WITH freshly painted nails, Nat carefully zipped up her Moss and Spy primrose dress. Her nails had taken a hammering at Drew’s farm and had taken ages to get clean. But it had been worth it. She’d slept like a log that night, exhausted from the workout but exhilarated at the same time. And she’d liked being able to help Drew. He seemed like a man with a lot of pride, and asking for help was something he wasn’t used to. The fact that he was trying to run a farm and raise his son all by himself seemed crazy yet amazing. To watch him interact with Billy, to see the love that radiated from him, was something special.
Nat was actually hoping he would come to the meeting tonight so she could thank him again and maybe offer to help out this weekend too. All weekend she’d wanted to head back out to the farm and practise throwing the fleece again. It was like an addiction; she wanted to perfect it. And if she was being honest, she really enjoyed the Saddler boys’ company.
With a quick swipe of her lipstick she headed for the car, grabbing the blue folder from her kitchen table on her way out.
The meeting was being held in the small hall at the end of town. Weeks of advertising with fliers and notices in the local paper and school newsletter had led to this night. The kids had made up most of the posters for it too. They were hoping the whole community would turn up to support the school and to decide what action they should take. The area around the hall was filled up with cars – mostly utes, four-wheel drives and dual cabs, which were all covered in dust from gravel roads. Nat parked and walked to the hall. She could already hear the hum of voices. Men stood outside talking, some still in their work clothes while others had found time to shower and change. The hall was old, the white paint discoloured and peeling in spots. A large crack ran along the bricks, zigzagging its way from top to bottom.
A figure leant by the large double doors, in clean jeans and a white button-down shirt, his hair damp from the shower. Drew seemed too young and handsome to have a son. For a moment Nat hoped Drew had been waiting for her but then she saw Billy running around with Mallory and Seth.
‘Hey, Drew.’
His eyes lifted up and he smiled. ‘Natty,’ he said, then apologised. ‘Sorry, I’ve got used to Billy calling you that. It’s all I ever hear around home at the moment.’
‘It’s okay, I don’t mind.’ If anything, it cemented their new friendship. ‘You want a rousie for the weekend? I’m free.’
‘Really? You sure?’ His eyes swirled with colour, like the ocean waves around a reef.
‘Only if it’s okay with you. I like coming out. Better than being alone.’ Not that being alone was a problem, but if it was that or the farm, then it was a simple choice.
‘Yeah, sure. Just come out whenever. Cheers.’
‘Oh, Nat, you’re here. Great. Shall we get started?’ said Lauren, who’d just poked her head outside the door. ‘Drew, can you tell the kids to be quiet while we have the meeting? Thanks, darling.’
Nat waved to Drew as Lauren swept her inside to the hall, which was full of more people than she thought lived in Lake Biddy. ‘Where did all these people come from?’ she said, more to herself than to Lauren. So many people she was yet to meet. The older community members sat in the plastic green chairs lined up on the wooden floor while the rest stood against the walls or at the back. Lauren led Nat to the front and up some steps onto a stage with thick red curtains draped at the sides. The principal and some of the staff were already seated at a table, along with other members on the P & C committee. She didn’t think she was running late, yet she felt like they’d all been waiting for her. All eyes followed her movements and she wondered what the residents were thinking. City imposter? No business being here? She wouldn’t understand? Maybe all of that and more.
Nat took a seat between Ross and Kath. Lauren stood up the front and waved her hands before yelling, ‘Oi! Can I have everyone’s attention?’
Someone at the back whistled, loudly enough to send the fifty-odd dogs outside nuts. But it did the trick. When the hum of voices died down Nat noticed some of the men wander in from outside. Drew was there too, standing at the back just inside the door. No doubt keeping his eye on the kids.
‘Right. You’ve all heard about the plan to close the school,’ said Lauren. The crowd voiced its displeasure.
‘It’s bloody stupid,’ said a tall man standing up the front by the wall. He had a thick black beard and wore a blue flannel shirt. ‘Our children should not be the scapegoats for the government’s poor finance management. It’ll kill our town,’ he said in a thunderous rumble. ‘And why should we be punished because they’ve taken away our Year 7s? They take our kids then close our schools.’
‘I know, I know,’ said Lauren. ‘We can’t let it happen. So, this is the first of what will probably be many meetings. Tonight we want to hear your thoughts, your ideas, and we’ll put together a plan of attack.’ Lauren gestured to Nat and the others. ‘We have a dedicated team and welcome anyone else who’s willing to pitch in and help. We have notified our politicians and approached the shire council. Natalie has already offered to put up a Facebook page and start a petition, as well as a census for the district to see who plans to have kids over the next five years. We’ll try to get some officials out here to explain their motives. Ross is happy to take the minister around if we can get him out to our school. Kath’s offered to do fliers and letters, whatever is needed. That’s it from me to begin with – I’ll hand it over to you.’ Lauren gesture to the crowd.
‘I’m happy to help out,’ said a lady at the front with a baby and a two-year-old on her lap. Other hands went up and Kath recorded the helpers’ names.
A man in the second row stood up, his glasses sitting in the front pocket of his flannel shirt. ‘I’ve already written a lengthy letter to the minister regarding the Year 7s moving to high school and the effect this has on our rural schools and towns. I can give you a copy if you want to use it,’ he said.
‘Thanks, Mack,’ said Lauren. ‘That would be great. Can you get it to Kath?’
Mack nodded and sat back down.
‘How about I do up a timeline of my kids getting to school and how much it will change if they have to go to Lake Grace? Point out the early starts and the extra hours on the bus?’
‘Fantastic, Shirley,’ Lauren replied.
There was more discussion and Nat was impressed by how easily Lauren mediated the room. She knew every local and kept the crowd under control.
‘Tom, go and get a beer and take a breather,’ Lauren called to the tall man with the beard who’d been getting angrier as the night went on.
‘It’s okay,’ Tom yelled back. ‘I’ve already got one. Just waiting for it to work.’ The room erupted with laughter, giving them a break from the uphill battle they were facing.
Kath was kept busy jotting everything down. Babies cried out every now and then. They were nursed on laps, or slept in nearby prams while toddlers crawled over chairs and ended up hanging off someone else’s leg. People picked up kids who weren’t their own, consoled crying ones who’d hurt themselves or told others off if they were misbehaving. It was fascinating to watch how a small community worked together. People cared. They loved their community, they were outraged over the government’s decision and the effect it would have on their kids, the town and its future. What a wonderful place it must be to raise a family, Natalie thought. But Gary would never leave the city. He would never fit into a place like this and she had to wonder if the locals would ever accept him.
Towards the end, the CWA ladies started shuffling about in the kitchen, putting out plates of scones and savouries, tea and coffee, while the kids seemed to swarm in like flies, waiting with greedy expressions for the go-ahead to eat.
‘All right, folks, I think that’s us done for tonight. Thanks for coming and please remember the next meeting. I’ll try to email you all and we’ll have notices at the shop and through the school.’
‘Maybe in the local papers too,’ said Kath loudly.
Lauren nodded. ‘Thanks, everyone. Supper’s up.’
The hall filled with the sound of the chairs scraping along the wooden floor. Voices grew louder as everyone began to talk and then louder again as they tried to talk over each other. Nat felt like she was being passed along like a newborn baby, with every person wanting her, whether it was to discuss their kids at school or just trying to find out some more personal information about her. What part of Perth was she from, had she set a wedding date, what did she think of Lake Biddy? By the time she made it to the kitchen, the kids and adolescents had mowed through most of the food. Nat reached for the last sausage roll.
‘Once you have one of them you won’t be the same again,’ said Drew shooting her a smile. ‘Mrs Harrison makes them and they are mouth-watering. I was actually about to tackle you to the ground for it.’
‘That good, hey?’ Nat bit into the flaky pastry. ‘Oh my god,’ she mumbled before shoving the rest of it into her mouth.
‘I did warn you. She makes up two batches because they go like hot cakes. You’re lucky you managed to score the last one.’
‘More like unlucky. Now I want more.’ Nat couldn’t stop herself from sucking the tips of her fingers.
‘I can suggest Margie’s caramel slice,’ said Drew pointing to it. ‘Or Ida’s chocolate marshmallow balls, and then there are Joyce’s pinwheels.’
Nat raised her eyebrows. ‘You know what everyone has made?’
Drew shrugged. ‘Everyone does.’ He stepped closer to Natalie. ‘I can also tell you not to eat the chocolate cake on the end.’
Nat noticed there was only one piece missing, which was strange as it looked so good. ‘Why?’
‘Mrs Niles made that and her eyesight is shocking. She often gets the flours mixed up or uses cornflour instead of icing sugar. You never know what you’re going to get.’
Nat laughed but she didn’t get to thank Drew before he was accosted by some of the married ladies. They peppered him with questions about how he was going and offers to help if he needed it. Nat got the feeling this might be the first big outing for Drew and Billy since his mum had passed away. His eyes flicked to her, begging for a reprieve, and she wondered if she should try to save him.
‘My daughter Stacy is up over the weekend. You remember Stacy, Drew? She’s a dental assistant now. Do you want to come over for dinner on Saturday?’ said a lady with shoulder-length dyed black hair and lipstick two shades too dark for her.
‘Um, actually, I’m quite busy. Sorry,’ said Drew.
This time when he glanced at Nat she caught the little nod of his head and the pleading frown. It wasn’t nice, watching a man squirm as if sitting in a boiling pot while witches feasted upon him with hungry eyes. A meat market of sorts. Without thinking, Nat stepped across and grabbed Drew’s arm.
‘Drew, Billy’s looking for you, I think he fell over,’ she said, hoping her face didn’t go red with the lie.
‘Oh, right,’ he said, diving out of the circle of women. ‘I’ll catch up with you all later,’ said Drew before they headed for the outside doors.
‘Thank you. I was starting to think you weren’t going to get the hint,’ he whispered as he nodded to a bloke he knew.
‘Yeah, sorry.’
Outside it was dark but they could hear the kids’ voices as they ran around, playing between the cars.
‘Come this way,’ said Drew before he yelled out Billy’s name.
He led her to his ute and seconds later Billy turned up puffing with gravel dust smudged on his face. ‘Yeah, Dad? Is it time to go?’
‘Remember we had something for someone?’
At his father’s words Billy glanced at Nat and in the outside light at the hall she could see his face in raptures.
‘Oh, yes! Natty, we made you something,’ Billy said brightly. He reached for her hand and held it. ‘You’ll love it.’
Drew motioned to the back of his ute. Nat tried to focus on what she saw. Timber and wire in some kind of box shape.
‘What is it?’
‘It’s a chicken coop for your yard so now you can collect your own fresh eggs,’ said Billy. ‘Dad and I made it for you.’
Now that she knew what she was looking at, the whole thing began to make sense. It was amazing. It actually brought a lump to her throat. These Saddler boys, who she hadn’t known that long, had made her something so special, from the heart, knowing how much it would mean to her. How was that possible?
‘What do you think? Is it okay?’ pressed Billy. He moved the cage and she could hear the chooks’ protests. ‘I’ve given you Henny and Penny. You can just see them roosting. Two chooks should be enough, right?’
She had real chooks too? ‘Oh, Billy,’ said Nat, dropping down to his height. ‘It’s the most amazing gift anyone’s ever given me. Are you sure you want to part with Henny and Penny?’
Billy pulled a face. ‘We have so many chooks.’
‘Well, thank you. I will take great care of them and you can visit them anytime.’
‘Are you heading home now?’ asked Drew. ‘I’ll drop this off now if you like.’
‘That would be great.’
Billy rode with her, and when they parked at her house Drew immediately got out and started lifting the chicken coop.
‘Billy?’ he called.
‘Coming!’
Billy ran to hold the other end and together they brought it up the driveway to the back of the house. Nat turned on her outside lights before coming back to open the back gate. The boys put the small hutch on the edge of the lawn.
‘Sorry, girls, my lawn is still getting going,’ she said, bending down to talk to the hens, who’d been stirred up by the transportation. Now she could see them in the light: two beautiful hens with soft feathers, some on their feet, which she’d never seen before. ‘What breed are they? I’ve only really known the Isa Browns. They never had the feathers on the feet.’
Drew disappeared while Billy knelt down beside her. ‘These are silky bantams. Nan said they were more bantams but the silky bits are the feathered feet and black skin. And they have pretty feathers. I thought you’d like the pretty ones.’
‘I do. I love them so much. Which one is Henny?’
As Billy showed her which chook was which, Drew came back and dumped a few bags down beside them.
‘One has wheat, the other some layer pellets and shells. Make sure you find a good bin to store it in or you’ll have the mice in eating it,’ said Drew.
Nat stood up and smiled at the kind-hearted man. ‘I don’t know how to thank you.’
‘Least we could do for all the shed help.’
Nat realised she hadn’t been very hospitable. ‘Would you like a drink?’
‘No, I’m right, thanks. We should be hitting the road. Take me forever to get this boy ready for bed.’
‘Oh, Dad. Can’t we stay a little bit, please?’
‘No, you have school tomorrow and so does Natty.’
The way Drew said her nickname made her grin. ‘Yes, I must get ready. Then I’ll be out over the weekend to help in the shed.’
‘Again? For real?’
‘If that’s okay with you, Billy?’ Nat knew it would be.
‘Sure is, Natty. I can’t wait.’ Billy spun around to face his dad. ‘Can I show her the bike track, Dad?’
‘How about we leave that for another time, okay? Say goodbye and jump in the ute.’
‘Goodbye, Natty. See you tomorrow.’ Billy rushed off to the ute. She was about to walk Drew out when the phone rang inside the house.
‘Thanks, Drew. I’ll see you on the weekend.’
‘Righto.’ He waved as he ducked around the side of the house.
Nat sprinted inside to get the phone. ‘Hello?’
‘Hey, sis, how’s things in the big dust bowl?’
‘Jase, hey, big bro. What are you up to?’
‘Oh, you know, just sorting out a media contract with Foxtel. It’s actually more exciting than it sounds.’
‘Yeah, I’m sure,’ she teased. But he did sound excited. He loved his job, working alongside their dad. Nat had never been offered a position in the company; her future had been sorted by her mum before she’d finished high school: marry a wealthy man, grace the social pages and run a perfect house. She’d set her mum’s plans back by becoming a teacher.
‘How’s things with you?’ asked Jason.
Delighted that someone cared enough to ask, Nat told him everything. ‘Oh, it’s gorgeous here, Jase. I love my kids; they all have their own little traits and try so hard to please me. You should see all the things they have given me – drawings and special bits are filling up my house. Oh, and I have new chooks. Two, to be exact.’ She told him all about Henny and Penny and promised to text him a photo of them. ‘I’ve also been doing sheep work. Learnt how to throw a fleece.’
‘No way,’ said Jason.
‘Yes way. You wouldn’t bloody recognise me in my farm clothes, being a rousie.’ Then she had to tell him what a rousie did, and all about the Saddler farm. For once she knew something her big brother didn’t and it felt fantastic. ‘Oh, but we’ve just found out they want to close the school, Jase. It’s awful. It’s going to hurt this town so much. I’m helping them to keep it open. The whole community is rallying together. And you must try Mrs Harrison’s homemade sausage rolls. To. Die. For!’
Jason laughed. ‘Well, sounds like I’m going to have to come back down there. You paint a great picture, sis, and you sound so happy. I’m feeling rather jealous.’ Now it was her turn to laugh. ‘It’s good to know you’re doing okay. I miss you, though. I promise to call more often, or at least I’ll try. I’ll definitely be thinking about it,’ he said with a chuckle.
‘Thanks, Jase. I love you too, big bro.’
After the phone call Nat changed into her PJs and sat outside with her new pets. They were probably trying to sleep but she talked to them anyway. Henny and Penny were the new loves of her life.