Page 14 of Ruby’s Outback Love

I’d only been back to visit Bourke once since Phil and I had gone our separate ways. It had been about a month earlier and no one had asked what had happened between us when I made it known we were no longer an item. Not that we’d really ever been. Regardless, people either didn’t care, or didn’t want to upset me, because they didn’t push for answers.

Mum had said neither Phil nor Francine had been back for a visit and I doubted either would enlighten the community. Despite their faults, I knew neither liked their private business bandied about and would keep things close to their chests. I couldn’t help wondering if they were now married and the proud parents of a baby boy or girl.

Mum didn’t know either. Francine’s family had moved down to Brisbane to be near their daughter while Phil’s parents had spent a few days in Brisbane before heading overseas for a trip to Europe. They also intended settling in Brisbane when they returned.

I tried telling myself I didn’t care. Phil and Francine could both rot in hell as far as I was concerned. But being honest, I was seriously curious.

Studying and working part-time, utilising my fledgling nursing skills was a godsend. I worked long hours at one or the other until I dropped into bed, too exhausted to think or dream about the man I had loved with my entire heart. The man I continued to love and probably always would – much to my disgust. I often wondered if the sorrow, anger and heartache would ever diminish.

The sun’s rays poured through the living room window of the small apartment I rented and onto the pages of the book which lay open before me. Patterns of light illuminated and distorted the words, dust motes danced in the beams. It was a beautiful day, far too nice to be indoors studying.

After shutting down the computer, I grabbed my purse and keys and headed outdoors.

***

The air was warm, the sky clear blue – not a cloud in sight. I headed the short distance along City Road before crossing into Victoria Park. Birds fussed overhead in large gum trees. The leaves of tall palm trees fluttered in the slight breeze.

Adults sat on lush, green grass – chatting while children played around them. The park was an oasis, surrounded by tall buildings, traffic and the hustle and bustle of the city.

I was deep in thought when a tug on my arm startled me back to the present. I peered down into the face of a cute little girl I guessed was aged about four years old. Her curly gold coloured locks were tied up in pigtails and emerald green eyes shone with the innocence of youth.

“Hello, lady.”

I dropped to my haunches and smiled. “Hello, there. What can I do for you?”

She stretched out her arm and in her hand was a small pink camera. “Can you take a picture of me and my mummy, please?”

I accepted the camera and smiled. “Of course, I can. Where’s mummy?”

She turned and pointed to a woman who was an adult version of her. The apple certainly hadn’t fallen far from the tree.

I stood and followed the little girl as she ran toward her mother. Once I was close enough, the woman smiled, thrust out her hand and we shook.

“Hi, thank you for agreeing to take our picture. Riley received the camera for her birthday a few days ago and is obsessed with taking pictures. I’m Libby.”

“Ruby, and it’s a pleasure. Your daughter is a sweetheart.”

Libby chuckled and patted the little girl’s head. “Most of the time she is.”

“Where would you like to stand for your picture?”

Libby glanced down at Riley. “I think right here would be nice with the city buildings and palm trees in the background.”

“Of course, the buildings and trees are quite a contrast.” I retreated a few steps, positioned the viewfinder and snapped off a couple of shots – a mixture of close ups and distance.

Once done, I stepped back towards the pair and handed the camera to Riley. Libby crouched down and helped her daughter to look at the images. The little girl’s face lit up when she saw them.

“We look beautiful, mummy. Will you frame one for me when we get home? I can put it next to daddy’s picture in my bedroom.”

“Yes, I have a frame at home so we’ll print one off this afternoon.”

Riley turned her face up to me. “My daddy went to heaven but he watches over me and keeps me safe.”

I felt tears well in my eyes, my heart broke a little for the sweet girl and her mother. I crouched down and hugged Riley to me, when I stood, I caught Libby swiping a tear from her cheek.

“Come on Riley, we need to be going and I’m sure Ruby needs to get on with whatever she was doing.” She extended her hand towards her daughter but Riley curled her finger at me, wanting me to come closer.

I dropped down again, and she wrapped her tiny arms around my neck before kissing my cheek.