Puzzled at what she thought her mother might be implying, Ellie stopped sh.e.l.ling the peas and looked at Emmie. 'Mum, what are you suggesting?'

'I'm saying life is too short to let it slip away, that's all!' Mother and daughter looked into each other's eyes, an understanding pa.s.sed between them.

Wiping her hands on her ap.r.o.n, Hazel came back in from the pantry and the conversation changed to Hazel having a whinge about Ted's bad habit of keeping her awake by talking rubbish in his sleep. She confided some hilarious chats he had with himself as he slept, which lightened the moment and gave them all a tremendous laugh.

Ellie understood exactly what her mother meant. The intense look that had pa.s.sed between them had revealed a reality.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN.

Harry's condition hadn't changed; he remained unconscious and the doctors were not optimistic about his recovery at all. He had suffered a brutal beating and if Eileen had not acted so quickly, Harry would have died alone in his hut.

The nurses looking after him were sympathetic of the poor old man. He would be resting calmly, then suddenly toss his head from side to side, muttering inaudibly. Whatever he was trying to relate to them was obviously upsetting and frustrating him. Twice, they administered sedatives to calm him.

Eileen, Dawn and Eric were visiting him when he stirred again.

'Poor old b.u.g.g.e.r,' Eric said sympathetically. 'He never hurt anyone.'

'I'd like to see the b.a.s.t.a.r.d that did this to him whipped,' Eileen declared furiously.

Harry began muttering.

'Listen,' Dawn said. 'We might be able to make out what he's trying to say.'

They listened intently but it was too hard to decipher what Harry was mumbling.

'Maybe we'll never know,' Dawn whispered. 'He's certainly agitated,' she added.

Harry was tossing from side to side, muttering incoherently.

'I wish I knew what happened out there. He knows something, Mum. Something bad went on in his hut!' Eileen slowly shook her head. She loved this old man. He was her best friend.

'Come on, he's not even aware we're here. We'll come back again soon.' Dawn started for the door.

Eileen bent and kissed Harry's bandaged head. Eric followed her out. Harry kept mumbling, his eyes opened and flicked around the room before slowly closing again.

At breakfast the next day, Karl brought up the subject of Harry's attack. 'There's more to this than meets the eye,' he said. 'I'll bet me last quid that Harry discovered something up there and was bashed to keep him quiet.'

'I agree,' Digger replied. 'He wasn't meant to live. It was lucky young Eileen went there when she did. He's tryin' to tell us somethin', that's what's got him so d.a.m.n agitated, I'll bet on it!'

'Well, let's hope he wakes up soon, then we'll be able to find out who did this to the poor old b.u.g.g.e.r.'

'The cops haven't admitted anythin' but I bet they're thinkin' the attack and the fires are linked, because as sure as h.e.l.l they are,' Digger continued.

'Too right... It's too much of a coincidence. They've been up to Dawn's and spoke to Eileen. Poor kid, she had to go over everything so many times she nearly went nuts. She's b.l.o.o.d.y distraught. She thinks the world of the old codger. They spent ages at Ivy Gelding's too... went back a coupla times, so I heard.'

'Did you find out any more about that fire?' Digger asked.

'I was talkin' to Frank and he said they couldn't find anythin', as usual. He said it was lucky Eric acted so quickly or the b.l.o.o.d.y gra.s.s would'a caught alight and we'd of had another friggin' hill fire!'

'Well, Ivy's been sayin' to anyone that'll listen that she got the fright of her life when Eric raced around from behind the haystack. She's sayin' he looked surprised to see her there too.' Digger frowned, slowly shaking his head.

'What would she expect him to look like? He told me that he didn't think anyone was home. He'd been shoutin' out that there was a fire and got no answer. It wasn't til he ran around the haystack lookin' for a hose that he saw the old bag.'

'Yeah, he told me the same thing. He said she was leanin' on the gate just watchin' the thing burn, and when he appeared, he said that she looked mighty surprised to see him. He said he got a surprise too, because she didn't seem worried about the fire at all.'

'Mmm, somethin's not right there, mate.'

'I just wish we'd found somethin' in the rubble down at the shed,' Karl said. 'If only we had a clue, anythin' to tell us how the mongrel can set the fire and get clean away without anyone seein' him!'

'Yep,' he thought, rubbing his hands together. 'b.l.o.o.d.y lucky!'

'Pity about old Harry. Had'ta stop the silly old b.a.s.t.a.r.d somehow! I can't let anythin' go wrong now!'

He pulled out the photo from his pocket and looked at the face smiling at him.

'Yes, my lovely, we'll be together soon'

'Come on, Kath,' begged Tammi. 'You've been hanging around home so much you'll go stale.'

Tammi and Laura were going to the Weir for the day. Tammi was trying to coax Kathy into going with them.

After a good deal of persuasion, she gave in. She had been staying home and thinking what to do about Eddie. Digger had not gone berserk as predicted, thanks to Win talking to him and Kathy having apologized. She still stuck to her guns about her views on the matter though. Digger decided to stay calm and see where it went, again taking Win's advice.

'Francis said he'll drop us off and come back after work and pick us up. He wants us to go to the Boomer again tomorrow night. You'll go, won't you?'

'Maybe, it depends.'

'What? Whether Eddie goes?' Tammi guessed.

'Honestly... yes. I've had a talk with Mum. She knows now that I do like him. They're not happy about it, but at least I won't have to sneak behind her and Dad's back if he ever does ask me out.'

'Well, go get ready. Francis is waiting for us.'

Kathy got her things together and they headed off to the Weir for the day. When they arrived, they found a shady spot and laid out towels. A group of young soldiers had gathered not far from them. Sunbaking for a while prompted a swim; the sun had some heat in it. The boys whistled and called out as the girls ran towards the water. One of the young men raced down after them, scooping Tammi up in his arms. He ran straight into the water with her shrieking and squealing as the cold water hit her sun-warmed body. Kathy and Laura looked on laughing until they realised they were next as the rest of the group descended upon them.

Laughing and splashing, they exchanged names and got to know each other. The girls shared their picnic with the boys. Three were from Perth, one from Sydney and a couple were from Queensland. They talked about their homes, families and the Vietnam War. They were all enjoying each other's company. Tammi and Laura especially were having a good time.

Every so often, Kathy found her mind wandering to Eddie. She wished he was with her.

'I'm going to ask the boys to come to the Boomer tomorrow night,' Tammi whispered to Kathy. 'And... guess who's just driven in the entrance?'

Kathy sat up and looked in the direction of the entrance to the caravan park. Eddie's car was slowly moving along the gravel road. He was looking for a place to park.

'Is he alone?' The glare of the sun was obscuring her view; Kathy couldn't make out if he had anyone with him.

'Looks like it to me,' Tammi said. 'Wave, he'll stop for sure. Go on,' she urged as Kathy hesitated.

Plucking up the courage, she waved her arm.

He saw her waving and stopped the car. He also noticed the group of soldiers with her.

'Pretty Kathy Miles,' he muttered. 'No wonder she's not short of admirers.' He parked the car under the shade of a tree and got out.

'Come over,' Kathy called.

'Hi. What are you doing out here today?' she asked.

'Half a day at work so I decided to cruise out here for a swim, but aren't you a pleasant surprise!'

'You're a bit of a pleasant surprise too, Mr Chancellor,' she teased.

After she introduced him to their new friends, Eddie once again fitted in easily. He made conversation with the young men and seemed genuinely interested in hearing about their lives in the army.

The water was refreshing on their hot skin and they had a great time dunking each other and skylarking as the afternoon slipped by. It was almost time for Francis to come back and get them.

'He's not such a bad guy,' Tammi whispered to Laura.

'Hmm, I s'pose...' Laura admitted. She grinned cheekily. 'He's d.a.m.n s.e.xy, isn't he? He seems quite taken with Kath. He hasn't taken his eyes off her all afternoon!'

'She's had her eyes on him too, don't worry about that. Who would've ever thought, Eddie bad boy Chancellor and my sister!' Tammi laughed.

'How're you all gettin' home?' Eddie quietly asked Kathy.

'Francis is supposed to pick us up.' She glanced at her watch. 'He should be here soon. It's nearly five thirty and he finished work at five today.'

'Would you like a lift home with me?' he asked.

'Ok, Francis will be here any minute, so Tam and Laura will be alright.'

Eddie smiled at her. Picking up the suntan cream lying beside her, he said, 'Let me rub some on your back. You're a bit pink.'

Kathy hesitated, but Eddie smiled and gently began to rub the cream across her back. She relaxed and enjoyed the feel of his strong hands on her warm skin.

Tammi, Laura and the boys were splashing noisily in the water. Kathy felt Eddie's warm breath against her ear. He softly nibbled her ear. She turned her head and their lips met in a gentle kiss.

'C'mon,' Eddie whispered. 'I'll drive you home.'

Ellie was still pondering over her discussion with her mother. Should she throw caution to the wind and let her heart rule her head? No matter what anyone said, Mary was still very much in the picture. Ellie reflected that Mary must have seen Harvey and her on the dance floor when he pulled her close. Otherwise, what reason did she have for behaving the way she did? Mary's change of att.i.tude had come out of the blue.

'What a b.l.o.o.d.y mess,' Ellie spoke aloud as she dumped her knitting in its bag and decided to take a walk down to the orchard. It was daylight and she needed to clear her head. The mood she was in, if she came up against anyone who shouldn't be there, she'd thump them. Confusion and anger at her dilemma was showing on her face.

'What's eating you?' Win spoke from the doorway.

'Oh Win, just b.l.o.o.d.y frustration. Feel like a walk with me?'

'Sure, okay. I need some big sister advice anyway.'

They set off down the orchard and Ellie asked Win what advice she needed.

She was not surprised when Win told her about Kathy and Eddie.

Ellie's advice was to let them go. Trying to stop them would only mean they would sneak behind Win and Dig's backs.

'But Eddie's so rough and he's at least seven years older than Kathy.'

'Give them a chance, love. Eddie was very nice and well behaved at the pub. Kath's attracted by his dark good looks, also him being older is probably appealing. Eddie's mature and her male friends have all been the same age as she is. The bad boy image would be appealing too. We need to stop being judgmental as Kath said.'

Ellie put her arm around Win in rea.s.surance.

'Rumours can get out of control and most times they are just that, Win, rumours. Everyone deserves a chance, don't you think?'

'Hmm, I suppose. I just can't help but worry. I just hope he is okay to her. I don't want her ending up with regrets. We can't wrap her in cotton wool or stop her growing up.' Win looked wistful. Her mind flicked to a past experience in her own life, but she quickly pushed it away.

The sisters strolled on slowly and ended up by the creek.

'You know, I so wish they'd caught the firebug when they chased him along here,' Win said, changing the subject from Kathy. It was also an attempt to stem her thoughts.

'So do I, Win. It's dreadful what he's doing, and worst of all is the not knowing when and where he'll strike next.' She threw a stick into the dry creek.

'It's an awful thought, but we have to realise that we could actually be in his company at times. How are we to know?'

'Ellie, have you thought any more about the phone calls and the car that followed you that night?'

'I've racked my brain about the calls. For the life of me, I can't pinpoint the voice. The car... well that I've put down to some louts trying to frighten a woman alone.'

'Hmm, but if it wasn't... it makes my skin crawl. I worry about the girls, I worry about Mum and I worry about us.'

'Yes, I do too! Things have certainly changed in our quiet little valley!'

They talked for some time about their dad, how they missed him terribly, what his pa.s.sing meant to the family now and how they needed to keep a watchful eye on their mother who was lost without him. As the evening approached, they made their way back through the orchard to the house before dusk set in. They shouldn't have been out walking around on their own anyway and they knew that Ellie still had no idea which way to turn in her own tangled web. The walk hadn't cleared her head at all.

Kathy and Eddie chatted on the drive home.