Free The Saddler Boys by Fiona Palmer

frame. The birds in the trees were talking to each other; it was noisy yet it felt so silent. As if there was no one else for miles. Natalie had never been so remote before, and as strikingly beautiful and different as it was, she worried about what wildlife might visit her small backyard during the night. As long as it wasn’t Rodger out for a slither, she should be okay.
    She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had a moment to herself to appreciate her surroundings. Maybe not since the picnic at Kings Park with Uncle Kent, when he’d surprised her for her nineteenth birthday. He’d spent most of the time telling her about the breeds of birds and the species of trees that surrounded them. Nat could have listened to him all day. She smiled as she raised the wine to her lips. The moment was perfect and she had the whole weekend to herself.
    Bliss.

Chapter 8
    THE weekend was lovely and refreshing with no one to answer to. She’d found herself sitting and contemplating her situation. Thinking about Gary and their engagement, her parents and her job. She also worked on her school plan for the kids, made up some colourful new charts and classroom decorations and finished off with some romantic comedy movies. Natalie got ready for school feeling fabulous. She dressed for the occasion with a pencil skirt, thick black belt and a matching soft grey silk top with a black collar and cuffs. Her hair was back in a sleek ponytail and she wore her favourite black red-bottom heels, and a matching red lipstick for an extra flash of colour. She was about to head off to work when her phone rang. It was Gary. She was dying to tell him how well Billy was progressing and that Seth had just aced his maths test and was entering a competition.
    â€˜Hey, how’s my princess?’ he said. ‘Are you missing me?’
    â€˜I’m fine, and of course I miss you.’
    â€˜Enough to quit and come home to me yet?’
    â€˜Honey, you know I have to do this. No matter how much I’m missing you.’
    â€˜I know, baby. I just miss you so much,’ he replied. ‘And you’re going to be my wife now. I want you here so I can take care of you.’
    â€˜We have the rest of our lives together. We haven’t even set a date yet.’
    â€˜Next time you’re home we will. Look, babe, I have to go. Jimmy is waving at me like he’s dying from food poisoning. My dad must be here for the meeting. Talk soon. Love you.’
    â€˜Love you too,’ she whispered, but he’d already hung up.
    Nat tucked her phone away, locked up her house and walked to school, thinking things over. She had a niggling feeling that Gary’s proposal had come early due to her stay in the country. Had it made him realise how much he loved her? Or was it just a way to get her to come home? Maybe it was a bit of both. Surely if he loved her he’d know she had to see the year out. She took a deep breath. The walk was just what she needed to be able to face her kids with a bright smile.
    After lunch, the kids were having a great time. Sure, Isaac was play-shooting everyone more than ever because his dad had just got a new shotgun, and Ava had picked her nose for the tenth time – but it was Billy who had her worried. He wasn’t his usual bright self. He hadn’t spoken much that morning, not even a polite question, and now he had his head resting on the desk. Normally she’d have a few issues trying to get him to focus on the task at hand, and it had started off like that this morning, but now it was definitely something more.
    â€˜Billy, do you need help?’ Nat knelt down beside him and noticed the sweat along his hairline. ‘Are you feeling okay?’
    Without lifting his head from the desk he rocked it slightly while blinking slowly. His lips were dry.
    Nat touched his forehead. He was hot and clammy. ‘Oh, you poor boy. Why didn’t you tell me you weren’t feeling