Bindarra Creek Makeover by S. E. GILCHRIST

Author:S. E. GILCHRIST
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mallee Star Enterprises

Chapter 9

On Sunday, Tessa took Kaylee for a walk along the riverbank where they spent some time watching the ducks and waterfowl. In the afternoon, she made Kaylee do maths exercises and practice her spelling in their bedroom, doing her best to limit their contact with Dodge and his grandmother. The last thing she wanted was for Kaylee to become too fond of these people. She closed her mind to the little voice that whispered she was really protecting herself.

Throughout the day, she kept texting and emailing the mayor but it wasn’t until Monday morning around nine thirty before he responded and gave her the go ahead to lodge the grant. He apologised for his slow response and mentioned how he’d had to drive his elderly mother-in-law to Moree Hospital after she’d fallen.

Another reminder of the state of the town’s facilities. Or lack thereof.

This is not my problem, she reminded herself.

Dodge had left early for work and Maki had disappeared after muttering about seeing to Tails. She thought about the amount of typing she had left to do before she could send the proposal off seeing how the mayor had requested so many changes. Having a bored Kaylee with her at the solicitor’s office would not be a good idea.

The sooner it’s lodged, the quicker the money will be received. And that meant the faster they could leave town. Mobile in hand she finally tracked Edwina down in the partly renovated drawing room.

“Geez!” Tessa tossed her phone onto a lounge chair and raced across the room to brace her hands on the ladder. Staring up at the old lady perched on the uppermost rung while she scraped at the tattered remains of old wallpaper, she said, “You shouldn’t be doing this, it isn’t safe.”

“Pwush. I’m used to it. Anyway there isn’t anyone else.” Edwina rubbed hard at the wall. The tools hanging from the carpenter’s belt looped about her waist, jingled and jangled.

Tiny pieces of paper rained down into Tessa’s upturned face. Blinking and blowing, she managed to shake the wallpaper remnants off.

“Where’s that girl of yours?”

“She’s in the garden, throwing a ball to Rufus.”

“He’d love that. He’s good with kids. So’s Dodge for that matter. That’s what this town needs, more children.” Her voice was ripe with innuendo.

Scrape, scrape, scrape.

Wicked old woman. Knowing the old lady couldn’t see her, Tessa allowed herself to grin. “About the rent I owe, I was thinking one hundred and twenty dollars should cover our room and board. The mayor has finally contacted me. If I can work all day uninterrupted, the final proposal could be sent off tonight. We’ll leave the next morning.” But where will we go? I can’t risk going back to my flat. Maybe another town like Bindarra Creek. One with a caravan park where we could get cheap accommodation and Maki could find agistment for Tails.

“What? Leave?” Edwina stopped attacking the wallpaper and glared down at Tessa. She shook her finger. “Your family only just arrived.”

“This isn’t a holiday,” Tessa said firmly.

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