Red Hot Part 46

Karl spat tobacco on the ground as he rolled a cigarette.

'I know she was upset and she didn't want to let on to us. Strewth, we don't have to have it shoved down our throats the way he was goin' at it. If Dad was alive, he would've told him straight.'

'It's this new fan dangled modern religious stuff they're on about these days, isn't it? I heard that b.i.t.c.h Ivy Geldin' is right inta it too.'

'Yeah, and that's bulls.h.i.+t. It's not the same with all that yellin' an' clappin' an' stuff. Give me old fas.h.i.+oned normal religion any day.' Karl spat again.

'Well, he's hooked for who knows how long and it won't help us with all this prunin'. C'mon, let's head off home. It's gettin' too dark now. We've a b.l.o.o.d.y mountain of work ta do tomorrow.' Digger turned in the direction of Kia-Ora.

They had a huge job in front of them. It was time to prune the fruit trees and their orchard was a vast one. Each tree had to have the middle cropped out to enable it to spread out instead of growing vertical. By doing this, it made it easier for the fruit pickers to get the fruit off when picking season came around. Also, they had to cut off the new buds because if they allowed too many new shoots, then the trees would be overloaded with fruit and it would only drop off and rot on the ground. Then there was the spraying of each tree to rid them of insects. Ted was in charge of this job but Karl and Digger liked to be there to keep an eye on the older man, especially since the accident when Ted got bowled over when someone tore through the orchard scaring him senseless and causing a nasty knock to his head.

'Looks like we'll get a good season outta this lot.' Karl nodded at the trees.

'I reckon it'll be the best one yet. No friggin' crazy b.a.s.t.a.r.d lightin' fires to worry about either!' replied Dig.

'Don't even mention that b.a.s.t.a.r.d, Dig. After the h.e.l.l he put us all through, I'd kill him if I got my hands on him.' Karl's face was set with fury at the mention of the firebug.

There hadn't been any more fires since the grisly dummy that the firebug had strung up in the Kurrajong tree at the end of 1965. Throughout the early part of 1966, the community remained alert in case the firebug was laying low, waiting for the opportunity to strike as soon as they had let their guard down. However, as the months had gone by and all remained quiet, the locals all a.s.sumed the firebug had left the valley. They began to rebuild their properties and their lives. Who the firebug was, and who had protected him, remained the talk of the valley and suspicion still hung like a dark cloud over some once very close friends.h.i.+ps.

'This is terrific, Win!' exclaimed Ellie. 'It really is something!'

'What a great job, it looks fantastic!' Win answered, her eyes darting around as they entered the foyer of the new club.

'Listen to the music. I love this song.' Johnny was doing a rendition of a Platters' song. Ellie took Win's arm, swaying to the music. 'C'mon, let's go in and have a look.'

They crossed the foyer and entered the dimly lit auditorium. Neither one noticed the man leaning against the bar. His cold grey eyes looked them up and down.

'Well this could be me lucky night. They're out on the town without the blokes. Yessiree, this could really be me lucky night,' he thought, smirking.

He placed his gla.s.s on the bar as thoughts raced through his mind. Crossing the room, he threaded his way through the crowd until he was closer to Win and Ellie.

'Can you see Kath and Tam?' Win asked, looking around the room.

'No, but they're probably out dancing.'

'S'cuse me.'

Win turned as she felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked into the bearded face of a man.

'Would ya like ta dance?' he asked, looking her up and down.

'Aah... No, no, thank you.' Taken by surprise at the sudden appearance of the man, Win stumbled over her words. 'No thank you, I've just got here.'

Johnny Hansen was singing a Johnny O'Keefe song and the dance floor was quite crowded.

The stranger wasn't deterred and continued with conversation.

'Do ya live local?' he asked in his gravelly voice.

Win tried to look disinterested, casting her eyes around the room for the girls. She answered vaguely, telling him that yes she was a local. She felt uncomfortable and a little edgy as he moved closer to her. She looked into his eyes and s.h.i.+vered; he had the coldest piercing grey eyes. Win felt he was looking straight through her. A feeling of unease snaked down her spine.

'I've found Kath and Tam, they're over there.' Ellie pointed to a table not far from where they were standing.

Win moved closer to Ellie. 'Is that Dot McClaron with them?' she asked, keeping her gaze straight ahead and trying her best to ignore the man who still stood beside them.

'Yes, don't worry Win, they know how to handle the likes of her. Francis is with them too. I saw him walk off the floor with Linda Newman. Come on, let's go to the bar.'

They made their way through the crowd to the bar, ignoring the man, leaving him standing alone.

'I didn't like that bloke one bit, Ellie. He gave me the creeps!'

Ellie laughed. 'You're just not used to being out without Dig.'

'No, I'm serious Ellie, I really didn't like him!' Win insisted.

'Oh well, I think he might have liked you. He's following us.'

Sure enough, the bearded man was making his way over to them. He had a look of amus.e.m.e.nt on his face mixed with a hint of determination in his eyes.

'Oh no Ellie, get rid of him, will you?' Win hissed. He was standing beside them now.

'Gotta say this place has come up a treat, eh? I hear it used to be a seminary.'

'Yes it was,' Ellie replied. 'Father Damien was the priest here then; apparently he's gone overseas to Africa.'

'It'll make a change in the valley havin' a club here,' he said, keeping his eyes on Win.

'Yes it will. We liked our peace and quiet here in the valley. That all changed though when the firebug decided to go on a rampage. That stole our peace, that's for sure. I suppose having a sports club won't be so bad. It's not far to go for a night out; the men like that idea.' Ellie was babbling on and Win wanted her to shut up.

'Firebug?' He raised his eyebrows in curiosity. 'Tell me about that.' He settled on a stool next to them. Ellie glanced at Win, who gave her a steely stare.

'Heavens, it's a very long story. Some crazy bloke with a grudge on the valley people decided to burn whatever he could get his hands on. A lot of property was lost and everyone around here was afraid to go anywhere at night in case he struck while they were out. Every time sheds were rebuilt, they'd be burned down again.' Ellie stopped to sip her drink.

'When did all this start?'

'Back in '64 and was still going right up until just before the seminary closed at the end of '65. There hasn't been a fire since but the firebug is still out there somewhere.'

'You don't say? So no one got done for it? That's quite unbelievable.'

Win was trying to give Ellie the look to stop encouraging him but she had become carried away telling the firebug story.

'Well that's true, we all think someone has to know who the lunatic is and is protecting them. It was a terrible time, put a strain on the whole valley, everyone was suspicious of each other and many friends.h.i.+ps have been ruined because of it.'

'Well if the fires stopped when the seminary closed, doesn't that tell ya somethin?' he said.

'There was no proof.' Win shrugged.

She gave Ellie a nudge and a look that finally got through to her.

'Anyway, hopefully that's all over with now. We better go see our friends.' Ellie excused them and took Win by her arm and they moved away.

'I'm glad to get away from him,' Win whispered.

'Yes, he is a bit weird. Certainly asked a lot of questions,' Ellie replied vaguely. She wasn't at all interested in talking about the strange man. She was far more interested in the club. 'Hey, how about we have a go at the pokies? You feeling lucky?'

'Yeah, good idea. I'll give them a burl. I've never played them before, might be lucky.' Win smiled brightly.

They ended up having several gins and a few good laughs as they played the one-armed bandits.

The club had a welcoming atmosphere and it was something new for Hamilton Valley people to enjoy after the past troubles in the valley with the crazed firebug. It had come as a complete surprise when the news leaked out that the seminary had closed and Father Damien had gone to Africa. Many were pointing the finger at him, especially since the fires ceased around the same time.

'About time you two put in an appearance. How was the club?' Emmie greeted Win and Ellie next morning. She was sitting outside on the veranda soaking up the morning sun.

'Lovely morning, isn't it?' Ellie dropped a kiss on top of Emmie's head. 'Mum, you must let us take you up to the club. You'd really enjoy it. The interior decorating is beautiful and the place has a lovely atmosphere.' Ellie sat down in the chair opposite her.

Win sat down beside Ellie and chuckled.

'She had me gambling on the poker machines too. We did alright though, won a few bob.'

'Yes, that was fun,' Ellie added.

'I don't suppose you've spoken to Dig this morning?' Win asked.

'No, love. He and Karl were gone when I came down. They'd headed off even before Hazel came in. She said that, according to Ted, they were going down to the orchard about six thirty. They want to get stuck into it before the sun heats up.'

'I was just wondering if he mentioned me going to the club without him.'

'I wouldn't worry about that, love. He came in late and it wasn't long before he was in bed. I heard him talking to Karl down here before he went up.'

'He was fast asleep and snoring when I went to bed. I didn't hear him get up either,' Win said.

'I told her not to worry, Mum. She left him a note to tell him where she'd gone. It did her good to get out for a couple of hours,' Ellie said.

'That's right, love. Digger wouldn't mind you having a night out with your sister. By the way, Mary rang a little while ago. You know, the change in her is remarkable!' Emmie told them.

'Well as long as she stays happy.' Ellie looked across at Win. They smiled knowingly at each other.

'Maybe she's found something to interest her,' Win said. She knew what Ellie was thinking. Karl and Mary were unaware that Ellie and Win knew about their affair.

'Yes, let us hope the peace and quiet lasts. I don't think my old heart could take anymore upsets,' Emmie stated.

Francis ran briskly up the stairs of the Mates store. It was his morning tea break and he was heading for the coffee lounge. Pausing at the top of the stairs, he gazed around for an empty table. The place was full with shoppers.

Mates coffee lounge was a popular meeting place in Albury and overlooked the ground floor where the menswear, shoe department and cosmetic counters were, among many others. The three level department store fulfilled most shopping needs for the town folk.

Francis' gaze fell on a brunette with her head bent over a newspaper. The girl was deep in concentration. He stood still on the top step looking at her.

As though aware of Francis looking at her, she raised her head and startling blue eyes met his. She had a sweet face, very pretty.

He caught his breath. She was lovely. Slowly, he made his way to her table. Her eyes never wavered from his. When he reached her, his voice came out almost gruff and he cleared his throat.

'I'm sorry to intrude, but there aren't any vacant seats. Would you mind if I sat here to have a coffee?'

She smiled up at him and indicated for him to sit down.

The waitress came across to take his order. She knew to serve the staff of the store quickly when they were on their breaks, as they had to be back at work on time.

Francis offered the young woman coffee. She hesitated for a fleeting moment then accepted politely.

He glanced at her newspaper spread open on the table.

'I see you're reading the jobs vacant section.'

'Yes.' She sighed. 'I'm new in town and I need a job as soon as possible.'

'Ah... Well, I just may be able to help. I'm Francis, by the way.' He extended his hand across the table.

'Beth, Beth Lowe,' she, replied shaking his hand.

'How can you help?'

'There's a couple of jobs going here at Mates. I'm manager of the menswear just across from the shoe department and I know they need a sales a.s.sistant and so does the baby wear department. You should go up to personnel and see about them.'

'That sounds terrific. I've had some retail experience. I'll go up as soon as I finish my coffee. Thanks heaps, Francis.' Beth smiled, delighted.

Francis liked the way his name sounded coming from her. Her voice sounded soft and silky.

'Where are you from?'

'Sydney. I grew up there. My mother died recently. Um... my father... is away.' She paused and a pained expression crossed her pretty face.

'What brings you to Albury?' Francis filled the uncomfortable pause with his question.

'Oh my mother... stepmother told me about Albury. She mentioned it quite a lot, said it was a really pretty place on the Murray River and the people are friendly so I decided to come and see for myself.'

'Well, she was right there. I could show you around if you like,' Francis offered, draining the last of his coffee.

'You don't have a car?' he asked as he stood to leave.

'No, I came by train and I'm staying at a place called Hilary's in Thurgootha Street.' She twisted her mouth to the side with a thoughtful look on her face.

Francis chuckled.