DREW stood by his son’s bed. The sight of his boy tucked up, sleeping, with sweat beading along his hairline, turned him to mush. He knelt down, fighting back anguish at not being there for Billy when he’d needed him.
Drew had been shearing but he’d glanced at his watch around the time Billy was due home. Sometimes Billy would make himself a Nutella sandwich before coming up to the shed, so Drew hadn’t thought much of it at first. When he’d checked his watch again and realised it was much later, he’d grown worried and jumped straight on the quad bike to the house.
Seeing that fancy blue car had filled him with dread, but as he’d got closer he’d remembered it from the shop. It belonged to the new teacher. Who had told him to be quiet in his own house! To see her in all her finery in his messy house, doing his dishes, of all things, had spun his head. He was ashamed, embarrassed, angry, worried and confused all at once. He brushed the damp hair from his son’s brow and Billy groaned.
‘Hey, little buddy, how’re you feeling?’
Billy’s eyes fluttered open. ‘Dad.’
The smile he gave Drew melted his heart. Where had he left his mobile? Was it still by his bed, or in the ute? Damn, he should be more organised. ‘I’m sorry, mate. I was shearing but I’m here now. Can I get you anything?’ God, he missed his mum at times like this. He was so used to having her as backup. She’d looked after them both but now it was all down to him. Should he take Billy to the doctor? What would his mum have done?
Billy wiggled his nose. ‘Dad, you smell.’ He pushed his head into his pillow.
‘Okay, I get it. I’ll have a quick shower.’
‘Is Miss Wright still here?’
Drew blinked as he studied the hopeful face of his son. ‘Oh, I don’t know, mate.’ He went back out to the kitchen but there was no sign of her – only the clean stack of dishes she’d washed, the dishcloth neatly folded over the tap just the way his mum used to leave it. ‘Huh.’
With a shake of his head he searched for the thermometer and went to check Billy’s temperature. Thankfully it wasn’t extreme so he decided to have a quick shower. There would be no more work today. Everything could wait. At least he’d have time to get some housework done.
Drew caught sight of himself in the mirror and grimaced. No wonder the teacher had looked aghast. He was in a right mess, with blood on his face where he must have wiped his brow after sewing up that cut sheep. The blasted ewe had kicked out, making the handpiece slip. He hated cutting them; it was the main reason he shore his own sheep instead of getting in a shearing team. That, and it also saved him a heap of money. While he was scrubbing the soap over his skin he thought back to the look on the teacher’s face. She was pretty even when her face was red with anger. He had to give her points, bucketloads, for watching out for Billy. It wasn’t in her job description to care for him after hours. Drew chuckled to himself. She may be a city girl but she’d done a very country thing, settling Billy in at home and tidying up. She’d got involved, sticking her nose in where it probably didn’t belong. And for that, he’d always be grateful. Maybe they’d make a country girl out of her yet.
Billy wasn’t at school the next day or the one after, which Nat had expected. But by Thursday she was getting worried.
‘Kath, have you heard how Billy’s going?’ she asked at recess.
‘Oh, he’s fine. Should be back at school tomorrow.’
‘Did you call them?’
‘Oh, no, I heard it through the grapevine.’ Kath raised her eyebrows. ‘But that’s not all I heard. Your name was getting mentioned.’
Nat was about to take a sip but put her cup down. ‘Me?’ Had she upset the town by going to Billy’s place? Was Drew saying bad things about her? Had she overstepped the mark?
‘Yes, you. Young Drew was overheard spruiking how you went above and beyond to look after Billy. He said Billy thought the world of you and I know that’s true. Drew’s been singing your praises.’
Nat frowned. ‘That’s weird, considering he was pretty angry when he found me in his house.’
‘Yes, dear, but he probably didn’t have time to think things through. Billy always comes first. That’s why the town catch is still single.’
Nat almost laughed. How could Drew be single? Even with a kid he’d still be highly sought after. Those eyes, that face . . . that body. Nat could feel a slow burn of appreciation just from picturing him.
‘I know what you’re thinking,’ said Kath. ‘But it’s true. The women around here aren’t blind. It’s more that he’s blind. Maybe it has something to do with Billy’s mother. I’m just guessing, but Drew’s been through a lot and Billy’s all he’s got. I doubt Drew’s done much for himself since that boy was born.’
Nat nodded and sipped her tea. Gary wanted children soon. He’d once told her he wanted four, and she’d agreed wholeheartedly. They would often lie together in bed thinking up names and deciding if they would have boys or girls. They were on the same page when it came to how they wanted to raise children, and Nat knew that they would make a wonderful family together, that Gary would be a great father. She just wasn’t quite ready for that yet.
‘Well, anyway,’ she said to Kath, ‘I’m glad Billy’s okay. I was getting more and more worried.’
‘Get used to it. These are mostly farm kids. They stay home from school if shearing is on or if they’re needed in the yards. Between you and me, I think a little bit of it is good for them. They learn life skills.’
Kath got up to rinse her cup out and headed back to the office. The jury was still out for Nat, who’d been taught that school was the most important thing. Her parents had spent thousands on top schools. But, really, was she any better off than teachers who’d gone through government schools? It all depended on the child.
Nat wondered what hopes and dreams Drew had for Billy. Or was he destined to be a farmer?
When Friday morning came, she was relieved to see Billy walk into the classroom with a smile on his perky face.
‘Good morning, Miss Wright,’ he said clearly. ‘Thank you for taking care of me when I was sick.’
He had such lovely manners. ‘Thank you, Billy, you’re welcome. Are you feeling better?’
He nodded, still smiling and fidgeting on the spot. His eyes danced as if filled with fireflies. He held out a small envelope.
‘Dad said to give you this. It’s an invitation to lunch.’
Nat took the envelope, unsure of whether she wanted to open it.
‘Please, you have to come so I can show you my pet yabbies, Frank and Ben.’ Billy tilted his head and pulled a face. ‘But Ben is having babies.’
‘So Ben could be a Benita?’
Billy giggled and nodded.
Nat opened the envelope. Was this normal out in the country? Did people invite teachers for lunch?
To Natalie,
At least he knew her name. His handwriting was a sloped print.
I owe you an apology and a thank you. Please let me make it up to you with lunch on Saturday. If you’re free. Regards, Drew and Billy.
A smile tugged on her lips at the way he’d signed the note. He’d left his home and mobile numbers at the bottom.
‘Please come?’ asked Billy. He stood expectantly, with his hands clasped behind his back.
‘I’ll think about it. I might be going back to Perth this weekend,’ she improvised. She needed time to think this through.
At recess, she waited until Ross left before asking Grace, Kath and the aide, Emily, for their opinions.
‘Do you think I should mention I’m engaged?’
Grace shook her head. ‘He already knows. Everyone knows,’ she said with a laugh. ‘That went through town the moment you returned from Perth with that sparkly rock. It’s actually quite common for new teachers to be invited out to lunch or dinner. It’s just what we do.’
‘Really?’
‘Yes, I’m actually surprised Lauren hasn’t had you over yet. I’m sure she’s working up to it. Being on the P & C board, she makes it her business to look after the new teachers. And you don’t have to worry about Drew overstepping the boundaries. You couldn’t find a more perfect gentleman. Alice raised him well.’
Nat remembered their second meeting and was going to debate this, but then recalled how kind he was at their first encounter. ‘So you think it would be okay to accept?’
‘It’s totally up to you,’ said Emily. ‘But engaged, married or not – I’d be there like a shot. Not many get to see Drew in his home environment, except for Lauren and Kim.’
Kath reached over and patted her hand. ‘Go and enjoy yourself. Billy would love it. It’s been pretty hard on them both with Alice gone. I bet they’re both craving some female company.’
Nat sighed. ‘I wouldn’t mind seeing a yabby. Then the kids might not look at me as if I have two heads.’ That caused the ladies to laugh. Nat smiled at her new friends as she thought of lunch with Drew. ‘You know, I miss male company myself. Not having Gary here, or my brother around. And I did idolise Jason, growing up. Guys have a different take on things.’
Kath chuckled. ‘Well, be prepared to hear all about farming,’ she teased. ‘Actually, with Drew you won’t get the normal farmer routine. Being so devoted to his son makes him a little bit different. In a good way.’
‘I think I could handle that.’
Nat excused herself from the staffroom and went back to class to get her mobile. She keyed in Drew’s number.
‘Hello, Drew speaking.’ There were sheep baaing in the background and Drew sounded slightly out of breath.
‘Hi, Drew, it’s Natalie. The teacher,’ she said awkwardly.
‘Hey, hi, how are you?’ The background noise grew quiet, as if he’d found another spot to talk. ‘I guess Billy gave you the invite.’
‘Yes, he did.’
‘Great. Please say you’ll come out tomorrow. Let me show you that I’m not a barbaric farmer, ’cos we are actually quite normal.’ He laughed. ‘And I really do want to thank you.’
‘Sure, why not? Billy wants to show me his yabbies and I really would like to see what all the fuss is about,’ she said. ‘What time?’
‘How’s eleven sound?’
‘That will be fine. Thanks, Drew.’ They said goodbye and ended the call. Her hands were shaking.
She wondered what Gary would think. His last girlfriend had left him for a friend of his, and it had really torn him up. She got the feeling that he didn’t like her spending time with other guys. Perhaps she needn’t tell him. It was harmless, after all.