Designed for you

Drive By

Mick pulled up outside his weatherboard station home and dragged a hand down his face, exhaustion seeping into his bones. He’d spent the last 4 hours chasing a mob of goats, 14 chickens and a herd of cows from the freeway after one of Freda’s gates busted open again and it was the one time he didn’t have his trusty work dog, Shep with him. He’d just come off another 16 hour shift at Scarlett Rock police station and wasn’t in the mood to be gathering his tools and heading back to fix a gate.

His bed was calling but knew if he didn’t do it now, he may get called back in to help round up another herd and he just didn’t have time for that. He was due at the pub for their new crews first gig and man was her nervous. He still wasn’t sure how he’d been roped into it.

Mick drew a hand across his brow and shaded his eyes as he looked up into the afternoon sun, it was going to be another hot night. He rolled his shoulders surveying his handy work of Freda’s fence as her goat Betty eyed him, for her now secure lock up.

“I’m sure you’ll find another way,” he shook his head laughing as Betty started pacing. Growing up on a farm meant he wasn’t disillusioned into believing the goat was permanently detained.

The sound of a car had him looking out to the hill to see a black Audi picking up speed, lucky he wasn’t in uniform or the animals making their escape now or this driver would be toast. He leaned back on the post watching the car as it reached the peak of the hill and sailed through the air momentarily, his gut tightening as he waited to see if the car would land and grip or slide and go down the mountain ridge.

Thankfully it was the latter and the driver continued down the road towards him, heading into town. Surprisingly, as the car cruised further along it’s pace had slowed dramatically; with a smile to himself he imagined that small flight they took gave the driver a fright. As the car drew closer, the glint on the windscreen prevented him fully seeing the face of the occupant but through the open window he caught the sound of her velvety smooth voice as she sang along to some tedious city song. He may have spent the last 6 years in the city but he never could acquire the taste for their music. He was surprised further to see a delicate hand come out the window and give a little wave, so she obviously had some country courtesy, he gave a brief wave in return, took a mental note of the license plate to keep an eye out, then watched as the car and it’s owner disappeared further into town. With a quick glance at his watch, Mick figured he had time for a quick shower before heading in for their gig. With that he threw his tools in his bag and made for his car. He might even fit in a quick drink.

Amanda couldn’t help herself, she knew if she planted her foot and picked up a bit more speed she’d get some sweet air. And really, it was the only reason she travelled this way to Kadence’s house. After the week she’d had with the police interviews and Franz fussing over her safety, to her hot but totally off-limits body guard; she deserved to let her hair down and wind the car up. She scanned the road ahead, put her window down and let the rush and anticipation take her over. She knew the car could handle it and without a further thought, planted her foot down further. As the car hit the peak of the hill, the front and then back tyres lifted off the tarmac as it sailed through the air and she couldn’t help but let out a ‘woop’ of excitement. Thank goodness this was a small country town and not many police around, but nevertheless it was time she got back to normal speed, there were farms along this road and it wasn’t worth the risk of an escapee being out in the middle. She cranked up her music and started to settle back in for the rest of her drive, singing along to drown out her concerns from the city.

As she passed what she knew to be old Freda’s farm, her eyes snagged on the unfamiliar shape of a man clad in denim jeans, white shirt (if a little sweaty) and an Akubra on top on his head. His eyes locked on her, s**t, he must have seen her up on the hill. Oh well she thought, too late now and she continued on singing as she stuck her hand out the window for a quick wave. She looked in the rear view mirror and noticed his eyes continued to track her car, she was used to men staring at her but this was different. She had registered his surprise at her wave and figured maybe he was new to country living and Freda had finally taken on someone to help around the farm. From what Kadence tells her, she’d believed the 76 year old would never relinquish the reins to anyone.

She held one last look at his serious piercing blue eyes through the rear mirror and sent a mental fork you to his judgemental expression and continued on her way.

The front door swung open before Amanda had pulled her car to a stop, but her friends welcoming smile was the light she needed in her life right now. She slowly drew herself out of her car and watched as Kadie in a formal dress cut off at the knees and long golden hair like Goldie Locks, sped down the front porch steps and catapulted herself at Amanda. How had she let it be so long between visits?

“You’re here!” squealed her best friend as she squeezed the life out of her, “And you’re way too thin miss. Come inside and we’ll get some cake into you.” She winked half dragging Amanda up the steps.

“Someone missed me,” she smiled back at Kadence ignoring her other comment. She knew her friend cared for her but even the slightest bit of weight can take you out of the game. And she’d worked too hard to get where she was to drop the ball now. “Oh, hang on, I just have to grab my bags.” Amanda half turned when Kadence pulled her back towards the porch.

“Nonsense, Matt can get that for you. He’ll be back in, in about an hour; then we’ve decided to have pub dinner.” Kadence smiled as she looked Amanda over but not addressing any further comment. They’d been friends long enough to know each other’s limits.

“So, tell me, what brings you out my way all of a sudden?” Kadie’s eyes penetrated and Amanda almost felt herself waver. The police had been very set about keeping this killer business quiet and she didn’t want her friend to worry over nothing. “You were very tight lipped on the phone.”

“Well, Franz is finally taking a break in his launch to take over the fashion world,” well it was a half truth since technically he’s been forced to take said break; “and who else would I want to see?” at least that part was true. Amanda didn’t have any family left and she’d been far to busy and career orientated to even look for a boyfriend; Kadence was all the family she had.

That seemed to win Amanda a smile, then a sudden frown creased Kadie’s forehead. “So, no man then?” Here we go, Amanda thought to herself, since Kadie got engaged to her Prince Charming of Scarlett Rock, she felt compelled to take everyone down the same path with her. But Amanda wasn’t interested in a relationship; now a quick roll in the sack never killed anyone, she smiled deliciously at the thought of her last rendezvous, then quickly turned her face back to a suspicious Kadence.

“No man. No thank you.” Amanda put her hands up to stop the harbour of unrequited love she would hear about, “but just to be clear, I never said I haven’t had the pleasure of a mans company recently.” Her smile could match a cheshire cat and was enough to bring Kadence to tears of laughter and put an end to the topic.

They chatted more and caught up on the lastest gossip over coffee and cake; Matt arrived and brought her bags in with him after no doubt Kadence messaged him to do so; got dressed and made their way into the pub.