Loud banging echoed through the house. Calum poked his head out of the closet.
‘What the hell was that? You drop something?’
Jennifer grabbed her jeans and hauled them on. ‘Not me. Someone’s at the door. Don’t explore without me.’ She snatched up a T-shirt and threw it on. ‘I’ll get rid of them, back in a sec.’
Heavy thundering continued through the shop.
‘Okay — okay! Keep your shirt on, I’m coming!’
Jennifer hurried through the restaurant and paused when she saw the silhouette of a man behind the panel of frosted glass. She had a moment of hesitation before yanking the door open, ready to give the person an earful about having patience.
‘Bret!’
White-faced terror etched her brother’s face. ‘I’m being followed,’ he rasped urgently.
Jennifer glanced up and down the street, grabbed his arm and hauled him inside. ‘Thank God you’re all right.’ She slammed the door, wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tight.
‘Jen, Jen, I can’t breathe.’
She pushed him back to arm’s length and looked him up and down. ‘What the hell are you doing here? Why haven’t you called someone — anyone? Last we heard you were in Broome.’
‘I was never in Broome. I just said that to put the idiots off my trail.’
‘What!’ Jennifer grabbed his shoulders. ‘I could happily strangle you.’
‘Okay — okay. I tried to ring Sofie a couple of times, but I kept getting a snooty woman’s voice saying this number is unavailable.’
‘But I gave you Sofie’s new number.’
‘It was on a scrap of paper and I lost it.’
‘Have you ever tried the bloody phonebook? You know — ring the school where she works!’
‘JEN!’
‘Okay!’ Jennifer cried out exasperated. ‘What made you come here? I only just arrived myself.’
Bret’s thin shoulders came up in a shrug. ‘I didn’t know you’d be here. I was going to hide in the garage for a while. I saw the lights were on and took a chance. I was hoping it wasn’t Sofie. She’s sweet, but when it comes to something like this she’s custard.’
‘Why not go straight to the police? At least you’d save everyone from an anxiety attack.’ Bret looked at her, eyes haunted with troubled thoughts. ‘Oh, for God’s sake.’ She pulled him in for another hug. ‘I know you don’t mean to, but you make us crazy.’
‘Sorry, Jen. The police can’t do anything. I owe these blokes. I didn’t know where else to go.’ Bret blew out a lungful of air. ‘All that running made no difference.’
‘Did you drop in on your old haunts — your Sydney flat?’
‘Yes, but only for a few days to rest.’ Jennifer gave him the older sister don’t-bullshit-me look. ‘Okay, I may have stayed a coupla weeks. I only went out at night. Anyway, I haven’t got the frigginest idea why they’re still chasing me; I only borrowed five grand. That’s peanuts for guys like that.’
‘Oh really? Well, they told me to hand over ten grand, or they’d break both your legs — slowly.’ Jennifer jabbed him in the chest.
‘That’s extortion!’ Bret cried out.
‘Interest is a bitch. From now on, no more lies!’ She glared at him. ‘Or half truths.’
Bret’s face creased with remorse. He nodded. ‘Sorry, sis.’
‘Okay, one thing at a time. They could be barging through this door any minute.’
Footsteps approached them from behind. Heart thumping, Jennifer swung around.
‘I heard voices.’
‘Calum,’ Jennifer whispered, relieved. She thrust Bret at him. ‘Take him upstairs and hide him somewhere — quick!’
‘No way. You hide him.’ Calum shoved Bret back at Jennifer. ‘G’day, Bret. How’s it going?’ he said, extending his hand.
‘Been better.’ Chin lowered, Bret shook Calum’s hand.
‘Been travelling a bit?’ Calum asked, in his easygoing manner. ‘S’pose you could murder a steak?’
‘Yeah, got any?’
Jennifer glanced from one to the other.
‘What?’ they asked in unison.
‘You two don’t even know each other!’ They gave her a puzzled look. ‘Must be a man thing,’ Jennifer mumbled. ‘Bret, this is Calum McGregor.’
‘Why do you need to hide?’ Calum asked.
‘Spill it, Bret,’ Jennifer said. ‘I’m your sister and Calum’s…a friend.’ Had she blinked, Jennifer would’ve missed Calum’s hurt expression. She gave him a what-was-I-supposed-to-say shrug. He cocked a what-the…eyebrow back at her.
Bret began to pace. ‘I saw this great horse on the internet.’
‘Here we go,’ Jennifer groaned.
‘He looked a real winner,’ Bret enthused, eyes wide. ‘The odds were unbelievable! Turns out I knew a friend of the horse’s trainer. He said he was a winner for sure. I didn’t have the money so I borrowed five grand.’
‘And the horse came in last.’ Hands on hips, Jennifer glared at him.
‘Second last. I tried to bargain with them. I said I’d work it off, but.’ He shrugged. ‘And now they’re saying I owe them ten grand. They’re a bunch of sharks and the interest just keeps piling up.’
‘You idiot!’ Jennifer ground out. ‘There’s only one way to make money and that’s to work for it like we all do. When will you get it into your thick head that you don’t need approval from mother and father? You think they’ll love you more if you’ve got money?’
‘I dunno, sis — yeah?’ Bret shrugged again.
Calum seemed baffled and rubbed the back of his neck.
‘What am I gunna do?’ Bret chewed nervously on his lip.
Jennifer gave a worried, sideways nod towards shadowy movement behind the frosted glass door. ‘Your business partners and investment bankers are here.’
‘What?’ Bret asked, confused.
‘That’s what mother tells everyone.’
‘Jen, do something,’ Bret whispered harshly.
‘I thought they were idiots?’ she hissed back at him.
‘Sure, but big idiots.’
‘I’m calling the police,’ Jennifer insisted.
‘Please, Jen, don’t,’ Bret pleaded. ‘You’ll just make it worse.’
‘Brock’s a great cop, but what can he do? In the end, Bret owes these guys money. Take him upstairs,’ Calum urged. ‘I’ll get the door.’
‘Are you out of your mind?’ Jennifer rounded on Calum. ‘This is our problem. I’m going out there — Bret, you’re coming with me!’
Bret grew pale. His eyes shone like those of a cornered cat.
‘Okay, I’ll do it alone,’ Jennifer announced and headed for the door.
‘Bret — disappear,’ Calum ordered, pointing to the stairs.
Loud banging rattled the glass in the door. Jennifer yanked it open, fire in her eyes, and a burning desire to beat a couple of thugs around the head.
On second thoughts, maybe not.
* * *
Calum edged in front of Jennifer and smiled at two goons. Muscles packed into black T-shirts and dress pants, they waited on the footpath like extras from a gangster movie.
‘Gentlemen,’ he said, ‘the restaurant’s not open yet.’
‘We’re lookin’ for Bret The Pigeon,’ the taller one said. ‘We saw ‘im come in ‘ere. There’s no point denyin’ it.’ The guy’s rough accent was out of keeping with his fine clothes.
Calum swung an arm across, barring Jennifer from leaving the doorway. He stepped outside just as the streetlights came on. Much to his annoyance, she didn’t take the hint, and followed. Calum dared not take his eyes off the blokes to give her a get-back-inside glare.
‘And you are?’ he asked calmly.
‘This here’s Stef,’ the taller one said, pointing to his mate. ‘And I’m Fry. We’re businessmen, runnin’ a business.’
Calum pulled a face. ‘Fry?’ he asked.
‘Use your imagination,’ Fry said. ‘Or is that too difficult for ya?’ Fry shifted his bulk and leant in close. ‘I’m losin’ me patience. The money?’
‘Bret doesn’t have any!’ Jennifer’s enraged tone made even Calum turn to look. ‘Threatening to break his legs won’t make a difference.’
‘I couldn’t give a fuck what you say!’ Fry cut in. ‘I’d wanna break his legs for the irritation.’
‘Gentlemen, I’m sure we can do a deal.’ Calum gave them a steely glare. It worked on the bulls at home, so why not here? All Fry did was roll his toned shoulders, and neck. Perhaps it was a sign that he was feeling the strain.
‘This is legit, okay?’ Fry said. ‘The kid owes us ten grand.’
‘What a bunch of lazy-assed sharks —’ Jennifer began.
Calum gave her a shut-up glare, but she stiffened and glared back. Man, she had guts. He had to smother a grin, despite the situation they were in.
‘If youse two have finished makin’ love eyes…?’ Fry growled.
‘That’s a hefty amount.’ Calum was hedging for time, hoping the pressure of doing business out on the footpath would build and they’d cave…Or perhaps not.
‘Okay,’ Fry began, shifting from one foot to the other, his aggravation obvious. ‘I reckon you’re a fair bloke — how about nine Gs?’
‘That’s outrageous,’ Jennifer hissed. ‘We don’t carry that sort of money around and it’s Friday night, you idiots. Banks don’t open until ten Monday morning.’
‘You’d better have a word with your missus,’ Fry said, slapping a fist into his cupped hand.
‘Don’t threaten my missus,’ Calum said, staring down past his nose at Fry. He felt his lip twitch and hoped it added power to his message.
Fry stared back, flexed his neck and said nothing. Calum turned and stepped up to Jennifer. A whisper of air separated his face from hers.
‘They’re a couple of uglies and you’re naive. Don’t say another word unless you want to see blood.’ Slowly, Jennifer nodded. ‘Theirs, of course.’ He winked. ‘Stay put. And I mean it this time.’ He turned back, feeling a deal was imminent.
‘Boys,’ Calum said with a sideways nod, ‘come with me.’ He headed towards his parked Range Rover. Arms crossed, he rested his butt casually on the bonnet. ‘We’re country folk. We provide you with steak and veg. There has to be a way around this problem.’
‘I’m a vegetarian,’ Stefan informed him loftily.
‘Shut-the-fuck-up, you idiot,’ Fry barked.
‘I’m willing to meet you halfway.’ Calum rested a foot on the bumper. ‘Five grand.’
Stefan looked as if he were in pain. Fry stiffened, balled his fists, and took a deep breath. ‘How’s this? Five grand, plus two for expenses?’
‘What sort of expenses are we talking here?’ Calum wanted to know.
‘Oh for fuck’s sake!’ Fry lost his cool. ‘Petrol money, motels, nervous tension, I don’t care — whatever you like to call it — but that little fuck is gunna pay.’ Fry leaned forward, chin out. He jabbed the air inches from Calum’s chest. ‘That friggin’ little aggravation owes us. It’s the principle. Part of good business practice. No one owes us — no one!’
‘I’ll give you six. A cheque do?’
Stefan grumbled. Fry paused long and hard. He rolled his shoulders again.
‘Okay. For fuck’s sake,’ he spat out, ‘write the fucking cheque so we can get the fuck outta this fucking hole.’
Calum opened the glove compartment, pulled out his chequebook and wrote out the cheque. Fry snatched it from his hand, scrutinised it, then he and Stefan jumped into their black Mazda Sports. Fry made a u-turn and gave them the finger as he drove past.
‘Oh, very nice.’ Jennifer’s tone cracked with sarcasm.
Calum ushered her inside. ‘Don’t look at me like that. Go tell Bret it’s done.’
He was about to close the door when he saw Bruce casually clomping towards him in his farm co-op overalls, T-shirt stretched over burly man-muscles. Calum wondered how much Bruce had seen, and did it matter anyway?
‘Evening, Cal.’ Bruce gave a slight nod. He had a perpetual puppy face that made women want to mother him.
‘Hey, Bruce, how’s married life?’
‘Bloody brilliant, mate. Bloody brilliant. Mum’s come around; she’s knitting a layette, whatever that is.’ Bruce extended his left hand. ‘You got a moment?’
‘What’s all this?’ Calum nodded towards Bruce’s leftie handshake.
Bruce brought his right hand out from behind his back, and held up a middle finger firmly wrapped in white bandages. ‘I squashed it in the extendable ladder, dislocated the last knuckle.’
‘Shit, Bruce, that would’ve hurt.’
‘Shit yeah!’ Bruce sucked air in through his teeth.
‘When’d you do a stupid thing like that?’
‘This arvo during a drill. The fire chief wanted to make sure we were ready for the wine festival.’
A thought crossed Calum’s mind. He knew what was coming and looked steadfastly at Bruce.
‘Definitely not. No way!’
‘But Cal, there isn’t anyone else. You have to.’
‘No, I don’t,’ Calum pointed out emphatically. ‘And anyway, last time I practised the cattle freaked.’
‘Jeez, Cal, it’s not so much for me, but what about the rest of the town? Our reputation will be shot.’
‘You can’t use guilt tactics, Bruce. You’re hopeless at it.’ The desperate look on Bruce’s face was another thing. ‘Christ!’ Calum sighed. ‘You owe me, big time. Fuck, I don’t believe I’ve agreed to this — shit!’
‘You’ll be fine.’ Bruce laid his good hand on Calum’s shoulder. ‘I have bucket-loads of confidence in you.’
‘You’ll need more than that. You’d better talk to the universal dudes. Or whoever thinks this is some sort of perverse payback for leaving.’ Calum turned to go.
‘There’s something else.’ Bruce said. ‘The heritage committee wants to know if you’ve got extinguishers in the restaurant kitchen. It’s not mandatory, but it probably wouldn’t hurt to have one upstairs as well.’
‘Yep, there’s two in the restaurant and one in the pantry upstairs. Might not be a bad idea to come by and show Jen how they work.’
‘I can do that.’ Bruce’s face wrinkled up. He seemed full of misgivings as he scratched his head.
‘Now what?’ Calum asked.
‘Well, I kinda scared the pants off her — hey, not literally. Jeez that came out all wrong.’ Calum smiled, admiring the big man. ‘Yeah, no wonder Jennifer squealed when you took her down the ladder the day she threw the toaster out the window. What’ve you been eating?’
‘Nothin’,’ Bruce said with wide-eyed innocence. He peered down at his ample belly. ‘Free doughnuts at the station, and Kathleen’s an amazing cook.’
‘Listen mate, Jennifer has never mentioned that she was scared.’ Calum stated with a grin. ‘I think she’s very proud of herself. But for her sake and her guests’, you’d better give her instructions on how to use extinguishers. While you’re at it, tell her anything else she needs to know — like what to do with a full restaurant in case of fire.’
‘Okay, will do. Hey, I didn’t interrupt anything earlier? Those two blokes you were talkin’ to left in an awful hurry.’
‘No, it’s good. Hope Brock catches up with them. A couple of speeding tickets would be good, say a thousand dollars worth.’
‘Yep, that’d hurt,’ Bruce said. ‘Not friends then?’
‘No. I’ll tell you all about it one day.’ Calum turned to go back inside. ‘Don’t forget Jen and her fire drills.’
‘I won’t. I’ll drop by soon as I can. And don’t forget to practise.’
‘Yeah right, wonder where I’m going to do that.’ Calum felt a grin coming on and said, ‘I know. I’ll come to your place.’ He left Bruce, standing on the footpath, mouth open.
* * *
Upstairs, Jennifer paced the hall and every time she passed the kitchen door, Bret looked up from twisting a piece of cotton he’d plucked from his hoodie. She was angry, yet her heart went out to him.
At last, familiar footsteps sounded on the stairs. Seconds later, Calum strode towards her.
‘What kept you?’ she asked, relieved to see him unharmed. ‘I saw them take off.’
‘Got to chatting with Bruce.’
‘What did he want? Did Bruce see anything — did anyone?’ Damn, Jennifer thought, I sound like my mother.
‘Yeah, he asked. I told him they weren’t friends and hoped Brock would book them for speeding.’ Calum studied her face.
‘What were you doing over by your car?’
Calum cocked an eyebrow and gave her a knowing look. ‘Let’s get Bret. Then I don’t have to repeat myself.’
‘Don’t go getting all — thingy on me,’ Jennifer protested, and instantly regretted her uppity tone.
‘Thingy?’ Calum couldn’t hide his amusement.
‘The hero who looks after the little woman and is taking control — thingy, like you did outside.’
‘Wait a minute, I get it. You were worried about me.’ He gave her one of his quirky half-smiles and put a hand on his chest. ‘I’m touched.’
Jennifer strode off down the hall. Calum followed close behind, his amusement almost like a feathery tickle up her back.
‘You’re a farmer from a country town. They’re nasties from the city. And now you’re involved in my brother’s dodgy affairs.’ And probably the whole town is as well — bloody hell.
‘Hey, I can look after myself. I’ve got brawn.’ His eyes smouldered, and then he whispered in her ear, ‘And I can make you pant and scream for more.’
Jennifer couldn’t deny it. ‘And that makes everything okay?’
‘Lots of things should make it okay.’ He leant in and kissed her cheek.
Jennifer thumped his shoulder. ‘Bret’s in the kitchen.’ She glared at the grin he tried to hide.
Bret looked up from the table. Worry lines etched his tired face.
‘Let’s talk.’ Calum swung a chair around, straddled it, and rested his arms on the back.
Bret rubbed a hand over his face. The light of the hanging lamp made the dark circles under his eyes stand out. ‘Are they gone?’
‘Yep,’ Calum replied.
‘I think it’s time you were responsible for your actions.’ Jennifer told her brother. ‘Get a job like a normal person. Learn a trade. I’ll show you how to julienne carrots.’
Bret’s face screwed up in distaste. ‘No thanks. I’d rather do something outdoors.’
‘You what?’ Jennifer slammed her hands on the table in front of him and leaning forward closed in on his face. ‘Listen, you don’t have a say anymore, got that?’ She straightened and clipped him up the side of his head.
Calum cut in. ‘You can help on the farm. Since the renovations here, I’ve got a truckload of chores.’
‘Um…’ Bret mumbled, worried eyes flitting from one to the other.
Jennifer was ready to throttle both of them — one for hesitating at a wonderful opportunity, the other for giving it.
‘Wait just a minute, Calum. My brother is a schemer. He uses people, even his own sisters.’
‘Fair go, sis.’
‘It’s true. You’re constantly looking at ways to make a quick buck to impress Mother and Father, and on the way you leave a path of destruction. The goons won’t give up, they’ll be…’ A thought occurred to Jennifer. She swung around to face Calum. ‘Just what did happen out there? Don’t tell me they took a cheque?’
‘I paid six grand to save Bret’s legs. To my way of thinking, he can work it off on the farm, one leg at a time.’
It took a moment for Calum’s bombshell to register. ‘You what!’ Jennifer yelled.
‘Six?’ Bret asked. ‘I’ve just been sweating over ten for nothing! How?’
‘I negotiated,’ Calum replied with a smile.
He was enjoying this family feud; Jennifer could see it in his eyes. She glanced at her brother. He gazed in wonder at his saviour.
‘I knew I’d made a mistake the minute you talked to me about — blood, and I listened. What makes you think they won’t come back for the rest?’
Calum eyed her as if to say, give me some credit. ‘They won’t be back. Asking for ten was a tactic they hoped would work. What better way to make another five grand — which you would have given them unnecessarily.’
‘You heard him, sis.’ Bret looked at Calum in awe.
‘Who says I would’ve? Don’t assume you know everything about me, because you do not.’ Jennifer clenched her fists, trying to contain herself. ‘This is our affair — we could’ve sorted it out. But oh no, Mr Hero had to stick his nose in, and now you’ve probably endangered yourself, your gran and your sister. Crap follows my brother, and anyone near will get sucked into his dodgy, fucked-up life!’ She paused for breath, then added, ‘I’ll go to the bank Monday morning and you’ll have the money back.’
Calum pursed his lips against a smile. ‘I don’t want it.’
‘Well, you’re getting it. And what’s so funny?’ she demanded.
‘You look hot when you’re angry, and it makes me want to laugh — I can’t help that. You’re gorgeous, I love to see you fiery. If Bret weren’t here, I’d —’
‘Oh really?’ Jennifer said, chin up, but melting inside.
‘Anyway, despite all your objections, this is between Bret and me, man to man.’ Calum’s tone was final.
‘Man to man? Now I’ve heard it all. You think treating him like an adult will make a difference? He’s twenty-two and behaves like an irresponsible teenager! When it suits him, he’ll just walk off — disappear.’ And gossip would race through town. You know that girl who’s opening a restaurant? Well her brother…Jennifer cringed inside.
Calum said to Bret, ‘Do I have your word that you’ll stay and work off your debt?’ Hand extended, Calum waited for Bret to shake on it.
Bret’s eyes were everywhere except on Calum. ‘I don’t know anything about farming.’
‘You see?’ Jennifer said. ‘He’s already making excuses. He’s allergic to hard work.’
Calum glanced her way with a cut-the-crap expression.
‘Don’t you dare give me that look.’ She glared back. ‘I’ve seen worse and they had knives.’
Calum turned back to Bret, eyebrows raised in question.
‘Chefs,’ Bret explained. ‘Big ones — big knives.’
Calum grinned. ‘You’re one hell of a woman.’
‘You can say that again.’ Jennifer stepped closer, her body tense, determined. ‘This is not funny. You are interfering. Everyone will learn that I have a brother who brings thugs to their town. How will that look — I’m about to open a classy restaurant. Some townspeople will thank you for giving them juicy gossip, all because you stuck your nose into something that doesn’t concern you. You wanted to play the big man, the hero.’ Her statement rang in her ears. She regretted every word the moment it popped out of her mouth, but it was too late. Not only did she sound like her mother, she sounded ungrateful. Oh God, what had she done? Jennifer wanted a hole in the floor to swallow her up then spit her out somewhere far away. Maybe she’d land back in the past so she could start anew. She felt embarrassment burn her face.
All humour left Calum’s eyes. ‘I’ll be back for Bret in the morning.’ Without another word, he turned and walked out the door.
Jennifer could almost feel her heart crack. She stood in the ruins of the evening, blinking back her emotions as the door closed quietly. Like a heavy cloak, utter silence settled around her.
She glanced back at Bret and saw the same sad expression she’d seen on his face so many times over the years. Every time their mother had berated him for yet another stuff-up, and now she’d done it to him as well. She’d also lost Calum and his respect. Damn, she’d been such an idiot.
She knew exactly why her mouth trembled.