The Outback Heart (26 page)

TROY
was alive. Indi was holding his hand, she’d told him she still loved him, and the Saints had scored the first goal. He felt like he was flying. For the first time since Peta’s death, he had a life worth living.

His phone vibrated in his pocket.

I’m here, by the kids area, where r u?

Troy couldn’t stop grinning. He’d actually pulled it off!

Turning, he scanned the play area for the familiar fiery red hair. Troy spotted a guy in jeans, a jumper and sunnies. Dressed just like everyone else here. Troy knew that stance and he knew that ginger hair. The only thing unfamiliar about Freddie Mansfield was the sling around his arm.

‘Come with me,’ Troy said to Indi. He was still holding her hand – he wasn’t game to let her go again – and dragged her with him. He weaved back through the crowd.

‘You’re here!’ said Troy as he got closer. ‘I wasn’t sure, you know,’ he said, feeling hesitant. He didn’t deserve a mate as great as Freddie.

‘I told you I’d always be your best mate, Troy, and I meant it. It’s bloody great to see you.’ Freddie reached his good arm out and pulled Troy in for a strong hug. Troy finally let Indi’s hand go and wrapped it around Freddie. He didn’t realise how much he’d missed him, and if Freddie kept squeezing him this hard his emotions were going to burst from his eyes in a very unmanly way.

‘I’m sorry,’ said Troy.

Freddie pulled back at last, his hand remaining on Troy’s shoulder. ‘Don’t be. I don’t care any more. What’s important is that you’re here and you rang me.’ After the longest minute he glanced at Indi. ‘And you must be Indi?’

Troy found Indi’s hand again, giving it a squeeze. He almost laughed when he saw her face. ‘This is one of your biggest fans. Indi, I’d like you to meet my best mate, Freddie.’

‘
What?
Freddie Mansfield?
The
Freddie Mansfield, captain of the West Coast Eagles? Brownlow Medallist and Club Champion four times?’ Indi shot Troy a look of shock.

‘Nice to meet you, Indi.’ Freddie gave her a hug, and when Indi realised that’s what he was doing, she latched onto him.

Troy laughed and pulled her back. ‘You’re with me, remember?’ he joked, but still a tinge of jealousy stirred. Oh, how he loved his awesome football girl.

‘I can’t believe you know Freddie,’ said Indi, gathering her wits. ‘Why didn’t you tell me?’ She glanced back at the game, eager to pay attention but distracted by this new turn of events.

Troy just shrugged. ‘Indi’s a football nut,’ he explained to Freddie. ‘She helps with the team and kicks a mean ball herself.’

Freddie chuckled. ‘I find it quite funny that you finally found a girl, and she likes
me
,’ he said teasingly. ‘Indi, if it wasn’t for Troy’s heart, he’d be the captain of West Coast, not me. I’d bet my own heart on it. You were a better player than I ever was.’

‘Is that right? What else haven’t you been telling me, Troy?’ she asked.

He just gave her that guilty look again.

‘Well, at least now he’s a brilliant coach,’ Indi gushed. ‘You’d be proud of what he’s done, Freddie. He’s taken this team from zero to hero.’ Indi smiled across at Troy. ‘He’s a natural leader and such an inspiration.’

Troy kissed her forehead, wondering if he could possibly love her any more if he tried. Tonight he was taking her home and he wasn’t letting her out of his sight.

‘Come on. Let’s go watch the game.’

As the three of them headed back to the boundary line, Troy noticed the stares of disbelief. No one would expect to see a football great like Freddie in Hyden.

‘How’s the shoulder?’ Indi asked him.

Trust her to want to quiz him on that
, Troy thought.

‘It’ll be okay. Out for a few more games. I still have to get back to Perth tonight, ready for tomorrow’s game against Port, though.’

Indi smiled at Freddie like a starstruck teenager.

‘So, who are your boys?’ Freddie asked.

‘The Hyden–Karlgarin Saints,’ said Indi proudly.

‘We’re behind by a goal,’ said Troy. He wasn’t worried yet. They looked good, but were getting some bad bounces and unlucky calls. ‘But they have so much determination. I’m proud of them.’

‘Would you both come and watch the home games if I got you tickets?’ Freddie asked.

‘Shit, yeah!’ Indi said.

‘Would love to, Freddie.’ Troy squeezed Indi’s hand to get her attention. ‘Well,’ Troy said, watching Indi carefully, ‘I was planning on the two of us taking a trip to Geraldton to visit my folks, so we could time that around the next Eagles match.’ He turned to his best mate. ‘Thanks, mate. That’d be great.’ He couldn’t stop looking at Freddie even though the game was on. He hadn’t changed, yet at the same time he had. He was amazing. It was weird watching him on TV and now finally to see him in the flesh. All brawn. He admired how fit Freddie was.

‘You want to take me to see your folks?’ Indi squeaked, shaking his arm.

‘Of course. I’m planning a surprise visit. Gerry wants to come too. Is that okay?’

Indi buried her head in his neck, her arm around his waist. ‘It’s more than okay.’

Troy studied the play for a moment before turning to Indi. ‘Indi, we need some changes. Brick needs to come off.’ He had her full attention as he passed on some more messages. She grabbed a water bottle and ran onto the field.

‘It’s good to see you so happy,’ said Freddie, as Troy realised his best mate was watching Indi and not the game.

‘Yeah, I didn’t think I’d get so lucky again.’

Indi came back to their sides with a bounce in her step. She turned to Troy suddenly, a curious expression on her face. ‘Hey, if you’re not leaving, why did you quit working with Jenny and Phil?’

‘Lucky’s going back to Ireland so the Taylors needed a new worker. I’ve been wanting to get back on a farm and they have a great house that goes with the job,’ he said, giving her a wink. ‘He offered me the job straight away.’

‘Oh, that sounds amazing, Troy. I’m so glad you’re not leaving.’ Indi’s eyes were shining and her face glowed.

He would have been such a fool to leave her behind. ‘Did you really think I would?’ he asked.

She kissed him in response.

Indi’s pocket beeped and she pulled out her phone. ‘It’s Teegs, wanting to know the score. Oh, I have to tell her who I’m standing next to. She won’t believe it. Can you get a photo of me and Freddie?’ she asked. Troy rolled his eyes.

The quarter-time siren sounded and the team gathered on the field, waiting for Troy’s instructions. Killer was rolling his shoulder, and Troy hoped he hadn’t done anything serious. Jasper was walking fine, his ankle holding up well, and Lucky was staggering as usual. The rest walked with their heads high and shoulders back. They still had plenty of spirit but the fight had just begun.

Troy glanced at Freddie. ‘You ready to come inspire my team?’

‘Sounds to me like you already do that,’ Freddie replied, clapping Troy on the back.

Together they walked onto the field. Troy felt like he was sixteen again with the whole world at his feet. He realised now that it still was, and with Indi by his side it always would be.

FOUR YEARS LATER

INDI
held onto the wooden lectern to give herself strength. It was hard and cold to touch, and she could feel the sweat starting to bead on her forehead. She hated public speaking at the best of times, but it was even more frightening now as she looked out over the sea of mourners. Most wore black, except for the footy guys. They’d all put their jumpers on over their shirts and Brick had brought the premiership flags. Two years in a row they’d won it, but it was their first Grand Final win, the year Troy had taken the helm, that was still their favourite. It had certainly brought the town to life again and the club hadn’t looked back since. He would have been so happy to see them all here in their team colours, their jumpers adding some much-needed colour to the room. Tears had streamed down her cheeks when she first saw them all arriving in their footy jumpers. It broke her heart.

Indi had been here before, facing a mass of heartbroken faces, most hidden behind sunglasses. It was something she would never get used to. It wasn’t the first funeral and it certainly wouldn’t be the last.

With a shaking hand, she smoothed out her handwritten notes. She didn’t know why she bothered with notes – she always forgot to follow them. The crowd waited patiently, probably expecting her to break down. She would have if she had any tears left.

Tegan was by her side, cradling Indi’s baby Lizzy. Little Lizzy was still at the cooing stage and totally fascinated by her own tiny fingers. Tegan cuddled her close, kissing her soft scattering of dark hair. Lizzy had Troy’s eyes, deep dark browns that often kept Indi from getting any work done. Smiling at her baby in Tegan’s loving arms, she nodded. Now was the time to make her start before she fell to pieces. The thought of babies without their fathers was too much to bear.

‘Thank you all for coming. He really would have been so happy to see you all here.’ Pat had said earlier that there were nearly a thousand people coming today. She tried not to think about the number as she continued. ‘It seems like just the other day I was up here for my mum, and this feels too soon. I loved him so much. We loved the same things and we loved a good laugh. I will miss him every day.’ Indi felt a tear slip down her face. With a smile she flicked it away.

‘Every tear I shed is a reminder of another wonderful time we have shared. Every moment we had is worth every single tear. If I had a chance to go through this again, knowing the outcome, I would do it in a heartbeat. Just to share those moments with him all over again. Every second of pain since his passing is nothing compared to the joy of sharing his life, no matter how short. I’m eternally grateful for just getting to kick a football with him, or to watch him laugh. He had a heart bigger than this town. Only a few of us ever got to see just how gentle and caring he was. But we will go on, for him. He would be expecting great things from all of us.’

Indi was about to crumble. It didn’t help that she spotted Trevor in the front row in his Saints scarf. He smiled and gave her a wink. She could use one of his hugs right now. She rushed out her last thoughts. ‘Hold those you love close to your heart and cherish every second. I can guarantee you it is worth it in every way.’ Indi smiled through her tears as people began to clap and cheer. It was like the grand final win. ‘He would have loved this,’ she said to Tegan as she held out her arms for Lizzy. She needed her baby for strength as she glanced over to the coffin.

‘That was beautiful,’ Tegan said, tears pouring down her face. She rubbed her large belly through the tight black dress. Tegan was even more stunning pregnant.

‘I agree. It was beautiful. You did wonderfully, Indi,’ said Maddie before crouching down to talk to the child whose chubby little hand was in hers. ‘What is it, Hayden?’

‘Where’s Cooper?’ he asked. He looked so cute in his little black pants and shirt. Maddie always dressed the twins the same.

‘Cooper’s with Daddy. Shall we find them?’

Hayden nodded his head, his blond curls shaking. ‘Okay,’ he said.

Maddie gave them a tired-mother smile. ‘I’ll catch up with you at the cemetery,’ she said. Maddie hugged them both, touched Tegan’s belly and kissed Lizzy before slowly walking Hayden outside to find his twin.

Indi felt a hand on her shoulder. ‘You know, Mrs Mitchell, I had a horrible feeling while listening to that speech that you were talking at my funeral.’ Indi turned around and stepped into Troy’s embrace, careful not to wake Lizzy. ‘You did good up there, Indi,’ he whispered.

‘Thanks. You know, what I said is true for us too. Every moment with you is a blessing and I will never regret being with you.’ Indi rested her head against his chest, the sound of his heart strong. She smiled down at Lizzy, who had dozed off despite all the noise. ‘Where were you?’ she asked Troy, stepping back. Indi was well aware that right now Tegan was hurting, and because she couldn’t hold the man she loved it made it all the harder for her to see others who could. Indi reached out for her hand and pulled her close. She would not leave her best friend alone.

‘Sorry. Ty needed to go to the toilet. Our son has the worst timing ever. He found Cooper and the two of them are running around the trees,’ said Troy.

Tegan laughed. ‘Oh, Ty so takes after Jasper in that department. His timing’s never been great.’

‘Yeah, look how long it took him to ask you out.’ A year after Tegan broke up with Jaffa, Jasper finally got up the nerve. Tegan had been waiting long enough.

Indi felt her chest constrict as she remembered Jasper playing with Ty and Lizzy. He loved being with Ty and the twins so much and couldn’t wait to be a dad himself one day. He’d spend hours trying to teach them to kick a football or just playing with Matchbox cars in the sandpit.

As Indi glanced at Tegan’s huge belly she felt so many questions burning inside her. Why Jasper? Why now? He would have been a wonderful father. He had been so excited about the baby, had already built it a crib and turned Indi’s old room into a nursery.

Tegan was tugging on her hand and when Indi glanced up Tegan had that knowing smile, as if she knew exactly what she was thinking.

‘We’ll be fine, Indi. I’m just so happy to have a part of Jasper with me. Our child will grow up knowing everything about his dad, how wonderful he was. We will make it.’ Tegan sniffed back her tears.

‘You’ll never be alone. Not with us crazy mob around. And I mean the whole of Hyden when I say that.’ Indi smiled at her sister-in-law.

Troy put his hand on Tegan’s shoulder and gave it a squeeze. ‘She certainly didn’t mean me. I’m not crazy.’ He winked at Indi, before wrapping his arm around Tegan.

‘Hey, Tegan,’ Pat said. ‘Beautiful speech. You too, sis.’ Pat’s eyes were hidden behind his sunglasses but she could see his cheeks were puffy. ‘Troy?’ said Pat, nodding his head in the direction of the coffin.

‘Yep. Let’s go,’ said Troy, following Pat. They were joined by Allan and James. The four of them carried Jasper’s coffin down the church aisle, lined on both sides by the Hyden–Karlgarin footy team.

Indi and Tegan were about to follow when the strangest sight appeared in the doorway.

‘Kingy?’ said Indi. He stood before them with his hair cut and beard trimmed. He’d showered and was dressed up in an old suit. Indi muttered, ‘Well, I’ll be damned.’

‘I’m so sorry. Such a shock when I heard. I don’t know much about aneurisms but I’m sure there was nothing anyone could have done.’ Kingy reached out and touched their arms. ‘I’m sorry. He was a top bloke. Always had time for me, stopping for a chat. I’ll never forget him.’

Kingy smiled and shuffled away. Indi had fresh tears blurring her eyes. As she glanced at Tegan she realised she was the same. ‘He’s right, you know. There was nothing we could have done.’

‘If only I’d pushed him harder to go to the doctor for his headaches.’

Indi pointed her finger at Tegan. ‘Do not ever think that again. We could all blame ourselves for not pushing Jasper, but none of us were to know. He wouldn’t want you feeling responsible. He’d want you to move on and make a great life for you and your child.’ She put her hand on Tegan’s belly. ‘You know I’m right.’

Tegan smiled. ‘Jasper was right: you are a bit bossy.’ Then Tegan laughed. ‘Oh, was Kingy really in a suit?’

Indi chuckled. ‘It was so sweet of him to come.’

Tegan and Indi began to file out of the church behind the mourners.

Indi smiled up into the clear blue sky, so huge, picturing Jasper with their mum, and for a moment Indi was a little envious that Jasper got to be with her. They would take care of each other.

Indi understood. You lose people in life – that’s the way it goes – but it’s how you move on and remember them that counts, and Indi really wanted to make it count. Kissing her sleeping daughter, she turned back to join the slow-moving crowd and continue on her journey.