion , a nd fo r a n end less m om ent she w a s com p let e ly lost . Those

e y e s , h a r d , p r o b i n g , q u e s t i o n i n g - c r i t i c a l t h o u g h t h e y m i g h t b e - d i d

incom p rehensib le th ings to he r . "M y enem y ." The w ord s fo rm ed t hem se lves o f



t he i r ow n a cco rd , an d she fe l t t hem sou nd less on h e r l ip s. "My enem y w hom I - "

It h a d b e g u n t h e v e ry f i rst n i gh t t h e y h a d m e t , w h e n h e h a d d r iv e n h e r b a ck

t o G idgeem a l la w a . She ha d b een ba f f l ed t hen by h e r reac t ion t o th ose eyes as

t hey look ed in t o he rs i n the enc losed p r i va cy o f a ca r i n a n em p ty si len t n igh t .

Bu t now she was ba f f l ed no longe r . In a b l i nd ing f l ash she knew jus t wha t i t

was those eyes d id to he r . She knew tha t we re she asked to sha re Venn

W i ld a sh 's b ed fo r ev en a sing le n igh t , she w ou ld sa y y es.

A n d h o w sh e w o u ld h a te h e r se lf a f t e r w a r d s!

W e ll, sh e co u ld co m fo r t h e r se lf w it h t h e k n o w le d g e t h a t it w o u l d n e v e r b e

a d e c i s i o n t h a t P a d d y D e m p s t e r w o u l d h a v e t o m a k e . P e r h a p s i t h a d

h a p p e n e d t o A n n e t t e D u n c a n - sh e co u l d n 't p r e t e n d t o k n o w t h e l ea st l it t le

t h i n g a b o u t t h a t …

B u t w h a t h a d V e n n a s k e d h e r ? A b o u t P h i l - w h e t h e r h e k n e w s h e w a s

p la y in g t h e f ie ld -

"O f cou rse he k now s," she sa id , w i thd raw ing he r ga ze f rom h is a nd

w o n d e r i n g h o w l o n g h e h a d h e l d i t . "Ev e r y l i t t l e t h i n g . Ab o u t y o u t o o , " s h e

a d d e d u n t h i n k i ng ly .

H is eyes na r row ed to sl it s a nd he ra i sed h im se lf on h i s e lbow . "A bo u t m e?

W h a t 's t h e r e t o k n o w a b o u t m e ?"

Pa d dy 's d a rk l ashes fe l l. She p ushed t he ha i r f rom he r cheek w i th a ne rvou s

h a n d a n d t u r n e d h e r h ea d , sli g h t l y a w a r e t h a t sh e h a d n o w b lu sh e d c ri m so n .

W h a t a d o t t y t h in g t o h a v e sa i d ! W h y h a d n 't sh e t h e se n se t o k e ep h i m o u t o f



it ? Sh e l o o k e d o v e r a t t h e ch i ld r e n , sq u a t t i n g o n t h e g r o u n d , a b so r b e d i n t h e ir

game, and she knew tha t Venn was wa i t i ng re len t less l y fo r he r answer . She

fe lt su dd en ly t ha t she cou ld sca rce ly b rea th e . Bu t i t w as th e su f foca t ing

q u a l it y o f t h e h ea t - i t w a s n o t h i n g t o d o w il i t h e f a ct t h a t V e n n h a d g o t h e r ,

m e ta p hor i ca l ly , i n a co rne r .

"That yo u - k issed m e," she sa id , her vo ice fa in t a nd exasp era t ed .

H e w a s m o c k i n g l y a m u s e d . "An d y o u t h o u g h t a m e r e k i s s w a s w o r th a

m en t ion? I shou ldn ' t h av e tho u gh t so ."

"I d o n 't e xp e ct y o u w o u l d h a v e . B u t in m y - "

" In you r cha st e c irc les, yo u ' re going t o t e l l m e, a k iss is rea l ly som et h ing," he

sa id cyn ica l ly . "W e l l, sa ve yo u rse l f the bo t he r . You m igh t a s w e l l t r y t o

p e r su a d e m e t h a t y o u 'r e A l ice in W o n d e r l a n d . A n y g i r l w h o k n o ck s a r o u n d

w i th K e ith i s bo un d to ha ve he r ho r i zons w idened , " he f i n i shed de l i be ra t e l y .

"So you r aun t te l l s me , " sa id Paddy co ld l y . She found w i th a k ind o f r e l i e f

t h a t s h e h a te d h i m s t i l l . T h a t s h e c o u l d l o o k a t h i m a n d r e a l l y h a te h i m -

desp i te the sun sh in ing on h i s ha i r and tu rn ing i t to go ld , and the l i nes o f

st r e n g t h a n d e a se t h a t w e r e im p li cit in t h e w a y h e le a n e d b a ck o n o n e a r m

b eside her , h is long legs in th e i r na r row legged cord , t rou sers st re t ched ou t

crossed neg l igen t l y - a lm ost e lega n t l y - a t t he a nk les. Yes, she ha ted h im a nd

h is u t t e r ly u n f la t te r ing op in ion o f he r .

"D i d y o u n e ed m y a u n t t o t e ll y ou ?"

"Ac tu a l ly no , " sa id P a dd y f l ip p an t l y . " I w o rk ed i t ou t fo r m yse l f ."



There w a s a second 's si lence. "Righ t ," he sa id eq u a b ly . " I t h ink w e' ll ca l l i t

s t a l e m a te . Pe r h a p s I d o n ' t k n o w s o m u c h a b o u t y o u a f t e r a l l . Ex c e p t t h a t

you ' re i n t r oub le w i th you r ank le . R igh t? " He smi led , show ing those squa re

w h i t e t e e th : "N o w a m I t o h e a r a f e w h o m e t r u th s ? O r s h a l l w e c a n c e l t h e

t o u r n a m e n t ? "

It w o u l d h a v e b e e n w ise r t o l et t h e su b je ct g o , b u t P a d d y w a s n o t a l w a y s

w ise . A nd i f she w a s not a b ov e rep roa ch, th en ne i t her w a s he… She sa id ra sh ly ,

"If y o u w a n t h o m e t r u t h s - I k n o w t h a t w h e n y o u cla i m t o b e d e d u cin g f a ct s,

yo u 're o f t en just jum p ing t o conc lu sions."

Now he was d i sconce r ted . "Tha t sounds dec ided ly pe rsona l , bu t you can ' t

b e r e f e r r i n g t o m y r e m a r k a b o u t y o u r a n k l e . S o a r e y o u i m p l y i n g t h a t I

m isjud ge you ? I f so , in w ha t w ay ?"

" W e ' r e n o t t a l k i n g a b o u t m e , " s a i d P a d d y u n c o m f o r t a b l y . " W e ' r e t a l k i n g

a b o u t y o u ."

T h is a p p e a r e d t o a m u se h im . "So w e a r e . A n d I d o n ' t k n o w th a t I'm g o i n g

to r e l i s h i t . H o w e v e r , i t c o u l d b e i l l u m i n a t i n g t o h e a r y o u r a n g l e o n m y

charac ter . "

" I w o u l d n ' t p r e su m e to o f f e r y o u t h a t , M r . W ild a sh . I'm h a r d l y w e ll e n o u g h

c lued up abou t you to have an ang le , i n any case . A l l I know, i s a few fac ts .

Tha t you ' re the boss o f B ibben luke s ta t i on . Tha t - tha t - " she sea rched w i ld l y

in h e r m in d , f e e li n g m o r e f l a b b e r g a ste d t h a n sh e lik e d . - " t h a t B e th a n d M a x

Lew is a re you r f r i ends , tha t you - " She s topped on the po in t o f say ing , Tha t



y o u a r e i n lo v e w it h A n n e t t e , f o r t h e w o r d s h a d c o m e cr a z i ly i n t o h e r m i n d .

"Tha t y ou w ere m a r r ied on ce ," she sa id m ore sob e r ly , an d look ed a t h im .

"That ' a l l ."

H e w a s l i g h t i n g a c i g a r e t t e a n d h e l o o k e d a t h e r o v e r t h e f l a m e o f t h e

m a t ch b e fo r e h e sh o o k it o u t .

"To Peggy ," Pa d d y sa id su d d en ly , a nd t here w a s re l ie f in sa y ing i t . "Tha t 's

h e r p h o to g r a p h a t t h e h o m e s te a d , i s n ' t i t ? " H e n o d d e d a n d d r e w o n h i s

c i g a r e t t e , a n d Pa d d y w i s h e d s h e h a d n ' t m e n t i o n e d t h e p h o to g r a p h a f t e r a l l .

W ha t d id she say now , w i thou t m ak ing he rse lf sou nd insu f f e rab ly cu r iou s?

"Sh e w a s v e r y p r e t t y '? H o w w o u l d t h a t d o ? W h e n w h a t sh e r ea l ly w a n t e d t o

ask w a s, "D id you love he r ve ry m u ch?"

Ve n n l o o k e d a t h e r n a r r o w ly t h r o u g h t h e c ig a r e t t e sm o k e , a n d d e sp it e t h e

heat , she fe l t her face grow pa le and pa ler s t i l l . Then he sa id , exac t ly as

though she had pu t the ques t ion in to words . "Yes , tha t was Peggy . I l oved

h e r ." H e sa id it si m p ly , m a t t e r - o f - f a c t l y , a n d le f t i t a t t h a t .

Pa d d y w a s sh o c k e d a t h e r o w n r e a c t i o n . Sh e e x p e r ie n ce d a f e e li n g o f t h e

deep est , th e m ost i n tense jea lousy . A nd w ha t r i gh t ha d she t o b e jea lou s o f

t h e w if e t h a t V e n n h a d lo v e d ?

L o w e r l i p c a u g h t b e tw e e n h e r t e e th , s h e l o o k e d a t h i m b l e a k l y , a n d h e

d isca rded h i s b a re ly sm ok ed c iga re t t e , cru shed i t i n t o t he g rou nd w it h h i s f i st ,

t hen ra ised h is eye s t o h ers.



"M y w i fe w as k i ll ed som e yea rs a go w hen t he sm a l l p la ne she w as in

c r a s h e d o u t t o w a r d s o u r w e s te r n b o u n d a r y . Sh e w a s tw e n t y - tw o - t h a t ' s

a b o u t y o u r a g e , I w o u l d p r o p o s e . Sh e w a s p r e t t y , s p i r i t e d , g a y w i t h

eve ry t h ing t o l i ve fo r . A nd she w a s ca r r y ing ou r ch i l d ."

H e h a d n e v e r t a l k e d t o h e r l i k e t h i s b e f o r e . P a d d y w a s a w a r e o f a

com p lete cha nge o f t em p o , a nd he r vo ice w a s low a s she sa id stea d i ly , " I'm -

so r r y it h a p p e n e d f o r y o u - l ik e t h a t ."

H is l ong f l ex ib le m ou th cu rved sl igh t ly , an d she saw th e edge o f t hose w h i te

t ee th . "Yes. It w as ca t ac lysm ic a t th e t im e . M y fa t he r had d ied t he p rev ious

yea r . An d as w e l l as m y w i fe, m y ov e rsee r, H a r r y , w a s k i ll ed in the p lane

cra sh . A nd H ar r y 's da ug h t e r , La u re t te , th e Du ncan g i r l s' m o t he r . I t w as a ve ry

g r im exp e r ience - t o l ea rn so u neq u ivoca l ly , so d ram at i ca l ly , t ha t i n a

m o m e n t t h e cu r t a i n ca n co m e d o w n a n d it 's t h e e n d o f t h e p l a y . M y p e rso n a l

l if e w as b low n sk y h igh , and as fa r as B ibb en luk e w a s conce rned , I w as ou t o n

a l im b . I h a d n 't n e a r l y fo u n d m y f ee t m a n a g in g t h e p l a ce w it h o u t m y f a t h e r .

H a v i n g M a x L ew is co m e to w o r k f o r m e w a s a l if e sa v e r in m a n y w a y s. I'v e

neve r ceased t o b e g ra t e fu l to h im an d t o Be t h - sa ne , sensib le peop le, t r u e

f r i end s a t a t im e w hen st ab i li t y an d p ra ct i ca l he lp w ere m y g rea t est need s. A s

f o r lo v e - t h e r e w a s n o r o o m a n d n o t i m e in m y l if e f or lo v e a f t e r t h a t . I

be l i eved , a s th e you ng d o , th a t I'd sp en t m y a l low an ce o f love . " H e sm i led

f a i n t l y a n d P a d d y h a d t h e f e e l i n g h e h a d f o r g o t t e n h e w a s t a l k i n g t o h e r ,

ha d fo rg o t t en h er very ex ist ence. "Bu t lov e is l ik e no t h ing e lse in th is w or ld . I t ' s



sim p ly no t a com m od i ty t ha t yo u can u se up . Tha t ' s a l esson t o be lea rned …

It ' s - a m a z ing ."

Unexp ect ed ly h i s b lue eyes look ed u p an d st ra igh t i n to he rs, an d P ad dy fe l t

a s i f a s h a f t h a d s t r u c k h e r s t r a i g h t t h r o u g h t h e h e a r t . Sh e k n e w a d e e p

th a n k fu l n e ss t h a t sh e w a s se a t e d o n t h e so l id g r o u n d w it h h e r b a c k a g a in st a

t ree . Because i f she had been s tand ing , he r l egs wou ld have g i ven way . She

ha d m ad e a sha t te r ing d i scov e ry . Som eth ing she cou ld ha rd ly be l ieve , an d ye t

she k new i t fo r th e t r u th . She w a s in lov e w i th V enn W i lda sh .

"M y e n e m y w h o m I lo v e ." Sh e co m p l ete d t h e t h o u g h t sh e h a d n o t f i n ish e d

som e m inu t es ag o . Thou gh o f cou rse she ha d k now n it fo r a l ong t im e .

Ve n n w a s s a y i n g q u i z z i c a l l y , "Am a z i n g - y e t n o t a l t o g e th e r p a l a ta b l e -

w hen one lea rns i t so la t e… You ' re ve ry qu iet , Pa d dy . Th ink ing o f you r ow n

tang led love a f fa i r s? You ' re l i ke a k i t ten chas ing i t s own ta i l . I don ' t be l i eve

y o u k n o w w h a t lo v e i s, y e t ."

No , she d idn ' t know. She was jus t beg inn ing . Bu t she had an idea tha t fo r

h e r , lo v e w a s g o i n g t o b e p a i n a n d p a r t in g . Ve n n h a d l e a r n e d t h e p a in o f lo v e

th r o u g h d e a th . Pa d d y w a s t o h a v e it e a si er , b u t i t w o u l d st il l b e p a in .

She found she had los t a l l her des i re fo r verba l spar r in , , w i th Venn. By

e n la r g i n g o n t h e f a ct s sh e h a d cla i m e d t o , k n o w a b o u t h i m , h e h a d m a d e h er

w e ll a w a r e o f t h e l im it s o f h e r k n o w le d g e o f h im - o f t h e g u lf t h a t se p a r a t e d

th e m . A n d n o w th e r e w a s a k in d o f ch a l le n g e in h i s g l a n c e. Se t m e r ig h t



a b o u t y o u - t e l l m e w h y y o u ' re ch a sin g a f t e r K eit h L a i d l a w e w h i le t h a t o t h e r

m a n w a it s f o r y o u i n Sy d n e y .

W ha t cou ld she sa y? Cou ld she t e l l he r sa d l it t l e sto ry a bo u t Ph i l th a t w a s

n o st o r y a t a l l - a n d d id n 't e v e n m a t t e r t o h e r a n y m o r e? D e n y y et a g a i n t h a t

Ke i th ha d a ny fa scina t ion fo r he r? A d m it , I've fa l l en in l ove w i th you , M r .

W ild a sh ." Th a t w o u l d g i v e h i m t h e l a u g h o f t h e y e a r ! N o , sh e w a sn 't g o i n g t o

p u t o u t con f idences a bo u t h e rse l f th a t she w ou ld w ish la t e r she ha d k ep t si len t

a b o u t . S h e w o n d e r e d , t h o u g h , w h a t h e h a d m e a n t w h e n h e h a d s a i d

"a m a z in g - b u t n o t a l t o g e th e r p a l a ta b le '. T h a t h i s r e a so n r e b e l le d a g a i n st t h e

d i ct a te s o f h i s h e a r t ? Be ca u se An n e t t e w a s so p a l p a b ly y o u n g a n d i m m a t u r e

- so unsu i tab le - Paddy pu l l ed he rse l f up . Tha t was on ly the way she saw i t .

A nd she w a s th eo r iz ing ag a in…

"W e ll ," Venn ha d g o t l az i ly t o h i s fee t , " I'm go ing t o d r i ve a rou nd som e o f

t h e f e n ce s b e fo r e I g o h o m e . W a n t t o c o m e fo r t h e r id e ? W e m ig h t e v e n r u n

in to K e it h i f w e 're l uck y ."

W h a t a n i n f u r i a t i n g t h i n g t o s a y ! P a d d y o p e n e d h e r m o u t h t o r e f u s e

i m m e d ia t e ly . B u t t h e ch i ld r e n w o u l d e n jo y a r id e w it h U n c le V e n n , a n d t h a t

w a y , s h e w o u l d n ' t t h a v e t o w a l k h o m e . An d q u i t e h o n e s t l y , s h e d i d n ' t t h i n k

sh e w a s ca p a b l e o f w a l k i n g h o m e .

So she sa id g a i ly , ca re less o f w ha t he m ight t h ink , "Ter r i f i c!" A nd w hen h e

tu r n e d a w a y t o ca l l t h e ch i ld r e n , sh e g o t h e r se lf u p r i g h t w it h o u t le t t in g h i m



see he r g r im ace o f p a in . Bu t she ha d t o accep t h i s he lp ov e r to t he Lan d

Rover .

Marga re t sa id exc i ted ly f r om the back sea t , as they s ta r ted o f f , "Daddy ' s

com ing to see m e on Sun d ay , Unc le Venn ."

"That ' s wonder fu l . "

P a d d y h e l d h e r b r e a t h a n d w a i t e d f o r h i m t o s a y , " Y o u ' l l b e a b l e t o g o

b a ck w it h h i m , Pa d d y D e m p ste r ." Bu t h e d i d n 't sa y it . In ste a d , h e t o l d P a d d y ,

".Y o u 'd b e t t e r m a k e u p y o u r m i nd t o r est u p t h a t f o o t o f y o u r s b e t w e en n o w

a n d S u n d a y . I d o n ' t w a n t a n y t a l e s o f m y b r u t a l i t y b e i n g c a r r i e d b a c k t o

G idgeem a l la w a . I 'm resp onsib le fo r you , you k now , see ing I r e fused t o i nq u i re

a ro un d th e d i st r i c t a nd t hu s p ossib l y g ra t i f y you r d esi re to l eave ."

Her des i re to leave. Her non-ex is ten t des i re . Passed on so g l ib ly and

p osi t i ve l y by M iss W i ld ash . It ce r ta in ly a p p eared a s i f eve ryone w ere p lay ing

a r o u n d w it h t h e t r u t h .

T h e y s a w t h e n e w m o b o f s h e e p t h a t V e n n h a d b o u g h t t o f a t t e n u p a n d

se l l, feed ing on th e good g reen g ra ss b y t he r i ve r . A nd th ey - o r a t l east V enn -

f o u n d a b r e a k in t h e f e n ci n g so m e w h e re . V e n n w a s a n g r y a b o u t t h a t b r e a k .

"Keit h sh o u l d h a v e p i ck e d i t u p y e ste r d a y - o r t o d a y a t t h e la t e st . It sh o u ld

h a v e b e e n m e n d e d b y n o w . P r o b a b l y d o n e b y a ' r o o . " H e l e f t P a d d y a n d

M a r g a r e t i n t h e L a n d - R o v e r w h i l e , a c c o m p a n i e d b y S i m o n , h e m a d e

t e m p o r a r y re p a ir s t o t h e d a m a g e .



"U n cle Ke it h w i ll f i x it t o m o r r o w ," M a r g a r e t c o n f id e d t o P a d d y . Sh e w a s a

l it t l e d i st ressed . She w h isp e red fea r fu l ly , "H e to ok A nne t te fo r a p i cn ic tod ay -

he does som et im es. I hea rd t hem p lann ing it . Do n ' t te l l Unc le Venn , w i ll you -

o r A un ty Be t h? Beca use I shou ldn ' t ha v e li stened , becau se I w as do w n low

clean ing m y shoes a nd Sim on 's, a nd I cou ldn 't h e lp h ear ing ."

" I sha n ' t t e l l," com for t ed P a d d y . She fe l t sick ened t o hea r th is con f id ence

a b o u t A n n e t t e a n d w o n d e red if V e n n k n e w t o o - a n d i f t h a t w e re p a r t o f t h e

reason w hy he fou nd love un p a la ta b le. Ke i th shou ld ha ve m ore d i scre t ion , she

t hou gh t , p a r t i cu la r l y if he wa s rea l l y in t e rested in t ha t "un b lem ished y ea r ' on

B i b b e n l u k e . F r a n k ly , n o m a t t e r w h a t Be th h o p e d , sh e d i d n 't t h i n k h e w a s.

A f t e r V e n n n a n d Sim o n ca m e b a ck t o t h e ca r , t h e y t u r n e d t o w a r d s h o m e

in even ing l igh t th a t w a s so f t en ing a nd losing i t s f i e rce hea t . Venn d ro ve slow ly

and looked a round h im re f lec t i ve l y , and p resen t l y sa id med i ta t i ve l y , " I t ' s a

crue l cou n t r y , a t t im es. Th is season y ou see it in a m ore m e l low m ood , t hou gh

la t e ly t h e h e a t h a s b e e n p it i le ss. D o y o u f e el it t h a t w a y , Pa d d y ? O r a r e y o u

to o y o u n g t o f i n d cl im a t e o r w e a th e r d e st r u c t i v e ?"

Pa d dy sa id , " I'm no t as you ng a s a l l th a t . I t 's ce r ta in l y been ho t . Bu t I ca n

bea r i t ."

"That 's goo d ," sa id V enn . "Then perh a p s you ca n see the c rue l t y m ore a s a

k ind o f i nd i f fe rence . The unv ind ic t i ve ind i f fe rence o f na tu re . One comes to

l o v e t h e l a n d t h e s a m e w a y a s o n e l o v e s n a tu r e - w i t h a l o v e t h a t ' s a w i l d

in fa tua t ion when she ' s benevo len t , and , odd ly , i s a k ind o f to ta l l y i nvo lved



ha t red th a t 's a lm ost a p e rsona l id en t i f ica t i on w hen she ha s no t h ing t o g i ve .

H o w lo v e ca n b e b o t h h a t e a n d lo v e a t o n e a n d t h e sa m e t im e , I d o n 't k n o w ,

y et it 's so ."

"Yes, it 's so , " t hou ght P a d d y sob er ly . Ju st no w t o sa y t ha t she w a s w i ld ly

in f a t u a t e d b y V e n n w a s a n u n d e rst a t e m e n t . Y e t in a m in u t e o r a d a y , sh e

m ight f ind herse l f b u rn ing w i th ha t red a t h is in just ice , o r h is co ld ness… She

m u r m u r e d , "Yes, I ca n u n d e r sta n d t h a t ."

"Yo u c a n ? " H e d i d n ' t s o u n d a t a l l c o n v i n c e d , a n d h e a d d e d i r r e l e v a n t l y ,

" I'm so r r y you d id n ' t ha ve a ny luck w i th Ke i th t h i s even ing . "

P a d d y b i t b a ck a n i m p a t i en t e x cla m a t io n , a n d w a s p le a se d t o b e a b le t o

t r a n sfe r h er a t t e n t io n t o M a r g a r e t , w h o w a s e xcla i m in g , "O h , lo o k a t a l l t h o se

love ly f low ers. Sim on . I t ' s l ik e a ga rd en!"

Pa d d y lo o k e d a h e a d , a n d so d id Ve n n . L it b y t h e sl a n t i n g su lt r y r a y s o f t h e

su n , a g r e a t p a t ch o f m a u v i sh - p in k f l o w e r s w a s sp r e a d o v e r t h e g r o u n d . T h e ir

p e ta l s w ere beg inn ing t o cu r l i nw ar ds a s t he i r li f eg ive r , th e su n , m ov ed d ow n

t he sk y . The f low ers g l ist ened l ik e si lk in t he h o t go lden l igh t , the i r f leshy leav es

g lowed t rans lucen t l y , and the who le scene dazz led the eye l i ke a po in t i l l i s t

pa in t i ng . A coup le o f p ip i t s ran rap id l y ac ross the g round in sea rch o f

g ra sshop p ers, to r i se in t o t he a i r w i th a la rm ed c r ies as th e La nd -Rov e r ca m e

closer.

"W ha t a re t hey?" Pa d dy a sk ed V enn . The ir p re t t i ness a ga inst t he d ry ing

gra sses w a s so u nexp ect ed a nd so ep hem era l .



"They 're noon f low ers." Venn sen t he r a qu izz ica l g lance . "A re you a na tu re -

lover? They ' l l b e go ne soon , now t he ho t w eat her 's se t t led on u s."

Paddy s ta red bemused . I t was as i f Venn had sa id , "You too w i l l soon be

gone . " Brave noon f lowers , sp read ing the i r pe ta l s to the i r god the sun - to

rece iv e h i s b u rn ing b lessing , and even t ua l ly t o b e dest royed by h im . "My su n ,"

though t Paddy , " i s the boss o f B ibben luke . " And h i s b less ing too was a

d o u b t f u l o n e …

"Yo u 'd b e t t e r co m e b a ck t o t h e h o m e ste a d , " Ve n n sa i d p r e se n t l y , w h e n t h e

st a t ion b u i ld ings ha d com e in to sigh t .

" I'd ra t her st a y w i th Bet h , " she sa id q u ick ly , d e fensive ly . " I'l l rest m y a nk le- "

" Is th a t a p rom ise?" Ven n look ed in th e rea r v i sion m ir ro r a t th e tw o

ch i ld r e n b e h i n d . "W h a t a b o u t y o u t w o k i d s? W il l y o u se e t h a t P a d d y r e st s h e r

f o o t u p ?"

"M iss D em p st e r ," M a rga re t t co r rected a l it t le p r im ly . " I p rom ise to l ook a f te r

her . I can d o Sim on 's sho es u p - "

" I ca n d o t h e m m y se lf , M a r g a r e t ," p r o t e ste d Sim o n . "Bu t I ca n 't d o t h a t

t h i n g w it h y o u r h a ir ."

"P la i t i t , " sa id M a rga re t .

V enn sa id on a la u gh, "M iss D em p st er ca n p la i t M a rga re t ' s ha i r , son . I t ' s on ly

he r foo t th a t 's ou t o f com m ission ."

H e h a d p u lle d u p n e a r t h e L e w ise s' g a t e t o l et P a d d y a n d t h e c h ild r e n o u t

when two ho rses can te red up f rom beh ind the t r ees tha t she l te red the fence .



Tw o ho rses a nd w i th t hem a do g . The d og w a s Ke i th ' s b lack k e lp ie, T r ix ie , he r

tongue lo l l i ng , he r s ides heav ing gen t l y . Anne t te and Ke i th rode the ho rses ,

a n d b o t h o f t h e m lo o k e d a l it t le t a k e n a b a ck a t t h e si gh t o f t h e L a n d - R o v e r.

T h e n An n e t t e t o s s e d h e r f a i r h a i r b a c k a n d m o v e d f o r w a r d a g a i n . "H i ,

Venn ," she sa id b r igh t l y . "Ke it h a nd I a re go ing ou t fo r a r i de ."

Pa d d y w a s a w a r e o f M a r g a r e t s e n d i n g h e r a s i d e l o n g g l a n c e , a n d o f h e r

sca nd a l ized w h isp er , "O h, t ha t 's a f ib , M iss D em p st er !"

P a d d y p r e t e n d e d n o t t o h e a r .

Venn sa id b r i sk l y , "You can cha nge yo u r m ind , then . The re 's a b reak in the

fe n c e i n t h e s o u th - w e s t c o r n e r o f t h e l e o p a r d w o o d p a d d o c k , Ke i t h . G e t o u t

a n d m e n d it . A n d t a k e a la m p . Y o u 'll b e w o r k i n g in t h e d a r k ."

"O k a y, bo ss," sa id K ei th la conical ly .

"Au n t A g n e s d o e sn 't lik e m e t o r id e b y m y se lf ," sa id A n n e t t e w it h a p o u t .

"W ill y o u co m e w it h m e , Ve n n ?"

"No, I shan ' t , Annet te , " Venn sa id coo l ly bu t p leasant ly " I ' l l see you on the

ve ra nd ah in t w en ty m inu t es, how ever . See tha t yo u ' re t he re ." H e had sca rce ly

l o o k e d a t h e r , a n d Pa d d y w a s a w a r e o f h i s d i s p l e a s u r e . Sh e d i d n ' t t h i n k h e

b e l i e v e d t h e s t o r y A n n e t t e h a d t o l d a n y m o r e t h a n M a r a g a r e t d i d . A n n e t t e

w as in fo r a row .

Ve n n sa i d n o t h i n g a t a l l a s h e h e lp e d P a d d y o u t o f t h e ca r . H e d i d n ' t e v e n

lo o k t o se e if t h e o t h e r tw o h a d m o v e d o f f - b u t o f co u r se t h e y h a d . D e sp it e

h e r se lf , Pa d d y n e ed e d h i s h e lp - t h o u g h n o t t o t h e e xte n t o f h a v i n g h i m lif t



h e r b o d i ly a n d ca r r y h e r t h r o u g h t h e g a r d e n , w h ich h e d id . B u t t h a t w a s m e r e

exped iency , she though t , uncomfo r tab ly . I t was to save was t ing t ime on he r .

O nce on th e ve ran da h , he let h e r sl ip t o t he g roun d , w here she sto od a d ju st ing

he r ba lance, h i s a rm st i ll a rou nd he r in t he nea r d a rk .

"Vera ! "

The ab o r ig ina l w a s th e re in t h ree second s, ba re foo ted a nd sm i li ng . "W ha t

y o u w a n t , Ve n n ?"

"F ind a wa lk ing s t i c k fo r Paddy , he re . He r foo t ' s c rook . And see you b r ing

h e r b re a k f a st in b e d i n t h e m o r n in g . N o w m in d , P a d d y - I e xp e ct y o u t o b e a l l

in o n e p i ece o n Su n d a y ." H e d i sa p p e a r e d r a p id ly i n t o t h e d a r k e n i n g g a r d e n ,

t o t a k e h is sh o w e r a n d t o se e A n n e t t e o n t h e v e r a n d a h . W h a t w o u l d h a p p e n

then? Sparks wou ld su re ly f l y ! Paddy sudden ly remembered h i s say ing , "Pu t

t w o p a ssions t oget her a nd t here 's a conf lag ra t ion ' . .

Sh e h a d a t e t e - a - t e t e w it h K e it h t h a t n ig h t w h e t h er sh e w a n t e d it o r n o t .

Be t h ha d insi sted she go t o b ed ea r l y a f t e r d inne r , a nd she ha d ba re ly se t t l ed

h e r s e l f u n d e r t h e s h e e t w i t h a b o o k w h e n Ke i t h a p p e a r e d , h a v i n g a t l a s t

r et u r n ed f r o m t h e w o r k h e h a d b e en se n t t o d o .

"So y o u 'v e co m e b a ck t o u s, h a v e y o u , Pa d d y ? I t h o u g h t y o u 'd sh i f t e d

ca m p a n d g o n e t o j o in t h e h a r em p e r m a n e n t l y . H o w 's t h e a n k le ?"

"N o t b a d a n d n o t g o o d , " s a i d Pa d d y b r i e f l y , a n d a d d e d u n k i n d l y , " I t ' s a

p it y y o u a n d A n n e t t e h a d t o m i ss y o u r r i d e ."



H e ga ve h e r a sha rp look . "W ho ' s been t e ll ing t a les? A nd i sn ' t i t A nne t te ' s

a f fa i r w ha t she d oes w i th h er t im e? She 's a s b ored a s I a m . The fences w i l l

a lw ay s k eep ."

"W ill t h e y ? I h a d t h e id e a t h e y co u ld m e a n d a y s o f m u ste r i n g w o r k u n d o n e

- losses even . The sa m e a s i f you le f t a ga t e op en." She la y b a ck on t he p i llow s,

t h e sh e et p u lle d u p t o h e r sh o u ld e r s, lo o k i n g a t Ke it h t h o u g h t f u l ly - t h e g o o d -

look ing fa ce , th e th i ck cu r l y ha i r, a lm ost as da rk as he r ow n , t he g reen ish

h a z e l e y e s t h a t h a d t h e f i r e o f i n so l en ce in t h e m . "D o n ' t y o u w a n t t o p u t in a n

un b lem ished yea r he re , Ke i th?" she a sk ed cu r iou sly . "An d d oesn ' t i t m a t t e r to

yo u t ha t A nnet t e 's Ve nn 's g i r l?"

H e s ta r e d a t h e r f o r - a m o m e n t , t h e n s h r u g g e d . " I f Ve n n w a n ts a g i r l f o r

h i m se lf h e sh o u l d e a r m a r k h e r , so w e a l l ,k n o w . W h a t 's m o r e , h e sh o u l d w a k e

up to th e fac t t ha t i f he 's no t go ing t o sa t i sfy he r need fo r l ov e then som eone

else wi l l . She's a sexy l i t t le b i rd, is Annette. She's spot pure and v i r tuous l ike

y o u , M iss D e m p ste r … A n d h a v e y o u a n d m y si st e r b e e n h a v i n g a h e a r t - t o -

h e a r t c h a t a b o u t m e , b y a n y ch a n c e ?"

" N o , " s a i d P a d d y . " B u t i t w o u l d b e h a r d n o t t o h a v e p i c k e d u p t h e f a c t

t h a t y o u 'r e o n B i b b e n l u k e t o m e n d y o u r w a y s."

"Rea l l y? H ow cosy ! So y ou see m e a s t he p rod iga l r epen t ing , do you ?"

Su dd en ly he bega n t o p ace rest lessly a roun d t he room . • "Fo r you r

in f o r m a t io n , I co u l d f i n d p le n t y o f u n a p p r o v e d w a y s o f a m u si n g m y se lf h e r e if

I w a n t e d - q u it e a p a r t f ro m g iv i ng A n n e t t e a b it o f a k ick n o w a n d a g a i n .



Y o u k n o w w h a t o c cu r r e d t o m e t o d a y , w h e n I t o o k A n n e t t e o u t ?" H e st o p p e d

a nd st ood fa c ing her , a cu r iou s sm i le on h is l ip s. "There 's a l it t le g ra ss t ra p ou t

t h e r e t h a t w o u ld b e j u st t h e p la ce t o h i d e a f e w sh e e p . Cu t a f e w w ir e s in a

st ra t eg ic p lace , con v ince everyo ne i t ' s a n ou t side job , a nd t hen m ore or less a t

le isure , f ind a buyer . I ' ve s t i l l go t contac ts - I wou ldn ' t have the s l igh tes t

t r oub le se l li ng som e n ice fa t l am bs. I m igh t n 't g e t t hc p r i ce Venn w ou ld , bu t

t h a n I h a v e n 't l a i d o u t a n y m o n e y , h a v e I?" H e g r in n e d su d d e n l y , a n d P a d d y

w ond ered if he w ere se r iou s o r no t .

" I t h ink you 're cra zy ," she sa id u ncer ta in ly .

"Su re I a m , bu t d on ' t w o r r y , Pa d dy lov e , I'm on ly p u ll ing you r leg . It a m uses

m e to t h ink up inven t i ve l it t l e schem es l ik e tha t , tha t ' s a l l ."

"So m e sh e ep w e re sto le n a b o u t t h e t i m e I ca m e h e r e, w e r en 't t h e y ?" Pa d d y

rem em bered . "Tha t w a s a n ou tside job ." As she sp ok e , she rem em bered M ax

s a y i n g t h a t Ve n n h a d n ' t b e e n a l t o g e th e r s a t i s f i e d w i t h w h a t t h e a b o r i g i n a l

t r a ck e r h a d b e en a b le t o f in d o u t .

"Too r igh t i t w a s," Ke it h a greed ea si ly . "So yo u see- " Bet h ha d ju st com e in to

th e r o o m a n d h e g a v e h e r a l a z i l y a f f e c t i o n a te g r i n . "W e ' r e t a l k i n g a b o u t

cu t t i ng w i res a nd st ea l i ng sheep , Be tsy . P a dd y ha s i t i n m ind t ha t I 'v e been on

t h e r a m p a g e ."

A qu ick f r own c rossed Be th ' s sma l l b rown face , and Paddy fe l t a f l ash o f

qu i te pos i t i ve d i s l i ke fo r Ke i th . She though t , "He ' s the se rpen t i n the ga rden .

Ve n n sh o u ld n e v e r h a v e l et h i m co m e h e r e ." Sh e t h o u g h t f le e t i n g ly o f D o r i a n



Gray - th e ou t e r cha rm , th e ro t t en , d i sso lu t e in t e r io r . N o w ond er Ag nes

W ild a sh d id n 't w a n t t h e g ir l:s m ix ed u p w it h h i m . H e r a n k le w a s su d d e n l y

a ch ing in t o le rab ly , and she c losed her ey es.

Be th sa i d , "I d o n 't k n o w w h a t y o u 'r e w o r k in g u p t o , Ke it h , b u t I w ish y o u 'd

r e m e m b e r t h a t e v e r y t i m e y o u sl ip u p i t r e f le ct s b a c k o n M a x . L i k e t o d a y .

Ve n n k n o w s v e r y w e ll y o u d i d n 't g o r o u n d t h o se f e n ce s. Ye t M a x a sk e d y o u - "

"Bet sy , tha t f ence is now a s goo d a s new ," sa id Ke i t h . "So w hy d on 't y ou just

go on m ind ing you r ow n bu siness? Ge t on w it h you r li t t l e b i t o f scu lp t i ng an d

le t m e co n d u ct m y o w n l if e ."

"You 'l l b e con d u ct ing i t som ew here e lse , p re t t y soo n," sa id Bet h sha rp ly .

"An d n o w le t 's g e t o u t o f h e r e - Pa d d y d o e sn 't w a n t t o l ist e n t o a f a m i ly r o w ."

Paddy kep t he r eyes c losed t i l l t hey had gone . And then , though she t r i ed

to r e tu r n t o h e r b o o k , sh e f o u n d sh e co u l d n 't co n ce n t r a te . H e r m in d st r a y e d

b a c k c o n t i n u a l l y t o t h e p e o p l e w h o l i v e d o n B i b b e n l u k e , w h e t h e r i t w a s

p e r m a n e n t ly o r t e m p o r a r i ly , a n d f i n a l ly h e r t h o u g h t s se t t le d o n Ve n n , a n d o n

th e u n co m fo r t a b le a n d i m p o ssi b l e f a c t t h a t sh e h a d f a l le n i n lo v e w it h h i m .

H e r a n k le w a s f a r f r o m a h u n d r ed p e r ce n t t h e n e x t d a y . Sh e h a d d o n e i t

n o g o o d a t a l l b y w a l k i n g a b o u t o n i t , a n d i t w a s n o w o n d e r V e n n t h o u g h t

he r foo l i sh . She had he r b reak fas t i n bed and then hobb led ou t to s i t i n the

sh a d e a n d w r it e le t t e r s. It w a s t i m e sh e w r o te a g a i n t o N o r m a , h er

ste p m o th e r , b u t a f t e r m a n a g i n g h a l f a p a g e o r so , sh e g a v e i t u p . It se em e d

she ha d to o m uch t o h ide , an d he r hea r t w as t oo rest less.



A n d it w a s f a r t o o h o t .

It w a s t h e u su a l u n e v e n t f u l d a y , a n d P a d d y r e a l ize d v e r y cle a r l y t h a t V e r a

a n d Be th co u ld lo o k a f t e r t h e ch i ld r en w it h o u t h e r h e lp . Be th ' s m i g r a i n es h a d

n e v e r e v e n t u a t e d a n d h a d s u r e l y b e e n i n v e n t e d t o m a k e h e r f e e l m o r e

c o m fo r t a b l e . M a r g a r e t , e x c i t e d t h o u g h s h e w a s o v e r t h e a r r i v a l o f h e r b a b y

b r o t h e r , a n d w it h h e r f a t h e r 's v i sit t o lo o k f o r w a r d t o , co n t in u e d t o b e e a si ly

m a na gea b le . It w as no w ond er , Pa dd y re f lected , si t t i ng id l y in t he sha d e , he r

f o o t r e s t i n g o n a c a n v a s s t o o l t h a t V e r a h a d p r o d u c e d , t h a t V e n n h a d

conside red h e r a d ven t su sp ect , a nd st i ll m ore th a n h a l f be l ieved she w a s he re

on Ke i th 's a ccou nt .

Sh e w a s su r p r i se d w h e n A n n e t t e ca m e to f i n d h e r i n t h e g a r d e n l a t e in t h e

a f t e rn o o n , a n d t o sit o n t h e g r a ss a n d a sk a b o u t h e r f o o t . Pa d d y m a d e a

c o n v e n t i o n a l r e p l y a n d t h e n r e m a r k e d f r a n k l y , "T h a t w a s p r e t t y c o o l o f y o u ,

An n e t t e , t o t e l l M i s s W i l d a s h I ' d p e r s u a d e d y o u t o t a k e m e t o l o o k f o r Ke i t h

t h e o t h e r d a y . W h y o n e a r t h d i d y o u d o i t ?"

An n e t t e ' s r o u n d t o f f e e - c o l o u r e d e y e s l o o k e d b a c k a t h e r - b l a n k ,

un revea l ing , em p t y o f exp ression , an d com p let e ly ba f f l i ng . W ha t so r t o f a g i r l

w a s A n n e t t e ?

"Oh , w e l l. A u nt A grees just sor t o f - jum p ed t o t he con c lu sion . So I le t her , "

s h e s a i d . " I m e a n , w h a t w a s t h e p o i n t i n l e t t i n g h e r t h i n k i t w a s m y i d e a ?

Becau se she d oes sco ld , yo u k now , a nd i t ' s a g rea t b ig bo re ."



Pa d d y l o o k e d a t h e r , p u z z l e d . Su r e l y s h e w a s t o o o l d t o b e t a l k i n g a b o u t

b e ing sco ld ed !

" B u t y o u w e r e l o o k i n g f o r V e n n ! W h a t w a s w r o n g w i t h t e l l i n g t h e t r u t h -

even i f she d oesn ' t l ik e you d r i v ing a ro u nd ?"

" I m a d e a m i s t a k e , " s a i d A n n e t t e a f t e r a m o m e n t . S h e p i c k e d u p a t w i g

a n d d r e w a ci rcle o n t h e g r a ss a n d p u t a v e ry f i n a l d o t i n t h e m i d d le o f it .

"V e n n h a d n 't g o n e o u t t h a t w a y a f t e r a l l, so it w o u l d h a v e so u n d e d k in d o f

funny . "

P a d d y co u l d n 't m a k e it o u t . A n d sin ce a t t h a t m o m e nt K e it h c a m e in t o

th e g a r d e n n o m o r e w a s sa id . A n n e t t e , w h o w a s w e a r i n g a lo n g d r e ss o f

cr ea m y co t t o n w it h a f r il l a t t h e h e m a n d a t ig h t l y f it t in g b o d i ce t h a t sh o w e d

t h e cu r v e o f h er b o so m , ju m p e d u p a n d r a n o v e r t o h i m a n d t h e y w a l k e d

a w a y t o g e th e r . P r esu m a b ly t o e xch a n g e sto r i e s o f w h a t Ve n n h a d h a d t o sa y

t o e a ch o f t h e m la st n ig h t , P a d d y t h o u g h t . Sh e w o u l d n o t h a v e b e en

su rp r i sed t o hea r th a t Ke i th h a d b een g i ven h i s m arch ing o rd e rs.

As fo r Anne t te , tha t g i r l was ask ing fo r t r oub le . Maybe she a lways had .

Pa d dy cou ldn ' t fo r t he l if e o f he r im a g ine he r as Ven n W i lda sh ' s w i fe .

CHAPTER EIGHT



N O T H I N G s p e c t a c u l a r h a p p e n e d d u r i n g t h e n e x t f e w d a y s e x c e p t t h a t

Pa d d y ' s a n k l e r e c o v e r e d , a n d t h e n i t w a s Su n d a y . B r u c e C a l e h a d a r r i v e d

la t e t h e p r e v i o u s n i g h t , a n d M a r g a r e t w a s v e r y e xcit e d . A p icn i c w a s p la n n e d

t o t he r ive r - th e on ly p ossib le p lace to go in the hea t t ha t st i l l con t inued . W e l l,

t h e r e w a s sa fe t y i n n u m b e r s, t h o u g h t Pa d d y , a s sh e p r ep a r e d t o g o a lo n g t o o .

She had b rushed Marga re t ' s sh in ing red ha i r and p la i ted i t wh i le l i s ten ing to

t he ch i l d 's exci ted cha t t e r a bo u t he r ba by b ro t he r .

"H is eyes a re b lue a nd he 's go t a li t t l e tu f t o f ha i r just t he co lou r o f m ine .

M u m m y w il l b r in g h i m h o m e in t w o w e ek s a n d t h a t 's w h en I'm g o in g h o m e

t oo . Isn ' t i t exc it ing , M iss D em p st er? O f cou rse I' ll m iss St a r l igh t a nd t he r id ing

a n d Si m o n a n d U n cle V e n n , b u t - "

Paddy sca rce ly hea rd wha t she sa id nex t . He r hea r t s tood s t i l l f o r the

f rac t ion o f a second . In t w o w eeks she w ou ld go t oo . A nd she w ou ld m iss a l l

t h i s - a nd Un cle Ven n -

She look ed in t he m i r ro r , and ove r M arga re t ' s sm a l l f r eck led fa ce she

caugh t he r own g lance , w is t fu l , sad , and she pushed the da rk s i l k y ha i r f r om

h e r ch e e k . W e ll, w o u ld i t h a v e m a d e a n y d if f e r en ce t o h a v e b e e n a b lo n d e ?

she a sk ed herse l f a lm ost com ica l ly .

Su r p r isi n g ly , B r u c e Ca le h a d b r o u g h t so m e m a i l f o r Pa d d y . It h a d b e en

ad d ressed t o M rs. F ran k 's an d ha d som ehow m issed o u t on b e ing sen t on t o

B ibb en luk e . A cou p le o f l et t e r s f r om f r i ends, a nd a le t t e r f r om Ph i l. A p a r ce l,



too ! Paddy ' s eyes w idened . She was ready fo r the p i cn ic and she had been

h u n t e d a w a y f r o m t h e k i t c h e n b y B e t h , w h o t o l d h e r , " V e r a a n d I h a v e

e v e r y t h i n g u n d e r c o n t r o l , P a d d y . Y o u g o a n d r e a d y o u r m a i l - o p e n y o u r

parcel ."

So Paddy sa t on the ve randah and d id as she was to ld . Fo r some reason ,

she le f t Ph i l ' s le t te r t i l l las t . Once her fever ish f ingers wou ld have r ipped i t

o p e n f ir st o f a l l, b u t n o w th e si g h t o f t h a t h a n d w r it i n g d i d n 't u p se t t h e re g u l a r

b e a t o f h e r h e a r t a t a l l . An d i f t h e l e t t e r w a s t o t e l l h e y w h e n h e a n d D i a n a

w e re b e i n g m a r r i ed , o r t o a sk if Pa d d y w o u l d l ik e t o b e b r i d e sm a id - w e ll, sh e

c o u l d t a k e i t w i t h o u t a n y t r o u b l e a t a l l . Pe r h a p s s h e ' d e v e n a g r e e t o b e

b r idesm a id . W ho k new ? If th e best m a n w as p resen t a b le , she to ld he rse lf

w it h o u t p r e m e d it a t e d b i t t e r n ess, sh e m ig h t e v en b e a b le t o w o r k u p a n e w

lo v e i n t e r est , t o g e t h e r o v e r t h e o n e t h a t h a d n e v e r g o t o f f t h e g r o u n d d u r i n g

he r so jou rn in th e ou t b ack .

Bu t t h e l e t t e r , w h e n s h e f i n a l l y d i d g e t a r o u n d t o o p e n i n g i t , w a s a

com p lete su rp r i se . H e r eyes sca nned i t r a p id l y , he r b ro w fu r row ed . She m a de

a sm a ll im p a t ien t g r im a ce . I t w a s a l l so r i d icu lous! So sho r t a t im e a go , th i s

le t t e r w o u ld h a v e sta r t e d h e r h e a r t b e a t i n g a g a in , b e ca u se Ph i l cl a i m e d n o w

t h a t h e a n d D i a n a h a d d e cid e d t h e y h a d m a d e a m ist a k e . It w a s a l l o f f .

"You ' re the g i r l I l ove bes t , Paddy . Are you s t i l l s tay ing on tha t sheep

sta t i o n ? I h o p e y o u h a v e n ' t g o t y o u r se lf e m b r o il ed w it h t h a t r ich sq u a t t e r y o u



t h r ew in m y f a ce ! W h a t a b o u t p a ck in g a b a g a n d ju m p i n g o n t h e ne xt t r a in

a n d co m in g h o m e ? I p r o m ise t o m e et y o u a t C en t r a l."

Pa d d y f i n i s h e d r e a d i n g t h e l e t t e r q u i c k l y . T h e r e w o u l d b e n o j u m p i n g o n

t he next t r a in . A s fo r t he sq ua t t e r , she ha d g o t h e rse l f em b ro i led w i th h im a l l

r i g h t , b u t n o t q u i t e i n t h e w a y t h a t P h i l h a l f - j o k i n g l y f e a r e d . B u t t h a t s h e

w o u l d k e ep t o h e r se lf . It w a s a p it y a b o u t D i a n a , sh e f o u n d h e r se lf t h i n k i n g a s

she ra t he r ab sen t m inded ly sl ip p ed t he st r i ng o f f he r pa ck a ge , becau se D ian a

was a n i ce g i r l - and Ph i l was a n i ce guy . The ve ry i dea o f the i r r omance

se e m e d so sim p le a n d u n co m p l ica t e d t h a t sh e w a s f i lle d w it h r e g r et it h a d n ' t

w o rk ed t o a n i ce t i d y conclusion . So ob v iou sly it w a sn ' t sim p le an d

u n c o m p l i c a t e d , a n d t h e f a c t a p p e a r e d t o b e t h a t l o v e v e r y s e l d o m w a s .

Ev er y lo v e a f f a ir h a d it s o w n p a t t e r n o f m isu n d e r sta n d in g o r m ish a p o r

t r a g e d y , b e fo re it h a d e v e n a c h a n c e o f co m i n g r ig h t . A n d o f t e n , it w e n t

ir r ev o c a b ly w r o n g .

M a y b e P h il a n d D i a n a w o u l d co m e t o g et h e r a g a in y et . Sh e w o u ld w r it e t o

Ph i l to tha t e f fec t , because rea l l y they were we l l su i ted to one ano the r . The

th o u g h t w a s a so m e w h a t a b su r d o n e w h e n sh e r e ca l le d h e r f ee li n g w h e n sh e

h a d f ir st h e a r d a b o u t i t .

She d i scove red tha t she had pu l l ed f r om i t s pa le b lue t i s sue paper a ve ry

love ly neg l igee . I t was pu re s i l k and i t was the mos t e legan t th ing she had

eve r seen , in t he p a lest o f p a le eau -d e -n i l co lou r . W i th i t w a s one o f t hose

la r g e n o te b o a r d s, t h a t a r e cu t e r a th e r t h a n b e a u t if u l , p i ct u r in g a b u sh o f r ed



r oses a nd a sm a l l bo y a nd sm a l l g i r l w hose li ps w ere tou ch ing . On t he ba ck o f

i t P h i l ha d w r i t t en sent im ent a l ly , "Red ro ses a re fo r lov e , a nd so is t he k iss.

P lease com e hom e. I love yo u . Ph i l."

So m e o n e ca m e ro u n d t h e v e r a n d a h a n d P a d d y t u r n ed h e r h e a d sh a r p ly . It

w a s Ve nn W i ld a sh, o f cou rse , h is q u izzica l look on t he si lk en neg l igee a nd t he

lav ish a nd la rge ca r d .

"A la t e Chr ist m a s p resent ? O r is i t yo u r b i r t hd a y?" he ask ed, to o

in teres ted ly .

To he r an noya nce, Pa d d y fe l t he rse l f b lush sca r let . W ha t so r t o f a n a nsw er

co u l d sh e m a k e t o a q u e st io n lik e t h a t - so ca su a l a n d o p e n ? N e xt t h i n g , h e 'd

w a n t t o k n o w w h o it w a s f r o m , a n d sh e co u l d h a r d ly sa y i t w a s a g if t f r o m a

n o n - e x i s t e n t g o d m o th e r . O n l y o n e k i n d o f p e r s o n w o u l d s e n d a c a r d l i k e

tha t…

She sa id f l us te red ly , bund l ing the neg l igee haphaza rd ly back in to i t s

w rap p ings, " It ' s a - a Chr ist m a s p resen t ." The ca rd f l u t te red t o t he f l oo r an d

lay fa ce u p , w i th P h i l 's m essa ge a nd h is la r ge scr ibb led signa t u re a l l t oo p la in .

Ve n n sto o p e d a n d p ick e d i t u p . H e re a d it b e fo re h e h a n d e d i t b a c k t o h e r ,

o f cou rse . He d idn ' t even p re tend no t to . We l l , though t Paddy as she th rus t i t

ou t o f sigh t , Ph i l cou ld be a g i r l. Bu t P h i l w a s de f in i te l y no t a g i r l, w it h a

m e ssa g e l ik e t h a t . H e r ch e ek s f lu sh e d e v e n m o r e d e e p l y a n d t h r o u g h h e r

la shes she sa w t he m ock ing f i re in h is b lue eyes.



H e r m a n i n Sy d n e y . T h a t w a s w h a t h e w a s t h i n k i n g . An d w h y , a f t e r a l l ,

should she care?

"W e ll , you 'l l soon b e hom e, M iss Dem p ste r , " he rem ark ed , and m oved o f f

w it h o u t a n o t h e r w o r d .

N o t h o m e , t h o u g h t P a d d y w h e n h e h a d g o n e . S h e d i d n ' t h a v e a h o m e .

Bu t g o n e . Ye s, in t w o w e ek s' t i m e sh e w o u l d b e g o n e . N o t b e fo r e t h a t . Sh e

d i d n ' t t h i n k a n y m o r e t h a t Ve n n w o u l d s u g g e s t s h e s h o u l d g o w i t h B r u c e -

t h o u g h h i s a u n t m i g h t ! N o , s o m e h o w s h e k n e w i n h e r b o n e s t h a t Ve n n

w ou ldn ' t d o t ha t . Becau se eve ry t h ing h a d sh i f ted focu s sl igh t ly i n t he last l it t le

w h i le . Ev e n b e fo r e h e h a d t o ld h e r a b o u t Pe g g y , h e h a d b e e n o b se r v in g h e r .

Sh e w a sn 't su r e w h e n sh e h a d b e co m e a w a r e o f i t , a n d sh e d i d n 't k n o w w h y

he w a s do ing i t , bu t becau se o f i t , she k new he w as go ing to l et h e r sta y he r

l im it e d t i m e o u t .

An d o f c o u r s e s h e w a n te d t o s t a y . H o w e v e r b a d i t w a s a f t e r w a r d s w h e n

she ha d g one.

Ev e ry o n e w e n t t o t h e p icn i c b y t h e r i v e r . T h ey t a lk e d , t h e y l u n ch e d , t h e y

rested , th ey sw a m . They d ra nk coo l d r ink s con t inua l ly , a nd th e ho t sleepy da y

w e n t b y l ik e a d r e a m , l ik e so m e t h in g u n r ea l . A n n e t t e sa u n t e r ed a b o u t

seduc t ive ly in her b ik in i , o f fe r ing over f low ing g lasses o f iced beer to the

m e n fo lk , a n d , w a t c h in g h e r , Pa d d y t h o u g h t sh e m i g h t a l m o st a s w e ll h a v e

been s ta rk naked . She wondered how she had eve r con fused the two s i s te rs .

A nne t te w as a lw ay s so de l i be ra t e l y p rov oca t i ve , w h i le Jean ne seem ed a lm ost



d e c o r o u s e v e n i n h e r b i k i n i - a n d w h i l e t h e y w e r e e a t i n g s h e p u t o n a l o n g

sk i rt o f p r et t y p a t ch w o r k co t t o n .

P a d d y h a d m a n a g e d - q u i t e sk i lf u l ly , sh e t h o u g h t - t o a v o id b e in g

c o r n e r e d b y e i t h e r Ve n n o r Ke i t h . Bu t t h a t c o u l d h a v e b e e n b e c a u s e t h e y

w e re b o t h a l it t le p r e o ccu p ie d w a t ch i n g A n n e t t e . H o w e v e r , sh e w a s n o t t o g o

sco t - f r ee fo r th e w ho le o f the d ay .

I t w as just a f te r d a rk ness ha d fa l len , a sm a l l f i r e ha d b een l it i n a rou gh ly

b u i l t f i r e p l a c e , a n d t h e B i l l y h a d b e e n p u t o n t o b o i l , t h a t B r u c e s a i d w i t h a

f r ie n d l y sm i le a t Pa d d y , "I h o p e t h a t w a s a p le a si n g g if t I b r o u g h t o u t f r o m

Gidgeem a l la w a , M iss D em p ste r ."

"Ve ry p leasing , th an k you ," sa id P a dd y , sm i li ng ba ck a nd say ing m ere ly

som eth ing conv en t iona l . Bu t V enn p ick ed i t up , an d she g lanced ac ross a t h im

k n o w i n g t h a t h e h a d l i s t e n e d , a n d s u r e e n o u g h t h e r e w a s a m o c k i n

sp ecu la t i on in h i s sc ru t iny , a nd she co lou red . . So w ha t w as i t t o d o w i th V enn

W ild a sh i f sh e f o u n d a p a l e g r ee n si lk g o w n a p le a si n g g i ft f r o m a m a n ?

He go t up and s t ro l l ed casua l l y ove r to he r , o f fe red he r a c iga re t te , wh ich

she re fused , then se t t l ed d ow n on t he g ra ss a l it t le aw ay f rom he r , j ust nea r

e n o u g h t o co n d u c t a v e r y p r iv a te co n v e r sa t io n i n a lo w a n d ca su a l t o n e .

" It w a s cert a in ly a lav ish g i f t , " he sa id cha t t i ly . H is eyes look ed sl igh t ly

dev i l i sh , re f lec t ing the red f l i cker ing f i re l igh t . "S i lk , wasn ' t i t? I wonder what

so r t o f a m a n he i s to send you som eth ing a s p e rsona l - a s in t im a t e - a s t ha t . "



"Fo r a l l y o u k n o w ," sa id Pa d d y w it h a n a t t e m p t a t so p h i st i ca t e d c o o ln e ss,

"h e m i gh t b e a m a n o l d e no u g h t o b e m y f a t h e r ."

"Tha t ' s i n the ca rds too , " he ag reed cons ide r ing ly . "Bu t ha rd ly w i th a

p a te rna l a ng le on you , ju d g ing f r om th e m essa ge - as w e ll as th e g if t . O r a re

you so y ou ng th a t do esn ' t seem ob v iou s?"

"N o , I'm n o t so y o u n g ," sa id Pa d d y . It a n n o y e d h e r t h a t h e w a s co n t i n u a l ly

d r a w in g a t t e n t i o n t o h e r a g e . " I'm o l d e r t h a n Je a n n e a n d A n n e t t e ," sh e a d d e d

pointlessly.

" In yea rs," he ag r eed . "Bu t i n exp e r ience? You con t inu e to b a f f l e m e th e re,

Pa d d y D e m p ste r . Yo u d o n 't g iv e a t h in g a w a y a b o u t y o u r se lf , d o y o u , u n l e ss

it ' s in a d v e r t e n t . Yo u k n o w , w h e n y o u c a m e h e re , I t h o u g h t I k n e w th e h e l l o f

a l o t a b o u t y o u - I h a d y o u n ice ly su m m e d u p - b u t I'v e si n ce r ea c h e d t h e

c o n c l u s i o n t h a t I h a v e t o s t a r t a g a i n . An d y o u h a v e a v e r y t r i c k y w a y o f

eva d ing t he issu e even w hen I d ress m y w o l f ish q u est ions u p a s la m b s."

A l i t t l e amused , Paddy looked a t h im th rough he r l ashes . The ques t ions I ' d

l i ke to ask you , she though t . Bu t o f cou rse she cou ldn ' t . And th i s was where

t h e w h o le id e a o f c om m u n ica t io n se em e d t o b r e a k d o w n - t h e re a r e so m a n y

c o n v e n t i o n a l t a b u s i n t h e a d u l t w o r l d . I t w a s a w o n d e r p e o p l e e v e r g o t t o

k now each o the r , an d p e rhap s m ost o f t hem neve r rea l l y d id… For insta nce ,

how d id th i s si tu a t ion com e ab ou t ? H ere she w a s - i ncom p rehensib l y -

e n g a g e d i n a v e ry p r iv a te c o n v e r sa t io n w it h Ve n n w h i le A n n e t t e - y e s, w h i le

A nne t te , d ressed now in th a t r evea l ing long c rea m co t t on d ress o f h e rs, w a s



le a n i n g b a c k a g a i n st a t r e e t r u n k b e sid e Ke it h . A n d h e r f i n g e rs w e r e p l a y i n g

a lm ost ob sessive ly w i th th e p a ua she l l t i k i som eone h ad sen t he r a t Ch r i st m a s

t i m e . A n d Ve n n w a s t a k i n g n o t t h e l e a st b i t o f n o t ice . T h o u g h f o r su r e A g n e s

was, because even as Paddy looked across a t those o ther two, she sh i f ted her

c a n v a s c h a i r n e x t t o t h e m , a n d , b y t h e l o o k o f t h i n g s , t o o k o v e r t h e

conversa t ion .

Paddy looked back a t Venn . The i r eyes locked , and ins tan t l y she was

u nn erve d . She sa id id io t ica l ly , "W el l, nev er m ind , I 'l l soon b e ou t o f you r ha i r ."

The re w as si lence fo r a few second s. Then V enn rep ea t ed , "Ou t o f m y h a i r?

In G i d g e e m a l la w a ? O r - h o m e - b a ck in Sy d n e y ?"

"T h a t d e p e n d s , " s a i d Pa d d y . An d d i d n ' t a d d , "O n t h e Ed u c a t i o n

D e p a r t m e n t . "

"M ore eva sions," sa id V enn . "You 're on t he d e fensive w hen I ta lk t o yo u ."

"W h y w o u l d n ' t I b e ?" sh e ch a l le n g e d . " I k n o w w h a t y o u t h i n k o f m e ."

H e shook h i s hea d . "You m igh t w e l l b e su rp r i sed . I've a d m i t ted m y f i r st

assessm en t w as w ide o f th e m a rk ."

"Am I su p p o se d t o b e g r a te fu l fo r t h a t ?"

H e m a d e a w r y f a c e . " I s t h a t h o w i t s o u n d e d ? N o , y o u d o n ' t n e e d t o b e

g ra te fu l ." H e a dd ed , " I'm st i ll cu r ious ab ou t you r ow n im p ressions."

"O f y o u ? " Pa d d y w i d e n e d h e r g r e y e y e s a n d h o p e d h e c o u l d n ' t s e e h e r

deep f l ush . "O h , they ' ve u nd e rgone v a r iou s cha nges- "

"The lat est on e?"



" I'm st i l l w ork ing on i t ."

" I ' m f l a t t e r e d y o u h a v e t h e t i m e . I ' d h a v e t h o u g h t y o u ' d b e t o o b u s y

b e t w e e n en te r t a in i n g Ke it h a n d k e e p i n g - P h i l, i sn 't it ? - i n a st a t e o f h o p e fu l

an t i c ipa t ion . "

" Is th a t how you in te rp re t m y m a i l?" she a sk ed d ry l y .

"Tha t ' s how I i n te rp re t i t , " he sa id , no t a t a l l abashed . " I marve l a t you ,

Pa d d y D e m p ste r . M y g r e a t r e g re t i s t h a t y o u m u st l e a v e u s, f o r I g a th e r y o u

w il l. I ca n 't b e lie v e y o u t h in k y o u h a v e a n y t h in g p e rm a n e n t t o g a i n f ro m

Kei th . "

Pa d d y a l m o s t s a i d , "H e ' s t o o o c c u p i e d w i t h An n e t t e f o r m e t o t h i n k t h a t ,

i sn ' t he?" Inst ead she rem ark ed , "It a st on ishes m e th a t you ha ve h im w ork ing

he re , th e w ay you fee l a bo u t h im . Is i t t o p lease Be th ?"

H e shru gg ed . "Pa r t ly . There a re o t her rea sons t oo ."

"W e ll, I'v e h e a r d it sa id t h e in f l u e n ce o f a w o m a n ca n b e t h e m a k i n g o f a

m a n . A g o o d w o m a n co u l d b e j u st w h a t K e it h L a i d la w e n ee d s."

"Are yo u se r iou s?" he ask ed - sha rp ly , r oug h ly , so t ha t Pa d dy f l inched a nd

her sp ine p r ick led .

"H ow ca n y ou a sk ?" she sa id ev a sive ly .

"H ow can I?" he sa id v io len t l y . "One m inu te yo u ' re rha p sod izing ove r som e

si lk t h in g a m a n 's se n t y o u f r o m Sy d n e y , t h e n e x t y o u 'r e t a l k i n g a b o u t b e i n g

t he goo d in f lu ence on Ke i th L a id law e 's l if e ."



"M a y b e I ' d b e t t e r s t i c k t o s c h o o l t e a c h i n g . " Pa d d y g o t u p f r o m th e g r o u n d

slow ly . "W hich rem ind s m e, M a rga re t look s a s i f she 's fa l l ing a sleep on her

f a t h e r 's la p a n d Sim o n ' s o n t h e g r o u n d . Sh e d r i f t e d a w a y , a n d h a t e d d o i n g i t ,

because she cou ld have s tayed there fo r ever , watch ing h is eyes in the

f i r el igh t , the cu rv e o f h i s m ou th , the f l a sh o f h i s w h i te t ee th . L i st en ing t o h i s

vo ice , no m a t te r w ha t i t w as sa y ing , even i f he w a s ab u sing he r .

He go t up a lmos t as soon as she d id and wen t to j o in h i s aun t and those

o t h e r t w o , a n d P a d d y t o o k S i m o n o n h e r k n e e a n d h e c l u n g t o h e r a n d

n u z z l e d h e r n e c k l i k e a l i t t l e k o a l a , w h i l e Be th , a c i g a r e t t e i n o n e h a n d ,

co n t i n u e d t o t a l k t o M a x a n d B r u ce co m p le t e ly u n a w a r e .

A n d Je a n n e sa t d r ea m in g l y a lo n e , w a i t i n g f o r t h e b i lly t o b o i l.

N o th i n g se e m e d q u it e t h e sa m e a f t e r t h e p icn i c, a f t e r B r u c e h a d g o n e . "So

soon , " Pa d d y t hou gh t , " I'l l b e gone t oo ." An d she longed fo r som eth ing d e f in i te

t o h a p p e n . A n y t h i n g .

Bu t no t h ing h ap p ened . Ye t i t w a s t he lu l l be fo re the sto rm , som e si xth sense

t o ld he r .

O n e a f t e r n o o n w h e n b o th t h e c h i l d r e n , w o r n o u t , w e r e s l e e p i n g a n d e v e n

B e t h h a d a b a n d o n e d h e r scu l p t u r e a n d f a l le n a sle ep o n t h e v e ra n d a h , P a d d y

w e n t d o w n t o t h e sa d d l in g y a r d a n d a sk e d Jim t o sa d d l e u p a p o n y f o r h er .

Sh e ro d e a w a y f r o m t h e h o m e st e a d k n o w in g t h a t d e ep in h e r m in d sh e

h o p e d t o e n c o u n te r Ve n n . I t w a s g r e a t t o b e r i d i n g a b o u t B i b b e n l u k e . Sh e

ha d b ecom e ob sessed w i th t he p lace a t som e h idd en leve l o f her su b con sciou s



m in d . It w a s b u r n i n g ly h o t , a n d y e t sh e a c ce p t e d t h a t ; a n d sh e a c ce p t e d t h e

sh i m m e r in g l a n d sca p e t h a t w a s r a p id ly d r y i n g u p a n d a ssu m in g t o n e s o f

t a rn ished g o ld , si lve r g rey , so f t m u t ed o chre . I t w a s im p ossib le to im a g ine

h e r se lf b a c k in G i d g e e m a ll a w a t e a ch i n g sch o o l a g a i n w h i le o u t h e r e Ve n n

W ild a sh st i ll d r o v e o r r o d e a b o u t a n d w o r k e d o u t h i s d e st i n y w it h o u t h e r . Sh e

h a d t h e f e e lin g t h a t Je a n n e D u n ca n w o u l d g o - t h a t p e rh a p s sh e h a d a b o y -

f r i e n d i n Sy d n e y - b u t o f An n e t t e s h e t r i e d n o t t o t h i n k , t h o u g h i t w a s

i m p o s s i b l e . An n e t t e h a d e m e r g e d a s a g i r l w h o h a d t a s te d t h e a p p l e , a n d

cou ld nev e r go ba ck to i nnocence .

"An d no r ca n I, i n a cu r iou s w a y ," th ou gh t Pa d dy a s he r ho rse jogg ed a long

w hi le she sa t p a ssive , nerve less, a lm ost a s t hou gh she ha d le f t her b od y a nd

re t rea t ed t o t he sp i r it . It st r uck he r a s st ra nge t ha t A nne t te , w ho p ro fessed t o

be m a d ly i n l ove w it h V enn , cou ld st i ll bea r Ke i th ' s l ip s a ga inst he rs, the t ou ch

of h is ha nd s on h er ba re f lesh . Tha t , t o P a d d y , w a s in t o le ra b le…

H o w i r o n i c i t w a s t h a t s h e h a d c o m e h e r e t o g e t o v e r h e r l o v e a f f a i r w i t h

Ph il a n d h a d b e e n f lu n g in t o a n e m o t io n a l ex p e r ie n ce f r o m w h i ch sh e f e lt sh e

w o u l d n e v e r r eco v e r , n e v e r i n h e r lif e . H e r lo v e a f f a i r w it h P h i l h a d b e e n o f

t h e m o s t e l e m e n t a r y a n d c h i l d i s h k i n d , a n d h e r w o u n d h a d b e e n n o m o r e

th a n sk in d e e p .

" I w i ll sta y he re nea r Venn u n t i l I m u st go ."



Sh e h a d a ctu a l ly sa id t h e w o r d s a lo u d f r o m th e d e p t h s o f h e r r e v e r ie , a n d

th e so u n d o f t h e m b r o u g h t h e r a b r u p t l y b a ck i n t o h e r p h y sica l b e i n g , in t o t h e

p r e s e n t m o m e n t .

A hea d o f h er ac ross t he exp a nse o f long ye l low ing gr a sses w a s a low l ine o f

m ou n t a ins, a s f l im sy look ing a s a b i t o f c rum p led t i ssue p ap er , t he i r co lou r t he

p a l e t a r n i sh e d g o l d o f a sk e le to n l e a f . T h e sk y b e h in d w a s g a u zy w it h b l o w n

dus t , the red dus t o f the wes te rn p la ins . Paddy had neve r been so c lose to

th o se e lu siv e m o u n t a i n s t h a t a p p e a r e d a n d d i sa p p e a r e d i n t h e ir h a ze o f d u st ,

t h e ir r ea l it y n e v e r t o b e q u it e a cce p t e d t h o u g h t h e h e a r t h u n g e r ed f o r t h e m

as a re l ie f f r om th e m ono t onou s p la ins. She k new she m ust h a ve com e a long

w a y w h i le sh e h a d b e e n d e e p i n h e r b e w i ld e r e d d r ea m , a n d sh e r ea l ize d l a t e r

t h a t s h e s h o u l d h a v e t u r n e d b a c k t h e n , f o r t h e a f t e r n o o n h a d a l r e a d y b e e n

ha l f ove r w hen she le f t t he bu nga low . Ye t she rode on to w a rds th e h i l ls a s i f

un de r som e com p u lsion . A l igh t w ind b lew a cross th e long g rasses a nd th ey

r ip p le d a n d su r g e d l ik e y e llo w w a t e r s f l o w i n g , a n d su d d e n ly h e r m o u n t b r o k e

in t o a ca n t e r, a n d o f f t h e y w e n t a l o n g t h e n a r r o w t r a ck .

F ina l l y she ha d to p u l l h im up , fo r th e re w as a fen ce crossing th e t r a ck , an d

th e i n e v i t a b le g a t e t h a t m u st b e o p e n e d a n d m e t i cu l o u sly c lo se d . H a d sh e

o p e n ed a n d clo se d o t h e r g a t e s w it h o u t e v e n b e i n g a w a r e o f it ? sh e w o n d e r ed ,

fo r su re ly she cou ld no t ha ve com e a l l th i s w ay w i thou t encou n t e r ing a fence.

I t w a s t r u e t h a t o u t h e r e , s o m e o f t h e p a d d o c k s w e r e e n o r m o u s , a n d c o u l d

co v e r a s m u c h a s f o u r t h o u sa n d a c re s, t h o u g h sh e k n e w f r o m h e a r i n g M a x



t a lk t h a t it w a s Ve n n ' s p o l icy t o d iv i d e h is p r o p e r t y in t o p a d d o c k s sm a ll

e n o u g h t o cr e a te a m o r e e v e n g r a z i n g p a t t e rn , a n d t h u s le sse n t h e l ik e li h o o d

of erosion.

Bu t p e rh a p s sh e w a s n o l o n g e r e v e n o n B i b b e n lu k e l a n d !

T h r o u g h t h e g a te , s h e w a s o n r o c k i e r t e r r a i n , a n d t h e g r o u n d t i l t e d

u n e v e n l y t o w a r d s a l o w h i l l t h a t h a d b e e n h i d d e n b e f o r e b y t h e b r i m m i n g

f ie ld o f surg ing grasses . Her horse p icked i ts way th rough s tones , and there

were w i ld f l owers g row ing - the b r i l l i an t r ed o f S tu r t ' s dese r t pea , the b lue o f

Pa t te rson ' s cu rse . Paddy saw now tha t she wou ld neve r reach he r moun ta ins ,

bu t t h i s h i ll she ha d d iscove red - i t w as to p p ed b y a jagged l ine o f r ocks l ik e a

spine.

An d w i t h a s u d d e n n e s s t h a t w a s a l m o s t m a g i c a l e v e r y th i n g s e e m e d t o

have changed . Paddy fe l t she had c rossed an inv i s ib le boundary in to ano the r

w or ld - a st i ll w o r ld w here the se t t i ng su n b lazed st ra igh t in t o he r eyes. Sha f ts

o f r e d l i g h t s l a s h e d t h r o u g h a s m u d g e o f d u s t t o p a i n t p u r p l e s h a d o w s a n d

th e a t r i ca l b a n d s o f b r i l lia n t v e r m i lio n a m o n g st t h e b o u ld e r s a n d t h e p r ick ly -

le a f e d p la n t t h a t d o t t e d t h e g r o u n d . "W h e re a m I?" P a d d y f e lt l ik e a t r a v e l le r

i n a s t r a n g e a n d f a b l e d l a n d , i t w a s a l l s o e m p t y . N o t a h u m a n b e i n g o r a

beas t i n s igh t , though she though t she hea rd the be l l ow ing o f a bu l l

som ew here .

O r w a s i t t h e r o a r i n g e c h o o f s o m e t r a p p e d w i n d a s i t b l e w t h r o u g h a

h idden cave rn?



The l igh t so f t ened as she reached th e long sha do w o f t he h i l l, an d sud d en ly

he r ho rse f i dg e ted , w h inn ied , pu l led u p a nd st i f fened i t s fo re legs. The re w a s a

cle f t i n t h e h i ll a n d Pa d d y w a n te d t o i n v e st i g a t e . D e e p i n h e r m i n d sh e k n e w

th a t s h e h o p e d t o f i n d a h o m e s te a d t h e r e , b e c a u s e s o o n i t w o u l d b e d a r k ,

a n d s h e d i d n ' t r e a l l y k n o w h o w s h e w a s g o i n g t o g e t h o m e . An d s h e h a d n ' t

even t o ld B e th she w a s go ing r i d ing .

A h o m e ste a d , o r a n o u t st a t io n - o r e v e n a b o u n d a r y r id e r 's h u t , Pa d d y

th o u g h t , t r y i n g t o u r g e h e r h o r s e o n . Bu t h e r e fu s e d t o g o , a n d w h e n h e

st a r t ed t o p ig roo t , she d i sm ou n t ed in a f r i gh t .

"W h a t 's t h e m a t t e r w it h y o u ?" sh e a sk e d , w h e n h e w o u ld n o t e v e n b e l ed .

She t i ed h i s re ins ove r the b ranch o f a t r ee and con t inued on foo t t i l l she

reached t he c le f t . She fou nd he rse l f on a na r row p a t h w it h sides so steep th ey

s e e m e d t o h a v e b e e n c u t o u t o f s o l i d r o c k - a l o n g w h i l e a g o , f o r n o w th e y

w e r e r o u g h a n d p i t t e d , a n d h a r d y - l o o k i n g p l a n t s h a d t a k e n a f o o t h o l d

eve rywhere , and bushes w i th s t i f f g rey b ranches and p r i ck l y l eave , reached

c r a z i l y d o w n . I t w a s v e r y s t i l l a n d q u i e t , b u t h i g h o v e r h e a d t h e w i n d w a s

b l o w i n g , a n d sh e sa w a w e d g e ta il ea g le t a k i n g a r i d e . D o w n h e r e it w a s st il l

and s t range ly coo l : She fe l t a b rea th o f i c y a i r touch he r cheek . A i r o r - " I t

e d g e d p a st h e r a l m o st t a n g i b l y , t o u ch i n g h e r n e ck l ik e t h e co l d b la d e o f a

k n i fe , so t ha t she sh iv ered su d d en ly . St i ll a i r an d y e t t h is - p resence m ov ing

p a s t h e r w h i l e s h e f l o a te d d o w n t h e c h a s m l i k e a l e a f b e i n g d r a w n b y a n

op p osi te cu r ren t .



N o h u t o r h o m e ste a d . N o b u i ld i n g a t a ll . Bu t a sm a ll, r o u g h ly c ir cu la r l a k e ,

w a s t h e w o r d t h a t sw a m i n t o h e r m in d . F o r t h e b il lo w i n g g ro u n d w a s co v e r ed

wi th shor t so f t g reen grass , and i t was a l l coo l shadows, wh i le a l l a round

ga p ed sha l low rock y cav e rns. Sheep h a d been he re a t som e t im e . She cou ld

se e t h e i r d r o p p i n g s, b u t n o w n o t h i n g m o v e d b u t h e r se lf . H ig h a b o v e , t h e sk y

w a s f l u sh e d t o r e d a n d t h e a i r w a s f lo w in g a s if t o d r a i n a l l t h e co l o u r a w a y .

W h e n i t w a s e m p t y i t w o u l d b e d a r k , a n d t h e t h o u g h t , o f b l a c k n e s s , u t t e r

d a rk ness, w a s f r igh t en ing .

P a d d y w a l k e d q u i ck ly b a ck t o t h e n a r r o w e xit , a n d r i g h t b e sid e i t i n a t e n -

f o o t - h i g h ca v e t h a t y a w n e d l ik e a w id e m o u t h , sh e sa w h a n d s, a n d h e r h ea r t

st ood st i l l. A score o r so o f h a nd s, hu m a n size . P a le gho st ly ha nd s on a sm oot h

cu rve o f r ock . They hung the re l i ke pa l l i d ba ts i n the deepen ing shadows o f

t he cav e .

P a d d y a l m o s t s c r e a m e d . W i t h t h u d d i n g h e a r t s h e f l e d d o w n t h e n a r r o w

p a ssa g e w a y i n t o a la n d sca p e t h a t w a s n o l o n g e r t h e o n e sh e h a d le f t b e h i n d

he r . To f i nd t he re w a s no h o rse w a i t i ng fo r h e r , t e the red t o a t r ee…

She sto od an d sta red . She cou ldn ' t p ossib l y ha ve com e ou t an y o t he r w ay

than she had gone in . Or cou ld she? Bu t th i s l andscape - i t was v io le t -g rey

w i th sha do w s l ik e w a t e r r ip p les run n ing a cross i t . The last d rop o f co lou r ha d

d r a i n e d o u t o f t h e s k y , a n d i t w a s a p a l e d i s t a n t i n d i g o . So m e th i n g o n t h e

g round shone pa le s tee ly i nd igo too . She s tooped and touched i t . Me ta l . She

d r e w b a c k q u i c k l y . S h e k n e w i n t u i t i v e l y t h a t i t w a s p a r t o f t h e p l a n e t h a t



h a d b e e n w r e ck e d h e r e y ea r s a g o . H e r h e a r t w a s h a m m e r in g a s sh e m o v e d

q u i c k l y a w a y , a n d s u d d e n l y s h e s a w th e t r e e t o w h i c h s h e h a d t e th e r e d h e r

h o r se , b la ck a n d t i lt e d lik e a Ja p a n e se p r in t . T h e b a n ch w a s b r o k e n a n d h e r

horse ha d g one - b eca u se she w a s a f ra id .

Bu t Pa d d y D e m p ste r w a s n o t a f r a id , sh e t o ld h e r se lf f i r m ly . O n l y a l it t le , o f

t h e d a r k t h a t w a s co m i n g so q u i ck ly i t w a s l ik e w it c h cr a f t . Sh e w h i st l e d t o h e r

ho rse as she ha d h ea rd t he m en d o ing , b u t h e rs w as a n ee r ie p ip ing lonesom e

wh is t l e . She l i s tened fo r the answer ing wh inney , fo r the thud o f hoo fbea ts .

N o th i n g . N o t a so u n d . A n d w h e n sh e t r i e d t o w h i st le a g a in , n o so u n d ca m e .

She sto od p e r fect l y st i ll a nd t r i ed t o re lax . She w ou ld ha v e to sp end th e n igh t

o u t h e r e . So w h a t w a s t h e r e t o b e f r i g h te n e d o f? So m e o n e w o u l d c o m e to

lo o k f o r h e r - sh e w o u ld b e f o u n d . T o m o r r o w . Sh e co u l d n 't e x p e ct t o b e f o u n d

to n i g h t .

The re w as on ly on e possib le p lace to sp end th e n igh t , an d t ha t w a s in the

l i t t l e g reen va l l ey where i t was she l te red and the g round was so f t . So Paddy

g r o p e d h e r w a y b a c k t o h e r l a k e o f g r e e n g r a s s a n d f o u n d a p l a c e i n t h e

sh e lt e r o f a n o v e r h a n g in g r o ck w h e r e it w a s f l a t a n d w h e r e sh e co u ld cu r l u p

a n d t r y t o p e rsu a d e h e r se lf t h a t sh e w a s co m fo r t a b le . Sh e d id n 't lo o k a t t h e

w h i t e h a n d , a n d sh e d i d n ' t t h in k a b o u t t h e m . Sh e w a t ch e d t h e sta r s co m e

in to t he sk y a nd she d idn ' t l i sten t o t he si lence o r st a re in t o t he sha do w s w here

she m igh t im a g ine she sa w som eth ing m ove . She sta r ted a t t he cr y o f a

m o p o k e , b u t i t w a s o n l y t h e cr y o f a n o w l, it w a s n o th i n g su p e r n a t u r a l .



Af te r a l o n g w h i l e s h e l a y d o w n o n h e r b a c k , h e r a r m y u n d e r h e r h e a d ,

a n d clo se d h e r ey e s a n d t h o u g h t d e te r m in e d ly - d e te r m i n ed ly - o f p le a sa n t

th ings.

Sh e t h o u g h t o f t h i n g s t h a t h a d g i v e n h e r p l e a s u r e - o f w a t c h i n g a n e a g l e

r id ing on the w ind , o f the movemen t o f the long g rasses as they su rged and

re t rea t ed l ik e a t i de , o f t he su n sh in ing o n h e rho rse 's f l ank s. A nd she t hou gh t o

i Venn W i ld a sh 's b lue eyes a nd t he b lack ness o f h is leve l b ro w s, a nd t he nea r -

g o l d o f h i s sh i n in g t h i ck h a ir . A n d o f h o w h e a v e n ly i t w o u ld b e w h e n h e ca m e

an d fo u nd he r - a s o f cou rse he w ou ld . A nd som ew here a long t he l ine she fe l l

asleep.

A n d s h e d r e a m t - s h e d r e a m t t h a t a l i t t l e f l o c k o f f a t l a m b s c a m e

g a m b o ll in g i n t o h e r g r e e n v a l le y . Sh e h e a r d t h e ir so f t b le a t i n g a n d t h e sh o r t

sha rp b a rk ing o f a do , t ha t she som ehow k new w a s T r ix ie , Ke i th ' s k e lp ie . The

sh e e p ca m e ju m b l i n g a n d t u m b l in g in t h r o u g h t h e n a r r o w ste e p - si d e d

p a ssa g e w a y f r o m o u t sid e a n d sp r e a d o u t g e n t l y o v e r t h e g r a ss w h i le t h e d o g

c i r c l e d t h e m a n d r a n b a c k a n d f o r t h , a n d t h e l i t t l e m o b g r e w , s m a l l f e e t

p a t t e r i n g . T a l l b l a c k s h a d o w s m e r g e d w i t h t h e d a r k n e s s o f t h e s h a d o w y

c a v e s , a n d P a d d y , w h o k n e w i n h e r d r e a m , a n d w a s d i s t u r b e d b y t h e

know ledge , tha t i t was Ke i th on ho rseback he rd ing the sheep in he re , saw

su d d e n l y w it h a m a z em e n t t h a t sh e w a s w r o n g . It w a s a g ir l w h o r o d e t h e t a ll

ho rse in the sha do w s. A g i r l w it h ha i r t ha t g leam ed si lve r i n t he sta r l igh t , a g i r l

w h o se f a c e w a s sh a d o w e d b y t h e w i d e b r i m o f a st o c k m a n ' s h a t .



P a d d y 's d ist u rb a nce su b sided . She rea l ly w a s d rea m ing. " I'm g la d ," she

th o u g h t , " t h a t it ' s n o t t r u e - t h a t it ' s n o t Ke it h . Be th w o u l d b e so u n h a p p y …'

Her s leep deepened , i t became one o f the those s leeps where the u t te r l y

w eary re laxed b od y loses a l l sensa t ion .

It w a s a l i fe t i m e la t e r t h a t so m e th i n g d r a g g e d h e r f r o m th e b o t t o m le ss p it

o f u n co n scio u sn e ss, a n d w it h m a d ly b e a t i n g h e a r t , w o n d e r in g w h e r e o n e a r t h

she was and wha t had wakened he r , she s t rugg led to he r fee t , consc ious o f

co ld ness, o f st i f fness, her bo d y a l l aches f rom t he h a rd grou nd .

T h e r e w a s a s e a o f s h e e p i n t h e l i t t l e v a l l e y , a n d w a tc h i n g o v e r t h e m a

m a n o n h o r s e b a c k . H e r d r e a m c a m e b a c k a n d s h e k n e w t h a t i t w a s n o

d r e a m . T h e o n ly p a r t t h a t h a d b e e n a d r ea m w a s w h e n sh e t h o u g h t sh e sa w

A nne t te . Becau se it w as a m an a f t e r a l l, a nd o f cou rse it w a s Ke i th .

Paddy w ished fu t i l e l y tha t she had no t been so s i l l y as to ge t he rse l f

st r a n d e d o u t h e re . Sh e d i d n 't w a n t t o k n o w a b o u t K e it h - t o b e m i xe d u p in

w h a te v e r h e w a s d o i n g . Bu t s h e w o u l d h a v e t o m a k e h e r p r e s e n c e k n o w n ,

b e c a u s e s h e h a d t o g e t b a c k t o B i b b e n l u k e , a n d s h e d i d n ' t w a n t s e a r c h

p a r t i es ou t . W e l l, she w ou ld insi st t ha t K e i th t ak e tho se sheep b ack w here he

h a d g o t t h e m - sh e w a s n o t a f r a id o f h i m . H e w a s n o t g o i ng t o g e t a w a y w it h

sel l ing V enn 's fa t la m b s.

Eyes b r igh t , she beg an to m ov e tow ard s h im , a nd in the st a r l igh t she saw

tha t the r i de r was wa lk ing h i s ho rse qu ie t l y i n he r d i rec t ion . She cou ld see



clea r l y the si lhou e t t e o f h i s b a re head a nd - oh God , it w as Ven n ! Pa d dy 's

h e a d b e g a n t o sp i n . So h e r d r ea m - h a d i t b e en A n n e t t e ?

An d t h e n s h e c a r e d n o th i n g a b o u t a n y th i n g , b e c a u s e Ve n n h a d s l i p p e d

f rom th e sad d le a nd she had gon e st r a igh t i n t o h i s a rm s a nd he r vo ice w as

cry ing , l ow an d so f t , "Oh , Venn - Ven n , k i ss m e - ho ld m e- "

" I'l l k iss yo u la t e r ," he b reat hed in her ea r . "I 'l l k iss t he l i fe ou t o f y ou i f you

w a n t . B u t n o w - a r e y o u a l l r ig h t ?"

" I'm f i ne ," she sa id , pu l li ng he rse lf t oge t he r , asha m ed a l rea dy t ha t she h ad

ask ed fo r h i s k isses, fo r h i s a rm s. She p u l led a w ay f rom h im , aw a re ag a in o f

t h e u n b e a r a b l e e a c h e s i n h e r c r a m p e d b o d y . "H o w d i d y o u f i n d m e ? W e r e

yo u look ing fo r t hose sheep ?"

"Th e sh e e p ? D a m n t h e sh e ep . I w a s lo o k i n g f o r y o u . Yo u ca n ' t t h i n k t h a t

you r ab sence w en t u n rem a rk ed , " he sa id t e r se ly . " I've b een ou t ha lf th e n igh t

- a s soon as Be t h ca l led m e . I fou nd you r ho rse ou t t he re and sa w t he b rok en

b r a n c h w h e r e I p r e s u m e y o u ' d t e t h e r e d i t . M y G o d , I t h o u g h t y o u ' d f i n i s h e d

yourse l f o f f th i s t ime . Ou t the re ' s a p lace where t r agedy ' s a l ready happened

o n ce a t B i b b e n l u k e . I'v e b e en h e r e o n ly o n c e in m y l if e a n d I n e v e r e v e n k n e w

th is va l l ey ex i s ted . Ton igh t I had the fee l i ng I mus t come back - and I was

r ig h t ." H e st o p p e d f o r a m o m e n t a n d t h e n a sk e d a b r u p t l y , "D i d y o u b r in g

t ho se sheep in h ere?

"Of cou rse n ot !" she excla im ed .



"Then who d id? " H is eyes s ta red down in to he r face and the re were s tee ly

f i r es g l i t t e r ing in t hem .

" I - I don ' t k now ."

" I t h ink you d o," he sa id .

Pa d dy shook he r head . " I w as asleep - I w a s d rea m ing - "

"Sw e e th e a r t , y o u d i d n ' t l i e h e r e a s l e e p w h i l e a l l t h a t h a p p e n e d a r o u n d

you . I f those sheep weren ' t he re when you came in - and I p resume they

w e re n 't o r y o u ' d h a v e sa i d so - t h e n y o u w o k e w h e n y o u h e a r d t h e p a t t e r o f

t h e i r t i n y f e e t . T h a t ' s l o g i c . " H e p a u s e d a n d t o o k h o l d o f h e r b y t h e u p p e r

a r m s. H e r a rm s w ere co ld a nd h i s ha nd w ere w arm , an d y e t she sh ive red . "It

w a s Ke i t h , w a sn ' t i t? "

P a d d y s h o o k h e r h e a d d u m b l y . T o s a y i t w a s A n n e t t e w o u l d n ' t m a k e

se n se , y e t t o a l lo w h i m t o b e l ie v e i t h a d b e en Ke i t h w a s e q u a l ly u n th i n k a b le .

Be c a u s e i t h a d n ' t b e e n . Sh e f e l t q u i t e c e r t a i n a b o u t t h a t . H e r d r e a m h a d

been n o d rea m , an d she ha d seen b londe h a i r, a g i r l's sl im f i gu re . An ne t t e o r

Jean ne - w ha t o d d s w ere th e re?

" It w a sn ' t K e it h , " she sa id , a nd a d d ed con fu sed ly , "I w a s a sleep."

H e look ed a t he r i n si lence, a nd t hen sa id m ock ing ly , "You w ere asleep . Bu t

i t w a sn ' t K e i th . W ha t a st o ry ! So u nconv inc ing a s t o b e w or t h less. So w e 'l l

f o r g e t t h e w h o l e t h i n g , w e w o n ' t t a l k a b o u t it . I'l l d r a w m y o w n c o n clu sio n s."

" It w asn 't K e i th , " sa id P ad dy stu bb o rn ly . She d idn ' t l ik e Ke i th , bu t she d id n ' t

w a n t t o se e h im b l a m e d f o r so m e p r a n k o f A n n e t t e 's. A f t e r a ll, h e w a s Be th ' s



b r o t h e r . Sh e t u r n e d a w a y a n d st r e t c h e d h e r a r m s a c h in g l y , t h e n r a n h e r

f i n g e r s t h r o u g h h e r h a i r . I t w a s w o n d e r fu l t o h a v e b e e n f o u n d , t o b e s a fe

a g a i n . Sh e f e l t d e e p l y t r o u b l e d a b o u t t h e s h e e p , b u t s h e w a s g l a d t h e y

w e re n 't g o i n g t o t a lk a b o u t t h a t a n y m o r e ju st n o w . It w o u l d a ll b e so r t e d o u t

so m e h o w , t h e sto r m m ig h t b e a b a d o n e , b u t i t w o u ld e v e n t u a l ly p a ss…

A s she look ed a bo u t h e r she rem em bered he r fee li ngs o f fea r , and th a t ch il l

ghos t l y p resence , and she wondered i f i t had had some connec t ion w i th the

p lane c rash as we l l as w i th the hands in the cave . Ou t o f he r though ts , she

ask ed , "Those ha nd s in th e ca ve , Ven n - th ey a lm ost sca red m e ou t o f m y w i ts.

W h a t d o t h e y m e a n ?"

"H an d s? W ha t h a nd s?" He w as f row n ing in the st a r l i gh t an d she

rem em bered he ha d n eve r been in th i s l it t le enclosed v a l ley be fo re . Tha t w a s

st ran ge , becau se it b e long ed , p resu m ab ly , to h im . Bu t p e rhap s w hen such a

t r a g e d y h a d h a p p e ne d , o n e w o u ld k e ep a w a y f r o m t h e p l a ce … A m in u t e

la te r she was show ing h im the cave . He sw i tched on h i s pocke t to r ch and the

bea m f lashed ov e r t he cu rved su r fa ce o f the anc ien t r ock s, i ll um ina t ing the

hands tha t seemed to move fa in t l y - pa le s tenc i l l ed shapes aga ins t phased -

ou t pa tches o f r ed och re . She saw too wha t she had no t seen be fo re - a

scr a t ch e d - o u t p a t t e r n o f ci ca d a s f o r m i n g a l m o st a f r ie ze a b o v e .

Ve n n u t t e r ed a lo w e xcla m a t io n . "Th i s m u st b e t h e sa cr e d g r o u n d o f t h e

cicad a t o t em ! I m igh t ha ve gu essed a t som eth ing o f the so r t w hen Roy w as so



e m p h a t i c a b o u t st o p p in g i n v e st ig a t io n s - so ce rt a i n m y sh e e p h a d b e e n t a k e n

o f f in a t r u ck . A n d h e r e - m y G o d , I sh o u l d h a v e w o r k e d i t o u t f o r m y se lf ."

Pa d d y sta r ed a t h i m q u e st i o n i n g ly , a n d p u t t i n g a n a r m a cr o ss h e r

shou lders, he d rew her w i th h im c loser t o t he rock fa ce . "Th is is w here t he

Drea m t im e he ro lost h i s p hysica l ex ist ence a nd cha nged in to a rock . H e re, on

t h is sa cred si te , h is sp i r it su rv ives. D o yo u k no w a b ou t t he D rea m t im e heroes,

P a d d y ? - h a l f m a n , h a l f a n im a l , w h o w a l k e d t h e e a r t h lo n g a g o a n d a r e n o w

t he sp i r it s t ha t p reside ov er va r iou s t o t em s." ,

Paddy nodded . Yes , she had read o f those abo r ig ina l be l i e fs . "Bu t the

h a n d s, V e n n - w h a t d o t h e y m e a n ?"

"T h e y ' r e t o b r i n g t h e i r o w n e r s i n t o r a p p o r t w i t h t h e D r e a m t i m e b e i n g s .

T h ey 'r e m a d e b y p la c in g t h e h a n d o n t h e ro ck , a n d b l o w i ng o ch r e fr o m t h e

m o u th t o f o r m a k i n d o f s t e n c i l . D o y o u u n d e r s ta n d ? " Ag a i n s h e n o d d e d ,

l isten ing to h im in fasc ina t ion . "F rom th e p a r t i cu la r co lou r o f th i s p igm en t , I 'd

say i t cou ld ha ve b een b rou gh t a cross f r om Pa r i ch i l na in Sou t h A u st ra l ia

heaven knows how long ago - a spec ia l r ed och re , g rea t l y cove ted , co lou red

b y t h e b l o o d o f a m y t h i ca l d o g a n d p a r t i cu l a r ly p o t e n t ." H e st r a i g h t e n ed u p

a nd sw i tched o f f h is t o rch . The w h i t e ha nd s w ere st i l l eer i ly v isib le in the d a rk

sha do w s, an d h i s a rm st ay ed w a rm ly a rou nd P a d dy 's shou lde rs. "The to t em

sp i rit s m u st h a v e w a r n e d R o y t o k e ep a w a y , n o t t o i n t e r f e re . H e n ce m y sh e ep

w e re sp ir it e d a w a y . A s t h e y w o u l d b e a g a i n t h i s t i m e , n o d o u b t , if y o u h a d n 't

d isc losed t he secre t , P a d d y D em p st er ."



A n d t h e n so m e h o w o r o th e r h i s h a n d s w e r e lo ck e d a t t h e b a ck o f h e r w a ist ,

an d she w a s look ing u p in to h i s fa ce .

" D o y o u r e m e m b e r w h a t y o u a s k e d m e - w h a t I p r o m i s e d y o u - e a r l i e r

on?"

The co lou r f l ood ed q u ick l y in t o he r fa ce an d receded . K iss m e - ho ld m e - " I

- I shou ldn 't ha ve sa id i t . I t w a s just - "

"You r p assiona t e na tu re ," he sa id , h is vo ice low . "W e 'l l ha v e t o w a t ch i t ,

won ' t we? Fo r I be l i eve , desp i te eve ry th ing , tha t you ' re s t i l l i nnocen t , a ren ' t

y o u ? Ye t t h a t in v i t i n g m o u t h , t h o se lo v e l y clo u d y e y e s t e l l m e y o u k n o w t h a t

lo v e c a n b e a p h y sica l d e li g h t . W o u l d n ' t y o u g iv e i n t o m e if I w e re t o a sk y o u

- h e r e a n d n o w , o n t h i s w a r m , t o t a l ly u n r e a l a n d a l m o st e n d e d su m m e r

n igh t?"

Sh e t r e m b l e d , k n o w i n g t h a t sh e w o u ld , co n fu se d a s t o w h e th e r o r n o t sh e

w a n t e d h i m t o a sk - a f r a id o f ju st w h a t h e w o u ld d e m a n d . A n d a t t h e b a ck

o f h e r m in d l ik e a w h i sp e r e d w a r n i n g , a d o u b t ,w a s t h e t h o u g h t o f A n n e t t e .

" It w o u l d n 't b e f a i r t o a sk a n y th i n g o f y o u , " Ve n n sa id o n a b r e a th , a f t e r a

lo n g m o m e n t w h e n t h e y l o o k e d a t e a ch o t h e r a n d sh e se e m e d t o se e h im a s

clea r l y as t hou gh he w ere l it by som e d a zzl ing a nd crysta l li ne l igh t . The p o res

o f h i s sk in , th e d a rk ness o f h i s j aw w here he needed a sha ve , the ind en t a t ions

a t t he corners o f h is m ou t h . The co lou r o f h is eyes - t he in t ense co lou r . They

w ere l ik e b lue f l ow ers, a l l w a r m th a nd desi re… Bu t i t w a s ab su rd th a t she

sh o u ld t h i n k t o se e h im l ik e t h i s w h e n t h e r e w a s o n l y f a i n t st a r l ig h t a n d t h e



g l im m e r o f co m i n g d a w n i n t h e sk y t h a t h u n g o v e r t h e lit t le g r a ssy v a l le y w it h

i ts cache o f st o len sheep . Yet st i l l she h a d seen h im , an d h is eyes look ing d ow n

a t he r had seen he r w i th the same c la r i t y . She knew i t i ns t i nc t i ve l y , and i t

se e m e d ,t o m e a n so m e th i n g .

W ith a su d d e n e x cl a m a t io n t h a t w a s a l m o st a g r o a n , h e h a d cr u sh e d h e r t o

h im an d h i s l ip s a ga inst he r m ou th w ere p assiona te . She c lun g t o h im w h i le h i s

f i nge rs t r aced the leng th o f he r a rms , touched l i nge r ing ly aga ins t he r h ip

bones , her th ighs . And then, though the i r bod ies were s t i l l c lose , we lded, h is

m o u t h w a s a w a y f r o m h e r s a n d h is v o i ce ca m e lo w a n d t e n se :

"A r e y o u a f r a id , lit t le o n e, t h a t t h e a n i m a l in m e - t h e d e m a n d in g

in sa t ia b l e m a le - h a s t a k e n o v e r ? It w o u l d b e so e a sy t o su b ju g a t e y o u - a n d

it w o u l d b e so i m m o r a l . I sh a n ' t d o i t n o w , b u t i t ' s w h a t I 'm g o i n g t o d o

e v e n t u a l l y i f y o u s t a y l o n g i n t h e o u t b a c k . Y o u k n o w t h a t , d o n ' t y o u ? M y

G o d , I w a n t y o u so m u c h I co u l d t a k e y o u r i g h t n o w …'

Paddy s tayed pass ive , t r emb l ing . I t was as i f she cou ldn ' t move . He r body

fe lt sensi t i ve a s th e st r i ng o f a v io l i n , t i gh t , ta u t , an d she k new th e deep a che

o f desi re fo r a m a n . She hu ng susp end ed in t im e , w a i t i ng on t he edge o f

a go ny fo r som e exqu isi te a nd re leasing fu sion .

W hen he le t he r go gen t l y , g ra d ua l ly , tea rs st un g in he r eyes b l ind ing he r ,

her body was agon ized, unsat is f ied , and she sh ivered uncontro l lab ly . She

w a n t e d t o b e se e ch h i m o n c e m o r e , "K iss m e - d o n 't le t m e g o - t a k e m e , lo v e

m e - " An d sh e w a n t e d t o sa y t o o , "I lo v e y o u , Ve n n '. Bu t sh e h e ld b a ck t h e



w o r d s, t h e y r e m a i n ed i n h e r h ea r t , a n d la t e r , lo o k i n g b a ck , r e m e m b e r in g , sh e

t h a n k e d h ea v e n .

Lo ve? O r p a ssion - m a d ness?

CHAPTER NINE

T H E sk y w a s p a l in g r a p id ly a n d t h e sm a l l f le ck s o f clo u d t h a t f lo a te d h i g h

above f l ashed sca r le t l i ke the f i r e i n wh i te opa ls as Venn and Paddy rode

b a c k t o g e t h e r t o B i b b e n l u k e . V e n n m a d e P a d d y p r o m i s e t o s a y n o t h i n g t o

a n y o n e a b o u t t h o se sh e e p o r t h e h i d d e n p a stu r e s o r m e et i n g h i m t h e r e .

" I fou nd yo u in t he m u lga fo rest , i f any one a sk s," he sa id . " Is t ha t c lea r? A nd

you ' l l l e t me hand le th i s , and say no th ing to Ke i th o r Be th o r anyone e lse a t

al l ."

A nne t te , fo r insta nce , t hou gh t Pa d dy . She nod ded . " I p rom ise ." She w a s

w e a r y a n d e x h a u s te d a n d a l l s h e c o u l d t h i n k o f w a s h o w Ve n n h a d s a i d " I

w a n t y o u ." W h a t d id t h a t m e a n ? T ha t h e w a n t e d h e r b o d y - n o m o r e a n d n o

le ss. W h e n "I lo v e y o u ' w a s w h a t sh e n e ed e d t o h e a r f r o m th e m a n t o w h o m

she su r rende red . She sw ore t o he rse l f tha t no m a t t e r how long she sta yed on

B i b b e n l u k e , h e w o u ld f i n d h e r d i f f er e n t f r o m A n n e t t e . A n d j u st n o w , sh e h a d



a n o v e rp o w e r in g d e sir e t o a sk h i m a b o u t A n n e t t e - t o b e g h im t o t e ll h er t h e

t r u th . W a s h e g o i n g t o m a r r y h e r? T o w o n d e r n o w w a s t o r t u r e , a n d c r a z ily , it

se e m e d n o w a l l t o o l ik e ly t o b e t r u e . N o w th a t sh e k n e w so m u c h m o r e o f h is

p a ssiona t e na t u re .

Bu t b y w h a t r ig h t co u ld sh e a sk ? H e h a d h e ld h e r in h i s a r m s b u t h e h a d

g iven he r no cla im on h im , no r i gh t s a t a l l…

"You ' re no t t o see Ke it h t h i s m orn ing , " he w as sa y ing . "You 'l l go to b ed t he

m in u t e y o u r ea c h h o m e - I'l l l et B e t h k n o w y o u 'r e b a ck . A n d b y t h e t i m e y o u

w a k e Ke it h w il l b e o u t o f t h e h o u se . T h e re 'l l b e n o t e m p ta t io n , n o a r m

tw i st in g . Bu t t h i n k a b o u t i t , Pa d d y , w i ll y o u ? T h a t y o u sh o u l d t e l l t h e t r u t h i s

i m p o r ta n t t o m e in m o r e w a y s t h a n o n e . Ca n ' t y o u se e t h a t?"

"I'v e t o l d y o u t h e t r u t h , " sa i d P a d d y , n o t u n d e rst a n d in g w h a t h e m e a n t .

She w a s stu p id w i th w ear iness. "Ke it h d id n ' t ta k e you r sheep . "

H e d id n ' t p ress he r fu r the r . W hen a t l ast he saw he r i n to t he hou se , he sa id

in a low a nd in te nse ly ser ious vo ice , "W e ca n n ever a ga in m eet a s st ra ngers,

Pa d dy . Som ehow w e 'l l ha ve t o so r t ou rse lves ou t ."

Pa d d y p r a ct i ca l ly f e ll in t o b e d , a n d sle p t a n d sle p t . W h e n sh e w o k e it w a s

la t e i n t h e m o r n i n g , a n d sh e f e lt st r a n g e l y co n fu se d . Ev e r y th i n g t h a t h a d

h a p p e n e d , t h e p r e v i o u s n i g h t s e e m e d t o b e l o n g i n a d r e a m s e q u e n c e ,

co m p le te ly o u t si d e o f t i m e , w it h n o r h y m e o r r e a so n t o i t . T h e m o st r ea l, a n d

y e t t h e m o st u n r ea l t h i n g o f a ll, w a s t h a t V e n n h a d m a d e lo v e o f a k i nd t o

h e r - v e r b a l lo v e , ev e n p h y si ca l lo v e , t o b e r e m e m b e r ed w it h a cu t e a g o n y .



She show ered a nd d ressed in jean s an d a sho r t - w a ist ed co t t on t op , b rushed

h e r d a r k h a i r a n d t h o u g h t o f A n n e t t e . A n n e t t e b e l o n g e d s o m e w h e r e i n t h e

d rea m sequ ence too , m ost d e f in i te ly , becau se she ha d b een t he shep herd ess.

W hy? To a nno y V enn? O u t o f sheer f ru st ra t ion a t h is hea r t lessness? Ke i t h ha d

sa id Ve n n w o u l d n 't g i v e A n n e t t e t h e l o v i n g sh e n e e d e d . "H e w i ll n e v e r m a r r y

A n n e t t e ," sh e t h o u g h t . It se e m e d p e r f ect ly o b v io u s t o h e r n o w , b u t p e r h a p s it

wasn ' t ye t obv ious to Anne t te . Paddy fe l t an i c y ch i l l i n he r hea r t . Had she

fa l le n i n lo v e w it h a b r u te ?

Ye t Ve n n w a s n o t l i k e t h a t , s o m e o th e r p a r t o f h e y r e a s o n e d . Ve n n h a d

se l f - con t ro l - he w as resp onsib le . H e ha d n o t m a d e lov e to h e r last n igh t

w h e n , a s b o th o f t h e n i m u s t h a v e k n o w n , i t w o u l d h a v e b e e n s o e a s y . H o w

th e n d id y o u r eco n c ile t h e t w o i m a g e s? T h e m a n sh e l o v e d a n d t h e m a n sh e

ha ted . . "So you los t you rse l f i n the mu lga fo res t , " Be th sa id when Paddy

a p p e a r e d o n t h e v e r a n d a h . L u n ch w a s i n p r o g r e ss, a n d Si m o n a n d M a r g a r e t

w e r e p l a c i d l y e a t i n g c o l d m e a t a n d s a l a d , a n d d r i n k i n g o r a n g e s q u a s h .

"W h e r e o n e a r t h d i d y o u i m a g i n e y o u w e r e g o i n g ? I g o t t h e f r i g h t o f m y l i f e

w h e n y o u d i d n ' t c o m e h o m e t o d i n n e r . M a x w e n t o v e r t o t h e h o m e s t e a d t o

s e e w h a t h e c o u l d f i n d o u t a n d n o o n e k n e w a t h i n g . A n n e t t e h a d g o n e t o

bed a nd w as a sleep - she ha d n ' t been fee l ing t oo w e l l - b u t Jean nc sa id

ne i the r o f t hem ha d seen a sign o f you ."



Paddy p r i cked up he r ea rs . So Anne t te had been as leep , had she? She

t h o u g h t sh e k n e w b e t t e r t h a n t h a t . A n n e t t e h a d b e en o u t r o u n d in g u p V e n n 's

sh e e p a n d h e r d i n g t h e m in to a h i d in g p la ce .

" I 'm so r r y to have been such a bo the r , " she apo log ized . " I wen t ou t fo r a

r ide . I d idn ' t m ean to go fa r , bu t I go t so r t o f l ost i n m y t hou gh t s."

"Yo u s h o u l d n e v e r g o o u t a l o n e w i t h o u t t e l l i n g s o m e o n e w h e r e y o u ' r e

go ing , in t he ou tb a ck ," sa id Be t h q u i te seve re ly . "Even Sim on k now s th a t ."

"And so do I , " sa id Marga re t . Bo th the ch i l d ren were l i s ten ing w ide -eyed

a n d h a d e v i d e n t l y b e e n m a d e a w a r e o f t h e s e r i o u s n e s s o f w a n d e r i n g a w a y

w it h o u t a w o rd t o a n y o n e.

" I k n o w ," sa i d P a d d y p e n it e n t ly , a n d f e e l in g a sh a m e d o f h e r b a d e x a m p le .

" I d i d n ' t t h in k a n d t h e n m y h o r se d i sa p p e a r e d ."

"Bu t t h e m u lg a f o r est ! W h a t a g h o st ly p l a ce t o b e st r a n d e d i n ! W e re n 't y o u

a f ra id? "

" It ' s no u se be ing a f ra id , " sa id Pa dd y w i th a l it t l e sm i le . She d idn ' t k now a

th ing abou t the mu lga fo res t , so she d idn ' t t r y to add any de ta i l s . She d id

w a n t t o k n o w , t h o u g h , w h e r e Ke it h h a d b e en . It w o u ld b e f in e if sh e co u ld t e ll

Ve n n a n d p r o v e t o h i m t h a t sh e h a d n 't b e en st ick i n g u p f o r Ke it h , b u t si m p ly

te l lin g t h e t r u th . Sh e a sk e d c a su a l ly , "H o w co m e Ke it h d i d n ' t c o m e to lo o k f o r

m e? O r d id he look in the w rong p laces?"

"Keit h w a sn 't a r o u n d . Ve n n se n t h i m o u t la t e in t h e e v e n in g t o r e p a ir o n e

o f th e fences w here a t r ee ha d fa l len . H e w a s sup p osed t o ha v e don e it ea r l ie r



i n the day , bu t he fo rgo t . " She spoke f l a t l y , bu t d i s i l l us ion was p la in i n he r

v o i ce . Be th ' s b r o t h e r p l a i n ly w a s n o t g o i n g t o m a k e t h e g r a d e a t B i b b e n lu k e ,

a n d B e t h k n e w it . P a d d y w a s w o n d e r in g h o p e f u l ly if t h e r ep a ir jo b w o u l d b e

a g o o d a l ib i , a n d if K e it h h a d g o t b a ck f r o m t h a t a t a r ea so n a b le h o u r w h e n

Be th d a s h e d h e r h o p e s . "As a m a t t e r o f f a c t h e s ta y e d t h e n i g h t i n t h e o l d

b o u n d a r y r i d e r 's h u t o u t t h e r e a n d c a m e in e a r l y t h is m o r n i n g . So h e d id n 't

e v e n k n o w y o u w e re m i ssin g . I w a s so r e lie v e d w h e n Ve n n b r o u g h t y o u h o m e .

I k n e w h e w o u l d , I h a v e t h e u t m o st f a it h i n Ve n n ."

Pa d d y ' s h e a r t h a d s u n k . So Ke i t h h a d b e e n o u t m o s t o f t h e n i g h t . T h a t

d i d n ' t l o o k t o o g o o d b u t Ke i t h w a s n ' t g u i l t y a n d s h e d i d n ' t s e e h o w Ve n n

cou ld p rov e h im t o b e so . A nd i sn ' t a m a n sup p osed t o b e innocen t t i ll he i s

p r o v e d g u i lt y ? It c o u l d e v e n b e , a n y h o w , t h a t b y t h is t i m e A n n e t t e h a d t o l d

Venn w ha t she ha d d one . She w a s a v e ry od d g i r l, an d in P a dd y 's op in ion she

w a s g o i n g a b o u t w i n n in g b a ck Ve n n ' s a t t e n t i o n s in a h o p e le ssly i m m a t u r e

an d i l log i ca l w ay .

"D i d Ve n n g o o u t a g a i n t o d a y ?" sh e w o n d e r ed a lo u d .

"To check on t ha t fen ce , I shou ld im a g ine ," Be th sa id , look ing t r o u b led . "Bu t

he 'd ha ve t ak en a sleep f i r st ."

P a d d y h a d V e n n o n h e r m in d a l l a f t e rn o o n . Sh e d i d n 't h a v e e n o u g h

e n e rg y t o t a k e t h e ch i ld r e n f o r a p i cn i c, t h e ir f a v o u r i t e f o r m o f e n te r t a in m e n t ,

b u t sh e p l a y e d i n t h e sa n d h e a p w it h t h e m .



"Bu i ld Bu ck i n g h a m Pa l a ce f o r u s, M i ss D e m p ste r ," M a r g a r e t u r g e d , a n d

Pa d d y p a i n s ta k i n g l y , a n d w i t h t h e c h i l d r e n ' s h e l p , b u i l t a l a r g e a n d v e r y

e la b o r a te ca st le , ce r t a in l y w it h o u t m u ch r e se m b la n ce t o Bu ck in g h a m P a la c e

- a n d sh e t h o u g h t a b o u t V en n a n d a l l t h a t h a d h a p p e n ed l a st n ig h t a t t h e

D r e a m t i m e p l a ce . T h e m o r e sh e t h o u g h t a b o u t it t h e m o r e it se em e d t o h e r

t h a t i t h a d a l l h a p p e n e d i n a v a c u u m , o r i n s o m e w o r l d o n t h e e d g e o f

n o w h e r e . I t h a d s i m p l y n o t b e e n r e l a t e d t o a n y t h i n g t h a t h a d h a p p e n e d

be fo re . Excep t p e rhap s th a t r i gh t f r o m th e st a r t she ha d b een ph ysica l ly

a t t r a ct e d t o h im .

A n d p h y si ca l a t t r a c t i o n q u it e si m p ly a cco u n te d f o r t h e w h o l e t h in g .

She w as u t t e r ly con fu sed t o f i nd h e rse lf face t o fa ce w i th h im la t e r w hen

s h e w e n t o n t o t h e v e r a n d a h w i t h t h e c h i l d r e n , w h o w e r e i n s e a r c h o f c o l d

d r ink s. A s th e do o r b a nged shu t beh ind h e r , she saw h im si t t i ng in th e g reen

sh a d e o f t h e p a ssio n f r u it v i n e t h a t f o r m e d a t h ick scr ee n b e tw e e n t h e

ve ra nd ah p osts.

"H e llo , Un c le Venn ! W e 'l l ge t t he d r ink s, M iss D em p st er ," M a rga re t caro l led ,

a n d sh e a n d Si m o n p a t t e r e d h a p p i ly o f f t o t h e k it c h en .

Ve n n g o t t o h i s f e e t a n d h e a n d Pa d d y l o o k e d a t e a c h o th e r s i l e n t l y .

Paddy fe l t s t r ange ly unce r ta in o f he rse l f , con f ron ted by the exp ress ion in h i s

e y e s. It w a s a s if - a s if t h e y h a d b o th d r ea m e d t h e sa m e d r e a m - h e r d r e a m -

an d t h rou gh i t he r i nne rm ost secre ts ha d b een revea led to h im . She a lm ost

w a n t e d t o r u n a w a y a n d h id e h e r se lf .



H e d idn ' t sm i le and she w ond ered u n t i l she d i scov e red t ha t she ha d n ' t

sm i led e i ther .

" I cam e to see you , Pa dd y ," he sa id a lm ost fo rm a l ly . "Sha l l w e si t d ow n?" H e

p u l le d f o r w a r d a c h a i r fo r h e r a n d sh e t o o k it o b e d i en t l y . H e sa t d o w n a g a i n

to o a n d lo o k e d a t h e r i n scr u t a b ly , t h e g r e e n su n - f ilt e r e d l ig h t f r o m t h e v i n e s

m a k in g a m y ste r y o f h i s e y es. H e t o o k o u t c ig a r e t t e s a n d a sk e d h e r , "H a v e

y o u r e co v e r e d f r o m y o u r n ig h t o u t ?"

Pa d dy sw a l low ed , crossed he r l egs in t he i r u n rem ark a b le den im jean s, an d

no t i ced t ha t she w a s b a re foo t . She ha d lef t he r san d a ls ou t i n the ga rden . She

w i s h e d s t u p i d l y a n d f u t i l e l y t h a t s h e h a d p u t o n s o m e m a k e - u p t o d a y , a n d

when she ra i sed a hand to run ne rvous f i nge rs th rough he r ha i r she was

rew a rded by a show er o f san d ov e r he r fa ce .

"Yes, tha nk you . I'm so r r y I ga ve y ou such a d i stu rb ed n igh t . "

H e se n t h e r a c ro o k e d sm i le . "Yo u m ig h t h a v e sa v e d m e q u it e a

conside rab le su m o f m oney , so you n eedn ' t a p o log ize… You ' ve k ep t you r

p rom ise, of cour se?"

"N ot t o ta lk? Yes."

"G o o d . B y t h e w a y , m y a u n t w o u l d l ik e y o u t o c o m e t o d i n n er t o n i g ht ."

Pa d d y b li n k e d . Sh e w a s q u it e ce r t a in A g n e s W i ld a sh w o u ld n 't l i k e h e r t o

com e to d inne r . So i t m u st b e Venn ' s i dea - b eca u se he d id n ' t r ea l l y t r u st h e r

n o t t o t a lk .

"Than k you ," she sa id . "I shou ld l ik e t ha t ."



H is e y eb r o w s t i lt e d a n d h e d r ew o n h i s cig a r et t e . Pa d d y t h o u g h t it st r a n g e

tha t they shou ld be s i t t i ng he re l i ke th i s , hav ing th i s k ind o f a conve rsa t ion ,

w hen so sho r t a t im e ago t hey ha d b een in each o th e r 's a r m s. It w as a ve ry

u n n e r v i n g t h o u g h t , a n d sh e j u m p e d sl ig h t ly w h e n h e sa id le v e lly , "W h y a r e

y o u p r o te ct i n g Ke i t h so d e te r m in e d l y , Pa d d y ? I f in d it h a r d t o b e lie v e y o u ' v e

fa l l en in any way fo r the l i ne he pu ts ac ross . Have you? Has Ph i l - th i s o the r

m a n - co m p le te ly c e a se d t o in t e r e st y o u ? O r o n l y t e m p o r a r i ly ?"

Pa d d y f e lt co n fu se d . Sh e w a n t e d t o sa y , "I d o n 't ca r e a f i g a b o u t Ke it h - I 'm

n o t p r o te ct i n g h i m . A n d P h i l m e a n s n o t h i n g t o m e ." Bu t b e fo re sh e co u l d e v e n

b eg in, h is w or d s cut a cross t heir u n sp ok en o nes.

" It occu rs to m e it ' s t im e som eone he lped you so r t you rse lf ou t , an d I'm

g o in g t o t e l l y o u o n e o r t w o f a c t s a b o u t K e it h t h a t I t h in k y o u sh o u l d k n o w .

W h a t I'm g o in g t o sa y i s n o t g e n er a l k n o w le d g e a n d I h o p e y o u c a n k e ep it t o

you rse l f . Ke i th i s no t he re on B ibben luke o f h i s own acco rd o r because he

w an t s to m ak e good , a s th e say ing goes. H e 's he re becau se I've p a id o f f a v e ry

co n sid e ra b l e d e b t f o r h i m , a f a c t w h i ch u p t o t h is m o m e n t h a s b e e n st r ict ly

be t w een m yse l f an d h im . In p la in w ord s, i t 's sa ved h im f rom a p r i son t e rm ."

H e p a u se d a n d P a d d y f e lt f a in t sh o ck . "N o w I d o n 't b e lie v e in m a k i n g a g if t

o f m y h a rd - ea rned ca sh t o consc ience less op p o r t un ist s even w hen t hey

h a p p e n t o b e r e la t iv e s o f m y v e ry g o o d f r ie n d s. W h i le Ke it h is h e r e w o r k i n g

fo r m e , he 's p ay ing o f f h i s deb t . Do yo u fo l low m e?"



Pa d dy nod ded , em b ar ra ssed a t h i s con f id ences. She d idn ' t need so r t i ng ou t

w hen i t ca m e to Ke i th , an d she fe lt d esp e ra t e l y so r r y , fo r Be th . Bu t V enn

needn 't h av e to ld he r a ny o f t h i s.

"Bu t t h is t im e," sa id Ven n h a rsh ly , "Th is t im e i t ' s t he f in ish . I've su f fe red Ke i t h

t oo long a s i t is. This t im e I cu t m y losses, t ha t 's a l l . A f t er t h is he g oes a n d I

d o n ' t w a n t e v e r t o s e e h i m a g a i n . B e t h w i l l h a v e t o k n o w e x a c t l y w h y a n d

e xa c t l y w h a t so r t o f t r o u b le h e w a s in b e fo r e h e ca m e h e re . W o m e n w e r e t h e

lea st p a r t o f i t . I 'd h a ve p u t u p w i th h i s i r r esp onsib i l it y a w h i le longe r , b u t now

he's st ea l ing m y st ock ."

P a d d y d r e w a d e e p b r e a t h . V e n n w a s w r o n g . S h e d i d n ' t k n o w t h a t K e i t h

d e se r v e d t h e o p p o r t u n i t y f o r re h a b i lit a t io n t h a t Ve n n h a d g i v e n h i m , a n d sh e

d i d n 't w a n t t o c h a m p i o n h i m i n a n y w a y . Sh e h a d n o t e n d e r f ee lin g s f o r h im

an d she w asn ' t im p ressed b y w ha t she ha d seen o f h i s p e r fo rm a nce a t

B i b b e n l u k e . It w a s si m p ly a f a c t t h a t h e h a d n 't d o n e t h i s la st t h i n g - h e h a d n ' t

st o len Venn ' s sto ck , even i f it ha d been h i s i d io t i c t a l k t ha t h ad p u t i deas in to

A nn et t e 's si l ly hea d .

She clenched he r f ist s an d ho p ed t ha t V enn w ou ld no t m isin te rp re t he r

m o t iv e s a n d sh e sa id q u ie t l y b u t f ir m ly , "N o m a t t e r w h a t y o u su sp e ct , Ve n n , it

w asn 't K e it h w ho b rou gh t th ose sheep in t o t he va l ley ."

Venn leaned towards he r , u t te r l y exaspe ra ted , h i s eyes ha rd . "D idn ' t you

t e ll m e you w ere a sleep? Bu t i f you ' re so d a m ned p osi t i ve , t hen w ho w a s i t?

W h a t 's t h e a lt e r n a t i v e y o u ' r e o f f e r in g ? C o m e o n n o w , sp e a k u p - y o u w e r e



t he re , you ca n c lea r i t a l l up in a m a t t e r o f second s an d sav e a lo t o f t r ou b le ."

H e h a d g r a sp e d h e r a r m a n g r i ly a n d sh e k n e w sh e h a d a g g r a v a t e d h i m

a lm ost b eyon d en d u ra nce. H e w a s so p osi t ive a nd so w a s she. She cou ld fee l

h i s ange r l i ke a red th read o f f i r e runn ing a long he r ve ins th rough h i s hands ,

a nd she w a s a w a re of t he h elp lessness of h er p osi t io n. She w a s in a c lef t st ick .

She cou ldn ' t accuse Anne t te . She cou ld on ly ask Anne t te to te l l Venn the

t r u th . Bu t t h a t d id n 't h e l p , ju st n o w .

Sh e sta r ed f i xe d l y b a c k a t Ve n n a n d a n e r v o u s p u l se b e a t a t h e r t e m p l es.

H e r lip s p a r t e d , b u t sh e co u ld sa y n o th i n g . Ve n n w a s n o t g o i n g t o b e a m u se d

a t w h a t A n n et t e h a d d o n e, a n d P a d d y k n ew t h a t sh e h a d t o k e ep h er lit t le

nose we l l ou t o f i t . She tu rned her head as ide w i th a s ick fee l ing . She wasn ' t

m a k in g V e n n l ik e h er a n y m o r e. It o c cu r r e d t o h e r n o w t o w o n d e r if V e n n h a d

d o n e w h a t h e h a d l a st n ig h t t o p r o v id e a co u n t e r - a t t r a ct i o n - t o e n co u r a g e

her to con fess. I t w as a d i sa g reeab le tho u gh t a nd it w a s to o l ik e l y fo r com fo r t .

I t w a s o n l y m o m e n t s l a t e r t h a t K e i t h c a m e o n t o t h e v e r a n d a h t o s t a n d

lo o k i n g a t P a d d y a n d V e n n w it h a n o d d sm i le .

"H i ," he sa id . "N o d r ink s ye t ? I 'm get t ing u nd er the show er ."

" I se e y o u g o t t h a t f e n ce m e n d e d ." Ve n n sa t b a ck in h is ch a i r a n d lo o k e d a t

t he o th e r m an t h rou gh ha l f - c losed eyes "D id you sh i f t t hose sheep d ow n to t he

r i ve r he rb a ge?"

" I d id , " sa id K e it h . An d a d d ed a som ehow inso len t "Boss."



There w a s a secon d 's si lence. "Ru n a long a nd get rea d y , Pa d d y ," sa id V enn .

Fo r Ke it h 's ben e f i t , he ad ded , "Pad dy 's com ing to d inne r a t th e hom estea d ."

P a d d y g o t u p . K e i t h s a i d , " W h a t a b o u t d i n n e r w i t h m e t o m o r r o w n i g h t ,

Pa d d y lo v e ?"

Paddy had no idea wha t to say . She cou ldn ' t l i ke Ke i th . She cou ldn ' t see

h o w a n y o n e a s n i c e a s B e t h e v e r g o t t o h a v e a b r o t h e r l i k e t h a t . O r w h a t

A nn et t e cou ld see in h im - except a p ict u re o f herse l f in h is eyes. She sa id w i th

a n a t t e m p t a t e a se , " I'll b e i n t o m o r r o w n i g h t , if t h a t ' s w h a t y o u m e a n ."

In h e r b e d r o o m sh e t r i e d t o l o o k a f e w f a c t s st r a ig h t in t h e f a ce . Ve n n

ha d n ' t com e to t he bu nga low t h i s even ing t o see he r - t o fea st h i s eyes on h e r

t h e w a y sh e w o u ld l ik e t o f e a st h e r ey e s o n h i m . H e h a d co m e to m a k e su r e

she d idn ' t see Ke it h a lone , becau se he d id n ' t t r ust he r . A nd to g i ve he r a no t he r

c h a n c e t o c o m e c l e a n . N o w s h e d i d n ' t k n o w w h a t h e ' d d o - h o w h e ' d g o

a b o u t p r o v i n g t h a t K e it h h a d b e en in v o l v e d .

A t d in n e r, it w a s p e r f ect l y p l a i n t o P a d d y t h a t A n n e t t e h a d so m e t h i n g o n

he r m ind . She w a s w ear ing he r p a ua she l l neck let , an d f i nge red i t const an t l y

a n d n e r v i l y a s i f t o d r a w a t t e n t i o n t o w h e r e i t h u n g a g a i n s t h e r b r e a s t ,

revea led by the low neck l ine o f her d ress . Her to f fee co loured eyes scarce ly

eve r l ef t Venn 's face , a nd th e re w as a cu r iou s exp ression a t t he b a ck o f t hem -

a k i n d o f s u l l e n d e m a n d . Pa d d y m a r v e l l e d a s s h e l o o k e d a t t h o s e r o u n d

g o o fy e y e s t h a t A n n e t t e h a d b e e n p r a c t i ca l e n o u g h t o d e a l w it h t h e sh e e p a s

she ap p a ren t l y ha d . H ad she do ne i t w i th t he so le pu rp ose o f a rou sing Venn 's



a n g e r ? H o w c o u l d s h e e v e r e x p e c t t o w i n h i m b a c k t h a t w a y ? I f s h e o n l y

k n e w i t , h e r n e r v o u s f i n g e r i n g o f t h e t i k i h a d h i m d e f i n i t e l y i n t r i g u e d . H e

w a t c h e d h e r t o n i g h t w i t h n a r r o w e d t h o u g h t f u l e y e s , a n d P a d d y w o n d e r e d

ab ou t t ha t t i k i . D id i t m ean som eth ing sp ecia l in A nne t te ' s l if e? O r w a s i t

si m p ly a c h a r m ? Sh e t h o u g h V e n n w a s w o n d e r in g t o o . If h e n o lo n g e r w a n te d

her fo r h im se l f , w ou ld he b e w i ll ing t o ha nd he r ove r t o som eone e lse?

A t t h a t m o m e n t A g n e s sa i d f r o m h e r en d o f t h e t a b l e , "Jo h n w i ll b e b a ck

n e x t w e e k , Ve n n . An d y o u w i l l b e g o n e , Pa d d y . " T h e r e w a s a n u n f l a t t e r i n g

sa t i sfa ct ion in th e w ay she sa id t ha t . Pa d dy f l inched . Yes, she w ou ld b e go ne ,

a n d i t w a s v e r y d o u b t f u l w h e t h e r a n y o n e w o u l d c a r e m u c h , e x c e p t P a d d y

D em p st er h erse l f .

Ve n n ' s a t t e n t io n sw it c h e d f r o m A n n e t t e t o Pa d d y , a n d h e co m m e n te d , "So

t im e 's nea r l y up ." Pa dd y f l ushed as he r eyes m e t h i s, an d she fe lt th a t q u ick

o d d co n ta ct w it h t h e m a n h i m se lf t h a t w a s so in c o m p r e h en si b le a n d se e m e d

t o go so d eep.

"A nd t he g i r ls," sa id A gn es, sh i f t ing h er w a t er g la ss a l it t le . "Jea nn e m u st

so o n g o b a c k t o Sy d n e y a n d h e r w o r k - "

"An d t he boy - f r i end you 've b een te l li ng m e ab ou t , eh , Jean ne?" sa id V enn ,

an d Jean ne sm i led he r p re t t y d oci le sm i le an d n od d ed .

" I'll m a k e t h e t r i p d o w n t o Sy d n e y o n e o f t h e se d a y s a n d m e et h i m ," Ve n n

p rom ised .

"A nn et t e m u st st a y , o f cou rse ," sa id A gne s.



"M ust?" Venn sho t he r a f r ow n ing look . "Th is t im e I th ink w e 'l l l ea ve

A n n e t t e t o m a k e h e r o w n d e ci sio n s. W e 'l l t a lk a b o u t t h a t la t e r, A n n e t t e b u t

n o t w h i le w e h a v e a g u e st ."

A gu est , thou gh t P ad d y . A n ou t side r . W ho , how ever m uch he r senses ha d

b e e n t i t i lla t e d , d i d n o t b e l o n g i n a n y w a y . Sh e w o n d e r e d w it h a je a l o u s p a n g

w h a t k in d o f a t a l k V e n n a n d A n n et t e w o u ld h a v e a n d w h a t w a s t h e o t h er

d e c isio n t h a t A n n e t t e h a d n o t b e e n l ef t t o m a k e a l o n e . N o w sh e co u l d n 't m iss

the sudden f lash o f de f iance in Annet te 's round eyes as her f ingers sought the

p a ua she l l once ag a in . She look ed m ore t ha n ev e r l ik e a p recoc iou s schoo lg i r l

a n d it w a s cr a z y t o r eca ll w h a t sh e h a d b e e n u p t o la st n i g h t .

" I d id d ream it ," th ou gh t Pa d d y sud den ly . It sim p ly wa sn ' t feasib le .

T h e y w e r e a b o u t t o h a v e c o f f e e w h e n Ve n n p u s h e d b a c k h i s c h a i r . "N o

co f fee fo r me , thanks , Agnes . I have some work to a t tend to . I hope you ' l l a l l

excuse m e ." H e look ed st ra igh t i n to Pa d d y ' s eyes. "You ' ll ha ve t o fo rg i ve m e i f

I d o n 't se e y o u h o m e . D o n 't m a k e it a la t e n i g h t , w i ll y o u - a f t e r la st n i g h t ' s

a d v e n tu r e . "

H e w e n t , a n d Pa d d y f e l t sh e h a d b e e n st r a n d e d . It h a d b e e n h i s i n v i t a t io n ,

t h o u g h h e h a d sa i d it w a s h i s a u n t ' s, a n d n o w h e w a s w a lk i n g o u t o n h e r . Sh e

t ho u gh t , " I 'l l go a s soo n a s I 'v e ha d coffee."

Jean ne , p assing t he sug a r , ask ed , "W ha t ha p p ened to you last n igh t ,

Pa d d y ? I w a s so r e li ev e d w h e n I w o k e u p t h i s m o r n i n g a n d Ve n n sa id y o u ' d

b e e n f o u n d . W h e r e h a d y o u g o t t o ?"



W a s A n n e t t e l ist e n i n g w it h a r a t h e r p a r t i cu l a r a n sw e r f o r Pa d d y 's a n sw e r ?

O r w a s th a t b e ing too im a g ina t i ve? P a d d y sa id a s l igh t l y a s she cou ld , " I w en t

f o r a r i d e , a n d w h e n I d i sm o u n t e d t o lo o k a r o u n d , m y h o r se b o l t e d . "

"W here w ere you ?" A nne t te p e rsist ed .

" In t he m u lga fo rest , " she sa id u ncom fo r t a b ly .

They a l l sta red a t he r .

"W here on ea r t h is t ha t ?" ask ed Jea nn e.

Pa d dy sh ru gged . "Sea rch m e . I ha ven ' t t he fa in test i dea . I w a s com p le te l y

lost ." She cha nged th e sub ject qu ick l y . "Are yo u b e t t e r now , A nne t t e? I be l ieve

you w eren ' t too w e l l l ast n igh t ."

" I t w a s j u s t a b a d h e a d a c h e . " An n e t t e ' s e y e s w e r e w i d e a n d r o u n d a n d

innocen t . St ra nge ly , i t w as Jean ne w ho b lushed an d a sk ed n e rvou sly if a nyon e

w a n t e d m o r e co f f e e. Sh e h a d b e e n co v e r i n g u p f o r A n n e t t e w h e n sh e sa i d h e r

s i s te r was as leep in he r bed . Probab ly she though t Anne t te was go ing ou t to

m e et Ke i t h . Bu t Ke i t h h a d sp e n t t h e n ig h t i n t h e b o u n d a r y r id e r 's h u t . O r h a d

he?

P a d d y h a d a s u d d e n u n e a s y f e e l i n g t h a t s h e h a d m a d e a b a d m i s t a k e

s o m e w h e r e a l o n g t h e l i n e . H a d n ' t t h e r e b e e n tw o b l a c k s h a d o w s i n h e r

d rea m - tw o ho rses? Bu t on ly one r i de r . Or she ha d seen on ly one r i de r .

Sudden ly she fe l t s i ck . She had to ld Venn so pos i t i ve l y tha t i t had no t been

Ke i th , w hen b y r i gh t s she shou ld no t h av e been p osi t i ve a t a l l. She w ished now

tha t she hadn ' t been so comp le te l y dopey . She shou ld have fo rced he rse l f to



w a k e u p . O h , w h a t a f o o l y o u 'v e b e e n , P a d d y D e m p st e r ! Sh e k n e w t h a t sh e

m u st se e Ve n n a n d t e l l h i m t h e t r u t h .

A b ru p t ly she rose f rom t he t a b le . "P lea se excu se m e, M iss W i lda sh. I 'd l ik e

an ea r l y n igh t ."

A g n e s g o t u p f r o m t h e t a b le t o o . "By a l l m e a n s le a v e u s, Pa d d y . I'm su r e

y o u 'r e n o t v e r y i n t e r este d in a n a l l- f e m a l e g a t h e r in g . N o d o u b t K e it h w i ll b e

h a p p y t o w e lco m e y ou b a ck ."

Pa d dy look ed a t h e r qu izz ica l ly . She ha d sp ok en so gen t l y , so p o l it e ly , b u t

she w a s no t b e ing p o l i te a t a l l. W e ll , Pa d d y k new she w a sn ' t p op u la r w i th M iss

W i ld a sh, so she shru gg ed i t o f f . She w ou ld a ct a s t hou gh she w ere so t h ick -

sk inned she w a sn ' t a w a re o f t he ru d eness, the sa rcasm .

" N o d o u b t h e w i l l b e . G o o d n i g h t , a n d t h a n k y o u f o r t h e d i n n e r . G o o d

n igh t , A nne t t e - Jean ne ."

N o b o d y sa w h e r t o t h e d o o r a n d sh e w e n t q u ick ly a w a y t o lo o k f o r V e n n .

Sh e w o u l d t e l l h i m e x a c t l y w h a t h a d h a p p e n e d a s f a r a s s h e k n e w - s h e

w o u l d m a k e a cl ea n b r ea st o f i t . A n d t h e n h e co u l d q u e st io n A n n e t t e .

Bu t V e n n w a s n o w h e r e t o b e f o u n d . H e w a sn 't i n t h e o f f i ce a n d h e w a sn 't

o n t h e v e r a n d a h . Sh e w a lk e d r ig h t r o u n d t h e h o u se t o m a k e su r e , a n d f in a l ly

she a sk ed M i l lie w ho cou ld on ly te l l her , "Boss gon e, ou t , P a d d y ."

F rust ra t ed ly , she w en t b ack ac ross th e g ra ve l w i thou t see ing h im .

M a x h a d g o n e t o b e d w h e n sh e g o t b a ck t o t h e b u n g a l o w , b u t B e t h w a s in

t h e k it ch e n m a k in g a f i n a l p o t o f t e a .



"Yo u 'r e b a ck e a r l y Pa d d y ." Sh e so u n d e d a n d lo o k e d t ir e d . "D i d V e n n se n d

you hom e to ge t som e sleep?"

Pa d dy sa id yes, th ou gh i t w a sn ' t t r ue . She d idn ' t a sk w here Ke it h w a s. She

d i d n ' t w a n t t o k n o w . S h e t o o k a c u p o f t e a t o h e r b e d r o o m a n d d r a n k i t

si t t ing in the d a rk . She fe lt singu la r l y a lone , aw a re as she ha d no t been fo r a

lo n g t i m e t h a t sh e h a d n o o n e in t h e w o r ld t o ca ll h e r o w n . N o r m a , h er

st epm ot he r , r a re ly w ro t e ; she ha d m a de a new l ife fo r he rse lf in Eng lan d ; and

b e ca u se o f w h a t h a d h a p p e n e d b e tw e e n h e rse lf a n d Ph i l, sh e co u l d n o lo n g e r

fee l he rse l f o f any p a r t i cu la r i n te rest to M rs. Kenned y . She ha d w r i t ten to P h i l

t o te l l h im qu i te po sit i ve l y , bu t a s k ind ly a s she cou ld , th a t th e re w a s no p o in t

i n tak ing up the i r f r i endsh ip aga in . I f Ph i l was hu r t , she cou ldn ' t he lp i t . He

h a d h u r t h e r - a n d b e ca u se o f t h a t h e h a d n o w la i d h i m se lf o p e n t o t h e sa m e

k in d o f h u r t . H o w co m p l ica t e d h u m a n r e la t io n sh i p s a r e , t h o u g h t P a d d y . H o w

m u ch su f fe r ing w e ca n cau se one ano th e r .

W h e n a t la st sh e g o t i n t o b e d , sh e l a y a w a k e f o r a lo n g t i m e , h e r m in d

g o i n g o v e r a n d o v e r w h a t s h e w o u l d t e l l Ve n n w h e n s h e s a w h i m t o m o r r o w .

She was aware o f a deep sense o f d i s tu rbance . Pe rhaps i t wou ld be good to

be b ack a t w o rk a ga in , concen t ra t i ng on a new c la ss o f si xyea r -o lds. T im e

w o u l d p a ss, n e w th in g s w o u ld h a p p e n , sh e w o u ld m a k e n e w f r ie n d s. N o th in g

ev er st a nd s st i l l, she rem ind ed hersel f…

T h e n s h e h a d d r i f t e d i n t o s l e e p a n d Ve n n - Ve n n w a s h o l d i n g h e r h a n d ,

an d h e p laced i t b eside h i s a ga inst t he su r face o f a f l a t sm oo t h rock . A nd f rom



n o w h e r e r ed o c h r e - "st a i n ed b y t h e b l o o d o f a m y th ica l d o g ' h e t o l d h e r - w a s

b l o w n , a n d t h e s h a p e s o f h e r h a n d a n d Ve n n ' s w e r e i m p r i n te d o n t h e r o c k .

Bu t w h e n t h e y t o o k t h e i r h a n d s a w a y , Ve n n ' s w a s cle a n a n d h e r s w a s r e d a s

b lood , a nd a s she p u l led i t f ro m t he rock she w a s c ry ing hy st er ica l ly , "I t w a sn ' t

Ke i t h - t h e r e w a s n e v e r a n y o n e b u t y o u - n e v e r ! " An d t h e n , j u s t a s Ve n n

st oop ed t o h e r a nd she w a s a bo u t to fee l, m i racu lously , the t ou ch o f h i s l ip s,

she w ok e.

She was pe rsp i r i ng and he r hea r t was bea t ing heav i l y as though she had

h a d a b a d f r i g h t . Sh e re a c h ed o u t a n d g r o p e d f o r t h e sw it c h o f t h e b e d la m p ,

knock ing ove r he r cup and sauce r as she d id so and add ing to he r fee l i ng o f

p a n ic. Sh e h a d t h e f ee li n g t h a t sh e m u st w a k e u p f u l ly - m u st e sca p e f ro m th e

d r e a m th a t w a s st i ll h a u n t i n g h e r . W h e n h e r ey e s g r e w a c cu sto m e d t o t h e

l igh t , she d i scove red she w as ho ld ing he r l e f t ha nd ou t an d st a r ing a t i t . I t w as

w h i te , unst a ined , and she hea rd he rse lf sa y ha lf a loud , "Tha nk God ." She ha d

p u t h e r f ee t t o t h e f lo o r w it h o u t b e in g a w a r e o f it , re - b u t t o n e d t h e t o p o f h er

b r ief co t to n p y ja m a s, a nd w a s t e l ling h e rse lf f i rm ly tha t a l l she needed w as a

g la ss o f w a t e r f r o m t h e b a t h r o o m , w h e n so m e t h in g m a d e h e r lo o k a t t h e

f rench d oo rs. She ha d hea rd som e in f in i tesim a l sou nd as o f a bo a rd creak ing .

A s sh e lo o k e d u p a m a n a p p e a r ed t h e re . A m a n w it h b l o o d o n h i s f a ce a n d

on h is sh i r t . W i th b lood on th e ha nd he ra i sed t o p ush b ack h i s d u sty t ou sled

ha i r .

Pa d d y ' s h e a r t f l e w i n t o h e r m o u t h .



"Venn !" Ba re foo t ed , she f l ew a cross t he room to h im . "Oh , Venn , w ha t ' s

ha p p ened? Her v o ice w a s a hu sk y a p p a l led w h isp e r as he r eyes sea rched h i s

face . "The b lood ca m e f rom a cu t on h i s cheek bo ne , an o t he r a t th e side o f h i s

ja w , a n d h is ey es, t h o u g h o n e w a s sw o lle n , w ere st il l a d a zz l in g b lu e a n d t h ey

lo o k e d a t h e r q u i zz ica l ly . "O h , le t m e h e lp y o u - w h e r e h a v e y o u b e en ? W h a t

h a v e y o u b e en d o i n g ?"

" I've b een f igh t ing , " he sa id d ry ly . "Isn ' t i t ob v iou s? I 've ju st com e up f rom

th e m e n 's q u a r t e r s w h e r e I'v e b e e n p a t c h in g u p y o u r h e r o a n d g i v in g h i m

so m e th i n g t o h e l p h i m sle ep . W e m e t i n t h e v a l le y , w h e r e h e'd g o n e t o

m a noeu v re m y sheep ." H is eyes look ed a t her st ea d i ly , a ccusing ly . "You l ied t o

m e t o p r o te c t a s c o u n d r e l , Pa d d y D e m p s te r , a n d I w i s h t o G o d I k n e w w h y .

T h a t y o u ' r e i n l o v e w i t h h i m - o r i n l e a g u e w i t h h i m - I f i n d h a r d t o b e l i e v e ,

b u t p e rh a p s I m isju d g e d y o u . " H is h a n d st r a y e d m o m e n ta r i ly t o t h e cu t o n h i s

c h e e k f r o m w h i c h t h e b l o o d c o n t i n u e d t o t r i c k l e , a n d Pa d d y f o u n d s h e w a s

c o n c e n t r a t i n g m o r e o n h i s c o n d i t i o n t h a n o n w h a t h e w a s s a y i n g . H e r h e a r t

w as to rn t o see h im l ik e t h i s, a nd he r f i nge rs i t ched t o soo t he - to cleanse - t o

h e a l. " D id y o u k n o w A n n e t t e w a s m i xe d u p in t h is t o o ? W h a t t h e d e v i l d o y o u

know? One th ing you can thank you rse l f fo r - you ' re respons ib le fo r th i s f i gh t

a n d f o r t h e f a c t t h a t Ke i t h ' s b e e n b e a te n u p . H a d y o u b e e n o n t h e s i d e o f

r ig h t - o r e v e n , sh a ll w e p u t it , o n m y sid e - it w o u l d n e v e r h a v e co m e to t h i s.

If y o u w a n t t o w e e p o v e r h im , n o w 's t h e t i m e , b e ca u se h e 'l l b e o n h i s w a y o u t

t o m o r r o w , w h e th e r h e w a lk s o r w h e th e r h e cr a w l s."



H e h a d s p o k e n s l o w l y w i t h l o n g p a u s e s , b u t Pa d d y h a d s a i d n o th i n g .

N o th i n g a t a l l . T h o se se co n d t h o u g h t s t h a t h a d c o m e to h e r t o n i g h t h a d b e en

r i g h t - o f c o u r s e t h e y h a d . B u t t h e y h a d c o m e t o o l a t e . A n n e t t e h a d b e e n

w i t h K e i t h , a n d V e n n k n e w t h a t n o w , f o r K e i t h h a d t o l d h i m , p r o b a b l y

t h i n k i n g t h a t A n n e t t e h a d b e t r a y e d h i m . Sh e ep st e a l in g w a s a co n t e m p t ib l e

bus iness . But oh , what a foo l she had been! - to have been so de f in i te , so

p osi t i ve ,, th a t Ke i th w as no t im p l ica t ed .

She spoke a t las t , her vo ice low and shaken. "A l l I can say , Venn, is tha t I

w as ha l f asleep . I r ea l l y w a s. Bu t i t ' s no go od p ro t est ing - I d on ' t expec t yo u t o

be l ieve m e ."

" I w ond er a re you st i ll ha l f a sleep ," he sa id en igm a t i ca l ly . "I 'l l leav e yo u to

g e t b a ck t o sle ep n o w - i f y o u r co n scie n ce w i ll a l lo w it ." H e t u r n e d a b r u p t ly

a n d sh e p u t a d e t a in i n g h a n d q u i ck ly o n h i s a r m , a n a r m t h a t w a s st i ck y w it h

d u st a n d sw e a t .

"Ve n n , y o u r f a ce - y o u r w o u n d s- "

H e t u r n e d b a c k a n d l o o k e d d o w n a t h e r m o c k i n g l y . " A r e y o u c o n c e r n e d

a b o u t m y w o u n d s? Y o u d o n 't n e ed t o b e . I'l l d e a l w it h t h e m m y se lf - t h a t w a s

m y i n te n t io n . I ca m e h e r e b e c a u se I sa w y o u r l ig h t . M y a u n t n e ed n 't b e

i m p li ca t e d i n t h is a n d t o m o r r o w i s so o n e n o u g h t o r o u se A n n e t t e . T h ey w o u ld

bo th o f t hem ha ve h yst e r i cs t o see m e as I am now ." Su dd en ly h i s fa ce w a s

g r ey a n d u n u t t e ra b ly t ir ed .



Pa d d y s a i d g e n t l y , "S i t d o w n , Ve n n . Yo u d o n e e d a t t e n t i o n , a n d I k n o w

w ha t t o d o . I p rom ise I sha n ' t h a v e hy st er ics. P lea se."

F o r a m o m e n t s h e t h o u g h t h e w a s g o i n g t o r e f u s e h e r a n d t h e n q u i t e

sud d en ly he ga v e in .

"A l l r i g h t , I'm i n y o u r h a n d s. Yo u r ea l ly w a n t t o m in i st e r t o m e , d o n 't y o u ?"

P a d d y n o d d e d a n d h e g r im a ce d . "Y o u 'r e a ll w o m a n a t a t i m e lik e t h i s, a r e n 't

y o u ? F u n n y , t h a t … I a d m it i t w i ll b e t h e f ir st t i m e I'v e h a d m e d i ca l a t t e n t i o n

f r o m a g i r l in sh o r t p y j a m a s, h o w e v e r , a n d t h a t ' s v e r g i n g o n a se e - t h r o u g h

to p y o u 'r e w e a r i n g , Pa d d y D e m p ste r ."

Pa d d y c o u l d n 't sm i le . It h u r t h e r h e a r t t o o m u c h t o se e h i m t h e w a y h e

w a s . Sh e f e t c h e d a b o w l o f h o t w a te r , a n d a n t i s e p t i c a n d p l a s te r f r o m th e

b a th r o o m c u p b o a r d , a n d t h e r e w e r e t e a r s i n h e r e y e s a s s h e s w a b b e d a w a y

th e d r y i n g b l o o d f r o m h i s f a c e w it h co t t o n w o o l . Sh e w a s sta r t l e d w h e n h e p u t

o u t a h a n d , n o t y e t w a s h e d c l e a n a n d w i t h b r u i s e d a n d b l o o d y k n u c k l e s , t o

t o u ch h e r p a le ch e e k w h e r e t h e t e a r s h a d le f t a t r a i l.

"You ' re no t as tough as you p re tend , a re you , swee thea r t? My b ru i sed and

b a t t e red f lesh isn ' t p re t t y , is i t? You m u st fee l sick ened a t t he sigh t o f i t . I

w o n d e r a r e y o u d o i n g s o m e k i n d o f p e n a n c e t o a to n e f o r y o u r l i e s a s y o u

m in ist e r to . m e so ge nt ly ."

" It ' s a n a ct o f l ove , " th ou gh t Pa dd y . She ha d a n a lm ost i rr esi st i b le long ing

to t a k e h im i n h e r a r m s a n d l a y h e r h ea d a g a i n st h is ch e st . H e h a d t a k e n o f f



h is f i lt hy b loodsta ined sh i r t , and h i s chest w as ba re . Brow n , b roa d , and w i th a

p a t ch o f g o l d e n h a i r.

" It ' s no t a p ena nce," she sa id a loud . "A nd I d idn ' t l i e de l ibe ra te l y , w ha tev e r

you be l i eve . I t was t rue when I sa id I was ha l f as leep . Anyhow, I cou ldn ' t l e t

you go a w ay li ke t ha t , w i th no one t o look a f t e r you . F igh t ing i s so h ideou s."

"M e n w i ll a l w a y s f i g h t ," h e sa i d i m p e r tu r b a b l y . "O n so m e p r ete n c e o r

a n o t h e r. N o w o m a n c o u ld h a v e st o p p e d u s t o n i g h t - n o t e v e n y o u . I b l a m e d

y o u f o r i t , b u t y o u c a n f o r g e t t h a t . I ' d h a v e k n o c k e d Ke i t h d o w n e v e n i f h e

ha d n ' t p u t u p h is f ist s f i r st ." H e sa id n o m ore t i ll she ha d cov ered h is cu t s w i th a

p r o te ct i v e d r e ssi n g a n d w it h p l a ste r , a n d t h e n h e r em a r k e d , "I w o n d e r d o y o u

w i sh y o u 'd n e v e r co m e h e r e, Pa d d y D e m p ste r . I w o n d e r w h a t 's g o i n g o n i n

t h a t h e a d o f y o u r s. I'd g i v e a l o t t o k n o w ."

T h e y l o o k e d a t e a c h o t h e r f o r a l o n g m o m e n t a n d t h e n h e s t o o d u p a n d

reached fo r h is sh i r t , sl ip p ed h is a rm s in t o t he sleeve s b u t d idn ' t b o t her t o

b u t t o n i t u p . "To m o r r o w w e 'l l t a lk . It ' s n o t se e m ly t h a t I sh o u l d st a y a n y l o n g e r

in y o u r v i r g in a l r o o m . T h a n k s f o r y o u r g e n t le h a n d l in g ."

P a d d y lo o k e d a t h i m d u m b l y . H e lo o k e d b e t t e r n o w - m o r e civ i lize d , m o r e

c a r e d f o r . Sh e w a n te d t o t e l l h i m a g a i n t h a t s h e h a d n ' t l i e d d e l i b e r a te l y , t o

exp la in i t a l l. Bu t th e re w as st i ll A nne t te ' s p a r t i n it , a nd she m ust n ' t i n te r fe re

in th a t . Besides, she fe l t i t w ou ld sou nd l ik e m ere em p t y excu ses. There w a s

n o t h i n g f o r it b u t t o l e t h i m g o . U n k isse d a n d u n co m fo r t e d , sh e t h o u g h t r a t h e r

absurd ly .



Sh e d i d n 't k n o w w h a t sh e w a s w a l k i n g t o t h e n e xt m o r n in g . It t u r n e d o u t

t o b e a b l a ck d a y . A t so m e u n m e n t i o n a b l y ea r l y h ou r V e n n m u st h a v e co m e

t o t h e b u n g a lo w t o t a lk t o B e t h a n d M a x - lo n g b e fo re P a d d y w a s a n y w h er e

nea r consc iou s. She sim p ly d idn 't see Ke i th a ga in . H e w a sn ' t in t e rest ed in

s a y i n g g o o d - b y e t o h e r a n d s h e w a s n ' t s o r r y . I t w o u l d h a v e b e e n q u i t e

p o in t l ess. Bu t f r om th e ve ran d ah a s she w en t rou nd to b reak fast she sa w

someone - p robab ly J im - d r i v ing o f f i n one o f the s ta t i on ca rs , and Ke i th sa t

b e s i d e h i m i n t h e f r o n t s e a t . M a x h a d g o n e , b u t Be th w a s s ta n d i n g b y t h e

b r e a k fa st t a b le w h e r e M a r g a r e t a n d Si m o n sa t i n n o ce n t l y e a t i n g t h e ir ce r ea l .

T h e t w o w o m e n lo o k e d a t e a ch o t h e r a n d P a d d y 's h e a r t w a s w r u n g . B e t h

look ed so sm a l l a nd vu lne rab le, an d t od a y she look ed t en yea rs o lde r . She

sa id qu i te s imp ly , "Ke i th ' s gone , Paddy . I can ' t ta l k abou t i t now . La te r

p erha p s. H e 's sp o i l t h is chan ces o f leav ing here w i th a goo d re ference. H e 's a

fo o l. I h o p e m y b r o th e r s w i ll t a k e h im o n a t t h e sto c k a n d sta t io n a g e n cy . It

looks l ike his last chance."

Sh e d i d n ' t e a t a n y b r e a k fa s t a n d a f t e r a c u p o f c o f f e e w e n t o u t s i d e a n d

ch i p p e d a w a y d e m e n te d ly a t h e r b lo ck o f st o n e , w h i ch w a s a t la st b e g in n i n g

t o a ssu m e a fo rm recogn iza b le as a m o t he r an d ch i ld - sim p l if i ed a nd m a ssive .

T h e d a y p a s s e d s o m e h o w a n d Pa d d y w a s t h a n k fu l f o r t h e c h i l d r e n , w h o

b e h a v e d e x a ct ly a s t h e y d i d o n a n y o t h e r d a y .

A n n e t t e w a l k e d o v e r t o t h e b u n g a l o w d u r i n g t h e a f t e r n o on .



"Au n t A gnes say s Ke i th h as gon e , an d th a t Venn ' s been in a f i gh t . W ha t ' s i t

a l l a b o u t ?"

Pa d dy look ed a t he r cu r iously . She a p p eared so inno cuo u s as she sto od in

t h e t r e e sh a d e i n h e r lo n g f a d e d b lu e co t t o n sk i rt a n d w h i t e b l o u se , t h e p a u a

sh e l l a m u le t h a n g i n g a g a in st h e r b r e a st , h e r r o u n d e d a m b e r e y e s sh a d e d b y

t he w h i te co t t on ha t . "She i s com p le te l y su p e r f ic ia l . Com p le te l y se lf - a b so rb ed , "

t h o u g h t P a d d y i n v o lu n t a r i ly . Y e t t h a t w a sn 't a l t o g e t h e r t r u e . E v er y h u m a n

be ing h a s fee li ngs a nd em ot ions, t r i u m p hs a nd hop es an d fea rs, th ou gh som e

do n ' t go so d eep a s o t he rs. A nne t t e w as one o f th e sha l low ones, th a t w a s a l l.

She l ived r i gh t o n t he su r fa ce o f th ings. She w as l ik e a b u t t e r f ly sk im m ing ove r

a p oo l , see ing on ly i ts ow n r e f lect ion…

Pa d d y s a i d , "D o n ' t y o u k n o w w h a t i t ' s a b o u t , An n e t t e ? C a n ' t y o u e v e n

g u e ss w h y V e n n a n d Ke it h w o u ld h a v e a f i g h t?"

A nne t te ' s eyes look ed a t he r i nnocen t l y . "They m igh t f i gh t ove r m e ," she

co n j ectu r ed . "Ve n n h a t e s m e ev e n t o l o o k a t a n o th e r m a n ."

Pa d dy shook he r head th e m erest f r ac t ion . "They d idn ' t f i gh t ove r you ," she

sa id slow ly.

A cu r ious look o f sa t i s fac t ion came ove r Anne t te ' s face . "Venn mus t have

fo u n d o u t t h a t Ke i t h h id so m e o f h i s p r e ci o u s sh e e p , t h e n I k n e w h e 'd f in d o u t

- I t o l d Ke i t h - "

She b i t h e r l ip su dd en ly a nd sa id no m ore .



" It ' s a l l r ig h t , I k n o w y o u w e n t a lo n g t o o ," sa id Pa d d y u n e m p h a t i ca l ly . "Bu t

w hy , A nne t te? D idn ' t i t st r ik e you t ha t i t w as d i sloya l to V enn?"

T h e o th e r g i r l s a t d o w n o n t h e c h a i r Pa d d y h a d v a c a te d a n d c r o s s e d h e r

legs . "You know i t a l l , don ' t you , Paddy Demps te r? I suppose Venn to ld you .

Eve ry th ing ' s gone wrong s ince you came he re . Aun t Agnes sa id you 'd upse t

Ve n n a n d sp o i lt h i s m o o d … A n d I w a sn 't b e i n g d islo y a l a n y h o w . I k n e w Ve n n

w o u l d f i n d o u t b e f o r e i t w a s t o o l a t e . I k n o w h e ' l l b e a n g r y t o o - w i t h m e .

Som e w ay he 's go t t o b e st i r red up , fo r h i s ow n g ood . H e 's go t a sp l in t e r o f i ce

i n h i s h e a r t l i k e Ka y i n T h e Sn o w Q u e e n a n d h e n e e d s m e t o m e l t i t . I ' v e

a lw ay s rem inded h im o f P eggy , you see , eve r since I w a s a ch id . A u n t A gnes

says so."

I t sou nd ed l ik e a l o t o f nonsense to Pa d dy , w ho susp ected t ha t m uch o f th e

b lam e fo r A nnet t e 's foo l ishne ss cou ld b e la id a t A gn es W i ld a sh 's d oor . Bu t

su re ly t h is la t est foo l ishn ess w a s A nn et t e 's ow n id ea, an d i t w a s a l it t le p i t i fu l . It

w a s su c h a clu m sy w a y t o t r y t o w in a m a n b a ck . A n n e t t e h a d a b so lu t e ly

n o n e o f t h e t e ch n i q u e s o f a n Ev e w h o k n o w s t h e b e st w a y t o l ea d h e r m a n t o

t he a l ta r , ne it he r d id she ap p ear t o ha ve a ny o f t he in t u i t i on o f a sensi t i ve g i r l

in l o v e . T h e o n ly t r ick Pa d d y h a d e v e r se e n h e r u se t h a t h a d a n y i n g e n u i t y i n

it - a n d p e r h a p s it w a s n o t a t r i ck a t a l l b u t m e r ely a n u n co n scio u s g e stu r e -

w a s t h a t h a b it sh e h a d o f t o u c h in g t h e p a u a sh e l l t ik i. W h i ch sh e w a s d o in g

n o w . T h a t m a d e V e n n t h o u g h t f u l . P a d d y h a d r e m a r k e d i t h e r se lf . j u st t h e n ,

A nne t te ' s f i nge rs w ere st i l led as t hey fon d led t he sm a l l g leam ing she l l, and a



cha nge ca m e ove r he r fa ce . She go t l a ng uo rou sly to h e r fee t an d , tu rn ing he r

h e a d sli g h t l y , Pa d d y sa w Ve n n co m i n g t o w a r d s t h e m o v e r t h e g r a ss. I n a

m o m e n t h e w a s b e sid e t h e m a n d t h e e y e s o f b o t h t h e g ir l s w e r e f i xe d o n h i m .

He looked in f i n i te l y be t te r th i s even ing , Paddy saw , re l i eved . The re was a

p a t c h o f p l a s te r u n d e r o n e e y e a n d a n o th e r o n h i s j a w l i n e , b u t t h e s w e l l i n g

round h i s eye had gone down cons ide rab ly , though i t was s t i l l d i sco lou red . I t

w a s h a r d t o r e m e m b e r w h a t a sh o ck i n g b l o o d i ed sig h t h e h a d b e en l a st n ig h t .

P a d d y d r ew a t r em b l in g b r ea t h a n d k n e w sh e ha d p a le d .

Ve n n h a d b e e n l o o k i n g a t h e r s e a r c h i n g l y , b u t n o w h i s g a z e s w i t c h e d t o

A n n e t t e , w h o w o r e a l o o k o f f e v e r ish e x p e cta n cy . H i s a q u a m a r in e e y es w e r e

cold ly a ccu sing .

"W e ll , A nne t te?"

A n n e t t e b i t h e r lo w e r l ip a s t h o u g h t o k e ep b a ck a sm i le .

"You ' ve been in a f i gh t , Venn . A u n t A gnes sa id you ha d ."

"An d y o u ca n g u e ss w h o I 'v e b e en f i g h t in g w it h , ca n 't y o u , A n n e t t e ?" Ve n n

sa id w i th d an gerou s p lea san t ness. "A nd you k now exac t ly w hy…'

"N o , I do n ' t k now w hy , " A nne t t e sa id a f te r a second . " It i sn ' t a l l t ha t se r iou s,

w a s it ? Yo u d id n ' t h a v e t o se n d Ke i t h a w a y - "

Venn ' s eyes b lazed a ng r i l y . "Tha t 's one t h ing I shou ld ha ve d one long ag o -

even b e fo re you sta r ted p lay ing yo u r g a m es. Bu t l et ' s hea r you r ve rsion o f th i s

p a r t icu l a r i n cid e n t . Co m e o n n o w - K e it h t o l d m e y o u w e r e in v o l v e d - in f a c t



h e t h o u g h t y o u 'd i nf o r m e d o n h i m , t h a t 's h o w m u ch h e t r u st e d y o u . So w h a t

w a s i t a l l in a id o f?"

A nne t te ' s go lden eyes w idened . " It w asn ' t i n a id o f a ny t h ing . I on ly d id i t fo r

a y e ll. W e w e n t o u t in t h e d a r k w it h T rix ie a n d r o u n d e d u p a f e w sh e ep a n d

p u t t h e m in a l it t le v a l le y - o u t n e a r w h e r e t h e p la n e cr a sh e d . Th a t 's a l l. I

k n e w y o u ' d f i n d t h o se sh e e p , Ve n n . Yo u ' r e a lo t sm a r t e r t h a n Ke i t h - I k n e w

y o u 'd w i n ."

"You k new , d id y ou , A nne t te? W e ll , I d id n ' t w in last t im e ," sa id V enn

sav ag e ly . "I da m n w e l l l ost . A nd I nea r l y l ost th i s t im e t oo . I f you t h ink i t 's an

am u sing ga m e - a "ye ll" , as you p u t i t - to stea l sto ck , then y ou 're even less

m a t u r e t h a n I su sp e cte d . I w o n d e r , w i ll a n y t h i n g m a k e y o u g r o w u p ? If y o u

w a n t m y o p in io n , it ' s a p i t y m y m isg u i d e d a u n t d r a g g e d y o u o u t o f t h e m e ss

y o u ' d g o t y o u r s e l f i n t o i n Sy d n e y a n d b r o u g h t y o u h e r e t o m e . An d i t w a s a

da m n g rea t sha m e you eve r fe ll o f f th a t ho rse . If you ha dn 't , I p rom ise I'd

h a v e a c c o m p a n i e d y o u t o Au c k l a n d p e r s o n a l l y . M e a n w h i l e , i f y o u p e r s i s t i n

a c t i n g l ik e a ch i ld y o u ca n e xp e ct t o b e t r ea t e d l ik e o n e ."

A n d t h e n h e d i d e x a c t l y w h a t A n n e t t e h a d b e e n a n g l i n g f o r . H e

co m p le te ly l o st h i s t e m p e r. H e t o o k h o l d o f h e r a n d sh o o k h e r a n d sh o o k h e r

un t i l she w a s b ew i lde red , a nd Pa dd y hea rd he rse l f ca l li ng ou t u rg en t ly , "Sto p ,

V e n n - d o n 't - "

Ve n n l e t g o o f t h e g i r l a b r u p t l y a n d g l a r e d d o w n a t h e r , s t i l l a n g r y . H e r

co t t o n h a t w a s a sk e w a n d h e r ch e e k s w e r e b r ig h t r ed . Sh e st a r e d b a ck a t h i m



a n d t h e n sh e stu t t e r ed o u t , " I h a t e y o u , Ven n W il d a sh ! A n d I a lw a y s t h o u g h t

you w ere so - so w ond er fu l."

"You w ere w rong , w e ren 't you ?" sa id Ven n c rue l ly .

Su d d e n l y A n n e t t e b u r st i n t o t e a r s a n d r a n st u m b l in g a w a y , t r ip p i n g o v e r

her long sk i r t .

So m u ch fo r m e lt i ng th e i ce in h i s hea r t , thou gh t P a dd y , sha k en . She

lo o k e d n e r v o u sly a t Ve n n , w h o w a s co m p l ete l y ig n o r i n g h e r . W it h o u t a g l a n c e

in h e r d ir e ct i o n h e sa id v i o l en t ly , "W h a t a h e ll o f a su m m e r !" a n d t h e n h e t o o

m a r ch e d o f f . W h e t h er t o p a ci fy A n n e t t e o r n o t , P a d d y h a d n o i d e a .

A f te r a m om en t she w en t slow ly insid e to h e r room . She st i ll f e l t sha k en -

b u t su r e ly n o t a s sh a k e n a s A n n e t t e ! - a n d sh e t h o u g h t a b o u t w h a t V e n n h a d

sa id . Sh e k n e w n o w th a t so m e o f t h e t h in g s Ke it h h a d t o ld h e r a b o u t A n n e t t e

w h e n s h e f i r s t c a m e to B i b b e n l u k e h a d b e e n t r u e , a n d t h a t o th e r s h a d b e e n

u t t e r l y f a l s e . An n e t t e h a d b e e n i n t r o u b l e , b u t t h e m a n i n t h e c a s e w a s n o t

Venn . O f cou rse i t wasn ' t ! How cou ld she eve r have be l i eved i t cou ld be? -

tha t Venn cou ld be so ca l lous , so i r respons ib le . I t was c lear , too , tha t Agnes

W ild a sh w a n t e d b e y o n d a l l r e a so n t o se e h e r n e p h e w a n d A n n e t t e m a r r i ed ,

and tha t she was la rge ly respons ib le fo r the fac t tha t Anne t te c lung

p ersi st en t l y to he r schoo lg i r l cru sh on he r u no f f i c ia l an d rom an t i c gu a rd ian .

T o k n o w th e t r u th a t l a s t w a s a r e l i e f , a n d y e t Pa d d y c o u l d n ' t h e l p b e i n g

so r r y fo r A nne t te . Poo r g i r l - she w as ce r ta in ly ha v ing p rob lem s in l ea rn ing to

co p e w it h a d u lt l if e !



CHAPTER TEN

N O T u n n a tu r a l l y , l i f e p r o c e e d e d q u i e t l y f o r t h e n e x t c o u p l e o f d a y s , a n d

t h e r e w a s l it t le co m m u n ica t io n b e t w e en t h e t w o h o u se s. P a d d y k n e w t h a t

Jo h n n y H e a th h a d r et u r n e d a n d t h a t t h e D u n ca n g i r ls w e r e st i l l t h e r e , b u t

o th e rw ise sh e k n e w n o th in g o f w h a t w a s h a p p e n in g .

One even ing she wandered res t less l y i n to the ga rden , re f l ec t i ng tha t i n a

v e r y f ew d a y s' t i m e B r u c e C a l e w o u l d b e co m in g t o f e t ch h e r a n d M a r g a r e t

and she wou ld be leav ing . Deep in he r hea r t , she knew she expec ted

s o m e t h i n g o f V e n n b e f o r e t h e n . T o o m u c h h a d h a p p e n e d b e t w e e n t h e m t o

r em a i n u n r e so lv e d a n d n o w sh e k n e w t h a t h e w a s n o t l ik e ly t o b e m a k in g

e it h e r o f t h e D u n ca n s a p e r m a n e n t f ix t u r e a t B i b b e n l u k e sh e h a d a l l so r t s o f

hop es th a t she k ep t h idd en even f rom he rse lf . O n t h i s p a r t i cu la r even ing , she

fe l t s t r u n g u p t o a n a l m o s t u n b e a r a b l e t e n s i o n . Sh e h a d t h e j i t t e r y , n e r v y

fe el in g t h a t so m e th i n g w a s g o i n g t o h a p p e n .

A nd she w a s so r igh t , a s she d iscov ered n ot m u ch la t e r .

W h e n V e n n a p p e a r e d , w a lk in g t o w a r d s h e r t h r o u g h t h e t a m a r isk t r e es,

h e r h e a r t g a v e a b o u n d o f e x p e c ta n c y a n d j o y , a n d s h e k e p t o n i n h i s

d i rect ion st ead il y . " "H e l lo , Pa d dy . I w a s hop ing to f i nd yo u . A re you a l l r i gh t?



You 're look ing p a le." H is b lue eyes exam ined h e r qu ick l y an d th o rou gh ly . " Is

o u t h e a t t o o m u ch f o r y o u ?"

Fa in t co lou r t inged , her cheeks a s she shoo k her hea d .

" I've go t used t o t he hea t . I 'm reasona b ly ad ap ta b le." She st op p ed . W as

t h a t r a t h e r a - l e a d i n g r e m a r k t o h a v e m a d e ? s h e w o n d e r e d i n a l a r m . A

r a t h e r t o o o b v io u s "C o m e o n ' sig n a l? Sh e h a d n 't m e a n t it t h a t w a y .

"Th e y o u n g a r e a d a p ta b l e ," h e a g r e ed . "An d tw e n t y - t w o i s v e r y y o u n g …

I 'm t h i r teen yea rs you r sen io r : Do es th a t sou nd - to o o ld to you ?"

H e r h ea r t l e a p t . To o o l d f o r w h a t? Sh e b it b a ck t h e q u e st io n . " It ' s n o t o l d a t

al l ."

H e sm i led w a tch fu l ly . "Schoo l w il l be sta r t i ng a ga in soon . You ' ll - st ay on a t

G idgeem a l la w a? Or ' - he p au sed in f i n i tesim a l ly a s t hou gh t o choose h i s p h ra se

- "do y ou ha ve p lans fo r go ing t o Syd ney?"

T o Ph i l, h e m e a n t , a n d sh e co l o u r e d , r e m e m b e r i n g t h a t r a th e r g a u d y c a r d

an d t he sen t im en t a l m essag e . "N o p lans fo r Syd ney ," she sa id . "I hav en 't hea rd

th a t I'm t o b e m o v e d , so I 'l l st il l b e a t G i d g e e ." H e r t h r o a t w a s u n e xp e cte d ly

d ry a nd she sp ok e husk i ly , un a b le to re tu rn h i s sm i le and ap p ear ing ov e r -

solem n, she w a s su re.

H e n o d d e d . H e h a d t a k e n u p h i s f a v o u r i t e p o s i t i o n , o n e h a n d a g a i n s t a

t ree t r u nk . W i th t he o t he r ha nd he w a s f i sh ing fo r c iga re t t es. I t w as close on

t h e e n d o f t h e d a y , t h e a i r w a s s t i l l a n d v e r y w a r m , a n d P a d d y , l o o k i n g

d o w n , h e a r t h a m m e r in g , co u ld se e a l in e o f l a r g e su g a r a n t s h u r r y i n g t h r o u g h



t he i r ta sk s b e fo re th e d a rk ness ca m e. She w a t ched th e g ra ss b lad es t rem b le

w it h t h e ir g o i n g s a n d c o m i n g s, a n d sh e k n e w th a t Ve n n w a s w a t ch i n g h e r .

"Y o u h a v e n 't h a d m u c h t o sa y a b o u t K e it h 's d e p a r t u r e ," h e re m a r k e d , a n d

s h e l o o k e d u p . " I h o p e y o u h a v e n ' t a c q u i r e d a n y th i n g i n t h e n a tu r e o f a

b r o k e n h e a r t w h i le y o u ' v e b e e n h e r e ."

T h e r id i cu lo u s r e p l y ca m e in to h e r m in d , "N o t y e t - b u t it c o u l d st i l l

ha p p en '… She sa id a sim p le "N o ," then h u r r ied on w h i le she ha d t he

o p p o r tu n it y , "Ve n n , I'd l ik e t o e xp la i n a b o u t t h a t l ie y o u t h o u g h t I t o l d y o u . I

d id n ' t see Ke ith th a t n igh t - I - I on ly sa w A nne t t e , a nd it seem ed so c razy I

t h o u g h t I m u st h a v e b e en d r ea m in g . Th e n - t h e sh e ep w e r e t h e r e , so I k n e w I

h a d n 't b e e n ." Sh e p a u se d a n d lo o k e d a t h i m d o u b t f u l l y . H e w a s l ist e n i n g

int ent ly , h is eyes on her f a ce.

" I see," he sa id w hen she d idn 't go on . "W el l, tha t sou nd s p lau sib le enou gh ."

The re wa s a sho r t si lence . Pa dd y , w i th t ha t si ll y leap o f t he m ind , im a g ined

he w a s t h ink ing , "You 're im p rov ing . Tha t ' s one o f yo u r be t t e r excuses." It w as

u n n e r v i n g t o t h i n k t h a t w a y , a n d s h e w a n t e d t o e n l a r g e o n w h a t s h e h a d

sa id - t o conv ince h im . Bu t t he re w as su ch a t h ing as p ro test ing too m uch an d

she w a s re l ieved w hen he chan ged th e sub ject :

"D o y o u r e m e m b e r o u r f ir st e n co u n te r ? I d i d n ' t t a k e t o y o u a t a l l - n o r y o u

t o m e , I shou ldn ' t im ag ine ."

P a d d y g a v e a sl ig h t g r i m a ce . "Y o u d id m a k e m e ra t h e r a n g r y . Y o u d i d n 't

seem t o b e li eve a w ord I sa id ."



"Th a t 's r ig h t . I t h i n k I w a s o n t h e p o i n t o f t h r o w in g y o u o u t b o d i ly . I f l a sh e d

m y l ig h t o n y o u a n d w h a t d id I se e ? A se d u ct i v e l it t le f e m a le cr e a tu r e, a l l g r e y

e y e s a n d f l i p p e d - u p b l a c k h a i r - a n d a p p a r e n t l y h a l f u n d r e s s e d . An o th e r

a m o r o u s a d v e n tu r e f o r Ke it h l ea d i n g t o G o d k n o w s w h a t st r i f e . If I co u ld h a v e

s n a p p e d m y f i n g e r s a n d m a d e y o u v a n i s h , I ' d h a v e d o n e i t o n t h e s p o t . Bu t

l if e isn 't l ik e t h a t , is it ? A n d t h e n y o u t u r n e d u p a t B i b b e n lu k e ." H e l o o k e d a t

h e r t h o u g h t f u l ly . " I'm st i ll n o t su r e w h y I l et y o u sta y , b u t I k e p t m y e y e o n

you."

" I k n o w th a t , " sa i d P a d d y , r ela x in g a l it t le . "Yo u w e re a l w a y s w a t ch i n g m e ."

"W eren ' t you w a tch ing m e too?" he ask ed q u izzi ca l ly .

Pa d d y m e t h i s e y es a n d t h e v e r y m a r r o w in h e r b o n e s se e m e d t o m e lt , t o

t e l l her , "Th is, is i t - t h is is t he m om ent you 've b een w a i t ing fo r - "

Bu t w h e th e r i t w a s o r n o t sh e w a s n e v e r t o k n o w , f o r t h e r e w a s t h e so u n d

o f a m o to r , o f w h e e l s c r u n c h i n g o n g r a v e l , a n d w i t h a f r o w n , Ve n n m o v e d

a w a y f r o m h i s t r e e t r u n k a n d sa id i rr it a b l y , "W h o t h e d e v i l is t h a t ? It ca n ' t b e

Bruce Ca le - he 's no t due here fo r th ree days ye t . Sounds l ike h is car , though.

W e 'd b e t t e r go an d see ."

H e h a d sa i d " w e ', so P a d d y w e n t b a ck w it h h im t h r o u g h t h e g a r d e n . "W e 'l l

f i n i sh ou r ta l k l a t e r ," he p rom ised , h is ha nd un der he r e lbow .

I t w a s B r u c e C a l e . M a r g a r e t , f o l l o w e d b y S i m o n , h a d c o m e r a c i n g r o u n d

t he house to th e ga t e , a nd M a rga re t scam p ered eager l y ac ross t he g ra ve l ,

an d th rew he rse l f in t o he r fa t he r 's a rm s.



"D a d d y , y o u 'v e c o m e e a r l y !"

The l it t le sm i le th a t h a d r isen sp on t a neou sly to P a d d y 's l ip s f roze su d d en ly .

A n o t h e r m a n h a d c lim b e d o u t o f t h e ca r a n d i t w a s - o h n o , it c o u ld n ' t b e ! - it

w a s Ph i l Ke n n e d y , a n d h e w a s co m in g st r a ig h t t o w a r d s h e r !

"P a d d y d a r lin g - "

The co lou r d ra ined f ro m her fa ce an d she c losed h er eyes in u t t e r d isb e l ie f .

Then h i s ha nd s w ere on he r shou lde rs a nd he k i ssed h e r - on t he m ou t h .

"Are you su rp r i sed? I ha d t o com e. I'm a b ad let t e r w r i te r , an d I love you ."

Pa d dy op ened he r eyes. O ve r h is shou lde r she cou ld see Venn w a t ch ing h e r

- c y n i c a l l y - t h r o u g h a h a z e o f c i g a r e t t e s m o k e . Ey e s n a r r o w e d , d a r k b r o w s

p er fect ly l eve l , a lock o f d a rk b lond ha i r fa l l ing ac ross h i s fo rehea d . Som ehow

th a t l o ck o f h a i r w r en ch e d a t h e r h e a r t .

Ph i l ha d t ak en he r ha nd in h is an d sw u ng rou nd t o l ook ac ross a t Ven n . " Is

t h i s t h e r i ch sq u a t t e r y o u t h r e a t e n e d m e w it h , Pa d d y ?"

Pa d dy 's one w ish w as t ha t she cou ld d ie a t once.

V enn 's l ip cur led in a k ind o f sm i le . "So r ich sq u a t t e rs ha ve t he i r u ses… I ta k e

it y o u 'r e t h e Sy d n e y m a n - Ph i l . Pa d d y h a sn 't t o l d u s y o u r o th e r n a m e . I'm

Venn W i lda sh ."

"Kennedy , " sa id Ph i l , g r inn ing and con f iden t . The two men shook hands .

Bru ce Ca le sa id b l it he ly , "P leasa nt su rp r ise , M iss D em p st er? I seem d est ined t o

p l a y C u p id in y o u r y o u n g l if e, d o n 't I ? Re m e m b e r t h a t p a ck e t I b r o u g h t o u t

ea r l i er on? Th is b loke o f y ou rs a r r i ved in G id gee yeste rd ay a nd w as inqu i r ing



r o u n d t h e t o w n f o r so m e w a y t o g e t o u t t o B ib b e n lu k e st a t i o n . Re m e m b e r in g

m y o w n l o v e lo r n d a y s I t o o k p it y o n h i m ."

T h e y h a d a l l b e g u n t o m o v e b a c k t o t h e L e w ise s' g a r d e n , Ve n n a s w e ll.

B ruce sa id , "We ' l l fe tch ou r l uggage la te r , Ph i l . R igh t now a d r ink i s wha t we

need - fo r yo u , second on ly t o a l ove r 's k i ss. I' ve been h ea r ing a l l ab ou t you in

the ca r , Paddy . I a lways had a good op in ion o f Marg ' s schoo l teache r , bu t

n o w - " H e w h i st le d so f t l y a n d Pa d d y w r it h e d . It w a s l ik e a n i g h tm a r e .

A n igh t m are t ha t she seem ed h e lp less to end . I t p roved p rac t i ca l ly

im p ossib le to chan ge t he a p p eara nce o f t h ings. M ax , f r esh f r om th e show er ,

h a d c o m e o n t o t h e v e r a n d a h w i t h B e t h , t h e r e w e r e g r e e t i n g s a n d m o r e

in t rod u ct ions. P h i l w as Pa dd y ' s "youn g fe l low ' . "Oh w e l l, M a rg ' s go ing u p in to

a n o th e r c l a s s t h i s y e a r , s h e ' d h a v e h a d a n e w te a c h e r a n y h o w . " An d Pa d d y

cou ldn ' t say , "You ' ve go t i t a l l w rong - I don ' t even wan t to see Ph i l . " No t

w h i l e Ph i l w a s l o o k i n g a t h e r t h e w a y h e w a s , a n d a f t e r h e h a d t o l d B r u c e

C a l e a l l a b o u t h e r i n t h e c a r . D r i n k s w e r e b r o u g h t a n d t h e t a l k w a s o f I r e n e

a n d t h e n e w b a b y a n d Ph i l a n d Pa d d y w e r e m o r e o r l e s s i s o l a te d . Ve n n s a t

fu r t he r a long t he ve ra nd a h , a g lass o f b ee r i n h i s ha nd . O cca siona l ly he sen t

Pa d dy a sa rdon ica l ly th ou gh t fu l l ook , an d she im ag ined he rse lf say ing lou d ly

an d clea r l y , "W hy d id you com e, Ph i l? I to ld you it w a s a l l ove r . .

M ean w h i le, Ph i l w as te l l ing he r i n ten t l y a nd se r iou sly tha t it w as

u n b e l i e v a b l y w o n d e r fu l t o s e e h e r a g a i n a n d t h a t h e w a s c e r t a i n e v e r y th i n g

w a s g o i n g t o w o r k o u t sp e n d i d l y .



"Bu t i t w o n ' t , " s a i d Pa d d y , a n d h e r v o i c e w a s l o w a n d i n t e n t t o o . " I t o l d

you , Ph i l - i t ' s no goo d . A nd I m ean t i t ."

Ve n n h a d le f t h i s ch a ir a n d m o v e d st il l f u r t h e r a lo n g t h e v e r a n d a h t o f e t c h

a n a sh t r a y o r m o r e b e e r . H i s b a ck w a s t u r n e d t o P a d d y - d e li b e r a te l y , sh e f e lt

- a n d w h e n h e sa t d o w n a g a in i t w a s f u r t h e r a w a y . H e d id n ' t w a n t t o l ist e n i n

o n w h a t sh e a n d Ph i l w e r e sa y i n g t o e a c h o th e r, t h a t w a s cle a r . Sh e w o n d e re d

m ise r a b ly w h a t h e h a d b e e n g o in g t o sa y t o h e r in t h e g a r d e n b e fo re B r u c e

a n d P h i l ca m e . P r o b a b l y n o t h i n g im p o r t a n t . W h y o n ea r t h h a d sh e ha d t h a t

im p ression? It w as m ere w ish fu l th ink ing . She w asn 't even l isten ing t o P h i l an y

longe r , a nd now becam e aw a re tha t he w as insi st i ng she shou ld a nsw er som e

ques t ion .

"W ha t ?" she a sk ed st u p id ly .

" I sa i d w o n ' t y o u f i n d i t a r e l ie f t o g e t a w a y f r o m h e r e a n d b e b a ck in

Sydney where i t ' s c i v i l i zed and the re a re beaches and thea t res and peop le ,

an d a b i t o f l if e?"

Pa d dy shook he r hea d . "I li ke i t h e re . I lov e it . A nd I sha n ' t b e com ing

b a ck ," sh e a d d e d p o sit i v e l y . " I h a v e n 't b e e n m o v e d f r o m G i d g e e m a ll a w a ."

"Then a p p ly fo r a t r a nsfe r . P ad dy , you m u st ! Look , I love yo u . I've sa id i t

a l r e a d y a n d I m e a n t it . W h e n y o u w e n t a w a y I ju st m isse d y o u so m u ch I

d i d n ' t k n o w w h a t t o d o , a n d D i a n a w a s t h e r e a n d s o - w e l l , w e g o t a b i t

ca r r i ed away . Bu t i t ' s a l l ove r - and ne i the r o f us i s b rokenhear ted . You can

ju st fo rg et it ."



P a d d y l o o k e d a t h e r h a n d s a n d sa i d n o t h in g . Sh e w o u l d h a v e l ik e d t o g e t

up an d w a lk a w ay . The t rou b le w a s, she fe lt so r r y fo r Ph i l .

"Look ," Ph i l sa id , " I won ' t t ry to rush you. I ' l l s tay around t i l l schoo l goes

ba ck an d you 've ap p l ied fo r a t r an sfe r to Syd ney . R igh t ?"

" P a d d y , s o m e m o r e l e m o n a d e ? " P a d d y l o o k e d u p a n d V e n n w a s g a z i n g

d o w n a t h e r . N o t m o c k i n g l y o r s a r d o n i c a l l y , b u t w i t h a c o o l i m p e r s o n a l

p leasantness . H is eyes were as hur t fu l ly b lue as ever , and the red l igh t o f

sunse t s t r i k ing th rough the ve randah caugh t one s ide o f h i s ha i r , h i s

cheek b on e w i th i ts new scar , th e t ip s of h is la shes. She t oo k t he g la ss h e

h a n d e d h e r w it h a lo w v o ice d "Th a n k y o u ," a n d h e sm il ed f r a ct io n a l ly . H e

t u rned h i s a t t en t ion to P h i l, to p p ing up h i s g lass o f b ee r fo r h im w it h som e

g e n ia l r e m a r k . H e h a d sa i d h e h a d b e e n w a t ch i ng h e r , a n d h e w a s w a t ch i ng

h e r st i ll, o n a n d o f f , a n d sh e d i d n ' t k n o w w h a t h e w a s t h i n k in g . O n l y n o w sh e

h a d a n u n e a sy f e e lin g t h a t h e h a d su m m e d h e r u p a n d w a s d i sm issi n g h e r .

"G o o d - b y e , Pa d d y D e m p ste r . I w a sn 't so w r o n g i n m y f i r st e st i m a t e o f y o u ,

w a s I? Yo u ' re a b a g g a g e … Bu t n o h a r d f e e lin g s. Yo u d i d n ' t f o o l m e a n y m o r e

th a n Ke i t h f o o l ed y o u . "

" I m u st t a k e a co u r se in m in d - r e a d i n g ," Pa d d y t h o u g h t st u p id ly .

The rest o f t he even ing p assed som ehow - m a in ly b eca u se th e p ressu re w a s

re leased when Venn excused h imse l f and sa id he mus t ge t home to d inne r ,

an d sp read th e new s.



"W h e n d o y o u t a k e o f f ?" h e a sk e d B r u c e. "W il l y o u b e w it h u s f o r a f e w

days?"

"A f r a i d n o t . W e 'll b e o f f in t h e m o r n i n g - a t d a w n . I'v e r e u n i t e d t h e l o v e r s

a n d M a r g w i ll b e sa f e f o r a f e w d a y s w it h o u r n e ig h b o u r s - t h e y ca m e b a ck

f r o m th e co a st a t t h e w e e k - e n d ."

V e n n n o d d e d . "Co m e o v e r t o t h e h o m e st e a d a f t e r d i n n er - y o u a n d B e t h

a n d M a x - a n d w e 'll h a v e a b it o f a t a lk ." H e t u r n ed t o w h er e P a d d y a n d P h i l

sa t together . " I ' l l say goodbye," he to ld Ph i l , ho ld ing ou t h is hand. " I don ' t

e xp e ct I sh a ll b e u p a t d a w n t o se e y o u g o , a n d I'm su r e y o u ' d p r efe r t o h a v e

P a d d y t o y o u r se lf t o n i g h t r a t h e r t h a n b a t t l e w it h a r o o m f u l o f p e o p l e yo u ' ll

n e v e r m e et a g a i n . Y o u t w o m u st h a v e a l o t t o t a lk a b o u t … N ice t o h a v e m e t

you."

"An d m e ," thou gh t Pa d d y , fee li ng th e m ise ry o f tea rs beh ind he r eyes.

"Good-bye , Paddy . " He ac tua l l y s tooped and k i ssed he r on the cheek . " I t ' s

been g rea t to have you w i th us fo r a l i t t l e wh i le . D id I hea r Ph i l say you ' re

g o i n g t o a p p ly f o r a n i m m e d i a t e t r a n sfe r t o Sy d n e y ? In v it e m e t o t h e

w e d d i n g , w o n 't y o u ? t h o u g h I ca n ' t p r o m ise t o c o m e ."

H e t u r n e d a w a y a n d w a s g o n e , a n d f o r P a d d y t h e li g ht h a d le ft t h e sk y .

A l l to o soon th e ch i l d ren w ere in b ed an d th e o t he rs ha d st ro l led a cross t o

th e h o m e ste a d a n d sh e a n d Ph il w e re le f t a l o n e o n t h e v e r a n d a h .



" I b e t y o u g o t m o r e t h a n a p e c k o n t h e c h e e k f r o m y o u r v i r i l e s q u a t t e r

once o r t w ice in a l l th e t im e you 've b een he re , P ad dy ," Ph i l sa id . " I d idn ' t l i ke

t h e w a y h e lo o k e d a t y o u ."

Pa d d y c l e n c h e d h e r f i s t s a n d t o o k a d e e p b r e a th . " L o o k , Ph i l , Ve n n

W ild a sh d o e sn 't co m e in to t h is, b u t y o u ' v e g o t t o u n d e r sta n d I m e a n t w h a t I

w ro te . You shou ld neve r ha ve com e he re ."

"You ' re hur t . "

" I w a s hu r t . I'm no t a ny m ore . A l l you 've d one com ing he re i s- " She sto p p ed ,

a b o u t t o sa y , "d e p r iv e m e o f t h r e e m o r e d a y s o f Ve n n W il d a sh 's co m p a n y -

days in wh ich any th ing cou ld happen . " She changed i t to , "A l l you ' ve done i s

t o co n f i r m m y f e e li n g s. I lik e y o u , Ph i l, b u t t h a t ' s n o r e a so n f o r m e t o w a n t t o

t ran sfe r to Syd ney . I 'm go ing t o sta y in G id gee , an d th a t ' s f i na l . A nd I'm so r r y ,"

sh e f i n ish e d , g e t t in g d e te r m i n ed ly t o h e r f ee t , "b u t I'm n o t g o i n g t o a r g u e

,w i t h y o u a n y m o r e . Yo u ' l l h a v e t o a c c e p t w h a t ' s h a p p e n e d a n d f o r g e t m e . I

m a n a g e d it w h e n y ou w r o t e m e t h a t le t t e r . N o w it ' s y o u r t u r n ."

P h i l w a s o n h i s f ee t t o o . "A r e y o u p a y i n g m e o u t ? W h a t d o y o u w a n t m e t o

d o ? I c a n ' t t u r n b a c k t h e c l o c k a l t o g e th e r . I l o s t m y h e a d o v e r D i a n a f o r a

w h i le a n d I'v e a d m it t e d i t . I'm n o t a sk in g y o u w h a t y o u 'v e b e e n u p t o w h ile

yo u 've b een in th e bu sh. Ca n ' t w e k iss a nd ' - h e f lun g ou t h is ha nd s he lp lessly -

"Pa d d y , I lo v e y o u . I'm a sk i n g y o u t o m a r r y m e ."



"To o la t e ," t h o u g h t P a d d y , f ee lin g so r r y f o r h i m . Sh e h a d w a n t e d t h a t m o r e

th a n a n y th in g i n t h e w o r ld o n ce . N o w sh e w a sn 't in t e r e ste d . Sh e h a d m e t

Ve n n W i ld a sh a n d d isco v e r e d h o w te r r ib le a n d h o w w o n d e r fu l lo v e c o u l d b e .

"No, Ph i l , " she sa id qu ie t ly . " I t ' s no use." She went qu ick ly away and he

d id n ' t fo l l ow he r , bu t she w asn ' t su re he w as a l toge t he r conv inced .

A l l t h e sa m e , sh e w o u l d h a v e t o g o t o m o r r o w . Sh e h a d n 't b e e n a sk e d t o

s ta y a n y l o n g e r a n d s h e h a d t o b e b a c k i n G i d g e e w h e n t e r m s ta r t e d . I t

w asn 't as i f the re w ere a b u s she cou ld ca t ch o r a ny t h ing l i ke t ha t .

Be th h a d p r o m i s e d t o w a k e h e r i n t h e m o r n i n g , a n d s h e b e g a n c a r e fu l l y

a n d m e th o d ica l ly t o p a ck h e r su it c a se . Sh e w o n d e r ed i f M r s. F r a n k w a s b a c k

f r o m t h e co a st o r i f sh e w o u l d h a v e t o sp e n d a co u p le e o f n i g h t s a t t h e h o te l ,

bu t t r y as she w ou ld she cou ldn ' t k eep he r m ind on p ra ct i ca l m a t t e rs. She

d i d n ' t r e a l l y c a r e v e r y m u c h w h a t h a p p e n e d w h e n s h e g o t b a c k t o

G i d g e e m a l la w a . A l l sh e co u ld t h i n k o f w a s t h e f a ct t h a t sh e 'd n e v e r se e Ve n n

a g a in - t h a t sh e w o u l d l ea v e h i m w it h t h e i m p r e ssio n t h a t sh e 'd b e e n "h o l d i n g

o u t ' o n t h e m . T h a t w a s h o w B e t h h a d p u t it l a u g h i n g ly b e f o re d i n n er , w h e n

sh e a n d Pa d d y w e re a l o n e .

"Yo u ' v e b e e n h o l d i n g o u t o n u s , Pa d d y . An d h e r e w a s I t h i n k i n g y o u h a d

n o p a r t icu l a r f r i en d s o f y o u r o w n i n A u st r a l ia . I e v e n w o n d e r ed f o r a w h i le ,"

sh e a d d e d m o r e so b e r ly , "if y o u m i g h t f a l l in l o v e w it h Ke i t h . Yo u ' d h a v e b e e n

so g o o d f o r h im ." Th e n t h e o t h e r s h a d co m e in t o t h e d i n in g - r o o m a n d P a d d y

h a d n 't e v e n h a d a c h a n ce o f t r y i n g t o e xp l a i n t h i n g s t o Be th .



So n o w th e r e w a s n o th i n g t o d o b u t g o , a n d p r e t t y s o o n e v e r y o n e a t

B i b b e n lu k e w o u l d f o r g et t h e r e h a d e v e r b e e n a g i r l ca l le d P a d d y D e m p st e r

t h e r e f o r a f e w w e ek s o n e h o t su m m e r. V e n n w o u l d m a r r y - m a y b e h e w o u l d

m a r r y t h a t w o m a n B e t h h a d r e f er r ed t o o n ce , Sa r a L in g a r d . Je a n n e w o u l d g o

b a c k t o h e r b o y - f r i e n d i n S y d n e y , a n d A n n e t t e - w h a t w o u l d b e c o m e o f

A n n e t t e ? Pa d d y d id n 't su p p o se sh e w o u ld e v e r k n o w …

She fe l l as leep qu ick l y once she go t to bed , ea r l y though i t was . Emot ion

ca n b e m o r e ex h a u st in g t h a n a n y th in g . Sh e d i d n 't e v e n d r e a m . Bu t sh e w o k e

la t e r on an d im m ed ia t e ly w a s ove rw he lm ed w i th a si ck sense o f d esp a i r . She

co u l d se e b y t h e l u m in o u s d ia l o f t h e b e d r o o m clo ck t h a t it w a s tw e lv e - t h i rt y .

T h e h o u s e w a s s i l e n t a n d d a r k , e v e r y o n e m u s t h a v e c o m e b a c k f r o m th e

h o m e ste a d a n d g o n e t o b e d . Pa d d y la y a w a k e a n d c o u l d n o t sle ep a g a i n , sh e

w as to o conscious o f t he op p ressive hea t now , an d she p u shed b ack t he shee t

t h a t c o v e r ed h e r . T h e t h o u g h t t h a t sh e w o u l d n e v e r se e Ve n n a g a i n g n a w e d

a n d g n a w e d a t h e r m in d u n t i l it h a d b e co m e t o t a l ly i nsu p p o r t a b l e .

She h a d t o see h im . Ju st on ce.

T h e c r a z y t h o u g h t c a m e i n t o h e r m i n d t h a t h e m i g h t h e w a k e f u l t o o -

u n a b le t o sle ep . Sh e co u ld p i ct u r e h im st a n d i n g o n t h e h o m e ste a d v e r a n d a h

st a r ing ou t i n t o th e sta r l it n igh t . She sa w h im w a lk rest lessly u p an d d ow n -

t h e n o p e n t h e g a u z e d o o r a n d g o d o w n t h e s te p s . Pa c e t h r o u g h t h e g a r d e n

t o th e ga t e . Sta r t a c ross th e g rav e l. A nd in the m idd le o f th e g rav e l sq ua re he

e n co u n te r e d P a d d y a n d t h e y w e n t st r a i g h t t o e a c h o th e r 's a r m s…



So co n v in ce d h a d sh e b e e n b y h e r o w n i m a g i n a t io n t h a t so m e w h e r e d u r in g

th i s f a n ta s y s h e h a d a c tu a l l y s l i p p e d o u t o f b e d . N o w s h e b u t t o n e d o n t h e

s k i r t s h e h a d l e f t o u t t o w e a r i n t h e c a r t o m o r r o w - f e v e r i s h l y p u l l e d h e r

p y j a m a t o p o v e r h er h e a d , h e a r d a b u t t o n f ly o f f a n d la n d o n t h e f lo o r . Sh e

reached fo r he r co t to n b lou se in t he a lm ost d a rk , sl ip p ed i t on , g roped fo r he r

san da ls. A nd th en she w a s lea v ing he r room qu iet l y .

T h er e w a s a m o o n t o n ig h t a n d it p a t t e rn e d t h e v e ra n d a h w it h st a r k si lv e r

shapes tha t cont ras ted w i th the b lack shadows. She c losed the f ly sc reen door

so f t l y beh ind he r . The ga rden sme l led o f d r y ea r th and musky f l owers , and

a h e a d o f h e r, t h r o u g h t h e g a t e ,t h e g r a v e l st r e t ch e d e m p t ily b e t w e en t h e t w o

houses.

H e w a s n o t t h e r e y e t .

N o t a t h in g m o v e d , n o t a m o p o k e o r a d i n g o ca l le d .

Pa d d y w a lk e d slo w ly , h e r sa n d a l le d f e e t m a k in g a q u i e t l y cr isp so u n d t h a t

seemed to sp read ou t l i ke r i pp les in a da rk pond . S ta rs were s t rung l i ke

go ld en sp iders in an inv isib le w eb a cross t he sk y , and t he m oon , b ecau se t here

w as no t a sh red o f c lou d m ov ing , hu ng st i ll li ke a l am p . It w as a n igh t fo r l ove ,

b u t P a d d y w a s co m p le t e ly a l o n e in t h e w o r ld . N o f a m i lia r f i g u r e ca m e

e a g e r ly t o w a r d s h e r a n d h e r h e a r t d ie d a l it t l e w it h i n h e r. Sh e h a d b e lie v e d i n

her v ision so com p le te ly .

She rea ched t he hom estea d g a t e and op ened i t , hea r ing i t s fa in t p ro t est .

H ow long a go i t seem ed since she ha d f i r st step p ed in to t h i s ga rden ! It ha d



b e e n n ig h t t i m e t h e n , a n d Je a n n e a n d A n n e t t e h a d b e e n lo u n g in g a b o u t o n

t h e d a r k l a w n . N o w t h e l a w n w a s e m p t y , a n d b e y o n d i t t h e h o m e s t e a d

crou ched a m ong st it s w a rm sha do w s in da rk a nd sil en t sleep . N o l igh t s - no t

e v e n t h e g l o w o f a cig a r et t e f r o m th e v e r a n d a h . T ea r s f lo o d e d Pa d d y 's e y e s

a n d a so b c o n st r i ct e d h e r t h r o a t . M o r e t h a n a n y th in g i n t h e w o r l d sh e w a n t e d

Venn - t o b e in h i s a rm s a ga in - ju st once.

A m inu t e p a ssed as she st ood th e re b l i nded by he r t ea rs a nd th en she

t u r n e d a w a y .

Th is t ime she wen t qu ick l y ac ross the g rave l , and he r shadow hu r r ied

fo r lo r n a n d m o ck in g l y a h e a d o f h e r . Sh e h a d a l m o st r e a ch e d t h e t r e e s w h e r e

Ve n n h a d f i r s t k i s s e d h e r w h e n s h e r e a l i z e d w i t h a l e a p o f t h e h e a r t t h a t

som eone w a s w a i t i ng the re .

"Venn !" She sa id h i s na m e on a sob , a nd t he nex t m inu t e ha d f l ung he rse l f

in t o h is a rm s.

She k new a t t he f ir st i nsta n t o f con t ac t t ha t i t w a s no t Venn . It w as Ph i l.

N e i t h e r o f t h e m s a i d a w o r d a f t e r s h e h a d w i t h d r a w n . H e r c r y o f "Ve n n '

h a d sa i d e v e r y th i n g t h a t n e e d e d t o b e sa i d …

T h e y l ef t i n t h e m o r n i n g a s p l a n n e d . Ve n n d id n o t a p p e a r t o sa y g o o d - b y e ,

t h o u g h P a d d y h o p e d d e e p i n h er h ea r t , r i gh t u p t i ll t h e l a st m i nu t e , t h a t h e

m igh t d o so . Bu t o f cou rse it w a s be t te r t h i s w ay . A q u ick , clean , f i na l b rea k .



A w a r m h u g f r o m B e t h , a k i s s o n t h e c h e e k f r o m M a x . A n i n v i t a t i o n t o

co m e b a ck " so m e d a y '. So m e d a y - a s if sh e w o u l d n 't b e a t G id g e e, b u t

h u n d r ed s o f m i le s a w a y i n Sy d n e y - m a r r i e d t o Ph i l.

Ph i l w a s q u i e t a n d s u b d u e d a n d s h e f e l t s o r r y f o r h i m , a n d w a s a m a z e d

t ha t n o one e lse ap p eared t o no t i ce any t h ing a m iss.

S c h o o l h a d b e e n b a c k a f o r t n i g h t a n d t h e r e w a s a n e w m a l e m e m b e r o f

t h e st a f f w h o h a d d a t e d P a d d y t w ice . E v er y n ig h t w h e n sh e w e n t t o b e d i n

h e r h o t l i t t l e r o o m a t M r s . F r a n k ' s - s h e h a d n ' t m o v e d h e r b e d o n t o t h e

ve ra nd ah , b eca u se i t i s easie r to h ide you r tea rs i n p r i va t e - she rem inded

herse l f tha t she w as one da y c lose r to fo rge t t i ng . M rs. F ran k sa id he r h o l i da y

a t B i b b e n lu k e h a d n 't d o n e h e r m u c h g o o d b y t h e lo o k o f h e r, sh e w a s h o l lo w -

eyed a nd she 'd l ost h e r ap p e t i te . P ad d y sa id i t w as th e hea t .

W ha t ' s th e rem edy fo r a b rok en hea r t? F i r st y ou t e ll you rse l f i t ' s no t b rok en

- i t w a sn 't w h e n P h i l d r o p p e d h e r, a f t e r a l l. A n d t h e n y o u m ix a r o u n d , y o u

m e et n e w p e o p l e, l ik e sh e h a d d o n e w h e n sh e w e n t , t o B i b b e n lu k e . " It

ce r t a i n l y w o r k s," Pa d d y r e m in d e d h e r se lf b it t e r ly , b u t a l l t h e sa m e w h e n

R ich a r d a sk e d h e r o u t f o r a t h ir d t im e , sh e sa i d "N o , t h a n k y o u ' - a n d

w o n d e r e d i f sh e w o u ld f i n ish u p a n o l d m a i d . W e ll, w h y n o t ? Sh e co u ld h a v e a

ca t , o r m a y b e a d o g . A n d t h a t m a d e h er t h in k o f Tr ix ie - a n d K e it h - a n d o f

Venn , Venn , Venn .

I t was Fr iday and she had seen her c lass ou t o f schoo l and across the red

d i r t r o a d . Su m m e r w a s n e a r l y o v e r a n d t h i s a f t e r n o o n lo w d a r k c lo u d s h a d



begu n t o sw arm qu ick l y across th e sk y . I t w as go ing t o ra in - i t w as go ing t o

p o u r - a n d if i t l a ste d lo n g it w o u l d m e a n t h e cy c lin g p i cn i c so m e o f t h e

te a c h e r s h a d p l a n n e d f o r t o m o r r o w w a s o f f . Pa d d y t h o u g h t t h a n k g o o d n e s s ,

b u t a t t h e sa m e t i m e sh e d r e a d e d a Sa t u r d a y a lo n e . Sh e w e n t b a ck in t o t h e

s ta f f r o o m to s i g n o f f a n d t o f e t c h h e r h a t a n d s o m e w o r k s h e w a s t a k i n g

h o m e . Sh e t h o u g h t , " I'l l d r a w a g r e a t b i g p o ste r - a h e a l t h p o ste r . It w i ll t a k e

m e a l l t h e w e ek e n d ."

"Be t t e r hu r r y , M iss Dem p ste r ," sa id t he hea d m aste r , encou n t e r ing he r i n t he

co r r id o r . "Yo u ' r e g o i n g t o b e ca u g h t i n a d e lu g e if y o u d o n ' t w a t ch o u t ."

Pa d d y sm il ed f a i n t l y . T h a t w o u ld b e a ch a n g e . T h e v e r y t h o u g h t o f r a in

sent sh iv ers d ow n h er sp ine . I t ha d n ' t ra ined since her f i r st w eek in Gid gee, la st

sp r i n g . A n d V e n n m u st n e e d r a i n o u t a t B i b b e n lu k e n o w , o r t h e d a m s w o u l d

d r y u p a n d Je a n n e a n d A n n e t t e w o u l d n 't b e a b l e t o sw im i n t h e b i ll a b o n g

poo l .

Sh e sw it c h e d h e r m in d o f f f o r b i d d e n t h o u g h t s a n d sta r t e d h o m e , b u t sh e

d id n ' t h u r r y . I t w as st i ll t oo ho t fo r t ha t , desp it e th e c lou dy sk y , and besides,

w h a t w a s t h e r e t o h u r r y f o r ?

A few b ig d rop s o f r a in had fa l len by th e t im e she reached M rs. F ran k 's,

a n d so m e th i n g w it h i n h e r le a p t t o l if e . A s t h e w ir e g a u ze d o o r sw u n g sh u t

b e h in d h e r , M r s. F ra n k p u t h e r h e a d t h r o u g h t h e w in d o w o f t h e f ro n t r o o m

w here she w a s g iv ing som e ch i ld a p ian o lesson .



"The re ' s someone to see you , Paddy . I to ld h im to wa i t on the s ide

v e r a n d a h . " T h e re w a s a t e a si n g lo o k o n h e r f a ce , b u t b e fo r e Pa d d y co u l d a sk

w ho he r v i sit o r w a s, she ha d g one b ack to he r pu p i l.

P a d d y d i d n ' t t h i n k . S h e d i d n ' t d a r e t o . S h e w a l k e d r o u n d t h e v e r a n d a h

w i thou t be ing conscious o f i t , and th en sto p p ed sud d en ly .

Ve n n W i ld a sh g o t u p f r o m th e ch a i r w h e r e h e h a d b e e n sit t in g . H e sm i le d

a t Pa d d y a n d h i s lip s m o v e d , b u t sh e co u l d n 't h e a r a w o r d h e sa id . T h e re w a s

a d e a fe n i n g c l a m o u r i n h e r e a r s . Sh e t h o u g h t i t w a s h e r h e a r t b e a t i n g u n t i l

she rea l i zed su d den ly tha t i t w as ra in pe l t i ng d ow n on t he i r on roo f . She sto od

p er fect ly st i l l, w ond er ing i f she w ere d rea m ing . She ha d t hou gh t neve r t o see

Ve n n a g a i n . H e r e y e s t o o k i n w a t c h fu l l y e v e r y l i t t l e t h i n g a b o u t h i m - t h e

da rk go ld o f h is ha i r , th e b lue o f h i s eyes - an d she look ed fo r tw o n ew ish sca rs

on h i s face an d d i scove red th em th e re .

"W h y a r e y o u h e r e ? W h e r e h a v e y o u c o m e f ro m ?" Sh e a sk e d i t o n a b r e a th ,

a l m o s t w i t h a w e - a s t h o u g h s h e e x p e c te d t o h e a r t h a t h e h a d s te p p e d

st r a ig h t d o w n f r o m O ly m p u s, f r o m th e h o m e o f t h e g o d s.

H e d i d n ' t a n s w e r h e r , b u t h e t o o k t h r e e l o n g s te p s a n d s to p p e d w i t h i n a

fo o t o f h e r . It w a s so d a r k o n t h e v e r a n d a h n o w t h e y h a d t o b e t h a t c lo se t o

see each o th er . Tha t w a s w hy h e ha d com e so close , P a d d y t o ld he rse l f .

Venn sa id , h i s eyes on he r face , " I ' ve been pu t t i ng the women fo lk on the

t r a in . Je a n n e ' s g o i n g t o t a k e u p m o d e l li n g a g a in , a n d A n n e t t e - "



A n n e t t e , t h o u g h t Pa d d y , a n d h e r h e a r t f a i le d h e r a l it t le . "An n e t t e i s g o i n g

to g e t h e r t r o u sse a u r ea d y a n d m a r r y V e n n a f t e r a l l."

"An ne t t e ," Venn sa id , " is go ing t o N ew Zea land w i th A gnes." H e pa u sed a nd

h is eyes m ov ed ov e r he r slow ly an d she w ond ered in sl igh t p a n ic, "W ha t d o I

l ook l ik e? W ha t so r t o f m ess a m I in t od ay - a l l cha lk a nd ink ." "I ca l led in j ust

n o w t o p a y m y r e s p e c t s t o I r e n e C a l e a n d m e e t y o u n g A n d r e w , " V e n n

c o n t i n u e d c a r e fu l l y . " I w a s s u r p r i s e d - t o h e a r f r o m M a r g a r e t t h a t y o u w e r e

st i ll he re . I t hou gh t you 'd h av e been in Syd ney b y now ."

"N o ," b r ea t h e d P a d d y .

He reached ou t fo r he r l e f t hand and looked a t he r r i ng less f i nge rs . Paddy

lo o k e d t o o a n d sa w a h a n d g r u b b y w it h i n k a n d ch a l k a n d w a s a p p a lle d . H e

sa id m u sin g l y , " I d i d n 't k n o w y o u w e r e le f t - h a n d e d , Pa d d y . I'v e a lo t t o le a r n ,

ha ven ' t I?" H e d idn ' t l et go o f he r hand .

H e r m i n d w a s sp i n n in g a n d h e r t h o u g h t s w e r e cl a m o u r i n g a g a in st t h e

sou nd o f t he ra in on t he roo f - "Oh , k i ss m e - k iss m e- "

A m az ing ly , i t w a s w ha t h e d id . Thou gh she ha d n ' t po ssib l y sa id i t a loud ,

no t th i s t im e . Bu t h i s a rm s w ere a rou nd he r a nd h i s l ip s a ga inst he rs, a nd t hen

he sa id on a g roa n , "Oh , God , I've w a n t ed to do th a t fo r so long . " The re w a s a

t enseness a b ou t h is fa ce, a w hi t eness rou nd h is no st r i ls, b u t h is eyes - t hey w ere

b lu e f l ow ers, and Pa dd y fe l t h e rse l f go l im p . " I l ove you , Pa dd y . I've b een si ck

- d e m e n t e d - sin ce y o u w e n t a w a y . I w a s g o in g t o a sk y o u t o st a y - t o le a r n

t o k n o w m e b et t e r - a n d t h e n t h a t m a n o f y o u r s ca m e fo r y ou a n d I co u ld



h a v e ch o k e d h i m . Yo u t o o , f o r le a d in g m e o n , f o r le t t in g m e h o p e ." H e

st op p ed a nd h is eyes t ook her in slow ly , hu ng r i ly , w h i le she st ood p er fect ly st i l l,

no t su re i f she w a s im ag in ing i t a l l o r i f i t w as rea l l y t r u e .

"W h y d i d n 't y o u m a r r y Ph il Ke n n e d y ?"

"Beca u se I d on ' t lov e h im . Becau se- "

"Becau se o f m e?" H is vo ice w as, su d den ly roug h , dem a nd ing . "H av e you

p o ssi b l y ch a n g e d y o u r m in d a g a in , Pa d d y D e m p ste r ?"

She shook he r head . "N o t fo r a l ong t im e ," she w h isp e red . " I d id n ' t w a n t Ph i l

t o com e."

"Yet y o u sa i d n o t h i n g . Yo u w e n t - "

"W ha t e lse cou ld I d o?"

Fo r an sw er , he k i ssed h e r aga in , a nd i t w a s excru cia t i ng ag ony a nd de l i gh t ,

a n d t h e so u n d o f t h e r a i n w a s t h e m o st b e a u t i f u l m u sic in t h e w o r l d f o r l o v e r s.

"W e m ak e f ir e t oge t he r ," he sa id a t la st . "W e m ak e go ld - w e 're a l chem ist s.

Isn 't it t r u e ?" H e h e ld h e r a l it t le a w a y f r o m h i m a n d sh e n o d d e d so le m n l y . It

w a s t r u e - i t h a d a l w a y s b e e n t r u e .

L a t e r, Ve n n sa i d t h o u g h t f u l ly , " I su p p o se y o u ' d l ik e t o k n o w a b o u t A n n e t t e .

I 've b een in tou ch w i th t he p a ren ts o f t h i s st ud en t she fe l l in l ove w i th w hen he

was in Sydney las t sp r ing . I t appears they ' re reasonab ly we l l - to -do , and i f

Pau l wan ts to mar ry he r I th ink they ' l l p rov ide the f i nanc ia l he lp necessa ry .

Mar r iage , " he sa id , " i s Anne t te ' s g rea tes t need - even Agnes ag rees to tha t -

an d she ap p ears to h av e qu i te som e fee l ing fo r P au l ."



P a d d y r e m e m b e r e d t h e t i k i a n d n o d d e d . " I h o p e i t w o r k s o u t w e l l , " s h e

said.

"Speak ing o f mar r iage , " he sa id a f te r a pause , " tha t ' s one th ing we haven ' t

se t t l ed y e t . A nd i f you d on ' t say you 'l l m a r r y m e , Pa dd y D em p ste r , I sha l l

dorothy cork quicksilver summer

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