Peninsula Promises by Heather Reyburn

Author:Heather Reyburn [Reyburn, Heather]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Heather Reyburn

Chapter 15

Alice raised her face to soak up the freshness in the air. She took slow, deep breaths while the boys climbed into the car, slamming the doors behind them. Her hands clamped the steering wheel firmly and she reversed out of the shed, letting the air out of her lungs in a whoosh when she braked. She rubbed the clumsiness from her legs, plunged the clutch to the floor, and wrestled with the gear lever. The vehicle lumbered away slowly, giving a hop as she pressed her foot on the accelerator.

In the rear-view mirror, Paddy’s solitary figure was shadowed by the large morose dog collapsed at his feet, its limbs crumpling in a disjointed heap. The children’s flapping arms distracted Alice as they leaned out the windows, laughing and calling out their goodbyes in response to the old man’s half-hearted wave. Flossie’s gaze seemed to burn into her and Rock sat in front of the shed, his ears pricked and his head held in a regal pose.

Changing gear, Alice focused on the road, negotiating the steep turns before reaching the flat. The vision of Paddy remained in her head, and she bit her lip. He had seemed more purposeful this morning, even if seemingly unable to smile. At least he will shift the cattle and attend to the daily chores—while he counts every minute until we return home.

She halted outside the school, and George and Timmy jumped out of the car and ran towards the small group of children kicking a ball around on the grass.

“Your turn next, John.”

The little boy sat on the bench seat beside her, his face alight with excitement. Although they tried to socialise every couple of weeks, farm work dictated their availability and gatherings were mostly short.

Once again, the farm truck blocked the entrance to the Bennett farm, and Alice turned off the engine and stepped carefully onto the driest patch of grass she could reach. She had dressed in her second-best skirt with a white blouse and warm, tailored jacket. About to slip her feet into her good shoes, she had hesitated and instead wrapped them in a piece of newspaper and slid her stockinged feet into gumboots. A telephone call from Ainsworth’s early that morning had confirmed that, although muddy, the road was dry enough to get to town.

She had tucked her good shoes under the passenger’s seat and lay newspaper on the floor. Smiling, she and John negotiated the muddy entrance to Bennett’s farm. Her decision to wear boots had been the right one.

A barrage of children welcomed John at the door, and he gave Alice a quick wave as he ran after Hugh towards the swing.

“Come in.” Irene welcomed Alice, and for a few seconds, she dithered while Irene waved to the older children. “Bye. Have a good day at school.” Then she turned back to Alice and smiled. “Have you got time for a cup of tea?” Irene’s tall, graceful figure and serene smile were like a soothing balm, and Alice’s tummy rumbled.

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