Chapter 6 - i

They arrived in Sale at 10am and Kate spotted a bakery. She pulled in a few stops away, “want a cream bun, Jo?” she asked. He followed her out of the car, clutching the puppy. “You wait out here Jo, they don’t allow dogs inside,” she said and pushed open the door. A bell tinkled above her head as she entered, “morning miss, what can we get you today?” Kate picked out a cream bun for herself and a chocolate éclair for Jo, “we’re on our way to Sydney,” she lied to the attendant, “can you recommend somewhere to stay the night?” The woman handed Kate her change and put her finger to her chin, “I reckon you’d do best at the Best Western Aspen Motor Inn, on the highway, it’s RACV rated.” Kate thanked her and collected Jo from outside the shop. They found a park and sat on a bench enjoying their morning tea. Kate looked around for a café, the hotel wouldn’t be checking in just yet and she was dying for a cup of tea.

Kate put down her empty teacup and looked at her watch. The hotel would be checking in by now. She picked up her bag and exited the shop, followed closely by Jo and Benny. She made a mental note to find a pet shop after lunch. They needed supplies for the pup. They pulled into the hotel drive and Kate parked in front of the office. Kate left Jo in the car while she went inside, “a double room,” she requested, when the attendant looked up. “How long will you be staying?” he asked as he handed her the keys. “Maybe a couple of nights,” Kate replied evasively. He handed her two towels, “Room 16, turn right at the end of the drive, it’s on the left.” Kate thanked him and returned to the car. She didn’t unload much; they had enough in the overnight bag to keep them going another day or two. Kate flicked through the information folder and found a pizza place they could stop for lunch, “Come on Jo, pizza for lunch?” He jumped up enthusiastically and picked up the puppy, he loved pizza. The pizza place was happy for them to bring the dog in and it sat under the table at Jo’s feet, happily munching the tit bits Jo was supplying. “Is there a pet shop around here?” she asked as they finished their meal. “You would have passed it as you came into town, it’s on the main street at the top of the hill.” Kate thanked him and they left the shop.

She soon found the pet shop and parked outside. She would have passed it if they’d come from The Valley via the Princes Highway, but they hadn’t. Kate smiled as they went inside, because she felt like her plan was working so far. “We need some things for the dog,” she indicated the puppy to the young shop assistant. “Well, you’ll need food, a bowl, collar and lead to start,” he said as he went around the shop and selected the appropriate things. He obviously knew about puppies, as he expertly moved around the shop. “These should last you a while,” he explained as her rang them through, “there is enough food for a fortnight.” Kate also asked about a dog bed, and they soon selected a soft-sided model that would be easy to pack. Kate paid in cash and thanked him. He fitted the dog collar and snapped on the lead. He handed the lead to Jo, “there you go kid,” he said and ruffled his hair. Kate asked if they needed to register the puppy with the local council. “You don’t need to register the dog until its three months old by April next year,” he informed Kate dutifully. Kate thanked him again and they left the shop. She’d need to stay in the east until Monday if she was to ensure that if followed they would think she was headed to Sydney. Perhaps they’d stay in Sale another night, Kate thought she remembered that one of her old Uni pals moved to the country after graduating. She made a mental note to look her up.

She had looked through the white pages in the office and taken down two numbers for M Parker. Kate would have to try her luck. She went back to their room, and found Jo rolling a tennis ball around the room attempting to teach Benny to fetch. Kate laughed and picked up the phone. “Hi, Michele speaking,” a familiar voice said as the phone was picked up. “Michele, it’s Kate, from Uni, how are you?” There was a short pause, “Kate, Kate McBride? I haven’t heard from you in ages. I’m fine, how are you?” Kate told her that she was staying in town and would like to catch up. Michele wasn’t doing anything tomorrow and invited her for lunch. Kate asked if it was ok for Jo to join them, “that’s fine, gee, it will be great to catch up. I don’t see anyone from Uni these days….” Kate smiled as she replaced the receiver and picked up the information folder. She didn’t feel like going out again tonight. She wanted to order something in, “what would you like Jo?” she beckoned him over to inspect the restaurant brochures. He pointed to Chinese, and Kate checked to see if they delivered. They did, so Kate picked up the phone again and dialled their number.

There was a knock on the door 40 minutes later, and the fragrance of the food rapidly filled the room as Kate unpacked the dishes. Fried rice, sweet and sour pork, beef with black bean and they had even thrown in some prawn crackers that Jo was rapidly devouring. Kate hadn’t realised that he liked Chinese. They hadn’t had it before. Kate flicked on the telly for the evening news. It had just started. She poured herself and Jo a juice and they settled down to enjoy their meal. Kate had already fed the dog, but he still sat at their feet begging. “Don’t feed him,” warned Kate, “he’ll get fat, and Chinese food isn’t good for dogs.” Jo looked at Benny apologetically with open, empty hands and after a few more minutes had passed without any tit bits, Benny gave up and put his head on his paws. After tidying up dinner, Jo and Kate had watched TV for a little while, as there was a kid’s movie on. After it had finished Kate had tucked Jo into bed and read him a short story. Jo turned over to go to sleep and Kate lifted the puppy off the bed and put him in his new basket. She got ready for bed herself and settled down to pen another letter to Ben. She was sleepy by the time she finished and she turned off her lamp and lay back on the pillows. She fell asleep thinking over the time she had spent with Ben. ‘Would she ever see him again…?’

Kate looked up when she heard someone at the door, “breakfast,” a voice announced from outside. Kate opened the door, drying her hair with a towel. Jo was still in the shower. The lady put the tray on the table and left, closing the door behind her. Kate inspected the tray, cereal, toast, juice and a couple of spreads. ‘No marmalade,’ she noted with disappointment. She spread a piece of toast with apricot jam and called out to Jo, “you done yet? Breakfast is here.” Jo emerged from the bathroom still dripping. Kate put down her toast and dried him off. The kettle clicked and Kate made herself a cup of tea while Jo dressed. Kate looked at him and laughed, “come here you little monkey,” he came to her and she pulled off his t-shirt, “you put it on the wrong way round!” She put it back on and kissed him on the cheek. He poured milk onto his cornflakes and sprinkled them generously with sugar. Kate shook her head and flicked on the TV, there were cartoons on Win. She soaked a couple of wheat-bix in milk and put them on the floor for the puppy once they were all soggy. The young man in the pet shop had recommended soggy wheat-bix for breakfast.

Kate finished tidying up their things and called to Jo, “let’s go, I remember seeing a park yesterday. We can take Benny for a walk.” Jo poked his head up from the far side of the bed and then raced out the door with Benny on the lead. They slowly pulled out onto the highway. There was only a little bit of traffic, but it would get busier, it was only 9.30am. They soon found the park and Kate pulled up the car. The playground was deserted at this time of the morning, and there were only a couple of joggers, circling the lake in the centre of the park. Jo raced off with Benny, heading straight for the swings. Kate picked up the lead and wandered around the playground, always keeping one eye on Jo. Benny was happily sniffing everything and left his mark on a few places. Kate laughed; he really was a cute little dog. She was glad because she thought he would be a stabilising influence for Jo and that he would help keep him company on the lonely road ahead of them. The sun had climbed higher in the sky and Kate’s stomach growled. It was time for lunch, “come on Jo,” she called, “time to go!”