Puppy Pie (9 page)

‘Wait on,' Jimmy says holding up his hand. ‘Maybe Ted's not so mad after all. Maybe if we got the whole district involved …'

‘Even the weekend dabblers,' Ted cuts in.

‘We could swing this around. Look,' Jimmy says enthusiastically, ‘we're all affected. But if we can get everybody …'

‘And explain a possible solution …' Ted adds.

‘Let's put it to everyone. If they can come up with a better idea, that'd be great. But scything could work.'

‘Then we'll all be better off,' Ted says enthusiastically.

‘Mmm, I don't know. I mean,' Harry says, ‘it's really my problem.'

‘Not any more,' Ted reassures him. ‘Whether we like it or not, it's everybody's problem.'

‘Listen,' Jimmy says, ‘let's put it to a vote. Let's get all the affected farmers together and see what they say. What do you think?'

Jimmy and Ted look anxiously at Harry: he kicks up a clod of earth with his boot. He sighs heavily. ‘Alright,' Harry says leadenly. ‘Get everybody out there together.'

With that, the two men climb into their trucks.

‘A pity Useless isn't a Harvester,' Jimmy grins as he starts the engine. ‘Every farm I visit, Useless is already there. Or just left, I'm told. Visiting his girlfriends, I reckon,' he winks waving.

By the time Gull and her cousins have breakfast ready, Harry is well into ringing other farmers. Earlier than usual, Shirley tiptoes into the kitchen so as not to disturb him. Helen is making Harry a bacon and egg sandwich to eat while he phones around the district. Shirley signals the gang to follow her into the lounge room.

‘Do you know what's going on?' she asks them.

‘Not a clue,' Tom shrugs. ‘Dad's busy and Mum's really worried.'

Quickly, she fills them in having heard everything from Ted.

‘Oh, no,' Lucy groans. ‘This is really bad. Poor Dad.'

‘Poor everybody,' Gull says quietly.

Shirley looks worried. ‘I know everything looks bleak but everyone's coming over at eleven to have a meeting in the big shed.

‘More cooking?' Jake asks.

She shakes her head. ‘This is more important than food.'

‘And that's saying something,' Tom adds cheekily.

‘The future of the whole district could depend on this one meeting. Everybody's going to have to do their bit,' Shirley says.

Suddenly, Lucy looks at her watch. ‘Oh, no,' Lucy exclaims. ‘It's just after eight, and Dad's still ringing around.'

Stricken faces stare at each other. ‘Hope Dad's too busy to notice,' Lucy says, running out of the lounge room and into the kitchen. The first thing she sees is Helen, fast asleep, with her head resting on the kitchen table, her now empty mug tipped over onto the table, tea dripping onto the linoleum. Lucy glances at her father: he has his back to them, the phone glued to his ear.

‘Come on, Mum,' Lucy says softly.
Hurry
, she thinks
before Dad turns around
. Just then, Shirley slips into the kitchen, and between them, they manage to get Helen to her feet and out of the kitchen. Harry looks around distracted, a slight frown puckering his brow. ‘Oh yeah, Bill, meeting at eleven,' Harry says putting the phone back to his ear. Quickly, Lucy and Shirley bundle Helen into the lounge room where she naps peacefully in her favourite floral armchair.

‘Phew,' Lucy exclaims as she plops into the armchair beside her. ‘That was too close. Thanks, Shirley,' she says, trembling slightly. ‘I don't know what I would have done if Dad had noticed.'

‘He's got so much on his mind that it may not have registered anyway,' she says in a low voice. Tom comes over with a bunch of comics, and sits beside his mother. ‘Will you be alright 'til ten?' Lucy asks. Tom nods as he opens “Ginger Meggs”.

‘Shirley,' Lucy says, ‘maybe Gull could do Tom's morning shift today, just while the meeting's on. If the vote this morning has the whole district working … Well, I mean, the three of us are used to hard work. And it wouldn't be fair to Gull to throw her into harvesting. Anyway, I've got a feeling we might be spending a lot more time in the fresh air over the next few weeks.' Shirley nods. Lucy turns to Gull, ‘Is that alright with you? Can you keep an eye on Mum when we're not here? I know we're asking a lot but what else can we do?'

‘That's fine' Gull answers. ‘I don't mind sitting with Helen all day. Hey, Lucy, do you think Harry would mind if I worked on the computer? That way, I could start on your web page. And I've got another project I want to work on.'

‘Oh? What's that?'

Gull blushes. ‘Well, it's sort of a secret.'

‘Oh, okay. Well, I'm sure the computer's no problem.'

‘But what about food?' Gull asks. ‘With six hungry people and no cook now that Jake'll be harvesting …'

‘If you like,' Shirley says, ‘I can drop by in the mornings and organise something for Gull to eat and make sure there's enough lunch for all of you. It looks like we'll have to go without cake until this whole crisis is over though.'

‘Not if I have anything to say about it,' Jake says quickly. ‘Well, maybe not cake but I can bake lots of Anzac biscuits.'

‘Our Wonder Chef,' Tom beams. ‘He'll never let the army starve.'

‘And that sounds just like us,' Lucy smiles, ‘the farmers' army, saving the crop.'

‘And the district,' Gull adds smiling. ‘Alright! Off you go. I've got everything I need. Don't forget to tell me what happens at the big meeting, will you?' she calls after them as they get ready to join the farmers in the big shed.

A minute later, Jake reappears with cake and a thermos. ‘Thought you might like these. It's the last of the date roll. Because remember, you can't leave your post,' he says smiling cheekily.

‘Thanks,' Gull says relieved. ‘You're a lifesaver.'

‘Hope so,' Jake answers, thinking about all the farmers as he runs out the kitchen door to join the others.

By eleven, the big shed is packed with farmers. Harry's seventy year-old uncle, “young Fred”, has brought along a collection of out-dated cutting implements: he stands beside them very proudly. Lucy, Jake and Tom thread their way through the crowd and up to the front. Harry, Ted and Jimmy are standing on some hay bales. Harry, his heart in his mouth, raises his hands and everybody falls silent.

Lucy, Tom and Jake watch breathlessly as Harry calmly explains what's happening to the crop, and their solution. Only because they know him so well, can his children see how nervous he is: Harry keeps wiping his hands on his jeans, a sure sign that he's under tremendous pressure. ‘Look, I just want you to know that I take full responsibility for this catastrophe,' Harry shouts.

‘You mean you flattened the crops yourself?' a wag yells out from the back of the crowd in the big shed.

The tension breaks and some of the farmers laugh.

‘No, not quite,' Harry says sheepishly. ‘Obviously, I've had some invisible help.'

‘But,' Jimmy adds quickly, ‘we think we've got a solution. “Young Fred” would like to say a few words.'

Climbing onto a ladder propped against the hay bales, “Young Fred” begins to offer his solution. Calling on volunteers, young and old, he explains how scything and gathering can be done in teams on each farm in the district. An hour later, the farmers leave the big shed ready for more hard work.

A few of the farmers shake hands with Harry as they leave. ‘It'll work,' says one of the young farmers optimistically. ‘Otherwise, you're going to need a bigger dining room table: the size of a big farm.'

‘I don't know about that,' Ted drawls. ‘Reckon you could do with losing a bit of weight,' he says to one of the thinnest farmers in the district. The farmer laughs and slaps Ted on the back before walking back to his truck.

Lucy and the boys rush back to the house to find Gull. Hearing them, she quickly saves and closes her secret project, watching as it disappears.

‘What's happening?' she asks looking at their eager faces.

Lucy starts, ‘They're going to harvest what's still standing from sunrise to sundown, seven days a week.'

‘In shifts,' Tom adds. ‘And Dad says we can have a month off when all the hemp's in.'

Lucy and Jake laugh. They've heard that one before.

‘And whatever's fallen over, “Young Fred” has all the old timers getting out their ancient stuff ready to use,' Lucy says excitedly.

‘Before modern Harvesters,' Jake adds.

‘Yeah, and those old farmers are really pleased with themselves. They're hobbling around saying they always knew modern methods would fail.'

‘They're like kids, yelling they've got better toys than the “youngsters”. That's what the old timers are calling all the farmers, and some of the “youngsters” must be at least thirty.'

‘So,' Lucy says, ‘I'm afraid you're going to be on your own for most of the time. At least until the crop is in.'

‘Oh, that's alright,' Gull answers trying to be nonchalant but feeling lonely already. ‘Anyway, I've got the computer.'

‘That's not company,' Tom frowns. Then his face brightens. ‘I know! I'll bring you over a couple of puppies to keep you company.'

‘Oh yeah,' his brother chimes in. ‘We'll set up some water and a blanket in a box on the veranda. The glass door leads outside.'

‘Perfect!' Gull exclaims. ‘The puppies might even be able to help me with my secret project.'

The others look at her bewildered. ‘It's a secret,' she whispers to them. ‘At least until you've finished your job. By that time, everything will be ready for you to see.'

‘Any special pups? Or will any mutts do?' Tom asks as he sneaks a peak at her screen. Gull grins: the only thing up on the screen is a sepia picture of the “Folly”. ‘Maybe a French Poodle cross,' she says with a curious glint in her eye. ‘And then, I think, a different pair each day. Just for variety,' she adds hastily. Quick as a flash, Tom races outside, over to the puppy pen and grabs the type of puppies Gull has asked for.

Reluctant to leave with a secret hanging in the air, Lucy, Tom and Jake give Gull enough food to last until dinner. Hearing a truck in the distance, the cousins rush out and pile into one of the farmers' trucks heading out to help with the harvest.

Left alone with a sleeping Helen, Gull puts the playful puppies on her desk. One fluffy grey pup wanders around exploring the desk and the computer. Gull quickly scribbles down some words as he waddles around. ‘Exotic,' she writes. ‘Much sought after.'
No!
Gull tries again.

She picks up the puppy and says, ‘You're such a cute little thing, aren't you?' He looks back at her with big, brown eyes. Now, what are you? I'd say, half French Poodle, which explains your woolly coat. What else? I'd say a splash of Red Setter; a slice of Kelpie, and a spoonful of Labrador. Boy, you sure are one mixed up puppy.' She puts he and his sister down on the floor and watches as they toddle off towards the open glass door to the veranda. Sniffing the bowl of water they slurp until satisfied. Finding a warm patch of sun on the veranda, they plop down cuddling together and promptly fall asleep.

Gull gazes fondly at them and then down at her notes. ‘Got it!' she says out loud. ‘Oops,' she whispers and looks timidly over at Helen: she doesn't stir. Glancing back at the sleeping pups, Gull brings up her latest web page and starts typing eagerly for hours.

* * *

‘Yoo hoo,' Shirley calls softly from the lounge room door. Gull looks up suddenly.

‘Oh, Shirley, I didn't hear you come in.'

‘You were so engrossed in your computer,' she says, ‘you wouldn't have heard a bomb go off.' She walks over towards the desk and Gull hurriedly brings up the picture of the “Folly”. Shirley sinks into a nearby chair. ‘Getting hungry?' she asks.

‘Mmm? Not sure. Jake brought me some food before they went out.'

‘I'm putting the kettle on. I've brought over some fresh jam roll. Tempted at all?'

‘Yes please,' Gull grins. She glances at her watch. ‘Half past three already? I can't believe it.'

‘You have been busy,' Shirley says smiling back. ‘Any word from Sleeping Beauty?' she nods towards Helen.

Gull grabs her notebook and looks at the notes under today's date. ‘ “Harry. At school. Happy Harry. Helen giggles.” That's all.' Gull shrugs.

‘Well, I'll make the tea, bring it in and we can have it together. Then, I think you should go for a long, long walk and get some fresh air.'

‘Great idea,' Gull grins as she starts packing up her notes. Within a few moments, Shirley is back with a tray full of jam roll and a pot of tea.

‘Three mugs,' she says as she pours. ‘Just in case Helen wakes up.' Gull nods. They sit in companionable silence as they sip and eat.

‘What will you do now?' Shirley asks as Gull finishes her jam roll.

‘Think I'll head over to the big shed and play with the puppies for a while. And see how Jam is going. I could check on the horses too. And,' she adds excitedly, ‘pick some vegies for tonight and collect the eggs. Then the others won't have so much to do when they get back.'

‘Good idea,' Shirley smiles. ‘Well, off you go. Helen should wake up any minute. Oh, and don't forget your puppies,' she says pointing to the sleeping pups on the veranda. Gull rushes over and picks them up tenderly.

‘Mmmm,' she says. ‘They're so soft and cuddly. And from now on, I'm going to have a different type of puppy with me each day. I'm sure Jam won't mind too much.'

‘I think she'd be very happy for you to take a few of them off her hands. Or should I say paws?' she adds grinning. ‘Now go. And I don't want to see you back here for at least a couple of hours. Oh, by the way, your cousins will be dropped off at the top gate. From tomorrow, they'll pick up the ute when they get home: save them the walk home. They'll be tired enough as it is.'