‘Nothing like the threat of an enema to sort out malingerers,’ said Enid with a smile of satisfaction. ‘Right, now we’ve got rid of him, let’s get on with cleaning up this hospital. The whole place looks like a sand dune – most unhygienic.’

Becky was grinning as she stripped the last of the beds and carried the linen into the laundry. They’d broken the mould when Enid and Louise had been made – but then it seemed that their generation of women was born tough and indomitable, and Morgan’s Reach would not be the same without them.

*

Sandra was still in her nightclothes as she smoked one cigarette after another and flicked through an old magazine. She had been moody and restless all morning, and Jane was worried enough about Hugh without having to deal with her daughter-in-law’s self-inflicted hangover and sullen expression.

She was on the point of telling the girl to either get stuck into some work about the place or come with her to the hospital when the call came in on the two-way.

‘G’day, Jane.’ The drawling voice came down the crackling line. ‘This is Don Warrington out at Gilburn Station. One of me drovers has had a bit of a run-in with a bull. I tried the Flying Doctor but he’s gone up to Borroloola, and the spare plane’s out of action cos of last night’s storm. Reckon we might need a bit of help.’

Jane closed her eyes and took a deep breath. ‘Hugh’s already out, but my son Terence is here. Is the injured man at the homestead?’

‘Nah, he’s out near Blackman’s Creek. One of the trackers rode in this morning to tell me. I’ll send him down to the main road to wait for Terence and show him the way.’

‘Can’t you bring him in?’

‘Reckon he wouldn’t last if we moved him,’ he replied. ‘The bull’s horn ripped him in the belly. Would appreciate it if Terence could get here quick.’

‘I’ll arrange it now.’

‘Terry’s asleep,’ said Sandra as she flung the magazine aside and stubbed out her cigarette in the overflowing ashtray. ‘And I need him here. Why can’t you go?’

Jane kept hold of her temper and eyed her daughter-in-law with little affection. ‘I’m not a doctor, and if you could see what a bull can do with its horns, you would understand why that poor man’s needs are far more urgent than yours.’

Sandra blinked at the sharpness of her tone. ‘Terry’s exhausted,’ she said. ‘And the weather’s closing in again. It wouldn’t be safe.’

Jane didn’t even bother to reply as she headed for their bedroom and tapped on the door before going in. ‘I’m sorry, Terry,’ she said as she gently shook him awake. ‘You’re needed out at Gilburn Station.’