The Sunburnt Country (17 page)

JONNY
picked up Dan at six o’clock on Thursday in her ute. She’d been dreading it after the way the locals had been talking about him. Everyone was saying he was just a city blow-in who knew nothing of their town and its people, a man who could change their lives with a flick of his pen and then head on back to the big city unscathed. Jonny heard every ungenerous word that was being said about Dan, but somewhere deep in her heart she begged to differ. There was no denying his actions, but she’d seen another side to him too – at the speedway, not to mention in the pool. It wasn’t as black and white as people were making out, as much as she was having difficulty accepting that herself.

They were five minutes into the trip and there had been no chitchat. Jonny was too nervous. Dan’s aftershave was a heady scent that was affecting her brain. She was trying to keep things simple between them, and had dressed casual in jeans and one of her blue work shirts, the ones her mum had embroidered with Jonny’s Mechanical above the chest pocket. She was trying to be less attractive to Dan, hopefully to stop him looking at her with that gaze that cut right to her core. It made it hard to keep her thoughts straight. She was also petrified he’d bring up the kiss she was trying so hard to forget. With the news about the Stevens passing through town as fast as a shooting star, Jonny had another reason to keep Dan in the ‘no go’ box.

But she wasn’t one to hide from a difficult situation. If living in a small town had taught her anything, it was that you couldn’t avoid people or issues.

‘Dan, I want to clear the air,’ she said. ‘In the pool —’ No, that wasn’t the way to start. Vividly she pictured his lips and remembered the way he tasted. ‘I mean, you understand why nothing can happen. Why it won’t ever work.’ She kept her eyes on the road, not daring to glance his way.

He remained silent, and she blundered on.

‘I’m not the kind of person who goes into things half-heartedly and I’m not going to start something that has no future. Right now you aren’t too popular round here. Ray and Cecilia are such wonderful people.’ God, she was making a mess of this, jumping all over the place. ‘And besides, you know it wouldn’t end well . . . right?’

‘Yes, I understand.’ He paused for a moment before continuing. ‘I know I’ll be gone soon but . . . that kiss was worth the risk.’

Now she looked at him. A cheeky smile spread across his face. He didn’t regret it one bit. Neither did she, but she wouldn’t let him know that. She couldn’t take back a kiss so perfect. It would stay in her memory forever as being just that. Perfect.

She was glad he understood and now that it was clear, she felt she was safe. ‘Friends?’

‘Absolutely. Much better than when you hated me when I first arrived.’

‘Hey, I didn’t hate you. I disliked you. Big difference. I do hate your job, though.’

‘Well, some days, so do I.’

‘I just don’t know how you could do that to Ray.’

‘If you must know, I didn’t do a thing. The letter was sent to him long before I pulled into town. Now I’m just the one who’s stuck in the firing line. If it’s any consolation, I don’t feel too good about the whole thing either, but it’s out of my hands. No wonder the last bloke quit,’ he said, mumbling the last part.

Jonny just nodded, stewing over her own words. Greg, the previous bank manager, had been in the community for years, and having to do the bank’s dirty work had hit him hard. She couldn’t imagine how difficult it would be to tell your friends that the bank was sending them ‘the letter’.

For the rest of the trip they sat in silence and when they arrived at Ryan’s a surprise awaited her.

‘Come in, come in,’ said Ryan, opening the door. Jonny gave him a hug and wondered what was different about him. She couldn’t put her finger on it. He led them to the kitchen. She gave a big wave to his parents, who were flitting around in the background making drinks and snacks. ‘Jonny, you remember Sienna?’

Sienna put down her wine glass and said hello before Ryan introduced her to Dan.

‘It’s just amazing what you guys are doing for Ryan,’ Sienna said to Jonelle.

‘Ah, it’s nothing. Have you come to help?’ Jonny was itching to find out why she was here.

‘Well, I hope so. I mean, Ryan and I have been talking a lot and he’s asked me for ideas —’

‘And she’s worked out a solution. I think it’ll work. I just want to know what you reckon, Dan,’ said Ryan, butting in.

‘Me?’

‘Go on, Sienna. Tell them your idea.’ Ryan gazed at her as if she were the latest shiny yellow New Holland header.

Sienna blushed a little. Luckily she was wearing a soft cream top and not something bright. ‘Well, I suggested that Ryan work at a mine. He’s got his truck licence and is a natural with machinery, being a farm boy. My brother slipped right in to a job on the mines and I know he can help out with getting Ryan a well-paid job. He’s working on a new mine that’s getting started not far from our farm and I know they’re chasing workers. If Ryan can get a job, then while he’s away earning a steady income his parents could run the farm, keep it ticking over.’

‘Yeah, and when I’m home I can help out,’ added Ryan.

‘And I’m sure between Barry and me we can handle the farm,’ added Debbie, as they all headed towards the table to join her and Barry. ‘We’ve done it before and we can do it again. It won’t have to be for long. Ryan’s income should be enough to help fill in the gaps and keep the bills off our back, right, Dan?’ she asked.

‘Wow. You’ve all really thought this through.’ Dan leaned forward. ‘I think you should actually get a job first, so then we’ll have a figure to work with.’ Dan glanced at Ryan. ‘What do you think?’

‘Yeah, Coop,’ added Jonny. ‘Do you think you could really leave the farm?’ Jonny felt horrified for him at the thought of leaving.

‘I don’t have a choice, Jonny. No, I don’t want to leave, but there’s no other option and I refuse to give up on this place. Sometimes change happens whether you like it or not.’ He shrugged. ‘Sienna reckons I’ll score a job easily and my entire wage can go towards the expenses. I won’t need much to live off.’ Ryan was so excited and Jonny finally realised what was different about him. His hair was actually brushed. He must be feeling good.

‘And the house is practically sold,’ Barry said. ‘That city guy ended up buying it. Said he needed a house now and the waiting list to get one built is over eight months. We’re just waiting for settlement. This’ll be our last meal here. Ryan’s moving back to the old house so we can get this one ready.’

Dan looked so relieved at the news. ‘Well, the way I see it, the money from the house will help with the most urgent expenses and your insurance, and then if you can back that up with a steady flow of money, Ryan, I think you’ll be just fine. The bank won’t be interested in you.’

‘Yeah, not like poor Ray,’ grumbled Barry.

‘Dad.’ Ryan shot Barry a glare. ‘I told you, none of that tonight.’

Ryan turned back to Dan. ‘I think if I can stick it out for a few years, that’s if Mum and Dad are happy to run the farm in the meantime, then I can use my wage to put some sheep back on the farm and really set us up again.’

‘Ryan, don’t worry about your father and me. We don’t mind being back. We only got off the farm so you could be your own boss without us hovering around. Your father didn’t want to be that doddery old man trying to tell you how to run the joint.’

Ryan gave his mum a grateful smile. ‘Once we get a crop going, we might actually get back on track,’ Ryan said.

‘If the drought breaks,’ added Daniel softly. ‘I don’t want to rain on anyone’s parade but you need to be prepared for the chance that this drought might continue.’

‘If it does, I’ll just have to work on the mines for longer,’ said Ryan, unfazed.

Debbie stood up. ‘And we have plenty of fuel in us yet to keep it going while you’re away. Now, I’m going to make a start on dinner.’ Before she left the table, she rested her hand on Ryan’s shoulder and gave him a reassuring squeeze.

Jonny had to look away. She blinked and swallowed the lump that threatened, and caught Dan watching her closely. She always got emotional when the people she loved were involved. She wondered if Dan was the same.

Through dinner they talked about the mine job, and Sienna told them as much as she knew about it from her brother. ‘And I’m happy to help Ryan put together a great CV.’

‘Thanks, Sienna. That would be awesome,’ said Ryan.

Jonny got up and went to the bathroom, but instead of returning to the table she found herself out in the cool night air on the back verandah. As she looked out across the darkened land, she felt a pang in her heart. For some reason she had a feeling that life as she knew it was about to take a turn and it all started with Ryan leaving. She couldn’t imagine living without Ryan. It just wasn’t right. How could he bring himself to leave the farm? Leaving Bundara was the last thing she’d ever contemplate. She wondered if it was the right thing for Ryan? Would it depress him being away from the land he loved? Would he cope? He did seem happy with the idea; after all, it would help save the farm. Like he said, he had no choice. She just hoped Ryan could live through this new change. Jonny didn’t know if she could. Life was just right the way it was, and Ryan leaving ruined all that. Her little bubble of a life was about to be burst.

‘Hey, I was wondering where you’d got to.’

The sound of Ryan’s voice brought tears to her eyes. Trust him to pick up on her mood and find her. She turned her glassy eyes to him and attempted a smile.

‘Whoah. What’s wrong?’ he said, scooping her up in his arms.

She had to swallow the lump in her throat again before she could speak.

‘I just wish it didn’t have to be this way. It sucks that you have to leave.’ She rested her chin on his shoulder, and he smelt like home. They had been together her whole life, inseparable. ‘I’m gonna miss you.’

‘Awe, Jonny, I haven’t left yet,’ he said, stroking her head. ‘And besides, I’ll be home every so often. It’s not like I’m leaving for good, you know.’

‘Yeah, I know. I just need a moment to get used to the idea.’

Ryan kissed the top of her head and tucked her under his arm. Side by side, they stared at the stars splattered across the clear sky.

‘I know you don’t like change, but this really has to happen, Jonny. You know, maybe you should come with me, to the mines?’

‘Ha, and leave these Bundara skies? Not a chance.’

He laughed. ‘I knew the answer before I even asked the question.’ Ryan squeezed her gently and she saw that he had something serious to say. ‘Are you going to be okay here without me?’

‘Guess I’ll have to, won’t I?’

‘Come on, Jonny. I know you’re having trouble at the shop. You have to do something.’

Jonny swallowed hard. ‘I have. I’ve sold the Torana. It should be enough to keep Dan off my back for a while.’

‘Oh, really? I’m so sorry, Jonny. I mean, it’s weird how much you care for that car, I’m not sure I ever truly understood it, but I know how much selling it has gotta hurt you.’

Feeling his arms tighten around her, she had to try hard to battle back the tears.
God,
she thought
, I’m in fine emotional form tonight
. All she could do was nod.

‘Will that be enough to keep the bank happy?’

‘For the moment, yes, but it won’t fix the problem unless it rains for the next two days straight.’

‘Fat chance of that.’

‘I hated handing over that cheque to Dan, the last link to my Torrie. He’s such a pain.’

‘Yeah, but you like him, don’t you?’ Ryan asked.

Jonny let out a big sigh. ‘I hate how well you know me,’ she said, delaying her real response. ‘I don’t want to like him, Coop. Anyone but him.’

‘Don’t go there, mate. I agree, anyone but him. He’s a nice bloke and all, really helped me out, but he’s another Alana. If you get involved with him, Jonny, he’ll break your heart and I don’t want you to go through what I went through —’ Ryan’s voice cracked with emotion. ‘He’s not for you. He’s one of those city types. Yeah, maybe he might try to make it work but for how long? Please,
please
promise me you’ll steer clear of him?’

‘I will. I already am.’ Okay, a small lie. She thought she’d better not mention the kiss right now. Not with Ryan so worried. She knew part of him was speaking from his own experience but everything he’d said had mirrored her concerns. If anything, it had made her more determined to keep Dan at arms-length. No more lapses in concentration.

‘You’re my best mate, Jonny. I care about you.’

‘I love you too, Coop. Come on. Let’s go back inside before we miss your mum’s apple pie.’

‘I bags the biggest chunk,’ he said with a grin and darted to the door, leaving her a step behind.

The look on Deb’s face as the two of them came racing into the kitchen like a pair of naughty kids, pulled them up short. But then she smiled at them, just like she had when they were kids playing in the mud. ‘Who’s for pie?’

JONELLE
and Dan left Ryan’s just before ten o’clock. to head back in to town, but as they left Cooper Road her phone buzzed with an incoming text. At the T-junction she stopped to read the message.

‘Oh, Jesus Christ.’ Jonelle spun the wheels and headed the ute in the opposite direction. ‘I’m sorry, Dan. We have to make a detour. There’s a crash I have to get to, and apparently it’s just up the road. And it’s major.’

‘How do you know?’

‘Rescue sends a text and we all meet at the shed before heading out, but in this case we’re already right near the accident.’

‘How bad is it?’ Dan felt his belly turn. He’d never been up close to a serious crash before, only a few fender benders in the city.

‘Not good. They got a triple zero call from the passenger. Probably some tourist tangling with the local wildlife. It might be better if you stayed in the ute. We could be the first ones there.’

The ute lights picked up a flash of white on the side of the road, thick black skid marks tracing its path off the road. Jonelle slowed and pulled off behind the bent metal ute that was wrapped around a large gum tree.

‘Oh shit, no!’ Jonelle yelled, throwing her door open.

Dan followed her as she rushed towards the ute. The faint echo of sirens could be heard in the distance. It was just another ute, except this one had ‘M
ERRIT7
’ numberplates. He’d seen them before. Only one person he knew with those plates. ‘Oh, no . . . Rick!’

Dan sprinted behind Jonelle, who was at the driver’s-side door, or what was left of it. The ute’s front right side had compacted against the tree, crushing the metal back on itself. The front tyre looked like it was sitting where the driver’s feet should be.

Jonelle was yanking the door with all her might but it wouldn’t open. ‘I can’t get to him,’ she cried. ‘Rick, I’m here.’ Jonny slammed her hand against the window. And that’s when they both spotted the passenger.

‘Gemma!’

Dan raced to the other side. He tripped on the crushed bushes and broken branches, falling hard on his knees. A stick jabbed into his hand but he ignored it, pushing off the ground in his mission to get to Gemma. His heart was beating so hard he thought he’d pass out. Clutching the door handle he pulled, nearly yanking his arm off in the process. The door only opened a few inches before locking tight.

‘Gemma, it’s Dan. Can you hear me?’ He tried to get his hand through the gap to touch her shoulder, even just to reassure her, or maybe himself, he wasn’t sure.

He looked up at the sound of cracking glass. Jonelle had some gloves on and was removing the rest of the dislodged windscreen, her face set with determination. She managed to tug the rest out like a woman possessed. As she stood on the bent bonnet, steam rose up around her like spectres in the night.

Dan could smell oil, he could smell petrol, he could smell the eucalyptus from the tree and he could smell the metallic scent of blood. The last scent shot fear through his body, causing a wave of sickness. Steadying himself against the ute Dan tried to assess Gemma’s injuries. There was a cut on her forehead, bleeding from her ear where the seatbelt had ripped out a few earrings, and her arm looked out of shape, too. Behind him the ambulance came over the hill and he felt a wave of relief. ‘It’s okay, Gemma. Help is here. You’ll be okay,’ he said as her eyes fluttered in response. He saw her phone held limp in her hand. How long would they have been out here if she hadn’t called? It was in the middle of nowhere, hardly anyone on the roads. Gemma had probably saved their lives.

Jonelle was now on her stomach, half her body through the windscreen as she reached in to Rick. She held her fingers against his neck and then his wrist. ‘Come on, Rick. Give me something, anything.’

Dan glanced across, saw the way the metal pressed in tight against Rick’s body, skewering him in so many places, blood leaking out over the seat like gravy. He brought his eyes up, not wanting to witness any more horror as once again the strong metallic tang reached his nose. He focused on Rick’s face, such a young face. His eyes were closed as if he were just taking a nap. Jonelle caressed his cheek and glanced back at Dan with tears in her eyes.

‘
Rick!
’ It was screamed so thunderously, but neither of them had shouted it. Dan turned back to the ambulance and there was Ken. The agony he saw on that man’s face would haunt his dreams for months to come. Any other person may have fallen to their knees, too afraid to get any closer, but Ken was an ambulance officer. He ran towards his son’s twisted ute in giant strides. His fellow medico, Judy, as it said on her uniform, sped along beside him.

Jonelle came back from her ute with a tyre lever. She jammed it in Gemma’s door and began to prise it open. ‘Bloody hope the fellas turn up soon.’

Sure enough, her prayers were answered as a truck and a light tanker ute with a trailer pulled up. Three guys poured out of the red truck, two from the big ute, their lights aimed at the car wreck. Moments ago they had probably been in bed, some had tousled hair, but now they were alert and focused.

‘Oh, shit! Is that Rick and Gemma?’ asked Carlos, running a hand through his hair.

‘Fuck me,’ said another who was reaching for a large light stand. Time was critical.

Straight away, they came over and Jonelle barked out orders. ‘Carlos, Jas, Guy,’ she said, making sure she had their attention, ‘Rick’s door is jammed tight but Gemma’s should come if we use the spreaders on it here and then the cutters here.’ Jonelle pointed to the ute as she spoke. ‘Gemma is our priority.’ Dan watched as the news passed through the rescue crew. They blinked long and hard, understanding her meaning and taking a moment. Jonelle glanced at Judy, who’d climbed onto what was left of the bonnet to assess Rick and then Gemma. She shook her head with tears pooling in her eyes, which glistened in the car lights. Rick was gone.

Ken was trying to climb onto the bonnet too, his terror making him clumsy.

Judy put her hand on Ken’s shoulder as he slid through to touch his son. ‘I’m so sorry, Ken.’

‘No!’
Ken roared deep and guttural like a lion as he grabbed for his son. ‘Help him, Judy. We gotta help him. Jonny, cut him out. Get him out now.’ He was clutching at Rick’s limp arm, willing his son to move. Tears streamed down his face.

‘Ken, look at his chest. He’s gone. Right now you need to help me save Gemma or stay out of my way,’ Judy begged.

The rescue boys had already assembled the lights, had their tools ready and the power pack in position. Hydraulic hoses lay around them like snakes. Diff, truckie by day and saviour by night, was just about to cut into Gemma’s door.

‘Dan, just stand back, mate,’ boomed Carlos as he stepped in to hold the door while Diff jammed in the metal spreaders. Jonelle watched over them, another power tool with metal nippers on the end ready in her hands.

Judy moved off the bonnet and raced to get supplies from the ambulance.

Dan felt like he was on a movie set. People worked at a frantic pace around him. He stepped towards Ken, who was beside the bonnet, and put his hand on his shoulder. The big man was shaking from his sobs and Dan didn’t know what else to do for him.

Before he knew it, they had Gemma’s door off and had transferred her carefully to a stretcher, just as another ambulance pulled up. Dan watched Jonny hold on to Gemma’s hand. ‘You’re okay now, Gemma. You’ll be okay.’

Gemma groaned in reply. They loaded her into the ambulance and within seconds it was down the road with sirens blaring.

Two police officers started taking photos. Dan couldn’t remember when they had turned up. So many bright flashing lights in the dark of night. They photographed the skid marks, the dead kangaroo, the tree, the car and then Rick’s body. When they gave the go-ahead Jonelle and the rest of the crew worked on getting Rick out. Their movements were slower, the urgency replaced with defeat.

Jonelle was under the ute and then on top, figuring out where to cut to get to Rick. As she stood up, blood covered her hand; she wiped it off on her shirt and kept moving. Because Rick was meshed with the metal, they needed to cut several sections away. Carefully they cut the roof off the ute, flipping it back. They treated Rick like he was still alive, that every movement would hurt him. Dan waited with Ken, who was sitting by the side of the road, head down and hands scrunched hard into his eyes. Dan couldn’t think of any words that could possibly help Ken right now, he just kept his arm around his shoulders, giving him some strength.

One of the medicos from the second ambulance got in the passenger side and started cleaning up Rick. A young police officer came over, his face twisted in dread. ‘Ken, we need you to formally identify your son. Can you do that?’ His voice was gentle. After a minute the officer stepped back. ‘We can do it later —’ But Ken stood up, nodding weakly. Dan walked with him towards the ute, just trying to be a familiar presence. But seeing Ken having to identify his youngest boy like that had his stomach heaving again. He ran off behind a tree as he felt the burn rise up his throat.

‘You right, mate?’

Dan looked up and realised the other police officer was standing beside him. It was Tony, the officer who had gone out to Ryan’s and asked him questions. He hadn’t recognised him in all the commotion. Reaching out a large hand, Tony helped him up.

‘This is going to rock the town. Everyone knew Rick. He was a good lad.’ Tony bit his lip hard, trying to control himself. He’d seen his fair share of death but even Dan could see Tony was struggling with this.

‘Be careful with my boy,’ whispered Ken into the moonlit night. He dropped his head and cried standing beside the crushed ute while another chunk of twisted metal was pulled away. Carlos stepped towards Ken. ‘Come on, Ken. Come sit back down here with me.’ Carlos’s voice was tender and his touch gentle as he helped ease Ken down near the ambulance.

Dan watched in awe as Jonelle worked with her team of rescuers to gently cut Rick out of the mess. They changed the fittings on one of the big tools, putting on chains that they tied to the tree and the steering wheel. Then they closed the jaws on the metal tool and pulled the dash of the ute away from Rick. Time felt slow but it must have passed quickly as Dan noticed a white van pull up. A lady of medium build got out with a solemn look on her face. She unloaded a metal trolley from the back of her van. Laid out on the trolley was a big black bag. Dan swallowed hard. He’d seen enough TV shows to know what that was for.

The rescue team continued working strategically, and when the last chunk of bloody metal was pulled clear Rick was finally freed. Jonelle, Diff and Jas helped the funeral contractor to shift his body into the bag on the trolley. Dan’s nose prickled and his eyes swam with tears as Jonelle touched Rick’s cheek in a final farewell. It wasn’t fair.

Dan almost felt like an extra in a crime show, but this was far too real. The smells in the air kept his guts churning and the sight of Rick’s torn, lifeless body flashed across his mind on replay.

After Rick was loaded into the van, Ken flung himself against the back doors, sobbing like an inconsolable child.

‘Ken?’ Tony grabbed his shoulders gently. ‘Ken, she has to leave. Come over here to the ambulance and we’ll find you something.’ Ken eventually stepped back. The lady nodded her thanks and drove away, taking Rick’s shell with her.

The rescue crew were packing away tools, setting out tape and talking to the police. Daniel couldn’t fathom how they had kept working when the person passed away in the car had been their friend, their mate and Ken’s son. He looked at his watch, realising he’d been out here for nearly three hours. He was glad he could keep Ken company, at least he felt like he was doing something to help. But it wasn’t as amazing as the ambos and the rescue team, they were just brilliant.

The air had chilled by the time the last ambulance left, along with Rick’s grieving father. The rescue team didn’t hang around, each one eager to get home to their family.

Dan walked over to where Jonelle was talking to Tony.

‘Bloody kangaroo was huge. It’s a shame he hit the only tree around.’

Jonelle nodded. ‘Yeah. It’s always the way, isn’t it?’ she said. She acknowledged Dan. ‘Well, I think we’d better be getting back. Are you hanging around?’

Tony sighed. He looked ten years older at that moment. ‘Yeah, got to wait for Pitta to come out with the trailer. He’s going to bring the ute back to our yard. We don’t want to leave it here any longer than we have to. No one needs to see this.’

‘You need any more help?’

Tony shook his head and squeezed Jonelle’s shoulder. ‘No, Jonny. We’ll be good. You go home. You look beat.’

‘Okay. Talk to you later, Tony.’

There was nothing in their voices. They were talking because they had to, not because they wanted to. Dan reached for Jonelle and gently touched her back as they walked towards the ute.

‘Who’s Pitta?’ he asked.

‘Ah, he’s the local panelbeater and tow truck driver. They don’t need our help,’ she said, before grabbing his wrist firmly. ‘Can you please drive?’ Her plea was whispered, but the frantic grasp of her fingers on his arm conveyed her desperation.

‘Sure.’ Dan didn’t know if he was up to it, but after what Jonelle had just done, he figured he owed her that.

As they started back to town, Dan couldn’t believe her strength. He glanced across to where she sat hunched over in the ute. ‘You were amazing, Jonelle. I can’t fathom how hard that must have been and I really don’t know how you did it. Does nothing scare you?’

She was silent for a few seconds before she turned to him, shaking her head. ‘Everything scares me,’ she squeaked. The last of her composure fell away as her eyes glistened with tears. ‘I’m scared of change. I’m scared of Ryan leaving. I’m scared of losing my business and I’m scared that one day, I’ll be like Ken. That one day it will be my family. The fear . . .’ Her face was filled with terror, like a frightened child. She glanced at her bloodstained clothes. ‘Stop the ute.’ She said it so suddenly.

‘What?’

‘Stop the ute, now.’