Breaking The Drought (18 page)

Jenna wished she felt as calm as Maggie appeared. Maybe it was just as well Luke had spurned her offer of love. Maybe she really wasn't cut out for this life.

Luke tossed his car keys to Maggie. ‘Take the Land Cruiser. Your old girl has seen better days. The last thing you need is to have car trouble on a day like this.'

Maggie nodded. ‘Come on, Jenna. Let's not waste time.' She looked across at Luke. ‘Won't be long.'

As they drove back out along Barlow Road, Jenna commented on the large black clouds looming in the distance.

‘Smoke,' Maggie said. ‘Don't worry, the fire's still a fair way off.'

Jenna wished Maggie's reassurances would dissolve the fear clenching her gut, but every time Maggie told her not to worry it seemed to have the opposite effect. She decided to talk about something other than the fire in an effort to take her mind off the danger they were possibly facing. ‘Are you still up for interview questions?'

Maggie grinned. ‘Thought you'd never ask.'

‘Is it okay if I record you on my phone?'

Maggie nodded her approval while Jenna found the app on her phone. ‘Okay, we're good to go. Were you born here, Maggie?'

Maggie laughed. ‘No, I'm a Melbourne girl, just like you.'

Jenna couldn't hide her surprise. ‘You're joking? I knew you had lived in Melbourne, but I figured you must have come from here originally. You fit in so well.'

‘I moved here when Joe and I married three years ago,' Maggie answered softly.

Jenna felt the need to acknowledge Maggie's pain. ‘It must be so difficult to bear, especially with a baby on the way.'

‘I miss Joe every minute of every day, but carrying his child is a real comfort. I know I will have a piece of him with me always, in the child we created together.'

Jenna nodded.

‘And Luke has been wonderful. He is an amazing support. I just wish he didn't feel so guilty about Joe's death.'

Jenna's curiosity got the better of her. Not that it made any difference now, but she wanted to know what had happened to make Luke blame himself for Joe's death. ‘Why does he feel so guilty?' she asked.

Maggie didn't reply.

When Jenna looked over to apologise for her forwardness she found Maggie's face contorted in pain.

‘What's wrong?'

Maggie's face returned to normal. ‘I'm fine,' she said. ‘Just a twinge in my back.' She patted her belly. ‘Occupational hazard I'm afraid.'

Jenna nodded and continued on with her questions. In no time they were back at the homestead. As she climbed out of the four-wheel drive at Tandarra, Jenna could smell smoke. The once clear day had become hazy. ‘Are you sure we don't need to worry about this fire?' she asked.

‘I'm sure everything's fine,' Maggie said, but Jenna detected a note of uncertainty in her voice. ‘Why don't we go into the house and have a cool drink. I'll phone the fire brigade and get an update to put your mind at rest.'

Jenna nodded obediently but a knot of fear formed in her belly as she looked up once again at the blackening sky.

Maggie went into the study to make her phone call, while Jenna poured them both a tall glass of icy lemonade. When she came back to the kitchen Jenna noticed a marked change in Maggie's disposition.

‘The wind has changed direction,' she said. Her voice was calm but Jenna could see the anxiety in her eyes.

‘I take it that's not good.'

‘It means the fire has changed direction and there's a possibility it may make it across the National Park to here.'

‘Oh good grief!'

‘Don't panic, Jenna. There's still plenty of time and I know exactly what to do. We'll be fine.'

‘I'm sorry. I don't mean to be a wimp, but I've never been anywhere near a bushfire before.'

‘Just try to remain calm. We'll head back to town soon. The community hall is the local evacuation point. Before we go I need to do a few things. You can ride, right?'

‘I'm sorry?'

‘A horse, can you ride a horse?'

‘Not very well. Why?' Jenna replied, wondering if Maggie had a touch of sunstroke.

‘I need to move some stock down to the home paddock. If the fire does come this way, the top paddocks will be the first to go.'

‘But I don't know the first thing about moving sheep,' Jenna protested.

‘You just need to do what I tell you. I'll be there in the ute and the dogs do most of the work anyway. I could do it alone but it will be quicker if there are two of us, and it's probably better if we stay together, just in case.'

Jenna's stomach churned with fear, but she couldn't let Maggie down. ‘I'll do my best.'

Maggie smiled. ‘It'll be fine, I promise. Now come on, I'd better find you some appropriate clothes.'

Maggie disappeared for a moment and returned with a pair of jeans, a long-sleeved shirt, woollen socks and a pair of boots. ‘Change into these. I'm going to have to raid Luke's wardrobe to find something big enough to fit over this,' she said, lightly patting her protruding belly.

Jenna raced to her room and slipped off her shorts and singlet top. She dressed quickly and went back to the kitchen. Maggie came in moments later and motioned for Jenna to follow her. She tossed Jenna a set of car keys and directed her to the garage. ‘You bring the ute around to the stables. I'll saddle up Marmalade. She's a real sweetheart.'

Adrenalin coursed through Jenna's veins as she carried out Maggie's instructions. She hadn't ridden a horse for years, but she was determined not to let Maggie down.

Outside Jenna was confronted with a smoky haze. She tried not to panic as the gusty winds deposited ash at her feet. This was serious. At work she prided herself on being able to keep her head in a crisis. Her trademark ability to remain calm under pressure was one of the reasons she had risen to the top of her field so quickly. As editor of
Gloss
she had never missed one deadline. Now it was the fire providing the deadline, and it required the same approach she always took — one job at a time. With this in mind Jenna started up the ute and, after a couple of bunny hops, headed for the stables.

Maggie had the horse saddled and waiting. Marmalade seemed a lot bigger now that Jenna was expected to ride her, but she tried to disguise her fear. It took a few tries for her to mount her ride, but once seated on Marmalade's broad back she felt surprisingly comfortable.

‘This old girl will look after you,' Maggie said. ‘She's herded plenty of sheep in her time, so she won't need much direction from you. You can follow me. See you up at the top paddock.' Maggie gave a short, sharp whistle. Two blue heelers and a kelpie came running and jumped into the back of the ute.

Maggie set off and Jenna gave Marmalade a tentative nudge with her foot. The old mare moved slowly forward, following in the ute's wake. Maggie wasn't going fast but Jenna soon realised that she would need to pick up the pace if she was to keep up. She nudged Marmalade up to a trot and then into a canter. Her heart raced, seeming to keep time with Marmalade's hoof beats. Fear and elation fought to dominate her mind. The thought of the fire was terrifying but she couldn't help but feel proud of the part she was playing to help keep Tandarra safe.

After about 10 minutes Maggie pulled over and got out. ‘You did a great job of keeping up. Well done.'

‘Thanks. I was riding with my heart in my mouth, though.'

Maggie grimaced and put her hands on the small of her back.

‘Are you okay?' Jenna asked.

‘Just my back playing up. No time to worry about that now. We need to get this job done. You take one of the dogs and lead the way, I'll bring up the rear.'

‘Do I need to do anything special?'

‘The dogs do most of the work. Basically you're going to be the guide. You ride up front and lead them where you want them to go. Don't try anything heroic, Jenna. I'd rather lose all the sheep than see you hurt.' Maggie looked up at the sky. ‘We'd better move it. I want to get back home and get an updated fire report.'

The dogs jumped out of the ute and ran towards the herd, barking. ‘Oi, Neddy! Here boy!' Maggie called, and the older heeler trotted back to her side. ‘You take this one. He knows what to do. You only need to know a few commands. Say “Come” when you want him to come to you, “That'll do” when you want him to stop and “Get back” to move him away from the sheep. Honestly, it's not that hard. Off you go then.'

‘Here, Neddy,' Jenna called tentatively. The dog pricked up his ears and looked at Maggie.

‘Go on,' she said and he moved off in front of Marmalade. ‘Be firm, Jenna. Let him know who's boss.'

Maggie drove the ute into the paddock and, with the assistance of the other dogs, started driving the mob out onto the road. Jenna trotted Marmalade along in front, back along the route they'd come. To her surprise the sheep fell in behind her. Neddy darted this way and that, snapping at the heels of any sheep that strayed too far from the group.

The wind was hot and gusty, blowing dust and grit into Jenna's face as she rode. Thick black clouds loomed as far as the eye could see. Jenna's throat burned and her eyes stung from the smoke in the air. What if they took too long and were trapped by the fire? Her pulse throbbed in her temple as she contemplated what might happen then.

Stop it
. Jenna shook her head as if to banish the thought.

One job at a time
.

At lunchtime Luke made his way off the ground with the rest of the team. The wind had picked up and he noted the smell of smoke in the air. He looked out across the hills in the direction of Tandarra. Thick black clouds darkened the sky. An uneasy feeling dogged him. He looked around for his car but it was nowhere to be seen. Maggie and Jenna hadn't made it back yet. ‘Hey, Cameron, any news on the fire front?'

‘Not yet. Lottie's got the radio. She'll let us know if we're needed.'

‘I'm a bit worried about Maggie, mate. She's back at Tandarra.'

‘Going on this morning's report we should be fine. The front was a good 50 kilometres away.'

‘Yeah, but the wind's changed since then.'

Cameron nodded. ‘Don't worry, mate. Lottie will let us know if anything's up.'

‘I guess so,' Luke said.

The pagers started going off before they reached the clubrooms. Luke followed Cameron inside and waited while the brigade captain spoke to Lottie.

‘What's up?' Luke asked, as Cameron put down the phone.

‘You were right about that wind shift. The fire's headed towards Barlow and fast. Apparently a back burn got out of control and that's added to the problem.'

‘Hell.'

‘That's the end of the cricket I'm afraid. We've been called out. Evacuation procedures are commencing as we speak. We best get the rest of the crew and head up to the station.' Cameron started to move out the door.

‘Cameron, Maggie's not back yet. She went back to Tandarra with Jenna.'

‘Don't worry. Maggie knows what to do in this type of situation. She's one of our best crew members.'

‘I know that,' Luke snapped. ‘But she's eight months pregnant and Jenna's…'

‘What?'

‘She's a city girl. I can't see that she'd be much help. Mate, I've got to go up there, make sure they're okay.'

Cameron shook his head. ‘I need every crew member available.'

‘I can't let anything happen to Maggie, not after…'

Cameron looked at him with pity in his eyes, but for once Luke didn't care. ‘Okay, you go. Keep in touch when you can. Once you've secured Tandarra you can meet up with the crew.'

‘No worries,' Luke called as he ran out the door.

When the last stray sheep, a lively lamb, was herded into the paddock by an overexcited Neddy, Maggie shut the gate. She turned to Jenna and yelled over the roaring wind, ‘You did great, now let's get out of here.'

Jenna grinned. The threat of the bushfire was pushed to the back of her mind as she thought about what she had just done. If only Luke had been here to see her riding out in front of the stock like an old hand. Maybe then he'd realise what a huge mistake he'd made in underestimating her.

‘Shall I take Marmalade back to the stables?'

Maggie nodded. ‘Yep. I'll bring the ute around and meet you there. Once we've sorted Marmalade out we can grab our stuff and head back to town.'

Jenna didn't bother to reply as Maggie was already making her way to the car. She tapped Marmalade with her foot, urging the mare forward once more. As they neared the stables she leaned forward and stroked Marmalade's neck. ‘Thanks, old girl. You made me look good.' Jenna swung her leg over and dismounted, grateful that it was a lot easier than getting onto the horse.

She was surprised to see the gate closed and Maggie nowhere in sight. She could see the ute parked close to the house and assumed Maggie wouldn't be far away. The stable wasn't locked so she pushed the gate open and led Marmalade inside. Maybe Maggie was phoning for an updated fire report. Well, she could unsaddle Marmalade herself. She hadn't had to do anything like this since pony camp, but how hard could it be? The mare stood patiently while Jenna fumbled with the straps under her belly. The process came back to her quickly. It wasn't rocket science after all. She worked as fast as she could to remove the saddle and bridle, stowing them in the tack room at the back of the stables when she was done. Feeling pleased with herself, she gave Marmalade a parting neck rub and headed back outside.

The sky had taken on an eerie orange hue and the smoke had increased. Jenna could barely make out the house, even though it couldn't be more than 50 metres away. She wiped the sweat from her brow. Wearing heavy clothes in this heat had caused her to perspire more than at her normal gym workout. She couldn't wait to have a shower, but by the look of the sky there wouldn't be time for that.