Tom was already turning away when his own phone played a stupid tune. He grabbed at it and pressed end without looking at the screen.

Dan could see the guilty look on his face.

“Look, Tom, I don’t mind you taking the odd call.”

“They’ll ring back later.”

Dan looked back at the tractor. There was little more he could do on that for the time and his hand was throbbing. He probably should go and wash up and check out the damage to his fingers.

“Okay. Well, once you’ve finished that lot you may as well knock off for the day. Tomorrow we’ll start on the machinery. There’s the boom spray to clean out and the auger needs seeing to.”

Tom stood with his hands thrust firmly into both pockets. He spoke hesitantly. “I reckon we should check those fences over at the Harvey place again. There were some a bit dodgy before we shifted the sheep in.”

“Good idea, you go there first then. I’ll meet you back here in the morning.”

Tom gave him a small smile and went back to shifting the posts.

“Damn,” Dan muttered. He did have some bridges to build with Tom. He grimaced as the pain pulsed through his hand, whistled for Spud and headed down to the house.

* * *

Paula kissed her mother and her sister goodbye in the shopping centre car park. They were driving their hire car to the airport in time to catch their flight to Sydney and had decided earlier in the day that she wouldn’t go and see them off. Paula found it hard to concentrate on the farewells when the idea that Dan had kept silent about his father’s will was at the forefront of her thoughts.

Her mother kissed her and held her tight. “Not long now, darling and I’ll be back to help you with this new baby.”

Her father stepped up. “I might even clear the decks and come back then as well.” He smiled and wrapped her in a hug. “Make sure you find out about that will,” he murmured in her ear. “I have some good lawyer contacts if you need help.”

Paula pulled away. “I’m sure that won’t be necessary,” she said, then stretched her face into a smile and waved at the rest of the family in the car. “I’ll ring in a few days,” she called.

The concern on her father’s face as he backed the car out bothered her. Surely there was nothing complicated about the will, that’s why Dan hadn’t told her about it.

“Bye, darling,” her mother called and Paula glimpsed her putting a tissue to her face as the car moved away.

Paula got into her own car. The interior was warm so she started the engine and pushed the air-conditioning button.