Page 4 of Outback Hearts

‘Flip-flops,’ Amelia translated automatically, then looked at her own shoe collection with dismay. ‘Though she has a point, Soph. I’ve got four pairs myself.’

‘Four sensible pairs,’ Sophie argued. ‘I’ve got options. Trainers, sandals, flip flops, nice sandals, boots, and—’

‘That’s five,’ Jill interrupted.

‘The nice sandals are for evenings!’

Jill picked up one of the “nice sandals”—strappy silver things with a slight heel. ‘Where exactly do you think you’re wearing these? The Longreach RSL?’

Sophie snatched them back protectively. ‘You never know! We might meet people. Go out for dinner.’

‘In the outback, “going out for dinner” means beans on toast by a campfire.’

‘Now you’re just being dramatic,’ Sophie muttered, but she reluctantly removed two pairs of shoes from her pack.

Amelia was quietly reorganising her own bag, though Jill noticed she kept all four pairs of her shoes. Smart enough not to argue, that one, as well as being organised.

They made it work eventually, cramming everything into the back of the van, creating a nest of mattresses and sleeping bags and backpacks.

‘Well,’ Amelia said, surveying the cramped space, ‘it’s cosy. Bordering on claustrophobic, maybe, but it’s ours.’

‘If we’re going to live like sardines for the next few months,’ Sophie said, surveying their handiwork, ‘at least we’re well-shod sardines.’

Jill rolled her eyes, but she was smiling.

Dylan called as they were finishing.

‘You alright, Jilly? Bianca’s mum called Mum. Said Bianca bailed on you.’

‘She did, but I’ve got new travel mates. Two English girls. They seem solid.’

‘You sure about this? Don’t pick up random people, Jill. Mum’ll kill me if anything happens to you.’

‘I didn’t pick up random people. We’re all staying at the hostel. They’re good people, Dylan.’

‘Alright, but you check in regularly, yeah? Let me know where you are, that you’re safe. And Jilly? If that van gives you any trouble at all—anything—you call me straight away. I’ll talk you through fixing it, or I’ll come get you myself.’

‘You’re a good brother,’ Jill said, feeling suddenly emotional. ‘Thanks for the van. For everything.’

‘Look after yourself. And look after my van. I put a lot of work into Vera.’

After they hung up, Amelia climbed into the passenger seat while Sophie sprawled in the back among their bags.

‘Ready?’ Jill asked.

‘Ready,’ they said together.

Jill turned the key, and the van roared to life—exactly as it should, because Dylan was a mechanical genius even if he was an overprotective pain sometimes.

‘Alright then,’ Jill said, pulling onto the highway. ‘Let’s see where this takes us.’

Chapter One

Garnet Creek

Sassy Bailey took the phone and tucked her chin against her shoulder to scan the groceries with one hand. She gave a quick smile to Mrs Simmons to let her know she understood that she was on a call and couldn’t chat.

‘Julia, are you sure you can’t come in?’ she said.