The Sunburnt Country (6 page)

JONELLE
pulled up at the pub. She wasn’t there for Daniel, she was there because it’s where she always went on a Friday night and why should she start changing her routine now? This was her town and her pub. With a bit of luck, he wouldn’t even turn up.

She entered through the grand front door, her painted toes sparkling in her thongs, and hoped Den wouldn’t make her change. Renae was right. Her toes really did look good. It was still warm outside but inside the air was cool against her legs. She had a checked shirt tied around her waist to pull over her khaki singlet for when the night cooled down.

‘Cute shorts,’ said old man Brad, who stood by the jukebox with a beer in his hand and his grey mullet a mess.

‘Would you like to try them on?’ Jonny asked, eyeing off his hairy legs and knobbly wrinkled knees.

He chuckled and gave her a wink.

‘Hey, don’t go putting on that crap again,’ she said when she saw his finger hovering over the jukebox. ‘Dennis can’t afford to have all his patrons falling asleep. Why don’t ya put on Shannon Noll or at least some Chisel?’ she said.

Brad screwed up his face, and groaned.

‘Look, I’ll buy you the bloody CD so you can play it at home. Just don’t put it on in the pub, all right?’

Brad’s smile was lopsided but genuine. He was a Friday night regular who worked for the shire grading roads. He didn’t look like much, but you couldn’t find a better man to grade your road.

Jonny walked up to the bar. ‘Hey, Dennis. The usual, thanks,’ she said, laying a twenty on the bar.

Dennis looked like he sampled each beer before giving it to his customers. His extra-large shirt flared over his huge belly like a circus tent, you couldn’t even see his shorts underneath. But he had a full head of hair, a great smile and he knew the locals well. Renae liked working for him; he was pretty flexible, letting her have time off if she needed it. Mind you, he knew that he sold more beer when Renae was behind the bar, so he couldn’t afford to lose her.

‘Nae’s just ducked into the kitchen. Shouldn’t be long. Cook’s chuckin’ a hissy about the seafood.’

‘Ah, right. Best get the chicken tonight, then.’

‘I’d say so,’ said Dennis with a knowing smile as he went to the end of the bar to serve another local.

‘Hey, Jonny,’ said the sunburnt old man beside her.

‘Hey, Harold. How’s things?’ She nudged his shoulder affectionately.

‘You know, could be better.’ Harold rubbed his eyes, the frown lines creasing across his forehead and the long hairs in his eyebrows sticking out at all angles. He was in his sixties and had a farm north of town. Harold had no sons so he was battling on his own, his wife Sheila by his side as they couldn’t afford a worker.

‘Yep, we’ll all drink to that,’ she said, taking a sip of her beer. ‘Hey, Den? Harold needs another,’ she said, catching him as he walked past.

‘Thanks, Jonny,’ Harold said, taking the full glass from Dennis. After a large gulp he hung his head again. ‘Bloody got a meeting with that new bank manager next week. It’s got Sheila and me all worked up.’

‘It’s not serious, is it?’ Jonny asked.

‘Oh, I don’t know, love. He wasn’t giving much away on the phone. We’re doin’ the best that we can, but it’s just not good enough. Can’t make the weather do what we want and we can’t sell up. We don’t know any other way of life.’

She put her hand on Harold’s arm. Worn, damaged skin but underneath she felt the strength of an honest man from the land. ‘How’s Sheila going?’

‘You know Sheila. She’s at home knitting me more bloody socks.’

‘I told you she should sell them on eBay.’

‘I need her on the farm, not knitting. She’s an old battle-axe, that one. Works harder than those farmhands I’ve had.’ Harold nudged her. ‘Don’t you ever tell her I said that.’

‘Your secret’s safe with me.’ Jonny crossed her heart. ‘Anything I can do to help, Harold?’

‘No, Jonny. You’ve done plenty as it is. I still owe you for those tyres.’

‘Hey, no you don’t. They were just some old ones I had lying around the workshop. They don’t have much tread left, but they’ll keep you going for a while.’

Harold’s tired brown eyes glistened. He swallowed hard and nodded his head.

‘Anyway, I gotta go and rescue Renae from Cook. I’ll catch you later.’

As she headed to the kitchen, she wondered how serious Harold’s bank meeting would be. If Daniel turned up, she’d have to ask him about it, and if anything, make sure he’d take it easy on Harold and Sheila. A new guy from the city was bound to have no understanding of what those two had been through. They deserved some respect. Harold had been their shire president on and off for over forty years. He was this town.

Pushing open the kitchen door, Jonny heard raised voices.

‘It wasn’t me!’ said Renae, her hands planted firmly on her hips.

Cook stood with his back to Jonny. His pressed white coat, his most prized possession, fitted his narrow frame perfectly. No-one was really sure of his nationality – some said his mother was Thai, others said Filipino – but one thing was sure, he could cook.

‘What’s going on?’

Cook was at least ten years older than Renae and he was not smiling. He said something neither of them could understand.

‘Someone accidentally turned off the power point to the freezer and all the seafood has started to defrost. He thinks it was me,’ said Renae, glaring back at Cook. ‘Well, it wasn’t. Did you ask Dennis?’

Cook went off again, rattling words so fast Jonny couldn’t make sense of them. Cook didn’t get on with a lot of people, not even Renae, who was the nicest of the lot.

Renae threw up her hands and stormed across to where Jonny was standing by the door. ‘I need a drink,’ she said, sweeping past. ‘I can’t deal with this when I’m not even on duty.’

Twenty minutes later, as they finished their first drinks, Jonny saw Daniel’s car pull up outside. She leapt to her feet and dragged Renae through to the front bar. ‘Quick, don’t let him see us,’ she said.

Renae tossed her hair back. ‘Why, what’s up?’

‘Well, he asked if I was going to the pub and I don’t want him to think I came here because of him. He wanted to buy me a drink, but he’s such an arse,’ she said flippantly. They backed away from the French doors and into the front bar. They never drank in here as it was the hangout for a guy they called Creepy Dave.

‘Hey, look. Coop’s here,’ said Renae, pointing to the end of the bar opposite where Dave sat, wearing the dirty John Deere hat that never left his head. Rumour was he only showered once a fortnight. He stank to high heaven.

Jonny saw Ryan sitting alone, glass in hand, but he was drinking Scotch, not beer. Not a good sign.

‘Hey, what’re you doing hiding out here?’

‘Yeah, you catching up with Creepy Dave?’ whispered Renae.

‘Just thinking. Didn’t feel like socialising.’ His hair was unbrushed, but that was normal. The despair in his eyes wasn’t.

Renae walked behind the bar to get them a drink, even though she wasn’t working. She poured Ryan another Scotch; he kept pushing her to keep pouring until his glass was three-quarters full.

Jonny raised her eyebrows at him but he just ignored her. ‘Ryan? You okay?’

He slapped his glass back down, sloshing his drink over the side. ‘Will everyone just stop asking me that?’ He stood abruptly and glared at her. ‘Especially you! Everything is fine, all right. Just leave me alone,’ he spat.

‘What the hell’s got into you? I’m your mate, Ryan, I’m just making sure you’re all right,’ she growled back.

Ryan threw up his hands. ‘Look, I just wanted some bloody peace and quiet. I wish you’d all just piss off and leave me alone.’ He turned to the door and stomped off.

Jonny stood in his wake, mouth open and eyes wide. ‘I care about you, ya dickhead. We all do,’ she yelled. He paused for a moment, hand on the door ready to exit, then just as unexpectedly he came back and wrapped his arms around her.

‘I’m sorry, Jonny,’ he whispered, clutching her. The Scotch was strong on his breath and he smelt like oil, but he was warm and it was so nice to be held like that. He nuzzled his chin into her neck, his stubble grazing her skin before he pulled away and kissed her forehead. ‘I care about you too. Look, I need a walk to cool down. I’ll see ya later.’ Then he was gone. In a few large steps, he was out of the pub and onto the street.

Jonny turned back to Renae, who was still standing behind the bar with an empty glass in her hand.

‘What the hell was that?’ Jonny asked with her hands palm up. She felt as if she’d been slapped in the face then kissed on the same cheek.

Renae shrugged, putting down the glass. ‘Man, he has issues,’ she said.

Jonny crawled onto the stool at the bar. ‘Do you think he’ll be okay?’

‘I don’t know. Men like to go into their caves. Maybe he just needs a bit of thinking time. Here, drink this. It’ll help.’

Jonny took the beer and had a sip, but her mind was still on Ryan. What was going on with him? Was this his way of asking for help? Should she go after him and make sure he was okay or would that make things worse? She felt so hopeless and wished she had the answers for him. All thoughts of avoiding Daniel slipped from her mind.

DANIEL
settled himself at the bar next to an old guy who took one look at him and moved stools. Dan was sure he smelt better than the old fella did so it took him by surprise.
Oh, well. One less person to make small talk with
, he thought. Anyway, he was only here for the beer and hopefully to see Jonelle. He lifted his hand and tried to wave down the publican. ‘A beer, thanks,’ he said, getting out his wallet just as he felt a slap on the back.

‘Hey, you’re back. How was your first week in Bundara?’

‘Zac! How’s it going? You just arrived?’ Dan asked. Actually, Zac looked like he’d just finished wrestling sheep. His hair sat flattened from a hat, his blue cotton shirt was covered in dirty marks and his legs looked almost black from the dust. Dan had never been that dirty in his life, not even as a kid.

Zac parked himself on a stool and slapped a note on the bar. Without a word, the barman sorted him out.

‘Yeah, me, my old man and my brother have been putting in some new fences this week and we’ve just finished some sheep work. Shit job. What about you? Put anyone offside yet?’

Daniel gave a dry laugh. ‘Funny.’ He took a sip of his beer before continuing. ‘I had so much to get through. I can’t believe how bad things are here. Don’t think I’ll be too popular next week with all these meetings I have set up.’

‘Dad hasn’t said anything to me about it, so hopefully that means you won’t be coming out to our place on official business.’ Zac took a sip from his beer while watching Daniel from the corner of his eye. ‘But you’re welcome to come out for some non-official fun.’

‘Hey?’

‘You asked me what folks did round here for fun. How about you come out to our farm tomorrow or Sunday and we’ll show you a few things? Mum will insist you stay for dinner, and believe me, it’s worth staying for.’

Daniel studied Zac carefully. He seemed genuine, even a little overexcited, like a giant puppy. Certainly, he was someone who knew how to have some fun. Daniel wondered what exactly Zac had in mind. Go shooting? Catch snakes? Maybe he didn’t really want to get involved after all. ‘Thanks, but I have a lot of work to get through.’ He had been putting in extra hours just because he had the time. It was either that, read or watch TV.

‘Come on. Don’t be a party pooper. You need to get out and see the sights – and I’m your man.’

Daniel had to admit he was tempted, but as bright as his curiosity burned, his father’s words burned brighter: ‘You want to get to the top, then stop pussyfooting around and start putting in the hard yards.’ He’d said that after Daniel had taken a Saturday off to spend at the V8s about five years ago. Needless to say, that was the last time he’d been. It was the last time he’d done much at all on the weekend. He even gave up going to the footy and instead just watched it on TV with a beer. His father rewarded dedication, and Daniel had a lot to prove.

‘Thanks, Zac, but maybe another time. I’m still settling in.’

Zac nodded before something over Dan’s shoulder caught his eye and his whole face lit up. Zac jumped off his seat and strode to the edge of the bar. Jonelle was there with Renae, the barmaid. Daniel’s gut tightened as he watched Jonelle’s face brighten at the sight of Zac approaching.
Oh man
, Dan thought. Were those two an item? Was Zac the owner of the Holden Torana he’d seen Jonelle driving? He could hardly believe his bad luck.

Daniel watched Zac throw an arm around both girls and drag them over towards where he was still sitting at the bar.
This is awkward
, Dan thought. He couldn’t very well buy Jonelle a drink now, could he?

‘Hey, Dan. Have you met this ratbag yet?’

Dan stood up as the group approached. ‘Yes, hi. Jonelle helped me out when I just arrived.’

Zac glanced at Jonelle and then back to Daniel. ‘What did my sister do for you?’

Sister?
Jonelle wasn’t Zac’s girlfriend. Dan felt his whole body relax as he processed the words, and it was hard now not to see the similarities between them, the same green eyes and broad smile. Only, Dan noticed that Jonelle wasn’t smiling at him. In fact, she looked troubled.

‘She, ah, came to my rescue when I had a flat.’

Zac laughed and dropped his arms, then sat back down on his stool. ‘Yeah, she’s a handy chick to have around. So, you girls want to join us?’

Renae flashed them both a row of shiny teeth. ‘Sure thing.’ She grabbed the chair next to Zac. Jonelle, on the other hand, was clearly not so sure. She stood there with a stern expression, her arms folded.

‘Come on, Sis. Grab a seat.’

‘Nah, Zaccy. Not up to it tonight, but you guys have fun. I think I’ll go home and see Mum.’

Zac stood up and whispered to Jonelle but Daniel could still make out the words. ‘You okay, Jonny? What’s up?’

‘It’s probably nothing. I’ll see you tomorrow.’

Zac hugged her, squishing her curvy frame. ‘See you all later,’ she said after Zac sat back down.

‘I’ll call you,’ said Renae.

Renae and Zac started chatting away but Dan only had eyes for Jonelle as she made her way out of the pub. Something was on her mind, she wasn’t being frosty on purpose. Maybe it was her business, he thought. Now he wished he’d accepted Zac’s invitation to spend some time out on the farm. It would be a sure way to run into Jonelle again. There was something about her. Whether it was because she was avoiding his charms or because she was a sexy bush mechanic, he wasn’t sure.

Zac got up a moment later, excusing himself, and Renae scooted closer.

‘Hey, Daniel. So how are you liking Bundara?’

Daniel sipped his beer before he replied. ‘It’s okay. Very different to what I’m used to.’ Jonelle’s fresh face flashed before his eyes. ‘But it’s not all bad.’

‘I’m glad to hear it. We’re a good bunch once you get to know us.’

‘Hey, was Jonelle okay? She didn’t look too happy.’

Renae’s face stiffened a fraction. ‘Yeah, I think so. She’s just got a few things on at the moment, you know, things that are worrying her.’ She sighed heavily. ‘But as
you
will find out, everyone around here has lots to worry about.’

‘Is she in trouble?’ Dan couldn’t help but pry. He was desperate to know more about this town’s mysterious mechanic.

‘Who’s in trouble?’ asked Zac as he came back to the bar, this time pulling up a stool on the other side of Renae. He reached over to get his beer, his shoulder bumping hers.

‘Jonny. She’s just worried about Ryan.’

‘Is that what’s up? Everything okay with them?’ Zac asked, taking over the conversation with Renae.

‘Ryan was just a bit weird earlier. He hasn’t been himself lately but what do you expect? He’s been through a lot.’

Zac nodded like he understood, but Dan was even more confused. Who was Ryan?

‘Is Ryan her boyfriend?’ Being the new guy, he figured he could get away with asking.

Both of them looked at him before glancing at each other and snorting with laughter. ‘Ah, no, mate. Ryan’s an old mate of Jonny’s and ours. You have a lot to learn, my good friend. Why d’you ask?’ Zac looked down his nose at him, very Sherlock Holmes.

‘Oh, no, I was just wondering, that’s all. So many people I don’t know, just trying to piece you all together.’

This seemed satisfy Zac but Dan noticed Renae shoot him a curious look, accompanied by the hint of a smile on her lips. She had even backed off with her flirting, and he had to admit he preferred her this way. Whereas Jonelle never seemed to put on an appearance. Oh, he liked her, that’s for sure. She had spunk. She was someone he thought his mother would approve of for her son, not like his father. His dad always believed work came before women.

One thing was certain – he’d never met anyone quite like Jonelle Baxter.