“Damn. What happened?”
“I was telling them I had to go back to Sydney for a while. He got angry at me and ran away. I don’t know what to do.”
“You look after that little girl. Don’t let her out of your sight. I’ll take care of everything.” She slammed the phoned down and Del collapsed on the couch, letting the tears flow freely. Things had well and truly gone wrong. If she had stayed on the bus and put up with the advances, this wouldn’t have happened. A small hand crept into hers and Lilly climbed onto her lap, snuggling in. She lay against Del’s chest, sucking her thumb. Delilah cuddled her close, too scared to let her go.
Lights came down the driveway, and she watched as they met with others down at the shed. The men’s voices wafted up to the house on the quiet night air. The neighbors had come to help.
Steps sounded on the back path and a voice called out, “Delilah.”
“Sara?”
Her new friend hurried into the kitchen with Tara in tow. “Oh, you poor thing! Don’t worry, the men will find him.” She wrapped her arms around Del and let her cry, rubbing her back and speaking soothing words until the sobs turned to small hiccups.
“It’s all my fault.”
“It’s nobody’s fault. You were doing what you thought was right, and he didn’t like it. End of story.”
“I hurt him. Blake was so angry with me. The look in his eyes cut me down to size.”
Sara walked over and filled the kettle with water before turning it on. “You have to understand, they have been left before and I don’t think they want you to go. Royce doesn’t understand, I get that. He’s a little boy who lost his mother, and now he thinks he’s losing you too.” She leaned her back against the bench and watched Delilah struggle with her pain. “Blake might have to help you explain it to him a little bit better, then. You are coming back though, aren’t you?”
“I want to. I don’t know how long it will take to sort things out, but if they want me back, of course I will be here as soon as I can.”
“Well, they can’t ask for more than that.”
It was three horrible hours before they noticed lights down at the shed. Delilah ran from the house, anxious to know if they’d found Royce. She hurried down to the shed, past the people milling around, looking for the little boy and his father.
Blake stood with his son held tight against him while Bluey led the horses away.
“Blake?” She walked up to him and stopped when he lifted his head to look at her. His face was tight with grief and he shook his head. “Leave it.”
He held his son close, the muffled crying tearing at her heart. She glanced around at the faces belonging to the men of the local community who had come at their time of need. A brief nod here and there but otherwise, they didn’t acknowledge her.
Gutted, she turned back to the house where Sara stood at the open door waiting for news. “How is he?”
“I don’t really know. Blake told me to leave him alone, but I think he’s okay.”
“Give him time, Delilah. He’s sad and confused. A good night’s sleep won’t hurt anyone. It might be easier to talk to him once he’s calmed down.”
“Right. If you think so.”
One by one the locals left, Sara and Tara amongst them. When Blake brought Royce inside, they went straight to the bathroom where he ran a tub, talking quietly to his son. Lilly was already asleep so Del headed for her own room. Sleep was going to be hard after the stress of the day but she knew she may as well try.
When she woke in the morning and walked out to the kitchen, Royce was sitting at the table eating breakfast. “Hi Royce. Feeling better after a good night’s sleep?” He averted his eyes and refused to speak to her. She watched in pained silence as he scooped the last of his cereal into his mouth before bolting out the door.
Blake came up the stairs as Royce ran down the path.
“I’m sorry. He overheard me talking to Lilly. If I could explain things to him, let him know that I’m coming back—”
“No.”
“But Blake, I’ve said I would. I just have to explain it to Royce. Lilly understands, why can’t I talk to him too?”
“Because he is hurting so much, Del. Don’t you get it? He remembers his mother more than Lilly does. Remembers her leaving the house and not coming back.” He ran his hand through his hair. “Just leave him alone and do what you have to do.”
“I can’t just leave him thinking I don’t love him. That’s not fair.”
“I don’t think I can take much more. If you have to go, go but don’t upset the kids anymore, please.” He stroked his hand down her arm, twining his fingers between hers and giving a shaky laugh. “I know you didn’t mean to upset him, but you did. I don’t think it would be a good idea to drag this out anymore. If you want to stay, stay but if you insist on going, go now. There should be a bus in town tomorrow since its Thursday. Why don’t you see if you can get a seat on it?”
“Okay then.”
“You’re going?”
“Yes. I already told you I had no choice.”
“We all have choices, Del. Every one of us.”
* * *
His jaw tightened and he fought a wave of despair. After what happened with Royce last night, he thought she might realize how much she meant to them, and stay.
“I have to go, Blake. The studio wants to talk to me, and it’s the only chance I have of getting out of the contract. Can’t you see that?” She shook her head, frustrated that he didn’t understand her position. “Paul Steenburg is a nice
