Free The Saddler Boys by Fiona Palmer Page B

creations in the shape of animals were scattered about under trees. A long lizard gave her a fright before she realised it wasn’t real. At the end of the path they stepped up to a verandah, where they were greeted by an old black dog. Billy didn’t even have the energy to greet the excited animal, who looked quite blind but recognised Billy with one sniff.
    Nat opened the glass sliding door. ‘Anyone home?’
    Billy gave her a funny look before walking inside, his little hand pulling her after him. The house smelt quite musty, and the floor looked as if it hadn’t been swept in a while. They passed the dining table, piled up with papers and unfolded washing, walked through the kitchen, where breakfast dishes still sat on the island bench, and down a passage to the first room on the right. Lightning McQueen and Minecraft posters hung on a light blue wall and the bedspread, covered in motorbikes, was unmade. Toy farm machinery lay all over the carpet. Billy crawled onto his bed.
    â€˜Here, let me take your boots off.’ Nat pulled off the little farm boots, which most of the boys wore to school.
    Billy reached for the doona. ‘I’m cold,’ he whispered.
    Nat felt his forehead again: still hot. She brushed back his hair, wanting to soothe away his pain. His body began to relax.
    â€˜How about I go find you some Panadol and some water? I’ll be back in a minute.’
    When Nat reached the kitchen she wondered if she’d need longer than a minute. How was she going to find Panadol in this mess? She checked the top of the fridge first. No luck, but she did notice a photo of Billy with an older lady – probably Alice – stuck on with magnets. There was another one of Billy on his bike, and one of him standing with a pretty woman, both with their thumbs up, beside a metal kangaroo.
    Nat went through the cupboards and found a small walk-in pantry. Up on a high shelf were the Panadol and other medication. Grabbing the one for kids, she measured out the right amount and took it back to Billy’s room. She was off-duty and, quite frankly, she didn’t care what was protocol any more: this child needed some help.
    â€˜Here, darling, take this. It will help.’ She placed his water bottle on the bedside table after shifting paper Minecraft boxes, and held out the measuring cup of Panadol.
    â€˜Will you stay with me?’ he asked as he handed the cup back and lay back down.
    â€˜Of course.’ She didn’t want to mention his father in case Billy got upset. Instead she knelt by his bed and stroked his hair until he was asleep.
    She sneaked out of his room and went to the kitchen. Everything was in complete disarray. The sink was full and the milk was still out. The floor looked as if someone had walked around with muddy boots on and if she didn’t watch where she put her feet she might end up skating across the room on Billy’s toy cars and tractors. The least she could do was tidy up the dishes.
    She was just about finished when she heard the sliding door open.
    â€˜Billy!’ yelled a voice.
    â€˜Shhhh,’ said Nat as she pulled the plug on the sink water before turning to see the man who had stormed into the house. It was Mr January. Seriously? The man from the shop on her first day was Billy’s father?
    â€˜What the hell are you doing in my house?’ he said, stomping towards her.
    Nat’s senses were assaulted. He stank of sweat and something yucky like animal poo; he was covered in grime from head to toe and had white fluff stuck to his blue singlet. There was even some blood on his forehead.
    â€˜Excuse me?’ she demanded back. ‘Where the hell have you been? Don’t you know how to answer a phone?’
    â€˜I beg your pardon?’ said Drew as he stopped a foot away from her. Dirty hands went to his hips and his arms flexed like a bull ready to charge. He glanced around the house before his eyes zeroed in on her