DOWN SEASON

‘You’re really staying here all through down season?’ Kymba pulled down her bathers to nurse baby Ollie. ‘With the renovations and everything?’

‘I barely hear them anymore.’ Sipping her Pine Brew, Paulina listened to the distant whirring of machinery. ‘Anyways, Baz asked me to collect the mail.’

Kymba fit her nipple into Ollie’s mouth. ‘Aren’t you scared at night?’

‘Scared of what? The ghost of Gilligan King?’

‘My cousin Cyndee had a guy walk into her house while her husband was away.’

‘What, she didn’t lock her door?’

‘It’s unFairfolk to lock doors. People think you’re hiding something.’

‘What happened?’ Paulina watched Kymba’s white lion tattoo happily tolerating the feeding frenzy. ‘Did he rape her?’

‘No … He just complained about his wife for a while then asked for a sandwich.’

‘Gawd, Fairfolk men are fuckwits!’ Paulina clapped her pale, goosebumped thigh. ‘I’ll keep some bread by the bed. I’ll be right.’

‘Mummy!’ Hunter, floaties on his arms, wailed from the water. ‘I’m hungry, too!’

‘Want a sandwich?’ Paulina asked. ‘Wanna complain about your wife while I make you a sandwich?’

‘I want boobies !’

‘You’re too old, Hunty.’ Kymba blushed. ‘He gets so jealous.’

Paulina patted her chest. ‘No boobs, but I can make you a sanga, Hunty. Peanut butter, howabout that?’

‘You don’t have to.’ Kymba rolled her eyes. ‘He’s just attention-seeking.’

Paulina hoisted herself from the sunchair. ‘Not like I’ve got anything better to do.’

She tiptoed to the gate and lifted the latch with care, shivering in her bikini and board shorts. Eddy and his apprentice, Leki, were toting the old ceiling fan out of cabin two.

In cabin twelve, she made Hunter’s sandwich, cut it into triangles and sliced off the crusts. Crammed the crusts into her mouth.

‘Here.’ Paulina set the sandwich down at the poolside, then lay down in defeat. ‘I need to quit beer. I’m getting a gut.’

‘I can see your ribs.’ Shaking her head, Kymba draped a towel around Hunter’s shoulders. ‘But you should drink less beer. If you’re worried.’

‘Can’t really afford vodka right now. I need a new car.’

‘Is your probation period over yet?’

‘Ended last week.’ She reached for her tobacco and papers. ‘I had a look in the Fairfolk Daily. Nothing but utes. Maybe I should just go to The Car Kings?’

Grimacing, Kymba burped Ollie. ‘Car always overcharges.’

‘I’ll haggle.’

‘Want a lift into town?’ Kymba handed Hunter a sandwich-half. ‘I have to do some shopping before school pick-up.’

‘Sure. Drop me off at the bottle-O.’

Standing in line, Paulina’s head buzzed with the sound of her own blood. ‘Yorana,’ the old man in front of her said, raising his six-pack. Paulina smiled and said, ‘Yorana.’

Outside the bottle-O, she stopped to pat his border collie.

‘That’s Jake,’ the old guy said. ‘Jakey-boy.’

‘Jakey-boy!’ Paulina ruffled his ears. ‘Good boy!’

She stumbled a little, rising from her crouch; mumbled her thanks and weaved down the street to The Car Kings. The glisten of the new cars in the winter sun stung her eyes.

‘Yorana, sweetheart.’ Car King sidled up beside her. ‘See anything you like?’

‘Yeah.’ Paulina pointed at a blue car. ‘That one.’

‘The Mazda Astina? You looking to buy?’

‘Yeah. Totalled my Corolla on Valentine’s Day.’

‘I’ll give you a good price. Rabbit’s a friend of mine.’

‘Pfft!’ Paulina said. ‘Then you would’ve heard I dumped him?’

‘You lymed him, eh?’ Car looked her up and down. ‘I’ll give you a better price.’

‘Yeah? How much?’

‘$24,999, drive away.’

‘Yeah, nah!’ Paulina picked up her six-pack. ‘See ya!’

She walked back to Mutineers’ Lodge in the lengthening shadows, pausing to watch some cows. She checked the mail, then checked in on Eddy and Leki, installing a new sconce in cabin three. ‘Looks good,’ she said from the doorway, blowing smoke sideways.

‘Aye!’ said Leki. Eddy said nothing.

She finished her ciggie on the porch, then wandered through the dust to reception. They’d already laid down new floorboards, were installing a desk shaped like a ship’s prow.

‘Looks good,’ she repeated. ‘Must be almost done, yeah?’

‘Aye,’ said Stripe, named for the scar on his cheek. ‘Painter comes Friday.’

‘To do the mural?’

‘Jus’ the base.’

Paulina took the mail back to cabin twelve. Cracked open another beer and fridged the rest, then sat on the porch smoking and watching the guys clear up for the day. The sky was pink and blue like baby clothes when Eddy broke off from the crew, strolled over.

‘Hey,’ he said, dangling his muscular arms over the porch.

Paulina removed her headphones. ‘Hey.’

He had her bent over the kitchen counter within five minutes; was done within the next five. He didn’t use a condom, but when the cum leaked down her thighs, he fetched a toilet roll.

‘Thanks,’ she mumbled, cleaning herself up. ‘Wanna stay for a beer?’

‘Bes’ get home.’

‘Do you know anyone selling a car?’ She pulled up her shorts. ‘Something small?’

‘You tried The Car Kings?’

‘Was hoping for something second-hand.’ She shrugged. ‘Thanks for the root. Same time tomorrow?’

‘Bes’ not, eh. It’s Eeva’s birthday.’

Paulina smoked another ciggie on the porch after Eddy left, fantasised about slapping his wife next time she saw her. Then she went inside to shower.

After her shower, she watched Big Brother and ate some carrot sticks with peanut butter. Her mum rang after Big Brother.

‘You again?’ Paulina groaned. ‘Bloody hell, you need to get a life.’

‘I’m just calling to see how you are.’ Judy inhaled. ‘If you’re busy, I’ll go.’

‘Yeah, leave me alone.’ Paulina waited for her mum to hang up. ‘Did you watch Big Brother?’

‘Of course I did,’ Judy said delicately. ‘I have no life.’

‘Oi, how much do you reckon a Mazda Astina is worth? Brand-new?’

‘Oh, I don’t know. You should call up some dealers and compare.’

‘Can you do it for me?’

‘Paulina, you’re twenty-nine.’

‘Yeah, but. You like talking on the phone; you’re a receptionist.’

‘I get paid to talk on the phone. That’s not the same as liking it.’

‘Why do you keep calling me, then?’

Judy sighed. ‘Well, I suppose I can make some calls. I don’t think it’s a good investment, though. You don’t know how long you’re going to stay—’

‘Forever! It’s my home.’

‘Even so. All the salt air. It’ll degrade faster. You’re better off buying second—’

‘I want a new car! Bloody hell, can’t you let me have something to live for?’

‘Well, it’s your money. Just, try not to be impulsive.’

‘I’m asking your advice, aren’t I?’ Paulina beat her head against her beer can. ‘I’m not stupid. You think I’m gonna accept the first price Car King tells me?’

‘The car dealer’s name is “Car”?’

‘It’s short for ‘Carlyle’. Duh!’

Judy sniggered. ‘Gawd! That’s like me being named “receptionist”.’

‘Yeah, and my name’s “unemployed”. Get over it.’

‘You wouldn’t have any trouble finding a job in Syd—’

‘I’m not coming home!’

‘Okay, okay,’ Judy backtracked. ‘Paulina: are you okay? I mean, are you eating?’

‘Ugh!’ Paulina swigged her beer. ‘Yes.’

‘I don’t mean to baby you. Just, I worry about you, all by yourself out there.’

‘How do you know I’m by myself?’

‘Oh. You’re seeing someone?’

‘Yeah,’ Paulina bragged. ‘I am, actually. One of the guys from the work crew.’

‘Well. What’s he like?’

‘Just a regular guy. He’s a sparky.’

‘Well. Good for you.’

‘He’s married.’ Paulina listened to her mum drawing in her breath. ‘Don’t judge me!’

‘I’m not. Just … be careful.’

‘Yeah, yeah. We’re just rooting, okay? It’s not like he wants anything serious. Guys never wanna be serious with me.’

‘Don’t take it personally. Men aren’t very serious.’

Paulina started crying. ‘I’m so shit. Why would anyone wanna be with me?’

‘You’re not shit.’ Judy’s tone was stern. ‘You’re smart and good and beautiful. You just need to have a bit more faith in yourself.’

‘I had one chance. I had one chance with the most perfect guy, and I fucked it up.’

‘Ric?’

‘No! Vinnie!’ Paulina sobbed. ‘He was perfect!’

‘He wasn’t.’ Judy sighed. ‘I know you loved him, but he wasn’t perfect.’

‘He gave me everything and I fucked it up.’

‘That guy from the Melbourne office practically raped you, and all Vinnie could think about was his bruised ego. He wasn’t perfect.’

‘I wasn’t raped. Gawd!’ Paulina took another gulp of beer. ‘I was a drunk slut. That’s all.’

‘Paulina. Baby.’ Judy must’ve meant business, calling her baby. ‘You’re not a slut. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.’

‘You’re so annoying.’

‘You’ve been through a lot. These past months, especially. You had a miscarriage, for chrissakes. You’re going through a break-up. You’re very strong, coping all by yourself.’

Paulina wiped her eyes. ‘Stop talking shit.’

‘I’ve been twenty-nine before. It’s an awkward age. Don’t feel bad about having a few growing pains.’

‘You’re so lame.’

‘You’re very strong. You’re very independent. You have no idea how proud I am.’ Judy took a deep breath. ‘So, you’re really set on this Mazda, are you?’

‘I dunno. I was kinda drunk when I saw it.’

‘Well, don’t go car-shopping when you’re drunk. That’s like buying groceries when you’re hungry. Do you still want me to call the dealerships tomorrow?’

‘Nah.’ Paulina sniffled. ‘I’ll do it.’

‘Are you sure?’

‘Yeah. Not like I’ve got anything better to do.’

After hanging up, Paulina finished her beer, brushed her teeth, and went to bed. But partway through the night, she woke dry-mouthed and afraid of the total darkness, the howling of the sea winds through the palms.

She pulled the phone book from her bedside, found his number and dialled.

‘Jess? I know you said not to call. I just miss you so much. Please, can you come over? We don’t have to talk. I’m just so scared. I don’t wanna be alone. Please?’

‘Um,’ a groggy male voice replied. ‘I think you’ve got the wrong number.’

‘You’re not Jesse? Where’s Jesse? Who are you?’

‘Sean,’ he said. ‘Sean Campbell.’

‘Hey, Sean. Get fucked!’

Paulina slammed down the phone.

On Sunday morning, she woke to a silence worse than all the drills and hammers in the world. She couldn’t remember exactly what she’d done the night before, only that it involved getting kicked out of Wetties, and hitching a ride back to Mutes’ with a carload of drunk boys who’d made her feel like a cat among a pack of dogs, and many drunken phone calls. She thought about killing herself, but couldn’t decide how, and whether to leave a note. Such a slut, deserve to die, she wrote in her diary.

She cried a bit; considered calling her mum. But her mum would tell her to come home, and she didn’t want to go home; her island was her home!

She hauled herself out of bed, pulled on her exercise clothes, fastened her Discman to her waistband, and put her sunglasses on to face the harsh winter sun.

On her walk, people kept raising their hands off their wheels in greeting, slowing down to offer her a ride into town. It was annoying, but she forgot about killing herself for a while.

She was reminded, though, reaching the cliffs near the national park. She walked on in a panic, all the way to Piney’s Point, where she watched the surfers cutting through the waves, slick as aliens in their wetsuits.

She wished she’d brought her smokes. She sat, freezing in her sports bra, until some teenaged boys came by, surfboards under their arms.

‘Hey, do you smoke?’ Paulina asked hopefully. ‘Can I bum a smoke?’

They giggled.

‘Yeah, yeah. Do you have any ciggies or not?’

More giggles. Then one of them swaggered forward, offered a pack of Winnies. She took one, let him light it for her.

‘Cheers, kid.’ Paulina sighed as the smoke swaddled her nerves. ‘Careful out there. Those waves look pretty big.’

That got more giggles. Paulina rolled her eyes, waved them away.

She didn’t plan to go into town. But that’s where she wound up. She bummed another smoke from a bloke outside the Blue Moon Café, then walked on to Rainbow Real Estate, looked at the pictures of houses. Trekked uphill to Camilleri’s.

‘Hey,’ she mumbled, door dinging behind her. ‘Um.’

Jesse turned away. Opened the door to the cutting room and yelled, ‘Dad!’

Joe Camilleri appeared in his bloody apron, looked from Jesse to Paulina. ‘Get this mainie,’ Jesse muttered, shouldering past his dad.

‘Um.’ Paulina felt as though there were splinters of glass in her eyes. ‘Just a chicken breast.’

Joe scooped a chicken breast into a bag, weighed it up, wrapped and stickered it.

‘Shit.’ Tears spilled down her cheeks. ‘I’m so sorry. I forgot my—’

Joe held out the package. ‘Next time.’

Paulina wiped her face. ‘Cheers.’

She was barely two steps out of the shop when she bumped into Eddy’s wife, Eeva, and his mum, pushing a pram. ‘Watch where you’re going, cow,’ she snapped.

‘Stay away from my son,’ Eddy’s mum snapped back.

‘Not my fault you never taught him to keep it in his pants,’ Paulina taunted.

The old bitch slapped her. She slapped back; was ready to do worse, only Eeva was grabbing the pram from her mother-in-law’s hands and steering it away.

‘By the way!’ Paulina jeered at Eeva. ‘Eddy hates wearing condoms!’

She flounced down the street feeling glorious and savage, like she’d just harpooned a whale. But the sheen wore off as soon as Mutes’ came back into view.

Silence stretched out like an ocean all around her.

‘Yorana, sweetheart.’ Car King smiled at her. His teeth were big and white against his year-round tan; his overbite pronounced. ‘Couldn’t stay away, eh.’

‘You gonna offer me a better deal this time?’

‘$24,999, drive away.’

‘They charge less on the mainland.’

‘Import costs. You have any idea how hard it is to bring one of these babies in from the supply ship?’

‘Yeah. I know how youse bring them in.’

‘With all due respect, sweetheart, you’ll never know. It’s a man’s job. Us men put our lives on the line every time we go out there.’ Car moved his collar aside to show her a bit of scar tissue. ‘See that? Did it when I was—’

‘$18,000.’

‘You trying to insult me, sweetheart?’

‘You think I don’t know about salt damage?’

‘Wash her once a week. I bet you wash your hair more often.’

She tucked her hair behind her ears. ‘Maybe I’ll just go to a proper dealer in Sydney.’

‘Not before taking her for a test-drive on our beautiful ocean roads, eh?’

Paulina followed Car inside, wrote her details in the log book, and handed over her credit card as he got the keys. Car glanced at the log book. ‘You living at Mutes’?’

‘I work there. I’m staying with friends right now.’

‘Wanna write your friend’s address?’

‘Nah.’

‘What’s this phone number?’

Paulina rolled her eyes. ‘It’s made-up, alright? Can I have the keys now?’

Car dangled the keys in her face. When she made a grab for them, he closed his fist.

‘Fuck this.’ Paulina turned away. ‘Give me back my card.’

‘I’m just playing, eh.’ He handed her the keys. ‘Be my guest, sweetheart.’

They walked out to the car. She let herself in, inhaled the clean, warm smell. Car came around to the passenger side, made a big show of putting the seat back. ‘Nothing like that new car smell, eh?’

‘Better than fat old Car smell.’

He laughed. She slipped the keys in the ignition, placed her hands on the steering wheel. ‘Like the feel of that wheel? All leather.’

‘Uh huh.’

‘Automatic climate control.’ He showed her some buttons. ‘Radio. CD player, for your music. You like music?’

‘Uh huh.’

‘I’ve seen you walking around with those thingies in your ears. Always wondered what you were listening to.’

Paulina rolled the car out of the yard.

‘Smooth sailing, eh?’ Car pestered her. ‘Go on. Throw her some curves.’

Paulina sped up, flew beyond the shopping strip and sleepy resorts, towards the scenic bend of Klee Welkin Road. ‘You know what “Klee Welkin” means?’ Car asked.

‘Duh. “Clear sky.”’

‘Rabbit teach you Fayrf’k?’

She zoomed up to King’s Lookout, that view that felt like dying and looking down from heaven. ‘It’s not like it’s hard.’

‘You know, the mainie teachers used to belt us for speaking Fayrf’k, back in the day.’

‘Yeah, yeah. Ric told me all his sob stories from the dark ages.’

‘He teach you our dirty words?’

Paulina smiled. ‘I know “kuka”, shit. “Plana”, banana — as in, dick. “Kuka plana”, shit-dick. That’s a good one.’

‘You know what “pua” means?’

‘Flowers … bananas. Youse make everything sound so innocent.’

‘Nature’s nature. No shame, eh.’ He pointed. ‘Mind the tour bus.’

Paulina slowed as the bus passed, probably headed back to King’s Lookout. She looped down to King’s Pier, up again past the airport, the Fairfolk Bowmen’s Club, Piney’s Point.

‘Look at that.’ Car gestured out the window. ‘Nay views like that in Sydney, eh?’

‘I dunno. Palm Beach is alright.’

‘Palm Beach? Pssh. I’ve been all over the world, sweetheart. Trust me, there’s nowhere like Fairfolk.’

Paulina didn’t trust him, but she did believe him, on that one.

‘Go up to the national park,’ Car suggested. ‘It’s beautiful up there.’

‘I dunno.’

‘Go on. It’s beautiful.’

Slowing, Paulina began the steep, winding climb up to the park. The road changed to dirt, trees on all sides. She stopped at the metal gate where the walking track began.

‘Wanna get out? Look around?’

‘Nah.’ Paulina’s heart quickened in the sudden dimness. ‘I’ve walked here loads of times. With Ric.’

Car closed his huge hand over her thigh. ‘Walking’s not what I had in mind.’

‘Nah,’ she said brazenly, though she felt tiny under the canopy of pines. ‘No way.’

‘Look how miggy you are.’ He squeezed, stroked upwards. ‘I bet you’ve got the sweetest pua, eh.’

Paulina pushed his hand away. ‘I don’t like married men.’

‘Eddy MacArthur?’

‘Don’t like him.’ Paulina put the car into reverse. ‘He can’t keep it up for more than five minutes.’

Car folded his arms. ‘That’s cos he’s a MacArthur. You need the royal treatment. I’ll make you scream all night long.’

‘I’d rather sleep all night, no offence.’

She began the swerving drive downhill, a few points above the speed limit.

‘You’re the boss, sweetheart.’ Car’s face was patchy-red. ‘Mind the speed, though. We’re in a thirty-zone.’

Paulina slowed. Car stared out the window like a gorilla in an enclosure. As town came back into view, she asked, ‘Do you crack onto all your customers?’

‘Never had a customer as pretty as you before.’ Car passed his pale eyes over her. ‘I wouldn’t be a man if I didn’t have a crack.’

‘It’s a shit sales tactic.’

‘You’re a handful, eh. Surprised you didn’t give Rabbit a heart attack.’

‘He’s in good shape, that’s why. I like men who take care of themselves.’

‘Why aren’t you in Sydney then, dating one of those kuka planas who wears pink shirts and moisturises his face every day?’

Paulina grimaced. ‘Gawd, you’re a pig.’

‘You know that’s what you want, deep in your pua.’ Smirking, Car pointed out Tabby’s Treasures. ‘That’s my wife’s shop. You ever want a nice piece of jewellery, come see me.’

‘What does your wife think about you offering discounts to other women?’

‘She thinks what I tell her to think. She wouldn’t have a leg to stand on without me.’

Paulina turned back into The Car Kings, pulled the keys from the ignition. ‘Thanks for the ride.’ She handed them back. ‘Shame about the company.’

Car got out, came around to her door and opened it.

‘Wanna write down your number?’ he asked, back at the counter. ‘So I can call you about the car?’

‘Nah.’

‘Howabout so I can ask you out? I’d love to take you out on my boat sometime.’

‘Nah.’ Paulina coughed weakly. ‘I think I’m coming down with something, hey.’

‘Where’re you staying? I’ll bring you some oranges from my orange tree.’

‘Thanks.’ Paulina held her hand out for her credit card. ‘But no thanks.’

The next morning, Paulina woke with a headache that was more than a hangover. Her throat ached too. Her joints. Everything.

She put on her exercise clothes anyway, tied a hoodie around her waist.

On her walk, she picked wild oranges from a tree near Fergal’s Farm, gathered them up in her hoodie. A young guy with muscly white arms pulled up in a white Camry and asked, ‘Need a lift?’

‘Nah, thanks.’

The walk back felt long, though. She stopped at Foodfolk to pick up some supplies.

‘Slim pickings,’ she complained to Flick, taking her cans of split-pea soup and tuna in lemon-brine to the counter. ‘When’s the supply ship due?’

‘Day after tomorrow.’

‘Can I have a bag for these oranges?’

Flick gave her another bag. ‘Heard you slapped Eddy’s mum.’

‘She started it.’ Paulina dumped the oranges in the bag. ‘It’s her fault that bastard was born in the first place.’

As she was pulling on her hoodie, Rita stormed over. ‘Did you pay for those oranges?’

‘I came in with them.’ Paulina sneered. ‘Check the CCTV.’

‘The CCTV’s down.’

‘Go fuck a rabbit.’ Paulina gave her the finger. ‘See ya, Flick.’

Despite her hoodie, she started shivering inside the bottle-O. She grabbed two casks of goon; was already tired of carrying them by the time she left the store.

She started back to Mutes’, then got dizzy. Doubled back to Foodfolk and parked herself on the bench outside, head-in-hands.

‘You’re loitering,’ Rita came out to tell her. ‘Move along.’

‘Give me a break! I’m dizzy.’

‘Drunk at eleven am?’ Rita shook her head. ‘You’re worse than Tatiana.’

Paulina wiped her eyes. ‘I’ll go in a sec. Just give me a sec.’

Rita sighed, went back inside. Paulina clutched her head again, dried more tears. When a car door slammed nearby, she grimaced in pain.

A dog ran up to the bench, licked her hands.

‘Hey, Jake.’ She recognised him. ‘Jakey-boy.’

The dog’s owner nodded, noticed her shopping bags. ‘Need a lift?’

‘Um. Yeah.’ Paulina blushed. ‘Cheers.’

‘Two minutes.’

It was more like fifteen. She had her eyes closed and her head pressed to Jake’s when the old guy came out with his shopping.

‘Cheers,’ she said again, struggling to lift her bags.

He took them off her. Let her into his jeep. ‘Where to?’

‘Just up the road. Mutes’.’

‘They’re renovating, nay?’

Paulina’s eyelids drooped. ‘I’m just crashing till I find something permanent.’

‘You should talk to my missus. She’s got a cottage.’

Paulina smiled wanly; she didn’t feel like talking to anybody’s missus.

‘Jake likes you,’ the old guy said, midway through the drive. Arriving at Mutes’, he repeated, ‘You should talk to my missus. Vera MacArthur.’

‘Any relation to Eddy?’ Paulina reached for her bags.

The old guy shrugged. ‘Probably.’

‘Thanks for the lift.’ Paulina got out of the jeep. ‘See ya around.’

She staggered up the driveway to cabin twelve; collapsed on the couch with her shopping as soon as she unlocked the door.

By nightfall, she was coughing up green phlegm.

Paulina didn’t leave the cabin at all the next day, except to ask Leki to buy her some Panadol. The day after, the drilling woke her. She took a shower so hot it almost knocked her out; huddled on the tiles in her towel.

After a while, she noticed the drilling had stopped. Shakily, she put on her trakkies, an old jumper of Rabbit’s.

‘Where’re youse going?’ she croaked, toddling up the driveway.

‘Supply ship’s arriving!’ Leki grinned. ‘Wanna watch?’

‘Are youse coming back later?’

‘Nay! We’re getting pissed!’

Paulina watched the guys drive out, before getting shivery again. She went back inside to her hovel of tissues and blankets, slept away the afternoon.

‘I miss Ric,’ she told her mum that night. ‘He looked after me.’

‘That’s just the flu talking.’

‘I miss Ric,’ she repeated, sniffing his jumper. ‘He loved me.’

Judy sighed. ‘I wish I was there to take care of you.’

‘I want Ric.’

After hanging up on her mum, she microwaved some goon with orange slices and called Rabbit’s. Bunny answered. ‘Can I talk to your dad?’ Paulina pleaded.

‘No!’

‘Can you tell him I miss him?’

‘No way!’

‘Please, Bun?’ She started coughing. ‘I feel like I’m dying.’

‘Eww!’ Bunny giggled and hung up.

She trudged back to bed, tossed and turned. Woke to the rustling of the wind — only, it was more than the wind. It was footsteps, her name being called.

‘Paulina!’ The steps reached her cabin. ‘Open up, sweetheart!’

Rolling out of bed, Paulina turned on the porch light.

‘What the fuck, Car?’ she cried through the flyscreen. ‘Go home!’

Car reached for the doorhandle. ‘Why’s it locked?’

‘Cos I’m not letting you in, dickhead.’

‘I’m here about the car.’ Car leaned closer; she could smell the liquor on him. ‘I’m here … to let you screw me over. Open up, sweetheart.’

‘Fuck off or I’ll call your wife!’

Car pushed the door with his shoulder. When that didn’t work, he fumbled in his pocket; started jimmying the lock.

‘Car! You can’t do that!’

‘Aye.’ He grunted with the effort. ‘Done it many times.’

The door gave way. Car stumbled inside, steadied himself against her.

‘You smell good, sweetheart.’

‘No I don’t. I stink. I’m sick; I’ll infect you.’

‘I’ll take my chances, eh!’ He leaned in for the kill.

‘Don’t.’ Paulina turned her face away. ‘I’m sick.’

‘Too sick for me to lick your pua?’

‘Yeah, Car.’ She shoved him away. ‘I’m too sick.’

Car squinted as she switched on the lights. Then he lurched into the kitchen and pulled up a chair. ‘Make me something to eat, eh?’

‘Are you kidding me?’ Paulina clutched her aching head. ‘Fine, yeah. I’ll make you a sandwich, you fat fuck. Then you fuck off home to your wife. Okay?’

‘You’re the boss, sweetheart.’

As she got out the bread and peanut butter, Car got up. ‘What’re you dressing like that for?’ He lifted the hem of her jumper. ‘You’ve got a nice li’l body under there.’

‘I’m sick.’ She slapped his hand away. ‘This’s how I dress when I’m sick.’

He took a piece of bread, chewed it. ‘Bread’s stale, sweetheart.’

‘Tough shit.’

‘Supply ship arrived today.’ He slipped his hand inside her jumper. ‘I put my life on the line today, so you can buy bread and butter.’

She elbowed him. He caught her elbows, smooched her neck.

‘Don’t, Car.’ She recoiled. ‘Go home to your wife.’

‘Nice arse.’ He nudged his dick aganst it. ‘You’re miggy, but that’s a sweet arse.’

‘Do you want your sandwich or not?’

‘Nay!’ Car put his hands down her pants and laughed incredulously. ‘Nay undies? You knew I was coming tonight, eh!’

Paulina kicked him in the shin, struggled free. ‘Don’t, Car! I’m calling your wife!’

But the phone was in the bedroom, and the bedroom was just a smaller space for him to take over. As she opened the phone book, scanned the rows and rows of Kings, Car ripped the phone from the wall.

‘Car!’ she yelped. ‘Don’t!’

If there was a part of his brain that cared about words, it was out of commission. Car pushed her back onto the bed, hefted himself on top. Unzipped.

‘Bastard!’ She clawed and bit. ‘I don’t want you, bastard!’

He lodged his forearm against her throat.

‘You knew I was coming.’ Yanking down her pants, he spat on his palm. ‘You’re wet.’

‘I can’t breathe. Bastard.’ Paulina sobbed as he slicked her up. Stuck it in. ‘You’re hurting me. Bastard.’

Car kissed her gritted teeth. ‘Nay fight me and you’ll nay get hurt.’

Car was gone before the drilling and hammering started, but the reek of him wasn’t. After showering, Paulina stripped the bed, gathered up the sheets and walked to reception.

‘Oh,’ she mumbled, seeing Jesse mixing paints. ‘Hi.’

Jesse ignored her. She walked on to the laundry. Chucked the sheets in the wash and got some fresh ones from the linen closet.

‘Jess?’ The tears spilled as soon as she spoke. ‘Please, can we talk? I feel so shit.’

‘Not my problem,’ Jesse replied tonelessly. ‘Tell someone who cares.’

Paulina fled to her cabin. The bread and peanut butter were still on the counter. She chucked them.

She chucked her used tissues, orange peels, emptied and rinsed the mugs that potholed the cabin. She made the bed.

Clipping on her Discman and sunnies, she took the rubbish out and kept walking.

‘Yorana, sweetheart,’ Car greeted her with his usual swagger, but he looked surprised to see her. Nervous, even. ‘What can I do for you then, eh?’

Paulina’s eyes wandered to his neck. She’d left scratches, bite-marks.

‘I’m here about the car.’ She crossed her arms. ‘I’m here to screw you over.’