Unknown Read Online Free Page B

coffee, drinking it slowly to appreciate the warmth.
    The boys raced away to get into their swimming gear, stopping only for five minutes to chant their homework.
    ‘What about you, Frances, do you want a swim?’ queried Jennifer.
    ‘Not really, thanks,’ said Frances. ‘Can I help with tea?’
    ‘Not tonight! You look very tired, I hope the trip and all the touring hasn’t been too much for you.’
    Frances blushed slightly. She didn’t want to explain her earlier escapade and the part Jennifer’s brother had played. She added lightly, ‘I’ll go to bed early tonight. Must have my beauty sleep!’
    Lying in bed that night Frances reviewed the day. Already she felt totally at home here with Rupe and Jennifer and the lads. The only worry was Ian, and she turned restlessly in her bed at the thought of him. She remembered the scorn in his eyes when he saw her at the river bed. He was good-looking, she was forced to concede, and he was much taller than herself, so he must be at least six foot one or two. A quiver ran through her as she saw again the details of the muscles in his arms and shoulders and the dark hairs on his chest. He had made his attitude plain enough—that he thought she was a cheap little tart in her nudity. Frances hid herself in the pillow, acknowledging the bad luck that he had seen her in that state. Well, she wasn’t going to let him put her off. This place was a refuge for her, a place where John Brooker wouldn’t find her. She pictured John in his office, but the picture kept being interrupted by a pair of scornful yet cool dark eyes set in a rugged face as craggy as the mountains.
     
    In the morning Rupert took her round the farm. He was a good instructor, patiently showing her how the irrigation was controlled and what crops he was growing. He explained his system of pasture management which involved shifting the sheep frequently. This would be one of her jobs, Frances was told, and she struggled to learn the right names for the paddocks.
    The dogs were a delight to her. The pup was her special joy. He was a frisky black ball and appropriately named Scamp. His mother, Fay, was an excellent yard dog and his father was Ian’s constant companion,' a black huntaway which was a good all-rounder. As well, Rupe had an old dog who made up in experience and cunning what he lacked in strength.
    That afternoon Rupert had sent her down to the river on the tractor. She enjoyed the experience, gaining more confidence as she went. Jenny had waved her off smilingly. She finished the task Rupe had set, then drove steadily back. It was quite late in the afternoon when she returned and she felt hot and sticky. Frances was glad Jennifer suggested that she join the boys in a swim. She had a neat one-piece as well as her bikini in her drawer and she decided to play it safe and wear the one-piece. Her eyes sparkled as she remembered that scornful look Ian had given her down at the river.
    The water was blissfully relaxing and the boys were delighted to include her in their game. Soon Jenny called them for tea.
    Over tea Rupe said that the following day they would bring the woolly sheep up to the front paddock. The shearers had been forced to leave that mob the month before when the rest of the, shearing had been done. Rain was still a major bugbear with shearing. The sheep had to be completely dry, and to ensure this they would be kept in the woolshed overnight.
    A telephone call earlier had told Rupert that the shearers would probably be with them in two days’ time.
    The next day Rupert and Frances bought the woolly sheep up to the front paddock. They didn’t bustle the sheep, just steadily and quietly drove them, much to young Scamp’s disgust. The noon sky was murky with a line of clouds to the south and Rupert told Frances they would shed up early. After lunch Frances prepared the vegetables for tea and made a rice pudding for the boys. She vaguely noticed the build-up of cloud in the distance and was