“A sleazy man in the seat next to me.” Delilah wiped a tear from her cheek, careful not to ruin her make-up. “I asked for another seat but there wasn't one, so I had no choice but to get off. What a stuff-up this trip is turning out to be.”
“You could say that. Wouldn't consider a job, would you? Might get you out of trouble for a while.”
“I have a job. At least, I will after my forced holiday is over.” If I can come up with something decent for the next season. If not, I guess I will need a job then.
“And how long will that be for?”
Delilah tilted her head and let her mind wander. A possibility maybe. “Six weeks. Does the job come with accommodation, by any chance?”
“Yep, it sure does. How about kids? You know anything about them?” A smile lit up the shopkeeper’s face and Delilah grasped at the lifeline dangled in front of her.
“Um, well I guess I like them. I don't have any of my own yet, but—”
“Great. Come on back and have a seat. I'll give you a cup of tea while I make a phone call.” She walked briskly down to the back of the shop and Delilah followed, her heels tapping out a rhythm on the old linoleum floor.
The small room Delilah followed Sue into was cramped and crowded with boxes of stock. Sue grabbed the kettle and filled it from a small kitchen sink jammed against one wall. She took a bottle of milk from a rust-marked bar fridge beside a small dining setting for two.
“Have a seat.” She indicated an old chair and Delilah gingerly sat on it, gripping her handbag on her knee. She watched as Sue put on the kettle and placed a tea bag in a heavy china mug with the logo of a popular beer on it. When the mug was thrust in her hand, Delilah accepted it gratefully. “I'll just give Blake a call and let him know you’re here.”
“Who is Blake?”
“Fella needing a temporary nanny. Last one walked out, leaving him in all kinds of strife. Been advertising, but no luck so far. You would be doing him a favor and you need a place to stay, so win-win all round if you ask me.” She reached for a phone on the cluttered bench, lifted the receiver, and punched in a number.
“Hey, Blake, Sue here… I might have someone here who can help you out for a while if you're still looking for someone to lend a hand with the kids.” She nodded her head, listening and interjecting with an “uh-uh” and “sure” every now and then. “No, she just walked off the Greyhound this morning. Got pawed by one of the passengers and refused to go further. Needs somewhere to stay and you’re stuck so I thought, why not? Sure she can. I'll tell her… Right. Bye.” Sue hung up the phone and grinned, her lined face showing how happy she was with the outcome of the phone call. “That's sorted then. He’ll be here in a couple of hours.”
“But, hang on a minute. Doesn't he want to talk to me or anything? I mean, I might not like them.” Or they might not like me.
“Nah, he took my word you don't look like a serial killer. Pretty trusting, us Outback folk, and seriously, it's not like you have much choice now, is it? He won't be here for a bit, so you can sit in here or join me in the shop. I have a heap of stuff to see to out front.”
“Um…if you don't mind, I'd like to make a phone call. I need to let my manager know where I am, and then I will come out with you. Maybe you can tell me something about this family before they arrive.”
“Sure. If it's a toll call I'll have to charge you for it, otherwise the boss will take it out of my wages.”
“Of course, but I can make it reverse charges anyway so it won't cost anything.” Delilah smiled at her and took another sip of the strong tea, letting it soothe her frazzled nerves. Now she was off the bus and appeared to have a temporary job, things were looking up. It would be perfect if Kim could get her home sooner rather than later though.
“No problem then. See you out front soon as you get yourself sorted.” Sue nodded her head and walked out, leaving her alone.
Delilah took a deep breath and centered herself before she picked up the phone and dialed the number. “Hey Kim. I left the bus tour and I’m stranded in a small town. The guy sitting next to me was total sleaze and there were no other seats.” She hurriedly explained the last two days events, hoping to deter any battles.
“You did what? Delilah, how could you be so stupid?” Kim's shocked voice rang over the phone.
“I had no choice. Did you not hear me? The guy was a jerk and pawed me every chance he got. I need you to sort something out and get me home.” You are my friend. For goodness sake, help me out here!
“You can't come home. You’re on a forced holiday, remember? Checking out the sights in the Outback and gathering inspiration for future scripts. Look, why don't you stay in a hotel or something for a couple of weeks. There must be something you can do to amuse yourself.” A sigh sounded over the phone. “Delilah, if you come back to town now the studio is going to hear about it and think you aren't taking this problem seriously.”
The silence stretched out as she waited for Kim to calm down.
“No, just no.”
“But there are no hotels here, just a rundown caravan park.” Her eyes filled with tears she could no longer hold back. Have
