The Girl in Steel-Capped Boots (18 page)

‘Hey, Lena.’ He greeted her with unrepentant cheerfulness.

‘You know, this has got to stop,’ she said through clenched teeth.

His innocent look was clearly feigned. ‘What has to stop?’

‘You know what I’m talking about. Tell everyone the truth about us.’

‘You tell them.’

‘I have. They don’t believe me. Think I’m protecting myself . . . or something.’

Gavin chuckled, making her even angrier.

‘I’m sick of your lying,’ she said.

Gavin coughed uncomfortably. ‘I haven’t lied to anyone. They’ve jumped to their own conclusions.’

‘Same thing.’

He had the grace to redden. ‘Just give me some time. Let them lose focus on us. You can’t imagine the ribbing I’ll get for this when they find out you rejected me.’

‘I’m giving you till the weekend.’

He looked away, not dignifying her ultimatum with a response. Her fingers itched to slap him but instead she grabbed the front of his shirt and moved closer so that her whispered threat could be heard.

‘If you don’t do something about this soon, you’ll get more of a ribbing than you bargained for.’

That got his attention. He looked down at her, his eyes narrowing warily.

Neither of them noticed that a third party had joined them until he spoke. ‘If Barnes Inc personnel gave half as much attention to the project as they do to their personal lives, maybe they wouldn’t be so far behind schedule.’

Lena released Gavin’s shirt and jumped back as Dan’s harsh reprimand bounced between them. Seeing him again up close and so unexpectedly had its usual effect on her senses. For a moment she was completely unable to respond. He didn’t seem to need her to, however, as he stood there eyeing them both contemptuously, his expression as scorching as a blowtorch.

Lena noticed she wasn’t the only uncomfortable one. Gavin shuffled from foot to foot and looked over the side as though contemplating diving in.

It was so typical of Dan – turning up at the worst possible moment. The only thing that could have made the situation shoddier was if she was standing there in her red underwear which, given her luck, wasn’t that unlikely.

It was Gavin who finally broke the silence. ‘Can we help you with something, B– Dan?’

For a moment she had an awful premonition that Dan was
going to hit him. The knuckles on the hand clutching his clipboard had turned white and he seemed to have unnaturally stilled, like a cheetah waiting in the reeds.

But the moment passed.

Dan looked out to sea. As quickly as the tension had filled his body, it seemed to drain away, like he was pouring it into the ocean.

‘No.’ He shook his head. ‘I’d like to set up another progress meeting with the two of you, Lance and Carl. But I’ll contact Carl about that later.’

‘Not a problem,’ Gavin replied. When Dan offered no more he added, ‘Well, I’ll get back to it then.’ He sent Lena a meaningful glance, as though telling her to do the same, and then walked away. She watched his back with annoyance as he went to talk to one of his men. The cheek of it. How dare he try to tell her what to do?

‘I see you two have patched things up.’

She returned her gaze to Dan’s once more expressionless countenance. ‘Hardly.’ Seagulls squawked overhead as a ship approached in the distance.

‘Good job on the skid, by the way.’

She was surprised and instantly happier. ‘Thanks.’

‘I have definitely noticed improvement in speed since the installation of your new access platform.’

‘Y-yes,’ she stammered, unused to such praise. ‘It’s worked out well.’

His expression softened. ‘Don’t you think I give out credit where it’s due?’

‘To be honest, no.’

He seemed to accept this as fact and turned to leave.

‘Dan, wait –’

There were lots of things she wanted to tell him.

I’m not with Gavin. I didn’t want to kiss him. We haven’t patched things up. He’s a pain in the arse. And . . . I wish you’d kissed me last week.

But, of course, she didn’t say any of that.

‘I was wondering about that lawyer of yours. Is he any good?’

‘She,’ he corrected her.

‘
She?
’

He was having long evening phone calls about his personal details with a ‘she’. Her hackles immediately rose. So much for not having a girlfriend. Then it occurred to her that he hadn’t actually denied having one.

‘Yes, she. And
she
is exceptional.’

‘Oh really, that good?’ The fact that she had been hoping his lawyer was good did nothing to keep the resentment out of her voice.

He raised his eyebrows. ‘Why do you ask?’

Lena worked hard at an expression of indifference. After all, what did she care? She was asking for Harry. Nothing more. Nothing less.

‘Well, I have a friend who’s looking for some legal advice; are you able to pass on her number?’

‘Sure.’ He nodded.

‘Okay well, maybe when you get back to the office you could –’ She broke off as he was already scribbling some digits on the back of his business card. He knew her number off by heart! How often did he speak to this woman?

He held the card out to her. ‘I really recommend her. She’s young and enthusiastic. You won’t go wrong.’

Young.

Enthusiastic.

Bloody hell.

Lena took the card and pocketed it, her response coming out scratchy. ‘Thanks.’

Dan spotted Carl and left her side to go talk to him. She watched their conversation from afar, noticing how Carl’s expression got darker and darker as it progressed. It looked like life wasn’t getting easier for anyone.

Carl proved it five minutes later when he joined her on the bus.

‘Bulldog’s fuckin’ pissed about the trusses needing a repaint. Tell you what, this job is so fucked. Your trip to fuckin’ Millstream is better organised. Fuck!’

Millstream
was
one of the best ideas she’d had since she’d got there. By the time Sunday arrived she had about fifty takers, including Gavin, her actual target. Ethel had the kitchen staff pack them a stack of sausages and buns. It was perfect weather for a barbecue.

Millstream was about two and a half hours’ drive from Wickham. Despite not having Sharon by her side, the bus ride was relatively pleasant. The boys seemed to respect Gavin’s ‘claim’ to her. There was virtually no sexual harassment at all and for a moment she actually found herself wondering why she wanted to cut the pretence. Gavin himself was being extra sweet too, helping her load the bus with the food. Ha! Sucking up was not going to deter her. She had her independence to rescue.

They left camp at nine am and stopped at Python Pool along the way, an unforeseen treat. The pool was a beautiful and isolated waterhole right at the bottom of a cliff face in the middle of nowhere.

The water mirrored the jagged red rock of the cliff. Even the occasional green shrub breaking through the cracks was reflected precisely in the still glass surface. She was sad she didn’t have her bathers with her, until she remembered the fifty or so spectators on the bus.

Millstream itself was also a sight to behold – not only for the gardens but the history. The homestead was a real education, complete with nineteenth-century kitchen. The oven was a definite classic. She would
not
have wanted to live in those times. The settlers had built the place to be self-sufficient, so
the gardens were not only picturesque but also edible. There were fruit trees, foreign flora and palms lining the banks of a running creek that eventually opened out into a huge pool full of pretty English lilies. It was just amazing.

With no shortage of testosterone to operate the barbecues, the project group was soon dining in the picnic area on hot dogs. To her amusement, Gavin brought Lena her food, true boyfriend style.

‘Hey,’ he said in lowered tones as he passed her the hot dog. ‘Still mad at me?’

She leaned back on her rock, drinking in the twinkling sunshine and laughing kookaburras. ‘I’m getting over it.’

The birds knew what she was on about. She was gearing up for the moment she’d been waiting for all day.

Crossing Pool.

It was a bigger and much deeper waterhole than Python Pool. Not as pretty, but more appropriate for swimming. People didn’t normally swim in it, though, unless it was the peak of summer: the water was absolutely freezing. There was virtually no embankment, so when a swimmer stepped into the water, they were already in the deep end, which was well shaded and quite narrow. It was easy to see why the water stayed cold all year round. Being the end of autumn, Lena imagined that despite the sunny day, it would still be cool enough for teeth chattering.

As the boys lounged around drinking beers, she called Gavin over.

‘Can I talk to you for a minute?’

Radar, who must have been watching her face closely, sniggered. ‘I wouldn’t go with her if I were you.’

She glared at him as other eyes rested on Gavin to see what he would do. Luckily, even though he probably guessed the risk was high, he didn’t want to lose face with his mates. He stood up and polished off his beer. ‘Sure, why not?’

She led him away from the others so that they were walking along the edge of the pool. She threw a couple of stones in, watching the round ripples they made.

‘I said I would give you till the weekend, Gavin.’

His voice was soft when he responded. ‘I thought you said you were getting over it.’

‘I am and I’ll be very over it in just a minute.’

‘And I’ll tell everyone we’re not together as soon as possible.’

‘How about right now?’ She put her hands on her hips.

‘Right now?’ He frowned at her. ‘You mean like make an announcement?’

‘Yeah. Why not?’

He glanced over her shoulder at the guys scattered among the picnic benches, their eyes not so subtly trained on the ‘couple’ as if they were some sort of free outdoor movie. This time, however, she was counting on their appetite for gossip. He cleared his throat nervously. ‘Why spoil the day? How about tomorrow?’

‘Tomorrow never comes with you, Gavin.’

‘This time it will.’

She shook her head. ‘I’d prefer to do it right now. You could say I dumped you. Literally.’

With two palms flat on his chest she gave him one almighty push. The shock that registered on Gavin’s face was far too late. His arms flailed madly as he teetered on his heels. And then with one enormous splash, his body entered the water, causing him to squeal like a girl.

‘You little bitch!’ he squawked, coughing madly and struggling to tread water.

‘Thank you very kindly,’ she said, making a grand show of dusting her hands.

A laugh erupted among the spectators and Radar raised his beer to the air.

‘Guess she’s done with that one, boys!’

‘Lena!’ Robyn squealed, rising from her chair and throwing both arms around her. ‘OMG,’ she added as she pulled back. ‘You’re soooo brown.’

Lena grinned. ‘Thanks.’

She felt fantastic. Her hair was dust-free, trimmed and currently sitting on shoulders covered in brown leather – a brand-new purchase from her favourite boutique in Hay Street. She was also wearing make-up.
Blue
eye shadow to match her blue skirt; knee-high boots to match her jacket.

Oh, fashion. How I missed you!

After touching down at Perth Airport two days earlier, it hadn’t taken very long to get back into the city swing of things.She’d eaten out every meal since she’d arrived, watched all her favourite shows on television and just marvelled at having so much female company to choose from.

‘So how’s it all going?’ Robyn plopped back in her chair. ‘You stopped calling the last few weeks.’

‘Sorry. I’ve been so busy I haven’t had time to blink.’ Lena pulled her Louis Vuitton handbag off her shoulder and slung it under the table as she sat down opposite Robyn.

‘Really?’ Her friend’s eyes widened. ‘So I take it things are looking up.’

Lena winced. ‘Kinda.’ She was about to elaborate when a waitress paused at their table, pulling out her notepad and pen.

‘Can I take your order?’

‘Two cappuccinos,’ Robyn said and then looked across at her. ‘Cake?’

Lena smiled. ‘Why not?’

She chose chocolate and then idly glanced around the room as Robyn ummed and ahhed between carrot and very berry. No one was the slightest bit interested in them. Not even the man sitting all by himself by the window reading the paper, or the sports fans streaming past en route to some fixture at the WACA. They were just two girls having a coffee. Lena felt deliciously free and lonely all at the same time.

‘So you were saying,’ Robyn prompted when the waitress left them.

Lena didn’t know where to start. So much had happened since Robyn had told her to rebel. Her last week on site in particular had been hectic. But at least the trusses were getting repainted. She was officially single and straight and the skid was only seven per cent behind instead of ten per cent. It was a start – if not a finish. She was still worried about Sharon though: they hadn’t mended fences yet.

‘Lena, are you okay? You seem a little spacey.’

Lena blinked, giving her head a shake.

Geez Louise. You can take the girl out of the Pilbara, but not the Pilbara out of the girl.
She firmly focused on Robyn. ‘I’m fine.’

‘What about those job issues you were having?’ Robyn folded her arms. ‘Are they treating you better, giving you a bit more responsibility?’

Lena sighed. ‘Yeah but it’s a constant struggle. I mean, I’ve got these really interesting and challenging tasks, but people
are watching so closely. Maybe I should have stuck to data entry after all.’

Robyn frowned. ‘Lena, you need to have more faith in yourself. You can do it, I know you can.’

It was both heartening and numbing to hear Robyn’s usual pep talk. Her best friend would always be in her camp. If only some other people would join her.

‘Lena, have you thought about going to see Kevin?’

This unexpected question jolted her out of her musings. ‘
What?
Why?’

‘Well, for one thing you could smack that SOB across the back of the head,’ Robyn snorted. ‘And for another, don’t you think it would help?’

It was Lena’s turn to snort. ‘What makes you think I need his help with anything?’

‘What that guy did to you is still affecting you now. Maybe confronting him is the only way to get over it. And he can certainly tell you what you need to learn so you really do know as much as any other graduate.’

Lena firmly shook her head. ‘Seeing him is not going to make a difference. What would I say? “Oh hi, Kevin, you ruined my life, just thought I’d check in so you can see how that’s going”?’

Robyn laughed. ‘No, of course not. I just thought –’

‘Look, Robyn,’ Lena interrupted her, ‘I know you’re just trying to help, but the last person I want to see is Kevin. My confidence, or lack of it, is something I have to work through on my own.’

Robyn hesitated as though she were going to say something further, and then decided against it. ‘Whatever you say, Lena. You’re the boss.’ Her lips broadened into a smile. ‘Hey, there’s a sale on at Georgette’s on Murray Street. Fifty per cent off everything. Want to check it out?’

Lena grinned. ‘Sure.’

***

The next morning Lena woke up at the leisurely hour of ten and took a mug of coffee and a slice of toast out onto her balcony for breakfast. Her apartment was on the fifth level and, even though her view was composed mainly of the shops across the street, the sunshine beat down warmly on her face and she lapped it up. She had four days left of R and R and no idea what to do with herself.

Even as Lena pondered the problem, her mind wandered back to site and what might be going on there. As soon as she realised what she was doing, she groaned. Why did she even miss it? What she needed was a new hobby – something to channel all this unused energy into.

The phone disturbed her meditation. Polishing off her coffee, she got up and staggered back inside to pick up the cordless.

‘Hello.’

‘Hi, this is Sarah Michaels’s assistant. I’m just returning Lena Todd’s call.’

Sarah Michaels? Oh, Dan’s lawyer.

She’d tried to reach the woman several times since she’d arrived in town, without success. Apparently Sarah was young, enthusiastic – and busy.

‘Yes, this is Lena Todd.’

‘Oh good. If you’d like to come into our office tomorrow at one pm, Sarah will be available to talk to you about your case.’

‘Oh, actually –’ She checked her immediate impulse to reject the appointment. It wouldn’t hurt to see what Sarah was like. You could always assess someone more accurately when you met them in person rather than over the phone. Lena couldn’t just recommend any old lawyer to Harry, could she? No matter how exceptional they might be? Or good-looking for that matter. Looks had no bearing on skill. Generally the most beautiful of people were useless when it came to their brain.

At the thought, her decision solidified. She better just check that Sarah was as ugly as sin. Besides, she had time to kill. Why waste it?

‘One pm would be fine,’ she said to the secretary and hung up.

Lena chose her outfit carefully the next day. A navy business suit and black heels. Sarah Michaels worked for Lidmans Barristers and Solicitors in the city. They were a top-tier firm so she knew that everyone in the building would be dressed to corporate code and she didn’t want to be out of place. She arrived about five minutes before the hour and was ushered into a meeting room by Sarah’s secretary. There she was made to wait a good ten minutes before her majesty graced her with her presence.

The second Sarah walked in Lena was glad she had made the effort with her appearance.

For starters, Sarah wasn’t that young. She was at least five years older than her, maybe more. And secondly, she was stunning.

Long blonde hair.

Killer legs.

Gorgeous bedroom eyes.

Clearly a bitch
.

Sarah held out her hand with a megawatt smile that Lena reasoned had to be fake. ‘Hi, I’m Sarah Michaels.’

‘Lena Todd.’ Lena took the outstretched hand, noticing how Sarah’s nails were in much better shape than hers.

Damn.

Sarah sat down opposite her and positioned her notepad. ‘Now, I’m not sure if you’re aware how this works, but the first appointment is free. I’ll give you some preliminary advice which we’ll make a note of. If you decide to use the firm, we’ll work out a cost agreement next appointment.’

Lena frowned, noting that the lawyer really should work on toning down that bedroom voice of hers. It was so unprofessional. Not to mention intrusive.

‘Lena . . . is that all right?’

Lena lifted her chin. ‘Perfect.’

‘May I ask why you chose Lidmans?’

‘A close personal friend recommended you,’ Lena lied. ‘Dan Hullog.’

She didn’t know why she said that. It seemed to trip off her tongue before she could stop it.

Damn.

In any case, Sarah didn’t give her time to contemplate the pitfalls of her fib or even what it meant, before coming back with, ‘Oh Dan,’ with such easy familiarity that Lena immediately forgot all else to eye her suspiciously. Sarah put her palm flat on the table and cocked her head to one side. ‘Did you also know his brother?’

‘Of course.’ After all, what close personal friend wouldn’t?

‘Then I’m also sorry for your loss.’

My loss?

A cold fist clutched at Lena’s heart.

Was Dan’s brother dead? Of course she couldn’t ask and look like a right fool. Not that Sarah would tell her, given client confidentiality and all that.

But as the fist tightened she knew it made sense. No one got as unapproachable as Dan without experiencing tragedy of some kind. But what was more disturbing was the fact that he’d told her she reminded him of Mark. The name flashed back to her as did their conversation at the end of the wharf. If only she’d known there was so much subtext.

Unfortunately, her silence also gave Sarah Michaels the perfect opportunity to change the subject.
Sly snake
.

‘So how can I help you today?’

Lena laced her hands on the table in front of her and tried to look important. ‘I’m er . . . I’m actually here on behalf of a friend who is too anxious to approach a lawyer himself.’

Sarah raised her eyebrows. ‘Okay, and what sort of matter would your
friend
be looking for advice on?’

The way she said the word ‘friend’ made her think that Sarah didn’t really believe that she was there on behalf of someone else at all, but rather that she’d done something dodgy herself and was trying to work out whether she could get away with it.

Hmmm . . . sly and judgemental
.

She sat up straighter. ‘It’s his kids,’ she explained. ‘His ex-wife is not letting him see them; can she be taken to court for that?’

‘Definitely.’ Sarah nodded.

Lena followed this up with a few more token questions including, ‘Do you have much experience with that sort of case?’

‘I wouldn’t take the matter through myself. We have a family law division though – I’d refer your friend to someone there,’ Sarah responded.

‘Not a problem.’ Lena nodded, rising from the table and buttoning her jacket. ‘I’ll give him your number.’

Or not.

She hadn’t quite decided yet.

Three days later Lena was back on the plane to site having not really achieved much of anything else. This time fear and dread didn’t grip her. She was actually looking forward to getting back and seeing everyone again. Even Mike, who she thought might be picking her up from the airport. As it turned out, it was Gavin this time.

He had a meeting in Karratha with a supplier, so was charged with the task of picking her up as well on the way back. It was good to touch base with him again after his little dip in Crossing Pool.

‘You know I had nuts for earrings for days after that little swim,’ he shot at her as they drove back to the camp.

‘Really?’ She grinned, unable to keep the pleasure out of her voice.

‘You’re not even sorry?’

Lena wound down her window, breathing in the humid air as the familiar red landscape with short shrubs and snappy gums filled her vision. It didn’t look so barren any more, now that she knew about all the snakes and lizards crawling around in the short grass.

‘You deserved it and you know it.’

‘Hmmm,’ he said but she knew he was over the worst of his embarrassment.

After a reasonable silence had passed she changed the subject. ‘So how’s it all going on site anyway? I feel like I’ve been missing everything.’

‘Oh, you know,’ he sighed, ‘the usual chaos. The night shift is in full swing but of course there are problems and Bulldog’s livid about it. But when doesn’t the bastard have a chip on his shoulder?’

This time her reply was not so jovial. ‘Well, he must have his reasons.’

Gavin cast her a quick look. ‘Taking his side now, are we?’

‘No.’ She turned away so he couldn’t see her blush. ‘What kind of problems are we having?’

‘Communication problems,’ Gavin replied. ‘Some things are getting done twice or not at all because day shift isn’t telling night shift what they’re up to before they knock off. Or night shift specifically needs day shift to make sure supplies are on hand when they come in. And they don’t, so half the night is wasted when materials run out.’

‘That’s easily fixed, isn’t it?’

‘You’d think.’ Gavin grimaced. ‘But there are too many big egos out there. They all reckon it’s someone else’s job and blame-shifting is standing in the way of progress.’

They were silent for a while as the ute ate up the road. There was so much other stuff Lena wanted to know but wasn’t sure if she could ask him.

‘How’s Sharon?’

‘Sharon?’

‘Yeah.’

‘Same as always, I guess. Haven’t really spoken much to her. Kind of shy, isn’t she?’