The Outback Heart by Fiona Palmer Page A

local cabaret? When I finally got around to asking her to dance I refused to let her go.’
    ‘Yes, Dad. And you told her you were going to marry her, that’s why no one else could dance with her.’
    ‘And you remember what she told me?’
    ‘That you had a lot of nerve, that she wasn’t one to be walked over, but if you did want to marry her you would have to ask her father first. And she wouldn’t let you kiss her.’ Indi had heard the story so often. Her mum had made it sound so perfect.
    ‘Well, sweetheart, you just remind them fellas tonight that they have to see me first,’ Allan said sternly.
    ‘Dad, no one even dances any more. Not the old-time stuff.’ She kissed his cheek. ‘You sure you don’t want to come down and see Pat get your number again? All your mates will be there.’
    He shook his head. ‘Not tonight. I’m buggered after spraying and digging the holes for the new shed. Not as young as I used to be. Plus I’ve got these bills to sort through.’
    Since Lizzy had died, Allan had aged more rapidly, and he didn’t like leaving home except to work. It would do him good to socialise more but Indi didn’t want to push it.
    ‘All right, if you’re sure, Dad.’ Indi knew he couldn’t handle going to the footy without Lizzy but at some stage he’d have to take the plunge.
    Allan rubbed his eyes. ‘I’m okay, sweetheart. I’ll get there in my own time.’
    ‘Just so you know, you’re still important to the club, Dad, and all your mates would love to see you back there.’
    Allan went back to fiddling with the invoices.
    ‘Well, see you in the morning. Don’t wait up.’ She kissed his cheek again, grabbed her black jacket off the chair and headed for the door. She paused to glance back at Allan one final time, his big shoulders hunched over the bills. If she could reach in and fix his heart, she would. How did one get over losing the love of their life? Indi bit her lip, steadied herself, and with an aching heart headed to the car.
    The clubhouse was lit up and Indi could hear kids laughing and playing in the playground as she locked her mum’s white Magna. Her ute was always full of dust and on occasions like these Dad insisted she take the car.
    ‘Hi Indi,’ shouted Jett, Jenny and Phil’s eight year old son. He came racing up to her with his best mate beside him. ‘I brought my football. Can you have a kick with us on the oval?’ His grin was huge and toothy. ‘I’ve been practising what we learnt at Auskick with Dad. Wanna see?’ he said.
    ‘I’d love to, Jett, but I’m not dressed for it right now and I have to get inside. But I’d love you to show me at Auskick training on Thursday. Deal?’
    ‘Yeah, cool. Thanks Indi. You’re a great coach.’ Jett turned to his mate. ‘Let’s go.’ They ran off into the dark towards the parked cars.
    At least someone thought she could coach. Indi smiled at the eager boys. They were the future of the club. They had good numbers at Auskick this year, which just reinforced how much they really needed to keep the club going. In a small town, once things were lost, they very rarely came back.
    She continued along the verandah to the glass doors while on the oval a few kids played chasey in the dying light. Inside it was already noisy. Earlier in the day, Tegan had helped Indi put up streamers and balloons in the club colours – red, black, white and green. Boosting morale was part of Indi’s plan to get the town back on side. Through the glass she could see everyone was hanging around the bar in the far left corner. Walking into a crowded room had never bothered Indi before, but tonight would be different. She looked different and felt self conscious, nervous. Unclenching her fists, she pushed open the door and found herself looking for a friend or a place to hide.
    Tegan was not far from the door, talking with Jaffa, who held her arm as he whispered something in her ear. Indi wasn’t going to interrupt but then Tegan spotted