“I shall try.”
“And I do not want to see you back in the stables.”
“No. This is my property. You cannot deny me access.”
The boy rolled his eyes as he put the cart back on its wheels. “I know you’re not supposed to be here. I shall report you to the steward.”
“And I shall tell him that you are but a weak little boy, incapable of fulfilling your employ.”
He made a choking sound as he gaped at me. I held my lips steady, though they wished to curve in delight.
“Stop talking. A girl your size should not be talking like a grown woman. You are too cunning for anyone’s good.” He shoved the fork into my hand, and stomped off before bringing back another.
The boy huffed and puffed, scowled and murmured under his breath almost the entire time we worked. Once we had reached the last stall, his protests had turned to song. He pursed his lips, whistling a tune I had not heard before. And quite possibly would never forget. Hours of gruelling labour. Bloodied, torn palms. Aches in every part of my body. It had all been worth it.
My mouth stretched wide in a smile that could not be dismissed.
If I was not mistaken, I may have found a friend.
Ben
Rockhampton, Australia
7th October, 2008
I took my boots off in the garage, stuffing my sweaty socks inside before entering the kitchen. Tumbleweed bounced over the deep crevices and crusty tastebuds on the surface of my tongue. The fridge looked like an oasis. I aimed for it, almost ripping the door off in my desperation to quench my thirst. Orange juice. Awesome. Grabbing the carton, I downed the contents in less than ten seconds.
Being a chippie was thirsty work. We’d put up most of the frame of a house today. One of the windows had been in the wrong spot and I’d had to dismantle the frame and reconfigure it. But other than that, it had been a standard day on the job. I couldn’t wait until the day the roof went on. It was fucking hot working under the sun. It didn’t seem to matter how much I drank, I always came home with a tongue like a galah’s. It was even worse for Lee. Being a redhead, half his day was spent applying sunscreen. The both of us had landed apprenticeships at the same firm after school. We planned on studying our architecture degrees together. Later.
After dumping the carton in the recycling, I took off my shirt. About a pound of sawdust dislodged and fell to the floor. Ah, shit. I should’ve stripped everything in the garage. I wiped my mouth on the bunched up fabric before fossicking under the sink for the dustpan and brush. As I swept my mess, I registered a conversation coming from the back of the house. Adam must have a friend over. Lucky I hadn’t stripped. I’d have to pass them on the way to the bathroom. Hopefully they wouldn’t smell me.
“Whatever you do to the top, you do the same to the bottom.”
The voice sounded like Andy’s, but that couldn’t be right. I hadn’t seen her in more than two years. The last time I’d set eyes on her was just before the news of her friend’s disappearance. What would she be doing here?
Padding through the living area, I glanced through the doors to the lounge and froze in my tracks. I tried to swallow but choked instead. Jesus Christ, it’s her. All grown up.
“Hey, you’re home,” Adam chirped.
I strategically placed my wadded up shirt in front of my crotch and got a little closer, but not close enough that my odour would waft over. “Hey, buddy. How was school?”
Don’t look at her tits. Don’t look at her tits. My eyes dropped. They’re fucking huge. I held my shirt with both hands, pressing down, telling my body to quit reacting to my friend’s little sister. It had been six months since I’d had sex. My body was eager to get back in the game.
“Boring as usual.” My head swivelled to my little brother as he tapped a pencil on his notebook, resting his head on his palm.
“Are you doing some homework?” I glanced at Andy as I asked the question, catching her eyes sliding down my body. The mutiny in my pants escalated.
“Yeah, Mum roped Andy into helping me.”
“Did she?” I’d have to thank her later.
“Hey, Ben.” She sent me an unaffected smile.
She’s playing it cool. I can do that too. “Hey, Andy. How’ve you been?”
“Great.”
“Great.” I slowly nodded. “Well, I’m gonna go hand—have ... I’m gonna have a shower.” And give myself a hand because this thing wasn’t going to go away by itself.
“Have fun with that.” She winked before getting Adam’s attention.
She winked.
Fuck me.
I turned around and hobbled off before I made a total fool of myself.
Stewart’s little sister is all grown up.
Shit.
_____
Emmeline
Hampshire, England
2nd of April, 1863
I skipped up the grassy hill, pausing every now and then to pluck a cheerful yellow daffodil from its mooring. The spring afternoon sunshine had the ground firming after the soggy melt of winter snow. I breathed in the smell of fresh blooms and country air. Reaching the top of the hill, I caught sight of the river that ran through my father’s property and continued all the way into town. The whinny of a horse caught on the tail of the breeze, making my smile even wider. If I wasn’t mistaken, the sound had come from Admiral Caine. In my opinion, the prized Friesian stallion was a brute, but I loved him all the same. The horses were the best part of my world. The only animals that seemed to understand or tolerate me in the least. And visiting them was the
