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She rose early to start breakfast for the men. Karl was asleep on a camp bed on the veranda. He stirred as she passed.
Although it was summer the pre-dawn temperature was cool and Katherine shivered, not just from the cold but also because of the nervousness with which she anticipated the week ahead. Over the meal, conversation was more limited and stilted than usual. Karl joined them after feeding his dog, Jackie. Normally left free to roam Karl chained him near the gates overnight.
‘Please, Benjamin, get these things on my list. I need them for the baby and I really need some clothes, especially some warmer things. Last winter I nearly froze and had to go around half the day with the blanket wrapped around me.’
‘Yeah. It says if a man takes another wife he shall not diminish her food, her clothing and her marriage rights. If he does not provide her with these things she can go free. Give me a list an’ I’ll keep me part of the deal. But ya need to keep yours. I’ll buy ‘em. But Karl ‘ere will tell me if you get ‘em, or not. Like he said, carrot an’ stick, like.’
Karl looked up from the table, smiled his crooked grin and started rolling his breakfast smoke. Into the fine green-grey filling he sprinkled a little white powder.
Benjamin left the table.
Katherine collected the breakfast things and began to wash the dishes. She looked up at the sound of a vehicle departing.
The dust from Benjamin’s departing Land Rover had hardly dissipated when Karl swung around to face Katherine, his eyes glinting with pure evil. At last here was a woman, alone with him, who could not make fun of him. Mock him. Bloody women. Bitches all. His voice was deceptively soft, ‘Well, woman. Wadda ya think, eh?’
‘What do you mean, ‘what do I think’?’
‘Benjamin told me to teach ya to be a good wife ta him. So, how’s I gunna do that, eh? An’ without beltin’ ya, eh?’
‘I’m not his wife. I’m more like a slave. I’m a prisoner here, a victim, I just want to take my child and go. Go home. My husband probably thinks I’ve been murdered or something. If you help me, I reckon there could be a reward, a —’
‘Bloody woman. Reckon Benjamin’s dead right. He says all women try ta seduce men, they’re evil. Jist like he told me: Delilah tricked Samson an’ you’re trying to trick me to cheat Benjamin.’
He lurched forward, grabbed Katherine by the shoulders and spun her around.
‘No, Karl. Stop. Benjamin warned you, no —’
Karl released her. ‘I’se gotta go check them pumps for Benjamin. But I’ll be back. Meantime, feed me dog, clean the place an’ scrub, yeah, scrub the main room. Real clean. Jist like a proper wife, cook an’ clean. I’ll teach ya all right. Dunno how I’se gunna do it if I can’t belt ya like ya deserve. Bloody hell.’
With a push he thrust Katherine forward, so viciously that she stumbled forward and lost her balance. ‘I’ll be back soon ta check on ya. Git goin’, an’ if it ain’t clean, look out.’
She heard Karl’s forced laugh as he turned back towards the main gates and loudly exclaimed, ‘Oh! I’se gunna enjoy this!’
* * *
At the end of the fortnight Benjamin returned to find Katherine very quiet. Carolyn was subdued and keeping her distance from the adults. Karl was smiling as he went about his work, the inevitable cigarette moving from hand to mouth as he laboured.
‘G’day, Karl. How’s it bin?’
‘No worries. Pearler of a day, eh?’
‘Yeah. Give us a ‘and to unload the supplies, will ya?’
Karl shouted across to Katherine, ‘C’mon, woman. Git ya arse inta gear.’
Katherine quickly walked over to the Land Rover and silently started to unload the supplies. She did not look at either man.
‘That’s no way ta greet ya man when his bin gorn, woman. Show a bitta respect!’
Benjamin nearly fell over with surprise when Katherine walked over to him meekly and kissed him on his cheek, with eyes averted, quietly saying ‘Welcome back.’
‘Woman, what’s ‘appened? Ya bin me wife for two years an’ that’s first time ya’ve come that close ta me, let alone kiss me.’
Karl sneered at Katherine. ‘Back? Ain’t ya forgettin’ summit? What’d I tell ya?’
Katherine looked at Benjamin and meekly said, ‘Welcome home. I meant home.’
‘Karl, ya beauty! How’d ya do it? Ya didn’t hurt ‘er did ya?’ He was amazed and puzzled at the change. He looked long and hard. No bruises visible.
