Page 20 of Ruby’s Outback Love

Three Years Later

Bourke NSW

RUBY

“Thanks, mum.” I lifted the coffee mug to my lips and sipped at the steaming brew while she took a seat on the opposite side of the table.

We were the only ones at home, everyone else was either at school or work. In the case of three of my older siblings, they had married and moved out.

It was my first visit home in over a year although mum and dad had visited Sydney eight months earlier to attend my graduation. Work and study had helped the past three years fly by in the blink of an eye.

I’d avoided visiting home during the early part of my study, I couldn’t have dealt with questions I knew would have been asked. Questions like – “have you heard how Phil is doing? Have you been to visit in Brisbane? Has he been down to Sydney? Are you two serious now?”

When Phil didn’t return home for a visit and the two of us were no longer seen together, the townspeople moved on. During my previous visit, no one had shown any interest in what might have happened to cause us to drift apart.

“Any word on Phil and Francine yet?” I knew mum would have mentioned it if she’d heard anything, but I asked anyway.

“Not a word. It’s as if Phil, Francine and their families have vanished into thin air. No one in town has heard a word from any of them, either that or they’re choosing not to say anything to us. Your father and I felt sure we would have heard from Phil’s parents, that they would have given us news of their grandchild despite what had happened between the two of you. I just don’t understand it.” She wrung her hands. “We were such good friends.”

The silence also puzzled me. I’d even had Briony asking around to see if anyone knew anything. But, there was nothing and I was becoming resigned to the fact I would never know for certain what had happened.

“So, none of the happy couple’s friends have heard from them?”

Mum shook her head. “Nope. I often see your friends from school, we stop and chat. They are as mystified as the rest of us. Anyway, enough about them, tell me about your friends in Sydney.”

I laughed. “Good change of topic, mum. It’s only been a few months since you saw them at my graduation.”

She shrugged. “Did Janeen get her residency at Westmead and entry into Western Sydney Uni?”

“Yes, she was so excited. Janeen loves working with kids so it’s perfect. Tim has a new job in Parramatta, so it means they don’t have to be apart. They’re living together in an apartment near the hospital, we helped them move in a couple of weeks ago. After Janeen graduates, they plan to marry.”

“What about Renée?”

“She’s still in the same apartment, it’s only five minutes walk from where she works. Her and Melinda are becoming very close and have been discussing living together at Renee’s place. They haven’t yet made a decision. Callum and his husband, Rick are so much in love and they’re really happy. The four of them often hit the gay scene together.”

“And……?”

I sighed. “Joel and I are friends, mum, nothing more. Like I’ve told you a zillion times, I’m not interested in anything more at this point in time and I may never be. He’s serious with Patty and I don’t think it will be long before he pops the question.”

“I hate knowing you’re alone. Not all men will hurt you like Phil, honey.”

I reached out and placed my hand over hers. “I’m happy, mum. We all hook up now and again, have dinner and go dancing at one of the clubs. Joel’s a good man and I enjoy his company, but we weren’t meant to be.”

Joel had tried hard to win me over in the past, to turn our friendship into something more serious, but the feelings weren’t there for me. I wasn’t ready to move on.

Phil had been such a huge part of my life for many years and it seemed he still had a tight grip on my heart. I wondered if he was happy despite the fact, I’d wished he’d rot in hell.

“I’m so proud of you, Ruby and so is your father. I know you will achieve a great deal in life and hopefully, eventually, you will put the heartbreak behind you.”

“Thanks, mum.”

We spent the next hour discussing my plans for the future – I was studying my master’s degree and planned to go on to a doctorate. After my study was done, I hoped I’d be able to get a Director of Nursing position. I had already amassed a great deal of experience by spending many of my free hours working at the hospital. I’d made the right decision in choosing nursing, I loved it more every day.

When mum decided it was time to prepare dinner and wouldn’t allow me to help, I decided to head into town and have a few words with Barry, if he was free.

***

Almost Twelve Years Later