Read Online In the Shadow of the Trees by Elenor Gill - Free Book Online Page A

There wasn’t one at the cottage, I rationalised, and out there in the bush it was an essential item in case of emergencies; one good, practical purchase to offset the others. What was really on my mind was that music the night before. I know I was confused but I was sure it came from outside.
    I hovered by the ice cream freezer and considered an orange ice block. No, a beer would be better.
    The heat outside was becoming oppressive and the bar was a cool oasis. Ceiling fans skimmed cold air down onto my face and I received their blessing with gratitude. It took a few moments for my sun-blasted eyes to adjust. A few men were leaning on the counter at the other end of a long room and they tried to stare me down as I came in. I stared back and called down to them, ‘G’day, gentlemen,’ as I perched myself on a bar stool, plonked my boots on the ledge and ordered a Speights. The men continued to stare while the barmaid poured my drink. She then hovered at my end of the room, polishing a row of glasses.
    ‘Take no notice of them, love,’ she said. ‘They’ve never heard of women’s lib. Women have no business coming into pubs on their own. They think you should be home minding the kids.’
    ‘Where does that leave you then?’
    ‘Oh, I’m just a skirt. As long as I keep to my side of the bar there’s no problem.’ She looked about my age but more handy with the make-up and hair dye. Her mouth was full and soft and the corners of her eyes crinkled when she smiled, which was most of the time. She wore a tight pink T-shirt that clashed,gloriously, with her red curls. I knew I liked her straight away; you do with some people.
    ‘Would you be Maggie?’
    ‘Sure am. And you’re new round here.’
    ‘Sure am. My name’s Regan. I’m staying at the Sullivan place.’
    Maggie stopped the polishing, her face flooding with questions. ‘He doesn’t often have visitors,’ she kept her voice on a tight rein. ‘In fact, you’re the first I’ve heard of.’
    ‘I’m staying in the cottage. It’s his son’s place really. Do you know the family?’
    ‘No more than anyone else. Old man Sullivan’s here most days. Been coming for more years than I can remember. But I can’t say I know him. Can’t think of anyone who does.’
    The beer was ice cold and worked miracles on my throat. It was also hitting an empty stomach and rushing to my head. ‘You wouldn’t have a sandwich would you?’
    ‘Sure. Chicken? Ham?’
    ‘How about cheese or salad?’
    ‘I can do both.’ She started work on the ingredients, which kept her down my end of the bar. As she cut and sliced she glanced at me from the corners of her eyes, her curiosity rising like bubbles in a beer glass. Eventually one of them popped.
    ‘What’s it like, the house?’
    ‘Bit run down. No, very run down, what I saw of it. He seems to look after the rest of the place. Though there’s not much to look after, now I think about it. I’ve only seen a few sheep and cows, not what you’d call a herd. But then, what do I know about that sort of stuff? There’s the trees. I suppose he makes some money from them.’
    ‘No need, they’re sitting on a pile of money. The only thing he spends it on is beer. They say he let the house go since his wife…well, you know. Hasn’t touched the place for years. Though nobody knows why. He’s fanatical about the land, as you say,but he doesn’t do anything with it. That’s the story, anyhow. Not that any of the locals have been there to find out. Keeps himself to himself, as the saying goes. Here’s your sandwich, cheese and salad. Mayonnaise?’
    ‘That’s great, thanks. He does seem rather vague. It’s as if he’s living somewhere else and has just bumbled into the real world by accident.’
    ‘Yes, that’s it,’ she laughed. ‘That’s exactly what he’s like. Another beer?’
    ‘Yeah, why not. You from round here?’
    ‘Yep. Tried getting away. I was living in Auckland. Then Mum got sick and Dad needed a