Outback Blaze (19 page)

A good cop could never afford to think of such things.

Ruby half expected the police to come barging into her house the moment she returned home from Drew's place, but when the weekend passed and they still hadn't arrived she didn't know whether to feel anxious or relieved. She'd danced around her parents the past couple of days, not sure whether to warn them or not, and retreated to her horses as much as possible to escape the sinking feeling in her stomach. It didn't work.

Word had spread quickly throughout Bunyip Bay that Brad and Jaxon were off the hook and terror rushed through the town about what kind of animal might be living among them. On a quick trip to the supermarket on Saturday morning to grab a few groceries for dinner, a number of people had stopped her and verbalised their dismay. The mums of her Saturday afternoon horse-riding girls had been more interested in talking to Ruby about the new development than allowing their daughters to have their lessons. The thought that there might be an arsonist walking around among them had everyone on high alert. Everyone suspicious of everybody else, everyone wondering which building might be next on the hit list. To her surprise, but also her comfort, not one person seemed to suspect her parents as Constable Noble did.

Her fitful night's sleep could also be down to the fact that today, Monday, was D-day for The Ag Store. Demolition Day. The asbestos specialists were due to arrive this morning to start the removal of the toxic materials. Once that was done, her father would be allowed in to salvage anything he could and then the team from the shire would begin the clearing of the site. As her parents didn't plan on rebuilding, the block would be cleared and advertised as a potential development site. It was hard to believe that where a vibrant business had stood less than two weeks ago, soon there would be nothing. So much had happened in the last two weeks, never mind the year, and Ruby hoped that their nightmare would soon be over. Unfortunately that sinking feeling inside had her fearing that it might only be beginning.

With that thought, she dragged herself out of bed and into the shower. Downstairs she found her father in the kitchen cooking eggs, looking like he was ready to face the day.

‘Morning, sweetheart,' he said, turning to give her a kiss on the cheek. ‘Sleep well?'

‘Okay,' she lied. ‘What time are they starting on the building?'

‘The asbestos people should be there any minute.' He glanced at his watch. ‘Do you mind finishing this for your mother? I had some toast earlier but she said she fancied some eggs and it's important she keeps her strength up but I'd like to get down to the shop in case they need any help.'

Funny how he still called it that when there was nothing left.

‘Sure.' Ruby took the wooden spoon out of his hand and continued stirring the eggs in the frying pan. ‘Dad?'

‘Yes, honey?' Robert patted his pocket as if to check for his wallet and scooped his car keys out of the bowl he kept them in on the table. He seemed distracted.

‘Are you sure about not rebuilding the shop? I'll help you look after Mum and we've already seen how supportive the town is and…' Her voice drifted off. She'd almost said he'd need something to keep him busy when Mum was no longer with them. The thought sent a chill down her spine. Less than a week had passed since she'd found out about her mother's illness and already she appeared to have accepted their fate.

She didn't want to do that but at the same time she couldn't help worrying about her father. If he'd had a day off work in his life, she couldn't recall it. He was an active man; he never let sickness take a hold of him but his whole life was family and work. Unlike many of the other middle-aged men in Bunyip Bay he wasn't a fisherman and he liked to watch sport but didn't play it. If he sold the shop, what would he do when he was on his own? Take up Sudoku? Ruby couldn't imagine and she was scared that not keeping busy would drive him crazy or worse.

‘Never been surer of anything in my life, sweetheart. Your mother and you mean the world to me, I would do anything to make her happy and comfortable.' His face shone with determination. ‘When she gets really ill I don't want her being looked after by strangers. I want to be the one. And before that I want to make as many good memories as we can. Can you understand that?'

‘Yes, I can, of course. It's just…' No, there was no point raising her worries about him. ‘Never mind. I'll make sure Mum has a good breakfast and I'll drive her down to the shop later. Stay safe, Dad.'

‘I will.' Giving her another quick peck on the cheek, he left the kitchen and moments later she heard his van start up outside.

Ruby turned back to the eggs, adding a little extra salt because behind his back her mum always said his cooking was too bland. She cut some thick chunks off the loaf of homemade bread Mrs O'Neil had delivered yesterday and shoved them into the toaster. When the toast popped, she slathered on the butter, piled on the eggs, then topped it off with a fresh sprig of parsley. Deciding she'd get something to eat for herself after she'd checked on Roxie and Riley, Ruby put the plate onto a tray with a fresh pot of tea, but just as she picked it up to take it to her mother in bed, Lyn entered the kitchen. Her damp hair told Ruby she was fresh from the shower, yet the shadows around her eyes indicated she was still having trouble sleeping.

‘Morning, darling. Oh, is that for me?' Lyn's face lit up with a smile as she sniffed at the aroma of toast and eggs.

Ruby nodded, placing the tray on the table and pulling out a chair. ‘Dad's gone down to oversee the removal of the asbestos.'

‘He said he was going.' Lyn sat down at the table and picked up her knife and fork. ‘I'd better get down there soon to make sure he doesn't get in the way. He hates being idle.'

‘Hmm. Have you got plans for when the insurance money comes through?' Ruby asked, while making her morning caffeine shot.

‘Yes.' Lyn beamed. ‘We were talking about it last night. If you're okay looking after our house for a while, we thought we might buy a caravan and travel round Australia. I've always been a little jealous of the grey nomads who travel through Bunyip.'

‘That's a great idea.' Ruby sat down to drink her coffee. ‘The cats and I will be just fine.'

‘Thank you darling.' Lyn patted her daughter's hand. ‘I don't know what we'd do without you.'

Ruby squeezed her mum's fingers. ‘The feeling is entirely mutual.'

While her mother ate, Ruby tried to keep her entertained by telling her about the promo photos for the Undies Run. ‘Simone is so talented at photography and design. I can't wait to show you them.'

Lyn listened enthusiastically while finishing her eggs and when she poured a mug of tea, Ruby decided it was time to check her horses.

‘I'll be back in about fifteen minutes, Mum.' She stood up and put her plate and mug in the sink. ‘Leave the washing up, I'll do it later. When I come in, we'll head down to…the shop to see how they're going.' The word shop no longer rolled off her tongue in reference to The Ag Store but she failed to think of a more appropriate word.

‘Okay.' Lyn attempted a smile as she lifted the mug to her lips, but Ruby couldn't help but notice it seemed an effort.

Leaving her mother, Ruby headed to the paddock and found both horses near an old eucalypt tree. She checked their water and food, then Roxie and Riley vied for her attention as she offered them morning cuddles. ‘Sorry I haven't been around much the last week, my sweets.' She rubbed Roxie's nose and then Riley's – the mare would get in a right strop if her paddock-mate got more attention, but Riley was so gentle-natured he wouldn't even notice. ‘If it wasn't for the horse-riding lessons and you two, it would be hard to get out of bed in the morning.'

As if they understood her and could tell she needed comforting, they both stayed close until she finally dragged herself away. ‘Back soon,' she promised. ‘You two behave yourself.'

Roxie threw her head back and whinnied.

‘Yes, I've got your number, girl.' Ruby pointed her fingers at the mare and smiled as she turned to head back to the house.

The moment she stepped inside she heard the tell-tale sign of water running in the kitchen. While she didn't want to stifle her mother, the last week and a bit had been unusually stressful and she wished Lyn would take it easy and let Ruby do more around the house. Her hands snapping to her hips, she marched into the kitchen and opened her mouth to tell her mother exactly this, but the words died on her lips as Lyn's mug slipped from her fingers and shattered into pieces as it landed on the slate-tiled floor.

Her mum froze, her eyes glued to the mess at her feet. Ruby rushed forward, knelt down and began plucking the large pieces from the sea of broken china.

‘The cup just fell from my grip,' Lyn said, her voice wavering.

Likely that
was
what had happened – an accident that could happen to even the healthiest of people – but Ruby couldn't help wondering if this was down to her mum's illness. She appeared to have gone downhill a lot since she'd told Ruby about her disease and it made Ruby wonder how much she'd been hiding beforehand.

Ruby had spent much time, late at night over the past few days, on the internet learning as much as she could about motor neurone disease. It affected the nerve cells that controlled the muscles used to do everyday things such as move, speak, swallow and even breathe. Symptoms were mild in the early stages of the disease but became worse as the disease progressed and included problems with walking and eating, slurring of speech and difficulties holding objects due to weakness of hand muscles.

‘It's all right, Mum.' Ruby tried not to let her own voice crack as she thought of how much worse Lyn would get. ‘I broke a matching mug the other day.' Which was true, she had, but it had been because she'd tried to carry too many mugs and plates in from the dining room. Lyn had only been carrying one thing.

Unable to look at her mother for fear of what they might see in each other's eyes, Ruby worked quickly to clean up the mess. Lyn went to the sink and started to wash the rest of the breakfast dishes and Ruby forced herself not to tell her to sit down. She tried to imagine how she'd feel if she'd lived an active life and suddenly faced the prospect of losing the most basic of abilities.

‘Right, I'll go get my handbag and then we'll go, shall we?' Although Lyn's voice was chirpy and her face full of smiles, Ruby wasn't deceived.

‘Why don't you give it a miss, Mum? It's cold out and it's not like we'll be able to help at his stage. Relax with a book or a movie or something.'

‘I don't want to relax, Ruby.'

Her mum never snapped and Ruby flinched at the sound. ‘I'm sorry, Mum, it was just a suggestion.'

As Lyn went to fetch her bag Ruby's shoulders slumped. Lately it felt like she couldn't say or do anything right. They were all walking on eggshells around each other. Maybe once the fire mess was sorted they could find a new normal but at the moment it felt like they were living in limbo.

When Lyn returned, she was all fake smiles again, acting as if no breakage had happened and no harsh tone been used. ‘Shall we go?'

Too tired to argue, Ruby nodded and collected her own keys and handbag. Maybe it was best to head out as there would be nothing for her mother to do at the shop but watch. If she stayed home, she'd no doubt try to clean or wash or something. They stopped at Frankie's for coffees and muffins, and then took their purchases down the road to what was left of The Ag Store.

Men in full body suits, holding masks in their hands, were gathered at the front of the damaged building. One man whom Ruby guessed to be the guy in charge looked to be giving orders. Her father stood off to one side talking to a couple of guys from the shire. Although the turnout wasn't as impressive as the night of the fire, Ruby noticed a small crowd gathering alongside them where they watched from the other side of the road. People offered solemn waves and words of sympathy. Sharon, a woman who worked in the nursery next door, approached them.

‘Hi Lyn, hi Ruby.' She shot a look towards the building and shook her head. ‘Terrible business. I see you're sorted with drinks and stuff but I'll bring you out a couple of chairs.'

‘Thank you.' Ruby wished she'd thought to bring a seat for her mother, but her mind was all over the place.

‘Let me know if there's anything else you need and feel free to use our restrooms,' said Sharon when she returned. Ruby rushed forward to help her unfold the camping chairs.

‘Thanks Sharon,' she and Lyn said in unison.

It felt morbid to sit and watch what was left of the building being taken apart but Ruby couldn't bear to be anywhere else and she knew her parents felt the same.

Cars drove past like it was just a normal day, magpies flew and squawked overhead and a bitter wind picked up as the specialist asbestos removal contractors started work. Unable to assist, Robert came over to join them. Ruby gave him the takeaway coffee she'd bought earlier.

‘Thanks, love,' he said, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and drawing her into his side.

Onlookers watched as the contractors sprayed the asbestos areas with water and began removal of the sheets one by one. Each sheet was loaded onto the back of their truck and wrapped in thick plastic.

The mood was solemn. Neither Ruby, her parents nor the few people who had lingered to watch exchanged many words until Ruby noticed Lyn shivering.

‘Mum, are you okay?' She leapt out of her chair and crouched down next to her mother, taking her hand in her own. It felt like ice. Although Lyn wore a woollen jumper, her trousers weren't very thick and Ruby hadn't thought about insisting on a scarf or jacket. She cursed silently, angry at herself for not thinking about her mother's needs.