Read Online Crow Country by Kate Constable - Free Book Online Page A

annexe. She was almost crying with rage. ‘Don’t you just want to hit them?’
    Walter shrugged. ‘Nah. There’re better ways.’
    â€˜You didn’t – you didn’t really curse that man, did you?’
    Walter didn’t answer, but he threw her a look over his shoulder and raised one eyebrow.
    David and Ellie were still sitting by the fire. They weren’t speaking. David was drumming his fingers on the arm of the couch, and Ellie’s lips were pressed together.
    Ellie attempted a smile. ‘Who won?’
    â€˜We did,’ said Walter.
    David stood up. ‘They’re calling our number. Let’s eat.’

T hey left as soon as the meal was finished. ‘No point paying for coffee when I can make one just as good at home,’ said Ellie; but Sadie knew the real reason was that they all wanted to escape as quickly as possible.
    Sadie would have liked to go to bed; it had felt like the longest day of her life. But she couldn’t because Walter was there. They sat staring at the football on TV while Ellie and David disappeared into the kitchen to make the coffee.
    After a few minutes Walter said, without taking his eyes from the screen, ‘They’re arguing.’
    â€˜What?’ Sadie shot an alarmed glance toward the sliding door that separated the living room from the kitchen. ‘I can’t hear anything.’
    Walter stared at the TV. Sadie slipped out of her chair and tiptoed to the door.
    She heard Ellie’s voice, a little shriller than normal. ‘That’s ridiculous! That was years ago.’
    Then David’s voice, slightly louder. ‘So what do you think was going on tonight?’
    â€˜Isn’t it obvious? You – and me – some people have trouble with it, you must know that by now.’
    â€˜Sure, but there’s more to it than that in this town. I didn’t want to go to the bloody pub in the first place.’
    â€˜Well, why didn’t you say so?’ Ellie’s voice rose.
    David responded with a furious muttering that Sadie couldn’t make out. She crept back to her seat.
    A moment later, David emerged from the kitchen, his face stern. He said to Walter, ‘Come on, mate. We’d better go; it’s getting late.’
    Sadie scrambled up. Ellie stood in the kitchen doorway, her eyes red, her chin thrust up.
    â€˜See ya,’ said Walter.
    â€˜Yeah,’ said Sadie.
    When David and Walter had gone, Ellie collapsed into a chair and sank her head in her hands. ‘Grr!’ She tore at her hair. ‘I handled that so well ,’ she said in a muffled voice. She looked up ruefully at Sadie. ‘Sorry, sweetheart. Did you hear us?’
    â€˜A bit.’
    Ellie sighed. ‘I should probably tell you—’
    Sadie gazed at the TV. She wasn’t sure if she could handle any more drama today.
    Ellie said, ‘I thought we could all just move on , you know? Let the past stay in the past, forgive and forget. I mean, what’s the point of dredging up all that old history?’
    Sadie’s stomach lurched. What history did she mean, was she talking about what had happened in the 1930s? Was Sadie about to find out how that story ended?
    Ellie pushed her hair out of her eyes and sighed. ‘See, I used to go out with Craig Mortlock.’
    â€˜You’re kidding!’ said Sadie. ‘He was your boy- friend?’ Was there anyone in this town that her mother hadn’t gone out with?
    â€˜It was a long time ago. You know we always came up here for the holidays, and we’d hang around with Craig and the local kids. And one year, Craig and I just – clicked.’ Ellie shrugged. ‘He was actually pretty hot back then,’ she said defensively. ‘And he was a champion cricket player. Well, anyway. These things happen.’
    â€˜So . . .’ Sadie tried not to imagine her mum and Craig Mortlock kissing. ‘Why did you break